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Magna Global has released a new US forecast predicting that DVR subscriber households will hit 51.1 million (43% of US TV households) by the end of 2014, up from 29.8 million (27% of TV households) at the end of 2008. Over the 10 years between 2004 and 2014, Magna estimates that DVRs will contribute to… Continue reading US DVR subscriber households to hit 51.1m by end of 2014

A portion of the BBC’s licence fee should go to the corporation’s rivals to allow them to create more public service content, such as current affairs and regional news programming, according to a parliamentary report.The House of Lords Communication Committee said that an element of “contestable funding” should be created for broadcasters and programme makers… Continue reading Parliamentary report calls on BBC licence fee split

Ray Snoddy, former media editor of the Times and the FT and current presenter of the BBC’s Newswatch will be writing weekly for MediaTel NewsLine from mid-May. Here’s a taster of what’s to come with Ray’s reflections on a conference session and interview with Martin Sorrell at MIPTV in Cannes last week, and on Zillion… Continue reading A Zillion reasons why Sorrell might be right

ITV1’s Live UEFA Champions League coverage pulled in the highest ratings throughout most of the match last night, with more than 7.6 million peak viewers.The Manchester United V FC Porto quarterfinal game, which ended in a 2-all draw, attracted 5.9 million average viewers and a 25.6% share between 7.30pm and 10pm.Elsewhere, BBC One’s new drama… Continue reading Football attracts majority of viewers

Digital switchover began in the West Country this morning, with analogue BBC Two turned off at transmitters across Torbay and south Devon.The second stage of switchover takes place on Wednesday 22 April, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently.The West Country will be the first region in the UK to complete the… Continue reading Switchover starts in the West Country

Virgin Media has appointed Jonathan Webb to the role of executive director of Virgin Media Television (VMtv) following the departure of CEO Malcolm Wall.The move follows reports that Virgin Media has begun the sale of its content division, including VMtv and its advertising sales house ids; however, it is understood that it will not be… Continue reading Jonathan Webb appointed executive director of Virgin Media Television

ITV1’s UK version of the popular US crime series Law & Order came to a dramatic end last night, attracting the peak audience during the all-important 9pm to 10pm slot.More than 5.5 million viewers tuned in to see series’ finale, starring Bradley Walsh and Freema Agyeman, securing ITV1 with a 23.5% average audience share.Meanwhile, BBC… Continue reading Last Law & Order: UK secures the highest ratings

Paramount Comedy has relaunched as Comedy Central, with a seven figure campaign marking the rebrand.The activity encompasses marketing, advertising and PR, and is Paramount Comedy’s biggest ever investment in a campaign.Comedy Central worked with advertising agency Karmarama on the channel idents and supporting ‘Big on Comedy’ campaign, with media planning and buying by Equinox.A poster… Continue reading Paramount Comedy relaunches as Comedy Central

Sky has upgraded the electronic programme guide (EPG) for Sky+HD, featuring a small video screen in the top right corner, new fonts, and new colours.The new EPG, originally due to launch last September, is being rolled out progressively across Sky HD boxes. The previous guide has been in use since the launch of Sky digital… Continue reading A kid’s view of the new Sky+HD TV guide

Almost half of all households with televisions in the UK are choosing to pay for additional TV channels, according to a new report from Ofcom.The media regulator’s Digital Progress Report for Q4 2008 showed that 49.5% of UK television households pay for some form of digital TV for their main TV set, which is the… Continue reading Ofcom: 13 million homes pay for extra TV channels