TalkSPORT to launch TV channel

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...305445,00.html



TalkSPORT to launch TV channel

Dan Milmo
Thursday September 16, 2004
The Guardian

TalkSPORT is planning to launch a national TV service on Sky Digital as radio
stations continue their migration onto the small screen.

Kiss FM, Radio 1 and other stations are fixtures on Sky and Freeview, but only
as audio services.

TalkSPORT, the national AM station owned by the Wireless Group, yesterday said
it was in talks with BSkyB to launch a TV channel by the end of next month.

Kelvin MacKenzie, chief executive of the Wireless Group, said TalkSPORT TV will
broadcast in a daily six-hour slot initially, but hopes to launch a 24-hour
service in the new year.

The channel will cost no more than £500,000 a year to run, reflecting a
stripped-down service that will broadcast live footage of TalkSPORT presenters
and pundits in the studio.

Mr MacKenzie downplayed the company's TV ambitions, describing the move as "a
marketing tool".

"We are committed to radio but there is obviously a fusion going on in the world
and we have some on-screen ideas which will be both unique and enjoyable," he
said. Wireless Group yesterday reported first-half turnover of £17.7m, a rise of
20% on the same period last year, excluding acquisitions.

The company said goodwill write downs forced it into another pre-tax loss for
the six months to June 30, but the deficit narrowed from £6.5m to £5.8m.

Mr MacKenzie said the Wireless Group, considered an attractive asset because of
its national radio licence, was keen to get involved in industry consolidation
but as a buyer rather than a takeover target.

"We want to buy businesses and we will have to see what is available.

"My impression at the moment is that there are quite a few businesses for sale
but it's the price that is putting everyone off."

The Wireless Group will appear in the high court at the beginning of November,
when a judge will decide if the company can go ahead with a lawsuit against
Rajar, the radio audience measurement body.

The company wants Rajar to scrap its diary-based measurement system and switch
to a new, electronic survey.

In message , JPG
writes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...305445,00.html

TalkSPORT to launch TV channel

Dan Milmo
Thursday September 16, 2004
The Guardian

TalkSPORT is planning to launch a national TV service on Sky Digital as radio
stations continue their migration onto the small screen.

TalkSPORT, the national AM station owned by the Wireless Group, yesterday said
it was in talks with BSkyB to launch a TV channel by the end of next month.

Perhaps the stories of shortage of space on Sky's EPG are unfounded?

Do these talks mean that the new TV channel will be part of a Sky
subscription package?

Kelvin MacKenzie, chief executive of the Wireless Group, said TalkSPORT TV will
broadcast in a daily six-hour slot initially, but hopes to launch a 24-hour
service in the new year.

The channel will cost no more than £500,000 a year to run, reflecting a
stripped-down service that will broadcast live footage of TalkSPORT presenters
and pundits in the studio.

Radio with pictures.

It would be cheaper to put a web cam up on the studio wall and broadcast
over Internet.
--
Martin Jay

"Martin Jay" wrote in message
...
In message , JPG
writes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/s...305445,00.html

TalkSPORT to launch TV channel

Dan Milmo
Thursday September 16, 2004
The Guardian

TalkSPORT is planning to launch a national TV service on Sky Digital as
radio
stations continue their migration onto the small screen.

TalkSPORT, the national AM station owned by the Wireless Group, yesterday
said
it was in talks with BSkyB to launch a TV channel by the end of next
month.

Perhaps the stories of shortage of space on Sky's EPG are unfounded?

Do these talks mean that the new TV channel will be part of a Sky
subscription package?

Kelvin MacKenzie, chief executive of the Wireless Group, said TalkSPORT
TV will
broadcast in a daily six-hour slot initially, but hopes to launch a
24-hour
service in the new year.

The channel will cost no more than £500,000 a year to run, reflecting a
stripped-down service that will broadcast live footage of TalkSPORT
presenters
and pundits in the studio.

Radio with pictures.

It would be cheaper to put a web cam up on the studio wall and broadcast
over Internet.
--

Well let's hope that the video quality is better than the audio quality that
they put out on the Internet and Freeview, which sounds something akin to
Radio Luxembourg in days of yore.
I listen to it on medium wave, and even the quality of that seems poor
(doesn't appear to be any top, or is it Mike Dickin's voice!) when compared
with Radio 5 a bit further down the band.


Martin Jay