History
1999–2000
In 1999, an initiative by Caroline Diehl to create Community Channel was supported by Elisabeth Murdoch of BSkyB, deputy home secretary Paul Boateng and cabinet office minister Lord Charles Falconer. Community Channel launched on 18 September 2000 as a national two-hour "ethical shopping channel." This platform provided charities an opportunity to showcase their merchandise, raised awareness of the works of national charities, and contributed to increasing the number of volunteers across the UK.2002–03
By 2002, Community Channel had increased its broadcast hours from three hours a day to 12 hours a day (8am8pm).Benjamin, Alison (19 June 2002)2004–05
2004 saw the launch of flagship drama series ''Kismet Road''. Commissioned by the Department of Health, ''Kismet Road'' used drama to promote good health. Using a number of Asian actors, writers, trainees and integrating Urdu and Punjabi in the dialogue, ''Kismet Road'' was a breakthrough series in showcasing a multicultural Britain. Community Channel also introduced an interactive TV donation service in 2004. This service offered a round-the-clock on-air presence for selected charities, encouraging donations from viewers. Developed by Sky Interactive, the red button feature also allowed participating charities to promote their fundraising campaigns, including existing programs, films, or advertisements, at no additional cost to the charities. In 2004, Community Channel moved from an overnight slot on Freeview to a daytime slot. 2005 saw Nick Ware, former Creative Director for BBC Learning, take on the role of channel controller and Community Channel became available on NTL for 24 hours a day. The documentary Abnormally Funny People broadcast in partnership with Sky and won several awards. It featured a group of gifted stand-up comedians: Tanyalee Davis, Steve Best, Liz Carr, Steve Day, Chris McCausland and Simon Minty. All but one of them is disabled and all are very funny. Abnormally Funny People celebrates its 10th anniversary at Edinburgh in summer 2015. In support of The Year of The Volunteer campaign, Community Channel broadcast a range of programmes which highlighted the work of people who donated their time to good causes. Programmes included ''Beach Lovers'' and ''Charity Chic'' – a magazine show chronicling the lives of those involved in charity shop work. Programming in July 2005 included ''Restoration'' and ''Soaplife'', which featured Fiona Phillips as presenter. In September, Community Channel and the Royal Horticulture Society produced "Britain in Bloom", a partnership that ran for three years of the RHS Awards, focusing on the Neighbourhood Award scheme, also working with the BBC. Partnering with Channel Five, Mad 4 Arts was shown in October. Also in October, pairing with BBC, Community Channel aired the National Lottery Awards.2006
On Thursday 6 July 2006, the Broadcasters Joint Declaration was renewed with new signatories and at an event was held at Channel 4. The signatories were BBC, ITV, Channel Four, Five, Sky, Turner, Flextech Television, Disney, MTV, Discovery, GMTV, ITN and PACT. Community Channel became available for two more hours on Freeview. Community Channel was also at the forefront of the interactive TV campaign to raise money for the Indian Tsunami. Launched to coincide with National Giving Week, Community Channel launched an online social networking area called YourCharitySpace for visitors to blog about charity issues. The site also offers visitors the chance to donate by linking to a specially designed page on the Charities Aid Foundation's website. 2006 saw the launch of Give More, Get More, Volunteer – a campaign to make volunteering more accessible for marginalised groups including people with no formal qualifications, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. In January, The Skoll Foundation’s series ''The New Heroes'' aired, telling the dramatic stories of 14 daring people from all over the world who are helping bring social reform to poor and marginalized people around the globe. In August, partnering with BBC Two, Community Channel broadcast '' Restoration Village'', followed by ''North By North East'' in September. In October, the channel broadcast the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards, recognising talented black and ethnic minority actors. Teaming up with Channel Five, ''Mad For Poetry'' was also broadcast in October, along with ''Saving a Stranger'' by Anthony Nolan. In November, ''Ballet Saved My Life'' was broadcast as a partnership with Channel 4. In December, teaming up with Channel 4, the Community Channel aired the Beacon Awards/Secret Millionaire and Oxfam.2007–08
Community Channel launched an interactive initiative for young film-makers called Charge TV and described as "YouTube with a conscience". Charge TV ran for five series broadcasting on Community Channel and on the website. Daren Forsyth of BBC Future Media, became the channel’s Director of Innovation & New Media. Forsyth led a programme of digital media initiatives across Media Trust's media training, news distribution, film and TV productions and Community Channel, the TV and online service for charities. In 2007, Community Channel joined forces with2009–10
Community Channel launched its new BSL Zone (British Sign Language Zone) on 21 January 2009. This initiative offers an extended service in signing supported programmes. Following on from their 2007 success, Community Channel joined forces with2011
Community Channel opened 2011 with a campaign to increase cancer awareness and promote healthy living. ''Your Sport'' returned for a fourth series following its broadcast as shorts on Channel 5 from October 2010. An environmental season in March included ''Nature Inc'', ''Planet India'', ''Explore'' and ''The Environmental Atlas of Europe''. International Women’s Day was highlighted through the series ''Make Women Matter'' and other programming. Other notable spring and summer premieres included the Oscar-winning ''Blood of Yinzhou District'', ''MediaBox'', ''Talent Studio'', ''Untold Stories'', ''The Team'' (produced by Search For Common Ground), ''ViewChange'', ''Charity Champions'' (from BBC Children in Need) and ''That Paralympic Show'' (from Channel Four). ''London360'' launched in June 2011, a series celebrating the capital’s communities through features produced by young reporters trained in journalism, production and digital skills. The "Riot Special" following the 2011 England riots received critical praise for its unique look into the London riots. ''London360'' has broadcast five series and featured hundreds of communities to date with media partners including BBC Radio London, '' The Voice'', MTV, Sky, '' Time Out'', ''2012
In March, Community Channel and ''2013
In February, the channel’s Freeview hours were extended by three hours from 5am8am to 2am8am. In April, Community Channel showcased an Against All Odds season to celebrate those who have overcome mental or physical setbacks. This coincided with National Autism Month and Cystic Fibrosis Week (29th – 5th). May and June saw Community Channel introduce the popular Gypsy Roma Traveller season in which Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) cultures and histories throughout the UK were celebrated with online features and links to groups. Steering Group of 20 GRT activists, academics and artists identified issues to profile, e.g. housing, health, education, women, art and prejudice. The channel secured over 20 new films and documentaries for the season, working with NGOs, broadcasters, distributors and filmmakers around the world. A UK360 special featuring GRT360 news bulletins, talking head promos and agony aunt spots added context to the season. Community Channel received extensive online support with a dedicated microsite for highlights, news, topics and ways to take action. Newsletters were sent to over 20k subscribers to increase awareness. The season gained coverage in several newspapers, magazines and websites including ''2014
In 2014, Community Channel moved its Freeview EPG slot from news (channel 87) to general entertainment (channel 63). Community Channel and Media Trust gained funding from the Big Lottery Fund to launch the flagship campaign "Do Something Brilliant". This campaign sets out to celebrate all that is brilliant about the incredible, diverse and talented people who make England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland a better place for us all. Do Something Brilliant launched on 25 February 2014. In conjunction with this, ''Brilliant Britain'' and ''My Brilliant Moment'' will showcase communities and charities around the UK. Community Channel launched on Freeview HD on 18 March and was to be found on channel 109. ''The Easy Riders'' launched on 19 March 2014. ''The Easy Riders'' is a new 10-part series starring ''Red Dwarf'' star Danny John-Jules and Steve Keys. Sharing a passion for motorcycles and adventure, we follow our intrepid explorers as they embark on an epic 1,250 mile journey from the UK to Valencia in aid of Riders for Health; a charity working to ensure health workers in Africa can access reliable transportation to reach isolated people with regular healthcare. On 29 April 2014, Community Channel had its broadcast hours extended on Freeview SD from 3am8am to 3am12am. April also saw the channel introduce its ''Secrets of Sex'' strand. Covering issues surrounding gay rights, sex and disability, body image, AIDS and the fight against2015
On 22 February 2015, Community Channel premiered its first ever drama series '' PREMature''. The series was acquired in 2014 and was originally funded through Kickstarter along with co-production funding from Community Channel. Cast and crew screenings of all six episodes were held in Brentford on the eve of its television premiere. ''Easy Riders'' returned for a third series with The Five Peaks challenge. Planet Norfolk returned for series 2, with the filmmaker Nik Coleman holding a premiere screening in Great Yarmouth and a promotion being shown at Norwich FC's grounds. London360 returned for series 7, with its reporters interviewing party leaders ahead of the election for Sky's Stand Up and Be Counted. In March 2015, The Community Channel moved to a Freeview HD multiplex on channel 109 in order to facilitate the launch of Horror Channel. In April the channel launched Make #Something Brilliant competition with Wendy Turner Webster and Julie Peasgood, with support from Hobbycraft and ''Craft Beautiful'' magazine. This was alongside a craft and passions season on the channel which included series Crafty Beggars and She's Crafty. Do Something Brilliant Week launched in late May, with a new TV ad broadcasting across Sky, MTV, Turner and BT Sport alongside Community Channel. The Share #Something Brilliant competition was supported by METRO and other media and charity partners supported the campaign through online and social media. New programming for Do Something Brilliant Week included the five-part series ''This Is Brilliant'' and hour-long ''Do Something Brilliant'', alongside regular series ''My Brilliant Moment'' and ''Brilliant Northern Ireland''. Other series included '' Supersize vs. Superskinny'', '' The Undateables'' and ''The Day Before Tomorrow'' from The Drum.2016
In January, the channel was the first broadcaster to show the series ''Walks Around Britain'', which was commissioned from the Yorkshire-based ''Nova Productions''. Community Channel premiered both season one and two, and screened season three after it was first broadcast on the Made TV network of local channels. In 2016, the channel launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise £300,000 to keep the channel broadcasting. The channel offered ownership shares for £50 or more. The campaign raised £367,200 in 47 days – over £67,000 more than their original target. In September 2016 the Community Channel became a Community Benefit Society (FCA: RS007400), and issued shares to its 200+ new owners, and then ran director elections to elect three members to its board. The new CBS board met for the first time in November, and included the elected directors alongside media industry and charity directors. The Community Channel's charitable status was recognised by HMRC in November 2016.Rebranding and relaunch
In mid-2017, the channel's broadcast licence was transferred to TCC Broadcasting Limited (a for-profit entity based at the same address as The Community Channel and registered May 2017) which reduced its broadcasting hours to 14 hours per day. In August, the channel ceased broadcasting on Freeview, and TCC Broadcasting Limited was sold to A&E Networks UK, with the transaction used to allow a relocation of A&E's Blaze to channel 63. In January 2018, it was announced that Community Channel would relaunch as Together on 16 January 2018 on Freeview channel 93, with Together TV+1 taking this channel number in July 2019 when the main channel moved to Freeview 89 after a slight re-brand and change in multiplex, making it available in most UK homes. As part of a Freeview channel reshuffle on 20 November 2019, Together TV moved from Freeview 89 to Freeview 88, and Together TV+1 took Freeview 89, later moving to channel 82. Together TV+1 ended transmissions via Freeview on 15 February 2021.2022
In March 2022 the channel launched the second year of its Diverse Film Fund, following the launch of the fund in 2021, which supported five short documentaries under the "Black British and Breaking Boundaries" banner – of these "Our Land" won a BAFTA for Best Short Form Programme in May 2022. The channel's successful Sunflower Challenge behaviour change campaign returned for a second year, with over fifty thousand people and 100+ community groups receiving sunflower seed kits and support over a 12-week growing journey to improve mental health and community participation. Over 130,000 people and 500 community groups had taken part in similar Challenges since spring 2021. On 29 June 2022, the channel changed to being broadcast on Freeview as a HbbTV service as the multiplex it was on (COM7) was closed down. For viewers whose television sets supported the technology, by having Freeview Play for example, it means they could watch the channel 24 hours a day. For viewers whose television sets did not support any HbbTV services, the channel continued to be broadcast for four hours on Freeview as a standard channel, between the hours of 3am and 7am. On 26 October 2022, this 24 hour HbbTV channel became Together+1 on Freeview channel 92 (COM5) as The Community Channel society managed to get a COM4 slot for a temporary period for their Together TV service, starting 26 October 2022 on channel 83 and running from 5am to 3am each day.2024
At the end of December 2023, Together TV returned to broadcasting as a standard definition channel on Freeview 83 without the need of an internet-enabled television. On 24 January 2024, this channel was joined by a HD version broadcasting as a streaming service on channel 285 under the name Together TV IP. As channel 285 had been the channel where Together TV+1 was found at the end of 2023, the timeshift channel moved to channel 92, with the Freeview hours set to 5:00AM to 8:00AM, which was the broadcast hours used by the main channel before Christmas. Later on 20 March 2024, the regular broadcast hours on Freeview were changed to broadcast from 6:00PM until 12:00AM and started timesharing it’s Freeview slot with Shop on TV on channel 89, which runs from 12:00AM until 6:00PM. The timeshift channel Together TV+1 continues to broadcast 5:00AM until 8:00AM and outside of these three hours, the channel streams on channel 90 for those with a TV connected to the internet.2025
As of 2025, Together TV can be found on Freeview channel 83, Sky channel 170, Virgin channel 136 and on channel 162 on Freesat. The time-shifted channel is still broadcasting as a hybrid channel on Freeview channel 90, though the streaming channel Together TV IP has moved to Freeview 270. The channel has picked up programmes such as ''The Great House Giveaway'', ''Bill Bailey's Australian Adventure'' and '' Beautiful British Rivers with Richard Hammond'' from Channel 4, '' The Hairy Bikers' Comfort Food'' and ''Garden Rescue'' from BBC One and has acquired a number of 1960s and 70s British films such as '' The Stick Up'', '' Futtocks End'', '' What's Good for the Goose'', '' Permissive'' and Mary Millington's '' Confessions from the David Galaxy Affair'' with many of them showing in a late night slot.Current programming
*'' Ade in Britain'' (formerly on ITV) *''An Outage'' *''Battersea Junction – Stories from the Winstanley and York Road Estates'' (a documentary put together by Wandsworth Heritage Service and Year 6 children from Falconbrook Primary School). *''Brewing Stories'' *''Britain's Scenic Railways'' (from Channel 4) *'' Changing Rooms'' (Channel 4 series) *''Cruise TV by LoveitBookit'' *'' Doctor Thorne'' (TV series with Tom Hollander as Doctor Thorne) *''References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Together (Tv channel) Television channels in the United Kingdom Television channels and stations established in 2000 2000 establishments in the United Kingdom