RevenueITV’s struggle to redress a significant decline in viewing figures has been well-documented and much-discussed over the previous year and new chief executive Richard Eyre unveiled plans to address the Network’s problems at the beginning of January. However the loss of viewers, as far as 1997 is concerned, has resulted in only the slightest increase… Continue reading TV Round-Up – 1997
The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has published its 8th Code of Practice, which comes into force on 9 March 1998.
The EC has announced that it will investigate the planned merger of CLT-UFA and Kirch of the German pay-TV provider Premiere and of the companies BetaDigital and BetaResearch. The aim of the intended merger is to develop Premiere into a joint digital pay-TV channel and marketing platform incorporating Kirch’s current digital television activities, with the… Continue reading EU: EC Monitors Merger Plans
The EC is investigating the way BSkyB, the pay-TV broadcaster, supplies its material to the cable industry. It has asked Oftel, the UK telecommunications watchdog, to provide information concerning the company following a complaint from General Cable, a UK cable operator. General Cable claims that BSkyB’s high charges have forced it to increase its own… Continue reading EU: BSkyB Probe
The repeated use of bad language on radio and TV remains an issue of concern to most adults, says a new report released today by the Broadcasting Standards Commission.The importance of the watershed at 9pm was again stressed by respondents. It is used as a guide to likely content and allows parents to exercise some… Continue reading Bad Language Continues To Cause Concern
The European Commission has formally denied media reports that it intends to propose banning alcohol advertising in the EU. An EC spokesman said on 14 January: “There has never been any discussion or a proposal by the Commission aimed at prohibiting alcohol advertising and sponsorships. These reports are unfounded.” Meanwhile, the French government has acknowledged… Continue reading EU: Commission Denies Ban Extension
On 6 January the EP Environment Committee called for what it described as the current “profoundly muddled” state of EU food law to be made more transparent and user-friendly. In condemning the general confusion that exists in EU rules governing the use, labelling and advertising of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), MEPs want clear and new… Continue reading EU: MEPs Seek GMO Clarity
In Britain the new Food Standards Agency has been unveiled amid much criticism over who will fund its running costs, estimated as being at least £100 million a year. Much of that will be funded by levying charges on the food industry, including both wholesale and retail outlets. Critics have accused the FSA of representing… Continue reading UK: FSA Unveiled
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) of the UK has given “a cautious welcome” to the new data protection bill, which is due to enter into force on 24 October 1998. The bill is intended to draw UK legislation into line with the new EU directive on Data Protection. One of the biggest complaints of the… Continue reading UK: DMA Welcomes Bill
SN Wales, part of Southern Newspapers’ Welsh and Western Region, has announced several changes in its management structure, with three editors becoming publishers of their respective titles.Gerry Keighley becomes publisher of the South Wales Argus and News & Weekly Argus, David Evans has been a appointed publisher of the Eastern Telegraph and Cardigan and Tivy-Side… Continue reading Southern Newspapers Editors Become Publisher
