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Latest News [2008] archive from July 2008
| Nearly nine million sign up for Sky
Sky has notched up nearly nine million subscribers and in the last quarter cut the rate customers give up its services (churn) to 9.8 per cent - a welcome fall of two per cent and now at its lowest level since 2005. 31 July 2008 | |
| Retail meltdown
The UK is facing a retail meltdown in the next 10 years, a new report claimed. | |
| More bad news from Woolworths
Troubled high-street chain Woolworths had more bad news to report to the City having again missed sales targets for the 25 weeks to July 26. 31 July 2008 | |
| Lindsay-Davies re-appointed as DTG director-general
The Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for Digital TV in the UK, has announced that Richard Lindsay-Davies has been re-appointed as director general of the group. | |
| Retailers suffer worst month in 25 years
Retailers have suffered their worst month in a quarter of a century, according to a new survey from the CBI. | |
| BrightHouse strengthens senior management
Store group BrightHouse is expanding its senior management team. | |
| Pure radios receive Energy Saving Recommended accreditations
Pure has received six further Energy Saving Recommended (ESR) accreditations for its DAB radios. | |
| 100 days to Scotland’s first digital TV switchover
With 100 days to the start of digital TV switchover in the Scottish Borders, Digital UK is urging viewers to get ready for 6th November. | |
| Jamie's small talk on ERTV
Home-tek’s managing director, Jamie Lennox, has given a video interview to ERTV in which he talks about the importance of small domestic appliances (SDAs) to the electrical retailing market. | |
| Electrolux's search for a star
To celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2009, Electrolux is looking for 90 Electrolux kitchen owners across Europe – all with a special story to tell about ‘when they felt like a star’ in their kitchen. | |
| New ad campaign for Roberts solarDAB
Last week saw the start of a £500,000 campaign for Roberts's solarDAB – claimed to be the world's first solar-powered digital radio. | |
| TomTom unveils changes to management structure
TomTom has announced a new structure to its portable navigation (PND) division. | |
| BBC considers syndicating TV and radio to mobiles
The BBC Trust is reported to be consulting on plans to syndicate all its national TV and radio services over 3G mobile networks. 28 July 2008 | |
| Group set up to develop multi-room A/V standard
Hitachi, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Motorola and Amimon have set up a group to develop a new industry standard for multi-room audio, video and control connectivity using Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI) technology. 25 July 2008 | |
| Second quarter disappoints for Samsung
Low margins for flat-screen TVs and mobile phones plus a sluggish memory chip market has led to a disappointing second quarter for Samsung Electronics. | |
| Interest rates should rise says think tank
A leading think tank has called for a rise in interest rates to thwart inflation. 25 July 2008 | |
| Five to join Freesat
Five is to join the line-up on free-to-view satellite Freesat in the next few months having put rights issues behind it. 24 July 2008 | |
| DAB radio still growing
Digital listening hours and DAB radio ownership have risen 34 per cent year-on-year, according to audience research body Rajar. 24 July 2008 | |
| Former Samsung boss appeals
Former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee has appealed against his sentence for tax evasion. 24 July 2008 | |
| Industry gets behind kbbreview Expo 2009
THE leading KBB trade associations have pledged their support to kbbreview Expo 2009, London’s established dedicated trade exhibition for innovators within the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom industry. 24 July 2008 | |
| Sky to launch internet music service
Sky is to launch an internet music service later this year hailed as a world first giving UK and Irish fans access to unlimited tunes for a single monthly fee. 23 July 2008 | |
| MPC splits three ways on interest rates
The future direction of interest rates is in doubt following the Bank of England's publication of the minutes of its last Monetary Policy Committee meeting. 23 July 2008 | |
| Fourth maker said to be developing Freesat box
A fourth manufacturer is reported to be developing a Freesat receiver and digital video recorder. 23 July 2008 | |
| More channels for Freesat
Eighteen new TV and radio channels have been announced today for free-to-air digital satellite TV service Freesat. 22 July 2008 | |
| One hundred days and still waiting for payment
Large companies have been accused of exploiting small businesses by delaying payments and imposing new terms and settlement fees. | |
| Apple posts record results
The best June quarter in its history is how Apple described its performance for the three month to June 28. 22 July 2008 | |
| MPs to scrutinise BBC commercial arm
A House of Commons select committee is to investigate the BBC's commercial operations. 21 July 2008 | |
| Sales boom at LG
LG Electronics saw record second-quarter sales and profits. 21 July 2008 | |
| Two thousand jobs to go at Sony Ericsson
Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson is to axe 2,000 jobs worldwide. 21 July 2008 | |
| First Best Buy sites named
Best Buy, the US electricals giant that recently partnered with Carphone Warehouse, has chosen four sites for its launch in the UK. 18 July 2008 | |
| Online sales still growing
Online sales have now reached nearly 20 per cent of total retail spending, according to a new report. 18 July 2008 | |
| Can Tories stop the rot?
Government and local policies pursued over the last 30 years have had the combined effect of knocking the heart out of Britain's communities – its high streets and town centres. | |
| Major new ITV drama to premiere tonight in high definition on Freesat
New ITV medical drama series Harley Street is to get its premiere tonight in high definition on ITV HD. 17 July 2008 | |
| Electrolux reports 82 per cent drop in net profits
Swedish white goods giant Electrolux has reported an 82 per cent drop in its net profits for the second quarter and cut its full-year forecast quoting "very weak" market conditions in Europe and North America. | |
| Sony launches PS3 and PSP movie and TV service
Sony has launched a TV and movie service in North America for its PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation Portable (PSP) consoles. | |
| Former Samsung chairman fined
Samsung's former chairman Lee Kun-hee has been found guilty of tax evasion and given a three-year suspended sentence. | |
| Freesat adds more channels
Free-to-view satellite operator Freesat today added 22 BBC and ITV regional services to its channel line-up. | |
| Co-operative Group to buy Somerfield
The Co-operative Group is to buy supermarket chain Somerfield for £1.57 billion. 16 July 2008 | |
| Late payment getting worse
Claims that small firms are not taking action against late payers because they fear losing their business are being investigated by the Forum of Private Business (FPB). | |
| BT to invest £1.5bn in super-fast broadband
Telecoms giant BT is to invest £1.5bn in fibre optic cables to give 10 million UK homes access to faster broadband. 15 July 2008 | |
| BT Vision offers free Setanta Sports 1
BT Vision – the internet TV service for BT broadband customers - is giving away Setanta Sports 1 with its new Bronze, Silver and Gold viewing packages. | |
| ERTV at Intellect CE Conference - see video highlights
ERTV was at this year’s Intellect CE (Consumer Electronics) Conference, to film selected speeches and interview some of the guest speakers. | |
| Sales up but profits tumble at Philips
Philips Electronics has seen its profits tumble to less than half of what it made last year. 14 July 2008 | |
| Lack of access to free HD slows take-up in Europe
High definition will become the mainstream and ultimately the standard form of free TV around the middle of next decade, according to a new report. 14 July 2008 | |
| Indesit Challenge Cup photo gallery now online
More than 200 industry footballers converged on west London earlier this month for the Indesit Challenge Cup 2008. | |
| Help for small shops
Planning rules are to be beefed up to protect small shops, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced. 11 July 2008 | |
| Opportunity missed on interest rates
An opportunity missed is how the Forum of Private Business (FPB) described yesterday's decision by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to leave UK base rates on hold at five per cent | |
| Sky to raise subscription prices
Satellite broadcaster Sky is to raise its subscription package prices from September 1. 11 July 2008 | |
| Base rate stays at five per cent
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep UK base rates at five per cent. 10 July 2008 | |
| Shop price rises still below inflation
Price rises in Britain's stores remain well below the official inflation rate, UK retail chiefs reported. | |
| PlayTV IPTV service formally launched in UK
What is claimed to be the UK's first open consumer internet protocol TV (IPTV) service has launched with plans to have 50,000 set-top boxes in the marketplace within a year for direct to TV delivery. 10 July 2008 | |
| Comet takes up Amdea's Time to Change calculator
Comet is the first retailer to adopt the Time to Change calculator devised by white-goods makers' association Amdea to allow shoppers to work out how much they would save by opting for high-efficiency appliances. 09 July 2008 | |
| More retailers urged to sign up to Digital Tick scheme
Digital UK, the organisation that is leading Britain's switchover to digital TV, has hit back at criticism from MPs that its digital tick logo is a mystery to retail staff and customers. 09 July 2008 | |
| MPs urged to help small firms
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and members of the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet have received letters urging them to support the UK's smallest firms. | |
| Philips to transfer monitors and IT displays to TPV
Philips is to transfer its entire monitor and IT displays business to TPV Technology of Hong Kong. 08 July 2008 | |
| Switchover dates for West TV region announced
Digital switchover is gathering pace as Digital UK announces the dates for switchover in the West TV region. 08 July 2008 | |
| BCC claims recession is looming
The UK is facing a serious risk of recession within months, according to the findings of a survey of almost 5,000 small and medium-sized businesses. | |
| Profits blow at B&O
Bang & Olufsen (B&O) has cut its estimate of pre-tax profits to DKr155 million (around £16.5m). | |
| Argos distribution workers vote for strike action
Workers at four of Argos's regional distribution centres have rejected a four per cent pay offer and voted for strike action. 07 July 2008 | |
| Baugur considering UK move
Baugur - the company behind House of Fraser, Iceland food stores, Hamleys and fashion outlets Mosaic and Oasis among others – is considering moving its head office to the UK. | |
| Bosch puts half-a-million pounds behind Disney environmental movie
Bosch has invested £500,000 in supporting a Disney children's movie and its message. 04 July 2008 | |
| Freeview+ kicks out Playback
Freeview is to dump its Playback brand in favour of Freeview+ to denote its digital TV recorders. | |
| Intellect conference a success
Yesterday’s Intellect Consumer Electronics Conference has been heralded a success by organisers. 04 July 2008 | |
| Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse deal not to be referred to CC
The UK merger of Carphone Warehouse and US retail giant Best Buy will not be referred to the Competition Commission, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. 03 July 2008 | |
| Broadcasters to compete for HD on Freeview
Regulator Ofcom has invited applications from public service broadcasters who want to provide high-definition services on Freeview. 03 July 2008 | |
| Most Sony products to be networked?
Sony plans to make 90 per cent of its products networkable by 2010, according to reports from a meeting between Sony's president of consumer sales Stan Glasgow and journalists in San Francisco. | |
| Blockbuster pulls out of Circuit City deal
Video chain Blockbuster has pulled out of its bid to acquire US electrical retail giant Circuit City. | |
| Sales slump at M&S
Britain's high street troubles will be "more of a two-year problem than a two-month one", warned Marks and Spencer chief Sir Stuart Rose. 02 July 2008 | |
| Sir Alan Sugar steps down from Amstrad
Sir Alan Sugar has stepped down as chairman of Amstrad, the company he founded in 1968 and sold to BSkyB in 2007. 02 July 2008 | |
| Freeview boxes stop working
From today, some older digital terrestrial set-top boxes will not work in the STV Central (Scottish), STV North (Grampian), Ulster, Tyne Tees and Border TV regions because of transmitter changes. 01 July 2008 | |
| West Country switchover dates announced
Next year's digital switchover dates for the West Country have been announced by Digital UK. | |
| Kangaroo video-on-demand venture referred to Competition Commission
Kangaroo, the proposed video-on-demand service backed by BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4, has been referred to the Competition Commission. 01 July 2008 | |
