Charlie Brooker | Complaining about the lack of realism in EastEnders is like moaning that Monster Munch crisps dont tas

Maybe it was when Den Watts was assassinated by a bunch of daffodils. Contrary to popular opinion, EastEnders isn't set in London, or even Britain, or even the world it's situated in an absurd alternate universe overseen by a malicious, tinkering God with an hilarious sense of timing. The most familiar noise in Albert Square is the sound of party poppers being drowned out by sobbing. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Ofcom | Draft Annual Plan 2011/12

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stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

MediaPost Publications PlayJam Extends Casual Games To TV 01/10/2011

CEO of the company since its debut in mid-2007, Kilar said Friday that he planned to move on before the video venture's second quarter. Twenty had the most effective individual advertisements among 6,000 ads measured. The firm finds that sales of such products are set to increase 3 from 2011-12, reaching 1 billion, and they are expected to continue growing. - mediapost.com

www.mediapost.com

I know that our viewers are angry. Well listen - and learn: BBC boss Mark Thompson on the Eastenders story | Mail Online

So he must have been stunned by the 8,000-plus complaints about the insensitive soap plot in which a mother whose newborn baby had just died secretly swapped the child for a healthy one born to a neighbour on the same day. Mark Thompson has been taken aback by the ferocity of the criticism and yesterday admitted that there were lessons to be learnt. He conceded We are aware that in this instance there has been a strong reaction to this aspect of the storyline. - dailymail.co.uk

www.dailymail.co.uk

TalkTalk to use MediaNavi platform for TV service

Friday, January 7th 2011 by Editorial The bundle provider has agreed a deal with MediaNavi's creator, Technicolor. TalkTalk has announced plans to utilise French tech firm Technicolor's MediaNavi platform for its set-top boxes in the future. It offers a way for TalkTalk to standardise its TV service across a range of connected devices, including sets, mobile phones, laptops and tablets. - cable.co.uk

www.cable.co.uk

Whatever happened to surround sound for streaming Radio?

The internet and the surround sound devices we needed back then just weren't widespread enough. Sure - I was able to listen to the streams we provided, but then I had all the kit necessary to handle it on my home computer... you'd expect that, what with me being the manager responsible for the infrastructure behind the encoding and streaming of the National Radio networks online. In those years, it wasn't a foregone conclusion that your computer had the right equipment to decode surround sound audio specifically 5.1 channel surround sound. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Unthinkable? Ashes cricket free-to-air | Editorial | Comment is free | The Guardian

Yet England's Ashes win prompts some less tribal thoughts too. One is it's a crying shame that most people can't see Ashes cricket on television. No one except Rupert Murdoch and the sports elite benefits from the Ashes being confined to expensive pay-per-view. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Mondays dont have to be miserable any more

A new free Radio 4 comedy podcast is here to start your week with a laugh. So here's your chance to download a wider selection of Radio 4's comedy and listen at your leisure. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

CES unveils new internet TVs for streaming shows

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. - bbc.co.uk

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Ofcom clear Top-Up use of CAM for pay sport

DTG Staff 07.01.2011 Links open in a new window. - dtg.org.uk

www.dtg.org.uk

Sky News announces new shows for Boulton and Murnaghan | The Wire | Press Gazette

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Freesat says Britons want to cut TV costs - January - 2011 - Which? News

Freesat suggests that Britons may use the New Year to reassess monthly contracts, such as TV subscriptions, along with other financial commitments to reduce their outgoings. According to its calculations the minimum overall cost for five years with a Sky or Virgin TV service would exceed 1000. It compares this to the cost of its own subscription-free service which it claims will cost you 115 for life, presumably based on satellite dish installation and a basic Freesat set-top box. Freesat's research surveyed more than 2,000 UKadults in September 2010. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Net neutrality: content and its discontents | Joss Wright | Comment is free | The Guardian

The desire for high-bandwidth internet services, such as internet TV is placing ever greater demands on the internet's infrastructure. New technologies are being developed to meet these demands, but companies are increasingly considering new business models. With its Content Connect service, BT has brought itself into conflict with a fundamental design principle of the internet, raising concerns that the drive for profit could lead to changes that will harm consumers and content producers. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Critics of News Corps BSkyB takeover are missing the point | Media | guardian.co.uk

Although most other newspaper proprietors in the UK are billionaires whether the Barclays or Viscount Rothermere they are nervous of Murdoch's financial clout, commercial acumen and aggressive competitiveness. The difficulty is this however much many if not most people might wish that News Corp's share of UK national newspaper readership could be reduced below the present 37, we simply have no mechanism to achieve this, apart from changing our newspaper buying habits. Other than through organic growth, News Corp will not be allowed to enlarge its newspaper share competition rules will prevent any acquisitions. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC South celebrates 50 years of TV news

An era that has seen major advances in newsgathering from typewriters and black and white film that had to be developed in chemicals prior to transmission, to the computerised world of digital newsgathering and computer graphics we now see on our TV screens. Some of those have been shown across the BBC TV's national network. Although some commentators have been quick to write off the value of local TV news in the digital world, audiences have not. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

LG announces new 3D LED TVs and Smart TVs - January - 2011 - Which? News

05 January 2011 Last year was the year of 3D TV and internet TV. A large collection of games and access to internet radio stations will also be included, as will LGs innovative Magic Motion Remote on selected models. Each 3D TV will come with four 3D glasses, which are of the passive type. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Capital: National treasure?

Vaughan, you see, is just too symbolic of the small 'c' capital for a nationwide audience, Park believes. What this means is that the nine stations that will be running up the Capital flag will retain their own distinctive broadcasters at key times of the day, such as breakfast and drive-time. Some presenters, those less obviously associated with a particular region, will enjoy a presence on all nine stations, giving them an audience of around 6.5m. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Microsoft ready to take on Apple, Google with TV set top box | CES 2011 Live Coverage News - Betanews

The device will be similar to those already offered by competitors Apple and Google. The Seattle Times reports that the device will come in at a price point below 200, and is expected to go on sale later in the year. In the simplest terms, it is an effort by Microsoft to bring its Windows Media Center concept to the masses. - betanews.com

www.betanews.com

Expert further questions Ofcom s Pay TV approach : | OfcomWatch |

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www.ofcomwatch.co.uk

Whats On BBC Red Button 1st - 14th January 2011

Zane Lowe will announce the winner of Sound of 2011 that morning on Radio 1 breakfast show, at 7.15am. Our programme will TX just after his announcement. The red button show features performance and interview from each of the Top Five. The quiz features 10 questions based on moments for the first series of Tracy Beaker Returns. It's just for fun but viewers can play again and again to improve their score. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

What the hell is going on with TV? - Fortune Tech

All these gadgets promise to make television more like the web. When the brick-size plastic box that powered it arrived at my home, I was able to hook it up in less than 10 minutes -- I didn't even need directions. I scrolled through my cable guide, but couldn't watch old episodes. - tech.fortune.cnn.com

tech.fortune.cnn.com

Reaction to Capital FM UK

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radiotoday.co.uk

Capital FM expands in the UK

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radiotoday.co.uk

BBC - dot.Rory: Tech in 2011: Who knows whats next?

It's time for me to look into my crystal ball and tell you what's going to happen in the technology world in 2011. The keenest technophiles will say this has already happened they are using all sorts of clever little boxes to stream internet content to their televisions. Virgin Media, BskyB, and Google all have similar ambitions, so if by the end of the year we are not getting used to having television delivered via our broadband connections, then something will have gone terribly wrong. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC - Press Office - BBC increases Digital Radio coverage in 2010

As a result, the coverage of these services has leapt from 75 to 85 of Northern Ireland with further improvements to come in 2011. The roll-out is not only adding new areas into the coverage of the network but also improving reception for existing listeners in certain areas. The roll-out will continue in 2011, with new transmitters for Saffron Walden, east Devon, Sunderland and High Wycombe due on-air in the first few weeks of the year. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Letters: BSkyB deal is a political issue | Media | The Guardian

Vince Cable is right in implying that decisions over cases such as BSkyB should ultimately be political ones albeit based on a clear policy stance. Clearly Ofcom would be wise to take the public's clearly expressed views on this matter. It is relatively easy to stop this takeover now, more difficult to reverse it in the future. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Murdoch awaits Ofcom report into BSkyB deal - TV Radio, Media - The Independent

It is expected that the Culture Secretary will make his ruling in the middle of January. The buyout is being noisily challenged by Mr Murdoch's rivals, which are confident that Ofcom will recommend a referral. Commentators suggest Sky Sports and Sky News content could be made exclusively available on the websites of News Corp papers and subscriptions to both the television service and newspapers could be bundled together at special rates. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Radio 4 Extra launch rumours

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radiotoday.co.uk

Murdoch media to control over a fifth of UK news consumption | Media | guardian.co.uk

It's the 'do you hate Rupert Murdoch question' which is fun to debate, particularly after a night catching up with Fox News. Those who have dealt with Ofcom, the communications regulator grappling with the merger issue, say that the anoraks are trying to grapple with the issue by producing some data that determines media power and dominance in the UK. Which leads onto the next question how do you measure cross media power or otherwise. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Today: Why do some voices work on the radio?

downloads.bbc.co.uk

Television in 2011: Google TV v YouView - Telegraph

The web is about to come to your television. It might be that your new TV has web applications built-in or perhaps youll connect via a set-top box. Either way, surfing the web and watching television via apps will soon be the norm, at least if Google has its way. - telegraph.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

Ofcom to demand further inquiry of Rupert Murdochs BSkyB buyout | Media | The Guardian

Rupert Murdochs 8bn controversial buyout of BSkyB could be subject to a further six-month long inquiry. So sensitive is Ofcom's work on the Murdoch enquiry that Richards has had to take personal responsibility for it. The regulator only took Christmas Day and Boxing Day off to conclude an inquiry that has taken two months to tackle issues of Murdoch power over the British media that have been rumbling on for years. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

I dont need 10 reasons why Google TV will succeed | Betanews

Judging from Reisinger's eWeek profile, he seemingly only writes top-10 lists. His reasons appear to be sensible but lack depth regarding the consumer electronics industry, Google or television networks. Google is as committed to television as it is to mobile -- and look how well Chrome and Android are doing two years out of the gate. - betanews.com

www.betanews.com

Tech Weekly podcast: 2011 preview | Technology | guardian.co.uk

- guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BSkyB: only 1 in 20 back Murdoch takeover, poll reveals | Media | The Guardian

News Corp, the media giant that Murdoch chairs, wants to buy the 61 of BSkyB it does not already own. An ICM poll that questioned more than 2,000 people found that 44 were opposed to the deal, with just 5 supporting it. A further 41 said they had no strong view and 11 were don't knows. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Hampden Chief Longmuir praises MG ALBA - The Scottish Football League

The channel started broadcasting on satellite TV only 2 years ago and the move to Freeview will generate a bigger audience for the stations programmes as well as its sports coverage that include the knockout tournament and SFL league matches that are shown live. - scottishfootballleague.com

www.scottishfootballleague.com

Britain set to license the 1,000th TV channel in the New Year | Mail Online

On the television remote Plenty of rival channels to choose from Ofcom believes the 1,000th will be granted in early 2011. There are religious channels including Revelation which is run by a couple in Surrey. The jump in the number of stations has been attributed in part to the low start-up cost with 2,500 to bid for a licence and a 1,000 annual fee. - dailymail.co.uk

www.dailymail.co.uk

First impressions: Google TV delights | Betanews

I simply don't understand all the fuss about Google TV delays. Revue/Google TV delivers one of the best non-cable-provider set-top box experiences I've ever had testing these devices. I'm dumbfounded by how good Google TV is right now. - betanews.com

www.betanews.com

Christmas television viewing at 10-year high despite unimaginative schedule | Media | The Guardian

The Royle Family was in the 10 most watched shows on Christmas Day, with an average of 9.9 million viewers. EastEnders won the battle of the soaps and was the most popular Christmas Day show for the second consecutive year, averaging 11.4 million viewers during an hour long special from 8pm. Between 6am today and midnight, the total TV audience averaged 15.8 million viewers. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Public demand inquiry into Murdoch expansion - Press, Media - The Independent

The ICM survey of 2,000 people, carried out for a group of rival media organisations, found that 63 per cent believed there should be an independent inquiry into the proposed takeover. Only 5 per cent said they supported the News Corp bid while 44 per cent opposed it and 52 per cent said they neither supported nor opposed it, or did not know. The poll found that 84 per cent believed that no single organisation should be allowed to control too much of the news media, while 75 per cent said it was important that there should be competing, independent sources of news in the UK. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Video games lose value faster than used cars - December - 2010 - Which? News

To help you find the best price, we took three popular games into leading high street stores that sell second hand video games, and asked how much we could expect for them in cash or store credit. Our results show that it really does pay to shop around when looking to sell your games. Getting the best price for your games During our research, we found that Cex, the entertainment and technology store, consistently offered us the best prices for our games, both in cash and store credit. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Vince Cables idiocy leaves Britain at Murdochs mercy | Henry Porter | Comment is free | The Observer

Some 20 separate public figures are in the early stages of suing the News of the World. These outstanding matters are very serious and it is only sensible that they are openly and satisfactorily resolved before we hand Murdoch's company the complete set of keys to the city gates. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Vince Cable stitch-up leaves Telegraph Group in a tangle over BSkyB deal | Media | The Observer

In paragraph one, Vince Cable, supreme ministerial joke-cracker, became a bit of joke himself. In par two, assorted Liberal Democrats hopped with rage. But, from par three on, the mover and shaker of all these events, the Daily Telegraph, found itself at cock-up centre, too. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC pays to show its old programmes - TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The BBC is paying out around 80 a time for each use of its own old regional broadcasts, after giving away footage to local archives. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Ford to promote in-car DAB

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radiotoday.co.uk

Jeremy Hunt ruling will be open to legal challenge after past Murdoch support - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

He told Sky News it had been shelved because Mr Murdoch was now confident the deal would be waved through. You would have to do more than argue the minister was biased. Mr Hunt will then have to decide whether to refer the takeover to the Competition Commission. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Jeremy Hunt is knee deep in News Corp, claims Labour MP Tom Watson | Media | guardian.co.uk

In the letter, he demanded to know if O'Donnell knew about those meetings when he took legal advice before authorising the transfer of power to rule on media mergers from business secretary Vince Cable to Jeremy Hunt this week. Watson asked O'Donnell to reveal what was said at that meeting, which took place on 28 June, and where it was held. Hunt was handed the power to intervene in media mergers after business secretary Vince Cable was stripped of those responsibilities. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Vince Cables debacle is a clause IV opportunity for David Cameron | Martin Kettle | Comment is free | The Guardian

Two things are being taken too readily for granted in the wake of the humiliation of Vince Cable. The first is that Cable's demotion inevitably damages the Liberal Democrats in their coalition with the Conservatives. The clipping of Cable's wings obviously weakens the business secretary's effectiveness though perhaps not as much as City and Tory critics pretend and diminishes the standing of the Lib Dem who is still most widely admired by the public. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Seonaidh Caimbuel: Not a clear picture on Gaelic television - Scotsman.com News

The news that BBC Alba will available on Freeview will please a lot of people. The BBC Trust has yet to set a date, but viewers throughout Scotland will be able to access Gaelic television without needing a satellite dish or a subscription. In its decision this week, the trust reports that 45 per cent of us approve of spending on the Gaelic digital channel with 30 per cent neutral and 25 per cent against. - news.scotsman.com

news.scotsman.com

iPlayer tops 1.3bn in 2010 | 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

www.broadcastnow.co.uk