Edge Media Television
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former British commercial television channel operated by Edge Media Television and known for alternative current-affairs, spiritual and allegedly suppressed-viewpoint programming.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Edge Media Television was an independent British television production company and broadcaster associated with the channel documented under the Wikipedia title Controversial TV. The channel launched in June 2008 after founder Keith Goodyer acquired EMTV Ltd, including the Ofcom broadcast licence previously used by the now-defunct East Midlands Television. Because both the licence and the associated Sky service were identified as EMTV, Edge Media Television was developed as a backronymic expansion of that name. The service operated primarily as a UK and Ireland commercial channel, with satellite distribution through Sky and Eutelsat 28A. Its signal could also be received on various Freesat and free-to-air satellite receivers across Europe. Edge Media additionally offered an online subscription service, which included extended access to programming and a second internet-only service branded Edge Extra. The online proposition allowed the company to provide repeats, additional material and selected online exclusives alongside its linear television schedule. On 25 March 2009, the name displayed on the Ofcom licence and Sky electronic programme guide was changed from EMTV to Controversial TV. The rebranding was intended to make the channel more noticeable to viewers browsing the television listings, while the production company and much of the on-screen presentation continued to use the Edge Media identity. Around the same period, a Sky EPG reshuffle moved the service from channel 211 to channel 200. The channel positioned itself as an outlet for educational, thought-provoking and supposedly enlightening programming, with an emphasis on intelligent discussion and viewpoints described by the operator as alternative or suppressed. Topics included alleged political wrongdoing overlooked by mainstream media, alternative medicine, climate change, the natural world, false-flag terrorism, corporate and financial malpractice, religion, spirituality, vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry and secret societies. This editorial focus placed the service within the wider alternative-media and conspiracy-oriented broadcasting environment rather than the mainstream commercial television sector. Its best-known programme was the live chat show On The Edge. The programme used viewer participation, initially through telephone calls and later through text messages, and featured presenters including Frankie Ma, Theo Chalmers and alex:g. It hosted guests from areas including alternative commentary, spirituality, entertainment and politics. A related live programme, One Step Beyond, began in September 2010 with former On The Edge presenter Theo Chalmers. Other Edge-produced or co-produced programmes included the film-review show Behind The Sofa, the esoteric discussion programme Esoteria and Nick Ashron's Lightworker's Guide to the Galaxy. The channel experienced a serious ownership and holding-company dispute in 2010. Broadcasts were interrupted on 8 September 2010, and when programming resumed on 1 November it initially consisted of looping repeats. The ownership issues were resolved in February 2011, after which Edge Media resumed producing new programmes. On The Edge returned with new live episodes on 3 March 2011. During the dispute, Ian R Crane helped maintain public attention through the Edge Media Rescue Plan, a viewer-donation initiative intended to support the channel's programming and website. On 6 June 2013, Edge Media withdrew its own original programming from the service. The channel then broadcast only Loaded TV, a spin-off associated with the men's magazine Loaded that had already been carried since 26 November 2012. Controversial TV ceased broadcasting on 30 August 2013. The channel should therefore be understood as a defunct British broadcaster and production brand, rather than as a currently operating television network.
History
Edge Media Television emerged from the acquisition of EMTV Ltd by Keith Goodyer in 2008. The transaction included an Ofcom broadcast licence that had previously supported East Midlands Television, as well as the associated Sky service. The new operator launched a channel in June 2008 and developed Edge Media Television as the production-company identity. The name was also explained as a backronymic expansion of EMTV. The broadcaster sought to distinguish itself from mainstream television through programming focused on alternative explanations, controversial subjects and viewpoints described by the company as suppressed. Its stated aim was to provide educational and thought-provoking material and to encourage intelligent discussion. Its subject matter ranged from political and corporate wrongdoing to alternative medicine, climate change, spirituality, vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry, secret societies and the unexplained. In March 2009, the name shown on the Ofcom licence and Sky EPG was changed from EMTV to Controversial TV. The change was designed to attract attention in television listings. The production operation and on-screen identity continued to be associated with Edge Media, creating a distinction between the regulated channel name and the broader brand. A Sky EPG rearrangement also moved the service from channel 211 to channel 200. Distribution combined satellite broadcasting and internet delivery. Controversial TV was available in the United Kingdom and Ireland through Sky on Eutelsat 28A, and its free-to-air satellite signal could be tuned in other parts of Europe. Edge Media also operated an online subscription service that provided extra access to programmes. This included Edge Extra, an internet-only channel carrying repeats and online exclusives. The principal programme was On The Edge, a live, interactive chat show. Frankie Ma was an early presenter, followed by Theo Chalmers, who presented 75 editions between 2008 and 2010, and alex:g, who presented 43 editions between 2011 and 2012. The show generally aired on Thursday evenings, with viewer interaction through telephone calls and later text messages. It featured guests from alternative media, politics, spirituality, music and comedy. In February 2012, the programme moved to a guest-host format, beginning with Ian R Crane, Andy Thomas and Brian Gerrish. One Step Beyond, another live chat programme associated with Theo Chalmers, began in September 2010. The channel also produced or co-produced Behind The Sofa, a DVD and Blu-ray review programme made with Cult TV; Esoteria, hosted by radio presenter Nick Margerrison; and Nick Ashron's Lightworker's Guide to the Galaxy, made with Starship Pegasus Productions. Other programmes carried by the channel included Bridging Heaven & Earth, Democracy Now!, Loaded TV and Question Everything. Operations were disrupted by a dispute over ownership of the channel and its holding company. Broadcasts stopped on 8 September 2010. Programming resumed on 1 November, but initially consisted of looping repeats rather than new material. The dispute was resolved in February 2011, enabling the broadcaster to resume original production. On The Edge returned with new episodes on 3 March 2011. During the conflict, Ian R Crane promoted the Edge Media Rescue Plan, which sought donations from viewers to help sustain programming and website operations. The service entered a final contraction in 2013. On 6 June, Edge Media withdrew its original programming, leaving Loaded TV as the sole broadcast content. Loaded TV had been carried since November 2012 and was a spin-off of the Loaded men's magazine. Controversial TV ceased broadcasting on 30 August 2013. The available record does not establish a separate continuing corporate operation under the Edge Media Television name after the channel's closure.
- 2013
Original programming withdrawn
[1]Edge Media removes its original programming, leaving Loaded TV as the channel's sole content.
- 2013
Channel closes
[1]Controversial TV stops broadcasting on 30 August.
- 2011
New programming resumes
[1]Following resolution of the ownership issues, the channel returns to new production and revives On The Edge.
- 2010
Broadcast interruption during ownership dispute
[1]Legal disputes over ownership interrupt broadcasts in September.
- 2009
Licence name changes to Controversial TV
[1]The name shown on the Ofcom licence and Sky EPG changes from EMTV to Controversial TV.
- 2008
Channel launches
[1]Edge Media Television launches in June after the acquisition of EMTV Ltd and its Ofcom broadcast licence.
Products and positioning
An independent alternative-media broadcaster offering live audience-interactive discussion, spiritual and esoteric programmes, and commentary on subjects the operator considered neglected or suppressed by mainstream media.
Satellite television channel · 2008
Controversial TV
The principal linear television service operated by Edge Media Television. It was distributed in the UK and Ireland through Sky and Eutelsat 28A, with reception also possible through some free-to-air satellite equipment elsewhere in Europe. The service broadcast live discussion, alternative commentary, spiritual programming and acquired content before closing in 2013.
Online television service
Edge Extra
An internet-only companion service included with Edge Media's subscription offering. It carried repeats of programmes previously shown on the television channel together with selected online exclusives.
Live chat show · 2008
On The Edge
The channel's flagship live discussion programme. It combined presenter-led interviews with viewer participation, initially by telephone and later by text message. Presenters included Frankie Ma, Theo Chalmers and alex:g, with guest hosts used from February 2012.
Live chat show · 2010
One Step Beyond
A second live discussion programme associated with former On The Edge presenter Theo Chalmers. It began airing in September 2010 on Tuesday evenings.
Film review programme
Behind The Sofa
A DVD and Blu-ray review programme produced in collaboration with Cult TV. It was hosted by alex:g and included guest reviewers such as Toby Hadoke, Mitch Benn and Gary Slaymaker.
Controversies
2010
Ownership and holding-company dispute
A series of legal disputes concerning ownership of the channel and its holding company interrupted broadcasts in September 2010. Programming resumed in November with looping repeats, and the ownership issues were reported as resolved in February 2011.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Edge Media Rescue Plan
United Kingdom · Ireland · Online
A viewer-support initiative promoted during the ownership dispute to solicit donations for the continuation of Edge Media programming and maintenance of its website.
Outcome. Funds were used to support new programming and website development after the channel returned to regular operations.
Brand decisions
2013
Withdraw original programmingStrategyBackground
The channel had carried Loaded TV since November 2012 while continuing to offer Edge Media-produced programmes.
Action taken
On 6 June 2013, Edge Media removed its own original programming and left Loaded TV as the sole broadcast content.
Aftermath
The channel ceased broadcasting on 30 August 2013.
2009
Rebrand the licensed channel as Controversial TVStrategyBackground
The service and its Sky listing were still known as EMTV after the Edge Media launch.
Action taken
The name displayed on the Ofcom licence and Sky EPG was changed to Controversial TV on 25 March 2009, while the production company continued to use the Edge Media identity.
Aftermath
The channel also moved from Sky channel 211 to channel 200 during an EPG reshuffle.
Sources1 sources
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