Media UK

Q - news archive

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

?It?s irrational fear. The markets will trash anything that walks?
From The Times. Posted October 10 2008, 10.40pm
?This is worse than a divorce. I?ve lost half my net worth and I still have a wife,? said one shell-shocked share trader at the end of the worst day on the stock market for twenty years. There was the usual grim and politically incorrect humour. There was the usual blaming of everybody else, particularly the politicians. But the main emotions were panic and fear. Panic at what was happening and fear that it might get worse. It wasn?t supposed to be this way. The Bank of England?s half-point interest rate cut on Wednesday was supposed to show its determination to prevent an economic slowdown turning into a slump. The Ł500 billion support package for Britain?s banks was supposed to restore confidence in the financial system. But, of course, the unprecedented moves also sent another signal. If the Bank and the Government are prepared to take such desperate measures, they must be really worried. The biggest worry is not that the actions taken by the Government -which are likely to be copied by other countries - will not work to stabilise the financial system. The worry is that even if they do work they will not prevent a deep worldwide recession. It was that fear that lay behind yesterday?s panic in the markets. The crisis has spread way beyond its origins in the US financial system. One of the triggers for the latest stockmarket slump was concerns about General Motors, whose shares tumbled 31 per cent to their lowest since 1950 on Thursday on worries that it might go bankrupt. And investors fear that the economic slowdown in the US and Europe is now spreading to fast-growing Asian markets. The panic in London started as soon as traders saw the slump in New York trading on Thursday night. A sudden collapse in the last hour of trading left American shares down about 7 per cent. Many London traders saw the news on TV screens in City bars where they were quenching the ?Thursday thirst?. They left early to get into the office first thing next morning. When they arrived they surveyed the damage in Asia, where the Tokyo market dropped almost 10 per cent, for a fall of 24 per cent on the week. Within minutes of the London market opening at 8am, the FTSE 100 index was down 10 per cent, as more than Ł100 billion was wiped off the value of Britain?s top 100 companies. Shares swung wildly during the day and the losses were pared back in the afternoon, helped by a rally in early New York trading. But as US shares slumped back London followed, driving the FTSE 100 back down to close 8.9 per cent lower at 3,932. Investors dumped shares and anything deemed remotely risky, putting the money into gold and cash. ?There are only two positions you can have in this market: cash or foetal,? was the gag going round the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The volume of trading was relatively light with the big pension funds and insurance companies sitting on the sidelines. This gave the optimists some hope. They argued that much of the fall was due to selling by hedge funds and other investors that had debt secured against their shareholdings. When these fell in value they were forced to sell by their banks, putting further pressure on share prices. Some of the selling was by investors who had been lent money by Icelandic banks that were pulling in their loans after being nationalised this week. But the pessimists said there could be further to go. ?The market is trying to find the bottom and it?s just not there,? said the head of one of Britain?s biggest banks. ?Irrational fear has gripped and it seems that markets will now trash almost anything that walks. For now it is unstoppable,? said Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners. The collapse was particularly alarming as it came after this week?s emergency half-point interest rate cuts by Western central banks and the unveiling by the Government of a Ł500 billion plan to support Britain?s top banks. ?We may well see another round of interest rate cuts next week,? said Mr Wheeldon. ?Whatever, it is increasingly clear that attempts by the US and UK government to address the vast number of capital market issues just isn?t enough.? The bank support plan was widely acclaimed as stopping the rot in the financial system by forcing the banks to raise more capital, with taxpayers? money if need be, and by guaranteeing new bank borrowing. In particular, it was hoped that the plan would boost confidence in the banks who have become unwilling to lend to other banks because they fear they may not get the money back. But the interest rate at which banks are prepared to lend to each other has increased since the support plan was unveiled. The head of one of Britain?s leading banks said that confidence should start to improve over the next few days. But some bankers say it is essential that other countries follow the UK lead by forcing their banks to raise capital. Other countries are examining the British plan and the US Government is looking at offering taxpayers? money to inject into American banks, and considering guaranteeing bank debt. In London, banks were the biggest fallers with Royal Bank of Scotland down 25 per cent and HBOS down 19 per cent, as investors worried about how much the value of existing shares will be diluted by the news of the capital that must be raised. Shares in big mining companies fell sharply on fears that lower growth in India and China will reduce demand and hit metal prices. This also weakened the oil price which fell almost $8 to $78.86, compared with a high of $147 in July. But gold, seen as a safe haven in the current turmoil, rose. There were wild swings in currencies, with the pound falling to $1.69, its lowest level for five years against the dollar, and it was down 1.2 per cent against the euro. Shares in fund management companies fell sharply amid fears that retail investors will pull money out of unit trusts. European stock markets were down in line with London while trading in Moscow was suspended. The meltdown was being dubbed the Crash of 2008 and older traders were comparing it with Black Wednesday in 1987. The fall this week of 21 per cent was not as bad as the 28.3 per cent fall 21 years ago. But some traders were saying it was worse. $?At least then it was a short, sharp, shock on one day. This has been relentless all week.? All eyes are now on the meeting in Washington of finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the West?s leading economies. The US stock market recovered towards the end of trading and the Dow Jones average closed down only 1.5 per cent. If governments can provide some reassurance in Washington the optimists say that shares could rebound on Monday, when New York trading is closed. The doomsters say the FTSE 100 has another 1,000 points to go before it hits bottom. Traders are expected to be in early again on Monday morning. (more)

Organ Grinder: JJ Abrams live webchat here
From Media Guardian. Posted October 10 2008, 2.33pm
Welcome to our live webchat with JJ Abrams, the award-winning American writer and producer behind hits such as Lost, Felcity, Alias and Cloverfield and his new drama Fringe. Join us from 6pm BST (that's 10am LA time, folks) when the Emmy and Golden Globe winning writer and producer, will answer your blog questions from his Los Angeles base. (more)

Sugar snaps up 4% of Woolworths
From The Times. Posted October 10 2008, 11.11am
Sir Alan Sugar, the irascible host of the BBC show The Apprentice, has acquired a stake of almost 4 per cent in Woolworths, the embattled high street retailer. (more)

Ofcom Chief Urges Quick Decision on how to Fund stv's PSB Obligations
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 10 2008, 8.11am
A decision on whether to publicly fund stv to fulfill its public service broadcasting commitments needs to start being made by six months' time, a senior manager at broadcasting regulators, Ofcom, has warned. At a public meeting about PSB, Stewart Purvis - partner, Content and Standards,... (more)

Absolute Radio sells itself with 'squirm humour'
From Media Guardian. Posted October 10 2008, 6.31am
Absolute Radio, the rebranded Virgin Radio, has opted for 'squirm humour' in the first TV advertisement of its ÂŁ15m rebrand - by revealing the new face of its brand is a station security guard played by a dwarf. By Mark Sweney (more)

'Why I quit the BBC': Angela Saini, freelance science journalist
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 9 2008, 11.00pm
"Multimedia is the way I consume media so it should also be the way I work with it," says freelancer, who left BBC because of a lack of multimedia opportunities (more)

Newsvine registrations up 963% since MSNBC acquisition
From Media Guardian. Posted October 9 2008, 6.55pm
Here's another favourite of mine: the news aggregator and community site Newsvine, which was bought by MSNBC almost exactly one year ago (more)

Beet TV: Since MNBC acquired Newsvine the site has seen 963 per cent registration growth
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 9 2008, 4.46pm
MNBC's CEO, Mike Davidson tells Beet TV that Newsvine, the citizen news site, has grown 'enormously' since MNBC acquired it in October 2007. (more)

BBC’s Nick Robinson admits he toed government line on Iraq too strongly
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 9 2008, 12.37pm
Yesterday saw the BBC’s economic editor Robert Peston taken to task for his influence on the UK’s economy and his cosy relationship with the government: The Guardian’s Matthew Weaver is worried that his blog might have too much influence, and the Daily Mash joked that Peston had reached a state of transcendence. Meanwhile the House of Lords [...] (more)

BBC Scotland headquarters wins top regional award from British Council for Offices
From BBC Press Ofice. Posted October 9 2008, 11.45am
Pacific Quay BBC Scotlands headquarters in Glasgow has won the British Council for Offices BCO Scotland regional award in the Corporate Workplace category. (more)

Freeview slot put up for auction
From Digital Spy. Posted October 9 2008, 9.13am
Arqiva places a digital terrestrial channel slot up for auction; capacity to be available from January. (more)

Question time: Tim Westwood
From Media Guardian. Posted October 8 2008, 11.09pm
Hannah Pool: Tim Westwood on being booed by his rivals, and why there's nothing wrong with being a 51-year-old hip-hop DJ (more)

Roy Greenslade: why Sarah Palin refuses to hold a press conference
From Media Guardian. Posted October 8 2008, 10.53am
Sarah Palin will not hold a press conference, but she has granted two more interviews to Fox News. CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer asked her spokeswoman Nicolle Wallace - who has already shown her disdain for the media - why Palin won't take questions from reporters. (Via Think Progress) (more)

BBC Scotland Invited into Heart of Corporation's Decision-making
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 8 2008, 7.44am
The BBC’s recent increased commitment to Scotland - including a pledge to increase the proportion of Scottish-made programmes that are broadcast on the UK-wide network - took another step forward yesterday, with news that the BBC Scotland Controller is to sit on the Corporation's... (more)

Newsquest hires editor-in-chief for Dorset daily papers
From Press Gazette. Posted October 8 2008, 12.00am
The editor of the Bournemouth Echo, Neal Butterworth, has been promoted to the newly created role of editor-in-chief across Newsquest's two Dorset daily papers. (more)

Michael Grade: Viewers won't notice regional news cuts
From Press Gazette. Posted October 8 2008, 12.00am
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade has said he does not think viewers will notice a decline in quality if the broadcaster goes ahead with the proposed reorganisation of its regional news output. (more)

Lords committee told that the journalists' Lobby used to be 'quasi-masonic' but opened up under Major and Campbell
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 7 2008, 11.00pm
A selection of leading political journalists gave evidence to a House of Lords committee on the government's communication with the press (more)

Lords committee told journalists' lobby used to be 'quasi-masonic' but opened up under Major and Campbell
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 7 2008, 11.00pm
A selection of leading political journalists today gave evidence about government press communication (more)

Queen exec director Andy Harries to make drama for former employer ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted October 7 2008, 10.39am
Andy Harries, the executive producer The Queen is to make his first drama for ITV1 since leaving the broadcaster last year, with a 'sophisticated thriller' starring Dougray Scott. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Queen exec producer Andy Harries to make drama for former employer ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted October 7 2008, 10.39am
Andy Harries, the executive producer The Queen is to make his first drama for ITV1 since leaving the broadcaster last year, with a 'sophisticated thriller' starring Dougray Scott. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Queen producer Andy Harries to make drama for former employer ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted October 7 2008, 10.39am
Andy Harries, the executive producer The Queen is to make his first drama for ITV1 since leaving the broadcaster last year, with a 'sophisticated thriller' starring Dougray Scott. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Consultation on the amount and frequency of TV advertising
From Ofcom. Posted October 7 2008, 8.49am
News relaese published: 07|10|2008 (more)

Paul Hineman Writes About - TV Comedy
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 7 2008, 8.21am
I have always wanted to work in comedy. I grew up in the 70s and 80s, two decades which saw a proliferation of well-written and well-produced sitcoms. We also had variety in the form of ‘Benny Hill’ and the ‘Two Ronnies’, as well as justifiably frequent,... (more)

Lord Thomson of Monifieth Dies
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 7 2008, 8.19am
A former editor of The Dandy comic who went on to chair the body that helped set up Channel 4 has died. George Thomson, Lord Thomson of Monifieth, died on Friday aged 87. His career also included holding several posts in Labour prime minister, Harold Wilson’s cabinet. It was... (more)

Live webchat: Lost and Fringe creator JJ Abrams talks to MediaGuardian.co.uk
From Media Guardian. Posted October 7 2008, 6.28am
Post your questions now for Abrams and then join us here at 6pm BST on Friday to see how he answers them (more)

Newsquest to axe 12 jobs
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 6 2008, 4.36pm
Newsquest has announced plans to cut 12 editorial positions and make six staff redundant at titles in north and north east London. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has attacked the proposed changes: “This is a savage cut to the already overworked, stressed and underpaid journalists that work for these titles,” said Don Mackglew, NUJ assistant [...] (more)

Newsquest to cut jobs at London papers
From Media Guardian. Posted October 6 2008, 3.45pm
The NUJ has attacked planned cuts at Newsquest titles in London that could see 12 editorial positions go across the group and up to six staff made redundant. By Oliver Luft (more)

Q&A: Nir Ofir, founder of Iamnews
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 6 2008, 3.23pm
Still in the alpha, invite-only stage, website iamnews has plans to become the world’s first open newsroom for media organisations and reporters. Journalism.co.uk put some quickfire questions to Nir Ofir, founder of the site, which is aiming for ‘networked journalism’ between news providers and journalists and is not just another ‘citizen media news’ start-up. 1) How will [...] (more)

Macworld.co.uk: SEC investigating Steve Jobs ‘unsubstantiated’ heart attack story
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 6 2008, 1.17pm
Questions over citizen journalism are raised, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigates the 'unsubstantiated report' that Apple CEO Steve Jobs suffered a heart attack, posted by "Johntw" on CNN's iReport site on Friday morning - the story sent shares falling until Apple denied the rumours. (more)

Question of the week: what is the biggest issue facing the BBC?
From Media Guardian. Posted October 6 2008, 10.03am
The BBC is increasingly under attack - what should the corporation's priority be? (more)

Newsquest axes sub editors in London as reporters are given up to 31-point job description
From Press Gazette. Posted October 6 2008, 12.00am
Journalists at Newsquest’s north and east London centres are to be hit by six redundancies and the eradication of all subeditors’ jobs in favour of multi-skilled, cross-platform journalists. (more)

Regulating the BBC
From Media Guardian. Posted October 5 2008, 11.04pm
Questions about BBC Trust (more)

BBC to screen Iraq drama
From Media Guardian. Posted October 4 2008, 11.06pm
Hard-hitting series will be corporation's first on invasion, after earlier projects controversially pulled (more)

Judy Finnigan would 'happily' quit TV
From Digital Spy. Posted October 4 2008, 12.03pm
Judy Finnigan admits that she would quit TV if she was not working with her husband. (more)

ZEE Network acquires 21 movies from UTV
From Biz Asia. Posted October 4 2008, 2.41am
ZEE Network has signed over 21 movie titles from production house UTV, BizAsia.co.uk can exclusively reveal. (more)

Quarter of buytolet mortgages disappear in a week
From Daily Telegraph. Posted October 3 2008, 5.26pm
The number of buytolet mortgages has dropped by almost a quarter in the past week piling the pressure on investors in the struggling sector. (more)

Young accepts 'Question Time' invite
From Digital Spy. Posted October 3 2008, 3.57pm
Will Young is to appear on the BBC's political debate programme Question Time. (more)

Diane Nelmes joins independent production company Liberty Bell
From Media Guardian. Posted October 3 2008, 10.09am
Former ITV 'queen of daytime' Diane Nelmes is joining Grumpy Old Men producer Liberty Bell as managing director. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Big Issue Relocation Causes Disquiet
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 3 2008, 7.58am
There is disquiet in Wales over the relocation of its version of the Big Issue magazine to Scotland, except for a single staff writer. Reports MediaGuardian, staff at the Big Issue in Scotland have this week taken over responsibility for the Welsh edition of the weekly magazine, which is sold... (more)

Lords to quiz political journalists on govt relations with media
From Press Gazette. Posted October 3 2008, 12.00am
National and regional political journalists have been called to give evidence to the House of Lords Communications Committee as part of an inquiry into the relationship between the Government, the media and the public. (more)

BBC appoints blogger-in-residence
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted October 2 2008, 4.59pm
The BBC has employed Steve Bowbrick as a blogger-in-residence for six months, to look at making their site more open, and to specifically work on the Common Platform project.  It’s worth keeping an eye on his progress (he promises to blog everything). His specific aim is to address these questions for the BBC Future and Technology [...] (more)

Ofcom questions BBC's PSB partnership plans
From Media Guardian. Posted October 2 2008, 1.19pm
The deputy chairman of Ofcom has criticised the BBC's plans for 'practical partnerships' to bridge the public service broadcasting funding gap. By Mark Sweney (more)

Suchet to host revamped 'Going For Gold'
From Digital Spy. Posted October 2 2008, 1.00pm
John Suchet will host a revamped version of the classic quiz show Going For Gold. (more)

Media Monkey: Who's made a good impression on Rory?
From Media Guardian. Posted October 2 2008, 9.54am
Media Monkey: Rory Bremner is quite taken with the BBC's business editor (more)

Five goes for 'The Mentalist'
From Digital Spy. Posted October 2 2008, 9.34am
Five acquires the rights to The Mentalist, a new US crime drama. (more)

Serious Fraud Office rules out TV phone-in inquiry
From Media Guardian. Posted October 1 2008, 3.29pm
The Serious Fraud Office will not launch an investigation into TV phone-in scandals at the BBC and ITV. By Mark Sweney (more)

Roy Greenslade: Telegraph and Mail share each other's website quotes
From Media Guardian. Posted October 1 2008, 2.02pm
In a couple of postings last week - notably here - I dealt with the accusations made by journalists on almost every national newspaper about other papers stealing their content to enhance their website news coverage. In the two years and more since I started this blog the topic elicited the largest email response I have had as people, requesting confidentially of course, provided examples of (alleged) plagiarism (more)

French international news channel head ?temporarily? quits his post
From Media Network Weblog. Posted October 1 2008, 1.15pm
Excerpt from report by French news agency AFP Paris, 29 September 2008: Alain de Pouzilhac, the president of France’s External Broadcasting [L’Audiovisuel exterieur de la France], “is temporarily leaving” his post as head of France 24 in order to be able to concentrate on negotiations with a view to the withdrawal of TF1 [privately-owned French [...] (more)

stv Bolsters Content Team with Murray Appointment
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 1 2008, 7.59am
One of the best-known independent producers in Scotland is to hook up with his former boss, now at stv. Paul Murray, who until last year was director of Endemol Scotland, is joining Alan Clements’ content team at stv, where he will be head of entertainment and factual programming. ... (more)

Beeb Offering Free Tickets to Sitcom Recording
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted October 1 2008, 7.53am
Free tickets are being offered, to attend the recording of a new sitcom, for BBC ONE, taking place in Glasgow. Life of Riley is being made by BBC Scotland and stars Caroline Quentin (pictured). It is being recorded in front of a live, studio audience at BBC Scotland’s Pacific... (more)

Doctor's warning: 'Poor quality of British journalism is a serious public health issue'
From Press Gazette. Posted October 1 2008, 12.00am
Medical research academic and doctor turned newspaper columnist Ben Goldacre has warned that “the incredibly poor quality of British journalism coverage of health and science issues is a serious public health issue”. (more)

Bad Science columnist's warning: 'Poor quality of British journalism is a serious public health issue'
From Press Gazette. Posted October 1 2008, 12.00am
Medical research academic and doctor turned newspaper columnist Ben Goldacre has warned that “the incredibly poor quality of British journalism coverage of health and science issues is a serious public health issue”. (more)

Tony Hart forced to quit art
From Digital Spy. Posted September 30 2008, 6.49pm
TV artist Tony Hart reveals that he had to give up art after suffering two strokes. (more)

Could Ofcom's Sky consultation make live football cheaper to watch?
From Media Guardian. Posted September 30 2008, 1.33pm
Owen Gibson: Debate over Sky's market influence over how much we pay to watch football is the pay-TV equivalent of Groundhog Day (more)

QuickPlay Media named Best Video Service Provider at ME Awards
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted September 30 2008, 12.29pm
Award recognises QuickPlay Media?s innovative OpenVideo media management platform for mobile TV and video services London, 30th September 2008: QuickPlay Media, the premier solutions provider for mobile TV and video services, was named the winner of the Best Video Service Provider category for its OpenVideoTM media management platform at Mobile Entertainment (ME) magazine?s third annual ME Awards.  Winners were recognised in a ceremony held late last week in London. Over the last few years, the... (more)

BSkyB's stake in ITV: an interactive timeline
From Media Guardian. Posted September 29 2008, 4.04pm
How BSkyB swooped to take a 17.9% stake in rival ITV - and then faced a competition inquiry (more)

TVNZ, YouTube to present election debate
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 29 2008, 12.28pm
Television New Zealand and YouTube will jointly present a live election debate on 14 October, ahead of the country’s general election on 8 November. The debate between Labour Party leader Helen Clark and National Party leader John Key will for the first time feature questions posted as video submissions on YouTube. TVNZ has invited members of [...] (more)

Media Monkey: BBC army doc under fire
From Media Guardian. Posted September 29 2008, 11.15am
Media Monkey: Viewers complain to BBC over quality of Undercover Soldier documentary (more)

More Thrills than Skills - A Half-life in Journalism, Part 65
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 29 2008, 7.21am
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 never worked again for BBC... (more)

GQ launches in India
From Media Guardian. Posted September 29 2008, 5.56am
Condé Nast is today unveiling the 15th global edition of its men's magazine GQ by launching in India. By Oliver Luft (more)

GQ hits the newsstands in India
From Press Gazette. Posted September 29 2008, 12.00am
CondĂ© Nast launched its second magazine into the Indian market today with men’s monthly GQ, following the launch of fashion bible Vogue last year. (more)

Tricky questions for Newsnight
From Media Guardian. Posted September 28 2008, 11.02pm
The flagship current affairs show has come under fire, not least from one of its own presenters. So what kind of programme will the new editor inherit? Maggie Brown reports (more)

INX Media rubbishes Balaji takeover claims
From Biz Asia. Posted September 28 2008, 2.43am
Responding to "untrue" claims in The Economic Times last week about Balaji Telefilms looking at buying a stake in 9X, INX Media made a statement and cleared the gibberish that was written. The letter to the Editor at The Economic Times, written by the Senior Vice President at INX Media is as below: I am writing to express our extreme displeasure and disappointment over the completely untrue and maliciously misleading story, 'Balaji Tele may buy stake in 9X', written by Sonali Krishna, that has been printed on the front page of Economic Times today. Please note that assertions in the story pertaining to 9X are patently untrue and have been made either with mischievous intent or are a result of completely irresponsible journalism. We draw your attention to the following: (i) We have had no talks with Balaji Telefilms at any point in time to acquire any degree of stake in our company at any time. (ii) The story states that the second tranche of funds by the investors has been delayed. This is completely false, baseless and mischievous. (iii) The story states that the promoters of the channel – who are Mrs Indrani Mukerjea and Mr Peter Mukerjea -- are unhappy with the performance of 9X. This too is entirely untrue. (iv) When contacted by the writer of this story, Ms Krishna, for a quote yesterday, Mr. Peter Mukerjea, Chairman, INX Media, had said, "This is completely untrue, and I would not like to comment any further on such speculation." However, Ms Krishna has claimed that Mr. Mukerjea 'declined to comment on the issue.' This is irresponsible and misleading. In the spirit of ethical journalism, we request you to issue a correction on the story, displayed with the same prominence as Ms Krishna's untrue and misleading story, incorporating this letter in its entirety along with the following quote from Mrs. Indrani Mukerjea, Founder & CEO, INX Media: (Quote begins) "The story published in the Economic Times of Thursday, the 25th of September, 2008, is completely untrue and baseless. At no point has INX had any conversations with Balaji Telefilms on investment either in or from Balaji Telefilms. Whatever relations Mr. Peter Mukerjea -- by virtue of having been Head of STAR TV – may have had with Balaji Telefilms in their joint venture, have absolutely no relevance to or bearing upon INX." (End of Mrs. Mukerjea's quote) (more)

ZEE Muzic to launch lifestyle show with Aryan
From Biz Asia. Posted September 28 2008, 2.34am
ZEE Muzic has signed 'Kahani Hamaray Mahabharat Ki' star Aryan Vaid to host its new lifestyle show called 'Whatt A Life!' A half-hour show, 'Whatt A Life!' has been shot in the exotic and luxurious locales of Goa, a favourite destination for all Bollywood denizens. Whatt A Life! promises to take viewers through the gamut of tinsel town’s rich and famous stars’ lives, their luxurious lifestyles, their fetishes, their preferred restaurants, their idea of luxury and their style statements! Get some extra dose for your style quotient from Kareena when she speaks on her personal style, Arjun Rampal caught on camera cooking pasta for his wife Mehr, Hrithik and Bipasha reveal their fitness secrets, Malaika unwinds herself at a spa, the super sexy Shilpa Shetty at a photo-shoot and much more. The show has started in India and is expected to launch in the UK in October. (more)

Gay TV host Rachel Maddow is liberal queen of US cable news
From Media Guardian. Posted September 27 2008, 11.01pm
Self-proclaimed 'butch dyke' Rachel Maddow becomes a star of America's cable television news (more)

UK government says it will speed up broadcasting review
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 26 2008, 1.41pm
The British government indicated tiday it would work quickly to help the country’s broadcast industry agree a new model to see it through the digital switchover and advertising downturn. Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, told a Royal Television Society event in London he hoped the government would announce a decision [...] (more)

Regulator Recommends stv's PSB Obligations Should be Cut
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 26 2008, 8.18am
The number of hours stv will require to devote to public service broadcasting per week is to fall, following recommendations by the broadcasting regulators, Ofcom. Although only recommendations, and therefore subject to consultation, yesterday’s publication of the... (more)

Photographer who snapped three Queens has died
From Hold the Front Page. Posted September 26 2008, 5.40am
Ron Case was known for innovative approach to taking pics (more)

Q magazine unveils new look
From Press Gazette. Posted September 26 2008, 12.00am
Bauer Media’s music monthly, Q, has had a redesign with a number of new features and contributors. (more)

Photographer who made name with "Three queens in mourning" dies aged 82
From Press Gazette. Posted September 26 2008, 12.00am
Ex-Keystone press photographer Ron Case has died aged 82. (more)

The merits of regional TV news
From Media Guardian. Posted September 25 2008, 11.08pm
Each ITV region felt like a whole new TV channel with a unique identity - Anglia! West Country! HTV West! (more)

Afaqs.com: Delhi newspaper going national and launching weekly in nine state capitals
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 25 2008, 12.26pm
NaiDunia Media has announced the national edition of its daily newspaper, NaiDunia, and will launch a weekly newspaper and magazine combo, Sunday NaiDunia, in nine state capitals. (more)

Nagging questions remain over bailout plan
From The Times. Posted September 25 2008, 2.30am
The debate in Washington over the $700 billion bail-out plan for the US financial system is starting to resemble a plot from the television show 24.$ (more)

Reality TV shows galore on STAR this year
From Biz Asia. Posted September 25 2008, 12.47am
There's a blitz of reality TV shows coming up for the remainder of 2008 on STAR TV Network. Three new shows, which have recently launched in India will make their way on UK screens in the last quarter of this year. First up is dance show 'Aaja Mahi Vay', which will be screened on flagship channel STAR Plus from October. This programme features on-screen couples where eleven real life unmarried couples will battle it out week-on-week in pursuit of their dream wedding as a grand prize. Commenting on the launch of the show, senior creative director of the channel Anupama Mandloi said, "Aajaa Mahi Vay' is a dance show with a difference, in which couples from diverse backgrounds will compete to win the wedding of their dreams." Ronit Roy and Shweta Tiwari will participate in the show. 'Aaja Mahi Vay' starts on Saturday 18th October and will be aired Saturday and Sundays at 22:00. 'Zara Nachke Dika' is another dance reality TV show. Eight celebrities in each team will prove their strength against each other. In the girls team, the celebrity contestants include Delnaz Paul, Mouni Roy, Maninee Day, Rupali Ganguly, Karishma Tanna, Jennifer Winget and Sweeni Khare. Ali Asghar, Amit Tandon, Bakhtiyar Irani, Manish Goel, Chaitanya Chowdhury, Vikas Sethi Gaurav Chippra and Amey Pandya will participate from the boy’s team. The programme will air on STAR One from Friday 24th October. STAR Plus' popular 'Nach Baliye' series returns for a fourth season. Last series winners Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Sheikh will be hosting the show. Actress Karisma Kapoor and director Farah Khan will form the judging panel. 'Nach Baliye 4' will commence on-air in the UK in December. Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for more. (more)

Queen row TV firm suffers after BBC ban
From The Scotsman. Posted September 25 2008, 12.00am
RDF Media, the television production company, yesterday said it had suffered a worse-than-expected hangover from last year's controversy over its re-edited trailer for a d (more)

Queen to host 'Blue Peter' 50th party
From Digital Spy. Posted September 24 2008, 4.06pm
The Queen is to host a Blue Peter party to celebrate the show's golden year. (more)

Reuters: Finland shooting raises questions over policing of internet
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 24 2008, 12.55pm
The deadly shooting at a Finnish school on Tuesday has prompted questions over tougher policing of the internet, after news that the gunman posted videos of himself on the web. (more)

Whale quits talkSPORT action
From Radio Today. Posted September 24 2008, 12.29pm
James Whale has withdrawn his legal action against former employer talkSPORT.Whale, who had presented at the stations for 11 years, was fired from his late night phone-in four months ago for asking listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in the London mayoral election. (more)

RDF Media blames increased losses on Queengate
From Daily Telegraph. Posted September 24 2008, 12.16pm
RDF Media Group the television production company behind last year's Queengate debacle saw first half losses before tax leap to Ł1.5m despite the success of its Channel 4 show Secret Millionaire. (more)

Roy Greenslade: Fourth man held over murder of Martin O'Hagan
From Media Guardian. Posted September 24 2008, 7.38am
Another man has been arrested for questioning over the murder of Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan seven years ago. The 28-year-old man, who has not been named, is being held at Antrim police station by detectives from the retrospective murder review unit. A 40-year-old man is also in custody. And last week two other men were charged with murdering O'Hagan in Lurgan in September 2001. (Via BBC) (more)

Council whistleblowers could face inquiry
From Hold the Front Page. Posted September 24 2008, 6.10am
Leaked document to local paper lands members in hot water (more)

Living's 'Lipstick' draws just 200,000
From Digital Spy. Posted September 23 2008, 12.45pm
Living's new US acquisition Lipstick Jungle makes a slow start in the ratings. (more)

Channel 4 to axe 150 jobs as advertising revenues slide
From Daily Telegraph. Posted September 23 2008, 11.52am
Channel 4 is to slash expenditure by Ł100m over two years and plans to cut 150 jobs equal to 15pc of its workforce to counter a decline in advertising revenues. (more)

Media Monkey: Megas bite back
From Media Guardian. Posted September 23 2008, 11.08am
Last year it featured a gorilla going home empty-handed, an unfortunate outburst by co-host and former Popworld co-presenter Miquita Oliver, and just about everyone who has ever worked for Dave TV. That's right – it's the second MediaGuardian Mega awards, recognising the pinnacle of achievement in media innovation. But will next year's ceremony be as eventful as the inaugural bash? The deadline to enter the awards - read all about them here - is December 5. And just in case you were wondering who the gorilla was, and why he went home empty handed, here's what happened last year. More at www.mediaguardian.co.uk/awards (more)

Radio Sweden frequency change to antenna fault at Sackville
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 23 2008, 10.16am
Following a technical fault at one of Radio Canada International’s shortwave antennas at Sackville, Radio Sweden’s English transmission has moved to a new frequency. Instead of 15240 kHz, the broadcast in English to North America at 1430 UTC is now using 11640 kHz. The change is expected to continue until the new shortwave schedule at the end of [...] (more)

ITV Book Author Appearing in Glasgow this Evening
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 23 2008, 7.40am
The author of a book on one of the world’s most interesting television organisations is speaking in Glasgow this evening. Ray Fitzwalter’s ‘The Dream That Died: The Rise and Fall of ITV’ is considered one of the most controversial book on the British... (more)

MTV Networks purchases Social Project outright
From Financial Times. Posted September 22 2008, 11.30pm
Acquisition of software group could give MTVN a chance to link social networking and sharing on the web with television sets (more)

Phillips quit 'GMTV' over dementia concerns
From Digital Spy. Posted September 22 2008, 10.27am
Fiona Phillips reveals dementia concerns were behind her decision to quit GMTV. (more)

Robertson 'Shocks' Colleagues with On-air Departure Announcement
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 22 2008, 7.36am
Colleagues are said to have been "shocked" when BBC Scotland newsreader, David Robertson, announced, live on Friday evening, he was leaving the BBC, after 20 years. He told viewers of news flagship, Reporting Scotland: He told viewers: "It's my final programme.... (more)

Birthday Celebrations Begin for Taggart
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 22 2008, 7.24am
This evening sees the start of a week-long series celebrating the 25th birthday of the world’s longest-running TV police drama - Taggart. The birthday celebrations begin on stv’s five thirty show, with the first of a series of behind-the-scenes features. Taggart is made by... (more)

Quids in....The number of fake Ł1 coins has doubled in the past five years, the BBC learns
From BBC News. Posted September 22 2008, 12.53am
Quids in....The number of fake Ł1 coins has doubled in the past five years, the BBC learns (more)

Question of the week: how should TV treat disability?
From Media Guardian. Posted September 21 2008, 11.04pm
How should TV treat disability? (more)

Geo TV partners up with Asian Style Awards
From Biz Asia. Posted September 21 2008, 4.35pm
Geo TV has confirmed it is tying up with this year's Asian Style Awards (ASA), which launched back in December 2007. The awards were started up to raise the profile of providers of South Asian related fashion and beauty products and services in the UK. ASA aims to recognise and reward excellence in standards and innovation throughout the industry. ASA hopes that through the awards we can promote the industry and encourage more ethnic designers, stylists and artists to engage with mainstream stylists and create diverse ranges that can cater for all communities which is an absolute requirement for modern day Britain and would help promote social interaction between cultures. Fatima Patel, CEO of Asian Style Awards said "I am delighted at the prospect of working with a professional channel that will help ASA reach out to viewers in Pakistan. GEO can help ASA reach its aims to promote South Asia fashion and beauty products and services in the UK." With the announcement of the UK short lists, the fashion and beauty industry is waiting in anticipation for the star studded awards ceremony which will be taking place at the Alexandra Palace on 1st November 2008, where the winners will be announced and will win the prestigious national award. (more)

BBC Fiction begins quest to find a new fairytale queen
From Media Guardian. Posted September 20 2008, 11.01pm
Jane Tranter, the corporation's much-admired 'head of storytelling', is leaving. Now it must try to woo a replacement, writes Vanessa Thorpe (more)

Sony TV announces Diwali movie premieres
From Biz Asia. Posted September 20 2008, 7.40pm
Sony Entertainment Television Asia is treating its viewers with a double dose of mega movie premieres, come Diwali. 'Laga Chunari Mein Daag', which was released around Diwali last year at cinemas, will be screened on the channel on Sunday 19th October at 20:00. The film, which deals with prosititution stars Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. The other entertainer for Diwali is Madhuri Dixit's comeback offering 'Aaja Nachle', which will be shown the following week on Sunday 26th October at 20:00. Away from movies, Sony TV will also be launching a new weekday primetime drama called 'Hum Ladkiyan' from Monday 6th October. It will air Monday - Thursday at 20:30. Related links: Sony TV acquires more Yash Raj movies (more)

Canadian Conservatives say they?re committed to French language TV
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 19 2008, 2.52pm
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that, if elected*, a new Conservative Government will increase funding for TV5, the international French-language television network, by $25 million over the next five years. “TV5 is a success story for French-speaking Canada,” said the Prime Minister. “This new funding demonstrates our commitment to supporting high-quality, French-language TV programming across [...] (more)

RSF: Court quashes Moroccan blogger’s conviction
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 19 2008, 2.00pm
Mohamed Erraji, who had been sentenced to two years in prison for allegedly disrespecting the Moroccan King in a news article for the website Hespress, has had his sentenced quoshed. (more)

UTV requests Valley co-location
From Radio Today. Posted September 19 2008, 10.53am
Ofcom has launched a public consultation after receiving a request from UTV to co-locate Valleys Radio outside its licensed area.The request is for UTV to move Valleys Radio's existing studios over 30 miles from the present location, to join UTV stations Swansea Sound and The Wave in a new complex near Neath. (more)

ITV strikes highlights deal with Setanta
From Digital Spy. Posted September 19 2008, 10.37am
ITV will broadcast highlights of all of England's remaining World Cup 2010 away qualifiers. (more)

Newsquest's Richmond & Twickenham Times goes part-free
From Media Guardian. Posted September 19 2008, 6.53am
Newsquest is to transform the 135-year-old Richmond & Twickenham Times into a paper with a mixed free and paid-for distribution. By Oliver Luft (more)

Setanta in World Cup highlights deal with ITV
From Financial Times. Posted September 18 2008, 11.51pm
ITV in agreement with Setanta, for a cost that has not been made public, that it will show highlights of England's remaining three away World Cup qualifying games (more)

Question mark hangs over children TV shows
From Biz Asia. Posted September 18 2008, 11.03pm
Popular TV shows targeted to children are coming under scrutiny after a new legalisation in India could prevent anyone under 12 participating. (more)

FT.com 'explodes' with 250 per cent rise in unique users
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 18 2008, 11.00pm
Page views have risen by 300 per cent and unique users by 250 per cent, Rob Grimshaw, FT.com's managing director, told Journalism.co.uk (more)

ITV to show England highlights after ÂŁ1m Setanta deal
From Media Guardian. Posted September 18 2008, 4.34pm
England football fans will be able to watch highlights of the remaining away World Cup qualifiers after ITV struck a ÂŁ1m-plus deal with Setanta. By Mark Sweney (more)

QI choice for Heart breakfast
From Radio Today. Posted September 18 2008, 1.33pm
Actor and comedian Alan Davies will co-present breakfast on Heart 106.2 beginning Monday 13th October for two weeks, standing in for regular presenter Jamie Theakston. (more)

AP: News agency did not comply with Secret Service request for hacked Palin emails
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 18 2008, 9.15am
After hackers broke into Sarah Palin's personal email account, the US Secret Service contacted The Associated Press and asked for copies of the leaked e-mails, which circulated widely on the internet. The news agency did not comply. (more)

Public Service Broadcasting - Taking The Next Steps Forward
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 18 2008, 7.04am
Speech to The Royal Television Society by Ed Richards, chief executive, Ofcom: It's very kind of you to have me back. I am pleased to see so many people here tonight from so many parts of our business - or, should I say, ‘show-business'? We have had a busy time -... (more)

Torrance Poised for Publication of Second Political Book
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 18 2008, 7.03am
After having completed one book on Scottish Secretaries of State, a former political reporter at stv has now another book in the pipeline, about one Scottish Secretary in particular: George Younger. The eighth of next month sees the publication of ‘George Younger - A Life Well... (more)

BSkyB concerns over Project Kangaroo
From Financial Times. Posted September 17 2008, 11.10pm
Sky says Kangaroo's 'access to direct and indirect state funding', because its shareholders are public service broadcasters, gives it a 'unique' advantage (more)

MediaGuardian: Ruth Brownlee quits as AOP director
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 17 2008, 12.58pm
Ruth Brownlee has stepped down from her post as director of the Association of Online Publishers (AOP) after 10 months in the role. Brownlee said she wants to commit more time to her young family and that the role required more than a part-time representative. (more)

News International staff to leave Wapping HQ during three-year renovation work
From Media Guardian. Posted September 17 2008, 12.14pm
Staff at News International's four national newspaper titles will move out of its Wapping headquarters for three years while renovation work takes place. By Ben Dowell (more)

ITV's entertainment chief quits
From Digital Spy. Posted September 17 2008, 11.06am
ITV director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson has quit the broadcaster. (more)

Trevor Phillips attacks ITV's plans to cut public sector broadcasting
From Media Guardian. Posted September 17 2008, 6.44am
The chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has hit out at ITV's plan to reduce its public service broadcasting commitments. By Mark Sweney (more)

Pay-TV inquiry is too crucial to rush
From Financial Times. Posted September 17 2008, 3.00am
From Mr Stuart McIntosh. Sir, We very much reject the suggestion that Ofcom has worked at a "glacially slow pace on pay-television" ("No Picnic for BSkyB", Lombard,... (more)

INX Network to launch more channels
From Biz Asia. Posted September 16 2008, 11.14pm
INX Media, which has three channels - music, news and general entertainment space, is planning to launch seven more channels in India in the next 18 months. The company will add one more Hindi music channel, three regional music channels and three metro specific channels in the next 18 months. Replying to a question during a press meet in Chennai last week to announce the launch of 'Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki' on Raj TV recently, Indrani Mukerjea, founder and CEO, INX Media said, "We have established our presence in a short span of time and we want to offer more choice to the different segment of viewers. We will be adding one more music channel in Hindi and three regional music channels in Bengali, Punjabi and Gujarati." Realising the huge potential of metro specific channels, the company is also tapping this segment. "Our study shows that there is huge potential for metro and town-specific channels. Our model for metro channel will be different. It will be purely news format in all predominant languages in the specific metro. We will start with Mumbai and Delhi and other metros will be added later. Then we will go to the small towns,"Mukerjea said. In the next phase of expansion, the company will enter in the southern market and English entertainment and movie channels. Mukerjea said the company would avoid a high risk – high investment model for the new launches. It will stick on to low-risk model.INX is also going for a second round of funding that will to raise $ 150 million. It is in discussion with investors and looking for right people who can offer the right price. In the UK, INX Media is to bolster its current network of channels with NewsX launching later this year. There is also speculation about a regional channel coming from the INX Network, most likely a Punjabi one. Related links: Programming rejig on 9X UK this month 9XM begins EPG data testing off Sky EPG INX Media to launch 9XM in the UK imminently 9X makes official UK launch on Sky Digital UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent (more)

Director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson leaves ITV
From Media Guardian. Posted September 16 2008, 4.09pm
ITV's director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson has quit the broadcaster. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC announces key leadership roles
From BBC Press Ofice. Posted September 16 2008, 12.30pm
The BBC is to appoint a leader based in Salford Quays for the biggest ever BBC project to increase production outside of London. (more)

US elections: Richard Bacon to report from Barack Obama's HQ for BBC
From Media Guardian. Posted September 16 2008, 9.30am
Richard Bacon will be one of the key voices of BBC Radio 5 Live's US election results coverage. By John Plunkett (more)

Lachlan Murdoch considers Indonesian media investment
From Media Guardian. Posted September 16 2008, 7.46am
Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert's son who quit his executive role with his father's company three years ago, is reported to be "interested" in investing in Indonesia. It follows his visit to some of the country's media companies, during which he met James Riady of the powerful Lippo Group, and the Media Group, which owns the 24-hour news channel Metro TV. (Via The Australian) (more)

Lehman Brothers collapse leaves 1m sq.ft of unlet space in Docklands
From Daily Telegraph. Posted September 16 2008, 12.01am
The collapse of Lehman Brothers looks set to leave Songbird Estates, the Aim-listed owner of Canary Wharf, with almost 1m sq ft of unlet space. (more)

David Jason to quit 'Frost'
From Digital Spy. Posted September 15 2008, 9.57pm
Sir David Jason announces that he is to leave his role as Detective Inspector Jack Frost. (more)

CNN mangles Hurricane Ike headline
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 15 2008, 4.48pm
Over on Wired Journalists, Rafael Sangiovanni, web producer for the Miami Herald, was quick enough to grab and post a shot of CNN’s questionable headline as Hurricane Ike as it hit the US. Hit or miss? (It’s certainly not going to be a hit for search engines and it looks pretty awkward in my opinion) (more)

Question of the week: Who would you bring back to TV screens?
From Media Guardian. Posted September 14 2008, 11.05pm
Who would you bring back to TV screens? (more)

Police in Equatorial Guinea attempt to seize opposition party?s radio transmitter
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 14 2008, 12.51pm
Police in Equatorial Guinea police yesterday raided the headquarters of the main opposition party in the capital, a party official told AFP. “About 20 police dressed in black burst into our offices demanding that we turn over our radio transmitter,” said Juan Nzo, deputy secretary general of the Convergence for Social Democracy Party (CPDS). According to [...] (more)

TV ratings - September 11: England-Croatia football highlights on ITV1 outperform live match on Setanta
From Media Guardian. Posted September 12 2008, 11.06am
ITV1's highlights of England's winning World Cup qualifier against Croatia drew 1.6 million viewers, beating the figures for the live airing of the match on Setanta. By Tara Conlan (more)

Howzat! BBC Scotland Triumph in Cricket League
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 12 2008, 8.11am
Congratulations to the BBC Scotland cricket team whose debut season has ended with them being crowned champions. Reports in-house magazine, Ariel, the team began their Western Division (Evening League, Division Three) season rather shakily, but then went on an “inspired five-game... (more)

Guardian Viral Video Chart
From Media Guardian. Posted September 12 2008, 6.00am
While the world goes CERN crazy we thought we'd take a different tack with the VVC this week and list the twenty most blogged-about BBC clips on the web.Catherine Tate uses teeth-sucking and teenage stroppery to full effect in this skit from Red Nose Day, managing to snare the doctor and demonstrate the dramatic power of Shakespearean prose. It's very, very funny but we're operating an honesty box system here: if you watch the clip, you need to donate a few quid to the BBC's Red Nose Appeal. You know it makes sense (more)

Running reporter aims to conquer the Big Apple
From Hold the Front Page. Posted September 12 2008, 5.40am
NYC beckons for sports journalist hoping to finish second marathon (more)

No Picnic for BSkyB
From Financial Times. Posted September 12 2008, 3.00am
Picnicking in this country is all about making a virtue of necessity. British Sky Broadcasting is blaming regulatory sluggishness - the business equivalent of bad... (more)

KKR, Permira buy up debt in ProSiebenSat.1
From Financial Times. Posted September 12 2008, 3.00am
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Permira, the private equity owners of ProSiebenSat.1 Media, have acquired chunks of debt in the struggling German television broadcaster... (more)

Premier Farnell lights up the electronics field
From Daily Telegraph. Posted September 12 2008, 12.01am
Electronic parts distributor Premier Farnell continued to outperform its US and UK markets, with half-year results lit up by demand from designers of electronic medical equipment and high brightness television and PC screens. (more)

KKR and Permira buy up debt in ProSiebenSat.1
From Financial Times. Posted September 11 2008, 6.59pm
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Permira, the private equity owners of ProSiebenSat.1 Media, have acquired chunks of debt in the struggling German television broadcaster (more)

ITV to show England-Croatia highlights after striking Setanta deal
From Media Guardian. Posted September 11 2008, 3.41pm
ITV has struck a belated deal with Setanta to air highlights of England's 4-1 victory over Croatia in last night's World Cup qualifier. By Mark Sweney (more)

White Stripes frontman Jack White writes music for Coca-Cola James Bond ad
From Media Guardian. Posted September 11 2008, 2.55pm
Coca-Cola is to launch a global TV campaign in a tie-up with James Bond film Quantum of Solace with music by White Stripes frontman Jack White. By Mark Sweney (more)

BBC dot.life blog: Rory Cellan-Jones experiments with Twitter, Qik and Flip
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 11 2008, 2.52pm
The BBC's technology correspondent describes his experience of using the tools to cover an Apple music event. (more)

SIIA: Blogs are ‘print journalism pornography’, says Andrew Neil
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 11 2008, 12.35pm
The need for editors is greater now in the online age than ever, according to BBC broadcaster and all-round media mogul Andrew Neil. Speaking at the SIIA Global Information Industry Summit, Neil said the internet had created a world in which the reader is ‘information rich, but quality poor’. “What we need are trusted gatekeepers to decide [...] (more)

TV ratings - September 10: England's crushing of Croatia helps Setanta to record audience
From Media Guardian. Posted September 11 2008, 11.06am
Setanta Sports drew its biggest ever audience with its live coverage of the World Cup qualifying match between England and Croatia peaking at 1.5 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

IPTV is coming?even stronger
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted September 11 2008, 9.51am
More companies join the push to deploy Interactive Personalised TV  Efforts to accelerate the deployment of IPTV by combining the expertise of key telecom operators, consumer electronics manufacturers and network infrastructure providers in the Open IPTV Forum are gathering further momentum, and the first release of the specifications that will allow IPTV to develop into a mass market service is close to completion. At its meeting at the headquarters of Sony Europe in Berlin from... (more)

PM's Scottish Spin Doctor Quits
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted September 11 2008, 7.09am
A former political editor of the Daily Record has quit as Scottish 'spin doctor' for the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to become head of a PR and public affairs agency. Paul Sinclair is to head Hill & Knowlton, after joining Downing Street in June, following a spell as... (more)

Setanta relents over England highlights
From Financial Times. Posted September 11 2008, 3.03am
The pay-TV company takes the unusual step of suspending its encryption technology to allow football fans to watch highlights of England's World Cup qualifying match against Croatia (more)

Setanta relents over highlights
From Financial Times. Posted September 11 2008, 3.03am
The pay-TV company takes the unusual step of suspending its encryption technology to allow football fans to watch highlights of England's World Cup qualifying match against Croatia (more)

Setanta to offer free-to-air highlights of England game
From Media Guardian. Posted September 10 2008, 4.56pm
Setanta has decided to broadcast highlights of England's World Cup qualifying match with Croatia unecrypted after its live coverage. By Mark Sweney (more)

ITV to be demoted from FTSE 100
From BBC News. Posted September 10 2008, 4.28pm
Broadcaster ITV is to lose its blue-chip status following the latest quarterly reshuffle of the FTSE 100 index. (more)

New doc examines Cleopatra's 'dark side'
From Digital Spy. Posted September 10 2008, 4.18pm
The BBC is to explore the dark side of Egyptian queen Cleopatra for a new documentary. (more)

Garraway: Ulrika not qualified for 'GMTV'
From Digital Spy. Posted September 10 2008, 12.39pm
Kate Garraway dismisses Ulrika Jonsson's chances of succeeding Fiona Phillips on the GMTV sofa. (more)

BBCWS announces new Head of French and Great Lakes services
From Media Network Weblog. Posted September 10 2008, 12.06pm
The BBC has appointed Razvan Scortea as the Head of its BBC French and BBC Great Lakes language services. His responsibilities include overseeing the managerial and editorial direction of both services including staff located in London, in over 20 African countries, and the websites bbcafrique.com and bbcgreatlakes.com. BBC in French for Africa – BBC Afrique – [...] (more)

Media Guardian: Esquire’s electronic cover unveiled
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted September 10 2008, 11.40am
To celebrate its 75th year US magazine Esquire has unveiled the cover of its October issue, made partly of electronic ink. (more)

ITV move to Salford 'agreed in principle'
From Digital Spy. Posted September 10 2008, 10.53am
ITV's plan to move from Manchester's Quay Street to Salford's mediacity:uk is "agreed in principle", reports indicate. (more)

ITV set to lose blue-chip status
From BBC News. Posted September 10 2008, 8.39am
Broadcaster ITV could lose its blue-chip status in the latest quarterly reshuffle of the FTSE 100 index. (more)

Tim Dowling: Was it something I said? The truth about Brand's bashing in the US
From Media Guardian. Posted September 9 2008, 11.48pm
Tim Dowling: The combination of his accent, his furious pace and his baroque phrasing must be a challenge (more)

Tim Dowling: Was it something I said? The truth about Russell Brand's bashing in the US
From Media Guardian. Posted September 9 2008, 11.48pm
Tim Dowling: The combination of his accent, his furious pace and his baroque phrasing must be a challenge (more)

Ready, steady ... quit! Pork leg in Coca-Cola does for Thai PM
From Media Guardian. Posted September 9 2008, 11.03pm
Thailand's prime minister has been thrown out of office - for hosting a TV cooker