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

Channel 5 under fire from independent producers for 'disappointing' treatment - Media - guardian.co.uk

Wave of discontent Richard Desmond's Channel 5 has been criticised by independent producers. On all three issues, critical to the survival of small businesses, it scores a poor 0.9 to 1, out of a possible 2.5. Pact explains that supplier companies say they have to wait 120 days for payment after delivery, compared with 30 days at indie favourite Channel 4 and that they are being squeezed on rights ownership, as more programmes are being advertiser financed, usually by Channel M, part of WPP. - guardian.co.uk

New sports, rock, talk station to launch : Radio Today

A new DAB radio station is set to launch in Central Scotland offering sports talk and rock music all rolled into one. Its an opportunity weve been looking at for some time, Spencer told RadioToday. Initially we thought of purchasing one of the Scottish stations that are going to have to be divested from the Global/Real and Smooth combine to satisfy Competition Commission ownership criteria. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Thursday 30 May 2013, PM

BBC News - How the Coronation kick-started the love of television

How did the coronation turn it into the mass medium that shaped our lives It was the first event to rattle radio's cage. In the UK, nearly eight million people tuned in at home, while 10 million crowded into other people's houses to watch. - bbc.co.uk

Evening Standard TV 'needs good slot on Virgin Media EPG' - Media - guardian.co.uk

He said that there was also an issue for other local TV operators broadcasting in Wales and Scotland, where on Freeview the slots offered rank at 45, versus operators in England being given channel 8. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk

BBC News - HTML5 webpage locks would stifle innovation

30 May 2013 Last updated at 0708 ET Innovation could be stunted by plans to include ways to digitally lock media in the web's core technology, rights campaigners warn. The locks could also limit ability to share images and videos, the Electronic Frontier Foundation EFF said. Its warning came in formal objections to plans to include rights management in the HTML5 formatting language. - bbc.co.uk

LBC removed from Glasgow s DAB multiplex : Radio Today

In September 2012 the radio industry commercial and BBC announced that the best way forward for digital roll out and to speed up coverage was to focus on local and national multiplexes. Tags dab, featured, full-image, global radio, lbc 97.3 Category Industry News - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

C5 and cashflow worry indies - News - Broadcast

30 May, 2013 By Balihar Khalsa The failure of broadcasters to understand indies cashflow pressures is the production sectors biggest concern, according to a Pact survey of its members. 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

YouView in nearly 400,000 homes since it launched eight months ago - Media - guardian.co.uk

Bringing in the bacon Peppa Pig is the most played on-demand show on YouView. The 299 set-top box is also available at high street retailers, including John Lewis. In the summer, the player will add internet subscription channels to its programme guide alongside 70 traditional channels like BBC1 and ITV. - guardian.co.uk

Thursday 30 May 2013, AM

BBC mulls DMI alternatives - News - Broadcast

30 May, 2013 By Jake Kanter, George Bevir Industry execs warn off-the-shelf solutions will add millions to cost of failed digital project. The BBC could face a bill of many more millions of pounds if it attempts to salvage what remains of the Digital Media Initiative (DMI) by purchasing off-the-shelf technology. - broadcastnow.co.uk

Wednesday 29 May 2013, PM

Ariel - Trust clears BBC of iPlayer preference for Apple platform

This, the complainant believed, meant that the BBC had failed in its obligation to provide content to all licence fee payers, regardless of the operating platform or device. It concluded that 'there were clear reasons why, at that time, iOS was prioritised' and these were consistent with the BBC's obligations under the Charter. Simultaneous launch iPlayer launched simultaneously for Android and Apple products in February 2011, with the intention that the platforms would be treated equally. - bbc.co.uk

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Media: How the media covered the Woolwich attack

downloads.bbc.co.uk

Ofcom - Online Copyright Infringement Tracker Wave 3

Published 280513 This report details the main findings of the third wave of a large-scale consumer tracking study into the extent of online copyright infringement, as well as wider digital behaviours and attitudes, among people aged 12 in the UK. It is the third in a series of research waves intended to generate benchmarks and time series relevant to the access and use of copyright material online. It also outlines the foundations of the research and a detailed description of the methodology employed. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

ARQIVA REDEFINES IPTV FOR FREEVIEW

Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media service company, has announced the addition of Box TV to its Connect TV platform. Connect TV enables broadcasters to provide the Freeview audience with an enhanced TV experience: more choice, more functionality and more content. Connect TV can deliver content to the Freeview EPG as a single channel, channel portal, hybrid DTT and IP channel and can support pay. The platform’s reporting and analytics enable broadcasters to gain a much deeper insight into how their audiences are viewing and interacting with their channels

www.arqiva.com

Ariel - BBC radio to be available for downloads

Listeners can currently stream radio output via iPlayer for up to seven days after broadcast. They can also download clips and edited podcasts, the latter of which provide access to 6 of original output. But, for the first time, most radio shows can be downloaded in full from next year. - bbc.co.uk

Bad subtitles: share your photos - Media - guardian.co.uk

Share your pictures on GuardianWitness by clicking on the blue 'contribute' button. Contribute your video, pictures and stories, and browse news, reviews and creations submitted by others. - guardian.co.uk

Tuesday 28 May 2013, AM

David Dimbleby: lack of older women on TV is a 'crazy loss of talent' - Media - The Guardian

David Dimbleby, once described as a charming dinosuar, says age should not be a factor for women appearing on television. For too long, said the 74-year-old BBC presenter and commentator, the industry believed that youth was the key to winning and increasing audiences. If you look at American TV you'll find it keeps women at work. - guardian.co.uk

Monday 27 May 2013, AM

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR FREESAT AWARDS 2013

Freesat, the subscription-free satellite TV service, announced today the channels and programmes that have been shortlisted for the Freesat Awards 2013. Now in its fifth year, the Freesat Awards showcase and celebrate the TV that Britain loves. - freesat.co.uk

www.freesat.co.uk

UK Sky apps hacked -- uninstall immediately!

It may be a national holiday weekend in the UK, marked with a traditional barbecue and a couple too many beers, but hackers are not taking a break. Broadcaster and news outlet Sky is apparently reporting that all of its Android apps have been compromised and users are advised to remove them immediately. The hack appears to have been pushed out via a series of forced updates and the fact that the app listings were tampered with in such an obvious way means that this was an attack designed to be noticed. - betanews.com

betanews.com

Sunday 26 May 2013, PM

BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button - 25 May - 1 Jun

Press the Red Button for 'as live' Big Weekend performances on SaturdayandSunday evening times below. Join the Springwatch 2013team as they capture the most dramatic events in nature and celebrate our wildlife. For information on timings see the BBC Sport website. - bbc.co.uk

Sunday 26 May 2013, AM

BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - The BBC announces the closure of the Digital Media Initiative - DMI

The blog below provides some background on DMI. DMIs digital archive system would help production teams find content from the BBCs vast archive. In addition, new digital production and desktop tools would help ensure future content and data could be captured, edited and made available at each step of the production process. Since its inception five years ago, DMI has proved to be a challenging project and even as services have been rolled out they have had to be adapted in response to user feedback. - bbc.co.uk

Friday 24 May 2013, PM

Box TV channels now available online - CMU: Complete Music Update

Box TV, the music television company co-owned by Bauer and Channel 4, has announced that its telly services will now also be available online. In addition to that, Freeview viewers will now be able to access the Magic, Kiss and Kerrang music channels, in addition to the existing flagship 4Music service, by pressing the red button while watching 4Music programmes. Were offering innovative, editorially curated and legal alternatives to pirate internet TV services and are giving our advertisers exciting new opportunities to market their brands and products. - thecmuwebsite.com

www.thecmuwebsite.com

Media Talk podcast: Woolwich attack coverage and Boris ban lifted

Thursday 23 May 2013, PM

Now picks up Freesat advertising business - Advertising news - Campaign

Freesat appointed Now The shop won the business after a pitch that involved agencies including the incumbent, VCCP. Now will develop a campaign to promote Freesats offer in a market that has become increasingly competitive due to the launch of YouView and Freeviews significant marketing spend. - campaignlive.co.uk

www.campaignlive.co.uk

Thursday 23 May 2013, AM

Incoming BBC news director promises action for more on-air female journalists

The lack of female television presenters over the age of 50 has been highlighted in the news media this month. The BBC has also faced criticism over a shortfall of women interviewees in stories broadcast on its news programmes. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Wednesday 22 May 2013, PM

Media: Loss of listeners to Radio 1 22 May 13

downloads.bbc.co.uk

Smart TV failing the connectivity test

Smart TVs are lagging behind laptops, desktops and set-top boxes when it comes to consumers deciding how to connect their TV sets to the internet. YouGovs Connected TV tracker shows that half 50 of consumers like the idea of accessing online content through their TVs. However, although 13 of the population owned a smart TV as of Q1 2013, fewer than half currently using one of the devices as their primary means of accessing online content. - broadbandtvnews.com

www.broadbandtvnews.com

Local TV Association elects chair - News - Broadcast

Former ITV News editor and Teachers TV founder Nigel Dacre has been elected as the first chair of the Local TV Association. - broadcastnow.co.uk

BBC may charge Sky for content as retransmission fee row escalates - Media - guardian.co.uk

The BBC may charge BSkyB for content from its channels if the satellite broadcaster does not drop retransmission fees. The BBC pays 5m a year, with the four public service broadcasters footing a combined 10m bill. It follows a call by the culture minister, Ed Vaizey, for Sky to scrap the charges earlier this year. - guardian.co.uk

BT Tower is just a relic? Wrong: It relays 18,000hrs of telly daily â€¢ The Register

The tower in 2009 before the dishes were removed Credit David Castor In an era of transistor radios as a fashion accessory, the space race, and the arrival of Doctor Who, this alien cylinder of glass and metal stood proud. It was also designed to operate through the white heat of a nuclear apocalypse. Its got a war room underneath, but the shutters on that underground bunker were brought down after a half-arsed bomb attack on the revolving restaurant at the top of the tower in 1971. - theregister.co.uk

www.theregister.co.uk

Wednesday 22 May 2013, AM

BBC2 and Channel 4 ratings down after corporation's daytime revamp - Media - guardian.co.uk

Flog It BBC2's ratings have been affected by increasing numbers of repeats. Just a week after Channel 4 defended bonuses paid out to senior executives despite not meeting audience targets in 2012, figures show that ratings for the broadcaster's main terrestrial network have fallen this year too, even among younger viewers. In the first four months of 2013, Channel 4's share of total UK viewing dropped to 6.0, compared with 6.8 during the same time period last year. - guardian.co.uk

Company behind Bid and Price Drop shopping channels found to have made misleading price claims and product descriptions

The company behind the shopping channels Bid and Price Drop could have its broadcast licence revoked after being found to have consistently made misleading price claims and product descriptions. Ofcom, which has accepted the referral, also has powers to fine the company up to 250,000 or 5 per cent of revenue. Sit-Up Ltd is the licensee for three free-to-air teleshopping channels, two of which are being referred Bid and Price Drop. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Monday 20 May 2013, PM

BBC must improve online offering - News - Broadcast

The BBC has been told to improve the usability of its websites, provide more links to external content and boost local news coverage in a wide-ranging review of its digital services. - broadcastnow.co.uk

Ariel - BBC Trust: Online must improve local pages

Spending cut However it has fallen short of its targets for audience reach 65 and audience appreciation AI 80. Weekly reach has grown to 60 among online adults but average AIs dropped to 78, partly due to site relaunches. News, iPlayer and Sport were the most popular areas with 20.3m, 14.7m and 13.4m unique browsers per week respectively. - bbc.co.uk

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/online/six-of-of-10-uk-internet-users-access-bbc-website--but-even-that-is-below

The BBC website has failed to hit its target of reaching 65 per cent of the UK adult online population by 2013, an official report revealed today. Despite a surge in the use of BBC Online during last summer's London Olympics, the number of users then fell and is currently at around 60 per cent of adults with internet access, a similar level to late 2010. The report also revealed that audience appreciation index AI figures have fallen from a high of 83 in 2008 to 78 in 2013. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

Sunday 19 May 2013, PM

Google TV: silent but not forgotten at I/O 2013 - The Verge

It's easy to miss the Google TV booth here at I/O 2013, hidden in the corner of the third floor. That may not be an accident there was apparently no room in the company's sprawling three-and-a-half-hour keynote to mention Google TV, either, just a short blog post hours later announcing that it now runs the latest version of Android. Google has killed plenty of products with many more fans than Google TV will it go the way of Reader - theverge.com

www.theverge.com

Saturday 18 May 2013, AM

BBC - Blogs - Internet blog - What's on BBC Red Button - May 18-25

On Friday 24 May, press the red button between 8pm and 2am to watch bands from the Main Stage and 1Xtra Arena. The BBC reserves the right to select only some of the messages and pictures for publication. If you are under the age of 16, you must obtain your parent's permission before submitting your comment/photo. - bbc.co.uk

BBC News - Phone cost confusion putting off callers, Ofcom says

Markham Sivak, who is leading the review, said research had found some phone users believed costs were higher and so decided not to make vital calls. The system of phone number prefixes has built up over the years as the technology has advanced. Ever since numbers moved from solely simple area codes, a whole host of new numbers and charging structures have evolved. - bbc.co.uk

Friday 17 May 2013, PM

Ofcom to crack down on sloppy subtitles - Media - guardian.co.uk

Ofcom highlighted poor subtitles with the example of a BBC weather forecast. Viewers are able to switch on a subtitles option for most TV programmes across 70 channels, with about 7.6 million UK adults saying they have used this service. Of these about 1.4 million people have hearing impairments and rely on the service. - guardian.co.uk

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

The quality of live subtitling Improving the viewer experience

Since 2005, there has been a welcome increase in the range and amount of subtitled television programming provided by broadcasters. As a result, viewers with hearing impairments now have (and expect) access to a far wider choice of programming.

Friday 17 May 2013, AM

Media Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million

Media Talk podcast: Nick Grimshaw and the missing million