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

Advertiser funded programming (AFP) was put under scrutiny this weekend, as the Edinburgh International TV Festival sought to shed light on the relatively new industry, and its implications for broadcasters and advertisers alike.Claire Heys, head of commercial partnerships at Flextech/UKTV explained the predicament facing broadcasters willing to commission AFP, stating: “It’s not easy to make… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: TV Set For More Advertiser Funded Programming

Channel 4’s director of programmes, Kevin Lygo, has lifted the lid on the shows he hopes will maintain Channel 4’s successful streak over the next few months.The programme boss, speaking at the Edinburgh International TV Festival, announced that Channel 4’s iconic daytime quiz, Countdown, would return following the death of host Richard Whitely, but refused… Continue reading MGEITF 2005: Lygo Lifts Lid On Channel 4 Programming

October 10 will see Channel 4 broaden its digital horizons, with the launch of More4 to offer the broadcaster’s documentaries, news, talk and drama content to a wider audience.The launch, which will span all digital platforms, will represent the first new public service channel from anyone but the BBC since the launch of Channel 4… Continue reading October Launch To Bring More4 To The Masses

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

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