Frequently Asked Questions

What is MyCouncilTV Southampton?

This is a bespoke factual information video service for the Southampton City Council website through which the Council will seek to enhance citizenship and pride in the City, encourage a higher external profile, showcase the array of leisure and entertainment opportunities as well as promoting business development and growth of companies in the City. The video site links with the Council's own web site.

What video channels will there be?

The videos tell stories about what is happening in Southampton and what the Council is doing. The main channels will vary from time to time but there will always be video information about the City and about businesses and learning opportunities in the City.

I'm a not-for-profit organisation and we'd like to add a video to the MyCouncilTV Southampton site, what should we do?

We are happy to offer local organisations the opportunity to add relevant videos to the site. We will, however, need to know what organisation you are and have assurances about its status and its aims. You will need to send us an email of no more than five lines about your video, how long it is and who shot it. You will need to prove you have full ownership of the video and all rights associated with it, including the approval of those appearing in it. We reserve the right to refuse videos and to edit them to conform to our standards. In all cases, there will need to be a charge made, which will vary according to the work required. There will also be a hosting charge. If you do not have a video, we are also happy to make arrangements for your video to be professionally made. Send your email to web.editor@southampton.gov.uk

My company or business would like a video on the MyCouncilTV Southampton site, what should we do?

MyCouncilTV Southampton will be delighted to host videos from locally based and locally trading commercial companies who wish to enhance their business profile and associate with the success of the city. We will also (see below) undertake to create videos on your behalf to full professional standards. Naturally, we will need to check your corporate status. You will need to send us an email of no more than five lines about your video or videos, how long it is and who shot it. You will need to prove you have full ownership of the video and all rights associated with it, including the approval of those appearing in it. We reserve the right to refuse videos and to edit them to conform to our standards. In all cases, there will need to be a charge made, which will vary according to the work required. There will also be a negotiable hosting charge. If you would like videos attached to the site, please write to web.editor@southampton.gov.uk.

How is MyCouncilTV Southampton funded?

It is funded through sponsorship offered by companies and organisations in Southampton who wish to show support for the City and to promote their own business activity. There is no subsidy from Council Tax or from the Council.

Who runs the site?

The video web site is managed by Media Local Solutions Ltd on behalf of Southampton City Council but the Council retains editorial control. Media Local Solutions Ltd has two directors with extensive public service experience in television.

How can my company or organisation support MyCouncilTV Southampton?

The number, range and quality of videos in the site are determined by the level of sponsorship from companies and organisations who believe that supporting the City and all that happens in it is worthwhile. If your company would like to help sponsor the site, send an email alert to web.editor@southampton.gov.uk.

What do I get in return for my sponsorship?

Depending on the level of sponsorship offered, the benefits include:

  • Brand visibility on Southampton City Council's own website home page and all other editorial pages.
  • Prominence, in the form of your company name or logo, on all the linked video pages on MyCouncilTV Southampton. This number and location of pages will vary from time to time depending on changes to SCC's web site and the availability of videos.
  • By agreement from time to time as an optional extra, break-bumper lead-ins to chosen videos.
  • Your own company page on the MyCouncilTV Southampton video site.
  • One own-choice video embedded in your company page and for general company PR use.
  • More company videos for your company page as an optional extra.
  • A direct link from your own company page on the video site to your own company web site.
  • Credits in SCC's City View and Tenant's Link magazines where agreed as appropriate by SCC as publisher.
  • Opportunity to sponsor a particular category of videos defined on the site.
  • Measurement reports on usage of and visits to the MyCouncil TV Southampton site, playing of videos, visits to your company page and playing of your company video(s).
  • Demonstration of corporate commitment (CSR) to community service.
  • Demonstration your support for and confidence in the City of Southampton.
  • An opportunity to exploit this to raise your profile alongside that of the City and at the forefront of organisations and businesses in the City.
  • An opportunity to showcase your brand and your products.
  • Demonstration to staff of your commitment to their City with positive impact on staff morale.

How do I commission videos?

If you are interested in having a video or series of videos created, send an email alert to: web.editor@southampton.gov.uk

What do I need to watch a video?

Our videos are playable on all modern browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera). You will need to install the Adobe Flash Player (available free from http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/) to watch the videos. Visitors on Internet Explorer 6 may find the experience greatly enhanced by upgrading their browser to the latest version from Microsoft. The videos will play best on a broadband internet connection.

If the video does not play, what should I do?

If you're having trouble playing a video there are several easy steps to take:

  • Make sure you are using the latest version of your browser. Most browsers offer free automatic updates.
  • Make sure you have Adobe Flash installed (available free from http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/).
  • If you're using a slower connection (dialup, or very old broadband), the videos may take longer to load.
  • Check with your Internet Service Provider that they don't block online videos.
  • If you're still experiencing problems, please contact web.editor@southampton.gov.uk.

How should I report a complaint about the web site?

Media Local Solutions Ltd and Southampton City Council will take every care to ensure that the MyCouncilTV Southampton web site operates to the highest standards of professional integrity and operational robustness. However, we are aware that errors may creep in and we wish to have any problem reported to us for investigation. If you do encounter an issue, send an email alert to web.editor@southampton.gov.uk

How should I report a complaint about a video?

Media Local Solutions Ltd and Southampton City Council will take every care to ensure that videos on the MyCouncilTV Southampton are created to the highest professional standards. However, we wish to have any problem reported to us for investigation as soon as they are noticed. If you do encounter an issue, send an email alert to web.editor@southampton.gov.uk