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

www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk

Wednesday 03 August 2011, PM

MediaTel: Newsline: Is the Grand Prix deal the shape of things to come at the BBC?

Disgruntled petrol heads were quick to work through the implications that from next year the BBC will be showing only half the schedule of F1 races live with Sky showing the lot. Think how much money could be saved if you just sat Paxman down to do a single interview and ditched the rest. The seven-year Grand Prix deal may be messy and less than ideal but it is the clearest indication so far of what a 20 cut in revenues will mean in reality for the BBC. - mediatel.co.uk

mediatel.co.uk

IT Law in Ireland: Site Blocking: What the UK Government would prefer you not to see

It's well known that internet blocking is easy to circumvent. Updated - 1.15pm The full, unredacted version now appears on Scribd. Text in italics was not redacted but appears for context pp.28-29 Robustness Bypassing IP address blocking is technically straightforward for those who have an incentive to do so. - tjmcintyre.com

www.tjmcintyre.com

This is Scunthorpe - Rush to upgrade TVs as digital switchover starts today

TV shops and aerial technicians say there has been a surge in residents heading to the shops to replace old television sets for the switchover which will see old analogue signals that have been used for decades finally turned off. Picture Carl Gac The region's first stage of the switchover starts today and will affect viewers whose signal comes from Belmont Tower in Lincolnshire. The first phase will see the analogue signal for BBC2 being switched off, and replaced with a number of digital frequencies. - thisisscunthorpe.co.uk

Lincoln digital switchover begins

Analogue signals are being turned off in Lincoln and across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, as the first phase of the digital switchover begins on August 3. Homes already watching Freeview will need to retune their TVs and boxes in order to regain BBC services, which will be missing this morning. Switchover began in the early hours when analogue BBC Two was permanently turned off at the Belmont transmitter group, which serves 712,000 homes. - thelincolnite.co.uk

thelincolnite.co.uk

Cheapest Freeview HD Box Now Available From Â£20 - ITProPortal.com

The price of Freeview HD boxes has significantly fallen over the past few months with the cheapest set top box currently on sale for as little as 19.97, hardly more expensive than a bog standard Freeview one. It comes with an HDMI cable, which is a rarity, and a standard seven day electronic programme guide, and a slim chassis that will allow it to fit almost anywhere. It does have an Ethernet port although we haven't found out what it will be used for possibly for streaming services and firmware updates. - itproportal.com

www.itproportal.com

The perils of internet radio - James Cridland

The perils of internet radio Posted on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011 at 1215 pm. A friend of mine sends me this iPad screenshot, above, showing the marvellous TuneIn Radio app, overlaid with his data usage. Ah, he said, so this is why my 1GB data allowance has ran out after half a month. I must remember to not stream Absolute 90s overnight when having late night parties in Cornwall. - james.cridland.net

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Ofcom 'Site Blocking' to reduce online copyright infringement [pdf]

- stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Wednesday 03 August 2011, AM

Free fitting on an in-car digital radio - Radio Today

During August, as a reader of Radio Today, you can get free fitting at Halfords when you buy an in-car digital radio head unit. Halfords have just announced plans to phase out sales of analogue-only car radios, expand their range of digital radios, and advertise on national radio for the first time. At the end of this year they are also looking to introduce the first behind-the-dashboard adapters that allow you to receive digital radio but still use your existing analogue radio controls and no trailing wires. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Legal change for personal CD ripping

3 August 2011 Last updated at 0426 ET Plans to block websites that host copyright infringing material are to be dumped by the government. In the past week, the Motion Picture Association - a group representing film studios - successfully applied for a court injunction requiring BT to block access to an infringing website called Newzbin2. Speaking to the BBC, Vince Cable appeared to suggest that the Newzbin2 case had opened up other legal avenues. - bbc.co.uk

Tuesday 02 August 2011, PM

BBC June 2011 iPlayer Performance Pack

Which shows did people watch and listen to most often on TV iPlayer - bbc.co.uk

'Illegal file-sharing' solicitors fined Â£20,000 each - August - 2011 - Which? News

02 August 2011 A former and existing partner from law firm Davenport Lyons were fined 20,000 each for sending intimidating letters to consumers they had accused of illegal file sharing. Both men have been ordered to pay interim costs of 150,000 to the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA to cover some its costs for bringing the case to prosecution. The letters demanded the recipients pay approximately 500 in compensation or face the threat of legal proceedings. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

Vince Cable: government plans to block illegal filesharing sites unworkable - Technology - guardian.co.uk

Vince Cable outlining governments response to Hargreaves report on future of UK copyright law. Outlining the government's response to the Hargreaves report on the future of UK copyright law, Cable is also expected to announce legislation to sweep away restrictive rules on file copying and parody works. Cable will row back on one of the act's most contentious measures introducing legislation to block access to copyright-infringing websites and instead suggest that the existing Copyrights, Design and Patents Act is powerful enough. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

PCTV NanoStick T2 USB TV tuner - reghardware

Review Ten years ago, investing in a PC TV tuner seemed a neat way of watching while you work integrating the gogglebox with laptop or desktop duties. One good reason is that if you're on the move and you miss your telly, then using a dedicated tuner, rather than streaming, isn't going to cost you dearly for mobile data usage. Another plus point is that the Nanostick is a rather rare beast among portable tuners, as it is capabable of receving Freeview HD channels. - reghardware.com

www.reghardware.com

Revealed: How Anthony Rose Plans To Revolutionise TV

I have seen the future of TV and it is called Zeebox. Owners of compatible connected TVs can flip channel straight from the app, as though it were a remote control. Although the command takes place over the internet, the change happens as quick as or quicker than some standard infrared remotes. - paidcontent.org

paidcontent.org

Ofcom will not force Virgin Media to open broadband ducts - uSwitch.com

Virgin Media will not be forced to open up its cable broadband ducts for use by other service providers, much to BT's annoyance. Ofcom ruled that there is no need for Virgin Media to offer wholesale access to its cable network, as the firm does not have significant market power SMP. By contrast, the media regulator ordered BT to open up its broadband ducts and poles to other broadband providers in January 2011. - uswitch.com

www.uswitch.com

Ariel - The Minute

'Most stories we do are three sentences long,' explains Nicky Schiller. The sbj is recalling a decade of working at 60seconds, the tv bulletin that initially provoked horror and ridicule for cutting the day's news to a minute. Originally launched in 2001, during the days of BBC Choice, 60seconds' first big story was the 9/11 attacks, for which it was specially extended. - bbc.co.uk

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Ofcom Digital Switchover Timetable version 3

- licensing.ofcom.org.uk

licensing.ofcom.org.uk

Ofcom DVB-T2 Transmission Mode on Multiplex B

- stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Monday 01 August 2011, PM

What's On BBC Red Button 1st - 15th August

Once again optional expert commentary will be supplied by conductor Peter Stark. On weekends the tone becomes more conversational when Red Button viewers can watch a topical interview in 'Five Minutes with...' or a round-up of the week's weird and wonderful videos in OddBox. CBeebies Red Button is available now on the CBeebies channel, and via page 5900 on other channels. - bbc.co.uk

Lies, statistics, and anti-DAB campaigners - James Cridland

In a depressingly familiar blog posting somewhere on the internet its now been removed, a content producer for a bunch of radio stations shows how easy it is for people even radio people to get confused with new Ofcom research about the take-up of digital radio. He posts in italics 8.5 million radios were bought last year in the UK but only 22 had a DAB tuner. Why are 78 of people who go and buy a new radio opting for just FM and AM coverage - james.cridland.net

Digital switchover to start in east Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

31 July 2011 Last updated at 1237 ET The digital switchover is to begin in east Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, as analogue signals are turned off. The switchover happen in two stages, with the first stage beginning in the early hours of 3 August. BBC Two will cease broadcasting in analogue and BBC digital channels will become available for the first time to those watching on local relay channels. - bbc.co.uk

Analyst Speak - Can YouView survive in face of rising competition? - Opinion - New Media Age

Sorry, were not currently accepting new online subscriptions to nma.co.uk. - nma.co.uk

www.nma.co.uk

UKTV unveils Really campaign - Advertising news - Campaign

As part of the outdoor ad campaign six- and 10-sheet posters have been booked in pairs on the London Underground so that it appears as though they are pointing or labelling people sat below with programme titles such as 'Pregnant Man' and 'Bridezillas'. It will replace the time-shifted channel Dave ja vu and sit directly below Dave at channel 20. Really will be the third UKTV channel on Freeview. - campaignlive.co.uk

www.campaignlive.co.uk

Friday 29 July 2011, PM

Ofcom cuts and advertises More FM licence - Radio Today

Ofcom has shortened the licence period for Somerset station Total Star by one year, and has re-advertised the licence. The regulator found the station deliberately transmitting at several times above its permitted power level, meaning the licence will now expire in July 2012. Ofcom said that the breach was serious because of its scale, the length of time for which it continued, the public safety risk it could have posed, and the overall failure of the licensee to maintain control of its service. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

UKTV set for VoD, HD channel launches

C21Media.net is Everything about content in the 21st Century, from television to web, mobile, tablet and beyond. - c21media.net

www.c21media.net

BBC News - Shift in balance of power between Sky and Murdochs

Revenues were 16 higher at 6.6bn in the past year. The dividend is being increased 20 and the total number of Sky customers - for TV, broadband and telephony - is 10.3m, up from 9.9m. BSkyB is handing 750m of cash back to shareholders. - bbc.co.uk

Ariel - Kim Shillinglaw new head of 3D

The commissioning editor for science and natural history will take on the responsibilities - which involve shaping and delivering Vision's strategy for production and broadcasting in 3D in all genres - alongside her current role. Shillinglaw will replace outgoing executive Danielle Nagler, who is leaving in September for a City law firm. Director of archive content Roly Keating said in staff email 'Kim is ideally placed to understand the challenges and opportunities in this area and I know she will be a real champion of developing the best ideas which really lend themselves to 3D capture, as well as the innovative partnerships and business models we'll need to explore.' - bbc.co.uk

Friday 29 July 2011, AM

Torchwood ignited by 1.8m PVR boost - In-depth - 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

Who killed Google TV?

There will be a second life for Google TV, but one wonders how Logitech will be part of it. Today's dismal Logitech earnings, in which Google TV-based Revue played henchman, shows just how difficult the marriage between television and Internet can be. For example, in a 12,000 person survey of two major commercial streaming services, 12 percent of Netflix users watch content from their Xbox -- 13 percent for PS3 and 25 percent for Wii. - betanews.com

www.betanews.com

Thursday 28 July 2011, PM

Shillinglaw named BBC 3D boss - 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.thisislincolnshire.co.uk

This is Lincolnshire - Analogue TV users in Lincolnshire to temporarily lose part of service

People in the Lincoln area will lose BBC Two in the early hours of Wednesday morning as it is replaced with a digital broadcast. The same day, North Kesteven residents with analogue televisions will lose BBC Two. People in West Lindsey will go through the first stage on Sunday, September 7, and the second stage on Sunday, September 21. - thisislincolnshire.co.uk

Gaelic TV's a turn-off for fans of radio - Scotsman.com News

- news.scotsman.com

news.scotsman.com

Ofcom: Digital Radio Report

This is Ofcoms second annual Digital Progress Report covering developments in the digital radio market. Ofcom was asked in the plan to publish an annual report on the availability and take-up of digital radio services. The plan emphasises that digital radio switchover should begin only when the market is ready and that it should be predominantly consumer-led. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Thursday 28 July 2011, AM

SES Contracts New Capacity with ITV - Business Wire

The long-term agreement provides for the renewal of ITV's existing capacity and for additional capacity to support future development with ITV's channel offer. We are delighted to have signed this agreement with ITV. The satellite fleet currently comprises 17 satellites which deliver services to more than 135 million households and transmit more than 2,500 television and radio channels. - businesswire.com

www.businesswire.com

BBC iPlayer goes global with iPad app launch in 11 countries - Technology - guardian.co.uk

The US, Canada and Australia will follow later this year, as part of what is intended to be a one-year pilot. The service will offer a limited amount of content for free, supported by pre-roll ads and sponsorship, but its core business model is subscription, with users paying 6.99 6.14 a month or 49.99 a year. Their focus will be on pulling together themed collections around specific shows or special events. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Wednesday 27 July 2011, PM

Welsh DAB multiplex loses its Voice - Radio Today

A statement on the website for the Rhymney-based station reads It is with regret that we inform you our listeners that Voice Radio has stopped broadcasting as of midnight on July 20th 2011. Due to lack of funding the station will sadly close its door on the 31st July 2011. We would like to thank you all for your continued support over the last 5 years which made this station such a great success. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Top Up TV to offer Sky Sports 1

www.dtg.org.uk

DVB-T2-Lite a case of the BBC reinventing the wheel? - James Cridland

Listen, thank you, BBC, for linking to an old blog of mine on their five biggest stories of the week feature. This is important not just because of the areas of poor bandwidth the mobile mapping experiment is looking into, but says James Cridland 3G bandwidth is too expensive for even casual radio listening. Yes, broadcast is really important if we want to reach people in a mobile environment. - james.cridland.net

Press releases - Programme press releases - ITV Interim results - ITV Press Centre

Net debt improved to 52m from 188m at year end. Cost saving programme is on track to deliver 15m of savings in 2011. ITV Player now launched on Android phones, Apple devices and Freesat. - itv.com

www.itv.com

Ariel - Reasoned debate at last

Indeed before this Review I would have half expected this piece to appear on one side of a page opposite James Delingpole's objections. Agreeing with Professor Jones's views on this, the Trust has stated that a 'false balance between well-established fact and opinion must be avoided'. That most wholly inaccurate and dangerous belief was down to the media's obsession with 'balancing' every interview with a medical scientist defending the safety of the vaccine with someone against. - bbc.co.uk

Wednesday 27 July 2011, AM

UPDATE 1-ITV says ad sales fall, sees slowing decline in next months - Reuters

The company, which is one year into a five-year transformation plan under new management, on Wednesday reported a 4 percent increase in total external revenue to 1.03 billion pounds 1.7 billion for the first half of the year. Its shares fell 1.3 percent to 67.1 pence in early trading. The broadcaster, whose top programmes include talent show the X Factor and long-running soap Coronation Street, increased its audience share share of commercial impacts by 1 percent to 40 percent. - reuters.com

www.reuters.com

ITV Player launches on Freesat - 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

Tuesday 26 July 2011, PM

ITV Player beta now available on Humax Freesat boxes - What Satellite Digital TV

TechRadaris part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. - wotsat.techradar.com

wotsat.techradar.com

Regulator to act over BSkyB movies business - FT.com

Printed from http//www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c18ea3d2-b790-11e0-b95d-00144feabdc0.html Print a single copy of this article for personal use. - ft.com

www.ft.com

BBC3 on-demand viewing exceeds original broadcast - 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

Freeview+ HD PVR group test

issuu.com

Yesterday journeys back to the 60s

C21Media.net is Everything about content in the 21st Century, from television to web, mobile, tablet and beyond. - c21media.net

www.c21media.net

Monday 25 July 2011, PM

BBC: full service cuts unlikely - 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