Media UK

Radio Dawn - news archive

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

BBC releases EMI archive ahead of Coldplay launch
From The Times. Posted June 11 2008, 12.09am
The BBC will make available to EMI all its television and radio archives of the record company’s acts in a five-year agreement under which the two will also collaborate on television productions. The tie-up, to be confirmed today, comes amid a growing expectation of a strong debut for Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, which is due out tomorrow. It is on track to top 300,000 UK sales in its first seven days. Highlights of the BBC archive include behind-the-scenes footage of David Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs tour , which will be released for sale in CD, DVD and downloadable formats. A BBC Omnibus documentary crew filmed the tour in a period when the singer was using cocaine. The result was the film Cracked Actor. EMI paid an unspecified advance for access to the BBC catalogue. Salim Mukaddam, head of commercial affairs, music, BBC Worldwide, said that the idea behind the deal was “more of a partnership where we are able to exploit each other’s catalogues better”. Also included is a 1967 BBC radio recording of Pink Floyd performing songs from its first album The Piper At The Gates of Dawn - one of the first John Peel sessions. The one exception from the overall deal is The Beatles, whose BBC appearances are covered by an existing agreement. EMI will release a small portion of the material as part of CD and DVD sets or downloads. The entire archive will be released on a yet-unnamed “direct to consumer” website owned by the BBC’s commercial unit. “Content will be made available for sale, or will be free with adverts,” Mr Mukaddam said. The arrangement is non-exclusive and Mr Mukaddam said that the corporation was “in discussions with all the major and some independent labels” about similar partnerships. The BBC already has a more limited agreement with Universal Music, whereby Universal pays cash for access to archive material of its acts. EMI, which is heavily indebted after a takeover by Terra Firma, the private equity firm, is desperate to exploit its music catalogue as a way to boost profits. The company believes that marquee acts such as Pink Floyd and David Bowie could generate a steady, reliable income stream along the lines of the stable profits that it enjoys from its share of songwriter royalties. The BBC will also help to produce music documentaries for EMI acts, largely using its archive, for British and international audiences. Online retailers were saying that pre-orders of the Coldplay album were running at high levels. Play.com, which claims a 6 per cent share of all music sold in the UK, said that it was selling “20 per cent more than Leona Lewis’s Spirit”, which was last year’s fast-seller. It sold 375,000 in its first week and with iTunes also talking about record preorders, Viva La Vida is tipped to sell more than 300,000 at a minimum. (more)

BBC signs archive footage deal with EMI
From The Times. Posted June 11 2008, 12.00am
The BBC will make available to EMI all its television and radio archives of the record company’s acts in a five-year agreement under which the two will also collaborate on television productions. The tie-up, to be confirmed today, comes amid a growing expectation of a strong debut for Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, which is due out tomorrow. It is on track to top 300,000 UK sales in its first seven days. Highlights of the BBC archive include behind-the-scenes footage of David Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs tour , which will be released for sale in CD, DVD and downloadable formats. A BBC Omnibus documentary crew filmed the tour in a period when the singer was using cocaine. The result was the film Cracked Actor. EMI paid an unspecified advance for access to the BBC catalogue. Salim Mukaddam, head of commercial affairs, music, BBC Worldwide, said that the idea behind the deal was “more of a partnership where we are able to exploit each other’s catalogues better”. Also included is a 1967 BBC radio recording of Pink Floyd performing songs from its first album The Piper At The Gates of Dawn - one of the first John Peel sessions. The one exception from the overall deal is The Beatles, whose BBC appearances are covered by an existing agreement. EMI will release a small portion of the material as part of CD and DVD sets or downloads. The entire archive will be released on a yet-unnamed “direct to consumer” website owned by the BBC’s commercial unit. “Content will be made available for sale, or will be free with adverts,” Mr Mukaddam said. The arrangement is non-exclusive and Mr Mukaddam said that the corporation was “in discussions with all the major and some independent labels” about similar partnerships. The BBC already has a more limited agreement with Universal Music, whereby Universal pays cash for access to archive material of its acts. EMI, which is heavily indebted after a takeover by Terra Firma, the private equity firm, is desperate to exploit its music catalogue as a way to boost profits. The company believes that marquee acts such as Pink Floyd and David Bowie could generate a steady, reliable income stream along the lines of the stable profits that it enjoys from its share of songwriter royalties. The BBC will also help to produce music documentaries for EMI acts, largely using its archive, for British and international audiences. Online retailers were saying that pre-orders of the Coldplay album were running at high levels. Play.com, which claims a 6 per cent share of all music sold in the UK, said that it was selling “20 per cent more than Leona Lewis’s Spirit”, which was last year’s fast-seller. It sold 375,000 in its first week and with iTunes also talking about record preorders, Viva La Vida is tipped to sell more than 300,000 at a minimum. (more)

ITV global: Lee Bartlett replaces Dawn Airey
From Media Guardian. Posted June 10 2008, 9.47am
ITV has promoted Lee Bartlett to managing director of ITV global content, replacing Dawn Airey after her abrupt departure to Channel Five. By Mark Sweney (more)

Ofcom backs C4 over BB7 Dawn complaints
From Digital Spy. Posted May 28 2008, 10.47am
Ofcom rejects BB7 contestant Dawn Blake's claims of unfair treatment and infringement of privacy. (more)

Dawn Airey owed £2.3m by failed TV company
From Daily Telegraph. Posted May 5 2008, 12.01am
Dawn Airey, who left her job at ITV last week to become chief executive and chair of Five, is owed £2.3m by Iostar, the failed independent television producer of which she was briefly chief executive last year. (more)

Dawn departure leaves Grade livid as ITV struggles
From Media Guardian. Posted May 3 2008, 11.03pm
Richard Wachman looks at the politics and fall-out of a television drama as Airey returns to Five (more)

Dawn Airey's flight to Channel Five casts doubts on ITV
From Daily Telegraph. Posted May 3 2008, 12.01am
Unachievable targets may have prompted Dawn Airey's surprise move to rival, reports Juliette Garside. (more)

ITV considers legal action over Dawn Airey's move to Channel Five
From Media Guardian. Posted May 2 2008, 9.50am
ITV has threatened to take legal action against Dawn Airey, who quit to rejoin Channel Five. By Mark Sweney and Tara Conlan (more)

Media Talk podcast: the future of DAB and the Dawn Airey returns to Five
From Media Guardian. Posted May 2 2008, 9.21am
The panel discuss the future of the UK radio industry and Dawn Airey's shock return to Five. And Gareth McLean reports from behind the scenes of the BBC's drama department. With Matt Wells, Paul Robinson and Janine Gibson (more)

Media Talk podcast: the future of DAB and Dawn Airey returns to Five
From Media Guardian. Posted May 2 2008, 9.21am
The panel discuss the future of the UK radio industry and Dawn Airey's shock return to Five. And Gareth McLean reports from behind the scenes of the BBC's drama department. With Matt Wells, Paul Robinson and Janine Gibson (more)

Could RTL and ITV do a deal over Dawn Airey?
From Media Guardian. Posted May 2 2008, 6.24am
Analysis: Some in the TV industry believe that the Channel Five owner could broker a compromise over Dawn Airey's start date with her former employer. By Mark Sweney (more)

The Guardian profile: Dawn Airey
From Media Guardian. Posted May 1 2008, 11.03pm
The Guardian profile: Dawn Airey The former ITV director has quit to return to the channel where she made her name (more)

Five moves from Lighting to Dawn
From Financial Times. Posted May 1 2008, 8.16pm
RTL, the parent of Five, has poached Dawn Airey from head of content at rival ITV, to be chairman and chief executive of the young broadcaster (more)

Five to endure a long wait for Dawn
From Financial Times. Posted May 1 2008, 8.16pm
RTL, parent of Five, faces a long wait for Dawn Airey, poached from rival ITV, to be chairman and chief executive of the young broadcaster (more)

Five's Jane Lighting strikes out as Dawn Airey returns
From The Times. Posted May 1 2008, 1.24pm
Jane Lighting has been ousted from her job as Five’s chief executive as the broadcaster’s owner decided to bring back Dawn Airey, who earlier this week dramatically quit her job at ITV. (more)

BSkyB boss Jeremy Darroch squashes talk of deal with Dawn Airey over ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2008, 3.41pm
Jeremy Darroch has denied suggestions that he has any deal with Dawn Airey to offload Sky's 17.9% stake in ITV so that her new employer RTL can launch a bid. By Richard Wray (more)

Maggie Brown: Why did Dawn Airey jump ship from ITV to Channel Five?
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2008, 12.10pm
Analysis: What prompted Dawn Airey's surprise return to Channel Five? By Maggie Brown (more)

Dawn Airey hints at ITV worries
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2008, 12.10pm
Before she left ITV, Dawn Airey gave pointers to some of the reasons for her surprise return to Channel Five. By Maggie Brown (more)

Jane Lighting writes to Channel Five staff over Dawn Airey's appointment
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2008, 10.41am
Channel Five's Jane Lighting has sent an email to staff following the shock appointment of Dawn Airey to succeed her. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

ITV's Dawn Airey rejoins Five as chief
From Daily Telegraph. Posted April 30 2008, 12.01am
Dawn Airey has quit her role as director of global content at ITV to rejoin her old employer Five, as chairman and chief executive. (more)

Is Dawn Airey set to lead an RTL bid for ITV?
From Media Guardian. Posted April 29 2008, 5.56pm
Dawn Airey's move to head Channel Five has puzzled analysts and raised the possibility that she may spearhead a bid for ITV. By Chris Tryhorn and Mark Sweney (more)

Dawn Airey's path to Channel Five
From Media Guardian. Posted April 29 2008, 5.03pm
Dawn Airey's surprise move to Channel Five is the latest turn in a career that has included stints at broadcasters including ITV and Sky. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Dawn Airey to be Channel Five chair and chief executive
From Media Guardian. Posted April 29 2008, 4.44pm
Dawn Airey will be chair and chief executive of Channel Five when she joins the broadcaster from ITV, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal. By Chris Tryhorn and Mark Sweney (more)

Dawn Airey quits ITV for RTL
From Media Guardian. Posted April 29 2008, 3.43pm
Dawn Airey has left ITV to join RTL Group in a role that will include chairing Channel Five. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

Coats at Dawn?
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted April 22 2008, 7.44am
Was it jealousy or admiration that Scottish broadcaster, Kaye Adams, was expressing in her weekly column in the Daily Record’s Saturday magazine? Her intro read: “This one is for every woman in the country with the sole exception of Shereen Nanjiani.” Shereen,... (more)

Read Dawn Neesom's email to Star staff ahead of proposed strike
From Media Guardian. Posted April 2 2008, 2.22pm
Email from Daily Star editor Dawn Neesom to staff ahead of a proposed strike (more)

EXCLUSIVE: Prime TV talks Dawn News deal
From Biz Asia. Posted March 18 2008, 10.15am
BizAsia.co.uk this week reported on Prime TV's exclusive UK deal to telecast certain programme bands from Pakistan's Dawn News channel. To follow up that news piece, we spoke to Prime TV's Programme Controller Erum Masood to get an insight into what this development means for viewers... Firstly, what kind of shows can viewers expect from Dawn News and secondly, why did you opt for an English news broadcaster? Prime TV's- strength has been its content delivery and the relationship it has built with the viewers over the last nine years. As the first ever Pakistani Channel, Prime has always focused on bridging the gap between the British Pakistani and Asians by showcasing the improvised and modern image of the country and for the people in the UK. Dawn needs no introduction in the media world, internationally. It is the largest publication house in the country and is providing services to the people of Pakistan since last 60 years. I guess the primary reason is the message through its content that will reflect on our viewers as a better source of communication through its medium, which is 100% English. As far as the kind of shows and the views of the viewers are concerned they will not be disappointed, 'The Breakfast Show' - which will be on air Mon - Fri will be a new Dawn on Prime and will add flavour for our morning viewers mainly housewives. 'News Eye' the primetime show which is basically a news / current affairs show will definitely make the viewers hooked on to screen besides these there are other shows which are designed in a fashion that cater to the young / British Asians and the professional individuals. With this perfect blend of entertainment, news and social and current affairs programme, what else can the viewer ask for? What kind of reaction are you expecting from viewers after they have experienced Dawn? It is too early to say what would be the reaction of my viewers but as a programming person the viewers will always watch, what you would like to show as long as it's properly timed and beautifully packaged! I am confident that it will be good and the results will speak for themselves. What's the one show from Dawn are you hoping will become the channel driver? Our main driving force will always be our entertainment programmes; even today Prime drama serials and shows like 'Salaam Namaste' and 'Khowja Navid Ki Adalat' take majority of the audience share. But, I personally would say 'News Eye' and the 'Breakfast Show' will be a good blend. Prime TV will phase out the Urdu news broadcast on its channel to make way for shows it is synidcating from Dawn News. Prime TV is also the UK's first Asian TV channel to subscribe to the audience measuring body - BARB. Related links: Prime TV in syndication deal with Dawn News Prime TV signs audience measuring body BARB (more)

Free handbags at dawn
From Media Guardian. Posted January 20 2008, 11.45pm
Elle's editor-in-chief is hoping that a full magazine makeover will beat the January blues - and boost falling sales in the face of the fashion weeklies. Just don't mention the G-word. James Silver reports (more)

Dawn Airey set to turn up quiz show heat on BBC
From The Times. Posted December 4 2007, 7.50am
ITV is expected today to complete a deal to buy independent production company, 12 Yard, for £35 million in what is a tactical play to secure the first look at new programme ideas before its rival, the BBC. (more)

Pakistani Geo News channel restarts transmission from Dubai
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 30 2007, 2.05pm
Text of report by Pakistan channel Dawn News on 30 November Geo News restarted its transmission from Dubai late Thursday [29 November] night. According to an announcement on the channel, their transmission can be viewed around the globe but cable viewers in Pakistan will not be able to see it. With the imposition of emergency on 3 [...] (more)

TV must learn from scandals, says Dawn Airey
From Media Guardian. Posted November 2 2007, 3.58pm
Television needs to 'have the humility to learn the lessons' from the phone-in and fakery rows, ITV's Dawn Airey has said. By Tara Conlan. (more)

Dawn Airey to make Corrie appearance
From Digital Spy. Posted August 31 2007, 9.14am
Soon-to-be ITV director Dawn Airey is to make a dream appearance on Coronation Street. (more)

Dawn and Jen target Winehouse, Spears
From Digital Spy. Posted August 29 2007, 9.37am
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders target Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears in their new BBC One series. (more)

Veteran actor Liz Dawn to quit Coronation Street
From Media Guardian. Posted July 23 2007, 1.00am
Liz Dawn, who for 34 years has played Coronation Street's favourite character, Vera Duckworth, is to leave the television series because of ill health. (more)

Dawn Airey recounts Iostar-to-ITV move
From Media Guardian. Posted June 13 2007, 1.00am
Dawn Airey has spoken for the first time about her decision to quit media start-up Iostar and join ITV. By Tara Conlan. (more)

Pakistan: English-language DawnNews TV channel starts transmissions
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 25 2007, 10.06am
Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency DawnNews, Pakistan’s first English language TV News Channel, started its test-transmission this evening [24 May] from its head office at Karachi. The 24 hours broadcast of DawnNews will be fed by a network of newsroom and studios located at Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and [...] (more)

Dawn Airey joins ITV
From Digital Spy. Posted May 23 2007, 4.36pm
Dawn Airey is appointed director of global content at ITV. (more)

Dawn Airey's ITV role confirmed
From Media Guardian. Posted May 23 2007, 1.00am
4.30pm: ITV has confirmed that Dawn Airey is to join the broadcaster as director of global content. By Tara Conlan. (more)

Dawn Airey on for ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted May 22 2007, 1.00am
6.45pm: Dawn Airey is understood to be joining ITV, following negotiations with BSkyB over a non-compete clause. By Jason Deans. (more)

Dawn Airey in talks with ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted May 16 2007, 1.00am
2.45pm: ITV is understood to be in advanced talks with Dawn Airey about a senior management role. By Jason Deans. (more)

Dawn Airey quitting BSkyB
From Media Guardian. Posted December 11 2006, 12.00am
4.45pm update: Dawn Airey is leaving Sky to head up rights and distribution firm Iostar. By Tara Conlan and Jason Deans. (more)

The Jane Martinson interview: Dawn Airey, head of channels and services at BSkyB
From Media Guardian. Posted November 10 2006, 12.00am
The Jane Martinson interview: Funny, irreverent and loyal, Dawn Airey, the woman in charge of BSkyB's channels, has no regrets. (more)

Dawn Removed from House for Breaking Rules
From Merry Media. Posted May 25 2006, 3.29pm
Dawn was removed from the Big Brother house by producers for breaking rules it has been confirmed. Mystery was surrounding the reasoning behind her departure but now all makes sense with Channel 4 confirming she broke the rules, so had to go. A member of Dawns family contacted Big Brother with a confidential message which was to be passed on to Dawn. Dawn wanted to be told of it as it was important so she was called to the diary room and told the message in good faith. It turns out though that the message contained a pre-arranged code which told Dawn she was receiving bad press.. (more)

Pakistan shuts down 41 illegal radio stations
From Media Network Weblog. Posted January 11 2006, 4.39pm
At least 41 illegal FM radio stations have been closed down in Pakistan’s district of Swabi. The stations closed were accused of inciting hatred and spreading sectarianism in Swabi’s Salim Khan, Purmolai, Safroona, Gandaf, Tandkohi, Zaida, Murghuz, Baja, Panjpir, Maneri Bala, Maneri Payan, Sahmansoor, Turland, Dagai and Palodand. The Dawn said that police stations in the area had been asked to (more)