Purple Radio - news archive

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

Ecuador seizes three television stations and a radio station
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 9 2008, 10.06am
Ecuador yesterday seized three television stations and closed a radio station, in a move opposition leaders said was part of President Rafael Correa’s effort to muzzle media ahead of a September constitutional referendum.Ā Police took over the studios of Gamavision, TC Television and a cable TV station, as part of 200 seized properties of brothers William [...] (more)

Union files complaint over Montreal AM format change
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 9 2008, 9.56am
Corus, the owner of 940 News, the Montreal English radio station which recently abandoned its news operations, has breached its licence commitment, says a complaint filed yesterday by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP-FTQ). The CEP represents the employees laid off at the station as a result of the 180 degree turn in programming. “It’s a [...] (more)

C4 and Red Bee confirm outsourcing plans
From Digital Spy. Posted July 9 2008, 9.32am
Channel 4 finalises a deal to outsource a large proportion of its broadcast operations. (more)

New regional current affairs shows for ITV
From Digital Spy. Posted July 9 2008, 9.16am
ITV is to introduce a uniform programme name and brand for its regional current affairs coverage. (more)

Confidence drops in Sky's 10m target
From Digital Spy. Posted July 9 2008, 9.01am
Analysts lose confidence in Sky's ability to reach its target of 10m subscribers by the end of 2010. (more)

BSkyB cleared over carbon-neutral ads
From Media Guardian. Posted July 9 2008, 8.43am
BSkyB has survived a challenge to its carbon-neutral status after the ASA rejected complaints about an ad trumpeting its eco policy. By Mark Sweney (more)

WRN goes 247 in Moscow
From Radio Today. Posted July 9 2008, 8.13am
London-based international broadcaster WRN is now available in Moscow on 738 kHz AM 24 hours a day. Previously, the station broadcast from 6am till midnight. (more)

More Network Commissions Identified as Key Priority for BBC Scotland
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 9 2008, 8.12am
The BBC has been told by its own 'audience focus group', the Audience Council for Scotland, that two key priorities for next year should be increasing network commissions from Scotland and improving coverage of Scottish affairs on the BBC networks. It follows the publication... (more)

Germany calls for British journalists
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 9 2008, 6.40am
Bursary scheme offers European media opportunity, Johnston Press appoints new board member - and more news in brief (more)

Newspapers' campaign is mad about The Hatters
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 9 2008, 6.40am
Luton News and Dunstable Gazette to go straight to FA over Luton Town FC punishment (more)

Jokey journo dabbles in stand-up comedy
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 9 2008, 6.40am
Chief reporter takes to the comedy club stage ? and generates future gigs in the process (more)

Royal Mail junks council freesheet
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 9 2008, 6.40am
Readers brand £400,000-a-year paper a waste of money (more)

Helmand hospital beckons for health reporter Liz
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 9 2008, 6.40am
South Wales journalist to spend time with military medics in Afghanistan (more)

Former Global exec offers help
From Radio Today. Posted July 9 2008, 6.23am
Global Radio's former director of regulatory and public affairs Daniel Owen has gone solo, offering advice on the rules and regulations of the industry. (more)

Fashion DJs: Fashion radio station gets three-day licence
From Media Guardian. Posted July 9 2008, 6.12am
Radio independent Somethin' Else is to broadcast a fashion station for three days, featuring Naomi Campbell and Jefferson Hack. By Ben Dowell (more)

BBC's debt to Oprah as sales flourish
From Financial Times. Posted July 9 2008, 3.00am
The power of Oprah Winfrey and the glitter of ballroom dancing helped BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the publicly funded broadcaster, to exceed profit... (more)

Ecuador debt markets suffer after finance minister quits
From Financial Times. Posted July 9 2008, 3.00am
Ecuadorian debt markets suffered sharp losses yesterday following the resignation of Fausto Ortiz, finance minister, and a government raid on two television stations... (more)

Ecuador debt markets suffer after resignation
From Financial Times. Posted July 9 2008, 3.00am
Ecuadorian debt markets suffered sharp losses yesterday following the resignation of Fausto Ortiz, finance minister, and a government raid on two television stations... (more)

PHOTOS: Arqiva Awards 2008
From Radio Today. Posted July 9 2008, 12.24am
Fresh from the party atmosphere at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards 2008, RadioToday.co.uk can bring you photos of all the winners, and one or two celebrity guests.See Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Dynamite MC and Fiona Phillips off the telly along side the biggest talent from the commercial radio industry. (more)

Barclays stops loans at FirstPlus
From Daily Telegraph. Posted July 9 2008, 12.01am
Barclays is closing the doors to new lending at FirstPlus, the controversial loans business which was advertised by TV presenter Carol Vorderman. (more)

BBC Worldwide signals Ā£55m investment
From Daily Telegraph. Posted July 9 2008, 12.01am
The BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has increased annual profits by 17pc to Ā£117.7m but warned investment in new businesses and the economic outlook could rein in four consecutive years of double digit growth. (more)

BBC chiefs cash in after year of turmoil
From The Independent. Posted July 9 2008, 12.00am
Senior executives at the BBC have been given pay rises of more than £100,000 each after a year in which the corporation was dogged by phone-in scandals, job cuts, and revelations about editorial "fakery". (more)

Public health expert criticises 'irresponsible' TV hygiene standards
From The Independent. Posted July 9 2008, 12.00am
A public health expert has spoken of her frustration over the standards of hygiene in cookery programmes on television. (more)

BBC executives’ pay rises 17% to nearly £5m despite scandals
From The Times. Posted July 9 2008, 12.00am
Mark Thompson, the BBC’s Director-General, and his nine most senior colleagues had their combined pay boosted by 17 per cent last year while they presided over a string of phone-in and fakery scandals. (more)

Felix Dennis eyes mystery US mag buy-up
From Press Gazette. Posted July 9 2008, 12.00am
The big guessing game in the American magazine world at the moment is which well-known publication is the target of Felix Dennis? (more)

BBC executive pay rises
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 11.04pm
Jana Bennett, the BBC executive who presided over fakery scandals and premium phone line controversy has received a six-figure pay rise. By Owen Gibson (more)

Global hits drive BBC Worldwide to Ā£117m profit
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 11.04pm
Commercial arm unveils record profits driven by export of Top Gear and other 'superbrands' such as Lonely Planet (more)

Media: Doctor Who helps drive to record profits in BBC Worldwide's global expansion
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 11.04pm
BBC unveils plans for acquisition of Lonely Planet and reveals it is considering 20 other 'global superbrands' (more)

David Shrimpton becomes managing editor of Nexus Business Media's digital division
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 11.00pm
Former editor of TalkingRetail.com to oversee a number of websites (more)

Helen Mayson joins Edge magazine as deputy editor
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 11.00pm
Mayson moves from lifestyle publication DV8 (more)

Annual report
From BBC News. Posted July 8 2008, 8.51pm
Do BBC executives deserve to be paid top dollar? (more)

TV chefs "irresponsible" on hygiene
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 8.05pm
A public health official says TV cooking shows are setting a bad example on food hygiene. (more)

XM Provides MLB All-Star Coverage, SIRIUS Features ABBA
From radio.about.com. Posted July 8 2008, 7.35pm
XM Satellite Radio is providing coverage of the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Week in New York City along with the 79th MLB All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July... (more)

News of the World editor Colin Myler defends Max Mosley exposĆ©
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 5.03pm
The News of the World was right to publish the exposĆ© of formula one boss Max Mosley's sex parties, the newspaper's editor told the high court today. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

BBC Worldwide annual review: Strong performance from UKTV and BBC America
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 4.42pm
BBC Worldwide has reported an 8.8% increase in sales at its channels division, fuelled by improvements in both the UK and overseas. By Mark Sweney (more)

'Apprentice' winner finally starts work
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 4.41pm
Sir Alan Sugar's Apprentice Lee McQueen finally starts his new job. (more)

BBC annual report: BBC sets objectives for year ahead
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 4.38pm
The BBC has been set six high-level objectives for the next year, including making itself more distinctive from other broadcasters. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC annual report: executive bonuses remain despite job cuts and calls for management restructure
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 4.21pm
The BBC's executive directors' pay rose by £708,000 in 2007/8 with pay for the 10 directors totalling £4,960,000, according to figures from the corporation's annual report. Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision, received a bonus of £41,000, while outgoing director of Future Media & Technology Ashley Highfield received £34,000. Director general Mark Thompson rejected the offer [...] (more)

BBC forced to reveal EastEnders costs under Freedom of Information Act
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.58pm
The BBC has been ordered to reveal the annual staff costs of its flagship soap EastEnders following a freedom of information request. By Ben Dowell (more)

BBC braced for economic downturn
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.36pm
The BBC has warned of economic pressure on its finances, although it hopes to avoid further 'large-scale' redundancies. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Maggie Brown: do the BBC's viewers mean what they say they like?
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.30pm
Maggie Brown: Putting distinctiveness and quality before ratings is a wonderful goal, but in the end the BBC believes it is in the numbers game (more)

Turkmenistan frees RFE/RL radio reporter
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 3.17pm
Turkmenistan’s authorities have released a reporter working for US-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after two weeks of detention, RFE/RL said in a statement.Ā RFE/RL said last month that Sazak Durdymuradov, a contributing reporter on its Turkmen service, was detained and tortured after he refused to stop working for the Prague-based broadcaster. “The move came amid growing [...] (more)

After 250 job cuts, LA Times leading reporters head to ProPublica
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 3.16pm
Last week LA Times, one of the biggest employers of journalists in the US, announced that it would be dispensing with the services of 150 of them as part of a total 250 job losses at the paper. Yesterday afternoon it emerged that two more journalists would likely be leaving the LA Times, but not as [...] (more)

BBC annual report: BBC website reaches 33.2m worldwide users
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.07pm
The BBC Trust's has said bbc.co.uk performed well for quality and value for money but didn't do enough to encourage dialogue. By Jemima Kiss (more)

BBC Trust questions future of digital radio in annual report
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.00pm
The 'long-term viability' of digital radio has been questioned by the BBC Trust, which said that digital-only stations had "yet to make a breakthrough". By Ben Dowell (more)

Sholto Byrnes: It's time to curtail the freedom of the press
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 3.00pm
Sholto Byrnes: There are certain things newspapers do not have the right to print, which is why I hope Max Mosley wins his case (more)

Channel 4 plans move into video games
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 2.56pm
Broadcaster Channel 4 signs deal with a games developer as it plans its move into the business. (more)

WRN Moscow mediumwave relay now running 24 hours a day
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 2.44pm
WRN has announced that, as ofĀ 28 June, its Moscow AM station on 738 kHz has been extended to continuous 24 hours a day operation.Ā Vsemyrniya Radioset, which translates as World Radio Network, broadcasts the best Russian language news and feature programmes from the most respected international radio broadcasters, alongside local content from Russian broadcasters.Ā Previously the station [...] (more)

Unions attack BBC executive bonuses
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 2.27pm
Broadcasting unions have condemned BBC executives who received big pay rises and bonuses while hundreds of staff were being made redundant. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Harris wants more credit for Dizzee track
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 2.19pm
Calvin Harris wants more recognition for his contribution to chart-topping single 'Dance Wiv Me'. (more)

Online Journalism Scandinavia: Norwayā€™s Aftenposten to webcast editorial meetings
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 2.13pm
Norway's newspaper of record, the Schibsted-owned Aftenposten, is to start webcasting parts of its editorial meetings. Following of a newspaper debate on media transparency where American regional newspaper Spokesman-Review, which has webcast its editorial meetings since June 2006, was upheld as an ideal in terms of editorial transparency, the paper's editor-in-chief Hans Erik Matre told attendees [...] (more)

BBC publishes its annual report and accounts
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 1.26pm
The BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08 is now available online. Also published today is the BBC World Service Annual Review for 2007/2008. Bookmark to: (more)

Newsquest pay dispute ends in York
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 1.09pm
Journalists at Newsquest's papers in York have failed in their campaign for a 3.5% pay rise and accepted management's original offer. By Stephen Brook (more)

'Up to 100' face axe at News International
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 1.02pm
News International is set to make large-scale redundancies as it merges its two commercial divisions into one, with one report saying up to 100 jobs could go. By Stephen Brook (more)

BBC Worldwide to review children's strategy after Ā£7.2m annual loss
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 12.43pm
A 'fundamental strategic review' of BBC Worldwide's kids' programming and merchandising business - home to the Teletubbies - has been announced. By Mark Sweney (more)

BBC Trust report: BBC1 urged to strive for quality
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 12.41pm
The BBC Trust has called on the new BBC1 controller, Jay Hunt, to reach the heights of quality programming 'more frequently'. By Ben Dowell (more)

BBC annual report: BBC1 urged to strive for quality
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 12.41pm
The BBC Trust has called on the new BBC1 controller, Jay Hunt, to reach the heights of quality programming 'more frequently'. By Ben Dowell (more)

BBC misses efficiency target by £8m
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 12.36pm
The BBC missed a three-year efficiency savings target by £8m, the corporation's annual report reveals. (more)

Associated-Northcliffe's digital chief leaves company
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 12.20pm
Andy Hart departs ahead of forthcoming organisational changes (more)

BBC chief defends directors' pay hikes
From The Independent. Posted July 8 2008, 12.19pm
The BBC's Director-General today defended the decision to award pay rises to the corporation's executive directors despite a year of job cuts and phone-in scandals. (more)

The dangers of automated subbingā€¦
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 11.54am
I'm late coming to this posting on Regret the Error (which I found through Dave Lee's blog), but it's too good not to post. Site OneNewsNow - part of the American Family News network - has a filter set up that automatically substitutes the word 'gay' in copy for 'homosexual'. When some Associated Press copy came in [...] (more)

BBC1 works ratings magic with 'New Tricks'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 11.53am
The return of detective drama New Tricks drew a large audience to BBC One last night. (more)

BBC Worldwide sees record profits
From BBC News. Posted July 8 2008, 11.52am
Strong sales of popular programmes to overseas broadcasters has helped the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, boost operating profit by 17% to £117m. (more)

Record profits for BBC Worldwide
From BBC News. Posted July 8 2008, 11.52am
Strong sales of popular programmes to overseas broadcasters has helped the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, boost operating profit by 17% to £117m. (more)

BBC Worldwide cautious about future despite profit boost
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 11.46am
BBC Worldwide has recorded a 17% increase in operating profits but warned that its future performance could be hit by worsening economic conditions. By Mark Sweney (more)

China: CCTV to broadcast Olympic events live without delay
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 11.39am
Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 8 July: China Central Television (CCTV) will broadcast Olympic events live “without time delay,” a first for the national broadcaster since its founding half a century ago, a senior executive said here on Tuesday [8 July]. The state TV station [...] (more)

Steve Hewlett to front Radio 4 media show
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 11.31am
BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a new weekly programme on the media industry from October. Presented by former TV executive Steve Hewlett, The Media Show will also be available as a podcast and will run for a year. It will focus on changes affecting all aspects of the industry: print, online, television, radio and telecommunications, a release [...] (more)

ITV unveils new regional current affairs show Here and Now to rival BBC's Inside Out
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 11.30am
ITV is to replace its regional current affairs programmes in England with a uniform brand ā€“ and will give it the same name as a former BBC current affairs programme. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC bosses' pay leaps by 17 per cent
From The Times. Posted July 8 2008, 11.29am
The pay of BBC bosses has leapt by 17 per cent while they have presided over a string of phone-in scandals and a row involving faked footage of the Queen. (more)

Newsquest York journalists seal pay deal
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 11.18am
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members at Newsquest's The Press and Gazette & Herald in York have accepted a three per cent salary rise - the result of long-term negotiations and industrial action at the titles. In May NUJ members at Newsquest York staged a five-day strike over the proposed three per cent pay increase. According to [...] (more)

Full ABC Radio Olympics coverage will not reach Sydney
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 10.41am
ABC Radio will be unable to provide full Olympic coverage across its national network for the first time after failing to agree to a deal on Sydney broadcast rights with commercial broadcastert 2GB. While 702 ABC Sydney listeners will receive Olympic updates, they will be denied full coverage, prompting an angry reaction yesterday from ABC [...] (more)

Fire alarm takes BBC Scotland news off air
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 10.34am
The flagship BBC One news programme in Scotland was forced off air by a fire alarm last night. (more)

BBC cuts bonuses for TV and radio chiefs in wake of deception scandal
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.27am
The bonuses of the two senior BBC executives responsible for its TV and radio services have been cut by up to 40% because of last year's string of deception scandals. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC TV and radio bosses still receive bonuses despite deception scandal
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.27am
The two senior BBC executives responsible for its TV and radio services have still received bonuses totalling more than Ā£40,000, despite last year's string of deception scandals. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Andrew Neil takes step back from Spectator
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.11am
Andrew Neil has appointed Ben Greenish as managing director of the Spectator's publisher, Press Holdings Media Group. By Stephen Brook (more)

TV ratings - July 7: New series of BBC1's New Tricks wins 9 million viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.08am
BBC1's popular detective drama New Tricks returned strongly for the start of a new series last night, attracting nearly 9 million viewers in the 9pm hour. By Ben Dowell (more)

TV ratings - July 7: New series of BBC1's New Tricks wins 8.7 million viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 10.08am
BBC1's popular detective drama New Tricks returned strongly for the start of a new series last night, attracting almost 9 million viewers in the 9pm hour. By Ben Dowell (more)

ITV buyout attempt imminent?
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 10.04am
Potential buyers may use Sky's stake in ITV as the launchpad for a takeover, it is rumoured. (more)

European broadcasters go green
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 9.58am
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has launched a multimedia package of co-productions to promote greater awareness of climate change. The proposal was announced at the EBU’s General Assembly in Budapest by the Director of Eurovision TV, BjĆørn Erichsen. Climate change and global warming are high on the international political agenda. This year’s G8 summit sees climate [...] (more)

BBC Scotland goes off the air briefly after fire scare
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 9.45am
Last night’s Scottish news programme from BBC Scotland was replaced by the regional news for London, and BBC Radio Scotland went off the air,Ā Ā when aĀ fire scare at Pacific Quay, BBC Scotland’s new Ā£190 million headquarters on the banks of the River Clyde, meant the building had to be evacuated.Ā Staff were forced to wait outside until [...] (more)

Satellites launched for Arab League and US firm
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 8 2008, 9.32am
An Ariane-5 rocket blasted off from Europe’s space base in French Guiana on Monday, putting into orbit satellites for the Arab League and a U.S.-linked telecommunications firm, officials said.Ā Twenty-seven minutes after its launch from the Kourou base, the rocket released ProtoStar-1 - the first satellite for the new US-based telecommunications company ProtoStar. The satellite, built [...] (more)

Pay deal secured at Newsquest newspapers
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 9.20am
Ten-month wages dispute comes to an end as union agrees deal with bosses (more)

Launch date set for Military History
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 9.19am
The official launch date for the Military History Channel in the UK is announced as July 28. (more)

'Katie And Peter' show broke privacy rules
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 9.17am
ITV2 show Katie And Peter: The Baby Diaries infringed the privacy of Katie Price and Peter Andre's nanny. (more)

UKTV sale delayed by online rights dispute?
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 9.12am
The sale of Virgin's half of UKTV is reportedly being delayed by an internal BBC dispute over online distribution rights. (more)

BBC3 to follow YouTube zombie project
From Digital Spy. Posted July 8 2008, 8.44am
BBC Three commissions a multiplatform project on "YouTube sensation" Bryony Matthewman. (more)

Donovan 'does a James Whale'
From Radio Today. Posted July 8 2008, 8.35am
Singer turned GCap presenter Jason Donovan has attracted an Ofcom complaint for supporting Boris Johnson during one of his networked radio programmes. (more)

No competition for Southport
From Radio Today. Posted July 8 2008, 8.11am
Ofcom has received just one declaration of intent for the Southport local commercial radio licence - from current licensee Dune FM. (more)

GCap made-up with new sponsor
From Radio Today. Posted July 8 2008, 8.07am
GCap Mediaā€™s Capital 95.8 has signed a major sponsorship deal with make-up brand Rimmel London, to support their up close and personal summer gigs. (more)

Journalist's bail hearing protest after entry ban
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 7.00am
Letter to judge successfully secures reporter court coverage (more)

New home in the country for Archant glossies
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 7.00am
Lifestyle titles to get new editors (more)

Photographer plummets to Earth in charity leap
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 7.00am
Journal snapper lives to tell the tale of 10,000ft jump and raise over £400 (more)

New-look for Newsquest websites
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 7.00am
Publisher starts roll-out of revamped look for newspapers' digital arm (more)

Weekly reunites bride-to-be with long-lost sister
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 8 2008, 7.00am
Hannah and her sister reunited thanks to chief reporter's efforts (more)

Channel Five's Milkshake programming is 'good for kids' says report
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 6.18am
Milkshake, Channel Five's brand for the under fives, provides a major boost to the children's TV production industry in Britain, according to a new report. By Maggie Brown (more)

Radio 4 to Launch Media Show
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 8 2008, 5.33am
The BBC is to launch a 52 weeks-a-year radio show devoted to reporting, analysing and commenting on the media. The Media Show, to be presented by journalist and former TV executive, Steve Hewlett, begins from October 1 and will be broadcast on a Wednesdays, at 1.30pm. It will also be available... (more)

The Scottish Press - From 1955 to the Present Day: An Essay
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 8 2008, 5.31am
David Hutchison, a research fellow in media policy at Glasgow Caledonian University, is co-editor of the recently-published The Media in Scotland. Here, from a chapter in the book, he considers the Scottish newspaper industry during the last half century. When radio began in the 1920s, British... (more)

FT.com: Washington Post hires ex-Wall Street Journal managing editor Marcus Brauchli
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 8 2008, 5.26am
Brauchli, who left the WSJ in April, will become the Washington Post's new executive editor in September. He will replace Leonard Downie. (more)

Washington Post chooses WSJ outsider as editor
From Media Guardian. Posted July 8 2008, 12.29am
The Washington Post has appointed Marcus Brauchli as executive editor, replacing Leonard Downie Jr (more)

Sex and politics: June Sarpong on life after TV
From The Independent. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
June Sarpong has always been a bit political. The 31-year-old might be best known to teenagers as the anchor of the Channel 4 Sunday morning magazine T4 – but she is known in Westminster as the ex-girlfriend of David Lammy, the former arts minister. She works for several charities, such as Kids Company, The Prince's Trust and Make Poverty History – and she has interviewed Tony Blair, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and Gordon Brown. (more)

Falling ad sales forces closure
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
The financial downturn has claimed Touch magazine, a title aimed at young black Britons. (more)

Journalists at Newsquest York end strike with big rise for trainees
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
Journalists at Newsquest York have ended their ten-month pay dispute accepting the originial pay offer of three per cent. (more)

Luton and Dunstable titles launch campaign for the Hatters
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
Weekly papers the Luton News and Dunstable Gazette have launched a campaign to save football club Luton Town from a 10-point penalty and Ā£50,000 fine. (more)

BBC defends executives' bonus awards
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson today defended the decision to award pay rises to the corporation's executive directors despite a year of job cuts and phone-in scandals. (more)

BBC Magazines sees increase in sales but profits drop
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
BBC Magazines has seen an increase in sales despite a ā€turbulentā€¯ time for consumer magazines. (more)

Daily Star apologises to Peaches Geldof over transsexual claim
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
The Daily Star has apologised to Peaches Geldof for claiming that her entry on Wikipedia had been edited to say she was a transsexual. (more)

New managing director post at Spectator publisher
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
The publisher of The Spectator, Press Holdings Media Group, has created the new role of managing director and has appointed former Emap managing director Ben Greenish to the post. (more)

Max Mosley: Woman rejects 'Nazi' role-play claims
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
A witness at at the privacy case involving Max Mosley and the News of the World today rejected an allegation that there had been Nazi role-play in a sado-masochistic session with F1 boss. (more)

Mosley sex party case: Myler takes the stand
From Press Gazette. Posted July 8 2008, 12.00am
Colin Myler, editor of the News of the World, gave evidence today in the Max Mosley sex orgy privacy hearing and told the court he believed the story was one of "legitimate public interest and one that I believe was legitimately published". (more)

Cable girl: Lucy Mangan on Living Lohan
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.55pm
Lucy Mangan on Living Lohan (more)

Paul Howlett's TV film picks: On a Clear Day | Confetti | McCabe and Mrs Miller
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.44pm
Paul Howlett on On a Clear Day | Confetti | McCabe and Mrs Miller (more)

Stuart Jeffries on last night's TV
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.30pm
Stuart Jeffries on Alesha: Look But Don't Touch | Banged Up | Chinese Food Made Easy (more)

Mosley denies 'sick Nazi orgy' but admits secret history of sadomasochism
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.03pm
News of the World invaded privacy, says son of fascist leader, as he tells court of his 'unfortunate interest' (more)

Tim Dowling on where the US version of Gavin and Stacey could be set
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.03pm
Tim Dowling: The big issue is not which US actors will star, but which American places could stand in for Essex and Barry (more)

Set point Federer and Nadal watched by 12.7m on BBC
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.03pm
Men's tennis final attracts 39% share of audience but plays havoc with the channel's schedule (more)

Federer and Nadal watched by 12.7m on BBC
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.03pm
Men's tennis final attracts 39% share of audience but plays havoc with the channel's schedule (more)

Letters: Reversing the polarity of Doctor Who's doodah
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.03pm
Letters: Perhaps Russell T Davies is right to call a minority of Doctor Who sceptics 'mosquitoes' (Media, July 7) (more)

Digital CEO Andy Hart leaves Associated Newspapers
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 7 2008, 11.00pm
Hart parts company after six years with the publisher, because of 'organisational changes' (more)

Matthew Carter joins Beige magazine as freelance motoring editor
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 7 2008, 11.00pm
Carter joins monthly lifestyle magazine for gay professionals (more)

Stephen Conmy joins the Irish Marketing Journal
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 7 2008, 11.00pm
Editor and associate publisher with MediaTeam leaves for an editorial role at the Irish Marketing Journal (more)

Media: Former Wall Street Journal editor Marcus Brauchli to head Washington Post
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 10.40pm
A longtime Wall Street Journal editor pushed aside by Rubert Murdoch was named editor of the Washington Post today (more)

Grant, Davies, Burton to appear in 'Marple'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 8.29pm
Richard E. Grant and Amanda Burton will appear in the last two Miss Marple dramas with Geraldine McEwan. (more)

ITV 'to air Prince Charles 60th concert'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 5.26pm
A music concert to mark Prince Charles's 60th birthday is to be aired on ITV, says a report. (more)

Wimbledon final peaks with 12.7m
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 5.21pm
A nail-biting five-set Wimbledon men's singles final drew a peak audience of 12.7m to BBC One last night. (more)

Magical win for Neil Fox
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 4.32pm
Magic 105.4 has won the Station of the Year award at the Arqivas, whilst breakfast presenter Neil Fox takes home the Gold Award. (more)

Times to take legal action against Media Lens website?
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 7 2008, 4.14pm
The editors of MediaLens - a website aimed at exposing propaganda in mainstream media reporting - has claimed that the Times has threatened to take legal action against the site for publishing an email from the Times' chief foreign commentator Bronwen Maddox and allegedly encouraging MediaLens readers to send 'threatening emails' to the writer. The original [...] (more)

Oasis: 'Radiohead free album was marketing'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 3.55pm
Noel Gallagher says Radiohead's pay-what-you-want album release was a marketing exercise. (more)

Eurovision Dance Contest heads to Glasgow
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 3.50pm
Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman return to present the second annual Eurovision Dance Contest. (more)

International Herald Tribune launches iPhone site
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted July 7 2008, 3.42pm
IHT.com has developed a version of the site for iPhone users. The version is 'iPhone optimised' rather than being an iPhone app - e.g. an application built exclusively for the iPhone - co-creator Michael Cosentino is keen to point out in a blog post. Last week the New York Times announced plans to develop an application [...] (more)

'Dragons' Den' star slams Sir Alan Sugar
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 3.28pm
Duncan Bannatyne criticises Sir Alan Sugar's decision to hire Apprentice star Lee McQueen. (more)

Radio Farda consolidates management
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 3.08pm
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will consolidate the management of Radio Farda under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) as of July 7, 2008. RFE/RL and the Voice of America (VOA) had jointly operated this Persian-language radio and Internet service since its inception in December 2002. The new structure is designed to streamline operations of Radio [...] (more)

Nubia TV: 24-hour global black news network to launch in 2009
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 3.05pm
Nubia TV Corp is planning a twenty-four hour news network for worldwide audiences with black perspectives. The channel, Nubia TV, will be available via cable and satellite. The channel will air mainstream news and news magazines that are not typically carried by major news networks such as CNN, FOX, MSN, and BBC. Nubia TV will carry [...] (more)

Dizzee Rascal proud of 'Dance Wiv Me'
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 2.56pm
Dizzee Rascal denies "selling out" with new single 'Dance Wiv Me'. (more)

London's Magic 105.4 wins the major station of the year award at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 2.48pm
London's Magic 105.4 has won the major station of the year award at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards: the winners
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 2.43pm
Full list of winners at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards 2008 (more)

ITV's Rock Rivals breaks Ofcom code with swear words
From The Stage. Posted July 7 2008, 1.40pm
(more)

Clockwork radio inventor hits out at Mugabeā€™s radio ban
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 1.29pm
Inventor Trevor Baylis has hit out at the “horrible cruelty” of Robert Mugabe in banning Zimbabweans from using his wind-up radio. The man credited with changing the lives of thousands of Africans with the clockwork radio said he only found out about the Zimbabwean President’s crackdown on independent media from a friend. “I was absolutely [...] (more)

Century poaches Radio City duo
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 1.12pm
GMG Radio has secured the talent of popular Radio City presenters Glen Hunt and Scott Hughes to front a new drive-time show at north-west regional station Century Radio.The programme, each weekday from 4pm till 8pm, will replace the current football phone-in show The Legends from September 1st. (more)

Weekly media show for Radio 4
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 1.07pm
BBC Radio 4 is to broadcast a weekly half hour media show. Presented by journalist Steve Hewlett, it will focus on media in all its forms including radio. (more)

The Media Show: new weekly programme on BBC Radio 4
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 1.06pm
Journalist and former TV executive Steve Hewlett is to present BBC Radio 4’s new topical programme The Media Show, to be broadcast live all year round from 1 October 2008 every Wednesday at 1.30pm UK time.Ā The show will focus on the fast changing world of media in all its forms ā€“ print, television, radio, online [...] (more)

Ofcom raps ex-Neighbours star over radio support for Boris Johnston
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 1.02pm
Jason Donovan breached broadcasting rules when he voiced support for Boris Johnston's London mayoral campaign, the regulator has said. By Ben Dowell (more)

Donovan's radio show broke election rules
From The Independent. Posted July 7 2008, 12.57pm
Jason Donovan's backing of Boris Johnson in London's mayoral election on the actor's radio show was a "very serious" breach of broadcasting rules, Ofcom found. (more)

GlobeCast renews SES New Skies satellite capacity for the Americas and Europe
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 12.53pm
SES New SkiesĀ and GlobeCast, a subsidiary of France Telecom, have signed 5-year contracts for the continued use of two 36MHz transponders on the NSS-806 satellite at the orbital location of 319.5Ā° East. Terms of the contract remain confidential. GlobeCast North America CEO Mary Frost said, “Our continued partnership with SES is further evidence of our commitment [...] (more)

Redundancy rumours at Global
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 12.52pm
The job-cutting rumours at Global Radio is continuing today thanks to a newspaper report which states up to 30 jobs are to be cut as part of what it has called a prudent reaction to the current economic climate.The jobs are reportedly going in the programming, human resources and technology departments at LBC, Galaxy and Heart. (more)

NBC Universal, private equity firms buy Weather Channel
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 12.48pm
NBC Universal television saidĀ yesterday it had acquired The Weather Channel, without indicating the price.Ā The Wall Street Journal, on announcing the imminent purchase, recently valued the transaction at around US$3.5 billion.Ā Twenty-percent owned by France’s Vivendi, NBC Universal joined private equity firms Blackstone Group and Bain Capital in the purchase, the three companies said in a statement [...] (more)

Martial Arts TV on Pulse
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 7 2008, 12.42pm
New branded block (more)

Scot's 'C' word escapes Kyle censors
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 12.42pm
ITV1 aired a Scotsman using the 'C' word to Jeremy Kyle because censors could not understand his accent. (more)

Non-aligned countries endorse Venezuelan proposal for alternative world media
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 12.40pm
James Suggett writes in Venezuelanalysis.com: At the 7th Conference of Information Ministers of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries held in Venezuelaā€™s Margarita Island last week, more than 80 country delegations endorsed Venezuelaā€™s proposal to create an alternative worldwide media network. The Margarita Declaration signed on Friday lays out a working agenda for constructing a ā€new international [...] (more)

Living confirms 'Underdog' series two
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 12.36pm
Living confirms it will be showing the second series of The Underdog Show. (more)

Lovejoy keen to reunite with Chamberlain
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 12.32pm
Tim Lovejoy says he wants to reunite with his former Soccer AM co-host Helen Chamberlain. (more)

ZDF revamps digital channels
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 12.27pm
German public broadcaster ZDF is remodeling its digital channels, aiming at a younger audience.Ā Documentary channel ZDFdokukanal will be turned into a family channel for viewers between the ages of 25 and 50 years and their children, ZDFā€™s general director Markus SchĆ¤chter said during the latest session of the broadcasterā€™s supervisory board in Mainz. He explained [...] (more)

'Yes, Minister' writer wants BBC cutbacks
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 12.16pm
Yes, Minister writer Sir Antony Jay says the BBC's operations should be significantly reduced. (more)

Max Mosley Nazi story in the News of the World 'absurd' high court hears
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.58am
The News of the World played 'peeping Tom' when it reported formula one boss Max Mosley's encounter with five prostitutes, the high court has heard. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Max Mosley Nazi story in the News of the World 'absurd', high court hears
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.58am
The News of the World played 'peeping Tom' when it reported formula one boss Max Mosley's encounter with five prostitutes, the high court has heard. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

TV ratings - July 4: Criminal Justice ends stretch with 4.5m
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 11.24am
BBC1's drama Criminal Justice concluded with 4.5 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Marketers introduce ?pod-busters? into TV ad breaks
From UTalk Marketing. Posted July 7 2008, 11.11am
Breaking innovation in the States (more)

'Doctor Who' finale pulls in 9.4 million
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 10.59am
The hotly-anticipated Doctor Who climax set a new ratings record for the show on Saturday night. (more)

TV ratings - July 5: Doctor Who finale triumphs with 9.4m tuning in
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 10.57am
The finale of the fourth series of Doctor Who was watched by 9.4 million viewers on Saturday. By Ben Dowell (more)

Sky News introduces new social features
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 10.56am
RNW’s Joeri Rodenburg writes: The folks at Sky News have upgraded their website with lots of new social features which, in their words, make it possible to personalize the website. With this they seem to be following the social trend the web is experiencing at the moment. ā€Weā€™re aiming to offer you a richer more dynamic experience [...] (more)

Dutch Media Authority relaxes rules for Restricted Service licences
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 10.49am
The Dutch Media Authority hasĀ relaxed the rules for the issuing of Restricted Service FMĀ licences, which have hitherto been restriced to short-term licences for specific events. Under the new regulations, licences can be issued for up toĀ one year, and can be renewed annually. That will permit the operation of permanent low-power stations supporting the activities of [...] (more)

Global Radio to cut up to 30 jobs
From Digital Spy. Posted July 7 2008, 10.37am
Galaxy and Heart owner Global Radio is planning to cut up to 30 jobs. (more)

Mobile company 3 complains over T-Mobile's 'pledge' advertising campaign
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 10.03am
Mobile operator 3 is aiming to derail rival T-Mobile's new TV campaign after complaining to the advertising watchdog. By Mark Sweney (more)

News of the World in court over Max Mosley case
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 8.52am
The News of the World is to defend itself against a privacy suit from Formula One boss Max Mosley in the High Court today. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Food for thought on journalism graduate's new website
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 7 2008, 6.40am
Chris hopes plentyonyourplate.com is a recipe for success (more)

Green accolade for Lakeland title
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 7 2008, 6.40am
Westmorland Gazette hailed as environmental champion. (more)

Paper aims to drive home Post Office closure message
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 7 2008, 6.40am
Birmingham Mail plans to deliver reader petition to PM on campaign bus (more)

Football journalist scores new role in PR
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 7 2008, 6.40am
Andy Neild has netted a new job....but will still retain links with club he covered for eight years (more)

Readers raise £60,000 to help save critically-ill youngster
From Hold the Front Page. Posted July 7 2008, 6.40am
Paper in forefront of highlighting baby Katie's plight (more)

Global Radio to axe up to 30 jobs
From Media Guardian. Posted July 7 2008, 5.52am
Global Radio, owner of LBC and Heart, plans to cut up to 30 jobs as a 'prudent reaction to the current economic climate'. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Journalists' Personal Details Go Missing
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 7 2008, 3.48am
The personal details of various Scottish freelancers have been lost, following the theft of a computer laptop containing them. Says a letter from Associated Newspapers – publishers of the Scottish Daily Mail - to a number of Scottish writers, one of the company’s laptop... (more)

More Thrills than Skills: A Half-life in Journalism - Part 13
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted July 7 2008, 3.44am
Over the next few weeks, allmediascotland.com is to publish, each weekday, extracts from the memoirs of Scottish war correspondent, Paul Harris. ‘More Thrills than Skills: A Half-life in Journalism’, is being scheduled for publication next year. I knew from Croatian TV... (more)

CelleCast Provides On-Demand Radio Programming to Cell Phones
From radio.about.com. Posted July 7 2008, 1.00am
Are you a talk radio junkie? If you sometimes find yourself away from a radio you can still grab some programming on your cell phone with CelleCast. CelleCast provides on-demand audio... (more)

BBC Radio York celebrates 25
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 12.10am
July 4th was a special day for people in North Yorkshire, as the first BBC Local Radio station for the county celebrated 25 years of broadcasting. (more)

Radio 3 secures WOMAD fest
From Radio Today. Posted July 7 2008, 12.03am
BBC Radio 3 is to be the exclusive media partner for the WOMAD festival for the eighth year, fronted by World Music presenters Andrew McGregor, Charlie Gillett, Lopa Kothari, Lucy Duran and Mary Ann Kennedy. (more)

Online rights row delays sale of BBC ventures
From Daily Telegraph. Posted July 7 2008, 12.01am
The sale of two BBC joint ventures valued at Ā£1.2bn is being delayed by a tussle over the rights to distribute the Corporation's shows online. (more)

To keep its licence fee, the BBC needs to stop being so shy
From The Independent. Posted July 7 2008, 12.00am
Somewhere in Broadcasting House and down the road in Marylebone High Street they will be checking the proofs of the BBC's Annual Report. This document comes in two parts, one from the BBC Trust and one from the executive, but will either tell us what we most need to know – how the BBC is different to any other broadcaster? (more)

The Hospital Club 100 revealed
From The Independent. Posted July 7 2008, 12.00am
The inaugural The Hospital Club 100 was launched in June this year in association with The Independent Media Weekly. It's a search for the authentic stars of Britain's creative industries. Unlike other power lists, the nominations weren't compiled using a coterie of establishment types, but through a democratic process. Essentially anyone working in the creative industries has been able to go to The Hospital Club's website and vote. Some results proved surprising, it seems that even those at the cutting edge regard fame and celebrity as influential currency. We had an overwhelming response to the shortlist – people voted in their tens of thousands. Due to the democratic process, the results were likely to be controversial. These people are not necessarily power brokers, they are creative leaders who are seen as inspirational figures. So, for the first time, you see establishment figures alongside young and emerging talent. Will Turner, group CEO, The Hospital Club (more)

Defame academy: The libel specialists
From The Independent. Posted July

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