Thursday 11 February 2010, AM
Toshiba intros first Freeview HD-compatible PVR | Electronista
The drive can record 120 hours of HD programming, and users can also plug in external hard drives through two USB ports. The HDR5010 will cost the equivalent of 545 when it arrives in the UK in June. - electronista.com
www.electronista.com
Freeview: 350,000 Sky subscribers might switch to free HD |Media |guardian.co.uk
The figure fell to 12 for homes with Virgin Media's digital cable service. The digital platform's HD offering is a fraction of the more than 30 HD channels currently available on Sky. It also depends on how much new capacity can be found for new channels on the Freeview service, more of which was being freed up all the time, she said. - guardian.co.uk
www.guardian.co.ukToshiba Freeview HD sets landing in April | T3 magazine
- t3.com
www.t3.com
Freeview HD keeps Canvas at arms length | Broadband TV News
Freeview is to concentrate its marketing power on the launch of its new high definition channels, leaving BBC iPlayer to individual manufacturers, and putting the hybrid broadband platform Canvas to one side. Howling said that although manufacturers including Samsung were planning to incorporate the iPlayer as part of their receivers through BBC syndication, this is not something Freeview would be promoting itself. Unlike the Freeview personal video recorder and the new Freeview HD, Canvas would be represented by a distinct and separate logo. - broadbandtvnews.com
www.broadbandtvnews.comWednesday 10 February 2010, PM
Toshiba commits to Freeview HD Register Hardware
TVs with Freeview HD tuners are coming too. The HDR-5010 digital video recorder will contain a 500GB hard drive and a pair of tuners so you can record one channel while viewing another. So feed in content from other sources USB 2.0 - two ports - and an Ethernet jack. - reghardware.co.ukwww.reghardware.co.ukWednesday 10 February 2010, AM
Humax HD-FOX T2 Review on CNET UK
You might not believe it, but digital terrestrial TV in the UK is well over ten years old now. Since then, we've had Freeview, offering a free selection of channels for people to enjoy once they buy a digital TV or Freeview box. To get HD, we've needed to invent new transmission standards. - reviews.cnet.co.ukreviews.cnet.co.ukTuesday 09 February 2010, PM
Tories: well block regional TV news plan from getting through parliament |Media |guardian.co.uk
Last month he said that, if the Conservatives won power at the general election, they would do their best to unpick any contracts that had been signed with news providers. Hunt has now promised to prevent the proposal even becoming law, instead fighting to have it removed from the digital economy bill. Hunt would prefer a market-led approach to supplying regional news and has advocated reform of media ownership laws. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
TV product placement ban to be lifted -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
Product placement will be allowed on British TV programmes under new legislation announced by the Government today. It said that continuing to ban product placement would damage the finances of the British TV industry. Alcohol, tobacco, and food and drinks which are high in fat, salt or sugar are among the products that will not be allowed. - independent.co.uk
www.independent.co.ukWhy did Ofcom back down over DRM at the BBC? | Cory Doctorow |Technology |guardian.co.uk
After all, DRM doesn't actually prevent copying even the BBC agrees that the scheme it's proposed won't stop a determined copier, and once that copy is on the internet, everyone else will be able to get at it with a couple of clicks. You see, the BBC's plan is to scramble some key information needed to watch high-def broadcasts, a block of data that includes subtitles and other information used by disabled people, who are making increasing use of open devices that can be readily repurposed to add assistive features. Let's look at the record on threats to boycott non-DRM broadcasting from these companies. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukTechniSat launches Freeview USB
DTG Staff 09.02.2010 Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites. - dtg.org.ukwww.dtg.org.ukTuesday 09 February 2010, AM
TV viewing at highest since 1992 |Media |guardian.co.uk
Viewers watched an average of 3.75 hours of TV a day last year, the highest figure since 1992, according to research. This was down from 10.1 three months earlier and 14.3 at the start of 2009, illustrating the effect of the digital switchover process and the continuing takeup of digital TV ahead of the final switchoff in 2012. Three years ago, at the start of 2007, 28.3 of homes were analogue-only. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
Sky drops ITV court fight as it cuts stake -Business News, Business - The Independent
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced yesterday that Sky had given formal commitments to sell the stake. Sky bought the whole stake in ITV for 940m in 2006, when the shares were valued at 130p. Morgan Stanley last night said it was acting as sole bookrunner to place 10.4 per cent of ITVs shares in the market at a price between 48.5p and 49.5p, which would raise about 200m. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukSky loses the battle over ITV, but its already won the war |Media |guardian.co.uk
If the biggest commercial terrestrial broadcaster and the cable operator had got together, Sky might have found itself with a rival it couldn't batter into submission. Meanwhile, NTL became Virgin Media but did not become a Sky-threatening giant. So, Sky will lose a few hundred million on the deal in cash terms. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukMore digital power for London
-www.radiotoday.co.ukMonday 08 February 2010, PM
radioarchive.cc : Home
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radioarchive.ccBBC - BBC Internet Blog: Drama on BBC HD
Drama has moved faster than any other area of programming in the UK to working in HD. If you leave out the soaps, the BBC probably makes a higher proportion of drama programmes in HD than we do any other type of programming. The drama production community has taken to HD fast and wholeheartedly for a couple of reasons HD can offer producers a closer approximation to film than any other format, and therefore help production teams to produce work which looks like cinema on television drama budgets. - bbc.co.uk
www.bbc.co.ukSky gives undertaking to sell ITV shares
-nds.coi.gov.uk
BBC, Arqiva to sell DTT slots
C21Media.net is Everything about content in the 21st Century, from television to web, mobile, tablet and beyond. - c21media.net
www.c21media.netTellyLinks site fails on first night
TellyLinks aims to provide relevant web links synchronised to television programmes. Unfortunately, the service was withdrawn shortly after launch, apparently due to an unexpected high volume of traffic, so it is too early to tell whether it will work or if viewers would be better off simply using Google or Twitter. With the strapline You think it we link it the aim is to link television viewing and web browsing by providing links related to on screen programming. - informitv.com
informitv.com
Freeview slots up for grabs | 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.ukITV fined over Im a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here rat killing |Media |guardian.co.uk
The raw footage indicates that, from the first attempt, it took about 90 seconds before it actually died. 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.ukwww.guardian.co.ukMonday 08 February 2010, AM
DAB debate in the House
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radiotoday.co.ukBBC iPlayer for Apple TV jonathan.tweed.name
-jonathan.tweed.nameDigital Radio UKs Ford Ennals and a switch thats very far from over |Media |The Guardian
The radio industry's efforts to secure its future in the digital age suffered a blow last week when the latest Rajar figures revealed that growth in digital radio listening had gone into reverse. Digital platforms accounted for 20.9 of all radio listening in the last three months of 2009, down from 21.1 in the previous three months but up from 18.3 in the same period in 2008. If radio is to achieve switchover by 2015 as outlined in the digital economy bill now going through parliament then 50 of all radio listening must be via digital platforms by 2013. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukLuke Johnson: What I really think of UK media |Media |The Guardian
Photograph David Levene In my first interview to be the chairman of Channel 4, the panel asked me what I thought of public service broadcasting. Obviously I had no idea what they meant, so I waffled and got away with it. It is a malleable phrase designed to cover a multitude of projects and expenditures. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukInterview: Michael Lyons fights the BBC Trusts corner |Media |The Guardian
The price of things, especially buildings, is a particularly sensitive issue for the BBC at the moment. Allied with criticism from commercial rivals of the corporation's expansionist ambitions, it is the issue most likely to annoy members of the public, although most polls suggest they still support the BBC. Next month, the director general, Mark Thompson, is expected to publish a strategic review demanded by the trust. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
Channel 4 cant play it both ways when it comes to the law |Media |The Guardian
Channel 4 is in court for a documentary it aired last year on the pressing issue of the putative relocation of the Jacksons, the American musical family, to a seaside resort in Devon. Now it is not, as you may think, that the broadcaster is in the dock for wasting the public's time and some of the earth's dwindling resources on this criminal act of televisual inanity rather it is a libel hearing revolving around accusations of elements of fakery. In an attempt to make sure that the jury was not swayed by coverage of an initial hearing, C4 sought, but was denied, an injunction on reporting of the proceedings. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukSunday 07 February 2010, PM
Digital Economy Bill: Govt Survives Tories IFNC Downsizing Bid| paidContent:UK
Howards opposition is philosophical We do not believe that public subsidy should be used to prop up the current system of regional news. He managed to get Labour Lord Davies, who is steering the bill through Lords committee stage for the government to concede the government has not considered long-term funding for the consortia. - paidcontent.co.uk
paidcontent.co.ukGloucestershire households given digital TV warning
Thursday, February 4th 2010 by Editorial Homeowners in Gloucestershire have been urged to prepare for the imminent digital TV switchover in the region. People living across Gloucestershire have been advised to prepare for the upcoming digital TV switchover which is set to take place in the region. According to the Stroud News and Journal, the switchover to a digital-only signal is set to take place in two stages in the region over the next couple of months. - cable.co.uk
www.cable.co.ukSunday 07 February 2010, AM
Digital TV - News - JML fails in Freesat EPG listing appeal - Digital Spy
All channels pay Freesat an annual fee of 30,000 for listing on the EPG, along with a 1,500 registration charge which provides the not-for-profit satellite platform with a revenue stream. However, the firm objected to the positioning after realising that neither of its listings would appear on the first page of the shopping channels section. JML then opted to bring a legal case against Freesat on grounds that its decision was based on irrational judgements and criteria not include in agreed listing policy. - digitalspy.co.uk
www.digitalspy.co.ukTV industry demands closer involvement in Project Canvas
-blog.wotsat.com
Welsh regional news bidders line up for beauty contest |Media |guardian.co.uk
I felt a surprising sense of deja vu attending yesterday's public meeting in Cardiff at which the three bidders for the contract to supply ITV's news service in Wales paraded their wares. In the current climate, public money is a highly desirable commodity, and the winner can make their return from a management fee. In total 40m of public funding is up for grabs. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukSaturday 06 February 2010, AM
Media Talk Extra: Gagging the press
download.guardian.co.ukMedia Talk: John Terry and the superinjunction
download.guardian.co.ukThursday 04 February 2010, AM
The Times splash is another front in James Murdochs war with the BBC |Media |guardian.co.uk
There is a reason Sky thinking James Murdoch. In October Jeremy Hunt said they would abolish the trust in an interview with the Financial Times. Attempting to goad the BBC into some sort of ill-thought-out reaction - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
TV makers and retailers voice concerns over Project Canvas |Media |guardian.co.uk
A key pledge has been that the technology underpinning the service, which would make video on demand programming available via TV sets to viewers with Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes, would be an open specification. We intend to continue our extensive work with the DTG's connected TV working group and resolve any confusion or concerns they may have. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukTV product placement: Bradshaw bans nasties |Media |The Guardian
Photograph Peter Byrne/PA Wire The government's plans to allow products to be marketed through television programmes have been watered down after opposition from cabinet ministers who warned they could worsen problems such as obesity. TV producers will not be allowed to use any branded alcohol, junk food or gambling when making programmes. Burnham and Benn said unfettered freedom to advertise products in this way could increase problems such as obesity and alcohol-related harm. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukWednesday 03 February 2010, PM
Humax HD Fox T2 early review: Finally, Freeview HD is here - Crave at CNET UK
It's a simple Freeview HD receiver with some smart little extras that will make it a tasty purchase indeed when it goes on sale later this month for around 170. You get some basic controls on the front for navigating through menus, and there's a little drop-down flap that conceals a card slot. At the back, there's an HDMI output, and Humax kindly provides a cable in the box. - crave.cnet.co.ukcrave.cnet.co.ukMedia Show: John Terry; ITV; Somali pirates; BBC Trust - 03 02 10
downloads.bbc.co.ukWednesday 03 February 2010, AM
Tory government to scrap BBC Trust |Media |guardian.co.uk
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons in the firing line. The move, which could see Lyons leave ahead of the April 2011 date his office is set to expire, was reported in the Times. We do have some serious reservations about the way the BBC Trust operates. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukJeff Henry launches TellyLinks to target TV-watching web surfers |Media |guardian.co.uk
Henry said the idea is that while people are watching a TV show TellyLinks.com will deliver live up to 150 web links relevant to the action as it is happening on screen. The 13-week deal aims to prove the concept while the company looks to launch a TellyLinks.com service for all programming between 6pm and midnight on the big main terrestrial channels. There will also be a localised advertising service. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukMonday 01 February 2010, PM
Cooperation pledged on RTE signal
In a memorandum of understanding the two governments said they also want to make sure that BBC services remain available in the Irish Republic. The governments specifically want the channels to be available on Digital Terrestrial Television DTT which will be the platform viewers use to receive free-to-air television when the analogue signal ends. DTT is widely available in Northern Ireland as Freeview. - news.bbc.co.uknews.bbc.co.uk
Radio executives plan analogue scrappage scheme to aid digital switch |Media |guardian.co.uk
The radio industry is to copy the government's car scrappage scheme as it tries to persuade listeners to go digital. The car scheme, introduced by Alistair Darling, allows drivers to collect up to 2,000 if they trade in their old vehicle for a less polluting one. Its radio equivalent could involve a 20 discount on a new digital set if you bring in one of the 100 million or so analogue ones estimated to still be in circulation. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.uk
BBC World News channel revamps to give presenters higher profile |Media |guardian.co.uk
It is all part of the channel's long and so far indecisive battle, stretching back two decades, to prove that the BBC can make profits or at least break even from a mainly news and current affairs channel providing a global perspective. Its director Sian Kevill, a former editor of Newsnight, says it will make a modest loss again in 2009/2010 after losing 3m last year, on income down a little from last year's 64.5m. Editorially, the schedule is being shaken up to make a clearer differentiation between weekdays when peak-time news will be given a clear priority and weekends, when audiences prefer more general BBC factual and current affairs programming, with news on the hour. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukSky 3D football: 'impressive but not convincing'
-blog.wotsat.comBBC Feedback: 31 Jan 2010
downloads.bbc.co.ukMonday 01 February 2010, AM
Has the British PR industry grown too big for journalism? -Advertising, Media - The Independent
The one thing that hasnt dried up for print journalists is the stream of calls from public relations teams, trying to get publicity for a clients product. In the minds of some reporters the growth of the PR industry over the past couple of decades has been a factor in weakening the power of the press. Can under-pressure hacks, already filling in for redundant colleagues, cope with the barrage of calls and emails from ever-more PR executives flogging stories - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.uk
Matthew Norman: And now on ITV1, the utterly creepy Adams family -Matthew Norman, Opinion - The Independent
For this is surely the Steve McClaren of television hirings... the case of a man hurriedly hired as the easiest option, by his old chum, Archie Norman, at a time of crisis. He may have left the FA with few admirers, and may now be leaving the Royal Mail with fewer still. What a cunning, sure-footed reference this was, to a show dropped by ITV as recently as 1975, but about to be revived and this is the special cleverness by the BBC. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.uk
So long Big Brother, and welcome to the revolution on Channel 4 -TV Radio, Media - The Independent
As head of programmes he has been overseeing the commissioning process designed to reposition Channel 4 for a new era beyond digital switchover under the newly-appointed chief executive David Abraham. When the decision to axe Big Brother was made in August, Bellamy heralded the moment as the start of the most fundamental creative overhaul in the broadcasters 27-year history. So how will he fill the void of 150 hours of air time with the 50m of programming budget that has been freed up - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukWhy ad men like Adam Crozier are dominating television |Media |The Guardian
His appointment came less than a week after David Abraham, who co-founded the fashionable advertising agency St Luke's, was unveiled as the new C4 chief executive. Why have the commanding heights of the British broadcasting industry fallen into the hands of a group of slick advertising men He replaces Duncan, a marketeer who began his career at Unilever before breathing new life into a free-to-air digital TV platform by calling it Freeview. - guardian.co.ukwww.guardian.co.ukpick a page