The go-ahead has been given for Teachers’ TV, a new interactive television channel due to launch in early 2005. The service is intended to be available on digital satellite, terrestrial and cable television in the UK.

The channel, the first of its type in Europe, will carry programmes on training and development, resources for the classroom and education news.

Teachers’ TV will be available on Sky and Freeview and discussions are currently underway regarding distribution on NTL and Telewest digital cable.

The service is being funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) with an annual budget of £20m but will be editorially independent.

The channel will include interactive services, enabling viewers to access further information about programmes, personalise their viewing and highlight what’s relevant to them on the schedule. Some programmes will be made available on demand on the website where there will also be links to online resources directly related to programmes, lesson plans and Teachers’ TV community services such as forums.

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http://informitv.com/articles/2004/07/09/teacherstvapproved/