THIS WEEK

摘要

Industry and government experts will form a new-media convergence think tank under plans announced at the RTS Cambridge convention by James Purnell, secretary of state for media, culture and sport. The Competition Commission extended by eight weeks the deadline in its investigation of BSkyB's acquisition of a 17.9-per-cent stake in ITV because of the complex nature of the case and the volume of evidence submitted. It will now report by January 2, 2008. Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said that the regulator had no plans at present to incorporate its review of BSkyB's application to launch pay-TV channels on Freeview into its wider investigation of the pay-television market. A consultation document on BSkyB's proposals will be published in the autumn. BSkyB will replace Sky Travel with new female-focused channel Sky Real Lives in November focusing on documentaries and reality shows. Virgin 1, the new entertainment channel from Virgin Media that is replacing FTN, will launch on October 1 on cable, satellite and Freeview.