Saturday 17 August 2013, AM
They thought it was all over: Why Sky vs BT Sport in the battle for pay-TV dominance is a game of two halves
On Thursday, BT Sport launched a counter-action by allying with Virgin Media in a deal that allows 1.8 million of the cable companys customers free access to the newcomers sports channels. For months, in spite of an onslaught of competitive advertising, each company had adopted a public position of not being worried what its rival is doing. BTs aim in investing 1bn in sports television is to protect its broadband customer base against Skys content-driven Triple Play package of television, broadband and home phone. - independent.co.uk
www.independent.co.ukNo further police action over BBC pay-offs
Scotland Yard will take no further action over allegations linked to severance payments and benefits for senior BBC managers. The BBC knows who these people are but has refused to take any disciplinary action against them. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukBBC iPlayer - Help - Can I download radio programmes to listen to later?
We currently offer a range of programmes and highlights available to download as Podcasts, but due to rights reasons certain content, including full-length music tracks, can only be offered with digital rights management protection DRM. We expect to launch this service sometime in 2014. Until then, you can still listen to almost all radio programmes on BBC iPlayer Radio as audio streams, which can be played up to seven days after the programme's original broadcast. - iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk
iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.ukFriday 16 August 2013, PM
Thursday 15 August 2013, AM
Ariel - Unions accept BBC pay offer
15 August 2013 Last updated at 0940 The BBC and unions representing staff have settled their dispute on pay for 2013-14. The pay rise will be implemented in the August payroll. The autumn negotiations will focus on staff remuneration and pay progression. - bbc.co.uk
www.bbc.co.ukMedia Talk podcast: Smooth Radio, Edinburgh TV festival preview
download.guardian.co.ukWednesday 14 August 2013, PM
Media: Appointment of James Harding to BBC News
downloads.bbc.co.ukBlacked Out in 3 Cities, CBS Still Wins Ratings Race - NYTimes.com
The 11-day old blackout of CBS on Time Warner Cable systems seems to be having a minimal effect on the networks ratings. Last week, the first full week of blocked service for more than three million Time Warner customers, the network topped its competitors in total viewers and in all the ratings categories important to advertisers. CBS has maintained that it is seeking fair value for its content, but at the same time said the loss of Time Warner viewers would have minimal impact on its ratings an assertion that was surely meant to reassure its advertisers. - nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com
Radio stations and the mobile web
Over a third of listening happens while away from home 21 in a vehicle 15 at work or elsewhere and much listening at home isn't done in the same room as a computer. When presenters tell listeners to visit the radio station's website, it's gratifying to see that listeners do so, as anyone watching Google Analytics' real-time view will tell you. Last year, The Guardian pointed out that, at certain times of day, they're getting more traffic from mobile devices than desktop. - mediauk.comwww.mediauk.comTuesday 13 August 2013, PM
New QVCs launch - Advanced Television
Additionally, QVC Beauty will be updated to incorporate unique and dynamically updating show graphics. - advanced-television.comadvanced-television.comDoctor Who, Downton Abbey and Broadchurch settings make top 10 list of British TV locations - Radio Times
Many families are now choosing to stay in the UK for the summer and looking for inexpensive days out, said Freeview marketing communications director Guy North. - radiotimes.com
www.radiotimes.comLong Term Review: Samsung UE32 F6510 SmartHub TV
As ever, this is a long and tediously detailed review but some people like them. This television has a Freesat tuner inside it. I've not used it though - I don't have a satellite dish five years ago it was either a dish or a neighbour's tree, and I preferred the tree. - mediauk.comwww.mediauk.com
Freeview tops poll of TV innovations Today s Top Stories
Of the 2,046 viewers polled, 35 picked Freeview as their most important TV innovation over the last decade, closely followed by PVRs at 22. Mobile TV received no votes from consumers, reinforcing the view held by many TV execs polled 31 that mobile TV has had the most muted impact on the television industry. Howard Davies, Deloitte media partner, commented The television industry has benefited from tremendous technological advances over the past few years. - netimperative.com
www.netimperative.com
Ofcom - DAB multiplex change request: Herefordshire Worcestershire
1.3 MuxCo proposes to launch the Herefordshire Worcestershire local radio multiplex service, on the new frequency, in September 2013. 1.4 Before deciding whether to agree to MuxCo's request, Ofcom is legally required to seek representations on the request from any interested parties. The closing-date for representations to be made is Tuesday 10 September 2013 any submissions received after this date may not be considered. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.ukstakeholders.ofcom.org.ukTuesday 13 August 2013, AM
The BBC needs conserving. Yet these Conservatives think not - Polly Toynbee - Comment is free - The Guardian
It has become revolutionary, uprooting the public realm with tumultuous zeal. David Cameron's great talent is to seem so breezily moderate while dismantling so much from the capacity of the civil service and local councils, to putting the NHS and free schools up for any bidder while undermining public trust in social security. You might think any true Conservative would want to conserve the BBC, a landmark of Britishness, globally admired export-earner, cultural nourisher, its independence proven by clashes with every government. - discussion.theguardian.comdiscussion.theguardian.com
Ofcom - Consultation
On 19 June 2013, we consulted on the question of merging coverage areas for a small number of specific locations, and on whether we should consult on merging any further locations the June Consultation. The June Consultation and the Statement following it are available on our website. We also received a response asking us to merge the enlarged Gloucester coverage area with the planned Malvern coverage area. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.ukstakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom - Statement
On 19 June 2013, Ofcom accordingly published a short consultation inviting views on merging the coverage areas of the following locations Tonbridge and Maidstone and Hereford and Gloucester. We also invited views on whether we should consult on merging any other areas for which we had determined technical feasibility. These respondents argued that these coverage areas should be merged because The two towns share cultural similarities, as well as local institutions The coverage areas may be contiguous in some places, if not actually overlap and A larger coverage area would make a licence in this area more viable. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.ukstakeholders.ofcom.org.ukMonday 12 August 2013, AM
James Harding's BBC drama will play out in the public spotlight - Media - The Guardian
James Harding changed times for the former editor. He could redesign pages, re-edit copy and hire and fire more or less at will. At the BBC where he takes over as director of news and current affairs today almost none of that will be true. - theguardian.com
www.theguardian.comSaturday 10 August 2013, AM
BBC calls in auditors to widen search for improper executive payoffs - Media - theguardian.com
The National Audit Office is focusing on 150 severance deals with senior BBC executives in the three-year period between 2010 and 2012. 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. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
Ofcom wants to make broadband switching quicker and easier in the UK
There may be issues getting hold of the necessary authorization code, or the dreaded period of downtime as one ISP takes over from another. All this could be set to change, for the UK at least, if Ofcom's proposed new measures have the desired effect. To help make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible, Ofcom is eliminating one potential bottleneck. - betanews.com
betanews.com
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 10 - 17 August
The festival season continues here on the Red Button with Edinburgh taking its turn in the limelight. Theres an exclusive film of Scottish Ballet's Dance Odysseys and a selection of the best comedy from the Fringe this year. In this personal and insightful exploration, discover how against all odds, the creative spirit can sing. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukFriday 09 August 2013, PM
Friday 09 August 2013, AM
Thursday 08 August 2013, PM
Channel 4 network loses biggest audience reach among PSBs - Media - theguardian.com
Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham was sent a letter from Ofcom voicing concerns about issues including its network share. Channel 4's main network has seen a fall in its average weekly reach across all homes from 59 in 2007 to 51 at the end of 2012, excluding its one hour time-shifted service Channel 41, according to Ofcom's annual public service broadcasting report. On this basis, the average weekly reach for Channel 4's total portfolio has dipped only very slightly since 2007 67 to 66. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comOfcom - Ofcom publishes the Public Service Broadcasting Annual Report
The report looks at audience opinions, viewing figures, spend on programmes and output, of the UKs PSB channels. The information in the report is used to assess how the PSB channels are delivering against their public service purposes, as defined in the Communications Act 20031. Ofcoms research shows that 85 of viewers place high importance on the provision of trustworthy news, compared to 81 last year. - media.ofcom.org.ukmedia.ofcom.org.uk
YouView plans over 130 IP channels
YouView has received applications from over 130 IP-delivered channels that it expects to launch over the next year. There was some debate over the demand for IP-delivered channels. Arqiva also runs its own IP-delivered channel business Connect TV. - broadbandtvnews.com
www.broadbandtvnews.com
Details of 11B/Wolvton Shrop DAB multiplex - ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
Stations on Wolvton multiplex Masts transmitting Wolvton multiplex map is loading, please wait... The coloured area on the map represents the locations where DAB reception should be possible in a car, or using a DAB receiver where the aerial is above ground-floor level. Inside the area with the thick coloured line, indoor domestic reception even at ground level should be highly reliable. - ukfree.tvwww.ukfree.tvThursday 08 August 2013, AM
Wednesday 07 August 2013, PM
The squawking seagulls that could transform the radio industry
The shrill cry of the seagull might not be everyone's idea of easy listening but it is the basis of a broadcasting experiment that could transform the British radio industry by showing how stations can be set up at minimal cost. Brighton-based radio engineer Rashid Mustapha recorded the gulls as part of his personal mission to show that DAB broadcasting could be done on a shoestring with software he downloaded for free. What this means is that Mustapha - who was among the pioneers of internet radio and has worked in the radio sector for 20 years - spent 3,000 of his own money pursuing his thesis that a DAB multiplex allowing several stations to broadcast, including community and student networks could be built far cheaper than previously thought. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.ukChannel 5s Demand 5 now available on free time
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www.freesat.co.uk
Vodafone to switch on 4G network on 29 August - August - 2013 - Which? News
07 August 2013 Vodafone is to launch its 4G network in London on 29 August. The superfast network will then be rolled out to 12 more cities by the end of the year. Customers will be able to sign up to Vodafone's new Red 4G-ready price plans from 12 August. - which.co.uk
www.which.co.ukMedia: Media Plurality, The Guardian and press regulation
downloads.bbc.co.ukTuesday 06 August 2013, PM
Ofcom - Television Broadcast Licensing Update July 2013
Television services that have ceased to be licensed handed back or revoked in this period The following services are no longer licensed. The relevant licence is either no longer required by the licensee so has been handed back, or the service has been removed from a licence covering multiple services, or revoked as a matter of routine usually for non-payment of the annual licence fee. Licence transfers The following licences have been transferred to a new company who is now the legal licensee. - licensing.ofcom.org.uklicensing.ofcom.org.ukTuesday 06 August 2013, AM
Ofcom s low-cost DAB test hailed a success : Radio Today
A whole new tier of small-scale radio stations could be launched on DAB digital radio, new research from Ofcom suggests. The research report even suggests that rather than being a cost as at present, small FM community or commercial stations could make money from operating the new muxes themselves, and selling surplus capacity to other operators. Although the regulator does not set out a timetable for this work, The Times is reporting that Ofcom will now launch an industry-wide consultation on whether the system could be a lifeline for local radio. - radiotoday.co.uk
radiotoday.co.uk
BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - The BBC and plurality in the media
Last week, the Culture Secretary Maria Miller, announced her intention to undertake an assessment of UK media plurality, informed by a measurement framework to be developed with industry. Overall, the UK has one of the healthiest, most competitive news markets in the world. Its because, as the polling consistently shows, they rate the BBC significantly higher than other UK news providers for trust, accuracy and impartiality. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.ukMonday 05 August 2013, PM
BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - New exhibition uncovers the history of the Radio Times
The Radio Times is 90 years old this year. To markthis key anniversary,the Museum of London has curated an exhibition charting the story of the publication from inception to the present day. It is the first day of Cover Story 90 years of the Radio Times which runs until November 3rd. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
End of an era as Smash Hits Radio closes : Radio Today
Smash Hits Radio is to close after 11 years of online and digital broadcasting, to make way for Kiss Fresh on Freeview. The station launched in 2002 and received record audience figures, attracting over a million listeners soon after launch. It was removed from DAB in 2007/8 and from Sky in 2009. - radiotoday.co.ukradiotoday.co.ukLocal broadcaster Made TV seeks £5m in funding - Media - theguardian.com
Made TV, which counts former Emap chief executive Tom Moloney as a director, has sent out an information memorandum to prospective investors seeking 5m in funding ahead of the expected launch of the channels in early 2014. The 38-page investment memorandum, which has been seen by MediaGuardian, forecasts profits of 5.6m on revenue of 13.8m by its fifth year of operations. Made TV reckons it will make almost 2m from local TV ads in its first year, rising to 8.3m in year five, with other revenues from areas including sponsorship, product placement and offering channel management. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.comKiss Fresh launches on Freeview to reach 20m homes - Music Week
Bauer Media UKs Kiss Fresh has become available in almost 20 million homes today after the commercial radio station launched on Freeview. Kiss channel 713 is already available on the Freeview platform, as is Kiss Freshs sister digital station Kisstory. Kiss Fresh will be available on channel 712, where it will replace Smash Hits Radio. - musicweek.com
www.musicweek.com
Ofcom - Report on a possible low-cost DAB platform for small stations
As no similar study had previously been carried out, the test was a valuable exercise to inform policy makers of the practicalities of low cost DAB solutions when used to serve small areas, particularly from a single transmitter. As well as testing the viability and reliability of new wireless techniques for generating a Eureka 147 DAB compliant signal in a real world scenario and it also allowed various measurements, and comparisons with existing multiplexes to be made. The experiment successfully demonstrated that much of the infrastructure can now easily be implemented in software, and that integration with public IP networks improves accessibility while reducing the capital and operating costs quite dramatically. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.ukstakeholders.ofcom.org.ukinformitv - BBC and Sky lead UK Ultra HD Forum
The group will co-ordinate national requirements to enable interoperability and examine whether there is a requirement for an Ultra HD profile for the United Kingdom. With some 4K resolution displays already on the market, a key requirement will be agreement on specifications to ensure that they are fully compatible with any future services. It will also be desirable to avoid the confusion caused by the rush to launch 3D displays and services, with competing approaches to delivery and presentation, which compromised quality and the consumer experience. - informitv.com
informitv.comMonday 05 August 2013, AM
Making TVs smart: why Google and Netflix want to reinvent the remote control Tech News and Analysis
Making TVs smartis a three-part series that looks at why smart TVs have failed to take off and what needs to happen for these devices to realize their vast potential. When Google TV debuted back in 2010, it represented a radical take on smart TVs. Google wanted to combine live TV with internet content, and offer viewers a seamless way to switch from an ABC broadcast to a Netflix stream. - gigaom.com
gigaom.comChannel 4 is still waiting for its creative renewal
If Channel 5 was mocking, how must Channel 4s founding chief executive Jeremy Isaacs have felt about such a depressing exercise in freak-show television, even if it delivered one of its few ratings successes of the year Frows swagger was no doubt based partly on Channel 5 having briefly overtaken its rival in the ratings, buoyed by its cricket rights and the popularity of Big Brother. These are very difficult times for Channel 4 and the chief creative officer Jay Hunt tried to come back fighting last week with an interview in The Times. - independent.co.ukwww.independent.co.uk
Chromecast, Simply and Cheaply, Flings Web Video to TVs - NYTimes.com
We are engaged in a great civil movement, testing whether that business, or any business so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. The number of people who cut the cord, or cancel the satellite, in favor of getting all their TV from the Internet is still small maybe 1 percent of us a year. It looks like a portly flash drive or maybe a fat keychain and it costs 35. - nytimes.comwww.nytimes.comSunday 04 August 2013, PM
Your TV might be watching you - Aug. 1, 2013
Samsung sent a software update to all affected TVs. Without proper security controls, there's little to stop hackers from invading users' privacy, stealing personal information or spying on people. That gave hackers access to all the functions controlled by the browser, including the TV's built-in camera. - money.cnn.com
money.cnn.com
TiVo, media center PC makers alarmed by CableCard-cutting bill - Ars Technica
The CableCardthat small slab that lets a TiVo tune into cable by authenticating its connectionwould lose a regulatory safeguard under a bill nearing introduction in Congress. He predicted higher prices for CableCards that will be left out of new features. Nobody here seems to love CableCard all that muchit had one job, to promote an open market for cable gear, and it hasn't done that. - arstechnica.com
arstechnica.comSaturday 03 August 2013, AM
BT Sport peaks with 200k on launch - News - Broadcast
BT Sport peaked with 207,500 (1.21%) viewers on its opening night as sports fans tuned in to see Bayern Munich versus Manchester City. The peak was reached during the five minutes from 7:35pm, just after the friendly kicked off on BT Sport 1. - broadcastnow.co.uk
www.broadcastnow.co.ukBT and Vodafone among telecoms companies passing details to GCHQ - Business - The Guardian
It emerged GCHQ was able to tap into fibre-optic cables and store huge volumes of data for up to 30 days. That operation, codenamed Tempora, has been running for 20 months. The paper said it had seen a copy of an internal GCHQ powerpoint presentation from 2009 discussing Tempora. - theguardian.comwww.theguardian.com
BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 3 - 10 August
The school holidays are finally here and the BBC Red Button has something for all ages this week. CBeebies kicks off the summertime with a jam-packed offering of adventure and intrigue, alongside our usual generous portion of sporting action and unmissable live music. Ensure you dont miss a moment of the fun with this weeks Red Button highlights. - bbc.co.ukwww.bbc.co.uk
TV viewing habit changes push bandwidth demands - Advanced Television
However, for those who are under age 35, the figure jumps to 70 per cent. For example, one-third of survey respondents said they own both a smart-phone and a tablet device, and members of that group reported that they are using at least one of those devices during almost half the time they are watching television. More than 80 per cent of these heavy users of mobile devices say they connect them to their broadband service via Wi-Fi when they are using them at home. - advanced-television.comadvanced-television.compick a page