Broadcast
27 April 2012
View all stories from this issue.
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23 April '12
“Certainly it’s gripping – involving, haunting, beautiful – in an unfriendly way of course.” Read on for the verdict on the weekend’s TV. -
24 April '12
“Shapiro brought fine historical insight.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
25 April '12
“It shouldn’t work..but it’s almost joyous.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
26 April '12
“This was an intriguing, rarely told final chapter of the Queen’s life.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
27 April '12
“It was essentially an autopsy.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
AJA releases ‘simplest device ever’ for Mac
NAB 2012: AJA released the T-Tap adapter (pictured) at NAB, which it described as its “simplest device ever”. -
AJA unveils 4K recorder
NAB 2012: AJA Video Systems has teamed up with Canon to launch a 4K external video recorder, the Ki Pro Quad. -
Alan Tyler, BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland executive editor, entertainment commissioning. -
Anna Maxwell Martin to star in ITV1 murder mystery
Bafta-winning actress Anna Maxwell Martin is to star in a ITV1 murder mystery based around the code breakers of Bletchley Park. -
Appropriate Adult and Sherlock lead Bafta nominations
Brendan O’Carroll comedy Mrs Brown’s Boys has picked up two Bafta nominations, as ITV Studios drama Appropriate Adult leads the way with four nods. -
Asia clocks BBC2's The Hour
Sundance Channel Global is taking BBC2 drama The Hour to Asia in a deal secured by Shine International. -
Avid previews cloud-based editing software
NAB 2012: Avid underlined its NAB focus on providing tools for newsgathering operations with the preview of cloud-based software Interplay Sphere. -
Bafta nominations 2012
Browse the full list of nominees for the 2012 Arqiva British Academy Television Awards. -
BBC axes Upstairs Downstairs
The BBC has canned Upstairs Downstairs after the period drama lost more than 2.65m viewers during its second series. -
BBC plans doc answer to Channel 4’s fixed rig
BBC commissioning editor for documentaries Charlotte Moore has greenlit three films that rely on footage supplied by the public – a move characterised by insiders as a calculated answer to Channel 4’s vogue for fixed-rig documentaries. -
BBC poaches 10 O'Clock Live series editor
The BBC has poached series editor of 10 O’Clock Live for its in house comedy entertainment team. -
BBC unveils post-DQF daytime strategy
The BBC is creating a more varied daytime schedule, with no more than two programmes of any genre a day and an end to long-running series. -
BBC warned it could lose the Open
The organiser of the the Open Championship has warned the BBC that it is on course to lose the rights to broadcast world’s oldest golfing major in 2017. -
BBC2 orders menu of fresh cooking shows
BBC2 has ordered a swathe of new cookery shows with an international flavour. -
Behind the Blackmagic camera
Blackmagic Design pulled off the surprise product launch of this year’s NAB with the unveiling of a new digital camera. Chief executive Grant Petty reveals the thinking behind the device. -
Blackmagic monitors reaction
Blackmagic Design is waiting to discover what the market makes of its recently unveiled digital cinema camera before it decides whether to launch a second device. -
British Cycling: Road to Glory, Sky Atlantic
We had to overcome access and rights issues and an arduous shoot if our series was to match the success of Team Sky, says Hamish Fergusson. -
Broadcast Digital Awards 2012 shortlist revealed
BBC3, BBC4 and E4 will go head to head with Discovery Channel, History and MTV for Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards 2012. -
Broke Girls take on Russell Howard
THURSDAY: New US comedy 2 Broke Girls and Russell Howard’s Good News battled for the lead in multichannel at 9pm. -
C4 News boss stepping down
Channel 4 News editor Jim Gray is to step down after 14 years on the programme -
C4 News team returning after Bahrain arrest
The Channel 4 News team arrested in Bahrain after filming a demonstration is on its way back to the UK. -
C4 picks up Fremantle daytime quiz show
FremantleMedia UK format 1001 Things You Should Know has been picked up for a daytime series on Channel 4. -
C4 to roll out app for Million Pound Drop
Channel 4 is developing a mobile app to support Remarkable Television’s playalong gameshow Million Pound Drop. -
C4's Charlesworth joins MirriAd
Former Channel 4 product placement head David Charlesworth has joined agency MirriAd to oversee its commercial operations as it gears up for further growth. -
C4's Hidden Talent fails to shine
TUESDAY: Richard Bacon’s new series about people’s hidden talents struggled to breakthrough for Channel 4. -
C4's Superscrimpers to return
Channel 4 thrifty tips series Superscrimpers is returning for a third run with an aim to further build on the money saving advice offered to viewers. -
C5 orders more Hotel Inspector
Channel 5 has ordered a ninth series of The Hotel Inspector, following Alex Polizzi as she grapples to improve a naturist hotel, a haunted inn and “the Fawlty Towers of Essex”. -
C5 rapped over horror broadcast
Channel 5 has been found in breach of Ofcom regulations for airing a film containing exorcisms and supernatural activity in an afternoon timeslot. -
C5's Extraordinary People to profile 90% burns victim
Channel 5’s Extraordinary People is to mark its tenth anniversary with a hat trick of new films. -
Cashing in on 2 Broke Girls
I’d like to think that one of the characters in The Big Bang Theory would be able to work out the correct number of times to show a promo for a new series. -
CBeebies is working on female role models
While I do not fundamentally disagree with Alexander Gardiner’s assessment of a predominance of male lead characters in pre-school programming (Broadcast 13.04.12), it is unfair to single out CBeebies. Surely this is an industry-wide concern? -
CBS tests The Audience as Garden pilot goes global
US network CBS is to pilot innovative new Channel 4 format The Audience, with further adaptations lined up for France and the Netherlands. -
Charley Bear enters 80th territory
Chapman Entertainment’s pre-school series Little Charley Bear is to launch in Russia later this year -
Codex ships Vault recorder
Codex announced at NAB that its Vault S location based recorder and media management system is now shipping. -
Demographic Focus
Explore the ratings breakdown demographically across the main terrestrial and multichannel broadcasters from 16-22 April. -
Dolby unveils glasses-free 3D
NAB 2012: Dolby partnered with Philips to showcase glassesfree HD 3Dsystem Dolby 3D at NAB. -
Elisabeth Murdoch: the humblest day of my life
In her post-MacTaggart Q&A, Liz Murdoch shared her “biggest screw-up” with delegates: losing Friends to Channel 4 when she was at Sky. -
Emails reveal Hunt / News Corp relationship
Emails shown to the Leveson inquiry suggest Jeremy Hunt and the DCMS was providing News Corp with the inside track on its thinking about the proposed takeover of BSkyB. -
Encompass adds Signiant software
Playout provider Encompass Digital Media has deployed Signiant software at its London facility. -
Ex Gallowgate MD takes DCD role
Former Gallowgate managing director Tim Hammond has joined DCD Media in the newly created role of managing director of UK production. -
Foxes Live: Wild in the City, C4
When our tame fox’s tail fell off in front of a group of drunken clubbers, we knew nothing about this would be straightforward, says Jamie Lochhead. -
Frank Bruno interview hooks 4m
FRIDAY: Former boxer Frank Bruno’s first major interview in nearly a decade proved no match for BBC1’s comedy hour. -
Freeview backwards EPG set to challenge YouView
Freeview is planning to launch backwards EPG functionality, which will pit the platform against forthcoming IPTV service YouView. -
Genre Overview
Browse the top ten children’s, factual, drama, entertainment, comedy, music and arts programmes from 16-22 April. -
Gorilla grabs another MatrixStore
Post-production firm Gorilla has added a third MatrixStore to its Cardiff facility. -
Grylls working up programme ideas with Betty
Discovery-owned production company Betty TV is understood to be developing new programme ideas with survival star Bear Grylls. -
Hollywood’s hold on the UK
Failure to define PSB is Americanising our TV, says Jeremy Tunstall. -
How Hunt got his fingers burnt
Jumpy pictures aside, Leveson has put a hot potato back on menu. -
Hunt brands BSkyB bias "laughable"
Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has labelled the idea he backed the News Corp bid to merge with BSkyB as “laughable”, in a statement to Parliament. -
Hunt denies backing Sky bid
“The idea I was backing this bid is laughable,” said Jeremy Hunt, fighting for his political career in parliament this week, following a series of dramatic revelations at the Leveson Inquiry. -
Hunt to hand over News Corp correspondence
Jeremy Hunt is to hand over correspondence about News Corp’s BSkyB bid in an attempt to clear his name from accusations of wrongdoing. -
Hunt's permanent secretary dodges MPs' News Corp questions
The DCMS has defended Jonathan Stephens’ refusal to answer questions about his role in the row over Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and News Corp. -
Iannucci’s Veep to debut in June
Sky Atlantic is to launch Armando Iannucci’s new political comedy in June following its debut this week in the US. -
Idris Elba to host C4 dance doc
Idris Elba, star of Luther and The Wire, is being lined up to front a second Fresh One Productions film, looking at the history of dance music and clubbing for Channel 4. -
ITV axes Wild at Heart
ITV1 has confirmed that it will not commission any further series of Wild at Heart after a finale next year. -
ITV planning ‘big splash’ as it returns to comedy
Big Talk Productions is to produce ITV1’s first pre-watershed comedy in almost 10 years as the broadcaster prepares to make a “big splash” in the genre. -
ITV poised to sign fresh news contract with ITN
ITV and ITN are deep into discussions over extending their news contract, with both parties preparing to sign off on a new multi-year deal. -
ITV reveals Diamond Jubilee plans
ITV will reunite Phillip Schofield and Julie Etchingham for its live coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June. -
ITV signs late night shopping deals
Broadcast retailer JML and online fashion store Stylistpick are to bring their wares to ITV1’s late night shopping zone. -
ITV1 orders Guernsey hospital doc
Maverick Television is to continue to expand its health slate with an early evening ITV1 series based in a hospital in Guernsey. -
ITV1 to hand TOWIE's Mark Wright German format
Former The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright is to co-host a madcap ITV1 gameshow based on a hit German format. -
ITVS set to relocate Daybreak from Thames-view studio
Daybreak is to be uprooted from its state-of-the-art, river-view studio when ITV Studios revamps the show later this year. -
Jazz FM censured over porn gaffe
Ofcom has found Jazz FM in breach of its broadcasting code after it accidentally aired around five minutes of porn. -
JVC launches Wi-Fi equipped camcorder
NAB 2012: JVC has launched a newsgathering camera with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. -
Kim Shillinglaw, BBC, science and natural history
The BBC’s commissioning editor for science and natural history is investing in developing programmes that will take viewers on an unexpected journey. -
Kudos mulls The Bridge remake
Kudos is considering a remake of new Scandinavian crime drama The Bridge, which launched on BBC4 this week. -
Light Illusion updates LightSpace system
Light Illusion has added an ACES toolset to its LightSpace colour management system. -
London Marathon peaks with 4m
SUNDAY: BBC1’s live coverage of the London Marathon outpaced last year’s action by nearly 700k viewers. -
London360 hunts young reporters
Young Londoners will be given the opportunity to produce Community Channel show London360 for a second year. -
Made in Chelsea
Full post on the scripted reality series -
Madeleine McCann draws three-year Panorama high
WEDNESDAY: A Panorama special on the Madeleine McCann case pulled in the current affairs strand’s biggest audience since 2008. -
Matt Smith to recite poetry for Disney Junior
Matt Smith and Jessica Hynes are among the cast of British stars that will narrate a second series of poetry shorts for Disney Junior UK. -
Mental health charity slams C4 programme
Mental health charity Rethink has complained to Ofcom and Channel 4 after it aired an evangelical Christian’s views on mental health that claimed it is a “behavioral problem, rooted in pride, self-centeredness and self-pity’. -
Murdoch: I didn't ask Cameron for BSkyB bid favours
James Murdoch has told the Leveson inquiry that he had just one conversation with both David Cameron and George Osborne about News Corp’s proposed takeover of BSkyB, and that he did not ask for “assurances” or “favours” as to whether the bid would be referred to the Competition Commission. -
Necessity the mother of invention for Israel
Tight budgets and regulations have made Israel more creative, says Keren Shahar. -
Nostalgia fest lifts BBC2
The thing about The 70s (BBC2, Monday, 9pm), which started with 2.6 million/10% share, is that presenter Dominic Sandbrook wasn’t there for some of it, having been born in 1974. -
NUJ protest over Dale Farm footage row
The NUJ is protesting outside the Royal Courts of Justice as broadcasters continue their fight against an order to hand over all footage recorded at the Dale Farm eviction. -
Ofcom steps up BSkyB investigation
Ofcom has stepped up its investigation into whether BSkyB is a “fit and proper” owner of a broadcasting licence. -
Ofcom: Sky remains movie leader
New VoD players such as Lovefilm and Netflix have not loosened Sky’s grip on movies, according to an Ofcom report to the Competition Commission. -
Off Cuts: From Twitter to a twit
He won E4’s Playing It Straight and has been branded a model farrier, primarily because he is both of these things, for a Horse & Country documentary. -
Panorama's Elderly Care doc draws 3.7m
MONDAY: Panorama’s follow up to its Undercover Care investigation delivered the strand’s third biggest audience of the year. -
PBS UK acquires America Revealed
PBS UK has acquired the US version of Lion Television doc Britain From Above. -
Pinewood opens Richard Attenborough Stage
Pinewood has officially opened its newest studio, the 30,000 sq ft Richard Attenborough Stage. -
Playhouse Presents
Scan, conform, grade, online and VFX for six of the 12 x 30-minute series -
Real-time apps add to viewer experience
The article ‘ITV1 plots playalong gameshow evolution’ (Broadcast 13.04.12) highlights the exciting changes taking place in the broadcast industry, as connected TVs are adopted and consumers expect the viewing experience to become richer and increasingly interactive. -
Rize USA pens news deal
DCD Media indie Rize USA has inked a first-look deal with press agency Caters News, giving the team exclusive access to stories from around the world. -
RTS reveals Student TV shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Student Television Awards 2011. -
Sarah Millican returning to BBC2
BBC2 has ordered a second series of comedy chat show The Sarah Millican Television Programme. -
Series low for Long Lost Family
THURSDAY: ITV1 reunion series Long Lost Family fell to a series low, despite coming up against a drama repeat on BBC1. -
SET acquires Spooks
BBC spy drama Spooks is to be repeated from the beginning by Sony Entertainment Television. -
Shed appoints former Chorion CFO
Shed Media has appointed Terry Downing, who previously helped oversee the break-up process of Chorion, as its chief financial officer. -
Silk / Ewan McGregor: Cold Chain Mission / Megastructures: London's Olympic Stadium
Icon Films’ Paul Connolly and Barge Pole’s Paul Crompton on briefs, awandering star and an Olympic task. -
Sky Atlantic wins Pitch for Studio Lambert series
Sky Atlantic has acquired a US series from Studio Lambert in which ad agencies go head to head to win business. -
Sky confirms Idiot Abroad 3
Sky1 has confirmed a three-part An Idiot Abroad special which will feature Karl Pilkington travelling the globe with Warwick Davis. -
Sky Go hits problems during Chelsea win
BSkyB angered subscribers last night after its IPTV service Sky Go suffered technical problems during Chelsea’s dramatic victory over Barcelona. -
Sky News email hacking to be investigated by Ofcom
Sky News is being investigated by Ofcom for potentially breaking rules around fairness and privacy after admitting hacking emails. -
Software-only Pablo launched by Quantel
NAB 2012: Quantel has released a software-only version of its Pablo grading system. -
Sony adds to SRMaster range of recorders
NAB 2012: Sony has launched the SR-D1, the latest addition to the SRMaster range of portable recording devices. -
Sony to support reseller in Arri legal battle
Sony has said it could take legal action against Arri after a former Arri exec admitted hacking into the email account of US digital cinema company Band Pro. -
Steps hit the road with 150k
MONDAY: Reunited pop group Steps returned to Sky Living with a new series but could not match the pull of their previous run. -
Strong northern character
Corrie is reinventing itself and Scott & Bailey and The Syndicate show the North has still got it. -
The Bridge debuts with 1.1m
SATURDAY: BBC4’s new Scandinavian drama The Bridge drew more than a million viewers on its debut – higher than an episode of Danish hit The Killing. -
The Cube heads to China
Objective Productions is in discussions about more formats heading to Asia as The Cube prepares to launch in May. -
The Voice
Full post on the BBC’s primetime entertainment format -
The Voice breaks Sherlock’s iPlayer record
The Voice UK has broken hit drama Sherlock’s record for the most iPlayer views in a single day. -
The Voice first to introduce "voice short code" voting
The BBC is to become the first broadcaster to launch voice short codes to support voting for The Voice UK. -
The Voice goes live with viewer tweets
The Voice UK is to ramp up its social media presence during its live episodes, including the introduction of a Twitter mosaic in the studio. -
The Voice murders Vera
SUNDAY: The first Sunday edition of BBC1’s The Voice mauled a new series of ITV1 crime drama Vera. -
The Voice shouts louder than BGT
SATURDAY: The Voice UK came out on top again in the battle with Britain’s Got Talent – even without a 20 minute overlap between the two shows. -
Timeshifted viewing rises to 91 minutes
PVR viewing has grown to an hour and a half a week - about double the figure for 2009. -
Top 100 network programmes
Find out who topped the ratings league table for network programming from 16-22 April and browse the top 100. -
Top 30 BBC2, Channel 4, Channel 5
Find out the top 30 programmes on BBC2, Channel 4 and Channel 5 from 16-22 April as well as the performance of all the terrestrials across week 15. -
Top 30 multichannel programmes
Find out the top 30 multichannel programmes for 16-22 April as well as the share of viewing across digital homes. -
Top consolidated programmes
Find out which programmes gained the biggest audience through recording from 9-15 April and browse the top titles. -
Top tips on scripting and casting
David Max Freedman offers five tips on how to make your script work and casting a successful show. -
Torres goal nets 3.6m viewers
TUESDAY: Chelsea’s semi-final clash against Barcelona in the Champions League Football tournament drew the biggest audience of the year to date for Sky Sports 2. -
Treasury contemplates expanding tax credit
The Treasury could expand the animation tax credit to include programmes that have a mix of live action, following further submissions from the industry. -
TSB unveils £250k innovations pot
Fremantle Media, Hat Trick and Zodiak Media are among the businesses to have thrown their support behind the Technology Strategy Board’s (TSB) TV digital innovation contest which offers developers £250,000 of investment. -
Twenty Twenty: Tim Carter, Meredith Chambers
Twenty Twenty’s chief exec and creative officer have successfully applied entertainment values to serious subjects. They tell Alex Farber how they are simply mimicking life’s ‘sense of fun’ -
Twickenham Film Studios thrown a lifeline
An anonymous buyer has been lined up to take over troubled facility Twickenham Studios. -
UKTV: Strategic shift pays dividends
UKTV’s new strategy of increasing original commissions and bigger acquisitions has boosted share across its network of channels. Stephen Price breaks down the numbers. -
Undateables gets second outing
Channel 4 has commissioned a second series of matchmaking show The Undateables. -
Unleash your Hidden Talent with branded content
Big opportunities await if brand, producer and channel all work together, says Simon Willis. -
Vic and Bob back on C4 as part of anniversary plans
Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer will return to Channel 4 after nearly 20 years as part of the broadcaster’s plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary. -
Virgin wins 240k Tivo subs
Virgin Media has attracted 242,000 customers to its connected TV service Tivo over the past three months, taking its total installed base to 18%. -
Will The Voice replace X Factor as UK’s biggest singing show?
66% said Yes / 34% said No -
Woolcock interactive film to premiere at Doc/Fest
Penny Woolcock, director of the Death of Klinghoffer, is to helm an interactive film celebrating the British coastline that will premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest. -
Worst Driver steers to Brazil
Mentorn International’s Worst Driver format is to be remade by Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo, taking the number of territories airing local versions to 17.
