The BBC and Norway’s public broadcaster TV2 are in a row after the BBC would not allow material to be shown in a documentary that will be shown on Norwegian television.

In an email seen by MediaGuardian, a sales executive from BBC Worldwide refused to give a Swedish broadcaster permission to reuse its footage in subsequent showings of the documentary produced by TV2.

The documentary, titled "The Famine Scam", has alleged that the BBC and the United Nations were saying that African state of Niger was suffering from a famine. Interviewees like the Prime Minister of Niger, residents, doctors in the region and an aid organisation spokesperson in the US have said that no famine existed.

Though the BBC allowed producers a license to show the reports, but withdrew after the footage was shown in Norway - forcing the producers to shorten the documentary. In the original format, the documentary was awarded third prize in the Monte Carlo TV festival in June.

Source: MediaGuardian

BBC1’s soap EastEnders will be tackling the subject of child sex abuse for the first time. The storyline will also involve the Bianca Jackson and her family and a-yet-to-be-introduced character named Whitney Dean, the stepdaughter of Bianca Jackson.

EastEnders is used to controversial storylines, tackling a long list of sensitive subjects, including one where a character buried his estranged wife. That got 116 complaints to Ofcom, and the BBC released a partial apology after it received more than 600 complaints.

Source: MediaGuardian

The battle of the DVRs has begun, with Seven bringing out the TiVo to compete with the Foxtel’s iQ - claiming it would help bypass pay-TV subscriptions - whatever that means.

But the new machine, which has a RRP of $699, will have limited content due to the fact that we don’t have enough content on the free-to-air channels. TiVo’s main success is where that channels from FTA, Cable and Satellite TV users can use TiVo and not the selection of the provider.

As well, users will now have to have a broadband connection to access certain features.

The device will come with two high-definition tuners - allowing users to record two programs while watching a pre-recorded show. The device will also store the last 30 minutes of TV programs, and would allow viewers to catch up to shows that they missed if they arrived home late.

Sadly, you won’t be able to skip advertising - which was one of the reasons that the TiVo became so popular.

Currently on FTA, you can get ABC1, ABC2, ABC3 (which is basically the same as ABC1), SBS, SBS World News, Seven, Seven HD, Ten, Ten HD, Nine and Nine HD. But expect more SD services coming soon after it was deregulated just this year.

ITV1 is believed to suffered the worst Saturday ratings on June 28, with BBC1 winning the whole day thanks to Wimbeldon and the penultimate episode of Doctor Who.

The commercial channel brought only 10.2% share for all-hours, down from its previous recording of 11.5%. BBC1, however, brought 26.9%. The Doctor Who episode brought 7.4 million, according to unofficial ratings.

The BBC1 basically won the entire day, except for 15 minutes - where BBC2 showed Wimbeldon. BBC3’s behind-the-scenes look into the production of Doctor Who, Doctor Who Confidential, got 1.1 million and a 6.8%.

After the massive cliff-hanger in the second-last episode of the series - I’m trying not to spoil it - here is what the media is saying:

Wired has a story about the second-last episode and about the cliff-hanger - and it does contain spoilers, so if you don’t want to know - don’t read it.

Doctor Who News is reporting the unofficial ratings of the episode, with 7.4 million viewers.

We, The Journal, have a video of the trailer for the last episode of the season. Don’t view the video if you don’t want to see spoilers.

The Coventry Telegraph has a blog post about the episode, and also links to other news articles about the future of the Tenth Doctor.

The Telegraph is reporting that the BBC is expected to be watched around 10 million, hoping to eclipse the 9.1 million who watched the first episode of the season. The final episode is also getting some additional minutes, totaling 65 minutes.

The BBC is, well, shaping up to compete with our own public broadcaster, ABC - after the BBC brand is starting to take a stranglehold in our local media.

BBC’s commercial arm - BBC Worldwide - announced that it would be taking control over UKTV last week, and announced plans for BBC Knowledge and Cbeebies - both channels being part of its worldwide push. The BBC already has BBC World News, BBC HD and UKTV on the Foxtel platform, and the two other channels will launch when Foxtel adds more capacity.

As well, they are assisting in shows like Top Gear Australia, being broadcast on SBS, and has established a joint-venture with PBL Media’s ACP Magazines.

This comes when the ABC readies for their submission of federal grants - remember, we don’t pay license fees, aiming to raise $850 million and extra money to launch ABC3 - a children’s channel. ABC has said that Cbeebies will not affect their plans - as the ABC purchases over 200 hours of content from the Beeb every year - mainly children shows, but also Doctor Who and Spooks.

Just as Australia starts off the new season of Doctor Who, the BBC will be playing the last  episode of the season - then we will have to wait for a Christmas Special and 3 specials for 2009 as a new season will be shown in 2010 - what a time gap.

Anyway, I saw the second-last episode of the season and I was like OMG!! - without that facial expression.

Below is the trailer for the last episode. WARNING: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS (AU)

The Japanese create a lot of weird things, take for example the Hole in the Wall thing - that Nine is making into a TV show. Now, it is some guy doing crazy things… that’s great and hilarious.

Nine’s attempt to revive the classic Seven Network show Wheel of Fortune has failed, after the network will stop production and the final episode of the series was aired yesterday.

Hosted by both former Seven stars, Tim Campbell and Kelly Landry, the series lasted less than one month. The show was an attempt to bring viewers to Nine’s National Nine News 6pm bulletin - after Seven gain more viewers thanks to Deal or No Deal.

Both have moved to new projects, with Campbell hosting Celebrity Singing Bee - launching July 10, and Landry will now be on Getaway - a long way from a Seven star from Coxy’s Big Break.

Perth’s version of Melbourne’s Channel 31 - Access 31 has been given one week to survive, after members have voted to keep the station on the air.

The station has currently debts over $700,000, but only has $17,00 in the bank - and now possible funding from state and federal governments have dried up, forcing the station to ask the private sector.

Another decision is expected when another meeting is scheduled next week.