The Oxford Channel has laid off 34 staff as the new owners make plans for the future of the community television station.

Martin Atkin, the new managing director, confirmed that 20 unpaid volunteer workers were told they were no longer needed, along with 14 freelance and contracted paid staff. They were told their contracts would not be renewed, or their existing contracts would be terminated. The television station, based in Woodstock Road, Oxford, was taken over earlier this week by the Milestone Group, which describes itself as "a local multimedia group with television, radio, print and new media interests".

It has bought a controlling interest in Oxford Broadcasting through its subsidiary, Aroma Television.

The TV station bosses said the move had secured the future of free terrestrial television in Oxfordshire. Programmes were suspended while the new owners prepared for "an exciting new era with an innovative, stimulating mix of programmes". Mr Atkin said: "The job losses are the down-side, but the up-side is that we are still functioning and a programme is going out. We will not be taking on new staff at the moment as we are able to broadcast with a smaller team."