By Robert Goldrich
LONDON --As reported in this week’s lead story on advertisers “channeling” their energies into new branded outlets, Audi and Bartle Bogle Hegarty, London, have been working for the past two years on the development of the recently launched Audi Channel, which potentially reaches some 7.6 million households, amounting to an estimated 21 million people, in the U.K.
According to published reports, the Audi Channel cost some $3.5 million to set up. Furthermore Audi has committed some $1.75 million to $3.5 million annually to cover running costs for the channel which is being broadcast over the Sky Digital satellite TV platform.
Under a new type of broadcast license available from British media regulator Ofcom, advertisers like Audi can become broadcasters and use their own channels to promote their products and build brand. Audi is the first to be granted the license, leading to its new venture being billed as the first 24/7 brand-specific entertainment channel in Europe.
Audi Channel content is a mix of infotainment during the day and more entertainment-driven fare during primetime and on weekends. Entertainment programming includes: Le Mans motor racing; the U.K.’s largest amateur golf tournament; horse racing; polo; and red carpet arrivals at some big-ticket gala events. The channel will also feature interviews with celebrities, as well as documentaries. The latter includes a look at the history of Audi’s four-wheel-drive quattro, the production of the noted Audio “Ski Jump” spot, and the making of a watch inspired by Audi with well known jeweler Stephen Webster.
Audi plans down the road to facilitate interactivity with the channel, providing viewers with requested info such as the location of the nearest local dealership and vehicle brochures. Test drives could also be scheduled.
“Digital TV is a powerful communication platform with broad appeal, and will become even more so as the entire country switches from analog to digital between 2008 and 2012,” stated Gary Savage, Audi U.K.’s head of marketing.
“Audi Channel will allow us to extend our relationship with current Audi owners–and reach out to a vast and ever increasing pool of potential new customers,” continued Savage. “In the multi-channel age, viewers have the power to follow their own special interests…”Alec Baldwin Urges Judge To Stand By Dismissal Of Involuntary Manslaughter Case In “Rust” Shooting
Alec Baldwin urged a New Mexico judge on Friday to stand by her decision to skuttle his trial and dismiss an involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie.
State District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case against Baldwin halfway through a trial in July based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust."
The charge against Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be revived once any appeals of the decision are exhausted.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey recently asked the judge to reconsider, arguing that there were insufficient facts and that Baldwin's due process rights had not been violated.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer on "Rust," was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
The case-ending evidence was ammunition that was brought into the sheriff's office in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' killing. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwin's lawyers alleged that they "buried" it and filed a successful motion to dismiss the case.
In her decision to dismiss the Baldwin case, Marlowe Sommer described "egregious discovery violations constituting misconduct" by law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as false testimony about physical evidence by a witness during the trial.
Defense counsel says that prosecutors tried to establish a link... Read More