The five communications regulators have announced an agreement to work together in preparation for the introduction of Ofcom. A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Broadcasting Standards Commission, Independent Television Commission, Office of Telecommunications, Radio Authority and Radiocommunications Agency, sets out the arrangements for working closely together on a wide range of issues.A steering group… Continue reading Regulatory Bodies To Join Forces In Preparation For Ofcom

The minister for consumers and corporate affairs, Kim Howells, has published draft undertakings in relation to the proposed acquisition of British Interactive Broadcasting (Open, as it is now known) by BSkyB. Plans for Sky to increase its stake in the interactive TV company to full ownership were announced in July last year (see BSkyB Takes… Continue reading Comment Invited On Proposed BSkyB Takeover Of Open

Publishing companies in the UK have joined forces to ensure positive recognition of their industry as convergence gains pace. The Newspaper Society, the Publishers Association, Newspaper Publishers and the Periodical Publishers Association have formed the UK Publishing Media alliance to reflect the rapidly evolving nature of publishing into a range of connected and overlapping businesses.A… Continue reading Publishing Bodies Form Alliance To Represent Industry Concerns

The Radio Authority received three applications for the West Midlands regional digital multiplex licence in time for the deadline on Tuesday 12 December. The licence takes in an area including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry, which has an adult population of up to around 3.3 million.The requirements of the licence are that, in addition to providing… Continue reading Radio Authority Receives Three Applications For West Midlands Digital Licence

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned advertisers to show more respect for the older generation, having noted that the over-55’s seldom appear in advertisements, and that when they do, it is usually either to promote the accessories of old age or to provide humour in adverts aimed at a younger audience.In the case of… Continue reading ASA Warns Against Demeaning Depictions Of Old People In Adverts

The Radio Authority has received three applications for the local digital multiplex licence for the North-East England licence, advertised to run initially for a period of twelve years from commencement of broadcasting. The applicants are the Digital Radio Group, which counts The Wireless Group, GWR, Emap Digital Radio, SMG and the Carphone Warehouse among its… Continue reading Three Applications Received For North East Digital Radio Licence

The following is an edited version of the Worldview Address, delivered by Barclay Knapp, President and CEO of NTL, at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, on Saturday.In 1905 Albert Einstein began the “creative destruction” of classical Newtonian physics with his theory of special relativity, proving that space and time could stretch and bend in… Continue reading “Television Is The Internet, The Internet Is Television”: Barclay Knapp, President Of NTL, Speaks

A total of 92 viewers complained to the Independent Television Commission (ITC) when NTL were unable to cope with the response to advertising of its free internet service.Huge demand for NTL World led to a backlog in demand which forced the company to pull the advert in May (see NTL Pulls Advertising Of Net Service).… Continue reading ITC Upholds Complaints Of 92 Against NTL World Ads

GWR has agreed to consolidate DMG Radio, the radio interests of the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), in its own radio business. The deal, worth £146 million, will see GWR, which owns Classic FM as well as 38 local licences, add a further eight UK local stations to its portfolio and enhance its overseas… Continue reading Feature: GWR Seeks Licence Disposal Amid Consolidation

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has published a new draft of its Sponsorship Code. Although key principles regarding editorial independence and the distinction between advertising and sponsor credits remain, the code aims to simplify rules on sponsorship credits, reflecting the fact that the ITC sees itself as a ‘light touch regulator’.Martin Hart, ITC’s head of… Continue reading ITC Takes Simpler Approach In New Draft Sponsorship Code