Michael Grade, ITV’s new executive chairman, has said that broadcasters must work to eradicate lapses in editorial programming standards, at a speech today at the Royal Television Society in London.Grade said there was a “casual contempt” for audiences, which has crept into UK broadcasting, and this must be stamped out.He added that recent events, such… Continue reading Broadcasters Must Work To Restore Viewers Trust

ITV is to launch a film download service next month following a deal between ITV’s DVD division and video download specialists BiBC.The deal will see 500 hours of content owned by ITV DVD and its Rank Film subsidiary added to BiBC’s download service.It will begin with 300 hours of library films, such as Carry on… Continue reading ITV To Launch Film Download Service

Broadcasters could be forced to apply for licences for call TV quizzes under the new gambling act, following the publication of new guidance by the Gambling Commission.Producers and broadcasters have argued that these services should be exempt from licensing regulation under the 2005 Gambling Act, because they offer a free route to play via websites… Continue reading Broadcasters May Need To Apply For Call-TV Licences

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, has said that the regulator has not yet been persuaded to allocate spectrum for HD channels on Freeview.However, in a keynote speech at the Institute of Economic Affairs conference on the Future of Broadcasting, Richards said that Ofcom would do everything it can to help public service broadcasters create an… Continue reading Ofcom Still Considering HD On Freeview

The US private equity firm Carlyle is understood to have tabled an £11.5 billion bid for Virgin Media.According to reports in today’s New York Times and Washington Post, Carlyle has made a preliminary offer of around £16.50 a share for the company.This means that Virgin’s equity would be valued at £6.5 billion, which coupled with… Continue reading Private Equity Firm Bids For Virgin Media

Global adspend is expected to grow from 5.5% in 2007 to 6.4% in 2008, comfortably above the 5.1% annual growth rate the ad market has averaged for the past 10 years, according to a new report from ZenithOptimedia. China will become the fifth largest ad market in the world this year, overtaking Italy, says ZenithOptimedia.… Continue reading Global Adspend To Grow 6.4% In 2008

The US private equity firm Carlyle has reportedly made a £11.5 billion bid for Virgin Media. It is understood that Carlyle has made a preliminary offer of around £16.50 a share for the company. According to reports in the New York Times and Washington Post, the Virgin board has instructed Goldman Sachs, to review its… Continue reading Private Equity Firm Makes Virgin Media Bid

Aegis has issued a pre-close statement ahead of its interim results on September 6, saying that trading has continued in line with expectations and organic revenue growth remains very healthy. Within Aegis Media, the fastest organic revenue growth continues to be achieved in EMEA, Asia-Pacific an d digital services, while at Synovate, organic revenue growth… Continue reading Aegis Issues Pre-Close Statement

Simon Stewart has been appointed chief marketing officer of Emap’s consumer brands across magazines, radio, online, mobile and TV.Stewart, former senior vice president of global development for advertising agency Publicis, will be responsible for Emap brands including Heat, Grazia and Kiss 100.The appointment of Stewart marks the first time Emap has had a marketer overseeing… Continue reading Emap Gets New Consumer Marketing Chief

True Dare Kiss, BBC One’s disturbing new drama serial, picked up a peak audience of 4.4 million adults (a 22.7% viewing share) at 9pm on what was a very solid night for the channel last night.The raw and sparky new show saw sisters Phil, Beth, Nita and Alice reunited for the first time in 20… Continue reading True Dare Kiss A Hit For BBC One