New Advertising TV Channel launches
A new entertainment channel dedicated to showing adverts of all kinds has launched on Sky channel 694. The Advert Channel is not a shopping channel, but focuses on adverts "as a form of entertainment, culture and from an artistic and creative aspect." The free-to-air channel show programming such as Ad Chat, a discussion show about advertising, Advert Focus, examining adverts in the news, Adverts for You, featuring favourite ads, and Adverts Today, which shows how adverts are created. [July 15]
Fox Kids change to Jetix brand begins
Fox Kids channels in the UK and Europe have begun introducing Jetix branded blocks of programmes in their schedules ahead of the full transition to the Jetix brand later this year. The channels will drop references to 'Fox Kids' this autumn. [July 15]
BBC channels face threat of disruption
BBC TV channels and digital services face severe disruption later this month after union members in the corporation's technology arm voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action. Union members voted to strike just hours after the subsidiary was acquired by German electronics giant Siemens. The strike could begin as early as July 21 and could decimate the technical side of the BBC just days before the corporation starts broadcasting the Athens Olympics (see the seperate story on this page). [July 10]
London TV launches on Sky
A new 24 hour TV channel dedicated to showcasing what to do and where to go in London has launched on Sky Digital. London TV provides bite-sized entertainment to inspire Londoners to explore their own city and helps visitors to make the most of their stay. Broadcast round the clock from a studio overlooking the River Thames, London TV features the latest on the capital's culture, shopping, eating and trips out, with news on the hottest events and special offers. [July 12]
Will Sky close its music TV channels?
Sky has admitted that it is reviewing the future of its three music channels, The Amp, Scuzz and Flaunt, and at the same time has moved its head of music channels, Jo Wallace, to head up original programming on Sky One. Any closure of the channels would mark a major retreat from the broadcaster's attempt to challenge rivals MTV and Emap in the pay-TV music market. Wallace's move to Sky One comes as the entertainment channel tries to reposition itself to attract a more upmarket 16-34 audience. [July 11]
BBC unveils interactive Olympics service
The BBC has announced its most extensive TV coverage of the Olympic Games ever, scheduling 250 hours of coverage from Athens plus over 1,000 hours through its first ever interactive Summer Olympics TV service. Sky Digital viewers will be able to access four additional streams to watch extended coverage of the 37 events. Freeview users will be able to access two additional events. In addition, the BBC's Website at bbc.co.uk/olympics will let UK broadband users access high-quality live coverage on their desktop. [July 11]
Chart Show TV to start new channel
A new free-to-air music channel from Chart Show called B4 It's A Hit is set to launch on Sky during July. It will be on air from 8pm until 6am each day and will feature tracks before their release. The channel is already performing test broadcasts with the label '3781' at 11.426GHz/V (SR 27500, FEC 2/3). [July 11]
Rapture TV suspends its broadcasts
Clubbing and youth channel Rapture TV temporarily disappeared from Sky Digital. The channel has been purchased by a new broadcaster after talks with potential financial partners ended unsuccessfully. The channel is due to resume its normal service this week. [July 10]
Elstein 'bids £500m for Hallmark Channel'
Channel Five's former boss, David Elstein, has reportedly confirmed his interest to buy the Hallmark Channel in a bid believed to worth £500 million. If the bid is successful, it will give Elstein control of the UK Hallmark Channel and its operations in more than 120 countries. The deal will also include a library of films owned by the channel, worth millions of pounds. The Hallmark Channel, owned by Hallmark Entertainment and run by Crown Media, has also reportedly received bids from Sony and interest from media giants News Corporation, Disney, Turner, Time Warner, Saban and MGM. Initial bidding is set to finish at the end of July, but the final deal will not be closed until the autumn. [July 10]
BBC 10 O'Clock News to go interactive
The BBC is to introduce a new and enhanced interactive service for its flagship news programme, the BBC Ten O'Clock News. Starting this autumn, it will offer viewers longer interviews, extra footage and background on the day's stories. Richard Sambrook, Director of BBC News, said: "The BBC News audience consistently tell us that they want even more information on the day's events. 'Ten O'Clock News Extra' will provide that platform for added depth and context to the bulletin and will help drive a new audience towards our interactive services." [Jully 11]
Teachers TV to launch in early 2005
Schools minister David Miliband has given the formal go-ahead for a new £20m government-funded digital TV channel dedicated to teachers. Following a long tender process, including a trial earlier this year, the government gave the green light to start the channel and accompanying Web site in early 2005. "Teachers' TV will be a free resource that both schools and teachers can draw upon. It will help deliver training and development, and independent research says it will save teachers time by delivering new ideas, tips and resources for use in the classroom," said a spokesman. [July 11]
Teletext Games launches on Sky Digital
Sky viewers can access a new interactive games service by pressing the text button on their remote controls when watching Channel 4. It offers multi-screen games including fruit-machine type games and virtual horse-racing. Participants are encouraged to register and play via cross-promotion from Teletext's other platforms including analogue TV, DTT and Internet. The Teletext on 4 service also includes programme information, news, finance, sport, weather and travel, racing, lottery results, plus a dating service for viewers to post and reply to personal ads. [July 9]
More digital TV news in brief...
Sports presenter Des Lynam is returning to the BBC to present an interview show on Radio Five Live from August... Euro 2004 enabled ITV to increase its advertising revenue by 17 per cent during June with an extra £25 million being spent... Channel Five has ordered a new reality makeover show that transforms couples with surgery and therapy in the run up to their wedding day.
Bravo to launch porn reality TV show
Mens channel Bravo is to show its first ever reality TV show. To be called Private Stars, it will offer an inside view into the lives of porn stars, and those who think they have what it takes to get into the porn industry. Five ordinary men will be given the chance to see if they can fulfil their dream of starring in adult films. The male newcomers are joined by five established female adult film stars in a specially prepared house, under 24 hour surveillance, with cameras capturing every thought, word and deed. In the end, the winner will be given the opportunity to star in a movie. [July 10]
This week's Freeview software updates
Sony will issue an over-the-air software upgrade to its DX51 Freeview receivers during the next few days. The release will be issued between July 12 and July 14. [July 12]