Video news: 5 for a £1

Maybe PR folk related to digital video operations think Monday is a slow news day traditionally, or maybe there’s just that much happening in the area… Either way, i thought it worth linking to the EIGHT pieces of digital video related news from today/yesterday (depending on what country you’re in and when you’re reading):

• Ashley Highfield has left the top job at Kangaroo (the joint venture between ITV, Channel 4, and BBC Worldwide). He is off to head up Microsoft/MSN. Before Kangaroo, Highfield was head of BBC future and media tech department - PaidContent UK article here.
• The BBC Trust yesterday approved the iPlayer to allow viewing of TV shows on the platform up to 7 days before broadcast. BBC management are calling it "pre-booking". Keep in mind it’s just approval from a Trust perspective - there’s no word yet on when this may be implemented (although I would imagine it is pretty high on the development list). MediaWeek article here (regn may be required).  On the pre-broadcast note, Virgin Media are now in the middle of their trial of premiering some of the kids TV shows via VoD before their first broadcast date, that they announced last month.
• Channel 4 announced it is killing its iTV (red button) operation (in addition to its mobile sales). It needs to save cash overall so is trimming various areas, but also says iTV never really got that much traction in the wider market. BrandRepublic article here.
• YouTube signs up one more studio for full length content - MGM. At the moment it is some old TV shows, and some movies. NYT article here.
• Sky (BSkyB) is to launch an online video subscription offering, so you’ll be able to watch certain bits of their content (such as some football) without having to have the full blown TV subscription. While it sounds like at the moment it is a subscription offering, and not a pay-as-you-snack option, I imagine final structure and pricing isn’t set in stone yet. The Guardian article here.