Five has become the latest broadcaster to suspend programming involving premium rate phone-ins, after Endemol UK told the channel about issues surrounding its quiz show Brainteaser.As well as the daily quiz show, the suspension will affect Quiz Call on Five and Five US and competitions in and around programming.“We are shocked and disappointed and wish… Continue reading Five Suspends Brainteaser Amidst Phone-In Controversy
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Channel 4’s reality behemoth, Big Brother, has lost its £3 million a year Carphone Warehouse sponsorship, after the telecoms giant pulled the plug on the deal following the much publicised racism row.Carphone Warehouse, which has held the sponsorship for three years, pulled all of its sponsorship I-dents from around Celebrity Big Brother in January (see… Continue reading Carphone Warehouse Hangs Up On Big Brother
US internet advertising revenues for 2006 are estimated at $16.8 billion, a 34% increase over the previous record of $12.5 billion in 2005, according to new figures from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The 2006 Q4 revenues totaled just under $4.8 billion, making it the highest quarter reported. Fourth-quarter revenues for 2006… Continue reading 2006 US Internet Ad Revenues Increase
Michael Grade bemoaned ITV’s lack of innovation as the broadcaster announced a decline in full-year pre-tax profits from £311 million to £288 million.In a financial statement released today, Grade said: “There is a lack of innovation in our programming, partly resulting from a fear of ratings failure and the punitive consequences that follow under the… Continue reading Grade Says ITV Lacks Innovation As Profits Decline
Virgin Media is offering discounts to customers thinking of ending their contracts following the dispute which saw Sky’s basic channels removed from the cable platform.Disgruntled customers will be offered discounts on a case by case basis, according to reports in the trade press, with the XL TV package expected to see a discount of around… Continue reading Discounts For Virgin Media Customers
Former Radio 1 DJ Mark Goodier is joining Smooth Radio to present the station’s mid-morning show from March 26.GMG Radio’s Smooth FM changes its name to Smooth Radio on March 26 and Goodier is just one of several presenters lined up for the relaunch (see Collins Goes From Virgin To Smooth).He will be on air… Continue reading Mark Goodier To Join Smooth For Relaunch
Marston’s, the UK’s largest producers of premium cask ale, is to sponsor Sky’s on-air and online coverage of the cricket World Cup which begins in the Caribbean next week.The sponsorship covers sponsorship credits and break bumpers on Sky Sports broadcast coverage and branding on World Cup sections of skysports.com.Every match is being screened exclusively live… Continue reading Sky Gets Cricket World Cup Sponsor
Lisa Opie, Five’s managing director of content, has launched an initiative to enable viewers to directly pitch programming ideas to commissioners in a bid to reconnect the channel with its dwindling audiences.In an RTS speech last night, entitled ‘What is the point of Five?’ Opie said: “There has never been a way the viewer can… Continue reading Five’s Opie Announces Plan To Boost Programming
ITV has announced that its full-year pre-tax profits slipped from £311 million to £288 million. Turnover for the year to 31 December 2006 was £2.18 billion, compared to £2.19 billion in 2005. Digital channels showed strong growth, with revenue up 41% at £157 million, partly offsetting ITV NAR down 12% at 1.28 million. ITV content… Continue reading ITV’s Profits Decline
Liverpool FC’s entry in to the quarter finals of the Champions League last night drew an average adult audience of more than 5.8 million to ITV1, giving the broadcaster a 27% viewing share for a large chunk of primetime.BBC One’s Life On Mars, on during the last hour of the football coverage, lost around one… Continue reading Champions League Triumph For ITV1
