11 May 2012
KBS N, a cable channel operated by KBS, launched a children’s channel on 5 May (Korea’s children’s day).
KBS Kids is targeting a young audience aged from two to twelve, and is aiming to provide content that is educational as well as entertaining. The channel’s line-up includes KBS produced programmes such as ‘Flying Tent’, ‘Playground ZZAM’ and ‘Hutos’ in addition to internationally successful ‘Large Family’ from the BBC and ‘Early Bloomers’ from BabyFrist TV, a US Children’s channel.
Another programming feature of the new channel is the kindergarten zone, a set of programmes broadcast at regular intervals, in which parents and children share the viewing experience.
KBS Kids said that it would be a channel that parents want to recommend for children to watch. KBS Kids will add more variety to KBS N, which already runs four sub channels – KBS Drama, KBS Sports, KBS Prime and KBS Joy.
11 May 2012
As part of celebrations to mark 50 years of BBC Scotland Television, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla toured the Pacific Quay media centre in Glasgow on Thursday 10 May, meeting staff and on-air presenters. However the highlight of the visit was an unexpected invitation to present the weather forecast.Talking to the BBC’s in-house magazine Ariel, weather forecaster Christopher Blanchett said he and his colleagues only found out on Tuesday 8 May that the royal couple would tour the studio.
“We were told it might be wise to have some weather graphics on standby in case they wanted to have a look and we also decided to write an autocue script. We don’t normally use a script in weather – we just do it off the top of our heads,” Blanchett added. But newsreader Sally Magnusson asked the royal visitors, known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, if they would like to have a go at reading the weather before the lunchtime bulletin went on air.
Blanchett said: “Prince Charles seemed extremely happy about doing it so he just stepped in. I showed him where to stand, explained about looking down the camera and how to hold the clicker, and he was utterly charming.”
Together with fellow forecasters Gillian Smart and Stav Danaos, Blanchett inserted special references to the royal residences in Scotland. You can see the results in this video.
9 May 2012
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, welcomed today a new defamation bill announced by the Queen in the UK Parliament, saying it would augment media freedom in the UK and in other OSCE participating States.
“It is important that the bill aims to address ‘libel tourism’,” said Mijatovic. “This will put an end to ‘jurisdiction shopping’, whereby powerful and wealthy individuals from other countries attempt to stifle criticism at home using plaintiff-friendly British courts.”
The bill to be considered by parliament would also defend media in cases of “responsible publication on matters of public interest” and provide greater protection to websites hosting user-generated content.
The Representative has consistently supported the reform of defamation legislation in the United Kingdom, including the decriminalization of defamation in 2009, and advocated for civil libel reform. The Representative wrote to the Minister of State for Justice in May 2011 supporting this draft legislation.
“I expect the bill to be tabled soon and hope that it will be further improved to address the remaining concerns expressed by civil society organizations, such as the need for a strong test of harm and for restricting the ability of corporations to use libel laws to limit criticism,” said Mijatovic.
www.osce.org
8 May 2012
UK based talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sport radio station, has announced plans for its expansion into Asia at Radio Asia 2012 in Jakarta. talkSPORT director of strategy Jimmy Buckland said that the station team is aiming to work collaboratively with Asia’s leading radio broadcasters to deliver the brand to sports fanatics across the continent.
The announcement follows talkSPORT’s recent agreement to become the official Global Audio Partner of the Barclays Premier League for the next four football seasons (2012/13 – 2015/16). The deal grants talkSPORT an exclusive package of audio rights outside Europe for the next four seasons, with internet users across Asia gaining access to an innovative new service from August 2012, offering commentary on all 380 Barclays Premier League games in English, Spanish and Mandarin.
talkSPORT said it wants to work with local partners to launch its new 24 hour sports FM radio services in key markets which include Jakarta, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand initially, followed by India and the Philippines, with further services becoming available in markets in China and India.
According to research, 56 per cent of the population of Indonesia express an interest in the Barclays Premier League, with 70 per cent expressing an interest in badminton, yet the country currently lacks a dedicated sports station. A similar picture emerges elsewhere in Asia.
Launched in 2000, talkSPORT is the world’s largest dedicated sports radio station with an audience of more than 3.2 million adults in the UK and was named UK Radio Station of the Year at the 2011 Sony Radio Academy Awards. talkSPORT is part of UTV Media plc, which is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading media groups which also publishes Sport, the most widely read! print and digital sports publication in the UK.
Jimmy Buckland, director of strategy, talkSPORT said: “Asia’s passion for sport and dynamic radio industry makes it the perfect market to replicate talkSPORT’s success in the UK. We are excited about the opportunity to work with partners in Indonesia and across Asia to realize this ambition and look forward to announcing our first new FM radio service showcasing the best of local and international sport.”
Scott Taunton, chief executive, talkSPORT said: “Our expansion into Asia builds on the significant progress the station has made in the UK in establishing itself as the world’s largest sports radio station. Our recent agreement with the Barclays Premier League to become its global audio partner provides the perfect platform for this next stage in our development as we seek to forge a range of exciting partnerships with some of Asia’s leading radio broadcasters.”
8 May 2012
Starting on 8 May, euronews is broadcasting a series of six profiles of European inventors whose discoveries have revolutionized the world. This special weekly series is produced by euronews in partnership with the European Patent Office
Most of us usually know little or nothing about the products and technologies that improve our daily lives. While some may be mundane and, others can have a big impact, radically changing fundamental things like how we communicate and travel, or enhancing the environment we live in. Behind these innovations are pioneers working on exciting, imaginative new ideas.
In hi-tech, reporter Claudio Rocco focuses on six exceptional inventors, finding out what inspired them and discovering the secrets of their creations, as well as how they have revolutionised our lives.
Find out in hi-tech how…
- Bluetooth was invented by a team of scientists from theNetherlands.
- A Dutchman devised a solution for a better waste water treatment.
- A Frenchman developed a breakthrough treatment for Hepatitis B.
- A Danish researcher totally transformed internal hearing aid models.
- A German inventor created an artificial tropical climate with air cushions.
- And why you’ll no longer need electricity to recharge your batteries, thanks to a German engineer.
On the air starting 8 May 2012 and on catch-up TV on euronews.com: this new programme is produced in the 11 languages of the channel,* on www.euronews.com/programs/hi-tech/, and on iPhone, iPad and Android via the application euronews LIVE.
* Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian.
Series produced by Claudio Rocco, euronews’ hi-tech journalist
Seven episodes of 4 minutes (six profiles and a report on the European Inventor Awards)
1st episode Tuesday 8th May at 20h50 CET. Schedule of upcoming episodes to be confirmed.
www.euronews.net
8 May 2012
OASYS, the pioneering developer of Automated Playout solutions, has appointed John Biedenharn to the role of Sales Director -Americas as the company continues to build its global operations.
After an early career in aviation animation and computer graphics sales, Biedenharn spent five years with Matrox International, developing worldwide relations with early Broadcast Automation OEM customers. Branching out on his own, he launched and introduced Automation Technology to the North American market through his manufacturers’ representation firm, HD-Ware.
John Biedenharn commented, “I am very excited to join this highly respected company and team. I have known the people at OASYS for some time and have a great deal of appreciation for the products and the company’s thorough understanding of its customers’ requirements.”
The appointment of Biedenharn, who will be based in the greater Los Angeles area, follows on the heels of a very positive NAB for OASYS.
Mark Errington, CEO, OASYS, said, “We had many interesting conversations with US broadcasters at NAB 2012, confirming that OASYS Automated Playout solutions are an ideal fit for the market requirements, providing the features that are needed but not available in other solutions. John’s appointment allows us to assist those looking to move from alternative workflow solutions – both traditional and IT based – and to enable them to take advantage of the benefit of 20 years of development in automated playout, so they can be confident that the features they use are configured for and fit their individual requirements.”
www.oasys.com
