ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • UK unions announce BBC strike ballot

    MUMBAI: UK unions are to ballot for industrial action across the BBC, following moves by the UK pubcaster to push ahead with plans for compulsory redundancies.

    The decision to hold a ballot was taken jointly by the NUJ, Bectu and Unite, the three unions representing staff across the BBC.

    A strike ballot had been averted in October after managers backed down on plans to begin the process of cutting 2,500 posts without consulting the unions.

    However, BBC Vision has now announced that it will begin selecting people for compulsory redundancy, despite the fact that over 300 people have expressed an interest in voluntary release.

    Unions have criticised the decision to begin the compulsory redundancy process without first agreeing on the release of volunteers, potentially putting a large number of people at risk of losing their jobs.

    NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said, “We’ve been very clear with the BBC that any attempt to force through compulsory redundancies will result in a ballot for industrial action. Our members are already deeply concerned about the strain they will be put under as a result of the BBC’s cutbacks. Now management is piling on the pressure by leaving thousands of people uncertain about whether they will have a job in the new year, even though it appears that many of these cuts could be dealt with through voluntary redundancies.

    “When a negotiated settlement is within reach it is madness for BBC to force experienced staff out the door. At a time when the BBC needs top-class management it is suffering from poor decision making.

    “We urge the BBC to rethink its decision which makes a mockery of the voluntary redundancy process and to come back to 
    the table to discuss how we can deal with these changes without resorting to industrial action.”

    The BBC issued a statement. “It’s difficult to understand, particularly given the very positive position with volunteers in some areas of the BBC where compulsory redundancies are now much less likely, why our unions (NUJ, BECTU and UNITE) have decided to ballot for strike action.

    “It’s important to say that the vast majority of staff will not be affected by the proposed job reductions. A strike will inevitably hurt the people who pay for our services. It will not change the overall economics of the BBC. The bottom line is that increasing expenditure in one area means reducing it in another.

    “The BBC remains above all committed to distinctive quality programmes and services for all licence fee payers. We will continue to have local dialogue with our staff and unions during this time.”

  • BBC publishes code of conduct for competitions and voting

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has published for the first time a code of conduct for competitions and voting on the Corporation’s television, radio and online services. The code is the BBC’s undertaking to its audiences on the running of competitions and voting.

    The code, which applies to competition and voting activity on every BBC programme, emphasises the importance of trust in the relationship with audiences. An honest and open relationship is required, in which the public is treated with respect and fairness. Competitions and voting will be handled with rigorous care and integrity.

    The code, which will be widely publicised on the BBC’s services, also reminds audiences that BBC competitions and votes will not be run on the BBC to make a profit. The only time BBC competitions or votes will be aimed at raising funds will be for a BBC charitable initiative.

    In particular, through the code, the BBC undertakes to ensure that:

    – competitions and votes are conducted in a way that is honest, open, fair and legal

    – winners of competitions and votes are genuine and never invented, pre-chosen or planted by the production team. Every entry should have a fair chance of winning

    – it will never ask anyone to pose as a competition contestant or winner

    – prizes are described accurately. The BBC will not mislead entrants about the nature of a prize and prize winners will receive their prizes in reasonable time

    – there are clear rules for any competition or vote, which are readily available to the public.

    The Code states that whatever pressures there may be to “keep the show on the air”, the BBC must never compromise its editorial integrity.

    If things go wrong with running a competition or vote, the BBC will not cover it up or falsify the outcome.

    Premium rate telephone services will be used when the size of the likely response to votes or competitions requires large numbers of calls to be handled, or where raising money for a BBC charitable initiative.

    The code of conduct is part of the response by BBC management to the requirement from the BBC Trust for a comprehensive plan to address important issues which arose from serious editorial breaches on the BBC earlier this year.

    The code was called for by the BBC Trust, and further detailed advice for programme makers on competitions, voting and running awards and a formal approvals process for such activities is to be submitted to the Trust for its consideration before competitions can resume on the BBC.

    It is anticipated that some competitions may return on air before Christmas.

    A mandatory editorial training programme for 17,000 staff, Safeguarding Trust, is also now underway.

    BBC DG Mark Thompson said, “Trust is the BBC’s most important value and we must never do anything that may undermine that trust. That belief is shared by the BBC’s programme makers. The new Code will enable audiences to have a clear understanding of what they should expect in the conduct of competitions and votes on the BBC. Audiences enjoy interacting with BBC programmes and output. It’s important that they can do so with confidence at all times.”

  • Vynsley Fernandes is INX News COO

    MUMBAI: Vynsley Fernandes has been appointed as the COO of INX News, part of INX Media. His new role would be in addition to his existing role as group director network operations INX Media.

    Fernandes was instrumental in setting up the Tata Sky DTH (direct-to-home) business and as project director for Star News. He was general manager operations – CMM Studios and handled the Buena Vista Television, MTV and Discovery Networks accounts. He was also programming head of news and current affairs, at Plus Channel TV India.

    INX News chairperson Indrani Mukerjea said, “Vynsley, who has immense experience across all aspects of the business and especially on the News side, provides tremendous value to NewsX. He is a senior member of the INX Network, and his added expertise with commercial planning is a great asset to the overall operations of NewsX.”

    INX News CEO Vir Sanghvi said, “The appointment formalises the role that Vynsley has already being playing. He has been on board even before we launched the company and his contributions have been invaluable. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

    Fernandes said, “As with our other channels, the INX Network has set extremely high standards for NewsX. I look forward to taking up the agenda of making NewsX a top Indian News channel of international quality.”

  • Australian broadcaster SBS to produce local version of BBC’s ‘Top Gear’

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has concluded a deal with Australian free-to-air network SBS to license the rights to a local version of Top Gear. This is the first such a deal is done globally.

    Freehand Productions, BBC Worldwide’s Australasian partner, will produce the local version, which will transmit on SBS next year. Eight episodes are planned.

    BBC Worldwide has identified Top Gear as one of its top priority brands across all platforms.

    Top Gear MD at BBC Worldwide Adam Waddell said, “This is an incredible step forward for the brand in one of our most important territories. With the UK series viewed in more than 100 countries worldwide, and BBC Top Gear magazine licensed in 19 countries, our focus is very much about expanding the brand through areas such as local production and localised online content.”

    SBS has also extended its commitment to the UK version. Top Gear has aired on the network since 2005, and is its highest-rating non-sport show.

    BBC Worldwide Australasia’s head of sales Julie Dowding sales, “It is very exciting for us to have done this deal with SBS. We are very proud that the first global deal for a local version of Top Gear has been done here in Australia.”

    UK Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson says, “I’m delighted that Top Gear is going to Australia. Maybe the first guest could be Jonny Wilkinson.”

    BBC Top Gear magazine is licensed in many countries including India, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Dubai, Syria, New Zealand and Singapore.

  • News channels apologise for airing adult content

    NEW DELHI: Two news television channels have run scrolls expressing apology for airing adult content, for which the ministry of Information & Broadcasting had warned them.

    The ministry is seriously peeved with the situation, especially coming after the incident of scenes of a starlet bathing in the nude inside a jail was aired, also by one of the two channels that has been chastised this time around.

    “They showed kissing scenes from ‘A’ certified movies,” I&B officials said.

  • George Entwistle is BBC controller, knowledge commissioning

    MUMBAI: George Entwistle has been named as the new BBC Controller of Knowledge Commissioning.

    In this role, Entwistle will be responsible for delivering the recently launched knowledge building strategy across the BBC on TV and on the web, from landmark series to documentaries; across specialisms from arts to history, natural history, business, science and religion; to consumer journalism and contemporary factual.

    He will head BBC Vision’s Knowledge and Learning commissioning teams who commission programmes and multi-platform content from Vision Productions and the independent sector, which together produce over 1,600 hours of output a year.

    BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said, “As a programme maker and a creative leader, George has an impressive track record across a wide range of genres including current affairs, arts and science. This gives him a deep understanding of how to deliver great factual programmes for all audiences.

    “He has been an outstanding member of the factual commissioning team and has also had real success leading the creative renewal in current affairs and during his time running BBC Four.

    “Knowledge building is a cornerstone of the BBC’s future and this is an opportunity to bring the knowledge story together more powerfully across all channels, the web and other platforms, building on the foundations laid by Glenwyn Benson.”

    Entwistle said, “The BBC’s knowledge output – on TV and every other platform – is right at the heart of our public purposes. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play my part in taking forward our new Knowledge Strategy – in partnership with the exceptional talent across the BBC and the independent sector – to deliver factual content our audiences will find outstandingly valuable, compelling and enriching.”

    In 1999, after ten years in current affairs, he joined the science department as Deputy Editor of BBC One’s flagship science show Tomorrow’s World.

    He went from there to become Deputy Editor and, in 2001, Editor of Newsnight – which won five RTS awards during his editorship.

    In 2004 he moved to BBC Arts to become Executive Editor of Topical Arts. There he launched The Culture Show for BBC Two.

    He also spent several months as Chair of the Knowledge Building workgroup on Mark Thompson’s Creative Future strategy review.

  • CNN announces senior appointments

    MUMBAI: CNN International has made two senior level appointments, laying the foundation for future growth and development across CNN’s global network.

    Journalist and news programming executive Katherine Green has been appointed to the lead position of senior vice president of CNN International programming. Green, most recently vice president/news director of WTTG/Fox 5 News in Washington, D.C., will be based at the network’s world headquarters in Atlanta. In addition, Mike McCarthy, managing editor for CNN International, has been promoted to the new position of vice president of coverage and feature programming.

    In her new role at CNN International, Green will oversee all of the editorial production, program development, network talent and day-to-day operations of CNN International. CNN International executive VP, MD Tony Maddox says, “Katherine brings a unique and formidable track record in programming innovation, a wealth of editorial talent and really exciting ideas to this job. This is one of the key appointments for the international group, and Katherine’s exceptional management skills are what we need as we aggressively move into an era of digital development and growth for the network.”

    During a career spanning more than 20 years, Green has been instrumental in launching new and innovative news broadcasts and winning numerous awards, including more than a dozen Edward R. Murrow awards, several Emmy awards and other honors from the Associated Press and other organizations. She has a long track record for both market growth and leadership in various U.S top 10 markets including Washington, D.C, Baltimore, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla., and New York.

    Green said, “CNN epitomizes global news with a quality and integrity that other networks can only aspire to match. To be able to shape CNN International for the future is a rare opportunity and a challenge I relish.”

    For his new role, McCarthy will remain based in Atlanta and will oversee major breaking news and the growing strand of feature programs produced in CNN’s London, Hong Kong and Atlanta production centers. “Mike is an exceptional journalist and newsroom leader, and his promotion solidifies a management team exceptionally equipped to energize our programming and create content not just for television but rapidly growing platforms inside and outside of CNN,” Maddox adds.

    McCarthy has served as CNN International’s Atlanta-based managing editor since November 2002. Prior to this appointment, he was senior executive producer for news and business coverage from CNN’s regional production center in London, where he was instrumental in creating CNN International’s feature strand as well as relaunching the European morning wheel of programming with integrated news and business coverage.

    McCarthy said, “One of the keys to our success in the future is harnessing the incredible reach of CNN International’s resources to create new and engaging multi-platform programming for an increasingly diverse and sophisticated audience”.

    McCarthy joined CNN as a senior producer, business news in May 1999. He previously held the post of deputy programme editor at the London News Network, responsible for London Today and London Tonight.

  • ABC News Now expands to Europe

    MUMBAI: As part of its international expansion plans, ABC News has launched its international service ABC News Now in three European territories on the internet service Zattoo.

    The service will be initially available in Germany, Spain and Belgium but would soon expand its reach into additional markets including UK in the next six months.

    Showing keen interest in the international markets, ABC had earlier announced plans to launch in India, which is still awaiting regulatory approval.

    “We plan on significantly increasing our international presence. It is critically important for our news coverage and our survival to expand overseas and into broadband band other digital platforms,” said ABC News senior VP digital Paul Slavin.

    In October ABC opened seven new international bureaus in places that include Seoul, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, New Delhi and Mumbai in India, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Nairobi, Kenya. All the international bureaus have a single correspondent known as digital reporter, who primarily creates content for the digital platforms.

    Slavin further added, “There were not a lot of outlets for international stories when we were just serving our television newscasts and there were other ways to cover international stories. It is hard to justify a bureau in a country when maybe four stories a year get on the air. Now, with the internet and with the cost of distributing content getting so much cheaper, we see international as significant opportunity and we are making a significant investment to become an international organization.”

    He said that they are looking for all types of distribution for the ABC News Now channel and content.

    “Broadband is probably the easiest, but we will utilise every platform from cable, satellite, IPTV, broadband and mobile,” he said.

    He stated that ABC is looking for content partnerships to help expand their international presence and customise their international services.

  • ‘Voice of India’ likely name for Triveni Media’s news channels

    MUMBAI: Triveni Media, part of the Rs 30 billion Triveni Group, is likely to operate its set of news channels under the brand name ‘Voice of India’, sources say.

    However Triveni Media CEO Rahul Kulshreshtha refused to divulge any details. He said, “We are working on the name of the channels. We are planning to launch the Hindi and Bengali news channel by early next year.”

    Meanwhile Triveni Media has tied up with Kolkata-based production house Sukriti Productions to outsource all its content for the proposed Bengali news channel. Sukriti Productions executive director Abhijeet Dasgupta said, “We will provide complete content to the Bengali news channels. Apart from it, we will also provide West Bengal related content to the other news channels that Triveni is going to roll out.”

    Sukriti Productions has been in content production with a news show Khobor Akhon which it co-produced with TV Today Network Ltd. Currently the show is off air.

    As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, Triveni Media plans to set up 18 channels with an investment of Rs 2 billion for Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Maharasthra, Punjab and West Bengal markets within two years.

  • BBC Worldwide unveils slate for ATF

    MUMBAI: From Sir David Attenborough to Jeremy Clarkson, Michael Palin to Jane Austen, Cinderella to Igglepiggle, UK pubcaster the BBC ‘s commercial arm BBC Worldwide goes to this year’s Asia Television Forum (ATF) in Singapore with a crop of natural history, factual, children’s, drama and lifestyle titles and a range of formats that will be available for local production.

    BBC Worldwide’s natural history slate opens new chapters while drawing others to a close. Wild China, the BBC’s first ever co-production in China, offers insight into that country. Life in Cold Blood, which tells the epic story of reptiles and amphibians, completes Sir David Attenborough’s landmark overview of life on the planet.

    In the drama catalogue, Mistresses stars Sarah Parish and Sharon Small. It follows the lives and loves of a group of 30-something girlfriends. Fairy Tales, whose cast includes James Nesbitt and Denise Van Outen, offers grown-up adaptations of four childhood classics – Cinderella, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Billy Goat’s Gruff and Rapunzel.

    Andrew Davies, who had earlier adapted Bleak House and Pride and Prejudice for the pubcaster has now turned his hand to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, while the team behind Primeval present a re-imagining of Frankenstein and the team behind Hotel Babylon present The Whistleblowers, a new high-speed thriller.

    From the BBC’s factual, lifestyle and history teams come Warriors. This is a show based on the lives of men such as Napoleon and Spartacus who shaped the world around them. Michael Palin’s New Europe sees the comedian and traveller continue his global odyssey, this time exploring the countries that are part of the so-called new Europe. The motoring magazine show Top Gear will also be showcased.

    BBC Worldwide’s children’s catalogue includes In The Night Garden, a modern interpretation of a nursery rhyme picture book from Ragdoll, the creators of Teletubbies, and two new animation series: Animalia, based on the hugely popular books by Graeme Base, and Freefonix, an adventure series following three musical renegades.

    New formats include Dance X, recently licensed to ABC in the US, which pits rival dance teams against each other. Find Me The Face is a reality show which follows two top talent scouts as they look to find the next big supermodel. On Fortune – Million Pound Giveaway, five philanthropists give away a million pounds of their own money to deserving members of the public. School’s Out is a quiz show which sends celebrities back to school and tests whether they are top or bottom of the class.