Vodafone chasing German cable TV company?

Vodafone is apparently thinking about acquiring Germany’s largest cable company Kabel Deutschland. Vodafone already offers fixed-line and broadband services via Arcor; buying Kabel Deutschland would enable it to offer fixed-line, broadband, mobile and TV services in Germany. [Sources: RapidTVNews.com; BroadbandTVNews.com]

Apple iPhone TV ad banned by ASA

Following T-Mobile's knuckle-rapping last week, Apple is the latest company to have its mobile phone advertising criticised by the ASA. TV advertising for the Apple iPhone 3G described the handset as offering the internet "really fast", showing pages loading in a fraction of a second. The ASA said the on-screen visuals, in conjunction with the repeated use of the claim "really fast", were likely to lead viewers to believe that the device actually operated at or near to the speeds shown in the ad - but it doesn't. [ASA adjudication]

BBC Trust launches consultation about mobile TV

The BBC Trust has asked for comments about the BBC's plans to make its TV and radio channels available to UK mobile phone users on 3G networks. A trial earlier this year, which offered BBC TV on Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and 3, attracted peak usage of just 580 views in June 2007 and an average 13 minutes watched per month. [BBC Trust consultation; PDF document]

UK's mobile industry in "Brits Who Made The Modern World" TV documentary

Channel 5 television is broadcasting a documentary tonight that talks about the history of the UK's mobile phone industry. It's presented by Peter Snow and runs for 30 minutes from 7.30pm. [Source: Digiguide.com]

TV 'Terminators' campaign uses personalised video messages

TV channel Virgin 1 is promoting the new "Terminators: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" TV show with a personalised mobile video campaign. The campaign, describes as a "media first", encurages people to visit www.terminate-a-mate.com and text their friends with a warning that "terminators are nearby". The friend is then sent a text message that can be followed up with a personalised video message including their name and a map of their location. [Source: BrandRepublic.com]