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This is an archive of news about OBE. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.GlobeCast renews SES New Skies satellite capacity for the Americas and Europe
From Media Network Weblog. Posted July 7 2008, 12.53pm
SES New Skies 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 319.5° 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)
Robert Woodward is cleaning up SMG
From Daily Telegraph. Posted July 5 2008, 12.01am
The quiet man of media is making big noises in Scottish TV, writes Juliette Garside (more)
Probe of video-on-demand venture
From BBC News. Posted June 30 2008, 1.49pm
A video-on-demand venture between the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV is referred to the Competition Commission. (more)
Probe of video-on-demand plan
From BBC News. Posted June 30 2008, 1.49pm
A video-on-demand venture between the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV is referred to the Competition Commission. (more)
DTH Spize TV rebranded to Roots Global
From Biz Asia. Posted June 29 2008, 1.40pm
The recently launched Pan-European DTH platform Spize TV has been rebranded to Roots Global.
The service is available on the Eutelsat Eurobird 9 satellite at 9 degrees East. Channels such as ZEE TV, 9X, ARY Digital, Ten Sports and B4U Movies are a few of the broadcasters available on Roots Global.
Spize TV of Singapore, which is owned by Pyramid Saimira of Chenai, India, will have a selection of free-to-air and "a-la-carte" channels. To access Roots Global, the provider will install a dual-LNB on subscriber's satellite dishes to enable reception from EB-9 and also the Hotbird satellites of Europe.
Last year, World TV, a subsidiary of content management and delivery company, GlobeCast, launched a similar service in Europe offering ten popular channels at a competitive price.
Related links:
TV channels join World TV package in Europe
DM Digital to beam channels from Pakistan (more)
Radio group lands fine of £1.1m after phone probe
From Financial Times. Posted June 27 2008, 3.00am
GCap Media, the UK's largest commercial radio group, was hit with a £1.1m fine yesterday, by far the largest in radio history, following an investigation into a... (more)
BP partner set off probe by Kremlin
From The Times. Posted June 22 2008, 12.00am
A KREMLIN investigation into BP’s Russian joint venture was prompted by a letter from one of the four oligarchs who own half of the business, The Sunday Times can reveal. (more)
Channel 4's 'Britz' to be aired in America
From Biz Asia. Posted June 20 2008, 4.33pm
Channel 4's popular one-off drama 'Britz' two British-born Muslims has been acquired by cable channel BBC America.
The deal means, 'Britz' will be shown on US TV later this year.
The 2 x 120-minute miniseries, directed by Peter Kosminsky (The Government Inspector) and produced by Daybreak Pictures, was sold to BBC America by Channel 4 International.
'Britz' was shown on Channel 4 last October.
Related link:
Channel 4 to air post 9/11 Britain thriller (more)
Robert Thomson rejigs Wall Street Journal management
From Media Guardian. Posted June 20 2008, 12.15pm
Robert Thomson has made major changes to the management structure of the Wall Street Journal as his deputy managing editor departs to Bloomberg. By Stephen Brook (more)
ARY OneWorld News launches website
From Biz Asia. Posted June 18 2008, 9.57pm
The long awaited website of ARY OneWorld News has launched today.
Although the website is a beta version, a channel spokesperson said, "the full version will be launched very soon after taking feedback from our viewers."
The ARY OneWorld news website hopes to become a news portal similar to other local news channels from Pakistan or CNN and BBC internationally.
The website covers news stories from Pakistan and all across the globe and are further classified into sports, politics, health, business, entertainment etc.
Other features include top news stories from around the world, hourly updates, special reports in PDF format, News in Pictures and for more avid fans, a forum to discuss the latest topics.
The website can be viewed here. (more)
Newspaper company chief receives OBE
From Hold the Front Page. Posted June 16 2008, 2.50pm
CN Group Ltd chief exec is joined by other press figures on Queen's Birthday Honours List (more)
CN Group boss crowns press awards triumph with OBE
From Press Gazette. Posted June 16 2008, 12.00am
The chief executive of regional newspaper publisher CN Group has been recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list, in the same week that the group's Cumberland News won three awards at the Press Gazette Regional Press Awards. (more)
Boston Globe enhances local search with MetaCarta
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted June 12 2008, 11.30am
Boston.com, the website for the Boston Globe, has added MetaCarta's geotagging technology to improve the localised search on the site. Content from the site and others that are included by Boston.com's search will be automatically tagged by MetaCarta allowing users to search by geographical area. The aim, says a press release from the New York Times Company, [...] (more)
UKTV: Richard and Judy's new channel to launch in October
From Media Guardian. Posted June 11 2008, 3.04pm
UKTV has announced a major rebrand of channels as an entertainment service boasting a new Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan show prepares for launch. By Mark Sweney (more)
BBC Gears Up for Bard Anniversary with Comic Tale
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted June 6 2008, 7.56am
The 250th anniversary, next year, of the birth of Robert Burns is to be celebrated by BBC Scotland with a comic tale - filming over the next few weeks and including some of Scotland’s best-known actors and comedians.
No Holds Bard is to feature, among others, Ashley Jensen, Bill... (more)
'Scrapheap Challenge' drops Llewellyn
From Digital Spy. Posted June 5 2008, 12.02pm
Robert Llewellyn isn't returning for the 11th series of Scrapheap Challenge. (more)
Instituto Cervantes using Velocix to provide online High Definition video services on Spanish language and culture
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted June 5 2008, 8.00am
Tutorials, seminars and Internet TV services delivered globally by Velocix in High Definition MPEG-4 format Cambridge, UK ? June 5, 2008. Velocix, provider of the world's leading Digital Asset Delivery Network, today announced that Instituto Cervantes is using its digital delivery services to provide High Definition online video to its audiences around the globe. Instituto Cervantes is the largest organization in the world responsible for promoting the study and teaching of Spanish language and culture.... (more)
Brussels probes digital TV cash
From Financial Times. Posted June 5 2008, 3.00am
The European Commission has told the UK to prove that £14m that will be paid by the BBC to Channel 4 to help with the costs of switching to digital-only... (more)
Award-winning Mad Men to return to BBC Four
From BBC Press Ofice. Posted May 28 2008, 12.00pm
The BBC announces today that Mad Men the sexy stylised and provocative drama that has won multiple awards including the Golden Globe for Best Television Drama Series will return to BBC Four for series two. (more)
Financial Times moves senior correspondents and editors around the globe
From Press Gazette. Posted May 28 2008, 12.00am
Financial Times editor Lionel Barber has announced a series of senior editorial changes, with correspondents and editors moving between the Far East, Africa and Europe. (more)
ZEE set to revitalise Indian Cricket League
From Biz Asia. Posted May 21 2008, 10.02pm
In order to counter the heat generated by the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) launched by BCCI, the rebel cricket body — Indian Cricket League (ICL) — is all set to take its tournament outside the country.
Not only will the Subhash Chandra-owned Twenty20 tournament go to West Asia in September, its prize money will also go up. ICL will also launch a high-voltage multi-media campaign beginning August-September other than considering roping in film stars to not only own cricket teams, but to play the Twenty20 matches.
The bottom line is that the Essel Group is gearing up to take on the Indian Premier League which has kept television viewers glued to Sony's SET Max channel.
Says a senior ZEE executive: "The ICL is now very big on the agenda for the group. Several steps are being taken to increase the interest of both the viewers and the advertisers when the tournament starts in September-October this year. Don't forget, we saw the big potential in the Twenty20 format much before anyone else did."
To lend freshness to the game, the ICL executives are looking at several international cricketing venues in the Gulf. The belief is that the company may finally zero in on Dubai or Sharjah as Taj Television, the holding company of Ten Sports that shows the matches, is based in Dubai. ZEE owns a 50 per cent stake in Ten Sports.
However, in the face of competition from IPL, establishing ICL as a vibrant television property will be an uphill task for the Essel Group.
"IPL is a successful television property with consistent ratings of about 4-5, similar to any popular show on a general entertainment channel. The initial tournaments of ICL got ratings of 1-2. To attract the viewers to another Twenty20 tournament will be a tough challenge for the ICL team," says a senior media planner. Winning against IPL will be a challenge on other counts as well.
For a start, IPL is an official tournament with the backing of the International Cricket Council (ICC) while ICL is a rebel league comprising either retired international cricketers or not so known cricket players from both within and outside the country.
Also, the ICL matches aired on ZEE Sports and later on Ten Sports as well, managed to attract viewers for 6-12 minutes on an average. The average time spent on Set Max (for IPL) has been over 40 minutes.
Himanshu Modi, business head, ICL, however, is unfazed. In an emailed response to Business Standard earlier, he said: "It is important for everyone involved or following the league to understand that in terms of product life cycle we are in the introductory stage. Like any other sporting product, the ICL will need time to build its support base…"
IPL has become a phenomenal television success, agree advertising experts. "If any one has to even match its intensity in future, they will have to put in something 'extra'," a senior executive in an advertising agency concludes.
International venues and celebrities may work wonders for the sub-continent expats, but for the viewers back home, much more may be required," a senior executive in a Gurgaon-based advertising agency concludes.
Related links:
Hyderabad to host ZEE's ICL World Series
IPL outperforms Shah Rukh show on STAR Plus
ZEE Network thanks BCCI for ICL success
Confirmed: ZEE Music to show ICL cricket
Buzz surrounding BCCI's T20 IPL cricket
ZEE's Indian Cricket League teams confirmed
ZEE Network to form own Indian cricket league (more)
Test card appears for new BBC Persian TV service
From Media Network Weblog. Posted May 21 2008, 4.00pm
The media website Radiovisie reports that a testcard for the forthcoming BBC Persian TV service has appeared on the Hotbird satellite at 13° East, 11.117 GHz (V), Symbol rate: 27.500, FEC: 3/4. This transponder is allocated to Globecast UK. The start date has not yet been announced, but the free-to-air service is due to launch [...] (more)
Reuters: Robert Thomson named managing editor of Wall Street Journal
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted May 21 2008, 11.40am
Former Times editor Robert Thomson has been appointed editor-in-chief of Dow Jones and managing editor of the Wall Street Journal, succeeding Marcus Brauchli. An op-ed to be published in today's Journal, will see Thomson admit he made mistakes in his involvement with Brauchli's departure. (more)
Robert Thomson named managing editor at Wall Street Journal
From Press Gazette. Posted May 21 2008, 12.00am
Former Times editor Robert Thomson is the the editor of the Wall Street Journal. He will filll the dual role of managing editor as well as editor-in-chief of Dow Jones, the News Corp-owned company that publishes the Journal. (more)
Murdoch appoints Robert Thomson to top job at the Wall Street Journal
From Media Guardian. Posted May 20 2008, 11.30pm
Former Times editor named managing editor as Rupert Murdoch tightens control of newspaper's management (more)
Rupert Murdoch appoints Robert Thomson to top job at the Wall Street Journal
From Media Guardian. Posted May 20 2008, 11.30pm
Former Times editor, Robert Thomson, named managing editor as Rupert Murdoch tightens control of newspaper's management (more)
Scotsman apologises to Robert Murat for defamatory Madeline McCann story
From Press Gazette. Posted May 16 2008, 12.00am
One year after alleging that he had joked about being the "no.1 suspect" in the police hunt for Madeline McCann, The Scotsman has apologised to Robert Murat and admitted publishing defamatory allegations about him. (more)
Journalist goes undercover in kerb crawl probe
From Hold the Front Page. Posted May 15 2008, 9.20am
Advertiser crime reporter experiences Swindon's seedier side in special investigation (more)
Pay TV probe set for further phase
From Digital Spy. Posted May 13 2008, 10.54am
Ofcom is to take its investigations into the pay TV market and Sky's Picnic plans to a further stage. (more)
Politkovskaya editor welcomes murder probe progress
From Press Gazette. Posted May 12 2008, 12.00am
Dmitry Muratov, the editor of Novaya Gazeta, the newspaper which employed investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya before her assassination on 7 October 2006, has said he believes the Moscow authorities are carrying out the investigation... (more)
C4 series to follow families on travels
From Digital Spy. Posted May 1 2008, 4.22pm
A new series for Channel 4 will follow families on "gap year" travels around the globe. (more)
Evening Standard's Robert Jobson named News of the World royal editor
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2008, 8.25am
Evening Standard royal correspondent Robert Jobson is joining the News of the World as royal editor after seven years at the Associated title. By Ben Dowell (more)
Social Media Journalist: “I’ve never met anyone who isn’t a media type who’s ever heard of Del.icio.us.,” Robert Hardie, Northcliffe Media
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted April 28 2008, 9.53am
Journalism.co.uk talks to reporters across the globe working at the collision of journalism and social media about how they see it changing their industry. This week, Robert Hardie, from UK regional newspaper publisher Northcliffe Media. 1. Who are you and what do you do? Robert Hardie, content strategy director for Northcliffe Media. 2. Which web or mobile-based social [...] (more)
Nobel Foundation drops Swedish broadcaster after China censorship
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 26 2008, 2.27pm
The Nobel Foundation has dropped TV4 as carrier for its annual prize ceremony, saying the Swedish broadcaster had let Chinese television censor a speech on freedom of expression, a Swedish newspaper said. Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter said TV4, which has the rights to broadcast the annual ceremony, had allowed Chinese television stations to censor Nobel [...] (more)
Mitchell, Webb want more 'Peep Show'
From Digital Spy. Posted April 25 2008, 11.07am
David Mitchell and Robert Webb would like to keep making Peep Show for as long as possible. (more)
Sir Martin Sorrell predicts growing role for advertisers in films and TV
From The Times. Posted April 21 2008, 12.00am
It is a phenomenon first parodied by <i>The Truman Show</i> in 1998 — creating
entertaining content for the benefit of the advertising industry. Ten years
on, advertisers and agencies are keen to turn the concept into reality.<br/>
<br/>
Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of WPP, the advertising group, is
pushing for his industry to work more closely with Hollywood stars and media
companies to help to finance films and television series in which it can
promote its clients’ products.<br/>
<br/>
As traditional spot advertising between programmes comes under increasing
pressure, Sir Martin foresees the advertising industry co-owning a slice of
productions and possibly having involvement in the creative process of
programme-making.<br/>
<br/>
“There are some experiments being made by us and our competitors involving
significant amounts of money,” he says.<br/>
<br/>
Product placement is commonly used in Hollywood blockbusters and British
programmes on commercial television are widely sponsored, but the advent of
advertisers and agencies funding programme-making, and potentially
determining plotlines, would be a departure.<br/>
<br/>
It would also spark controversy about the quality of television programming.<br/>
<br/>
The European Union is considering recommending the relaxation of rules
governing advertising on television. At the same time, Ofcom, the British
regulator, which continues to enforce legislation governing product
promotion on all forms of media in Britain, appears to be leaning towards
more lenient rules concerning television advertising.<br/>
<br/>
In America, where rules governing advertising are less stringent, WPP has
already created some branded content, co-producing the drama series <i>October
Road</i> with Touchstone Television. That move took Group M, the media
planning and buying division of WPP, into a role that traditionally is held
by a production company, using its own finances to invest in the production.
It then marketed opportunities within the show to advertisers.<br/>
<br/>
The advertising group said at the time that many similar productions were
likely to follow, suggesting that this was the start of a trend.<br/>
<br/>
<i>October Road,</i> based on the return of a bestselling author to his small
town American roots, made a strong debut on ABC when it aired in March last
year. Although audiences tailed off, it averaged 10.5 million viewers and
was recommissioned for a second series, with an option for a third.<br/>
<br/>
“We want to do it [<i>October Road</i>-style production deals]
everywhere,” Sir Martin said at the time.<br/>
<br/>
“Content and intellectual property does give us an opportunity to add, or
develop, a new business approach and a new structure to the way we develop
our business, particularly in media planning and buying.”<br/>
<br/>
To help to ensure that big-name stars are involved in future shows, Sir
Martin also wants to forge closer ties with Hollywood talent agents.<br/>
<br/>
“One of the things I think we don’t do well enough is develop intellectual
property with people we know. For example, one of the things that’s struck
me . . . is to work with Hollywood talent agencies like CAA, Endeavour, UTA
or William Morris. We should work more closely with those people in trying
to develop content ideas.” (more)
Sir Martin Sorrell of WPP sees big role for advertisers in films and TV
From The Times. Posted April 20 2008, 11.10pm
It is a phenomenon first parodied by <i>The Truman Show</i> in 1998 - creating
entertaining content for the benefit of the advertising industry. Ten years
on, advertisers and agencies are keen to turn the concept into reality.<br/>
<br/>
Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, the advertising group, is pushing
for his industry to work more closely with Hollywood stars and media
companies to help to finance films and television series in which it can
promote its clients’ products.<br/>
<br/>
As traditional spot advertising between programmes comes under increasing
pressure, Sir Martin foresees the advertising industry co-owning a slice of
productions and possibly having involvement in the creative process of
programme-making.<br/>
<br/>
“There are some experiments being made by us and our competitors involving
significant amounts of money,” he says.<br/>
<br/>
Product placement is commonly used in Hollywood blockbusters and British
programmes on commercial television are widely sponsored, but the advent of
advertisers and agencies funding programme-making, and potentially
determining plotlines, would be a departure.<br/>
<br/>
It would also spark controversy about the quality of television programming.<br/>
<br/>
The European Union is considering recommending the relaxation of rules
governing advertising on television. At the same time, Ofcom, the British
regulator, which continues to enforce legislation governing product
promotion on all forms of media in Britain, appears to be leaning towards
more lenient rules concerning television advertising.<br/>
<br/>
In America, where rules governing advertising are less stringent, WPP has
already created some branded content, co-producing the drama series <i>October
Road</i> with Touchstone Television. That move took Group M, the media
planning and buying division of WPP, into a role that traditionally is held
by a production company, using its own finances to invest in the production.
It then marketed opportunities within the show to advertisers.<br/>
<br/>
The advertising group said at the time that many similar productions were
likely to follow, suggesting that this was the start of a trend.<br/>
<br/>
<i>October Road,</i> based on the return of a bestselling author to his small
town American roots, made a strong debut on ABC when it aired in March last
year. Although audiences tailed off, it averaged 10.5 million viewers and
was recommissioned for a second series, with an option for a third.<br/>
<br/>
“We want to do it [<i>October Road</i>-style production deals]
everywhere,” Sir Martin said at the time.<br/>
<br/>
“Content and intellectual property does give us an opportunity to add, or
develop, a new business approach and a new structure to the way we develop
our business, particularly in media planning and buying.”<br/>
<br/>
To help to ensure that big-name stars are involved in future shows, Sir Martin
also wants to forge closer ties with Hollywood talent agents.<br/>
<br/>
“One of the things I think we don’t do well enough is develop intellectual
property with people we know. For example, one of the things that’s struck
me . . . is to work with Hollywood talent agencies like CAA, Endeavour, UTA
or William Morris. We should work more closely with those people in trying
to develop content ideas.” (more)
Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica to go islandwide by October
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 19 2008, 10.09am
The Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBC-J) will become available to viewers islandwide come October this year. Currently, the station, which is up and running 24 hours per day, seven days a week, is accessible across 60 per cent of the island, covering most of the Corporate Area and other urban centres including Spanish Town, [...] (more)
Velocix Enables End Users to Enjoy Rich, High-Quality HD Experiences Using Adobe Flash Technology
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted April 17 2008, 8.45am
Velocix adds Support for Adobe Flash Media Server 3 across its Global Digital Asset Delivery Network Cambridge, UK and San Francisco, USA ? April 17, 2008 ? Velocix (www.velocix.com), a leading Digital Asset Delivery Network, today announced support of Adobe Flash Media Server 3 through the Flash Video Streaming Service program. Adobe Flash Media Server 3 is now deployed throughout the Velocix network, to provide support for H.264 and VP6-S High Definition live and on... (more)
Court hears that terror reporter's career could be "destroyed" in source probe
From Press Gazette. Posted April 17 2008, 12.00am
Freelance journalism and terrorism expert Shiv Malik today asked the High Court for permission to challenge a "production order" obtained against him by police under anti-terror laws. (more)
Mitchell and Webb to film sitcom pilot
From Digital Spy. Posted April 16 2008, 11.36am
Peep Show's David Mitchell and Robert Webb are working on a new sitcom for BBC Two. (more)
BBC turns the globe red in news revamp
From Media Guardian. Posted April 14 2008, 11.02pm
£550,000 rebranding to help bring together various parts of corporation's sprawling operations (more)
BBC spends £550k on news revamp including 'red globe' logo
From Media Guardian. Posted April 14 2008, 3.57pm
BBC News is launching a £550,000 revamp of its image - to include a new red globe symbol it hopes will help bring together the various parts of its sprawling operations. By Katie Allen (more)
Senior BBC position for Roberts
From Radio Today. Posted April 14 2008, 1.38pm
Radio Today can reveal that former Marcher Sound presenter Phil Roberts has been appointed the new head of region for the BBC in the north east. Roberts will be responsible for the three local BBC stations in the region as well as all local television output. (more)
My Mentor: Ashley House on Des Lynam
From The Independent. Posted April 14 2008, 12.00am
I was lined up to work on the launch of Arsenal TV with Des Lynam in January, but a week or two beforehand my boss at Setanta Sports heard the news that Des had got an OBE and asked me to do an interview with him to put out the next day. (more)
STAR ties up with Lloyds TSB JewelAwards
From Biz Asia. Posted April 12 2008, 2.10pm
STAR TV has announced its partnership with this year’s Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards by televising all three regional events exclusively on STAR Plus.
Now in its seventh year, the Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards marks one of the most esteemed entries on the UK Asian business calendar, whereby the most significant Asian achievements and contributions to the UK economy and wider community are commended against a backdrop of refined entertainment and a gala dinner attended by dignitaries, MPs and high profile personalities.
The events are regionalised to comprise three separate award ceremonies celebrating the continued achievements of British Asians across the public and private sectors in the North, Midlands and South of the UK. The first event, the Lloyds TSB Northern Jewel Awards, takes place on Saturday 19th April 2008 at the Palace Hotel, Manchester, with additional events comprising Lloyds TSB Central Jewel Awards on Saturday 21st June 2008 at NEC Hilton, Birmingham and Lloyds TSB Southern Jewel Awards on Saturday 4th October 2008 at Hilton Park Lane, London.
STAR TV is immensely proud to contribute to the prolific event, by being the exclusive media partner for the event and televising it across UK and Europe. The partnership with the Jewel Awards reaffirms STAR TV’s fundamental principle of broadcasting the widest possible spectrum of programming across entertainment, community and current affairs, as well as the highest level of news and sports reporting. The commitment to telecast the awards ceremony also reflects the channel’s continued commitment to celebrating the achievements and successes of the Asian community, and also reflects the diverse nature in tastes and expectancy of its audiences.
Six Jewel awards will be announced at the event for Business & Commerce Excellence, Entrepreneur Excellence, Healthcare & Education Excellence, Professional Excellence, Public Service Excellence, Retail Food &Franchise Excellence, and the coveted Lifetime Achievement Jewel Award. (more)
Sunrise TV signs up to official body BARB
From Biz Asia. Posted April 11 2008, 11.56am
Sunrise TV has signed up with the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB) to officially measure its viewership.
The channel, which is still yet to officially launch, is available on Sky Digital and becomes the third Asian channel in recent months to have its viewership measured.
Mainstream terrestrial and digital multi-channel services subscribe to BARB, however Asian TV channels have until recently stayed away from such mechanics of audience measuring.
Last October saw Prime TV become the first Asian channel sign up with BARB.
Related links:
Doordarshan India signs to audience measuring body
Prime TV signs audience measuring body BARB
Sunrise TV begins testing ahead of Sky launch?
Sunrise TV to launch in early-February? (more)
Press watchdog to probe privacy of online social networking
From Hold the Front Page. Posted April 9 2008, 6.30am
Action comes as more and more personal information is available to anyone ? including journalists ? online (more)
Sport on TV: Tall story of spider man is a costume drama
From The Independent. Posted April 6 2008, 12.00am
Alain Robert drives his family up the wall. The world's greatest "urban free solo" climber has scaled 80 of the world's tallest buildings without using any equipment, just his hands and feet. He has an arrest sheet as long as his arm, which in his case is very long from all the trauma he puts his muscles and tendons through. (more)
TV ratings - April 3: Human Spider traps 2.5m viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted April 4 2008, 10.01am
Channel 4's much-publicised documentary about 'human spider' Alain Roberts pulled in 2.5 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)
EU opens investigation of UK aid to Channel 4
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 2 2008, 11.50am
The European Commission has today opened an investigation of British government financing of the capital costs for Channel 4 to switch to digital broadcasting. British authorities told the European Union’s executive arm in October 2007 that they planned to grant £14 million ($27.65 million) of aid to help Channel 4 switch to digital.
But the Commission said [...] (more)
Undercover Mosque producers lost work in fallout from police probe
From Press Gazette. Posted April 2 2008, 12.00am
The production team behind Channel Four's Undercover Mosque report lost commissions in the fallout from the police investigation into the programme. (more)
Global bid for GCap caught by Ofcom probe
From Daily Telegraph. Posted March 31 2008, 12.01am
The £371m takeover bid for GCap Media, the UK's biggest commercial radio group, hangs in the balance after news that Ofcom is investigating the company in relation to last year's phone-in scandals. (more)
ZEE Cine Awards nominations list announced
From Biz Asia. Posted March 29 2008, 11.40am
After our exclusive news breaks on the ZEE Cine Awards returning back to the UK on Saturday 26th April, we now reveal the full nominations list as to who is favourite to win on the glitzy night.
Best Film
Chak De! India- Aditya Chopra, Yash Raj Films
Guru - Mani Ratnam, G. Srinivasan
Jab We Met - Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Pvt. Ltd.
Life in a Metro - Ronnie Screwvalla, UTV Motion Pictures
Om Shanti Om - Shah Rukh Khan, Red Chillies Entertainment
Taare Zameen Par - Aamir Khan, Aamir Khan Productions
Best Director
Aamir Khan – Taare Zameen Par
Anurag Basu - Life in a Metro
Farah Khan - Om Shanti Om
Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met
Mani Ratnam - Guru
Shamit Amin - Chak De! India
Best Actor (Male)
Abhishek Bachchan - Guru
Akshay Kumar - Namastey London
Amitabh Bachchan - Cheeni Kum
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De! India
Shah Rukh Khan - Om Shanti Om
Shahid Kapur - Jab We Met
Best Actor (Female)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan- Guru
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met
Katrina Kaif - Namaste London
Tabu - Cheeni Kum
Vidya Balan - Bhool Bhulaiyya
Most Popular Track Of The Year
Barso Re - Guru
Dard-E-Disco- Om Shanti Om
Do You Wanna Partner - Partner
Hare Ram Hare Krishna - Bhool Bhulaiya
In Dino - Life In A Metro
Mauja Hi Mauja - Jab We Met
Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male)
Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par
Bobby Deol - Naqaab
Irrfan Khan Life In A.. Metro
Mithun Chakraborty - Guru
Shreyas Talpade - Om Shanti Om
Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female)
Chitrashi - Chak De! India
Konkona Sen Sharma - Life In A.. Metro
Lara Dutta - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Shilpa Shetty - Life In A.. Metro
Tisca Chopra - Taare Zameen Par
Best Actor In A Negative Role (Male/Female)
Arjun Rampal - Om Shanti Om
Neil Nitin Mukesh - Johnny Gaddar
Pawan Malhotra - Black Friday
Shilpa Shukla - Chak De! India
Viveik Oberoi - Shootout At Lokhandwala
Best Actor In A Comic Role (Male/Female)
Anil Kapoor - Welcome
Nana Patekar - Welcome
Riteish Deshmukh - Heyy Baby
Tusshar Kapoor - Dhol
Vinay Pathak - Bheja Fry
Best Playback Singer (Male)
KK - Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om)
Shaan - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya)
Soham - In Dino (Life In A.. Metro)
Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant & Marianna D’Cruz - Kuchh Kariye (Chak De! India)
Sonu Nigam - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)
Best Playback Singer (Female)
Mahalaxmi Iyer - Bolna Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom)
Mahalaxmi Iyer - Salaam-e-Ishq (Salaam-e-Ishq)
Shreya Ghosal - Barso Re Megha (Guru)
Shreya Ghosal - Yeh Ishq Haaye (Jab We Met)
Sunidhi Chauhan - Sajnaji Vaari Vaari (Honeymoon Travels P Ltd)
Best Lyrics
Gulzar - Tere Bina (Guru)
Javed Akhtar - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)
Prasoon Joshi - Maa (Taare Zameen Par)
Sameer - Jab Se Tere Naina (Saawariya)
Sayeed Quadri - In Dinon (Life In A.. Metro)
Best Music
A R Rahman - Guru
Pritam - Life in a Metro
Pritam, Sandesh Shandilya - Jab We Met
Sajid-Wajid - Partner
Vishal-Shekhar - Om Shanti Om
Most Promising Debut Director
Aamir Khan - Taare Zameen Par
Feroz Abbas Khan - Gandhi My Father
R Balakrishna - Cheeni Kum
Reema Kagti - Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd
Sajid Khan - Heyy Babyy
Most Promising Debut (Male)
Himesh Reshammiya - Aap Ka Suroor
Neil Nitin Mukesh - Johnny Gaddar
Ranbir Kapoor - Saawariya
Most Promising Debut (Female)
Deepika Padukone - Om Shanti Om
Jiah Khan - Nishabd
Sonam Kapoor - Saawariya
Most Promising Debut (Child Artiste)
Darsheel Safary - Taare Zameen Par
Druv Piyush Panjuani - Apna Aasmaan
Swini Khera - Cheeni Kum
Related links:
EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Cine Awards performers
EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Cine Awards return to London (more)
BBC Olympics data theft probed
From Financial Times. Posted March 28 2008, 2.00am
The BBC has called in the police after discovering the apparent theft of two files containing details of employees it is sending to cover this summer's Olympic Games... (more)
Sainsbury's puts more pressure on Robert Tchenguiz with British Land venture
From The Times. Posted March 26 2008, 11.20pm
J Sainsbury is to buy back 50 per cent of the freehold on 38 of its
superstores from British Land and co-develop them over the next decade to
add more than 500,000 sq ft of sales space. (more)
Sainsbury issues bribe warning in potato probe
From The Times. Posted March 22 2008, 10.30pm
J SAINSBURY has written to its main suppliers after The Sunday Times revealed
last week that the supermarket giant was embroiled in a £3m bribes
investigation. (more)
BBC journalists arrested in Irish probe into dissident republicans
From The Independent. Posted March 17 2008, 12.00am
Four BBC journalists were arrested at the weekend by Irish police monitoring the Real IRA, the dissident group responsible for intermittent violence in Northern Ireland. (more)
BBC staff arrested in Garda probe
From BBC News. Posted March 16 2008, 4.20pm
Some of the seven men arrested in Donegal as part of a probe into paramilitary activity are BBC journalists. (more)
BBC staff arrests in police probe
From BBC News. Posted March 16 2008, 4.20pm
Journalists working for BBC NI are arrested in County Donegal as part of a probe into paramilitary activity. (more)
BBC Scotland Series to Probe Criminal Justice System
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted March 14 2008, 8.15am
A three-part series from BBC Scotland's investigations unit is to turn the spotlight on the criminal justice system.
And the first programme explores the story of one of Scotland's biggest miscarriages of justice in recent years.
In Corrupt Cops: The Inconvenient Truths, reporter,... (more)
Iran probes reformist over US TV ?treason?
From Media Network Weblog. Posted March 13 2008, 12.53pm
Iran is launching an investigation into the “treason” of a leading reformist MP who gave an interview to a US-funded Persian television channel, the intelligence minister said yesterday. Noureddine Pir Mouazen, the spokesman of reformists in parliament, gave an interview about Friday’s legislative elections to the Persian service of the Voice of America, a channel despised [...] (more)
Reprieve for journalist facing daily fines in US source probe
From Press Gazette. Posted March 13 2008, 12.00am
Just hours before she was due to start paying a fine of $500 a day for refusing to answer questions over stories she wrote five years ago about the American anthrax terror attacks, former USA Today reporter Toni Locy received a reprieve. (more)
Bollywood.tv acquires ICL cricket action
From Biz Asia. Posted March 12 2008, 11.50am
Bollywood.tv – the largest online library of South Asian entertainment – has secured the exclusive global online rights outside of India for the Essel Group's Indian Cricket League (ICL) – one of 2008's most highly anticipated cricketing events.
The website will be the exclusive online portal for viewers across UK/Europe, North America, Middle East, South Africa and Australasia to watch the on-pitch action live.
Comprising of 34, adrenaline-fuelled matches played over 30 days from 9th March to 7th April 2008, the ICL Twenty20 will be an unmissable international event for cricket fans and enthusiasts across the globe. Stars of the international cricketing world, as well as up and coming talent, will be united specifically by the ICL and divided into county-style teams. The tournament will showcase the formidable talents of a new generation of players, as they play out their abilities against the finest of the international cricketing world. Star players include: Brian Lara (West Indies); Andrew Hall (South Africa); Stuart Law (Australia); Hemang Bandani (India); Russel Arnold (Sri Lanka); Moin Khan (Pakistan); and Craig McMillan (New Zealand), among many others.
Related link:
ZEE Cinema to telecast ICL: Championships (more)
'Allo, Allo' to invade German screens
From The Independent. Posted March 11 2008, 12.00am
They may have claimed they were "only obeying orders", but for 26 years the Germans refused to screen the famous BBC comedy series Allo Allo because of fears that the Second World War sitcom set in Nazi-occupied France might not go down too well with older viewers. (more)
Arte France goes HD on DTT
From Rapid TV News. Posted March 10 2008, 3.15pm
Cultural channel Arte will launch a high definition channel on the French DTT network on October 30 2008. (more)
A natural phenomenon
From Media Guardian. Posted March 3 2008, 12.04am
Tonight, after 54 fabulous years of globetrotting for wildlife, David Attenborough bows out. What made him so great? And who can take his place? By Stuart Jeffries (more)
BBC 'scapegoat' could become saviour of ITV
From Daily Telegraph. Posted February 29 2008, 12.01am
Last October, after the "Tiaragate" fiasco, BBC director general Mark Thompson saw good reason to sacrifice Peter Fincham as controller of BBC1. (more)
ITV pins hopes on 'Crowngate' controller
From The Independent. Posted February 29 2008, 12.00am
It was a black moment for Peter Fincham last October when he was forced to resignas controller of BBC1 over the "Crowngate" affair involving a misleading press trailer for a documentary about the Queen. (more)
ZEE TV to launch 'Saath Saath' in 18:00 slot
From Biz Asia. Posted February 28 2008, 9.51pm
ZEE TV is launching yet another new soap to fill the weekday 18:00 slot from mid-March.
'Saath Saath' as the drama will be known, is produced by Dinesh Bansal who has old popular soaps like 'Basera', 'Kurukshetra' and 'Gharana' in his credits.
According to a statement by the channel, "Saath Saath is an unusual friendship of two unusual women- one who is an illiterate village girl and the other a modern NRI and their trials and tribulations to fit in together with their in-laws."
Currently ZEE TV UK's schedule at 18:00 is occupied by repeat shows; 'Saath Saath' will expand the channel's new policy of increasing original programmes during various dayparts.
'Saath Saath' launches on Monday 24th March at 18:00 and will air Monday through to Thursday.
Related links:
ZEE TV to add more new shows in October
Ofcom approves four new licences for ZEE UK
ZEE TV drops matinees for "original shows"
ZEE TV increases original programming output (more)
Simon Shaps goes as head of ITV television
From The Times. Posted February 28 2008, 8.21am
Simon Shaps, the director of television at ITV, the commercial broadcaster, is
to be replaced. Mr Shaps is succeeded by Peter Fincham, former controller of
BBC1 until last October, in May. His new role has not been announced. (more)
Grade brings in Ex-BBC Fincham to head TV
From The Times. Posted February 28 2008, 8.21am
Peter Fincham, the multimillionaire television executive who had to quit as
BBC1 controller in October after a row over a misleading trailer for a
programme about the Queen, is to be new head of television for ITV. (more)
Finnish ombudsman probes YLE?s digitalisation drive
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 27 2008, 11.59am
Hufvudsadsbladet, Finland’s top Swedish-language daily, reported today that the parliamentary ombudsman has launched a probe into the switch from analogue to digital television transmissions following a number complaints faulting the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) and its overseer, the communications ministry.
The paper added that one of the issues the ombudsman will investigate is the reasoning behind YLE’s [...] (more)
Nicky Camobell Gets Jingle from Stevie Wonder
From Merry Media. Posted February 26 2008, 11.33am
Five Live presenter Nicky Campbell met Stevie Wonder and asked him to sing a jingle for the radio station. Campbell met him at the Oscars and the soul legend was kind enough to sing for him "909, 693, medium wave".
. (more)
Television: Black is beautiful, you BET
From The Independent. Posted February 25 2008, 12.00am
The view that Britain's black communities have, over the past decade or so, suffered from a growing deficit of high-quality television has become a prevailing orthodoxy. The black academic and Channel 4 documentary maker Robert Beckford voiced a widely-held view on "black programming" last year when he summed it up as "music, sport, and sexuality; rap, riot, and rape". All bling but no brains. (more)
Britons more likely to get divorced than switch banks despite 1 in 2 claiming to be unhappy with their current service
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted February 22 2008, 1.12pm
Recent research, analysed by Mintel on behalf of the BBC?s Watchdog viewers, has underlined the general apathy amongst British consumers when it comes to seeking out a provider for their day-to-day banking needs which is in stark contrast to the growing numbers of people opting out of marriages, business partnerships and employment. It?s a sobering fact that people in the UK who are married are more likely to get divorced than they are to switch... (more)
Reporter who put business at the top of the news agenda
From Media Guardian. Posted February 17 2008, 12.08am
The economic crisis has pushed financial reporting into the limelight, and at its forefront is the BBC's Robert Peston, writes Nick Mathiason (more)
MY WEEK: Ian Robertson, BBC 5 Live’s Rugby Union correspondent
From Press Gazette. Posted February 15 2008, 12.00am
BBC rugby correspondent Ian Robertson still feels the thrill despite an unconvincing England peformance at the RBS Six Nations Championship (more)
Tommy Sheridan libel witness arrested in perjury probe
From Press Gazette. Posted February 15 2008, 12.00am
A friend of former socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, who backed him in his News of the World defamation trial, has been arrested by police investigating perjury claims. (more)
Music channel establishes lead position in India
From Biz Asia. Posted February 12 2008, 2.33pm
INX Media's satellite-delivered music channel 9XM claims it has an unprecedented leadership position in only three months since its launch in October 2007.
According to industry figures released for the key Indian youth demographic of 15-24 year-olds, the channel - which takes a fresh approach to presenting music - has achieved a more than two fold audience share lead over Viacom’s global youth music brand MTV, and an audience share in excess of seven times that of News Corporation’s STAR TV music platform Channel [V], both of which have been active in the sub-continent for over ten years.
"9XM has filled a void in the music television space. It has created a distinctive new space in music and entertainment that targets the needs and attitudes of youth, and not just the demographics," said Anthony Pettifer, Group Director, Brand and Communication, INX Media. "That’s why we’ve seen the channel being watched not only at home, but in canteens, colleges, bars, shopping malls, gyms, coffee bars and eateries. We’ve even seen it being played in streets outside McDonald's restaurants."
9XM's sister channel 9X launched in November last year. 9XM is planning a UK launch this year.
Related links:
New channel 9X opens to a mixed response
INX Network to launch channel in India this month
STAR India's legal head quits network
It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India
Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)
My Life in Media: Robert Peston
From The Independent. Posted February 11 2008, 12.00am
Robert Peston, 47, is business editor of the BBC, a post he has held since 2006 after 20 years writing about business and finance for the broadsheets. He got the idea for his latest book, Who Runs Britain?, from the incredible profits he saw in hedge funds and investment banks, which he rightly predicted as being unsustainable. He lives in north London with the writer Sian Busby and their 10-year-old son Max. His stepson, Simon, is at university. (more)
Mitchell and Webb to write comedy books
From Digital Spy. Posted January 24 2008, 12.51pm
Peep Show stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb will turn their attention to writing books. (more)
Price comparison sites face probe
From BBC News. Posted January 22 2008, 10.30am
The FSA is considering a crackdown on websites that compare insurance products, the BBC learns. (more)
Plans for junk food ad ban dropped
From Media Guardian. Posted January 22 2008, 7.20am
The government has abandoned plans to impose a pre-9pm ban on junk food TV advertising when it unveils its new anti-obesity strategy. By Mark Sweney (more)
MPs criticise BBC over response to licence fee probe
From Press Gazette. Posted January 22 2008, 12.00am
A group of MPs has criticised the BBC's handling of a Commons inquiry into how it spends the licence fee and how much it pays staff. (more)
WorldTV brings Bosnia to Canada
From Rapid TV News. Posted January 20 2008, 3.12am
WorldTV, GlobeCast’s multicultural television platform, has been launched in Canada on the NeuLion IPTV platform.
(more)
Be In Control Of Your Radio Listening With The New EPG Radio From ROBERTS
From Press Release, via webitpr. Posted January 18 2008, 9.00am
Would you like to plan your listening a week in advance? Or set a timer to remind you when your favourite programme is on? These are just a couple of things you can do with this new compact portable digital radio with Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) technology from Roberts. ROBERTS continues to make listening to your favourite radio programmes as easy and convenient as possible. The new MP-SOUND 41 means you?ll never have to miss... (more)
Search begins for new FSA chief
From BBC News. Posted January 16 2008, 6.04pm
The BBC's business editor Robert Peston learns that the Treasury has begun the search for a new FSA boss. (more)
A night of a thousand absent stars as Golden Globes lose their lustre
From The Independent. Posted January 15 2008, 12.00am
In any other year, it would have been a glittering night for British talent at Hollywood's Golden Globes: acting prizes for Julie Christie and Daniel Day-Lewis, Ricky Gervais's Extras named the best comedy on television, and the biggest recognition of all, the award for best dramatic picture, going to Atonement, Joe Wright's adaptation of an Ian McEwan novel. (more)
Golden Globes hat-trick for C4 drama Longford
From The Stage. Posted January 14 2008, 11.25am
(more)
Longford wins Golden Globes hat-trick
From Media Guardian. Posted January 14 2008, 10.31am
Channel 4 drama Longford scooped three awards at the Golden Globes, while Extras picked up the best comedy gong. By Leigh Holmwood (more)
Andrew Gilligan LDA investigation prompts police probe
From Press Gazette. Posted January 14 2008, 12.00am
Scotland Yard has launched an inquiry into the London Development Agency, following an investigation by reporter Andrew Gilligan writing in the Evening Standard. (more)
Globes press conference moves to Sky News
From Digital Spy. Posted January 11 2008, 9.33am
Sky will broadcast this year's dramatically scaled-down Golden Globes event on Sky News. (more)
Golden Globes switched to Sky News
From Media Guardian. Posted January 10 2008, 3.43pm
Sky is to transfer its coverage of the Golden Globes to its news channel after the ceremony was axed because of the US writers' strike. By Leigh Holmwood (more)
Perennially controversial Golden Globes reduced to press conference
From Press Gazette. Posted January 9 2008, 12.00am
The perennially controversial Golden Globes Awards are making bigger headlines than usual this year. (more)
Golden Globes cancel traditional show
From The Independent. Posted January 8 2008, 1.40am
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has said that the traditional Golden
Globe Awards ceremony has been canceled and will be replaced with a news
conference format. (more)
Interview: Dermot Murnaghan's on a Sky high
From The Independent. Posted January 7 2008, 1.20am
It is early evening and Dermot Murnaghan has been up since 4am but, as he explores his new surroundings at Sky for the first time, the mention of his salary is a subject that greatly animates him. When he found himself the subject of headlines in October, the presenter was portrayed as a "defector", abandoning the beleaguered, cash-shorn BBC for a lucrative offer from the commercial sector. (more)
Traders tested in cigs law probe by student hacks
From Hold the Front Page. Posted December 31 2007, 12.00am
Study was carried out by a group of five investigative journalism students (more)
Parky, Minogue & Alagiah in Queen's Honours
From Merry Media. Posted December 29 2007, 1.27am
In the Queen's New Year Honours, TV chat show presenter Michael Parkinson is knighted, singer Kylie Minogue along with BBC news presenter George Alagiah and sports presenter Des Lynam become OBEs.
. (more)
Ofcom asks ITV for X Factor information
From Media Guardian. Posted December 20 2007, 2.10pm
Ofcom has asked ITV to hand over information on the X Factor final after viewers complained they could not vote for Rhydian Roberts. By Leigh Holmwood (more)
Lengthy probe into UK pay-TV is likely
From Financial Times. Posted December 19 2007, 2.00am
Ofcom, the UK telecoms watchdog, yesterday detailed concerns about the paytelevision market, raising expectations of a long investigation but giving few new hints... (more)
BSkyB in soft stuff again?
From Rapid TV News. Posted December 18 2007, 8.40pm
BSkyB is to face yet another probe of the UK pay-TV market. The news comes as the market awaits a formal decision on whether it must reduce its stake in ITV. (more)
Walsh defends The X Factor result
From Media Guardian. Posted December 18 2007, 5.02pm
The X Factor judge Louis Walsh has dismissed suggestions that contestant Rhydian Roberts was unfairly beaten in Saturday's final. By Ben Dowell (more)
Analysts shrug off Ofcom pay-TV probe
From Media Guardian. Posted December 18 2007, 12.27pm
The stock market has barely reacted to Ofcom's plans for a review of the UK pay-TV market. By Mark Sweney (more)
GlobeCast wins HD LUXE.TV
From Rapid TV News. Posted December 17 2007, 8.28pm
LUXE.TV, the channel dedicated to the world of luxury, has choosen operator GlobeCast for its HD launch on BSkyB in the UK. (more)
Do not adjust your set
From Media Guardian. Posted December 16 2007, 11.56pm
TV has had a tumultuous year, from a royal row at the BBC to a Channel 4 race insult that echoed around the globe. Some lost their jobs but others have clung on. Steve Hewlett reports (more)
ESS invites tenders for ICC broadcast rights
From Biz Asia. Posted December 15 2007, 9.51am
ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), International Cricket Council (ICC)'s global broadcast and production partner, is inviting interested parties to participate in the tender process for the TV broadcast rights for the high-profile ICC events from 2008 to 2011. The invitation to tender for various rights outside India is to be released shortly to participating parties.
Late last year, ESS' affiliate EML, was awarded the exclusive global telecast rights from the ICC for all of their events from 2007 to 2015. The ICC cricket calendar over the next four years is filled with a number of key events every year, including the ICC Champions' Trophy in Pakistan (2008), the 2nd edition of the ICC World Twenty 20 in England (2009), ICC Champions' Trophy in West Indies (2010) and the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Indian subcontinent scheduled to be held in 2011. In addition, a number of other exciting events such as the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup (2008 and 2010), the ICC Women's World Cup (2009), ICC World Cup Qualifier (2009), and the World Cricket League (2011) are also included in the package of rights on offer.
Said Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, "As the global ICC Broadcast & Production Partner, we are heartened by the success of the recent ICC World Twenty20. The television coverage of the recent event was widely acknowledged as being of a very high quality and ESPN Star Sports will continue to raise the bar in producing coverage for the various upcoming ICC events. We are keen to build on this successful beginning and to help grow the popularity of cricket across the globe. We believe that the package of rights till 2011 offers broadcasters unparalleled cricket programming, with one major ICC event each year, as well as a number of other high-quality international competitions."
Malcolm Speed, Chief Executive Officer, ICC said, "ESPN STAR Sports has proven to be a strong and committed partner by consistently delivering quality cricket coverage with the highest production value to fans. We are extremely pleased with their achievements from the ICC World Twenty20 and we are confident they will build successful broadcast partnerships across the globe to ensure the sport grows even stronger with the number of major ICC events till 2011."
Article from TelevisionPoint
Related link:
ESPN-STAR wins eight-year ICC rights deal (more)
Gervais bags 'Extras' Globe nomination
From Digital Spy. Posted December 13 2007, 5.15pm
Ricky Gervias is nominated for the Best Comedy Actor in a TV Series award at the 2008 Golden Globes. (more)
Golden Globe Awards nominations announced
From Digital Spy. Posted December 13 2007, 4.51pm
The full list of nominations for the 2008 Golden Globe Awards. (more)
UK shines in Golden Globe TV shortlist
From Media Guardian. Posted December 13 2007, 3.55pm
British talent has put in one of its strongest showings for years in the nominations for the US Golden Globe television awards. By Leigh Holmwood (more)
Golden Globes - television nominations
From Media Guardian. Posted December 13 2007, 3.54pm
Full list of the nominations in the TV categories of the 2007 Golden Globe awards (more)
On Anne Darwin's trail in Panama
From Press Gazette. Posted December 13 2007, 12.00am
Sky News Washington Correspondent Robert Nisbet has been in Panama City covering the canoeist story. He found that 'the thirst for the tale was pretty insatiable'. (more)
Rhydian to star in 'Little Britain'?
From Digital Spy. Posted December 11 2007, 9.34am
X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts is allegedly being lined up to appear in Little Britain. (more)
Archbishop in Mugabe protest
From Media Guardian. Posted December 10 2007, 2.25am
The Archbishop of York dramatically cut up his dog collar during a live television interview yesterday, and vowed not wear it again until Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe is out of office (more)
Two senior appointments made at B4U
From Biz Asia. Posted December 8 2007, 9.50am
Filling in key positions, B4U Network has made two senior appointments in India and the overseas market. Alkesh Kanani will now be Business Head of India operations, while Sanjay Agarwal has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer for B4U Network globally.
Kanani brings in wide experience in cable and satellite industry. In his earlier assignment, Kanani was with audio engineering company Dolby Laboratories Inc. handling business development.
Agrawal was formerly with Zee Network as Senior Vice President-Finance. As CFO for B4U Network globally, he will now be based in the UK.
Commenting on the new appointments, Sunil Rohra, Global CEO, B4U Network, said, "We are delighted with the recent appointments within our organisation. The experience and knowledge they possess will go a long way in achieving the goals B4U Network has set and also strengthen our position as a leading entertainment television network in the globe."
Meanwhile, the strategy to increase its market share and revenues has been given a boost with Bala Iyer, Vice President, B4U Network Europe, now given the additional responsibilities of overlooking sales in the UAE and US. (more)
Times Editor Robert Thomson confirms departure to Wall Street Journal
From The Times. Posted December 7 2007, 4.17pm
Robert Thomson, the Editor of The Times, confirmed his departure from the
newspaper today as part of a wider shake-up of its parent company, News
Corporation. (more)
Murdoch dubs son James his successor in dramatic shakeup of global media empire
From Media Guardian. Posted December 7 2007, 12.48am
BSkyB chief James Murdoch is to take charge of News Corp on two continents, while Times editor Robert Thomson and NI boss Les Hinton are moving to oversee the Wall Street Journal. By Owen Gibson and Andrew Clark (more)
Robert Anderson
From Media Guardian. Posted December 6 2007, 11.55pm
Obituary: Oil magnate who took over the Observer and was an early believer in global warming (more)
BBC probes attacks on its Moscow staff
From Media Guardian. Posted December 6 2007, 2.49pm
The BBC is investigating the possibility that three of its journalists beaten up in Moscow were deliberately targeted. By Luke Harding (more)
New controller of BBC1 is named
From The Independent. Posted December 4 2007, 1.15am
The BBC has appointed a new controller of BBC1, replacing Peter Fincham ?
forced to resign in October over misleading footage of the Queen ? with a
"safe pair of hands" who was previously head of daytime TV for the
corporation. (more)
Blair's vision
From Financial Times. Posted November 30 2007, 2.00am
BBC television's The Blair Years provides some sobering insights into the thinking of our ex-prime minister, who was extensively interviewed for the documentary... (more)
Trinity Mirror buys Globespan Media
From Media Guardian. Posted November 29 2007, 12.01pm
Trinity Mirror has bought an online property business in a deal worth up to £6m. By Chris Tryhorn (more)
New twist in Airbus share probe
From BBC News. Posted November 27 2007, 8.02am
New evidence will be given later as part of an insider trading investigation at Airbus parent EADS, the BBC learns. (more)
Benefit cheat rumbled after featuring himself in press during official probe
From Hold the Front Page. Posted November 23 2007, 12.00am
Fraudster who illegally claimed 65,000 of benefits was caught out when he appeared in his local weekly (more)
ABCe: Three newspaper sites post record traffic in October
From Press Gazette. Posted November 22 2007, 12.00am
The Guardian, Mail and Telegraph websites all recorded record traffic in October, but The Sun saw online traffic slip, according to the latest ABCe figures. (more)
Al Jazeera English celebrates one year on-air
From Biz Asia. Posted November 14 2007, 11.03pm
Al Jazeera English will celebrate its one year anniversary tomorrow (15th November).
Since its launch in 2006, the channel has been setting the news agenda with award winning reporting from the under-represented corners of the globe.
"We can all be proud of our achievements. We proved the sceptics wrong and created a new channel that is already recognised as one of the major voices in global journalism," said Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, Nigel Parsons
To mark the passing of its maiden year, Al Jazeera English will promote its extensive editorial scope with some of its best known presenters reporting live from key stories across the world.
The channel will showcase its dedication to accurate hard-hitting journalism through the exclusive broadcast of up to date special reports and first person accounts from some of the children who have been directly affected by the complex issues at the core of many landmark stories.
With it's four broadcast centres in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington DC, Al Jazeera English is the first international TV news channel to provide a single 24-hour news feed to the entire English-speaking world.
Just recently the channel was acclaimed for producing unparalleled and exclusive coverage from Myanmar, Burma – where undercover reporters vividly portrayed the violence that was used against protestors.
Other high points in Al Jazeera English’s remarkable first year included being the only English-speaking TV station covering the Hamas takeover from inside Gaza, with its own offices becoming part of the battleground, its unrivalled coverage of the conflict between the rebel and Government/NATO forces in Afghanistan, being the first to announce Tony Blair’s new job after finishing as British PM, with the Middle East Quartet, and some historic one-on-one interviews with leading figure from all over the world.
Related links:
Al Jazeera English in talks with Virgin Media
Al Jazeera English makes official launch (more)
Bangladesh launches Internet sabotage probe
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 14 2007, 4.54pm
Bangladesh has launched an investigation after the country’s Internet link was sabotaged, disrupting communications nationwide for most yesterday. Officials said cables were also severed twice last week causing massive disruption to businesses in the impoverished country.
“We are investigating the cable cutting incident which took place today (Tuesday) with high priority,” said Ziaur Rashid Sofder, general [...] (more)
Echo probe reveals scores of weapons confiscated from inmates
From Hold the Front Page. Posted November 14 2007, 12.00am
Plus: Archant's geo-mapping, a Forester appeal - and more regional press news in brief (more)
New rules fail to stop children seeing adverts for unhealthy food on TV
From Media Guardian. Posted November 12 2007, 12.00am
Children are still being bombarded with television advertisements for junk food, in spite of new rules aimed at tackling the UK's obesity epidemic (more)
October ABCs: Observer escapes Sundays' slide
From Media Guardian. Posted November 9 2007, 2.47pm
The Observer bucked the downward sales trend in the Sunday quality market, increasing circulation by 0.15% year on year. By Chris Tryhorn. (more)
October ABCs: Daily Star Sunday soars year on year
From Media Guardian. Posted November 9 2007, 2.43pm
The Daily Star Sunday enjoyed a 12.28% year-on-year increase. By Stephen Brook. (more)
October ABCs: FT only quality to see sales boost
From Media Guardian. Posted November 9 2007, 2.13pm
The Financial Times increased its circulation again last month, with a 2.2% year-on-year uplift making it the only daily quality paper to record a sales rise. By Chris Tryhorn. (more)
October ABCs: Sun rises for first time in four years
From Media Guardian. Posted November 9 2007, 1.48pm
The Sun has recorded its first year-on-year circulation increase since May 2003 thanks to its 20p price cut in London and the south east. By Stephen Brook. (more)
VOANews.com rated a top news source during record-setting October
From Media Network Weblog. Posted November 9 2007, 1.25pm
The Voice of America’s (VOA) main Internet site, VOANews.com, is currently ranked third in the world as both a Number One Source and Home Page Source in Newsknife’s ranking of the top 10 news sites for the year so far. Newsknife, a project of the New Zealand software development organization Industry Standard Computing Ltd (ISC), [...] (more)
October ABCs: Nine titles celebrate circulation rises
From Press Gazette. Posted November 9 2007, 12.00am
Nine national newspapers put on sales in October, making it one of the most positive ABC periods in months. (more)
Times editor Robert Thomson headed for WSJ, according to senior US media executive
From Media Guardian. Posted November 5 2007, 7.34am
Rupert Murdoch plans to make Times editor Robert Thomson publisher of the Wall Street Journal next year, according to a senior US media executive. By Stephen Brook. (more)
Bob Roberts is new political editor at Daily Mirror
From Press Gazette. Posted November 5 2007, 12.00am
Former deputy editor of the Daily Mirror Bob Roberts has been appointed political editor following the departure of Oonagh Blackman. (more)
Gervais feared De Niro 'Extras' rejection
From Digital Spy. Posted November 2 2007, 4.38pm
Ricky Gervais admits that he was afraid to ask Robert De Niro to appear in Extras. (more)
In Video: National TV Awards 2007
From Digital Spy. Posted November 1 2007, 11.16pm
DS probes Simon Cowell, Jack P. Shepherd and Big Brother's Brian on the red carpet. (more)
All TV programmes in Azerbaijan must be in national language from 1 January
From