Keep up with the daily developments that effect free TV in the UK. This list is updated often - you can follow
Briantist on Twitter for update Tweets, or use your RSS reader (such a Firefox or Google Reader) with this feed -
UK Free TV Zeitgeist RSS feed.
Podcasts
First, here are some podcasts to listen to - click the link for direct play.
Media: C4\'s Jon Snow on reporting from Iran; the future of the TV licence fee; the Guardi… Feedback: Complaining to the BBC Media Talk podcast: Greece\'s ERT under threat Recommended reading
And here are the daily recommendations for developments with Freeview, Freesat, Freesat from Sky, Digital radio, free HD and online viewing. Summaries are done by
Clipped-Your articles and documents summarizedWednesday 04 April 2012, PM
James Murdoch: the rise and fall of a News Corp scion - Michael Wolff - Comment is free - …On Tuesday, James Murdoch gave up his last claim to BSkyB, the company that most defined him. At 36, he was running a vast, successful, and rapidly growing media company. He need someone he could trust not least of all because, at 78, he wanted to travel a lot less and concentrate his attention on his pride and joy, the WSJ. - guardian.co.uk
News - SES.comThis live transmission will use ASTRA satellite capacity at the 28.2 degrees East orbital position. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements. - ses.com
Wednesday 04 April 2012, AM
BBC - Roger Mosey: TV to stream 24 channels for digital OlympicsSince the start of our planning for London 2012, we've had two big thoughts about the way most people will enjoy our content. The second is that these are the first truly digital Olympics where we'll offer more choice than ever before, and the pledge we made is that you'll be able to watch sport from every venue from first thing in the morning to last thing at night. This represents four times more channels than in Beijing, and a total of around 2500 hours of live sport - which is at least double what we've offered in the past. - bbc.co.uk
Ofcom - Securing long term benefits from scarce spectrum resources - A strategy for UHF ba… -
Tuesday 03 April 2012, PM
Report likely to accuse hacking witnesses of misleading parliament - ITV NewsThe committee has heard over the last few years from the main players in this phone hacking scandal. On James Murdoch, my understanding is the committee is split. The committee are considering another draft of their report - and will meet again after Easter. - itv.com
BSkyB announces Board changesTom Mockridge, who joined the Board in February 2009, has been appointed as Deputy Chairman. We understand his decision to step aside at this time and we both welcome and look forward to his continued contribution as a non-executive director. I have been privileged to serve first as Chief Executive and then as Chairman of this outstanding company and I am proud of what we have achieved over this period. - corporate.sky.com
BBC News - James Murdoch resigns as BSkyB chairmanThe move is part of an effort to distance that company from the phone-hacking scandal at the News of the World newspaper, once a Murdoch title. He also stood down as chairman of the newspaper publisher, News International, last month. His father Rupert founded its parent company, News Corporation. - bbc.co.uk
Securing long term benefits
from scarce spectrum resources
A strategy for UHF bands IV an… - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
High Efficiency Video Coding - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaDecoded picture buffer size restricted to 6 pictures for the maximum luma picture size of that level. The decoded picture buffer size can increase to a maximum of 16 pictures if the luma picture size of the video is smaller than the maximum luma picture size of that level. If tiles are present they must be at least 64 pixels high and 256 pixels wide with a level specific limit on the number of tiles allowed for each level as well. - en.wikipedia.org
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: Delivering the digital Olympics: 24 live streams via the red butt…Vision switching centre in Broadcasting House, during the 1952 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Phil Fearnley hopes that the Olympics will do for digital and connected TV what the coronation did for analogue TV. We have come a long way since then, and over the past year, my team has been bringing those digital ambitions to life. - bbc.co.uk
Tuesday 03 April 2012, AM
700 MHz band to meet mobile broadband demand? - April - 2012 - Which? News02 April 2012 Ofcom proposes using 700MHz spectrum to meet mobile broadband data demand Ofcom has opened a consultation on how to best secure long term benefits from limited spectrum resources. It includes a proposal to open up mobile broadband spectrum in the 700MHz band to meet the growth in demand for mobile data. Spectrum enables the delivery of many services from digital television, to emergency services, to mobile broadband. - which.co.uk
Monday 02 April 2012, AM
Rupert Murdoch-linked pirate website targeted rivals, online file shows - Technology - The…A website linked to one of Rupert Murdoch's companies openly promoted advice on how to hack into rival TV channels. At its peak in 2000, Thoic claimed it was receiving as many as 3m hits a day. NDS, which built the software for Murdoch's pay TV platforms around the world, admits paying Gibling tens of thousands of pounds and providing him with computer equipment, but insists this was for his help in tracking computer hackers so that it could protect its own security systems. - guardian.co.uk
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC Red Button Blog 31st March - 7th AprilYou can enjoy exclusive EastEnders scenes on the Red Button this week Lauren's turning 18 - but how will she celebrate Press red immediately after her Albert Hall concert on BBC One. - bbc.co.uk
DTG :: News :: DMOL publish LCN consultation -
Freeview set for channel shake up - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Shake up in Freeview channel numberingDMOL is proposing major changes to the numbering system used by the terrestrial platform Freeview resulting from the need to create more space for new channels. It is the second phase of DMOLs consultation originally launched in January 2011. Out go previous proposals for local television to have its own area within the guide, instead DMOL is keeping with viewer preferences for genre-based groupings, which would see the majority of local channels listed within General Entertainment. - broadbandtvnews.com
Phil Redmond announces bid for local TV station on Merseyside - Liverpool News - News - Li…The legendary TV producer, who created household names like Brookside and Grange Hill, is returning to the industry seven years after selling his successful production company. Redmond said he has been thinking about the idea for some time. Writing in his regular Post column see left he said It will be to create a platform and exhibition space for voices and social issues that do not get properly exposed or debated. - liverpooldailypost.co.uk
Ofcom Launches Investigation to Check the Feasibility of Spectrum - French TribuneAccording to sources, it has been revealed that Ofcom will soon be releasing mobile broadband that will use its 700MHz spectrum. However, the company is still searching out ways to match the combination. However, the company has launched a consultation under which it will be determined that is it possible to reuse the spectrum or not, and if yes then the project be feasible. - frenchtribune.com
Neil: Murdoch cloud hangs over BSkyBThe cloud over Sky can be summed up in one word Murdoch, or two James Murdoch, and until that cloud over its ownership resolved it faces problems. Neil pointed to the Ofcom fit and proper persons test that could rule Murdoch as unfit to preside over the broadcaster, following the phonehacking scandal that ran during his chairmanship of News International. This, said Neil, would open the regulatory door for News Corp to come back into the market and renew its bid to buy all of BSkyB. - broadbandtvnews.com
TVs not ready for switchover in London - ITV NewsMore than one in ten households still have a television relying on the old signal, amounting to more than a million TVs in the region. The digital switchover replaces the existing analogue TV signal with a digital signal. - itv.com
BBC News - Q A: ITV Digital sabotage claimsIts main shareholders were ITV companies Carlton and Granada. Nonetheless, it provided several channels to On Digital, including Sky Sports and Sky One, on a subscription basis. The company rebranded as ITV Digital in 2001, but went into administration within a year. - bbc.co.uk
Channel 5 to launch VOD player on Android devices and connected TVs - News - New Media Age…new media age gives you practical, expert knowledge on how to demystify the latest digital trends and make them work for your business. - nma.co.uk
Ofcom Could Reassign 700MHz For Mobile Broadband - TechWeekEurope UKFrequency used for digital television could be used to increase mobile capacity Ofcom is exploring the possibility of releasing the 700MHz spectrum to be used for mobile broadband. Global standard The stated aim of the consultation is to see if the frequencies can be reassigned to allow the UK to cope with the expected growth in mobile broadband traffic caused by the increasing adoption of smartphones and tablets. Lower frequencies also tend to provide a better quality of service, especially indoors. - techweekeurope.co.uk
Sunday 01 April 2012, PM
What is 4G LTE? - Tablet reviews - Phones - Which? Technology4G LTE is a wireless mobile communications technology sometimes referred to simply as 4G its the natural successor to 3G mobile networks, allowing mobile phones to access the internet at speeds similar to many home broadband connections. Its also known by some as 3GPP Long Term Evolution. If you're looking for a new 4G device, don't forget to read our tablet buyers guide or advice on choosing the best smartphone. - which.co.uk
DTG :: News :: DMOL publish LCN consultationThe LCN Consultation is a review of the process by which channel numbers are allocated on the Freeview platform, and the order channels are listed on screen. DMOL is proposing an expanded general entertainment section due to the increasing number of day-part channels that could result in 100 LCNs required in the next two to four years. DMOL said that it does not propose to retain a separate local or regional genre and will instead keep with genre-based groupings, which would see the majority of local channels listed within General Entertainment. - dtg.org.uk
DTG :: News :: Report: HD channels on the increase in EuropeThe figure includes both HD specific channels and simulcasts of standard definition channels. Sport remains the most popular genre in HD television approximately 20 of HD channels, followed by film and generalist channels each around 15 of the total. The strongest HD offers on cable are available in Portugal 40, the Netherlands and Germany 30. - dtg.org.uk
Friday 30 March 2012, AM
BBC accused of 'manipulating' emails in pay TV hacking row - Media - The GuardianProgramme insiders said that News Corp critics of the show appeared to have misunderstood what appeared on the screens of 1.8 million viewers. The director general, Mark Thompson, was briefed on the contents of the programme, but is not thought to have seen it before transmission in case he would need to rule on a complaint made against it. News Corp sources privately complained on Thursday that the BBC News was slow in covering its complaint. - guardian.co.uk
Thursday 29 March 2012, PM
ITV's Adam Crozier awarded more than £3m in 2011 - Media - guardian.co.ukSince Adam Crozier joined ITV as chief executive in April 2010, the broadcaster's finances have largely stabilised. Crozier received an initial 1.52m in cash and pension contributions, including a bonus of 634,000, on a base salary of 798,000, according to ITV's annual report. That compared with the 1.12m he took home in 2010 from the date of his surprise appointment at the helm of the X Factor broadcaster on 26 April. - guardian.co.uk
Rupert Murdoch blasts 'lies and libels' against News Corp - Media - guardian.co.ukRupert Murdoch Twitter attack on News Corp's critics. The media mogul tweeted three times in the early hours of Thursday morning London time attacking his critics. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. - guardian.co.uk
BBC News - Rupert Murdoch hits back over sabotage claims - bbc.co.uk
Wednesday 28 March 2012, PM
Questions for News Corp over rival's collapse - Media - The GuardianThe allegations stem from apparently incriminating emails the programme-makers have obtained, and on-screen descriptions for the first time from two of the people said to be involved, a German hacker and the operator of a pirate website secretly controlled by a Murdoch company. NDS was jointly funded by Sky, which says it never ran NDS. He says Adams sent him the ONdigital codes so that other pirates could use them to manufacture thousands of counterfeit smart cards, giving viewers illicit free access to ONdigital, then Sky's chief business rival. - guardian.co.uk
BBC News cuts – at a glance - Media - guardian.co.ukFor all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook - guardian.co.uk
Ariel - News decides which jobs will goThree or four posts will close as a result. Additionally two of File on Four's 30 programmes a year will be updated editions of programmes broadcast during the run, as will three or four editions of The Report. In the Newsroom, meanwhile, 28 posts will close including nine studio staff. - bbc.co.uk
Digital switchover: one in 10 London households 'not ready' - Media - guardian.co.ukDeborah Bain, Digital UK's London manager, who said extra staff would be employed to handle call centres on 4 April. Although switchover has been a success so far since it began in Whitehaven in 2007, Bain said that London is different because of its greater ethnic diversity. She also said that extra staff have been taken on to handle phones in call centres when London switchover begins with the turning off of the BBC2 signal on 4 April. - guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 27 March 2012, AM
Ariel - Access granted by BBC channels26 March 2012 Last updated at 1448 BBC channels exceeded their quotas for audio description and signing last year, but most fell fractionally short of subtitling 100 of output. The BBC has volunteered to increase its audio description quota by 2 each year until the 20 figure is reached. All channels more than matched their signing quota 5 for all channels except BBC HD, set at 2. - bbc.co.uk
Was ONdigital beaten fair and square, or undermined? - Media - The GuardianIt struggled for many reasons, some of its own making its channel reception was poor, its initial boxes were late, and the immediate reason for its demise was an overpriced 315m contract for the rights to second-tier Football League matches that few wanted to watch. Itsdigital competitor arrived in November, using the so-called terrestrial network of TV transmitters. In an era when most homes could watch just five channels, consumer demand for digital was immediate, with BSkyB signing up 100,000 digital subscribers in a month. - guardian.co.uk
Hot weather a turn-off for TV viewersInterference from high weather pressure has left hundreds of homes in the county unable to watch some Freeview channels. This creates a layer that is in effect a mirror for television signals - meaning signals you would not normally receive can cause pixilation, garbled sound and even a blank screen. Homes on the coast can be particularly affected as they can get interference from continental broadcasts. - kentonline.co.uk
Crystal Palace Tower Lights Up the London Skies -
Monday 26 March 2012, AM
Caroline Thomson – engine room strategist ready to take BBC helm - From the Guardian - T…Ninety years, and fourteen directors general later, and the BBC may get around to appointing a woman to the top job. In an open field, there are a number of female contenders but it is Caroline Thomson, whose CV includes a stint as Eurotrash's censor-in-chief and a brush with tragedy on a Cumbrian train, who has arguably the best claim. The BBC chairman, Lord Patten, may have dictated there should be no overt campaigning for the job, but there are already signs it is Thomson the corporation's clear-thinking chief operating officer who is already winning support from colleagues. - guardian.co.uk
Sunday 25 March 2012, PM
Four-strong team builds digital TV revolution - Emerging Tech - ZDNet UKAs long as the global economy doesn't collapse, that is. published 23 hours ago by Andrew Nusca Comments Vote - zdnet.co.uk
Sunday 25 March 2012, AM
Who'll become BBC director general? Think outside the box - Media - The ObserverHelen Boaden of BBC News is 7-2 in the early betting, albeit in what is currently quite a sparse field. Ed Richards from Ofcom one betting shop favourite doesn't quite do it because he'd have to resign the moment he applied. Appointing him would be balance in the best BBC tradition. - guardian.co.uk
I dont want to sound contentious, but....: And the Sony for best strapline goes to....Let's be clear on a couple of points - firstly, most commercial music radio listeners tune in because of the music - absolutely every piece of research bears this out. If this country can produce 25-30 outstanding personality based music radio presenters, then most of them are going to end up working for the BBC networks because of the platform and prestige it gives them - not all, but most. The BBC also does not run adverts on its radio services, which gives them the scope to play 3 or 4 more records per hour than its commercial rivals - and still let its presenters express their personality within its output. - rileyorionradio.blogspot.ca
Friday 23 March 2012, PM
Scripps acquires international Travel Channel arm - Media - guardian.co.ukTravel Channel's UK shows include Sophie Grigson in Thailand. TCI employs 46 staff in London who will all join Scripps Networks International. Scripps Networks has been on a major expansion drive internationally, taking stakes in numerous channels. - guardian.co.uk
Thursday 22 March 2012, PM
UKTV channels to be streamed on BT VisionUKTV channels will be made available to BT Vision subscribers as part of a new streamed service. BT Vision has previously relied on the DTT Freeview platform to deliver its linear channels, but has been upgrading its network to run the more efficient multicast delivery. Watch, Gold and Alibi will be the first channels to be streamed to be followed later by Good Food, Eden and Home. - broadbandtvnews.com
Thursday 22 March 2012, AM
BBC execs look to future as Thompson departs - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Wannabe Murdochs crash Ofcom's local telly party • The RegisterOfcom's consultation on Local TV has now closed, and the responses offer a slightly worrying insight into what to expect from the new tiny telly stations. The UK government is completely committed to launching local broadcast television in White Space frequencies. Ofcom is therefore obliged to define what that means and how it will operate despite the fact that no one seems to know how these new TV channels will be funded. - theregister.co.uk
Wednesday 21 March 2012, AM
Sky reveals NOW TV brand for new internet TV serviceWith a distinctive look and identity, it will stand out from the existing Sky TV service and offer even more choice and flexibility to customers. Having two brands will allow us to meet the needs and preferences of different customer segments more effectively. Starting with movies, it will soon expand to offer sport and entertainment as well. - corporate.sky.com
BBC News - Digital switchover is completed in parts of the South21 March 2012 Last updated at 0222 ET The final stage of the digital switch over is taking place in the South. The BBC Two signal was switched off in the first phase on 7 March. Households who have not switched to digital will lose their TV service. - bbc.co.uk
Is it time for a woman to run the BBC? - Features - TV Radio - The IndependentMs Thomson is a former commissioning editor at Channel 4 and trained at the BBC as a journalist, skills she drew on while reporting from the scene of the 2007 Cumbria rail crash. These two women are in a strong position because of the peculiar problems faced by the BBC at this time in its history. The key priority for the next Director-General will be the renewal of the BBC's charter, which runs out at the end of 2016. - independent.co.uk
Tuesday 20 March 2012, PM
The BBC: safeguarding the nation's values - Editorial - Comment is free - The GuardianWhen Mark Thompson became the BBC's 14th director general in 2004 it was not certain that there would be a 15th. The Conservatives, meanwhile, had fallen out of love with the BBC long ago. The Murdoch empire's guns were bombarding the corporation at every turn in a remorseless attempt to end the licence fee and break public service broadcasting. - guardian.co.uk
Broadcasters often at fault over 'media scrums' at news events - Media - guardian.co.ukBroadcasters should be issued with regulatory advice to deal with media scrums at major news events, says PCC. Speaking afterwards to MediaGuardian, Collett declined to name the news events he was referring to because the guidance issued by the PCC during large-scale news events is confidential and often reflects the private concerns of members of the public. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. - guardian.co.uk
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC iPlayer launches on XBox 360In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash Installed. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content. As we've said in our press release, today's launch means that BBC iPlayer is now on all major games consoles in the UK. - bbc.co.uk
More4+2 to precede 4seven launch - News - Broadcast20 March, 2012 By Balihar Khalsa Channel 4 is to launch a two-hour time-shifted version of More4, paving the way for the launch of repeats station 4seven. It takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Ariel - iPlayer everywhereXBox users who have Kinect will be able to call out their viewing requests, or wave at the tv - and see it respond. The iPlayer is now available on more than 450 platforms, from phones, tablets, internet-connected tvs, through games consoles and digital tv platforms. The way people interact with entertainment content is changing. - bbc.co.uk
Tuesday 20 March 2012, AM
BBC Launches iPlayer on XBOX 360 LIVE - BBC - News on NewsBBC iPlayer is now available on every major gaming platform in the UK. Xbox 360 users with Kinect will benefit from enhanced functionality. For the first time it is possible for BBC iPlayer users to discover and play programmes using hand gestures and voice recognition. - newsonnews.net
Monday 19 March 2012, PM
As Mark Thompson's era ends, the BBC looks for the right successor - Media - The GuardianBBC director general Mark Thompson has said he will step down from the post in the autumn after the Olympics. Photograph Ben Stansall/Getty Mark Thompson's resignation announcement confirms the worst-kept secret in British television. The only difficulty had been getting Thompson to the point where he was prepared to finally to go public. - guardian.co.uk
Cheers to 'Martini media' man Mark Thompson - Media - The GuardianThere have been no major retreats or closures. The BBC still runs 10 TV networks, 10 national radio stations, 40 local stations and a large website. Critics attack him for failing to prioritise against stricter public service values, but Thompson has shrugged them off. - guardian.co.uk
Google Public Policy Blog: Making our ads better for everyoneJust as we work hard to make Gmail free of spamand the Google Play Storefree of malware, were committed to enforcing rigorous standards for the ads that appear on Google and on our partner sites. Like all other Internet companies, were fighting a war against a huge number of bad actorsfrom websites selling counterfeit goods and fraudulent tickets to underground international operations trying to spread malware and spyware. We must remain vigilant because scammers will always try to find new ways to abuse our systems. - googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.co.uk
m.guardian.co.ukOfcom launched an investigation into the holiday and travel broadcaster after being contacted by a complainant who made serious allegations about the conduct of viewer competitions dating back more than a decade. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - m.guardian.co.uk
Media culture shifts: theory v reality - Media - guardian.co.ukThis weekend, my reading was dominated by corporate media culture issues how to transition from the legacy media culture to the more agile and chaotic digital world But, to my surprise, over time, I've been feeling lectured on those very issues. Since 15 December, I've been in charge of digital operations for Groupe Les Echos, which publishes the only remaining business newspaper in France. - guardian.co.uk
With TV Everywhere, It s All About Discovery - TechCrunchThats as many TVs connected to the Internet as Android devices in the market today. In other words, the Connected TV ecosystem today is in a similar place to the Android ecosystem in mid-2010. Discovery is the dominant paradigm on Connected TV. - techcrunch.com
m.guardian.co.ukExcept Thompson's friends insist that he always intended to go at about that time, telling Lord Patten the moment the Tory peer arrived as chairman last year that he would be on his way after the Olympics. The only difficulty has been getting Thompson to the point where he was prepared to concede in private that he was going he got there in January and going public with it which is where we got to on Monday. If anything, Thompson shows signs of being demob happy now the announcement is finally out in the open. - m.guardian.co.uk
BBC - Research and Development: Prototyping Weeknotes #99This week the project focus is Recommendations and Chris Newell, one of our Lead Technologists, gives us an overview of the recent work the team has been doing. Following the completion of the project we have continued to explore recommender systems and their user interfaces. For most of this work we use the open source MyMediaLite Recommender system library which was developed by the project. - bbc.co.uk
Ariel - Let the race beginIf that's right, all the internal candidates have been taking part in an unofficial assessment for over ten months - and the outsiders will have been making sure their reputations are buffed up in speeches, conferences and media launches. The bookies' interest seemed to peter out in February, with the only real mover in the field appearing to be Helen Boaden, shortening to 5/4 with William Hill. It's a job that doesn't come up often - Mark's been at the helm for eight years. - bbc.co.uk
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/ccrs/Channel_TV_CCR.pdf - licensing.ofcom.org.uk
BBC DG Mark Thompson confirms departurePlease enter a valid email address Simply enter your email address below and we will send you details on how to subscribe / activate today. - m.broadcastnow.co.uk
Sunday 18 March 2012, PM
Watford and Rickmansworth have poor digital TV signal From Watford Observer)Research carried out for Digital UK, the not-for-profit company overseeing the digital switch over, showed people in those towns suffered the poorest digital reception along with places like Barnet and Finchley in London. However the company said the digital signal for Freeview in these areas should improve after the switchover from analogue begins next month. Two weeks later, on April 18, the remaining analogue channels will close and Freeview coverage will reach its final levels. - watfordobserver.co.uk
Signal failure - This is SomersetFreeview customers saw their programmes replaced by French channels as the weather played havoc with TV signals. Broadcasters blamed a high pressure weather system which can cause signals from foreign channels to 'bounce' off their normal course, a phenomenon called 'continental interference'. Satellite services, such as Sky, are not affected by the phenomenon as their signals are beamed from space. - thisissomerset.co.uk
Saturday 17 March 2012, PM
New Take Me Out scandal as producers 'tell girls which partners to pick'
- Mail OnlineSeveral girls have alleged that producers told them they would be kicked off the programme unless they agreed to show an interest in men who did not attract them. Some contestants on the show, hosted by Paddy McGuiness, have alleged that producers try to tell them who to pick 'The whole thing is totally misleading and leaves a whole lot of people feeling humiliated and exploited afterwards,' one girl apparently complained. The TV show has been dogged by controversies this season, after it emerged a male contestant was an escort, and the girl he picked later revealed she used to work as a prostitute. - dailymail.co.uk
Saturday 17 March 2012, AM
TalkTalk begins rollout of YouView consumer trialA consumer trial for YouView is being organised by TalkTalk. A new consumer trial of the upcoming YouView digital TV service has been launched by TalkTalk. Subscribers contacting the internet service provider's customer service and sales departments are being given the chance to sign up to the initiative, while people are also being actively urged to take part on its online forums, reports Marketing Week. - cable.co.uk
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC Red Button Blog 17th - 24th March6 Music are currently celebrating their 10th birthday and highlights from a very special night of live music at London's Southbank Centre will be available on the Red Button this week. A host of 6 Music DJs will be guiding you through the mayhem. The red button is sure to reveal all. - bbc.co.uk
Friday 16 March 2012, PM
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: A Quick Download on Project BarcelonaThe research we've done with audiences tells us they're very comfortable with the idea of BBC programmes being made available for purchase like this there's a clear understanding of the difference between viewing something once and keeping it to enjoy in perpetuity. As Mark Thompson said in his speech, this is not a second licence-fee by stealth or any reduction in the current public service offering from the BBC. Wed like to change that, and get to a point where its the norm, not the exception, for shows to be available for digital purchase soon after transmission, with the most comprehensive range of BBC titles being offered via a bespoke online shop. - bbc.co.uk
YouView to order players by popularity - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
BBC viewers 'very comfortable' with pay download service - Media - guardian.co.ukBBC viewers would be 'very comfortable' with a download pay service, says Roly Keating, director of archive content. He said more than 90 of BBC programmes are currently unavailable to buy once they are removed from the iPlayer. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk
News Corp and Permira sell NDS to Cisco for $5bn - Media - guardian.co.ukCisco has bought NDS from News Corp and Pemira for 5bn. Originally an Israeli startup, NDS was bought by News Corp in 1992, and spun off a few years later into a separate public company. News Corp made a 1.2bn gain on NDS when it reduced its 67 stake in the company to 49 in 2008. - guardian.co.uk
How will OTT affect traditional pay-TV providers? - Media network - guardian.co.ukNetflix are going head to head with Virgin Medias FilmFlex service and Sky Movies. How will the advent of OTT affect traditional pay TV providers Rapid advancements in technology coupled with growing consumer demand and expectation are driving intense competition between new entrants and traditional TV platforms as they battle for the consumer's wallet. - guardian.co.uk
BBC - Media Centre - Mark Thompson: The BBC in 2012 and beyondIm going to try this evening to offer a view of the future of the BBC and of the whole of broadcasting through the prism of a single year This year, 2012. What the BBC stands for and what its priorities should be. How the new connected digital technologies are transforming the way we serve our audiences and redefining what we mean by the term broadcasting. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 15 March 2012, PM
Clover s Week: Terrestrial broadcasting reaches its peakLast months WRC conference saw the beginnings of a debate that could have far reaching consequences for broadcast and broadband alike. At issue are the future needs for wireless broadband and a possible further encroachment into the 700 MHz band. Not only are broadcasters facing potential interference to their programmes from next generation LTE services, but they may also have to give up a further portion of the band to the telcos whose devices look likely to cause the trouble. - broadbandtvnews.com
BBC lobbies over 4G plans - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
All the latest news from Harlow, Essex. - Harlow piped TV network to be switched off in De…Up to 26,000 homes currently have access to the free cable service run by Virgin Media which replaced the former master antenna cable television network installed in the 1970s. Harlow Council had hoped to secure a deal with the media giant to continue to providing free-to-air channels post-digital switchover, originally claiming the provider was legally bound to do so according to the terms of its contract. However, in a move that will benefit vulnerable residents and those living in sheltered accommodation and council-owned tower blocks, the authority yesterday Wednesday unveiled plans to set aside 650,000 to help mitigate the costs of the switchover. - harlowstar.co.uk
TalkTalk attempts to kick-start YouView - News - Marketing WeekThe broadband provider is asking new and existing customers to register their interest for the widespread trial of the TV service when they call its customer service and sales centres. Existing customers are also being actively encouraged by TalkTalk to sign up to the trial via its online forums, its 20,000-strong customer panel and its e-zine. The company also announced earlier this week it is to begin offering super-fast fibre optic broadband from April, benefiting those who want to watch live TV via the internet. - marketingweek.co.uk
Sky and STV plan launches on YouView - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Thursday 15 March 2012, AM
C4 reveals thinking behind 4seven plan - News - Broadcast15 March, 2012 By Balihar Khalsa Channel 4 is to buy a Freeview slot for forthcoming repeats channel 4seven, which will be populated by its most popular shows but have the flexibility to air content that has stirred up discussion. It takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
No change to Terms of Trade, Hunt hints - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Radioplayer to launch mobile and TV app on YouView - TelegraphHill would not reveal when the anticipated launch was, which has been postponed several times and cost the BBC at least 6m, but sources close to the operation believe it will go live on May 14 this year. The BBC and the commercial radio industry equally co-own Radioplayer, in what has become a successful not-for-profit joint venture. The player, as it turns one, attracts seven million unique monthly users and has doubled its initial user figures over the last 12 months. - telegraph.co.uk
Wednesday 14 March 2012, PM
BBC News - Project Barcelona to see BBC open archive for downloadsHe added that the digital archive would stay open for good, and shows would remain available to licence fee payers. The plans will be put before the BBC Trust later this year. Mr Thompson added that more and more programmes from the archive would be added to the service. - bbc.co.uk
BBC boss confirms TV download pay service - Media - guardian.co.ukThe BBC is to introduce Project Barcelona, a pay download service available to viewers to purchase programmes permanently, available minutes after broadcast. Thompson was not specific about the timescale or pricing, but sources said it was hoped that programmes would be available to buy at the same time as they go on the iPlayer. Early speculation put the price at 1.89 a show. - guardian.co.uk
Ariel - Details confirmed on 5 live Olympics ExtraWith a service budget of 200,000, 5 live Olympics Extra will be available from July 23 to August 15 the actual games run from July 27 to August 12 and will focus on live coverage that cannot fit into the schedules of its sister stations. BBC Three's hours will extend into daytime during the games, when it will be dedicated to Olympic coverage. Usually broadcast between 7pm and around 5am, the channel will revert to its normal schedule at 11pm and keep its hourly news bulletins. - bbc.co.uk
BBC News - Channel Islands TV signals affected by high pressureMany viewers have reported difficulties receiving BBC TV channels. A spokesman for the BBC's Reception Advice service said the high pressure was causing problems to the links between transmitters. - bbc.co.uk
Wednesday 14 March 2012, AM
BBC should consider pressures on print journalists - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
BSkyB movie probe widened to include Netflix and LoveFilm - Media - guardian.co.ukOn Wednesday the long-running investigation, which published a revised deadline of July for delivering its final report, said that it needed to extend the consultation to take into account changes in the movie market. The commission also pointed to the need to assess LoveFilm, which is owned by internet retailer Amazon and has extended its rental-by-post model to offer streaming movies to customers. BSkyB recently announced that it intends to launch its own internet service, which will include Sky Movies, that will stand alone from its TV channel subscription offering. - guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 13 March 2012, PM
BBC News - UK may get 4G network in 2012 via Everything EverywhereThe regulator says it has received an application by Everything Everywhere to use its existing spectrum to offer the higher-speed service. It says it does not believe the move by the owner of the Orange and T-Mobile networks would distort competition. It has given other parties four weeks to submit their views about the proposed change. - bbc.co.uk
BBC saves £77,000 on Worldwide chairmans salary - Business News - Business - The Independ…Mr Thompson's surprise appointment, in addition to his duties as director-general, means the BBC will not have to conduct an external search for the job. It will also save on the 77,000-a-year salary paid to Mr Webb, the former British Airways legal counsel who has taken the same position at Rolls-Royce. - independent.co.uk
Crozier: Sky retransmission fees are wrong - News - BroadcastIt takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. - broadcastnow.co.uk
Deal or No Deal: Channel 4 to face commission over gambling concerns - Media - guardian.co…Presenter Noel Edmonds on Deal or No Deal. The Gambling Commission is to meet C4 bosses over whether the gameshow constitutes gambling. It is understood to have particular concerns about the Noel Edmonds gameshow, which broadcast for the first time on Channel 4 in 2005. - guardian.co.uk
Monday 12 March 2012, PM
informitv - Roku plans expansion for small box with big ambitionsRoku is aiming to raise up to 50 million in the coming months. Roku has launched in the United Kingdom with two models available through online retailers. It provides 1080p high-definition video streaming through HDMI, as well as standard definition composite video output. - informitv.com
informitv - BBC plans online retail of television programmesThe BBC is reportedly considering plans to allow viewers in the United Kingdom to pay to download old and new television shows a price points around 1.89 per programme. Known as Project Barcelona, it is the latest in a series of initiatives to exploit BBC programming online. In January it was reported that the BBC was planning to charge viewers for access to archive programming, but this proposal seems to include recently transmitted programmes. - informitv.com
Ofcom - Arqiva: Local TV feasibility study and Reference OfferThe coverage predictions contained in the Coverage Note are based upon certain technical assumptions, one of which is that there is space on the existing transmission masts to accommodate transmitting antennas for the local TV services. Ofcom subsequently commissioned transmission company Arqiva to carry out a short study to assess the feasibility of building local TV infrastructure at each of the proposed locations and of accommodating antennas on the transmitter masts. This provides confirmation that it should be possible in practice to build transmission infrastructure that provides coverage similar to that illustrated in the Coverage Note. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
Sunday 11 March 2012, PM
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC Red Button Blog 10th - 17th MarchThe red button is sure to reveal all. You will be able to join in the sessions live online from 12 noon each day, and then watch highlights on the tellybox Red Button from your comfy sofa at 7pm each day. Every Saturday press the red button during the show to pit your wits against our studio contestants. - bbc.co.uk
Deal or No Deal faces Gambling Commission probe as top TV gameshows face crackdown - Mail…It is against the law to run non-skill games for money without a gambling licence raising the extraordinary prospect of producers being jailed if they defy the warning. Last night, one legal expert said that in order to comply with a licence, Deal Or No Deal could be forced to move to a time slot after the 9pm watershed, it could also face tight restrictions on the type of advertising allowed to be sold in the commercial breaks and the amount of pre-broadcast publicity it could receive. The programme, which has been presented by Edmonds since it was first broadcast in 2005, regularly attracts an audience of more than four million in its afternoon slot. - dailymail.co.uk
05:57
