Media Talk: Richard Desmond prepares to bid for Channel Five

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DTG circulates draft Connected TV specs | Broadband TV News

However, the organisation made clear it was committed to international harmonisation and is fully engaged with international standards bodies and havereciprocal agreements with them. Lindsay-Davies said the specifications represented a very clear framework for Connected TV in the UK. Theres a very tight timeline and were working very closely, not just with Canvas, but weve had requirements through from Virgin, Lovefilm and Sky and were evaluating those at the moment. - broadbandtvnews.com

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Delivering Broadband Britain slower than expected

The problem of providing adequate universal broadband access across Britain may be bigger than originally believed. Universal access to a minimum of 2 megabits per second is now not expected until 2015. The original aim may have been unambitious but even that target is being postponed as the coalition government cuts public spending. - informitv.com

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Melvyn Bragg: ITV taken over by slide rules and suits | Media | guardian.co.uk

I think they are wrong, wrong and wrong. Then it was taken over by slide rules and suits and on the whole a lot of the programmes that they used to be proud of they dropped and they're finding it hard to make a living. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. - guardian.co.uk

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BBC Media Show: 21 Jul 10 Melvyn Bragg, Five, killing of Greek journalist, Times online.

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BT s FTTH trial begins

Once completed these trials will take in around forty thousand premises. - techwatch.co.uk

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Decision on listed free-to-air TV sports events deferred until 2012 | Sport | guardian.co.uk

Hugh Robertson has delayed a decision on free-to-air events. That will be welcomed by sports governing bodies, many of which were vehemently opposed to Davies's recommendations, which the previous Labour government had provisionally endorsed. Group B events must be shown at least in highlights form on free-to-air television. - guardian.co.uk

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Remote areas of Scotland switch to digital TV

21 July 2010 Last updated at 0614 ET More than 12,000 homes in remote parts of Scotland have had their analogue television channels switched off permanently. The move enables extra channels to be broadcast from local relay transmitters serving thousands of homes. Some channels for existing Freeview viewers have moved to new frequencies and can be restored by retuning Freeview TVs and boxes. - bbc.co.uk

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Can Richard Desmond repeat his OK! success with Channel Five? | Markets Analysis

Reports indicate that Desmond is likely to pay its owner, RTL Group, no more than 100 million, which roughly equates to its book value. Hopes by RTL's chief executive, Gerhard Zeiler, that he would do much better have come to nought. Desmond, it is said, presents fewer complications in terms of regulatory hurdles. - thisislondon.co.uk

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Eitshal goes digital

The changes also affect existing Freeview viewers who may find some of their channels missing. DTG Staff 21.07.2010 Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites. - dtg.org.uk

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Superfast 4G mobile broadband arrives in Cornwall - Broadband Genie

A trial has been launched in the Caradon Hill area of Cornwall that is aimed at bringing superfast mobile broadband to the rescue of many rural internet users if tests prove successful. Following the switch from analogue TV to digital in the Caradon Hill area, where there is already a television transmitter mast, the company is using the spare airwave spectrum, which has become available as a consequence. As a result, Clear Mobitel is hoping that their trialling will be able to deliver much faster 4G mobile broadband services, which could be a dream come true for rural communities used to poor or non-existent broadband speeds. - broadbandgenie.co.uk

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Channel Five decision due on Friday | Media | guardian.co.uk

Desmond, the owner of the Daily Express, the Daily Star and OK magazine, is understood to have tabled the highest bid at around 100m. His bid also poses the fewest potential regulatory issues of the remaining contenders and would therefore be potentially the quickest sale. NBC Universal and Channel 4, which has held strained discussions in the past over a potential tie-up with Five, are understood to be in the running but have not tabled deals with terms as attractive as Desmond's. - guardian.co.uk

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BBC: how to save 25% by making radio better - James Cridland

So, as a nice man, I thought Id show them how they can save around 25 of their radio costs. Close down all English-language BBC local and nations radio stations. Shift BBC Radio 4 FM to broadcast on the local radio frequencies. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net

OFT looks into BSkyB-Virgin Media TV deal

The OFT is considering whether arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the Enterprise Act 2002. Should it be found to be a relevant merger situation, the OFT will further consider whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition and warrants reference to the Competition Commission. - bfnnews.com

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TV channel fined for airing ads for spiritual helper | Media | guardian.co.uk

To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. - guardian.co.uk

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Sky Sports News HD to launch 23 August | News | TechRadar UK

Sky Sports News will be replaced from Freeview by Sky31, a time-shifted version of the existing Freeview channel, Sky3. - techradar.com

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Digital TV message driven home at St Andrews

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BBC iPlayer press pack: June 2010

You can download the pack as a PDF Publicity_Pack_June_2010.pdf. - bbc.co.uk

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Desmond to buy Channel Five by end of the week -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

Richard Desmond, the newspaper proprietor and media tycoon, is expected to announce his purchase of Channel Five by the end of the week. After weeks of speculation over the channel's future, Desmond, who already owns Express newspapers, emerged over the weekend as the front runner to buy the channel. Though no agreement has yet been signed, Zeiler is expected to tell other bidders including Channel 4 in the next couple of days. - independent.co.uk

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Richard Desmond leads Channel Five bidders | Media | guardian.co.uk

Richard Desmond has claimed to have a 1bn pot to spend on acquisitions. However, there are understood to still be two other bidders in the running, including Channel 4. Desmond, who has made it clear he has a 1bn pot to spend on acquisitions, was spotted at the offices of media regulator Ofcom on Thursday last week, fuelling the belief that he is serious about completing a takeover. - guardian.co.uk

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Whats On BBC Red Button: 17th - 30th July

By pressing the red button during the performance viewers can listen to live commentary from two or more orchestral players and hear their unique insights into the music as the work is played. Viewers will be able to press the red button after any of the week's episodes to watch the exclusive extra scenes, revealingfurther the dark side of Lucas Johnson. Press the red button at the conclusion of Is Anybody There - bbc.co.uk

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Getting broadband the last mile to a tiny hamlet | Ask Jack | Technology | guardian.co.uk

We are blocked from the local WiMax signal by a hill, and the 3G option is dreadfully slow and outrageously expensive for anything except checking your mail once a day. It's also risky because installing the connection is a sunk cost for the operator and there's no guarantee you'll keep paying for the service. There are also lots of more focused alternatives such as microwave towers if you have enough money or enough users. In your case, the two most likely approaches are some sort of WiMax repeater or a satellite connection. - guardian.co.uk

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Freesat considers pay-TV offering | Media | guardian.co.uk

There is a lot of discussion around the Freesat and pay television issues taking place at board level. It offers more than 150 channels, high definition and access to the BBC iPlayer. Freesat is financed by a 10.7m annual budget, which comes from shareholders and revenue. - guardian.co.uk

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Stephen Glover: Who in Fleet Street will defend the BBC? -Stephen Glover, Opinion - The Independent

He strongly implied that the licence fee would be cut from 2012. These remarks were strikingly at variance with those of his number two, Ed Vaizey, who suggested on 22 May that the coalition would shelve Tory plans to freeze the licence fee. Aware of the looming threat, it recently announced the closing of its generous pension scheme to new members and a cut of 25 per cent over the next 18 months in its salary bill for top executives. - independent.co.uk

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Skriaig switchover underway

The second and final stage of switchover takes place on 28 July when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently. DTG Staff 15.07.2010 Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites. - dtg.org.uk

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BBC veteran takes Radio 4 helm - with an Extra -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The BBC played it safe by appointing a corporation veteran of 34 years experience to the coveted role of controller of Radio 4. The appointment of someone with vast radio production experience will please Radio 4s core audience who are famously resistant to change. The chastening experience may have made him less inclined to risk appointing a radio outsider to a network which is seen as such a national treasure that listeners sometimes compare it to a Ming Vase. - independent.co.uk

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BBC licence fee could be cut, warns minister -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The BBC licence fee could be cut under the Government's public spending austerity drive, the Culture Secretary said today. It is when the licence fee is renewed. There are huge numbers of things that need to be changed at the BBC. - independent.co.uk

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PVRs lose InView Freeview EPG updates - Which? News

InView, the company that provided the EPG service to the digital TV boxes, has reportedly said that the contract to provide the guide has expired and will not be renewed. I'm disappointed as I now have to replace my otherwise perfectly-functional Freeview recorder'. Part of the requirement for this certification is the carriage of a seven-day EPG, which the above listed models now fail to provide. - which.co.uk

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Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

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Virgin Media may appeal against Project Canvas

Virgin Media believes that Project Canvas will be anti competitive. This will form the basis of the firms argument against the scheme, which recently was given the green light by the BBC Trust. Project Canvas plans to take the current free to view digital TV services, Freeview and Freesat, to a wider audience online. - techwatch.co.uk

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Where are the DVB-T2 PC tuners? : Page - 1/1

It's been more than six months since the disastrous first broadcasts of Freeview HD. This author has been stood, money in hand, ready to buy the hardware to get Freeview HD, yet even today, there's not a single suitable product available. Not a single one has been paid for and received by a consumer here in the UK because nowhere is selling them. - lifestyle.hexus.net

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Remote areas miss out in digital switch From Western Telegraph)

Remote areas miss out in digital switch 850am Sunday 18th July 2010 in News Dinas Cross residents could be missing out on some television channels due to interference from an Irish transmitter. Cllr Kilmister said that some residents had changed from Freeview to Freesat, which allowed them to access all channels, but stated they should have been told this may be necessary before buying the freeview package. He added Some people are really upset about this. - westerntelegraph.co.uk

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Minister Jeremy Hunt says licence fee 'could be cut'

The BBC recently announced plans to cut its top managers' pay bill. The aim is to reduce their pay by a quarter over 18 months. The BBC seems to have got the message, starting to reduce pensions and management pay - but it's likely to have to go further. - bbc.co.uk

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Broadband Britain rollout delayed by three years

The previous government had set 2012 as a deadline for network to be in place. BT also warned that it will cost billions to get fast broadband to every part of Britain. The government says industry must find ways to solve the problems. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC iPlayer on Android update

I've been following the comments on my recent post about BBC iPlayer on mobile on Android 2.2 phones with interest and want to address some of the points raised. First, it's worth reflecting on what we are trying to achieve with the BBC iPlayer on mobile service. In doing so, it should aim to be regarded as a high quality BBC service by its users and so contribute to their approval of the BBC. - bbc.co.uk

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BSkyB completes Virgin Media Television deal | Media | guardian.co.uk

In completing the deal Sky paid Virgin Media and initial 105m and up to a further 55m if and when the deal achieves regulatory clearance in the UK. To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editormediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. - guardian.co.uk

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UK channels spend on new homegrown shows falls by more than 150m | Media | guardian.co.uk

Ofcom's annual public service broadcasting report shows that the combined spend by the UK's PSBs on new homegrown shows fell by 6 year on year to 2.3bn as the recession hit advertising revenues. Five swung the axe the deepest, cutting spend on UK-originated, first-run PSB programming by 28 year on year to 69m. Overall the BBC cut spend by just 1, to 1.2bn. - guardian.co.uk

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InView ends 14 day EPG service

Carriage of the 7 day standard EPG forms part of the requirement for the Digital Tick certification mark. Certified products which carry the Digital Tick signify to consumers that these products will work with the standard 7 day EPG. Viewers who wish to complain should contact their equipment manufacturer. - dtg.org.uk

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BBC beats ITV in World Cup viewers clash -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

On BBC1, Spain's 1-0 win against Holland drew a match peak of 17.9 million viewers and a 60 share of the audience between 9.55pm and 10pm. On rival broadcaster ITV, which was also showing the final, figures peaked at 3.8 million between 10pm and 10.05pm - a 13 share of the audience. The BBC said its match audience average was 4.5 times higher than ITV's viewing figures. - independent.co.uk

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After 24 years, Alan Bleasdale is back on the BBC -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

The Liverpudlian, one of Britain's most influential television writers and social commentators, has made a three-hour epic for BBC2 that examines man's responsibilities unto man. Inevitably, there is a strong Liverpool connection to the drama, which will be told in two 90-minute films. As well as carrying 268 British soldiers, 160 of their free Polish allies and 80 civilians including families evacuated from Cairo and Palestine the vessel was transporting 1,800 Italian prisoners of war. - independent.co.uk

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After 70 years monitoring the airwaves, BBC listening post could be cut off -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

BBC Monitoring, a little-known section of the corporation which listens in on 3,000 media sources from around the world, is facing swingeing budget cuts as a result of a drop in its government funding which could lead to its closure. For nearly 70 years, workers at the former stately home in Caversham, near Reading, have monitored publicly available material in more than 100 languages to provide a running digest of global journalism for senior civil servants, ministers and commercial clients. Managers are likely to be asked to find savings of 3.2m during the next two years, making the trimming of key services inevitable, according to managers. - independent.co.uk

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Jon Gaunt loses court challenge over Nazi jibe -TV Radio, Media - The Independent

Jon Gaunt, who made the comments on his daily Talksport radio show in November 2008, said the media watchdog's stance was an unlawful interference with his freedom of expression. His heated interview with Councillor Michael Stark about Redbridge Council's decision to ban smokers from becoming foster parents - for which he later apologised - drew 53 complaints from listeners. Following Ofcom's investigation, it imposed no sanction on either Talksport or Mr Gaunt. - independent.co.uk

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Media: 14 Jul 10 - Raoul Moat, Terrorism Act, John Gaunt

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MediaGuardian 100 2010 | Media | guardian.co.uk

The criteria used A panel of experienced media watchers from the worlds of politics, journalism, advertising, television and the internet judged entrants using three criteria cultural influence, economic clout and political power. - guardian.co.uk

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Meet Matthew Cain, Channel 4 Newss first culture editor | Media | The Guardian

Jim Gray, editor of the 7pm news programme, clearly believes so, because today he appoints Matthew Cain, 35, as its first culture editor. A lot of hope is riding on Cain, who will play a key role in a significant broadening of C4 News's agenda, planned for the autumn. He is joining a new arts board set up by Tabitha Jackson, the channel's arts commissioner, to oversee cross-platform coverage. - guardian.co.uk

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The BBC Trust is cosying up to Jeremy Hunt | Media | The Guardian

Does Tim Davie, the BBC's director of audio and music, have a strategy The BBC Trust in effect said he didn't when it last week rejected his plan to shut Radio 6 Music. Which was quite an indictment for a very senior executive charged with piloting BBC Radio into the digital age and paid 450,000 a year to do so. - guardian.co.uk

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Richard Desmond in the running to buy Channel Five | Media | The Observer

He is understood to have reached the final round of the auction for Five being run by US investment bank JP Morgan. In a recent Radio 4 interview, Desmond said he hoped to be involved in media consolidation, but has never confirmed an interest in loss-making Five. ITV and Channel Four are believed to have withdrawn from the bidding. - guardian.co.uk

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Matt Deegan Writes Digital Upgrade: Where do you stand?

Theres still a significant chunk of radio people who are either on the fence about DAB/digital or are firmly in the no camp. If thats you, the one question I ask you to think about is What will happen to radio industry if digital radio doesnt happen In the UK, in the analogue world, the news is about consolidation and networking. However, crucially, at the same time, no room for new analogue competitors. - mattdeegan.com

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Tech podcast: Skype HD on TV and PC recycling - Which? News

Nick Baker is out and about to see the best ways to get cash for your old mobile phone, and reveals how donating your old PC to ComputerAid could benefit African schools. You need Flash Player to view this content which you can download for free from Adobe - which.co.uk

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Clearing up those digital radio listening figures - James Cridland

After a long break, Ive made a tentative trip back into the usenet group alt.radio.digital, mainly to correct a few false allegations being made about me. One of those allegations was that I delete blog comments that dont agree with my point of view not true, and Ive now published my commenting policy which details when I do, and dont, delete comments. Anyway, back to alt.radio.digital whats clear is that this 50 digital radio listening figure isnt quite understood. - james.cridland.net

james.cridland.net