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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 Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million
 Media Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million
 Media Talk podcast: Radioplayer and Simon Cowell

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 summarized

Friday 07 August 2009, AM

  Grades successor at ITV needs to reunite it with profits - Telegraph
Many in advertising believe technology for the 3.3bn television industry needs to move as quickly as the internet, or sales will decline in the long run. It has, however, realised that its key strength lies in delivering moving content, signalling that ITV has learned the mistake of buying FriendsReunited. Adam Smith, head of futures at GroupM, has noted that online advertising for video-on-demand VOD generates more than the television equivalent. - telegraph.co.uk
  ITV strike deal with BBC for Freeview HD | News | Broadcast
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
  Consumers prefer communications over celebrations in recession: People taking control and …
Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. 4G auction bidders announced December 20, 2012 Ofcom has today announced the bidders in the forthcoming 4G mobile spectrum auction the largest ever sale of mobile airwaves in the UK. npower fined for making abandoned calls December 6, 2012 The conclusion of an Ofcom investigation has today found npower, the gas and electricity supplier, to be in breach of rules on abandoned calls. - ofcom.org.uk
  15% of internet users watch iPlayer
Ofcom said that nearly a quarter of households were watching catch-up TV online in 2008, compared to 17 in 2007. Around a fifth 19 of viewing in Sky homes is timeshifted, more than for subscribers to Virgin Media's V service who timeshifted 12 of viewing. Some 9 of viewing in Freeview DVR homes was time-shifted programmes. - dtg.org.uk
  Chances to make money that ITV missed |Media |guardian.co.uk
ITV remained too reliant on advertising as a result and was vulnerable to the downturn. It made far too little of its 175m acquisition of Friends Reunited, which was sold yesterday for 25m. Programme and format sales ITV's production department geared too much of its output to supplying the ITV network, while ambitious targets for international sales had to be abandoned. - guardian.co.uk
  BDO: ITV needs new blood to prosper - Digital Spy
The commercial public service broadcaster today published its financial results for the first half of 2009, which revealed that it incurred a 105 million pre-tax loss for the period, with total revenues falling by 12 to 909m. As part of efforts to cut its costs by 155m by the end of the year, ITV has confirmed the sale of its social networking website Friends Reunited to Brightsolid for a total cash consideration of 25m, representing a substantial loss on the sum it paid for the site in 2005. - digitalspy.co.uk
  Michael Grade: ITV could name chief exec from outside TV |Media |guardian.co.uk
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. To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. - guardian.co.uk
  Metronic launches Freesat's first DIY kit
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  DTG :: News :: Virgin announce highest ever average VOD views
Virgin Media received average VoD views of 62m per month in the second quarter of 2009their highest ever according to the cable broadcaster. Virgins financial results for the quarter identified that VoD usage on the platform rose to 55 of digital customers during the quarter, compared to 48 for last years quarter. Virgins TV subscriber base increased by 20,400 to 3.67m, while the number of Broadband customers grew to 3.74m, compared with last years 3.56m for the quarter. - dtg.org.uk
  ITV records pre-tax loss of 105m - and no word on new chief executive |Media |guardian.co.…
ITV has reported a pre-tax loss of 105m in the first six months of the year with ad revenue falling 15, as the broadcaster said that the hunt for a chief executive is progressing. ITV reported an 11 fall in revenue year on year to 909m, adding that net debt stayed at 728m, ahead of some analysts' forecasts of a deterioration. However the broadcaster admitted that its pension deficit had ballooned from 178m at the end of 2008 to 538m at the end of June. - guardian.co.uk

Thursday 06 August 2009, PM

  The Communications Market 2009 (August) | Ofcom
1 - The market in context Introduction and structure This section of the Communications Market Report 2009 summarises a range of communications market developments over the last twelve months. It is organised into four sections Key market trends This section summarises developments in communications services availability and take-up. Communications markets and the recession The UK moved into recession in the final quarter of 2008, and its impact is being felt by consumers and industry. - ofcom.org.uk
  ITV digital channels may leave Freeview | News | Broadcast
It takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the Broadcast website along with a copy of the magazine delivered every week. Broadcast Subscribers If you are a Broadcast subscriber please sign in with your email address and click submit - broadcastnow.co.uk
  DVR explosion changing UK TV watching | News | TechRadar UK
More than a quarter of UK homes have a digital video recorder and 15 per cent of all television viewing is now 'time shifted' - according to latest research from Ofcom. The communications watchdog has just released its sixth Communications Market Report, which shows a massive change in the way that Brits watch television. By the end of March, 27 per cent of homes had a DVR staggeringly, that's nearly a third more than did in September 2008 , just six months previously. - techradar.com
  How to get the best sounding radio |Technology |guardian.co.uk
Which one of these gives the best quality sound from, say, a Radio 3 concert First, it uses a higher-quality codec than the other digital systems. Second, it and does not have any dynamic range compression DRC, which means the loud parts are louder while the quiet parts are quieter. - guardian.co.uk

Thursday 06 August 2009, AM

  Communications not dented by downturn | Ofcom
You might like to try one of the following to help find what you were looking for Make sure the address of the page you are looking for is spelled correctly. Try submitting a question to our FAQ system Go to the Ofcom homepage and navigate to the information you want. Click the 'back' button to try another link. - ofcom.org.uk
  Sky viewers left in the lurch after Satellite Direct UK collapses - Investigations
Paul noticed in March that the company had taken 65 from his account. That's because it's gone bust with eye-watering debts of 27million, including 4.6million owed in tax. Its phone lines are now being answered by a company called Satcover - run by the same director as Satellite Direct. - blogs.mirror.co.uk
  ITV HD Latest Schedule | Join Freesat
- joinfreesat.co.uk

Wednesday 05 August 2009, PM

  Yentob: BBC Managers expense claims reasonable - TV Radio, Media - The Independent
BBC executive Alan Yentob hit out at the corporation's critics today and attacked ministers for trying to interfere in its affairs. Figures released in recent weeks showed high level managers at the corporation claimed 400,000 on expenses over the last three years, spending public money on champagne, cigars, flowers, luxury cosmetics, food hampers and even a Doctor Who action figure. The lunch was held for three people, including agents, Mr Yentob said, to discuss future series of Lawson's show, and he said entertaining people in this way was a means of bringing in more business for the corporation. - independent.co.uk
  Final West Country region prepares for switchover
With just days to go until the last analogue signals in the region begin to be switched off, Digital UK is launching the final stage of its information campaign for the 255,000 households served by the Caradon Hill transmitter group. Stage two will take place four weeks later on 9 September. On each switchover day, all terrestrial TV services will be off air during the night and are expected to be restored in most areas by morning. - dtg.org.uk
  Channel 4 to axe News at Noon and More4 News |Media |guardian.co.uk
Krishnan Guru-Murthy staying with Channel 4 Channel 4 is axing its lunchtime news bulletin and More4 News as part of a cost-cutting move that will lead to up to 20 job losses. Staff at ITN, which produces Channel 4's news output, were told of the decision at lunchtime today. Channel 4 said the aim of the cuts was to protect the flagship 7pm bulletin, presented by Jon Snow. - guardian.co.uk
  Whitehaven News | News | Hiccups for Digit Al as viewers lose TV reception
Digital UK says they are now working with Ofcom and the broadcasters to fix the problem. The size of the problem was first flagged up by independent electrical retailer, Brooks, of Duke Street, Whitehaven. One possible workround is to manually tune your set-top box to the channel numbers 53, 57 and 60. - whitehaven-news.co.uk

Wednesday 05 August 2009, AM

  Jana Bennett: BBC1 controller Jay Hunt has nothing to apologise for |Media |guardian.co.uk…
Jay Hunt came under attack for a potential conflict of interest the BBC has ruled out any further investigation. I was reminded of this moment when reading the attack that the controller of BBC1, Jay Hunt, was subjected to in one paper yesterday. Jay is in the news because her husband runs a media training business, and like many home-based family businesses Jay is its company secretary. - guardian.co.uk
  Set-top shipments to exceed 200 million by 2013
Annual worldwide set-top box shipments are to increase to over 200 million by 2013, according to Parks Associates. Carriers and manufacturers will replace their current installed base of set-tops with advanced models capable of supporting applications such as time and place-shifting and Internet-based offerings, according to the report. While less than ten percent are willing to pay a monthly fee, demand is still on an upward trend, especially as the set-top connects to more and more services. - dtg.org.uk
  Your own personal satellite for five grand - What Satellite Digital TV
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  ESPN strikes deals with Top Up TV and BT Vision |Media |guardian.co.uk
Freeview consumers need a pay-TV compatible set-top box to access the matches provided by Top Up TV. 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. - guardian.co.uk
  Sean Batty promotes digital switchover awareness | The Sun |Home Scotland|Scottish News
The kind-hearted STV star popped round to his nan Fays house to rig up her new cable telly. Sean, who is from Paisley like his gran, laughed Shes got cable and the biggest telly youve ever seen, so shes more than ready for when the analogue signal is turned off in 2011. He said Its pretty straightforward ten to 15 minutes going through set-up menus on your TV but its great that help is there for old people if they need it. - thesun.co.uk

Tuesday 04 August 2009, PM

  Top Up TV secures ESPN carriage deal - Digital Spy
The platform holder will also offer the channel for free to all of its customers for the whole of August. - digitalspy.co.uk

Tuesday 04 August 2009, AM

  Viewers would support ITV pay model | Broadband TV News
Such a move would call into question ITVs commitment to both Freesat and Freeview, not to mention the undermining of the Pay once, no subscription message delivered by the two free-to-air platforms. The figure rises to 40 in the unlikely scenario of ITV1 also becoming pay. The survey also found one third of households with terrestrial television would be likely to move to pay-TV in the future. - broadbandtvnews.com

Monday 03 August 2009, PM

  National retune will be the first step to Freeview HD
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Monday 03 August 2009, AM

  Microsoft Windows 7 Media Center review from TechRadar UKs expert reviews of Home and refe…
Also see our full Windows 7 review. Media centre PCs are an increasingly popular option, thanks to the low cost of storage, memory and processors powerful enough to decode and record multiple high-definition TV channels. Setup and searching When Media Center is first fired up from the Windows 7 desktop it launches a setup wizard for your display, speaker configuration, recording storage, media libraries and TV tuners. You can choose where to record TV and how much space to allow for recordings 10 per cent is automatically set aside for a live TV cache. - techradar.com
  get_iplayer | Linuxcentre
I no longer develop or maintain get_iplayer see my reasons here. The same goes for the iPhone MP3 radio streams. get_iplayer also allows recording of the high-quality even HD 720p flash based content using flvstreamer. None of the above content is protected by DRM. get_iplayer cannot remove DRM. - linuxcentre.net
  Auction off Radio 1, Ed says
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  Stephen Glover: I fear that this BBC benevolence is a cynical act of self-promotion - Step…
Its bosses are understandably alarmed by these attacks, and they realise a Tory government may be less sympathetic. This explains why they agreed last week to share online video news content with newspaper websites. The Corporation knows its very successful free website is seen by papers as unfair competition the most egregious example of the recession-proof BBC sticking its greedy fingers into other people's crumbling pies. - independent.co.uk
  Why 5 Live thinks Colin Murray is the man for the new season - TV Radio, Media - The Indep…
In between, he will continue to host the Saturday-morning quiz Fighting Talk, which has grown into Britain's most popular sports podcast. I like having to prove myself to guys who've done it for 30 years, and as an ex-news journalist, I'm all about the research. Like Born Ruffians, 10 months after I played it, it goes on the playlist. - independent.co.uk
  A trawl around the web on August 1st - blog - James Cridland
The latest in a list of things you might find interesting if youre a regular reader of my blog. If you're a synchronised short-form text producer some of those exist in the BBC, hello then this is a good read for you. Relevancy can ensure radio's future, and this is really interesting research. - james.cridland.net
  Peter Preston: EU fiddling fails to let freedom reign on television |Media |The Observer
He is, in fact, a member of its press office. Yet here I am in Croatia, the next country primed to join, listening to journalists from all over the Balkans talking about press freedom, or rather, press repression. Television presenters suddenly out of a job because they turned over the wrong stones specialist correspondents shelved for digging too deep newsroom culls that consign independent minds to redundancy first and, of course, violence, intimidation, threats, even murder. - guardian.co.uk
  Carole Cadwalladr: A malign show on a bankrupt TV channel |Comment is free |The Observer
We've all made shopping mistakes, those never-to-be-worn impulse purchases left mouldering in a plastic bag at the bottom of the wardrobe, but in ITV's case, it would have to be a pretty big bag, large enough to hold a 175m website and not the sort of thing MS will give you a credit note for. Four years ago, it bought Friends Reunited, which was, even then, the internet's version of the poncho, briefly fashionable, already hopelessly dated, paying 175m or, as it turns out, around 160m too much. And, last week, it was doing the corporate equivalent of sticking it on eBay, crossing its hot little corporate fingers and hoping for a buyer. - guardian.co.uk
  No laughing matter
This year things may feel different, as television comedy grapples with growing problems. They might have also mentioned hits such as Outnumbered. Whether that is a likely transformation is a moot point, given that last week 36 of people said they were thinking of cutting back or cancelling pay-TV services and Sky's previous foray into comedy in 2000 ended in defeat. - guardian.co.uk
  Will 3D television be a hit?
Is it a gimmick or will 3DTV take viewers by storm When you look at it on a domestic screen it looks good but you've got to wear the glasses - it's not necessarily a done deal that it will be the next big thing. The issue is how 3D will perform in the shops - will the public pick up on it - guardian.co.uk

Saturday 01 August 2009, AM

  Mio Navman Spirit V735 TV review | Electricpig
Gogglebox ogling doesnt stop there, with a microSD slot letting you check out snaps and playback video and music via the Spirit V735 TV. And, of course, itll help you get from A to B courtesy of 3D junction views, uptodate traffic news, lane guidance and even handy city guides. The Spirit V735 TVs big draw is its inbuilt Freeview tuner. - electricpig.co.uk
  Why the platform question for radio remains unanswered | Blogging Nick Piggott
WiMax - is it really the platform for radio Nobody, but nobody, cares about how they get content. Podcasts, online, downloads, on-demand, live, streaming, FM theyre all just ways for our audience to get great content. - nick.piggott.name
  BBC Trust chair: Ross and receptionists deserve equal privacy on pay |Media |guardian.co.u…
He was interrupted by presenter Roger Bolton after he appeared to suggest that he did not know much Ross was paid. He's not told you how much Jonathan Ross is paid For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk
  BBC to show more regional news bulletins at weekends |Media |guardian.co.uk
The BBC is to increase the number of regional news bulletins it airs at the weekend and improve its services at breakfast and in the late evenings as part of proposals costing nearly 50m to improve its output in the UK nations and regions. The new proposals from BBC management follow the trust's rejection in February of a 68m scheme to create local video-on-demand websites in the nations and regions, following fierce opposition from rival media companies. Viewers will also see two additional weekend news bulletins in each nation and English region, and improved local news provision at breakfast and late evening. - guardian.co.uk
  BBC Trust - Trust approves local services proposals
In February, following a Public Value Test, the Trust rejected the Executive's plans to provide an on-demand local video news service, concluding that there was inadequate public value generated by the proposal, and that the likely public value did not outweigh potential negative market impact. Unlike the local video proposal, the new plans build upon the BBC's existing linear services, and improve the range and quality of regional television and radio output. After very careful consideration, the Trust is satisfied that the revised plans meet this challenge with minimal impact on commercial providers. - bbc.co.uk
  New iPlayer marketing campaign
The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites. - dtg.org.uk

Friday 31 July 2009, PM

  Media Ownership Rules Review | Ofcom
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  Reports | Adjudicator for Broadcast Tranmission Services
- adjudicator-bts.org.uk
  Digital aerial scheme blows 26m hole in homes budget
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Friday 31 July 2009, AM

  ESPN raring for the whistle to blow on UK sport channel - Telegraph
She also oversees the expansion of ESPN Classic Sport, available to more than 22m households in more than 40 countries. Online channels will be increasingly important, with plans for a UK-focused ESPN sports news and analysis website. The parent company and Disney, she says, have committed to the UK push, although she is not able to reveal a marketing budget. - telegraph.co.uk
  James Martin fronts new BBC iPlayer campaign
A new marketing campaign for BBC iPlayer highlights certain special features which some viewers may currently overlook, encouraging audiences to get even more out of the hugely successful video-on-demand service. It follows a campaign fronted by Valerie Singleton which ran earlier this year aimed at informing older viewers of the benefits of BBC iPlayer. - bbc.co.uk
  b3ta.com challenge: save teletext
To design new features which could save it. Fraser has joined the Moomins., Wed 29 Jul 2009, 2045 Pages 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or see the latest posts Pages 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or see the latest posts - b3ta.com
  Attentional to rate UK programming future
C21Media.net is Everything about content in the 21st Century, from television to web, mobile, tablet and beyond. - c21media.net
  Tyres Accessories
Continental has opened the first fully-automated tyre testing facility in the world at Contidrom, near Hanover. - reifenpresse.de
  Familiar faces drive ESPNs kick-off on UK screens |Football |The Guardian
The key differences, aside from a less combative approach, are ESPN's deep pockets, global reach and long-standing experience of the global rights market. Yes, I have an American accent and you're hearing that, but I've lived here for 15 years and The people I employ are for the most part British. The channel will be made for Brits by Brits. - guardian.co.uk
  Business Diary: BBC casts an envious eye at self-serving Sky? - Business News, Business - …
Love it or loathe it, the one thing you can't criticise the BBC for is holding back when reporting stories concerning the corporation itself. Those execs must be wishing they worked for Sky, which has an entirely different method for reporting news about its owner, BSkyB. Great set of results, but did they really merit the extended soft-soap gushing report they received high up on Sky News this morning - independent.co.uk

Thursday 30 July 2009, AM

  BSkyB gaining subscribers at fastest rate for five years |Media |guardian.co.uk
The satellite broadcaster BSkyB has added a better-than-expected 124,000 subscribers in the past three months, boosted by price cuts and promotion for for its high-definition TV service, with new customers joining at the fastest rate for five years. Since then it has signed up 534,000 HD customers more than half of those in the past quarter and now has more than 1.3 million. This has boosted revenues by more than 100m on an annual basis, but subsidising the boxes and recruiting 1,000 extra call centre staff has cost 130m so far this year. - guardian.co.uk
  MSN UK launch online video player
Microsoft has announced the UK launch of a new free service streaming full-length video of television shows. - news.bbc.co.uk
  Microsoft launches UK online TV player |Media |guardian.co.uk
Programmes will not appear on the MSN service until the expiry of the online catch-up TV window on broadcasters' own websites. For the BBC iPlayer the catchup window extends seven days after transmission for Channel 4's 4oD service, it is 30 days. BBC Worldwide content will not appear until after 180 days. - guardian.co.uk
  The future of radio technical innovation - blog - James Cridland
The future of radio technical innovation Posted on Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 at 300 pm. This week, Im wading through a questionnaire I was sent about the future of radio. Ive already covered the best thing and the worst thing that could happen over the next few years for radio. - james.cridland.net
  Goodmans GFSDTR500HD FreeSAT PVR: Finally, solid competition for Sky+
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  Date set for North digital switchover - John OGroat Journal and Caithness Courier
The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please try the following Make sure that the Web site address displayed in the address bar of your browser is spelled and formatted correctly. Click the Back button to try another link. - johnogroat-journal.co.uk
  Channel 4 HD joins Virgin line-up | Broadband TV News
Virgin Media has announced that Channel 4s high definition channel will join its newly expanded HD line-up within the next few weeks. - broadbandtvnews.com
  Freeview to customers: you have 60 days to retune - Which? News
Freeview has launched a Remember to Retune campaignprior to upgrading its Freeview service later in the year. The upgrade to the Freeview service is a key step in preparing for new Freeview HD channels to be launched. In the same way you would regularly check tyre pressure and keep water levels topped up on a car, get into the habit of retuning your digital box, Freeview recorder or digital TV from time-to-time. - which.co.uk
  Channel Five joins Project Canvas |Media |guardian.co.uk
Channels 4 and Five had previously been tipped as obvious partners to join Project Canvas, which is aiming to collect as many as seven partners in total. However, it is thought that Channel 4 is concerned about the possible size of the cash outlay. The overall budget for the first five years of Project Canvas is estimated at 24m. - guardian.co.uk

Wednesday 29 July 2009, PM

  The BBC's Managing Editor of TV Platforms, John Denton, Discusses BBC Red Button | Interac…
- itvt.com
  EC threatens action against US over copyright laws |Media |guardian.co.uk
A 2001 arbitration panel found that because of U.S. laws, EU content owners were collectively missing out on 1.2 million a year. To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. We welcome your feedback at userhelpguardian.co.uk or feedbackoutbrain.com. - guardian.co.uk
  Setanta to return to the UK
Setanta Sports 1 will be a subscription service that will broadcast live and delayed sports programmes, sports news and highlights programmes to Irish audiences. Setanta has established itself as a key player in the broadcasting sector here and this new investment, coupled with the new channels, should secure its future in Ireland after a difficult number of months. Gaiety Investments is increasing its shareholding in Setanta Sports Channel Ireland Limited from 20 to 60. - dtg.org.uk

Wednesday 29 July 2009, AM

  BBC details Project Canvas next-gen TV interface | T3 magazine
- t3.com
  Shetland to kick-start digital TV roll-out in north of Scotland | ShetlandTimes.co.uk
The switchover to digital TV in the north of Scotland will begin in Shetland next spring when the analogue signals are switched off at the Bressay transmitter. It will mean that most viewers will have access to Freeview and its 20 channels as long as their TV aerial can receive the digital signal. Digital UK, the organisation behind the switchover, is emphasising that the vast majority of people will not have to get a new television. - shetlandtimes.co.uk
  ESPN set to reach out to millions more viewers as broadcaster closes in on cable deals - T…
ESPN, which has inherited many of Setanta's rights, already has a deal with Sky that will allow 8 million homes able to buy the channel for 9 a month. The fee for cable viewers has not yet been determined but is unlikely to exceed 12 a month. Sky's purchase of the Community Shield this week re-established its relationship with the FA, and Soho Square will be hopeful of genuine competition between the two channels for its outstanding rights. - telegraph.co.uk
  Ofcom reveals UK's real broadband speeds | Ofcom
Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. 4G auction bidders announced December 20, 2012 Ofcom has today announced the bidders in the forthcoming 4G mobile spectrum auction the largest ever sale of mobile airwaves in the UK. npower fined for making abandoned calls December 6, 2012 The conclusion of an Ofcom investigation has today found npower, the gas and electricity supplier, to be in breach of rules on abandoned calls. - ofcom.org.uk
  The future of radio the worst thing - blog - James Cridland
The future of radio the worst thing Posted on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 300 pm. What is the worst thing that could happen to radio over the next two years The worst thing to happen in radio over the next two years is that the radio business doesnt make its content relevant to younger people. - james.cridland.net
  North Scotland switchover dates announced
More than half a million homes across the north of Scotland have now been given the date that they will start the switchover to digital TV. The switchover will then progress to parts of the West Highlands and Islands in July. Angus, Perth, Aberdeen City and Shire, Morayshire and Inverness will begin the transition in the autumn. - dtg.org.uk
  UK consumers watching their spending on print subscriptions and pay-TV |Media |guardian.co…
Almost a quarter of UK consumers are planning to cut back on newspaper and magazine subscriptions, and almost a fifth are set to reduce what they spend on pay-TV because of the recession, according to a study. The survey of 2,500 consumers, conducted by YouGov for Callcredit Marketing Solutions, found that 24 of respondents were cutting back on subscriptions to newspapers and magazines this year. More than 80 of consumers questioned for the survey said they regarded subscription services as a luxury they could cut back on, rather than a necessity. - guardian.co.uk
  Big Brother series 10 is least watched since reality show began |Media |guardian.co.uk
Photograph Channel 4 The current series of Channel 4 reality show Big Brother is the least watched of any of its 10 seasons so far, ratings figures have confirmed. Nearly two months into its three-month run, which ends at the beginning of September, Big Brother 10 has so far averaged 2 million viewers and a 10.1 audience share on the main Channel 4 network. This is down 33 year on year, for the show's first 53 days on air, between 4 June and last Sunday 26 July. - guardian.co.uk
  New ITV chief executive likely to be HMV or Apple boss |Business |guardian.co.uk
About six candidates are understood to have met ITV's board last week in what is considered to be potentially a final round of interviews to find a replacement for Michael Grade. Ball had been an early frontrunner, promoted heavily by a faction of ITV's shareholders, however his appointment as a non-executive director to BT's board last month raised questions over conflicts of interest. Some analysts have held out hope that an appointment might be announced at ITV's half-year results, due to be reported next Thursday, although many observers believe this timeline to be overly optimistic. - guardian.co.uk
  Snowblog - All the BBC news that's fit to embed
It is when you get inside that you instantly know where you are in a winter wonderland of crazy memorabilia ranging from china snowmen to a musical teddy called Pooh, except that he looks like a lump of just that. When you push the potty on his head an exasperating, supposedly musical sound issues forth. Theres an upset can of baked bean on a velvet arm chair, except that while the chair is real the beans in the can are not. - blogs.channel4.com

Tuesday 28 July 2009, AM

  BBC bids to control next-gen Telly UI
The idea is that manufacturers will have a common spec with which to create boxes in time for Xmas 2010. Ominously for pay TV operators such as Sky, and web video outfits such as YouTube, the old guard will maintain their grip on the user interface, as well as reserving the right to charge for listings. The broadcasters want to control the user interface and program guide click to enlarge Which might look a bit like this. - theregister.co.uk
  Viewing figures tumble for new-look The Bill
On Friday night The Bill averaged 3.9 million viewers in the 9pm hour, a 20 share of the audience. This was down from 4.5 million viewers for the revamped police drama's first showing in its new slot on Thursday 23 July, according to unofficial overnight figures. This was the reality show's second lowest audience of the series for its 9pm Friday slot, after 1.9 million people tuned in on 26 June. - guardian.co.uk
  BT backs Ofcom challenge to Sky sports prices
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  Sagem reveals Freesat line-up - on the Argos website!
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  Danielle Nagler: BBC HD Summer Fixtures
Hello, Yes - I share the frustration on The Open this year. I keep asking the question and getting the same answer from the various parties involved, so it is safe to confirm to you that it will be in HD starting from next year. Other summer fixtures include our Music Festival season with sets from across the country on Thursday nights at 10.30. - bbc.co.uk
  Broadband rates not up to speed
Nearly one fifth of UK broadband customers on an eight Megabit per second Mbps connection actually receive less than 2Mbps, it found. The research showed that less than 9 of users received more than 6Mbps. However, the report shows that average connection speed across the UK is 4.1Mbps, up from 3.6Mbps in January. - news.bbc.co.uk
  The future of radio the best thing - blog - James Cridland
The future of radio the best thing Posted on Monday, July 27th, 2009 at 300 pm. Today, I was asked a few questions by a company who are working on a radio-based event. They sent me the questions ahead of time, so I thought Id prepare by thinking up some answers and I realised that reprinting some of the answers here might be interesting. - james.cridland.net
  IPVision FetchTV 8000 Digital TV Recorder: Integrated IPTV and PVR... from John Lewis
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  Canvas Missing Bits: Targeted Ads, Micropayments, Global Ambition| paidContent:UK
Four months later, the trust asked the Beeb what Canvas really is and has now published the extra detail in a 76-page collection of documents. Here, on one page, we have collected the main points we didnt know before Venture proposal respondents had questioned eligibility critera - Private company Owned 66.7 percent by public service broadcasters, 33.3 percent by ISPs. Members Only four PSBs assumed so is S4C being overlooked. - paidcontent.co.uk

Monday 27 July 2009, AM

  ITV set to offload Friends Reunited at 160m loss |Business |guardian.co.uk
The Friends Reunited social networking website was bought by ITV for 175m in 2005, but has remained problematic for the broadcaster. ITV put Friends Reunited up for sale in February as the drop in online advertising revenues forced the company to dramatically writedown the value of a business that had cost it 175m. Analysts believe Friends Reunited is worth about 20m to 40m, but private equity firm Oakley Capital is understood to have offered just 15m. - guardian.co.uk
  Ofcom grants terrestrial spectrum for satellite services
Satellite operators will be able to use terrestrial transmissions to complement mobile satellite services in the United Kingdom but will be charged for the spectrum. Earlier this year the European Union gifted Inmarsat and Solaris Mobile satellite spectrum to deliver services across Europe, including mobile television. Ofcom, the communications regulator in the United Kingdom, proposes to charge them for using the same frequencies on the ground. - informitv.com
  Could advertiser-funded programming solve TVs financial problems? |Media |The Guardian
Comparisons with the 1930s are less than cheering when it comes to the economy, but they may offer a chink of hope for cash-strapped commercial broadcasters. It was 1937 when the soap opera Guiding Light, produced and sponsored by the soap manufacturer Procter Gamble and aimed at housewives, was first broadcast on US radio. It is still a small business, says David Brennan, the research and strategies manager for the TV marketing body Thinkbox. - guardian.co.uk

Sunday 26 July 2009, AM

  The original Big Brother is watching you on Amazon Kindle
In any case, to wear an improper expression on your face ... was itself a punishable offence. In recent days we have had a dramatic illustration of this because people who had purchased electronic copies of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm for their Kindles had a nasty shock. On Friday 17 July their books suddenly disappeared from their devices. - guardian.co.uk

Saturday 25 July 2009, AM

  Freeview with internet video moves closer
Printed from http//www.ft.com/cms/s/0/995bbe56-7898-11de-bb06-00144feabdc0.html Print a single copy of this article for personal use. - ft.com

Friday 24 July 2009, PM

  Cumbria goes digital
The final stage of digital TV switchover for most of Cumbria was completed on 22 July, extending Freeview coverage to all households served by the Caldbeck transmitter group. Analogue services will remain switched off permanently, allowing Freeview channels to be broadcast from local relay transmitters serving areas such as Keswick, Glenridding and Pooley Bridge for the first time. Freeview coverage has now been extended to reach 98 of households in the Border TV region. - dtg.org.uk
  Will Arqiva resurrect Kangaroo?
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Thursday 23 July 2009, AM

  High-definition television forces BBC to fix its sets - News, Gadgets Tech - The Independe…
The BBC is to spend thousands of pounds of licence fee payers' money upgrading the ageing sets of programmes so that they do not suddenly look shabby or fake when broadcast in high definition HD. She estimated that the cost of shooting The Apprentice in HD could come to as much as 40,000 equivalent to 287 licence fees. He said he and his team had been forced to repaint the Dragons' Den set for this series. - independent.co.uk

Wednesday 22 July 2009, PM

  Ben Bradshaw shows what the BBC has to fear from top-slicing |Media |guardian.co.uk
Ben Bradshaw sounded for all the world like a bullying politician. There is considerable frustration in government and regulatory circles that the BBC has not jumped at the chance to break its own monopoly over licence fee cash. By comparison with rivals all subject to serious recessionary woes the BBC looks big, secure and well funded. - guardian.co.uk
  The business pressures behind Channel 4s joint venture ambitions |Media |guardian.co.uk
Channel 4's protracted search for financial security involves strengthening its position in the recession-hit television advertising market. Cutting overheads and gaining extra market power are increasingly important. Even if C4 only got the UKTV portion of that 7.15, that could see C4's respected sales team increase its reach to control close to 30 of the market. - guardian.co.uk
  Arqiva in talks to buy Project Kangaroo technology |Media |guardian.co.uk
Discussions with Arqiva are understood to have progressed to an advanced stage, although a final deal is yet to be signed. Orange pulled out of the process in May. Project Kangaroo has cost its partners in excess of 30m and the remaining assets are now likely to be snapped up for just a few million pounds. Last week BBC Worldwide revealed in its annual report that Kangaroo had cost it 9.1m. - guardian.co.uk
  BSkyB warns crown jewel panel on restricting rights - Business News, Business - The Indepe…
The deadline for submissions to the government-appointed panel reviewing the Free to Air Listed Events closed on Monday. Sky had already put forward one submission, before adding the findings of an independent report it had commissioned from Deloitte on the day of the deadline. It also wants to protect its rights to screen international cricket matches. - independent.co.uk

Wednesday 22 July 2009, AM

  Public Service Broadcasting: Annual Report 2009 | Ofcom
Published 210709 Introduction Ofcom has a duty to assess the designated public service broadcasters, taken together, in terms of their delivery of the public service purposes set out in the 2003 Communications Act. The report is intended to provide an up-to-date evidence base of the current delivery of public service content in the UK and gives a factual account of broadcast hours, viewing figures and audience opinions of the channels over the last five years. These included a re-balancing of public service obligations across the sector on one hand, securing the economic future of strong institutions which have public purposes at their heart the BBC and Channel 4 on the other, freeing up commercial networks while retaining modest public service commitments consistent with the commercial value of the licences. - ofcom.org.uk
  BBC iPlayer to come to Freeview HD through broadband | RBoffers News
This also includes the basis of all products so that people will not have to buy a new product even if iPlayer becomes available after the launch of Freeview HD. In order to receive this service a broadband connection will be required. However, part of the technical development thats taking place will look into ways of improving the experience by utilising the users bandwidth. Our product would still need a broadband connection, but in terms of speed there would not be a massive requirement there. - rboffers.com