[Media Boy UK]

Mike Darcey, BSkyB's chief operating officer, speaking yesterday at the IEA conference on the Future of Broadcasting, could not resist a dig at Virgin Media.

He said Virgin Media had spent £40m on its new Virgin One channel, more than would have been required to retain the Sky channels.
"Time will tell whether Virgin Media's customers view this is a good choice," he said.

News from the Telegraph.

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Virgin Media Television has appointed David Clarke to the newly created post of channel controller Bravo, Bravo2, Challenge and Trouble.

Reporting directly to Celia Taylor, director of programmes for Virgin 1, Bravo, Bravo 2, Challenge and Trouble, he begins this role with immediate effect. He will oversee the direction of each brand and help drive the programme strategy while supervising all commissions and acquisitions.

Clarke joined Virgin Media Television in 1998 and was appointed channel editor for Bravo in June 2003, before being promoted to managing editor Bravo and Bravo2 in September 2006. He has been integral with revitalising the Bravo brand, including working on the rebrand last year to tie in with its 21st anniversary.

During his time with Bravo, Clarke has been responsible for bringing the likes of Blade: The Series and David Mamet’s US drama The Unit to the channel. He also brokered exclusive rights deal to Football Italia in 2005, Virgin Media Television’s largest sports acquisition to date.

Celia Taylor, director of programmes, said: "Dave’s passion and enthusiasm is a real asset and it’s great to have such smart and dedicated people to work with. I’m delighted that Dave will play such an important role with the growth of Bravo, Trouble and Challenge."

Elsewhere in the programming team, Ronan Hand has been appointed acquisitions manager for Bravo and Bravo2. Formerly acquisitions executive, Hand has been integral with negotiations around cult series Dog The Bounty Hunter, now in its fourth season on Bravo, Monster Trucks and TNA Wrestling.

Info from Broadcast.