Welcome to the weekly Wrap from How-Do - media news for the North West.

The Wrap's guest editor this week is Andy Carter.

 There’s little doubt that the main news for me has been the long anticipated decision of ITV to reduce its regional PSB programming.   For many, the news heralds the beginning of the end of regional TV, for others the decision was an inevitable part of the multimedia multichannel revolution which is affecting all parts of our sector.  

I joined Ofcom for ‘coffee and pastries’ at the Lowry last week, when its deputy chairman Philip Graf announced Ofcom’s proposals. While the Granada region seems to have come out better than others, the mood was mixed. I’m encouraged by Ofcom’s findings that audiences value highly PSB alternatives to complement the BBC. According to its research, three quarters of people are willing to pay on average up to £3.50 per month for PSB services on ITV, Channel 4 and five. But then of course, regional content is the lifeblood of commercial radio stations – and it’s free...  

I’ve been following two launches this week, one on the web and one on my radio. Absolute Radio replaced Virgin Radio on Monday morning and whilst not strictly a North West media story I can receive it on my digital radio in Salford Quays so it qualifies for a mention. As the UK’s only national commercial rock and pop station Absolute, under new management, has a special role to play as the sector evolves. The process of name change and re-launch has been captured on a fascinating industry blog www.onegoldensquare.co.uk

The second launch is of citylife.co.uk by our sister company MEN Media. As someone who arrived in the region in January I’ve found it invaluable for getting to know where to eat and drink, already trying out two of the top five pre-show eateries.  I’d like to offer my congratulations to the team who’ve put the site together although I’m not quite sure what to make of their ‘top five for lav lovers!’
 
Andy Carter is the managing director of GMG Radio North West

Elsewhere on How-Do this week: 

• Last chance to vote for this year's Top 100 North West Brands
  
• Lancashire Business View searches for tomorrow's talent 
• Made in Manchester picks up Finnair UK 
• Brazen cleans up with Vileda
• North Mersey Health Informatics Service appoints Ampersand
• Key 103 to partner Manchester Comedy Festival 
• Web drama produced by vulnerable youngsters premieres in Liverpool 
• Martyn Mills wins Konica Minolta graphic design award 
• EMS wins Cheshire Business award 
• Love bags a bunch at the Fresh awards 
• Corporation Pop hired by United Utilities for international brochure
• RMS recruits former MEN journo turned PR Gledhill 
• BJL looks likely to be hit by Bradford & Bingley decision 
• Digital journalism comes to Oldham's University campus 
• Big Spark lands global Global publishing deal
• MEN Media relaunches citylife.co.uk 
• ICE working with the Federation of Small Businesses 
• CTI to help Data Marketing Online deliver 
• Glorious picks up creative work for Channel 4's Chateau Monty
• Warburtons to increase its marketing spend to £22m 
• Trinity appoints Think to publicise its Red Hot Chilli Peppers book 
• Lembit Opik turns to Bell Pottinger to secure Lib Dem presidency 
• Poor night for the N/W at the Inside Soap awards
• Paul Abbott takes full control of Tightrope Pictures 
• Granada newsroom escapes deepest cuts after ITV announcement 
• 107.6 Juice launches new breakfast show 
• Text Internet Marketing sees opportunities with Google's Chrome browser 
• Parker Sandford launches new website for Vizwear
• Context PR helps boost musicmagpie's digital traffic 
• Irish retailer Smyths Toys appoints Underdog for UK push
• Imperial War Museum appoints six agencies to new roster 
• The Manchester Review secures 'first look' at John Banville's new novel 
• The Daily Sport promotes Pam McVitie to editor
• The Chorley Guardian enlists the 'Crunch Bunch' for latest campaign
• Clear creates outdoor campaign for Century Radio 
• Manchester Digital networks again on 8 October 
• Code launches Skin Bliss online for Cussons 
• The COI tasks BJL with helping to tackle domestic violence in Hull 
• Pro C lobby could be 'experiencing serious delays' 
• Production company Centini moves into children's publishing
• Anne Pickles to edit new women's magazine for The Cumberland News
• BBC's news director Helen Boaden launches Salford course
• North West Football Awards' finalists announced
• BBC Manchester considers new teen drama Mirror, Mirror 
• Liverpool's MTV awards get Rickrolled 
• PSAfilms cobbles together Shoe Taylor film

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Comments (1)

1  By Culture Vulture , on 03-10-2008 12:16 We've blogged on absolute too at:  its-all-culture.blogspot.com/2008/09/beginning-of-absolute.html Report