The Radio Authority has fined Leicester Sound £5,000 for failing to reach the minimum speech levels required in its programming.Spectrum International Radio has also been fined £5,000 for failure to observe the rules on due impartiality and undue prominence. A discussion programme aimed at Asian listeners featured undue prominence of particular views from a politician,… Continue reading Fines For Radio Stations
Chris Smith, the heritage secretary, is reported to be considering ending the Channel 4 funding formula. The system, where by Channel 4 is forced to make regular payments to the ITV companies, is now up for review. Smith has written to all the interested parties asking for views on the continued need for this funding… Continue reading Channel 4 Funding Up For Review
The governors of the BBC may become accountable to the Commons’ national heritage committee. Chris Smith, the national heritage secretary, mentioned the possibility at the annual meeting of the BBC management and governors last week. There are also plans to ensure that the BBC senior management contains more people with relevant media experience.
The ITC received 82 complaints from viewers in April objecting to the inclusion of ad breaks in ITV’s coverage of Formula One. Many of the complaints drew analogies with coverage of football where no advertising is permitted during play.The ITC, however, noted that ad breaks have always been acceptable during coverage of long, continuous sporting… Continue reading Formula One Puts The Breaks On And Upsets Viewers
Return of the Swamp Thing, shown on Channel 5 on Monday 12th May, was watched by a consolidated audience of 1.112 million which is an average audience for the slot, though it is a high figure in comparison with the rest of the channel’s viewing.Viewing was highest for this film in the Central Scotland, North… Continue reading Programme Analysis: Return Of The Swamp Thing W/E 18/5/97
Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd and Newsquest Media Group Ltd are closing UK News, their jointly owned national news agency, at the end of June. PA News is taking over UK News contracts to supply news and sports services to their daily newspapers.PA has also guaranteed to supply the seven other regional evening newspapers, currently receiving… Continue reading UK News Closes
Coronation Street comes out on top this week with an average audience of 13.65 million over its four episodes. The real story in the soap world is the rout of Eastenders on Thursday, which only drew an audience of 8.97 million. In its place Emmerdale reigned supreme that evening with another hour long special. The… Continue reading TV Weekly Viewing Summary W/E 25/05/97
The Media Centre topped the Radio Advertising Bureau’s league of top radio buying points in April, according to its May Newsletter, with £18.9m. Zenith came second with £14.7m and Universal McCann third with £11.5m.Top Advertisers to April 97 included COI with £7m, Dixons Stores Group with £5.7m and Carphone Warehouse with £5.6m.RAB: 0171 306 2500
The ITC will be publishing Guidance Notes on the licensing and operation of Pay Per View services on cable and satellite services. The key points are:1 Normal watershed restrictions may be relaxed.2 This dispensation, however, will only be permitted providing reception of Pay Per View is subject to a mandatory PIN number system, or equivalent… Continue reading Changes To The Pay Per View System
In an interview with the Observer newspaper, Chris Smith, the Heritage Secretary, said that lack of Parliamentary time means that a Bill to tighten regulation on non-terrestrial sports broadcasts would not be tabled until next year.Department of National Heritage: 071 211 6275
