Cable operator Telewest is abandoning its interactive TV venture, Smashed Atom, less than a year after its launch, due to insufficient funds.The joint venture with Atomic Tangerine, an branch of the Stanford Research Institute, will close in the next few months, resulting in the loss of 46 jobs unless a buyer can be found.A spokesman… Continue reading Telewest Folds Smashed Atom
Two of the smaller US-based wireless carriers in the US are more successful in taking web page visitors to the secure areas of their sites – where transactions are potentially made – than the larger carriers, according to new research from Jupiter Media Metrix. Jupiter found that Sprint PCS and Nextel convert almost three times… Continue reading Small US Wireless Carriers More Effectively Attract Customers, Finds Jupiter
MXR, the digital radio group, today launches the West Midlands digital radio multiplex, delivering digital programming to an area with an adult population of around 3.3m.The consortium, whose shareholders include Chrysalis, Capital Radio, Guardian Media Group, Jazz FM, Soul Media and UBC Media, was awarded the licence by the Radio Authority in February (see MXR… Continue reading MXR Launches Third Digital Radio Multiplex
David Liddiment’s stirring MacTaggart lecture may have captured the largest number of column inches for this year’s Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF), but the issue of TV’s soul was not necessarily the one which occupied the delegates over the bank holiday weekend.Events on the festival programme provide a respite from the relentless networking that… Continue reading GEITF Special: Who’s Next At Four?
ITV’s Saturday night Premier League offering, The Premiership, attracted even less viewers than at its launch last week (see ITV’s The Premiership Fails To Score) when it aired for a second time during the weekend. The 7pm show attracted an average of just 3.1m viewers or a 19.3% share during what is usually key family… Continue reading Premiership Slips Down Ratings League
In the absence of the minister for culture, media and sport casting light on the future of UK digital TV, David Liddiment’s MacTaggart Memorial lecture became a focal event of this year’s Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF).In a passionate speech which impressed all but a few BBC executives, he declared “Saving the soul of… Continue reading GEITF 2001 MacTaggart Lecture
WPP’s The Media Edge (TME) and Tempus’ CIA have ended their partnership in Germany, according to a report in AdAge yesterday. The news comes as WPP is poised to takeover Tempus for £440 million. TME and CIA’s German subsidiary, Mediahaus Stroebel, have been in alliance for around seven years. The partnership is set to officially… Continue reading Media Edge And CIA End German Partnership
The Kent Messenger Group (KM) is merging two of its most popular titles to form what it claims will be “the best-selling weekly paper in Britain.”The Medway Messenger, published in two editions, morning and afternoon, will replace the Kent Messenger and Medway Today providing 220 pages dedicated to the Medway towns.KM managing director, David Lewes,… Continue reading Kent Messenger Group Merges Titles
Channel 4 may find itself with a £100-200 million charge for the use of its broadcasting spectrum under the new communications legislation proposed by the Government, according to a report in today’s Financial Times. Other commercial broadcasters are already subject to the spectrum fee, but Channel 4 has so far been exempted due to its… Continue reading Channel 4 May Be Hit By
ITV is to rethink its sports highlights show, The Premiership, after complaints that the first programme contained too little action.ITV’s head of sport, Brian Barwick, confirmed that changes were being considered after complaints that the first programme, shown last Saturday, contained less than half an hour of on the pitch action.He said: “The programme will… Continue reading ITV Rethinks The Premiership
