Monday 23 June 2014, AM
xkcd: Throwing Rocks
Warning this comic occasionally contains strong language which may be unsuitable for children, unusual humor which may be unsuitable for adults, and advanced mathematics which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License. - xkcd.com
xkcd.comSunday 22 June 2014, PM
TV drama tax credit helps put UK in the global game - Media - The Guardian
The conversation is always you can do it in Georgia, you can do it in Vancouver, or you can do it in the UK. The government will refund up to 20 of the UK spend of qualifying TV productions those that have a budget of 1m an hour or more. The TV tax credit sprang from the UKs longer-established tax credit for feature films and from losing TV productions to countries with lower wages and costs. - theguardian.com
www.theguardian.comSaturday 21 June 2014, PM
Help at hand for TV viewers over signal (From Swindon Advertiser)
The 4G roll-out in May included an upgrade of the mast on Tewkesbury Way, and residents were left at a loss when terrestrial aerials were badly affected by the network surge in the area. Engineers have now visited some properties, including in Park Springs, to install new aerials and filters to solve the problems, and anyone else experiencing disruption is asked to contact At800, a company set up to solve the issues. Bart Hathaway, 90, of Park Springs, lost reception for at least two weeks. - swindonadvertiser.co.uk
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
BBC News - National roaming plan to tackle mobile phone blackspots
21 June 2014 Last updated at 1311 Mobile phone operators could be made to share their networks in rural areas of the UK where signals are weak under plans being considered by ministers. Some parts of rural Britain have just one or two of the main mobile phone networks available, or none at all, leaving some people without any signal. It is hoped so-called national roaming could be used to plug blackspots. - bbc.co.uk
www.bbc.co.ukSaturday 21 June 2014, AM
Freeview Connect could use Freesat's Freetime catch-up service - Recombu
Will Freesat's catch up service beam down on Freeview Connect or will it go its own way Broadcasters have argued that using Freesats Freetime technology in the new terrestrial tech would be a better way of spending the cash. - recombu.com
recombu.comWhat the convergence of technology means for trademark registration - Media Network - Guardian Professional
YouView's defeat in the High Court highlights the risks involved if a new brand name is too similar to an existing trademark. Photograph Tammy Hanratty/Corbis Coming up with a distinctive brand name that differentiates a company's service offering from its competitors, and protecting that name through trademark registration is increasingly important for any business. A high court judgment earlier this week highlights the risks involved if a new brand name is too similar to an existing trademark, and the need to undertake sufficient clearance procedures before a brand is launched and significant money has been invested in it. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - Making the most of summer 2014 on Red Button
These streams will be available from the first day of Wimbledon, 23rd June. These streams will be EPG listed on all platforms so that you can record your favourite events. 90 of UK households, because we are using capacity on a commercial multiplex to deliver these services. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukFriday 20 June 2014, PM
Feedback: Radio 2 Schedule Changes; 20 Jun 14
downloads.bbc.co.uk
Ariel - BBC launches new diversity targets
I am not content for the BBC to be merely good or above average. I believe in this and want our record to be beyond reproach. The money will be prioritised from other budgets to support BAME staff, writers and other talent. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukBBC diversity push to include work with director general - Media - theguardian.com
We will have six people from BAME backgrounds, one of whom will work with me for a year or more, adding that he would also learn from whoever gets to work with him. Itll be open to people inside and outside the BBC. You need to network, you need to see how other people do it. Hall added Ive been talking to ITV, Channel 4 everybody is on this agenda. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
Ariel - The office jargon that staff hate
20 June 2014 Last updated at 0911 Unsurprisingly, Ariel's recent appeal against office jargon struck a chord with many BBC workers frustrated by corporate waffle. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukFriday 20 June 2014, AM
Ofcom - Consent to renewed agreement between Sky and Arqiva for provision of three channels on Multiplex C
Notice of Ofcom's decision is set out in the letter to Arqiva below. - licensing.ofcom.org.uklicensing.ofcom.org.uk
TV news is about to change - Comment - Broadcast
So the Sambrook v Ryley slagging match about the future of TV news – particularly rolling news channels like Sky News, which John Ryley heads up – has become a cause célèbre. As the former head of BBC News and a 30-year veteran of TV news, Richard Sambrook (now vice-chair and head of content at PR giant Edelman) has form. He says instant access to news, supplied by a growing number of online providers, propelled by social media sites and accessed via smartphones and tablets, under- lines the cost inefficiencies of 24-hour rolling news channels. Why, he wonders, do we need endless and sometimes pointless crosses to “our man in the field” – who often knows less than the Twittersphere? - broadcastnow.co.uk
www.broadcastnow.co.ukBskyb: Copyright reform for digital services would 'do more harm than good'- The Inquirer
However, Sky has said that now is not the right time for such a move. Sky's comments followed those from Maria Martin-Prat, head of the copyright unit at the European Commission, who said that a copyright reform is essential due to the shift from owning content to accessing it digitally, in contrast to Pilcher's remarks. - theinquirer.net
www.theinquirer.net
RadioToday - Sky looks at closing Sky Sports News Radio
Bosses at Sky are proposing to close down its sports news radio service with the potential loss of 18 radio jobs. The company says the closure is due to evolving customer habits and that the service is no longer viable. Head of Sky Sports Andy Cairns told staff about the plans yesterday, just a few months after the station secured a spot on Radioplayer. - radiotoday.co.uk
radiotoday.co.ukhttp://www.ses.com/4233325/news/2014/19720721
This additional capacity will be used to broadcast multiple high definition and standard definition video streams and will be available to satellite and cable viewers in the UK. These households will enjoy the flexibility that satellite has to offer through simultaneous live feeds of events. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. - ses.com
www.ses.comThursday 19 June 2014, PM
BBC and ITV battle Arqiva on future of Freeview - Telegraph
For ITV and Channel 4 the growth of pay-TV via the internet is a threat to advertising revenues. For the BBC anything that erodes audience share raises questions over the licence fee. The broadcasters have radically reduced their funding of YouView and diverted it to Freeview Connect. - telegraph.co.uk
www.telegraph.co.uk
BBC News - UK rural broadband fund winners revealed
19 June 2014 Last updated at 1441 The UK government has revealed the winners of a 10m fund aimed at finding new ways to get superfast broadband to very remote areas of Britain. Eight schemes have been shortlisted, using a variety of technologies including fixed wireless and satellite. The government said it would use the trials to work out the best way to get superfast broadband to the final 5. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukThursday 19 June 2014, AM
After 25 years at the helm Jeremy Paxman presents his final Newsnight - Telegraph
Paxman described the iconic bikes as rubbish, lumbering and uncomfortable although the mayor hit back saying they were beautiful machines. He also asked the mayor why it was such a bloody nightmare cycling in London. He also said recent polls suggested Ed Miliband had about as much appeal as a flatulent dog in a lift. - telegraph.co.ukwww.telegraph.co.ukBroadcast radio accounts for two-thirds of all audio listening in US
Some interesting figures today from Edison Research, who have looked at radio's total share of all audio consumption above, or here if you're reading this via RSS or email. When in New York last year, I noted cable carrying a set of services including radio simulcasts and non-stop radio-like music channels. Of note, this research reports podcast share at 1.7. - mediauk.comwww.mediauk.comWednesday 18 June 2014, PM
Wednesday 18 June 2014, AM
Jeremy Hunt reaffirms his faith in local TV despite low viewing ratings - Media - theguardian.com
Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary who championed the launch of local TV stations in his previous job as culture secretary, has been defending his initiative. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
RadioToday - Absolute 80s 5 live get Freesat Awards
Absolute 80s last won the award in 2010 whilst Absolute Radio won it in 2011 and 2013. Controller Jonathan Wall tweeted Delighted that 5 live has won best news channel at the freesat awards for 3rd year running. - radiotoday.co.ukradiotoday.co.ukMedia Focus - Fortnightly podcast giving the inside view on what's happening in the media
Paul Blanchard is joined by senior media professionals to discuss what's happening behind the scenes. Gain an insight into front-of-mind issues for journalists, editors, producers and key media influencers. - mediafocus.org.ukwww.mediafocus.org.ukTuesday 17 June 2014, PM
Set voters free - or pay the consequences - Comment - Broadcast
Paid voting should be killed off in favour of free interaction, says Monterosa chief executive Tom McDonnell. Live interaction regularly plays a part in the re-invention of TV formats. We’re seeing another generation of interactive ideas emerge this year — some will be good, some will fall flat, but at least one will be a hit. A greater shift to mobile and cloud computing is helping to power more convenient, scalable interactive technology. - broadcastnow.co.ukwww.broadcastnow.co.uk
RadioToday - Ofcom gets positive responses for DAB+
DAB is included in the minimum specification for any new radio sets which are sold in the UK, as revealed last December. Arqiva, owner of the first and only national commercial DAB multiplex wants to be assured the second national multiplex owner had the same rules on DAB as the first. The transmission company also wants confirmation on the 30 limit for DAB services whether thats in addition to the current 30 permitted use for data services or instead of. - radiotoday.co.ukradiotoday.co.uk
RadioToday - Ofcom to offer new licences for 12 years
Ofcom is to extend the duration of advertised or re-advertised local commercial analogue radio licences from seven to 12 years. The decision comes after a consultation earlier this year which received 12 replies. After considering responses, Ofcom has decided that its policy will now be to grant licences for a period of 12 years, the regulator says today. - radiotoday.co.ukradiotoday.co.ukMonday 16 June 2014, PM
YouView vows to appeal after latest Trademark defeat - seenit.co.uk
Total uses the similar Your View brand for a number of database products and argued that the YouView brand could cause confusion or dilute its own brand. Whilst Total may not compare to YouView in terms of size, we both operate in the same industry space. We protect our rights to brand ownership and wholeheartedly defend those rights as any business should otherwise we would never have registered our marks in the first place. - seenit.co.uk
www.seenit.co.ukSunday 15 June 2014, PM
Fox will get £6.8bn windfall from BSkyB's pan-European pay-TV deal - Media - theguardian.com
BSkyB, as Media Guardian reported last month, is seeking to buy out its sister companies in Germany and Italy. All three businesses are, of course, controlled by Fox. Together, they would form one of Europe's biggest and most profitable TV operators, serving nearly 20m households. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
Nearly half a million BBC iPlayer users avoid paying licence fee - Mail Online
Viewers who use the service to watch catch-up programmes online for free can escape the 145.50 annual charge by declaring they do not own a television set or see live shows. Last year, 463,846 opted out in this way, a rise of more than 35,000 in 12 months. Last year, 463,846 opted out of paying the licence fee by saying they only use iPlayer to watch television. - dailymail.co.uk
www.dailymail.co.ukFriday 13 June 2014, PM
Freeview announces connected television plans - informitv
Freeview and Digital UK have announced plans to develop a Freeview branded connected television service. The shareholders of the two companies, including the leading broadcasters in the United Kingdom, are backing a five-year plan to support the development and marketing of the service, which will bring together the best of broadcast television and video-on-demand delivered over broadband. Guy North, who was previously responsible for marketing Freeview, has taken over as managing director for the existing platform. - informitv.com
informitv.comStephen Fry MADNESS: 'New domain names GENERATE NEW IP NUMBERS' • The Register Forums
To be strictly accurate perhaps pedantic, perhaps not it was an ignorant assertion. He made the rather silly mistake of pontificating about something he apparently does not understand. It's edifying to reflect that this sort of behaviour is perfectly normal in the worlds of business, politics, literature, and culture in general. - forums.theregister.co.uk
forums.theregister.co.uk
Ariel - The worst office jargons
13 June 2014 Last updated at 0950 It's natural that any language will change with time, absorb new phrases and export words abroad. They lend disproportionate significance to simple actions, or massage egos by validating their efforts. To stem this plague of linguistic crimes, we suggest you set up a charity swear box where perpetrators donate in penance. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukDTG :: News :: The Relationship between the D-Book and Digital UK's Freeview connected service
As an interoperability specification, the D-Book defines both the delivery and reception of services. DTG Staff 13.06.2014 Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites. - dtg.org.ukdtg.org.ukSheffield Doc/Fest 2014: Senza Parole - audio
download.guardian.co.ukFriday 13 June 2014, AM
Independence for Scots may close off BBC, says Gordon Brown - UK news - The Guardian
The former prime minister said Scottish households were able to share in the BBC television shows, radio and news services that cost nearly 4bn to produce each year, while paying little more than 300m in licence fees. The Voice talent show cost 22m a year to produce, EastEnders 30m and Strictly Come Dancing 10m figures derived from official reports and the media. Brown's aides estimated the cost of the top six shows was equivalent to only 7 a year for all 25m British households. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comITV Player problems hit World Cup opening match coverage - Media - theguardian.com
ITVs online viewing service has been hit by problems during the opening match of the World Cup. Responding to a barrage of criticism on Twitter, the service said on its feed Were seeing unprecedented numbers of users during the game. It wasnt planned and we know it came at a crucial time during the match. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comSky News: rolling news, the backbone for a digital future - Media - theguardian.com
The world is undergoing a period of rapid technological change which has prompted some Jeremiahs to suggest that in the digital age specialist news channels have had their day. Sky News is not only a rolling news channel, just as the Guardian is not only a newspaper. As more and more devices get connected to faster broadband, there are limitless opportunities for people to consume the latest content when, where and on the platform they want it. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comSky News chief hits out at Alain de Botton’s criticism of news media - Media - theguardian.com
The head of Sky News has dismissed author Alain de Bottons criticism of news media as part of a staunch defence of rolling news channels, arguing that they play a critical role in the digital era. Ryley also hit back at critics who have recently argued that TV news channels have had their day and will be superseded by online video news, saying Sky News is live and on demand 24/7. He suggests that this quasi-religious aspect of news in the 21st century has a very specific consequence. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comObjectivity and impartiality in digital news coverage - Media - theguardian.com
Are the traditional journalistic disciplines of objectivity and impartiality relevant or wanted in a digital news environment Broadcasters in many countries have been regulated to deliver impartial news. Print journalism has never been regulated in the same way, but the professional codes, standards, and norms of journalism, which developed in the early 20th century, delivered similar standards in the news pages for many decades. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comSky's 'supplement for not having Sky TV' is the limit - Money - The Observer
Sky says it can't see a problem with charging customer for not taking up its TV service. If this is legal, when I next go to the supermarket, for example, I could be charged for not buying strawberries. It is beyond belief that I have to pay Sky for something I have not requested, nor purchased, and don't have. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comThursday 12 June 2014, PM
'Freeview Connected will see consumers reappraise the Freeview brand' - News - Marketing Week
Freeview hopes Freeview Connected smart TV offering will make consumers reassess the brand as more modern. A timeframe has yet to be set on when the service will launch, but it is unlikely, given TV product development cycles, that it will roll out until at least 2014. Guy North, Freeview managing director, told Marketing Week We have an ambition to take the nation from the digital world we are in now into a connected world, in the same way Freeview took people from analogue to digital. - marketingweek.co.ukwww.marketingweek.co.ukSky News boss criticises press influence on television newsrooms - Media - theguardian.com
The head of Sky News has criticised TV broadcasters reliance on newspapers such as the Daily Mail for setting the news agenda. I have always been shocked from the very first time I started in TV news at the reliance on newspapers, he said. I am really keen we do not pursue newspaper stories that perhaps happened in the past. - gu.com
gu.comMedia: BBC Radio cuts; Richard Ingrams; Sun special row.
downloads.bbc.co.ukWednesday 11 June 2014, PM
Media: BBC Radio cuts; Richard Ingram; Sun special row.
downloads.bbc.co.uk
Ariel - Radio to shed 65 more posts in second phase of DQF
10 June 2014 Last updated at 1255 Radio is to shed 65 more staff by next April, as it looks to find 6m of savings. Jobs will bear the brunt as radio stations are spared the axe in the second phase of Delivering Quality First. More than 30 production roles will go, while a divisional restructure will make savings by bringing the management and running of certain stations together. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
Ariel - Trust seeks views on BBCs businesses
British programmes, and the corporation's commercial aspects, such as Worldwide's export of shows, after publishing a draft remit on Wednesday. The Trust will review the BBC's compliance with the finalised framework every five years. Business plans are the responsibility of the BBC executive board, who will report quarterly to the Trust. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukTuesday 10 June 2014, PM
Tuesday 10 June 2014, AM
Sky Sports launches new channel dedicated to European football
Sky today announces good news for millions of its customers ahead of the new football season with confirmation that Sky Sports is to launch the first ever television channel dedicated to European football. To take up the offer customers should go online to Sky.com/2yearsfree or call Sky from 12 June onwards. The channel is included as part of the Sky Sports subscription. - corporate.sky.comcorporate.sky.comMonday 09 June 2014, PM
Big Brother a target for ITV - Media - theguardian.com
ITV executives have weighed the merits of snatching Big Brother from Channel 5 the broadcasters latest two-year deal expires at the end of the year to boost programming across its expanding portfolio of channels. Big Brother, and its celebrity stablemate, could be used to give newcomer ITVBe a major boost against rival channels. It is thought that discussions at ITV are unlikely to progress to a bid for Big Brother, because the rights remain at a level of about 20m per year. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.compick a page