09 Jul 10

IDS to close after consolidation of sales into Skymedia and Channel 4

by Sean Japp, Head of TV

When it happened, it wasn't really a shock as rumours had been rife for around the best part of a year now. The second Saleshouse to bite the dust with Viacom losing it's sales remit to Skymedia at the beginning of 2010. Skymedia are taking on the Virgin remit, which includes channels Living, Virgin 1 and the UKTV Brand including Gold and Dave is off to Channel 4.

Consolidation in the TV Market has been expected and will continue. Rumours abound that Channel 4 will take over Five's remit, although this is being denied by the top brass at Channel 4. For now. If Channel 4 were to take on Five's remit this would have to be allowed by Ofcom due to the Share of Broadcast Revenues this would give to C4 and would make it a serious player, not on a par with ITV but there or there abouts. Interesting times.

On IDS and it's people, I always found them to be a great set of guys, Gorgeous Gav Johnston, Andy Atkinson, and latterly Dan Tyers and Matty Godsmark were all top men. Innovative thinkers and always looking to go the extra yard in their preparation and solutions. Hopefully they will all be sorted out and back in the industry sooner rather than later.