Edinburgh Interactive, part of the Edinburgh Festival, and the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announced plans for a far-reaching partnership that will bring the games industry together with the TV industry.

On Thursday 26th August 2010, the eve of the TV Festival and the closing day of Edinburgh Interactive, the two will host the first ever creative industries event for television and games, providing an insight into technologies, but more importantly bringing the decision makers from games and television together for the first time.

The MGEITF Futureview Keynote Address will be given this year by a games industry leader, with Edinburgh Interactive hosting a Keynote Address from television. There will also be a Creative Masterclass at MGEITF which will bring together games developers and creatives to discuss the game development process and to explore what the opportunities may be for co-development of interactive TV and games formats.

Today there are 13 million new generation static games consoles in UK homes (Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox and Sony Playstation 3), giving access to games, the internet, dedicated content channels and either the BBC iPlayer or Sky Player.

With TV formats such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, Countdown, Family Fortunes and Ready Steady Cook already available as Nintendo Wii and DS games, it is only a matter of time before the TV industry will develop new games formats for next generation 3D HD TVs with integrated console and internet access. Games are already becoming a major driver for digital entertainment usage, particularly on the internet and mobile phone platforms.

Chris Deering, Chairman of Edinburgh Interactive, said: “Games have had a significant effect on the use of the television in the home. Over the last 12 months this has moved on dramatically with recent research showing that 10 per cent of all BBC iPlayer requests are being driven by games consoles. The debate between the two industries has not yet begun; it will begin in August at Edinburgh Interactive and MGEITF.”

Deborah Turness, Editor of ITV News and Advisory Chair of the MGEITF Advisory Committee, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to explore joint format development between television and games and is a natural evolution driven by major advances in technology. In bringing together executives from these two entertainment industries to discuss, network and share ideas, we place both Festivals at the centre of a new global debate in Edinburgh.”

Edinburgh Interactive takes place on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th August 2010.

MGEITF takes place between Friday 27th August and Sunday 29th August 2010.

To find out more, and to register, please visit www.mgeitf.co.uk

The Network is a FREE industry led scheme helps young people kick start their TV careers at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. Applications now sought via www.mgeitf.co.uk/thenetwork

Do you know anyone who would like a career in television? The Network gives young people the chance to work alongside some of the UK’s best production, marketing and creative teams from the likes of Sky News, MTV, EastEnders and Endemol.

 The Edinburgh Television Festival’s acclaimed scheme, The Network, opens today for applications for its FREE event in Edinburgh in August 2010. Over four days, successful delegates will have the opportunity to meet the best professionals from behind and in front of the camera, listen to talks from senior industry people, get advice from experts, create and produce television. Attendees will come away with new skills, contacts and advice. Attendees must be over 18 years old. No previous experience is needed, just a keen interest in working in television.

Tim Hincks, Chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival Executive Committee and Chief Executive, Endemol UK said today: “Getting a camel through the eye of a needle has long been easier than getting a job in television, but The Network is helping to change that. It is about giving a real leg-up to a fresh and diverse range of new talents”.

Past speakers at The Network have ranged from comedian Russell Howard, Charlie Brooker, Vernon Kay, Sharon Osbourne, Graham Norton, Simon Amstell and Sir Trevor McDonald as well as leading industry figures including the writers of the Inbetweeners, Sky Controller Stuart Murphy, writer Andy Hamilton, Dr Who writer Russell T Davies, crews from MTV News, EastEnders, Emmerdale and BBC Entertainment’s Karl Warner, Jay Hunt and Julian Bellamy.

Applicants should apply online for this FREE event, which this year takes place between 26 and 29 August. No previous experience is necessary; applications are welcome from anyone who has good ideas and an interest in working in television. To find out more about the scheme log on to www.mgeitf.co.uk/thenetwork. Applications close on 16 April 2010.

Delegates who have attended The Network are also given the opportunity to apply for a six month paid work placement at some of the leading TV companies in the UK through The Network at Work programme. Companies taking part include Nickelodeon, Shine, TwoFour Production, Silver River, Endemol and BBC Children’s.

Book your place for the 2010 Festival now

Registration is now open for the 35th annual MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. As a delegate, you gain access to three days of over 50 sessions, keynote speeches, masterclasses and social events.

Discounts are available for under 26s and students. For more information and to book your place, visit www.mgeitf.co.uk

Mars, 2059. Bowie Base One. Last recorded message: “Don’t drink the water. Don’t even touch it. Not one drop.”

LONDON, Friday 30th October 2009; Doctor Who will return to BBC One on Sunday 15th November for The Waters of Mars – the second of four specials airing throughout 2009.

Starring David Tennant as The Doctor and guest starring the acclaimed British actress Lindsay Duncan, best known for her roles across stage and screen (Margaret, Lost in Austen), The Waters of Mars is set to be one of the most terrifying episodes of the series to date.

Lindsay Duncan stars as Adelaide – the Doctor’s cleverest and most strong-minded companion yet. She and The Doctor face terror on the Red Planet as they battle against a mysterious alien living within the terrarium of life on Mar’s surface which infects its victims using a water compound it creates.

Neighbours, Flying Doctors and Casualty star Peter O’Brien also guest stars as Ed, Adelaide’s second in command at the base.

The Waters of Mars is the second of four specials which will air throughout 2009.

The Waters of Mars is written by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford and is directed by Graeme Harper. Producer is Nikki Wilson.

Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, Sunday 15th November at 7pm on BBC ONE

For Further information contact: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

Monday October 12, 2009: London – Deborah Turness, Editor of ITV News, has been appointed 2010 Advisory Chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival Advisory Committee, taking over from 2009’s Chair Elaine Bedell.

As Chair, Turness will be responsible for the editorial direction of the Festival’s programme – from commissioning session ideas to overseeing final production. Working closely with the Festival Office, the Advisory Chair brings together a committee from across the entire industry to advise and produce festival sessions.

Turness has been Editor of ITV News since 2004 and is the first female editor of network news in the UK and the youngest editor of ITV News. In 2008 she received the “Women in Film and Television” New and Factual Award. This month her programmes have won an Emmy for coverage of the Chinese earthquake and a BAFTA earlier this year for the same story. Previously, she has presided over a series of scoops and world exclusives including video of the arrest of the London bombers, the leaked report on the shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean-Charles De Menezes and exposing the extent of Charles Kennedy’s drink problem for which ITV News won Scoop Of The Year at the 2007 RTS Awards. Under her leadership ITV News has made history when they became the first news organisation to anchor whole programmes from Antarctica in 2007.

Prior to joining ITV News, Turness was Deputy Editor of ITV News and Deputy Editor of Five News. She was also ITN’s Washington Bureau Producer during the Clinton White House years, spent time in Bosnia during the Balkans War and was North of England producer. Turness began her career at ITN as a freelance producer in the Paris Bureau.

Tim Hincks, Executive Committee Chair 2010 and Chief Executive, Endemol UK, said: “I’m delighted Deborah is going to be Edinburgh’s advisory chair next year. It’ll be a pretty quiet year for her – what with running the ITV news operation, ITV’s election coverage and now the UK’s premier multimedia event, but she’s a force of nature and I know will deliver a brilliant Edinburgh.”

Turness, added: “I am very pleased to have been invited to chair next year’s Festival. Elaine Bedell produced an excellent, headline-grabbing Festival this year, and I am looking forward to working with the committee to create some equally newsworthy, compelling and entertaining sessions next year.”

Previous advisory chairs have included Elaine Bedell, ITV’s Director of Entertainment & Comedy; Andrew Mackenzie, C4 Head of Factual Entertainment; Alison Sharman, ITV’s Director of Factual and Daytime. Tim Hincks, Chief Executive of Endemol UK, Celador’s Head of Factual Entertainment Murray Boland, Tiger Aspect’s Charles Brand, Cheetah Television’s Creative Director Sara Ramsden, ITV’s Director of Global Content Dawn Airey, BBC Director General Mark Thompson and Discovery USA’s Jane Root.

This year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Festival attracted delegates not only from the UK but across the globe from South Africa to Finland, the USA and Australia. The Festival is a charitable organisation which also runs two free talent schemes — The Network and Fast Track — helping young people from a diverse range of backgrounds to get in and get on in the industry. 2009 saw both schemes attract a record number of applicants.

Comedian Russell Howard was the opening night speaker for the Network and then delegates participated in workshops and masterclasses from amongst others the stars and writer of The Inbetweeners (Simon Bird, James Buckley and Iain Morris), Charlie Brooker, Jay Hunt and Julian Bellamy.

Two Fast Track delegates walked away with commissions from UKTV Dave at Fast Track’s live pitch; Sam Ward from Tiger Aspect and freelancer Rob Holloway. They both received a £15,000 commission for 3×3′ programmes which are due to be delivered in April 2010.

The Network and Fast Track are funded through the MGEITF, with approximately one-third of delegate fees going towards these schemes.

–ENDS–

Notes to Editors:

About MGEITF:

Click here for more information http://www.mgeitf.co.uk

A unique opportunity for individuals from across the media to share ideas, make new contacts and reconnect with friends and colleagues, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a varied programme of topical debates, one to one networking opportunities, Masterclasses and Keynote Lectures from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry. The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry. MGEITF is a charitable organisation which supports and develops new talent from all backgrounds through its two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track. Approximately one third of the delegate fees go towards supporting these initiatives.

MGEITF Press Information/press accreditation:
Taylor Herring PR. Tel: + 44 (0)208 206 5151

Sven-Göran Eriksson and representatives from international football agency Kentaro will attend a press conference at 9.30am Monday 5th October at Soho Hotel (London) to reveal ground-breaking broadcast plans for Saturday’s England Vs Ukraine FIFA World Cup clash. Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, London W1.

RSVP cheryl.goddard@taylorherring.com, 0208 206 5151

LONDON, Monday 14th September 2009. On Live From Studio Five’s first ever show TODAY, glamour model and businesswoman, Katie Price will be live in the studio to give her first TV interview since her marriage to Peter Andre was granted a decree nisi on Tuesday 8th September. This promises to be the first of many explosive interviews in Five’s new daily topical, magazine show.

The show’s presenters, Ian Wright, Melinda Messenger and Kate Walsh will be grilling Price on the divorce and why both parties cited ‘unreasonable behaviour’ as the reason for the split. The presenters will also ask Price how she feels about the onslaught of her current partner, Alex Reid.

In addition to Price, Jermaine Jackson has granted a one-on-one interview to Kate Walsh, which will also air today.

Jackson will be discussing the up-coming Michael Jackson tribute concert, as well as giving an insight in to how Michael’s children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II are coping, as well as his thoughts on the investigation in to Michael’s death.

In tonight’s show Jackson reveals to Kate: “It’s just the children being children now. It was tough for them at first, but they’re playing with my two kids, my brother’s kids kids and they’re having a wonderful time.”

When questioned on whether he was aware of the amount of drugs Michael was allegedly taking, Jackson says that he never saw Michael “act in any way that was out of the ordinary”.

He goes on to say “I believe he was happy when he was around his kids, he was happy in the studio, but the media beat him up, they beat him up, they took a lot from him and they really didn’t understand him, and I think they do now…(he was) a victim of (his) own success.”

Katie Price and Jermaine Jackson will appearon Live From Studio Five tonight at 6:30pm on FIVE.

For further information contact Taylor Herring PR – 0208 206 5151

Notes to Editors:

Live From Studio Five is a new early evening news magazine show hosted by Ian Wright, Melinda Messenger and Kate Walsh.

The three hosts have been hired for their smart, witty opinions and their common sense approach to the big stories and talking points that have caught the public’s attention for the hour-long show.

Live From Studio Five is a Sky News production for Five. The Editor is David Kermode, the Programme Editor is Vivek Sharma and the Director is James Haggar.

LONDON, Tuesday 8th September 2009: The TVQuick & TVChoice Awards last night honoured the cream of the TV crop in a star-studded ceremony at London’s Dorchester hotel.

Soap’s biggest names sparkled, while the cast of Ashes To Ashes and teen hit Skins rubbed shoulders with Dragons Den’s Duncan, Peter and Theo.

Popular duo Ant and Dec were big winners of the night after being presented with the first ever Outstanding Contribution Award to mark their 20 year careers in TV. They also triumphed in the Best Entertainment Show category with Saturday Night Takeaway.

But it was the Walford crew who took home the biggest haul of awards as EastEnders held onto its Best Soap crown as well as winning Best Soap Storyline for ‘Danielle and Ronnie’s story’. Actress Lauren Crace also picked up the gong for Best Soap Newcomer for her dramatic portrayal of Ronnie’s long-lost daughter Danielle.

Coronation Street was the other big soap winner of the night with onscreen couple Simon Gregson and Katherine Kelly honoured as Best Soap Actor and Best Soap Actress.

It was a magic night for the BBC’s Merlin – named as Best New Drama – whilst last year’s winner, Ashes to Ashes, stayed on top, winning the hotly-contended Best Drama Series. The show’s star Philip Glenister walked away with Best Actor for his role as chauvinistic Eighties detective DCI Gene Hunt.

Waterloo Road also received two prestigious accolades. The show came top of the class as Best Family Drama, and actress Denise Welch was recognised for her part as teacher Steph Haydock, taking home the Best Actress award.

Denise Welch had another reason to celebrate, joining her fellow Loose Women to pick up the coveted award for Best Daytime Show; the third year in a row the ITV1 lunchtime show has triumphed.

Britain’s Got Talent landed the award for Best Talent Show, while Lord Alan and The Apprentice enjoyed a second year as Best Reality Show. Former winners Top Gear and Deal or No Deal again lifted silverware, and there was a first time win for The Inbetweeners.

From Walford to Weatherfield, via Sherwood Forest, Barry Island and Billericay, the TVQuick & TVChoice Awards celebrate the very best of the small screen. Presented by actor and comedian Ben Miller, they raised money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

For pictures and further information, please contact Taylor Herring PR – 0208 206 5151.

Full List Of Winners

Best Comedy Show- The Inbetweeners (E4/C4)

Best Daytime Show – Loose Women (ITV1)

Best Entertainment Show- Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV1)

Best Lifestyle Show – Top Gear (BBC2)

Best Family Drama- Waterloo Road (BBC1)

Best New Drama – Merlin (BBC1)

Best Drama Series – Ashes To Ashes (BBC1)

Best Reality Show – The Apprentice (BBC1)

Best Actor – Philip Glenister, Ashes To Ashes

Best Actress – Denise Welch, Waterloo Road

Best Talent Show – Britain’s Got Talent (ITV1)

Best Gameshow – Deal Or No Deal (C4)

Best Soap Actor – Simon Gregson – Steve McDonald, Coronation Street (ITV1)

Best Soap Actress – Katherine Kelly – Becky Granger, Coronation Street (ITV1)

Best Soap Newcomer – Lauren Crace – Danielle Jones, EastEnders (BBC1)

Best Soap – EastEnders (BBC1)

Best Soap Storyline – Danielle and Ronnie’s story, EastEnders (BBC1)

LONDON. Monday 7th September 2009. The long-list nominations for the biggest-ever National Television Awards (NTA) see some classic clashes in a magnificent new setting and with a brand new host.The awards, now in their 15th year and traditionally based at the Royal Albert Hall, will take place at London’s O2 arena in January and will be broadcast live on ITV1, with Dermot O’Leary taking over as host from Sir Trevor McDonald.

Produced by Indigo Television for ITV, the National Television Awards are the only TV awards entirely voted for by viewers, and as such are the most highly-coveted prizes in the TV world.

This year’s long-list includes a host of household names, new faces, and heavyweight clashes across all 11 categories. Here are just some of the key battlegrounds:

Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor go head-to-head once more in the fierce ongoing battle to be the UK’s most-loved Talent Show. Strictly just edged it last year, so will it be revenge this time around for Simon Cowell, who also has Britain’s Got Talent on the long-list?

Soap giants EastEnders and Coronation Street battle it out in the Serial Drama Category, with the ITV flagship hoping to finally bring its BBC rival’s four-year winning streak to an end.

Ant & Dec go for a record ninth win in the Entertainment Presenter Category, though strong competition is sure to come from last year’s Entertainment Programme winner Paul O’Grady and the awards show’s host himself, Dermot O’Leary. This category also throws up an intriguing contest between the former and current presenters of This Morning, Fern Britton and Holly Willoughby.

Fast-rising funnyman Michael McIntyre gets his first-ever NTA nomination, with his Comedy Roadshow slugging it out in the Comedy Programme Category alongside more established names such as Harry Hill’s TV Burp and Gavin And Stacey.

Piers Morgan, Phillip Schofield, and Martin Clunes each have three nominations apiece across three different categories, while two Hamlets will battle it out in the Drama Performance Category, as three-time winner David Tennant (Dr Who) takes on Kenneth Branagh (Wallander). Branagh’s brooding Scandinavian detective is just one of a host of small-screen policemen in the running here, with David Jason’s Frost and Martin Shaw’s George Gently among more than 20 officers on the long-list.

One final category to look out for is Star Travel Documentary, a new area dedicated to those well-known TV names who have travelled far and wide over the last 12 months. Among the nominees here are Joanna Lumley for In The Land of the Northern Lights, Billy Connolly for his Journey To The Edge Of The World, and the godfather of this particular genre, Michael Palin for his Around The World In 20 Years.

The show’s Executive Producer, Kim Turberville of Indigo Television, said that this year’s programme promises to be the biggest and best in the show’s 15-year history. “The move to the O2 means that even more viewers can be with us on the night,” says Turberville, “and their presence always makes for a truly electric and unforgettable atmosphere”.

NOTE TO EDITORS: viewers can vote online at www.nationaltvawards.com or pick up a free vote form from any high street branch of WHSmith All votes must be in by 30th September 2009.

BE THERE IN PERSON: And to be sure of joining the stars in the 02 at the biggest NTA ever, simply go to www.theo2.co.uk/nta or call Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2536.

For further information, contact Taylor Herring PR on 020 8206 5151.

LONDON: Sunday 6th September 2009. Following the collapse of Setanta UK earlier this year, plans are now being made to broadcast the Ukraine Vs England Fifa World Cup 2010 qualifying game, exclusively live on the internet.

International football agency Kentaro had sold the broadcast rights of the fixture to the Pay TV operator in December 2007. However Setanta went into administration on June 23rd this year leaving the key match without a UK broadcaster.

The Kiev clash scheduled for Saturday 10th October could decide England’s qualification for the tournament and marks one of the toughest competitive matches that the national team will have faced to date. England have won all seven of the qualifying games in this world cup campaign – the best ever performance by The Three Lions, scoring 26 goals and conceding just 4 under Coach Fabio Capello.

Philipp Grothe, CEO of the Kentaro Group said; “We have spoken to every traditional UK broadcaster and currently have no offer on the table. We therefore feel the internet delivers the most viable option to deliver an important England game directly to the fans. It will be the first time in history that an England game has had an exclusive web broadcast.”

Kentaro have now instructed digital sport specialist Perform, to market and stream the match online, on a pay-per-view basis.

Andrew Croker, Executive Chairman of Perform said; “We have pioneered sports coverage on the internet for the last ten years and currently have 20 million football fans using our online services every month. We’re very excited about working with Kentaro to deliver this landmark event.”

Perform is a leading digital sport business who currently stream over 15,000 live events each year across the internet and provide web, mobile or online video services to 13 official Barclays Premier League and 67 official Coca-Cola Football League club websites.

In November and December 2008, Perform stepped in when traditional TV deals did not materialise for UEFA Cup away matches featuring Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, streaming them live on a pay-per-view basis through www.mcfc.co.uk and www.tottenhamhotspur.com.

Notes To Editors

The broadcasting rights to the game were sold to Kentaro by the Ukraine Football Association. The English Football Association has no say over who secures broadcasting rights to away fixtures.

Kentaro: Specialising in the global marketing of national soccer federations, leagues and clubs, Kentaro´s core business is the international acquisition and distribution of premium broadcast rights. Kentaro markets the TV rights for over 250 matches in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2010, including 90% of the South American qualifiers. More than 20 federations rely on Kentaro’s unique network and management skills, as do countless top club sides such as Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC. Headquartered in Switzerland with branch offices in London, Hamburg, Stockholm and most recently Chicago, the world’s fastest-growing sports rights agency also exclusively organizes all exhibition matches of the Brazil national team.

Perform: Perform is a world leader in delivering sports content in digital media. The company works with sports rights holders, publishers, bookmakers and media groups and has developed over 230 web, video broadband and mobile sites that serve over 20 million unique users. Streaming 15,000 live events per year across partner sites, Perform also works with every major UK publisher group including News International, Trinity Mirror Group, Daily Mail Media Group, Telegraph Media Group and Guardian News and Media Ltd to provide extensive sports video highlights online through the e-Player, reaching over 10 million unique viewers every month. Football clients include Chelsea FC (who recently won the SportsBusiness Ultimate Sports Website Award), the Premier League, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Fulham, Rangers and through Football League Interactive, Perform provide the platform for over 80 clubs. Headquartered in Middlesex London, Perform employs 310 staff and has offices in central London, Holland, Italy, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, India and the USA.

www.performgroup.com

EDINBURGH: Friday 28th August: A study to be presented at the Edinburgh Television Festival reveals that the TV industry in the UK is facing dramatic digital disruption and huge piracy problems just as the Music Industry has done over the last decade.

With increasing use of illegal file sharing sites offering individual programmes, whole series and feature films the industry could lose millions of pounds not only from lost sales, but from lost subscriptions and forsaken advertising revenues.

Key findings reveal that:

• Piracy has hit the recorded music industry hard with sales shrinking to 1994 levels and is spreading rampantly to TV and Film
• Popular UK show Top Gear is consistently one of the most illegally swapped shows, especially in the US.
• Charging for television programmes that had been free leads to a significant spike in illegal downloads.
• Millions of television viewers now access free, unauthorised versions of favourite shows and this is beginning to replace standard viewing hours.
• Top illegal TV swaps included Desperate Housewives, 24 and Prison Break whilst top films included Slumdog Millionaire and Twilight.

Will Page, Chief Economist PRS for Music said, “The music industry was the first to fully feel the force of digital disruption. It is important for the film and television industries to understand and learn from the experience of the music business and to look not just at possible lost value, but the opportunities that digital distribution can bring.”

Eric Garland Chief Executive of Big Champagne commented: “Millions of television viewers now access free, unauthorised versions of favourite shows at least some of the time. This is a socially acceptable form of casual piracy – and it is replacing viewing hours.”

Top TV Torrents

Heroes; 54,562,012
Lost; 51,151,396
24; 34,119,093
Prison Break; 29,283,591
House; 26,277,954
Fringe; 21,434,755
Desperate Housewives; 21,378,412
Grey’s Anatomy; 19,916,775
Gossip Girl; 19,706,870
Smallville; 19,598,999

The results will be presented at 9.30am Saturday at the Edinburgh International TV Festival. “What TV can learn from Music’s Mistakes” by Will Page, Chief Economist PRS for Music, Eric Garland Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Big Champagne Media Measurement & Peter Jenner President Emeritus, International Music Managers Forum.

Hosted by Rory Cellan-Jones, Industry Correspondent BBC News.

Press Contact: Barney.Hooper@prsformusic.com