London Live editorial director quits

Stefano Hatfield has left his position as editorial director of London Live, just weeks after the local TV station launched.

The channel is run by ESI Media, the commercial arm of the free London newspaper the Evening Standard national title The Independent.

Following UK press reports late last week Hatfield confirmed his departure on Twitter with the message: “Am leaving wonderful ESI Media for yet another launch elsewhere.” He did not give any details of the launch, but said he hoped to be able to make an announcement soon.

London Live has generated low ratings since launch with some of its flagship shows attracting viewers in the hundreds or low thousands. A report in The Guardian stated that on eight occasions it has broadcast to an audience measured at zero.

The digital terrestrial channel launched at the end of March and reaches nine million Londoners. It has original programming as well as acquired scripted shows including Misfits, The Shadow Line and London’s Burning.