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  • Broadcast Greenlight

    The results of the Indie Survey 2012

Broadcast
Robert Shepherd

Robert Porter is a reporter for Broadcast.

  • Ruby signs ITV Studios co-production deal

    10-Dec-2009

    Small Island producer Ruby Television has inked a long-term development and distribution deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment and will work with the writers of Life On Mars for their first project as business partners.

  • Living presents celebs at 75 without the nip-tucks

    10-Dec-2009

    Living will reveal what an elderly Katie Price would look like if she had not had plastic surgery in one of two major commissions for Granada Media.

  • Disney Channels EMEA buys surf series for XD

    10-Dec-2009

    Disney Channels EMEA has acquired an animated sitcom about six teenagers who come together one summer to surf and work at the world-renowned Surfer’s Paradise Resort.

  • MTV's Viva a ratings success

    9-Dec-2009

    MTV Networks UK’s entertainment channel Viva has become a top ren-rated Freeview channel since its launch in October.

  • Tarbuck teams with Criminal for Sky 1 pet show

    8-Dec-2009

    Sky 1 has signed actress Liza Tarbuck and former Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ frontman Huey Morgan to front a new primetime entertainment series described as an “animal celebration”.

  • Gervais sidekick to front Sky 1 doc

    8-Dec-2009

    Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant will keep a watchful eye on podcast star Karl Pilkington as he embarks on a journey to discover the Seven Wonders of the World for Sky 1

  • UKTV acquires Notting Hill Carnival doc

    7-Dec-2009

    A Don Letts documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival has been acquired by UKTV’s Blighty.

  • Callow plays Wilde in online drama

    4-Dec-2009

    Radio indie Made in Manchester’s second radio drama for The Independent’s website will see actor Simon Callow star as Oscar Wilde.

  • BSkyB's Sullivan moves to Sky Deutschland

    3-Dec-2009

    BSkyB customer group managing director Brian Sullivan, who has spearheaded the pay-TV group’s move into on-demand, HD and 3D, is to leaving the UK company to become chief executive of Sky Deutschland.

  • Isaacs leaves Twenty Twenty as part of restructure

    3-Dec-2009

    Twenty Twenty creative director Jamie Isaacs is to leave the company in a senior management reshuffle.

  • BBC1 orders third series of Merlin

    3-Dec-2009

    BBC1 has ordered a third series of Shine Television’s hit family fantasy drama Merlin.

  • Murphy to overhaul Sky 1 roles

    3-Dec-2009

    Sky 1 has embarked on a major restructure of its commissioning team which has resulted in the departure of commissioning editor for factual entertainment and specialist factual Emma Read.

  • Rogerson named UKTV director of commissioning

    3-Dec-2009

    UKTV has promoted director of factual and fact ent commissioning Jane Rogerson to the newly created role of director of commissioning.

  • C4 bids to slash budgets for returning shows

    3-Dec-2009

    Channel 4 shows River Cottage and 8 Out Of 10 Cats are set to be produced on almost half their 2009 budget when they return next year.

  • Radio indies to get online content store

    3-Dec-2009

    Former Radio Independents Group chairman Neil Gardner is leading an initiative to create a dedicated online portal to sell audio content made by the UK indie sector.

  • Disney bids to treble European animation output

    3-Dec-2009

    Disney is to treble its animation output from Europe “over the next few years” as part of its strategy to complement the live-action shows coming out of the US.

  • Orion Ross, Disney Channels

    3-Dec-2009

    Disney Channels’ vice-president of original series is aiming to treble European animation output over the next few years, and is looking for ideas for 14 pilots.

  • SeeSaw signs with BBC Worldwide

    2-Dec-2009

    Video-on-demand service SeeSaw has inked its first content deal with BBC Worldwide to broadcast shows including classic Doctor Who, Cranford and That Mitchell & Webb Look online.

  • R2 to celebrate pioneering US musician

    30-Nov-2009

    House of the Rising Sun singer Eric Burdon is to present a series about the life and legacy of seminal US singer Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter for BBC Radio 2.

  • Radio 4 seeks ethnic listeners

    30-Nov-2009

    BBC Radio 4 is to review its programming in a drive to attract more ethnic listeners following criticism that it is ‘too white’.

  • BBC Radio 5 live to Answer Me This!

    27-Nov-2009

    BBC Radio 5 live have rewarded Sony Award-nominated podcasters Helen Zaltzman and Olly Mann by giving them their own national show.

  • Living orders My Ugly Best Friend

    27-Nov-2009

    Living will transform the life of people who find themselves constantly in the shadow of their aesthetically-pleasing friend in a pilot from ITV Studios.

  • Rogue Traders’ Allwright to sort out holiday woes

    26-Nov-2009

    Rogue Traders presenter Matt Allwright is to front a peaktime BBC1 consumer travel show designed to expose the worst of the tourist industry.

  • Twenty Twenty aims to build on history roots

    26-Nov-2009

    Twenty Twenty Television, the indie behind The Choir and The World’s Strictest Parents, has made two senior management hires in specially created posts.

  • Five to follow Liverpool in Europa League

    25-Nov-2009

    Five will follow Liverpool’s Europa League campaign when they enter the knockout stages of the competition next year.

  • Eastenders: E20 cast revealed

    25-Nov-2009

    EastEnders chiefs have cast four relative unknowns to star in the soap’s online spin-off, EastEnders: E20.

  • Sun, Sea and A&E returns to Virgin

    23-Nov-2009

    Virgin 1 has commissioned a second series of ob doc hit Sun, Sea and A&E from October Films.

  • More cuts at Virgin Media

    20-Nov-2009

    Virgin Media TV has cut some 16 jobs across the business, while senior commissioning editor factual and factual entertainment Rebecca Johnson has stepped down from her role.

  • Ford Ennals named Digital Radio boss

    19-Nov-2009

    Digital Radio UK, the company tasked with preparing the nation for digital radio upgrade, has named Ford Ennals as its chief executive officer.

  • Marc Watson, BT Vision

    19-Nov-2009

    BT Vision chief executive Marc Watson is confident that he can revive the fortunes of the broadband service, but accepts that sport plays a crucial part.

  • Living It wedded to reality as budget airline series takes flight

    19-Nov-2009

    Living 2’s new incarnation, Living It, will kick-off with a raft of acquisitions, including a fly-on-the-wall comedic factual series following the ups and downs of travel on a budget airline.

  • Vera forms multiplatform joint venture for Jongleurs talent

    19-Nov-2009

    Rory Bremner’s indie Vera Productions is forming a sister production company with comedy club group Jongleurs to make and develop multiplatform content.

  • TLC orders $2m mall doc series from September

    19-Nov-2009

    September Films has won a $2m commission from TLC in the US to turn its real-life pilot Mall Cops: Mall Of America into a full series.

  • Yesterday starts 1940 season with two docs

    19-Nov-2009

    Yesterday has ordered two shows for 2010 to spearhead year-long programming event The Spirit of 1940, marking a pivotal year in British history.

  • Jazz FM: one year on

    16-Nov-2009

    When Jazz FM returned to the airwaves a year ago, chief executive Richard Wheatly faced the challenge of winning back the listeners. He tells Robert Shepherd the story so far and what hurdles lie ahead.

  • UBC Media revenues up 9%

    16-Nov-2009

    UBC Media Group has reported a net profit of £620,000 for the first half of its financial year and has announced its first dividend to shareholders.

  • James Hunt, Sky Arts

    12-Nov-2009

    Sky Arts has gone from having no hours of commissioned programmes to more than 200 hours a year. Head of programming James Hunt tells Lucy Rouse the secret of its success.

  • Bravo to follow Katie’s boyfriend in ultimate fight

    12-Nov-2009

    Bravo will follow Katie Price’s cage-fighting boyfriend Alex Reid as he prepares to take on the current Middleweight Ultimate Challenge World Champion.

  • Doc explores when to take car keys away from elderly

    12-Nov-2009

    BBC1 will look at the dilemma facing the families of many elderly drivers in a 1 x 60-minute documentary from Matchlight.

  • BBC2 gets Argumental

    10-Nov-2009

    Dave panel show Argumental is to make its terrestrial debut on BBC2 - the first time the broadcaster has picked up an entertainment format from UKTV.

  • RTL pre-tax profits up 22%

    10-Nov-2009

    Five parent company RTL Group saw pre-tax profits grow in Q3 by 22% helped by higher profits from its UK subsidiary.  

  • Sky 1 to send Ross Kemp to Israel and Gaza

    9-Nov-2009

    Sky 1 is sending Ross Kemp to the Middle East for a two-part documentary looking at the ongoing tensions in Israel and Gaza.

  • Jane Rogerson and Clare Laycock, UKTV

    5-Nov-2009

    Rebranding UKTV Style was an opportunity for Home’s channel head and her director of factual to make their mark with a slew of stylish commissions.

  • BBC Bristol lands first UKTV commission with show for Home

    5-Nov-2009

    UKTV has commissioned its firstever show from BBC Bristol, ordering a Nick Knowles-fronted property restoration series for lifestyle channel Home.

  • Zig Zag and September make shock-docs for US

    5-Nov-2009

    Zig Zag Productions and September Films have kept up their good international form by winning two shock-doc orders in the US.

  • Marshall to grow Scott Free in UK

    5-Nov-2009

    Outgoing Channel 4 head of drama Liza Marshall plans to work with “key UK talent” as part of her new employer Scott Free’s strategy to produce major dramas for British broadcasters.

  • Wall to Wall cleans up with raft of BBC deals

    5-Nov-2009

    Wall to Wall has won 40 hours of BBC commissions, thought to be worth around £18m, including a six-part series about the cleaning of a National Trust property.

  • Percy wins two gongs at Grierson Awards

    4-Nov-2009

    Veteran film-maker Norma Percy claimed gongs for both best documentary series and the coveted trustees’ prize at the 2009 Grierson Awards last night [2 November].

  • Liza Marshall quits as head of C4 drama

    4-Nov-2009

    Channel 4 head of drama Liza Marshall is the latest senior exec to quit the broadcaster for a job in the indie sector following the recent departure of head of comedy and ...

  • Absolute Radio to launch 80s station

    3-Nov-2009

    Absolute Radio is to ditch Absolute Xtreme and replace with with the more mainstream Absolute 80s, from early December.

  • Lamb switches 6Music slots

    2-Nov-2009

    BBC 6Music DJ George Lamb is to swap his weekday show for a new weekend slot and will be replaced by Lauren Laverne, as part of a station reshuffle.

  • Amy Winehouse's father to host online chatshow

    2-Nov-2009

    Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch is to host a new interview show from the back of his taxi for Living’s online channel Liv, where he will also deliver an alternative Christmas message.

  • Virgin Media posts record customer spend

    29-Oct-2009

    Virgin Media added 8,100 net new cable households in the third quarter and pushed its average customer spend to a record high, while churn remained flat at 1.5% a month.

  • Absolute passes 50% digital target

    29-Oct-2009

    Q3 RAJARS: Absolute Radio has become the first radio group to hit the 50% national digital listening penetration target set out in earlier this year in the government’s Digital Britain report.

  • Wogan still king of breakfast

    29-Oct-2009

    Q3 RAJARS: Sir Terry Wogan has again been crowned the king of breakfast radio, extending his lead over rival Chris Moyles and attracting a weekly audience of 7.8m.

  • Heart leapfrogs Capital to take second spot in London

    29-Oct-2009

    Q3 RAJARS: Heart has leapfrogged sister station 95.8 Capital to become London’s second most popular radio station behind Magic.

  • O’Grady could return to C4 in chat show deal

    29-Oct-2009

    Paul O’Grady may be returning to ITV1 - but his indie Olga TV is poised to hang on to the teatime Channel 4 slot that is currently home to his show.

  • October to make prefab house series for Home

    29-Oct-2009

    Amanda Lamb will front an October Films series for Home that will see the presenter help people make prefabricated houses.

  • Silver River looks to scripted with ex-Endemol hiring

    29-Oct-2009

    Silver River has hired former Endemol exec Shaun Parry to bolster its drive into scripted content, as its first-ever drama approaches TX in Scotland.

  • Sports bodies attack Ofcom intervention

    28-Oct-2009

    The UK’s leading sports bodies have attacked Ofcom’s proposed intervention in the UK pay TV market claiming it is “fatally flawed in a number of key areas”.

  • Sky must not avoid pay-TV regulations say rivals

    28-Oct-2009

    BSkyB should not be allowed to use Project Canvas as a loophole to avoid proposed pay-TV regulations, its two main rivals have claimed in a submission to Ofcom.

  • Boomerang wins £3.2m S4C contract

    28-Oct-2009

    Welsh indie Boomerang Plus has won a lucrative four-year contract with S4C worth £3.2m to film and broadcast events from the Royal Welsh Showground.

  • Sky Player rolled out on Xbox

    27-Oct-2009

    BSkyB has confirmed it will roll out its full Sky Player service on Microsoft’s Xbox 360, giving console owners in the UK and Ireland access to live and on-demand pay TV content.

  • Blaxill resurfaces at Bauer

    26-Oct-2009

    Former BBC and Capital Radio executive Ric Blaxill has returned to Bauer Media as head of music for the Big City Network.  

  • Every British radio station to be digital by Christmas

    26-Oct-2009

    A single website offering access to every British radio station could be developed by the end of the year, according to a report.

  • Bravo controller Clarke calls time on 12 years at VMTV

    22-Oct-2009

    Bravo controller Dave Clarke has left Virgin Media TV to pursue other opportunities after nearly 12 years with the company.

  • Jamie to air on Discovery as C4 strikes content deal

    22-Oct-2009

    Discovery Networks UK has got its hands on Jamie Oliver for the first time after signing a two-year content deal with Channel 4.

  • Irish scratch cards win Deal Or No Deal places

    22-Oct-2009

    Irish commercial broadcaster TV3 has ordered a local version of Deal Or No Deal from Endemol UK in which viewers purchase scratch cards for a chance to take part.

  • Andy Parfitt, Radio 1, popular music, 1Xtra, Asian Network

    22-Oct-2009

    Andy Parfitt has a lot on his plate as controller of Radio 1, popular music and head of 1Xtra and Asian Network, but he still finds time to keep tabs on Chris Moyles.

  • MTV unveils two shows in pipeline for TMF replacement Viva

    22-Oct-2009

    MTV has revealed two commissions for Viva, its new entertainment channel for people “who have shitty jobs during the week and focus on Friday night with their mates”.

  • Simon Bohrsmann, National Geographic

    22-Oct-2009

    National Geographic’s UK general manager is keen to find more fresh and appealing shows to keep the channel relevant in a fiercely competitive British market.

  • Twofour snares perfume guru to front BBC1 show

    22-Oct-2009

    Perfume entrepreneur Jo Malone will front BBC1’s next business entertainment format in which members of the public attempt to make a success of a product they have created.

  • Watch sticks to children for Shine TV gameshow

    22-Oct-2009

    Watch will build on the success of Tarrant Lets The Kids Loose with a primetime Shine Television gameshow that challenges celebrities to break down the communication gap between adults and children.

  • Noel Edmonds signs three-year Sky 1 deal

    21-Oct-2009

    Noel Edmonds will deliver Christmas presents on Sky 1 until 2012 after signing a three-year deal extension.

  • Sky 1 orders sports panel show pilot

    20-Oct-2009

    Sky1 has commissioned a 30-minute pilot of A League of Their Own, a panel show in which celebrity contestants compete to determine who has the best sporting knowledge.

  • Wogan to replace Ball on R2 Sunday slot

    19-Oct-2009

    Sir Terry Wogan is to take over Michael Ball’s Sunday slot on BBC Radio 2 with a show that features a mixture of guests and live musical performances.

  • C4 cleared over care in Boys and Girls Alone

    19-Oct-2009

    Ofcom has ruled that Channel 4 provided due care to the children in controversial series Boys and Girls Alone, but did not sufficiently reassure viewers of this fact in the first ...

  • Nelson replaces Alleyne as Somethin' Else CEO

    16-Oct-2009

    Somethin’ Else creative director Jez Nelson has been promoted to the role of chief executive, replacing Sonita Alleyne who is stepping down from her role.

  • MTV to drop TMF for Viva

    16-Oct-2009

    MTV Networks is dropping its TMF brand in the UK and replacing it with a new entertainment channel called Viva.

  • Pilkington quits Virgin Media TV after six years

    15-Oct-2009

    Virgin 1 and Bravo senior commissioning editor Lucy Pilkington is leaving her post to pursue other projects.

  • Bravo beefs up schedule with Strongest Man deal

    15-Oct-2009

    Bravo has struck a deal with IMG Media to secure the exclusive UK rights for the 2009 World’s Strongest Man competition.

  • Richard Melman, AETN UK

    15-Oct-2009

    Celebs? No thanks. And forget WWII overkill. This channel head wants history that hits home with a capital ‘H’. Robert Shepherd finds out about the future for programming the past.

  • DCD Media secures record $11.7m in deals from US

    15-Oct-2009

    DCD Media acting chief executive David Green has urged his company and the wider indie market to pitch more shows to US broadcasters after September Films won a company record $11.7m (£7.4m) worth of business.

  • Dave comedy to swap UK and US stand-up styles

    15-Oct-2009

    Phill Jupitus and Flight Of The Conchord’s star Eugene Mirman will swap roles on either side of the Atlantic to perform stand-up in front of a foreign audience in a broadcast pilot for Dave.

  • BBC3 plans Snog Marry Avoid? spin-off series

    15-Oct-2009

    BBC3 has ordered Endemol subsidiary Remarkable Television to make a spin-off of its Snog Marry Avoid? format called Hotter Than My Daughter.

  • Sky 1 orders Jacko live séance

    14-Oct-2009

    Psychic Derek Acorah is to attempt to make contact with late pop star Michael Jackson as part of two specially-commissioned shows for Sky 1.

  • Disney turns to The Foundation for High School Musical spin-off

    13-Oct-2009

    Disney Channel UK has ordered its third High School Musical-inspired local production, and its first from the indie sector.

  • Global hires UKTV's Holt for marketing role

    13-Oct-2009

    Global Radio has hired UKTV marketing exec and Broadcast Hot Shot Sara Holt for the newly-created position of head of marketing for Classic FM, LBC and Galaxy.

  • William Hill launches TV service

    13-Oct-2009

    UK betting chain William Hill is to launch its own in-house TV broadcasts later today [13 October].

  • Banijay acquires Nordisk

    12-Oct-2009

    French TV firm Banijay Entertainment has acquired production house Nordisk Film TV just days after agreeing a majority stake in UK indie Zig Zag Productions.

  • Matchlight gets Scottish funding

    12-Oct-2009

    Glasgow-based indie Matchlight will receive a £250,000 cash injection over three years from Scottish Enterprise to further support local programme making.

  • Sky Songs to launch next week

    12-Oct-2009

    Sky has confirmed October 19 as the launch date for Sky Songs, its new ad-free streaming music service.

  • Darroch: pay TV review could be bad for football

    8-Oct-2009

    BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch has claimed Ofcom’s plans to intervene in the pay TV industry will have “serious, potential consequences for football and sport in general”.

  • BBC censured over FA Cup radio rights

    8-Oct-2009

    The BBC has been censured by the BBC Trust for its aggressive pursuit of exclusive radio sports rights, following a successful appeal by TalkSport.

  • WEE lines up funding for CGI dinosaur doc

    8-Oct-2009

    Wide-Eyed Entertainment, the CGI-specialist indie set up by Impossible Pictures founder Jasper James, has secured £2m worth of co-pro funding from international broadcasters for its forthcoming doc March of the Dinosaurs.

  • Zodiak boosts UK status with deal for Dangerous

    8-Oct-2009

    Zodiak Entertainment is looking to build its UK presence by acquiring a light entertainment indie, after securing 70% of factual and drama specialist Dangerous.

  • Banijay close to deal for stake in Zig Zag

    8-Oct-2009

    Pan-European TV firm Banijay Entertainment is on the verge of acquiring a majority stake in Zig Zag Productions, in a deal thought to be worth up to £20m.

  • UTV resigns from RadioCentre

    7-Oct-2009

    TalkSport parent company UTV Media has resigned from the commercial radio trade body, RadioCentre, citing Global Radio’s influence on the group.

  • Sky hires BBC Vision exec Gibney

    7-Oct-2009

    BSkyB has named BBC Vision chief marketer Naomi Gibney as its new director of marketing and communications for Sky Networks.

  • Phillips to host Sky Real Lives soldier series

    6-Oct-2009

    Sky Real Lives is to “bring into sharp focus” the dedication, danger and loneliness of those serving in the British Armed Forces in a major series hosted by Fiona Phillips.

  • Sky and Discovery in shock ad sales renewal

    6-Oct-2009

    Sky and Discovery Europe have called a truce on their year-long ad sales legal battle by signing a new four year deal starting in January 2010.

  • Zig Zag gets cash boost

    6-Oct-2009

    Movie production and finance firm Future Films has entered the TV space for the first time by signing a funding deal with Zig Zag Productions.

  • Sky plans £1.5m rebrand

    5-Oct-2009

    BSkyB is to carry out a £1.5m rebrand in an effort to position itself as a warmer and more customer-friendly brand.

  • Angelina Ballerina dances around the world

    5-Oct-2009

    MIPCOM: Children’s indie and rights owner Hit Entertainment has signed distribution deals with 14 international broadcasters for Angelina Ballerina - The Next Steps.

  • Absolute Radio makes programming changes

    2-Oct-2009

    Absolute Radio has made a series of senior programming team changes, including the promotion of Jo Russell Show producer Paul Sylvester to head of the station’s programme schedule.

  • Living snares Cougar Town

    1-Oct-2009

    Living has acquired US comedy Cougar Town, featuring Courtney Cox as a newly single woman on the prowl for younger men.

  • Sky nets NCIS spin-off

    1-Oct-2009

    Sky1 has picked up the rights to CBS US police procedural drama NCIS: Los Angeles, the first spin-off from the popular NCIS.

  • ITV1 eyes Dancing On Ice spin-off for Friday night slot

    1-Oct-2009

    ITV1 will launch a Friday night primetime Dancing On Ice spin-off when the celeb skating show returns in the new year.

  • 19 exec to lead Discovery AFP push

    1-Oct-2009

    Discovery Networks International has appointed former 19 Entertainment exec Chris Shaw to secure more AFP and negotiate its new UK business ad sales contract.

  • Sky Movies Indie goes HD

    30-Sep-2009

    Sky Movies will launch its tenth high definition channel next month with the advent of Indie HD.

  • Pubs to get Sky 3D first

    29-Sep-2009

    BSkyB is to offer loyal pub subscribers its new cutting edge 3D TV service before it is released to the domestic market.

  • Shed Media posts profit hike

    29-Sep-2009

    Shed Media posted a 34% rise in half year pre-tax profit after another impressive performance by its US business.

  • Virgin Media set for LSE listing

    28-Sep-2009

    Virgin Media said it expects to make its long-awaited debut on the London Stock Exchange next month, a move aimed at increasing its shareholder base and profile in the UK and Europe.

  • Watch orders Thorpe Park gameshow

    28-Sep-2009

    Heather Mills and Katie Price are among a number of famous faces who will brave a series of extreme theme park rides as part of a new TV gameshow on Watch.

  • Virgin Media website to host on-demand Disney content

    17-Sep-2009

    Virgin Media is to launch a website hosting on-demand third-party content and has kicked off proceedings by signing a major three-platform deal with Disney.

  • Exec anger as Talkback is handed Webber’s Wizard

    17-Sep-2009

    BBC entertainment execs are up in arms following the corporation’s surprise decision to hand the production of BBC musical talent format The Wizard Of Oz to indie Talkback Thames.

  • BBC Radio looks into indie sector commissioning

    17-Sep-2009

    BBC Radio is conducting an internal review of its relationships with the indie sector, which is to be followed by a separate BBC Trust consultation in the new year.

  • Radio 2 salutes Benny Hill

    16-Sep-2009

    Made in Manchester Productions is to follow up its documentary celebrating the life of Dick Emery with a tribute to Benny Hill as part of BBC Radio 2’s upcoming comedy season.

  • Iain Lee to host Absolute comedy show

    16-Sep-2009

    Absolute Radio is launching a late night comedy show fronted by presenter and comedian Iain Lee.

  • Voice of Radio 4 to leave after swearing on air

    15-Sep-2009

    BBC continuity announcer Peter Jefferson, known as the ‘Voice of Radio 4’, is to leave after 45 years at the corporation.

  • Sky censured for HD cross-promotions

    14-Sep-2009

    BSkyB has been rapped by Ofcom for misleading cross-promotions with regards to its HD service.

  • Walliams to front Dick Emery tribute

    11-Sep-2009

    David Walliams is to present a special tribute to British comedy legend Dick Emery for BBC Radio 2.

  • Sky Movies to air best of Shorts TV

    11-Sep-2009

    Short films featuring The Wire’s Dominic West and Gavin & Stacey star Mathew Horne are to air on Sky Movies Indie following a deal with digital channel ShortsTV.

  • Jazz FM renews Pizza Express deal

    11-Sep-2009

    Jazz FM has renewed its licensing deal with both Pizza Express almost a year on since the broadcaster’s re-launch in October 2008.

  • Martina Cole to investigate Moors Murders mystery for Sky 1

    3-Sep-2009

    Sky 1 is to restart the hunt for the only Moors Murders victim whose grave has yet to be found in a two-part series fronted by Martina Cole.

  • Discovery boosts acquisitions arm with ex-ITV exec

    3-Sep-2009

    Discovery Networks International has hired former ITV Global Entertainment director of business and legal affairs Helen Fox Gladwell to spearhead its acquisitions team.

  • ITV1 to test out musical tribute format for series

    3-Sep-2009

    Amanda Holden and Ronan Keating will front a new music tribute format from ITV1 that could become a series.

  • UKTV orders three courses for Good Food menu

    3-Sep-2009

    The star pupil from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen has landed his own series on Good Food, about “taking ordinary occasions by the balls” and creating memorable parties.

  • Global Radio COO to stand down

    2-Sep-2009

    Global Radio chief operating officer Don Thomson is to leave his role at the end of the month to pursue other interests.

  • Cameron and Clegg on board live election debate

    2-Sep-2009

    Prime Minister Gordon Brown has come under increased pressure to take part in the Sky News invitation to leaders’ debate after main rivals David Cameron and Nick Clegg agreed to participate.

  • Fruit TV to launch with Queer as Folk doc

    2-Sep-2009

    A documentary celebrating 10 years of Queer as Folk leads the programming slate for upcoming gay, bisexual and transgender web-based broadcaster Fruit TV.

  • EastEnders' titles get makeover

    2-Sep-2009

    EastEnders’ iconic opening sequence and theme tune have been treated to a modern-day makeover - it’s first in a decade.

  • Sky 1 favourite for O'Grady move

    1-Sep-2009

    Paul O’Grady could be set to join Sky 1 after he rejected a 50% budget cut for his Channel 4 teatime chat show.

  • Radio chief defends R2 from attack

    1-Sep-2009

    The head of one of UK’s major radio indies has come out in defence of BBC Radio 2 following last week’s scathing attack by the Radio Centre.

  • Murphy opens up 8pm Sky 1 slot as Simpsons moves

    27-Aug-2009

    Sky 1 will stop airing The Simpsons at 8pm from January as director of programmes Stuart Murphy opens up the slot for indie pitches.

  • Stuart Murphy, Sky 1/2/3

    27-Aug-2009

    The director of programmes is setting high standards for entertainment on Sky 1, upping the budget and revisiting the schedules to ensure quality shines through.

  • Five signs Justin Lee Collins to boost viewers

    27-Aug-2009

    Five has stepped up its talent-led drive to boost audiences by signing an exclusive two-year deal with Justin Lee Collins, thought to be worth more than £1m.

  • Living boosts its on-demand service

    27-Aug-2009

    Living is to increase its TV on-demand offering with the introduction of Living Player via the Virgin Media cable platform.

  • Living orders Jeff Brazier pilot

    27-Aug-2009

    Living has ordered an hour-long factual entertainment pilot with Jeff Brazier, the father of the late Jade Goody’s children.

  • Davina to front Sky 1 dance series

    26-Aug-2009

    Sky 1 has secured two major coups for its autumn schedule by signing Davina McCall as host of new entertainment series Just Dance and giving Waterloo Road star Angela Griffin her own chat show.

  • Sky 1 acquires US comedy Modern Family

    26-Aug-2009

    Sky 1 has kick-started its new comedy strategy by acquiring US comedy Modern Family.

  • RTL hit by slump as Five reports loss

    26-Aug-2009

    RTL Group’s bottom line was dented by a £19.3m write down at UK terrestrial Five and said it expected no improvement in advertising markets in the second half of the year.

  • Strike Back gets green light

    24-Aug-2009

    Sky 1 has released further details about its “all-action” high-definition adaptation of Chris Ryan’s bestseller Strike Back.

  • BBC Radio 2 "obsessed with youth"

    24-Aug-2009

    Commercial trade radio body RadioCentre has claimed that BBC Radio 2 is failing its older listeners due to the corporation’s obsession with youth, in a submission to the BBC Trust.

  • Made in Manchester wins R4 order

    24-Aug-2009

    The bawdy tale of The Wantley Dragon is to be brought back to life by radio indie Made in Manchester in its latest commission for BBC Radio 4.

  • UBC Media acquires Radio Lynx

    20-Aug-2009

    UBC Media Group has acquired radio and internet marketing business Radio Lynx for a cash consideration of £1.6m. 

  • Good Food orders the best of Oz food talent

    20-Aug-2009

    UKTV’s Good Food has acquired 28 hours of content featuring the best Australian culinary talent, including three series from Fremantle Media Enterprises.

  • Sky leads the pack to buy VMTV’s portfolio

    20-Aug-2009

    BSkyB is the clear favourite to land the Virgin Media Television channel portfolio as the sale process moves towards its conclusion.

  • Fly-on-the-wall Bravo doc follows Thai tourist police

    20-Aug-2009

    Bravo will follow three British ex-pats helping the Thai tourist police deal with westerners in a major series this autumn.

  • BBC plans Jackson-based talent show

    19-Aug-2009

    BBC3 is planning an X Factor-style show to find a dancer who can best imitate the late Michael Jackson.

  • Global appoints Red Dragon MD

    18-Aug-2009

    Global Radio has appointed Sally Oldham as the managing director of Cardiff-based music network station Red Dragon.

  • ESPN signs Tiscali deal

    17-Aug-2009

    ESPN has secured a deal to offer Premier League football to Tiscali TV customers in the UK.

  • Sky Arts picks up HBO's In Treatment

    17-Aug-2009

    Sky Arts has picked up the rights to HBO’s therapy drama In Treatment, featuring Miller’s Crossing star Gabriel Byrne.

  • Sky slams BBC Trust's handling of Canvas

    17-Aug-2009

    BSkyB has written to the BBC Trust expressing “serious concerns” about the handling of its plans to create internet-connect TV service Project Canvas.

  • Thorp takes reins at Nat Geo

    14-Aug-2009

    Fox International Channels has made two senior level changes to its UK business, with managing director of FIC UK Jason Thorp adding National Geographic Channels UK to his remit.

  • Electric Sky acquires Letts' Notting Hill Carnival doc

    13-Aug-2009

    A film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival, produced by Don Letts’ indie Brassneck TV, has been picked up for distribution by Electric Sky.

  • Vincent steps in on Magic

    12-Aug-2009

    Tim Vincent is to present Magic 105.4’s Secret Songs for three weeks while regular host Kim Wilde takes a break.

  • Discovery appoints government relations head

    12-Aug-2009

    Discovery Networks UK and EMEA has named Kerry Neilson as its first vice president of public policy and government relations.

  • Razorlight's Johnny Borrell gets Xfm show

    11-Aug-2009

    Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell is to present a weekly evening show on Xfm.

  • Radio 1 drops Lamacq in specialist shakeup

    11-Aug-2009

    DJ Steve Lamacq is leave BBC Radio 1 after 16 years as the corporation continues its revamp of the station.

  • C4 orders gender identity doc

    10-Aug-2009

    Channel 4 has ordered a documentary about a boy who has gender dysphoria as part of its documentary strand First Cut.

  • Apprentice finalist to host daily show for Five

    10-Aug-2009

    The Apprentice runner-up Kate Walsh is to front a nightly magazine series for Five with Ian Wright and Melinda Messenger.

  • Murray and Lovejoy team up on Five Live

    7-Aug-2009

    Colin Murray and Tim Lovejoy are to team up every Friday evening on BBC Radio 5 Live for a humorous review of the past week in sport.

  • Virgin Media loses customers

    6-Aug-2009

    Virgin Media lost twice as many customers as expected in the second quarter but kept revenues flat and in line with market expectations.

  • Jazz FM is fastest growing radio station in UK

    6-Aug-2009

    Jazz FM, still short of its first birthday, added an extra 74,000 listeners, taking it up to 482,000 listeners.

  • Absolute steadies declining audience

    6-Aug-2009

    Absolute Radio steadied its declining audience in the last quarter, but still recorded nearly a third fewer listeners than it had when it was Virgin Radio this time last year.

  • 22 youths to take over 1Xtra

    6-Aug-2009

    BBC 1Xtra and BBC Blast have teamed up to give young people not in education or employment the chance to take over the station’s airwaves for a day.

  • Capital overtakes Heart in London breakfast war

    6-Aug-2009

    A resurgent Capital 95.8 overtook stablemate Heart 106.2 in the Q2 Rajar figures, thanks to a strong performance by its breakfast show.

  • Wogan extends lead over Moyles

    6-Aug-2009

    Sir Terry Wogan extended his ratings lead over breakfast rival Chris Moyles, according to latest Rajar figures, but could not prevent BBC Radio 2 slipping to its lowest share since 2006.

  • Commercial radio closes gap on BBC

    6-Aug-2009

    Commercial radio clawed some audience share back from the BBC in the last quarter, with its overall share rising to 42.7%, from 41.6% in Q1.

  • Quest sets Freeview launch date

    5-Aug-2009

    Discovery Networks UK will finally make its free-to-air debut when it launches Quest on Freeview at the end of September.

  • Oliver makes £6.8m profit

    5-Aug-2009

    One of TV chef Jamie Oliver’s subsidiary companies has made an increased profit of £6.8m last year, up 82%year-on-year, due in part to strong international sales of his television series overseas.

  • Mihir Bose quits BBC

    5-Aug-2009

    BBC sports editor Mihir Bose has quit the corporation after two-and-a-half years for personal reasons.

  • ESPN strikes BT Vision deal in carriage drive

    4-Aug-2009

    ESPN has further expanded the reach of its live Premier League football coverage in the UK after signing a deal with IPTV service BT Vision.

  • Racing UK to resume subscriptions

    4-Aug-2009

    Horse racing channel Racing UK will start taking subscriptions again from 10 August following Setanta Sports’ entry into administration earlier this year.

  • Laycock quits Radio 2 after "disputes"

    4-Aug-2009

    BBC Radio 2’s long standing Sunday night presenter Malcolm Laycock has quit the station after 14 years following a series of “long-running disputes”.

  • Discovery appoints Sky exec as first COO

    4-Aug-2009

    Discovery Networks EMEA has hired BSkyB’s business development manager David Rey for the newly-created post of chief operating officer.

  • Sky Sports escapes fine

    3-Aug-2009

    Sky Sports 1 has escaped a fine from regulator Ofcom over phone vote errors on Soccer AM and Cricket AM.

  • Vaizey: Tories will sell off Radio 1

    3-Aug-2009

    Ed Vaizey has proposed that the BBC should be forced to sell Radio 1 to the highest commercial bidder.

  • Boomerang wins £12m S4C contract

    31-Jul-2009

    Welsh indie Boomerang has received a timely boost by securing a three-year contract with S4C worth £12m.

  • BSkyB to launch 3DTV in 2010

    30-Jul-2009

    BSkyB will become the first broadcaster in Europe to offer 3DTV when it launches the new service next year.

  • Sky 1 orders dancing show to replace Lyrics

    30-Jul-2009

    Sky 1’s schedule under Stuart Murphy is starting to shape up, with a The X Factor-style dancing competition lined up to replace Don’t Forget the Lyrics!

  • Shed Media execs in talks with private equity houses

    30-Jul-2009

    Shed Media’s executive directors have confirmed they held preliminary talks with a number of private equity businesses regarding the possibility of making an offer for the super-indie.

  • UKTV links with Five for travelogue series

    30-Jul-2009

    UKTV has joined forces with Five to co-fund the second series of IWC Media’s Rory McGrath and Paddy McGuinness comedy travelogue.

  • Sky closes in on 10m subscriber target

    30-Jul-2009

    BSkyB has added almost half a million new customers in the year to 30 June, more than at any time in the past five years.

  • Rain Media debuts with Virgin 1 restaurant show

    30-Jul-2009

    Rain Media, the indie set up by former ITV Studios (ITVS) producers Mark Wells and Glen Middleham, has won its first commission - a Virgin 1 series dubbed Hell’s Kitchen meets Come Dine with Me.

  • Barcud Derwen names new chair

    29-Jul-2009

    A London businesswoman has been named group chair of Welsh TV and film facilities company Barcud Derwen.

  • Waddell Media wins double order for BBC NI

    29-Jul-2009

    Waddell Media has won two commissions from BBC Northern Ireland, including a six-part series in which a musician supervises the mentoring of eight musical novices.

  • Virgin Media and ESPN sign carriage deal

    29-Jul-2009

    Virgin Media is to carry ESPN’s standard and HD channels in time for the upcoming Premier League season.

  • Ofcom: UK broadband not up to speed

    28-Jul-2009

    Broadband users do not get the speeds they are paying their providers for, according to a major survey by Ofcom.

  • BBC secures web video deal with newspapers

    28-Jul-2009

    The BBC is to offer some of its news material, free of charge, to four national newspapers for use online.

  • Mark Sammon, Virgin 1

    27-Jul-2009

    The Virgin 1 commissioner admits his channel suffered an identity crisis at first, but now it’s found its place alongside the Virgin brand, he tells Robert Shepherd where it’s going.

  • BT Vision chief eyes Premier League for 2010

    27-Jul-2009

    New BT Vision chief executive Marc Watson said he expects to be able to offer customers the full Sky Sports English Premier League at a reduced price by the start of the 2010-11 season.

  • O’Connell to DJ from Olympic village

    24-Jul-2009

    Absolute Radio’s Christian O’Connell is to broadcast his breakfast show live from the under-construction 2012 Olympic site.

  • Airey: Five still in talks with C4

    23-Jul-2009

    Five chair and chief executive Dawn Airey has reignited the debate about Five’s failed merger with Channel 4 by calling it a “strange” political decision - but has revealed that the broadcasters remain in talks about other opportunities.

  • Axe hangs over US Lyrics and Millionaire

    23-Jul-2009

    RDF Media may face a double blow in the US after it emerged that Fox is considering dropping Don’t Forget the Lyrics! and Secret Millionaire.

  • Living secures rights to US drama Supernatural

    23-Jul-2009

    US drama Supernatural is to move from ITV2 to Living after Virgin Media secured the first-run UK TV rights to series five.

  • Kudos and Generator form Northern Irish JV

    23-Jul-2009

    Kudos Film & Television has teamed up with Northern Ireland film indie Generator Entertainment to form a new joint venture TV production company in Belfast.

  • Setanta slots to be sold

    22-Jul-2009

    Canis Media has been appointed to sell the Setanta Sports-owned EPG slots on the BSkyB platform following the the collapse of the Irish broadcaster’s UK operation last month.

  • Shed Media announces board changes

    22-Jul-2009

    Shed Media has promoted financial and commercial director Jonathon Kemp to chief financial officer as part of a number of board changes.

  • Scott extends Heart contract

    20-Jul-2009

    Harriet Scott has renewed her contract with Heart 106.2 and will continue hosting the breakfast show with Jamie Theakston until 2011.

  • Teletext closure brought forward to 2010

    16-Jul-2009

    Associated Newspapers has brought forward the closure of analogue Teletext services from 2012 to January 2010 next year, following a comprehensive review of the loss-making service.

  • ITV1 to screen unaired Jackson footage

    16-Jul-2009

    ITV1 is to screen previously unaired home video footage of the late pop star Michael Jackson from his friend Uri Geller’s private archive.

  • MacDonald hires Lamarra for new development role at IWC

    16-Jul-2009

    IWC Media’s new creative director Adam MacDonald has made his first hiring since joining last month, appointing Tiger Aspect’s Ian Lamarra as head of development for global formats.

  • Discovery orders 20 hours on Second World War

    16-Jul-2009

    Discovery Channel has commissioned 20 hours of content as part of a season commemorating the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War.

  • Woolfe vows: Five to prosper in two years

    16-Jul-2009

    Five controller Richard Woolfe has vowed to reverse the broadcaster’s fortunes in two years - and insisted he doesn’t need lots of cash to do it.

  • Zig Zag wins major ESPN order

    15-Jul-2009

    Zig Zag Productions is to produce 30 hours of archive-based content for ESPN Classic as part of US broadcaster ESPN’s biggest ever single commission outside of the Premier League deal.

  • Boomerang in profits warning

    15-Jul-2009

    Welsh indie Boomerang Plus has warned that profits for the year ending May 2009 will be materially below market expectations.

  • Done and Dusted makes Neil Diamond doc for CBS

    14-Jul-2009

    Done and Dusted is producing an intimate 60-minute prime-time Neil Diamond special for US network CBS.  

  • Moyles accuses BBC of being dull

    14-Jul-2009

    BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris has hit out at the BBC for making dull programmes on purpose so as not to offend anyone.

  • Widdecombe joins LBC

    13-Jul-2009

    LBC 97.3 has hired Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe MP to host her own weekday morning radio show while regular host James O’Brien is on holiday.

  • Virgin Media adds four HD channels

    13-Jul-2009

    Virgin Media customers will be able to watch the likes of Dexter in high-definition after the cable company said it would four new HD channels this month.

  • Above the Title to produce new O'Connell show

    10-Jul-2009

    Radio and TV indie Above the Title has won the race to produce a new BBC Radio 5 live comedy strand featuring Christian O’Connell.

  • UKTV to air Channel 4 shows

    9-Jul-2009

    UKTV will enter a new era this summer after signing a landmark deal giving it access to almost 200 hours of Channel 4 content.

  • Kemp signs Sky 1’s first golden handcuffs deal

    9-Jul-2009

    Sky 1 has signed its first golden handcuffs deal with channel face Ross Kemp, who will front 12 x 60-minute programmes over the next two years.

  • Wag TV explores X-Machines for Discovery EMEA

    9-Jul-2009

    Wag TV is making a series about extraordinary machines for Discovery Networks EMEA, described as “Transformers meets Thunderbirds on an immense scale”.

  • Motive names digital CEO

    7-Jul-2009

    Motive Television has appointed Leonard Fertig as an executive director and founding CEO of its DTT technology acquisitions arm Motive Digital with immediate effect.

  • NBC plans to ditch Hallmark UK brand

    25-Jun-2009

    NBC Universal is working on plans to replace Hallmark Channel in the UK with Universal Channel as part of a shake-up of its portfolio.

  • Nick Southgate, Shed Media

    18-Jun-2009

    The Shed Media boss talks to Robert Shepherd about ‘flying’ on both sides of the Atlantic, working with a US television legend and whether a management buyout is still on the cards.

  • Broadcast preview: Nick Southgate, Shed Media

    17-Jun-2009

    The Shed Media boss talks to Robert Shepherd about ‘flying’ on both sides of the Atlantic, working with a US television legend and whether a management buyout is still on the cards

  • Shed lands Seinfeld for landmark commission

    28-May-2009

    Shed Media has landed the contract for its US arm to produce an NBC Universal show devised and executive produced by comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld.

  • Wanted: less talk and more action

    28-May-2009

    The industry has had its fill of empty promises about DAB and digital switchover, but now’s the time to put these plans into action, according to radio bosses.

  • Martina Cole, crime author

    28-May-2009

    UK crime fiction’s leading lady talks to Robert Shepherd about exec’ing on Sky 1’s adaptation of her novel, The Take, taking on TV production and why a lot of crime drama on TV is ‘shit’.

  • Phil Riley buys eight Global radio stations

    22-May-2009

    Global Radio has sold eight of its Midlands radio licenses to former Chrysalis Radio chief radio Phil Riley and Lloyds TSB Development Capital for an undisclosed sum.

  • Low cost radio ads need push

    21-May-2009

    RADIO 3.0: The Central Office of Information’s director of channel integration management Corrine Purton has attacked the radio industry for not plugging “low entry cost advertising” when it competes with TV.

  • NBC sets out major overhaul of UK channels

    21-May-2009

    NBC Universal is planning a major UK shake-up that could see most of the channels it acquired from Sparrowhawk Media disappear.

  • Give us the WoCC, radio indies tell BBC management

    21-May-2009

    Radio indies are urging the BBC to extend the Window of Creative Commission to its radio output.

  • Hunniford to study angels for Sky Real Lives

    20-May-2009

    Gloria Hunniford will explore the phenomenon of guardian angels and angelic power as part of a major series for Sky Real Lives.

  • Fifth Gear signs AFP deal with Dunlop

    20-May-2009

    North One has signed a special advertiser-funded deal with tyre manufacturer Dunlop to sponsor for a unique episode of its popular series Fifth Gear.

  • Virgin Media finance director to step down

    19-May-2009

    Virgin Media chief financial officer Jerry Elliott has resigned from the company due to family health reasons.

  • Tern hires Donal MacIntyre producer for Belfast office

    19-May-2009

    Tern Television has continued the expansion of its Northern Ireland office, Tern Belfast, with the addition of producer David Malone.

  • Spice Girl to stand in for Theakston on Heart

    19-May-2009

    ‘Baby Spice’ Emma Bunton is to co-host Heart Breakfast with Harriet Scott while Jamie Theakston takes a holiday.

  • Branson reduces Virgin Media stake to 6.5%

    18-May-2009

    Sir Richard Branson has significantly reduced his stake in cable company Virgin Media from 10.45% to 6.5%.

  • Virgin 1 to rebrand

    15-May-2009

    Virgin 1 is to unveil a new logo and on- and off-air identity next month.

  • UTV revenue drops 9%

    15-May-2009

    UTV Media, owner of the Northern Ireland ITV franchise, said revenue fell 9% in the four months through April as advertisers cut budgets.

  • Discovery delays Quest

    14-May-2009

    Discovery has further delayed the launch of its Freeview channel Quest.

  • Dawn Porter to front Sky 1 series

    14-May-2009

    Sky 1 has hired Dawn Porter to present an emotional documentary series exploring breast cancer.

  • Rajars drive call to arms on digital switch date

    14-May-2009

    Senior radio figures are hoping the surge in digital listening in last week’s Rajars will “force the government to realise it is the platform of the future”.

  • Hollywood picks global vet series for Sky 1 debut

    14-May-2009

    A UK vet will swap British cats and dogs for exotic animals from different continents as part of Clare Hollywood’s first original commission for Sky 1.

  • Richard Park, Global Radio

    14-May-2009

    Global Radio’s director of broadcasting Richard Park tells Robert Shepherd why he remains upbeat about the future of commercial radio despite competition from the BBC and online.

  • UKTV unveils Good Food rebrand

    13-May-2009

    UKTV has licensed the Good Food name from shareholder BBC Worldwide and will use it for its tenth and final channel rebrand when it replaces UKTV Food next month.

  • Jane Root resurfaces with new indie

    12-May-2009

    Jane Root has formed her own production company, Nutopia, and has won a major commission from History US.

  • Liverpool's City Talk to change format

    12-May-2009

    Ofcom has granted City Talk 105.9 in Liverpool permission to change its format and play music - but has imposed a number of conditions.

  • Sky airs Project Canvas objections

    12-May-2009

    BSkyB has attacked the BBC Trust’s decision to not carry out a full market review on the BBC, ITV and BT broadband joint venture Project Canvas.

  • Chris Evans scoops two awards at Sonys

    12-May-2009

    BBC2 Radio DJ Chris Evans picked up two gongs at the Sony Radio Academy Awards last night (11 May).

  • Global Radio anticipates profits

    12-May-2009

    Global Radio has forecasted steady underlying profits of £31m in the year to March, despite an 18% drop in advertising.

  • More than third of UK listens to digital radio

    7-May-2009

    Rajars: Over a third of the UK population now listens to digital radio, according to the latest Rajar figures.

  • Commercial radio share drops 40%

    7-May-2009

    Rajars: Commercial radio saw its share of listening drop in the last quarter to 41.6%, according to latest Rajar results.

  • Absolute claws back audience

    7-May-2009

    Absolute Radio, which re-branded from Virgin Radio last year, has clawed back some of the audience it lost in its first Rajars but is still down nearly a third-year-on-year.

  • Capital's Vaughan retains London breakfast crown

    7-May-2009

    95.8 Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon have claimed a hat-trick after being crowned number one London commercial breakfast show for the third time in a row.

  • Moyles closes gap on Wogan

    7-May-2009

    Rajars: BBC Radio 1's Chris Moyles closed the gap on Radio 2 stablemate and breakfast rival Terry Wogan with an audience rise to 7.7m from 7.3m, according to latest Rajar figures.

  • Zig Zag builds on Dyer brand with fourth series for Bravo

    6-May-2009

    Zig Zag Productions will send Cockney actor Danny Dyer to live with some of Britain's most feared men in the follow-up to Bravo's best performing commission of 2008.

  • Comedy to feature in BBC Radio cricket coverage

    6-May-2009

    BBC Radio has unveiled its plans for the summer of cricket, which includes a six-part comedy hosted by comic Andy Zaltzman.

  • Vic Wakeling to retire from BSkyB

    6-May-2009

    Vic Wakeling, BSkyB's managing director, sport and news, is to retire after 20 years at the broadcaster.

  • C4 forecasts 18% drop in TV ad revenues

    6-May-2009

    Channel 4 has estimated TV advertising revenues will decrease by 18% in the first half of 2009 and will cut its editorial budget by 10% in a bid to insure itself.

  • Bauer and Global lead commercial radio awards

    6-May-2009

    Bauer Radio and Global Radio lead the way in the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards nominations, with 12 and 11 nominations respectively.

  • ITV shows seen by 4m using Virgin Media catch-up

    5-May-2009

    ITV shows accessed via Virgin Media's on-demand service attracted 4 million views in their first full month.

  • Virgin Media beats forecasts with 7,100 new customers

    5-May-2009

    Virgin Media beat analyst forecasts by adding 7,100 net new customers in the first quarter of 2009.

  • Programme chiefs face cull at Global Radio

    1-May-2009

    The programme controller of the Gold network and the programme director of Xfm are understood to be among up to 30 casualties in the latest round of Global Radio job cuts.

  • Oprah's McCanns interview to air in UK

    30-Apr-2009

    Oprah Winfrey's interview with the parents of missing child Madeleine McCann is to be screened in the UK just a day after airing in the US.

  • Grade backs radical regional news plan

    30-Apr-2009

    Michael Grade today backed Ofcom's call for independently-funded news consortia to deliver regional services, but warned that decisions were needed quickly for the sake of local news.

  • BSkyB profits up as customers flock to HD

    30-Apr-2009

    BSkyB reported increased profit in the third quarter and added 80,000 net new customers due to increased interest in its high-definition service.

  • Sky Arts goes backstage with Godot stars

    29-Apr-2009

    Sky Arts will go backstage at Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in what it claims is the first behind-the-scenes documentary series set in a major West End playhouse.

  • Jim Davidson back on TV at Virgin 1

    29-Apr-2009

    Jim Davidson, who was booted off 2007's Hell's Kitchen for alleged homophobia, is to make a shock return to TV in a one-off for Virgin 1.

  • Blog: Chris Moyles - enough is enough

    28-Apr-2009

    Paul Gambaccini has launched a fresh attack on Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles. But is he right to call the breakfast jock a 'bully', asks Robert Shepherd.

  • Wurzer named new Living commissioning editor

    28-Apr-2009

    Living has hired Target TV's head of development as a commissioning editor for the channel.

  • UBC predicts profits above market expectations

    28-Apr-2009

    Radio content supplier UBC Media Group said this morning (28 April) it expected its full-year operating loss to be narrower than market estimates following improved trading in the last quarter.

  • BSkyB to launch on-demand ad service

    28-Apr-2009

    BSkyB viewers will be given the option to watch extended commercials via their green button when the satellite giant launches an on-demand advertising service in June.

  • BBC may share resources with local news services

    27-Apr-2009

    The BBC is expected to unveil proposals for a deal with local news services that would see it share resources with newspapers, TV and radio stations for the first time.

  • Bauer's Vidler to leave for EMI

    24-Apr-2009

    Bauer Media chief marketing officer Andria Vidler has been named president of EMI Music UK and Ireland.

  • Sky 1's Murphy to kick off with sports show

    22-Apr-2009

    One of incoming Sky 1 director of programmes Stuart Murphy's first jobs will be to commission a They Think It's All Over-style comedy sports panel show.

  • Ian Wright for Sky 1 young offenders show

    22-Apr-2009

    Ian Wright will offer young offenders the chance to become professional footballers in a 6 x 60-minute series for Sky 1.

  • McKeown set to return to Mumbai for BBC1 drama

    22-Apr-2009

    Allan McKeown, the creator of Mumbai Calling, plans to return to the Indian city to adapt a six-part period drama for BBC1 based on a bestselling novel.

  • Switching on the YouTube viewers

    22-Apr-2009

    The Susan Boyle phenomenon illustrates how web video clips are cross-fertilising with TV programmes and bringing in a wider audience.

  • STV bosses take pay cut

    22-Apr-2009

    Senior bosses at STV Group have taken voluntary pay cuts of up to 20% until the end of the year and have hired former Channel 4 chief executive Michael Jackson.

  • Alex Zane to leave Xfm

    21-Apr-2009

    DJ Alex Zane is to hang up his headphones at Xfm after two years of hosting the breakfast show.

  • Morgan Stanley downgrades BSkyB share rating

    21-Apr-2009

    BSkyB analyst Morgan Stanley has cut its rating on the satellite giant's stock, trimming its price target from 570p to 460p.

  • Moyles reassures R1 listeners he is there to stay

    20-Apr-2009

    BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ Chris Moyles used this morning's show to reassure listeners he “ain't going anywhere” following reports over the weekend that he faces the sack.

  • House to move to Sky 1

    20-Apr-2009

    US medical drama House is to move from Five to Sky 1 after the satellite broadcaster secured the first run UK TV rights to series five.

  • Gordon Brown urges 'essential' digital investment

    17-Apr-2009

    Digital Britain: The prime minister, Gordon Brown, has called for a strong digital infrastructure in order to secure the future of the UK econony.

  • Indies bank on Woolfe spending at Five

    15-Apr-2009

    Indies expect Five to swing back into action with incoming channel controller Richard Woolfe splashing the cash on a handful of statement shows.

  • Jetix merger prompts Disney executives' exit

    15-Apr-2009

    Disney Channels EMEA general manager Michael Cairns and vice-president, global original programming Steve Aranguren have both left as part of its integration with Jetix Europe.

  • TalkSport confirms Brand and Gallagher show

    15-Apr-2009

    TalkSport has confirmed that Russell Brand will make a return to radio with a new football show co-hosted with Noel Gallagher.

  • Dan Korn, Discovery UK

    15-Apr-2009

    The Broadcast Interview

  • TLRC urges shareholders to reject UKRD takeover bid

    15-Apr-2009

    The Local Radio Company (TLRC) has urged shareholders to reject a£1.44m bid from rival UKRD Group, saying it has found an alternative capital injection.

  • Sky 1 acquires Stargate Universe

    7-Apr-2009

    Video: Sky 1 has snapped up the latest edition of the Stargate franchise, SGU: Stargate Universe, starring British actor Robert Carlyle.

  • Virgin Media inks deal with Netplay TV

    7-Apr-2009

    Interactive gaming company NetPlay TV has secured a deal with Virgin Media TV to take over production of the 'Challenge Jackpot' brand, including its television channel and website.

  • Former Xfm chief to run Bauer's Scottish stations

    7-Apr-2009

    Bauer Media has named Graham Bryce, a former head of London station Xfm, as managing director of its Scottish radio stations.

  • Moyles to defend Sony title

    7-Apr-2009

    Outspoken BBC Radio 1 host Chris Moyles has been given the chance to defend his best breakfast show title after being shortlisted in the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

  • Tony Jordan awards writer prize

    6-Apr-2009

    Video tape technician Mark Wilkinson has won the Red Planet Pictures' new writers initiative for 2008, The Red Planet Prize, while the winning script for 2007 is currently in development at the BBC.

  • Burnham to report on Everton for Talk Sport

    3-Apr-2009

    Media secretary Andy Burnham is to appear on Talk Sport as a football reporter for the Premier League game between Everton and Wigan Athletic.

  • Playboy fined£22.5k for hardcore broadcast

    2-Apr-2009

    Playboy TV has been fined£22,500 for broadcasting unencrypted explicit 'adult material'.

  • Shed hails US progress after bumper results

    2-Apr-2009

    Shed Media has earmarked the US as the place for future growth with 30% of its gross profit now coming from across the Atlantic.

  • BBC3 goes to Manchester for fresh pair of sitcoms

    1-Apr-2009

    Nigel Havers is the unlikely star of one of a pair of new BBC3 comedy series from Manchester indies.

  • Back 2 Back first deal for Shaps' indie network

    1-Apr-2009

    Simon Shaps has struck a deal with producer Back 2 Back in his first step to creating a “virtual super-indie”.

  • TV order for Whitehouse- Higson radio comedy

    1-Apr-2009

    Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson's spoof phone-in show Down the Line is the latest Radio 4 show to transfer to TV.

  • BBC1 series for Dead Ringers star

    1-Apr-2009

    BBC1 is to air a pre-watershed comedy series featuring Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw.

  • Virgin Media's Sit-Up TV sold to German company

    1-Apr-2009

    Virgin Media has sold its Sit-Up TV business to Munich-based Aurelius for an undisclosed fee.

  • Five orders Simon Cowell and Michael Jackson docs

    1-Apr-2009

    Five has ordered two more 60-minute fast turnaround docs from Zig Zag Productions on Michael Jackson and Simon Cowell.

  • Living acquires US version of 10 Years Younger

    1-Apr-2009

    MipTV: Living has acquired nearly 200 episodes of 10 Years Younger US from Target Entertainment Group.

  • Entertainment Rights saved in rescue deal

    1-Apr-2009

    Entertainment Rights has been placed in administration and its trading subsidiaries immediately sold to Boomerang Media, a US-based IP group set up by former Classic Media execs.

  • Byrne to launch new Yorkshire TV/radio indie

    31-Mar-2009

    Just weeks after ITV said it was to mothball Yorkshire Television's legendary Kirkstall Road Studios, a new cross-platform company has been formed called Made in Yorkshire Productions.

  • BBC2 orders improv comedy series

    31-Mar-2009

    The improvisational skills of young comedians will be put to the test in real-life scenarios for a new BBC2 series.

  • Kudos working on BBC pirate drama

    30-Mar-2009

    MipTV: Kudos is developing two major drama series for the BBC, including a swashbuckling pirate adventure with a modern feel.

  • Ofcom backs C4 religious shows

    23-Mar-2009

    Channel 4's religious programming has been boosted by Ofcom rejecting almost 40 complaints against The Qur'an and Christianity: a History.

  • New Knight Rider revs up for Sci Fi UK

    23-Mar-2009

    The revival of Knight Rider and Dollhouse, the latest show from Buffy creator Joss Whedon, will air on Sci Fi in the UK.

  • Heart launches 12 new stations

    23-Mar-2009

    Global Radio-owned Heart will today (23 March) complete the second phase of its national roll-out by launching 12 new stations across the south west.

  • Sky to appeal ITV stake decision - again

    20-Mar-2009

    The saga of BSkyB's controversial 17.9% stake in ITV is set to rumble on after the satellite broadcaster was cleared to make another appeal against being forced to dramatically reduce its holding.

  • Discovery Shed launches

    20-Mar-2009

    Discovery Shed, the channel aimed at “men who like to get their hands dirty”, launched on satellite and cable today.

  • TV charity gets£1m donation

    20-Mar-2009

    Industry charity Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund has received a£1m cash injection from the Albert R. Broccoli and Dana Broccoli Foundation.

  • BBC says Yes to the Pet Shop Boys

    19-Mar-2009

    BBC Worldwide will celebrate over 20 years of the Pet Shop Boys with a retrospective on the band's career-defining moments on BBC shows.

  • Needham hunts celeb shows for Biography Channel

    18-Mar-2009

    The Biography Channel has hired Unicorn TV founder Delissa Needham to build its -celebrity-based programming slate.

  • Prospect hires Bickley to broaden range

    18-Mar-2009

    Prospect Pictures creative director Todd Austin has made Betty executive Sam Bickley his first strategic appointment since he joined the indie 18 months ago.

  • £1m show up for grabs as Scissorhands axed

    18-Mar-2009

    BBC3 has axed Celebrity Scissorhands and put aside£1m to create a “channel-defining” stripped event for the autumn.

  • Five to close finance section

    18-Mar-2009

    Five is understood to be closing its programme finance department to save money.

  • Disney names Hardie replacement

    17-Mar-2009

    Disney has promoted Italy chief Giorgio Stock to executive vice president and managing director, Disney Channels EMEA following John Hardie's defection to ITN.

  • Virgin Media may shut down Trouble to extend Living

    17-Mar-2009

    Virgin Media TV is considering closing its teenage-skewed pay channel Trouble as a means of accommodating another Living-branded channel.

  • Pardew apologises for rape comment

    17-Mar-2009

    BBC Match of the Day 2 pundit Alan Pardew has issued an unconditional apology for comparing a tackle by Chelsea's Michael Essien on Sunday (15 March) to a rape.

  • GMG opposes C4-BBCW merger

    17-Mar-2009

    The proposed bailout of Channel 4 via a tie-up with BBC Worldwide would have a 'damaging effect' on the commercial market, GMG has warned.

  • Senior promotions at Fireworks

    16-Mar-2009

    Fireworks International, the TV distribution arm of ContentFilm, has promoted Jonathan Ford to executive vice-president, digital acquisitions and distribution as part of a senior-level shake-up.

  • Global Radio rejects Ofcom warning

    16-Mar-2009

    Global Radio has rejected the ‘yellow card' it was handed by Ofcom after one of its stations was adjudged to have played the wrong style of music.

  • BBC to test hour-long version of The One Show

    11-Mar-2009

    BBC1 will trial an hour-long version of The One Show next month that could see it shake up its mid-week schedule.

  • Bigwigs join DCD to form Scottish indie

    11-Mar-2009

    DCD Media has created a new indie by teaming up with six senior figures from the Scottish production community.

  • ITV calls for factual at 9pm

    11-Mar-2009

    Factual Commissioning Forum: ITV controller of documentaries and current affairs Jeff Anderson said the broadcaster was searching for up-market factual content for 9pm - traditionally filled by drama.

  • Discovery's Korn calls for more celebrity-led series

    11-Mar-2009

    Factual Commissioning Forum: Discovery Channel is seeking to invest in celebrity-led series - but only when the celebrity has a connection with the subject matter.

  • BBC2's Hadlow chasing impact, not ratings

    11-Mar-2009

    Factual Commissioning Forum: BBC2 controller Janice Hadlow has said she is more interested in commissioning shows with impact than crowd pleasers.

  • Fitness TV to launch on Sky

    10-Mar-2009

    The UK's first digital TV channel dedicated to health and fitness will go live on the BSkyB platform later this year.

  • R2's Shennan to outline vision at Salford event

    10-Mar-2009

    BBC Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan is expected to reveal his ambitions for the station at an indie-run conference in Manchester this month.

  • Bennett: BBC should not give C4 money

    9-Mar-2009

    Director of BBC Vision Jana Bennett has said the BBC should do everything it can to help Channel 4 - except give it money.

  • Darroch: Gap between free and pay-TV growing

    9-Mar-2009

    BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch has warned free-to-air broadcasters that the gap between what viewers can get for free compared to what they can get with pay TV “will keep growing fast”.

  • UKTV joins Sky Player

    5-Mar-2009

    BSkyB's online TV subscription service Sky Player has added six channels, including two from UKTV.

  • Living unveil Jade's wedding preparations

    5-Mar-2009

    Video: Living has released footage from the latest instalment of its reality series with terminally ill celebrity Jade Goody, based around preparations for her wedding to partner Jack Tweed.

  • Discovery to sell Quest overnight airtime

    4-Mar-2009

    Discovery's Freeview channel Quest is set to air only from 10am to midnight when it launches in May, with the rest of the airtime likely to be sub-let to third parties.

  • BBC1 tracks kids medical teams

    4-Mar-2009

    BBC1 will follow the mobile intensive care teams that move critically ill children to specialist hospitals in a major prime-time series.

  • Malcolm Wall quits Virgin Media

    4-Mar-2009

    Malcolm Wall, chief executive officer of Virgin Media's content division, is to stand down.

  • UKTV's Wright to seek out Sky's next big things

    4-Mar-2009

    UKTV's Sarah Wright will be tasked with finding the next Lost and Battlestar Galactica after being named head of acquisitions for Sky 1, 2 and 3.

  • Waddell gets a kick out of Bruce Lee deal

    4-Mar-2009

    Waddell Media has secured a major commission from History US and Biography Channel UK/EMEA to make a two-hour special on Bruce Lee.

  • Richard Deverell lands deputy role at BBC North

    4-Mar-2009

    Controller of BBC children's programmes Richard Deverell has secured the number two job at the corporation's new broadcasting and production centre in Salford Quays.

  • BBCW investigation delayed

    4-Mar-2009

    The BBC Trust is to delay publishing its report on the commercial activities of BBC Worldwide until the wider PSB debate has been completed.

  • City Talk applies for format change

    3-Mar-2009

    Liverpool's City Talk 105.9 is hoping to introduce music and share programming with other Bauer-owned stations following a recent change in format rules.

  • Setanta/ITV may delay FA Cup payments

    3-Mar-2009

    Setanta and ITV are seeking to renegotiate the terms of contracts worth£425m for their FA Cup coverage due to financial pressures.

  • UKTV to go Dancing with the Stars

    3-Mar-2009

    UKTV has bought the exclusive British broadcast rights to the eighth series of US series Dancing with the Stars.

  • No rematch for University Challenge losers

    2-Mar-2009

    The Manchester team that lost this year's University Challenge are taking their defeat in good grace despite an investigation by the BBC into claims that one of the winning team was ineligible to compete.

  • Boomerang flies in the face of downturn

    27-Feb-2009

    Boomerang Plus, the Welsh indie behind Channel 4 series Freesports on 4, posted a strong first-half profit of£754,000, up from£48,000 last year.

  • London job cuts on the horizon at Discovery EMEA

    25-Feb-2009

    Discovery Networks EMEA is to “decentralise” some of its London-based support services, affecting between 20 and 30 staff.

  • BBC3 gets weighty with diet-and-dilemma docs

    25-Feb-2009

    BBC3 is to tackle some of the major issues facing young women - ranging from diets and plastic surgery to rehab and abortion.

  • Five poised to slash third of workforce

    25-Feb-2009

    Five is expected to announce it is cutting around a third of its workforce next week.

  • Living to air Jade Goody wedding in March

    25-Feb-2009

    Living will air Jade Goody's wedding to Jack Tweed in two parts next month, it has confirmed.

  • Virgin Media may decide TV channels sale this week

    25-Feb-2009

    Virgin Media is to decide on whether to offload its content division imminently, according to reports.

  • Virgin Media Q4 results in line with forecasts

    25-Feb-2009

    Virgin Media has reported a fourth-quarter net loss of£241m compared with£163.2m year-on-year.

  • Ban lifted on radio format changes

    24-Feb-2009

    Ofcom's radio licensing committee has lifted the ban on broadcasters changing the format of a station within two years of its launch.

  • Yesterday to launch in March

    24-Feb-2009

    UKTV History has set the launch date for its rebrand as the 'more accessible' Yesterday.

  • Discovery's Freeview channel to launch in May

    23-Feb-2009

    Discovery Networks UK has set the launch date for its first ever Freeview channel, Quest.

  • Man on Wire team reveal next project

    23-Feb-2009

    Fresh from their Oscar success for Man on Wire, indie Wall to Wall and director James Marsh are working on another original documentary collaboration - this time focusing on the world of dreams.

  • Buzz Aldrin to land in Brighton

    23-Feb-2009

    Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, is travelling to Brighton for BBC Woldwide's annual Showcase promoting new drama Moonshot, which has already sold to five countries.

  • Oscar success for Film 4's Slumdog

    23-Feb-2009

    Film 4 scooped an incredible eight Oscars in Los Angeles last night, including best motion picture for Slumdog Millionaire.

  • Murphy lands top job at Sky 1

    20-Feb-2009

    TwoFour Broadcast creative director Stuart Murphy has been named director of programmes for Sky 1, Sky 2 and Sky 3.

  • Sky 1 to follow credit crunch strippers group

    18-Feb-2009

    Sky 1 will say “balls to the recession” as it follow six jobless would-be male strippers who are attempting to put on a saucy show to raise some much-needed cash.

  • MTV hands 500 hours of content to Remedy

    18-Feb-2009

    Indie Remedy Productions has won a contract to produce up to 500 hours of short-form content for MTV Networks UK that was previously made in-house.

  • BBC2 challenges celebrity chefs to make money

    18-Feb-2009

    BBC2 will ask TV chefs to prove themselves in a busy restaurant in a spin-off of Reef TV's Put Your Money Where your Mouth Is.

  • Fast-turnaround docs: When time is of the essence

    18-Feb-2009

    Five says it would air one every week if if could, but why are fast-turnaround films so popular, and what does it take to have a hit? Robert Shepherd and Robin Parker report

  • Sky 1 exec poached by Fox

    18-Feb-2009

    The acquisitions chief who brought Lost, Prison Break and Fringe to Sky 1 has been hired by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.

  • Shed Media chairman to leave

    18-Feb-2009

    Shed Media non-executive chairman Katherine Innes Ker is to step down from the board after four years.

  • Living secures TV rights to Jade Goody's wedding

    18-Feb-2009

    Living is to broadcast Jade Goody's wedding to Jack Tweed, which takes place this weekend.

  • Honeybone to tickle funny bone at Dai4Films

    17-Feb-2009

    Welsh indie Dai4Films has appointed stand-up comic Frank Honeybone as its head of comedy development.

  • Living to probe haunted celebrity homes

    17-Feb-2009

    Living TV will help Freddie Starr rid his home of unwanted spirits in the second series of paranormal show Living with the Dead.

  • Sky to replace 90,000 HD boxes

    16-Feb-2009

    BSkyB is to replace 90,000 of its Sky+ HD boxes after an assembly flaw was identified in a “small minority” of the boxes manufactured by Pace.

  • Video: Discovery Channel unveils rebrand

    16-Feb-2009

    Discovery Channel has rolled out its new on-air look in the UK, celebrating over 80 new series and 500 hours of original programming on the channel.

  • Poker Channel deals out live stream

    12-Feb-2009

    Pan-European broadcaster The Poker Channel has launched a free live stream on its website and expanded its on-demand video catalogue.

  • Paramount Comedy to rebrand in April

    11-Feb-2009

    Paramount Comedy is to be re-named Comedy Central and will place a fresh emphasis on original UK commissions.

  • Discovery slate to build on its US-style rebrand

    11-Feb-2009

    Discovery Channel UK is set to usher in a raft of programming with a new logo and redesigned programming menus.

  • Hardie to run Jetix Europe

    11-Feb-2009

    Disney Channel exec John Hardie has been appointed chief executive officer of subsidiary Jetix Europe.

  • BBC4 to trace seminal year in jazz

    10-Feb-2009

    BBC4 will go back to 1959 to celebrate to celebrate arguably the most creative year in all of jazz history.

  • Mark Story quits Bauer Radio

    10-Feb-2009

    Bauer Radio's managing director of national brands Mark Story will leave the company at the end of the month.

  • MTV launches world music project

    9-Feb-2009

    MTV Networks International has launched two music initiatives aimed at connecting fans with established and emerging acts on the world music scene.

  • Wall to Wall and Aardman scoop Baftas

    9-Feb-2009

    Wall to Wall's docu-drama Man on Wire scooped the outstanding British film gong as Channel 4-backed Slumdog Millionaire picked up seven awards at a bumper night for Brits at last night's Baftas.

  • BSkyB seals more Premier League rights

    6-Feb-2009

    BSkyB has tightened its grip on English football after winning a fifth package of live Premier League rights for 2010-2013 and leaving Setanta Sports with just one.

  • Clarkson apologises for PM insult

    6-Feb-2009

    Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has apologised after he described premier Gordon Brown as 'a one-eyed Scottish idiot'.

  • BBC radio given a year to control costs

    6-Feb-2009

    BBC radio shows cost 'significantly' more than its commercial rivals, mainly due to large salaries paid to its presenters, the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed.

  • Video: Jeremy Darroch

    4-Feb-2009

    BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch talks to Robert Shepherd about 20 years of Sky.

  • The Broadcast Interview: Jeremy Darroch

    4-Feb-2009

    As BSkyB celebrates 20 years, its chief executive talks to Robert Shepherd about how teamwork and a willingness to take risks help it keep pace with a fast-changing market.

  • Darren Gough quits 5 Live for Talksport

    30-Jan-2009

    England and Yorkshire cricketing legend Darren Gough has quit BBC Radio 5 Live to join TalkSport as a presenter on its popular Bowtime drivetime show.

  • DCMS throws weight behind digital radio

    29-Jan-2009

    Digital Britain: The DCMS has given a shot in the arm to DAB digital radio by promoting it as a primary way of listening to the medium in the future.

  • Vaughan retains London crown

    29-Jan-2009

    RAJAR 4Q08: 95.8 Capital FM DJ Johnny Vaughan is still the most popular commercial radio host in London, according to Q4 Rajar figures.

  • Moyles wins back listeners

    29-Jan-2009

    RAJAR 4Q08: BBC Radio 1 breakfast host Chris Moyles regained some of the listeners he lost over recent quarters, by clocking 7.3m listeners in the latest set of Rajar figures.

  • Chaos and cost fuel VoD piracy

    29-Jan-2009

    A fragmented video-on-demand (VoD) market, combined with overpriced content, is pushing viewers towards illegal downloads, according to new research.

  • Digital radio figures up 35%

    29-Jan-2009

    RAJAR Q408: Take up of DAB has increased by 35% year-on-year during Q4 2008, according to Rajar figures for Q4 2008.

  • Barack Obama boosts R4

    29-Jan-2009

    RAJAR 4Q08: BBC Radio 4's breakfast show boosted its listenership by 490,000 in the last three months, partly credited to its coverage of US president Barack Obama and the global recession.

  • GMG Radio lines up six blasts from music's past

    28-Jan-2009

    GMG Radio has ordered six major music documentaries from three indies. Smooth Operations will make The Pacific Coast Sound, a nine-part series about the influence of the US west coast on music over the years. It will air from 18 April.

  • Zig Zag lands Five doc deal

    28-Jan-2009

    Five has signed a fast turnaround output deal with Zig Zag Productions for six popular culture documentaries, three of which are for the Where Did it All Go Right? strand.

  • Ballard builds team for 10 Star indie

    28-Jan-2009

    Bea Ballard has hired three “core team members” for her recently launched indie 10 Star Enter-tainment.

  • Paul Jackson to run Eyeworks UK

    28-Jan-2009

    Former ITV director of entertainment and comedy Paul Jackson is to be parachuted in as chief executive officer of indie Eyeworks UK.

  • BSkyB to create 1,000 jobs

    28-Jan-2009

    BSkyB beat forecasts with 171,000 net new customers in the second quarter of 2008 and said it would create around 1,000 jobs as a result.

  • Launch date set for Blighty

    27-Jan-2009

    UKTV has revealed the launch date of Blighty, the brand that will replace UKTV People.

  • More than 100 complaints for Ross' OAP gag

    27-Jan-2009

    Jonathan Ross's controversial OAP sex joke on his return to Radio 2 last Saturday (24 January) led to just over 100 complaints, the BBC said.

  • Shennan named Radio 2 boss

    27-Jan-2009

    Former Radio 5 Live controller Bob Shennan is to return to the BBC as controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, following the resignation of Lesley Douglas in the wake of the Sachsgate scandal last year.

  • Sci Fi HD prepares for launch

    26-Jan-2009

    NBC Universal will tonight (26 January) launch a high-definition version of the Sci Fi channel in the UK.

  • BBC under pressure to air Gaza appeal

    26-Jan-2009

    The BBC has come under renewed pressure yesterday (25 Jan) to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza after senior politicians urged a review of the decision.

  • Sky joins BBC in Gaza appeal ban

    26-Jan-2009

    Sky News has joined the BBC in its decision not broadcast the proposed charity appeal for Gaza tonight.

  • BBC NHU boss returns to programme-making

    23-Jan-2009

    Neil Nightingale is to stand down as head of the BBC's Natural History Unit to return to programme-making.

  • The Bill to move to 9pm

    23-Jan-2009

    The Bill is to become ITV's first year-round 9pm drama, but will be cut from 96 episodes a year to 52.

  • Man on Wire leads bumper Oscar nominations

    23-Jan-2009

    Wall to Wall's critically-acclaimed first cinema release, Man on Wire, has been shortlisted for an Oscar - one of 19 nominations for films funded by UK broadcasters.

  • Brooke leaves Discovery UK

    20-Jan-2009

    Discovery Networks UK managing director Dan Brooke is leaving the broadcaster after four years.

  • Sky Arts plans backstage opera simulcast

    20-Jan-2009

    Sky Arts has teamed up with the English National Opera to simulcast Puccini's classic opera La bohème from both sides of the curtain.

  • Virgin Media mulls UK listing

    20-Jan-2009

    Virgin Media is considering de-listing from New York's NASDAQ stock exchange and switching to the FTSE in London.

  • UKTV agrees Lonely Planet tie-up

    20-Jan-2009

    UKTV has inked a deal for BBC Worldwide-owned travel publisher Lonely Planet to sponsor the Adventure & Exploration strand on its soon-to-launch factual channel Eden.

  • Setanta to offer football on demand

    19-Jan-2009

    Setanta Sports has launched a VoD service that will make its Premier League matches available for up to a week after they are played.

  • Sunset + Vine wins Euro Badminton contract

    16-Jan-2009

    Sunset + Vine has won the contract to both produce and distribute the European Badminton Championships for the next two years.

  • Dave to get Argumental again

    16-Jan-2009

    Dave has ordered a second series of the John Sergeant-hosted panel show Argumental.

  • Sky frees up HD channel space

    14-Jan-2009

    Broadcasters will finally be able to apply to launch new channels on BSkyB after the satellite company developed software to free up capacity to launch HD channels.

  • BT Vision signs Living on-demand deal

    14-Jan-2009

    BT Vision has inked a pay-per-view deal with Virgin Media TV to showcase more than 25 Living shows.

  • LBC's Ferrari to cover Obama inauguration

    14-Jan-2009

    LBC 97.3 breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari will broadcast live from the US later this month to cover Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.

  • Tern TV hires factual trio

    14-Jan-2009

    Scottish indie Tern TV has bolstered its factual development team with three significant hires from the BBC and RDF Media.

  • VMTV lands first marketing boss

    13-Jan-2009

    Virgin Media TV, the content arm of Virgin Media, has appointed Jeff Dodds to the newly-created role of brand and marketing director.

  • R4 to air Vicious doc

    13-Jan-2009

    BBC Radio 4 will go in search of the real Sid Vicious to mark 30 years since the punk icon's death.

  • Ofcom: Atkinson's bible spoof was not offensive

    12-Jan-2009

    ITV1 has escaped censure from Ofcom despite 540 people complaining after Rowan Atkinson spoofed a bible story during a show to celebrate Prince Charles's 60th birthday.

  • Amnesty calls for award entries

    12-Jan-2009

    Amnesty International is calling for entries for its annual media awards, which recognise journalism that has helped create greater awareness and understanding of human rights issues.

  • Sky shares fall on Goldman downgrade

    9-Jan-2009

    BSkyB was among the heaviest FTSE 100 fallers this morning as its shares dropped 4.4% following a Goldman Sachs downgrade.

  • BBC Persian channel to launch mid-month

    8-Jan-2009

    BBC World Service's Persian language television channel, BBC Persian TV, will go live on Wednesday 14 January.

  • Wheatly in talks to buy Jazz FM

    8-Jan-2009

    The Local Radio Company (TLRC) is in talks to sell Jazz FM to a consortium led by the station's executive chairman Richard Wheatly.

  • Neumann lands permanent VMTV role

    7-Jan-2009

    Daniela Neumann has been named director of programmes for Virgin 1, Bravo, Bravo 2, Challenge and Trouble on a permanent basis.

  • Gaunt attacks Talksport over freedom of expression

    6-Jan-2009

    Ex-TalkSport DJ Jon Gaunt has accused the broadcaster of “blocking freedom of expression” and “preventing listeners from having a voice” following his sacking from the station last year.

  • Gaunt hits out at Talk Sport

    6-Jan-2009

    Ex-Talk Sport DJ Jon Gaunt has accused the broadcaster of “blocking freedom of expression” and “preventing listeners from having a voice” following his sacking from the station last year.

  • Folder Media renames Fun Radio

    5-Jan-2009

    Folder Media has renamed its children's digital radio station Fun Radio as Fun Kids as a part of its rebranding process.

  • UKTV acquires brace of reality shows

    12-Dec-2008

    UKTV has acquired two hit reality lifestyle series from international distributor, Southern Star International - Domestic Blitz and My Restaurant Rules.

  • Hat trick of Golden Globe nominations for Cranford

    11-Dec-2008

    BBC1 period drama Cranford has picked up three nominations in this year's Golden Globe awards.

  • Shaps seeks indies for£5m investment slate

    10-Dec-2008

    Simon Shaps is poised to invest around£5m in a raft of small to medium-sized indie producers, Broadcast can reveal.

  • Opie linked to top DCD job

    10-Dec-2008

    Former Five managing director of content Lisa Opie has emerged as a surprise candidate to be the next chief executive of DCD Media.

  • Discovery hands Korn control of all channels

    10-Dec-2008

    Discovery Networks UK has made head of factual Dan Korn responsible for programming and editorial across the whole UK business.

  • Living follows stars in Rehab

    10-Dec-2008

    Living will track a group of celebrities battling addictions at a California clinic in an observational series from Endemol subsidiary Initial.

  • Sky under fire over plans to show assisted suicide

    10-Dec-2008

    The decision by Sky Real Lives to broadcast the moment a terminally ill man takes his own life through an assisted suicide has been strongly-criticised by anti-euthanasia campaigners.

  • BBC1 orders more Cars, Cops and Criminals

    9-Dec-2008

    BBC1 has ordered a second series of popular factual series Cars, Cops and Criminals after a successful first run over the summer.

  • Roger Daltrey to front Dennis Wilson doc

    9-Dec-2008

    Roger Daltrey, frontman of The Who, will narrate a special one-off documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the death of Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson for BBC Radio 2.

  • Talk Sport fined£20,000 over James Whale broadcast

    8-Dec-2008

    Ofcom has fined Talk Sport£20,000 after presenter James Whale criticised former mayor Ken Livingstone and encouraged listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in a broadcast earlier this year.

  • Skyworks takes in Aerial America

    8-Dec-2008

    Smithsonian Channel is to screen a high definition 'bird's eye view' of the US as part of a major 50-part series co-produced by UK indie Skyworks.

  • Disney to acquire Jetix Europe

    8-Dec-2008

    The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire outstanding shares of pan-European kids entertainment company Jetix Europe for €11 per share.

  • Asian channel fined£35,000

    4-Dec-2008

    Ofcom has fined Asian broadcaster Venus TV£35,000 for a number of 'serious and repeated breaches” of the advertising code.

  • Pact names new members

    4-Dec-2008

    Pact has named the first 12 members of its slimmed down council.

  • iPlayer records nearly 300m views

    4-Dec-2008

    Director of BBC Vision Jana Bennett has highlighted a very successful year for the BBC iPlayer.

  • Discovery to launch crime channel in UK

    3-Dec-2008

    Discovery Networks UK is to take on A&E and Sky's Crime & Investigation Network by launching a 24-hour crime channel with a strong emphasis on original commissions.

  • Gallagher: Shed restructure not linked to credit crunch

    3-Dec-2008

    Gallagher has told Broadcastnow that a top level reshuffle at Shed Media had been planned for some time and was not a reaction to the economic downturn.

  • Doctor Who to regenerate on iTunes

    2-Dec-2008

    The entire back catalogue of the new-look Doctor Who is to be made available for download from iTunes ahead of Christmas.

  • UKTV snares Sparrowhawk exec

    2-Dec-2008

    UKTV has hired Sparrowhawk Media executive Keith Porritt as its executive director, commercial.

  • Barrowman's flash lands BBC in more hot water

    2-Dec-2008

    The BBC has been forced to apologise again after actor John Barrowman exposed himself on a live Radio 1 show which was recorded on webcam.

  • Douglas breaks Sachsgate silence

    1-Dec-2008

    Ex-BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has broken her silence and described the 'horrible' circumstances of her resignation following 'Sachsgate'.

  • DCD results buck downturn

    1-Dec-2008

    DCD Media reported a revenue increase of 27% to£34m in its final results published this morning.

  • BBC sweeps kids' Baftas

    1-Dec-2008

    The CBBC channel scooped the top prize at last night's children's Bafta awards that also saw Ragdoll Productions win best indie.

  • Ethnic mentoring scheme launched

    28-Nov-2008

    All the major UK broadcasters and a number of indies have joined forces to create a black and ethic minority mentoring scheme.

  • RDF Media in£52m buyout

    27-Nov-2008

    RDF Media, the indie behind shows such as Wife Swap and Faking It, has agreed to a management buyout for£52m.

  • Job cuts bite at in-house ITV drama department

    26-Nov-2008

    Several senior ITV Studios drama executives have left the in-house producer as the impact of ITV's job cuts begins to bite.

  • Lesley Douglas to join Universal Music

    25-Nov-2008

    Former BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas, who resigned from the broadcaster in the wake of the Sachsgate scandal, is to join Universal Music UK.

  • Teletext Extra to get 8m boost

    25-Nov-2008

    Digital TV technology specialist InView Interactive and set-top box manufacturer Vestel have inked a deal which will see the Teletext Extra branded EPG service delivered to 8 million boxes.

  • Steve Jones to 'take a break' from Sky 1

    24-Nov-2008

    Steve Jones, the Sky 1 commissioner who revived classic 90s show Gladiators, is to take a career break and relocate to Australia.

  • BBC: Video service would have delivered 'real value'

    21-Nov-2008

    BBC management has accepted findings by the BBC Trust that rejects proposals for a local online video service but has underscored it with comment that it would have delivered 'real value for licence fee payers”.

  • Broomfield scores Grierson hat trick

    21-Nov-2008

    Nick Broomfield became the first person to win three Grierson's while Andrew Marr was also among the winners at last night's British Documentary Awards.

  • Sky compiles controller hit-list

    19-Nov-2008

    ITV2 controller Zai Bennett and MTV executive Heather Jones are top of Sky 1's hit-list to replace outgoing controller Richard Woolfe.

  • Collins to refresh Sky 1 blooper format

    19-Nov-2008

    Justin Lee Collins is to voice a 50 x 30-minute Sky 1 series that aims to put a modern spin on the classic blooper show.

  • Bravo sends MacIntyre to world danger zones

    19-Nov-2008

    Bravo is pitching Donal MacIntyre as its answer to Sky 1's Ross Kemp with a series in which the investigative journalist ventures into some of the world's toughest neighbourhoods.

  • Bristol presenter sacked

    19-Nov-2008

    A BBC Radio Bristol presenter has been fired for making unacceptable comments after she told a taxi firm not to send a driver wearing a turban to pick up her daughter.

  • Talk Sport fires Jon Gaunt

    19-Nov-2008

    Talk Sport has sacked presenter Jon Gaunt after he called a Redbridge councillor a “Nazi”.

  • UBC Media losses up

    19-Nov-2008

    UBC Media has described the past six months as “extremely challenging” after losses at the radio services provider increased for the six months to 30 September.

  • Gaydar to cut five jobs

    19-Nov-2008

    Gaydar and sister social networking site GaydarNation are to axe a quarter of their staff because of the economic downturn.

  • Galaxy adds Choice FM to programme director's role

    19-Nov-2008

    Galaxy has handed group programme director Mike Cass a wider remit including Choice FM in London.

  • Absolute breakfast to back new bands

    19-Nov-2008

    Absolute Radio's breakfast show is to introduce a weekly unsigned artists strand as part of the station's “V to A” evolution strategy in a bid to become more closely identified with new music.

  • TalkSport fires Jon Gaunt over 'Nazi' jibe

    18-Nov-2008

    TalkSport has fired presenter Jon Gaunt after he called a Redbridge councillor a 'Nazi'.

  • Rhodes heads to Caribbean

    18-Nov-2008

    UKTV Food will build on the success of Gary Rhodes' trips to Asia by sending the spiky-haired chef to the Caribbean to celebrate and demystify the local cuisine.

  • BSkyB to raise $600m for acquisitions and debt

    18-Nov-2008

    BSkyB is to raise around $600m (£399m) through a private placement of bonds to institutional investors to create funding for acquisitions and the refinancing of existing debt.

  • Jade to return to Living

    18-Nov-2008

    Living will follow the progress of Jade Goody's fight against cancer in a special series starting next month.

  • Armed forces awards show to air on Sky 1

    12-Nov-2008

    Sky1 is to televise “The Millies” - the awards for military bravery launched this year by Prince Charles and the Sun newspaper.

  • UKTV History becomes Yesterday

    12-Nov-2008

    UKTV History will be named Yesterday in the next phase of UKTV's global rebranding strategy.

  • UTV Radio and TLRC start takeover talks

    12-Nov-2008

    UTV Radio is understood to be exploring extending its relationship with The Local Radio Company (TLRC) with a possible takeover.

  • Timeline: Richard Woolfe

    12-Nov-2008

    An overview of Richard Woolfe's tenure at Sky.

  • Virgin Media to cut over 2,000 jobs by 2012

    11-Nov-2008

    Virgin Media will slash over 2,000 jobs over the next three years as part of the continued cost-cutting exercise first announced after the acquisition of NTL.

  • TalkSport's Gaunt suspended for 'Nazi' slur

    11-Nov-2008

    TalkSport presenter Jon Gaunt has been suspended after he called Redbridge councillor Michael Stark 'a Nazi'.

  • BBC London poaches Capital breakfast exec

    11-Nov-2008

    BBC London 94.9 has hired Global Radio's Gareth Roberts and named him assistant editor for the station.

  • Sky to launch pay channels online

    10-Nov-2008

    BSkyB is to launch a subscription TV service via its online Sky Player platform.

  • New licence in Cambridge

    5-Nov-2008

    Ofcom plans to extend the Cambridge analogue commercial radio licence currently broadcasting as Star Radio, which expires on 22 March 2010.

  • Wheatly goes to Jazz FM

    5-Nov-2008

    The Local Radio Company executive chairman Richard Wheatly is to step down to take on the same role at its relaunched Jazz FM station.

  • New head for Radio Centre

    5-Nov-2008

    Camelot chief executive Dianne Thompson is to become the non-executive chairman of the Radio Centre from 1 January, replacing Paul Brown who is stepping down after more than 30 years in the commercial radio business.

  • Radio execs rally to the support of Douglas

    5-Nov-2008

    Senior radio figures have leapt to the defence of Lesley Douglas, insisting the outgoing controller of BBC Radio 2 should not have had to sacrifice her position because of the corporation's failings.

  • Lesley Douglas: a legacy

    31-Oct-2008

    Lesley Douglas was the archetypal BBC “lifer”. Born in Newcastle in 1963, she collected a degree in English at Manchester University before taking a job as a production assistant in a BBC research department in 1986.

  • Allinson and Lester to replace Ross and Brand on R2

    31-Oct-2008

    Radio 2 DJs Richard Allinson and Alex Lester are to stand in for Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand tomorrow.

  • BSkyB profits up 25%

    31-Oct-2008

    BSkyB has announced quarterly profits of£179m, up 25% for the three months to the end of September.

  • Sky1 to air Britney special

    30-Oct-2008

    Sky1 has secured the exclusive UK broadcast rights for the much-anticipated Britney Spears special, Britney: For the Record.

  • BBC searches for top soccer agent

    29-Oct-2008

    BBC2 will follow six young hopefuls competing head to head for a job at a leading sports talent agency.

  • ITV Productions pursues Jackson

    29-Oct-2008

    ITV's outgoing director of entertainment and comedy, Paul Jackson, is being wooed by ITV Productions, which hopes to secure him when he leaves his current role.

  • Dave to order original web content

    29-Oct-2008

    Dave is to begin commissioning original online content as part of a major overhaul of its website.

  • Sky Movies takes in-house route with two series

    29-Oct-2008

    Sky Movies Premiere has commissioned two in-house series and called on indies to have a better understanding of the film industry when pitching ideas.

  • Rebrand brings History into 20th century

    29-Oct-2008

    The History Channel is to be rebranded as History as part of a new programming strategy that focuses on more contemporary events.

  • Thompson to report on phone prank this Thursday

    29-Oct-2008

    The BBC Trust has requested director general Mark Thompson to report the findings of his investigation into the Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand phone prank on Thursday (30 October).

  • Absolute Radio sign up ex-Bond villain to voice all links

    29-Oct-2008

    Absolute Radio has made ex-Bond villain David Meyer the latest addition to its on-air line-up.

  • Myers: GMG must stick with indie plan

    29-Oct-2008

    Outgoing GMG Radio chief executive John Myers has called on the company to continue investing in indie commissioning to ensure that good speech radio is not the preserve of the BBC.

  • Global Radio names new commercial chief

    29-Oct-2008

    Global Radio has named former News Group Newspapers (NGN) deputy managing director Mike Gordon as its commercial chief.

  • Sky and CNBC strike content deal

    29-Oct-2008

    BSkyB and CNBC have signed a deal to make business content available for the first time across the Sky Anytime on-demand service.

  • Pressure mounts over Ross and Brand phone prank

    28-Oct-2008

    Ofcom has decided to launch its own investigation into the Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand phone prank as pressure mounts on the BBC to take further action.

  • Top Up adds NBC Universal to Anytime

    27-Oct-2008

    Top Up TV has inked a deal with NBC Universal to add TV shows from the studio's library to its Anytime on demand service.

  • Ofcom criticises Sky's Virgin campaign

    27-Oct-2008

    BSkyB has been censured by Ofcom for asking viewers to put pressure on Virgin Media during carriage negotiations over the satellite broadcaster's basic channels.

  • BBC apologises to Sachs

    27-Oct-2008

    The BBC has apologised to actor Andrew Sachs after receiving more than 500 complaints about the 'unacceptable and offensive' messages left on his answer phone by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.

  • BBC has a Ball

    24-Oct-2008

    Jo Ball, the C4 features commissioning editor behind Gok's Fashion Fix, is to join the BBC to replace former factual commissioner Ben Gale.

  • Sky Arts doubles output

    24-Oct-2008

    Sky Arts has doubled its arts output and is looking to further increase its coverage through collaborations with arts organisations.

  • GMG Radio boss to step down

    23-Oct-2008

    GMG Radio chief executive John Myers will step down next year and will be succeeded by his deputy Stuart Taylor.

  • Animal Planet's London base faces axe

    23-Oct-2008

    Animal Planet International is poised to disband its London-based headquarters and split commissioning power between parent company Discovery Networks International's (DNI) offices in the US and UK.

  • Start-up indie lands Rastamouse order

    22-Oct-2008

    Former As If and Suburban Shootout producer Greg Boardman has started an indie and landed a 50-part kids animation for CBeebies called Rastamouse.

  • UKTV History meets Hitler's bodyguards

    22-Oct-2008

    UKTV History has ordered a follow-up to its series Churchill's Bodyguard that will investigate the men who protected Churchill's WWII adversary, Adolf Hitler.

  • Heart reshuffle creates pool of team leaders

    22-Oct-2008

    Heart has finalised its network programming structure as it completes the integration of the One Network that parent Global Radio acquired through its GCap Media acquisition.

  • Younger DJs pay off for Radio 1

    22-Oct-2008

    Investment in young talent is behind BBC Radio 1's surge in 15 to 24-year-old listeners, according to head of programmes Ben Cooper.

  • Celia Taylor quits Virgin Media

    22-Oct-2008

    Director of programmes for Virgin 1, Bravo, Trouble and Challenge Celia Taylor has quit her post.

  • Boomerang defies crunch with profit boost

    22-Oct-2008

    Welsh indie Boomerang Plus posted sharply higher profits and sales for the full year and said current trading was in line with expectations.

  • Randall wins permanent role at Sky News

    21-Oct-2008

    Jeff Randall is to join Sky News on a permanent basis from 2009.

  • ESPN launches online player

    21-Oct-2008

    ESPN has finally rolled out its ESPN360.com online video player in the UK.

  • Disney and BT strike online deal

    20-Oct-2008

    Disney Channel UK has inked a multi-year deal with BT Vision allowing viewers to watch Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney content on-demand.

  • UBC expects downturn in turnover

    20-Oct-2008

    Radio services group UBC Media has predicted turnover to be 15% lower year-on-year as advertising revenues continue to fall.

  • BBC iPlayer carried on Sky

    20-Oct-2008

    The BBC and BSkyB have signed a deal to make iPlayer programming available through the satellite giant's online TV service Sky Player.

  • BBC loses ground

    16-Oct-2008

    Rajars: The BBC lost listeners to commercial radio for the second consecutive quarter radio with a 43.1% share for the latter, compared with 54.9% for the corporation.

  • Moyles continues to lose listeners

    16-Oct-2008

    Rajars: Chris Moyles's BBC Radio 1 breakfast show has lost listeners for the second consecutive quarter, according to the Q3 Rajar figures.

  • Capital reclaims top London spot

    16-Oct-2008

    Rajars: 95.8 Capital FM's morning duo Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon have made a surprising return as the top breakfast show in London.

  • Shine eyes Abu Dhabi for push into Middle East

    16-Oct-2008

    Shine Group is working up plans to launch a Middle Eastern production office in the United Arab Emirates where it would focus on making shows for the Arab world.

  • LBC posts best ratings in 4 years

    16-Oct-2008

    Rajars: LBC News' decision to scale back its rolling news coverage has paid off, with the London-based station posting its best Rajar figures in four years.

  • DAB listening on the rise

    16-Oct-2008

    Rajars: DAB take-up increased 32% year-on-year in the last three months, with nearly a third of UK adults now claiming to live in households with a DAB set.

  • TwoFour tackles boozy Brits abroad

    15-Oct-2008

    TwoFour Broadcast has won a major commission from Bravo that will delve into the rising epidemic of binge-drinking Brits abroad.

  • Jazz FM to be played in all Pizza Express restaurants

    15-Oct-2008

    The relaunched Jazz FM has signed a major sponsorship deal with Pizza Express for the station to be played in all 300 of the chain's restaurants.

  • Global rebrand to kick off new era

    15-Oct-2008

    Global Radio chief executive Ashley Tabor believes a new logo and a revamped website will help usher in a new era for the company early next month.

  • IRN drops ITN for Sky

    15-Oct-2008

    Commercial radio news supplier IRN has ended its 16-year relationship with ITN by awarding the contract for the supply national and international news service to Sky News.

  • Dalglish to appear in Hillsborough doc

    15-Oct-2008

    Football legend Kenny Dalglish is to appear in a documentary marking the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, made by his daughter's indie for The History Channel.

  • Eurosport unveils catch-up service

    15-Oct-2008

    Eurosport has launched a catch-up VOD service offering the best premium events from its two channels.

  • UBC lands traffic deal with Global

    14-Oct-2008

    Radio services giant UBC Media has increased its advertising reach by securing a two-year deal with Global Radio to supply traffic and travel bulletins.

  • Virgin requests delay for debt repayment

    14-Oct-2008

    Virgin Media has asked lenders for permission to defer bank amortization payments until June 2012 because of the turmoil in the credit markets.

  • Cook leaves T4 behind to launch cross-platform indie

    8-Oct-2008

    Former T4 producer Richard Cook has left his role as executive for youth and music at Eyeworks UK to form his own indie.

  • Wedding bells for Heaviest Man

    8-Oct-2008

    Five is to revisit its World's Heaviest Man documentary by heading back to Mexico to see him get married.

  • Zig Zag eyes orders from BBC and ITV

    8-Oct-2008

    Zig Zag Productions has hired two “big hitters” from the BBC and ITV as part of a strategy to win more commissions from the two largest broadcasters.

  • Impossible founder quits to start WEE

    8-Oct-2008

    Impossible Pictures co-founder Jasper James has left the Primeval producer to set up a media firm backed by Red Vision VFX, the company behind the Headcases CGI.

  • UKTV bids to ‘do a Dave' with launch of Blighty

    8-Oct-2008

    UKTV's next attempt to “do a Dave” will see it rebrand UKTV People as Blighty.

  • Branson's next adventure to air on Virgin 1

    8-Oct-2008

    Virgin 1 will follow Sir Richard Branson as he attempts his next record-breaking adventure, speeding across the Atlantic - with his children.

  • UBC due diligence extended

    7-Oct-2008

    UBC Media Group has agreed to a further two weeks of due diligence for the sale of its commercial division to Nasdaq-listed Global Traffic Network, citing recent changes in the commercial radio industry in the UK.

  • Caspari leaves R4 factual

    7-Oct-2008

    BBC Radio 4 specialist factual commissioning editor Andrew Caspari is to leave the station after a decade in the role.

  • R4 to update tale of Iraqi boy maimed in bomb horror

    7-Oct-2008

    BBC Radio 4 is to broadcast a documentary about the boy who lost his family and both his arms in a US bombardment during the Iraq war.

  • 4Digital's delayed launch under fire

    7-Oct-2008

    City analysts have criticised Ofcom for not treating its licensees fairly by allowing 4Digital Group to mothball the launch of the D2 multiplex it won in 2007.

  • FME secures development deal with Insight

    7-Oct-2008

    FremantleMedia Enterprises and Toronto-based Insight Production Co have inked a development financing deal to co-fund scripted and unscripted projects.

  • New unit to monitor BBC interactivity

    7-Oct-2008

    BBC shows including Strictly Come Dancing and Children in Need are set to have their interactive services managed by a dedicated unit.

  • GMG calls for more docs

    6-Oct-2008

    GMG Radio is inviting radio indies to pitch new ideas for its 13-strong network of stations after a positive response to its first set of documentaries which aired this summer.

  • Indies win Disney commissions

    6-Oct-2008

    Playhouse Disney has ordered six UK indies to develop a series of short animated films that help teach pre-schoolers about the environment in a fun and playful way.

  • UBC's commercial division sale delayed

    3-Oct-2008

    UBC Media Group has agreed to a further two weeks of due diligence for the sale of its commercial division to Nasdaq-listed Global Traffic Network, citing recent changes in the commercial radio industry in the UK.

  • Heart and Galaxy handed new programming heads

    2-Oct-2008

    Global Radio has handed Luis Clark and Mike Cass the top programming jobs across the Heart and Galaxy networks respectively and has named Jonathan Richards as head of news across the company's entire portfolio.

  • BSkyB to share content

    2-Oct-2008

    BSkyB could be forced to share premium content such as Premier League football and Hollywood films with all rival platforms.

  • MTV to use shorts to find comedy faces

    1-Oct-2008

    MTV is calling on indies to pitch comedy shorts for its flagship channel as part of its search for new talent.

  • Martina Cole joins up with Free@Last TV

    1-Oct-2008

    Crime novelist Martina Cole and indie Free@Last TV have founded a joint-venture development company to create media projects for her to write and present.

  • September's US star rises with£5m double order

    1-Oct-2008

    September Films will follow a family-run pest control business in America's deep south after winning a company record of $8.8m (£4.9m) worth of business from two US networks.

  • Target the US, Shed urges UK indie sector

    1-Oct-2008

    Shed Media chief executive Eileen Gallagher has urged UK indies to make inroads in the US after the super-indie generated more than a third of its£12.6m gross profit in the first half of the year from US broadcasters.

  • Rebranding for Capital

    1-Oct-2008

    Capital Radio has undergone its fifth rebranding in under three years and will now be known as 95.8 Capital FM - London's Number 1 Hit Music Station.

  • Jazz FM unveils rebrand

    1-Oct-2008

    Jazz FM has updated its famous multi-coloured chameleon which will be featured as part of a major marketing campaign to coincide with its return to the airwaves next week.

  • Sky may be forced to widen movie and sport access

    30-Sep-2008

    BSkyB has too much power in the supply of premium content and could be made to offer it on a wholesale basis to rivals, Ofcom has said.

  • BSkyB ordered to cut stake in ITV

    29-Sep-2008

    BSkyB has been ordered to reduce its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV to below 7.5%, the Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled.

  • Absolute Radio launches with Bowie

    29-Sep-2008

    David Bowie classic Absolute Beginners was selected by listeners as the song to launch Absolute Radio when it went live this morning (29 September).

  • BBC apologises over swearing manager

    29-Sep-2008

    The BBC has been forced to issue a public apology after Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear swore during a live interview on BBC1 at lunchtime on Saturday's Football Focus.

  • Sky secures Star Wars series

    29-Sep-2008

    Sky Movies has secured the UK rights to the George Lucas animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

  • Thompson: C4 needs new terms of trade

    29-Sep-2008

    BBC director general Mark Thompson has called for a review of Channel 4's rights ownership to help safeguard its PSB future.

  • Ruling today on BSkyB/ITV

    29-Sep-2008

    The Competition Appeals Tribunal is set to rule today on what should happen to BSkyB's 17.9% stake in ITV.

  • SMG wins approval for cashback plan

    26-Sep-2008

    A cashback plan allowing shareholders in SMG to sell their shares to the company has been approved.

  • Virgin's on-demand services up 33%

    26-Sep-2008

    More than half of Virgin Media's 3.5m television customers use its on-demand video platform, the cable company said today.

  • Another re-brand for Capital

    25-Sep-2008

    Capital Radio has undergone its fifth re-brand in under three years and is now known as 95.8 Capital FM - 'London's Number 1 Hit Music Station'.

  • Wall to Wall rejigs to drive creativity

    24-Sep-2008

    Wall to Wall has appointed its first managing director as part of senior management changes designed to help Alex Graham concentrate on the creative side of the business.

  • BBC2 show ignites contributor row

    24-Sep-2008

    BBC2's Earth: The Climate Wars is at the centre of a new TV global warming row after four contributors claimed it misrepresented them.

  • UKTV Style homes in on fantasy trio

    24-Sep-2008

    UKTV Style will help a host of famous faces find their dream home as part of a celebrity spin-off of its Fantasy Homes franchise.

  • C4 announces shows from Radio HaHa talent search

    24-Sep-2008

    Channel 4 Radio has unveiled three commissions from its 4Talent Radio HaHa talent search scheme, including a comedy take on superheroes.

  • Absolute orders£5m breakfast revamp

    24-Sep-2008

    Absolute Radio is to spend more than a third of its£15m investment in the station on its new-look breakfast show.

  • James Whale drops Talk Sport legal action

    24-Sep-2008

    Ex-Talk Sport presenter James Whale has dropped his legal action over his controversial dismissal from the broadcaster earlier this year.

  • Ex-BBC producer starts 'green' indie

    23-Sep-2008

    Former BBC producer Scott Jones has created his own media production company specialising in greener films on and off screen.

  • BBC2 fills up on Supersizers

    23-Sep-2008

    BBC2 has ordered a second helping of hit Silver River series The Supersizers Go...

  • Global restructures sales operation

    23-Sep-2008

    Global Radio has restructured its sales operation by creating five agency teams, a client team and interactive team spanning both Global and the newly acquired GCap Media.

  • Mother of 7/7 victim to front R4 doc

    22-Sep-2008

    BBC Radio 4 will follow the mother of a 7/7 victim as she goes on a personal exploration to find out how parents of other victims of crime have managed to forgive the perpetrators.

  • Folder Media acquires Fun Radio

    22-Sep-2008

    Digital radio and new media specialist Folder Media has completed the acquisition of children's broadcaster Fun Radio for an undisclosed fee.

  • Radio body moves to tackle credit crunch

    22-Sep-2008

    The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) is investing£3m into a new initiative that aims to provide advertisers and agencies with support and insight into how best to use radio.

  • Smooth Radio's got soul

    22-Sep-2008

    Smooth Radio and Real Radio Wales will celebrate the evolution of soul music from the 1960s to the present day as a part of a six-part series celebrating the genre.

  • MacIntyre to front Sky 1 knife crime campaign

    19-Sep-2008

    Sky 1 has signed up Donal MacIntyre to host a series of campaigning programmes addressing the menace of knife crime in the UK.

  • Boxing punches back onto ITV

    19-Sep-2008

    Boxing will return to ITV's schedule this autumn thanks to a new two-year deal with Hennessy Sports.

  • Sky names channels director

    19-Sep-2008

    BSkyB has promoted Rob Webster to director of channels and operations, with responsibility for relationships with all retailed and non-retailed channels on the platform.

  • TV critics 19 September ‘08

    18-Sep-2008

    “What followed was, somehow, simultaneously dull and fascinating.” Read on for the critics' full verdict on last night's TV.

  • Five loses features head Menzies

    18-Sep-2008

    Five head of features Alex Menzies is to leave his role at the end of the year.

  • Hatton to host Nuts TV chat show

    17-Sep-2008

    Ricky Hatton is to host a live weekly chat show on Nuts TV in the channel's highest profile commission to date.

  • Zig Zag on hunt for ‘American Winehouse'

    17-Sep-2008

    Zig Zag Productions has won a commission worth more than $4m to go in search of an “American Amy Winehouse”.

  • Monty Python star returns to TV

    17-Sep-2008

    John Cleese is to make a welcome return to British screens where he will take a mischievous look at the mad world of gadgets in a six-part series for UKTV channel Dave.

  • Power rapped by Ofcom

    17-Sep-2008

    A Power FM presenter misled listeners by initially awarding a competition prize to her sister, Ofcom has ruled.

  • Global rebrands stations

    17-Sep-2008

    Global Radio will rebrand around 30 of its One Network stations into a network of Heart-branded stations.

  • GMG retains sales contract

    17-Sep-2008

    GMG Radio is to continue its national airtime sales contract for the Real, Century, Smooth and Rock Radio brands with Global Radio following the latter's takeover of GCap Media.

  • Behind the News: Politicians as TV personalities

    17-Sep-2008

    Gordon Brown is the latest politician to step outside the confines of current affairs to appear in other genres of TV. Rob Shepherd weighs up the pros and cons.

  • LBC 97.3 goes on tour for party season

    16-Sep-2008

    LBC 97.3 will go on tour this autumn to broadcast five programmes live from events including the Labour and Conservative party conferences.

  • Radio indies hope for MediaCity base

    16-Sep-2008

    MediaCityUK is exploring the possibility of creating a radio production hub that can be used by the independent radio sector outside London.

  • Ocean Finance launches 'Loan TV'

    15-Sep-2008

    Financial services company Ocean Finance has launched the UK's first TV channel dedicated to promoting loans, mortgages and other services.

  • History Channel names MD

    15-Sep-2008

    The History Channel UK has appointed Sony executive Tom Davidson as its new managing director.

  • HBO series wins record Emmy's

    15-Sep-2008

    HBO miniseries John Adams has claimed a record eight awards at the Creative Arts Emmy's while Mad Men bagged four at the event.

  • Ofcom blames Sky in Picnic row

    12-Sep-2008

    Ofcom has hit back at BSkyB's claims that it was dragging its heels on the satellite giant's proposed Picnic service and claimed it was Sky's own fault for providing insufficient information.

  • Sky puts Picnic on ice

    12-Sep-2008

    BSkyB has delayed plans to launch three pay channels on Freeview under the brand name Picnic.

  • Animal Planet looks to entertainment

    10-Sep-2008

    Animal Planet International is repositioning as a more adult-skewed entertainment channel and has called on UK indies to pitch more “Deadliest Catch-style” shows.

  • Penk: I want to lead a new talent Revolution

    10-Sep-2008

    Veteran radio and TV presenter Steve Penk has hit out at commercial radio for failing to nurture new talent and plans to launch a “crusade” to find new presenters after buying a station in Oldham.

  • SMG shareholders to share£30m

    5-Sep-2008

    SMG plans to return up to£30m to shareholders through a tender offer as it has surplus funds following its rights issue and disposal of units.

  • Dose of Doctors for Virgin 1

    4-Sep-2008

    Virgin Media has bought the UK rights to CBS Paramount's much anticipated daily talk show The Doctors before it has even aired in the US.

  • Living unveils 'guilty pleasures'

    4-Sep-2008

    Living will send a group of brides to each other's weddings - and listen to them bitch about their rivals' big days in the hope of winning a honeymoon.

  • Five to face second discrimination action

    3-Sep-2008

    Five is bracing itself for a sexual discrimination case brought by its former head of business affairs just days after it emerged that Selina Scott has launched legal proceedings against it for age discrimination.

  • Butler-Henderson to join O'Connell at breakfast

    3-Sep-2008

    Absolute, the relaunched Virgin Radio, has hired Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson to work alongside Christian O'Connell on his daily breakfast show.

  • KidsCo signs three-year deal with the BBC

    2-Sep-2008

    KidsCo has signed a licensing deal with the BBC which will see it gain access to major kids shows such as Wallace and Gromit for the next three years, Broadcastnow.co.uk understands.

  • Tim Roth to star in Sky 1's Skellig

    2-Sep-2008

    British Hollywood actor Tim Roth will star in the title role of Sky 1's Skellig in an all-star cast that also features Kelly MacDonald, John Simm and Bill Milner.

  • Magic 105.4 goes Wilde

    2-Sep-2008

    Ex-pop singer Kim Wilde has joined Magic 105.4 to present a new weekend show, Magic's Secret Songs.

  • MTV launches HD service

    2-Sep-2008

    MTV Networks International has launched an international high definition service dedicated to music and kids.

  • JK and Joel to leave Virgin

    1-Sep-2008

    Virgin Radio presenters JK and Joel are to leave the rock station less than a year after joining it and will be replaced by Trent FM's Jo Russell.

  • O'Connell reunites with co-host on Virgin

    1-Sep-2008

    TIML Radio has hired Ritchie Firth as producer on the Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show.

  • BBC comedy producer dies in accident

    1-Sep-2008

    Geoffrey Perkins one of the most gifted and respected TV comedy producers of his generation, was killed in a road accident last week.

  • Heart swaps jingles for rhythms in£1m ad push

    28-Aug-2008

    London's Heart 106.2 is replacing its on-air jingles with specially composed “rhythmic” musical tracks as parent Global Radio ploughs a record£1m into a major integrated advertising campaign to promote the station.

  • Interview: Neil Fox

    27-Aug-2008

    Magic's clean sweep in last month's Rajar results fulfilled the goal set by the station with Neil Fox when he joined. But Fox's work is only just beginning, he tells Rob Shepherd.

  • Chef Rachel to give UKTV a bake-up call

    27-Aug-2008

    UKTV Food has signed TV chef Rachel Allen to reinvent baking in a major primetime series.

  • Sky One charts addict's last days

    21-Aug-2008

    Sky One is to follow the last three months of a heroin addict's battle with an ultimately fatal addiction.

  • Christie goes behind bars in Virgin series

    21-Aug-2008

    Linford Christie and Joe Pasquale will tough it out in the world's most merciless prisons in a new factual entertainment series for Virgin 1.

  • Sky adds seven HD channels

    20-Aug-2008

    BSkyB has expanded its high-definition service by adding a further seven new channels.

  • Dick and Dom to leave Radio 1

    20-Aug-2008

    DJ duo Dick and Dom are to leave BBC Radio 1 as part of another schedule shake-up.

  • Virgin 1 buys P Diddy show

    20-Aug-2008

    Virgin 1 has acquired US TV reality hit I Want to Work for Diddy which will air as part of its primetime autumn schedule.

  • Virgin DJs get online tool

    19-Aug-2008

    Virgin Radio DJs can now get closer to their global listenership and access real-time online and text data with technology created by its digital media team.

  • LBC to send Ferrari to US presidential elections

    19-Aug-2008

    LBC 97.3 is sending breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari to Chicago to cover the results and reaction to the US presidential elections this November.

  • Global names Mail exec as radio chief

    19-Aug-2008

    Global Radio has appointed Mail on Sunday and Mail online managing director Stephen Miron as chief executive.

  • Sky to double arts content with new channels

    19-Aug-2008

    BSkyB will double its coverage of the arts with an additional two bespoke Sky Arts channels.

  • Radio 3 to host Pianothon

    18-Aug-2008

    BBC Radio 3 is inviting amateur pianists from all over the country to come and play at in an informal public concert.

  • Discovery salutes Nasa feats

    13-Aug-2008

    Discovery Channel UK will commemorate Nasa's 50th birthday with an in-depth look at the US space agency's greatest ever feats.

  • Nat Geo makes CGI journey through space

    13-Aug-2008

    National Geographic Channel UK is to take an epic voyage across the cosmos in one unbroken 120-minute shot.

  • 5 Live confirms football win

    13-Aug-2008

    BBC Radio 5 Live has confirmed it has won the radio rights to broadcast FA Cup and England international matches for a further four years, as exclusively revealed last week by Broadcast.

  • James Whale to take legal action against Talk Sport

    13-Aug-2008

    Fired DJ lodges complaints at High Court and claims unfair dismissal.

  • Participation TV consulation delayed

    13-Aug-2008

    Ofcom's second consultation on participation TV has been delayed due to an overwhelming number of responses.

  • Sky Movies and MTV to remake Rocky Horror

    13-Aug-2008

    Sky Movies has inked a partnership deal to remake classic musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

  • Refund system for participation TV launches

    12-Aug-2008

    The UK's first broadcast SMS refund platform has launched in a bid to restore customer confidence in participation TV.

  • Sports stars line up for new Disney series

    12-Aug-2008

    Disney Channel UK will follow the paths of five UK sporting stars as they surprise fans and budding athletes on their doorsteps.

  • Mendoza to join Play Radio

    12-Aug-2008

    Ex-TalkSport presenter Mike Mendoza is to reunite with old colleague James Whale on internet radio site Play Radio UK.

  • Celador acquires regional radio asset

    12-Aug-2008

    Celador Radio Broadcasting has acquired Solent regional station Original 106FM from Canadian media giant Canwest Media for an undisclosed fee.

  • BBC2 orders witchcraft murder drama

    11-Aug-2008

    Adaptation specialist Joe Penhall has penned an original three-part drama for BBC2 about a mutilated body pulled from the Thames.

  • Global avoids CC referral

    11-Aug-2008

    Global Radio has avoided having its£375m acquisition of GCap Media referred to the Competition Commission by offering to sell a handful of stations in the Midlands.

  • VM marketing boss to leave

    11-Aug-2008

    Virgin Media managing director of brand and marketing James Kydd is to leave the company next month.

  • Marr to cover Big Bang for R4

    7-Aug-2008

    BBC Radio 4 has been granted exclusive access to the CERN control room to cover physicists trying to recreate the aftermath of the Big Bang.

  • Profits rise at Virgin Media as customers fall

    7-Aug-2008

    Virgin Media beat market expectations for underlying profit in the second quarter despite losing 19,500 customers.

  • UKTV shuffles its station controllers

    6-Aug-2008

    UKTV has appointed Adrian Wills as channel head of UKTV People and Richard Kingsbury as channel head of UKTV History in preparation for the network's 2009 rebrand.

  • Holby Blue cops it as The Bill wins battle

    6-Aug-2008

    BBC1's police drama Holby Blue has lost its battle with ITV1 rival The Bill and has been axed.

  • Sky rebrands for family feel

    6-Aug-2008

    Sky 1 has lined up crime writer Martina Cole as a major new face to coincide with an overhaul of the channel.

  • Virgin Radio branches out into ad-funded film podcasts

    6-Aug-2008

    Virgin Radio is launching an ad-funded movie podcast service as part of its search for new revenue streams.

  • BBC Radio scores football rights win

    6-Aug-2008

    BBC Radio is set to hold on to its exclusive rights to broadcast FA Cup and England football matches for the next four seasons.

  • BBC axes Holby Blue

    6-Aug-2008

    BBC1's police drama Holby Blue has lost its battle with ITV1 rival The Bill and has been axed.

  • Mendoza victim of TalkSport reshuffle

    6-Aug-2008

    TalkSport has parted company with weekend overnight presenter Mike Mendoza as part of a reshuffle under programme director Moz Dee.

  • Cilla back on the dating scene

    6-Aug-2008

    Cilla Black is making her return to TV with a new dating show on the new look Sky 1.

  • Man Utd signs Key 103

    5-Aug-2008

    Key 103 has signed a deal with Manchester United to become its official radio partner for the next three years.

  • Mentorn factual director quits to launch indie

    5-Aug-2008

    Mentorn Media's Malcolm Clark has quit his post as creative director: specialist factual to start up his own indie.

  • Sky News in multimedia reshuffle

    4-Aug-2008

    Sky News has introduced a number of changes to its newsroom, including the creation of its first ever multimedia production team.

  • Simply Media teams up with BT

    4-Aug-2008

    UK content provider Simply Media has inked a deal with BT to provide nostalgia-based titles for BT Vision's on-demand service for 12 months.

  • Free Setanta Sports for new Top Up TV customers

    4-Aug-2008

    Top Up TV will offer new customers a free Setanta Sports 1 “season ticket” for the 2008/9 Barclays Premier League season.

  • MTV orders another dose of Katona reality

    31-Jul-2008

    MTV will continue its journey with ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona with a one-off special following her raising her baby.

  • Sky results exceed expectations

    31-Jul-2008

    BSkyB added 92,000 net new customers in the fourth quarter, comfortably ahead of analyst expectations and bucking the current economic downturn.

  • Magic DJ hits out at Capital

    31-Jul-2008

    Magic 105.4 breakfast DJ Neil Fox has criticised Capital 95.8's decision to reunite Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen for its breakfast show, claiming it was too backward looking.

  • Living hands Goody first TV show since CBB race row

    30-Jul-2008

    Jade Goody will make her first significant TV appearance since nearly costing Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan his job as part of Living's Living with... strand.

  • Rajars herald comeback for commercial radio

    30-Jul-2008

    Industry figures believe commercial radio can begin a genuine renaissance away from the glare of the City spotlight after an improved second quarter Rajar performance.

  • Wish to animate kids book Wibbly Pig

    30-Jul-2008

    Wish Films is to make an animated adaptation of kids book Wibbly Pig for CBeebies, and TVO and Knowledge Network in Canada.

  • Nick UK orders ‘channel defining' Saturday show

    30-Jul-2008

    Nickelodeon UK has ordered a “channel defining” horror-themed comedy series as its flagship show for Saturday mornings.

  • Puffin killing on Ramsay show sparks complaints

    30-Jul-2008

    Footage of the killing and eating of puffins on Gordon Ramsay's the F Word on Channel 4 last night prompted complaints from viewers.

  • GMG Radio profits tumble

    30-Jul-2008

    GMG Radio saw its operating profit drop from£3.5m to just£100,000 last year due to major investment across the portfolio.

  • Whale back on radio with LBC

    30-Jul-2008

    Controversial talk show host James Whale will return to mainstream radio next month by presenting a week of late-night shows on LBC 97.3.

  • New RIG director to lobby in Salford

    29-Jul-2008

    The Radio Independents Group has appointed Made in Manchester's Ashley Byrne as a director, where he will lobby for support for radio indies in Salford's Media City.

  • Van Outen may quit Capital

    29-Jul-2008

    Denise Van Outen's future as co-host of Capital Radio's breakfast show is in doubt just five months into her year-long deal because she is finding it difficult to juggle her roles in TV and radio.

  • C4 signs Alan Carr for£3m

    28-Jul-2008

    Comic Alan Carr has inked an exclusive two-year deal with Channel 4, thought to be worth more than£3m, after the broadcaster fought off interest from the BBC and ITV.

  • Wogan and Moyles take a dip

    24-Jul-2008

    Rajar: Terry Wogan saw listener numbers drop, but his breakfast show remains the most popular in the country, according to the latest set of Rajar figures.

  • Commercial radio gains on BBC

    24-Jul-2008

    Rajar: Commercial radio has reclaimed a 1.3% share against the BBC according to the latest Rajar figures, taking its overall listening share to 42.4%.

  • England face Germany again for ITV4 Legends

    24-Jul-2008

    ITV4 will screen the rematch of old rivals England v Germany as part of its Football Legends strand.

  • Magic takes London radio crown

    24-Jul-2008

    Rajar: Magic's 105.4 DJ Neil Fox has overtaken Heart's Jamie Theakston and Harriet Scott as the number one commercial breakfast show in the capital.

  • C4 stands firm on daring docs

    23-Jul-2008

    Channel 4 will continue to commission polemical documentaries about controversial subjects despite this week's Ofcom ruling on The Great Global Warming Swindle.

  • LBC to ditch overnight rolling news service

    23-Jul-2008

    LBC News 1152 will ditch its overnight rolling service and will instead simulcast sister FM channel LBC 97.3.

  • UBC boosted by growth in IPTV

    23-Jul-2008

    UBC Media has identified IPTV content as an alternative revenue stream after securing£130,000 of business in the first quarter of this year.

  • Radio Plymouth wins licence

    23-Jul-2008

    Radio Plymouth has won the re-awarded FM local commercial radio licence for Plymouth, beating off competition from neighbour Pirate FM.

  • DJ Tiesto signs with Kiss

    22-Jul-2008

    Kiss Radio has made Ibiza favourite DJ Tiesto the latest signing for its music is life series.

  • Michael Hurll leaves Unique

    22-Jul-2008

    Comedy and entertainment producer Michael Hurll has joined Summer Films as a consultant and co-producer and called time on his long-time relationship with the Unique Communications Group (UCG).

  • C4 rapped by Ofcom over global warming doc

    21-Jul-2008

    Ofcom has censured Channel 4 for breaching “due impartiality” and treating contributors unfairly in its programme The Great Global Warming Swindle.

  • UBC revenues up 17%

    21-Jul-2008

    UBC Media saw revenues rise 17.3% to£15.5m for the year end 31 March, slightly up on the£13.25 million it recorded in 2007.

  • Shake-up at GaydarRadio

    21-Jul-2008

    Ex-Big Brother contestants Richard Newman and Lea Walker are to leave popular niche digital broadcaster GaydarRadio as part of a new-look line-up.

  • iPlayer draws 10m on Virgin

    21-Jul-2008

    The BBC iPlayer service on Virgin Media recorded over 10m viewings during its first full month on the platform, the cable giant has announced.

  • Heart finds its soul as Chaka Khan signs up for club show

    16-Jul-2008

    Global Radio has signed up funk-soul legend Chaka Khan to guest present the Heart network's Club Classics show.

  • Jazz FM tunes in to web advances

    16-Jul-2008

    The new-look Jazz FM will introduce online services and music downloads because the internet is the platform of radio's future, according to executive chairman Richard Wheatly.

  • Top Up TV launches Warner TV

    11-Jul-2008

    Top Up TV has inked a deal with Hollywood studio Warner Bros to add hit shows to its VoD service.

  • Digital TV sets now at 70%

    11-Jul-2008

    Almost 70% of the 60m TV sets in the UK are now digitally linked via cable, satellite or digital terrestrial, according to new Ofcom figures.

  • Virgin Radio exec steps down

    10-Jul-2008

    Virgin Radio programming and marketing director David Lloyd is to step down from his role as part of a senior-level restructure following the sale of the station.

  • Host's sexual antics cost channel£17,500

    10-Jul-2008

    Ofcom has fined Square 1 Management£17,500 after a presenter indulged in explicit sexual activity during a broadcast on Smile TV.

  • September to film Pregnant Man for C4

    10-Jul-2008

    September Films has won the worldwide documentary rights to make a one-off programme about the first man in the world to give birth, Broadcast can reveal.

  • Yorke expands role in drama reshuffle

    9-Jul-2008

    BBC Drama has expanded the role of drama production studios controller John Yorke to include new talent as part of a senior-level restructure.

  • BBC comedy chief Allen to join Hot Fuzz indie

    9-Jul-2008

    Kenton Allen will leave his role as BBC creative head of comedy and Comedy North to join the company behind Shaun of the Dead and Black Books.

  • Zig Zag opens LA office to expand in US

    9-Jul-2008

    Zig Zag has expanded its US presence and opened a Los Angeles base after securing over $6m worth of American business in the past six months.

  • Barham made buying head for all Virgin TV channels

    9-Jul-2008

    Virgin Media TV has restructured its acquisitions team, promoting head of acquisitions for Living, Living 2 and Virgin 1 Amy Barham to head of acquisitions for the whole channel portfolio.

  • Damazer puts forward Polish option for R4

    9-Jul-2008

    BBC Radio 4 is considering a Polish-language service to make the station more representative of multicultural Britain.

  • Talent could defect to net, says Whale

    9-Jul-2008

    Veteran broadcaster James Whale has predicted that commercial radio stations risk losing their major talent to self-produced shows on the internet.

  • Somethin' Else unveils fashion radio

    9-Jul-2008

    Cross-platform specialist Somethin' Else is to broadcast a dedicated radio fashion station and has even lined up supermodel Naomi Campbell to appear behind the mic.

  • Pulse unveils Martial Arts TV

    8-Jul-2008

    Satellite gaming channel Pulse is launching a series of programmes dedicated to martial arts.

  • Magic reigns at radio awards

    8-Jul-2008

    London's Magic 105.4 claimed the major station of the year award at the 13th annual Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards.

  • Spice Girl fronts Nick Jr contest

    7-Jul-2008

    Nick Jr and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell have teamed up to give aspiring writers the chance to have their own bedtime story featured on the channel via its nationwide campaign Once Upon a Bedtime.

  • BSkyB mulls Spanish pay-TV bid

    4-Jul-2008

    BSkyB is considering a bid of more than£2m for Spanish pay-TV platform Digital Plus.

  • Industry divided over Davie's top job

    3-Jul-2008

    The BBC's appointment of Tim Davie as its new director of audio and music is a statement of the corporation's desire to take a more commercial approach to radio, said industry figures.

  • Nissan pays Tarrant£1m in US-style radio deal

    3-Jul-2008

    Chris Tarrant's new show on GMG Radio is based on a radical business model from the US, with the presenter being paid£1m a year by car manufacturer Nissan.

  • Radio struggling to battle online listening

    2-Jul-2008

    Radio Festival: The explosion in online listening over the internet and new media devices is making it difficult for commercial radio broadcasters to differentiate themselves.

  • BBC news execs clash over celebrity coverage

    2-Jul-2008

    Radio Festival: Two senior BBC news executives have locked horns over the prominence given to its entertainment news coverage.

  • Tarrant to take on BBC radio dominance

    1-Jul-2008

    GMG will use Chris Tarrant as a weapon to take on the BBC, according to GMG group programme director John Simons.

  • Tarrant lured back to radio

    30-Jun-2008

    Chris Tarrant is to make a suprise return to radio, hosting a Saturday morning show on the GMG network that will go head to head with Jonathan Ross.

  • Davie to take over from Abramsky

    27-Jun-2008

    Tim Davie has been named the new director of BBC audio and music.

  • Pact seeks to cut ‘holdback' time for PSB indie content

    25-Jun-2008

    Pact is calling for a reduction in the time UK broadcasters are granted exclusive control of content made by indies as part of it submission to Ofcom on the future of PSB.

  • Rooney shoots football talent search show for Sky One

    25-Jun-2008

    Wayne Rooney will search for the country's best grass-roots footballer in a flagship show for Sky One.

  • Livingstone backs Whale over ‘vote Boris' sacking

    25-Jun-2008

    Defeated London mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone has defended James Whale, the veteran radio presenter who was fired from Talk Sport for urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson.

  • Tombs leaves Paramount Comedy

    25-Jun-2008

    Paramount Comedy vice-president of programming and planning Matt Tombs has left the broadcaster, Broadcast understands.

  • CBBC orders One Minute Wonders

    25-Jun-2008

    CBBC is to explore the amazing events that take place around the world every minute as part of a factual series dubbed “QI for kids”.

  • Oakenfold returns to Kiss

    25-Jun-2008

    DJ Paul Oakenfold will return to his radio roots with a series of shows for London dance network Kiss.

  • Virgin leads commercial stations onto Freesat

    25-Jun-2008

    Virgin Radio will be the first commercial radio broadcaster to add its stations to the recently launched Freesat platform.

  • UKTV relives war workers' Finest Hour

    25-Jun-2008

    UKTV History will meet the ordinary people who defied Hitler's bombs in a major documentary series.

  • Nuts TV airing on MySpace

    25-Jun-2008

    Turner Broadcasting has signed a major content deal with networking site MySpace giving Nuts TV and cult comedy animation brand Adult Swim dedicated channels.

  • Answering the capital back

    24-Jun-2008

    As Ken Livingstone starts work as an LBC presenter, the former mayor of London tells Rob Shepherd why he plans to take abuse from his listeners, reply to his critics and meet Keira Knightley.

  • SMG to rebrand as STV Group

    24-Jun-2008

    SMG today announced plans to rename itself STV Group, the name of its broadcasting arm.

  • John Leslie arrested

    24-Jun-2008

    Former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie has been arrested on suspicion of rape, according to reports.

  • Digital radio switchover by 2020

    23-Jun-2008

    The radio industry could see all services migrated to digital by 2020, according to Digital Radio Working Group (DRWG).

  • Damazer rejects C4 criticism

    23-Jun-2008

    BBC4 Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer has rejected Channel 4's claim that the station is too focussed on older, middle class listeners and has accused C4 of exploiting the “myth” for commercial purposes.

  • Ofcom considering Capital competition

    20-Jun-2008

    Ofcom is looking into a Capital Radio competition that was reopened after the£155,000 winner of its “LondoniTest” phone-in competition was found to be ineligible.

  • ITVP and Fox tie-up to develop US/UK remakes

    18-Jun-2008

    ITV Productions will produce a UK version of classic US sitcom Dharma and Greg as the first part of a major international production partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

  • Fincham turns to ITVP for identity theft drama series

    18-Jun-2008

    ITV Productions has won what is thought to be new director of television Peter Fincham's first original drama commission - to make a series about identity theft.

  • Waddell Media in US expansion

    18-Jun-2008

    Northern Ireland indie Waddell Media has made major inroads in the US by opening a New York office and signing a development deal with Discovery US.

  • UBC receives offer for Cliq music service

    18-Jun-2008

    UBC Media has received an approach from a major radio company about the possible acquisition of its Cliq music download service, Broadcast understands.

  • Radio facing a hike in royalties set to rise

    18-Jun-2008

    Commercial radio stations are bracing themselves for a rise in music royalty payments as copyright collection agencies look to combat declining music sales.

  • Online ads to overtake TV

    18-Jun-2008

    The internet will overtake TV as the biggest advertising platform in the UK this year with total ad spend of around£3.56bn, according to a report by Enders Analysis.

  • Element picks Harrison to head drama

    17-Jun-2008

    Irish indie Element Pictures has appointed Company Pictures' Charles Harrison as its new head of TV drama development in London.

  • Pirate FM awaits Ofcom decision

    17-Jun-2008

    Pirate FM will find out in the next few weeks if it has won the local FM radio licence for Plymouth.

  • Mark of Cain scoops Monte Carlo prize

    13-Jun-2008

    Channel 4's Mark of Cain and HBO's John Adams were the big winners at the 48th Monte Carlo TV Festival last night (12 June).

  • GCap inks news deal

    12-Jun-2008

    GCap Media's Gold Radio Network has penned an exclusive two-year content deal with radio sports bulletins provider Sportsmedia Broadcasting, and its sister financial news company, Businessmedia.

  • UKTV to rebrand all channels

    11-Jun-2008

    UKTV will rebrand all its channels in the next 12 months, kicking off by making UKTV Gold a comedy channel and launching an entertainment channel in the adjacent EPG slot.

  • Planet Rock buyer plans TV spin-off

    11-Jun-2008

    The new owner of radio station Planet Rock plans to enhance the brand by launching a spin-off online magazine and televisionchannel.

  • Sullivan: The future will reveal Freeview's flaws

    11-Jun-2008

    Freeview's limitations will become more apparent as the digital TV marketplace evolves, according to BSkyB customer group managing director Brian Sullivan.

  • UKTV Gold to air ‘unseen' Blackadder

    11-Jun-2008

    UKTV Gold will screen previously unseen footage of classic BBC comedy Blackadder during a two-part special celebrating the show's 25th anniversary.

  • Folder Media set to buy Fun Radio

    11-Jun-2008

    Digital radio and new media specialist Folder Media is set to acquire children's broadcaster Fun Radio, Broadcast can reveal.

  • History Channel orders Spanish Civil War doc

    10-Jun-2008

    Indie Liverpool Street Productions has won a joint commission from the History Channel UK and Spain to make two one-hour films on the Spanish Civil War.

  • Fairburn joins Smooth as station head

    10-Jun-2008

    GMG Radio has appointed Global Radio's Paul Fairburn as its new station director for 102.2 Smooth Radio.

  • Unique producing R2 dance music series

    9-Jun-2008

    Unique has won the contract to produce BBC Radio 2's second Summer of Love season to celebrate the 20th anniversary of UK dance music.

  • Red Bee wins Olympics contract

    9-Jun-2008

    Macquarie-owned Red Bee Media has been selected as the production partner for Chinese state television's coverage of this summer's Beijing Olympics.

  • Three more years for Theakston's Heart beat

    9-Jun-2008

    Jamie Theakston will present the Heart 106.2 breakfast show until 2011 after signing a three-year extension to his current deal.

  • Osbourne quits X Factor

    6-Jun-2008

    Sharon Osbourne has quit as a judge on The X Factor, ITV has confirmed.

  • MTV UK gives new look to news

    5-Jun-2008

    MTV Networks UK will re-launch its MTV News service as part of its strategy to provide more youth-focused news.

  • Dyke to front BBC4 Bevan doc

    4-Jun-2008

    Greg Dyke will explore the life of “father” of the National Health Service Aneurin Bevan in a one-hour documentary for BBC4.

  • Zig Zag to make 48-hour outdoor gameshow for C4

    4-Jun-2008

    Channel 4 has ordered an outdoor gameshow from Zig Zag Productions in which contestants can face questions at any time or in any place.

  • ITV extends Uefa Cup deal

    4-Jun-2008

    ITV has secured live Uefa Cup football coverage until May 2012 after signing an extension to its existing deal with the European football governing body.

  • Green Bay pilot on rescuing an ancient wonder

    4-Jun-2008

    Welsh indie Green Bay Media is to make a 60-minute broadcast pilot for National Geographic and ITV Wales about how modern technology is saving and restoring glories of the ancient world.

  • Electric Sky tracks rare animals

    4-Jun-2008

    Electric Sky Productions has won series commissions from Animal Planet International and Smithsonian Networks.

  • TNS to showcase TV ad-targeting system

    4-Jun-2008

    TNS Media Research is to unveil a next generation audience measurement system that will give broadcasters and advertisers the chance to target viewers with bespoke commercials.

  • New Virgin Radio owner plans Dave-style rebrand

    4-Jun-2008

    The new owner of Virgin Radio is planning a brand overhaul that will make the station the Dave of the radio world.

  • Al Murray fronts new ITV1 sketch show

    4-Jun-2008

    Comic Al Murray will take on the role of a Nazi for a new ITV1 sketch show.

  • Setanta extends SMG deal

    4-Jun-2008

    SMG will provide broadcast and production services for Setanta's Scottish Premier League coverage until 2010 after winning a two-year extension to the existing agreement.

  • Love hires Shine exec

    3-Jun-2008

    Love Productions has hired Shine head of entertainment Richard Bowron in the newly-created role of head of development.

  • Huntingford exits Virgin Radio

    3-Jun-2008

    Virgin Radio executive chairman Richard Huntingford is to leave his post following the station's£53.2m sale to the Times of India Group.

  • NME Radio unveils line-up

    2-Jun-2008

    New digital radio station NME Radio has unveiled its team of presenters including former Xfm DJ Claire Sturgess.

  • Angel Gambino quits Bebo

    2-Jun-2008

    Former MTV executive Angel Gambino has quit her post as global VP, music and content at social networking site Bebo.

  • SMG sells Virgin Radio

    2-Jun-2008

    SMG has sold Virgin Radio to Indian media conglomerate Bennett, Coleman & Co. for£53.2m in cash.

  • GCap sells Xfm South Wales

    30-May-2008

    GCap Media has sold its Xfm radio station in south Wales to local radio group Town and Country Broadcasting, it has confirmed.

  • ITV reveals Bingo hosts and launch date

    30-May-2008

    ITV1 has confirmed Melinda Messenger and Michael Underwood will host its new game show Bingo Night Live, as exclusively revealed by Broadcast earlier this year.

  • Coldplay in Q Radio relaunch

    30-May-2008

    Coldplay will be the debut 'star interview' on the re-launched Q Radio, the broadcaster has confirmed.

  • BT Vision commits to new IPTV ventures

    30-May-2008

    BT Vision and Dublin-based firm Emuse Technologies have extended their existing relationship by agreeing to build a 'significant pipeline' of new IPTV applications over the next 12 months.

  • Stan Collymore joins TalkSport

    29-May-2008

    TalkSport has secured the services of ex-England striker Stan Collymore for its Euro 2008 coverage and the forthcoming 2008-09 football season.

  • Pilot shortage prompts call for change at LA Screenings

    28-May-2008

    The lack of completed pilots made this year's LA Screenings a damp squib, prompting talk of changing the way that US studios do business.

  • Disney UK orders comedy sketch show

    28-May-2008

    Disney Channel UK's London hub has taken its next step in commissioning original content by ordering a comedy sketch show.

  • Virgin 1 meets cheaters and bunny-boilers

    28-May-2008

    Virgin 1 is to meet bunny-boilers, love rats, cradle snatchers, gold diggers and sex maniacs in a season labelled ...and Proud.

  • Suggs to uncover Italy for new Sky Arts series

    28-May-2008

    Madness front man and Virgin Radio DJ Suggs is to take a road trip through the cultural heart of Italy for a Sky Arts series.

  • UKTV consolidates content acquisition

    28-May-2008

    UKTV has restructured its programme and film activities to form one content acquisition group.

  • Indies branch out into mags and marketing

    28-May-2008

    Two examples of indies turning to non-traditional sources of income have emerged, with Shimmer Productions making an online drama for a magazine and Hamma & Glamma Productions hiring a head of commercial filming to build its corporate marketing business.

  • Behind the news: Future of commercial radio

    28-May-2008

    If commercial radio is to succeed in a competitive digital world, it must drag itself out of the past and innovate. Rob Shepherd looks at some of the best new ideas.

  • Rugby commentator retiring

    28-May-2008

    BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union commentator Alastair Hignell will retire following the Guinness Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday (31 May).

  • ITV to show 'missing' Daisies episode online

    28-May-2008

    ITV.com is to stream the unbroadcast second episode of Pushing Daisies straight after the series' climax this weekend.

  • BSkyB slammed by ASA

    28-May-2008

    The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint from BT over what the telcomms giant described as a “misleading and denigratory” ad campaign run by BSkyB last year.

  • Wall appointed 5 Live commissioning editor

    28-May-2008

    Jonathan Wall has been appointed commissioning editor for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra in a move that will see him preparing the stations for their move to Salford and Mediacity in 2011.

  • Six Feet Under scribe developing US Bad Girls

    27-May-2008

    US cable giant HBO has hired Alan Ball, the writer behind Six Feet Under and Oscar-winning American Beauty, to develop an American version of Shed Media's long-running drama Bad Girls.

  • C4 in mobile DAB talks

    27-May-2008

    Channel 4 is in talks with electronics manufacturers about creating a branded plug-in DAB device for iPods and mobile phones.

  • Shennan: C4 Radio will beat BBC indie quota

    22-May-2008

    Channel 4 director of radio Bob Shennan has pledged that the broadcaster will far exceed the BBC's radio quota of 10% of production coming from the indie sector.

  • Five hit by more high-level departures

    21-May-2008

    Ben Gale's turbulent start at Five is set to continue with the loss of two senior programming executives just days into his tenure.

  • BBC3 challenges tycoons to prosper

    21-May-2008

    BBC3 will challenge 12 successful entrepreneurs to prove their business skills in some of the world's most demanding cities.

  • Stevens moves from Living to Paramount

    21-May-2008

    Paramount Comedy has hired Virgin Media TV's Amanda Stevens as its new head of acquisitions.

  • Eagle dishes out two servings of Martin

    21-May-2008

    Eagle Media Productions has won commissions from UKTV Food and BBC2 that will follow TV chef James Martin on two very different road trips.

  • Mock the Week duo to star in R4 comedy run

    21-May-2008

    Mock the Week host Dara O'Briain and panellists Andy Parsons and Frankie Boyle are to team up again for a BBC Radio 4 comedy series from indie Open Mike.

  • Small radio stations to launch ‘support group'

    21-May-2008

    Small independent radio stations have joined forces to launch a “standalone self-help group” to discuss industry issues because they do not feel represented by the Radio Centre.

  • Radio body launching ad push

    21-May-2008

    The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) will this week launch a national radio advertising campaign extolling the virtues of using the medium.

  • Sky One drama under fire

    21-May-2008

    MPs have lambasted The Home Office for using£400,000 of taxpayers to help fund Sky One's Border Force, a series which focuses on the UK's war on illegal immigrants.

  • DAB radio anyone?

    20-May-2008

    As the future of DAB looks increasingly uncertain, Rob Shepherd reports on the industry's attempts to make digital radio as essential to listeners as an iPod.

  • Laverne takes 6 Music mic

    20-May-2008

    BBC 6 Music has hired Lauren Laverne to host a new radio show as part of a new-look evening schedule.

  • Livingstone joins LBC

    20-May-2008

    LBC 97.3 has signed ex-mayor of London Ken Livingstone to present his own afternoon phone-in show.

  • News Corp grows Premiere stake

    20-May-2008

    Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has raised its stake in German pay-TV operator Premiere AG to 25%.

  • John McCarthy to front religious art series

    19-May-2008

    Sky Arts has hired broadcaster and former hostage John McCarthy to narrate and present a three-part part documentary series on the art and architecture of religious buildings.

  • News Corp cleared of hacking

    19-May-2008

    A subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has been cleared of charges in a corporate espionage lawsuit brought by satellite TV company DISH Network that claimed damages of almost $1bn (£510m).

  • GCap sets Global takeover date

    16-May-2008

    GCap Media has confirmed its£375m takeover by Global Radio will be completed by 6 June.

  • SMG radio/cinema struggles

    16-May-2008

    Media giant SMG said today (16 May) its TV business had outperformed the wider ITV network, but saw declines in its radio and cinema markets, sending its shares down 6.5%.

  • BSkyB aims for iPlayer success with Sky Player

    14-May-2008

    BSkyB has launched an enhanced version of its Sky Anytime PC on-demand service, now known as Sky Player.

  • Old bands return to Living

    14-May-2008

    Living will re-unite legendary bands to try to restore them to former glories as part of its summer schedule. Pop Goes the Band is a 6 x 60-minute reality show by ITV Productions in which bands will undergo complete transformations, in some cases plastic surgery, as they prepare to face an audience with their new looks.

  • Cornish town to get an extreme makeover

    14-May-2008

    UKTV Style will follow Extreme Makeover host Ty Pennington as he sets out to transform a rundown Cornish coastal town.

  • Composer Goodall joins Classic FM

    14-May-2008

    Classic FM has hired award-winning TV theme composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall to host his own themed Saturday afternoon show.

  • Virgin Radio revamps Classic Rock station

    14-May-2008

    Virgin Radio Classic Rock launches a brand new weekly strand featuring the biggest rock legends this week, as part of a major station revamp intended to stamp the station's authority on the genre.

  • UBC commercial arm sale was ‘irresistible'

    14-May-2008

    UBC Media agreed to sell its commercial arm to Nasdaq-listed Global Traffic Network (GNET) last week because it was “an irresistible commercial proposition” which valued the division at£3m more than the entire company.

  • Virgin scolded over 'misleading' ad

    14-May-2008

    The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint from BSkyB over a 'misleading' national advert run by Virgin Media.

  • Sky's Picnic on hold

    13-May-2008

    BSkyB will have to wait to launch its planned pay-TV service on digital terrestrial television, Picnic, after Ofcom announced a fresh consultation today.

  • Sony wins for Ross and Brand

    13-May-2008

    Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand claimed victory at last night's Sony radio awards for their BBC Radio 2 shows while Radio 4 was crowned UK station of the year.

  • BBC blow as Denise heads to Sky

    12-May-2008

    Sky One has hired Denise Van Outen to host a musical show based on the hit movie and musical Hairspray.

  • All3Media targeted by NBC

    12-May-2008

    All3Media has been approached about a takeover by US studio NBC Universal.

  • New plays head to radio

    9-May-2008

    Radio and TV indie Made in Manchester (MIM) will turn extracts from plays by 16 new writers into radio after winning a prestigious PR contract.

  • Virgin Media builds customers

    8-May-2008

    Virgin Media added a net 4,900 new customers across all products in the first quarter.

  • Indies urge Gale to stay on course

    7-May-2008

    Indies have called on Five's incoming director of programmes, Ben Gale, to get the broadcaster's house in order when he takes up the reins on Monday.

  • Freesat ‘must grow' HD to challenge Sky

    7-May-2008

    Freesat will have to expand its HD portfolio beyond the BBC and ITV within a year if it is to be a serious threat to BSkyB's own service, said City analysts.

  • Virgin 1 plans ‘rude season' this autumn

    7-May-2008

    Virgin 1 is to return its gaze to private parts this autumn with a selection of programmes it has grouped into a “rude season”.

  • Hamma & Glamma hires ITVP producer

    7-May-2008

    Indie Hamma & Glamma Productions has hired ITV Productions' development producer, factual entertainment Will Spokes.

  • Vote Boris: no apology from Whale

    7-May-2008

    James Whale has called for a new set of regulations governing speech radio to protect the integrity of outspoken presenters after he was sacked by TalkSport for breaching impartiality.

  • Motive issues 95m shares in drama bid

    7-May-2008

    Motive Television has raised more than half a million pounds for its planned investment in drama after issuing almost 95.5 million more shares to its directors and Australian media giant Beyond International Ltd.

  • James Whale resurfaces

    7-May-2008

    Ex-TalkSport radio host James Whale has rebounded from his recent sacking by taking a presenting role at shopping channel Bid TV.

  • C4 hires radio/multimedia chief

    7-May-2008

    Channel 4 has appointed BBC Worldwide's Daniel Heaf as head of new media, 4 Radio and multimedia entertainment.

  • Gervais plans NME Radio special

    7-May-2008

    Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington will present a one-off special during NME Radio's test transmission period ahead of its launch next month.

  • News Corp exec knew about hackers

    7-May-2008

    A senior News Corp executive has admitted to keeping two hackers on the payroll even after one was accused of breaking into the security system of rival satellite outfit DISH.

  • Drop in share for Virgin

    6-May-2008

    Virgin Radio saw its share drop from 1.5% to 1.4%, while TalkSport figures also slipped from 2% to 1.9%.

  • Rajars show digital up

    6-May-2008

    DAB maintained its steady growth in platform share, reach and hours despite coming under attack this year from some in the radio industry.

  • Wise Buddah's Steele is first appointment for E4 Radio

    6-May-2008

    Channel 4 Radio has made its first senior appointment for E4 Radio, hiring Wise Buddah's Sam Steele as head of programmes.

  • Commercial radio urged to take on BBC

    6-May-2008

    Commercial radio should “stand up for itself”, industry executives have urged, after the sector suffered a mauling at the hands of the BBC in the first quarter Rajars.

  • James Whale sacked

    6-May-2008

    TalkSport has fired controversial radio presenter James Whale after he breached broadcasting rules regarding impartiality.

  • BSkyB plans£600m bid for Virgin cable channels

    6-May-2008

    BSkyB is considering a£600m offer to buy rival Virgin Media's cable channels.

  • Radio 4 plots Bond season

    2-May-2008

    BBC Radio 4 will mark the 100th anniversary of James Bond creator Ian Fleming with a Bond season, including the first full-length radio adaptation of Dr No.

  • Sky breathes life into awards

    2-May-2008

    Sky Real Lives is to televise the 13th annual Breathing Life Awards, this year hosted by former Changing Rooms presenter Carol Smillie.

  • BBC defends radio dominance

    1-May-2008

    Rajars: The BBC has defended its biggest-ever lead over its commercial rivals claiming listeners “are not forced to listen” to its stations.

  • Heart and Magic lead in London

    1-May-2008

    Rajars: Global Radio's Heart and Bauer's Magic shared the top spot with a 5.8% share of London audiences, according to Rajar's first quarter figures.

  • BBC Radio extends lead

    1-May-2008

    Rajars: BBC Radio surged to its biggest-ever lead over its commercial rivals with record audiences for Chris Moyles and Terry Wogan.

  • Digital radio figures soar

    1-May-2008

    Rajars: More people are switching over to digital radio, according to the latest Rajar figures.

  • Dave to test trio of quiz show pilots

    30-Apr-2008

    Dave plans to kickstart a move into original commissions with three quiz show pilots.

  • Airey's return to Five will provide ‘Grade-style boost'

    30-Apr-2008

    Five's staff could greet Dawn Airey's return with something like the euphoria that enveloped Michael Grade when he rejoined ITV, sources close to the broadcaster predict.

  • Sky One joins border patrols for new doc

    30-Apr-2008

    Sky One will take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at immigration into the UK in an eight-part observational-documentary series.

  • Interview: radio content must become more visual, says BBC radio boss

    30-Apr-2008

    One of the biggest challenges facing radio is television, claims BBC Radio 1 head of programmes Ben Cooper.

  • Superstars returns on Five

    30-Apr-2008

    Five is to revive classic sporting competition Superstars with a host of Olympic medallists already signed up.

  • Five to bring back Superstars

    30-Apr-2008

    Five is to resurrect iconic sporting show Superstars for a new series with Olympic medallists as captains and is due to roll it out this summer.

  • Shed profits up

    30-Apr-2008

    Shed Media said it was making good progress in a difficult UK market as it posted a higher full year adjusted pre-tax profit and turnover.

  • BSkyB grows customers

    30-Apr-2008

    BSkyB reported customer growth of 10% in its third quarter results and said it was on track to meet full-year targets, despite a fall in operating profit.

  • Five to revive Superstars

    29-Apr-2008

    Five is to resurrect iconic sporting series Superstars for a new series this summer.

  • Five to revive Superstars

    29-Apr-2008

    Five is to resurrect iconic sporting series Superstars for a new series this summer.

  • Five to revive Superstars

    29-Apr-2008

    Five is to bring back iconic sporting series Superstars.

  • Airey: From Five to Five

    29-Apr-2008

    The legendary straight-talker of broadcasting Dawn Airey began her first spell at Channel Five in 1996, when she helped launch the terrestrial as director of programmes.

  • Rapture to appeal

    29-Apr-2008

    Dance music channel Rapture TV is to appeal a decision by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) that it was not overcharged for its EPG listing by BSkyB.

  • GMG Radio delves into£1m commissions fund

    29-Apr-2008

    GMG Radio has ordered UBC Media to make four series in the first wave of commissions from its£1m production fund.

  • ITV faces record£4m fine

    29-Apr-2008

    ITV is facing a record£4m fine for swindling viewers out of millions of pounds in phone-in scams.

  • Abramsky strikes back at Bazalgette

    28-Apr-2008

    BBC radio chief Jenny Abramsky has attacked Peter Bazalgette over his comments that Radio 1 and 2 should be privatised claiming such a move would “promote cultural elitism”.

  • MBO offer for RDF

    24-Apr-2008

    RDF, the indie behind hit Channel 4 show Wife Swap, may be taken private after a consortium including its management team made an indicative cash proposal for all of the company's shares.

  • Clements to join STV in the autumn

    24-Apr-2008

    Update: Former IWC creative director Alan Clements will join STV as director of content, it has confirmed.

  • Sky One to resurrect sci-fi classic Blake's 7

    23-Apr-2008

    Sky One is planning a remake of iconic British science fiction series Blake's 7.

  • Neal Street gains Worth novel rights

    23-Apr-2008

    Sam Mendes' indie, Neal Street Productions, has secured the television rights to best-selling novel Call the Midwife as its follow-up TV project to the critically acclaimed Stuart: A Life Backwards.

  • Sky explores IPTV launch for Picnic

    23-Apr-2008

    Picnic, BSkyB's proposed pay DTT offering, could launch as an IPTV service that would rival BT Vision.

  • Tompkinson to probe power of brass for R2

    23-Apr-2008

    Brassed Off star Stephen Tompkinson will present a four-part programme about the UK's love affair with brass instruments and bands for BBC Radio 2.

  • 4Digital launch may be put back to 2009

    23-Apr-2008

    The launch of the 4Digital Group multiplex could well slip into next year, Broadcast understands.

  • Ofcom rejects Smooth request

    23-Apr-2008

    Ofcom has rejected a format request from GMG Radio that would remove an obligation to play 45 hours of jazz music on Smooth Radio in London and the North-West.

  • Hotbed opens London office

    23-Apr-2008

    Birmingham indie Hotbed Media has expanded its business and opened a London office to exploit the capital's dominant position for commissions.

  • Writer Cole to present serial killer series

    23-Apr-2008

    ITV3 has hired British crime writer Martina Cole to examine the stories of female serial killers in a series for indie Free@Last TV.

  • Ent Rights boss under pressure as bid fails

    23-Apr-2008

    Entertainment Rights chief executive Nick Phillips must work the company's brands harder to raise the share price after takeover talks ground to a halt earlier this week, analysts have said.

  • On Location: Unearthed: Film School Wild

    23-Apr-2008

    A film-making reality show wants to uncover the world's next Attenborough.

  • Blue Peter host joins R5 Live

    22-Apr-2008

    Outgoing Blue Peter presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Gethin Jones will host his own show on BBC Radio 5 Live in July.

  • Cat Deeley's Soundtrack to play again

    22-Apr-2008

    ITV London has ordered a third series of the Cat Deeley-fronted series Soundtrack to My Life.

  • CGS signs European broadcast deal

    22-Apr-2008

    Championship Gaming Series (CGS) has signed a European broadcast deal with Eurosport and BSkyB, making the professional video-gaming league available in more than 400 million homes worldwide.

  • Salford will change 'feel' of R5 Live

    21-Apr-2008

    New BBC Radio 5 Live controller Adrian van Klaveren has admitted that corporation's relocation to Salford will make a big difference to the “feel” of the station.

  • RTL and Saban eye BSkyB's ITV stake

    21-Apr-2008

    BSkyB has received expressions of interest in its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV from German broadcaster RTL and media mogul Haim Saban.

  • Shed hires ex-Endemol exec

    18-Apr-2008

    Shed Media has hired Endemol executive Lee Mason to head up its development slate, it has confirmed.

  • Brucie awarded Bafta honour

    18-Apr-2008

    TV veteran Bruce Forsyth will receive the highest accolade bestowed by Bafta when he is given the Gift of Council at the annual awards on Sunday night (20 April).

  • Nuts takes US darts package

    18-Apr-2008

    Nuts TV will screen exclusive coverage of the 2008 PDC US Open on as part of a package of darts programming on the channel.

  • Richard and Judy in shock move to UKTV

    16-Apr-2008

    UKTV has swooped to sign Richard and Judy to front the flagship show for a new-look entertainment channel.

  • DCD and Boomerang merger talks collapse at last minute

    16-Apr-2008

    DCD Media's merger with Welsh producer Boomerang Plus has been called off at the 11th hour after months of talks.

  • DCD and Boomerang merger talks collapse at last minute

    16-Apr-2008

    DCD Media's merger with Welsh producer Boomerang Plus has been called off at the 11th hour after months of talks.

  • Sky One orders Cole thrillers

    16-Apr-2008

    Sky One will adapt two bestsellers by crime author Martina Cole as part of its multimillion pound investment in drama.

  • C4 Radio poaches 5 Live exec

    16-Apr-2008

    Former Radio 5 Live controller Bob Shennan has raided his former station to recruit a general manager for Channel 4 Radio.

  • Sky Real Lives makes first series order

    16-Apr-2008

    Sky Real Lives has made its first full series commission, ordering a factual show about extreme weight loss in contemporary Britain from indie ZKK.

  • September gets Lali access for C4

    16-Apr-2008

    September Films has secured worldwide exclusive access to the Indian baby born with a rare deformity who became a global news story earlier this month.

  • Virgin 1 adds shows to Extraordinary season

    16-Apr-2008

    Virgin 1 will explore gigantism, the lives of conjoined twins and speed-eating as part of its flagship Extraordinary Humans strand.

  • DCD takeover of Boomerang is off

    16-Apr-2008

    DCD Media's proposed takeover of Welsh giant Boomerang is off after talks stalled late last night (15 April).

  • Dai 4 moves into radio with new BBC Wales sketch show

    15-Apr-2008

    BBC Radio Wales has ordered a sketch show featuring the finalists from BBC Wales talent TV series Funny Business.

  • BBC quintet lead race to succeed Abramsky

    15-Apr-2008

    Five BBC executives have emerged as the early front runners to replace director of audio and music Jenny Abramsky, who resigned last week after 39 years with the corporation.

  • Discovery names UK chief

    15-Apr-2008

    Discovery Networks International has promoted Dan Brooke to executive vice president and managing director of its UK operation.

  • DRDB names new chief

    15-Apr-2008

    The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) has named general manager of broadcast at National Grid Wireless (NGW) Tony Moretta as its new chief executive.

  • BBC ups regional radio boss

    15-Apr-2008

    The BBC has promoted acting managing editor of BBC Radio Merseyside Phil Roberts to new head of the BBC in the North East and Cumbria.

  • UBC signs with Virgin Radio

    15-Apr-2008

    Radio broadcaster UBC Media has won a two-year contract to supply traffic and travel news and sell airtime on behalf of Virgin Radio.

  • TV host Speight found dead

    14-Apr-2008

    The family of missing TV presenter Mark Speight will identify the body of a man found at London's Paddington station yesterday.

  • Gladiators enter the arena

    11-Apr-2008

    Sky One this morning unveiled the 12 gladiators who will take centre stage in the return of the classic series, including Olympic silver medallist Du'aine Ladejo.

  • Jon Culshaw joins Virgin Radio

    11-Apr-2008

    Virgin Radio has snapped up impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw to host The Sunday Night Show as cover for fellow comic Iain Lee.

  • Abramsky to leave BBC

    10-Apr-2008

    Director of BBC audio and music Jenny Abramsky is leaving the corporation after 39 years to chair the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

  • Moyles and Brand in line for Sony

    10-Apr-2008

    Chris Moyles and Russell Brand have been short-listed for gongs at this year's radio industry 'Oscars'.

  • BBC funds black comic's comedy doc

    9-Apr-2008

    The BBC comedy department is funding development for a comedy vehicle following the adventures of black London comedian Rudi Lickwood.

  • UKTV takes on Perrin to boost entertainment portfolio

    9-Apr-2008

    UKTV has appointed Tiger Aspect director of reality and popular factual Lisa Perrin to the newly created role of director of commissioning, entertainment.

  • Sky One docs follow Hatton for big fight

    9-Apr-2008

    Sky One will screen two behind-the-scenes documentaries with British boxer Ricky Hatton as he prepares for his “homecoming” fight with Juan Lazcano.

  • Celebs to examine UK's culinary diversity

    9-Apr-2008

    Chef John Torode and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli have teamed up to explore the diverse culinary communities of multicultural Britain for a UKTV Food show.

  • Ofcom tightens rules on participation TV

    9-Apr-2008

    Ofcom has unveiled proposals to toughen regulations for participation TV shows following the premium-rate phone-in scandals that were uncovered in 2007.

  • Revolver acquires Adult Swim

    9-Apr-2008

    British home entertainment distributor Revolver Entertainment has acquired the exclusive UK and Ireland home entertainment rights to Turner's adult-oriented animation franchise Adult Swim.

  • Figures below predictions for Entertainment Rights

    9-Apr-2008

    Children's character licensor Entertainment Rights posted a slight rise in annual pre-tax profit although figures were below expectations because of problems towards the end of 2007.

  • Big City gets Bauer boost

    8-Apr-2008

    Bauer Radio will launch a major marketing and promotion campaign across its network of Big City stations as part of its commitment to invest£10m in the coming year.

  • Anderson to host R4's Ends

    8-Apr-2008

    Veteran TV presenter Clive Anderson is to replace the late Ned Sherrin as the permanent host of long-running BBC Radio 4 entertainment magazine show Loose Ends.

  • Absolute ready to rebrand Virgin Radio as Jack FM

    8-Apr-2008

    Virgin Radio suitor Absolute Radio would be prepared to rebrand the business as Jack FM if it fails to secure the right to use the Virgin name from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group.

  • MTV and Swatch bolster partnership

    8-Apr-2008

    MTV Networks International (MTVNI) and Swiss watchmaker Swatch have extended their multi-million dollar partnership for the latest series of MTV’s user-generated content show, MTV’s Best. Show. Ever.

  • Voom launches extreme sports channel on Sky

    7-Apr-2008

    Voom HD Networks has launched its extreme sports and adrenaline-filled travel channel Rush HD channel on the BSkyB platform.

  • Rothschild to launch indie

    7-Apr-2008

    Adventurer David de Rothschild has teamed up with the founder of media group Everybody's Entertainment to launch an indie called Sculpt the Future Productions.

  • Radio show for Jason Donovan

    4-Apr-2008

    The One Network has signed up Echo Beach star Jason Donovan to host a new music and entertainment-based show across its 42 stations through the UK.

  • SMG to sell Virgin Radio at the 'right price'

    3-Apr-2008

    Scottish media group SMG said it was on track to meet 2008 targets after reporting full-year 2007 adjusted pre-tax profit of£4.4m.

  • Warp to make bad boy puppet series for MTV

    2-Apr-2008

    MTV has ordered an Avenue Q-style “puppets behaving badly” comedy to go out later this spring.

  • Les Dennis to front home video show for Challenge

    2-Apr-2008

    Challenge has hired gameshow legend Les Dennis to present a primetime home video howlers series.

  • Sen and Craig join forces to start Furnace

    2-Apr-2008

    Oxford Scientific Films producer Paul Sen and Brook Lapping joint head of programmes Phil Craig have joined forces to create their own specialist factual indie, Furnace.

  • DAB, costs and local shows head Global's GCap agenda

    2-Apr-2008

    Analysts expect Global Radio chairman Charles Allen to kick off a cost-cutting drive after the Heart 106.2 owner agreed to buy GCap Media for£375m.

  • Sky One gets back on track

    2-Apr-2008

    Commissioning editor Steve Jones is determined to give Sky One a clear direction and make it the channel of choice for entertainment.

  • Fincham poised for 12 May start

    2-Apr-2008

    Ex-BBC1 controller Peter Fincham is expected to take up his new role at ITV on 12 May.

  • Absolute tables£60m bid for Virgin Radio

    2-Apr-2008

    The on-going courtship of Virgin Radio looks to have come to an end after reports that parent company SMG had selected a preferred buyer.

  • Chinese media giant eyes UK

    1-Apr-2008

    Chinese broadcast and ad giant Xinhua Finance Media (XFMedia) has added British producer and director David Green to its board to help advise on its European growth strategy.

  • Global to buy GCap for£375m

    31-Mar-2008

    Global Radio has agreed a£375m deal to buy GCap Media after weeks of negotiations.

  • Global given 24 hours for GCap bid

    31-Mar-2008

    Global Radio has until 5pm tomorrow (1 April) to make a formal bid for GCap Media after it was given yet another extension by the City Takeover Panel.

  • Rapture appeal dismissed

    31-Mar-2008

    The Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) has dismissed an appeal by dance music channel Rapture TV over claims that Ofcom did not fully investigate complaints that BSkyB overcharged for its EPG listing.

  • Millionaire spin-off heads to Italy

    31-Mar-2008

    Italian network Mediaset has ordered a series of 2waytraffic's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? spin-off game show format 50-50.

  • GCap predicts boost on takeover deadline day

    31-Mar-2008

    GCap Media said annual revenues are forecast to be 4% up on the previous year, on the day Global Radio must make a formal offer for the company or walk away.

  • DMAX moves up the EPG

    28-Mar-2008

    Discovery entertainment channel DMAX and DMAX+1 have moved up the BSkyB EPG listing after striking a deal with Cellcast plc to exchange positions on the grid.

  • Commercial radio revenues up

    28-Mar-2008

    UK commercial radio revenues increased by 7.1% in Q4 2007 year-on-year to£150.9m, according to research by Enders Analysis.

  • Deadline extended for Global-GCap deal

    26-Mar-2008

    Global Radio's deadline to make a formal offer for GCap Media has been further extended to 5pm on 31 March 2008 by the Takeover Panel.

  • UKTV fills commissioning roles

    26-Mar-2008

    UKTV has made acting head of commissioning Jane Rogerson its director of commissioning for factual and factual entertainment amid a raft of commissioning hires.

  • Talkback scores trio of factual commissions from the BBC

    26-Mar-2008

    Talkback Thames has won three major factual commissions from the BBC, including a Touching the Void-style series for BBC1.

  • GMG Radio names deputy CEO

    26-Mar-2008

    GMG Radio has promoted Stuart Taylor to the role of deputy chief executive, it has confirmed.

  • Chello inks Fox deal

    26-Mar-2008

    Multichannel operator Chello Zone has acquired the cable and DTH rights to a range of feature films and television series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.

  • Scottish TV suffering 'lack of ambition'

    26-Mar-2008

    TV in Scotland is suffering from a lack of ambition, according to findings by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission.

  • 4Radio in Ofcom talks to delay launch plans

    26-Mar-2008

    Confusion over the launch date of the 4Digital Group multiplex has escalated after it emerged that the broadcaster is in dialogue with Ofcom about extending its launch schedule to the end of the year.

  • Fremantle bags Travel Channel catalogue

    26-Mar-2008

    Fremantle Media Enterprises (FME) has signed-up with the Travel Channel to become the exclusive international distributor for the broadcaster's original programming.

  • Key staff quit Al-Jazeera

    26-Mar-2008

    Al-Jazeera English has suffered two major departures on both sides of the Atlantic including its director of news and programmes.

  • Bully's Bowen takes bingo bow

    25-Mar-2008

    Interactive gaming company Netplay TV has secured the services of veteran comic Jim Bowen and 1980s comic duo Cannon and Ball as co-hosts of new TV programme Celebrity TV Bingo.

  • Fremantle signs with Blinkbox

    25-Mar-2008

    Fremantle Media is to distribute archive shows from Baywatch to Button Moon on video download and clips website Blinkbox.com.

  • BBC apologies to Rangers fans

    25-Mar-2008

    The BBC has apologised after a Radio Scotland presenter read out an email which said Ibrox was home to 'half-human, half-animal hybrids'.

  • ITN to produce news for the disabled

    20-Mar-2008

    ITN and Community Channel production arm Media Trust Productions have joined forces to make a news programme for people with learning disabilities.

  • Veteran soccer challenge finds new home on ITV4

    19-Mar-2008

    ITV4 will be the home of the 2008 England Legends Series after it secured a deal to air three games this summer.

  • Tarrant will host Challenge gameshow

    18-Mar-2008

    Challenge has recruited Chris Tarrant to front a major new primetime gameshow format made by ITV Productions.

  • DCD and Boomerang Plus set for marriage

    18-Mar-2008

    Super-indie DCD Media is in advanced takeover talks with Welsh giant Boomerang Plus.

  • Sky One pours millions into bestseller dramas

    18-Mar-2008

    Sky One is investing its biggest sum yet in original drama, pumping more than£10m into adapting a trio of bestselling books.

  • Nat Geo Int orders gambling and green inventions series

    18-Mar-2008

    National Geographic Channels International will follow two renowned green inventors as they help others adopt a cleaner lifestyle in an eight-part series by Renegade Pictures.

  • Housing sitcom among R4's Unique orders

    18-Mar-2008

    Radio indie Unique has won a slate of commissions from BBC Radio 4, including a pilot sitcom about estate agents starring comedian David Schneider.

  • GCap plans local push after buying website

    18-Mar-2008

    GCap Media will use social networking site Welovelocal.com to reinforce its connection with regional listeners and access new classified revenue streams, according to chief executive Fru Hazlitt.

  • Sky scores Champions League matches

    18-Mar-2008

    Sky Sports has captured four out of the five Champions League packages in the first round of the tender.

  • GCap acquires 'local' social networking site

    17-Mar-2008

    GCap Media has acquired a majority stake in local social networking website welovelocal.com Limited for£450,000.

  • MacIntyre heads to 5 Live

    14-Mar-2008

    Donal MacIntyre will make his radio presenting debut next month in a new series of investigative programmes on BBC Radio 5 Live.

  • Geldof-led group retains Teachers TV

    14-Mar-2008

    A consortium including Bob Geldof's production company Ten Alps and ITN has retained the Teachers TV digital television contract for a further five years.

  • ITV hands£50,000 to three regional indies

    13-Mar-2008

    Twofour Productions, YoYo Media and True North are the first producers to be handed cash in ITV's inaugural nations and regions production fund (NRPF).

  • Brann signed up to spread Love overseas

    12-Mar-2008

    Love Productions has appointed former Channel 4 head of business affairs Andrew Brann as managing director to help boost its prospects for international growth.

  • Baines quits Paramount Comedy

    12-Mar-2008

    Paramount Comedy head of acquisitions and digital media Sarah Baines has called time on her career at the Viacom-owned channel.

  • Rock giants to reveal secrets for Sky Arts

    12-Mar-2008

    Rock stars including Phil Collins and Mick Hucknall will reveal the art and craft of songwriting and perform their best-known songs in an eight-part series for Sky Arts.

  • Chinese makeover for Ugly Betty

    12-Mar-2008

    Chinese broadcaster Hunan TV is to make a local version of hit US series Ugly Betty.

  • £2.5bn sale of NGW approved

    12-Mar-2008

    The sale of National Grid Wireless (NGW) to Arqiva parent company Macquarie Group has been green lit with strict measures in place to safeguard competition.

  • Wright and Gallacher to present Gladiators

    12-Mar-2008

    Ex-England striker Ian Wright and sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher will host Sky One's relaunched Gladiators.

  • Global ‘must spend millions' on Gcap

    11-Mar-2008

    Global Radio will have to invest millions more in the GCap Media portfolio if its proposed£371m takeover is to be successful, industry figures have claimed.

  • Fiona Phillips joins Smooth

    11-Mar-2008

    London's Smooth Radio has signed-up breakfast TV star Fiona Phillips to present its Sunday afternoon show from Easter weekend.

  • Freeview figures reach record high

    11-Mar-2008

    Freeview sales hit an all-time high in 2007 as consumers purchased 9.7 million branded products - a 64% rise on the previous 12 months.

  • The Saint set for TV film

    10-Mar-2008

    Classic ITV series The Saint is to make a comeback in the form of a two-hour TV film that could lead to the production of a new show.

  • Sky to fill gaps in EPG genres

    6-Mar-2008

    BSkyB will create more space in 13 of its EPG genres, including entertainment and music, by moving a number of channels up the listings.

  • BBC3 farms out comics to live with animals

    6-Mar-2008

    BBC3 will challenge a group of young comedians to live like animals in a new series from Love Productions.

  • Eurosport takes over Superbikes coverage

    5-Mar-2008

    British Eurosport will show live coverage of the British Superbike (BSB) Championship after ITV opted not to continue airing the tournament.

  • Global granted extension on GCap bid

    5-Mar-2008

    Global Radio's extension to make a formal offer for GCap Media has been extended to 5pm on 26 March 2008 by the Takeover Panel.

  • Celebs host ‘top 50' list shows series for Sky One

    5-Mar-2008

    Sky One has commissioned five different indies to make a season of TV and celebrity-themed “top 50” list shows, each of which will be hosted by a famous face.

  • ITV sells Liverpool FC stake

    5-Mar-2008

    ITV has sold its 50% stake in Liverpool FC's club website TV channel to the Liverpool Football and Athletic Grounds Limited for£15.75m.

  • Hot Topic: International distribution

    5-Mar-2008

    We must think big if UK drama is to go global, says Noel Hedges.

  • ITV profits fall

    5-Mar-2008

    ITV executive chairman Michael Grade has announced a 35% fall in annual profits following his first full year in charge but said “the turnaround plan is on track'.

  • Jazz FM returns to capital

    4-Mar-2008

    GMG Radio will relaunch Jazz FM in London and the north-west as a DAB-only digital station.

  • Fags & Mags returns to R4

    4-Mar-2008

    BBC Radio 4 has recommissioned The Comedy Unit to make a second series of its Glasgow-based cornershop sitcom Fags, Mags & Bags.

  • Unique wins variety of R4 commissions

    4-Mar-2008

    Radio indie Unique has won a raft of orders for BBC Radio 4, including a series to mark the bicentenary of the Peninsula War.

  • Ad flight from radio to web 'has settled'

    4-Mar-2008

    The first full year of growth in commercial radio revenues since 2004 is proof that the shift of advertising to the internet has finally settled, senior industry figures have claimed.

  • Discovery Science rebrands

    4-Mar-2008

    Discovery Science has introduced a new channel brand in the UK to give it a more contemporary feel.

  • RDF moves on from Queengate

    4-Mar-2008

    RDF Media Group said its trading for the year ending 31 January was in line with expectations and said it was confident about the future.

  • Global makes 11th hour GCap bid

    4-Mar-2008

    Global Radio has tabled a last minute bid for GCap Media valuing the company at£371 million.

  • MTV to launch MySpace chart show

    3-Mar-2008

    MTV has joined forces with social networking site MySpace to create a weekly chart show.

  • Shed results meet expectations

    3-Mar-2008

    Shed Media said full-year trading for 2007 was in line with market expectations and that it was confident about its future.

  • Virgin weighs up channels future

    3-Mar-2008

    Virgin Media is carrying out a review of its channels that could lead to a sale of some or all of its portfolio.

  • BBC London 94.9 unveils new look

    29-Feb-2008

    BBC London 94.9 has signed up ‘king of the jungle' Christopher Biggins and ex-Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph as part of its new-look weekend line-up.

  • Virgin Media boosts customers

    28-Feb-2008

    Virgin Media saw a return to growth in customers in the fourth quarter combined with a drop in churn and said it was well placed for continued growth.

  • Granada to ship HMS Illustrious doc for Five

    27-Feb-2008

    Five is to embark on a documentary series filmed aboard aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious during a rare four-month deployment.

  • Metzger quits as History Channel chief

    27-Feb-2008

    History Channel UK managing director Geoff Metzger has left his role after 12 years at the broadcaster.

  • Discovery to unravel mysteries of Egypt

    27-Feb-2008

    Discovery Channel is lining up documentaries on the mysteries of ancient Egypt, tornadoes and the workings of the human body for its history and science seasons.

  • Sky to launch three new HD channels

    27-Feb-2008

    BSkyB has boosted its high definition portfolio by adding a further three channels to its platform - Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and new bespoke channel FX HD.

  • Dave buys first five Fifth Gear series

    27-Feb-2008

    UKTV's male-skewing channel Dave will add Fifth Gear to current favourite Top Gear after acquiring the first five series of the motoring show from All3Media International

  • BBC plans Jam replacement

    27-Feb-2008

    The BBC has revealed fresh proposals on how it will meet the online needs of children following the suspension of the BBC Jam service.

  • Management eyes buyout of Xfm stations

    27-Feb-2008

    GCap Media could sell the licences for its three regional Xfm stations to a group of executives already working for the company.

  • Commercial radio holds talks over future of DAB

    27-Feb-2008

    The Radio Centre board is attempting to establish an industry consensus on the future of the DAB platform through top-level management meetings.

  • Lion films Chinese schools for BBC4

    27-Feb-2008

    BBC4 will screen a series of documentaries that follow families, teachers and children from a small rural Chinese town over the course of an academic year.

  • Data points to drop in Google 'paid clicks'

    27-Feb-2008

    Google shares fell more than 4% yesterday (27 February) following the release of data showing a continued decline in web users clicking on ads - the primary source of its revenue.

  • C4 tours with NY punkers

    26-Feb-2008

    Channel 4 will follow New York gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello during their 2007 UK tour as part of its 4Play strand.

  • Setanta to air Indian cricket

    26-Feb-2008

    Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports has secured the exclusive rights to screen live coverage of the Indian Premier League for the next five years.

  • Virgin: Sky should sell more of ITV stake

    25-Feb-2008

    Virgin Media is to appeal business secretary John Hutton's decision that BSkyB reduce its stake in ITV to below 7.5%, claiming that it does not go far enough.

  • Ofcom censures violent EastEnders

    25-Feb-2008

    BBC1's EastEnders has been censured by Ofcom about the protrayal of violence in an episode that resulted in 78 complaints.

  • News Corp ups Sky exec

    25-Feb-2008

    News Corp has promoted Sky Italia's chief operating officer Mark Williams to chief financial officer for Europe and Asia.

  • Heart signs with Fox

    22-Feb-2008

    Heart 106.2 has penned a unique year-long commercial deal with 20th Century Fox to promote the studio's key 2008 movie releases.

  • Freesat hits back at Top Up claims

    22-Feb-2008

    Freesat has hit back at claims that it will “struggle” to survive at launch because BSkyB has a monopoly on the satellite business.

  • Disney's European revamp

    20-Feb-2008

    Disney is to undergo a radical restructure of its European TV operations that will pool sales teams for channels, content and new media.

  • ITV1 eyes bingo show to help replace Play

    20-Feb-2008

    ITV is planning a late-night bingo series for ITV1 that will effectively replace the scrapped ITV Play block.

  • Disney names Cairns to run UK operation

    20-Feb-2008

    Disney Channels EMEA has appointed a dedicated head for the business in the UK.

  • Nat Geo orders CGI ape doc from Pioneer

    20-Feb-2008

    National Geographic will examine the genetic and behavioural similarities and differences between humans and great apes in a one-off documentary from Pioneer Productions.

  • Radio 4 relives Strangeways prison riot

    20-Feb-2008

    Indie Whistledown Productions has won three commissions for its BBC Radio 4 series The Reunion, including interviewing key players in the Strangeways prison riot in 1990.

  • Rajar to add extra checks after errors

    20-Feb-2008

    Rajar contractor RSMB has updated its software to include additional checking steps after it emerged that almost 200 stations received the wrong results in the latest set of figures.

  • Russ Williams signs with Talksport

    20-Feb-2008

    Virgin Radio DJ Russ Williams has signed up to UTV Radio's Talksport to present the Monday evening evening talk show previously hosted by Kelly Dalglish.

  • Ross heads to BBC London 94.9

    20-Feb-2008

    Paul Ross will join the breakfast show on BBC London 94.9 next month, replacing replacing Max Rushden who has co-hosted the slot for the last six months.

  • IMG names new formats boss

    20-Feb-2008

    IMG Entertainment has appointed a new vice president of formats to oversee and exploit all its content across the globe.

  • Three arrested in pirate radio crackdown

    19-Feb-2008

    Three people have been arrested and 22 illegal radio transmitters seized after Ofcom carried out enforcement action against pirate radio stations across London.

  • Sky News docs available on PC

    19-Feb-2008

    Sky News viewers now have online access to its major documentaries and showbiz round-ups after being added to the satellite giant's Sky Anytime on PC service.

  • Sky to appeal ITV verdict

    18-Feb-2008

    BSkyB will lodge an appeal against the Competition Commission's verdict that it should slash its 17.9% stake in ITV to below 7.5%.

  • Cartoon Network accepts Quest

    15-Feb-2008

    Cartoon Network has acquired UK broadcast rights to animated comedy-adventure series World of Quest from Canada's Cookie Jar Entertainment.

  • Freesat will 'struggle'

    15-Feb-2008

    Freesat will “struggle” to take off when it launches this spring because BSkyB has already made the satellite business its own, according to Top Up TV chief executive officer Nick Markham.

  • Rajar: Radio figures were wrong

    13-Feb-2008

    Radio audience measurement body Rajar is withdrawing its latest set of audience figures for the fourth quarter of 2007 because data it published for nearly 300 stations was wrong.

  • Five and Talkback to revive Minder

    13-Feb-2008

    His trademark sheepskin and “'Er indoors” catchphrase may belong to another era but that hasn't stopped Five from planning to revive Arthur Daley in a remake of Minder.

  • Hollywood leaves top commissioning job at Living

    13-Feb-2008

    Living head of commissioning Clare Hollywood has left her role after nearly five years as a commissioner at the Virgin Media TV channel.

  • Virgin 1 boosts content with death-defying docs

    13-Feb-2008

    Virgin 1 has stepped up its content drive by buying a major documentary series from Darlow Smithson Productions

  • Commissioning revamp at UKTV to take on Sky

    13-Feb-2008

    UKTV is overhauling its commissioning structure in a bid to challenge the likes of entertainment specialists Sky One and ITV2.

  • Belfast indie acquires local animation firm

    13-Feb-2008

    Northern Ireland indie Waddell Media has ventured into new territory by acquiring a multi award-winning animation specialist.

  • UTV pays£5m for Internet Business

    13-Feb-2008

    UTV Media, the owner of the Ulster ITV franchise and TalkSport radio station, has acquired Northern Ireland firm The Internet Business Limited (Tibus) in a£5m deal.

  • Celebrity influx at Classic FM

    13-Feb-2008

    Classic FM has signed Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Margherita Taylor and Blur bassist Alex James as part of the station's schedule shake-up.

  • US writers strike is over

    13-Feb-2008

    Hollywood writers have voted to end a three-month strike that idled 50,000 film and television workers and reportedly cost the Los Angeles economy $2.1 billion.

  • Global Radio keep GCap options open

    13-Feb-2008

    Global Radio has said it will keep its options open over a potential new bid for GCap Media.

  • Local content rule change

    12-Feb-2008

    Ofcom last week relaxed its guidelines for locally produced content on analogue commercial radio.

  • Promotion for Sharman

    12-Feb-2008

    Indie Bite Yer Legs has promoted Mark Sharman to head of audio and appointed Rosie Seed as editor of The Gabby Logan Show.

  • LBC's Cushing moves up

    12-Feb-2008

    London talk radio station LBC 97.3 FM has promoted sports editor John Cushing to the new role of deputy programme director.

  • Hazlitt: government will not switch off FM

    12-Feb-2008

    GCap Media chief executive Fru Hazlitt is convinced the government will not switch off the FM signal because of the slow take-up of DAB radio.

  • Oxford signs with Worldwide

    12-Feb-2008

    BBC Worldwide has penned a first-look distribution and development deal with factual and drama indie Oxford Film and Television (OFTV).

  • XLeague.TV prepares for rebrand

    12-Feb-2008

    Gaming channel XLeague.TV is to move nearly 80 places up the BSkyB EPG following its rebrand as an entertainment station.

  • Orange and T-Mobile test broadcast

    12-Feb-2008

    Mobile phone giants Orange and T-Mobile UK have joined forces to pilot a mobile TV and multimedia broadcast service targeted at people living in west London.

  • Digital radio body fights back

    11-Feb-2008

    The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) has defended DAB radio after GCap announced it would axe digital-only stations TheJazz and Planet Rock.

  • Andrew Pierce joins LBC

    11-Feb-2008

    LBC 97.3 FM is to launch a weekend politics and current affairs programme hosted by Daily Telegraph assistant editor Andrew Pierce.

  • Blaxill resurfaces at Bauer

    11-Feb-2008

    Former BBC 6Music head of programmes Ric Blaxill has joined Bauer Radio as a launch consultant to help the group expand its digital radio services.

  • Setanta Sports set for bidding war

    11-Feb-2008

    Premier League football broadcaster Setanta Sports is at the centre of takeover speculation after a reported£1bn-plus offer for the business.

  • GCap turns its back on DAB

    11-Feb-2008

    GCap Media will slash its DAB output as part of cost-saving measures intended to boost profits at the group by£12.3m.

  • Battle for Teachers TV ends in March

    8-Feb-2008

    ITN and Channel 4 will find out next month if they have won the contract to operate education channel Teachers TV.

  • Battle for Teachers TV ends in March

    8-Feb-2008

    ITN and Channel 4 will find out next month if they have won the contract to operate education channel Teachers TV.

  • Ofcom revises local radio guidelines

    7-Feb-2008

    Ofcom has relaxed its guidelines for the amount of locally-produced content on analogue commercial radio but has defended its decision to set minimum levels of local programming.

  • UKTV Style to correct celeb fashion crimes

    7-Feb-2008

    UKTV Style will use CGI to carry out virtual makeovers on A-list celebrities as part of an innovative format presented by Myleene Klass.

  • Virgin 1 gets American Inventor

    6-Feb-2008

    Virgin 1 has acquired the exclusive UK rights to US reality series American Inventor featuring Dragons' Den and Tycoon star Peter Jones.

  • Peters to run Tern TV's new London office

    6-Feb-2008

    Scottish indie Tern Television has appointed a development producer to head a new office in London.

  • UKTV Style to correct celeb fashion crimes

    6-Feb-2008

    UKTV Style will use CGI to carry out virtual makeovers on A-list celebrities as part of an innovative format presented by Myleene Klass.

  • Aardman goes green for Animal Planet

    6-Feb-2008

    Animal Planet International has teamed with Aardman Animations to launch a series of short films focused on saving the environment.

  • The BBC tightens its grip on local listening

    6-Feb-2008

    A faltering performance by local stations combined with growth at BBC regional services has put further pressure on the commercial radio sector nationally, according to analysts.

  • BSkyB revenues up 11%

    6-Feb-2008

    BSkyB saw revenues rise 11% in the first half but slipped into pre-tax losses for the period due to impairment charges on its controversial stake in ITV.

  • Elstein quits Virgin Media

    5-Feb-2008

    David Elstein has officially stepped down from his role as independent director of Virgin Media, the cable company has confirmed.

  • Lost to be found on PCs

    5-Feb-2008

    BSkyB will give customers the chance to download full episodes of Lost series 4 via Sky Anytime on PC as part of their full subscription following an ad-supported digital agreement with Disney-ABC International Television.

  • Tony Blackburn joins Smooth

    4-Feb-2008

    Legendary DJ and “King of the Jungle” Tony Blackburn has joined the 102.2 Smooth Radio London presenting team.

  • Sky: No decision on ITV this week

    4-Feb-2008

    BSkyB has no intention of using its half-year results as a platform to say whether it will appeal the government's ruling on its stake in ITV.

  • R4 to air landmark wildlife series

    1-Feb-2008

    BBC Radio 4 will this month begin a 40-week series tracking animal migrations around the globe in the largest ever project to be undertaken by the BBC's Natural History Unit for radio broadcast.

  • Tiscali signs with Disney

    1-Feb-2008

    Tiscali TV's video on-demand service now boasts the likes of Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy after it signed a licensing agreement with Disney-ABC International Television.

  • Global Radio's hand forced in GCap bid

    31-Jan-2008

    Global Radio has been told it must make a firm bid for GCap Media by 5 March or else walk away.

  • Digital listening thrives despite criticism

    31-Jan-2008

    Rajars: Digital radio listening is at a record high despite claims it was failing to attract significant consumer or advertiser interest.

  • Euro Millions draw leaves Gold for BBC1

    30-Jan-2008

    Europe's biggest lottery jackpot show has moved from UKTV Gold to BBC1 and will run in a regular late Friday night slot.

  • C4 heads to India for teen fair trade doc

    30-Jan-2008

    A Channel 4 documentary will follow a group of teenagers who travel to India to make their own fair trade clothes.

  • Nat Geographic puts weapons to the test

    30-Jan-2008

    National Geographic Channel UK will examine the science, technology and history of formidable weapons in its search to find the perfect killing instrument.

  • Gladiators ready for Sky One

    30-Jan-2008

    Gladiators will return to British screens with a 21st century makeover this summer courtesy of Sky One.

  • Virgin Media shares soar

    30-Jan-2008

    Virgin Media shares jumped after US analysts upgraded the stock and the government ordered BSkyB to cut its 17.9% stake in ITV.

  • Bectu adds support to Sky divestment

    29-Jan-2008

    Bectu has welcomed the government's decision to order BSkyB to reduce its 17.5% stake in ITV to 7.5%, a decision it said was made in the public interest.

  • Gore's Current TV to go public

    29-Jan-2008

    Al Gore's cable TV venture Current Media is planning to go public to pay down $35.5 million in debt and raise money for new programming.

  • MTV repositions homepage

    29-Jan-2008

    MTV Networks UK & Ireland has repositioned its homepage www.mtv.co.uk to make it a music and entertainment portal aimed at 16-34 year olds.

  • BSkyB ordered to cut stake in ITV

    29-Jan-2008

    BSkyB must reduce its holding in ITV from 17.9% to below 7.5% and not take a seat on its board, the government has ruled.

  • Bremner, Bird and Fortune escapes Ofcom censure

    28-Jan-2008

    Comedians John Bird and John Fortune have escaped censure from Ofcom over jokes they made concerning missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann.

  • BSkyB to learn fate this week

    28-Jan-2008

    BSkyB will learn this week if the Government wants it to sell all or part of its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV.

  • ITV axes Rosenthal

    28-Jan-2008

    ITV has ended its 28-year relationship with Jim Rosenthal after the broadcaster decided not to renew the sports presenter's contract beyond the summer.

  • News Corp takes Virgin Media to court

    25-Jan-2008

    News Corp subsidiary Gemstar TV Guide International has filed a lawsuit against cable giant Virgin Media alleging infringement of its European patents.

  • BBC making Iraq dramas

    24-Jan-2008

    BBC Vision and BBC News have joined forces to make an eight-part series of short dramas marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

  • Free BBCW clips to air on MySpace TV

    23-Jan-2008

    BBC Worldwide has inked a deal with social networking site MySpace to make free short-form BBC content available on the myspacetv.com website.

  • Nat Geo's Jeffrey to help Fox buy niche channels

    23-Jan-2008

    Fox International plans to buy up a portfolio of niche channels and has asked Nat Geo chief George Jeffrey to spearhead the strategy.

  • Scottish MP attacks government over commissioning deficit

    23-Jan-2008

    SNP spokesperson for culture and media Peter Wishart MP has attacked the government and major broadcasters for not taking enough interest in the commissioning deficit in Scotland.

  • BBC makes major regional pledge

    22-Jan-2008

    The BBC is planning to make half of all programming outside of London and base half of its programming staff outside the capital by 2016, director general Mark Thompson has revealed.

  • Pasquale to front Virgin lottery

    21-Jan-2008

    Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw have been lined up to present Virgin 1's BingoLotto show, which will be made by Spun Gold.

  • Sky increases stake in Shine

    21-Jan-2008

    BSkyB has increased its stake in Lis Muroch's indie Shine Group to 11.3% for an undisclosed amount.

  • Sci Fi appoints new president

    21-Jan-2008

    Sci Fi Channel general manager and executive vice president Dave Howe has been promoted to president of the NBC Universal-owned network.

  • Fincham to deliver 2008 MacTaggart

    21-Jan-2008

    Former BBC1 controller Peter Fincham, who resigned after the 'Queengate' scandal, will deliver the MacTaggart lecture at this year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh TV Festival.

  • Hedge fund ups stake in Virgin Media

    18-Jan-2008

    Hedge fund SRM Global Master Fund has again raised its stake in cable giant Virgin Media to 9.1%, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

  • Discovery's Drobnyk is new UKTV entertainment chief

    16-Jan-2008

    UKTV chief executive David Abraham has gone back to former employer Discovery Networks US to find his new director of entertainment.

  • RDF comedy site to focus on TV downloads

    16-Jan-2008

    RDF is to create a download-to-own, long-form comedy catalogue featuring content from broadcasters and independents.

  • ITV's Uncle Max makes BBC1 comeback

    16-Jan-2008

    BBC1 will screen a new run of children's slapstick series Uncle Max, an ITV show that was scrapped after just one series.

  • Search is on for nation's golden comedy decade

    16-Jan-2008

    UKTV Gold will call on the public to help search for the funniest decade in British comedy history in its biggest commission to date.

  • VMTV makes triple buy-up

    16-Jan-2008

    Virgin Media TV has made acquisitions for two of its channels, picking up two human interest documentaries for Virgin 1 and a celebrity lookalike reality series for Living 2.

  • Pollard to help launch Indian channels

    16-Jan-2008

    Former Sky News chief Nick Pollard is part of a UK group of TV execs and companies helping to launch 12 new channels in India.

  • Oprah Winfrey to get her OWN network

    16-Jan-2008

    US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey will launch a new television network with Discovery Communications that will be a 'natural extension' of her show.

  • Shopping channels given extension for original material by BSkyB

    15-Jan-2008

    BSkyB has given shopping channels on its EPG more time to reach the preferred threshold for original programming by halving the level they initially need to reach by 1 July.

  • Interview: Ben Fogle

    15-Jan-2008

    He has fans and detractors in equal measure, but one-time ‘reality' star Ben Fogle has managed to carve out a successful career as a television presenter. He tells Rob Shepherd about life after Castaway.

  • Eurosport pens Euro 2008 deal

    15-Jan-2008

    Eurosport will screen time-shifted coverage of all 31 matches of Euro 2008 this summer after signing a deal with European controlling body UEFA.

  • The Office heads to Chile

    14-Jan-2008

    David Brent will become Chilean following the first deal to remake BBC series The Office in Latin America.

  • BSkyB gets extension to ITV appeal deadline

    14-Jan-2008

    BSkyB has been given until the end of the month to appeal against the Competition Commission's recommendation that it reduces its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV to less than 7.5%.

  • Elstein to leave Virgin Media

    14-Jan-2008

    David Elstein is expected to step down from the Virgin Media board after serving five years as a non-executive director.

  • BSkyB gets extension to ITV appeal deadline

    14-Jan-2008

    BSkyB has been given until the end of the month to appeal against the Competition Commission's recommendation that it reduces its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV to less than 7.5%.

  • French resistance

    11-Jan-2008

    France 24 has strongly criticised French president Nicolas Sarkozy for saying the broadcaster should ditch its English and Arabic services and stick to French.

  • Weinstein Co strikes deal with US writers

    11-Jan-2008

    The Weinstein Co., the US film and TV company run by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein, has reached a deal to allow striking US writers to return to work for the studio.

  • Sir John Harvey-Jones dies

    11-Jan-2008

    Britain's first 'reality TV' businessman, Sir John Harvey-Jones, has died aged 83 after a battle with a long-term illness.

  • UKTV mulls another channel rebrand

    9-Jan-2008

    UKTV is considering rebranding its entire portfolio of channels after the success of renaming UKTV G2 as Dave.

  • Clark scoops Broadcast/AP news bursary

    9-Jan-2008

    Freelance journalist Mary Clark has been awarded the first AP Television News/Broadcast training bursary to fund training for working in hostile environments.

  • C4 to track 'real Elephant Man' doctor

    9-Jan-2008

    Channel 4 will follow a maverick doctor in China who treats the people no one else will as part of its Bodyshock strand.

  • Rhodes sets out across China for UKTV

    9-Jan-2008

    UKTV aims to build on the success of Gary Rhodes' culinary travel show, Rhodes Across India, by sending the TV chef to China to celebrate authentic regional cuisine.

  • Sarkozy says 'non' to English-language news

    9-Jan-2008

    French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said the government will stop funding the English-language version of round-the-clock news channel France 24.

  • Darlow Smithson in McCann doc talks

    8-Jan-2008

    Darlow Smithson has had “a preliminary meeting” with representatives of Gerry and Kate McCann about making an observational documentary on the ongoing search for their missing daughter Madeleine.

  • News Corp re-enters German TV market

    8-Jan-2008

    Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has acquired a near 15 percent stake in Germany's largest pay-TV broadcaster, Premiere, for£214m.

  • Motorola lands BT Vision box contract

    7-Jan-2008

    BT Vision will launch redesigned, energy efficient set-top boxes next year after handing the manufacturing contract to Motorola.

  • BSkyB to open 80 retail stores

    7-Jan-2008

    BSkyB will have 250 retail stores by the summer after signing a deal with real estate giant Land Securities for another 80 premises.

  • Gcap rejects£300m Global bid

    7-Jan-2008

    GCap Media, the UK's largest commercial radio company, has rejected a£300m takeover bid from Global Radio.

  • Netflix and LG launch set-top box

    4-Jan-2008

    US rental film service Netflix and LG Electronics have developed a set-top box for consumers to stream movies and other programming from the internet to HDTVs without a personal computer.

  • Talent shows dominate 2007 - research

    3-Jan-2008

    US game show format Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? was the most successful global entertainment format of 2007, according to research by FremantleMedia.

  • Turf TV wins Ladbrokes contract

    2-Jan-2008

    Turf TV has signed its second major client in as many weeks after bookmaker Ladbrokes agreed to pay£6,500 for each of its betting shops to use the service.

  • Virgin 1 secures US hit comedy drama Chuck

    12-Dec-2007

    Virgin 1 has secured the exclusive UK rights to hit US comedy drama series Chuck to spearhead its spring/summer season next year.

  • CBL tie-up is Shed’s fourth first-look deal

    12-Dec-2007

    Shed Media has signed its fourth first-look deal in the past 12 months, reaching an agreement with comedy producer Catherine Bailey Ltd (CBL).

  • Impossible moots move to long-form animation

    12-Dec-2007

    Impossible Pictures will explore producing factual programming and drama as long-form animation after it bought Manchester-based animation specialist Firestep for an undisclosed sum.

  • Sky doc goes behind the scenes of Riverdance

    12-Dec-2007

    Sky Real Lives has ordered an observational documentary on the day-to-day lives of the cast of the Irish dancing show Riverdance.

  • Watchdog wants BSkyB to cut stake in ITV

    12-Dec-2007

    The UK Competition Commission will send its report to the government on BSkyB’s controversial purchase of a 17.9% in ITV this week.

  • NBC set to unplug Bionic Woman and Journeyman

    12-Dec-2007

    NBC is understood to have placed new series Bionic Woman and Journeyman on the scrapheap due to poor ratings.

  • UK leads in digital TV take-up

    12-Dec-2007

    The UK has the highest take-up of digital television in the developed world, according to a survey by Ofcom.

  • Living 2 weighs in fat pets

    11-Dec-2007

    Living 2 will look into the obesity epidemic faced by UK pets for a 10-part series.

  • Commercial radio call for new ideas

    11-Dec-2007

    RadioCentre has called on member stations and indies to generate new and innovative ideas for national network event programming.

  • ESPN joins race for Premier League rights

    11-Dec-2007

    US cable sports network ESPN is keen to join the likes of Sky Sports and Setanta Sports in bidding for the rights to the English Premier League when they come up for auction in 2009.

  • Rivals unite to lobby Ofcom over spectrum

    10-Dec-2007

    Commercial TV operators and media campaigners have lobbied Ofcom to develop a new tier of local TV channels for the counties and cities of the UK.

  • History Channel delves into British past with Telegraph

    10-Dec-2007

    The History Channel and Telegraph Media Group (TMG) have signed an ad-funded deal for a major new series.

  • Film24 rolls out on Joost

    10-Dec-2007

    Film24 has launched on internet TV platform Joost just months are securing an EPG slot on the BSkyB platform.

  • Virgin 1 to air new lottery

    5-Dec-2007

    Virgin 1 and Challenge will become the broadcast partners for the launch of a major UK lottery next year.

  • Indies fear result of Root’s departure

    5-Dec-2007

    UK indies fear the departure of Jane Root from Discovery Channel US will mean a dramatic reduction in commissioning opportunities across the Atlantic.

  • ITV lands controversial US drama series Dexter

    5-Dec-2007

    ITV has snapped up the terrestrial rights for controversial US drama series Dexter after a successful first run on cable channel FX.

  • Sky One and RDF to remake US karaoke hit

    5-Dec-2007

    Sky One has teamed up with RDF Television to make a UK version of hit US karaoke-style gameshow Don’t Forget the Lyrics.

  • Shed to push Wall to Wall titles in US

    5-Dec-2007

    Shed Media is to focus on growing brands such as Who Do You Think You Are? in the US, following the purchase of Wall to Wall.

  • Mobile entertainment guide unveiled

    5-Dec-2007

    The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has launched a ‘practical guide’ on the audiovisual media service (AMS) directive that will directly affect the business of over 50% of the European mobile entertainment industry.

  • Setanta Sports appoints Bucks

    3-Dec-2007

    Setanta Sports has appointed former CSI head of business affairs Michael Bucks as its first group chief financial officer.

  • Setanta hits 1m subscribers

    3-Dec-2007

    Irish pay-TV broadcaster Setanta Sports has hit the 1 million subscriber mark, just months after it started screening live English Premier League matches for the first time.

  • Setanta nets 1m subscribers

    3-Dec-2007

    Irish pay-TV broadcaster Setanta Sports has hit the 1m subscriber mark, just months after it started screening live English Premier League matches for the first time.

  • Europe gives green light to product placement

    30-Nov-2007

    The European Parliament has rubberstamped new EU-wide rules on media services, relaxing TV advertising restrictions and allowing 'product placement' in TV shows.

  • Electric Sky bid for Teachers

    28-Nov-2007

    Producer and distributor Electric Sky has joined a consortium to pitch for the contract to operate educational channel Teachers TV.

  • Wag TV expands into kids factual

    28-Nov-2007

    The factual indie behind controversial Channel 4 documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle has entered new territory by launching a department for kids and family factual programming.

  • US orders boost business for September

    28-Nov-2007

    September Films has won more than $6m (£2.9m) worth of US business in two major orders from US cable network WE: Women’s Entertainment tv and The History Channel.

  • Factual partners join Sky Anytime

    28-Nov-2007

    BSkyB will add third party channels to its Sky Anytime on PC offering for the first time when it updates the service next week.

  • Simply plans TV and film moves

    28-Nov-2007

    Simply Media has earmarked film and urban music as new business areas and is targeting channels squeezed out of BSkyB’s platform for online launches.

  • Virgin strand grapples with boobs

    28-Nov-2007

    Virgin 1 is building on the success of its one-off documentary Penis Envy with a strand centred on the theme of envy.

  • Animal Planet tells birth stories

    28-Nov-2007

    Animal Planet International will screen the rare birth of a giant panda cub on “panda-cam” CCTV as part of a five-part series on baby animals from Parthenon Entertainment.

  • Sky Real Lives follows brain op family

    28-Nov-2007

    Sky Real Lives is to tell the poignant story of a man’s battle to receive life-saving treatment for a potentially fatal brain condition.

  • Viewers accept online ads if content free

    28-Nov-2007

    Consumers will tolerate online advertising as long as content is free, a survey by business law firm Olswang has found.

  • Virgin Media loses head of strategy

    28-Nov-2007

    Virgin Media head of strategy Ernie Cormier has left the group following weeks of speculation about his future.

  • Setanta secures World Cup qualifiers

    27-Nov-2007

    Setanta Sports has boosted its live football portfolio by securing exclusive rights to the home nations’ 2010 World Cup away qualifiers.

  • AP wins Sky News contract

    27-Nov-2007

    AP Archive has won an exclusive deal to manage the worldwide archive footage sales business of Sky News.

  • Orsten parts company with Joost

    26-Nov-2007

    Joost head of comedy Tony Orsten is to leave the peer-to-peer online TV service this week after 15 months in the job.

  • Shed and Wall to Wall in advanced talks

    26-Nov-2007

    Shed Media has confirmed it is in “advanced discussions” regarding a possible takeover of Who Do You Think You Are? producer Wall to Wall.

  • BBC followed police line during 7/7

    26-Nov-2007

    The BBC felt “less trusted” during its coverage of the 7/7 bombings because it relied on the police’s point of view and did not utilise other sources, according to deputy director general Mark Byford.

  • Setanta gets£90m boost

    26-Nov-2007

    Setanta Sports has been granted a cash injection of£90m to continue fighting its battle with BSkyB for the dominance of football coverage.

  • Gallagher named head of TRC board

    23-Nov-2007

    Shed Media chief executive officer Eileen Gallagher has been named chair of Glasgow-based charity, talent and business development centre TRC.

  • Disney signs first UK indie deals

    22-Nov-2007

    Coolabi and Blue-Zoo Productions have become the first companies to develop kid’s shows with Disney Channel Worldwide’s global original programming hub.

  • Miles calls time at ID Distribution

    22-Nov-2007

    ID Distribution chief executive officer Sally Miles will leave her post at the end of the year.

  • Discovery to launch entertainment channel

    21-Nov-2007

    Discovery Networks UK will enter new territory with the launch of a 24-hour channel on the entertainment EPG in January.

  • Living to air unseen Spice films

    21-Nov-2007

    Living is to celebrate the re-forming of the Spice Girls with a one-off special on the birth of “girl power” featuring unseen early footage.

  • Spun Gold makes 140 hours of Titchmarsh

    21-Nov-2007

    ITV1 has committed to a massive 140 hours of The Alan Titchmarsh Show after signing a two-year deal with producer Spun Gold TV.

  • Disney joins Sky’s Picnic

    21-Nov-2007

    Disney Channel is the first third-party brand to agree carriage on BSkyB’s controversial proposed digital terrestrial television (DTT) service, Picnic.

  • Miles calls time at ID Distribution

    21-Nov-2007

    ID Distribution chief executive officer Sally Miles will leave her post at the end of the year.

  • Virgin adds Star Trek on-demand

    21-Nov-2007

    Virgin Media has signed a deal with CBS Paramount to add hundreds of hours of Star Trek content to its on-demand service.

  • Ofcom proposes Freeview upgrade

    21-Nov-2007

    Ofcom has proposed a significant upgrade of DTT that would offer more channels and new services, including free-to-air high-definition.

  • Brits dominate Emmy awards

    20-Nov-2007

    British programming and talent swept the board at the international Emmy awards in New York last night, picking up seven awards.

  • Spun Gold Secures Two-Year Titchmarsh Deal

    20-Nov-2007

    ITV1 has committed to a massive 140 hours of The Alan Titchmarsh Show after signing a two-year deal with producer Spun Gold, writes Rob Shepherd.

  • Living Looks at Beginning of Girl Power

    20-Nov-2007

    Living will celebrate the re-forming of the Spice Girls with a one-off special on the birth of ‘girl power’, writes Rob Shepherd.

  • Britain Scoops Seven Emmys

    20-Nov-2007

    British programming swept the international Emmy awards last night, picking up seven top awards at a gala ceremony in New York.

  • Top Gear on the road to Australia

    19-Nov-2007

    Australia will get is own “quintessentially Australian” version of Top Gear after the BBC signed its first international licensing deal for the motor show.

  • BBC appoints London factual head

    19-Nov-2007

    The BBC has named acting commissioning editor for BBC News and current affairs Karen O’Connor as the new head of London factual.

  • BBC names London factual head

    19-Nov-2007

    The BBC has named acting commissioning editor for BBC News and current affairs Karen O’Connor as the new head of London factual.

  • BBC Trust to review news output

    19-Nov-2007

    The BBC Trust will conduct an impartiality review of the corporation’s news coverage across the UK following devolution.

  • ITV sells MUTV stake to United

    16-Nov-2007

    ITV has sold its one-third share in football channel Manchester United Television (MUTV) to the club itself for£3.3m

  • Tiscali to show Setanta online

    16-Nov-2007

    Tiscali UK has signed a deal to stream three of Setanta Sports flagship channels live on its website.

  • BBC apologises for doctored baby footage

    16-Nov-2007

    The BBC has apologised for adding audio of babies crying to footage of the birth of quintuplets to a Russian woman in Oxford.

  • UKTV fact ent chief Ashton to stand down

    16-Nov-2007

    UKTV director of factual and entertainment Charlotte Ashton will leave her role at the end of the year.

  • Fireworks renews Emmy deal

    15-Nov-2007

    Fireworks International has renewed its deal with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to handle international distribution of the Primetime Emmy Awards to 2010.

  • Pinewood Studios

    15-Nov-2007

    Pinewood Shepperton has announced plans to create the UK’s ‘live-work’ TV community in a proposed extension to its existing site.

  • Company to make BBC1 criminal comedy series

    15-Nov-2007

    Anthony Head and Warren Clarke will play two old-time crooks leaving Spain to move to a sleepy Devon fishing village in a comedy drama series for BBC1.

  • Making a fashion statement

    15-Nov-2007

    UKTV Style found a young and wealthy audience with its line-up of makeover programmes. Now it wants more channel-defining hits like The Clothes Show revival.

  • Waddington quits IMG to run his own consultancy

    14-Nov-2007

    Alastair Waddington, the head of the UK’s biggest indie, is to leave IMG Media after 13 years.

  • Frost cold on heated interview style

    14-Nov-2007

    Veteran presenter Sir David Frost has criticised the current trend for aggressive political interviews.

  • Talking to the world

    14-Nov-2007

    As one of the most highly regarded interviewers in global news, eyebrows were raised when Sir David Frost joined a fledgling news channel. But a year on Al Jazeera English is making waves and challenging the likes of the BBC and CNN.

  • MediaCity:uk gets funding boost

    14-Nov-2007

    The developer of Salford’s MediaCity:uk has secured a£360m funding package to pay for the first phase of the development.

  • Raw Cut appoints development head

    13-Nov-2007

    Specialist factual indie Raw Cut Television has appointed ex-Initial showbiz editor Hayden Lee as its new head of development.

  • BBC Trust unsure over Gaelic service

    12-Nov-2007

    The BBC’s plans for an£18m tri-media digital Gaelic language service are in doubt after the BBC Trust questioned its wider public value.

  • Fuller in Google TV talks

    12-Nov-2007

    Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, is understood to have had secret talks with Google over the past year regarding a TV-over-the-internet joint venture.

  • Lyons raps BBC over presenter salaries

    2-Nov-2007

    BBC Trust chief Sir Michael Lyons has criticised the corporation for “meekly” bowing to on-screen talent’s salary expectations to stop them defecting to rival broadcasters.

  • BSkyB adds 83,000 new customers

    2-Nov-2007

    BSkyB added 83,000 net new customers to its pay-TV platform in the first quarter.

  • BSkyB sets repeats level on EPG

    1-Nov-2007

    BSkyB has increased the minimum amount of new programming which must be broadcast by channels on its EPG.

  • Virgin HD channels delay likely

    1-Nov-2007

    Virgin Media content chief Malcolm Wall has admitted that bandwidth constraints will delay the launch of linear high definition channels on the cable giant’s TV service.

  • McGovern regrets Cracker return

    1-Nov-2007

    Cracker creator Jimmy McGovern has admitted he was wrong to bring back the Robbie Coltrane drama last year because the lead character was too old.

  • Martin fronts Christmas food show

    1-Nov-2007

    UKTV Food is set to team up with TV chef James Martin as he cooks up festive treats from the comfort of his own kitchen in a five-part Christmas special.

  • Sky News sorry over Etchingham gaffe.

    30-Oct-2007

    Sky News has apologised after out-going presenter Julie Etchingham joked on air that the Conservative Party’s new policy to control immigration was 'extermination'.

  • BSkyB makes concessions over ITV stake

    29-Oct-2007

    BSkyB has offered to give up voting rights on part of its controversial 17.9% stake in ITV.

  • 4oD to get top Fox shows

    26-Oct-2007

    Channel 4 has lined up US shows The Wire and 24 for its 4oD service after signing a third-party deal with Fox International’s entertainement channel FX.

  • Paramount takes CBS double

    25-Oct-2007

    Paramount Comedy1 has picked up the second season of Rules of Engagement and third of Everybody Hates Chris.

  • New BBC2 Choir series

    25-Oct-2007

    Twenty Twenty will encourage schoolboys to take up singing in a follow-up to the Bafta-winning The Choir.

  • Bravo probes UK crime

    25-Oct-2007

    Bravo will reveal the world of crime in the UK in a three-part ob doc series from SMG Productions.

  • Deeley to go backstage on Bones for Sky One

    25-Oct-2007

    Two specials will air before the new series launches next month.

  • Virgin 1 investigates unsafe dogs

    25-Oct-2007

    Virgin 1 will focus on the topical issue of dangerous dogs in a one-off documentary.

  • UKTV budget swap

    25-Oct-2007

    UKTV is cutting the commissioning budget of UKTV History and will pump the cash into UKTV Gold.

  • Zeppotron to make Friday Night Live-style series

    25-Oct-2007

    Endemol producer wins the battle to make new BBC3 strand.

  • Outrage at NHU cuts

    25-Oct-2007

    The BBC's plan to cut almost a third of jobs at the NHU has prompted outrage among wildlife programme makers.

  • Roger Cook

    24-Oct-2007

    British investigative journalism pioneer Roger Cook is returning to our screens with a 20th anniversary special.

  • BBC delays voluntary redundancy letters

    24-Oct-2007

    The BBC will not speak to staff until divisions have met with the unions.

  • Sir Trevor back on News

    23-Oct-2007

    ITV is to resurrect News at Ten with former presenter Sir Trevor McDonald at the helm.

  • ITV appoints digital channels head

    23-Oct-2007

    ITV has named director of operations ITV channels Jonathan Rogers as head its digital channels portfolio as part of an internal shake-up.

  • Dave orders puppet panel show

    23-Oct-2007

    Dave, UKTV’s new male-skewed Freeview channel, has made a dark comedy panel show hosted by a puppet.

  • Supersize Me’s BBC2 history lesson

    23-Oct-2007

    Restaurant critic Giles Coren and presenter Sue Perkins will resort to eating post-Second World War rations as part of a run of themed Supersize Me shows on BBC2.

  • ITV appoints digital channels head

    23-Oct-2007

    ITV has named director of operations ITV channels Jonathan Rogers as head its digital channels portfolio.

  • Discovery signs C4 deals

    22-Oct-2007

    Discovery Channel UK to get access to 400 hours of C4’s back catalogue and a first-look option on new content.

  • ITV orders topical gun drama

    22-Oct-2007

    ITV1 has ordered a drama about the murder of an innocent child against the backdrop of rising wave of gun crime.

  • Interview: Dan Brooke

    20-Sep-2007

    After losing both its European MD and programming chief, you might expect Discovery's UK arm to be in a fragile state. Not a bit of it, general manager Dan Brooke tells Rob Shepherd

  • Virgin 1 launch date set

    18-Sep-2007

    Virgin 1, the general entertainment channel from Virgin Media TV, will launch on 1 October. [ALL]

  • Arqiva bags Freesat contract

    18-Sep-2007

    The BBC has awarded Arqiva a contract to provide infrastructure for the Freesat digital satellite TV service that will launch in March 2008. [ALL]

  • Setanta signs Arsenal TV contract

    18-Sep-2007

    Setanta has signed a six year deal with Arsenal to broadcast the north London football club's new TV channel. [ALL]

  • Inquiry delay into Sky's ITV stake

    17-Sep-2007

    The UK Competition Commission has moved back the deadline for the completion of its inquiry into BSkyB's 17.9% stake in ITV until early 2008 because of the 'complex' nature of the inquiry. [ALL]

  • Sky Travel to become Real Lives

    17-Sep-2007

    BSkyB will re-name its travel portfolio Sky Real Lives as part of a significant shift towards human interest stories. [ALL]

  • Eicom music channel goes live

    17-Sep-2007

    Bristol-based digital broadcaster Eicom has launched its long-mooted second performance channel on the BSkyB platform. [ALL]

  • Discovery appoints heads for factual and lifestyle

    13-Sep-2007

    Discovery Networks UK has named Dan Korn as its new head of factual and Paul Welling as head of lifestyle in two newly created roles.

  • Pilot leads outdoor Treks for Nat Geo

    13-Sep-2007

    UK indie Pilot Productions will make the fourth series of outdoor pursuits show Treks in a Wild Worldfor Nat Geo Adventure Channel in the US.

  • Shine director quits to start own indie

    13-Sep-2007

    Shine creative director, features John Silver is leaving the firm after four years to start his own indie.

  • UK indies concern over TLC Los Angeles move

    13-Sep-2007

    UK indies are worried that TLC's move from Silver Spring to Los Angeles will affect their relationships with the channel's commissioners and that it could signal a further departure from TLC's traditional role as a co-production partner for factual shows.

  • Lynn to chair SCBG

    12-Sep-2007

    The Satellite and Cable Broadcasters' Group (SCBG) has named MTV chief David Lynn as its new chairman following the retirement of John Hambley. [ALL]

  • Tiscali secures Setanta deal

    11-Sep-2007

    Tiscali TV will offer coverage of FA Premier League football on its UK broadband service after signing an agreement with Setanta. [ALL]

  • Chef's traveller outburst prompts complaints

    11-Sep-2007

    Ofcom has received 29 complaints from viewers offended by chef Marco Pierre White's use of the word 'pikey' in an episode of Hell's Kitchenlast week. [ALL]

  • Ofcom: Olympic logo could cause seizures

    10-Sep-2007

    Ofcom has criticised BBC News for airing a 2012 London Olympics video logo that could have caused epileptic seizures. [ALL]

  • Marco Pierre White vows to quit TV

    10-Sep-2007

    Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White says he will quit TV once the current series of Hell's Kitchenhas been completed. [ALL]

  • Carnival to make hotel comedy for ITV1

    30-Aug-2007

    ITV1 will follow the trials and tribulations of an assistant manager left in charge of a hotel over the Christmas period in a Fawlty Towers-esque one-off comedy drama. [ALL]

  • News chiefs clash over questions of judgement

    30-Aug-2007

    Edinburgh:BBC News head Peter Horrocks and Commons media select committee chair John Whittingdale have launched a blistering attack on head of Sky News John Ryley.

  • UKTV picks up Hollywood hits in Sony deal

    30-Aug-2007

    UKTV has signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television International to bring a raft of Hollywood movies to three of its channels,

  • Ricochet hires NBC exec for US push

    29-Aug-2007

    Supernannyindie Ricochet Television has hired NBC executive Jennifer O'Connell as senior vice president of its North America office.

  • Hit US shows made available on iTunes

    29-Aug-2007

    MTV Networks International, The Walt Disney Company and Apple have joined forces to allow UK iTunes downloads of full-length television shows from some of America's biggest channels.

  • BBC3 unveils third Body Image season

    29-Aug-2007

    BBC3 has commissioned eight documentaries for its third Body Image season, including the story of an 18-year-old who travels to Thailand to undergo a sex-change. [ALL]

  • NBC seals Sparrowhawk acquisition

    28-Aug-2007

    NBC Universal has confirmed its acquisition of Hallmark International owner, Sparrowhawk Media, for a reported $350m (£174m), as exclusively revealed by Broadcastearlier this year. [ALL]

  • BBC challenged over anti-global warming films

    26-Aug-2007

    Edinburgh:The BBC has made an internal decision not to make programmes that are sceptical about human activity being the cause of global warming, a senior producer has claimed. [ALL]

  • Abraham: more new commissions for UKTV Gold

    26-Aug-2007

    Edinburgh:UKTV chief executive officer David Abraham said he plans to focus more on new commissions for flagship channel UKTV Gold over the next few years. [ALL]

  • Woolfe admits Sky One is confused

    25-Aug-2007

    Edinburgh:Sky One controller Richard Woolfe has admitted that viewers are confused about what the channel stands for, but hopes that with the forthcoming autumn schedule 'the message is getting there'. [ALL]

  • Rosencrantz: Living rebrand a success

    24-Aug-2007

    Edinburgh:Virgin Media TV director of television Claudia Rosencrantz has insisted the re-branding of female-skewing Living has been a success, despite seeing its audience share drop from 0.8% to 0.7%. [ALL]

  • C4 goes back to PSB roots for autumn

    24-Aug-2007

    Channel 4 will underline its public service credentials this autumn with a raft of shows about social issues, led by a week-long season highlighting unacceptable levels of illiteracy amongst children. [ALL]

  • Burch played no part in Virgin auction

    23-Aug-2007

    Former Virgin Media chief executive officer Steve Burch was frozen out of the cable giant's sale process as far back as June, it has emerged. [ALL]

  • Virgin 1 explores penis size

    23-Aug-2007

    Virgin 1, Virgin Media TV's forthcoming entertainment channel, will investigate the size of the average male appendage as part of its autumn launch. [ALL]

  • Living to show US Blackpool remake

    23-Aug-2007

    Living will air the US version of BBC drama Blackpoolafter sealing a deal with Sony Pictures Television International to secure the exclusive UK rights to Viva Laughlin.

  • Virgin 1 signs Hat Trick web deal

    23-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media TV has signed a deal with Hat Trick Productions to help launch the Virgin 1 website, with the indie showcasing new content and using its own talent to encourage user-generated content.

  • Overnights delayed

    22-Aug-2007

    Today's overnight ratings figures have been delayed. Broadcastwill put the information up on the website once the figures have arrived.

  • Virgin boss negotiates£3.5m exit

    22-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media's outgoing chief executive Steve Burch will receive a£3.5m golden handshake following his shock exit from the cable giant yesterday. [ALL]

  • Motive acquires Scarlet

    21-Aug-2007

    Motive Television has acquired production company Scarlet Television for£50,000 just weeks after its parent company went into administration. [ALL]

  • Virgin Media chief quits

    21-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media chief executive officer (CEO) Steve Burch today stood down from his role after less than a year in the job, citing family and personal reasons. [ALL]

  • ITV's Little Devil drops 1.4m viewers

    21-Aug-2007

    The second instalment of three-part ITV1 drama Little Deviltook a tumble in the ratings last night with 4.7m (21.1%) watching at 9pm - a loss of 1.4m viewers week-on-week. [ALL]

  • ESPN buys UK-based rugby site

    21-Aug-2007

    ESPN, the US sports broadcaster, has acquired UK-based rugby information portal scrum.com for an undisclosed fee. [ALL]

  • BBC4 sizzles with Fry strand

    20-Aug-2007

    A strand of programming focusing on actor, writer and comedian Stephen Fry helped BBC4 to secure an audience share of 2.82% on Friday (17 August), its highest ever daily share. [ALL]

  • Ofcom warns TalkSport over gay comments

    20-Aug-2007

    A phone-in radio show on TalkSport has been reprimanded twice by Ofcom for inflammatory comments made about homosexuality, including one linking being gay to paedophilia. [ALL]

  • Twenty Twenty fills development role

    20-Aug-2007

    Twenty Twenty has promoted Ana De Moraes to the role of head of development across all programming areas. [ALL]

  • Sky finance director banks£1.7m

    20-Aug-2007

    BSkyB finance director Jeremy Darroch has banked more than£1.7m through the sale of 263,740 of company shares. [ALL]

  • Five hires BBC newsreader

    20-Aug-2007

    Five News' recently appointed editor David Kermode has made BBC London and BBC breakfast presenter Matt Barbet his first new signing. [ALL]

  • GCap shares fluctuate after poor Rajars

    17-Aug-2007

    The price of GCap Media shares rose 2.9% to 231.5p in early morning trading today (Friday 17 August) as the radio group started its recovery from a poor performance in yesterday's Rajars. [ALL]

  • Elvis performs for ITV1

    17-Aug-2007

    ITV1 documentary Young Elvis in Colourattracted 3.7m viewers (16.8%) at 9pm last night, an audience that was slightly up on the slot average of 3.5m (16.1%). [ALL]

  • Sky to air Arabic entertainment channel

    17-Aug-2007

    Middle East entertainment network Rotana TV is launching a free-to-air Arabic language entertainment channel on Sky. [ALL]

  • Coltrane gets motoring on ITV1

    16-Aug-2007

    Robbie Coltrane: B-Road Britaingot quickly into gear for ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesday, pulling in 4.8m viewers(21.8%). [ALL]

  • Living hungry for Yo-Yo Diets

    16-Aug-2007

    Living has built on the success of its Extremestrand by ordering the 60-minute Extreme: Celebrity Yo-Yo Diets.

  • Springer to host Sky One gameshow

    16-Aug-2007

    Sky One has lined up Jerry Springer to host new gameshow Nothing But the Truthand is bringing Noel Edmonds back to host an old Christmas favourite.

  • Jamie Oliver's audience drops off

    15-Aug-2007

    BBC2's new heritage series Great British Journeysgot off to a solid start at 8pm last night, pulling in 2.5m viewers (11.4%), while the second episode of Channel 4's Jamie at Homeperformed less well, dropping to 2.1m. [ALL]

  • Top Up TV hires marketing heavyweight

    15-Aug-2007

    Top Up TV has hired Barclays' marketing director Jim Hytner, reuniting him with his former BSkyB colleague David Chance. [ALL]

  • Sci Fi orders online superhero drama

    15-Aug-2007

    The Sci Fi channel UK has ordered a superhero-themed mockumentary drama - the first commission for its broadband player Sci Fi Play. [ALL]

  • Murdoch gets bumper share payout

    14-Aug-2007

    BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch has received a cash payout of just short of£4m for hitting operational targets dating back to 2004. [ALL]

  • Antony Cotton draws 2m

    14-Aug-2007

    ITV1 had a stellar Monday with That Antony Cotton Showlaunching with 2m (17.6%) at 5pm and new peaktime drama Little Devilbringing in 6.1m viewers (28.2%) in the 9pm slot. [ALL]

  • BBC1 orders more Inside Sport

    14-Aug-2007

    BBC1's sports news programme Inside Sport, fronted by Gabby Logan, has been recommissioned for an extended 14-week second series . [ALL]

  • Virgin Media eyes French market

    14-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media is looking at extending its brand into continental Europe by licensing its name to a major French cable operator. [ALL]

  • Garden show plans to help urban spaces bloom

    9-Aug-2007

    UKTV Gardens will show viewers how to 'green up' Britain's towns and cities by transforming 10 urban gardens into natural triumphs, writes Rob Shepherd.

  • Virgin picks up subs despite Sky basic loss

    9-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media said it had shrugged off the impact of the loss of the Sky basic channels after making 2,200 net additions to its TV service in the second quarter.

  • Jamie returns with 2.4m

    8-Aug-2007

    Jamie Oliver's return to his Essex roots in Jamie at Homepulled in a respectable audience of 2.4m viewers (12.2%) for Channel 4 last night at 8pm but it still lost out to BBC2 favourite Coast. [ALL]

  • Virgin 'shrugs off' Sky dispute

    8-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media is claiming to have shrugged off the impact of the BSkyB basic channels dispute by reporting a better than expected number of net TV customer additions in its second quarter results. [ALL]

  • YouTube faces 10-strong copyright lawsuit

    8-Aug-2007

    Eight more parties have joined the English Premier League in its lawsuit against Google for alleged copyright infringement by its video-sharing site YouTube. [ALL]

  • Virgin Media gives buyers more time

    7-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media has effectively given itself more time to find a buyer after extending its strategic review. The extension is intended to give potential bidders a better chance of raising the cash to buy the company. [ALL]

  • ITV3 doc to explore Cadfael mysteries

    7-Aug-2007

    ITV3 will trace the origins of Cadfael, the detective monk, in a special one-off documentary later this year. [ALL]

  • Mountain climbs for BBC1

    6-Aug-2007

    The second episode of BBC1's Mountainseries got an average of 4.6m viewers (21.34%) at 9pm last night, up by over half a million on the previous week. [ALL]

  • Amstrad developing new Sky+ receiver

    6-Aug-2007

    BSkyB and Amstrad are working on a multi-tuner satellite receiver that will allow viewers to have Sky+ in two rooms without the need for an extra set-top box. [ALL]

  • Virgin Media tipped to lose 60,000 subscribers

    6-Aug-2007

    Virgin Media is expected to report a loss of more than 60,000 customers when it reveals its interim results on 8 August. [ALL]

  • Users flood Sky News website

    6-Aug-2007

    Sky News recorded its highest number of website hits since the 7/7 bombings last month as 115 million users clicked through to see the carnage caused by the floods. [ALL]

  • True Dare Kiss ends with 3m

    3-Aug-2007

    The last episode of BBC1's True Dare Kisscaught a mediocre audience of 3m (14.9%) at 9pm last night, losing out to a repeat of ITV1's Blue Murder. [ALL]

  • Virgin Media auction stalls

    3-Aug-2007

    The sale of Virgin Media may be postponed because recent financial market conditions mean that potential private equity buyers are questioning whether offers for such a large target can be financed. [ALL]

  • Five misses with David Beckham

    2-Aug-2007

    David Beckham's Soccer USAhas yet to find its footing with the second episode pulling in a disappointing 282,000 viewers (1.7%) at 7.15pm last night. BBC2's Heroesalso experienced a slight dip to 3m viewers. [ALL]

  • Community Channel digs into gardening

    2-Aug-2007

    The Community Channel will offer a snapshot of the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom 2007 competition by following the progress of two of its regional finalists.

  • Tiger to reveal favourite Vicar of Dibley scene

    2-Aug-2007

    Dawn French will be reunited with Richard Curtis for two specials celebrating the success of The Vicar of Dibleyas part of UKTV Gold's autumn schedule.

  • UK focus for Viacom's BET launch

    2-Aug-2007

    Viacom's Black Entertainment Television (BET) will launch on Sky later this year with a heavy focus on local commissioning.

  • World's film-makers unite to save Storyville

    2-Aug-2007

    A campaign to 'save' the BBC's documentary strand Storyvilleis attracting the support of documentary-makers around the world.

  • Sky Sports website overhaul

    1-Aug-2007

    Sky Sports has revamped its website in a bid to encourage more user interaction. [ALL]

  • C4's Cape fear

    1-Aug-2007

    Channel 4 drama Cape Wrathgot its lowest audience yet at 10pm last night, pulling in a mere 845,000 viewers (4.9%). [ALL]

  • BBC Worldwide sets financial targets

    5-Mar-2007

    The BBC's commercial arm BBC Worldwide has set itself the challenge of doubling profits to£200m over the next five years to help make up for the corporation's disappointing licence fee settlement.

  • BBC and IBM sign tech partnership deal

    5-Mar-2007

    The BBC has signed a joint projects deal with technology firm IBM that will kick off with state-of-the art image video search technology being applied to CBeebies and CBBC content.

  • Broadcasters launch mentoring scheme

    5-Mar-2007

    Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC have joined forces to launch a new youth mentoring initiative that brings together media professionals and youngsters at risk of behaving anti-socially.

  • Sky One axes Vorderman's Big Brain Game

    5-Mar-2007

    Sky One has ditched sudoku show Vorderman's Big Brain Gameafter just one series.

  • MTV boss exits

    2-Mar-2007

    MTV UK boss Michiel Bakker has become the latest high profile executive to leave the company.

  • Virgin Media: customers can cancel for free

    2-Mar-2007

    Virgin Media will give its customers until the end of March to cancel their agreements because of the loss of the basic Sky channels - but insists that not offering those channels does not constitute a breach of contract.

  • Virgin welcomes NCC complaint threat

    2-Mar-2007

    Virgin Media has welcomed the National Consumer Council's (NCC) threat to call on Ofcom or the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the loss of Sky's basic channels from the cable platform.

  • Consumer council calls for Virgin and Sky review

    2-Mar-2007

    The National Consumer Council (NCC) is threatening to make a formal complaint about the digital TV market after BSkyB's basic channels dropped off the Virgin Media platform earlier this week.

  • Biography Channel to become BIO

    2-Mar-2007

    The Biography Channel is undergoing a major rebranding and ditching its old logo in a bid to emphasise its new programming.

  • Turner Laing is new Sky entertainment boss

    1-Mar-2007

    BSkyB has appointed Sophie Turner Laing as its new managing director, entertainment with immediate effect.

  • Heggessey: indies can earn more from rights

    1-Mar-2007

    Talkback Thames chief executive Lorraine Heggessey has suggested an X-Factor broadband channel as an example of one of the ways indies can extract more value from the new terms of trade.

  • Living links with Fireworks for Blood Ties

    1-Mar-2007

    Living has struck a deal with distributor Fireworks International to acquire 22 x 60-minute Canadian supernatural crime thriller Blood Ties.

  • SMG abandons merger with UTV

    28-Feb-2007

    SMG has abandoned its on-going merger talks with UTV and has appointed Rob Woodward as its new chief executive.

  • Virgin refuses to negotiate with Sky

    28-Feb-2007

    BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch has failed in his bid to get his opposite number at Virgin Media, Steve Burch, to return to the negotiating table.

  • Kupsky snares top Turner job

    28-Feb-2007

    Turner has appointed Jeff Kupsky as its new president. In his new role he will oversee the broadcaster's business operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa including the Cartoon Network channel.

  • Rapture continues crusade against EPG costs

    28-Feb-2007

    Rapture TV has made a final submission to Ofcom claiming BSkyB overcharged the entertainment channel for a listing on its electronic programme guide (EPG).

  • Virgin Media makes Q4 progress

    28-Feb-2007

    Virgin Media has revealed it managed a 7% increase in operating cash flow in the final quarter of 2006 ahead of tonight's carriage deal negotiation deadline with BSkyB.

  • BSkyB and Virgin squabbles continue

    27-Feb-2007

    BSkyB has again refuted claims by Virgin Media that it will double the price of its basic channels. It has also told the cable operator to shut up and return to the negotiating table.

  • Sky: Virgin claims are premature

    23-Feb-2007

    BSkyB says Virgin Media's declaration that its basic channels will be pulled from the cable operator's platform at the end of the month are premature.

  • Customer care a key battleground for Virgin Media

    22-Feb-2007

    Virgin Media managing director of marketing James Kydd has pledged that customer service will be the company's 'strongest weapon' in its battle with BSkyB.

  • Little Bird to tell tales of a Punjabi princess

    22-Feb-2007

    Indie Little Bird has won two new commissions with a strong Asian flavour, including a major new live action children's drama series for Five.

  • RDF poaches Granada's Tremayne

    22-Feb-2007

    Super-indie RDF has swooped on Granada America, poaching its executive vice-president, Charles Tremayne, and appointing him group creative director.

  • Sky One takes a Flutter on sports

    22-Feb-2007

    Sky One has commissioned Silver River Television to make a 60-minute pilot in which celebrity guests wager their appearance fee in a new 'nonsense sports betting' show.

  • Tiscali produces content for Scamp channel

    22-Feb-2007

    Tiscali, the ISP which bought on-demand platform Homechoice in August 2006, has produced the first piece of original content for its new educational zone aimed at pre-school children which launches next month.

  • TUC urges work to rule

    22-Feb-2007

    Media workers have been urged to 'take a proper lunch break and leave work on time' today (Friday) after it emerged they work an average seven hours of unpaid overtime a week.

  • ITV News promotes Rumsey to head of output

    20-Feb-2007

    ITV News has promoted joint programme editor Ian Rumsey to the role of new head of output with immediate effect.

  • Virgin Central launches without ITV or Five content

    20-Feb-2007

    Virgin Media launched its new TV-on-demand channel today with ITV and Five absent from its new catch up service.

  • Virgin Central signs content deal with Warner Bros

    20-Feb-2007

    Virgin Media has signed a new content deal with Warner Bros for shows including The OCand West Wing. Programming will air on its VoD channel Virgin Central which launched today.

  • Desmond to float adult TV channels

    20-Feb-2007

    Expressnewspapers owner Richard Desmond is poised to float his adult entertainment television business, a move which would mark his first publicly-listed foray into the sector in the UK.

  • Actors to receive royalties for podcast performances

    19-Feb-2007

    Actors who performed in an audio podcast of 70s cult sci fi show Blake's 7will receive royalties following a landmark deal between union Equity and indie B7 Productions.

  • Chelsea launches YouTube channel

    19-Feb-2007

    Chelsea Football Club has launched a new football-branded channel on user-generated site YouTube.

  • BBC searches for Signs of Life

    16-Feb-2007

    BBC director of future media and technology Ashley Highfield has confirmed plans for a new Endemol-produced online teen drama.

  • Sky One investigates last hours of icons

    16-Feb-2007

    Sky One will examine the final moments of six historic icons, including River Phoenix and Marvin Gaye, in a new documentary series looking at the secrets behind their untimely deaths.

  • Can Branson carry it off?

    15-Feb-2007

    Can Richard Branson really take on the Murdoch empire?

  • ITV crime drama spawns three-part follow-up

    15-Feb-2007

    ITV Productions is making three new episodes of serial killer drama Cold Blood, which last aired on ITV1 in 2005.

  • Paramount Comedy hires Hutchison

    15-Feb-2007

    Paramount Comedy has hired Kathleen Hutchison as its head of new comedy, replacing Sarah Mahoney who is joining indie Baby Cow in a newly created role as new comedy executive.

  • Talkback trials Saturday night gameshow

    15-Feb-2007

    Talkback Thames is developing a new Saturday night gameshow for BBC1 based around the concept of time, with Chris Evans on the wish list to present it.

  • Twenty Twenty takes on sex tourism

    15-Feb-2007

    Indie Twenty Twenty has won a commission from Channel 4 to make two films looking at the global sex tourism industry from the point of view of those who cater to the tourists.

  • Sky strikes back

    14-Feb-2007

    BSkyB has upped the ante in its war with Virgin Media by repackaging Sky Movies into a number of genre-based channels, including comedy, sci-fi and horror and modern greats.

  • Ingenious spend£4.15m on Community Television

    14-Feb-2007

    Ingenious Media Active Capital (IMAC) has made its fourth investment to date with a£4.15 million cash injection into Community Television Networks.

  • Ofcom likely to probe Sky adverts

    13-Feb-2007

    Ofcom is set to investigate the adverts launched by BSkyB this week which tell cable customers they risk losing shows such as Lost and 24if a distribution agreement with Virgin Media is not reached.

  • ITV board shuffle as Crosby steps up

    13-Feb-2007

    ITV has named Sir James Crosby as senior independent director and chairman of the board's nomination committee. He replaces Sir George Russell who is stepping down but will remain as a board member.

  • Discovery launches Turbo channel

    12-Feb-2007

    Discovery Networks UK is launching a new channel aimed at 18 to 54-year-old men who are motor-vehicle fanatics.

  • FA Cup TV rights put out to tender

    12-Feb-2007

    The Football Association has issued an invitation to tender for its TV rights for the UK, covering the four year period from the 2008/09 season.

  • Sky warns cable viewers they may lose its channels

    12-Feb-2007

    The battle between BSkyB and Virgin Media has taken yet another twist with the satellite giant launching an advert telling cable customers they risk losing Sky channels if a distribution agreement is not reached.

  • Former England boss launches online sport channel

    12-Feb-2007

    Sports networking site isporty.com, backed by former England manager Terry Venables, is launching an online TV channel and has lined up ITV Sport pundit Gary Newbon as lead presenter.

  • UKTV secures EuroMillions deal with Camelot

    12-Feb-2007

    UKTV has signed an exclusive seven-figure deal with National Lottery operator Camelot to air EuroMillions, poaching the rights from Challenge.

  • Women in Film and TV launches work helpline

    12-Feb-2007

    Women in Film and Television has launched a new confidential advice website and helpline covering work-related issues for anyone working in the film and TV industry.

  • Sky launches pay DTT service ... on the same day Virgin media rebrands

    8-Feb-2007

    BSkyB is launching a subscription television service on digital terrestrial television (DTT) this summer, offering four channels understood to be Sky Movies, Sky Sports, Sky News and Sky One.

  • Virgin Media takes fresh swipe at Ofcom and Sky

    8-Feb-2007

    Virgin Media chairman Jim Mooney took a fresh swipe at UK regulators today claiming there are 'structural flaws' in the system and pointed to the fact that its rival BSkyB was able 'block' its attempt to buy ITV.

  • C4 diverts£4m to multimedia programming

    8-Feb-2007

    Channel 4 is shifting two thirds of its£6m education budget into multimedia from 2008 after research showed teenagers and teachers find its morning programmes difficult to access.

  • Coogan hosts own themed weekend

    8-Feb-2007

    UKTV G2 is to screen a Classic Coogan Weekend to be fronted by comedian Steve Coogan himself.

  • Ricochet makes board changes

    8-Feb-2007

    Indie Ricochet, producer of hit series Supernanny, has undergone a restructure of senior staff, with a number of internal promotions and additions to its board.

  • Ricochet secures string of orders

    8-Feb-2007

    Ricochet has won a raft of orders for Channel 4, E4 and the BBC including a show on people with unusual attitudes to sex.

  • Virgin Media eyes big spenders

    8-Feb-2007

    NTL:Telewest today officially rebranded as Virgin Media and at the same time launched a new top-end media package for£85 a month.

  • Wall to Wall goes live with genealogy show

    8-Feb-2007

    Indie Wall to Wall is building on the success of Who Do You Think You Are?with a live history show based around the hit genealogy series.

  • Sky ads banned for misleading switchover message

    7-Feb-2007

    Two Sky adverts have been banned because they misleadingly implied that all terrestrial TV signals would cease following digital switchover.

  • Living TV imports US talent show Top Chef

    7-Feb-2007

    Living TV has picked up the basic cable rights to the first season of culinary talent search Top Cheffrom NBC Universal International Television Distribution.

  • ITV sells stake in Liverpool FC

    6-Feb-2007

    ITV has agreed to sell its 9.99% shareholding in Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds to American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks at a price of£5,000 per share.

  • Broadcasters unite for HD campaign

    6-Feb-2007

    The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sony have joined forces to launch an HD for All campaign, which is aimed at securing high definition television programming on Freeview.

  • Freeview sales soar

    6-Feb-2007

    Freeview had its best ever Christmas in 2006 with over two million digital boxes and digital televisions sold during the final quarter.

  • Film 4 and MySpace partner on movie

    6-Feb-2007

    MySpace has joined forces with Film 4 and Vertigo Films to fund a£1 million British movie, with the filmmaker to be chosen in a competition on the social networking website.

  • New work experience guidelines unveiled

    6-Feb-2007

    New guidelines were published yesterday to promote fair treatment of work experience people in the TV industry. Recommendations include hours being limited to 40 a week. Non-subscribers go here.

  • Sky rebrands Artsworld

    5-Feb-2007

    BSkyB is to re-brand its arts channels Artsworld and Artsworld HD as Sky Arts and Sky Arts HD respectively from 1 March.

  • BT Vision poaches MTV managing director

    5-Feb-2007

    BT Vision, the television arm of BT, has poached MTV's managing director of UK and Ireland, Michael Barry, to become its director of programming.

  • Buena Vista adds Barwick to distribution arm

    5-Feb-2007

    Buena Vista International Television (BVITV) has added to its London-based international distribution arm, with the promotion of Simon Barwick as senior sales manager for UK and Ireland.

  • Viacom tells YouTube to remove illegal content

    5-Feb-2007

    Viacom has demanded that Google's online video service YouTube remove more than 100,000 video clips after failing to reach a distribution agreement.

  • C4 hands out factual regional awards

    2-Feb-2007

    Channel 4 will recognise regionally produced factual programming in its annual Creative Cities Awards next week with Belfast indie Double Band receiving a gong for its documentary Who Killed Brian Jones?, about the suspicious death of the ex-Rolling Stone.

  • Sky lines up Miami Vice star for Super Bowl coverage

    2-Feb-2007

    Sky Sports has signed up Miami Vicestar Don Johnson to help with its live coverage of the Super Bowl XLI on Sunday - the channel's first US event to be screened in high-definition.

  • BBC iPlayer given green light by Trust

    1-Feb-2007

    The BBC Trust this week gave the green light to the corporation's new on-demand services, including the controversial iPlayer, but made major changes to a number of key features the BBC Executive proposed.

  • Brown to head interactive at Flextech

    1-Feb-2007

    Flextech has promoted interactive producer for Bravo Kevin Brown to the role of creative head of interactive, replacing Ed Humphrey who left to join Buena Vista.

  • Celador founder takes up director role at Waddell Media

    1-Feb-2007

    Celador Films founder Paul Smith has returned to his native Northern Ireland to join indie Waddell Media as a non-executive director.

  • Rome makers take on Warriors

    1-Feb-2007

    The team behind BBC1 series Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empireis creating an epic drama-doc series looking at six famous warriors from history.

  • Sky One will discover the real Shilpa

    1-Feb-2007

    Sky One has landed a major scoop with a one-off special on the inside story of Celebrity Big Brotherwinner Shilpa Shetty.

  • Sky scores Shilpa Shetty interview

    31-Jan-2007

    Celebrity Big Brotherwinner Shilpa Shetty will give her first in-depth interview since leaving the house exclusively to Sky News presenter Kay Burley.

  • Former BBC exec repays£300,000 following arrest

    30-Jan-2007

    A former BBC Wales executive arrested under suspicion of theft in 2005 has repaid over£300,000 to the corporation.

  • Shetty wins Celebrity Big Brother after racism row

    29-Jan-2007

    Channel 4 bosses breathed a sigh of relief last night after Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brotherand denied that she had been a victim of racism.

  • Six Nations in HD for the first time

    29-Jan-2007

    The BBC will broadcast all England, Wales and Scotland home games in high definition (HD) for the first time when the RBS Six Nations 2007 championship kicks off next month.

  • Freeview poised to benefit from 'grey boom'

    26-Jan-2007

    Take-up of Freeview in the UK is set to boom amongst over 55s in the next two years with older-skewing channels such as BBC4 and ITV3 benefiting the most.

  • Gambino exits MTV

    25-Jan-2007

    MTV Networks UK & Ireland's vice president for commercial strategy & digital media Angel Gambino has left the company - the latest of a string of recent departures at the Viacom-owned broadcaster.

  • Bravo revisits the good, bad and ugly in football

    25-Jan-2007

    Flextech-owned men's entertainment channel Bravo has commissioned a revamped version of its show The Football Factoriesas part of a raft of new programmes exploring alternative sides of 'the beautiful game' worldwide.

  • Twenty Twenty expands into kids

    25-Jan-2007

    Indie Twenty Twenty is making a push into the children's genre with The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a major new commission for BBC1 kids slot CBBC.

  • Living TV sends WAG on US modelling mission

    24-Jan-2007

    LivingTV is to follow Britain's Next Top Modelstar Abbey Clancy as she attempts to crack the US market with the help of legendary supermodel Janice Dickinson.

  • YooMedia looks for love

    24-Jan-2007

    Interactive media group YooMedia is looking to exploit the surge in popularity of social networking sites by launching a free online dating service.

  • LegalTV backs down in EPG row

    23-Jan-2007

    LegalTV has backed down in its row with BSkyB and removed the controversial title Paki Basher, the name of tonight's episode of Crown Court,from Sky's electronic program guide (EPG).

  • Sky Anytime reaches one million downloads

    23-Jan-2007

    Sky Anytime on PC has had one million film downloads since launching last year with Flight Planbecoming the landmark movie on 14 January.

  • Paxton steps down as Discovery splits

    23-Jan-2007

    Discovery Networks International has split its UK and EMEA divisions into stand-alone regions. The move will be followed by the departure of managing director of the Discovery Networks Europe division Robin Paxton.

  • Licence fee to rise by 3%

    18-Jan-2007

    Culture secretary Tessa Jowell is set to announce that the BBC licence fee will rise by 3% over each of the next two years.

  • Norton presents rebirth of variety talent show

    18-Jan-2007

    Graham Norton will attempt to revitalise the variety talent show for BBC1 with a new format that combines voting from a celebrity judging panel and 101 pre-registered viewers at home.

  • Osmond to host Pyramid for UK

    18-Jan-2007

    Housewives' favourite Donny Osmond will host a UK version of Emmy award-winning US gameshow Pyramid for Challenge in the spring.

  • PKF to review options for Green Bay

    18-Jan-2007

    Cardiff indie Green Bay has appointed business advisor PKF to consider its strategic opportunities including buying other production companies or a sale to another indie.

  • September strengthens management

    18-Jan-2007

    September Films has beefed up its senior management team with the addition of an executive producer, factual producer and a head of development.

  • Sky One gives second outing to Badger

    18-Jan-2007

    Former The Apprenticecontestant Ruth Badger is to appear in her second show for Sky One, where she will attempt to change the fortunes of some of Britain's worst sales teams.

  • Wag TV traces Britons' ancestry for C4

    18-Jan-2007

    Wag TV has won a Channel 4 commission which takes an in-depth look at the history of the British.

  • BBC moves to sell-off BBC Resources

    17-Jan-2007

    The BBC has hired a project director to prepare the sell-off of BBC Resources, in the face of opposition from staff.

  • ITV Productions to merge departments as Buck departs

    16-Jan-2007

    ITV Productions will merge its two London drama departments in a major restructure which follows drama controller Michele Buck's decision to leave the firm.

  • Real Estate TV is first sponsored station

    16-Jan-2007

    Real Estate TV has claimed to be the first channel to exploit Ofcom's relaxation of sponsorship laws by signing a deal with a Spanish property agent.

  • ITV on track to renew ITN contract

    15-Jan-2007

    ITV will not put its£36 million news contract with ITN out to tender ahead of its expiry date at the end of 2008.

  • BSkyB takes on NTL with See, Speak, Surf service

    15-Jan-2007

    BSkyB is launching a multi-million pound triple play campaign, throwing down the gauntlet to NTL ahead of its re-branding as Virgin Media.

  • OFT will investigate BSkyB's ITV stake

    12-Jan-2007

    The Office of Fair Trading will launch a full investigation into BSkyB's controversial 17.9% stake in ITV and has set a 25 January deadline for receiving representations from interested parties.

  • BBC appeals for Gaby Logan sports show ideas

    12-Jan-2007

    The BBC is appealing to the public for ideas for its new summer sports programme hosted by Gaby Logan.

  • A tale of two hangings

    11-Jan-2007

    Where did news editors' decide to draw the line with footage of Saddam Hussein's execution?

  • Benham takes on top role at Challenge

    11-Jan-2007

    Challenge and Trouble have been given a new channel controller and Living TV, Living TV2 and FTN a new head of acquisitions following a senior level restructure at Flextech.

  • C4 looks at mothers who reject their babies

    11-Jan-2007

    Twenty Twenty will investigate what makes some mothers reject their babies in a two-part documentary for Channel 4.

  • ITV1 to turn Buck House into West Wing

    11-Jan-2007

    ITV1 is planning to substitute the White House for Buckingham Palace in a West Wing-style drama about the royal family made by Company Pictures.

  • Optimistic sets up Los Angeles office

    11-Jan-2007

    Participation TV specialist Optimistic Media has set up a US office and appointed a head of development for North America with plans to crack the US market.

  • Pay TV missing out on new customers, says Jupiter

    11-Jan-2007

    Pay-TV operators are wasting the opportunity to poach millions of potential new customers created by the digital switchover, according to new research from analysis firm Jupiter Research.

  • RDF appoints Usher in entertainment push

    11-Jan-2007

    RDF Television has hired Peter Usher as its first permanent executive producer of entertainment as part of plans to bump up its output in the genre.

  • Shed wins Fox pilot

    11-Jan-2007

    Shed Productions has won its second US network pilot commission in a month after Fox ordered a new comedy drama called Nurses.

  • CNN's Chris Cramer quits

    10-Jan-2007

    CNN international managing director Chris Cramer is retiring after 11 years at the rolling news channel. He will leave in April.

  • Sky shares tipped to rise

    10-Jan-2007

    City analysts are predicting a marked improvement in BSkyB's share price in 2007 after three years of underperformance.

  • Sky News poaches new face from ITV

    9-Jan-2007

    Sky News has added ITV Meridian's Charlotte Hawkins to its Sunrise team, starting 15 January.

  • BT Vision poaches Sky Sports exec

    9-Jan-2007

    BT Vision has drafted in Sky Sports head of marketing Paul Ridsdale and made him senior marketing manager, sports advertising and sponsorship.

  • Zodiak adds UK acquisitions exec

    5-Jan-2007

    Scandinavian distributor Zodiak Television World (Zodiak), the new owners of UK indie Diverse Productions, has hired Tobi de Graaff as director of sales and acquisitions in London.

  • Crime and Investigation Network recounts West victim story

    4-Jan-2007

    Manchester-based indie Multi Media Arts has won a commission from the Crime and Investigation Network to make a documentary on a woman who survived a sexual assault by serial killers Fred and Rosemary West.

  • National Geo prepares to move into UGC

    4-Jan-2007

    National Geographic UK & Europe (NGC) will relaunch its website as part of a first move into user-generated content (UGC).

  • Disney shows available on Orange

    3-Jan-2007

    Disney Channel and mobile network Orange have signed a deal allowing customers with 3G handsets to watch Disney shows such as Kim Possible,for the first time in the UK.

  • Community Channel adds new head of programmes

    3-Jan-2007

    Community Channel has appointed former Five controller of special events Adam Perry in a new role as head of programmes and campaigns.

  • Sky+ breaks two million mark

    2-Jan-2007

    Sky+ is now in more than two million homes across the UK and Ireland following a 50% rise in take-up during 2006.

  • ITV makes Mowlam doc

    2-Jan-2007

    ITV Productions is making a C4 drama based on the life of the former Northern Ireland secretary.

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