Green.TV is a recent addition to the lively video and broadcasting scene of the Bristol and Bath region. And as it produces a video channel that is a celebration of all things green, clean and sustainable, it couldn’t have chosen a better year to move the Bristol than the year the city was awarded the European Green Capital.
“Green.TV is on a journey to be the Netflix for green content and don’t plan to take long to get there”
We caught up with Rich Keith, managing director of Green.TV, to get the lowdown on what Green.TV is, how it is already producing videos for non-profits, and UN and government agencies, and what its ambitions are. As Rich explains: “Green.TV is a production company and digital video channel dedicated to sustainability, conservation and clean tech.”
“The digital video universe is growing rapidly with the winners taking audiences away for traditional broadcasting and attracting a lot of interest. At the same time an interest in living more sustainably – from the cars we drive to the food, energy and business choices we make – is becoming mainstream. Now is the time for Green.TV – we’re on a journey to be the Netflix for green content and don’t plan to take long to get there.”
Green.TV is not a new creation, but has only reached Bristol in the past few months: “The Bristol office opened at the end of June,” says Rich, “(we also have an office in Oxford and an outpost in Geneva) and will be the base for the Green.TV channel and distribution side of the business. We’re in the process of hiring now and trying to meet as many Bristol, Bath and South West companies as possible.”
10 years in green television
“We were founded in 2006 by former BBC producer Ade Thomas, as a partnership with the United National Environment Program (UNEP),” Rich tells us. “Since then we’ve made films for some of the world’s leading agencies, charities and corporations, including Nissan, Siemens, World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, The National Trust and Cisco.”
“We currently have partnerships with, among others, Amazon Fire TV, Yahoo, Aol, Huffington Post, Apple and SonyTV and reach over 500,000 people a month”
“Right from the start – and this was only a year after YouTube launched – digital distribution has been at the heart of the company and we continue to build on that and currently have partnerships with, among others, Amazon Fire TV, Yahoo, AOL, Huffington Post, Apple and SonyTV and reach over 500,000 people a month.”
Recent successes for Green.TV have included winning an award for a video about Cisco and partnering with Nissan to highlight Bristol’s Green Capital status. You can see the video of that work here:
Rich is keen to help people pass on their own stories on sustainability: “Companies and organisations who want to tell their green stories should get in touch to discuss how we can help – either from a production or distribution point of view.” He’s also looking to grow Green.TV in the near future: “We’re also seeking funding for our expansion plans and keen to talk to potential investors and partners.”
“The recent Venturefest event in Bristol showed that the area is a hotbed of creative, digital companies with sustainability at their heart”
We asked Rich if any other companies or organisations in the Bristol and Bath area have impressed him with what they are doing with digital technology? It’s a yes: “The recent Venturefest event in Bristol showed that the area is a hotbed of creative, digital companies with sustainability at their heart. Specific companies that have caught my eye include Neighbourly, who are building a terrific platform for good; the Crocodile app – a smart, simple idea that can also make people safer; and Duel which is a great twist on the social network.
“Also, two local companies are also making massive waves in social video: the Yogscast who continue to lead the way for YouTubers (full disclosure: I used to be the General Manager there) and Shift Active Media who are building digital video channels that will overtake broadcasters for reach and influence before too long (full disclosure: I love cycling).”
Many thanks to Rich for taking the time to talk to us. You can see more info from Green.TV and see its video channel at the Green.TV website and you can keep up to date with them on Twitter here: Green_TV
