A REGIONAL TV network is launching a dedicated new channel for Teesside.

Made in Teesside will launch on March 30 and will be available on Freeview channel 7, and Virgin channel 159, 24 hours a day.

The network, Made Television, has launched in eight major urban centres and the latest launch will enable the network to grow its reach further in the Teesside region.

It recently launched two new channels in Birmingham and Liverpool and already runs a Made in Tyne and Wear channel.

Jamie Conway, chief executive of Made Television, said: "We are very excited to be bringing Made Television to viewers in Teesside.

"Our commitment to provide local content that reflects the lives and aspirations of our viewers has been very successful to date and we will be replicating this for our viewers in Teesside.

"We are also committed to providing opportunities for local people to get involved in what we do and we’re looking forward to working with the local community to present a great new channel later this month."

He said since launching, Made Television had grown revenues by 100 per cent a year and the Made in Tyne and Wear channel had won a Royal Television Society award for its "significant mark on the television and creative industries sector over the past 12 months."

The channel was also applauded for its role in developing new talent in the region.