The UK's first LGBT+ TV channel will start broadcasting in February

Terrestrial television is getting its first LGBT+ channel: Latest TV. The channel, which will feature LGBT+ news and entertainment, will be available on Freeview channel 7 and Virgin Media 159 in the Greater Brighton area from next month, as well as globally online. Transgender presenter Sophie Cook said: “I’m thrilled to be leading one of the most exciting developments in British television for decades. This represents a real opportunity to change people’s lives. We want to entertain, educate and inspire our viewers.” She will have a weekly news and chat show called Beyond the Rainbow as well as creating documentaries for the channel. Andrew Kay, who will also be presenting shows, said on the channel's website: “I see this as my chance to enjoy, in a public arena, being gay – but also working towards a better and more equal world."

Latest LGBT + TV Coming soon! Support us: http://thelatest.co.uk/lgbt-tv/ #brighton #lgbt #transgender #equality #voice #supportus

A photo posted by LatestBrighton (@latestbrighton) on Jan 12, 2017 at 4:58pm PST

Latest TV's chief executive Bill Smith said: "With support from Coast to Capital, Latest TV has launched LGBT+ TV.  However we receive no ongoing public funding, so we’ve turned to crowdfunding to finance our service.” As well as news and documentaries, the channel will screen LGBT+ films from around the world and give a platform to queer filmmakers.