British Interactive Broadcasting (the joint venture formed by BT, BSkyB, Midland Bank and Matsushita to provide digital TV interactive services) has announced some reorganisation of its management team amid confusion as to whether it is to supply access to the internet for television viewers.
The key appointments are as follows… Peter Hopper joins as commercial director, and joins from BSkyB. Hal Wolf is promoted to director of business operations and implementation, moving up from director of operations, and Colin McQuade has been appointed technical and operations director.
Joan Gillman has been promoted to director of business affairs and compliance from head of business development. Lastly, Barry McGovern takes on the role of advertising sales director.
All of the appointments are effective immediately.
With regard to provision of the internet on BiB television services, a spokesperson for the company today commented that BiB never made that promise, and that it is extending television not amalgamating computer and TV. Although she confirmed that BiB will not be providing internet access to begin with, she did suggest that if there appeared to be a change in consumer demand BiB would re-assess the possibility.
BiB was created to provide an interactive platform to enable high street businesses to offer interactive services including home shopping, home banking, travel and holiday services. It was given the all clear to launch earlier in the year by the European Union (see Newsline),
James Ackerman, chief executive officer of BiB, commented yesterday: “The team we now have in place allows me to reorganise the company and focus on our ambitions to be the leader in the UK market for interactive television. British Interactive Broadcasting is now strong and secure and has an exciting and important future as the main platform for bringing interactive services direct into the living rooms of millions of UK homes.”
British Interactive Broadcasting: 0171 489 7770
