The Edinburgh International TV Festival was given a roasting on Saturday by international businessman and star of BBC Two’s Dragon’s Den, Doug Richard, who claimed the industry was lacking in its approach to new technology.The outspoken American admitted his lack of knowledge concerning the workings of the television industry, but said that his 20 years… Continue reading MGETIF 2005: TV Tech Given A Roasting In The Dragon’s Den

There is always a smattering of celebrity at the Edinburgh TV Festival, although this year saw the topic dominate several discussion sessions, with one in particular dedicated to dissecting the genre of celebrity-orientated TV.Chaired by Boyd Hilton, editor of celebrity magazine, Heat, the C Word session also played host to Big Brother winner Jade Goody,… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Celebrity Under Scrutiny At Edinburgh Festival

BBC director general Mark Thompson lifted the lid on the Corporation’s latest TV technology at the Edinburgh International TV Festival, announcing details of MyBBCPlayer, a new online service allowing viewers to legally download seven days of TV programmes.Delivering one of the most anticipated addresses of the Festival, Thompson stated: “This will be the decade of… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Thompson Announces On Demand Programming From BBC

Channel 4 faces a rocky road of change following digital switchover, according to the broadcaster’s chief executive Andy Duncan, who made his latest case for public funding, and investment in new technology, at the annual Edinburgh International TV Festival.The broadcast boss stated that Channel 4’s request for public funding is not an immediate one, “it’s… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Channel 4 Boss Makes The Case For Public Funding

ITV was wished a happy 50th birthday at the Edinburgh International TV Conference last weekend, although the broadcaster was also given the gift of critical insight by media heavyweights discussing its future.Lorraine Heggessey, CEO of Talkback Thames stated that, amongst other problems, there is a “samey-ness” to much of ITV’s current programming, with “title after… Continue reading MGETIF 2005: Edinburgh Gives ITV Advice For Its Birthday

The annual MacTaggart lecture at Edinburgh’s International TV Festival is typically a time for agenda setting, controversy and more than a little excitement. But the overwhelming feeling amongst attendees to this year’s offering by Lord Birt was of abject dismay and disappointment.The main reason was the build-up, with many media commentators expecting Birt to let… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Lord Birt Leaves Questions Unanswered In Edinburgh

Tomorrow will see the beginning of the 30th annual Edinburgh International TV Festival, sponsored by the MediaGuardian, with this year’s MacTaggart Lecture by former BBC director general Lord Birt promising controversy in spades.Birt’s address is expected to support top-slicing of the BBC licence fee, a move which will ruffle feathers amongst those still employed by… Continue reading Edinburgh TV Festival Promises Controversy From Birt

Both Channel 4 and Five saw respectable increases in total television revenue during July, with year on year rises of 4.5% and 3.8% respectively.Channel 4 now commands revenues of £51.5 million, while Five’s total has risen to £21.2 million.Both broadcasters look set to continue their revenue increases, as Channel 4 announced that it had acquired… Continue reading Television Market Round-Up – July 2005

Cable giant ntl has announced the first stage in its £190 million investment in next generation broadband networks over the next three years, equipping the heart London with a high-speed, IP-based infrastructure to allow voice telephony, higher speed broadband, video, multimedia applications, as well as new services in the future.The high speed network promises to… Continue reading C&W Launches Next Generation Broadband In London

Student TV network, SubTV, is to pair bluetooth connectivity with its plasma screen network in a trial to enable rich content to be delivered direct to viewers’ mobiles.The new technology, which has been installed for the first time in the University of London Union (ULU) and the London School of Economics (LSE), has seen a… Continue reading SUBtv Shows Students Responding To Bluetooth Ads