TV channel London Live is set to close down next week and its final news programme was fronted by Helena Wadia on Thursday (Image: London Live)
A longstanding TV channel has revealed it has aired its final news bulletin ahead of closure.
London Live, established in 2014, has been a staple for the capital’s residents for nearly a decade. The channel, accessible via , Freeview, and , will cease operations from next Monday, following a reported acquisition by new proprietors.
Alongside a variety of programming, the station’s esteemed news segment wrapped up on Thursday. Presenter Helena Wadia expressed gratitude to viewers during her sign-off on the last evening broadcast.
Wadia declared: “Well, that’s it! After ten years this is our final ever London Live News at 6 show. We want to thank you for watching today and over the last decade. It’s been a pleasure to bring you the local news from across London every week.”
She continued, acknowledging those who got their start on London Live: “To every musician, actor or artist who got their first TV break on London Live, we’re so happy to have played a small part in your journey. To everyone who came and spoke passionately about a topic, fundraiser or charity close to their heart, we’re so glad to have provided that platform.”
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The future of the channel was announced in a statement (Image: London Live)
In her closing remarks, as reported by Wadia urged viewers: “Wherever you can, keep supporting local news.”
It follows comments by the station’s presenter James Dickman warning: “It’s not news to anyone that local reporting is on life support.”
He added: “The importance of stories that affect our communities and the individuals within them cannot be underestimated. These small stories can remind us, perhaps more acutely than things only visible in a bigger picture, of what it is to be human and what it is to believe in something bigger than yourself. Something needed now more than ever in such difficult times.”
After the broadcast, London Live took to to post a picture with colleagues, stating: “Tonight was the final London Live News at 6 programme. Thank you to everyone that supported us over the last 10 years.”
The farewell post spurred a wave of responses in the comments, with TV host Anthea Turner lamenting: “So sad – but you’ve all learnt so much and will never forget your time there.”
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producer Funmi Olutoye noted nostalgically: “The famous breakfast bar! Sad to see London Live go.”
Viewers also chimed in, with one saying: “Big love London Live as you bow out.”
An earlier post had confirmed that the station would cease broadcasting from 12am on Monday January 20 – but producers remained proud of the stories they’d built on their patch, confirming: “We have loved helping to share the stories that matter in London, making sure the voices that count are heard.
“In our biased opinion, London is the best city in the world, made up of brilliant people. Thank you for being a part of our journey. The London Live Team.”