Kent Messenger has revamped the eight titles in its free Extra series and plans to trial user-generated content in the Canterbury edition in a bid to push its paid-for titles.The regional publisher has redesigned the Extra series, which include the Ashford Extra, Canterbury Extra, Folkestone & Dover Extra, Gravesend, Dartford & Swanley Extra, Maidstone Extra,… Continue reading Kent Messenger revamps its Extra series

BBC’s high definition television programmes will now be available to Virgin Media subscribers via the iPlayer.The two broadcasters have signed a deal to make high-definition content available, including popular BBC shows such as Robin Hood and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, to subscribers who have the requisition set-top box and a HD-ready television.Virgin Media already… Continue reading BBC and Virgin sign new HD deal

The Apprentice pulled in more than 8 million peak viewers last night, securing the highest ratings throughout the all-important 9pm to 10pm slot.Over 7.4 million average viewers tuned in to see the candidates reach the half way mark in the contest to win a job with Sir Alan Sugar, banking a high 30.5% audience share… Continue reading The Apprentice attracts a high of 8m viewers

BBC Magazines is set to close its 11-year-old monthly title Good Homes due to a drop in its circulation.The 17 members of staff at the magazine were told of the BBC’s plan earlier this morning and have now entered a month-long consultation with the corporation’s commercial arm.BBC Magazines said the July issue of Good Homes… Continue reading BBC Good Homes magazine set to close

BSkyB has reported a 7% year on year increase in adjusted revenues to £3.96 billion for the nine months ending March 31, helped by the addition of 80,000 new customers in the first quarter.The satellite broadcaster’s pre-tax profit for the period hit £339 million, up from £20 million in 2008, although profits were slightly distorted… Continue reading BSkyB adds 80,000 new customers despite downturn

UKTV’s Home channel rebrand is set to launch at the end of the month with a new website to give interior design advice to DIY enthusiasts.The idents for the channel run with the strap line – ‘There’s no place like it’ – alongside a through-the-key-hole theme.The four idents, which have been designed by Red Bee… Continue reading UKTV set for Home channel launch

Independent News & Media has failed to reach a deal with bondholders over a €200 million bond and has reported a full-year pre-tax loss of €161.4 million for 2008.INM had previously warned that its failure to agree a deal over the bond means there is “a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the… Continue reading INM reports €161.4m loss

ITV1’s live UEFA Champions League coverage attracted a high of almost 8 million viewers last night, securing the peak audience throughout most of the all-important 9pm to 10pm slot.More than 6.3 million average viewers (a 27.8% share) tuned in to see the Barcelona v Chelsea goalless draw – the first time Barcelona have failed to… Continue reading Barcelona v Chelsea scores 8m viewers

AOL is set to rollout a new platform that adds social networking services like Facebook and Twitter to any website, broadcasting users’ activities in real-time to their friends.The social networking aggregator ‘Socialthing’ will be deployed across MediaGlow’s – AOL’s publishing arm – 75 sites, which will reach around 181 million users worldwide.Socialthing focuses on “activity… Continue reading AOL launches new Socialthing platform

Scottish ITV broadcaster STV is set to run a new local TV news pilot scheme alongside a consortium of media companies.If the pilot is a success, outside suppliers would be able to take over from ITV companies and make their own local TV news bulletins in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English regions.STV volunteered… Continue reading STV to run local news pilot