More channels for UK;

net1

The market for new UK digital channels will remain buoyant in 2005, and as many as 45 are likely to launch this year, according to research by New Media Markets.
Appetite for entering the market appears not to be waning, despite intense competition for viewers and some genres reaching saturation point.
Broadcasters are looking to new business models, or sharing slots on the electronic programme guide to establish new brands.
There are now 400 TV channels broadcasting on the sky digital satellite platform in the UK. This is up from 354 last summer, when New Media Markets’ research was last carried out. Broadcasters planning new channels this year include ITV, Channel 4, UKTV and Sit-up.tv.

The UK government is not working hard enough to achieve analogue switch-off, according to the House of Commons select committee on culture, media and sport.
Publishing the conclusions of a 10-month inquiry into the BBC last month, the committee criticised the switchover policy of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
“Achieving digital switchover is a prime priority for the DCMS,” the report said. “We do not believe the activity by that department is commensurate with the challenge.”
The committee urged the government to communicate the benefits of digital television more actively, “bite the bullet and set out a clear path and timetable for digital switchover.”