RugbyRocks Powered by PUMA is coming to London, Yorkshire & Edinburgh

Leading sportslifestyle brand PUMA is to partner with sports and music festivals RugbyRocks further to agreeing a long-term deal.

PUMA supported RugbyRocks London in 2011, and has now taken on the lead sponsorship role across all three festivals in London (26th – 27th May), Yorkshire (15th – 17th June) and Edinburgh (14th – 15th July) as well as promotional night club events during the build-up.

RugbyRocks festivals see thousands of sportsmen and women compete in Rugby 7s, 10s, Touch rugby and netball tournaments at all levels.

The London festival features 12 live acts and is headlined this May by Zane Lowe. There will also be a special DJ set by PUMA athlete and Bath Rugby star, Olly Barkley. RugbyRocks Yorkshire will be headlined by The Dub Pistols and Goldie Lookin’ Chain, who are among 14 live acts over the three day event.

PUMA will use the festivals to continue to bring to life its PUMA Social campaign which pays tribute to the ‘After-Hours Athlete’. Each RugbyRocks festival will host its own chill out area where fans will be able to relax in the ‘PUMA Social’ where they can rub shoulders with leading Aviva Premiership and England International rugby stars. The lounge will feature bar games, such as table football and table tennis.

Teams entering RugbyRocks will be entitled to a 15% discount on PUMA rugby kits. PUMA will also be creating the first RugbyRocks merchandise range which will be on sale throughout the year online at www.rugbyrocks7s.com and at the festivals.

Rob Westworth, Director at RugbyRocks, said: “RugbyRocks is about competitive sport and the social aspect that follows a tough game, so the fit with PUMA and the after-hours athlete is ideal. We are proud to be working with PUMA and to building on last year’s success.”

Roger Harrison, Marketing Director at PUMA UK continues: “We’re delighted to be extending our partnership with RugbyRocks further to a great festival in London last year. The festivals give us a prime opportunity to engage with our core consumers in true PUMA style – through the enjoyment of performance and after hours socialising.”

For more information: www.rugbyrocks7s.com @rugbyrocks7s and www.puma.com @pumarugby

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Keane Join T In The Park Line Up 2012

Tickets Onsale Now At www.Tinthepark.Com

As anticipation builds for T in the Park 2012 and fans gear up for the weekend of a lifetime, festival organisers DF Concerts and founding partner Tennent's Lager are thrilled to confirm that Keane have been added to the already stellar bill of artists, and will play the almighty Main Stage on Sunday 8th July.

Britain's favourite piano-rock trio Keane are back with their epic fourth studio album and are now ready to do what they do best - return to the live stage. With 15 outstanding tracks, Strangeland promises to feature some of the band's finest material to date (released 7th May). 

All three of the band's previous albums reached the No.1 spot in the UK and they have sold in excess of 10 million albums across the globe.  Just last month Keane played two gigs in the UK in celebration of completing the new album and both sold out in a matter of minutes, proving the demand for one of Britain's best live bands. Thanks to T in the Park, fans can grab the chance to see Keane at their very best, on the big stage, playing to 85'000 of the most passionate festival fans on the planet.

T in the Park takes place between 6th - 8th July, and tickets are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 08444 999 990. More information on all ticket prices/packages at tinthepark.com. Ticket buyers should only purchase from the official outlets published on this website.

British TV Programme Looking For Cruise Ship Stars

How would like to showcase yourself on television in front of millions of UK homes? - If you have experience of working on cruise ships then The Holiday & Cruise Channel would like to hear from you!

'Cruising with the Stars' is a daily chat show which broadcasts weekdays at 8pm on Sky Channel 284. 

Each episode spends a whole hour chatting to one cruise ship star - perhaps you're a member of cruise staff or one of the many entertainers out there, whether that be a comedian, magician, dancer, vocalist... basically anyone who currently or has previously worked on a cruise ship. 

Or maybe you are an experiences actor or musician and looking to move into Cruising?  - They'd love to hear from you!

Recorded weekly at their studios in Liverpool - it's your chance to be seen by some of the UK's major cruise operators as well as the key cruise entertainment agents.

Hosted by popular daytime TV presenter, Debi Jones - guests on her sofa to-date have included:

Syd Little (Entertainer)

Pete Conway (Singer & Entertainer)
Stu Francis (Comedian & Entertainer)
Pete Price (Entertainer & Broadcaster)

Bongo Eddie (Kid Creole & the Coconuts)
David Heath (Singer & Dancer)

Steve Royle (Comedian)

Bobby Kaye (Comedian)

Michelle Montuori (Vocalist)

Simon Smith (Cruise Director)

Ashanti Kemp (Sky TV 'Showboaters' winner)

Carlo Paul Santanna (Paper Lace)
Dene Michael (Black Lace)
Mark Ritchie (Stage Magazine)
Alex Lodge (Magician)
Gary Ryan (Tribute Act & Stars in their Eyes winner)
Pippa Langhorne (Britains Got Talent Vocalist)
Marvin Ruffin (Vocalist)

The programme has interviewed over 150 guests in the cruise & entertainment industry.

If you are interested in appearing on the programme or would like further information, please contact:
Richard Cross via email richard@holidayandcruisechannel.co.uk  or on 0871 423 4444

Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure

The world-class creative team behind the highly anticipated show, scheduled to debut in London this November debuted its first finished character costume to attending guests.

Scrat, the mischievous sabre-toothed squirrel, was introduced to international media by the show\'s co-directors, Guy Caron and Michael Curry.  Caron and Curry also shared story outlines and design content for the brand new show in which audiences around the world will see the loveable Ice Age characters embark on action-packed adventures full of drama, humour and fun.

Guests at a recent media preview event received a special glimpse behind the scenes of the production through video footage highlighting the incredible design work in progress at Michael Curry's studio in Oregon. The video footage also featured Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson composing music and lyrics for the production at their studios.

Robert Marick, Executive Vice President of Fox Consumer Products commented, "In developing Ice Age Live! it was imperative to bring the very best in live entertainment to our franchise fans worldwide.  Thanks to the costume designs by Michael Curry, these realistic character adaptations are more than we could hope for,\" said Robert Marick, Executive Vice President of Fox Consumer Products. "Revealing Scrat - one of the most recognisable characters from the film franchise - was the best way to show the world what\'s in store for the production, and elusive nut-chasing antics are definitely a part of it."

Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure is an original arena show where everyone's favourite Ice Age characters are brought to life! The first show of its kind, Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure combines incredible sets music and song, acrobatics, exceptional ice skating and aerial arts while incorporating story and character elements from the film. 

The production will take audiences on an awe-inspiring adventure with an all-new storyline and all-new characters inspired by the first three films of the top-grossing international animated film franchise of all time.  Following yesterday's media event, Ice Age fans can see the behind-the-scenes footage and tune in to the latest Ice Age Live! news at www.iceagelive.com.

"We are very proud of the way Ice Age Live! is developing. It promises to be a truly fantastic show that will exceed all expectations of our international audiences", said Caspar Gerwe, CEO of Stage Entertainment Touring Productions.

Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure is being produced and directed by some of the biggest names in live entertainment through Stage Entertainment Touring Productions under direction of Executive Producer Hans Staal.  The show will be directed by the brilliant mind behind the Cirque du Soleil productions, Ka and Dralion, Guy Caron, while original concept, book, music & lyrics will be created by Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson (Cirque du Soleil, Holiday on Ice and APM Music); dialogues being supervised by Michael Berg.  Character Visualisation design will be headed by Co-Director Michael Curry (Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney a.o. The Lion King, Olympics).

Ice Age Live! A Mammoth Adventure celebrates its World Premiere at Wembley Arena on November 2nd with preview shows in Cardiff and Nottingham.  Full details can be found at www.iceagelive.com. 

Ice Age Live! is a co-production between Stage Entertainment Touring Productions and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.

Recession? Let's fix it with a laugh!

Michael McIntyre tops the poll as the UK’s most popular lunch guest.

As news headlines continue to be dominated by doom and gloom recession related stories, it’s no surprise that the people of Britain are looking for some light entertainment. A recent survey undertaken by Kingsmill reveals that UK residents are itching to host a Big Lunch with top comedian Michael McIntyre providing the entertainment.

Over a third of UK Mums and Dads prove that comedy prevails as 35% would choose a comedian to sit at their lunch table. Funnyman Michael McIntyre (15%) topped the list as the most popular lunch guest as Stephen Fry’s (12%) quick wit and dry sense of humour saw him steal second place in the poll. Continuing the comedy theme, Mums prove that they would choose a great sense of humour over dashing good looks as comic duo Ant ‘n’ Dec (8%) featured higher on the list than reality TV personality, Mark Wright (6%) who came fourth.

It’s no surprise that comedy is king during one of the toughest economic downturns that Britain has ever seen. With the live comedy show circuit booming, isn’t everyone looking for some light relief?

Among the children surveyed, Wayne Rooney tops the poll as the footballer they’d most like to have lunch with – 12 places higher than David Beckham. Remarkably our football champions couldn’t compete with our kids’ cartoon favourites, Ben 10 and Peppa Pig, who leapfrog into first and second place.

National Top Five Fun Lunch Guests

Children
1. Ben 10
2. Peppa Pig
3. Wayne Rooney
4. Rastamouse
5. The Simpsons Parents

Parents
1. Michael McIntrye
2. Stephen Fry
3. Ant ‘n’ Dec
4. Mark Wright
5. Jamie Oliver

The survey of 2,000 UK parents and children under 16 years was carried out by Kingsmill to celebrate its sponsorship of the Big Lunch 2012 where it hopes to bring friends and families together to enjoy lunch and organise street parties over the Jubilee weekend.

Despite the influx of street celebrations for the Royal Wedding last year, 56% of children and 43% of adults nationwide have yet to experience a street party. Happily, more than half of British children (53%) are keen to get together with their friends and neighbours and the survey results prove that certain celebrity guests wouldn’t go amiss for a happy lunch celebration.

For Brits planning their own street party this summer, Kingsmill is on hand to help. As official sponsors of The Big Lunch 2012, it has created a dedicated area on its website. As well as delicious, healthy recipe ideas, visitors will also find fun inspiration for games and ways to entertain guests, and a competition area, but unfortunately no advice on securing a celebrity guest!

It is often the case that photographs are taken, uploaded and forever lost on social media sites. Photos on Canvas is offering an innovative alternative to displaying photographs which allows people to showcase their cherished memories in a beautifully stylish way.

Printing photographs on to canvas prints has become increasingly popular of late. Perfect as art work for the home or as a unique gift, canvas prints from Photos on Canvas are available in a diverse range of choices. Photos on Canvas customers can upload their photographs with the easy upload feature on the site and edit their photograph according to personal preference.

There is plenty of choice when it comes to editing and creating a bright and colourful print. The classic canvas print is ideal for anyone who things their photograph is perfect as it is whilst the split panel canvas are popular for those with landscape photographs or larger rooms.

Photos on Canvas also provides customers a choice of free custom effects. Colour is the obvious choice but for anyone that wishes to create a nostalgic or intense looking print, the black and white or sepia custom effects are also available.

Once customers have created their print, they simply wait whilst the team creates their stunning print. Customers who order before 2pm will receive their canvas print the very next day for free. What’s more, all prints come with a ten year guarantee because the team are so sure of their quality.

To browse the full range of customisation options and to create a personalised canvas print, simply visit PhotosonCanvas.net.

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The Sqish - A discreet alternative to a satellite dish

The Sqish (square dish) is a discreet alternative to a satellite dish. Its compatible with all Sky & Freesat systems across most of the UK. It can also be used to receive high powered satellites across Europe and the rest of the World.

The Sqish can be sqishoflaged to help it blend into its surroundings with the addition of a bespoke skin created from a digital photo of the site.

Why use a Sqish? It minimises environmental impact. Its ideal for use on listed buildings and in conservation areas (with permission).

Their new model is smaller, lighter, better value and performance.

Sqish Website
Sqish Facebook Page

1 - The Satellite Shop are an Independent retailer based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent since 1990. They import & distribute the Sqish across the UK and parts of Europe.

2 - The Sqish is available nationwide via a network of over 300 authorised retailers and professional installers. More details and high resolution artwork available at www.sqish.co.uk

Contact: Phil Millington
The Satellite Shop, 56a London Rd, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0PT. Tel :01892 548468 phil@satshop.co.uk

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New Independent Theatre Review Site Gives London Stage Fans a Voice

WasThatGood.com has launched a new online offering to give people an opinion platform regarding London theatre. The site will allow theatre-goers to post honest appraisals of shows in an open forum format.

The site has launched to address an apparent gap in the market for honest, transparent online theatre review resources. At present fans of the stage can often only wade through advert-heavy sites designed to promote famous shows like Lion King or Wicked - with even the official media rarely giving genuine reviews of shows.

As such, Robert Stuart decided to develop and launch an independent theatre and show review site in the shape of WasThatGood.com. On the site show fans can share opinions and find out what is on at venues from the National Theatre to venues around the UK.

“I had had enough of the theatre after a number of uninspiring evenings and so decided to do something about it! Instead of waiting for another news resource to launch more biased reviews surrounded by adverts I deduced that a new, independent site where opinions could be shared openly was required - hence we now have WasThatGood.com!", said Stuart.

In the continuing economic climate many Brits have ceased going to the theatre because they do not want to waste money on shows that will disappoint. WasThatGood.com aims to change the game and bring people back to stage shows via positive, honest reviews.

WasThatGood.com will build to become an open forum which seeks to drive improvement in modern theatre. The site will promote the best shows through positive attendee opinion and poor productions will feel a similar honest impact.

The WasThatGood.com website boasts features ranging from times of shows to dates of performances, offering an in-depth resource for theatre fans. Users can also search productions by highest-rated and even buy tickets through the site.

About WasThatGood.com

WasThatGood.com was born in an attempt to give the public a say in the world of theatre by offering an independent forum for them to share their opinions. The intent is to promote open discussion regarding the theatre, which could very well lead to improvement as theatres will have to face reality and will no longer be subject to only a handful of critics who have a channel to the public.

WasThatGood.com is giving the public a voice and theatres will now have an army of critics to contend with. The site is completely independent so users can be confident that what they read is truly the opinion of someone who saw the show and not simply another promotional tactic.

Vision247 presents China Central Television on Freeview before Chinese and UK government delegation

Llast night, in front of government representatives celebrating business success between China and Britain, broadcast specialist Vision247 presented the delivery of internet broadcast channels via the UK’s Freeview platform for China Central Television (CCTV), the largest TV network in China.

Vision247’s service formed a backdrop to the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) reception for Mr Li Changchun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, Central Committee, Communist Party of China. Vision247’s technology was highlighted as a Sino-British success story before an audience that included:

• Mr Cai Fuchao, Minister of State Administration of Radio, Film and TV
• Ed Vaizey, Minister of Culture, Communications and Creative Industries
• Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Mr. Liu Xiaoming Chinese Ambassador to the UK
• Lord Sassoon, Commercial Secretary to Treasury
• Jim Paice Minister of State for Agriculture and Food

Sir David Brewer, Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, in his speech last night observed: “In a wonderful example of Chinese and British business working closely together, China Central Television programmes are now available free to UK viewers through an agreement created by Vision New China, part of London based broadcast specialist, Vision247.”

In a world first, Vision247 has provided China Central Television with new technology which uses the internet to reach UK televisions via the digital terrestrial Freeview service. Viewers visiting FreeviewHD Channel 111 have access to three, free to view channels. CCTV Channel 9 broadcasts a mixture of film and drama; CCTV Channel 4 provides a range of documentaries; while a third channel provides the latest news coverage from China and worldwide.

“Together, these companies are making Chinese broadcasting easily accessible to millions of homes throughout this country, connecting those living here with the latest news, business and culture from China,” concluded Brewer in his speech.

John Mills, CEO of Vision247, said: “CCTV has shown great foresight, embracing the opportunity that internet delivered television represents, and which we are able to facilitate through Freeview, delivering high quality, world class broadcasting to a whole new audience. It has been tremendous to be able to present our technology and the new partnership we have been able to create with CCTV before such honoured guests.”

China Central Television is available through the FreeviewHD EPG (electronic programme guide) on Channel 111. CCTV will continue to expand its broadcast offering on Freeview with further channel launches offering an even greater mix of content and services.

 FACFTFILE:
China Central Television (CCTV) is the national TV station of the People´s Republic of China and it is one of China´s most important news broadcast companies. Today, CCTV has become one of China´s most influential media outlets. www.cctv.com / www.cntv.cn

Daily news for British Forces personnel and their families

British Forces News, on Information TV (Sky Channel 231 and Freesat 402). Weekdays at 6.30 pm

As all British Forces personnel and their family and friends will testify, separation from loved ones for weeks and months on end can make for testing times, and returning home from active duty to deal with everyday life can prove equally difficult.

But now making a firm and regular connection is British Forces News, the flagship TV news programme for the British Armed Forces, broadcasting every night at 6.30 pm on Information TV (Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402). British Forces News brings the latest stories that matter to the 173,000 British Forces personnel posted in UK and overseas, to their families and friends and to Forces veterans.

British Forces News is currently transmitted in 17 countries every weeknight at 18:30 CET on BFBS1 and to HM ships through Navy TV.

Presented by Kate Gerbeau, the 30-minute news magazine brings the latest stories from Afghanistan, Germany, Cyprus, the Falklands and the many other locations worldwide where British Forces live and work. It covers issues of warfare, defence policy and military strategy, and runs in-depth reports on matters relating to welfare and family wherever British Forces and their loved ones are located around the world.

The British Forces News team operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from its studios in Buckinghamshire, with regular live international reports from countries such as Afghanistan, where British Forces News is the only broadcaster with two journalists based permanently at Camp Bastion. In addition, British Forces News has journalists based in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and mainland Britain and is supported by news contributors in the Falkland Islands, Canada, Gibraltar, Belize and Brunei to bring the latest news and reports.

News Presenter Kate Gerbeau said: “Until now, British Forces News has only been available to British Forces on an encrypted satellite, but by launching on Information TV, we can reach out to a much wider audience – not just those serving and their families, but also anyone with an interest in defence news. We don’t just report on breaking national and international stories, we also provide unrivalled in-depth reports on all the issues that matter to service personnel including stories of bravery and sacrifice.”

Fred Perkins, CEO of Information TV, commented: "We are delighted to welcome British Forces News to our current schedule and we look forward to supporting and developing the service as it becomes more widely established in the UK. British Forces News is of enormous importance to the Forces. By reporting news from across the deployed world it enables all service people and their families, regardless of where they are based, to make that vital connection.”

Watch British Forces News, weeknights at 18.30 (CET) on BFBS1 around the Forces world, online at www.bfbs.com/news, and in the UK at 18.30 (UK time) on Information TV, via Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402.

BFBS also broadcasts news updates around the clock on BFBS Radio - tune in on DAB Digital Radio in the UK, on FM across the Forces world, on Sky Guide 0211, Freesat Channel 786, www.bfbs.com and via the BFBS smartphone app.

If you have family, friends or loved ones currently based overseas with the Forces, then remember you can send a message of support online at www.bfbs.com/messages

Monitor Audio's Shadow Range Of On-Wall Speakers

Playing With Shadows - At just 40mm deep, Monitor Audio's Shadow range of on-wall speakers is the perfect match for flat TVs. Monitor Audio's innovative ultra-thin Shadow range of speakers is designed to reconcile the desire for super-discreet installation around the home with the need for dynamic full-frequency sound.

The four Shadow models are conceived to work in pairs for music, or for home theatre, when any number can be combined in acoustically matched surround systems. At just 40mm in depth, they will complement the slender profile of flat TV displays to achieve an astonishing unity of wafer-thin design and life-like sound -complete with the natural dynamism and wideband response you'd expect from larger, more obtrusive speakers.

Four models:
The diminutive S25 rear channel speaker, the LCR-type S50, the longer S60 (for 50"+ displays), and the dedicated Shadow Centre, utilise new low-profile drivers, which offer higher power handling and a wider frequency response than similarly sized conventional designs. A flat, long-throw 4" RDT® bass/mid driver and a specially vented 25mm (1") C-CAM® tweeter have allowed the competing demands for slender construction and high quality sound to be satisfied with remarkably little compromise.

In addition, the three larger Shadow models feature passive 4" Auxiliary Bass Radiators (ABRs), made of aluminium and tuned to provide improved upper bass definition. Each matt black Shadow speaker is constructed from a single piece of aluminium - precision machined to provide rigidity and naturally low resonance - and is easy-to-install in solid or stud wall using two direct-to-wall flush fixings. The speakers feature 'invisible' cable entry and connection, and removable magnetic grilles and end trims, which conceal fixings and terminals. Generating a performance akin to conventional speaker boxes from vanishingly slender cabinets, Monitor Audio's new Shadow range brilliantly cools the friction between the desire for discreet style and the need for explosive wideband dynamics from Blu-ray and other HD audio sources.

Approx prices inc VAT: S25 £500pr; S50 £800pr; S60 £900pr; Shadow Centre £450ea - Availability: May 2012

Detail: the Shadow range
The ultra-compact S25 is designed for front or rear channel duties in a compact home theatre system. It features a single 4" RDT (Rigid Diaphragm Technology) bass/mid-range driver and 25mm C-CAM dome tweeter in a sealed enclosure. The S25 is supplied with its own metal desk-top stand as an alternative to wall mounting.

The S50 is designed to coordinate with displays up to 50" and features dual 4" RDT drivers and a 25mm C-CAM tweeter in a D'Appolito array, augmented on either side by dual ABRs. The S60 uses a similar driver complement to the S50 but in a taller cabinet, ideal for displays above 50". Its dual D'Appolito driver arrangement, high power handling and good sensitivity generates high SPL and low distortion, but the S60's additional cabinet volume and custom-tuned ABRs provide superior low frequency performance.

The Shadow Centre is identical to the S60 in performance but is aesthetically optimised for dedicated centre speaker operation in high performance home theatre systems of matching S50 and S60 speakers. It is supplied with a shelf/rack mounting option.

Detail: the new drivers custom-designed for Shadow's ultra-slim enclosure the exceptionally low-profile RDT mid-bass driver uses a specially reinforced flat diaphragm, comprising an ultra-light but ultra-rigid sandwich of CAM material bonded to a Rohacell core. Coupled to a large edge-wound voice coil, it is held in a high power Neodymium magnetic field via an ingenious concertina-style suspension, providing an exceptionally responsive, uniformly controlled and extended cone excursion. Each RDT driver is bolted to the back of its cabinet on a single mounting rod but 'floats' within an airtight neoprene seal at the front, which decouples the driver from the baffle. The result is greater audio accuracy over a wider bandwidth from a driver compact enough to operate within a cabinet depth of just 40mm (1.5").

Joining the mid-bass driver is an optimised low-resonance version of Monitor Audio's world-famous 25mm (1") C-CAM gold dome tweeter, designed to work from a lower crossover point in limited space. In order to provide adequate loading and acoustic damping in these challenging conditions, this unique tweeter vents around the outside of its FEA-tuned Neodymium magnet system into a rear loading chamber. Its wider bandwidth ensures a seamless handover with the 4" RDT driver at one end of its range, and crystal clear high frequency definition at the other.

Shadow range features:
Ultra slim depth: 40mm (1½") to complement the slimmest TV screens.
Designed and tuned to provide optimum sound quality when flush wall mounted.
Aluminium extruded cabinet construction: once piece alloy extrusion provides slim profile, maximises internal cabinet volume and provides high rigidity to prevent resonance.

Specially developed 25mm C-CAM® tweeter design featuring unique venting and rear loading chamber: low resonance design provides clean, pure sound at lower frequency crossover point.

4" Low profile bass-midrange drivers featuring flat RDT® sandwich diaphragm constructed from C CAM® and Rohacell materials.

Special 'concertina' driver suspension arrangement provides high excursion from a low profile assembly.

Unique floating driver mounting: drivers are bolted to the rear cabinet and de-couple from the baffle on a neoprene airtight seal.

4" Low profile ABR drivers (S50/S60/Centre) provide punchy bass, without the noise or turbulence exhibited by ported designs.

Perfect flat to wall fixings: no additional bracket depth providing quick and easy installation.

Invisible cable entry and connection provides easy installation and connection.

Removable magnetic grille assembly designed to provide low sonic intrusion.

Matt black finish provides discreet aesthetics prices will allow many more music lovers the opportunity to experience the extraordinary.

Monitor Audio Shadow speaker range

Approx. retail price (inc VAT): S25 £500pr; S50 £800pr; S60 £900pr; Centre £450ea - Availability: May 2012

Images: flickr.com/photos/keithhaddock/sets

What is C-CAM? Ceramic-Coated Aluminium/Magnesium is an innovative material originally developed by the aerospace industry for use as blades in jet engines. It exhibits ideal qualities for use as a driver dome, avoiding the 'break-up' or bending modes of more conventional materials. Increased efficiency and clarity and reduced distortion are the result. Monitor Audio is a wholly British owned and managed loudspeaker designer and manufacturer. Since 1972 it has been at the forefront of loudspeaker design and technology, perfecting the implementation of metal drivers. It is renowned for exemplary speaker cabinet construction and finish.

For More Information On The Complete Range Of Monitor Audio Loudspeakers Please Contact:

Monitor Audio Ltd, 24 Brook Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7XL
T: +44 (0) 1268 740580 E: info@monitoraudio.co.uk

www.monitoraudio.co.uk

Radioline Introduces It's Brand New Application: Radioline For IPhone

RadioLine is an Internet Radio solutions player and expert. The company operates a highly scalable service platform for the creation and the distribution of innovative interactive media packages.

Tired of listening to the same tunes on the radio?

Radioline offers thousands of radio stations providing good music and shows without ads. The application was inspired by the already existing Radioline Mac application that has been praised by consumers and the press. Radioline for iPhone has the elegance and simplicity you expect: it just works and never gets in your way. The application is regularly updated and extended to take users' feedbacks into account.

Radioline integrates the following features:

Thousands of radio stations from all over the world, constantly updated.
A selection of premium radio stations, immediately available.
A quick access to your preferred bookmarked radio stations.
Station logos and album covers displayed for your comfort.
Keep an eye on what is playing on other stations in real-time.
A powerful search engine to discover radio stations from other countries.
'Multi-tasking' option allowing your favourite radio show to play in background and to get back here easily, at anytime. Radioline also allows to search radio stations that broadcast your favourite artists in real-time.

Radioline, the radio application for your iPhone.

Specific focus on usability: Last.fm integrated within the application Integration of the VoiceOver technology including a vocalise playing of music tracks and radio shows broadcast the opportunity for users to submit feedbacks and suggest reviews within the application A radio player skilfully integrated within your iPhone, remaining accessible even from the lock-screen.

Available for download on the App Store.

More information about the application: radiolineapp.com/iphone

GEAR4 Launches Angry Birds Space Cases And Headphones

Apple audio accessories brand expands flock of Angry Birds products.

Just when you thought the squawking of Angry Birds couldn't get any louder, Rovio - the creators of the cultural phenomenon of the decade - has released Angry Birds Space. Once again, GEAR4 is answering the ca-caaws from Angry Birds fans by launching Angry Birds Space cases and headphones for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Last year, GEAR4 launched its original and incredibly popular Angry Birds product range. The company is now adding to the nest with a series of cases and headphones featuring the new Angry Birds Space characters: Lazer Bird, Ice Bird, Bomb Bird, super Red Bird and, of course, the menacing King Pig.

Space fans can choose from GEAR4's five intergalactic iPhone and iPod touch cases, each featuring an out-of this-world Angry Bird. If fans can't decide which space bird to choose from, GEAR4 is launching cases for the iPad 2 and new iPad featuring four of the characters, as well as a case with the infamous super Red Bird. Prices start from £24.99.

For those wanting to show their allegiance to the feisty space fowls while listening to their favorite tunes, GEAR4 has created four different headphones, each featuring a Angry Birds Space character on the ear buds exterior. Prices start from £19.99.

"We squawked with excitement when we found out Rovio were launching Angry Birds Space," said Tom Dudderidge, Founder and CEO of GEAR4. "Everyone from first-time players to Angry Birds fanatics went crazy for our Angry Birds range and we can't wait to send fans into orbit with our Angry Birds Space products."

Angry Birds has been downloaded 700 million times since 2009 and downloads of Angry Birds Space are set to skyrocket too. GEAR4 Angry Birds Space cases and headphones will all be available from www.gear4.com and in all major retailers from April. To get to grips with the Angry Birds Space game download it from spaced.angrybirds.com.

Capital FM Arena Streamlines And Enhances Coverage With Cloud-Managed WiFi

The Meraki Public Access Portal has enabled customer’s easy access to various forms of entertainment

Value Added Distributor, Cloud Distribution, announced today that Capital FM Arena Nottingham, the East Midlands premier entertainment venue, has implemented a Meraki Wireless LAN. Enabling anytime, anywhere network access via any mobile device, the new cloud-based network has simplified, streamlined and delivered increased network performance to the Arena’s wireless connections and WiFi access.

Through Cloud Distribution, the UK distributor for Meraki, the Arena has implemented 12 Meraki high performance 802.11n internal access points in total – three MR24s and a mixture of MR16s and MR12s. Each access point provides built-in enterprise-class features including a stateful policy firewall 802.1X/RADIUS support, Network Access Control, and Wireless Intrusion Detection and Prevention (WIDS/WIP).

Today the entire venue now has reliable, seamless coverage for all devices, including iPads and other mobile devices and wireless connectivity. Multiple SSIDs have been created to offer a variety of distinct levels of access for staff, guests, customers and entertainment acts. Guest WiFi is also now available and accessible primarily for corporates who use the venue for conferences, so that they can connect and use the wireless network anywhere within the venue. Each separate group authenticates with their own unique usernames and passwords.

In May 2011 Capital FM Arena decided that it needed to refresh its existing wireless network which consisted of 12 Motorola access points, 10 Net Gear access points, 8 BT Open Zone access points - effectively lots of different wireless access points all servicing different requirements. Not only had the network become quite fragmented and cumbersome to manage but the Arena found that passwords were increasingly being compromised. The project to update the wireless network was also necessary to accommodate the increasing number of events taking place in the arena and the varying demands from customers and promoters all of which required different levels of network access.

Having attended an event to investigate WiFi options available Capital FM Arena decided to trial Meraki access points. Rob Williams, IT Director for Capital FM Arena comments: “The main reason for streamlining all of our wireless access points was to make our services more cost effective, easy to use and manage as well as secure. I downloaded a demo, I immediately liked the product and I contacted Meraki who sent out a couple of products for me to use for a month. I was stunned.”

In summary, the Meraki Cloud Controller provides centralised network management for WiFi across the Capital FM Arena. Multiple SSIDs provide network segmentation between different types of users. Integrated Layer-7 application visibility provides insight and control over network usage. As a result Meraki has delivered in one month what BT Open Zone failed to deliver in seven years. Rob Williams concludes:

“I am very anti all the Cloud hype that we hear at the moment. However Meraki’s use of the word Cloud is justified. Meraki is not just a web managed portal but it is incredibly clever in the way that it works and the AP’s connect and configure – it is a true cloud managed network. Meraki is one of the most impressive pieces of kit that I have seen in the last ten years. It is so simple and yet so powerful – quite frankly a fantastic product.”

FACTFILE:
Cloud Distribution is a Value Added Distributor focusing on the security, management and optimisation of devices which access the Cloud. Cloud computing is a paradigm of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources are provided as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the ‘Cloud’ that supports them.

The company was founded by senior executives with a wealth of experience in the security and optimisation space. Its philosophy is to take innovative, leading-edge vendors into the UK market by recruiting and partnering with innovative, pioneering security, management and optimisation partners.

Cloud Distribution is the sole UK distributor for Meraki. Meraki is the leader in cloud controlled Wi-Fi, routing, and security. Secure and scalable, Meraki's enterprise networks simply work.www.cloud-distribution.com.

About Capital FM Arena Nottingham
Capital FM Arena Nottingham is the East Midlands’ premier entertainment venue based in the heart of the city centre. With a 10,000 crowd capacity the Arena showcases the biggest names in music, comedy and sport. Opened as Nottingham Arena in 2000, the venue has gone from strength to strength over the last decade and is now working in partnership with UK music station – Capital FM. As the newly rebranded Capital FM Arena Nottingham, it continues to attract world class acts and events. The venue itself is based within the National Ice Centre, the UK’s first twin ice pad facility and centre of excellence for ice sport in the UK.

Pioneer launches the HDJ-1500 - Professional DJ headphones

http://youtu.be/jr1diVsUcJ0

Every DJ knows a spectacular set requires high-quality headphones. Enter the HDJ-1500s, the pro-DJ headphones that deliver flawless sound reproduction and impressive durability in a seriously stylish package.

The latest addition to Pioneer’s professional headphones range, the HDJ-1500s owe their crystal-clear sound quality to increased output levels, a lower impedance and an exclusive soundproofing chamber specially developed by Pioneer.

The HJD-1500s’ copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils guarantee accurate reproduction of deep base notes and superbly balanced sound across all frequencies. And the exclusive soundproofing chamber eliminates outside noise so DJs can easily monitor the beat –even in the loudest of venues.

Ruggedly built, with lightweight but durable magnesium alloy parts, the HDJ-1500s are perfectly designed to endure the rigors of frequent professional use. And the urethane memory foam ear pads hug the ear for maximum comfort even during the longest sets.

Available in two stunning colors – classy chrome black and sleek deep silver– the HDJ-1500s look good in every venue, while the included carrying pouch means they’re perfectly portable.

Key features of the HDJ-1500

1. Superb sound quality
With high-quality components, the HDJ-1500s deliver perfectly balanced sound across all frequencies. The headphones feature copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, large 50 mm driver units, rare earth magnets and 38μm-thick diaphragms, guaranteeing accurate reproduction of deep base notes and clear delivery of other low to medium frequencies, such as kicks and snares. Output levels are 1 dB greater than Pioneer’s HDJ-1000 headphones, and a lower impedance offers even greater sensitivity, so DJs get pristine sound reproduction every time, regardless of what device the HDJ-1500s are hooked up to.

2. WORLD EXCLUSIVE: groundbreaking soundproofing component
Monitoring tracks on a heaving dance floor is a breeze with the HDJ-1500s, no matter how rowdy the party gets. Sound insulation around low and medium frequencies (300 Hz to 1,300 Hz) has improved by an impressive 4 dB compared to the HDJ-1000s thanks to the innovative sound-isolation chamber on the bass reflex port, which eliminates background noise.

3. Durable design for professional use
The HDJ-1500s’ moving headband and hinges are composed of rugged yet lightweight magnesium alloy to withstand the rigors of professional use. Plus, the single-sided cable can be easily replaced if it gets damaged, further prolonging the life of the headphones.

4. Supreme comfort with interchangeable urethane foam ear pads
The narrow ear cup design creates a tight seal on your ear to block out external sound, while the low-resilience urethane memory foam ear pads make sure the HDJ-1500s are easy on the ears even during prolonged use. The included ear pads can be replaced with the HDJ-EP01s –open-cup protein leather ear pads which sit around the ears and are sold separately –so DJs can choose the best option to suit their comfort and listening style.

5. Available in two colors: chrome black and deep silver
DJs can coordinate their headphones with the club, the studio, their kit, their set, their clothes or even their mood as the HDJ-1500s come in two striking colors¬–classy chrome black and sleek deep silver.

6. Included accessories
The compact carrying pouch means the headphones can be safely transported to the club or the studio in style. The HDJ-1500s also fit perfectly in the slim and lightweight HDJ-HC01 carrying case. Accessories such as USB memory sticks and SD cards can be stored in specially designated pockets within the carrying cases for added convenience.

Main specifications – HDJ-1500

Description Enclosed dynamic stereo headphones
Impedance 32 Ω
Sensitivity 108 dB
Frequency range 5 Hz to 30,000 Hz
Maximum input 3,500 mW（JEITA）
Drive units φ50 mm domes
Cable length 1.2 m single-sided coiled cable (approximately 3.0 m when extended ¬¬– removable type)
Plug φ3.5 mm stereo mini-jack (gold-plated, two-way, screw type)
Ear pads　 Polyurethane (leather type)
Weight 285 g (excluding cable)
Included accessories φ6.3 mm standard stereo adapter (gold-plated, screw type) and carrying pouch

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Fasthosts, GameShadow and epic.LAN join forces for online gaming tournament

Fasthosts, GameShadow and epic.LAN have joined forces to launch GameShadow Battles, a fantastic opportunity for gamers to win a combined prize fund of £10,000.

Launching on 14 May, GameShadow Battles invites gamers to take part in a series of challenges within two featured games: 'Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Challenge' and 'Counter Strike: Source Challenge'.

Up to 128 teams will be able to take part in the tournament, with each team consisting of five players.

The prize fund, which is being provided by Fasthosts, will be divided equally between the two challenges, with each £5,000 prize to be shared between the top three finishing teams. The winning teams will collect £2,750, the runners up £1,500, and bronze medalists £750.

Additional prizes will also be on offer for teams who top the weekly scoreboards. The tournament brings together the best of the best with GameShadows' significant following, Fasthosts world class hosting services and epic.LAN providing the gaming software and administering the tournament.

Mark Townsend, CEO of GameShadow commented: "We believe that this will be a thrilling battle with some of the best gamers around the UK teaming up to win not only a cash prize but also recognition in the gaming community. We are excited to be working with epic.LAN and Fasthosts, and are grateful to them for providing the support we need for such a substantial tournament. We can't wait for the action to start."

Steve Holford, Marketing Director of Fasthosts, stated: "We are delighted to support this inaugural GameShadow Battles tournament. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase to the gaming community the quality, performance and value of our range of hosted services and servers. Over a million customers rely on us every day to provide their websites, email and other online services, and as such this is a natural development and one we are delighted to partner with GameShadow and epic.LAN on."

Jon Winkle, Managing Director at epic.LAN, commented: "We're really excited to be involved in an online tournament on this scale. We hope that the gaming community will turn out in their droves. With the prizes on offer, it should be an unmissable opportunity for any gamer."

Garsington Opera general director is retiring. Search for new artistic director is on!

The Directors of Garsington Opera (www.garsingtonopera.org) have announce that Anthony Whitworth-Jones will be retiring as General Director on 31 October 2012. He was appointed in 2005 after the sudden death of the founder of Garsington Opera, Leonard Ingrams, and leaves the company in a very strong position after having taken up its new home on the Wormsley Estate. The company is now seeking a world-class Artistic Director to join the team to lead Garsington Opera in the future.

Garsington Opera also announces that Chairman Iain Mackinnon will retire in September. The Board have nominated Bernard Taylor as Chairman-Designate, and Miranda Curtis as Deputy Chairman.

Anthony Whitworth-Jones said: “Garsington Opera has a bright and expanding future. I was honoured to be asked by the Board of Directors to take over the running of the company and now, after seven years in the job, it is the right time to hand over to a new regime. When I started in 2005, the future of the Opera, in spite of a very successful festival that year, was uncertain.

"After five seasons at Garsington Manor generously allowed by the Ingrams family following Leonard Ingrams’ death, we have found the most wonderful new home at Wormsley Estate. With the enthusiastic support of an expanding audience, the firm encouragement of Mark Getty and his Estate team, the welcome of Wycombe District Council and the local community, and, not least, the continuing efforts of the talented Opera staff, the future prospects are thrilling.”

Iain Mackinnon, Chairman of the Board of Directors said: “Garsington Opera was lucky to secure Anthony Whitworth-Jones with the foresight and energy to run the opera and take forward the festival created by Leonard Ingrams. Anthony’s conception of what the Garsington Opera festival could become came to fruition with the move to its new home at Wormsley and the creation of the magnificent new auditorium there. We all owe Anthony a great deal for his energy and effort in developing the opera festival as he has done over the past seven years.”

Garsington Opera’s 2012 season runs from 2 June – 3 July in its spectacular new home on the Wormsley estate in the Chiltern Hills. It presents Vivaldi’s rarely performed L’Olimpiade, Offenbach’s charming operetta La Périchole and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. General public booking opens 16 April.

BOX OFFICE Telephone 01865 361636 The Old Garage, The Green, Great Milton, Oxford OX44 7NP www.garsingtonopera.org

The Royal Mint marks 100th anniversary of the Titanic with commemorative £5 coin

The Royal Mint has released the Titanic £5 coin in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the historic ships' maiden voyage in 1912. Designed by Royal Mint engraver, Lee Robert Jones, the coin commemorates a maritime legend.

The Titanic coins depict the instantly recognisable profile of RMS Titanic with the goddess Thane looking down on the ship as it sails through the Atlantic Ocean. Erected on 26th June 1920 as a memorial to all those who died, the marble figure of the goddess stands in Belfast, home of the Harland and Wolff shipyard, the biggest in the world at the time, where Titanic was constructed.

Commenting on his design, Jones said: "My design is concerned with the spectacle of the ship and her story. Thane, the goddess of death, is to reflect the significance of the event; she symbolises respect and sorrow for the loss that ultimately occurred. Her stark silhouette contrasts with the detailed image of Titanic, cutting through the waves with purpose and pride."

The first voyage of RMS Titanic, the largest passenger steamship in the world at the time, began on 10 April 1912, when she set sail from Southampton to New York, with 2,223 people on board. Owned by the White Star Line, the luxurious passenger liner was one of three sister 'Olympic class' ships built to cater for the most elite passengers, her lavish fittings reflecting the opulence and elegance of the Edwardian age.

Late on the morning of 14 April 1912, RMS Titanic struck an iceberg leading to the ship sinking less than three hours later, a disaster that resulted in the loss of more than 1,500 lives.

Commenting on the new coin, Dr Kevin Clancy, Director of The Royal Mint Museum, said: "The story of Titanic has long captured imaginations. The passing of 100 years has not lessened the interest in the tragic outcome of her maiden voyage, the personal stories of those on board or the achievement of the iconic ship as a feat of British engineering. The Royal Mint’s coin will mark this occasion and, we hope, will be passed on to future generations to honour the lives that were lost, underlining the significance of RMS Titanic in British history."

The Titanic Alderney* £5 coin has an uncompromising finish; struck to a higher quality than every day coinage. For more stand-out brilliance you can view silver coins available from the Royal Mint. For further information, please visit www.royalmint.com.

FACTFILE:
*The commemorative £5 coin is issued under the authority of the Channel Island of Alderney. The coin is legal tender in both the Channel Island and the UK, but it will not be issued into circulation. Alderney has issued commemorative coins since 1989.

The Royal Mint has a history dating back over 1,000 years. By the late thirteenth century the organisation was based in the Tower of London, and remained there for over 500 years. By 1812 The Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in Llantrisant, South Wales. There were estimated to be 28.6 billion UK coins in circulation at 31 March 2011, with a total face value of £3.8 billion - all manufactured by The Royal Mint. 1.1 billion UK coins were issued during 2010-11.

The Royal Mint's Llantrisant site was recently chosen to host the Prime Minister David Cameron's first government cabinet meeting in Wales.

Vision247™ solves time delay issues for live programming over the internet

• Ensures over the top (OTT) internet streaming is viable for time-sensitive channels like news, auctions, gambling and other live programming

• Reduces delay to just 5 seconds in most popular protocol for global live streaming

• Company sets new industry low HLS latency record

Miptv Cannes, Stand G3.20 – Broadcast specialist Vision247, has cracked the issues of time delay in live video transmissions with the launch of a new low latency service which reduces the delay in HLS (HTTP live streaming), the de facto delivery protocol for streaming broadcast content to any device over the internet.

The issue of latency in broadcast, most recognisable as the time delay when a live news reporter is speaking from the other side of the world, is a particular challenge for the latest generation of content distribution networks. As live news, live auction and gambling channel operators move to online video platforms for content distribution, the demand is there to compare and match the sync achieved with satellite or terrestrial transmission with the over the top internet stream onto any device. This is a particular challenge, especially onto mobile devices which can potentially access a stream from anywhere on the planet

Despite HLS (HTTP live streaming) gaining market share to become the delivery protocol for OTT streaming, the latency it exhibits - on average as much as five times that of Flash streaming – can prove a considerable disadvantage when seeking to broadcast live. With a proven track record in delivering low latency streaming service which are comparable to a satellite broadcast with Flash and Silverlight, Vision247 has turned its attention to delivering new encoder and server technology to reduce HLS streaming latency to a minimum.

Matt Vidmar, Vision247 chairman and group CTO explained: “Measuring from video input to client device screen, we set ourselves the task of achieve around a five to a maximum of seven seconds delay. That is a real challenge, especially when it comes to fine tuning HLS streaming to mobile devices.”

With the commercial launch this week of Vision247’s new encoder and server, the company’s new low latency service has achieved this remarkable benchmark observing a delay of only 5 seconds, fluctuating typically by maximum 350milliseconds for even the most remote regions globally.

For a demonstration of this low latency HLS solution, visit Vision247 at MIPTV, 1st – 4th April 2012, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France, stand G3.20

FACTFILE:
 First to market in the provision of functional internet delivered broadcast, Vision247 provides a complete solution to clients wanting to create compelling TV and video services for connected audiences worldwide. The Vision IPTV platform can be customised for clients and supports all current commercial models from subscription, pay-as-you-go to PPV and advertiser funded. www.vision247.tv

BBC Three Commissions STV Productions To Produce Pilot Panel Show, 'Fake Reaction'

STV Productions has won its first ever commission from BBC Three, which will see the company produce a new panel show pilot for the channel.



'Fake Reaction' will be hosted by Matt Edmondson (Radio 1/ T4 /PocketTV).


It sees six celebrities battle it out over a series of rounds where the aim is to hide their natural reaction as they face an array of unusual situations that test all of their senses. If they can conceal their real reaction and fool the rest of the panel, they win.

The commission follows a successful run-through for the channel which featured comedian Chris Ramsey, musician Skepta and 'Harry Potter' actress Jessie Cave.

'Fake Reaction' was ordered by Zai Bennett Controller, BBC Three and Alan Tyler, Executive Editor, Entertainment Commissioning. It will be filmed at Pacific Quay in Glasgow in April.

Gary Chippington, Head of Entertainment for STV Productions, said: "We're thrilled to be working with the team at BBC Three on this enormously exciting project."

Alan Tyler, Executive Editor, Entertainment Commissioning at BBC said: "Matt is a terrific talent whose rapier sharp wit really brought a funny and inventive format to life. We're delighted to be working with STV on the pilot".

Executive Producer for STV Productions is Gary Chippington. Series Producer is Paul McGettigan (The Sarah Millican Television Programme, Frank Skinner's Opinionated, The Bubble, Room 101).

STV Productions developed the 'Fake Reaction' format with LA-based production company Kinetic Content, with whom they have an established partnership. Fake Reaction is based partly on a Fuji TV game show format.