What's the market paying? PCR Newsletter Summer 2009

So, what's been the most shocking news since our last newsletter? A sunny Wimbledon and a Brit in the mens semis? Michael Jacksons sudden demise? The end of the recession in sight - or is it? Things still seem tough in our sector, but the upside is there are some great people available at short notice as needs arise and new projects kick into gear.

News from the Front Line

Highlights

Project Canvas : can this succeed where Kangaroo failed, with broadcasters collaborating to produce a common IP based platform for "next generation Freeview" and future premium content?
The Digital Britain initiative providing funding for micropayment trials which may push forward the ability to introduce paid-for content to fill the funding gap left from the decline in advertising revenues
Hulu - the phenomenal on-demand success story from the US in 2008 now courting the UK market, with the lessons from Kangaroos failure to learn from

Lowlights

Continuing drop-off in ad revenues making life even tougher for commercial broadcasters
Tight reins on commissioning budgets from BBC, C4 and ITV hitting the independents hard
Sky continuing to gain ground on their "competition" with subscription model pricing maintaining a solid revenue base in troubled times

What's the market paying?

MCR Engineer, broadcast playout specialist
£35k permanent
Tech Web Team lead, quad-play operator
£55k permanent
Business Analyst, mainstream broadcaster
£335 per day, 6 month contract

See other examples (more >>)

What's on in April

TV Entertainment Forum 24th September
IBC 10-14th September
Streaming Media Europe 15-16th October
The Media Festival 18-20th November

Some things you might not know about PCR

Future of Broadcasting Conference, 30th June and 1st July : both Mark and Judith attended this useful and thought-provoking update from the key players in the Industry. Highlights for us were Dawn Airey on the Potential for Partnerships in British Broadcasting, a brilliant presentation from the larger than life Johannes Larcher from Hulu, and real commitment from all to planning for multi-platform from day One as a reality. Lowlight was no answers although much discussion on how to monetise content when consumers expect catch-up for free : who is going to put their head above the parapet first? And a question we took away was is 3DTV really the future or just a gimmick Sky can play with because they have the money? - discuss.......

PCR London Update : the office opened back in May has proved a real boost to business, and we welcomed Kevin Sharkey to the team there at the end of June. We'll be moving to a larger office in August to accommodate more new joiners and hot-deskers from Cambridge now using it as a base to get out and see both clients and candidates as often as possible. Apart from the air-con breaking down in the heat of the second week of Wimbledon (whose didn't!) we're all loving being in town and just across the road from Soho, even with the smoke clouds last week!

We hope you've found this useful. Do give us your feedback and | suggestions for future editions!

Sincerely,
Judith Blair
email: judith.blair@pcrweb.co.uk
tel: 0845 880 4320 (direct)
tel: 0845 880 4300 (main number)