Here's what's new

See all James Cridland's articles And here it is - Media UK v5. The layout is neater, flows better on wider screens try resizing your screen wider and then smaller and see what happens, and allows us much more opportunity to control our look and feel in the future. You'll use this to control any email alerts you get from Media UK shortly - we've temporarily disabled new signups while we continue to work on the backend. - mediauk.com

www.mediauk.com

Jeremy Hunt confirms major shift in local TV policy - Media - guardian.co.uk

Jeremy Hunt previously championed the idea of launching a network of local TV services. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published a summary of the 140 responses to its consultation on local TV. A number of the submissions are understood to have opposed the national network and played a part in Hunt's rethink, as MediaGuardian.co.uk revealed last month. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Now Digital requests to extend multiplex - Radio Today

Ofcom has published a consultation on Now Digitals request to extend the coverage area of one of its local radio multiplex licence. Now Digital wants to extend the Exeter Torbay multiplex further to include North Devon. It says that it will launch the first of these within six months of Ofcom granting consent to its request, and the latter two six months after a positive decision in 2013 by Government regarding digital switchover. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Bubbling mud, DAB, and DAB+ - James Cridland

Apologies, but I suspect thisll be even more technical but its hopefully interesting. This is supposed to be like, so Ive been told, the experience on DAB though my experience in Australia was that the squeaks and burbles were just as audible. Well, heres how it works, according to a correspondent to this blog. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

Proposal to axe some BBC2 daytime shows to save money 'gaining traction' - Media - guardian.co.uk

Mark Thompson made the suggestion on BBC2 daytime shows in March. A fortnight ago senior managers met in Caversham to begin the process of whittling down the large number of suggestions put forward, including the one about BBC2 daytime. He plans to cut 20 from budgets across the BBC. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Digital switchover begins in Edinburgh - Edinburgh News - STV Local

The change began when the analogue BBC Two signal from the Craigkelly transmitter was turned off early this morning. The switchover will be completed on June 15, when all the remaining analogue channels will cease to transmit. The Switchover Help Scheme is still welcoming applications from eligible older and disabled people to get help to convert one television, including a choice of equipment, installation and aftercare. - local.stv.tv

local.stv.tv

Ofcom - Review of procedures for handling broadcasting complaints, cases and sanctions

Final statement published 010611 Introduction 1.1 Ofcom is the body in the UK responsible for issuing licences to television and radio broadcasters. Ofcom also regulates the BBC's and S4C's obligations in relation to content standards and fairness and privacy. When investigating whether a broadcaster has breached its relevant obligations, Ofcom follows certain published procedures. - stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

What is UltraViolet and why should you care? - The Register

Cable companies and telcos are already members, including BT and BSkyB. It's really a wholesale platform, designed so that if you have a free UV account, you'll pay once and then watch a movie anywhere. The optical media you've just bought becomes your instant backup disc. - theregister.co.uk

www.theregister.co.uk

A week listening to… BBC Radio 1Xtra - Television radio - guardian.co.uk

Tim Westwood a 53-year-old vicar's son from East Anglia. Poor Sarah, once breakfast show queen now relegated to emergency DJ last Monday she hosted three hours of waffle launching a two-day festival 1Xtra is hosting in Hackney in 2012. The programme, broadcast live from inside the Olympic park, was supposed to be co-hosted by regular mid-morning smooth talker Trevor Nelson but because he'd been delayed in traffic Cox had to fill for almost the entire show a task, considering that she hasn't stopped talking since 1996, she did with aplomb. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

In the air: Wild ideas to solve Sky News problem - Markets Analysis

- thisislondon.co.uk

www.thisislondon.co.uk

Cable Forum: Police warn against using chipped set top boxes

The warning came after the final member of a gang found guilty of modifying and selling illegal boxes was jailed for six years at Birmingham Crown Court. Subhan Ali, 29, of Turner Street, in the Sparkbook area of Birmingham, was busted along with three others during a Police raid in 2008 in which more than 2,000 modified, or chipped boxes were recovered. Dave Farrell, of West Midlands Police, vowed that the fight against fraudulent cable TV viewing would go on and that users of chipped boxes have as much to fear from the law as those that modify the boxes in the first place. - cableforum.co.uk

www.cableforum.co.uk

UK RadioPlayer releases its first figures - James Cridland

With all of UK radio in one place, the Radio Player is something that fascinates overseas radio people as youll see from this writeup of one of my recent keynote speeches from California. Coming together to provide one voice for radio is something I speak a lot about for good reason because it grows all of radio as a result. The UK RadioPlayer known here simply as Radioplayer has just released their first snapshot figures. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

BBC iPlayer - Help - Panasonic Freesat TVs – Why does playback of a programme abruptly stop?

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. - iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk

iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk

BBC - Research and Development: Prototyping Weeknotes #61 (27th May 2011)

The beginning of the week was taken up with prep for our experience prototyping sessions and then ahalf-day semantic web workshop at the main RD offices which involved a lot of talking and learning - it was enjoyable and useful for all attendees. On Tuesday, we have a further session around lo-fidelity prototyping. Kat's team buildsa prototype for a dashboard that lets parents see and manage their kids online activity. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

'File sharing' solicitors face disciplinary body - May - 2011 - Which? News

One of which is that the two acted in a way that was likely to diminish the trust the public place in them or in the legal profession. If you'd like to know more about file sharing, take a look at our Which guide - find out what file sharing is and the types of files you can share legally. Between 2006 and 2009 David Gore and Brian Miller were responsible for the sending of thousands of letters to internet users accusing them of allegedly downloading and distributing copyright-protected material via peer-to-peer networks. - which.co.uk

www.which.co.uk

The Pips return from a 3 hour break - Radio Today

The computer operating the Greenwich Time Signal, most popularly known as the pips, stopped working on Tuesday evening. The box that creates the audio of the pips have died unfortunatley. It could be a power supply problem, and we are still investigating The interview about the death of the pips is now on audioBoo for your listening pleasure. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

BBC bosses to update staff on Delivering Quality First - Media - guardian.co.uk

Earlier this year, a consultation was held with staff to come up with cost-saving ideas. 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. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC Alba Freeview switch-on campaign asks viewers to 'Open Your Eyes' - News - THE DRUM - Advertising, Design, Media, Ma

Read more Press Gazette, the print trade title for UK journalists, has announced it is axing its quarterly print edition in favor of focusing its resources on a weekly digital edition, iPhone app and website. Read more International - 05/01/2013 Metro has revealed the figures from its activity during the Christmas period, seeing a notable rise in traffic to Metro.co.uk via mobile devices.... Read more Online voucher and daily deal specialist DiscountVouchers.co.uk has found that the people of Birmingham are the most committed to self-improvement. - thedrum.co.uk

www.thedrum.co.uk

Farewell to Mark Byford, the BBC's steady-handed deputy - Media - The Guardian

Mark Byford, BBC deputy director general, is stepping down after 32 years at the corporation. If he has a public profile at all it is because Byford came to symbolise the apparent excesses of top executive pay at the corporation. It was very easy to put the question, as even many lower ranking BBC staff did who else would pay Mark Byford 500,000 and for what - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Here s How You Might Be Able To Watch Live TV, For Free, On Your iPad AllThingsD

Your iPad can do lots of things, but live TV generally isnt one of them. With a few exceptions, the TV networks dont want their programming going out live anywhere but your big screen, under their supervision. Heres a start-up that wants to change that Bamboom says it will let you watch live broadcast TV anywhere you can get a Web connection, on whatever device you want. - allthingsd.com

allthingsd.com

HD Radio an initial review - James Cridland

Its not every day that youre given a radio which is almost useless in your home town but thats what I was given recently a fancy little Mighty Red HD Radio. Ive not owned my own HD radio, nor had enough time to properly fiddle and listen to an HD Radio in real-world conditions. So, after a short charge the radio uses any old USB charger, I was off to listen, using the real-world environment of a busy airport. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

Lying losses and limes - Media UK

That's the overwhelming radio blog subject in the last two weeks. I posted about digital platform figures - a post which has got a man from talkSPORT very angry. US radio guru Tracy Johnson, meanwhile, discusses people who lie on-air, and points out that most emails from listeners are ignored. - mediauk.com

www.mediauk.com

Why SeeSaw Failed And What It Means

From SeeSaws launch, it was evident the Project Kangaroo technology, which was developed by Ioko and which was well-regarded, was actually just an adequate Flash video player, accompanied by an unusual page-dimming feature. Taken as an experience, the product was not a patch on the equivalent U.S. TV aggregator, Hulu. SeeSaw launched when the idea of a single online aggregator for online TV made perfect sense from a consumer standpoint. - paidcontent.org

paidcontent.org

How I fell back in love with Television - Telegraph

In the 30 years since I had ceased to be a TV critic, that prediction had proved itself untrue. So the movement towards must-watch complexity was already on before HBO changed the game with The Sopranos. Clearly the first-rate talent was no longer looking on television as the second-best destination. - telegraph.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

14 December 1950: Television tastes - From the Guardian - guardian.co.uk

To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. We welcome your feedback at userhelpguardian.co.uk or feedbackoutbrain.com. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Digital Economy Act in fresh legal challenge

In 2010, the firms asked for a High Court review, arguing the Act broke European laws that the UK must uphold. In April, the High Court rejected the call for a judicial review, but said the government had to look again at who pays for some of the Act's measures. The companies said in their appeal that the court should reconsider the anti-piracy actions required by the Act. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Major changes to commissioning in BBC Online

BBC Online is in the process of making major changes, as we set ourselves up to deliver the new strategy outlined in January. Central to this is the emerging discipline of product management blogged about by Chris Russell here. From divisional websites, to pan-BBC products the operational challenge This is a challenging process. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Knowing your AAC from your Elbow - James Cridland

But, thanks to Absolute Radios penchant for gigs in unusual places, Elbow played the crypt in St Pauls last night. Effortlessly hitting the top notes in One Day Like This, expressing wonderment that hes been singing to Lord Nelson over there pointing to his ornate grave and covering a wide selection of the bands repertoire, the 90-minute gig was a delight. This was the latest in the stations push for high quality audio. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

SeeSaw online TV venture to close - Media - guardian.co.uk

The company informed its 28 staff on Friday that a buyer had not been found and that it is launching a 30-day consultation. It is expected to close around 20 June so that costs relating to the business can be accounted for in Arqiva's financial year to 30 June. Joost, the web TV service founded by the Dutch technology entrepreneurs behind Skype, closed its UK service in 2009. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Arqiva to close VoD site Seesaw - News - Broadcast

27 May, 2011 By Alex Farber Arqiva is on the brink of closing its video-on-demand service Seesaw after failing to drum up the necessary funding. 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

BBC - Radio 4 and 4 Extra Blog: The Today programme: The "radio show that one in eight of us now tune in to"

This seemed like enough reason to publish a few pictures from the earlier days of the programme. Des Desmomd Lynam, occasional co-presenter of the programmew, looks on. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

Communications minister launches free-to-air Digital TV service TheJournal

The Saorview system can be accessed either by purchasing a set-top box that will decode the digital broadcasts, though newer televisions might already have decoding systems fitted within them.The new system will not require homes to install a satellite dish. The analogue switch-off will not impact on viewers who currently watch TV through a satellite or cable system though it does affect the 340,000-or-so homes which will receive their main TV service through a traditional antenna. - thejournal.ie

www.thejournal.ie

Ofcom bans 36-month contracts and makes number porting easier - Crave - CNET UK

Ofcom has introduced three regulations designed to benefit UK mobile-phone users. The telecoms regulator has banned contracts longer than 24 months, and forced operators to transfer customer's mobile numbers to a new provider within one day. It's also introduced an emergency SMS scheme that will let registered users text, rather than call, 999. - crave.cnet.co.uk

crave.cnet.co.uk

Frequency and Network Planning Aspects of DVB-T2

- tech.ebu.ch

tech.ebu.ch

BBC scraps multiplatform commissioners - 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

Peter Mullan Launches BBC Alba's Freeview Campaign

From June 8, BBC Alba will be available on Freeview channel 8, which the broadcaster says will greatly increase accessibility for viewers. BBC Alba is also now available on Virgin Media's Cable channel 188. The channel also plays a key role in promoting the Gaelic language as well as supporting language learning through broadcasting programmes for learners and those interested in Gaelic language and culture. - 4rfv.co.uk

www.4rfv.co.uk

Behind the scenes at Today, the most influential programme on British radio - Media - The Guardian

At 5.10 in the morning, it really doesn't look as if the most influential programme onBritish radio will be onair in less than an hour. It has been, by all accounts, a calm night. Three of those in the room havebeen here since 8pm, when theytook over from the day team. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Call for BBC audits to be reported independently to parliament - Media - guardian.co.uk

The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has been discussing the issue. Morse added that at the moment when a BBC report is produced by the NAO it can be subject to delays of up to four months. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC iPlayer - Help - Do I need a TV licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer?

Catch-up You do not need a television licence to catch-up on television programmes in BBC iPlayer, only when you watch or record at the same time or virtually the same time as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to the public. In BBC iPlayer, this is through the Watch Live simulcast option. Anyone in the UK watching or recording television as it's being broadcast or simulcast on any device - including mobiles, laptops and PCs - must, by law, be covered by a valid TV licence. - iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk

iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk

First 4G LTE trials to begin in UK - Telegraph

The first UK trials of superfast mobile broadband have been announced. In laboratory tests, 4G can offer mobile speeds of up to 150mbps, but both BT and Everything Everywhere sought to dampen expectations that real-world services would deliver that. Sally Davis, chief executive of BT Wholesale, said that while users might be able to get 30mbps at 3 oclock in the morning, much lower speeds would be typical of regular usage. - telegraph.co.uk

www.telegraph.co.uk

Doubts over plan to spin off Sky News on stock market - Markets Analysis

Competition - and the prospect of News Corp's owning all of the hugely profitable BSkyB to subsidise its newspapers - has not worried regulators. There will be a carriage and branding agreement so News Corp pays Sky News guaranteed revenue - on a per subscriber, per month basis - for the next 10 years. That is crucial since Sky News is said to lose between 20 million and 30 million a year. - thisislondon.co.uk

www.thisislondon.co.uk

Ennals: momentum growing for digital - Radio Today

The man leading the push towards digital radio switchover in the UK has told RadioToday.co.uk that the industry momentum on the issue is starting to lead to better consumer take-up. He added Digital radio gives listeners in most areas at least 20 extra digital-only stations. An airtime campaign launching on Tuesday will feature the voice of singer Lulu, and were told will aim to increase awareness and understanding of the choice of genres available on digital radio. Tags dab, eradio, ford ennals Category Digital Radio, Top Stories - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC News app comes to Android devices

A lot of people have been asking when the BBC News app will be made available on Android devices, which is understandable given the platform's growing popularity. BBC Worldwide will soon be launching an international version of the app for audiences around the world. Its arrival within Android Market brings immediate access to breaking news and broadcast content to a wider 'on-the-move' audience. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

BT to begin 4G LTE trials in UK - Technology - guardian.co.uk

Trials of a new superfast wireless broadband system are to begin in the UK. BT and Everything Everywhere are inviting people to bid for a place on the trial through a web-based system. BT and Everything Everywhere formed from the merger of the T-Mobile and Orange mobile networks hope that it may solve the problem of how to reach distant locations where broadband over standard copper wires doesn't work, and it is deemed uneconomic to lay fibre-optic cable. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Mark Thompson: BBC realised importance of internet in 1990s - Media - guardian.co.uk

BBC director general Mark Thompson speaking during the eG8 conference. Thompson was addressing a session on how traditional businesses have reinvented themselves for the computer age at the forum held on the eve of the G8 economic summit in Deauville on Thursday and Friday. On the opening day of the eG8 event on Tuesday the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, warned against monopoly control, copyright breaches and intrusions into personal privacy on the internet. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

BBC 'concerned' about NAO audit - 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

BBC - BBC Internet Blog: BBC Alba on Freeview

We've recently had to make some difficult choices at the BBC about how we use our digital TV capacity in Scotland. I thought it would be worth sharing the thinking behind our decisions, including how we were influenced by a principle in the BBC Charter and Agreement and insight about audiences' listening and viewing habits. Crucially, the Freeview launch supports the universality principle in the BBC Agreement that asks us to give licence fee payers convenient access to the services that are intended for them. - bbc.co.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

S4C chairman designate backs plan to kickstart stalled negotiations with BBC - Media - guardian.co.uk

The BBC is due to take over responsibility for most of S4C's funding from 2013 under a deal agreed between the corporation and the government in October. S4C was kept in the dark about the deal and humiliated over the switch in its funding from automatic government grant to being paid for from the BBC licence fee. Since then there have been stuttering negotiations about establishing a new working relationship between S4C and the BBC, while Welsh-language protesters want the deal rescinded. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

David Abraham's Royal Television Society speech: full text - Media - guardian.co.uk

Michael Jackson had by then gone to America and Mark Thompson was the incumbent. Spectrum Consulting had been asked to forecast the future for Channel 4 by 2010. Even the rosiest picture was bleak so bleak in fact that Mark Thompson was reaching for the begging bowl. - guardian.co.uk

www.guardian.co.uk

Freeview names marketing comms director - News - Marketing Week

Digital TV switchover is heading to London in April 2012. Freeview customers will still need to retune their set-top boxes in order to receive the new signal. North joins Freeview from Victim Support where he was executive director of marketing. - marketingweek.co.uk

www.marketingweek.co.uk