Great things to read about British TV from March 2008 to today

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Thursday 23 October 2014, AM

What's Behind Big Media's Big TV Push Into Europe

Its economies, in contrast to the boom territories of China and India, are seen as sluggish, its population aging and growth slim to nonexistent. When it comes to the global TV business, studios are looking to Europe for the next gold rush. The past year has seen a flood of billion-dollar deals as U.S. congloms snatch up European TV assets. - hollywoodreporter.com

Ariel - 6 Music leads summer's digital rush

23 October 2014 Last updated at 0917 The BBC's digital radio networks have been gaining listeners over the summer as some of its bigger hitters have lost them. Around 600,000 fewer people tuned in to hear Chris Evans on Radio 2 in the third quarter of 2014 and around 150,000 opted out of Nick Grimshaw's Radio 1 flagship. Over on 6 Music, mid-morning presenter Lauren Laverne is being hailed as the season's success story. - bbc.co.uk

Wednesday 22 October 2014, PM

Which? puts the new Tesco Hudl2 to the test - October - 2014 - Which? News

22 October 2014 We've just published our full review of the brand new Tesco Hudl2. If you're tempted by this cheap tablet - read our review of the original Tesco Hudl before parting with your cash. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

BBC open to charging subscriptions for premium content, head of Corporation's trust reveals - Telegraph

How the BBC is funded will form a key part of these negotiations with the possibility of a subscription model replacing the traditional licence fee. If such changes were introduced it would be the biggest shake-up since the BBC was founded in 1922. Some members of the Cabinet are understood to believe that the compulsory 145.50 annual charge for television ownership is outdated and does not represent the changes in how people watch television in the modern world. - telegraph.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

Media: David Liddiment and Alison Hastings leave the Trust; Women in the media; Mirror complaint

RadioToday with RCS | UK stations get ready for RAJAR results

Its that time of the year when radio stations receive quarterly listening figures direct to their web browser. Come back at midnight for all the news, and keep an eye on RadioToday.co.uk/rajar for really nice and easy to use graphs. Posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 at 237 pm by Radio Today UK. - radiotoday.co.uk

BBC News - New BBC Radio 3 controller 'will not dumb down'

Listening figures released in July had Radio 3's weekly reach averaging 1.884 million listeners, to 6 Music's 1.89m. - bbc.co.uk

Ariel - Radio 4 debates some big ideas

22 October 2014 Last updated at 1331 Big questions that have preoccupied thinkers down the ages will be debated for a major new series on Radio 4. A History of Ideas will pose one question every week to a group of four contributors - from lawyers and theologians to mathematicians - with Melvyn Bragg presiding over the exchange of views for the 60-part series. They will together discuss philosophical topics such as 'what does it mean to be me' and 'how do I live a good life' In subsequent programmes, each of the four contributors will further develop their arguments in an authored programme, using the tenets of philosophers and historical thinkers to back them up. - bbc.co.uk

Wednesday 22 October 2014, AM

DTG :: News :: DTG's Keith Hayler awarded IET Achievement Medal for advancing digital radio and TV

www.dtg.org.uk

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/cheapest-tv-package-bt/

It includes 70 channels, a smattering of HD options, a YouView box for recording content, and 17Mbps of fixed-line broadband. Its the survival box of TV packages all the essentials but no luxuries. The majority of free extras are part of the broadband service. - cable.co.uk

www.cable.co.uk

?24.99 Xbox One Digital TV Tuner now on sale in the UK | Expert Reviews

Unfortunately this wasn't possible for the millions of UK residents that use the integrated Freeview tuner built into their TV, rather than a set-top box. That changed today when the Digital TV Tuner accessory went on sale. The dongle receives free-to-air HD broadcasts, supports the OneGuide onscreen programme guide, and lets you set favourite channels for quick access. - expertreviews.co.uk

www.expertreviews.co.uk

Fairhead indicates support for BBC3 online move | News | Broadcast

BBC Trust chairman Rona Fairhead has indicated that she supports the proposal to move BBC3 online to help the channel keep pace with the viewing habits of its audience. Speaking in front of a Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, Fairhead said the strategy was “in and of itself” a “good idea”, but the BBC’s proposals will need to be examined in detail. She explained that the channel’s target audience of 16-34 year olds was now “watching less and very differently” than ever before. “Although sometimes this audience views by appointment, typically they eat or watch on the go through different devices,” she said. - broadcastnow.co.uk

Tuesday 21 October 2014, PM

Ariel - Rona Fairhead has not 'gone native'

Fairhead also believed the business was being run more efficiently and was 'more convinced' of the BBC's economic benefit to the UK than she was before taking up her new job. Outgoing trustee David Liddiment said more detail was needed from the BBC before the trust could move forward with a public value test. In another exchange, Liddiment admitted that many licence-fee payers weren't aware of the BBC Trust, despite it safeguarding their interests. - bbc.co.uk

BBC Trust chair appears to back BBC3 TV closure | Media | theguardian.com

Her fellow trustee David Liddiment, who also gave evidence to MPs on Tuesday, said there was a widespread view that the trust was not fit for purpose and admitted there was a faultline in the way that the trust was set up. Fairhead, making her first public appearance since succeeding Lord Patten last month, said The idea of moving BBC3 and making it online in and of itself is good. We havent done our final review of BBC3. - theguardian.com

Monday 20 October 2014, PM

Ariel - Fran Unsworth to lead World Service

She will also continue to be deputy director of news and current affairs, a position she was given in late 2012 to help steer the division through the Jimmy Savile/Newsnight crisis. 'I have known Fran since she joined the BBC and watched in admiration as her career has developed,' said director general Tony Hall. 'Proudest day' Unsworth, who will take up her new role in December, described getting her new job as 'the proudest day of my professional life'. - bbc.co.uk

Article

The postponement concluded, temporarily at least, a long period of impassioned debate from stakeholders throughout the sport industry. The panels remit was to review the principle of listing generally the criteria against which events were currently, or might in the future, be listed and the events which make up the current list and which events should be on the list for the future. The findings and recommendations of the Davies Report were strongly resisted by sports rights holders. - whoswholegal.com

whoswholegal.com

BBC - DAB Phase 4 - Help Receiving TV and Radio

This phase of national DAB expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. We are not able to provide specific details on when improvements in coverage will reach particular areas for a number of reasons weather and other variables can impact on the build of particular transmitters. The postcode checker for DAB at www.getdigitalradio.com will also be updated as the roll-out progresses. - bbc.co.uk

Sunday 19 October 2014, PM

Why Cameron can’t be allowed to scupper televised election debates | Media | The Guardian

The broadcasters showed every sign of being jolly pleased with their announcement last week that they had agreed a format for TV party leader debates for next years general election. Which, remember, was subject to an unsuccessful legal challenge from the SNP. BBC bosses will also hope that, assuming the debates happen in more or less this form, theirs might be last in the sequence and therefore closest to the poll. - theguardian.com

Media Monkey’s Diary: Jason Seiken, naked ski jumping and Fi Glover | Media | The Guardian

The clues were there, in Telegraph editor-in-chief Jason Seikens Twitter feed, to the news on Friday that he will henceforth be redirecting his energies away from editorial and towards future strategy and direction. Whether through genuine charitable impulses, self-interest or sadism, indie producers were quick to respond, and by the end of the week more than 17,000 had been donated. Monkeys quote of the week Who are you and what do you do - Radio 4 presenter Fi Glover to someone with their hand up at a Radio Festival event she was hosting. - theguardian.com

BBC News - BBC to publish 'right to be forgotten' removals list

Following the ruling, Google set up a form on its site allowing people to request which links should be taken down. Google decided to notify affected websites each time a link had been removed. Mr Jordan said the BBC had so far been notified of 46 links to articles that had been removed. - bbc.co.uk

Prices Add Up With a la Carte TV - WSJ - WSJ

s ESPN is also developing online-only platforms that would be offered separate from traditional channels. This is a watershed moment for the industry. But cord-cutters should be careful what they wish for. A future where television viewers subscribe to each channel individually could be cheaper for young people who only watch two or three channels, industry executives said. - online.wsj.com

online.wsj.com

Newsrooms must reflect modern Britain | Comment | Broadcast

The Open Newsrooms Day scheme is a step in the right direction, says Michael Jermey Yesterday was a memorable day in many newsrooms across the country. Not because of a big breaking news story but because hundreds of people, most of them young and from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, took the opportunity to spend an enjoyable day experiencing life first hand in a busy newsroom, talking to people who produce, present and report the news. The energetic enthusiasm of all involved, both the newsroom visitors and the news professionals talking about their work, was palpable. - broadcastnow.co.uk

Freeview HD - Which BBC regions will go HD in the future? - BBC - FAQs - Home

The BBC is committed to developing a plan for the rest of the regions as soon as practically possible. - bbc.co.uk

Freeview HD - Why are there no Red Button Interactive Services on Freeview HD? - BBC - FAQs - Home

Technical constraints mean that it is not possible to run the full existing Red Button service, in the broadcast capacity we have available. We have run some limited data services on the Freeview HD multiplex to support major broadcast events. However we are working on an alternative solution, which will allow us to provide the usual Red Button functionality within the capacity we do have available. - bbc.co.uk

John Simpson signs BBC deal allowing him to stay as long as he likes | Media | theguardian.com

Veteran foreign correspondent John Simpson, a 45-year BBC lifer, has signed a new contract that effectively allows him to work for the corporation for as long as he wants. It is understood that the 70-year-old BBC world affairs editor has been given a deal that will see him stay on indefinitely. Previously Simpson who hit the headlines this summer when he reportedly said the BBC was grotesquely managed was on an annual contract. - theguardian.com

Saturday 18 October 2014, PM

BBC - Blogs - The Radio 4 Blog - Saturday Drama: Under Milk Wood in Surround Sound

The 2003 production was streamed online in 5.1 surround sound and now that 5.1 mix will also be available on-line in an experimental player on the Radio 4 website. This version of Under Milk Wood was recorded in surround sound and when first broadcast in 2003 it was available in this format to listeners at home who had the right equipment and software. When the play is repeated on Saturday 18 October at 2.30pm the surround sound version will be available as a live stream the play will also be available on demand from about 5pm that day for the next 30 days. - bbc.co.uk

Ariel - When Tony Hall met Terry Walsh...

Rather than send a standard congratulatory reply, Tony Hall decided to visit the radio veteran, who's 'just about presented every programme going', according to his biography. He spent six years travelling the world, producing and directing television coverage of sports such as rally driving, hang gliding, windsurfing, golf and sailing. Tech apprentice of the year went to Salford native David Hewitt, who has completed a work placement with 'diligence, drive and leadership'. - bbc.co.uk

BBC weather presenter Helen Willetts in double trouble | Media Monkey | Media | theguardian.com

Viewers saw double during a BBC weather bulletin when two moving images of presenter Helen Willetts appeared on screen at once. A technical gaffe meant the forecast on Thursday became a two-cast as the BBC News channel presenter and her twin guided viewers through the outlook for the next few hours. - theguardian.com

DTG :: News :: DTG appoints new Head of Communications

- dtg.org.uk

dtg.org.uk

About this project - BBC Genome

You can search the site for BBC programmes, people, dates and Radio Times editions. We hope it helps you find that long forgotten BBC programme, research a particular person or browse your own involvement with the BBC. This is a historical record of both the planned output and the BBC services of any given time. - genome.ch.bbc.co.uk

genome.ch.bbc.co.uk

Friday 17 October 2014, PM

Feedback: Political interviews: 17 Oct 14

Talking TV: Mipcom Brian Cox

Thursday 16 October 2014, PM

About the BBC Blog

Our aim on this project is to curate a comprehensive history of every radio and TV programme ever broadcast by the corporation, and make that available to the public. Were really pleased to get the site live, not least because so many of you have been asking when, how soon and telling us how useful it would be. The challenges in making available the 4.42 million programme records so far have been significant - you can read about some of the recent ones on the Internet blog. - bbc.co.uk

BBC News - BBC's Genome Project offers radio and TV archive listings

The Genome Project is based on scans of Radio Times magazine listings published between 1923 and 2009. It is designed to help the BBC identify programmes missing from its recorded archive and try to find copies of them. A total of 4,423,654 programmes are included, from 4,469 issues. - bbc.co.uk

BBC News - Railways 'dead zones' for mobiles, report reveals

The research, by Global Wireless Solutions GWS, found one in three mobile internet tasks failed, as did one in seven voice calls. Engineers tested the 10 most popular routes in and out of London. Voice calls were more likely to fail on open track than in a station, and the most failures occurred when a train was travelling above 50mph 80km/h. - bbc.co.uk

www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk

DTG :: News :: Google reveals Nexus Player STB for Lollipop-powered Android TV

Made by Asus, Nexus Player is being presented as a platform for streaming music and video and games, controlled via remote control, smartphone and a wireless gamepad. The compact device will be launched in the US this autumn with pre-orders from October 17, but there are no details yet on price or international launch dates. Lollipop will be launched across Google's recent Nexus phones and tablets in the next few weeks, and includes a universal search across all devices, with the ability to pick up media playback from one device on another. - dtg.org.uk

dtg.org.uk

Thursday 16 October 2014, AM

Local TV station Made in Cardiff goes on air - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage

The first of the new network of Local TV stations to be based in Wales has gone on air. Made in Cardiff went live at 8pm last night and will broadcast daily news and magazine programmes on Freeview channel 23, Sky channel 134 and Virgin channel 159. The Welsh capital is the 10th town or city to get a new local TV channel under the governments initiative to create a network of up to 60 local stations. - holdthefrontpage.co.uk

Wednesday 15 October 2014, PM

Media: Reporting the EU; TV election debates

RadioToday with RCS | Indies wants statutory 25% of BBC radio

Leading radio production companies have called on the BBC to introduce a statutory 25 quota of value of programme making for radio in the corporations next charter in 2017. As well as the quota, he also called for the BBCs Window of Creative Competition to be expanded to cover 25 of the value of contracts issued. In 201213 indies won 80 of WoCC hours, in 201314 they won 75 of hours. - radiotoday.co.uk

BBC looks to develop ‘hybrid’ radio to allow mobile users to listen without the internet

The BBC is one of the companies looking to develop a hybrid radio for mobile phones, which will combine the strengths of broadcast radio - free-to-receive, robust reception and reliability - with the digital enhancements and interactivity of internet radio. New research commissioned by the BBC shows the majority of smartphone users want to use radio in their devices but have worries around mobile data costs, battery use and reception issues when using streamed audio services. The coalition, named Universal Smartphone Radio Project, has been discussing hybrid radio with mobile and technology manufacturers, and how to build the functionality into handsets. - thedrum.com

www.thedrum.com

#14 - Radio Festival 2014 SPECIAL - The Media Podcast with John Plunkett

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Tuesday 14 October 2014, PM

Ed Vaizey's full speech to #radfest2014

Ed Vaizey made his first appearance in person at a Radio Festival, more than four years since taking over as the minister responsible for radio. Read his keynote speech in full below This is the first time I have actually spoken at the Radio Festival I have been here twice virtually. I also spend a lot of time with Absolute 80s and their incredibly long playlist and of course Jack FM, my fantastic local independent station which I visited recently. - radiotoday.co.uk

Ed Vaizey urges radio stations to engage young listeners | News | Broadcast

Culture minister Ed Vaizey has claimed that the decline in younger audiences for radio is “troubling” and urged the industry to engage with new listeners. Speaking earlier today at the Salford Radio Festival, the minister for culture, communications and the creative industries claimed that while radio’s strengths included the “human touch, the live presenter, the active curation of content, the engaging and entertaining formats along with trustworthy news and information,” it faced a raft of challenges. Vaizey dubbed Ofcom’s Communications Market report, which charted a decline in listening among 15-24 year olds from 18.7 hours in 2007 to 15.5 hours in 2013 as “troubling”. However he acknowledged that the awareness level among young people of stations such as Kiss, Capital Xtra and BBC 6 Music remained high, and called on broadcasters to develop an active social media presence to continue to grow their reach and engagement. - broadcastnow.co.uk

Aereo to the FCC: Let us join the cable companies we tried to replace - The Washington Post

It's been weeks since we last heard from Aereo, the shuttered streaming video service that lost bigat the Supreme Court this summer. Now it's back, and the company isrolling over in its fight against TV broadcasters in hopes of a longer-term victory in Congress. Other MVPDs pay broadcasters money for the right to retransmit free, over-the-air television signals to their subscribers. The last few months has seen Aereo looking for creative waysof getting out of payingretransmission fees. - washingtonpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com

RadioToday with RCS | Hybrid Radio planned by BBC and partners

The BBC is working on the development of a new generation of hybrid radio with international partners in Europe, America and Australia. New research commissioned by the BBC shows the majority of smartphone users want radio in their devices but have concerns around mobile data costs, battery use and reception issues when using streamed audio services. Together they will research and develop a new radio unit which combines internet and broadcast DAB or FM radio for use in mobile phones. - radiotoday.co.uk