The BBC has implemented a new set of graphics templates for end credit promotions, for use on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four. The changes went live this morning.

Thousands of viewers had complained that the format introduced in summer 2007 resulted in programme credits being reduced in size to the extent that the information was almost illegible. Similar complaints had been received about the size of text used for the promotional material within the graphic.

The new format allows programme credits to be displayed within a larger frame than previously. The font size used for promotional material is significantly larger than before.

On May 18 2008, BBC head of TV marketing, Helen Kellie, appeared on 'Points Of View' to announce plans to improve the graphics:

"Firstly, the information in the end credits - we're going to put those online - on bbc.co.uk. So, as we roll out a programme page for every programme, we'll put the end credit information in. The second thing that we're going to look to do is really look at the legibility of the end credits, and we're going to phase out the quarter-screen end credit squeeze - so they'll be more legible. And the third thing - we're going to simplify the messages that we put alongside end credits."

"We've listened to the viewers. We take the points of view of our audience very seriously and we've listened. The research has told us much more about what viewers think and we've taken action and changed."

Sir Trevor McDonald made his final appearance on ITV's 'News At Ten' on Thursday evening, November 20. The veteran news presenter told viewers that presenting the programme had been "an enormous pleasure".

Sir Trevor announced his plans to retire from news presenting last month. He said: I've tremendously enjoyed the opportunity to help re-establish 'News At Ten' over the last year and to work alongside Julie Etchingham, who is a fantastically talented journalist, but I've made no secret of the fact that I cannot be in the presenter's chair forever."

Just ahead of the closing signature tune, co-presenter Julie Etchingham paid tribute to Sir Trevor: "We end tonight's 'News At Ten' with a sad parting of the ways.

"It's a very special night for all of us here on 'News At Ten' because it's Trevor's last night presenting this programme.

"I have to say, it has been a real privilege working with you Trevor, eventhough it has just been for a short time. But I know everybody will be pleased to know they'll still see plenty of you on ITV 1, with all the special projects that you've got lined up this year.

"So, on behalf of all the team, you know we wish you all the best. And we'd like to say thanks. It has been such a joy."

Sir Trevor presented 'News At Ten' from 1992 until 1999, when the programme was axed. When the iconic title was revived in January 2001, he returned as the main anchor, where he remained until his retirement in December 2005. However, he was lured back to the same role when the programme was brought back for a second time in January this year.

Sir Trevor was awarded the OBE in 1992 and a knighthood in 1999.

The History Channel was rebranded 'History' on November 18, as part of a new programming strategy which will see the channel move away from black and white war footage to focus on more contemporary events.

The rebranding includes a new presentation package, with new idents and promotional trail graphics. The project was led by marketing director James Restell.

History is a joint venture between BSkyB and A&E Television Networks, which owns The History Channel in the US.

UTV managing director, Michael Wilson, has warned that the station may lose it network backbone if ITV chiefs opt to hand back the Channel 3 licence for public service broadcasting, as a result of a serious downturn in advertising revenue.

Speaking to the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee at Stormont, Wilson warned that such a move by ITV plc would leave UTV "without a backbone of network programming to support ourselves."

"My personal view is I would be surprised if ITV handed back its licence but there is a risk and while there is a risk I think it is one of those issues that politicians in Northern Ireland need to be aware of," he added.

Mr Wilson was briefing politicians at Stormont on UTV's plans to axe thirty-five jobs in its television division. The job cuts were a reaction to Ofcom's proposals to cut quotas for regional news and non-news programming on ITV from next year.

Earlier this month, local politicians petitioned UTV, asking the broadcaster to postpone any decision on redundancies until Ofcom publishes its final report, expected in February next year.

The analogue switch-off in the Scottish Borders region has now been completed. All analogue services originating from the Selkirk transmitter and its relay sites were shut down shortly after midnight. Engineers then started work on activating digital TV services at transmitter sites throughout the region.

Peter Heslop, digital switchover programme director at Arqiva said: "We are pleased to confirm that all transmitters in the Selkirk transmitter group have successfully completed the final stage of digital switchover."

"This is the first of fifty analogue main stations to switch over to all-digital transmission. It represents a major milestone in an ambitious broadcast engineering project which will see over 1,100 transmission sites switch over during the next four years. Arqiva is extremely proud to be supporting the government and Digital UK in this project and is continuing with work in the West Country, north-west England and parts of Wales in preparation for the next phases of digital switchover in 2009."

The Scottish Borders analogue switch-off was implemented in two stages. The first changes took place two weeks ago on November 06, when the BBC Two analogue signal was switched off. The remaining analogue signals - covering BBC One, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Five - were switched off at 12.01am on November 20 2008. The digital signals for multiplexes PSB-2, PSB-3, COM-4, COM-5 and COM-6 were switched on at 1.30am November 20 2008. Full testing of the signals was completed at approximately 3am, with the final relay sites transmitting digital TV services from 4.30pm.

Prior to the digital switchover, only around 50 per cent of households in the region were able to pick up digital terrestrial TV services. These viewers received their pictures from the main Selkirk transmitter. Until early-November, none of the Selkirk relay stations had been transmitting digital services. The digital switchover will make digital terrestrial services available to 98 per cent of homes in the Scottish Borders.

John Askew, regional manager at Digital UK, said: "Viewers across the Borders can feel proud to be leading the UK’s transition to digital TV. Today thousands of households in dozens of communities are able to receive a great line-up of digital TV free via an aerial for the first time.

"The technical task has gone well but, of course, some people will still need a bit of extra help. We and the Switchover Help Scheme will remain on hand in the weeks ahead to offer advice and practical support to those who may need it."

The Selkirk transmitter has eleven relay sites. They are: Bonchester Bridge, Clovenfords, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Innerleithen, Jedburgh, Lauder, Peebles, Stow, Yetholm, Hawick.

STV has been forced off air for the second time in twenty-four hours, due to technical issues at its Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow. Services were disrupted late-morning, with STV output giving way to a relay of the ITV 1 network feed.

Speaking to TV Pres News, a spokeswoman for STV confirmed that today's incident was caused by the same power supply fault that disrupted output yesterday. She added: "Following a full investigation, the matter has now been resolved. There was little disruption to viewers and it was resolved within the hour."

The National Union of Journalists has called off the strike ballot of ITV regional news staff in England and Wales, following agreement of a new voluntary severance package.

Any NUJ press release said: "An NUJ strike ballot at ITV Regional News has been called off after union members voted to accept a new agreement with the company over planned cutbacks.

"The new agreement includes further incentives for those people choosing to take voluntary redundancy, as well as a commitment to push back the threat of compulsory redundancies to at least the end of January. This should allow time for further talks in the hope that the number of compulsory redundancies can be pushed down to zero.”

NUJ broadcasting organiser, Paul McLaughlin, welcomed the development:

"It's good to see ITV back at the negotiating table," he said.

"We're pleased that constructive negotiations have resulted in an offer that has been accepted by our members. Clearly there are still concerns around the massive cuts that are being proposed, but we now have an agreement that allows the space for further talks to continue. We also continue to press our case with Ofcom to protect regional news on ITV."

UKTV History will be rebranded Yesterday in early-2009, UKTV confirmed today. This is the latest in a series of rebranding projects being undertaken by UKTV. Last month, the broadcaster confirmed that UKTV People will become 'Blighty', and UKTV Documentary will morph into 'Eden', from early-2009.

The rebranding of UKTV History will see a change in programming strategy, with the focus shifting to more contemporary events. Yesterday will air series such as 'Seven Ages Of Rock' and 'The Alan Clark Diaries', as well as new acquisitions, including 'International Terrorism'.

Matthew Littleford, controller UKTV: "Yesterday sets out to redefine what a history channel can be about."

"We promise to deliver a channel packed with shows that offer a more inclusive, accessible and entertaining approach to the past. This change adds to the excitement already created by our new brands Eden and Blighty and together our three new Factual channels will be a major draw for audience into the documentary section of the EPG."

Jane Mote, UKTV director of factual, lifestyle and new media, said: "There has been an explosion of interest in personal history recently witnessed by the growth of genealogy and the popularity of nostalgia-based programmes. Yesterday will be a place where viewers can indulge in the past without apology. The greatest stories, greatest music and greatest characters of the past are captured here in all their glory."

STV output was disrupted earlier this morning due to a power outage at the commercial broadcaster's headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow. During the outage, STV was replaced with the ITV 1 network feed. When STV came back online, commercial breaks were initially replaced by an apology caption. The 11.15am regional news updates for STV North and STV South were replaced by a pan-Scotland programme.

Speaking to TV Pres News, a spokeswoman for STV said: "There was a power outage in the STV building resulting in a short loss of the STV service, due to one of the circuit breakers in our technical area tripping. At this point, we took the ITV network feed to reduce any disruption to viewers. All platforms came back quickly and the matter was resolved. However, as a precautionary measure, we broadcast a pan-Scottish news bulletin at 11.15am, which was produced and presented from our Aberdeen studios."

Former BBC weather presenter, Jack Scott, has died aged 85.

Scott was born in 1923 and worked for the Met Office from 1941 until 1983. During World War II, he worked on RAF stations in the Shetland Isles, North Africa and Malta. A former mainstay of the BBC TV national weather team from 1969 until 1983, he later moved to Thames Television, taking over from Francis Wilson. Following his retirement from Thames in 1988, Scott went on to co-present 'Years Ahead' - Channel 4's magazine programme for the over 60s.

In retirement, one of his main interests was golf. He was a member of Burnham Beeches Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, where he played alongside two former BBC weathermen - George Cowling and the late Bert Foord.

The leaders of the main political parties in Northern Ireland have united in a call to UTV to halt its proposed redundancy programme. Last month, UTV announced plans to cut jobs in its television division, following the publication of proposals from Ofcom, which could see a reduction in required weekly quotas for local news and non-news output from next year.

First minister and DUP leader, Peter Robinson, deputy first minister, Martin McGuiness, Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, UUP leader, Sir Reg Empey, SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, Alliance Party leader, David Ford and PUP leader, Dawn Purvis, have petitioned UTV to wait until Ofcom’s final report is published (expected February 2009), before making any decisions on redundancies.

Responding to the intervention of the political leaders, NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, said the cross-party support was "an unprecedented development which must be taken seriously".

"This united stand says much about the important role played by UTV in the life of Northern Ireland and reflects wider public concern", he said.

Gerry Morrissey, BECTU’s general secretary, said: "We are obliged to Northern Ireland’s party leaders for their swift recognition of what is at stake here. The loss of real diversity and quality in local programmes would be a major setback for Northern Ireland’s communities. The support of the Assembly’s political leaders for the campaign is a major boost."

Responding to the petition, UTV managing director, Michael Wilson, said that he "welcomed the positive comments about the need for a robust and diverse media in Northern Ireland".

"We appreciate the political party leaders' understanding of the difficult economic conditions facing television and look forward to meaningful discussions with them in the coming weeks," Wilson added.

"No one is more committed to high-quality regional production for Northern Ireland than UTV. We have a proven track record in this area which is second to none," he said.

"We are currently in the process of consulting with our staff, regulator and elected representatives on our future programming proposals which guarantee first-class news and current affairs coverage, as well as a wide and diverse portfolio of regional programmes for our audience going forward, as we do now."

Five is planning a dedicated channel for children, which could be on air by next year. According to Brand Republic, plans for the new channel are at an advanced stage. This would be the first new digital channel from the RTL-owned broadcaster since 2006.

Carl Ratcliff, head of brand strategy and marketing at Five, confirmed the plans. "Our 'Milkshake' brand is very strong, so we are in ongoing talks about a channel launch," he added.

The latest in the line of '2Dimensions' promotional films is now airing on BBC Two. The sequence shows Lauren Laverne - best known on the channel as the main presenter of arts magazine programme 'The Culture Show' - reading a book which reveals a '2'-shaped hole transporting the viewer into an alternate dimension. Laverne is seen flying an aircraft through a bright and colourful cartoon-style world.

A unique trail endboard for 'WWII: Behind Closed Doors' - a major six-part documentary focussing on the actions and role of Joseph Stalin - also debuted recently. The endboard features a pale sepia tone background, with printed Russian texts scrolling upward.

The first stage of analogue switch-off has been completed in the Scottish Borders. The BBC Two analogue signal was shut down at 12.31am. The digital signal for a new BBC-owned multiplex was switched on at 2.16am (excluding Eyemouth and Innerleithen, which went live at 10.05am). The new high-power PSB-1 multiplex provides BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, CBBC, BBC News and BBCi to digital terrestrial viewers in the region.

Peter Heslop, digital switchover programme director at Arqiva, said: "We are pleased to confirm that all transmitters in the Selkirk transmitter group have successfully completed the first stage of Digital Switchover."

"This is an ambitious broadcast engineering project which will see 1,154 sites switch over during the next four years and Arqiva is extremely proud to be supporting the government and Digital UK in this project. As a result of Digital Switchover, free digital terrestrial television will be available to almost all of the UK through a roof-top aerial, just as analogue terrestrial television has been for decades."

John Askew, Border regional manager for Digital UK, said this morning: "Scottish Borders switchover is now fully underway, and many people are receiving Freeview channels for the first time.

"We’re now encouraging viewers who still don’t have the necessary equipment to get ready in time for November 20, when all the analogue channels will be permanently switched off."
Image courtesy of Visual Media.

The Irish communications minister, Eamon Ryan, has told RTÉ that its international TV service needs to be up and running "as soon as possible". The minister's remarks follow claims in the Irish press over the weekend that RTÉ was postponing the channel's launch, citing financial issues caused by a downturn in advertising revenue.

It is believed the channel will cost RTÉ €3m per year. In October, RTÉ director-general, Cathal Goan, announced cost-cutting measures, expected to save the broadcaster €25m during 2009.

In a letter to the Irish state broadcaster, Mr Ryan stressed the channel must go live as soon as possible:

"The Government is absolutely committed to delivering RTÉ International/Diaspora TV at the earliest possible date," he said.

"While we understand the financial constraints that all sectors of society are working in at the moment, I am determined that Diaspora TV will be up and running as soon as possible and have communicated this to RTÉ."

A spokeswoman for RTÉ said: “We are committed to this channel going ahead. However, there are financial restrictions at play."

The NUJ has announced its intention to ballot its members on strike action against ITV, over the broadcaster's plans to cut 430 jobs in regional newsrooms in England and Wales.

NUJ members recently rejected the voluntary severage package being offered by ITV. The NUJ subsequently requested formal discussions with ITV about the redundancy package.

However, today, NUJ broadcasting organiser Paul McLaughlin said they had been left with "little other option" but to ballot for strike action, following ITV's rejection of the union's offer to take discussions to the independent conciliation service, ACAS.

"We will not participate in the wholesale destruction of ITV local and regional news," he said.

"The current offer from ITV is simply not good enough to deal with members' concerns. We are determined to win improvements through a negotiated settlement but a refusal to go to ACAS has left the union with no option."

The NUJ postal ballot will be carried out over a two-week period, beginning on November 10.

An ITV spokesman said: "We were naturally disappointed that the NUJ chose to pull out of talks, ordered regional representatives to stop attending local discussions and have now notified ITV of the intention to ballot for industrial action.

"We believe that the talks had made good progress which had resulted in ITV tabling a number of improvements during the consultation process. We were about to enter into further discussions when regrettably the NUJ demanded that the process be stopped and ended talks.

"We remain committed to an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the unions and are pleased that the NUJ has indicated that it is now prepared to meet ITV regional directors in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues. We will be seeking to arrange these meetings as soon as possible to ensure that this important process isn't delayed any further."

RTÉ is deferring the launch of its international TV channel due to the economic crisis. According to The Sunday Times (Irish edition), the Irish national broadcaster wrote to communications minister, Eamon Ryan, saying that it would be "unwise" for it to continue with the plan.

The RTÉ Authority is obliged by the 2007 Broadcasting Act to set up a channel for "Irish communities outside the island of Ireland". Although no time frame is specified in the Act, Eamonn Ryan announced earlier this year that the channel would be available to the 850,000 Irish-born people living in Britain by St Patrick’s Day 2009.

Speaking about the postponement of the channel's launch, a spokeswoman for Ryan said the decision was "a reflection of the financial realities in Ireland and worldwide". She added that the minister is committed to the idea of RTÉ International.

In October, RTÉ's director-general, Cathal Goan, announced plans to cut programming and reduce staff costs by €10m in 2009, to deal with the station's worsening financial situation. Goan said RTÉ's priority was maintaining financial stability and solvency, protecting employment, and maintaining programming output, which gives a competitive edge. He went on to warn that if the already difficult conditions get worse, it will be necessary to re-examine the plans and engage in further detailed discussions with unions.