Michael Crick: World Service costs to come from licence fee

This will come into effect with the next licence fee settlement due in 2012. I am told today's deal was not linked to last night's story about free TV licences. Two deals were on the table - the BBC paying for the over-75s and paying for the World Service. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC licence fee frozen at 145.50 for six years | Media | guardian.co.uk

BBC executives have staved off the threat of being forced to take on the 556m a year funding of free TV licences for the over-75s, but at a heavy price. In addition it will provide 150m a year for the rollout of superfast broadband to rural areas from 2013 and 25m a year for local TV and online content. A further one-off capital investment in local TV and online services of 25m will also come from the licence fee and the BBC will also underwrite the rollout of the digital radio network nationally. - guardian.co.uk

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BBC offers to pay for World Service to avoid licence fee raid | Media | guardian.co.uk

Mark Thompson willing to pay some or all of 300m annual costs of running the World Service. That would be an alternative to making the BBC pay out 556m to fund the costs of free television licences for anywhere home to an elderly person a bill that may force existing television and radio budgets to be slashed. By contrast, if the BBC were forced to fund the cost of free TV licences for the elderly there would be no benefit for most viewers on screen or on air. - guardian.co.uk

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BBC funding cannot escape George Osbornes cuts | Media | guardian.co.uk

Jeremy Hunt wants the BBC to take its share of the painful spending cuts. So we are left with a frankly surreal public spending choice an aircraft carrier with no aircraft, or the equivalent of several years' funding for BBC2. It was March last year when David Cameron, then leader of the opposition, first started talking publicly about freezing the BBC licence fee, an idea that prompted squeals of protest from the corporation. - guardian.co.uk

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BBC warns Government over free licence fee funding -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The BBC Trust warned the Government today it would fight any move to force it to meet the cost of free television licences for the over-75s. BBC2's Newsnight said the proposal was for the bill - which is rising rapidly as the population ages - to be transferred from the time of the next licence fee settlement, due in 2012. Increases in the licence fee were unlikely to cover the cost, it said, which were the equivalent of a 26 real-terms cut in the BBC's present budget. - independent.co.uk

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Nokia launches DAB headset

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Announcing Radioplayer

The fact that we're showing our 'work in progress' to the great and the good of the radio industry speaks volumes about the spirit behind this project. It's amazing that such a game-changing initiative has attracted widespread support from across radio - an industry not always noted for its unanimity. This is largely down to the spirit in which we've approached the project - which in itself was largely invented 'on the hoof'. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC Internet Blog: Net Neutrality and the BBC

It is very easy to take the internet for granted. For many of us, it has become an integral part of our lives. It has transformed how we work, communicate, access media, and contribute to debate. - bbc.co.uk

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UK regulator will not probe Project Canvas TV plan| Reuters

The project also involves creating technical standards which can be used by participating services to deliver content via a single set-top box, which will be branded YouView. Ofcom said it would continue to monitor developments concerning the YouView project. - reuters.com

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BBC - Help receiving TV and radio - Satellite frequencies of BBC channels

To receive digital TV via satellite but not through Freesat or Sky, you need to tune your equipment to the correct frequencies yourself. If you have lost any BBC channels and have a Freesat box, you may need to turn it off then on again to make it perform a retune. It is expected that Astra 2E will launch around the middle of 2013. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC fears Coalition licence fee raid | Media | The Guardian

BBC concerned over government plans to pass on cost for free TV licences for the over 75s. Photograph Graeme Robertson BBC bosses fear that the coalition government is gearing up for a 500m-plus raid on the licence fee, by forcing the broadcaster to meet the full cost of free television licences for the over 75s. The benefit which was introduced by Gordon Brown when he was chancellor costs 556m, and is currently paid for out of general taxation. - guardian.co.uk

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Michael Crick: BBC may have to pay for pensioners free TV licences

With fewer than 48 hours to go, details of the Spending Review are far from settled and the BBC could be a victim. This would take effect from the time of the next licence fee settlement, due in 2012. The level of the TV licence would be increased as a result, but probably by no means enough to make up for the full 556m cost. - bbc.co.uk

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YouView opens up prospects for multicast

One of the problems that YouView has faced is that no-one seems to understand how it will work, an issue intensified until recently by lack of technical detail. Almost everyone knows of YouView and Project Canvas but it actually turns out that very few people know very much about what it is, he said. So what exactly is YouView, beyond a blending of broadcast and broadband - informitv.com

informitv.com

Switchover roadshow rolls in to town - Jersey News, Jersey Local News, Jersey Latest News, News In Jersey - channelonlin

With just one month to go until the switch to digital television, islanders are being given the chance to get extra advice on how to prepare. The national switchover team is bringing its roadshow to Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney this week. The team will be offering practical advice on how to get set for digital and giving details of the Switchover Help Scheme for older and disabled people. - channelonline.tv

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STV boss Hain defends station's scheduling policy

Managing Director Bobby Hain insisted ratings were in line with ITV as a whole and that the station's strategy was the right one. He added that more than 95 of STV's peaktime schedule was made up of ITV network content. Although Freeview users in Scotland are unable to watch such programmes, those with satellite and cable can view them on ITV1 London. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

September BBC iPlayer monthly performance pack

This corresponded with the new autumn schedules, and the re-launch of BBC iPlayer. On radio, Radio 5Live's coverage of Switzerland v England football match was the most-requested programme of the month. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio Blog: Launching HD Sound

Listeners are currently very satisfied with radio services but digital technology does bring opportunities to keep improving what we offer. This summer, BBC Radio 3 completed a trial of a higher quality online audio stream at the Proms. We will quickly assess the performance of this before making the higher quality stream available on iPlayer and the proposed radio industry player called Radioplayer. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC to launch HD Sound | 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

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Ofcom reforms end years of hyperactivity | Media | The Guardian

The cutbacks to Ofcom's duties, including a formal end to automatic reviews of public service television every five years, bring to an end an era of hyperactivity. Yet for all this work, few of its recommendations have been implemented. The first of its reviews, in 2005, predicted that commercially funded public service broadcasting, from regional programmes to children's, would not survive the transition to a fully digital world. - guardian.co.uk

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Greg Dyke: Ive got a lot of time for Jeremy Hunt | Media | The Guardian

So why is Greg Dyke sitting in a damp cellar talking about the highlight of his business career, 1991 Yet as the 63-year-old pokes his head around an ancient vault below a Mayfair hotel, it's hard to feel disappointed. Dyke blames a man who took legal action last year over comments he made in another newspaper. - guardian.co.uk

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Chile miners rescue puts BBC ahead of Sky | Latest technology and web news | Web User

It attracted over 16 per cent of all traffic from searches for the rescue, way ahead of the Guardian.co.uk in second place which received just over six per cent, according to web analytics firm Hitwise. Wikipedia, Facebook and YouTube all received more traffic than Sky News which sat in 11th place and had just 1.2 per cent of traffic. News channels were dominated by coverage of the Chile miners rescue on Wednesday as the 33 miners who had been trapped in the mine for 69 days were hoisted to safety. 'BBC chile miners' was the tenth most-popular search term with 'sky news chile miners' in 20th, according to Hitwise. - webuser.co.uk

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James Murdochs call to Vince Cable on day of BSkyB bid | Media | The Guardian

James Murdoch called Vince Cable on day of the BSkyB bid. The conversation took place on the day News Corp made a bid for BSkyB. Cable will decide within weeks whether to approve News Corp's offer to buy the 61 of the pay-TV company it does not already own. - guardian.co.uk

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Chilly outlook forecast for the BBCs weathermen | UK news | The Guardian

Within hours of the news that three BBC weather presenters had been moved to backroom jobs in cost-cutting measures still unconfirmed yesterday by the Met Office internet boards were fizzing with outrage. Philip Avery and Tomasz Schafernaker were also said to be moving behind thescenes. John Teather, who oversaw the BBC's weather output for 30 years, says good broadcasters are hard to find. - guardian.co.uk

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Loach launches attack on TV executives -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

It takes 1m to get them out of the door ... but nevertheless they're on their way, great, good riddance. We nowhere near realise its potential and we really have to cherish the medium, work together, just build it better and we can, we can, but not if we're in the grip of this machine. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

The man behind Skins hops channels as new BBC1 controller -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

Danny Cohen, 36, leaves as head of BBC3 to take over the nation's most watched channel where he will oversee a 1.1bn budget, more than 10 times the 100m he had to spend at the digital channel. Even his delight in Dickens, whose novels were the 19th-century equivalent of documentaries lifting the lid on social scandals, is suggestive of a taste for the suffering end of human drama. The Blood Sweat and Takeaways documentary, in which six young people travelled to Indonesia to join the tuna trade won the coveted Rose d'Or award for best reality and factual entertainment. - independent.co.uk

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BBC slashes senior managers pay -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The BBC has cut the amount it pays senior managers by more than 10, the corporation said today. Figures show the number of senior managers has dropped from 639 to 592 and the paybill has fallen by 12.2. They also show top BBC executives claim an average of 445 a month in expenses - around 100 less than a year ago. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Will YouView be a hit? | News | TechRadar UK

YouView is hoping to do for television through your broadband connection what Freeview did for digital television, and bring video on demand to the masses. - techradar.com

www.techradar.com

Frontrunners for BBC3 controller emerge | Media | guardian.co.uk

Cohen had been hotly tipped to step into the role vacated by Jay Hunt, who left to take the new role of chief creative officer at Channel 4 and it is understood that a shortlist of candidates is already in circulation. 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

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BBC3 chief to take over at BBC1 -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

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Ken Loach: TV is the enemy of creativity | Television radio | The Guardian

The director, who first joined the BBC 47 years ago and made plays such as Cathy Come Home, launched an excoriating attack on the culture of television today. Loach said he had been around a long time. Loach said filmgoers today, whether watching at the cinema or on TV, had a raw deal and got what they were given by a Hollywood-dominated industry. - guardian.co.uk

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Danny Cohen named BBC1 controller | Media | guardian.co.uk

Cohen, currently controller of BBC3, had been widely touted for the role following incumbent Jay Hunt moving to take the newly created role of chief creative officer at Channel 4. He has been in charge of BBC3 and its 100m budget since May 2007, and will now be in charge of the country's most popular TV channel with a budget of 1.13bn. Cohen will be paid slightly less than his predecessor Jay Hunt. - guardian.co.uk

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Government pulls plug on Teachers TV | Media | guardian.co.uk

The Department for Education has pulled the plug on Teachers TV, the online training site for British schoolteachers. Ten Alps, which co-owns the site with ITN, said in a stock exchange announcement this morning that the government is cancelling the 10m annual contract from April 2011. Connock said he hoped the website would survive. - guardian.co.uk

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Media Talk: Bye bye, Mark Byford

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Clouds in Skys deal - mirror.co.uk

For an individual who doesn't live or pay taxes here to have such a hold over our media and public life, with the ability to crush rival voices, is bad for democracy and commercially uncompetitive. We believe Mr Murdoch has the right in a free world to say and think what he likes. He correctly points out his American outfits are rare beacons of Right wing views in the left-of-centre US media. - mirror.co.uk

www.mirror.co.uk

Job losses at Five to continue with Kaplinsky departure -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky is to leave Five in December, the channel announced yesterday, bringing to an end the multimillion-pound deal which made her Britain's highest-paid current-affairs presenter. The 38-year-old, who recently returned to her on-screen role after maternity leave, had been due to renegotiate her contract at the end of the year, but the television channel, which was bought by the newspaper owner Richard Desmond this summer, said that both parties had agreed not to renew the deal by mutual agreement. Her time with the channel was punctuated by two periods of maternity leave following the births of her children, and in February 2009, she took a 300,000 pay cut in return for dropping the 7pm bulletin from her duties. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Anthony Rose Talks YouView in London - StreamingMedia.com

In the 45-minute speech, Rosewho played an instrumental role in the BBC iPlayer's launch and significant growthsaid viewing models are rapidly converging. He spoke of changes to the market in both desktop and living room consumption of video. Still, these devices have grown in popularity, and there will be several million Internet-enabled TV in UK homes by year's end. - streamingmedia.com

www.streamingmedia.com

BT Vision app for connected TVs on the way? - Pocket-lint

And, indeed, that it is improving the service all the time. Recently, it has adopted the standard definition versions of Sky Sports 1 and 2, a move that has helped rise the number of households with the service's set-top-box to over 450,000. I think anything that means that we can get Vision to customers at high quality is on the table as an option. - pocket-lint.com

www.pocket-lint.com

S4C claims 40% budget cut would call into question future of channel | Media | guardian.co.uk

S4C has today published a bleak 28-page response to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport in which it outlines the impact of cuts of either 25 or 40 to its 100m-a-year funding with potential ramifications including having to switch the service off for several hours a day. The knock-on effects of such cuts would be the loss of 500 to 800 jobs in the production sector in Wales and beyond, it added. The programming budget would fall from 83m to 62m in 2014. - guardian.co.uk

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BSkyB in last-ditch attempt to scramble YouView video-on-demand player - Telegraph

BSkyB is reported to have questioned the need to inject public money into the project when, it believes, there is currently sufficient competition in the internet-enabled television IPTV market. Concerns are thought to have been raised about the difficulty the consortium poses to new, smaller players in the video-on-demand market. YouView will provide IPTV, giving seven million Freeview households who have broadband access to download thousands of hours of programming to their televisions. - telegraph.co.uk

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BBC denies Alan Yentobs departure imminent | Media | guardian.co.uk

The BBC was forced to issue a statement today denying that Alan Yentob, one of its longest-serving executives, is about to leave the corporation. His post would then be abolished, saving the BBC about 183,000 a year, although Yentob is likely to remain at the corporation in some capacity. Announcements about departures have trickled out throughout the week, taking some of the BBC's most senior figures including channel controllers by surprise. - guardian.co.uk

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Government curbs Ofcoms powers | Media | guardian.co.uk

Jeremy Hunt 'increasing the efficiency, transparency and accountability of public bodies'. The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, made the announcements today as part of sweeping changes that will see 19 of the 55 public bodies for which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible either abolished or significantly reformed. The DCMS also confirmed rumours that Postcomm, the postal services regulator, will be merged into Ofcom. - guardian.co.uk

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DCMS: Ofcom reforms : | OfcomWatch |

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www.ofcomwatch.co.uk

Daybreak lagging a million viewers behind rival -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

ITV's relaunched Daybreak show has slipped a million viewers behind its BBC rival for the first time, figures showed today. The programme has seen audiences slip after an impressive start of one million viewers, to settle at around 700,000 - lower than audiences for its predecessor GMTV. ITV bosses spent more than 1 million in rebranding and revamping the morning show with new sets and a big marketing push. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Government reveals Ofcom shake up | News | Broadcast

14 October, 2010 By Chris Curtis Ofcom is to undergo a major overhaul as part of the governments bonfire of the quangos that will return the policy-setting role to the secretary of state, reduce unnecessary expense and avoid duplication. 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

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Sun attacks duds opposing News Corps BSkyB takeover | Media | guardian.co.uk

Trinity Mirror and Channel 4 also put their names to the letter. News Corp is expected to seek regulatory approval for the deal from the European Commission in the next 10 days. Cable will then have 25 days in which to seek an intervention notice and would then ask media regulator Ofcom to investigate whether the deal could compromise media plurality. - guardian.co.uk

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Met office forecasters off screens -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

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World. News Corp. slows BSkyB bid

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The Times hits out at BBC over BSkyB takeover letter | Media | guardian.co.uk

Trinity Mirror and Channel 4 also put their names to the letter. The Times editorial begins by listing more than 70 BBC services, including its major TV and radio stations, website and local radio services. It argues that it is the BBC rather than News Corporation, which wields too much power. - guardian.co.uk

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Canvas should be blocked, says Sky -Business News, Business - The Independent

Sky's late move means that decision is likely to be delayed. - independent.co.uk

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Changing channels: YouView is highly controversial, despite its cosy image

Richard Halton, who heads the plan to transform British living rooms by enabling households to watch their favourite shows over the internet but on their TV sets, seems aware of this. We will be able to use social media features such as Twitter and Flickr, and channels from new broadcasters, such as arts and charities. All this will be available from the sofa, using neither a mouse nor a Merlin-style wand but an old-fashioned TV zapper. - independent.co.uk

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