Broadcast
24 December 2010
View all stories from this issue.
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Got Talent finalist amuses 3.7m
WEDNESDAY: Britain’s Got Talent finalist Paul Burling managed to draw more than 3.7m viewers for his one-off show on ITV1. -
"Raunchy" X Factor final investigated
X Factor’s racy final involving Christina Aguilera will be investigated by Ofcom, the watchdog has announced. -
“Be careful with those wrinkles!”
Diversity is, and has long been, a huge issue in the media, both on and off screen, writes Russell Brimelow. It is now reaching a potential flashpoint, particularly for older women, in this era of rapidly expanding high definition output, where wrinkles have become a bigger issue than ever before. -
20 Dec ‘10
“Substantial and moving.” Read on for the verdict on the weekend’s TV. -
21 Dec '10
“That’s what is nice about this new telling of an old story: it will resonate, and it’s relevant.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
22 Dec ‘10
“Regardless of the opening, the rest of this comedy pilot trundled over ancient tracks.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV -
23 Dec '10
“He’s the man who makes cracking good food; each recipe absolutely bang-on for foodies who want to be pushed.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
3sixtymedia creates effects for Agatha Christie classic
3sixtymedia has completed one its most ambitious jobs yet, a six-month project to create the special effects for ITV drama Murder on the Orient Express, which will be shown on Christmas Day. -
AETN UK moves to tapeless workflow
AETN UK, the London-based broadcaster behind channels Bio, Crime & Investigation, History and Military History has moved to a tapeless digital workflow. -
All3Media may be lined up for sale
City sources have suggested that super-indie All3Media could be ready for sale due to the strong financial performance it is predicted to deliver this year. -
Apprentice final hires 10.5m
SUNDAY: BBC1’s The Apprentice peaked with nearly 10.5m viewers as Lord Sugar pointed his finger at Stella English and declared “You’re hired”. -
Asian network DJ walks free from court
A DJ who fraudulently claimed more than £18,000 in benefits while working for the BBC’s Asian Network has walked free from court. -
BBC1's Nativity debuts with 5.21m
MONDAY: Tony Jordan’s reimagining of the birth of Jesus helped raise an audience of more than 5m viewers for BBC1. -
BBC2’s Top Gear returns with 5.8m
TUESDAY: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May performed a drive-by shooting of the Stig in the triumphant return of Top Gear. -
BBC3 orders more Lip Service
Lesbian sex lives and love affairs will return to BBC3 following the recommission Lip Service. -
Benny Hill to launch new US channel
Indie DLT Entertainment has sold three shows including The Benny Hill Show to new US station Antenna TV. -
Brian Hanrahan dies aged 61
BBC News foreign correspondent Brian Hanrahan, who made his name reporting on the Falklands War, has died of cancer. -
BSkyB shares rocket after Cable gaffe
BSkyB shares have leapt higher as experts said Vince Cable’s embarrassing own goal increased News Corp’s chances of gaining clearance for its Sky takeover. -
C4 hunts for doc talent in the North East
Channel 4 has partnered with Northern Film & Media to launch a hunt for documentary makers that will see three films produced. -
C4 poaches Jimmy Doherty from BBC
Jimmy Doherty, the Suffolk farmer who has fronted a series of shows for the BBC, has been signed to an exclusive three-year deal by Channel 4. -
C4 suffers on Friday night
FRIDAY: Channel 4 struggled with new episodes of The Million Pound Drop and Peep Show. -
C4's alternative Christmas message
As a team of midwives prepate to deliver Channel 4’s alternative to the Queen’s Christmas Day message, Broadcast looks back at the station’s festive speeches from the past 17 years. -
Cable to stay despite “declaring war” on Murdoch
Business Secretary Vince Cable will not step down in the wake of an undercover sting by reporters in which he “declared war” on Rupert Murdoch - but has been stripped of his responsibilities for media and telecoms. -
Christian O’Connell to cover for Danny Baker
Christian O’Connell is to host a Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live, providing cover for Danny Baker while he recovers from illness. -
Daily Show to make way for More 4 investment
Channel 4 is to plough more investment into original commissions and co-productions for digital channel More 4 after cutting back episodes of The Daily Show to just one a week. -
Decision due on BSkyB buyout bid
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation is expected to be told this week that regulators in Brussels have no objections to its £7.8 billion bid to buy BSkyB. -
Directors Cut ups offline capacity with more Avids
London post house Directors Cut Films has expanded its offline capacity with the addition of four more Avid suites. -
EastEnders cuts graphic moments
Bosses at BBC1 soap EastEnders have cut graphic parts of the show’s New Year’s Eve episode, which deals with cot death. -
EC clears News Corp's BSkyB takeover bid
The European Commission has unconditionally cleared Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation in its £7.8 billion bid to buy BSkyB. -
Flood knocks out BT exchange in Soho
Post production houses across Soho were without phones lines or internet connections on Tuesday. -
Former BBC DJ in court over fraud
A radio presenter who fraudulently claimed £18,000 in benefits while working as a DJ for the BBC is to be sentenced. -
Frankie Boyle facing wave of criticism
Comedian Frankie Boyle is facing a wave of criticism as his controversial style was condemned by a prominent MP and mental health and disability campaigners. -
Frankie Boyle in new race-hate words storm
Channel 4 has been condemned for broadcasting “deeply offensive” language after comedian Frankie Boyle used two racist words on his comedy series. -
Glenister criticises BBC for 'neglecting hits'
Ashes To Ashes star Philip Glenister has criticised the BBC for neglecting hit shows like his hugely popular time-travelling police series. -
Grandpa in my Pocket iPad app due
Indie DHX Media is to roll out an iPad app supporting its CBeebies series Grandpa in My Pocket. -
iPlayer tops 1.3bn in 2010
Doctor Who was the most-watched programme on the BBC iPlayer in 2010, a year that saw the catch-up service exceed a record-breaking 1.3bn requests of TV and radio shows. -
ITV tops ratings in 2010
ITV outperformed the BBC with six of its programmes appearing in the most-watched shows of the year to date. -
Just William
Full post on a four-part series that follows the exploits of 11-year-old tearaway William Brown -
Lansdown takes on BBC3 duties; Bennett start date set
Harry Lansdown is to take on interim responsibilities as head of BBC3 before the newly-appointed controller Zai Bennett takes the reins next spring. -
Launch date set for UK product placement
Product placement is to be featured in UK shows for the first time from next February as part of a new wave of TV ad rules laid down by Ofcom. -
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers
Broadcast would like to wish all its readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Full online news coverage will resume on Tuesday 4 January but a Christmas ratings round-up will be sent over the holiday period. The first issue of the magazine will be published on Thursday 6 January. -
NUJ oppose Jeremy Hunt's BSkyB duties
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has opposed Jeremy Hunt being given the power to decide whether News Corporation should takeover BSkyB. -
Ofcom rejects complaints over disabled protester interview
Ofcom will not investigate a BBC News interview with a disabled student protester that generated 420 complaints to the media regulator. -
Online firms turn to TV advertising
Young web businesses have increased their spending on TV advertising, shaking off concerns on marketing costs that have overshadowed the industry since the dotcom bubble burst in 2000. -
Patten favourite for BBC Trust role
Lord Patten will face five challengers for the role of BBC Trust chairman, according to reports. -
Pope to deliver R4's Thought For the Day
Pope Benedict XVI will deliver BBC Radio 4’s Thought For The Day for the first time on Christmas Eve. -
Prokit joins Canon dealer network
London-based sale and rental firm Prokit has been appointed a Canon Pro Video Dealer. -
Radio 4 to mark Hollywood centenary
The BBC is to mark the centenary of the first Hollywood film studio with a series of special programmes. -
Sarah Harding to host dating series
Sky Living has commissioned a third series of Dating In The Dark to be presented by Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding. -
Second minister 'boasted about BSkyB obstacles'
The Telegraph has reported that a second Liberal Democrat minister privately boasted to its undercover reporters about the party’s role in putting up obstacles to the BSkyB takeover. -
Steptoe drama re-edited after complaints
The BBC re-edited a programme about Steptoe and Son star Harry H Corbett after the brother of his second wife said it was unfair to her. -
Strictly final breaks record
SATURDAY: The final of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing scored its highest ratings to date, peaking with 14.5m viewers. -
Syco chief executive steps down
The chief executive of Simon Cowell’s company, Syco, has stepped down after less than a year in the job. -
Taboo race doc sold into eight territories
Rageh Omaar-fronted documentary Race and Intelligence: Science’s Last Taboo has been picked up by broadcasters around the world. -
The Foundry upgrades Nuke and Nukex
The Foundry has upgraded its compositing applications Nuke and Nukex. -
This Morning reprieved over f-word in daytime
ITV1’s This Morning has escaped censure from Ofcom after a presenter was caught swearing live off-camera. -
Toast, BBC1
Producer Faye Ward takes Broadcast behind the scenes of Toast, a new drama for BBC1 starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore. -
Tony Jordan awards writer prize
Tony Jordan’s Red Planet Pictures has named the winner of its third annual writing competition. -
TVF secure William/Kate sales
A new film about Prince William and Kate Middleton has helped TVF International round off the year with a run of fresh sales. -
Ugly Betty bows out on a high
WEDNESDAY: The final ever episode of Ugly Betty managed to draw its biggest audience of the series on E4 as more than 850,000 said farewell to the US comedy drama. -
UK TV's Mr Christmas
An Arqiva network supervisor is preparing to give up yet another Christmas Day to make sure terrestrial television programming runs smoothly for homes in the UK. -
Viewers prefer TV classics at Christmas
TV viewers would prefer to see repeats of classics than new seasonal shows as they sink into the sofa for Christmas, a new survey claims. -
WFTV comedy talks to return
BBC1 controller Danny Cohen and Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville are to speak about comedy at a new series of Women in Film and Television events. -
X Factor discriminates against union members - MP
A Labour MP has accused ITV talent show The X Factor of discrimination against trade union members. -
X Factor magazine closed
The X Factor’s spin-off magazine has been closed after the seventh series of the hit ITV show ended last week. -
Zig Zag hires former Discovery exec for US push
Indie Zig Zag Productions has appointed a former TruTV and Discovery executive to head up its expansion in the US. -
Zodiak to distribute Wikileaks film
A documentary about the Wikileaks scandal is to be distributed by Zodiak Rights, following a deal with makers Premières Lignes.
