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

Thursday 18 July 2013, PM

Media Talk podcast: BBC annual report, Daily Star sales rise

download.guardian.co.uk

Media: New presenter of Today; trust in the BBC; Ofcom and Anjem Choudary; Chris Blackhurst

Tuesday 16 July 2013, PM

BBC News - BBC to launch five new HD channels

The news coincides with regulator Ofcom's announcement that is making it possible to launch a total of 10 new HD channels using airwaves freed up by the switch off of analogue TV. As a result there is still the potential for up to a further eight new HD channels to be offered over Freeview as a result of Ofcom's move. Transmission company Arqiva will provide the infrastructure behind the new Freeview services, having being awarded a licence to do so by the regulator. - bbc.co.uk

Tuesday 16 July 2013, AM

Exclusive: Apple Pitches Ad-Skipping for New TV Service â€“ jessica lessin

Apple has a new trick up its sleeve as it tries to launch a long-awaited television service technology that allows viewers to skip commercials and that pays media companies for the skipped views. For more than a year, Apple has been seeking rights from cable companies and television networks for a service that would allow users to watch live and on-demand television over an Apple set-top box or TV. Talks have been slow and proceeding in fits and starts, but things seem to be heating up. - jessicalessin.com

jessicalessin.com

Monday 15 July 2013, PM

Ariel - BBC digitises the Radio Times as part of Genome project

15 July 2013 Last updated at 0951 An ambitious BBC project has finally reached the end of a journey that spans 90 years. From Monday, BBC staff will be able to digitally search all the back issues of the Radio Times through a website not yet made available to the public. The scheme was given its name because the corporation likens each of its programmes to 'tiny pieces of BBC DNA' that will form a 'data spine' once reassembled. - bbc.co.uk

DTG :: News :: Report: Apps the future of TV viewing

According to TDG, the app ecosystem will extend to the net-connected devices that link to TV sets over the next seven years. The report predicts that by 2020 almost half of all video viewing will happen outside of a legacy pay TV service or a television set, and will instead be via an app or application dedicated to a specific video service. DTG Staff 15.07.2013 Links open in a new window. - dtg.org.uk

dtg.org.uk

BBC World News extended across Germany - 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.uk

informitv - Why people watch television

A new study from Thinkbox, the commercial television marketing association, claims to explain why live viewing satisfies all our television needs. Meanwhile research commissioned by YouView suggests that catch-up or on-demand services now account for a fifth of television viewing in the United Kingdom, a finding that is far from compatible with conventional industry measures. The Thinkbox study, Screen Life TV in demand, suggests that the live television experience satisfies human emotional needs that on demand viewing alone cant. - informitv.com

informitv.com

Sunday 14 July 2013, PM

Ex-BBC boss to return to former Corporation job to be sacked - NewsBiscuit

Its understood his former colleague Mr Mark Byford, who received a 950,000 BBC payout, will sponsor the bill for salty and other snacks. Topping the bill will be cheery comedian Frankie Boyle, also making a return to the BBC after some time. The following day Mr Thompson will appear before a parliamentary select committee where he will be shouted at by Margaret Hodge, MP. - newsbiscuit.com

www.newsbiscuit.com

BBC News - Net firms raided over broadband throttling

The probe was kicked off by complaints made by US net firm Cogent. It claims that the three ISPs are holding back net traffic from Cogent so their own data arrived more quickly. Cogent acts as a network middleman and delivers traffic to many European ISPs on behalf of net companies such as YouTube. - bbc.co.uk

BT looking for a Premier League buzz in broadcasting battle with Sky - Football - The Observer

The high-profile entrance into the market of a deep-pocketed rival to Sky Sports, which has driven the growth of the Premier League and revolutionised sports broadcasting over the past two decades, has raised the stakes for both. On one side of London, towards the M4, Sky is preparing for the season in new studios with an overhauled schedule and new signings, including Jamie Carragher. In the east, at the Olympic Park, BT is putting the finishing touches to vast studios from where its three sports channels will go live on 1 August. - guardian.co.uk

Sunday 14 July 2013, AM

How to subscribe to BT's new TV channels before 1 August launch - Football - The Observer

BT have several packages on offer for new and existing broadband customers. How to sign up as a new customer To watch online, sign up for BT broadband ranging from 10 to 16 a month depending on speed and usage. - guardian.co.uk

BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - BBC iPlayer App on Android: Update

Second stop - supporting a range of screen sizes, including tablet support With higher quality playback achieved on the most popular Android devices, we then moved on to addressing support for a range of screen sizes. I read app store comments on a daily basis and try to work out the cause of the issues that some devices on certain OSs are experiencing. - bbc.co.uk

BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button - 13-20 July

Tune in from Friday 12 July to Sunday 14 July to watch live and relive the experience with extended highlights and full sets during the following week. - bbc.co.uk

Saturday 13 July 2013, PM

Fire Hit TV (FireHitTV) on Twitter

twitter.com

Friday 12 July 2013, PM

Feedback: Ambridge Extra: 12 Jul 13

Media Talk podcast: BBC takes a bruising from MPs

download.guardian.co.uk

Friday 12 July 2013, AM

DTG :: News :: Ofcom to liberalise 4G spectrum

The regulator's decision to loosen its rules will be welcomed news for both O2 and Vodafone as this means both companies will not have to formally apply to use their existing resources to be able to offer their consumers 4G services. - dtg.org.uk

dtg.org.uk

Thursday 11 July 2013, PM

DTG :: News :: Two new 'City DTT' Video Streams launched

www.dtg.org.uk

Wednesday 10 July 2013, PM

Media: BBC at the PAC; Hacked Off; Rupert Murdoch

BBC News - Lord Patten: Shock and dismay over BBC payments

The chairman said the Trust was only contacted about two of the payments by former director general Mark Thompson and was assured they were within contractual terms and had been signed off by the executive remuneration committee. The corporation was criticised by the National Audit Office in a report published earlier this month saying the scale of the payments risked public trust. This included three weeks' salary worth 25,000 that was not part of his severance package of 450,000. - bbc.co.uk

BBC News - Apple conspired to fix e-book prices, judge rules

10 July 2013 Last updated at 1040 ET Apple conspired with publishers to fix the price of electronic books, a US judge has ruled. Five publishers that were originally named as defendants alongside Apple have already reached settlements, including Penguin. The judge ordered a new hearing to determine damages to be imposed on Apple. - bbc.co.uk

Twitter / BloombergTV: BREAKING: Apple found to violate ...

- twitter.com

twitter.com

Plans for future DAB in Wales announced : Radio Today

Plans to turn on extra DAB transmitters in Wales have been discussed today at a meeting with Welsh Assembly Members hosted by Lesley Griffiths AM. The Minister for Local Government and Government Business announced that local DAB digital radio coverage is set to be expanded across Wales during the next year if proposals are approved.

UKTV Drama debuts to solid ratings - News - Broadcast

www.broadcastnow.co.uk

BBC News - France ends three-strikes internet piracy ban policy

France has halted an anti-piracy policy that threatened persistent offenders with internet bans. A law passed by the previous government had let local courts suspend copyright infringers' connectivity for up to a month if they were caught three times. It was supported by the entertainment industry, but France's current culture minister had said that she thought the penalty was "disproportionate".

Tuesday 09 July 2013, PM

Police investigate Rupert Murdoch over secretly recorded meeting - Media - The Guardian

Rupert Murdoch criticised the 'incompetent' police investigation which has led to the arrest of so many of his staff. The Metropolitan police is seeking to gain access to the recording as part of its Operation Elveden inquiry into corrupt payments to public officials, assistant commissioner Cressida Dick said on Tuesday. The revelation comes as Murdoch was summoned to appear before the culture, media and sport select committee again over what he said in the March meeting recorded by News International journalists. - guardian.co.uk

Ed Vaizey confirms digital plan complete : Radio Today

Vaizey confirmed that the Government will announce their decision on a future radio switchover at the end of the year and hailed the positive progress in terms of consumers, cars and coverage. She welcomed the Government commitment to a decision on radio switchover this year and said that this would provide welcome certainty for the industry. Mr Ennals also confirmed the Toyota announcement that its leading Lexus brand will have digital radio as standard in all new cars from September. - radiotoday.co.uk

DTG :: News :: BBC Sport sees highest online live viewing since London 2012

DTG Staff 09.07.2013 Links open in a new window. - dtg.org.uk

dtg.org.uk

Rupert Murdoch Summoned To Parliament Again

Britain's Prince Harry confirmed he killed Taliban fighters during his stint as a helicopter gunner in Afghanistan, it can be reported after he completed his tour of duty on January 21, 2013. On Tuesday, July 24, 2012, British prosecutors announced charges against eight people alleged to have been involved in a phone hacking scheme with more than 600 targets. That brings to more than 60 the number of claims that Murdoch's UK newspaper company has dealt with in the scandal that has already brought down a 168-year-old tabloid and threatened Murdoch's global media empire. - huffingtonpost.com

www.huffingtonpost.com

Monday 08 July 2013, PM

Pity the BBC if the moneymen start to run the show - Media - The Observer

The BBC fought long and hard to keep the National Audit Office out of its files and board papers. The BBC is a hybrid organisation, one foot in the mire of Whitehall, one foot on the Palladium stage. David Abraham, the boss of Channel4, earned 744,000 in 2013 Tony Hall, the new director general, gets 450,000 basic. - guardian.co.uk

BBC News - Microsoft to close MSN TV service

It was the predecessor of many modern internet TV services and requires a significant amount of hardware including a set-top box and bespoke keyboard. It enables customers to check email, use MSN chat services and share photos online. Now however there are numerous devices - including Microsoft's Xbox and all the other major games consoles - that connect the TV and the web. - bbc.co.uk

BBC - FAQs - DAB Reception Falmouth - TR11 TR12 post codes

This appears to be affecting the TR11 and TR12 postcodes only. - faq.external.bbc.co.uk

faq.external.bbc.co.uk

Saturday 06 July 2013, PM

Pay TV customers believe top Freeview channels should be free - Media news - Media Week

TV habits viewers want main channels to be free According to the YouGov research, Freeview channels were ranked 5th among the things the British public thought should be free on the survey, behind free radio 92 per cent and emergency healthcare 97 per cent. Even those who choose to pay for TV, 90 per cent of Sky customers and 91 per cent of Virgin Media customers, upheld the view. TV is a key source of news and information and should therefore not be underestimated. - mediaweek.co.uk

www.mediaweek.co.uk

BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button 6-13 July

Action at SW19 always goes by in a daze of shocks, strawberries and Sue Barker, so catch your breath and enjoy the chance to relive the highlights. In 15 short films, the high-flying females who were all featured on Womans Hour Power List 2013 offer tips about how to stay ambitious, resilient and connected in business while seeking to achieve that often elusive work/life balance. For answers to frequently asked questions about BBC Red Button, see our information page. - bbc.co.uk

Friday 05 July 2013, PM

Freeview boss: 15-20 per cent of UK wonâ€™t have broadband by 2020 - Recombu

Freeview managing director Ilse Howling has revealed that she doesnt expect universal broadband access will be achieved in 2020. Howling said If you look forward to 2020, I dont know about your predictions are for how many homes will have broadband by 2020, but it won't be universal. Internet literacy is one barrier to broadband take up that is often overlooked when considering universal provision of superfast broadband. - recombu.com

recombu.com

Feedback: How impartial is the BBC? 5 Jul 13

Pure and Halfords make DAB+ in-dash radio : Radio Today

A higher-end version, the Highway H260DBi also comes with wireless streaming, hands free calling via Bluetooth and customisable button lighting which allows users to match the radio to dashboard illumination. The launch of the Highway products marks the first fruits of an exclusive partnership that began a year ago with the aim of bringing to market products that would accelerate DAB listening and sales a market they say is worth an estimated 2 billion. - radiotoday.co.uk

Jazz FM delays Digital One DAB commitment : Radio Today

The national station has until the end of the year to work out its future either developing its international online listenership or continuing to grow its UK digital audience via Digital One. In the meantime, Digital One has advertised for a provider to run a jazz, soul and blues music station in case Jazz FM decides not to renew its contract, as the multiplex operator will need an alternative on stand-by. Jazz FMs audiences are up 36 per-cent year on year and we intend to maintain that momentum. - radiotoday.co.uk

Ofcom - Letters to the BBC and Arqiva on co-operation regarding capacity on Multiplex C

The relevant capacity on Multiplex C is available for only a limited period of time, and this presented an opportunity for TV viewers to be able to see additional content of high profile, popular summer events. The co-operation between the BBC and Ariqva concerning access to transmission capacity requires Ofcom's consent. Notice of Ofcom's decision is set out in the letters at the two web links below. - licensing.ofcom.org.uk

licensing.ofcom.org.uk

Friday 05 July 2013, AM

Freeview bigger than Jesus, says the UK - Recombu

Freeview is more valued by Britons than the Church of England according to a recent YouGov survey. The survey, taken on behalf of Freeview asked a sample crowd of 2,066 UK adults to rate 14 well loved British institutions out of ten with ten being the highest mark. The data is broken down into two tables representing a poll of both Freeview viewers and a total sample of everyone surveyed. - recombu.com

recombu.com

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, The Invention of Radio

Burns, Communications An International History of the Formative Years. - bbc.co.uk

Thursday 04 July 2013, PM

Media Talk podcast: BBC bias and payoffs row

download.guardian.co.uk

Wednesday 03 July 2013, PM

Media: BBC Trust and exec pay; murder trials on TV; delay for press reform

Monday 01 July 2013, PM

Ericcson Buys UK-Headquartered Red Bee Media

Swedens Ericsson is doubling down on its digital media business after it announced that it has agreed to buy UK-headquartered Red Bee Media for an undisclosed sum. Those additions will take Ericsson past 4,000 employees in the UK and, with one-third of its British workforce involved in media services, it says that the country will become its global media hub. Ericssons core business is enabling services for operators and, in bulking up on creative content and media, it is aiming to help its customers deliver more compelling services and products, particularly around video. - thenextweb.com

thenextweb.com

Comic Relief archbishop of Canterbury sketch cleared by watchdog - Media - guardian.co.uk

Rowan Atkinsons archbishop of Canterbury sketch for Comic Relief did not breach the broadcasting code, Ofcom has ruled. The sketch was broadcast before the 9pm watershed on 15 March as part of BBC1's Comic Relief marathon, which raised 75m. The media regulator investigated the programme on grounds of offensive language and generally accepted standards. - guardian.co.uk

Monday 01 July 2013, AM

YouView chief Richard Halton: 'Our numbers are much better than Sky' - Media - The Guardian

In that sense it might have been the right time to move on and that might have been in the back of his mind. About 400,000 households have YouView, and with BT and TalkTalk offering the 249 set-top box free that number is climbing rapidly, with 2.2m video-on-demand views a week. The recent launch of an Android version of a remote record app, on top of the existing Apple app, means Halton is confident that YouView is technologically firing on all cylinders. - guardian.co.uk

TV commissioning is just a bad joke - Media - The Guardian

I felt like a spare part while decisions were being made without me. A sitcom is like a delicately spiced soup. Out of us six I was the only one to actually have a pilot made. - guardian.co.uk