BBC One scored a ratings victory last night, with fact-based drama, Krakatoa: The Last Days, seeing off competition from ITV’s crime drama, If I Had You.ITV’s drama, staring Sarah Parish, drew just under 6 million adult viewers on average, securing a share of 28.23%. Krakatoa scored 6.2 million meanwhile, notching up a 27.97% share.There were… Continue reading ITV Crime Drama Blown Away By Krakatoa

Origin Publishing has appointed Kevin Cox as non-executive chairman of the company with immediate effect, just days after its sale by the BBC in a management buyout.Cox, a founding partner in the company, returns after resigning as chief executive in 2005. His reinstatement sees him take the reigns from Peter Phippen, managing director of BBC… Continue reading Origin Appoints Cox As New Chairman

Beer brand heineken is to take over all advertising opportunities at Cardiff Central station from today, tying in with its sponsorship of the European Rugby/Heineken Cup to capitalise on the arrival of thousands of sports fans to the city.The takeover will see Heineken and Heineken Cup images placed throughout the station, with Heineken securing advertising… Continue reading Viacom Brokers Station Takeover For Heineken Rugby

Guardian Media Group (GMG) has announced the appointment of Carolyn McCall as its new chief executive, replacing Sir Robert Phillis, who is due to retire at the end of July. McCall will step up from her position as chief executive of GMG’s national newspaper division, taking the reigns of GMG as a whole on 1… Continue reading GMG Promotes McCall As New Chief Executive

Newspaper publisher Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) has expanded its online operations with the acquisution of two websites offering dating and classified car sales services. The acquisitions, which were made by the company’s national newspapers division, Associated Newspapers, form part of its continuing strategy to invest in key areas of the online advertising market.… Continue reading DMGT Expands Online Advertising Operations

BSkyB and Setanta have split the broadcast rights to the remaining Premiership football packages it was announced today, with the win pushing BSkyB’s total to four packages, while Setanta claims the remaining two.The division of rights means Setanta with air a total of 46 games, while Sky will broadcast 92. The Satellite superpower is believed… Continue reading Sky And Setanta Share Remaining Premiership Rights

TV news broadcaster ITN has raised questions over the validity of the BBC’s claim for more funding under the next licence fee, claiming that the corporation could reduce its news costs to provide more value for money in the long term.Commenting in advance of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s seminar on the BBC… Continue reading ITN Challenges BBC Over Licence Fee Bid

Virgin Radio has signed a new promotion for Britain’s newest lottery, Monday, which rewards unlucky players if no-one manages to match all six numbers.The activity will feature on air activity based around the theme of “famous Mondays,” with callers asked questions on either infamous events that have happened on a Monday, or facts relating to… Continue reading Virgin Gets Lucky With Lottery Promotion

Satellite superpower BSkyB has signed a deal with mobile operator Vodafone to screen live international cricket coverage, as well as the Football League Playoffs through its network under the Sky Sports brand.Starting this weekend, the coverage will run through the 3G Vodafone Live! service, with the activity representing the first simulcast of live football matches… Continue reading Sky To Screen First Football Simulcast To Mobiles

Channel 4 is to recruit one contestant for this year’s Big Brother through a “golden ticket” promotion in the style of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, inserting 100 tickets at random into KitKat bars, before selecting the lucky individual.Running up to the launch of Big Brother 7, the promotion will see the tickets distributed… Continue reading Big Brother Seeks Contestants Through Wonka-esque Promo