Channel 4 has announced its Autumn line-up, which features three major drama series – A Dance to the Music of Time, Bombay Blue and Underworld – together with new comedy and documentary series. Robbie Coltrane also stars in a factual series indulging his secret passion for engines in Coltrane’s Planes and Automobiles. The season’s budget… Continue reading C4 Launches Autumn Schedule
The Independent Television Commission (ITC)has approved changes to its Rules on Advertising Breaks that will enable cable, satellite and new digital channels to carry additional teleshopping advertising and open the way to the licensing of self-promotional channels. The changes, which have immediate effect, reflect some of the provisions of the revised EU TWF Directive.
The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament has appointed Mr John Stevens (UK, EPP) as its Draftsman for a report on Electronic Commerce in the EU. First discussions on this report are expected to take place during the Committee’s meetings in October with the finished opinion being brought before the full Parliament… Continue reading EU: EP Considers Electronic Commerce
The Food & Drug Administration in the US has issued new guidelines for the TV advertising of prescription-only drugs. The ads must contain additional information, specifically that professionals may provide further details, a toll-free number to contact, reference to print ads, and also to a web site. The new rules are aimed at reducing consumer… Continue reading US: New Rules Come Into Force
At its Council Meeting last week, the IPA elected Unity Three Ltd and Willoz Holmes & Law Ltd into membership. This brings the total number of agencies in the IPA to 211.IPA: 0171 235 7020
European Commission officials are reported to be in favour of accepting a key proposal of the European Parliament to include consumer and advertising industry representative’s on the ‘proportionality committee’, charged with assessing whether national restrictions on commercial communications constitute illegal barriers to trade. The original idea was to limit the committee’s composition to representatives of… Continue reading EU: Committee To Include Consumers
The UK Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has proposed a major extension of its own powers in relation to pharmaceuticals advertising. It states in its consultation letter (MLX/239 of 21 August 1997) that “certain parts of the [existing advertising] legislation are being misinterpreted by industry and, therefore, require revision”.The proposed revisions are highly controversial since they… Continue reading UK: MCA Proposes New Ad Controls
The ITC has announced that it is to join Digital TV Group (DTG), the coalition of broadcasters, manufacturers and network operators which will be in charge of launching digital television in the UK.Digital TV Group: 01730 821188
The Radio Authority has said that it will be investigating the recent bid by a Burton Daily Mail company to run the ILR licence for South-East Staffordshire. This is because the newspaper company publishes two local titles in this area: the Burton Daily Mail and the Burton Advertiser.Under the 1996 Broadcasting Act regional newspaper companies… Continue reading RA Examines Licence Bid
BARB estimates put the average audience for Princess Diana’s funeral at 31.3million, with a peak of 31.8m between 11:30am and 11:45am. This is the largest British television audience for a single event and represents 59% of the entire nation.According to figures from ITN, ITV’s coverage at 11:30am was watched by 11.7 million people compared to… Continue reading Record Viewers For Funeral
