Keep up with the daily developments that effect free TV in the UK. This list is updated often - you can follow
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Podcasts
First, here are some podcasts to listen to - click the link for direct play.
Media: Loss of listeners to Radio 1 22 May 13 Media Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million Media Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million 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 summarizedSaturday 02 March 2013, AM
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/lord-sugar-to-step-down-from-youview-amid-te…The Apprentice host will leave in the next few weeks after only two years in the non-executive, part-time role, which earned the multi-millionaire mogul 500,000 last year. YouView has not lined up a replacement and will name a successor in due course. A YouView spokesman declined to comment on suggestions that there was any tension in the boardroom. - independent.co.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/resurgent-itv-quashes-talk-of-takeover-app…ITV has rewarded investors with a 156m special dividend after a third year of rising profits, capping a major turnaround, but the broadcaster disappointed some in the City by saying it had received no takeover approach. Pre-tax profits jumped 6 per cent to 348m, with turnover up 3 per cent to 2.2bn, thanks to a record performance from its programme-making arm, ITV Studios. Mr Crozier has upped the annual dividend from 1.6p to 2.6p, as well as handing out the special divi, worth 4p a share. - independent.co.uk
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 2 March - 9 MarchSports fans can tune into live indoor athletics, football and rugby league highlights. You can watch Live Lounge acts online too. You can watch clips of her performance online on the Radio 2 website. - bbc.co.uk
Ariel - An artists vision of TVC - bbc.co.uk
Friday 01 March 2013, PM
DTG :: News :: Lord Sugar steps down from YouViewYouView announced today that Lord Sugar will step down from his role as non-executive chairman in the next few weeks. DTG Staff 01.03.2013 Links open in a new window. - dtg.org.uk
Thursday 28 February 2013, PM
Ofcom - Renewal of Channel 3 licences: proposed changes to licensed area for Wales and Wes…Summary 1.1 This is one of three consultations Ofcom is currently undertaking regarding the proposed renewal of Channel 3 licences. This consultation relates to the proposed modification of Channel 3 licensed areas for the period commencing 1 January 2015. The other two consultations relate to the programming commitments for Channel 3 and Channel 5 licensees under their existing licences, and the methodology for setting the financial terms for Channel 3 and Channel 5 licences from 1 January 2015, should the licences be renewed. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
Wednesday 27 February 2013, AM
ITV's pre-tax profits rise 6% - Media - guardian.co.ukAdam Crozier hailed revenue rises at ITV's studios and online businesses. The company said it has seen growth in all areas with revenues up to 3 to 2.19bn, fuelled by a strong performance in its studios, online and its pay and interactive businesses. Online, pay and interactive revenues were up 26 to 102m. - guardian.co.uk
Saturday 23 February 2013, PM
Study: Pay TV Industry Sees First-Ever Subscriber Decline in Western Europe - The Hollywoo…The U.K. reported a subscriber gain for 2012, but that was outweighed by drops elsewhere, including big declines in Spain and Italy. In the Southern European nations, financial crisis and a weak economy also have been a drag on box-office trends and TV advertising spending. The region ended 2012 with about 92.6 million pay TV subscribers, down from 93 million at year-end 2011, Informa Telecoms Media said. - hollywoodreporter.com
Saturday 23 February 2013, AM
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 23 February - 2 MarchWeve got something for everyone coming up on Red Button this week. Watch the programme exploring how the last 100 years have changed music, and then press red to see the special performances in full. There are 11 questions to test their knowledge, simply answer by pressing the coloured buttons on the remote control. - bbc.co.uk
Friday 22 February 2013, PM
BBC - Inside the BBC - Pollard Review Appendices TranscriptsFrom the thousands of pages that are being published, roughly 3 of the transcripts have been redacted for a very limited number of legal reasons. It has not been an entirely comfortable process for us to go through but it is right that we did it this way. It is important that the BBC now moves forward with the lessons learned and continues to regain the publics trust. Important note 1. - bbc.co.uk
Friday 22 February 2013, AM
ITV plans radical shake-up of regional news - News - Broadcast22 February, 2013 By Jake Kanter ITV plans to radically overhaul its nations and regions news output scaling back regional bulletins in favour of providing more tailored local content. 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
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - Designing the Connected Red ButtonWe thought now would be a good time to share some of the thinking behind the design approach. The live service The project began in mid 2011 when the design team received the brief for a reimagining of the Red Button service for connected TVs. The vision was to provide the foundation for interactivity around the BBCs television channels and to set the benchmark for delivering internet driven content across broadcast. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 21 February 2013, PM
CC delays Global GMG takeover decision : Radio TodayRadioToday has learnt that sufficient time is needed to take full account of any comments received in response to the provisional findings and that the need to provide a fully reasoned decision within the statutory time frame has arisen. The range of possible remedies to be considered in this case is complex and that all possible remedies need to be explored with the parties to the merger and third parties, the Competition Commission said today. It adds another two months of uncertainty to staff at both companies before any announcement can be made on the future of all the stations and staff involved. - radiotoday.co.uk
Tim Harford Article Don t blame Ofcom if the 4G price isn t rightIts almost 13 years since the UK government raised 22.5bn in one of the biggest auctions of all time, for the right to use radio spectrum for 3G mobile phone services. The next big thing, 4G, has been auctioned for around a 10th of that price, and a third less than the sum the Treasury had pencilled in. Some say thats the wrong question several telecoms analysts claim that the low prices will result in a better deal for consumers, which makes me wonder if they have their wires crossed. - timharford.com
Thursday 21 February 2013, AM
Viacom eyes second Freeview slot for Nick - 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
Ofcom - Channel 3 and Channel 5: proposed programming obligations -
Wednesday 20 February 2013, PM
Freeview readies bid to nab lapsed Sky users - News - Marketing WeekFreeview is to launch an aggressive multi-million pound acquisition drive to tempt low-end BSkyB and Virgin Media customers not watching the channels they are paying for to switch after admitting interest in the service has fallen post digital switchover. Freeviews acquisition drive is targeting customers on cheaper pay-TV subscriptions from providers such as Sky and Virgin. The free to air service has scaled back the retention campaigns promoting added value services such as personal video recorder Freeview and Freeview HD in favour of value-based activity pointing out it provides over 95 per cent of the most watched programmes in the UK. - marketingweek.co.uk
Wednesday 20 February 2013, AM
STV returns to profit as ITV battle ends - Media - guardian.co.ukThe TV company reversed a pre-tax loss from 2011 thanks to a rise in production revenue and the end of a legal battle with ITV. Turnover in the year to 31 December 2012 was up marginally at 102.7m, from 102m in 2011. The 9.1m pre-tax profit in 2012 compares to a pre-tax loss of 900,000 in 2011. - guardian.co.uk
Ofcom - Ofcom announces winners of the 4G mobile auctionOfcom has today announced the winners of the 4G mobile spectrum auction. This is suitable for rolling out new superfast mobile broadband services to consumers and to small and large businesses across the UK. The auction has achieved Ofcoms purpose of promoting strong competition in the 4G mobile market. - consumers.ofcom.org.uk
BBC News - Ofcom raises £2.34bn from 4G auction20 February 2013 Last updated at 0305 ET Telecoms regulator Ofcom has raised 2.34bn from its auction of 4G mobile spectrum, less than expected. The Office for Budget Responsibility had forecast that the auction would raise 3.5bn for the Treasury. 4G mobile broadband should provide smartphone and tablet computer users with superfast download speeds. - bbc.co.uk
Freeview ad claims platform airs 95% of top-rating TV programmes - Media - guardian.co.ukFreeview ad claims 95 of the most popular TV programmes are available free-to-air Freeview has raised the stakes in its battle for the nation's living rooms in a bullish ad campaign claiming that 95 of the most popular television programmes are available free-to-air. Freeview has also published research to accompany the ad which suggest that nearly three-quarters 72 of consumers who pay for a package of TV, broadband and phone from a single provider are confused about what they have signed up to. Freeview claimed this meant pay-TV homes were spending an average of nearly 200 each on TV they did not watch. - guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 19 February 2013, AM
TV on-the-go pegged at 1% - 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 News - Have 3D films had their day?With Avatar's cinema release in 2009 came the promise of 3D technology that was here to stay. Avatar and Stephen Spielberg brought with them the fourth wave of mainstream success for 3D, but since then, film revenues have fallen 1 each year for 3D films. Some 71 of people surveyed who had seen a 3D movie preferred the experience. - bbc.co.uk
Monday 18 February 2013, PM
High-definition TV is the nemesis of every actor of a certain age - Michael Simkins - Comm…'We all like to think of ourselves as having the technique of Laurence Olivier, the methodology of Marlon Brando and the timing of, well, Maggie Smith. Photograph Nick Briggs Dame Maggie Smith's recent admission that she never watches herself on the telly may come as a shock to people out in the real world, but it merely confirms what actors have known to be best practice for many years. Watching yourself perform on television is the most exquisite torture any actor can suffer, and the business is tough enough already without adding yet more despair and humiliation to our lot. - guardian.co.uk
UK broadcaster ITV seen as possible takeover target - Financial NewsLast October, the Daily Mail reported that buyout firms and media companies could have been targeting ITV. - financial-news.co.uk
informitv - Freesat adds YouTube to its new platformYouTube will soon be available as an app on Freesat, the first time the online video service will be incorporated on a free-to-air television service in the United Kingdom. Freesat, which is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, says it has achieved 3 million sales in the last four and half years. That figure represents retail sales of Freesat compatible products, including televisions with a certified integrated satellite receiver. - informitv.com
Monday 18 February 2013, AM
BBC supports attempt to sneak DRM into HTML5 (Wired UK)The broadcaster, which has a requirement to serve the public interest and has long pledged a commitment to open standards, has supported the publication of the first draft of a method to limit what users are able to do in their web browser. - wired.co.uk
Sunday 17 February 2013, PM
James Purnell is the man for the BBC – but what about Lord Patten? - Media - The Guardia…New BBC recruit former culture secretary James Purnell. After the near-total corporate meltdown of last year someone in charge is what the BBC desperately needs. On the upside Purnell is not new to the BBC. - guardian.co.uk
BBC journalists to stage 24-hour strike over compulsory redundancies - Media - guardian.co…Members of the National Union of Journalists NUJ will walk out from midnight as part of a campaign against compulsory redundancies. The BBC said it could not speculate on possible disruption to programmes. The union said 7,000 jobs had been cut at the BBC since 2004, with a further 2,000 to go under cost-saving plans. - guardian.co.uk
Sunday 17 February 2013, AM
Challenges are mounting for new BBC chief - Observer editorial - Comment is free - The Obs…Five months after the shambles of Jimmy Savile, the great BBC fightback begins. Last week, the new BBC's incoming director general, Lord Hall, made the first of his management changes. A head of news becomes head of radio. - guardian.co.uk
Ex-BBC Chief Mark Thompson on the Jimmy Savile Scandal: The Ravens Have Not Left the Tower… - vanityfair.com
Saturday 16 February 2013, AM
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 16th – 23rd FebruaryThe series explores why individual composers felt compelled to create the challenging music they did and how they were influenced by the upheavalsof theirtime. This week features music by Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern and Charles Ives. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 14 February 2013, PM
Ariel - Trust asks if BBC distribution works wellIt will review the performance of traditional and online distribution methods to see if they are cost effective and provide every UK household with convenient and free access to BBC services. The work, which will be carried out by specialist media consultancy Mediatique Ltd, will consider digital television, analogue and digital radio as well as iPlayer and the BBC website. It will also determine how well placed the BBC is to distribute content in the future as people increasingly access it via new means. - bbc.co.uk
Digital One applys for Northern Ireland TX : Radio Today with RCSThe mux, which has been on-air for over a decade, has never been available in Northern Ireland but since the Digital Economy Act 2010, it has been entitled to extend the coverage of its licensed area, subject to consultation. According to Digital One, these transmitters would provide indoor coverage to 74 of households, and 70 of the road network, in Northern Ireland. The addition of this coverage would result in the national radio multiplex service providing coverage of 89.5 of the households in the United Kingdom, and 75 of the UKs road network. - radiotoday.co.uk
Tony Hall's email to BBC staff - Media - guardian.co.ukDear all, I wanted to tell you about my first senior executive appointments to the top team of the BBC. It is my first task to build the team that will deliver a new strategy and creative vision for the BBC and define public service broadcasting for the next decade. I want to bring in great people from outside the BBC and combine them with the best people from within. - guardian.co.uk
Ofcom - Extending DAB Services in Northern Ireland - Request to extend coverage area of na… -
James Purnell to rejoin BBC - Media - guardian.co.ukJames Purnell the former culture secretary is to rejoin the BBC. MediaGuardian revealed on Friday that Hall had offered Boaden the job. Purnell will earn 295,000 in his new role and will start at the BBC on 20 March. - guardian.co.uk
Thursday 14 February 2013, AM
New Herts Beds Bucks multiplex launched : Radio Today with RCSThe National Radio Centre in Milton Keynes was the centre of local radio attention this morning as a new Mux was turned on. Research has shown how much people value their local radio stations, so we hope this will make a big difference to the digital radio listening experience in the county. - radiotoday.co.uk
Wednesday 13 February 2013, PM
Viewer trust in BBC recovers after Jimmy Savile scandal - 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
Tuesday 12 February 2013, AM
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's On BBC Red Button 9th - 16th FebruaryIn the first episode, Wrecking Ball, a host of renowned composers explore the foundations of contemporary music and discuss why 20th century composers deliberately chose to discard the traditional structures of form, melody and rhythm in favour of consonance and dissonance. The three episodes also feature specially filmed performances from a number of ensembles including the London Sinfonietta, which can been seen in full on the Red Button after each programme. This week features music by Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern and Charles Ives. - bbc.co.uk
Monday 11 February 2013, PM
BBC News - 4G to affect TV reception in two million homes11 February 2013 Last updated at 0708 ET Filters will be provided for Freeview televisions which experience reception problems following the roll out of 4G later this year. Ofcom estimates that the TV viewing in up to 2.3 million British households could be affected by 4G but only 40 of them have Freeview. Satellite receivers will not be affected, the watchdog claims. - bbc.co.uk
Monday 11 February 2013, AM
Ian Burrell: Local TV with no place for Alan PartridgeThe cathedral city of Norwich was, during the Middle Ages, the second largest population centre in England but it has never had a broadcast media to reflect its prestigious past. Run by Archant, a regional newspaper group with historical ties to the Colman mustard family, the TV station will rely on an existing 140-strong editorial team. A flagship nightly 45-minute magazine programme The Mustard Show will allow viewers to question local politicians. - independent.co.uk
Saturday 09 February 2013, AM
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - Building Connected Red Button Connected Red Button on TiVo This has been a fairly long journey for us in terms of the use of agile techniques in a technology project so I'll attempt to give you the what, why and how of the project from a technical point of view. Techies like requirements The project team responsible for this first iteration or version of the Connected Red button is a dozen strong multi-disciplinary software engineering team but due to the nature of the project many other areas of the BBC have been involved in a design or engineering capacity. Put it on the telly From the beginning the requirement for multiple TV platforms dictated some of our architectural choices. - bbc.co.uk
Date set for Herts Beds Bucks DAB launch : Radio Today with RCSAt the time, NOW said it would launch the service by July 2008 using a network of seven transmitters. Over 1.8 million people living in the three counties area will receive local DAB services for the first time, adding to the current national offerings. Itll be the first time Capital is available in the area. - radiotoday.co.uk
Thursday 07 February 2013, PM
235 people in Bath try to live without FM : Radio Today with RCSThe trial, called GO Digital, is being held ahead of a ministerial decision later this year on when or if a switchover to digital radio should take place. Its being run by Ipsos MORI and involves 235 people, including older people, assisted living people, disabled people and those who are registered blind or partially sighted. Minister for culture, communications and creative industries Ed Vaizey said We have been clear that any radio switchover must be consumer-led. - radiotoday.co.uk
BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - Happy Birthday BBC ThreeWe may have a laugh with our comedy, but we take our documentaries and journalism rather seriously on BBC Three. Dont start to think we just do a bit of this because were the BBC and we think we should, the truth is we love empowering our audience and fighting for them, its an essential part of why we exist and its something no other channel in the UK does for people aged 16-34. We love it when our stars get properly famous and go and play with the big boys and girls at BBC One and Two because it means we can go and find some more newbies. - bbc.co.uk
Wednesday 06 February 2013, PM
Ariel - News to come under BBC Trust scrutinyThe division will be the subject of a service review, beginning in the summer and led by trustee Richard Ayre. Occasional or weekly current affairs programmes, such as Panorama, will not be included. Pollard triggered the resignation of the long-serving deputy director of News Stephen Mitchell and the move of Newsnight's editor and deputy editor into new roles. - bbc.co.uk
DTG :: News :: BBC Trust to conduct channel reviewThe reviews are being conducted as part of the Trust's rolling programme of service reviews. Under the Charter the Trust is required to review each BBC service at least once every five years. Public consultations will be held for both reviews as well as specific audience research and interviews with elevant BBC controllers and staff. - dtg.org.uk
Wednesday 06 February 2013, AM
$23 billion acquisition of Virgin Media may pose biggest threat yet to BSkyB - The VergeThe price refelects a 24 percent premium over Virgin Medias closing share price on February 4th. The deal is still subject to things like approval from the companies shareholders and regulators, but assuming it goes ahead, the new ownership could potentially shake up the British pay TV landscape. Virgin Media's subscriber count of 4.9 million is less than half of BSkyB's 10.7 million, but financial backing from the larger Liberty could help it fund investment in new technology and be more competitive in crucial content deal negotiations. - theverge.com
Tuesday 05 February 2013, PM
YouView estimated to have added up to 230,000 subscribers since launch - Media - guardian.…YouView launched in July 2012 and is reported to have added 230,000 subscribers to its internet TV service. TalkTalk, which also revealed on Tuesday that its broadband subscriber base grew for the first time in three years in the quarter, is estimated to have added more than 40,000 more customers since 31 December. BT Vision, which began offering YouView boxes to its customers for free from 26 October, said last week that it had signed up a total of just over 60,000 customers to its service up to 31 December. - guardian.co.uk
Tuesday 05 February 2013, AM
YouView sales hit 140,000 - News - BroadcastTotal sales of YouView boxes have risen to 140,000 after TalkTalk reported it had distributed 80,000 units in the three months to 31 December.
Monday 04 February 2013, PM
Lebedevs win London local TV licence - Media - guardian.co.ukEvgeny and Alexander Lebedev will be hoping the new London Live TV service will help their newspapers into profit. London Live was one of five bids for the licence, and the Lebedevs will be banking on their entry into the UK TV market helping to move their newspaper assets to profitability. An initial five-year plan for London Live will include annual marketing support of 5m, and it has been indicated that it could launch as soon as September. - guardian.co.uk
Three UK promises to provide LTE without increasing prices - The VergeThree is already consistently cheaper than the other major networks, and if it can indeed step up to LTE without adding anything to its subscribers' bills, today's decision should provide the catalyst for a long-overdue price war among UK carriers. - theverge.com
Billionaire Lebedev Wins License to Start New London TV Station - BloombergLondon Live TV beat four other applicants for the right to a 12-year license to broadcast to an estimated 4 million homes, U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement today. Lebedevs free-to-air channel won against bids by former mayoral candidate Steven Norris and former Channel 4 Chairman Luke Johnson. London is one of 21 U.K. markets where Ofcom is adding local TV stations. - bloomberg.com
London gets first dedicated digital terrestrial TV channel as ESTV launches London Live
London is to have a dedicated television channel offering a service to 4 million homes, the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom announced today. London Live will utilise the journalistic resources of both the Evening Standard and The Independent. Our excellent team of journalists in the capital have the best contacts, knowledge and understanding of the London scene, he said. - independent.co.uk
Monday 04 February 2013, AM
Ian Burrell: Hall's task is to build bridges inside and outside the BBCDuring Hall's time running the Royal Opera House he built bridges and made alliances. His management style will be far more inclusive than the lone wolf leadership of Mark Thompson, whose BBC he essentially inherits. Thompson was one of the BBC's warrior kings. - independent.co.uk
Saturday 02 February 2013, AM
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's On BBC Red Button 2nd - 8th FebruaryFor regular updates follow BBC Red Button on Twitter. Every Saturday press the Red Button during the show to pit your wits against our studio contestants. This has enabled the Red Button team to offer the best games tailored to each system. - bbc.co.uk
Friday 01 February 2013, PM
DTG :: News :: EE 4G arrives in 9 more townsEE has rolled out 4G to nine new areas across the UK, bringing the total number of towns and cities covered to 27. EE is currently the only UK operator providing 4G services in Britain, with 45 of the country's population living in a connected area. To be ahead of schedule and covering approximately 45 of the population within just 90 days of the launch is a great achievement for our network team. - dtg.org.uk
BBC News - Ofcom to open up airwaves for 4G mobile servicesCurrently EE is the the only UK operator that can run 4G services over those parts of the radio spectrum. Telecoms regulator Ofcom has started a public consultation exercise on the proposal that runs until 29 March. Ofcom is currently running an auction to sell off unused airwaves that can support 4G services. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 31 January 2013, PM
Online radio listening tops 50m hours - News - Broadcast31 January, 2013 By Balihar Khalsa Rajar Online digital radio listening hit 51m hours for the first time in the last quarter of 2012, a year-on-year increase of 43. 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
6 Music hits almost 1.9m digital listeners : Radio Today with RCSDigital radio listening is now one third of all listening, with over 25 million people now tuning in to a digital signal, up 2.1 million year on year. 42 of the population now has a DAB digital radio set, up from 40.3 in Q4 2011. This equates to 22 million adults now having a DAB digital radio, up 6 year on year. - radiotoday.co.uk
Wednesday 30 January 2013, PM
Greg Dyke and top broadcasters urge press to back statutory regulation - Media - guardian.…Greg Dyke joined leading documentary makers in signing letter backing statutory press regulation. The letter comes on the day the Tories are expected to unveil their final proposal for a royal charter to underpin a new press regulator to replace the Press Complaints Commission, accompanied by a statute which would bar a future government from removing or amending the charter for political reasons. Delays in implementing the Leveson recommendations have been justified in some quarters by warnings that new press regulation would inevitably threaten free speech. - guardian.co.uk
S4C and BBC Trust reach agreement on change to annual funding - Media - guardian.co.ukThe deal marks the end to three years of turmoil at S4C. BBC licence-fee funding for S4C will be 76.3m a year from 2013/14, falling to 74.5m by 2016/17. The agreement also states that any significant changes to the S4C service must be subject to consultation. - guardian.co.uk
Amazon Elastic Transcoder means anyone can rival the BBC iPlayerAmazon Web Services offers things like hosting of static images, virtual machines which many people use as web hosts, email services and other more complex services. Yesterday, AWS launched a new service - Amazon Elastic Transcoder. In a nutshell, this service takes your video and makes it available in a variety of different formats. - mediauk.com
Wednesday 30 January 2013, AM
BBC News - S4C independence safeguard as BBC partnership agreedThe new partnership was agreed following public consultation over plans to fund most of S4C's activities from the BBC licence fee from April. S4C will remain independent, also receiving UK government funding and generating its own revenue. The BBC will contribute 76.3m from the licence fee in 2013-14 falling to 74.5m by 2016/17. - bbc.co.uk
Monday 28 January 2013, PM
informitv - DIAL offers open alternative to Apple AirPlayNetflix and YouTube have led the development of a simple protocol known as DIAL to allow second screen apps to talk to server applications on network-connected devices and displays. It offers a simple open alternative to Apple AirPlay or other solutions such as Miracast and could change the way apps work with network connected televisions. For instance, it means that users can simply launch a compatible mobile app and tap the Play on TV button in the app to view the output on a network-connected television device or display on the same home network. - informitv.com
informitv - H.265 enables next phase of video revolutionA new video coding standard that promises to require only half the bit rate of current approaches for the same quality has reached the first stage of approval. It is anticipated that it will enable a new phase of innovation in video, from mobile devices through to Ultra-High-Definition Television. Members of the ITU, the United Nations agency for information and communication technology, have agreed the standard. - informitv.com
Local television on Freeview - ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice…The map below shows the locations chosen for local television services on Freeview in the United Kingdom map is loading, please wait... - ukfree.tv
Sunday 27 January 2013, PM
Racism on TV: please do not adjust your sets - Editorial - Comment is free - The GuardianIt is not for nothing that its brand of humour endures with generations yet to be born when it was produced. Its cross-generational appeal is what makes it a comedy classic. The BBC's duty to not cause offence, even in its intended pre-watershed slot, is surely diminished in practical terms by the familiarity and availability of this episode at any time of the day. - guardian.co.uk
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's On BBC Red Button 26th January - 2nd FebruaryIt's music, comedy and a trip down memory lane on the Red Button this week. Every Saturday press the Red Button during the show to pit your wits against our studio contestants. This has enabled the Red Button team to offer the best games tailored to each system. - bbc.co.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/hd-3d-no-the-future-of-television-…The BBC is filming its next blockbuster wildlife series in ultra-high definition 4K video producing images with four times the number of pixels as traditional high definition. If you have a living room large enough, Sony has an 84-inch version retailing at 25,000 and only available in Britain from Harrods. Those preferring something more discreet might wish to wait for the 65-inch version or even the dinky 55-inch, which will be in the shops this summer. - independent.co.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/coming-soon-did-bskyb-beat-its-rivals-8468…Sky, whose shows include The Following, starring Kevin Bacon, will report a jump in revenue for the first full quarter since an annual price rise came into effect, following a freeze for customers in 2011. Numis forecasts a 16 per cent rise in earnings, with half-year profit at 600m. - independent.co.uk
Friday 25 January 2013, PM
Ariel - Tony Hall to take charge of BBC in AprilHall began his BBC career in 1973, leaving the corporation in 2001. In 2001, Hall joined the Royal Opera House and he also chaired the Cultural Olympiad board. He was created a life peer with the title Baron Hall of Birkenhead in 2010. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 24 January 2013, PM
Ariel - W1 move is game changer for World NewsEspecially for a news channel that is looking to bring down walls and build its reputation. BBC World News - the commercially funded international news channel - moved into the building last week and is already reaping the benefits. New, technologically advanced HD studios allow more dynamic and ambitious storytelling, while sharing a newsroom with the BBC's international and domestic journalists offers a wealth of ready content and expertise. - bbc.co.uk
Thursday 24 January 2013, AM
Sky in PSB carriage fees stand-off - 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
Freeview users able to watch Sky shows for free - News - TV News - UK Drama - What's on TV…Sky is screening some of its biggest shows like Game of Thrones on Freeview to show non-pay TV viewers just what they're missing. - whatsontv.co.uk
How we test sound bars - Sound bar reviews - TV DVD - Which? TechnologyJust want to get a TV with the best audio possible Check our extensive reviews for the TVs with the best sound quality. Real-world sound testing We asked three independent expert listeners to rate every piece of equipment in exactly the same way, using the same set of audio clips that we use to test TVs, plus an extra track to measure any extra bass oomph. - which.co.uk
World News: where it should be - Comment - Broadcast24 January, 2013 By Lisa Campbell Relaunch puts channel in a great position to compete with rivals 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
Wednesday 23 January 2013, PM
BBC News - Operators 4G bidding war begins as Ofcom launches UK auctionThe bidding will process take place online and last a number of weeks. Ofcom has been criticised about how long the process has taken, with the UK lagging behind other countries that have already rolled out 4G. 4G offers much faster download speeds than 3G connections making it possible to stream high quality audio and visual content while on the move. - bbc.co.uk
Ariel - End retransmission fees, says Ed VaizeyVaizey was speaking at the Oxford Media Convention on Wednesday morning. In an excerpt of his speech, the minister from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said he would like to see 'a solution on so-called retransmission fees'. These fees are paid by PSBs to satellite providers so that their free-to-air content is carried on subscription channels. - bbc.co.uk
DTG :: News :: Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announces DTG-led Dynamic Spectrum Access GroupThe DTG has established an industry group to ensure that improvements in spectrum efficiency get brought into use quickly and effectively. To ensure the efficient use of spectrum, intensive spectrum sharing needs to take place, using advanced technologies such as Dynamic Spectrum Access to avoid disruption of existing services. The Group will also offer assistance to Ofcom and Government in their task of providing an appropriate regulatory framework. - dtg.org.uk
U.K. 4G/LTE Spectrum Bidding Gets Underway, Networks Expected To Launch By Late Spring/Sum…Bidding is taking place online, using specially developed software anda combinatorial clock auction format. Once the winners are determined, and fees are paid, licences will be granted with carriers then able to start rolling out new 4G networks. Ofcom is expecting that services will be launched by a range of providers from late spring/summer 2013. - techcrunch.com
Speech to the Oxford Media ConventionWhat I would like to do this morning is set out some of the issues the Government intends to address in our forthcoming White Paper, to give you some insight into the issues that we think are important. Some of these issues, you will be glad to hear, overlap with your discussions later today, so we should be on the same wavelength. I want to talk about the success of the British media. - culture.gov.uk
Licence fee should rise with UK economy, says former BBC chair - 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 must stop charging PSBs millions of pounds, says Ed Vaizey - Media - guardian.co.ukEd Vaizey said BSkyB needed to cut its retransmission fees to make it a 'level playing field' among broadcasters. In the past the PSBs have paid Sky a combined 25m a year in retransmission fees. Last year Sky cut its retransmission charges, which apply to more than 100 TV and radio channels, which almost halves the amount the BBC paid. - guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 23 January 2013, AM
ITV warns of EPG prominence threat - 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
You can't legally catch up TV online - ForbesMany mentioned that TV fares was a better way to measure this so this week, as Ive done for the last few years, Im looking into how the top 50 broadcast TV shows fared when it came to legal availability online. I took out every live and reality TV shows as the archival value of such show is limited since they are primarily marketed as events and, as such, loose most of their value to the viewer after the initial broadcast. For data on the latest season, I looked at data posted in Wikipedia and counted seasons that happened during the 2012 year. - forbes.com
Tuesday 22 January 2013, PM
BBC News - Where is all the ultra-HD content?4K television - or ultra-HD as it is sometimes known - is already the talk of technology press and is expected to be the talk of retailers by the end of 2013. It allows pictures four times the resolution of current HD. The problem is the current lack of content that is available in that high resolution. - news.bbc.co.uk
Sky unveils a new subscription service - Sky Go ExtraThe service also lets Sky Go Extra customers register for Sky Go on up to four, rather than two, internet-connected devices. Sky Go now attracts more than 3 million unique users each quarter. In addition to being able to download content, Sky Go Extra customers are also able to register for Sky Go on up to four, rather than two, internet-connected devices, giving Sky households even more flexibility over when and where they enjoy the service. - corporate.sky.com
Monday 21 January 2013, PM
Ten days left to get Windows 8 Media Center for freeWindows 8 special pricing expires on January 31, but it is not the only Microsoft special offer that goes away on that day. The company kicked Media Center somewhat to the curb with the new operating system. It no longer comes as a part of Windows, but requires the Pro version and a special add-on pack that will be sold for 9.99. - betanews.com
Germany's RTL pulls free-to-air channels off terrestrial TV • The RegisterGermany's largest commercial broadcaster is getting out of broadcasting, on Earth at least, citing spiralling costs and an uncertain future as mobile phone operators grab all the good spectrum. The UK's regulator has even envisioned a world without terrestrial broadcasting at all, though not before 2030, but such a future may arrive ahead of time in Germany now that RTL is abandoning the platform. RTL's plan, detailed by the a516digital blog, is to shut down transmissions in Munich this spring and stop terrestrial broadcasting entirely by the end of next year, continuing to deliver content to viewers over cable and broadband but primarily broadcast from satellite. - theregister.co.uk
informitv - BT Vision multicast trialsWhich is nice if you can get the necessary BT Infinity broadband service, but it is a shame about the interface. User reports suggest that the multicast channels, including a number in high definition, are comparable in quality to those received over the air, if not better, which is hardly surprising. Apparently it is being delivered to the original BT Vision boxes, minus the Microsoft Mediaroom software. - informitv.com
Monday 21 January 2013, AM
Sky introduces a TV and movie download service for mobile phones and tabletsThe service will support up to four users per subscription. To encourage people to try the service, the broadcaster is offering a two-month free trial. Sky has an extensive library of on-demand movies, including the entire James Bond collection. - betanews.com
Sunday 20 January 2013, PM
Media Monkey's diary: BBC, Radio Times and Andrew Gilligan - Media - guardian.co.uk At the same conference, Williams was refreshingly frank about the irritations of digital radio station schedules, which have a habit of repeating shows. Like Radio 4 Extra, for instance, sister station of Radio 4. Surely Ben Preston's team can't already have forgotten her last-day tears and the headlines about her decision not to go to Salford - guardian.co.uk
BBC may change severance policy after George Entwistle payout criticised - Media - guardia…Patten has maintained that Entwistle's 450,000 severance amounting to 12 months' salary, plus a number of perks was the best deal for licence-fee payers. Entwistle was only contractually entitled to six months' salary. This was denied by the trust in its latest response, which pointed out that it had given evidence to two parliamentary committees and agreed to a wide-ranging NAO review of severance policies across the BBC. - guardian.co.uk
Sunday 20 January 2013, AM
Ofcom 'must protect PSB content on digital platforms' - 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 - BBC Internet Blog: What's on BBC Red Button 19-25 JanuaryWe're busy on the Red Button this week preparing to host a maelstrom of great music for your viewing pleasure. Add to this insider exclusives from eccentric new comedy Blandings and firm favourite Miranda and we hope you'll agree it's a great week to stay on red Bon Jovi fans listen up - we've got a real treat in store this week as we bring you the band in concert from the intimate BBC Radio Theatre. - bbc.co.uk
Saturday 19 January 2013, AM
BBC stages Expert Women's Day to boost female pundits in broadcasting - Media - guardian.c…Radio 4's Today programme has been criticised for its lack of female experts. The BBC Academy staged its first free training day for 30 carefully selected women from the spheres of science, history, politics, business, engineering, architecture and technology. The Expert Women's Day pilot event, co-hosted by industry trade magazine Broadcast, which launched an Expert Women campaign in 2010, was based around coaching and networking with about 50 programme editors, commissioners and agents in attendance, and cost 20,000. - guardian.co.uk
Friday 18 January 2013, PM
BBC - BBC Internet Blog: External Supply ReviewBBC Online is subject to a quota which ensures that we spend at least 25 of our eligible budget with external suppliers, with the aim of creating the highest quality service and the best possible value for money. In 2011 the BBC Trust asked us to report back with answers to six key questions relating to what our quota aims to achieve and how we work with the digital industry. These findings and our recommendations are based on research carried out on our behalf by independent analysts MTM London, and today we are also publishing their final report with some redactions where required for commercial confidentiality. - bbc.co.uk
TV Live - BBC World News: 2013Broadcasting House was refurbished at a cost of 1 Billion with a new newsroom and several state-of-the-art news television studios being built. - tv-live.org.uk
Smart TV failing the connectivity t…