CHANNEL 4

Channel 4 transmits across the whole of the UK, except some parts of Wales, which are covered by the Welsh language. The channel was launched in: 02 November 1982. It is available on all digital platforms (terrestrial, satellite and cable) as well as through traditional analogue transmission.

Channel 4 also operates a number of other services, including the free-to-air digital TV channels E4 and More4, the subscription service FilmFour (which will be relaunched as a free-to-air channel in summer 2006), and an ever-growing range of online activities at channel4.com, including the broadband service FourDocs. The FilmFour production division produces and co-produces feature films for the UK and global markets.

The Channel's primary purpose is the fulfilment of its public service remit, which was most recently defined in the 2003 Communications Act. This states that "the public service remit for Channel 4 is the provision of a broad range of high quality and diverse programming which, in particular:

(a)	demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes;
(b)	appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society;
(c)	makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value; and
(d)	exhibits a distinctive character."

As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 does not produce its own programmes but commissions them from more than 300 independent production companies across the UK, a far greater number than any other broadcaster, including the whole of the BBC. It works very closely with the independent production sector, and invests heavily in training and talent development throughout the industry.

The Channel 4 service was originally established under the Broadcasting Act 1981 and was provided for by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. The Channel Four Television Corporation was subsequently established under the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Channel's functions were transferred over to the new Corporation in 1993. The Corporation's board is appointed by OFCOM in agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

MEDIA

MEDIA

Two-way battle for AOL's UK arm Mark SweneyThursday September 21, 2006MediaGuardian.co.uk

The bidding war for AOL UK's internet access arm has been narrowed down to a shootout between BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse after Orange pulled out.
AOL, the Time Warner-owned internet business, has been trying to sell off its European internet access businesses and reinvent itself as a content-led portal.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Telecom Italia had acquired AOL's German business for €675m (£453m).
Analysts expect the UK unit to fetch considerably less than the £1bn price sought initially.
AOL, the third-highest ranked internet player in the UK with 2.2 million customers, has been hit by the increasing number of players and price war that has emerged in the web access market.
As part of its strategy to become a heavyweight content-led player, AOL is launching a social networking-style community site in the UK called AIM Pages.
Time Warner is cutting 5,000 jobs at AOL, including about 3,000 positions in Europe.
A deal for AOL France has yet to be concluded.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,1877823,00.html

My Views
i think that by selling one of the most popular internet networking sites is important, the media guardian site shows a number of well known companies trying to bid for the internet company Time Warner is cutting 5,000 jobs at AOL, including about 3,000 positions in Europe by selling the internet site many people will be losing their jobs.