Questions around surround sound on Freeview HD

Some people have asked why we don't currently use Dolby as the sound solution for Freeview HD. As always there's a quite complex reason behind this decision so I thought it would be a good idea to do a post on it. Typically there are two to three programmes everyday which are audio described. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Channel 4 barred by law from buying Five | Media | guardian.co.uk

Provisions in the Broadcasting Act 1990, and amended in subsequent acts, specifically prevent Channel 4 from taking control of Five's terrestrial licence. Senior industry sources said the law would have to be changed to enable Channel 4 to bid for Five. Channel 4 is aware of the clause but executives do not regard it as a significant obstacle to a potential deal, should they decide to pursue one. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC faces criticism in strategy review responses | Media | guardian.co.uk

BBC management's attempt to reposition itself before the next charter renewal has been dominated by reaction to one of its few pledges to cut services, 6 Music. The strategy, devised by BBC executives, selects five areas for redirected funds, while cutting 25 of its website content by 2013. The five targets, or aspirations, are the best journalism in the world inspiring knowledge, music and culture ambitious UK drama and comedy outstanding children's content and events that bring communities and the nation together. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Sky buys TV channels from Virgin in 160m deal -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

As well as expanding its range of basic pay TV channels, Sky said the deal eliminated the carriage fees it currently pays for distributing Virgin channels on its platform. Virgin Media said the deal had generated substantial value and would allow it to offer its cable customers an enhanced range of Sky services, including HD channels and on-demand content. Today's sale agreement will see Sky pay 105 million on completion of the deal and the remainder following regulatory approval. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Hazlitt is given top advertising job at ITV -Business News, Business - The Independent

Ms Hazlitt has not held an executive role since she left Gcap after it was bought by Global Radio in April 2008. She has been a non-executive director at the online bookmaker Betfair and at the Rare Tea Company. Group M raised its forecast for the wider UK ad market in 2010 from flat to 4.2 per cent growth. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Media Talk: The David Laws saga

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BBC Trust launches review of BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 7

Please visit the BBC Trust homepage to find the information you want. you may have typed the web address incorrectly - please check the spelling, or that there are no spaces or capital letters. Alternatively, please try the other links and search box on this page. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Your feedback on the iPlayer beta

Hello, The new iPlayer site's been up for a week now and we've had lots of people getting stuck in usage of the new site is now peaking at 8.3 of the total. Thank you for all your ideas and constructive criticisms - we've been tracking these across the blogs, messageboard, Twitter and even calls to the good old BBC call centre. As promised in my previous post, here's a round up of that response to let you know what we're doing with it. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

STV Launches HD Service on Freeview and Virgin Media

- allmediascotland.com

www.allmediascotland.com

Switchover begins in Caithness and north Sutherland

Caithness and north Sutherland have completed the first stage of the digital switchover. According to Digital UK, these households will now be able to receive Freeview for the first time. These services have moved to new frequencies and can be restored by retuning equipment. - dtg.org.uk

www.dtg.org.uk

BBC -On-demand syndication

Possible reasons for this include We have a bad link out there on the web somewhere and you were unlucky enough to click it You may have typed the page address incorrectly Something has gone wrong at our end Sorry we couldn't find what you were looking for. Our site is pretty simple, you might find what you're looking for if you poke around a bit. If you give us a call on 0845 638 1848 we'd love to help. - consultations.external.bbc.co.uk

consultations.external.bbc.co.uk

Ian Burrell: From radio to television, mobile phones and iPads -Commentators, Opinion - The Independent

With 241 million watching, listening to or accessing by internet its global output, the BBC has the largest audience of any international news provider. The BBC stopped the shortwave service in Europe two years ago and is now reconfiguring its strategy in other parts of the world to keep pace with technological change. The BBC is either setting up its own FM transmission in key cities, or entering into partnership with local media organisations. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Today: Future of 24-hour news

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Media: Media: Sir Harold Evans, media 'stings', new journalism for new politics? 02 Jun 10

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Humax HD-FOX T2 review - PC Advisor

Its a compact unit which serves as a regular Freeview digital terrestrial tuner, but with the extra capability to tune into the new-style DVB-T2 transmissions. Premium channels such as BBC 1 use a more generous bitrate of around 4Mb/s which preserves picture quality better. Sound quality from the HD broadcasts was not so clearly better though. - pcadvisor.co.uk

www.pcadvisor.co.uk

Virgin and BSkyBs summer of love | Media | The Guardian

Five was launched in 1997 after a decade-long gestation, and pitched, like a throwback, into an era of digital television its German-based owner RTL has made no secret of its desire to sell off the UK's weakest terrestrial channel. In return Virgin gains a long-term deal for the premium content it needs from Sky to drive its cable TV business forward. It is likely to focus on its increasingly successful cable business selling a package of superfast broadband, cable TV and on-demand content such as films and to dismantle its small sales house, IDS. - guardian.co.uk

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DAB blow as Q Radio backs out - Telegraph

Ford Ennals, the chief executive of Digital Radio UK, is in charge of making sure the radio industry meets those standards. However he admitted in an interview with The Telegraph, that there was not yet enough DAB-only content to entice audiences. With just eight national digital-only stations live now, such as Planet Rock, Ennals conceded that broadcasters so far havent offered enough. - telegraph.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

Tech podcast: trade-in for cheaper DAB radios - Which? News

Our featured gadget of the week is a portable battery-powered speaker - the X-mini Happy. It connects to MP3 players, mobile phones or netbooks, or has got a built-in SD card slot for playing audio files. Find out whether this tiny speaker can deliver a big sound, and how usable its MP3 functions are. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Behind the scenes of BBC iPlayer

I look after everything you see as a user, including new developments and keeping things running smoothly every day across the many platforms we support. The other big piece of news came in the publication of the latest figures for iPlayer - the highlight for me here was the record monthly play requests which are now hitting 123 million. A big thank you for all your comments and ideas so far - we've had a great response so far and the team are closely following the reaction. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Draft code of practice to reduce online copyright infringement | 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

www.ofcom.org.uk

BBC One HD to launch Autumn 2010

It is also announced today that the BBC HD Channel itself will extend its regular broadcast hours over the coming months from around nine hours a day to 12. This is a key moment for us on the journey to HD becoming the norm for all our programmes and channels. The channel features a broad range of quality programmes from across the BBC channels, including spine-tingling drama, heart-stopping nature epics, and the very best of sport, entertainment and music programming in beautiful detail. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Black and white World Cup for some

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Media Talk: The Times redesign, Tony Blackburn, and Mariella Frostrup

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Howell joins old guard exodus from ITV -Business News, Business - The Independent

One of ITV's most senior executives quit yesterday, saying he was unwilling to commit for five years, as the new chairman and chief executive continue to reshape the broadcaster. Rupert Howell had been among the frontrunners to replace the former executive chairman Michael Grade when he stepped down last year. He announced yesterday that he would leave the board on Monday and quit his role as managing director of ITV's brand and commercial operations at the end July after less than three years. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Round up, Thursday 27 May 2010: iPlayer Beta

Among other stories that emerged yesterday in the announcement was the BBC's support for the imminently available iPad from Apple. Let's be really clear about that,,, Having over 25 devices out there for BBC iPlayer means we are quite flexible about the technologies we use to get our service out to consumers. On low resolution mobile devices, as with an iPhone, you sometimes don't need protection. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

BBC publishes Statements of Programme Policy for 2010/2011

The publication of the statements demonstrate the BBC's ongoing commitment to meeting audience needs and to delivering excellence and value across all of its services. The BBC will continue its role in providing the best journalism in the world. We will also continue our commitment to outstanding national and regional news output. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Extra choice on your radio good or bad? - James Cridland

- Whats the main reason to get DAB Digital Radio getdigitalradio.com says more stations. - Whats the reason to get HD Radio - Whats the reason to get XM Radio - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

The BBC, DRM and the demise (?) of get_iplayer

It's never nice to hear about the demise of a piece of simply brilliant software. when I discovered that get_iplayer was being pulled by its developer I was, to use a cliche, gutted. The potential loss of a piece of software that did just what it said on the tin is bad enough but it was impeccably free and open. You needed and still need Adobe Flash to view the video content and the content was encumbered with DRM and was not yours for keeps. - freesoftwaremagazine.com

www.freesoftwaremagazine.com

ITV share rise irrational | 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. - guardian.co.uk

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BSkyB: BBC cuts tactical and cosmetic | Media | guardian.co.uk

A flashmob protest about the cuts proposed in the strategy review, which BSkyB says merely 'tinker around the edges of the BBC's activities'. Sky also criticised the way the BBC Trust has conducted its consultation. Such a large reallocation of funding into content should not be allowed without an assessment of the impact of the BBC's current output in the market, the company said. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Sky Screw Up Online Advertising for Lost Finale

Sky TV was the object of much Twitter rage online last night as technical difficulties interrupted the dramatic final episode of hit series Lost. Fans watching the episode on Sky's online video on demand VOD service Sky Player had to sit in exasperated frustration as the programme cut out after 55 minutes. The interruption in the programme led to a melt down at Sky's UK call advisor centre, and furious responses on Twitter at lostfinale. - directtrafficmedia.co.uk

www.directtrafficmedia.co.uk

TV ANTENNA: More disruption as it needs replacing From Oxford Mail)

Arqiva, the company carrying out the countys digital switchover, could not say whether it would take days, weeks or months to find and fix a new antenna to the mast at Beckley, near Oxford. The fire broke out at the mast on Thursday, May 13, leaving up to 410,000 homes without television signals for about eight hours. Cable and satellite customers are unaffected by the work, but other viewers have already reported months of difficulty receiving BBC and ITV channels because engineers had to use a reserve antenna with a weaker signal as they upgraded the mast in preparation for the digital switchover. - oxfordmail.co.uk

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

Which? Tech weekly podcast 27 May 2010 - digital radio trade-in scheme

Sometimes pages move or become out of date and are deleted, so older bookmarks may no longer work. It's possible that the page you were looking for has either changed name or is no longer available. To find what you are looking for, you might like to try one of the following You may like to view our latest videos - which.co.uk

web.archive.org

Can ITV stage a comeback? -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

Married Single Other was supposed to rekindle ITV's long-lost reputation for making contemporary relationship drama, and its middle-class trappings were intended to deliver a wealthier audience for the broadcaster's advertising clients. Neither man has significant previous experience of the television industry. Earlier this month, it announced an 8 per cent year-on-year upturn in advertising revenues in the first three months of 2010, with the figure expected to rise to 22 per cent in the second quarter, on the back of the World Cup ad bonanza. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

ADB i-CAN Easy HD 2851T review from TechRadar UKs expert reviews of Digital TV receivers

The latter could be especially useful given Top-Up TV's ambitions to offer Sky Sports channels in the near future. - techradar.com

www.techradar.com

Freeview hopes to score with high definition - Profiles, People - The Independent

Ms Howling wanted to bring her 18-strong team closer together but also to map out the future of Freeview. At the moment, that future is in high definition, and this was helped by the release this month of the Freeview HD box, bringing together its high-definition programming with a personal video recorder. Freeview says it is still too early to provide official sales figures for its HD boxes, but demand has been strong. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Which? survey reveals HDTV impact - Which? News

26 May 2010 Over three quarters of Which members own an HDTV. Over one in four said they didn't watch any HD programmes and 19 told us they didn't have any access to HD channels or Blu-ray discs at all. For help choosing the best television check out Which's in-depth, lab-based TV reviews - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Virgin near deal to sell channels to BSkyB, as Five readied for sale | Media | guardian.co.uk

Virgin's channels include Bravo, currently showing Spartacus Blood and Sand. Abraham joined Channel 4 earlier this month and, along with Burns, is considering the broadcaster's strategic options. These are understood to include the possibility of some form of commercial tie-up with Five. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC iPlayer upgrade attacked by BSkyB | Media | guardian.co.uk

BSkyB, which is not one of the partners of the new service, said today that it believes that industry regulators have previously raised concerns over similar plans from the BBC and that a regulatory review should be required. However, Thompson's plans included a much higher-level of integration than the BBC is now proposing for the iPlayer, including the sharing of technology. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk

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Panasonic DMR-BW780 Freeview HD Blu-ray recorder review - Pocket-lint

There are two Freeview HD tuners on board, allowing you to watch one channel and record another simultaneously - a rarity among combi recorders. However, you cant just make copies of high-def content willy-nilly. The broadcasters have put in place a system of flags that limit the number of times their programmes can be copied. - pocket-lint.com

www.pocket-lint.com

BBC Media Show: Reporting MMR, the World Service and the new Times website 26 May 10

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New BBC iPlayer to be more simple, personal, and connected

Since its 2007 launch, the product has evolved to add radio, live TV channels, HD and functionality such as recommendations. Delivering a record 123m streams of TV and radio programmes in April 2010, it has established itself as a leading digital brand and a pioneer in the fast-moving market for on-demand services. BBC iPlayer gives audiences greater control over the programmes they enjoy, guarantees subscription-free access to BBC content in an on-demand world, and provides better value for the content they have already paid for. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Yesterday returns to full Freeview service | News | Broadcast

26 May, 2010 By Alex Farber Yesterday is to double its broadcast hours on Freeview to return as a full-time channel from June. 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

Orkney goes digital

Orkney in Scotland has now completed the switch to digital television. All analogue TV channels in Orkney were switched off permanently on 26 May at the Keelylang transmitter group, enabling extra channels to be broadcast from three local relay transmitters serving hundreds of homes. Digital UK is advising all residents to retune their Freeview equipment in order to receive the extra channels. - dtg.org.uk

www.dtg.org.uk

Tech Weekly: Eric Schmidt on privacy, Jack Schofield

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BBC iPlayer - iPlayer TV Home

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. - beta.bbc.co.uk

beta.bbc.co.uk

Introducing the all new BBC iPlayer (This time its personal)

This is a big week for the iPlayer team - we're launching an all new BBC iPlayer with a host of new features designed to make it simpler to use, personalised and social. The new site is in public beta right now - you can try it out at http//beta.bbc.co.uk/iplayer - where it will dual-run alongside the existing iPlayer site while we get your feedback, fix bugs, and add the remaining features that didn't quite make it into the first beta release. The current version of iPlayer, known internally as iPlayer V2, was launched almost two years ago in July 2008. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

UKTV extends Yesterday Freeview hours - Digital Spy

UKTV has announced that the Yesterday channel will extend its broadcast hours on Freeview next month to mirror its availability on satellite and cable. From June 1, the factual channel will increase its transmission hours on the digital terrestrial television platform following a deal with Arqiva. In 2008, Yesterday's daily airtime on Freeview was reduced to just 12 hours. - digitalspy.co.uk

www.digitalspy.co.uk

Amnesty divides radio industry

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BBC 6 Music flashmobs protest against cuts at self-harming corporation | 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. - guardian.co.uk

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