Vince Cable has issued an intervention notice under the Enterprise Act ordering Ofcom to investigate the proposed transaction, which would see News Corporation take control of the 61% of the satellite broadcaster it does not already own, on public interest grounds. James Robinson and Mark Sweney, The Guardian.

I don’t know much about the members of Ofcom but I suspect we’re about to become intimately acquainted with their private lives – unless of course they find they’ve no concerns over News Corps take over then expect to find members of Ofcom finding lucrative employment at Sky.

To be honest I’ve not entered the HD world yet still I still have an ancient CRT TV which although every now and again makes a noise as if it’s about to give up the ghost just carries on fine – but eventually I guess I’ll be buying a new TV.

The current hype is around 3D but personally I really can’t watch a TV that requires glasses – I’m already a wearer of spectacles. So I was quite interested in the news that Toshiba has a 3D TV that doesn’t require special glasses – sadly there’s another downside.

However, the technology requires a person to be sat in an optimal position to see clear 3D images.

The electronics giant suggests a person sits 90cm (35in) from its 20in set and 65cm (25in) from the 12in screen. The picture is also best viewed with a 40-degree “sweet spot” in front of the set. BBC.

So not much use for a family TV – somehow 3D TV seems more hype than practicality.

Michael K. Williams as Chalky White

Michael K. Williams played Omar Little my favourite character not just of The Wire but TV generally. So news that Williams is playing the role of Chalky White, the leader of the city’s African-American community in the new lavish HBO drama Boardwalk Empire piques my interest.

Boardwalk’s based on a well-received book by Nelson Johnson, scripted by the former Sopranos writer Terence Winter (the man behind the much-loved “Pine Barrens” episode), with a pilot directed by Martin Scorsese (his first foray into television for 25 years) and starring Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire, which starts on HBO this Sunday before coming to Sky in 2011, is a lovingly detailed re-creation of a time when sin was sexy and greed more than just good. Sarah Hughes, The Independent.

So how’s it going to play out? Metacritic gives the series a score of 88 which is pretty positive – it’s a shame we’re going to have to wait until next year before we’ll be able to find out for ourselves although Dan Owen speculates:

My guess is they’re going to try and boost subscriptions to Sky Movies by premiering Boardwalk Empire on Sky Premiere, rather than Sky1, as they did The Pacific earlier this year. Dan Owen, Dan’s Media Digest.

So keep your eyes peeled.

If you’re Virgin Media set top box has a life of its own then the answer might well be your energy saving lightbulbs. That’s the conclusion of Graham Snowdon in The Guardian.

A Philips Electronics spokeswoman confirmed the problem was known to the company, but expressed surprise users of its bulbs still experienced it. “Some very early compact fluorescent lamps, shortly after starting, could cause interference with TV controls due to the frequency of operation of the bulb and when placed near a TV,” the spokeswoman said. “The frequency was quickly changed many years ago and we have had no recent reported incidents.” Graham Snowdon, The Guardian.

So Jonathan Ross can’t wait to leave the BBC – not the only one who can’t wait for Ross to leave – good riddance – I won’t miss his sycophantic chat there was a time when the BBC made stars not paid them exorbitant salaries – my 8-year-old-daughter could make more insightful interviews.

TVCatchup is a web-site that allows you to watch around 40 free to air channels live on your computer – and your iPhone – makes a handy alternative to purchasing a Freeview box – the only downside is you can’t record – but we are talking free – but don’t despair David Gilson of CNET asked Is it true that TVCatchup’s PVR service is returning? The answer

“Yes, this is the most requested item we have on our Web site — we get hundreds and hundreds of emails saying ‘when can I record again?’ because this takes us back to the roots of the Web site in 2006, when it was possible to record. We’ve worked very hard, both on the technology and on the [legal] clearance side of things. We now have a solution that works both ways. It will allow users to have a record button within the Web player itself, with the recordings being made to the computer or device they’re using at that time.”

“You will be able to pause, fast-forward, rewind — as long as you’ve got a bit of a buffer in there — and also record. If you have sufficient bandwidth, you’ll be able to record and switch to another channel. Then with regards to scheduling stuff in advance, you’ll be able to do it on the EPG that’s on the Web site. Also, if you’re out and about and your computer is on, you’ll be able to schedule a recording via our iPhone application as well.” Adam Smith, TVCatchup.

So hook your laptop up to your TV for a Freeview experience.

I’ve been aware of Seesaw – which some consider to be the future of TV – for some time, but up until now it’s been invitation only. Now we can see for ourselves and it’s a bit of a let down really – it’s the BBC iPlayer with Cannels Four and Five – it’s useful to have all three in one place – but where’s ITV?

Once they’ve got us watching then they’ll want to make some money

Seesaw’s platform controller, John Keeling, told BBC News that the site would roll out a premium service in the next few months, which would involve customers making micropayments to view or “rent” major shows. BBC.

So if you want an iPlayer-a-like with non-BBC content then maybe Seesaw’s for you.

Peter Capaldi as Malcolm Tucker

The Thick of It was a brilliant political satire on the machinations of ministers sadly the series became unwatchable when Chris Langham was accused and then convicted of child pornography offences – it seemed rightly that the series ended.

Now however the series is back without Chris Langham, the question is will it be watchable or will Langham’s shadow be too long – I hope not – so I’ll be watching BBC2 on Saturday at 10:10pm to find out (or maybe I’ll sky plus it). If it fails it will be a shame not least because of the foul mouthed is Malcolm Tucker, Director of Communications for Number 10 played by Peter Capaldi, here’s some classic Tucker quotes.

Responding to knock at his door: “Come the fuck in or fuck the fuck off.”

Tucker’s Law (out-take from the Spinners & Losers special): “If some cunt can fuck something up, that cunt will pick the worst possible time to fucking fuck it up cause that cunt’s a cunt.”

Moaning about minister on the phone: “He’s about as much use as a marzipan dildo.”

To a pair of rival advisors: “Laurel and fucking Hardy! Glad you could join us. Did you manage to get that piano up the stairs OK?”

Dressing down MP, Geoff Holhurst: “You’re so back-bench, you’ve actually fucking fallen off. You’re out by the fucking bins where I put you.”

Commenting on Ben Swain’s disastrous Newsnight appearance: “All these hands all over the place! You were like a sweaty octopus trying to unhook a bra.”

Bollocking a communications department employee: “How much fucking shit is there on the menu and what fucking flavour is it?”

Advising minister Hugh Abbot to keep up with the zeitgeist: “You’ve got 24 hours to sort out your policy on East Enders, right? Or you’re for the halal butchers.”

Note passed to assistant Jamie during meeting with blue-sky thinker Julius Nicholson: “Please could you take this note, ram it up his hairy inbox and pin it to his fucking prostate.”

Admonishing junior adviser Ollie Reeder to respect government property: “Feet off the furniture you Oxbridge twat, you’re not on a punt now.”

Johnny Dee, The Guardian.

Oh it’s got to be good – how can it fail its directed by Armando Iannucci.

Kymera TV Remote Control

Wave The Wand Company’s Kymera Magic Wand at the TV and change channel like your Harry Potter – no seriously you can purchase such a thing for just £49.95 including postage and packaging.

Hat Tip: Springwise.

I like the look and feel of Boxee, it allows you to simply access multiple internet video and music sites and broadcast them on a TV or monitor. Boxee’s the future of internet TV, which replaces your satellite, cable or traditional aerial with a PC and an internet connection.

Currently Boxee is an alpha software release – so expect software bugs – in my tests it seemed pretty stable. The real problem though is the lack of content for potential UK users there’s the BBC, but not ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5 and none of the big American broadcasters. Boxee does allow content owners to sell premium content like Major League Baseball’s on-demand service but that’s it a t the moment in the future you could see Sky and Virgin supplying premium content – but it’ll be sometime before you can throw away that Sky or Virgin box.

Boxee looks like the future of TV – if it can persuade the content owners.

Hat Tip: The Guardian.