Media News Archive 2006 |
| January 2006 |
| OFT clears Sky and NTL takeovers 04-01-06 |
| The Office of Fair Trading has this week cleared NTL's $6bn takeover of rival cable TV operator Telewest and Sky's £211m purchase of internet company Easynet. |
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| Nick to launch pre-school block on Freeview 05-01-06 |
| Kids channel Nickelodeon is to launch a pre-school programming block on Freeview this year. It plan to use the morning hours of its sister music channel TMF to simulcast the programmes from its Sky Digital channel. |
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| Five's new digital station starts testing 05-01-06 |
| Five's new digital station Five.2 has been testing on Sky Digital ahead of its full launch. The spin-off channel will relay popular shows such as Milkshake, Home and Away and CSI from the flagship station and will also further promote its schedule. Tests have been available at 12.304GHz/H under the identity '9343'. As previously reported by Wotsat.com, Five is also planning another channel called Five.3 that will compete directly with ITV2 by focussing on female-targeted programming. |
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| ITV2 was most popular digital channel of 2005 07-01-06 |
| ITV2 was officially the most popular digital TV service during 2005, beating competition from Sky One and Sky Sports 1. Stats from BARB, the audience ratings company, show that ITV2 climbed from third place in the multichannel pecking order in 2004 to take top spot. |
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| Sky Cinema channels to be reshuffled in EPG 08-01-06 |
| Several of Sky's film channels are to change positions in the EPG line-up at the end of January. Sky Cinema will move to channel 313 and Sky Cinema 2 will move to channel 314 from January 30th to allow for the launch of the new PIN-protected film services mentioned in the story above. |
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| New logo for ITV channels 08-01-06 |
| ITV is rebranding its channel logos to bring them into line with the new ITV4 logo, using the same design in a variety of colours. ITV will unveil the new logos this week with the on-screen launch scheduled for January 16. It is expected ITV1 will adopt the same design as ITV4, except with a black and yellow theme. The redesign is part of a major revamp to bring all ITV digital stations under one identity. |
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| ITV kids channel launch postponed until March 15-01-06 |
| ITV has delayed the launch of its new children's channel, CiTV, by four weeks. The digital channel is now scheduled to go live on Saturday March 11 instead of Saturday February 11. It will feature ITV's existing slate of children's programming and will also be looking to commission and acquire new content. The CiTV Channel will be available on Sky and Freeview. |
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| New Sky Digital EPG software 15-01-06 |
| Sky is to begin uploading a brand new version of its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) software to Digiboxes this week. The broadcaster is reported to have said version 4 of the EPG will start to be deployed into some boxes this week and in other boxes during the next fortnight. Some channels are also to be allocated new EPG numbers over the next few weeks. It comes as two new genres are aded to the EPG. They will be "Lifestyle and Culture" & "Gaming and Dating". |
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| Freeview set-top triggers air-sea rescue 16-01-06 |
Ofcom engineers are investigating how a faulty Freeview set-top box could have triggered an RAF air-sea rescue mission.
The set-top box in Portsmouth apparently generated a Mayday signal identical to that used by emergency beacons, and was picked up on January 5 by satellite and forwarded to RAF Kinloss in Scotland. From there coastguards on the south English coast were alerted and a helicopter scrambled.
After a two-hour sea search off Portsmouth it was established that the signal was coming from the mainland. RAF chiefs called Ofcom and the communications regulator quickly determined the signal was coming from a home. Ofcom engineers removed the faulty Freeview box and are now examining it. |
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| Two Sky film channels renamed ahead of HD launch 21-01-06 |
| Sky has announced that two of its film channels are to be renamed in readiness for the launch of its new HD service. On January 30th, Sky Movies 9 and Sky Movies 10 will be renamed in the Sky Guide as Sky Movies 9 HD and Sky Movies 10 HD. Also, Sky Movies 10 will be launching on Sky Digital on the same day on channel 310. |
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| Discovery joins Sky HD line-up 21-01-06 |
| Discovery has confirmed that its high-definition channel Discovery HD will launch early this year as part of Sky's inaugural HDTV service. Discovery HD was rolled out in South Korea, Japan and Canada in 2005 and is in the process of launching in Germany and Austria. The channel offers more than 1,000 hours from Discovery's library as well as original programming commissioned specifically for Discovery HD. |
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| Channel 4 removes red button interactive services 21-01-06 |
| In a surprise move, Channel 4 has removed all its red button interactive services. It comes after Chief Executive Andy Duncan described the services as "clunky and inefficient." He added that the broadcaster is spending several million pounds a year on the services and that the money could be put to better use providing Web and broadband content. Duncan said: "The red button service does not help Channel 4 fulfil its public service remit and it doesn't offer a way to make money." |
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| Channel 4 calls for more space on Freeview 22-01-06 |
| Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan has asked the government to give the broadcaster free space on Freeview to allow it to launch more channels, rather than a lump cash sum. The Times reports that Channel 4 is concerned that it will struggle to make a profit in the digital age unless the government steps in to help with the cost of migrating to digital. At current rates, a channel slot on Freeview is worth up to £5m. Duncan suggested that Channel 4 should have part of a seventh multiplex on Freeview, which it can use to launch new channels, instead of a cash lump sum that would be reinvested into public service programming. If the government agrees to Duncan's demands it will not be able to give the channel additional spectrum on Freeview until after digital switchover, which is earmarked to be completed by 2012. Last year, when the BBC model of funding was called into question, Duncan touched on the £100m-a-year shortfall in the lead-up to digital switchover and requested the BBC licence fee be top-sliced so Channel 4 could carve out its future. |
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| New Aussie TV channel coming this summer 22-01-06 |
| A brand new TV channel dedicated to Australian TV shows is on track to be launched this summer. Called 'Down Under TV', the channel from Thomas Cook TV and Enteraction is making preparations for its debut on Sky Digital. It is in talks with several TV producers and distributors about airing Aussie shows including Home and Away, Neighbours and Cell Block H. |
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| New SMS recording facility for Sky+ boxes 22-01-06 |
| Owners of the Sky+ personal video recorder will soon be able to record programmes by simply sending a text message to Sky. The new 'SMS record' facility is scheduled to be launched this Spring. No pricing details have yet been released. Meanwhile, Sky has also said that Sky+ customers will be able to add programmes to their personal planners by pressing the 'green' button on their remotes during trailers. |
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| February 2006 |
| Half a million DAB radios sold at Christmas 06-02-06 |
Nearly 500,000 digital radios were sold in the UK in December, putting cumulative sales at 2.7m by the end of 2005, according to market research for the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB).
The DRDB said 1.5m DAB receivers were sold in 2005, and 5.4m people were now listening to digital radio.
DRDB chief executive Ian Dickens said: "Christmas on the High Street was a tough proposition this year. DAB digital radio was once again a shining light with independents, the multi-nationals and especially the mass-merchandisers enjoying strong sales right through the holidays and into January."
The DRDB sees Ofcom's plan to release new spectrum for digital radio as an opportunity to boost receiver sales and digital listening further.
In September the DRDB published a forecast suggesting digital radio was on course for a 40% UK household penetration by 2009. |
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| FilmFour to relaunch as a free-to-view channel 09-02-06 |
Channel 4 has confirmed plans to relaunch FilmFour as a free-to-view channel in July. The move, which will give Freeview, the UK's free-to-view digital terrestrial platform, its first movie channel, follows negotiations with BSkyB. FilmFour will also become a free channel on Sky's digital satellite platform, and on cable.
Channel 4 CEO Andy Duncan is hoping that advertising revenues will soon exceed subscription income generated from FilmFour's 320,000 subscribers which each paid up to £7 per month for the service. The relaunched channel will screen six movies—classics as well as modern Hollywood releases—per day from 3pm to 3am.
Duncan said Channel 4 chiefs had learnt from the experience of their entertainment channel E4, which launched as a subscription channel but went free-to-view last May. E4's advertising revenues are expected to double to £90m per year by 2007.
He said he was convinced that a "desirable brand like FilmFour" could make an impact on the wider audience made possible by going free-to-view. Channel 4 reckons FilmFour will reach 18m digital households by the end of 2006.
FilmFour's sister channel, FilmFour Weekly, will close. Channel 4 said it was planning a FilmFour video-on-demand subscription service on several distribution platforms including broadband later this year. |
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| BBC HD plans for Freesat & Internet 20-02-06 |
| The BBC intends to make high-definition TV available through its online media player and free satellite platforms. Ashley Highfield, the BBC's director of new media and technology, said: "We want to be ready to move with HD on to FreeSat and I'm also very interested in getting HD on to the interactive media player." The comments come as the BBC this month completes its trial of a service for downloading and watching programmes online, known as the interactive media player or MyBBCPlayer. |
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| New HD TV channels - Sky Digital's line-up 21-02-06 |
| Four more HD channels have joined the Sky EPG line-up in recent days. They are Artsworld HD on channel 158, Sky One HD on channel 291, Discovery HD on channel 557 and Sky Box Office HD on channel 757. The launches come after the addition of National Geographic HD, Sky Sports HD, Sky Box Office HD, Sky Movies 9 HD, Sky Movies 10 HD and Sky HD Retail to the channel line-up. The stations cannot be watched on standard Sky Digiboxes. |
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| CITV Channel Will Be Most Watched in UK 28-02-06 |
The new CITV Channel will be the most watched kids television station in the UK within 18 months ITV have said. The new station will be launching on Saturday March 11th and will broadcast many kids favourites old or new and delving deep into the ITV archive for some historical kids shows. It will broadcast daily from 6am to 6pm while ITV4 is off air and will have block programming times, including 2 - 5 year olds and 6 - 9 year olds. The CITV Channel has a budget of around £35 million and will be up against many other kids channels including CBBC, CBeebies, Nickelodeon, Disney, Toonami and Fox. |
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| ITV/BBC Freesat "delayed until 2007" 28-02-06 |
ITV has delayed the launch of its joint-venture 'Freesat' service with the BBC, according to a report in the Independent On Sunday.
The new service - the equivalent of Freeview for satellite - was announced last year and had been expected to be up and running by this June.
Now ITV is said to have forced a "rethink" of the plans in order to concentrate on marketing Freeview, which is now in an estimated 7 million homes.
Confirming the delay, a BBC spokeswoman said that the service "might be available at the end of the year". |
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| March 2006 |
| New reality TV channel debuts on Sky 06-03-06 |
| Reality TV has added a brand new third channel to its stable of stations on Sky Digital. Called Reality Extra, it is available free-to-air on Sky channel 152 and shows programmes featuring real footage plus enactments inspired by actual events. |
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| BBCi Olympics service accessed 3.9 million times 08-03-06 |
| The BBC said its Winter Olympics interactive service was the fourth most-used iTV application ever from BBC Sport. According to the corporation, 3.9m digital satellite viewers accessed the service, putting it just behind the 4m that accessed the 2002 World Cup service. The most popular BBC Sport iTV service was the 2004 summer Olympics, which clocked up 9m viewers. Last year's Wimbledon iTV service attracted 4.4m. |
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| 'Set Reminder' facility added to Sky Digiboxes 08-03-06 |
| Sky has launched a new feature which lets viewers set reminders while watching trailers for upcoming programmes. A new 'set reminder' icon appears in the top right of the screen on selected trailers and by pressing the green button on their remotes, viewers can ensure the programme is automatically added to their Personal Planner. |
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| New Boomerang channel on Sky 10-03-06 |
| Cartoon Network sister station Boomerang has started a one-hour time-shifted channel on Sky Digital. It's launched on channel 621 and fills the slot previously occupied by Toonami, which has moved to channel 602. |
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| New racing channel on Sky 10-03-06 |
| Racing World has launched on Sky Digital channel 433. It is the sister channel of Racing UK, available on channel 432, and shows mainly international racing events. |
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| ITV's new gaming channel to launch in April 11-03-06 |
| ITV has confirmed it is to launch a new participation TV channel, called ITV Play, on Freeview. ITV Play will launch on April 19 and ITV Play-branded programming will also feature on ITV1 and ITV2 overnight from the end of March. The channel is expected to launch on other platforms later this year. It features a range of studio games, call games, puzzles, stunts and events. It will broadcast on ITV1 from 1am-4am seven nights a week. |
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| C4 signs huge film rights deal with Fox 12-03-06 |
| Channel 4 has signed a deal with 20th Century Fox Television for free TV and digital rights to a wide range of hit Fox feature films, movies for television and library titles for its channels. The agreement includes titles The Day After Tomorrow, I Robot, Dodgeball, Garfield, Garfield 2, Alien v Predator, Sideways, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Master and Commander, Fantastic Four, Robots, Kingdom of Heaven, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Ice Age 2, X-Men 3, Eragon, The Omen 666, and others through until the end of 2008. C4's Jeff Ford said: "We're obviously delighted to have acquired such an important slate of feature films in advance of our relaunch of FilmFour as a free-to-air channel in July. This deal will give viewers across Channel 4's family of channels the first free access to 20th Century Fox's new releases as well as a fantastic library of recent titles." |
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| Interactive Commonwealth Games 12-03-06 |
| Digital satellite viewers will have a choice of up to four extra screens when the BBC's coverage of the Commonwealth Games starts this week. The Opening Ceremony of the XVIII Commonwealth Games will be held on March 15, heralding 11 days of intense sporting competition in Melbourne, Australia. BBC TV will be broadcasting 188 hours of TV coverage - 153 hours on BBC One and 35 hours on BBC Two between March 15 and 26. The interactive TV service will be complemented with a news and results section, medals tables and a viewing planner. Freeview viewers will be able to choose from an extra two streams of live coverage. For the first time, all of the Commonwealth Games action available on interactive tv will also be accessible via the BBC Sport dedicated games website, for UK broadband users, at www.bbc.co.uk/commonwealthgames. |
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| CITV channel starts on Freeview 12-03-06 |
| ITV has launched its brand new children's channel, CiTV, on Freeview. The channel will not be carried on Sky Digital until May - but currently sits exclusively on Freeview channel 75. It is timeshared with ITV4 and Setanta Sports, and broadcasts from 6am to 6pm, except when Setanta Sports has a pay-per-view programme. CiTV is targeting two distinct groups pre-school two-to-five-year-olds and six-to-nine-year-old schoolchildren. Programmes include Pocoyo, SpongeBob SquarePants and My Parents are Aliens. ITV has high hopes for the new channel and reckons it will the UK's most-watched commercial kids channel in the next 18 months. |
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| New Cyprus-themed travel channel on Sky 18-03-06 |
| A new travel channel targeted at viewers wanting to buy travel packages to Cyprus is to launch on Sky. Called Cyprus Direct TV, the channel intends to launch on March 27 and offer "a mix of introductory lifestyle documentaries and properties for sale." The free-to-air, 24-hour channel will also provide background information about living in Cyprus. |
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| BBC Japan set to close after funding problem 20-03-06 |
| BBC Worldwide has confirmed that BBC Japan will be unavailable to viewers as of April 30 after distributor JMC said that it cannot afford to honour its contractual commitments. In a statement, BBC Worldwide said that JMC had sent notification that its shareholders will no longer provide financial support, which means that it will be unable to continue distributing BBC Japan. "This decision has been taken without any consultation with BBC Worldwide and is beyond the corporation's control," the statement said. "BBC Worldwide is actively seeking alternative ways to continue to provide the service in Japan." |
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| CiTV to launch on Sky 21-03-06 |
| After launching on Freeview, Telewest and Homechoice earlier this month, ITV's kids channel CiTV has announced the date when it will become available on Sky Digital. Sky viewers will be able to watch the station from May 8. |
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| Sky confirms HD launch for May 24-03-06 |
The first Sky HD installations will begin in May, just one month before the World Cup begins, the broadcaster announced today.
The news comes hot on the heels of the BBC's confirmation that it would be broadcasting its coverage of the tournament in the HD format.
Customers who pre-registered their interest in Sky HD before March 23 are now being invoted to pre-order online, while the general public will be able to place orders from next month.
Pricing of the service comprises a one-off payment of £299 for the new HD set-top box and a Sky HD subscription of £10 month in addition to the main Sky subscription. The HD subscription includes access to Sky One HD, Artsworld HD, National Geographic HD and Discovery HD, as well as the BBC's new free channel. |
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| April 2006 |
| New music channel launches on Sky 03-04-06 |
| A brand new music TV channel called R Music TV has launched on Sky channel 370. It broadcasts a range of inspirational, positive music 24 hours a day. |
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| Manchester channel launches on Sky Digital 09-04-06 |
| Manchester's own local TV channel makes its debut on Sky Digital this week. Channel M will launch on channel 203 from April 10th, offering a line-up of news, entertainment and sports features shows with a Manchester theme. |
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| Sky HDTV boxes go on sale 10-04-06 |
| Sales of Sky's new high definition (HD) TV boxes will start to the general public from April 12th. A Sky HD box will cost £299 plus a HD subscription of £10 a month in addition to the existing Sky Digital subscription. As an introductory offer, standard installation of Sky HD is free for all new or existing Sky Digital subscribers taking a Sky HD subscription while initial stocks last or until 31st May 2006. Installs for Sky HD are due to begin in May. Sky HD boxes will have 160GB of personal storage space - equivalent to 30 hours of HD programmes - and will also offer Sky+ functionality, allowing viewers to pause and rewind live TV and record two channels simultaneously. |
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| CITV boosts schedule ahead of Sky launch 10-04-06 |
| ITV's new childrens channel, CITV, is to launch on Sky Digital on May 8th and to mark its launch the broadcaster has announced new programming will be screened from that date. The line-up will include new episodes of Bratz, as well as the return of vintage classics like Rupert and Sooty and Sweep. |
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| Ofcom clears the way for pay TV on Freeview 20-04-06 |
| Media regulator Ofcom has cleared the way for pay TV channels to be carried on the digital terrestrial TV service, Freeview, overturning access restrictions that until now have allowed only subscription-free channels to be carried on the platform. The move means that subscription-based channels such as Sky One, MTV, Cartoon Network and Disney Channel can now bid for carriage on the 30-channel platform, which is now in almost six million homes. Ofcom said the decision to lift the restriction was influenced by the rapid development of digital terrestrial TV, which is now in more than one in three digital homes. |
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| Ofcom plans to limit Sky's charges 21-04-06 |
| Media regulator Ofcom has said it plans to cap the charges that Sky imposes on companies using its satellite service. Ofcom said its decision was based on Sky's dominant position in Britain's pay TV sector. "With 8 million households now signed up to Sky's retail platform service, Sky is now in a much stronger negotiating position vis-a-vis TPS (technical platform services)," Ofcom said in a statement. |
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| New gambling channel from Sky launches 22-04-06 |
| A new second casino-style gambling channel from Sky Vegas has launched on the Sky EPG. Called Sky Vegas 846, it broadcasts on Sky Digital channel 846 and shows interactive poker and roulette games. At the same time, sister channel Sky Vegas 1 has been renamed Sky Vegas 845. |
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| ITV Play channel launches on Freeview 22-04-06 |
| ITV has launched its ITV Play channel on Freeview, with programming including the first show spawned from the broadcaster's purchase of the Friends Reunited website. Friends Reunited – The School Run builds on the interest in nostalgia that is at the heart of the Friends Reunited website, which ITV bought last December. Based on a huge interactive board game, the show brings classmates together to test their knowledge of facts and trivia from a particular year. |
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| UKTV People timeshift channel shuts down 22-04-06 |
| The UKTV People one-hour timeshift channel has ceased broadcasting and been removed from the Sky line-up. The main UKTV People is unaffacted but it is believed poor audience figures meant the timeshift channel was not viable. It ban on air for just over one year. |
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| TCM2 to launch in May 22-04-06 |
| Brand new film channel TCM2 is to launch on May 2nd. A spokesman at Turner Broadcasting said: "Having TCM2 will allow scope to explore further sponsorship opportunities for its bespoke themed seasons and offer the many advertisers on TCM (EPG 319) a far greater variety of options as well as attracting new brands to both of the channels." |
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| Cartoon Network channel Too launches on Sky 24-04-06 |
| Cartoon Network's brand new second channel has launched this week on Sky channel 622. With a brand-new look and totally original schedule, Cartoon Network Too claims to be the destination for anyone in search of a good giggle. The channel is aimed at "kids of all ages" and is available on Sky channel 622. |
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| May 2006 |
| CITV on satellite 01-05-06 |
| CITV is now broadcasting Free to Air on satellite at 10758 v 22000 5/6 under the working title of 1034. This channel broadcasts from 6.30am to 6.00pm. The channel will officially launch on Sky Digital on May 8th. |
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| Sky unveils bumper profits as it readies HD 03-05-06 |
BSkyB has unveiled record operating profits for the nine months to the end of March, up 15% on the year to £660m, as Britain's dominant pay-TV provider added 40,000 net new subscribers in the first three months of 2006, taking its total UK and Ireland subscriber base to 8,099,000. Pre-tax profits for the nine-month period rose 12% to £609m on revenues of £3.079bn, up 9%.
Chief executive James Murdoch said Sky was delivering on its strategic plan. "Our focus during the quarter was to successfully implement our new customer management systems, complete the final preparations for the launch of [high-definition television service] Sky HD, and continue to ready the business for the launch of residential broadband services in the summer.
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| Lacklustre financial results unveiled by Sky 03-05-06 |
| Sky has unveiled what city analysts called 'lacklustre' third-quarter finanicial results, announcing 40,000 new subscribers overall for the three months ending March 31st. The broadcaster announced net profits that were up £11 million to £151 million for the quarter, on revenue up 9% to £1.1 billion. Year-to-date revenue totaled £3.1 billion for the nine months through the end of March, with net profits for the period totaling £609 million. Churn (the percentage of customers to quit the service over the period) rose 0.8% to 11.4% for the quarter, also worse than expected. |
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| TCM2 launches on Sky 05-05-06 |
| Turner Classic Movies has launched a new second film channel called TCM2. It is available on Sky Digital channel 320 and offers an alternative schedule of classic films. |
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| BBC World is here to stay, vows BBC boss 06-05-06 |
| The director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, said the broadcaster will retain global news TV channel BBC World, despite calls from an independent auditor to close the money-losing venture. Speaking at a Broadcast Press Guild lunch, the BBC boss said that BBC World, which is a commercially funded channel, should be kept running, despite losing more than £16 million a year. "BBC World had its best year ever last year in advertising terms and is a very important part of our global networks strategy," he said. |
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| Sky to begin HD installations from May 22 07-05-06 |
| Sky will begin installing its high-definition television boxes in the UK and Ireland on 22 May, after receiving 40,000 advance orders since 13 April when it began taking bookings from the general public. The number of orders for the long-awaited service is higher than the total number of sales of the Sky+ personal video recorder in its first year. The expectation surrounding Sky HD has seen sales forecasts for this year rise from 1.4m units to 2m, with the cumulative total expected to be 2.7m at the end of 2006. |
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| Sky HD announces launch-day schedule 07-05-06 |
| Sky HD will formally start its HD programming line-up on 22 May. Highlights for the day and the rest of the month include live Test match cricket between England and Sri Lanka, and the Guinness Premiership rugby union final. There will also be US drama series 24 and Rescue Me, and a number of recent hit movies such as 2005's final Star Wars film, Revenge of the Sith, and the Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit In The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Sky HD will cost £10 per month in addition to a Sky digital subscription (currently priced between £15 and £42.50 per month). Subscribers will also pay £299 for set-top box. |
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| CITV childrens channel launches on Sky 08-05-06 |
| ITV's new children’s channel CITV has launched on Sky channel 624. CITV launched on March 11th earlier this year on Freeview, Homechoice and Telewest but a delay in obtaining an EPG number on Sky led to its satellite launch be stalled. |
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| BBC HD TV 10-05-06 |
The BBC has announced its first steps into high definition television (HDTV) broadcasting. It will offer a forerunning treat over the Whitsun bank holiday weekend (May 27-29) by screening five episodes of Planet Earth (from 7pm on May 27) and all 16 Bleak House instalments (from 8pm on May 28 and 29).
The UK's very first free HDTV broadcast will be launched by the corporation this Thursday (May 11), however. From noon a preview of future programmes will be available from the Sky electronic programme guide. This will only be available to satellite viewers with a HD set top box.
BBC coverage of the World Cup will also be simulcast in HDTV format, and will be carried by NTL Telewest as well as Sky, as will major Wimbledon matches. In the next stage of its 12-month HDTV trial of demand and technology, from July the corporation will broadcast highlights from across its schedule for a few hours every day.
Meanwhile, the BBC has claimed that a survey shows people expect it to broadcast in HDTV and to do so for free. Of 1,500 respondents, 87 per cent though it would broadcast HDTV at some point and 93 per cent thought it would be free.
Jana Bennett, the corporation's director of television, commented: "These are small but exciting first steps in the BBC's ambition to offer the option of high definition to all in the future.
"It's clear that licence fee payers expect high definition broadcasts from the BBC, the same way they have moved to colour television, widescreen, digital radio and online services with us in the past." |
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| Freeview to launch its own PVR receiver 20-05-06 |
| Freeview is set to take on Sky+ with the launch of Freeview Playback, a new personal video recorder (PVR), in September. General manager, Cary Wakefield, said: "Working with the industry, Freeview is committed to delivering a strong brand to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of digital TV recorders and to make the technology easy to understand. The launch of Freeview Playback is crucial to driving consumer understanding and uptake." Sky had 149,000 new Sky+ customers join in the three months to March 31, with almost a third of them new to digital satellite. This took the company to a total of 1.43million DVR households – an 86% leap compared with Quarter 3 of last year. |
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| New adult TV channel for gay viewers 20-05-06 |
| A new adult TV channel aimed at gay viewers called Trade.tv has launched on Sky Digital channel 951. The channel is the second gay adult channel to launch recently on a pay-per-view basis. |
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| Sky HD installations postponed for many viewers 21-05-06 |
| Sky viewers who have pre-ordered the broadcaster's soon-to-launch HD service have had their installation dates put back without prior warning because of a supply shortage. While affected customers have been given a £20 credit by Sky, this has been seen by many as a small compensation, with many installations put back by up to a month. Sky HD installations are due to begin from 22nd of May. Some reports suggest that between 10,000 and 12,000 Sky HD customers have been affected. |
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| ITV HD, C4 HD, Five HD appear in London (Digital terrestrial) 28-05-06 |
High definition test transmissions for ITV, Channel 4 and Five have started broadcasting on low power from the Crystal Palace transmitter in South London.
The multiplex, located on UHF channel 27, is currently carrying two 576i SD streams and one 1080i HD service. However, most viewers with a digital terrestrial TV set-top-box in London will not be able to see the streams because they are encoded in MPEG-4, a more advanced standard than the current MPEG-2.
There have been some reports that the low power HD transmissions on channel 27 from Crystal Palace are interfering with the reception in London of DTT multiplex A from Bluebell Hill in Kent. The transmissions are part of a previously-announced HD trial in the capital. |
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| June 2006 |
| New TV movies channel to launch in July 10-06-06 |
| A new movie channel showing films "created purely for TV" is scheduled to debut on Sky on July 1. The 24 hour channel, to be called Movies 24, is set to showcase the best of recent made-for-TV films from major studios and independent producers. It will be available on Sky Digital channel 329 from June 26, but will officially launch its full schedule on July 1. Movies 24 will be part of the Sky variety mix package. |
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| New crime channel in talks with BBC for content 11-06-06 |
| Soon-to-launch Sky Digital channel the Crime & Investigation Network, is in talks with distributors of public awareness content including the BBC to bring in some up-to-the-minute real crime programming. It could mean that a show like Crimewatch UK is broadcast on the new channel. |
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| Five to launch two new TV channels 11-06-06 |
| Five's boss, Jane Lighting, has ended uncertainty about the broadcaster's digital strategy by saying it will launch two free-to-air digital channels this autumn. Five U.S., which will feature U.S. drama, comedy, films and kids' programs, and Five Life, a female-targeted channel offering drama, soaps, reality, factual and kids' programs, will be available on Sky, cable and Freeview, giving them a presence in more than 15 million British homes. Five parent RTL has provided a "substantial" budget enhancement, said Lighting, and the channel has launched a recruitment drive. |
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| Sky considering launch of sixth sports channel 12-06-06 |
| Sky is considering the launch of a sixth sports channel to add to its Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3 and Sky Sports Xtra and Sky Sports News channels. Media regulator Ofcom has awarded the broadcaster a new licence, which has been registered under the name Sky Sports 4, for a cable and satellite-only service and not for Freeview application, meaning Sky could not explore the option of broadcasting selected football Premiership matches or highlights on a free-to-air basis. Sky is reportedly keen to find ways to transmit some of its live Premiership football coverage on the Freeview platform, possibly through a pay-per-view method. In May month, Sky was awarded 92 Premier League matches a season as part of a new contract, with 46 matches a season awarded to Irish broadcaster Setanta for a three-year period starting with the 2007-2008 season. |
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| World Cup prompts soaring sales of HD screens 14-06-06 |
The FIFA World Cup has, as expected, prompted soaring sales of high-definition television sets. The Financial Times quoted research firm GfK saying 400,000 flatscreens—most of them carrying the HD Ready logo—were sold in the five weeks to last Saturday.That's up from the 150,000 sold in the same period a year ago, said the FT. But though screens are flying out of shops relatively few will have been connected to HD set-top boxes from BSkyB or Telewest.
Sky took 40,000 orders for its HD service but was forced to delay delivery of 17,000 due to set-top box shortages. Sky told the FT that it was installing thousands of Sky HD boxes every day and all advance orders would be met before the end of the World Cup.
Meanwhile Sky announced it will broadcast live coverage of the 2006 Ryder Cup matches in HD. Matches will be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD. |
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| FilmFour to relaunch FTA 03-07-06 |
FilmFour will relaunch as a free service across Freeview, cable and satellite on Sunday, July 23.
The move - up until now the channel has been available on a subscription basis - will coincide with an overhaul of its on-screen graphics, logo and a subtle name change to 'Film4'. Advertising will also feature for the first time. Launch night will begin with the FTA premiere of Oscar-winner Lost In Translation at 9pm, followed by homegrown gangster film Sexy Beast.
The new channel will air between 3pm and 3am, screening six films a day. Daytime and early evening movies will include classics such as Cleopatra, Oliver Twist and Chariots of Fire, while "big, broad appeal films" such as The Italian Job and Four Weddings and a Funeral will go out in the prime 9pm slot.
"Cooler Hollywood films" and independent cinema have been earmarked for 11pm, with titles including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Trainspotting and The Football Factory. Late night will be home to international and arthouse films such as Internal Affairs and 8 Women.
At launch Film4 will be available via Sky (channel 315), Freeview (channel 31), NTL (channel 701/50) and Telewest (channel 444). A one hour timeshift channel will air on Sky and cable.
The existing FilmFour channel - and spinoff service FilmFour Weekly - will close on Wednesday, July 19. |
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| Sky launches remote recording for Sky+ 07-07-06 |
Sky has launched the first phase of its remote recording facility for Sky+ customers. The service allows users to schedule a programme recording on the move with their mobile phone. After downloading the 'Sky By Mobile' application, the user can navigate the seven-day Sky EPG and select a show to record. An alternative method of making a recording is via SMS, which requires users to text the programme details - including programme name, channel, time and date - to a dedicated number.An online version of the service will be rolled out later this summer.
To link a mobile phone to a Sky+ or Sky HD box - up to eight phones can be registered to one box - users must press 'Interactive' on the Sky+ remote, select 'Sky Active', then 'My Sky' and follow the instructions for remote registration. |
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| Consumer Panel hits out on switchover plans 12-07-06 |
| Ofcom's independent Consumer Panel says it has "serious concerns" over the way the UK's digital switchover is being managed. In a hard-hitting statement the panel, chaired by Colette Bowe, says it wants "fundamental changes in the way the process is being handled", and says it does not believe that Digital UK—the industry-backed body charged with coordinating the 2008-2012 switchover timetable—"is adequately funded to handle the scale of the work required successfully to carry out switchover". |
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| BBC DG Thompson confirms Freesat delay 12-07-06 |
The BBC and ITV's free-to-view digital satellite proposition has hit a stumbling block, BBC director general Mark Thompson admitted yesterday. Facing MPs on the Commons culture committee Thompson said the service was likely to be delayed until next autumn while talks continued over standards for the Freesat offering.Thompson insisted progress was being made, and believed there would be boxes and dishes ready for the public to buy by autumn 2007. Last September ITV said it was working with the BBC to launch a Freesat service in the first half of 2006.
Welcoming ITV's move at the time Thompson said the huge success of Freeview, the free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, had demonstrated "how highly free digital television is valued by many people". "Our long-stated aim has been to bring about an open market in subscription-free satellite services so we can ensure free access to all the BBC's services across the country in the run-up to switchover and beyond."In November set-top box makers warned the BBC and ITV that their Freesat service might have to be delayed for a year because the broadcasters had yet to provide detailed specifications.
Yesterday BBC chairman Michael Grade said complaints from viewers unable to receive Freeview was the single biggest protest issue against the corporation. |
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| August 2006 |
| Sky launches new remote 14-08-06 |
Sky has launched an "easy grip" version of its remote control designed for customers with visual impairments or limited dexterity. The "Sky+ Remote Control - Easy Grip" features raised and contoured buttons with larger graphics, along with a design that offers better contrast between the remote's body and buttons.
"Sky is launching an inclusive remote control because we think that everyone should be able to enjoy a great choice of TV," said Sky's disability affairs manager Kay Allen. "We know that some viewers have problems operating their TV remote control so our Easy Grip remote is specially designed to make things easier for them. It’s just the latest addition to our range of accessibility services and we’ll continue to work to make television more accessible." The new remote retails at £19.99. |
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| Five signs Precursor for logo design 14-08-06 |
Five has appointed creative design firm Precursor to design the on-scren identity for its upcoming Five US and Five Life channels. Precursor will work with Five on on-screen logos, idents, continuity links and overall graphics packages for both channels.
"We wanted to work with Precursor as creative partners who can help us build from the strong typographical brand of Five to achieve pioneering and fresh images for Five US and Five Life," explained Five's head of creative services Nol Davis. "Five US and Five Life will have ambition, scale and emotional intelligence and we seek to unleash this with Precursor." "Precursor is very excited to be working with Five on the new channels," said Noah Harris, a founding director of Precursor. "We have an opportunity to create two very different and stimulating on air identities which can really stand apart from other digital channels." Five US and Five Life will launch this autumn. |
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| SMG confirms UTV merger proposal 18-08-06 |
| SMG, the owner of the Scottish and Grampian ITV franchises and Virgin Radio, has confirmed that it has received a merger approach from UTV. "SMG confirms that it has received a merger proposal from UTV," the company said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning. "Under the terms of this proposal, SMG shareholders would receive a 50 per cent interest in the merged entity." A report in The Times indicates that UTV has proposed a nil-premium merger that values SMG in the region of £400m. However, the paper added that SMG may have some concerns given its slightly larger market capitalisation compared to UTV. |
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| ITV "looking hard" for new channels 31-08-06 |
ITV is developing ideas for more digital channels, according to director of television Simon Shaps. The broadcaster's digital portfolio currently includes ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and Men & Motors, which were recently joined by kids channel CITV and gaming station ITV Play.
Speaking at Edinburgh over the weekend, Shaps revealed he was "looking really hard" at ideas for new channels but had no timescales or deadlines in place for launches.
"We have a great capability to launch new channels," he said, pointing to the "power of cross-promotion" on ITV1 as a major commercial advantage. Referring to audience share augmentation, he added: "They've done a terrific job for us." |
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| September 2006 |
| Title Top Up confirms channel line-up for Anytime Here 01-09-06 |
Top Up TV, the UK's digital terrestrial pay-TV operator, has confirmed its revamped service will launch in the autumn. Designed to complement Freeview's stronger channel line-up, Top Up TV Anytime will offer customers more than 100 programmes at any time from a range of 18 channels. Programmes will be stored on a Thomson-manufactured digital television recorder, which will also receive all the Freeview channels.
Top Up TV, which announced its restructured business model in June, said new programmes would be added daily "to ensure that there is always something new to watch". All the current Top Up TV channels (UKTV Gold, Discovery Factual, Discovery Lifestyle, TCM, British Eurosport, The Cartoon Network, UKTV Style, UKTV Food, Boomerang, Toonami & Bloomberg), will be available, as well as MTV, The Hallmark Channel, Livingtv, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Paramount Comedy Channel, and Life & Times.
Subscriptions for the Top Up TV Anytime service will cost £9.99 per month. The digital TV recorder—which will enable customers to record two channels at the same time—will cost £180 for new subscribers, though for a limited time current Top Up TV customers will be able to purchase the device for under £100.
A Top Up TV spokesman said: "The launch of Top Up TV Anytime is a very important milestone for Top Up TV. Our constant research, among both Top Up TV customers and Freeview viewers has shown that our customers want more quality content, available to view at a time that suits them. We have designed Top Up TV Anytime to try to deliver this and dramatically improve our customers TV enjoyment." Five acquired a strategic stake in Top Up TV last year. |
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| Five's new channels launch in October 04-09-06 |
| Five's upcoiming free-to-air digital channels are set to go on air during October. Five Life, offering female-oriented programming, will launch on 15th October and broadcast between 6am and 11pm. Five US, offering US-imported programming, will launch the following day and broadcast between 4pm and 1am. Five’s Chief Executive, Jane Lighting, said: "We believe these two new channels will play to our programming strengths, highlighting genres in which we have an acknowledged track record." |
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| BBC to distribute four channels worldwide 08-09-06 |
| The BBC is to launch four new global television channels, which will include BBC Entertainment and a dual-language CBeebies, as well as mobile and online content downloads. Along with BBC Entertainment and CBeebies, BBC Worldwide will launch BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle. They will be available as online, mobile and as traditional channel products. The new channels will replace BBC Prime in some Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Thailand, with a high-definition version of BBC Worldwide planned for the future. |
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| Software update for Sky HD 09-09-06 |
Sky has updated its high definition set top boxes with a new software version intended to fix a variety of bugs and stability issues. The latest update from the Sky HD team confirmed that a new software download was intended to fix problems with the EPG and fast-forward/rewind functionality.
"Our technology teams have also been working on improvements and last week they downloaded a new version of the software to your box. To check whether you have the right version go the Services menu, select System Setup, then System Details. The model number should now read 607120," the team explained. |
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| Arqiva wins £1.8bn deal for BBC DTT & DAB 18-09-06 |
Transmission services group Arqiva has won a £1.8bn contract to design, build and operate a new digital terrestrial television (DTT) network for the BBC. In addition, Arqiva will also build and operate additional transmitters to expand the corporation's DAB digital radio network.The new high-power DTT infrastructure will replace both the current low-power DTT network and—on a region-by-region basis between 2008 and 2012—the BBC's analogue TV network. Arqiva will manage the DTT service until 2031 while the DAB contract runs until 2023. The BBC's two public service DTT multiplexes will be broadcast via all 1,154 existing transmitter sites, delivering digital TV to 98.5% of the UK population via rooftop aerials.
Richard Waghorn, controller of distribution at the BBC, said: "We are delighted to take this next step in the process of digital switchover. The delivery of high-power digital signals to the whole country is crucial if the BBC is to help deliver a fully digital UK." Arqiva Terrestrial Media Solutions managing director Steve Holebrook said: "Digital switchover is a complex and challenging task and we are absolutely delighted to have been chosen by the BBC to deliver their future television broadcast network."We have a long history in broadcast transmission and we're proud that we'll be playing such a major role supporting the BBC in the future."
Arqiva became the new name for what was ntl Broadcast in June 2005. Australia's Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group acquired the transmission company—which can trace its roots back to the engineering division of the Independent Television Authority, established more than 50 years ago—in December 2004 for £1.27bn.
Last week Arqiva announced it had been selected by BSkyB to support the first European trial of Qualcomm's mobile television technology MediaFLO. The month-long technical trial will take place in Cambridgeshire and will broadcast 10 channels, including Sky Sports News and Sky News, to mobile devices. |
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| Five secures rights to 180 telemovies 18-09-06 |
Five has secured the rights to 180 telemovies under a new deal with RHI Entertainment, the US-based distributor previously known as Hallmark Entertainment. The three-year deal will provide content for Five's soon-to-launch digital channels, Five Life and Five US, as well as the Five daytime schedule.
Controller of acquisitions Vanessa Brookman said of the deal: "Five has a great relationship with RHI Entertainment and TV movies form a key part of the schedule."
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| October 2006 |
| Five Life & Five US ready to launch 10-09-06 |
| Five will this launch its long-awaited new channels over the next few days. Five US will launch on channel 207 while Five Life will be on channel 208. Five Life launches Sunday October 16th, whilst Five US launches on the following day, Monday. The channels can be seen in test mode on Sky using the 'Add channels' facility in the 'Sevices' menu, then tuning to 12.422GHz/H and locating the channels '37 5-1' and '37 5-2'. |
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| ITV2+1, ITV3+1 to launch 10-09-06 |
| ITV has announced that it is to launch two timeshifted channels later this month. One hour delayed versions of female orientated station ITV2 and classic and contemporary drama channel ITV3 will be available free-to-air via digital satellite. ITV2 +1 and ITV3 +1 are expected to begin on October 30. |
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| Five Life & Five US on air 17-10-06 |
| Five's new digital channels have gone on air - and achieved mixed audience figures in their first few days. The launch of Five US achieved an audience share of 1.24% across its transmission hours as Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes picked up 283,000 viewers (1.61%). However, Five Life failed to start with a bang, registering a launch night share of just 0.21%. Five Life is on Sky channel 209, while Five US is available on channel 207. |
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| Prem Plus HD 18-10-06 |
| Sky has this week launched Prem Plus HD, a high definition version of its pay-per-view football channel. All matches shown on the normal Prem Plus service on channel 480 are simulcast on Sky Box Office HD, but since Monday (Oct 16th) all Premiership Plus matches are now simulcast on a dedicated station called Premiership Plus HD on Sky Digital channel 483. |
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| History Channel HD testing 18-09-06 |
| A high definition version of the History Channel has begun test transmissions on the Sky EPG ahead of its official launch. The channel is testing at 12.363GHz/V under the name "4086". History Channel HD will only be available to viewers who have a high definition Sky HD receiver. |
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| DAB radios 'to reach 50% UK households by 2010' 19-10-06 |
Digital radios will achieve a 50% household penetration by 2010, according to the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB). Its annual forecast says sales of digital audio broadcasting (DAB) sets in 2006 will be around the 2m mark, delivering a household penetration of 13.9% by the end of 2006. This is expected to rise to more than 40% by 2009, and top 50% in 2010.
The forecast, which tracks DAB set sales across all categories, was audited by media analysts Oliver and Ohlbaum. Using a bottom-up analysis of the current DAB set market, it also considers the shift within the audio market in recent years as listeners find non-traditional ways to consume radio—a trend that is expected to continue. |
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| ITV2+1 & ITV3+1 Testing on Astra 2D 24-10-06 |
ITV2+1 and ITV3+1, the two new time shift channels due to launch on October 30th 2006, are both testing on the Astra 2D satellite.
IV2+1 (10075) on 10.578 vertical and IV3+1 (10261) on 10.906 vertical polarization. |
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| November 2006 |
| Sky Mobile TV extends to 3 and Orange 05-11-06 |
| Sky has extended the reach of Sky Mobile TV with a new deal to bring the service to Orange 3G and 3UK customers. All Orange 3G customers can now receive up to 23 Sky Mobile TV channels including live news, sport, music, entertainment and documentaries. Sky Mobile TV includes a mix of dedicated ‘made for mobile’ channels and others that are streamed ‘as live’ including Sky News and Sky Sports News. |
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| Broadcast over broadband set to launch in UK 06-11-06 |
| Freewire TV is set to deliver broadcast quality TV channels over multicast broadband networks, offering multi-channel entertainment to the ‘digitally disenfranchised’ who are currently unable to receive digital TV services by other means. Freewire TV will initially be available to up to half a million students who will be able to access the service through their campus networks. |
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| Channel 4 signs new horse racing rights deal 07-11-06 |
| Channel 4 has signed a new three-year deal for UK horseracing broadcast rights. Under the deal, C4 will show 80 days of racing and will develop broadband, mobile and pay-TV coverage in ssociation with subscription broadcaster Racing UK. |
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| Wedding TV to launch on Sky in December 10-11-06 |
| The world’s first wedding TV channel - to be called Wedding TV - is set to launch on Sky Digital in December. Launching on Monday 4th December, Wedding TV will consist of shows dedicated to the emotion and drama of relationships and weddings. It will be aimed mainly at women aged 18-34, but will also appeal to anyone interested in the real-life drama surrounding relationships. |
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| Sky HD upgrades increase 10-11-06 |
| Sky HD's customer base has risen by 38,000 viewers since June to reach 96,000. The news came as Sky announced a revenue increase of 11% to £1.07 billion. Sky also said it's pleased with the uptake of its broadband service, launched in July, which has 113,000 subscribers - 74,000 of whom are already connected. |
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| Channel 4 joins Freesat 13-11-06 |
Channel 4 has joined the BBC and ITV in a proposed joint venture to supply free digital satellite television to homes that cannot receive the Freeview service through aerials.
The BBC has submitted a proposal for the Freesat service to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and is awaiting its response. The idea was raised by the BBC and ITV in autumn 2004.
The service would not require a subscription, though there would be a charge for equipment and installation. BSkyB offers its own free satellite service, also without subscription, but charges £150 for installation.
Channel 4 has an agreement for its main channels to be carried on Sky and this deal is thought to have more than 18 months to run. But it means Channel 4's C4 and E4, for instance, would not be available on Freesat until its agreement with Sky ends.
However, the broadcaster's involvement with Freesat is likely to make the proposal more attractive to viewers and equipment suppliers. Freesat aims to provide digital television to those homes that cannot get Freeview - about one in four - because of their location.
However, since paid-for digital television services are available from Sky and cable company NTL, among others, it is not yet known how many homes are likely to need the service
when the present analogue television signal starts its closedown in 2008.
This is understood to be one of the key reasons for the delay since suppliers, including retailers and set-top box and satellite dish manufacturers, do not know what returns they could expect.
The BBC and ITV originally promised the service by the first half of this year. Another delay has been that neither the Government nor the BBC knows how many people might need special help in converting to digital television, or how much money that is likely to involve. |
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| Freeview Playback signs up manufacturers 16-11-06 |
Freeview has signed up six major manufacturers to produce Freeview Playback-branded digital TV recorders: Alba, Humax, Sagem, Sharp, Sony and Tvonics. The first devices to feature the Playback brand will be available in Sony Centres across the country in time for Christmas. And Freeview expects a wide range of its digital TV recorders from key manufacturers to be available from major high street retailers by July 2007.
Freeview has developed a marketing plan for Playback to raise awareness among consumers and ensure clear visibility of the brand in retail. The three key features of the marketing campaign will be:
Freeview general manager Cary Wakefield said: "Our aim is for Freeview Playback digital TV recorders to be widely available throughout the market by the end of 2007. The involvement of these key manufacturers confirms our commitment to clearly define the digital TV recorder category and is a major step towards establishing an industry standard by providing a quality assurance for consumers". |
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| Sky buys 17.9% of ITV 17-11-06 |
Sky has become ITV's biggest shareholder after paying £940m for a 17.9% stake in the broadcaster.
In a surprise announcement made after the close of trading today in London, Sky announced it had bought 696m shares at 135p each.
"BSkyB wishes to explore options to create value in the interests of both BSkyB's and ITV's shareholders," the company said in a written statement. "BSkyB believes that ITV is one of Europe's premier broadcasting and production businesses, and holds substantial potential for long-term value creation. This acquisition of shares has taken place without the prior knowledge of the ITV board of directors, but BSkyB has today communicated to ITV's board its intention to be a supportive shareholder."
The 2003 Communications Act forbids Sky from exceeding a 20% shareholding in ITV. Sky has ruled out either taking its shareholding to 19.9% or launching a full takeover bid. In a conference call shortly after the announcement was made, Sky CEO James Murdoch told reporters that the investment constitutes "a long term and supportive shareholding in ITV."
Sky's surprise move comes after NTL and ITV confirmed that tentative merger talks were underway. Yesterday, it emerged that Five owner RTL is considering launching its own bid for ITV. |
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| Ofcom to investigate BSkyB/ITV deal 20-11-06 |
Ofcom are to look into BSkyB's shock acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV. According to MediaGuardian, Ofcom will have to decide whether the move constitutes a "change of control" at ITV and whether it would compromise the commercial broadcaster's obligations as a public service provider as well as its programme investment. If Ofcom decides there has been a change of control then it would be down to the Office of Fair Trading to launch an inquiry under the Enterprise Act. If it finds against BSkyB, the satellite broadcaster could be forced to reduce its stake.
Meanwhile, Sir Richard Branson has launched an attack at Sky accusing the satellite TV group of a cynical attempt to control the British media by buying nearly a fifth of ITV. "This move is seriously damaging to the interests of viewers, programme makers, artists and shareholders and the time has come for regulators, politicians and consumers to finally show that they're willing to stand up to reckless and cynical attempts to stifle competition and secure creeping control of the British media," Sir Richard Branson said. |
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| Solent TV confirms Sky launch 23-11-06 |
Solent TV has announced that it plans to launch on Sky on January 15, 2007. The channel first planned to launch on the satellite platform in March earlier this year; however, those plans were abandoned in February. "After the set back earlier this year, staff at the station have been working on the launch in earnest," the station said in a statement. "International television specialists Broadcast Networks have been heavily involved with the plans along with Sony."
Broadcast Networks has upgraded Solent's broadcast centre in Newport to an end-to-end high definition solution. Material will be captured on Sony XDCAM HD cameras and played out on an HD-capable playout system from Miranda. Solent will begin test transmissions on December 4, 2006. |
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| BBC Chairman moves to ITV 28-11-06 |
| BBC chairman Michael Grade has stunned the corporation by announcing he is to leave the broadcaster and move to its biggest terrestrial rival, ITV. The news will be a huge relief for ITV, which has seen advertising decline since former boss Charles Allen left in August. ITV sources are said to be "delighted" at Grade's move. However, the news will be seen as a huge blow for the BBC. He has only been with the public service broadcaster for two years and was due to become chairman of the new BBC Trust. Furthermore, Grade was in advance talks with the government over license fee changes. |
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| December 2006 |
| Ntl abandons takeover move on ITV 06-12-06 |
Cable operator ntl has abandoned its attempt to acquire ITV. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, US-listed ntl said it was unlikely to be able to acquire ITV "on terms acceptable to ntl". Ntl said it had now submitted its views on BSkyB's purchase of a 17.9% stake in ITV to both the Office of Fair Trading and Ofcom, "because it presents serious competition and public interest issues".
"The fact that Sky would spend nearly $2bn to acquire its stake immediately following the mere announcement of ntl's proposed combination, before the ITV board had an opportunity to respond, highlights the magnitude of the competition issues involved," said ntl.
The cable group—in which Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group has a 10.5% stake—said it reserved the right to make another offer in the next six months in the event that ITV's board might recommend a merger or that "Sky sells all or a material part of its stake in ITV". Ntl—which will rebrand as Virgin Media in the first quarter of 2007—said it would now focus on integrating ntl, Telewest and Virgin Mobile. ITV rejected ntl's £4.7bn offer a fortnight ago, saying there was was "little, if any, strategic logic for ITV to combine with ntl".
Meanwhile, Stephen Carter, former Ofcom CEO and once a front-runner to lead ITV, has taken the top job at City PR firm Brunswick. Carter's name was linked to the ITV post even before the resignation of Charles Allen in August, but ITV shocked the media world last week with the surprise poaching of BBC chairman Michael Grade as its new hands-on executive chairman. |
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| Sky unveils broadband alliance with Google 06-12-06 |
Sky and Google have announced plans to work together to bring new services to Sky’s broadband internet customers. Sky will be Google’s first partner globally to deploy Google’s suite of search, advertising, communications and video services, which will be tailored and branded for Sky’s broadband platform.
The satellite broadcaster will launch a multi-platform user generated video (UGV) portal, powered by Google’s syndicated video content tools. Users will be able to edit, upload and share their own video content, as well as upload and download from a mobile phone.
Sky Broadband customers will also have access to a customised version of Google’s email product, ‘Google Mail’, using an @sky.com email address. Google will also be sharing its search advertising tools across Sky’s portfolio of online sites. The two companies will also explore future forms of web, TV and mobile advertising. |
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| Sky's music channels go free-to-air 12-12-06 |
| Sky's three TV music channels Flaunt, Scuzz and Bliss have become free-to-air stations in an effort to boost their audience figures. The channels have been available as part of the Sky 'Music Mix' package since launching in 2003 but have not dented the viewing figures of established rivals such as MTV. In 2004, Sky handed over the running of its the channels to Chart Show TV, which has since been in charge of their editorial content. |
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| Sky's MD to step down next Spring 17-12-06 |
| Dawn Airey is stepping down as the Managing Director of Sky Networks at Sky in the spring. Airey, who joined te broadcaster in January 2003, will support the transition to a new management structure. Dawn Airey's departure from Sky will see additional responsibilities handed to Sky Sports managing director Vic Wakeling, who will take charge of Sky News on top of his existing role. |
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| ITV to 'pursue sale of Men and Motors' 18-12-06 |
ITV is reportedly looking to sell digital channel Men and Motors. Broadcastnow.co.uk said ITV had declined to comment on its story that after discussing the channel's future for months and considering a merger with ITV4, ITV chiefs had now concluded that a sale was the preferred option.
Broadcastnow.co.uk said sale plans were expected to be finalised early in the New Year, and would be overseen by ITV digital channels director Jonathan Lewis.
Broadcasters that might be interested in acquiring the men's channel include Sky, ITV's original co-partner in the channel before ITV took full control two years ago; Five, which has recently embarked on its multi-channel strategy; and Flextech, ntl's digital channel provider and half owner of the UKTV digital channel portfolio with the BBC. ITV4 launched last November, targeting a male audience with live sport and drama. |
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| National Geographic to launch new channel 18-12-06 |
| National Geographic is to start a new channel dedicated to the best in wildlife programming, which will replace its existing service Adventure One. The new channel will be called 'National Geographic Wild' and it will be on air 18 hours a day when it launches on March 1st, 2007. |
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| Jowell unveils £600m switchover support 19-12-06 |
| Culture secretary Tessa Jowell yesterday unveiled a £600m digital switchover support package, assisting the over-75s and the disabled with the cost of converting one TV to digital. Jowell told the Commons she would ensure the "structure of the licence fee settlement" would allow several BBC departments to relocate to Salford, and said the licence fee settlement would be revealed "in the New Year". |
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