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Iran is to set up a space organisation with either Chinese or Indian help, according the deputy post, telegraph and telephone minister, Mehdi Tabeshian, speaking at the second international conference on space science applications in New Delhi recently. As regards Iran’s plans for its own satellite (Zohreh/Venus), Tabeshian said that Iran is considering India’s and China’s proposals for the launching of the craft.
Fox Kids has appointed Clare Ward as head of production and programme development. Ward was previously with MTV Europe as production manager. Fox has also made Natalie Hugh its new managing director for Internet and new media, reporting to CEO Ynon Kreiz. Hugh previously was with Discovery Communications.
The radio channels from Switzerland that are available on the Astra satellite system (19.2 degrees East) using the ADR system (Astra Digital Radio) have to find a new home. Pay-TV channel Teleclub must hand over transponder 55 (10.803 GHz H), which hitherto has been used by the channels, to Pro Sieben’s German news channel N24 in January 2000. According to the department of media services distribution of Swiss public broadcaster SRG, SSR idee suisse, foreign service World Radio Switzerland, music channels Swiss Pop, Swiss Classic and Swiss Jazz and youth station Virus, which recently went on air, will move to transponder 32 (11.686 GHz V), home of BR-alpha, the education channel operated by ARD’s Bavarian affiliate Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Mark Sharman has been appointed as director of broadcasting at BSkyB. Sharman, who has rejoined BSkyB after a year as controller of sport at Channel Four, will be responsible for the output of Sky News, Sky One and the Sky Movie Channels. He will report to Elisabeth Murdoch, managing director, Sky Networks. Sharman was previously managing director, production, for Sky Sports.
UK digital terrestrial operator ONdigital is facing some serious criticism from the TV regulator, the ITC, over its "Get Your Free Box Today" advertising campaign. The ITC, in a ruling published on December 1, said the advertising, now modified, failed to make clear that ONdigital’s set-top box was ‘free’ only while a subscription existed. ONdigital and the Broadcast Advertising Clearance Centre had both argued that the small print "Further terms and conditions apply" was sufficient warning to the consumer. The ITC ruled this not to be the case, concluding that viewers would reasonably interpret the word ‘free’ to mean that an offered item would be theirs to keep. "’Free’ is a strong claim," said the ITC judgement. Failure to qualify the claim "had the potential to mislead."
Patrick Svensk, managing director of SBS’s Swedish affiliate Kanal 5, last week made a sudden and unexpected departure: "I have been 50 per cent fired," he said. "The management wanted me to leave and I have found that after four years at the helm – a kind of record for commercial Swedish television – it’s time to move on." Svensk’s sudden exit came after a period of discord with the SBS top management, including founder and main shareholder Harry Sloan, about the future of the station. After a period of falling ratings and revenues Kanal 5 is now again on the up. Svensk was instantly replaced by Manfred Aronsson, head of sales at the station.
Peter Morgan is to retire as non-executive chairman of Pace Micro Technology next year, after a four year term. He will be succeeded by Sir Michael Bett, chairman of BT Cellnet and former deputy chairman of BT. Bett will join Pace’s board as a non-executive director in January before succeeding Morgan in March.
BBC World has opened an airtime sales office in Paris, the first in continental Europe. Laeticia Roederer has been appointed as account manager, Paris, responsible for global airtime sales and sponsorship for BBC World from within France. She previously worked for American Vogue.
The initial offer price for Fox Kids Europe’s Amsterdam IPO was set at Euro13.50, at the top of the indicated range. Gross proceeds from the offering are expected to be Euro270 million, excluding the over-allotment option. Following completion of the offer, Fox Family World Wide will retain between 69.7-75.7 per cent of Fox Kids Europe.

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