BBC director general Mark Thompson is considering proposals to restructure and “streamline” the BBC, which could lead to the end of the controversial broadcast/production split.According to reports in the Guardian, Thompson is following on from the Corporation’s ‘Creative Future’ strategy launched earlier this year (see BBC Plans On-Demand Drive To Catch ‘Lost Generation’BBC Plans On-Demand… Continue reading BBC Could Face Further Upheaval

ITV chief executive Charles Allen has criticised the CRR, warning that advertisers are “taking things for granted” and saying the ad community must choose between the contract and allowing the broadcaster to continue investing in programming that attracts advertisers.In his presentation on ITV’s strategy, Allen said the broadcaster could not guarantee big audiences for advertisers… Continue reading ITV Chief Exec Slams CRR

ITV director of television, Simon Shaps, has outlined the network’s new programming strategy, illustrating how the recent cost-cutting and restructuring announcement will effect schedules and commissioning.The broadcaster, who recently announced it would restructure and cut costs of £100 million (see ITV To Undertake Cost-Cutting Restructure), will scale back and cease some programming.It will cut back… Continue reading ITV Outlines Effects Of £100 Million Cost-Cutting

Newly launched Channel 4 Radio is understood to have had preliminary conversations with industry body the Radio Advertising Bureau with a view to taking up membership.If Channel 4 does take up membership, it would join other RAB members including GCap Media, Emap Radio and Chrysalis Radio.Channel 4 Radio would be the most recent addition to… Continue reading Channel 4 Radio In Talks To Join RAB

Rosemary Gorman has replaced Alan Brydon as display ad director at the Evening Standard, following his departure from the newspaper yesterday.Gorman comes from sister newspaper the Daily Mail where she is currently head of client sales. She was formerly managing partner of Zenith Media, which she left in July 1999 to join the Daily Mail.Further… Continue reading Brydon’s Replacement Announced

Channel 4 will be the first major UK broadcaster to simulcast its television output online, according to chief executive Andy Duncan.The new broadband simulcast will be available to PC users from 27 June via the channel4.com website. Registered users will be able to access a streamed live version of the Channel 4 schedule, allowing them… Continue reading C4 First To Simulcast TV Content Online

The IPA’s ethical policy group, previously know as the Watchdog Group, is to re-launch as the Ethcom Group in order to re-emphasise its role in promoting “ethical consumerism” through balancing the rights to advertise freely with responsible behaviour.The Ethcom Group will advise on ethical policy and, as part of its wide remit, will encourage debates… Continue reading IPA’s Watchdog Group To Re-launch As Ethcom

GCap Media’s Planet Rock station will follow Capital Radio will a “no more than two ads in a row” policy from 26 June.Recent research conducted by Advertising Research Company Ipsos showed that ad effectiveness has improved by a significant 38% on Capital Radio since the policy was introduced (see Capital Ad Breaks Boost Cut-Through). GCap… Continue reading Planet Rock To Adopt ‘Two Ad’ Policy

The Advertising Standards Authority is launching an investigation into the Big Brother ‘golden ticket’ competition amid claims that the draw was a fix.The watchdog is launching the investigation after receiving complaints from viewers and newspapers claiming that the competition’s eventual winner, Suzie Verrico, knew she would be entering the house before she was selected “at… Continue reading ASA To Investigate BB Golden Ticket ‘Fix’

Audiences in the US are more likely to download television programmes that contain advertising than pay for versions of the same shows without it, according to network executives.A report in the FT said the findings are among the first in examining viewing habits since programmes were made available to consumers over a variety of digital… Continue reading Free Ad-Supported TV Downloaded More Than Paid Content in US