- news archive

This is an archive of news about . Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

British Energy close to sale deal
From BBC News. Posted July 24 2008, 12.54pm
French energy firm EDF and British Gas owner Centrica are close to buying British Energy, the BBC learns. (more)

Czech Radio Wave ordered to stop analogue broadcasts
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 24 2008, 12.08pm
After a long-standing debate over its legality, Czech Public Radio member station Radio Wave has been ordered to discontinue its FM analogue broadcast as of 30 August. The decision was handed down by the Council for Radio and TV Broadcasting (RRTV), and agreed upon at a meeting of the Czech Radio Council. But Radio Wave - a nonprofit, [...] (more)

Jill Dando murder: Barry George is the killer, prosecutor insists
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 12.03pm
The evidence linking Barry George to the murder of the TV presenter Jill Dando could not be dismissed as "unhappy coincidence", a court heard today (more)

Abandoned services performing
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 11.58am
The latest RAJAR figures give a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been for GCap. (more)

ABCe: guardian.co.uk breaks 20m user barrier
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 11.34am
guardian.co.uk became the first UK newspaper site to attract more than 20 million unique users in a month. By Jemima Kiss (more)

DAB accounts for 11% of radio listening
From Digital Spy. Posted July 24 2008, 11.19am
DAB accounted for 11% of all radio listening hours between April and June, today's RAJAR figures suggest. (more)

Max Mosley gives his reaction to his High Court battle with the News of the World
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 11.17am
Max Mosley gives his reaction to his legal battle with the News of the World (more)

News of the World editor Colin Myler gives his reaction to the Max Mosley case
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 11.13am
News of the World editor Colin Myler gives his reaction to the Max Mosley case (more)

Max Mosley case: News of the World statement
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 11.02am
Full text of the statement read out by News of the World editor Colin Myler outside the high court following today's ruling in the Max Mosley privacy case (more)

Heavy losses for BBC Locals
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 10.59am
BBC Local Radio struggled through the latest set of audience figures with several high-profile casualties. (more)

Max Mosley case: Mosley's full statement
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 10.54am
Here is the full statement issued by Max Mosley after he won his privacy action against the News of the World at the high court today (more)

Max Mosley trial: Roy Greenslade on the privacy case
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 10.53am
Roy Greenslade is not surprised that Max Mosley's privacy was invaded by the News of the World (more)

Great start for the new boys
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 10.47am
Five FM has gained one of the best starts any station could hope for in their first RAJAR, recording a weekly reach of 25 per cent and average hours per listener of 10.3. (more)

Max Mosley wins £60,000 in privacy case
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 10.42am
Max Mosley has won £60,000 in his privacy action against the News of the World after the Sunday tabloid had falsely accused him of taking part in a 'sick Nazi orgy'. By Leigh Holmwood and Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Vote of no confidence in regional press editor and Newsquest management
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 10.30am
Northern Echo union members express anger over edition changes (more)

Not a vintage year for Gordon
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 10.25am
Despite spending much of the past 12 months pouring fine wine down the necks of Fleet Street editors and proprietors the PM still gets a rotten press (more)

The Virgin's last hurrah
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 10.14am
The last set of figures before Virgin Radio is likely to disappear from the industry will be encouraging news for new owners TIML. (more)

Countdown host Des O'Connor to quit
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 10.10am
Des O'Connor is to step down as host of Countdown after more than 500 shows when the current series ends in November (more)

Niger judge throws out case against RFI journalist
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 24 2008, 10.08am
A senior judge in Niger has thrown out the case against a journalist working for Radio France International, detained for 10 months on suspicion of collaborating with Tuareg rebels, his lawyer said yesterday. It is the second time a judge has ordered the release of Moussa Kaka He was arrested in September last year. Kaka, who [...] (more)

'Enders drops to 14-month audience low
From Digital Spy. Posted July 24 2008, 10.05am
Tuesday's EastEnders recorded the soap's smallest audience since May last year. (more)

Japan budgets US$2 billion for DTV transition
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 24 2008, 10.03am
Japan’s communications ministry is bracing for a nationwide switch to digital terrestrial TV broadcasts over the next three years by allocating 220 billion yen (US$2.1 billion) for a transition programme, Kyodo News reports. According to officials, the programme will include the distribution of free antennas and digital-to-analogue tuners so households on welfare can watch the [...] (more)

Max Mosley case: Profile of News of the World editor Colin Myler
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 9.35am
Another high-profile court case, another disastrous editorship-defining moment for Colin Myler, the News of the World editor. By Leigh Holmwood and Stephen Brook (more)

Rajars: Commercial radio closes gap on BBC
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 9.27am
BBC Radio's lead over commercial rivals fell in the second quarter after audiences for Chris Moyles and Terry Wogan slipped by a combined 872,000 listeners. By Mark Sweney (more)

Bigger is best for One Network
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 9.17am
With the One Network looking likely to carved up into new networks and brands under the imminent rule of Global, GCap's local stations haven't fared too badly in the latest RAJAR figures.Total reach across the network has increased by nearly 140,000 although half a million hours of listening have been lost. (more)

Radio 3 and 6 Music on the up
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 9.10am
BBC Radio 3 is recovering from last quarters disappointing results, whilst BBC 6 Music has gained its fourth consecutive record reach - up on both year and quarter. (more)

Max Mosley wins £60,000 in News of the World privacy case
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 9.07am
Max Mosley has won £60,000 in his privacy action against the News of the World after the Sunday tabloid had falsely accused him of taking part in a 'sick Nazi orgy'. Buy Leigh Holmwood and Stephen Brook (more)

Golden Girls pay tribute to Getty
From Digital Spy. Posted July 24 2008, 9.07am
Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan pay tribute to Golden Girls co-star Estelle Getty, who died on Tuesday. (more)

Commercial radio recovers audiences
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 24 2008, 9.06am
BBC?s share falls (more)

Wogan down but not out
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 8.51am
The battle between Terry Wogan and Chris Moyles continues for another quarter, with figures for both BBC presenters down slightly. Wogan, however, remains the most popular. (more)

GMG pleased with Smooth NE
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 8.41am
GMG Radio’s newest regional station, seven-month-old Smooth Radio in the north east of England, has debuted with an impressive 13 per-cent reach and 9.0 average hours per listener. (more)

Radio 2 breakfast show is UK?s most popular
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 24 2008, 8.39am
Wogan reaches 7.75m (more)

More hours for TLRC stations
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 8.26am
Most local radio stations operated by TLRC have seen a slight increase in listening hours, giving the group an overall lift in total listening hours by three per cent. (more)

"Satisfactory" figures for Global
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 8.25am
As the short-lived Global Radio of old prepares to transform into the UK's largest and most powerful radio group, they do so on the back of a mixed set of figures.The Galaxy network of stations has increased listening across all measures, while the Heart network has shown a slight drop. And after last quarter's exceptional figures, LBC 97.3 lost over four million hours. (more)

UK Radio Listening via Digital Platforms and Cell Phone on the Rise
From radio.about.com. Posted July 24 2008, 8.00am
The latest RAJAR audience stats are out for British radio listening including both the BBC and commercial stations. Technically, these are the stats for Quarter 2, 2008. (Graphic Credit: �... (more)

Foxy is Bauer’s Hero
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 7.59am
Neil Fox’s ambitions of being London’s number 1 have finally come true, as his Magic breakfast show has beaten it’s commercial rivals in reach, hours and share. (more)

Ups and downs for London radio
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 7.50am
Has the radio industry learned a lesson about daytime automation? Just months after XFM relaunched its daytime output with presenters instead of the highly criticised Xu, the long-suffering London station has increased its audience by nearly 50% to stand at 558,000 - its highest reach in a year. (more)

Radio Listening Results Soon
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 24 2008, 7.43am
Coming soon: the latest radio listening results. * Send your Scottish media news and gossip, in the strictest confidence, to info@allmediascotland.com Or phone us on 07710 721 478. (more)

Latest Radio Figures Deliver Mixed News for talk107 and BBC Radio Scotland
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 24 2008, 7.43am
A radical overhaul of Edinburgh’s all-speech radio station, talk107, appears to have reaped its rewards, with big hikes in their listening figures. But the celebrations may be tempered, somewhat, with the news that one of their star presenters has decided to leave tomorrow. Says... (more)

Talk's Figures Up, Beeb's Down - Say Radio Listening Figures
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 24 2008, 7.43am
A radical overhaul of Edinburgh’s all-speech radio station, talk107, appears to have reaped its rewards, with big hikes in their listening figures. But the celebrations may be tempered, somewhat, with the news that one of their star presenters has decided to leave tomorrow. Says... (more)

Online Condolences Book Set up for Tulloch
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 24 2008, 7.41am
The Drum marketing and media magazine has opened an online book of condolences, following the death of a woman it describes as “one of the highest-profile women in Scottish advertising”. Christine Tulloch died of cancer after a long battle against the disease. She was aged... (more)

Penman Returns to Take up Deputy Editorship
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 24 2008, 7.40am
The Sunday Herald’s Stephen Penman is just back from holiday, to begin a new job at the paper - as deputy editor. He vacates his previous post, as sports editor, which has been awarded to Jonathan Jobson, previously sports deputy editor. And David Milne, whom Penman succeeds, has... (more)

Bauer rules London with Magic
From Radio Today. Posted July 24 2008, 7.23am
There may have been doubt in the past but not anymore. Magic 105.4 is the undisputed number one commercial station in London, beating second place Heart 106.2 on all measures. (more)

Rajars: Magic's Neil Fox takes London breakfast top spot
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 7.06am
Magic's Neil Fox has beaten Heart's Jamie Theakston and Harriet Scott to become the number one commercial breakfast show in London. By Mark Sweney (more)

Chronicle and Echo holds pilot film competition
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 7.00am
Northampton daily showcases next generation of Spielbergs in multimedia contest (more)

Thousands hit Post and Echo websites to see live Tall Ships blog
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 7.00am
Liverpool daily titles join forces again to run live blog of Capital of Culture event (more)

Pay deal agreed at South London Press
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 7.00am
Salary rebanding and extra holiday part of new deal at Tindle-owned title (more)

Freedom of Information pioneer wants to keep MPs' addresses private
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 7.00am
Lord Clark backs a Government order to leave members' home addresses outside the remit of the Act (more)

Press campaign to fight rising tide of knife crime
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 24 2008, 7.00am
Argus features affected families and highlights dramatic statistics as part of campaign (more)

Gorillaz' Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn behind BBC's 'Monkey' Olympics ad
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 6.02am
A Jamie Hewlett-animated version of 1970s children's programme Monkey - with music by Damon Albarn - is part of a BBC campaign to push its Olympics coverage. By Mark Sweney (more)

Watch the BBC Olympic trailer by the Gorillaz team
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 6.01am
See the animated title sequence for the BBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics created by Gorillaz duo Jamie Helwett and Damon Albarn (more)

Video: Watch the BBC Olympic trailer by the Gorillaz team
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 6.01am
See the animated title sequence for the BBC's coverage of the Beijing Olympics created by Gorillaz duo Jamie Helwett and Damon Albarn (more)

Max Mosley v News of the World
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 6.01am
Born into a controversial family, Max Mosley has always been close to the public eye - never more so than in his recent privacy action against the News of the World. Here we trace his life in pictures (more)

Verdict due today in Max Mosley v News of the World
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 5.55am
Formula one boss Max Mosley will today hear whether he has been successful in his privacy action against the News of the World. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Max Mosley v News of the World timeline
From Media Guardian. Posted July 24 2008, 5.54am
How the Max Mosley v News of the World drama unfolded. By Ben Dowell (more)

XM - SIRIUS Satellite Radio Merger on Verge of Approval
From radio.about.com. Posted July 24 2008, 5.20am
Approval for the merger of the XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio providers appears imminent. According to a report by Tim Arango in The New York Times: "The Federal Communications Commission... (more)

The pools become a whole new ball game
From The Times. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
It was played by ten million people and was making a fortune for winners and donating millions of pounds to good causes long before the National Lottery. The army of people who collected football pools coupons on the nation’s doorsteps became friends to the families who huddled in front of the radio or television every Saturday teatime to find out the scores. (more)

NUJ takes police complaints to the Home Office
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear is to meet with Home Office minister Tony McNulty to complain at the treatment of journalists and photographers by police. (more)

Rajars: TalkSport fails to score from Euro 2008
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
A full round-up of the latest radio listening figures, released this morning by Rajar. (more)

Mosley wins privacy battle against News of the World
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
Formula One boss Max Mosley has today won his privacy action against the News of the World. (more)

Businessman wins £22,000 in landmark Facebook libel trial
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
A businessman whose friend created a fake Facebook profile using his name has won his libel and misuse of private information case at the High Court today and been awarded £22,000. (more)

ABCe: Guardian reclaims top spot online with 20m users
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
Guardian.co.uk reclaimed the top spot in the national newspaper web traffic league table in June when it became the first UK newspaper site to record more than 20 miliion unique users. (more)

News of the World editor warns that privacy laws are "strangling" UK press
From Press Gazette. Posted July 24 2008, 12.00am
Colin Myler, editor of the News of the World, said today that the UK media is being "strangled by stealth" by encroaching privacy laws inspired by European courts. (more)

Obituary: Donald James Wheal
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 11.09pm
Obituary: Writer of 1960s TV scripts and Inspector Vadim novels (more)

Letters: Volcanic row over climate change film rumbles on
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 11.06pm
Letters: The sad fact is that Ofcom has failed in its duty by avoiding whenever possible answering our charges (more)

Industry ready for RAJAR day
From Radio Today. Posted July 23 2008, 11.04pm
The UK radio industry has taken delivery of listening results for Quarter 2, 2008, from RAJAR. (more)

Trinity to launch mobile sites for 14 titles
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 11.00pm
The Daily Mirror and Daily Record will be first Trinity nationals to go mobile (more)

Max Mosley case: statement from Colin Myler, NOTW editor
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 11.00pm
Editor defends 'honest belief' in Nazi theme (more)

Max Mosley wins privacy case against News of the World
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 11.00pm
Motor racing chief awarded £60,000 in damages over 'Nazi-style' orgy allegations (more)

ABCe figures: Guardian breaks 20m barrier, Mail Online falls to fourth
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 11.00pm
Guardian.co.uk returns to number one position, while Mail Online falters (more)

ITV to cover early FA Cup rounds on web
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 10.26pm
ITV and the FA plan to put video highlights of selected early-round FA Cup matches on their websites. (more)

Top UK actors cast in Thatcher drama
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 9.18pm
A lineup of respected British actors are cast in a BBC Two drama charting Margaret Thatcher's downfall. (more)

McFly boost 'MoS' sales by 300,000
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 9.16pm
A free giveaway of McFly's new album lifted a Sunday newspaper's sales by 300,000, it is estimated. (more)

O'Connor quits as 'Countdown' host
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 6.29pm
Des O'Connor will quit as the host of Countdown at the end of the current series. (more)

Anita Anand to co-host 'Politics Show' on TV
From Biz Asia. Posted July 23 2008, 6.25pm
Anita Anand will co-present 'The Daily Politics' on BBC Two from September 2008. Anita said: "It isn't often that you get the chance to work on a programme of which you are such a long-standing and enthusiastic fan. This is certainly one of those times. "The Daily Politics tackles the important issues with the people who have the power to affect change. "It is an honour to be part of this excellent team. I am also very much looking forward to working with Andrew Neil, who is – let's face it – a legend!" Robbie Gibb, Editor, 'The Daily Politics', said: "Anita has a natural warm broadcasting style which she has developed so successfully on BBC Five Live. "She has a lightness of touch, genuine connection with the audience and effortless wit. She is a great addition to the Daily Politics." The Daily Politics airs every lunchtime during the Parliamentary term on BBC Two and is hosted by Andrew Neil. The programme specialises in tough interviews and discussions on the top political stories of the day. It also covers issues away from Westminster and speaks to people not normally directly involved in the world of politics. Anita will continue to present on BBC Radio 5 Live where she has established herself as a popular broadcaster. Anita has worked on Radio 5 Live Drive, The Anita Anand Show, BBC Radio 4's The World Today, BBC World Service radio, BBC Asian Network and BBC One's Heaven And Earth Show. This will be Anita's first regular TV appearance after fronting ZEE TV's UK news bulletins between the late 90s to 2003. Related links: Anita Anand lands 'Drive' on BBC Radio 5 Live Ashish quits ZEE TV, ZEE News UK in major changes (more)

DMGT sales rise even as advertising declines
From Financial Times. Posted July 23 2008, 6.18pm
The publisher of the Daily Mail reported 5% rise in third-quarter revenue, as as growth in its business-to-business division offset further falls in newspaper advertising (more)

Bunton steps in for Judy Finnegan
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 6.16pm
Emma Bunton replaces Judy Finnegan while the TV host recovers from knee surgery. (more)

Ad sales drop 16.4% at New York Times
From Financial Times. Posted July 23 2008, 6.15pm
The New York Times suffered a 16.4 per cent decrease in June advertising revenues and warned that the effects of high oil prices, a slowing economy and the housing crisis were likely to weigh on its prospects for some time (more)

Setanta chases fresh targets
From Financial Times. Posted July 23 2008, 5.51pm
Setanta has found itself fresh hares to chase, announcing a new break-even target of more than 1.5m direct subscribers to its sports channels (more)

The Wombats star in new T4 show
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 5.03pm
The Wombats will star in new T4 show Je Suis Un Rock Star next month. (more)

Agyeman, Walsh, Bamber for 'L&O: UK'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 4.49pm
Freema Agyeman, Bradley Walsh and Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber are on board for Law & Order: UK. (more)

Freeview transmission change nearly complete
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 4.47pm
Changes to the way Freeview service information is transmitted near completion. (more)

Five government ministers named to supervise state-owned Bolivian TV channel
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 4.42pm
Reporters Without Borders says it is worried by yesterday’s announcement that five government ministers have been appointed to head the state-owned National Corporation for Bolivian Television (ENTVB) under an 11 June decree declaring it to be a “strategic enterprise.” ENTVB operates the Canal 7 television station. “This decision has been taken against a backdrop of extreme [...] (more)

NEC to deliver digital TV transmitters to Broadcast Service Denmark
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 4.02pm
NEC Corporation announced today that NEC Scandinavia AB has been selected by Denmark TV broadcasting system operator, Broadcast Service Denmark A/S (BSD), to establish a digital broadcasting network. The digital TV network is scheduled to commence operation within 2008. BSD operates the national TV networks in Denmark. In Denmark, the analogue TV network will be shut down [...] (more)

First video ’splash’ for Telegraph.co.uk
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 3.44pm
An update to Twitter from Telegraph.co.uk communities editor Shane Richmond suggests the paper is breaking more new ground with its videojournalism. News of the sentencing of John Darwin, who faked his own disappearance in 2002, and his wife Anne was broken on the site using the video below: (more)

ABC Australia launches its own version of the BBC iPlayer
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 3.41pm
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation tonight launched an Internet platform that streams five new ABC channels onto computer screens. The service, called ABC iView, is modelled on the BBC’s iPlayer and enables viewers to catch up on some popular programmes they might have missed and to watch the latest news bulletins. It also has a children’s cartoon channel, a [...] (more)

Telegraph.co.uk: Felix Dennis to launch The Week in Australia, India and Canada
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 3.28pm
Felix Dennis, the man behind Dennis Publishing and magazines Stuff and The Week, is planning to launch an Australian edition of The Week in October. Future plans also involve editions for India and Canada. "I don't care if I'm investing in a so-called sunset industry. The sun is setting very, very slowly. And there are only two types of businesses: the well run and the badly run. The well run will survive a recession," he said. (more)

Iran satellite channel says Cairo bureau closed over Sadat film
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 3.27pm
Egypt has closed down an Iranian television channel’s Cairo bureau, with the channel saying it was targeted over a controversial a film about former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat that has shaken Iran-Egypt relations. An Egyptian security official told AFP on Wednesday that police raided the offices of Al-Alam satellite channel on Monday and confiscated equipment including [...] (more)

Sky Sports ?Epic England? 48 sheet
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 23 2008, 3.26pm
New multimedia campaign (more)

Mirror.co.uk joins competitors with homepage redesign
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 3.23pm
Not wanting to be left out following a new look for The Sun's homepage last Friday, a Telegraph.co.uk redesign and the last stage of the Guardian's site revamp, Mirror.co.uk began its relaunch on Monday. Starting with changes to the homepage, the rest of the site will follow suit and new features will be introduced in the [...] (more)

Living obituaries for journalists?
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 2.44pm
The Columbia Journalism Review is asking for contributions to its Parting Thoughts series - a chance for journalists on their way out of the business to share their thoughts on why and what next for the industry. In one 'letter' in the series, Jim Spencer, who was 'involuntarily separated' from the Denver Post, recalls his reaction [...] (more)

Kiss signs Grammy nominated DJ
From Radio Today. Posted July 23 2008, 2.41pm
Kiss Radio has signed Ibiza favourite DJ Tiesto for its Music is Life series of special programming over the summer. (more)

Hurt and Ryan join the cast of BBC1's new drama Merlin
From The Stage. Posted July 23 2008, 1.50pm
(more)

Al Jazeera English expands Spanish reach
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 1.02pm
Al Jazeera Network has unveiled a new contract with TSF On Sat that takes the channel to over 3.2 million households across Spain on the Hispasat satellite network. Al Jazeera English (AJE) currently reaches over 120 million households worldwide. Al Jazeera English programming will be broadcast on TSF’s satellite platform and on digital terrestrial television [...] (more)

Wartime entertainer Hutch remembered in C4 documentary
From The Stage. Posted July 23 2008, 12.40pm
(more)

In Pictures: Estelle Getty
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 12.38pm
DS takes an in-pictures look at the life of Estelle Getty. (more)

Portland fined �25k over porn breaches
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 12.25pm
Portland Television is fined �25,000 for breaches of broadcasting standards on porn channel Television X. (more)

Former USIA chief Charles Z Wick dies at 90
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 12.09pm
Charles Z Wick, the controversial, long-serving director of the United States Information Agency, who raised the agency’s profile, doubled its budget and extended its ability to reach foreign audiences through new technology such as satellite television, died of natural causes on Sunday at his Los Angeles home. He was 90. Wick, a close friend and [...] (more)

Geo TV falls foul of UK advertising law
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 12.08pm
The British advertising regulator bans a series of commercials on Geo TV UK for medical services in the US. (more)

Twitter searches for the next step
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 12.06pm
In their first newspaper interview since buying third party search startup Summize, the Twitter founders Jack Dorsey and Evan Williams talk to Giles Turnbull (more)

Dragon?s Fire to be Unleashed at PHOTONEX08
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00pm
TV entrepreneur, Doug Richard, to speak at UK?s top photonics industry gathering near Coventry Doug Richard, business entrepreneur and star of TV?s Dragons? Den, is to be one of a host of potential investors at this year?s PHOTONEX08 event at Stoneleigh Exhibition Centre in Coventry (15-16 October 2008). Mr Richard will be keynote speaker at an opening night dinner, where earlier in the day, PHOTONEX will have unveiled its Technology Innovation Forum ?a unique gathering,... (more)

McDiarmid, Fox and Hardy to appear in BBC2 Margaret Thatcher drama
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 11.53am
Ian McDiarmid, James Fox and Robert Hardy are to join Lindsay Duncan in the cast of a BBC2 drama about Margaret Thatcher's final days in office. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Guardian: Guardian chief arts correspondent on making the move to blogging
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 23 2008, 11.46am
Following yesterday's launch of Guardian.co.uk's redesigned culture section, chief arts correspondent Charlotte Higgins is now a full-time blogger for the site. She discusses her plans for the blog and the debate between blogger vs critic. (more)

Northcliffe Media sees drop in revenue
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 23 2008, 11.30am
Advertising down year-on-year for newspaper publisher (more)

Barrymore keen to appear on 'Top Gear'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 10.52am
Michael Barrymore says he wants to compete on the test track in Top Gear. (more)

C4 appoints first multicultural commissioner
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 10.50am
Channel 4 appoints Aaqil Ahmed as its first multicultural commissioning editor. (more)

Sienna Miller makes privacy complaint over Sun and News of the World holiday pics
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 10.45am
Sienna Miller has launched a legal battle against News International and photo agency Big Pictures, claiming breach of privacy. By Oliver Luft (more)

TV ratings - July 22: Audiences plummet for BBC's Eastenders and Bonekickers
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 10.45am
EastEnders pulled in one of its lowest-ever ratings, while BBC1's archaeology drama Bonekickers also continued to see its audience fall away. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Sky News remains execs' favourite
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 10.40am
Sky News remains European business executives' favoured news channel, market research shows. (more)

BBG to set up Learning English website for Persian and Mandarin speakers
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 10.30am
The US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) is soliciting bids for a contract to develop “a dynamic Learning English web site that will be used to teach English to the Persian and Mandarin languages.” The website will include lessons, exercises, drills, and tests for use by learners of English as a second language in the [...] (more)

Leukaemia journalist Adrian Sudbury to deliver Downing Street petition
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 10.08am
Local newspaper journalist and blogger Adrian Sudbury is at Downing Street today to deliver a petition for improved education about bone marrow donation. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Korean bill calls for resumption of broadcasts to North Korea
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 9.54am
A human rights bill for North Korea was submitted once again to the 18th National Assembly in South Korea. Grand National Party lawmaker Hwang Woo Yea and 22 others proposed the bill on July 4 before the opening of the Assembly. In the 17th National Assembly, the bill was not even placed on the agenda [...] (more)

Internet television service Joost enters China
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 23 2008, 9.43am
Internet television service provider Joost says it has launched a Chinese service with local portal TOM Online to tap the world’s largest online market. The company has also set up a joint venture with Hong Kong-listed TOM Group, parent of TOM Online, to bring a full Joost offering to China, Joost said in a statement posted [...] (more)

Government to unveil Olympic health push backed by ad and TV industries
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 9.28am
The government is to outline details of a multimillion-pound healthy living campaign supported by a coalition of advertisers, media companies, health charities and community groups. By Mark Sweney (more)

New social network for journalists
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 23 2008, 9.10am
MeejaHub aims to bring together reporters and media professionals (more)

Newspaper's Dump It! campaign forces rethink on contaminated waste plant
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 23 2008, 9.10am
Nuneaton Tribune drums up mass support among community opposed to plant near homes and schools (more)

Awards shortlist for memorial website
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 23 2008, 9.10am
Associated Northcliffe Digital's Lasting Tribute in the running for two prestigious awards (more)

Former chief sub-editor awarded nearly �21,000 in damages
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 23 2008, 9.10am
Sub sacked for gross misconduct wins claim of unfair dismissal against Northeast Press (more)

DMGT's B2B arm offsets newspaper fall
From Financial Times. Posted July 23 2008, 8.39am
The publisher of the Daily Mail reported 5% rise in third-quarter revenue, as as growth in its business-to-business division offset further falls in newspaper advertising (more)

Daily Mail advertising revenues plunge 5%
From The Times. Posted July 23 2008, 8.36am
Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT), the newspaper and information publisher, today reported total advertising revenue at its Associated Newspapers arm fell by 3 per cent in the third quarter as deteriorating trading conditions spread from its regional to national titles. (more)

Daily Mail & General Trust revenues up 5% despite ad dip
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 8.32am
Daily Mail & General Trust has reported revenue grew 5% year-on-year during the third quarter to June 30 despite falling ad revenues. By Oliver Luft (more)

Arts Mag Fails in Latest Attack on Doherty
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 23 2008, 8.15am
An attempt has failed to have the president of the National Union of Journalists suspended. It is the latest episode in a battle between an arts magazine and James Doherty, in his capacity as media manager for Culture and Sport Glasgow. Variant magazine is accusing Doherty of suppressing... (more)

Golden Girl Estelle Getty dies at 84
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 8.03am
Estelle Getty, who starred as the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia in The Golden Girls, has died at the age of 84. By Rachel Williams (more)

Michelle Ryan and John Hurt join all-star cast for BBC1 drama Merlin
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 6.14am
Bionic Woman star Michelle Ryan will join veteran actor John Hurt in the cast of BBC1's forthcoming fantasy drama Merlin. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Herald and Times MD denies Charles McGhee quit over newsroom merger plans
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2008, 6.12am
The MD of The Herald and Times newspaper group has denied Charles McGhee resigned as editor of its flagship title over a plan to merge newsrooms. By Severin Carrell (more)

Digital TV sales defy slowdown
From Financial Times. Posted July 23 2008, 3.00am
US consumers are continuing spend more on flat-panel digital televisions and other consumer electronics products despite the credit crunch and economic slowdown,... (more)

No more talk for Diamond
From Radio Today. Posted July 23 2008, 12.48am
One half of the Diamond and de Andrade drive show on Edinburgh's talk107, Dominik Diamond, is leaving. He joined the station just 12 months ago from Xfm Scotland. (more)

GCap helps charity projects
From Radio Today. Posted July 23 2008, 12.31am
GCap Media and youth volunteering charity v have created over 6000 opportunities at 170 projects across England in the first half of its three year partnership. (more)

More radio stations for Freesat
From Radio Today. Posted July 23 2008, 12.21am
Seven more stations will starting broadcasting via the Freesat line-up on August 1st.Capital 95.8, Xfm, Classic FM, Gold, NME Radio, Insight Radio and BFBS will join 10 BBC channels and Virgin Radio on the new free-to-air satellite service. (more)

John Hurt, Michelle Ryan join 'Merlin'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 23 2008, 12.02am
John Hurt, Michelle Ryan and Santiago Cabrera join the cast of BBC One's fantasy drama Merlin. (more)

Sky to take on Apple's iTunes with online MP3 music service
From Daily Telegraph. Posted July 23 2008, 12.01am
BSkyB is taking on Apple by launching an online subscription music service, signing the world's largest music group, Universal, as its first partner. (more)

NUJ happy with deal at South London Press
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
NUJ members at the South London Press have accepted a new three per cent pay deal from the paper's management after the addition of a change to pay bands. (more)

NME: From magazine to website to radio station
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
As brand extensions go, NME Radio makes perfect sense says Rachael Gallagher, who probes the NME team about the digital station’s launch (more)

Sub editor sacked over text messages wins £20k payout
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
A local newspaper chief sub-editor has won £20,000 for being wrongfully dismissed after he drunkenly sent a personal late-night text message to a female junior colleague. (more)

Northcliffe issues gloomy prognosis and warns of cuts
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
Daily Mail and General Trust has refused to rule out further job cuts in its regional newspaper business, Northcliffe Media, after it reported a sharp decline in advertising revenue. (more)

Publisher reports 5% rise in revenues despite weak advertising performance
From The Scotsman. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
THE publisher of the Daily Mail today reported a five per cent rise in third-quarter revenues after a strong performance in its business information division offset weak adver (more)

Thousands log on to Post and Echo's Tall Ships live blog
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
The Liverpool Post and Echo attracted more than 9,000 visitors to their live blog coverage of the four-day Tall Ships Race 2008 last weekend, the latest in a string of live blogs from the papers. (more)

Mirror unveils new-look web site
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
The Mirror has unveiled the long-rumoured redesign of its website, which was developed with Cases i Associats, the Spanish design firm that has also redesigned of the Daily Mirror print edition. (more)

Associated Newspapers wins legal fight against scottishdailymail.co.uk cybersquatter
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
Associated Newspapers has won an order giving them ownership of internet domain name ‘scottishdailymail.co.uk’, which was used as a commercial directory website that pointed visitors to rival media including the Independent newspaper. (more)

Associated Newspapers wins fight against cybersquatter
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
Associated Newspapers has won an order giving them ownership of internet domain name scottishdailymail.co.uk, which was used as a commercial directory website that pointed visitors to rival media including the Independent newspaper. (more)

Guardian appoints former Washington Post digital publisher to advise on US expansion
From Press Gazette. Posted July 23 2008, 12.00am
Guardian News and Media has appointed a former chief executive and publisher of the Washington Post’s digital wing to expand its business in America. (more)

Sex and the City star turns to art
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 11.08pm
Sarah Jessica Parker to front new reality television show American Artist (more)

Stephen Moss: The Wire: the unmissable show that no one is watching
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 11.06pm
Television is dead. Long live The Oresteia, Measure for Measure, Bleak House, War and Peace (more)

Music industry: Sky sets up rival for iTunes with Universal deal
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 11.06pm
BSkyB announces tie-up with the world's biggest record label to launch an 'all you can eat' digital service (more)

One of UK's largest newspaper publishers to ban ads for 'adult services'
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 11.05pm
One of the largest newspaper publishers in the UK to ban advertisements for 'adult services' (more)

US advertising: McMorning Las Vegas, here's the news
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 11.04pm
The growth of product placement on US TV shows has taken another controversial step with the introduction of McDonald's iced coffee front of Fox News anchors in regional news programmes. By Ed Pilkington (more)

'Baldy Blogger' hands bone marrow petition to parliament
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 11.00pm
Journalist and blogger Adrian Sudbury will submit almost 11,000 signatures to schools secretary (more)

Freelancer of the fortnight: Nick Goundry, London
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 11.00pm
Journalism.co.uk catches up with a member of its freelance community. Nick Goundry specialises in film and entertainment and is currently based in London. (more)

MessyMedia ceases blog publishing
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 11.00pm
Blogs Westmonster and Glitterditch have been closed, because of insufficient audience figures (more)

Channel 4 opens awards for young media talent
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 11.00pm
Wide ranging media awards are part of the broadcaster's search for fresh talent (more)

Guardian appoints Washington Post digital executive Caroline Little
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 11.00pm
Little will become a special adviser to the Guardian's US team (more)

New York Times in social network site tie-up
From Financial Times. Posted July 22 2008, 9.01pm
A new alliance between the New York Times and LinkedIn, the social network for professionals, could allow LinkedIn users' data to shape the media and advertising they see elsewhere across the internet (more)

Hamish Mykura: Greens, not Channel 4, create climate-change scepticism
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 5.30pm
Hamish Mykura: Don't blame Channel 4. It is greens trying to stamp out dissent who harm their own cause (more)

SportsXchange confirms FTA, Sky EPG slot
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 5.16pm
SportsXchange is confirmed as a free to air channel with Sky EPG slot 456. (more)

Freesat adding 18 channels, radio stations
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 5.14pm
Freesat announces the addition of 18 FTA satellite TV channels and radio stations to its EPG. (more)

Radio Plymouth win FM licence
From Radio Today. Posted July 22 2008, 5.04pm
Radio Plymouth has been awarded the long-overdue FM licence for Plymouth. It follows a two year wait since the licence was first won, to be then handed back to Ofcom.The losing applicant was UKRD, who had proposed a station branded as Pirate FM. (more)

TimesOnline: Esquire to produce flashing magazine cover
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 4.11pm
The cover will flash 'the 21st century begins now' thanks to a battery, which will last for 90 days. (more)

Red Bee Media chief executive Pam Masters to take on new role
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 3.56pm
Pam Masters, the chief executive of television company Red Bee Media, is stepping down to take on the newly created board position of vice-chairman. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Sun’s Page 3 widget breaks download records
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 3.32pm
A Page 3 girl widget for RSS feeds, launched by The Sun on Friday, has beaten previous download figures for Sun apps after only three days, the newspaper has said. The Keeley Hazell application (see below) was built using Adobe Air - a new piece of technology, which allows one widget to be built that will [...] (more)

Lil' Chris backstage at T4 On The Beach
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 3.28pm
Popstar-turned-presenter Lil' Chris tells DS about his new TV series. (more)

Radiohead, Adele up for Mercury Prize
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 3.22pm
Radiohead, Adele and Estelle are nominated for this year's Nationwide Mercury Music Prize. (more)

Playboy TV ad puts the bounce into summer
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 22 2008, 3.01pm
Stars bikini babes on bouncy castle (more)

'Dragons' Den' heats up BBC Two ratings
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 2.45pm
The sixth season of Dragons' Den made an impressive start in the ratings on BBC Two last night. (more)

Analysis: Colleagues welcome Roly Keating's move to new archive role
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 2.42pm
Roly Keating's appointment as the BBC's first director of archive content presents him with a major managerial challenge - and allows BBC2 to get a fresh injection of new blood. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

MG OMD Media Marketplace. Radio overview July.
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 22 2008, 2.22pm
Expert industry insight (more)

Radio Host Michael Under Fire for Remarks on Autistic Children
From radio.about.com. Posted July 22 2008, 1.48pm
Talk show host, Michael Savage, is being harshly criticized by some for comments he made concerning autistic children. According to newsday.com: "...he called autism 'a fraud, a racket. ... I'll... (more)

Radio Host Michael Savage Under Fire for Remarks on Autistic Children
From radio.about.com. Posted July 22 2008, 1.48pm
Talk show host, Michael Savage, is being harshly criticized by some for comments he made concerning autistic children. According to newsday.com: "...he called autism 'a fraud, a racket. ... I'll... (more)

Keating leaves BBC2 to lead archive content division
From The Stage. Posted July 22 2008, 1.40pm
(more)

International Blogging and New Media Association names new president
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 1.27pm
The International Blogging and New Media Association (IBNMA) has relaunched under the leadership of new president Paul Chaney. "The IBNMA strives to serve the interests of the blogging and new media communities as a global non-profit association. The Association's mission is four-fold: to provide research, information, education and advocacy to bloggers, podcasters, social media consultants [...] (more)

Spleak launches new online communities
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 1.17pm
California-based startup Spleak Media Network has launched three new online applications for fashion, TV and gaming communities. StyleSpleak, TVSpleak and GameSpleak will work in the same way as the company's existing sites by providing short-form news and gossip updates alongside comments and contributions from users, and content from partnered media organisations such as Hearst Digital. The Spleak [...] (more)

NYTimes: Tribune employees start protest blog against job cuts
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 1.00pm
Journalists facing the axe at Tribune's titles are using the Tell Zell blog to protest against the publisher's owner Sam Zell. (more)

Press Gazette: Automated news will free up journalists, says agency report
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 12.59pm
Automated news - produced by machines for machines - is set to become an increasingly important part of the news agency's arsenal, according to a report released by Thomson Reuters. The news provider hopes the increase of such automated news, for financial information in particular, will free up journalists to write analysis of this info instead. (more)

BSkyB and Universal to launch digital music service
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 12.57pm
BSkyB is to break into the digital music market with a new business, launched in conjunction with Universal Music, that aims to take on Apple's iTunes in the UK. By Mark Sweney (more)

TIML increase commerical focus
From Radio Today. Posted July 22 2008, 12.56pm
The new owners of Virgin Radio have appointed Chris Goldson to the new role of Commercial Content Director, in a bid to grow revenue through creative commercial output. (more)

TIML increase commercial focus
From Radio Today. Posted July 22 2008, 12.56pm
The new owners of Virgin Radio have appointed Chris Goldson to the new role of Commercial Content Director, in a bid to grow revenue through creative commercial output. (more)

Harpers relaunches as TalkingDrinks.co.uk
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 22 2008, 12.53pm
The website for the wine and spirits industry Harpers.co.uk is relaunching with a new name and expanded coverage of the industry. The Nexus Business Media title will be called TalkingDrinks.com from July 24 and will include a range of new interactive features, such as blogs and forums, a press release from the publisher said. Breaking news will [...] (more)

Choice PC made redundant
From Radio Today. Posted July 22 2008, 12.48pm
London newspaper New Nation has reported that Choice FM programme controller Ivor Etienne was one of the staff made redundant by GCap last week.Radio Today understands from separate sources that more significant cuts are expected by staff as the IT, sales and HR operations of Global and GCap are merged once the buyout of GCap by Global is complete. (more)

Insight Radio in DAB talks
From Radio Today. Posted July 22 2008, 12.36pm
Glasgow based Insight Radio is in talks with DAB multiplex operators to secure space on the digital platform. (more)

'Bones', '24' and 'Earl' join UK iTunes
From Digital Spy. Posted July 22 2008, 12.24pm
Fox makes several of its hit TV shows available for paid-for download on iTunes in the UK. (more)

Janice Hadlow tipped for BBC2 top job
From Media Guardian. Posted July 22 2008, 12.06pm
The BBC4 controller, Janice Hadlow, is tipped as favourite to take over BBC2 following Roly Keating's announcement that he is to step down as controller. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

DRM Consortium welcomes shortwave tests in Alaska
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 22 2008, 11.43am
The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium (DRM) says it’s pleased to learn that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) of the USA has granted a licence to Digital Aurora Radio Technologies (DART) that will conduct a 2 year experiment for coverage of the state of Alaska with DRM signals in three of