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Armando Iannucci, the comedy writer and producer behind Alan Partridge and The Thick Of It has said that the BBC should be making more money out of its content by setting up a paid-for subscription service similar to HBO in the US.Speaking at the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF),… Continue reading MGEITF 2008: Iannucci Wants The BBC To “Clobber Critics” And Create Its Own HBO Service

It is all about showbusiness and entertainment according to Peter Fincham, who gave a passionate speech at the recent MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF).Fincham, now director of television at ITV after he left BBC One following the infamous ‘Crowngate’ affair last year (see Fincham Quits Following Queen Doco ShockerFincham Quits Following Queen Doco ShockerFincham… Continue reading MGEITF 2008: TV’s Future Is In Entertainment, Says Peter Fincham

Five has unveiled its autumn line-up, which is set to include a number of new architecture and property programmes.The channel’s season highlight features Bernard Braden’s unseen interviews from the 1960s, with icons such as Cilla Black, Robert Maxwell and Sean Connery.The three-part series made by Silver River Productions, 1968 Unseen, will also include recent interviews… Continue reading Five Unveils New Autumn Schedule

ITV1’s glossy medical drama, Harley Street, failed to pull in viewers to its final episode last night, only managing to gain a 12% audience share with 2.7 million average viewers.The hour-long programme between 9pm and 10pm has never been hit, only attracting a million more viewers in its first week, despite the hype (see On… Continue reading Harley Street Goes Out Without A Bang

Sky has appointed former AOL head of mobile Tim Hussain as its first head of mobile advertising, while David Gibbs has been promoted to general manager for mobile.Hussain joins former AOL colleagues Giles Ivey, sales director for Sky Digital Media, and Andy Jonesco, MD of Sky’s online business unit.Reporting to Ivey, Hussain will be responsible… Continue reading Sky Makes Mobile Appointments

Internet TV has had little impact on British viewing habits, according to a Deloitte report produced for the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival.The report found that only 4% of the UK population consider it “very important” to be able to receive TV via the internet, while 47% still regard it is as not important… Continue reading Internet TV “Has Had Little Impact On British Viewing Habits”

Facebook is set to kick-start its new interactive ad service trial in the UK next week.The trials – with eight unnamed partners – are expected to last for just over a month, before the platform becomes open to all advertisers.The new engagement advertisements will allow site users to send brand-related virtual gifts and become a… Continue reading Facebook Set To Trial New Ad Service

WPP has reported an increase in pre-tax profits of 15% for the first half of the year, to £339 million. The world’s second largest advertising group also announced a 4% increase in like-for-like revenue, to £3.3 billion. Revenues in the six months to the end of June were up 2.1% in North America, 2.5% in… Continue reading WPP Reports 15% Increase In Pre-Tax Profits

Internet TV has had little impact on British viewing habits, according to a Deloitte report produced for the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. The report found that only 4% of the UK population consider it “very important” to be able to receive TV via the internet, while 47% still regard it is as not… Continue reading Internet TV “Has Had Little Impact On British Viewing Habits”

Digital television (DTV) adoption will show strong growth over the next two years as consumers demand enhanced features, greater breadth of content and bundled communications offerings, according to a new report by Datamonitor. The Western European and US Digital TV Adoption, 2008 (Strategic Focus) report found that a further key driver in the transition to… Continue reading Strong Growth Forecast For Digital TV Adoption