As the only charitable and community-owned national TV channel in the UK, Together TV has a unique role in showing content that inspires positive change – and kindness.

On the 18th September Together TV celebrates its 20th anniversary as a broadcast TV channel. Launched on Sky in 2000 as The Community Channel, we are now on all broadcast TV platforms in the UK, free-to-air, 24 hours – thanks to our unique partnerships with Sky, Arqiva, Virgin Media, BBC, C4, ITV, Viacom, Discovery, Facebook, The Guardian, dmg media and more.

Over 20m TV viewers in communities across the UK now watch Together TV (BARB) and we reach millions more through social media, with over 500,000 Facebook followers and a global Facebook reach of millions. We’re growing fast, on TV and social. We know that our content drives change – challenging assumptions, changing perspectives, increasing knowledge and driving social action.

We are proud that 27% of our TV viewers say they have changed their opinions about people and issues thanks to watching our channel:

“It definitely makes me think about other people’s situations and helps me walk in their shoes.” Viewer

17% of our TV viewers say we have motivated them to do more in their community. That’s over three-and-a-half million people we inspire to take positive action each year.

These stats come from the pro bono audience research provided by Opinium, Lansons, ITV and YouGov – and their quarterly research asks the same questions of comparative TV channels – we are way ahead of others on social impact, as indeed we should be given our unique purpose.

Many of our TV viewers are isolated, struggling, finding it difficult to go out or connect with others. This can be for all sorts of reasons – lack of money, physical and mental health issues, carer responsibilities, cultural barriers, and of course now the additional challenges of COVID. Many don’t have access to digital.

Our viewers want to connect, they want to get support and also give support. The content we show inspires our viewers to connect with local groups and neighbours, creating change in their own lives and communities.

“Finding Together was a eureka moment for me. It reignited a passion for some things in life long lost. Together’s shows work hand-in-hand providing the information and encouragement to achieve such happiness.

Thank you Together, your shows have given me a new lease of life and hopefully can bring a little cheer to others.” Jim Holborn, viewer

We work with our charity impact partners to inspire and enable these connections, and the little positive changes that make a difference – growing, cooking, hobbies, walking, often alongside family, friends, and local community projects.

“The Hospice has been the most wonderful series and has done so much to break taboos around hospice care and show the wonderful work hospices provide right across the UK. You have captured the true spirit of hospices and shown the love, compassion and breadth of what they provide. It’s made me laugh and cry – and am sure has captured the hearts of your viewers.” Myra Johnson, Together for Short Lives charity.

“As I am disabled and my husband is my carer, Together wins extra “Brownie points” for its inclusiveness. All too often, the more established TV companies seem to exclude, or even target us in a negative way. Together is different. Its positive ethos is inspirational. Keep it up!” Viewer

During lockdown we responded quickly, knowing our audience would need our support. We ran our ‘You Are Not Alone’ campaign, created the UK’s online map of Mutual Aid organisations, set up a viewer phone line, promoted our own number and other organisations on screen, and helped our audiences connect with local support, advice, food and friendship.

“Thank you so very much, Together TV! You are doing so much to help out during this terrible time and I, for one appreciate it tremendously.” Annette, viewer, Scottish Borders.

Now, and over the next year, times will be tough across our country – now more than ever we need to create positive community understanding and connections, to inspire kindness.

“You’ve been my angel today. I appreciate your help and kindness that you showed me today.” Petrina, viewer, retired, Coventry.

However, we know that UK viewers do not see a positive and accurate portrayal of diverse and under-represented communities in our media.

So in the run up to our 20th birthday our Trustees are raising funds to show more content by, with and about diverse communities and filmmakers.

Together TV has always championed diverse filmmaking talent, improving representation and inspiring positive change. Filmmakers of colour, and from other under-represented communities, struggle to have content broadcast across mainstream TV in the UK. Together TV can showcase their content, giving them a platform to reach millions of people and boosting their creative careers too. Many filmmakers have had their first broadcast opportunity on our Channel.

But new programming takes time and money to acquire and make ready for broadcast. Charitable foundations in the UK are reluctant to fund media. Our new fund will enable us to identify, acquire and broadcast a wide range of diverse content that would otherwise stay hidden and little seen. Much of the diverse content we acquire, along with the content-makers and people in the programmes, would not be given a UK-wide television platform without us.

“I think what you guys do, on a tight budget and limited resources, is absolutely amazing. It renewed my faith in television as a power for good.” Anna Jones, independent filmmaker.

With our new Diverse Content fund we can show more empowering content, improve representation, reflect our viewers’ lives back to them and create positive understanding of lives, histories and communities across our country.

“Together is super pioneering in TV and I can only see great things coming from it. I am excited by it every day. It’s like a little friend always looking out for the people.” Viewer.

With your help we can do so much more – please read more on our Trustees’ Crowdfunder page, your donation will help bring communities together.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/diverse-content-for-together-tv

Thank you so much,