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Satellite news 30.03.05
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Satellite news 18.03.05
News
Government has not ruled out free digiboxes
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is not ruling out the possibility of giving away free digital TV boxes to those who are not able to afford to buy their own systems when analogue TV signals are switched off. She said it is "unthinkable" that anybody would be left unable to watch TV after the switchover but added: "We are not at the point yet of making decisions about whether we need to give free set-top boxes. Those decisions will be taken, but they are decisions for three or four years' time, not now." Media regulator Ofcom has recommended that the switchover begin in Wales, the West Country and the northern counties of England in 2008, with London and the South East following in 2011.
New Inmarsat satellite provides Web access
Inmarsat has launched the world's largest commercial satellite into a trajectory at 64 degrees east over the Indian Ocean. The new I4-F1 satellite will provide broadband Internet access to government, military, maritime and commercial users around the world. The I4-F1's footprint will cover most of Europe and Africa, all of India and the Middle East and most of Russia. A second satellite, the F2, will be put into an orbit over South America, with a third planned for the Pacific, if there is sufficient demand.
Two new film channels from Sit-Up TV
The names and schedules of two new digital movie channels has been unveiled by the company behind the stations, Sit-Up TV. Its first channel, Bad Movies, will air from 9pm to 9am every day, while Matinee will broadcast overnight from 9pm to 9am. Ed Wood's 1959 science fiction flop Plan 9 is to launch Bad Movies while other 'classics' will include the 1953 mystery Death Goes to School and the 1962 drama Dangerous Charter. Ashley Faul, founder director of Sit-Up TV, said: "We haven't analysed it too deeply. We just think there's a gap for ad-funded channels on Sky and you have to do something relatively different when competing for late-night viewers." Film and TV critic Paul Ross, the brother of Jonathan Ross, will introduce the films. Meanwhile, in the 9am to 9pm schedule, Sit-Up is planning to run the female-targeted 'Matinee' channel with more highly regarded movies, including the comedies Carry On Admiral and The Pickwick Papers.
BBC unveils new interactive TV logo
The BBC's interactive TV brand BBCi is to unveil a new-look logo, featuring a little red dot in place of the chunky 'i', a move that the corporation hopes will encourage more people to use the service. The entire BBCi service is being fully redesigned in the same black, white and red colours of the logo to help raise awareness among viewers who have not yet pressed the red button on their TV remote controls. The new look is the second stage of the BBC's move to make life easier for BBC viewers following the introduction of page numbers last year. The new logo has been created in-house by BBC New Media's interactive TV design team and will be launched on Telewest first before appearing on Sky Digital and Freeview during the next few weeks.
Sir David Frost and Des Lynam join Sky One
Sir David Frost and Desmond Lynam are to host a new live series, The World's Greatest Sporting Legend, on Sky One from June. The high profile presenters will team up for eight weeks to host an all-encompassing search for the greatest individual the world of sport has ever seen. Lynam said: “I’m amazed nobody has thought of this idea before. I’ve already started a row amongst my friends in the pub about who should be in it, never mind win it. David has promised I can do the ‘welcome’ after he does his ‘hello, good evening’.”
ITV1 asks Ofcom for extra advertising time
ITV is pressing Ofcom, the UK's TV regulator, for more advertising minutes per hour to increase its revenue earning potential. It has also asked the regulator to allow it to charge for product placement in programmes, something Ofcom is reported to be considering. The broadcaster's lobbying emerged as ITV reported a hike in profits and revenue during 2004 despite 10% of its viewers. But Charles Allen, ITV's chief executive, pointed out that digital TV channels are allowed nine minutes of ads each hour, compared with seven minutes at ITV1.
TV Travel Shop staff left in limbo by US owner
Staff at TV Travel Shop staff are facing uncertainty after the channel's owner, US-based InterActiveCorp (IAC), started an operational review amid reports that it is considering replacing TV Travel Shop 1 or 2 with its Home Shopping Network. "TV Travel Shop can confirm that it is considering proposals to re-focus the business away from selling third party package products and to scale back its business overheads accordingly," a spokesperson for TV Travel Shop told a trade journal. "There will be a period of individual consultation with employees before a final decision is made."
Trivial Pursuit joins Sky's interactive games
The popular game Trivial Pursuit is to join Monopoly and Scrabble on Sky's interactive games service, Sky Gamestar, later this year when viewers will be able to win cash prizes of up to £5,000. Adrian Pilkington, the commercial director for games and enhanced TV at Sky Interactive, said: "The launch of Cash Quiz is the most important development on Sky Gamestar since the launch of Liveplay six months ago. The thrill of having real money riding on questions and the anticipation of winning the cash pot takes quiz playing on TV to another level.”
New product placement rules edge closer
Stephen Carter, the chief of media regulator Ofcom, has reportedly told a meeting of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers that the media watchdog recognises that limits on TV sponsorship are restrictive and that is sympathetic to change. One possible area of change could be product placement - banned in the UK since the birth of commercial television 50 years ago - which has existed in films for all that time. Carter said he would look carefully at proposals to relax the ban.
This week's digital TV news in brief...
New TV channel 'S' has launched on Sky Digital channel 837... A new Sky Digital TV channel called the Poker Channel has launched on 265... Channel 4 has confirmed it is close to taking a controlling 51% stake in the national digital speech radio station, Oneword... New Belfast local radio station U105 operated by UTV will broadcast to the whole of Northern Ireland on Freeview when it launches towards the end of 2005... ITV2's advertising revenue is up 90 per cent in the present quarter, ITV said... The BBC has set in motion the sale of its commercial subsidiary BBC Broadcast Limited by placing adverts in the Financial Times and trade magazines... Freeview shareholders Sky, the BBC and Crown Castle have said they would welcome ITV and Channel 4 on board as fellow stakeholders... The BBC has said that by 2008 it will be able to re-invest some £139m a year in new programmes, thanks to a 46% reduction in its headcount, totalling some 1,730 jobs last week... The US version of the popular comedy The Office is to be screened on digital channel BBC Three... Sky News’ Business Editor Michael Wilson has been named 'Broadcast Journalist of the Year' in the Business Journalist of the Year Awards 2005.
C4 launches broadband documentary channel
Channel 4 is to launch a dedicated broadband documentary channel, called FourDocs, that will celebrate all aspects of the genre and promote documentary film making in the UK. FourDoc users will be able to upload their own films and get practical advice from experienced programme makers, as well as sharing views about films. In addition, the channel will offer archives of celebrated documentaries, interviews with famous documentary makers and a clips library containing downloadable, copyright-cleared general shots to help filmmakers flesh out sequences for their own films. The documentaries can be on any subject but must be no longer than four minutes.
BBC launches probe into Dr Who leak
The BBC has launched an investigation into how a new episode of cult TV sci-fi series Doctor Who leaked onto the Internet. The classic programme, which has been off-air since 1989, makes a much-anticipated return later on March 26 with Christopher Eccleston starring as the time-traveling hero and former pop star Billie Piper as his sidekick. However, the BBC said one of the 13 new 45-minute episodes had been posted on the Web. "This is a significant breach of copyright which is currently under investigation," said a BBC spokesperson.
Regards Satdude.
News
Government has not ruled out free digiboxes
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is not ruling out the possibility of giving away free digital TV boxes to those who are not able to afford to buy their own systems when analogue TV signals are switched off. She said it is "unthinkable" that anybody would be left unable to watch TV after the switchover but added: "We are not at the point yet of making decisions about whether we need to give free set-top boxes. Those decisions will be taken, but they are decisions for three or four years' time, not now." Media regulator Ofcom has recommended that the switchover begin in Wales, the West Country and the northern counties of England in 2008, with London and the South East following in 2011.
New Inmarsat satellite provides Web access
Inmarsat has launched the world's largest commercial satellite into a trajectory at 64 degrees east over the Indian Ocean. The new I4-F1 satellite will provide broadband Internet access to government, military, maritime and commercial users around the world. The I4-F1's footprint will cover most of Europe and Africa, all of India and the Middle East and most of Russia. A second satellite, the F2, will be put into an orbit over South America, with a third planned for the Pacific, if there is sufficient demand.
Two new film channels from Sit-Up TV
The names and schedules of two new digital movie channels has been unveiled by the company behind the stations, Sit-Up TV. Its first channel, Bad Movies, will air from 9pm to 9am every day, while Matinee will broadcast overnight from 9pm to 9am. Ed Wood's 1959 science fiction flop Plan 9 is to launch Bad Movies while other 'classics' will include the 1953 mystery Death Goes to School and the 1962 drama Dangerous Charter. Ashley Faul, founder director of Sit-Up TV, said: "We haven't analysed it too deeply. We just think there's a gap for ad-funded channels on Sky and you have to do something relatively different when competing for late-night viewers." Film and TV critic Paul Ross, the brother of Jonathan Ross, will introduce the films. Meanwhile, in the 9am to 9pm schedule, Sit-Up is planning to run the female-targeted 'Matinee' channel with more highly regarded movies, including the comedies Carry On Admiral and The Pickwick Papers.
BBC unveils new interactive TV logo
The BBC's interactive TV brand BBCi is to unveil a new-look logo, featuring a little red dot in place of the chunky 'i', a move that the corporation hopes will encourage more people to use the service. The entire BBCi service is being fully redesigned in the same black, white and red colours of the logo to help raise awareness among viewers who have not yet pressed the red button on their TV remote controls. The new look is the second stage of the BBC's move to make life easier for BBC viewers following the introduction of page numbers last year. The new logo has been created in-house by BBC New Media's interactive TV design team and will be launched on Telewest first before appearing on Sky Digital and Freeview during the next few weeks.
Sir David Frost and Des Lynam join Sky One
Sir David Frost and Desmond Lynam are to host a new live series, The World's Greatest Sporting Legend, on Sky One from June. The high profile presenters will team up for eight weeks to host an all-encompassing search for the greatest individual the world of sport has ever seen. Lynam said: “I’m amazed nobody has thought of this idea before. I’ve already started a row amongst my friends in the pub about who should be in it, never mind win it. David has promised I can do the ‘welcome’ after he does his ‘hello, good evening’.”
ITV1 asks Ofcom for extra advertising time
ITV is pressing Ofcom, the UK's TV regulator, for more advertising minutes per hour to increase its revenue earning potential. It has also asked the regulator to allow it to charge for product placement in programmes, something Ofcom is reported to be considering. The broadcaster's lobbying emerged as ITV reported a hike in profits and revenue during 2004 despite 10% of its viewers. But Charles Allen, ITV's chief executive, pointed out that digital TV channels are allowed nine minutes of ads each hour, compared with seven minutes at ITV1.
TV Travel Shop staff left in limbo by US owner
Staff at TV Travel Shop staff are facing uncertainty after the channel's owner, US-based InterActiveCorp (IAC), started an operational review amid reports that it is considering replacing TV Travel Shop 1 or 2 with its Home Shopping Network. "TV Travel Shop can confirm that it is considering proposals to re-focus the business away from selling third party package products and to scale back its business overheads accordingly," a spokesperson for TV Travel Shop told a trade journal. "There will be a period of individual consultation with employees before a final decision is made."
Trivial Pursuit joins Sky's interactive games
The popular game Trivial Pursuit is to join Monopoly and Scrabble on Sky's interactive games service, Sky Gamestar, later this year when viewers will be able to win cash prizes of up to £5,000. Adrian Pilkington, the commercial director for games and enhanced TV at Sky Interactive, said: "The launch of Cash Quiz is the most important development on Sky Gamestar since the launch of Liveplay six months ago. The thrill of having real money riding on questions and the anticipation of winning the cash pot takes quiz playing on TV to another level.”
New product placement rules edge closer
Stephen Carter, the chief of media regulator Ofcom, has reportedly told a meeting of the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers that the media watchdog recognises that limits on TV sponsorship are restrictive and that is sympathetic to change. One possible area of change could be product placement - banned in the UK since the birth of commercial television 50 years ago - which has existed in films for all that time. Carter said he would look carefully at proposals to relax the ban.
This week's digital TV news in brief...
New TV channel 'S' has launched on Sky Digital channel 837... A new Sky Digital TV channel called the Poker Channel has launched on 265... Channel 4 has confirmed it is close to taking a controlling 51% stake in the national digital speech radio station, Oneword... New Belfast local radio station U105 operated by UTV will broadcast to the whole of Northern Ireland on Freeview when it launches towards the end of 2005... ITV2's advertising revenue is up 90 per cent in the present quarter, ITV said... The BBC has set in motion the sale of its commercial subsidiary BBC Broadcast Limited by placing adverts in the Financial Times and trade magazines... Freeview shareholders Sky, the BBC and Crown Castle have said they would welcome ITV and Channel 4 on board as fellow stakeholders... The BBC has said that by 2008 it will be able to re-invest some £139m a year in new programmes, thanks to a 46% reduction in its headcount, totalling some 1,730 jobs last week... The US version of the popular comedy The Office is to be screened on digital channel BBC Three... Sky News’ Business Editor Michael Wilson has been named 'Broadcast Journalist of the Year' in the Business Journalist of the Year Awards 2005.
C4 launches broadband documentary channel
Channel 4 is to launch a dedicated broadband documentary channel, called FourDocs, that will celebrate all aspects of the genre and promote documentary film making in the UK. FourDoc users will be able to upload their own films and get practical advice from experienced programme makers, as well as sharing views about films. In addition, the channel will offer archives of celebrated documentaries, interviews with famous documentary makers and a clips library containing downloadable, copyright-cleared general shots to help filmmakers flesh out sequences for their own films. The documentaries can be on any subject but must be no longer than four minutes.
BBC launches probe into Dr Who leak
The BBC has launched an investigation into how a new episode of cult TV sci-fi series Doctor Who leaked onto the Internet. The classic programme, which has been off-air since 1989, makes a much-anticipated return later on March 26 with Christopher Eccleston starring as the time-traveling hero and former pop star Billie Piper as his sidekick. However, the BBC said one of the 13 new 45-minute episodes had been posted on the Web. "This is a significant breach of copyright which is currently under investigation," said a BBC spokesperson.
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Satdude
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Satellite news 27.03.05
News
ITV and C4 are welcome to join Freeview
ITV and Channel 4 would be welcomed as fellow stakeholders in Freeview, the BBC, Sky and Crown Castle have stated. According to media press reports, Freeview chairman Peter Abery - also Crown Castle's chief executive - said he would particularly encourage interest from the two broadcasters. "We would be delighted to take their money," a board member said.
Ford is to give away a free car as part of a one-off interactive TV advertising campaign on ITV this Easter. It has teamed up with ITV for a live advertising competition... BBC1's EastEnders equalled its lowest ever audience last Thursday - a 28% share and 6.2 million viewers... NTL is reported to have received offers for its Irish business. The division has been valued at up to £210m and has 347,800 customers in Dublin, Galway and Waterford... Walt Disney has promoted James Neal to Disney Channel UK's vice president of programming, overseeing all content on Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney... ITV and Channel 4 have reportedly held talks about taking a stake in the UKTV network, according to press reports... Sky Sports has celebrated its 500th live match from the Football League... Playboy is set to offer its customers a more interactive experience after the channel signed a deal with OpenTV to add interactive services to its worldwide network.
BBC to launch local TV news channels
The BBC is to trial a series of local TV news channel that will serve individual towns and cities. If successful, similar local news channels could launch in cities and counties across the UK. The first project will be piloted in the West Midlands this September and BBC Director General Mark Thompson said the service will go out on digital cable and satellite TV, as well as the Web. The areas chosen are Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Stoke and Staffordshire, Shropshire, Coventry and Warwickshire. A further service will also cover the area served by the BBC's WM radio station in Birmingham.
ITV 'wins race for vacant Freeview slot'
ITV is reported to have been successful with its bid to secure the vacant channel space on Freeview, according to The Guardian. The broadcaster is expected to fill the 18-hour slot, which becomes available on April 1, for its new male-targetted channel, ITV4. Crown Castle is reported to be offering a second Freeview channel to the highest bidder - and Channel 4 is likely to be among the front runners.
Speed Auction TV to launch soon
Shopping channel broadcaster Sit-Up TV is to start its third channel on Sky Digital and NTL. Speed Auction TV will broadcast auctions lasting for a maximum of four minutes, which it hopes will attract a younger audience than sister channels Bid TV and Price-Drop TV.
CBBC announces Strictly Dancing for kids
Following the success of its Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC is launching another spin-off, this time aimed at children on digital kids channel CBBC. Dance Factory will see six young hopefuls put through their paces under the watchful eyes of dance experts Nigel Clarke, Camilla Dallerup and Top of the Pops presenter Reggie Yates. The six finalists will be paired with expert dancers who each dance in a particular style such as Bhangra, street, music theatre, pop, Irish dancing and tap. The winner will receive a dream trip to New York.
BBC is 'misleading viewers on Freeview'
The BBC is 'misleading consumers and hampering progress towards the digital switchover by only pushing cheap Freeview boxes', the electronics industry has claimed. Intellect, a trade body for electronics manufacturers including Philips and Sony, believes recent BBC advertising campaigns have focused too much on Freeview. A recent BBC promotion ran with the tagline of "you can teach an old TV new tricks", encouraging people to buy a cheap set-top box rather than more expensive digital TV sets or more sophisticated decoders that include DVD players. Laurence Harrison, the consumer electronics director at Intellect, said: "We feel very strongly that the BBC should be focusing more on widening consumer choice, rather than taking consumers down the narrow road of the set-top box and the £50 option."
Massive job cuts announced at BBC
The BBC is to cut 1,730 jobs in the first round of its cost cutting exercise. Staff were told that 980 would be made redundant and a further 750 jobs "outsourced". The jobs are being lost from the BBC's professional services division. Trade Union officials have pledged to fight the announcement.
Sky News and BBC get BAFTA nominations
The BBC has bagged a total of 39 nominations in this year's British Academy Television Awards ahead of Channel 4 with 17, ITV with 14 and one nomination each for the Five channel and Sky News. BBC News 24 was nominated for its coverage of the Hutton inquiry, which resulted in the resignation of BBC director general Greg Dyke last year. It faces competition from The BBC 10 O'clock News' coverage of the Madrid bombing and reporting on the Asian tsunami disaster by both Sky News and ITN.
Major revamp for Music Choice channels
Digital music service Music Choice is planning to rename and replace several of its channels on Sky Digital. The changes are set to take place on March 31 and involve niche services being replaced by more mainstream channels in a bid to widen the audience. The Music Choice channels will move to new numbers on the same day. Music Choice (480) and Music Choice Extra (481) will move to 498 and 499 respectively.
Regards Satdude.
News
ITV and C4 are welcome to join Freeview
ITV and Channel 4 would be welcomed as fellow stakeholders in Freeview, the BBC, Sky and Crown Castle have stated. According to media press reports, Freeview chairman Peter Abery - also Crown Castle's chief executive - said he would particularly encourage interest from the two broadcasters. "We would be delighted to take their money," a board member said.
Ford is to give away a free car as part of a one-off interactive TV advertising campaign on ITV this Easter. It has teamed up with ITV for a live advertising competition... BBC1's EastEnders equalled its lowest ever audience last Thursday - a 28% share and 6.2 million viewers... NTL is reported to have received offers for its Irish business. The division has been valued at up to £210m and has 347,800 customers in Dublin, Galway and Waterford... Walt Disney has promoted James Neal to Disney Channel UK's vice president of programming, overseeing all content on Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney... ITV and Channel 4 have reportedly held talks about taking a stake in the UKTV network, according to press reports... Sky Sports has celebrated its 500th live match from the Football League... Playboy is set to offer its customers a more interactive experience after the channel signed a deal with OpenTV to add interactive services to its worldwide network.
BBC to launch local TV news channels
The BBC is to trial a series of local TV news channel that will serve individual towns and cities. If successful, similar local news channels could launch in cities and counties across the UK. The first project will be piloted in the West Midlands this September and BBC Director General Mark Thompson said the service will go out on digital cable and satellite TV, as well as the Web. The areas chosen are Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Stoke and Staffordshire, Shropshire, Coventry and Warwickshire. A further service will also cover the area served by the BBC's WM radio station in Birmingham.
ITV 'wins race for vacant Freeview slot'
ITV is reported to have been successful with its bid to secure the vacant channel space on Freeview, according to The Guardian. The broadcaster is expected to fill the 18-hour slot, which becomes available on April 1, for its new male-targetted channel, ITV4. Crown Castle is reported to be offering a second Freeview channel to the highest bidder - and Channel 4 is likely to be among the front runners.
Speed Auction TV to launch soon
Shopping channel broadcaster Sit-Up TV is to start its third channel on Sky Digital and NTL. Speed Auction TV will broadcast auctions lasting for a maximum of four minutes, which it hopes will attract a younger audience than sister channels Bid TV and Price-Drop TV.
CBBC announces Strictly Dancing for kids
Following the success of its Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC is launching another spin-off, this time aimed at children on digital kids channel CBBC. Dance Factory will see six young hopefuls put through their paces under the watchful eyes of dance experts Nigel Clarke, Camilla Dallerup and Top of the Pops presenter Reggie Yates. The six finalists will be paired with expert dancers who each dance in a particular style such as Bhangra, street, music theatre, pop, Irish dancing and tap. The winner will receive a dream trip to New York.
BBC is 'misleading viewers on Freeview'
The BBC is 'misleading consumers and hampering progress towards the digital switchover by only pushing cheap Freeview boxes', the electronics industry has claimed. Intellect, a trade body for electronics manufacturers including Philips and Sony, believes recent BBC advertising campaigns have focused too much on Freeview. A recent BBC promotion ran with the tagline of "you can teach an old TV new tricks", encouraging people to buy a cheap set-top box rather than more expensive digital TV sets or more sophisticated decoders that include DVD players. Laurence Harrison, the consumer electronics director at Intellect, said: "We feel very strongly that the BBC should be focusing more on widening consumer choice, rather than taking consumers down the narrow road of the set-top box and the £50 option."
Massive job cuts announced at BBC
The BBC is to cut 1,730 jobs in the first round of its cost cutting exercise. Staff were told that 980 would be made redundant and a further 750 jobs "outsourced". The jobs are being lost from the BBC's professional services division. Trade Union officials have pledged to fight the announcement.
Sky News and BBC get BAFTA nominations
The BBC has bagged a total of 39 nominations in this year's British Academy Television Awards ahead of Channel 4 with 17, ITV with 14 and one nomination each for the Five channel and Sky News. BBC News 24 was nominated for its coverage of the Hutton inquiry, which resulted in the resignation of BBC director general Greg Dyke last year. It faces competition from The BBC 10 O'clock News' coverage of the Madrid bombing and reporting on the Asian tsunami disaster by both Sky News and ITN.
Major revamp for Music Choice channels
Digital music service Music Choice is planning to rename and replace several of its channels on Sky Digital. The changes are set to take place on March 31 and involve niche services being replaced by more mainstream channels in a bid to widen the audience. The Music Choice channels will move to new numbers on the same day. Music Choice (480) and Music Choice Extra (481) will move to 498 and 499 respectively.
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Satellite news 30.03.05
News
BBC traces source of Doctor Who leak
The BBC has said that it has taken action against the Internet piracy of the first episode of its hotly anticipated update of the '70s cult sci-fi series Doctor Who. BBC Worldwide said that after a "thorough investigation" it had traced the leak to an individual working at a third-party company in Canada that had a preview copy of the tape. "The individual responsible for the leak has had their employment terminated by that company as a result," BBC lawyers said in a statement. "BBC Worldwide is considering further legal remedies and takes extremely seriously any unlawful copying or misuse of its copyright material." Meanwhile, the show's first episode attracted a huge 10.5 million viewers to BBC One.
Sky's Jacko court reconstructions go global
Sky News' daily reconstructions of the Michael Jackson court case has been sold to several other TV stations around the world. STAR! and MuchMoreMusic in Canada and Viva in Germany have signed up for the daily show, which uses actors to reconstruct the courtroom proceedings. The programme is also shown on SBS in the Netherlands, Kanal Fem in Sweden and on TV Danmark.
ABC1 to start ad breaks during April
Freeview entertainment channel ABC1 will begin showing adverts from April. Since its launch in September, the Disney-owned station has been a commercial-free zone on Freeview, but the company has signed a deal with Procter & Gamble, the world's largest advertiser, to bring ads to the station. ABC1 will schedule two ad breaks every 30 minutes but, in a move similar to the major US networks, it will have no ad break between the end and beginning of programmes.
ITV staff have voted to strike, threatening production of key programmes such as Coronation Street, after management refused to meet their pay demands. Meanwhile, unions have given the BBC 90 days to avert a strike ballot, in the wake of last week's massive job cuts announcement... MTV is set to raise questions in France by applying for two DTT licences for a MTV local music channel and sister channel Nickelodeon, despite the fact that US groups are not supposed to control terrestrial channels in the country... ITV has invested £50m into its daytime schedule and has lined up female stars including Carol Smillie, Katie Derham, Claire Sweeney and Gaby Roslin to pull in the viewers...
ITV to launch new Freeview channel this Friday
ITV will this week launch a new channel on Freeview using its new 18-hour slot bought for more than £5m from transmission company Crown Castle. It reportedly plans to launch a version of Men & Motors in the slot. Meanwhile, Channel 4 is reported to be "on the brink" of signing up for the final slot available on Freeview. It is keen to launch a new channel on the digital terrestrial platform later this year.
New film channel launches on Sky Digital
The Wrestling Channel's spinoff station TWC Reloaded has been relaunched as Movies 333 and moved from Sky Digital channel 428 to 333. TWC Reloaded originally began by giving viewers another chance to watch wrestling content from the main channel but in recent weeks its transmission time has been cut to three hours a day and its content has been replaced by a movie each night.
MUTV is 'close to break even' says football club
MUTV, Manchester United's TV channel, which is "close to break even" according to Sir Roy Gardner, the club’s chairman. He added, however, that "this is highly dependent on subscriber numbers and we continue to work with our [broadcasting] partners to try and find a way to enable the channel to develop more quickly," he added. The comments came after it revealed that its latest interim profits had more than halved and its wage bill has soared.
Sky News to show live Tony Blair marathon
Prime Minister Tony Blair is to take part in a two hour-long live programme on Sky News on Wednesday, March 30 when he will be interrogated by the public over health and crime. In the first programme, broadcast from a Midlands hospital, Tony Blair will face questions from doctors, nurses and patients about the NHS. Later in the day he will be questioned by police and probation officers, victims of crime, community workers and others involved in the criminal justice system at a Midlands community centre.
First EPG adverts go live for Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon's pre-school channel Nick Jr. has become the first UK channel to use EPG advertising to encourage viewers to watch its programming. It has signed a deal to advertise on NTL's Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The guide includes a clickable Nick Jr. banner, through which viewers can access a micro-site displaying an index page of forthcoming programmes, competitions and show details. The index highlights 'What's on Nick Jr.' between 8am and 8pm and refreshes hourly in line with the channel's programme schedule. Similar ads may appear on Sky's EPG in the future.
Radio London launches on Sky Digital
Radio London has been added to the Sky Digital line-up ahead of its official launch. The station is on channel 940 and offers a range of songs from the last 40 years. Eventually, the station intends to broadcast RnB, rock and hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Hallmark complains to Ofcom about time ruling
The Hallmark Channel has complained to Ofcom, the UK's TV regulator, about the restrictive practices of its commercial TV rivals. Hallmark is angry that other broadcasters are refusing to allow it to publicise the times of its shows when it spends money promoting on their channels. It claims its business is being hampered by big rivals, using a long-standing rule that allows TV companies to forbid so called 'time-specific' adverts promoting their rivals' shows. Matt Woods, Hallmark's Marketing Director said: "It is a fine example of how in the TV market, the more dominant and more successful an organisation becomes, the harder it is for independents to compete."
Channel Four boss admits 'PVRs scare us'
The marketing chief of Channel 4 has said that commercial broadcasters don't have an answer to the threat posed by personal video recorder. Polly Cochrane, director of network marketing at C4, has said they were yet to come up with ways to combat the fact that systems like the Sky+ receiver let viewers skip through ad breaks. Speaking at the UK TV Marketing Forum, she said: "Of course we're worried. It's frightening how far away we are from having an answer." She added: "Sky will tell you that if the ads are good enough, people will watch them. As someone who's got Sky+ in my house, I'm not sure I believe them." Research has shown that many people with
BBC News 24 poll finds distrust in politicians
As party leaders tour the country ahead of a General Election, a BBC News 24 poll suggests that most people do not believe what they say. Seventy-nine per cent of those questioned for the special BBC poll say they don't trust politicians to tell the truth. The results of the poll show that 87% of people questioned say politicians promise things before an election, and don't deliver. Seventy-three per cent say politicians have shown themselves to be dishonest too often. The poll also reveals that 92% of people questioned say politicians don't give a straight answer when questioned.
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News
BBC traces source of Doctor Who leak
The BBC has said that it has taken action against the Internet piracy of the first episode of its hotly anticipated update of the '70s cult sci-fi series Doctor Who. BBC Worldwide said that after a "thorough investigation" it had traced the leak to an individual working at a third-party company in Canada that had a preview copy of the tape. "The individual responsible for the leak has had their employment terminated by that company as a result," BBC lawyers said in a statement. "BBC Worldwide is considering further legal remedies and takes extremely seriously any unlawful copying or misuse of its copyright material." Meanwhile, the show's first episode attracted a huge 10.5 million viewers to BBC One.
Sky's Jacko court reconstructions go global
Sky News' daily reconstructions of the Michael Jackson court case has been sold to several other TV stations around the world. STAR! and MuchMoreMusic in Canada and Viva in Germany have signed up for the daily show, which uses actors to reconstruct the courtroom proceedings. The programme is also shown on SBS in the Netherlands, Kanal Fem in Sweden and on TV Danmark.
ABC1 to start ad breaks during April
Freeview entertainment channel ABC1 will begin showing adverts from April. Since its launch in September, the Disney-owned station has been a commercial-free zone on Freeview, but the company has signed a deal with Procter & Gamble, the world's largest advertiser, to bring ads to the station. ABC1 will schedule two ad breaks every 30 minutes but, in a move similar to the major US networks, it will have no ad break between the end and beginning of programmes.
ITV staff have voted to strike, threatening production of key programmes such as Coronation Street, after management refused to meet their pay demands. Meanwhile, unions have given the BBC 90 days to avert a strike ballot, in the wake of last week's massive job cuts announcement... MTV is set to raise questions in France by applying for two DTT licences for a MTV local music channel and sister channel Nickelodeon, despite the fact that US groups are not supposed to control terrestrial channels in the country... ITV has invested £50m into its daytime schedule and has lined up female stars including Carol Smillie, Katie Derham, Claire Sweeney and Gaby Roslin to pull in the viewers...
ITV to launch new Freeview channel this Friday
ITV will this week launch a new channel on Freeview using its new 18-hour slot bought for more than £5m from transmission company Crown Castle. It reportedly plans to launch a version of Men & Motors in the slot. Meanwhile, Channel 4 is reported to be "on the brink" of signing up for the final slot available on Freeview. It is keen to launch a new channel on the digital terrestrial platform later this year.
New film channel launches on Sky Digital
The Wrestling Channel's spinoff station TWC Reloaded has been relaunched as Movies 333 and moved from Sky Digital channel 428 to 333. TWC Reloaded originally began by giving viewers another chance to watch wrestling content from the main channel but in recent weeks its transmission time has been cut to three hours a day and its content has been replaced by a movie each night.
MUTV is 'close to break even' says football club
MUTV, Manchester United's TV channel, which is "close to break even" according to Sir Roy Gardner, the club’s chairman. He added, however, that "this is highly dependent on subscriber numbers and we continue to work with our [broadcasting] partners to try and find a way to enable the channel to develop more quickly," he added. The comments came after it revealed that its latest interim profits had more than halved and its wage bill has soared.
Sky News to show live Tony Blair marathon
Prime Minister Tony Blair is to take part in a two hour-long live programme on Sky News on Wednesday, March 30 when he will be interrogated by the public over health and crime. In the first programme, broadcast from a Midlands hospital, Tony Blair will face questions from doctors, nurses and patients about the NHS. Later in the day he will be questioned by police and probation officers, victims of crime, community workers and others involved in the criminal justice system at a Midlands community centre.
First EPG adverts go live for Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon's pre-school channel Nick Jr. has become the first UK channel to use EPG advertising to encourage viewers to watch its programming. It has signed a deal to advertise on NTL's Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The guide includes a clickable Nick Jr. banner, through which viewers can access a micro-site displaying an index page of forthcoming programmes, competitions and show details. The index highlights 'What's on Nick Jr.' between 8am and 8pm and refreshes hourly in line with the channel's programme schedule. Similar ads may appear on Sky's EPG in the future.
Radio London launches on Sky Digital
Radio London has been added to the Sky Digital line-up ahead of its official launch. The station is on channel 940 and offers a range of songs from the last 40 years. Eventually, the station intends to broadcast RnB, rock and hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Hallmark complains to Ofcom about time ruling
The Hallmark Channel has complained to Ofcom, the UK's TV regulator, about the restrictive practices of its commercial TV rivals. Hallmark is angry that other broadcasters are refusing to allow it to publicise the times of its shows when it spends money promoting on their channels. It claims its business is being hampered by big rivals, using a long-standing rule that allows TV companies to forbid so called 'time-specific' adverts promoting their rivals' shows. Matt Woods, Hallmark's Marketing Director said: "It is a fine example of how in the TV market, the more dominant and more successful an organisation becomes, the harder it is for independents to compete."
Channel Four boss admits 'PVRs scare us'
The marketing chief of Channel 4 has said that commercial broadcasters don't have an answer to the threat posed by personal video recorder. Polly Cochrane, director of network marketing at C4, has said they were yet to come up with ways to combat the fact that systems like the Sky+ receiver let viewers skip through ad breaks. Speaking at the UK TV Marketing Forum, she said: "Of course we're worried. It's frightening how far away we are from having an answer." She added: "Sky will tell you that if the ads are good enough, people will watch them. As someone who's got Sky+ in my house, I'm not sure I believe them." Research has shown that many people with
BBC News 24 poll finds distrust in politicians
As party leaders tour the country ahead of a General Election, a BBC News 24 poll suggests that most people do not believe what they say. Seventy-nine per cent of those questioned for the special BBC poll say they don't trust politicians to tell the truth. The results of the poll show that 87% of people questioned say politicians promise things before an election, and don't deliver. Seventy-three per cent say politicians have shown themselves to be dishonest too often. The poll also reveals that 92% of people questioned say politicians don't give a straight answer when questioned.
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