Broadcast
9 March 2012
View all stories from this issue.
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Empire no match for Queen
BBC1’s Paxman-fronted doc falls short of Marr series as Whitechapel wins the slot for ITV1. -
Prisoners’ Wives ends sentence with 4.3m
TUESDAY: BBC1’s ensemble drama Prisoners’ Wives bowed out with its third biggest audience of the series, as Big Fat Gypsy Weddings won the 9pm slot. -
Ricochet hires Knight
Ricochet has appointed the BBC’s Simon Knight as its first director of factual entertainment. -
5 Mar' 12
“The approach here is to promise to tell us something fascinating before cutting to something utterly unrelated.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
6 March '12
“An entertaining romp, which I fear might fall between rocks.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
7 March '12
“By the end, it looked simply superior.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
8 Mar '12
“This funny-sad, honest, necessarily invasive film was Paddy Wivell’s second admirable Wonderland documentary in eight days.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
9 March '12
“If you’re in the market for a nostalgic soap it should do the trick.” Read on for the verdict on last night’s TV. -
Actions speak louder than words
Our campaign is off to a good start - now the comes the hard part. -
Alias issues alert over 'sophisticated' fraudsters
Alias Hire has warned rental firms to be on their guard after a man purporting to work for BBC Worldwide attempted to hire £50,000 worth of kit from the company, including a Panasonic Varicam and lenses. -
Alternatives to the usual suspects
An edition of Radio 4’s Today featured prominent male experts. Who were their female peers? -
Andy’s Wild Adventures
Complete all post including VFX for the 40 x 15-minute CBeebies series. -
Arri issues Alexa update
Arri has released software that will update its Alexa camera range to support Avid’s DNxHD codec. -
Bank Job locks in series high
SATURDAY: The Bank Job locked in its biggest audience of the series, as Let’s Dance for Sport Relief held its ratings. -
BBC launches production management scheme
The BBC has launched a new trainee scheme, which aims to teach successful applicants how to adapt to the changing media environment. -
BBC Radio 6 Music: the first decade
From burgeoning digital radio station, to under threat beacon of the people, to the UK’s most listened to music digital radio network, BBC Radio 6 Music has been on, what you would call, a ‘journey’, writes Paul Rodgers. -
BBC radio gets boost as Sky slashes retrans fees
BSkyB has slashed its BBC retransmission fees by £4m, offering an unexpected late boost to the corporation’s under-threat local radio services. -
BBC staff reject "insulting" pay rise offer
BBC staff who are members of the NUJ, Bectu and Unite unions have rejected the offer of an “insulting” 1% pay rise for 2012/13. -
BBC takes knife to in-house factual roles
The BBC is carving up its in-house factual structure to create genre heads around the country. -
BBC1 hands former Goodie primetime comedy series
BBC1 is to hand comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor his first major series since The Goodies 30 years ago - a spoof news programme featuring animals. -
BBC3 adapts 'honey trap' murder for crime season
BBC3 is set to broadcast a docu-drama based on the murder of teenager Shakilus Townsend as part of its Criminal Britain season. -
BBC3 orders Tourettes singing series
BBC3 has ordered a series following three singing Tourette’s sufferers. -
BBC4 gives 400k disco fever
FRIDAY: A special night to celebrate BBC4’s tenth birthday saw a documentary on disco trounce the channel’s usual audience figures. -
BBCW promotes digital director Heaf
BBC Worldwide has promoted digital director Dan Heaf to the new role of managing director for consumer digital. -
Be more commercial, MPs tell BBCW
The BBC should reconsider how much income it can generate through its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, in a report by MPs that labels its current plans “unambitious”. -
Benidorm
Full post on the comedy about British holiday-makers in Benidorm. -
Benidorm continues with 6.1m
FRIDAY: Benidorm continued to prove a scorcher for ITV1 with 2m more viewers than BBC1 at the time. -
BFGW usurps drama shows
For the first time in a while, the top recorded show of the week isn’t a drama. Instead it’s – what else? – Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. -
Bloomberg to launch connected TV service
Bloomberg News is eyeing connected TVs as the next platform for its growth and expects to launch a service by the end of the year. -
Bowled over by a BBC4 doc
As BBC4 approached its tenth birthday, it gave us a place to think in an epically brilliant film on what West Indies cricket meant beyond mere sport. -
Boxer to supply Signiant media transfer software
Boxer Systems has added Signiant’s secure media file transfer software to its portfolio of products. -
Bridge taps into OTT data
Bridge Technologies will launch a system for monitoring OTT services later this month. -
C4 confirms repeats channel
Channel 4 is planning to launch a repeats station that will air programmes from the last seven days, chief executive David Abraham has confirmed. -
C4 eyes Made in Chelsea-style music festival show
The production company behind Made in Chelsea is developing a new structured reality show about music festival die-hards for Channel 4’s teen strand T4. -
C4 factual backs fresh talent
Perfect Motion, Bigballs Films and Cwmni Da have won their first ever commissions from Channel 4, via the factual department. -
C4 orders more obsessive compulsive hoarding
Channel 4 has ordered a second film looking at the life and home of Richard Wallace, one of the UK’s most prolific hoarders. -
C4 to follow Ann Summers sex toy launch
Adult retailer Ann Summers’ attempt to create the first ever ‘People’s Vibrator’ will be documented in a one-off film for Channel 4. -
C5 increases BB Facebook voting capacity "sevenfold"
Channel 5 is to increase the server capacity of its Big Brother Facebook application “sevenfold” after some viewers were unable to use it to vote during the final of the series in November. -
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
An updated version of the 5D Mark II, which Canon says offers greater speed, resolution and enhanced processing power. -
CDN to discuss signing Expert Women pledge
The Creative Diversity Network is set to decide whether to back Broadcast’s Expert Women campaign after BBC head of diversity Amanda Rice suggested a pan-industry approach. -
Celebrity Juice pulls 1.6m
THURSDAY: ITV2’s Celebrity Juice continued to leave the competition in the shade with another terrestrial-sized audience – while ITV4 drew a peak of nearly 2m for its Europa League coverage. -
ChannelFlip creates first scripted drama
Online video producer ChannelFlip is launching its first scripted drama, featuring Nathaniel Parker who plays ITV detective Inspector Lynley. -
China: Triumph and Turmoil
Complete the post-production on the new series presented by Niall Ferguson. -
CLAC warns against full disclosure
Christopher Lunn & Company (CLAC) has warned its clients against revealing potential irregularities in their accounts to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), claiming the tax body’s demands for information are “illegal”. -
Cocozza's X Factor gaffe censured
ITV has been rapped after Frankie Cocozza swore during an X Factor results show. -
Codex signs Sony deal
Digital media recorder manufacturer Codex has signed a deal with Sony to provide workflows for the F65 camera. -
Comedy Central seeks global series
Comedy Central is hunting for up to five “channel-defining” series that will air right across its international network of 93 million homes. -
Comedy indies in talks with Disney
Comedy specialists Rough Cut and Baby Cow are in talks with Disney about producing their first series for children. -
Conch Awards opens for nominations
Nominations for The Conch Awards 2012 are now open. -
Demographic Focus
Explore the ratings breakdown demographically across the main terrestrial and multichannel broadcasters from 27 February to 4 March. -
Directors Cut expands
Directors Cut, which recently completed post on Melvyn Bragg On Class And Culture, has taken over another floor in its Great Portland Street building. -
Disney XD orders global ninja animation from Boulder
Disney EMEA has ordered an animated series featuring unlikely ninja Randy Cunningham from Dublin-based production company Boulder Media. -
E4 axes Skins after seven series
Channel 4 is to axe Skins next year after a seventh series of the Company Pictures-produced teen drama. -
EdgeCast signs up Geo Networks
Content delivery network (CDN) EdgeCast Networks has signed a two-year deal to use Geo Networks dark fibre to transfer media files to its ISP customers. -
Editec adds X10 slow-mo camera
Slow-motion specialist Editec has ordered I-Movix’s streaming slow motion system X10. -
Embarassing Bodies
Complete the grade for the new series of Channel 4’s flagship health programme -
Emma Swain, BBC Knowledge
Her team has inspired the public to start baking and buy telescopes - and her budget is one of the BBC’s biggest. Catherine Neilan speaks to the controller of Knowledge commissioning. -
Employees buy out Clearcut Sound founders
Staff at Clearcut Sound Studios have completed a takeover of the audio facility, with 80% of shares now employee owned. -
EOne kicks off content push from London
Entertainment One is to lead a major push on indie-made European content from its London office. -
Ericsson circles TNS playout arm
Ericsson is in talks to acquire Technicolor’s European playout operation, Broadcast understands. -
Farm posts Amnesty Ball
The Farm’s Los Angeles division set up in New York last week to provide fast-turnaround post-production facilities for Amnesty International’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball 2012. -
FME inks scripted deal with Pukeko
FremantleMedia Enterprises is to develop a scripted series with a branch of the special effects and props company behind the Lord of the Rings. -
Frank Foster's death lifts ITV1
MONDAY: Coronation Street’s second best performance of the year and a strong finale for Whitechapel helped ITV1 bulldozer the competition. -
Gambling Commission delays gameshow report
The Gambling Commission (GC) has delayed the publication of an investigation into TV gameshows for up to two months. -
Genre Overview
Browse the top ten children’s, factual, drama, entertainment, comedy, music and arts programmes from 27 February to 4 March. -
Gore: Current TV is “an inconvenient channel”
In a final message to Current TV viewers, co-founder will say it is closing because it is “an inconvenient channel” . -
High Court appeal over Dale Farm footage looms
The lawyer representing broadcasters fighting to retain footage shot during the Dale Farm eviction expects an appeal to take place in the next month and claims the case could set a crucial precedent. -
International Women’s Day
As the debate surrounding the representation of women on our screens builds momentum, International Women’s Day on 8 March provides an opportunity for broadcasters to focus on programming that celebrates female talent, and demonstrates that increasing the representation of women on our screens is a cause worth fighting for, everyday of the year. -
iPlayer chief urges firms to simplify connected TV
Connected TVs are “punching well below their weight”, according to the BBC’s head of iPlayer, who has called on manufacturers and broadcasters to simplify their devices and services. -
ITN chief warns against police demands for footage
ITN chief executive John Hardie has warned that orders by police to hand over footage “strikes at the heart” of independent TV news after being ordered to hand over substantial footage from the Dale Farm evictions in October. -
ITV opts for AmberFin QC to accelerate tapeless push
ITV has signed a deal with AmberFin to use the company’s automated quality control technology in the latest stage of its move towards a tapeless workflow. -
ITV strikes 'landmark' agreements with STV and UTV
ITV will transform its commercial relationship with STV and UTV after the broadcasters negotiated new Channel 3 networking arrangements. -
ITVS hunts entertainment supremo
ITV Studios has kicked off a hunt for an entertainment supremo after chief executive Adam Crozier said the business must substantially boost its shiny floor show output. -
Kermode’s spring makeover of ITV’s Daybreak faces delays
David Kermode’s full vision for a revitalised Daybreak may not be seen until June after the show’s soft relaunch was delayed. -
Koulla Anastasi, Crime & Investigation
Head of acquisitions and commissioning, Crime & investigation Network. -
Lily Cole to front Sky Arts series
Supermodel and actress Lily Cole will front a new 6 x 60-minute series for Sky Arts where she will get under the skin of some of the most famous contemporary artists. -
Lion eyes move to Naples after Venice debut
Lion Television is lining up two new Italian series following this week’s launch of Venice 24/7 on Nat Geo Italy. -
London Film Academy to launch female-led indie
After a decade of training filmmakers, London Film Academy is launching a female-led indie focussing on factual and features. -
Man Utd defeat nets 5m for C5
THURSDAY: Manchester United’s shock defeat to Athletic Bilbao helped Channel 5 triumph over David Walliam’s Sport Relief swim and BBC2’s new drama White Heat. -
MasterChef heats up with 4.5m
WEDNESDAY: The competition heated up in the MasterChef kitchen as the cookery show clinched the honours at 9pm. -
Nat Geo orders Atlantic special on ancient temple
Atlantic Productions has been commissioned by National Geographic Channel to produce Cradle of the Gods, an hour-long special investigating the ancient and labyrinthine temple site of Gobekli Tepe. -
New Girl set for later C4 slot after taking a break
Channel 4 is set to push high-profile acquisition New Girl back to a later slot after introducing a mid-season break to the Zooey Deschanel series. -
New start or false dawn?
Has anything changed since the O’Reilly case, asks Richard Miskella. -
Nine Lives ramping up staff after Dispatches win
Manchester-based indie Nine Lives Media is expanding its headcount and moving into new offices after securing a Dispatches output contract from Channel 4 and a BBC3 film in which Richard Bacon attempts to track down his internet “trolls”. -
Ofcom clears C4's Bouncers
Ofcom has cleared Channel 4 documentary Bouncers, despite drawing criticism from the local council and people. -
Ofcom steps-up BSkyB scrutiny
Ofcom has set up a team - Project Apple - to assess whether BSkyB should still hold its broadcasting licence in light of the phone hacking scandal. -
Off Cuts: Dispatching Kevin Sutcliffe
In his time at Channel 4, deputy head of news Kevin Sutcliffe has stood his ground in defending Dispatches and its journalists against libel accusations and police demands for evidence. -
Origin Pictures develops three shows for BBC
Origin Pictures is working on a The Wire-style crime drama set in Manchester and an adaptation of a PD James novel as part of trio of paid developments for the BBC -
Pace posts drop in profit
Last year’s tsunami and floods in Japan and Thailand continue to weigh heavily on set-top box manufacturer Pace, which saw its profit halve last year. -
Pact seeks Brazilian treaty
Pact and its Brazilian counterpart ABPITV have agreed to work together to try to secure a co-production treaty from their respective governments. -
Playing It Straight winner jumps onto H&C TV
Horse & Country TV is to produce a documentary featuring the winner of Channel 4 gameshow Playing It Straight, who works in hoof care. -
Primeval spin-off heads to Watch
Watch has acquired the North American spin-off to Impossible Pictures’ Primeval. -
Primeval's future in the balance
The future of sci-fi drama Primeval hangs in the balance again after ITV said it has “no plans” to commission any further series. -
Reeves to star in new BBC2 sitcom
Vic Reeves is to star in a BBC sitcom series based on a show piloted as part of last year’s Salford Sitcom Showcase. -
Scott backs Superhero indie
Superhero Television, a new indie backed by Princess Productions founder Sebastian Scott, has had a Sky 1 show greenlit as its first commission. -
Seeking balance in broadcasting
Monitoring of the big four morning shows reveals little progress, says Lis Howell. -
Showcase should extend the net beyond BBCW
Tim Sparke urges the BBC to invite other distributors to showcase their wares. -
Sign our petition here!
Support the call for more female experts in TV and radio. -
Skillset makes VFX films
Skillset has teamed up with UK Screen and some of the UK’s biggest VFX houses to produce a series of films to encourage youngsters to consider a career in visual effects. -
Sky asks fans on Facebook to Watch.Share.Win
Sky has launched a Facebook app that rewards fans with the chance to win prizes including iMac computers and 3D home entertainment systems if they watch clips of shows and share them with friends. -
Sky Atlantic buys rights to Brand new series from FX
Sky Atlantic has secured the yet-to-air US series from Russell Brand as part of its move to establish its comedy credentials. -
Sky1 retunes Ashley Banjo
Sky 1 has commissioned a second series of Princess Productions’ Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew but is planning to introduce even more dance groups. -
Sky1’s Got to Dance final peaks with 1.29m
SUNDAY: Sky1 competition Got to Dance drew its biggest audience of the series as Irish dance troupe Prodijig claimed the crown. -
Sky's Got To Dance voting app broke for final
Sky 1 was forced to pull its mobile app voting ahead of the live final of talent competition Got To Dance after it was hit by a technical fault affecting almost 2,000 viewers. -
Soccer Aid to return to ITV1
Soccer Aid returns to ITV1 this summer with three-episode lead up presented by Dermot O’Leary. -
Sofia's Diary producer cues up music drama
The multiplatform production company behind Sofia’s Diary, BeActive has kicked off filming of a live action music drama. -
Spielberg's dino-drama Terra Nova extinct
Sky 1’s Steven Spielberg dinosaur drama Terra Nova has been axed by US network Fox after a single series. -
Stella
Mix the audio for the 10 x 60-minute Sky 1 series. -
The best and worst of British
This week’s channel overview includes Make Bradford British, Melvyn Bragg and Homeland. -
The Great British Countryside
Produce computer graphics for the four-part series that explores British landscapes and the people who live in them -
The Shooting Gallery to return to C4
Channel 4 is reviving shorts strand The Shooting Gallery in partnership with video platform Vimeo - more than a decade after the plug was first pulled. -
The Voice and BGT on course for clash
BBC1’s new entertainment vehicle The Voice and ITV1’s Britain’s Got Talent will almost certainly clash after the broadcasters drew up their initial battle lines today. -
Top 100 network programmes
Find out who topped the ratings league table for network programming from 27 February to 4 March 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 27 February to 4 March as well as the performance of all the terrestrials across week 9. -
Top 30 multichannel programmes
Find out the top 30 multichannel programmes for 27 February to 4 March as well as the share of viewing across digital homes. -
Top consolidated programmes
Find out which programmes gained the biggest audience through recording from 20-26 February and browse the top titles. -
Top journalists Ware and White leave BBC
Two of the BBC’s highest profile current affairs journalists are taking voluntary redundancy, leaving next month. -
TOWIE gets online spin-off
ITV2 reality series The Only Way is Essex is to get an online spin-off that will keep fans up to date with their favourite stars from the show. -
UK Screen launches management courses
UK Screen has teamed up with Westminster Council to launch a series of management courses for small and medium-sized businesses based in the borough of Westminster. -
Upstairs Downstairs falls to 5m
SUNDAY: Period drama Upstairs Downstairs has lost 1.5m viewers since its return last month. -
US drama leaders join tax break campaign
HBO, Starz, Showtime, ABC/Disney and RHI Entertainment have joined the campaign for tax breaks for British-made high-end drama, uniting with UK producers and associations. -
UTV buys social media firm £5m
TalkSport owner UTV has acquired Irish social media marketing firm Simply Zesty (SZ) for up to £5m. -
Where are all the expert women?
I’ve found it impossible to achieve gender parity in who we use on screen, says Tami Hoffman. -
White Heat / Tree Fu Tom / First Homes
Raw Cut’s Hugo Ward and the BBC Natural History Unit’s Robin Lewis on students, magic and first-time buyers. -
White Heat, BBC2
In bringing to life Paula Milne’s vision of a female-centred trawl through half a century of social change, the crew had to juggle six timeframes at once. Paul Whitelaw reports. -
Women in Film and Television: Power List 2012
Browse our Power List of inspirational women who are helping to shape the future of film and television. -
Women in war zones
How much of the risk faced by female war reporters is due to their profession - and how much to their gender? Catherine Neilan speaks to the women still fighting to go to the front -
X Factor USA boosts FremantleMedia profits
FremantleMedia has posted double digit revenue growth on the back of The X Factor USA - helping RTL to a 4.6% increase in pre-tax profits to €1.19bn (£99m).
