Google has acquired the Finnish social networking site Jaiku for an undisclosed amount. The site, which lets users share what they are doing at any given time, is based in Helsinki and was founded by Jyri Engestrom and Petteri Koponen in February 2006. Jaiku allows users to connect with friends through the internet or instant… Continue reading Google Acquires Finnish Social Networking Site

James Mallinson, publishing director of Dennis Publishing’s digital men’s magazine Monkey, has left the company.It is understood that Mallinson’s departure from Dennis two weeks ago followed a company restructure.Responsibility for the title has now gone to Richard Downey, publisher of Poker Player, Inside Poker and Viz.Mallinson joined Monkey in March this year from Emap Advertising,… Continue reading James Mallinson Leaves Monkey

Sky has apologised after Sky One show Cirque de Celebrite suffered a “technical fault” on Sunday which meant that some public votes were not counted.Sunday’s show saw ex-footballer Dean Holdsworth voted off, however, he has now been invited to return after Sky admitted a fault in the voting.Viewers vote for which celebrity is booted off… Continue reading Sky Apologises For Phone Vote Problem

Another big talking point at yesterday’s MediaTel Group seminar on the ‘Future of TV’ was search, with panellist Paul Cleghorn, of Tape It Off The Internet (TIOTI), making reference to the Long Tail when he said that old programmes might have value, but that value will remain untapped unless these shows can be found.TIOTI is… Continue reading ‘Future of TV’ Seminar Examines Search

New broadband and IPTV statistics unveiled at the Broadband World Forum Europe in Berlin show that the number of people using IPTV services increased by 179% in the 12 months to 30 June 2007. The statistics, prepared for the DSL Forum by industry analyst Point Topic, reveal that over eight million people are now connected… Continue reading Eight Million People Now Using IPTV Services

ITV’s programming woes are not a direct result of the Contract Rights Renewal mechanism, but rather a lack of investment in the 1990s, according to Jim Marshall, chairman of Starcom Mediavest Group, who was speaking at MediaTel Group’s ‘Future of Television’ seminar in London yesterday. “The company spent a decade sorting out the business of… Continue reading Panellists Show Little Sympathy For ITV’s CRR Woes

Choice and peer recommendations will be at the heart of the next generation of electronic programme guides (EPGs), with personalisation becoming more prominent. Speaking at yesterday’s MediaTel Group seminar on the ‘Future of Television’, panelist Paul Cleghorn, of Tape It Off The Internet (TIOTI), said that the EPG is “on its last legs” and that… Continue reading EPGs To Get Personal

An increase in the amount of minutes per hour of advertising on television would lessen the effectiveness of the marketing, according to panellists at the ‘Future of Television’ seminar, held by MediaTel Group in London yesterday. Recent reports have suggested that Ofcom is looking at the possibility of pushing up the current limit to as… Continue reading Increase In TV Ad Minutage Would Damage Efficacy

It has been a disappointing start for mobile television, with take-up of the platform less than expected and broadcasters seemingly disillusioned with mobile operators. This was one of the themes at yesterday’s MediaTel Group seminar on the ‘Future of TV’. Panellist Peter Cowley, managing director of digital media at Endemol UK, said that Endemol had… Continue reading Disappointing Start For Mobile TV

Another big talking point at yesterday’s MediaTel Group seminar on the ‘Future of TV’ was search, with panellist Paul Cleghorn, of Tape It Off The Internet (TIOTI), making reference to the Long Tail when he said that old programmes might have value, but that value will remain untapped unless these shows can be found. TIOTI… Continue reading ‘Future of TV’ Seminar Examines Search