A seismic change for British TV | News | Broadcast

For the indie sector, it means that 400m worth of programming could be up for grabs, but also that a powerful new competitor is likely to emerge. The indie sector has been knocking on the WoCC door for some time, but dont expect it to walk all over an archaic in-house division. Which broadcaster wouldnt want Miranda or Strictly - broadcastnow.co.uk

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Lord Burns sounds note of caution over BBC plans | News | Broadcast

Channel 4 chairman Lord Burns has voiced concerns about the future of the indie sector and the licence fee following Tony Hall’s plans to scrap BBC quotas. Speaking after the director general earlier today at City University, London, Burns sounded a note of caution about the potential knock-on effects for production companies. Burns said that he had a “very deep interest in maintaining a vibrant indie sector”, and would be “nervous” if the corporation’s plans to scrap quotas and liberate its production arm “would squeeze that”. - broadcastnow.co.uk

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Hall: BBC must compete or compare to survive

Tony Hall has unveiled plans to introduce a “compete or compare” culture at the BBC to ensure the corporation is on the strongest footing possible going into charter renewal negotiations next year. Delivering a potentially legacy-defining speech at City University on Thursday, the director general argued that the BBC must open itself up to competition and benchmark its performance wherever possible. Sccording to Hall, only this will enable the corporation to make a coherent case on the level at which the licence fee should be set when it sits down with the government to thrash out its future after the 2015 general election. - broadcastnow.co.uk

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The industry reacts: TV execs on BBC quota plans | News | Broadcast

10 July, 2014 Tony Halls plans to tear up quotas at the BBC and liberate in-house production has been largely welcomed by the indie sector and rival broadcasters. If you subscribe today you can take advantage of our 20 discount on Broadcast. Subscribing takes just 2 minutes and offers full, instant access to the website along with a copy of the weekly magazine. - broadcastnow.co.uk

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Tony Hall: speech in full | News | Broadcast

The director general outlined his plans for major changes to BBC Productions at City University in London earlier today. In his inspiring book, An Empire Of Their Own, the cultural historian Neal Gabler tells the story of the creation of Hollywood. He records the extraordinary lives of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who came to America, to work as retailers, as small time entrepreneurs, as grafters in the garment industry. And Gabler tells the tale of their rise to greatness as legendary movie moguls. The great impresarios of one of the most spectacular cultural industries of the last century began in the most modest way and made a success as pioneers because they had liberty and a fierce desire to succeed. - broadcastnow.co.uk

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BBC TV production plans welcomed by indie trade body as ‘historic’ | Media | theguardian.com

The chief executive of Pact, the independent producers trade body, described the opening up of the BBCs TV production operation as a historic moment. He said every programme commissioner in the BBC should pop a cork because they would now be able to choose whatever programmes they want, regardless of whether they were made in-house at the BBC or elsewhere. McVay said Halls plan reflected calls that Pact had been making for many years to open up the BBC to more competition from independent producers. - theguardian.com

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Channel 4 chair fears for indies over BBC production plans | Media | theguardian.com

The chair of Channel 4 says the broadcaster would buy programmes from the BBC, but expressed concerns about the impact director general Tony Halls plans may have on the independent sector. Lord Burns said Halls proposals to open up the BBC to more competition could go further and criticised the corporation for not looking ahead to a post-licence fee world. Can you really imagine in 30 years time there will be a licence fee said Burns. - theguardian.com

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BBC’s TV production shakeup could extend to news, radio and online | Media | theguardian.com

Hall, the BBC director general, said on Thursday morning that the plan, which will see in-house TV production spun off as a standalone subsidiary and allowed to make shows for rivals for the first time, marked a stripping-away of regulation that would enable an era of unprecedented competition. I want a less regulated system that ensures that both our own BBC producers and those of the independent sector have creative freedom. I want a level playing-field between BBC producers and independent ones. Hall said that the new Compete or Compare strategy could be extended to radio, news and current affairs programming and its digital and technology operations. - theguardian.com

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Tony Hall’s BBC ‘compete or compare’ speech - full text | Media | theguardian.com

The great impresarios of one of the most spectacular cultural industries of the last century began in the most modest way and made a success as pioneers because they had liberty and a fierce desire to succeed. I believe strongly in the freedom and entrepreneurial spirit that made this possible. I have been fortunate to work for some of the greatest cultural bodies of this country. - theguardian.com

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BBC News - Why Coe is set to win BBC race

10 July 2014 Last updated at 1138 Here are a couple of mildly interesting tidbits about my own shop, the BBC. Of course his appointment is not 100, because there is a formal and slightly cumbersome appointments process. Well they know him well George Osborne and Coe once shared an office, I think, and they regard him as an impressive leader, with a remarkable record of success off the track leading London's Olympics bid, chairing the organising committee for the games, and so on. - bbc.co.uk

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Ofcom | Speaking TV programme guides - Would they help people with visual impairments, and are they feasible?

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BBC News - What emergency data law means for you

A European Court of Justice ECJ ruling earlier this year meant the powers to retain this data were under threat. However, privacy campaigners said it was another encroachment on the rights of people not to have their communications monitored. Here is an explanation of the new law, and what it means to people who live in the UK. - bbc.co.uk

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DTG :: News :: Ofcom requests views on speaking EPGs

Following a round-table discussion on the use of EPGs by visually-impaired viewers that was held earlier this year, regulatory body Ofcom have published a call for input from users. This is an invitation for views from all those interested, in particular -People with visual impairments would be able to make more use of EPGs if they could read out information on request. The input given will then be used when Ofcom decide whether or not they are to change their guidance to EPG providers on the features they should make available for people with visual impairments who use their programme guides. - dtg.org.uk

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BBC News - Giant rollable TVs on the horizon, says LG

10 July 2014 Last updated at 1321 LG has announced the release of two new paper-thin TV panels, with one that is so flexible it can be rolled into a 3cm diameter tube. The company stated it is confident it will produce a 60in 152cm Ultra HD rollable TV by 2017. LG unveiled one of its first flexible TVs at CES - a global consumer electronics and technology trade show - earlier this year. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC signals end of quotas | News | Broadcast

The BBC plans to tear up production quotas and liberate in-house teams to pitch to other broadcasters in the biggest breaking open of the corporation in its 92-year history. The proposals, outlined in a speech by director general Tony Hall on 10 July, mean that all existing BBC quotas would be scrapped, opening up 400m worth of commissioning opportunities to the independent production sector.

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Ariel - Derbyshire gets News Channel show

The move follows the announcement last week that she had decided to leave Radio 5 live after 16 years. Her news and current affairs tv programme will include interviews, discussion and debate, with social media employed in new ways to involve the audience. 'It will include the kind of broadcasting I love doing - original journalism, stories that affect the lives of our audience, exclusive interviews, viewer debates and big breaking news. - bbc.co.uk

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Why British TV rules the world - Features - TV Radio - The Independent

Making quality TV is becoming recognised internationally as a great British trait, matching our long-held reputation in popular music. In the past three years, the UK has exported more than 600 TV shows, around six times as many as Germany. Although its story has been overshadowed by the novelty of the internet, British television has been through a revolution in the past two decades. - independent.co.uk

www.independent.co.uk

BBCs Nicky Campbell launches scathing attack on Lord Patten over female broadcasters debate - News - The Independe

Campbell launched a blistering attack on the BBC Trust Chairman, who has stepped down following major heart surgery. Hes just so ignorant, Campbell told Radio Times. However Derbyshire and Fogarty both defended the new 5 Live line-up, which they said included many prominent female voices. - independent.co.uk

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BBC News - Smart LED light bulbs leak wi-fi passwords

Context Security released details about how it was able to hack into the wi-fi network of one brand of network-enabled bulb, and control the lights remotely. The LIFX light bulb, which is available to buy in the UK, has network connectivity to let people turn it on and off with their smartphones. The firm behind the bulbs has since fixed the vulnerability. - bbc.co.uk

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Guardian appoints Jane Martinson as head of media - Media - theguardian.com

Jane Martinson has been appointed the Guardians new head of media, overseeing all of Guardian News and Medias coverage of the media industry in print and online. Martinson, who is currently the womens editor of the Guardian, will take up the new role on 8 September. She was previously the Guardians media editor responsible for the papers print section until 2010, when she moved to take up the womens editor post, setting up the Guardians womens blog. - theguardian.com

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QVC Extra launches on local TV multiplex Digital TV Europe

Comuxs sale of capacity for two national channels not ringfenced for local TV part of its original licence agreement with regulator Ofcom is designed to create an additional revenue stream for its local TV services. This shows the Comux business model delivering exactly what it said it would, with public seed funding and private management enabling a long-term future for this new local TV initiative. - digitaltveurope.net

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Samsung bows out of plasma TV production

It will end allplasma display operations by the 30th of November. Samsung didn't release any new plasma models in 2014, making last year'sF8500 the last chance customers will have to get their hands on a Samsung plasma TV. Panasonic was widely seen as the market leader in plasma TV technology before the announcement, a title it won from Pioneer and its legendary Kuro range when the latter company decided to ditch the TV market altogether. - expertreviews.co.uk

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DVB sets new standards - informitv

The Digital Video Broadcasting Project has ratified specifications for the delivery of ultra-high-definition television services. Its Phase 1 specification sets a base level for UHDTV but does not address more demanding requirements that are already on the horizon. It allows for the possibility that Phase 2, which has yet to be considered, will use higher frames rates. - informitv.com

informitv.com

RadioToday - De-regulate with caution, says UKRD boss

There is no question that there is an increasing detachment taking place between local stations and their local communities and we are not in favour of a further substantial erosion of this relationship. It is not. Local commercial radio licences are granted to businesses by Ofcom so that they can serve specific local communities and if there is a further move which allows too much erosion of this relationship, there will be little point in having local commercial radio licences of this nature at all. We represent a particular strand of local commercial radio which seems to be unfashionable in certain quarters. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

UBS: Sky could sell ITV stake - News - Broadcast

ky could sell its 7.5% stake in ITV ahead of the creation of Sky Europe, according to analysts. The move may help to pave the way for the creation of a pan-regional pay-TV business, first floated in May, which would bring together Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland with the UK service. Sky could be keen to resolve its plans for its interest in the free-to-air broadcaster ahead of tackling the ambitious consolidation strategy. “?We argue that there is potential for BSkyB to sell this stake as part of the plan to create Sky Europe,” Tamsin Garrity, an analyst at investment bank UBS, noted in a report. Sky bought a 17.9% stake in the commercial broadcaster in 2006 to block cable operator NTL, now Virgin Media, from taking over the broadcaster. It subsequently sold a 10.4% stake in February 2010, leaving it with the 7.5% holding. - broadcastnow.co.uk

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BBC News - Teletext festival breathes life into old tech

Teletext, a British invention from the 1970s phased out in the UK in 2012, is a television information retrieval service. Despite teletext's limitations, artists from across the world have pushed the ageing tech to its limit to create an impressive collection of retro illustrations. The festival, in its third year, will be run by Finnish art collective FixC, from 14 August to 14 September 2014. - bbc.co.uk

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Susanna Reid's list of instructions to boost Good Morning Britain's ailing ratings of ITV show - Mail Online

It leaves the programme with just 13 per cent of the audience, falling short of the 15 per cent executives said it needed to survive. Scroll down for video Change Susanna Reid has been told to soften her look as executives worry it deters female viewers. On Friday, the 43-year-old took the show outdoors once more, sporting a flowery dress, sling-back heels, hoop earrings and sunglasses. - dailymail.co.uk

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Scotlands TV industry post-independence: A Yes vote will interfere with viewing north of the border -

So, the BBC would give its shows to a foreign country at no further cost to Scottish viewers. Some companies in Scotlands thriving independent production sector, which produces numerous shows for network British television, are alarmed at the prospects for their businesses post-independence. The idea that the BBC would just sit down and put pen to paper on such a deal is ridiculous. - independent.co.uk

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Nick Pollard: ‘Sky News is always more inventive and energetic than BBC News’ - Media - The Guardian

Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News, was asked to investigate the fallout from the botched Newsnight investigation, while Tony Hall, his exact contemporary at school, was invited back as director general. Pollard was not shot, as a messenger bringing grim news, but neither was he invited to fix the problems hed accurately identified as many thought he should have been. Ever the enthusiast, he has directed his energies into modernising BFBS, which celebrated 70 years of broadcasting in 2013. - theguardian.com

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BBC staff told to stop inviting cranks on to science programmes - Telegraph

Science coverage does not simply lie in reflecting a wide range of views but depends on the varying degree of prominence such views should be given. The Trust said that man-made climate change was one area where too much weight had been given to unqualified critics. In April the BBC was accused of misleading viewers about climate change and creating false balance by allowing unqualified sceptics to have too much air-time. In a damning parliamentary report, the corporation was criticised for distorting the debate, with Radio 4s Today and World at One programmes coming in for particular criticism. - telegraph.co.uk

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QVC builds TV presence with new Freeview channel - ProfessionalJeweller.com

The new channel will strengthen the companys TV business model, and will provide a 24-hour platform for QVCs product ranges in one-hour themed slots and branded programmes. This announcement strengthens the commercial model for local TV broadcasters up and down the UK. The proceeds from the sale go directly to help fund a wider range of services for local television. - professionaljeweller.com

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Social media drives TV choices for one in seven in UK - Social TV - News - Rapid TV News

Celebrating its second birthday, the subscription-free on-demand platform provider discovered that 14 of Facebook users questioned also said they always or often use the site to talk about the TV programme they are watching. For Twitter the number was slightly higher at 16. Nationally, 4 of people admitted they talk about TV at least once a day on Facebook and 2 on Twitter. - rapidtvnews.com

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Feedback: Climate Change Coverage: 4 Jul 14

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Doctor Who writer predicts extermination of the soap opera - Media Monkey - Media - theguardian.com

The man who penned Queer as Folk reckons Coronation Street, Hollyoaks et al have at best 10 years left in them, the Sun reports. You can see a television landscape in 10 years time where they wont exist or will be reduced. Well, Monkey is determined to look on the bright side with all that air-time going spare, think of all the new reality TV shows that can fill up the schedules. - theguardian.com

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Exclusive: Today Programme criticised for giving platform to climate sceptic Lord Lawson - TV Radio - Media - The

It gave the impression that theres still debate about climate change. Across our programmes the number of scientists and academics who support the mainstream view far outweighs those who disagree with it. - independent.co.uk

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Ariel - TV News celebrates its 60th birthday

At 7.30pm on July 5, 1954, Richard Baker uttered the opening words. Kenneth Kendall was the first, in 1955, later joined by others such as Robert Dougal, who would all become semi-permanent fixtures of the living room furniture. 'For many of us working in television news or multimedia news, some of these people are the people we grew up with,' says Mary Hockaday, head of the newsroom and responsible for about 1000 staff. - bbc.co.uk

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Radio's Brave New World

It sounds as if radio is heavily under threat. The facts are that radio is as resilient today as it always has been. The amount of people who tune into radio is as high as it has ever been. - mediauk.com

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Media: Diversity, Facebook controlling emotions, Changes to Radio 5 Live

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RadioToday - Second national DAB multiplex welcomed

- radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Why the Aereo Shutdown Will Be a Disaster for Broadcast TV - Re/code

Too bad they werent in Anaheim with me, because despite Aereos now-illegal Rube Goldberg-esque transmission technology, it offered a distinctive and revolutionary way for broadcast TV to remain relevant to younger viewers. Unfortunately, most TV execs probably never had a chance to actually use Aereo. I had a chance to use Aereo extensively when I spent a month in the Boston area this spring, and it delivered broadcast TV to the devices that most people under 30 use to view video mobile phones and tablets. - recode.net

recode.net

Ariel - Matthew Postgate to be technology chief

1 July 2014 Last updated at 1334 Matthew Postgate is to succeed John Linwood as chief technology officer. Currently controller of research and development, he will be responsible for delivering the BBC's broadcast technology and IT systems. Linwood was sacked from the role last July for his part in the 100m failure of the Digital Media Initiative. - bbc.co.uk

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BBC - Blogs - About the BBC - Schedule changes at 5 live

Today I have just shared with the team here at 5 live a major set of schedule changes. It is a sad time as, within this, we say goodbye to three of the great stars of 5 live, but it's also an exciting time as we look ahead to the next stage in our life here in Salford. We say farewell to Victoria Derbyshire who has an exciting new opportunity with BBC News, details of which will be announced in the next few months. - bbc.co.uk

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RadioToday - Second national DAB multiplex advertised

Ofcom will today advertise for a second national DAB radio multiplex, as promised by the Government in 2013. This will be the second time Ofcom has advertised an additional national multiplex, having awarded a licence to Channel 4 in 2007 to operate a second multiplex to compliment Digital One. Digital One is now full with 11 mono stations broadcasting at low bit-rates and just three stations broadcasting in stereo. - radiotoday.co.uk

radiotoday.co.uk

Public TV Ad Ban Will Remain After Supreme Court Declines Review - Variety

The station also said that the court should reconsider a 1969 Supreme Court decision that allowed the government to place some restrictions on broadcast content, arguing that the media landscape had changed so much in the last 45 years. Late last year, an en banc panel of the 9th Circuit sided with the government, concluding that it had a vested interest in maintaining public television without the influence of for-product sponsors. The station is independent and not affiliated with PBS, and some other larger public television stations had warned that allowing ads for for-profit goods and services could undermine their ability to raise money from corporate underwriters and federal and state funding sources. - variety.com

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Secrecy concerns raised around appointment of new BBC Trust chairman - Press Gazette

They have also questioned the suitability of current acting chairmanDiane Coyle for the role. The organisations have also asked Javid to explain why the next chairman will be required to work two days a week down from three to four while still being paid 110,000 a year. The letter asked why no information has been released on who the three people on the interview panel for the Trust role are and how they were picked. - pressgazette.co.uk

www.pressgazette.co.uk

Coming This Summer

Wouldnt it be great to watch live and recorded TV anywhere in the home, and also when you are on the go - uk.simple.tv

uk.simple.tv

BBC Trust role is no part-time affair - TV Radio - Media - The Independent

Its extraordinary that the Government thinks a role that engulfed a seasoned figure like Chris Patten can be carried out with such minimal commitment. It was hardly a good career move for Lord Patten or his predecessor Michael Lyons, who never appeared content in the role. In times of BBC crisis, which are not infrequent, its a seven-day job. - independent.co.uk

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RadioToday - BBC turns on 250th DAB radio transmitter

BBC national digital radio has been extended with the switch-on of over 250 DAB transmitters so far. Seven transmitters were recently turned on, bringing the total number across the UK to 253. Its part of the current phase of their digital radio network expansion plan bringing a further two million people into the coverage area and increasing coverage from 93 to 97 by the end of 2015. - radiotoday.co.uk

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Ofcom - Ofcom consultation on the UK preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15)

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