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The Independent Television Commission has published its annual reviews of the performance of the regional Channel 3 companies and national channels 4 and 5, covering 1997. In relation to Channel 3, it notes the 'cautious and predictable nature' of programmes and criticises the preoccupation in peak factual programmes with crime, the emergency services and the paranormal. It also criticises the limited coverage of international issues in current affairs programmes. The Commission however welcomes the increased amount of documentaries, arts and children's drama in response to concerns it had expressed...

A replacement for the September 1967 film co-production agreement was signed on 5 May, although it does not come into effect until after an exchange of notifications between the two countries. This will take place in around three to four months, after the necessary legislative processes have taken place. Currently, there are seven such agreements between the United Kingdom and Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Norway and New Zealand; the United Kingdom has also signed the Convention on Cinematographic Co-production. Amongst the principal differences from the earlier agreement are that (a) third...

An episode of Channel 4's documentary series, "Undercover Britain", dealt with the funeral industry. The reporter worked, undercover, as a trainee undertaker in a firm of funeral directors. The episode, called "Last Rights", which was screened on 12 May, claimed that coffins were being used as rubbish bins and corpses were manhandled in "fun". American funeral group Service Corporation International and its British subsidiary, Associated Funeral Directors (AFD) sought an injunction banning parts of the programme which investigated the company's activities. However, Mr Justice Lightman refused,...

Under the Broadcasting Act 1996, a system of 'listed events' exists in the UK which protects certain key sporting events from being shown exclusively on a subscription basis and guarantees their availability to freeto-air channels. A committee was established by the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport to review the list and it has now reported. It recommends replacing the current single list with 'A' and 'B' lists. The 'A' list would give full protection for live coverage, whilst the 'B' list would ony require partial or delayed coverage and the showing of highlights. The 'A' list would broadly...

The Film Review Group, established by the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport on 16 May 1997, has now published its report and Action Plan. The body is to stay in being for one more year - with an enhanced membership. Amongst the proposals are: the establishment of a "voluntary all-industry Fund" (to provide support for development work, distribution and "generic promotion of film" with more targeted lottery support going to scriptwriting, development and distribution); the establishment of a private-sector "Film Marketing Agency"; setting up a new "Skills Investment Fund" (this fund...