Cellcast Share Discussion Threads

[the analyst] 12/4/2008 00:08

It's gone very quiet since you suggested that people should look at smutbox, RV...

lol

[the analyst] 11/4/2008 15:26

Maybe we can get our thinking caps on and come up with some ideas for the adult channels to get enough 'content' or 'editorial' to satisfy OFCOM? The OFCOM announcement gives us investors an excuse to research 'adult' entertainment and justify it as 'work'!

Just a few thoughts:

Firstly, I'm sure there is plenty of soft user content from sumo that would be appropriate to put onto the channels, although it would need to be very highly regulated and edited, of course. Girls would probably need to come in and sign-off permission to show videos in person. However, I bet there are plenty of girls that would love to be on tele doing a strip or similar just to get publicity, especially if they are looking for a glamour career. Amature content of an adult nature could be wildly popular.

Perhaps the girls could start selling adult products like lingerie, toys, videos, signed books, photos? Maybe if they sell lingerie, they could have the changing room on the website - pervs could pay a subscription to get online (or 3g) access to the changing room! They wouldn't have to advertise phone numbers, just the web site.

I've noticed that free adult channels in Europe have stripteases as their content, with huge numbers of adverts in between each strip. I suspect this format is purely to get around European laws that are similar to the ones that OFCOM are proposing. A possibility for Cellcast on that front? Anyone got more info on that and how profitable those channels are?

[davidruk] 11/4/2008 14:30

the analyst - Not sure how I did that but it gets the message seen. Its all part of the Homer Simpson theory - The plane crash with its tail sticking out of the Everglades. People slumped on their couch in front of the TV phoned the number seen clearly on the tail plane and booked flights - record bookings!!

[the analyst] 11/4/2008 14:04

That'll be a double positive then, davidruk! :)

I totally agree on the publicity front - Cellcast need to milk it for as much as they can and make hay whilst the sun is shining. They should be releasing press releases every day and getting people to sign-up to their sites.

[davidruk] 11/4/2008 12:50

Here's a positive regarding the news from Ofcom - articles appearing in the national press talking up our assets. All publicity is good and very important we just haven't had enough people talking about this business and the only way to get more people watching is if it receives as much press and publicity as possible. Regardless of what its about this will work in our favour. The internet is the main growth area of TV and we are still firmly in that arena – more viewers more advertisers more money.

[davidruk] 11/4/2008 12:49

Here's a positive regarding the news from Ofcom - articles appearing in the national press talking up our assets. All publicity is good and very important we just haven't had enough people talking about this business and the only way to get more people watching is if it receives as much press and publicity as possible. Regardless of what its about this will work in our favour. The internet is the main growth area of TV and we are still firmly in that arena – more viewers more advertisers more money.

[thesageofsaint] 11/4/2008 08:10

RV

Regarding the SUMO.TV traffic rating falls, I have twice e-mailed the company to ask for an explanation. Spcifically, I suggested than given SUMO.TV is a key tenet of the company's growth strategy, such a precipitous fall in viewers should be seen as material and justify an RNS. However, I have had no response.

Perhaps somebody else can give it a try.

The Sage

[the analyst] 10/4/2008 23:28

Well, the news has certainly helped justify the share price slump.

For me, the £1m pa EBITDA from the UK 'core' business was essential money that was required to build the 'non-core' B2B technology without needing to raise more funds.

Now that is threatened.

I suspect, though, that there are many ways in which the CLTV channels can be improved to not only abide by OFCOM regulations, but to make the offering more compelling and profitable than they are now. It requires real innovation and abstract thinking by the team, but it can be done. My question is whether the CLTV staff and management have that sort of capability?

I'm hoping that the discussion of the business we will get in the results will go some way in helping investors understand what the plan of action will be going forward.

Surely the company knew this sort of regulation was a possibility, so surely they have had a 'Plan B' in mind for some time?

As investors, we are once again back in limbo and once again we look to the management to help clarify the situation.

[recto verso] 10/4/2008 20:08

Would this explain the recent drop in Alexa rankings :



The video "views" is extremely low ( like none) at the moment. Something is going on.

RV

[newkid] 10/4/2008 17:21

I would think that a group of young women with next to nothing on playing with themselfs, talking about which Rugby/football team they think would be best in bed would have very good viewing figures IMO. Could even do live interviews in the dressing rooms after the game.

Regards NewKid

[the analyst] 10/4/2008 13:42

"Cellcast asks for level playing field
April 10, 2008 – 12:10 BST
By Julian Clover
Participation TV operator Cellcast has called on Ofcom to "create a level playing field for broadcasters of all sizes". The statement follows yesterday's proposals by the regulator to tighten the regulation surrounding the use of premium rate telephony in TV and radio programmes.
"The technology driving convergence, together with the new tools facilitating audience participation, are blurring the lines between editorial and advertising. This is the challenge facing regulators addressing new media," said CEO Andrew Wilson. "Any regulation that protects the consumer is welcome and good for the interactive industry, its sustainability and growth."
Last month Cellcast received £1.4 million from Discovery Channel for the sale of channel 144 in the Sky EPG that had been used for Sumo TV. The company said that its positioning across mobile, broadband and TV had made it less dependent on the slot."

[the analyst] 10/4/2008 12:52

"News: Consumer rights | 10 April 2008
Ofcom tightens TV phone-in rules
Some programmes will have to change or disappear


Broadcast regulator Ofcom has announced plans for a crackdown on TV phone-ins which could force some programmes to change or disappear.

Proposed rules would tighten the regulation of television and radio programmes that rely heavily on viewers calling expensive premium-rate phone numbers to participate in the show.

These are typically quiz shows and psychic or adult chat channels.

The regulator says the proposals would ensure that participation programmes 'are not vehicles for promoting commercial, revenue-generating services'.

Premium rate
Under the rules, programmes must not give premium-rate services 'undue prominence' and should consist primarily of content rather than promotion of the phone line.

They also restrict broadcasters to charging viewers through premium-rate call charges and not by other means such as credit or debit cards.

The new rules take into account a judgement by the European Court of Justice that a quiz TV show could be classified as 'teleshopping'.

If adopted, the proposed rules will apply to both radio and television but will be particularly significant to participation TV services.

Teleshopping
These services would have to either comply with the new rules or be reclassified as teleshopping and be subject to advertising regulations.

However some programmes, such as adult chat on unencrypted channels, cannot be broadcast as teleshopping.

Ofcom says this means that unless these programmes were changed to comply with the new code, they couldn't be broadcast.

Editorial content
Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said: 'The new rules mean these channels face a much tougher regulatory regime which they must comply with.

'Ofcom will ensure that programmes only use premium-rate telephone lines where there is sufficient editorial justification. This will further distinguish between television advertising and editorial content for the benefit of viewers.'"

[cyclingnut] 10/4/2008 10:59

they report results end of the month I think so maybe it is all being saved for then?

[bw123] 10/4/2008 09:51

Must admit they could have released a bit more 'upbeat' RNS.....something about how they would not allow this to effect them and would adapt and thrive accordingly etc. etc. (may as well have saved the cost of the RNS!)

[the analyst] 10/4/2008 09:38

Re Ofcom Proposals

RNS Number:0543S
Cellcast plc
10 April 2008



Cellcast plc

Publication of Ofcom proposals relating to Participation TV

The Company has noted the publication yesterday of proposals by Ofcom to tighten
the regulation of television and radio programmes which rely on premium rate
telephone services. The Company will be reviewing the proposals to consider what
effect they might have on its programming content and the demand for its
services if implemented in their current form. The Company will make a further
announcement in light of the final amendments to the Broadcasting Code, to be
published following the consultation process which is due to be completed
towards the end of May.

Andrew Wilson, CEO of Cellcast plc, commented "The technology driving
convergence, together with the new tools facilitating audience participation,
are blurring the lines between editorial and advertising. This is the challenge
facing regulators addressing new media. Any regulation that protects the
consumer is welcome and good for the interactive industry, its sustainability
and growth. From an industry perspective, we trust that Ofcom will , when
drawing up any new regulations, ensure that these create a level playing field
for broadcasters of all sizes."

[recto verso] 09/4/2008 23:30

I think its simply a question of what ofcom calls "editorial content". Different themes, formats involving a presenter should cover it !

Easy to fix !

Ofcom cannot, I presume, tell you which format you have to imply (could be anything, even simply a girl chatting about any old drithel), but simply that the "principal" content must be editorial (i.e. more than 50 % ?).

[cyclingnut] 09/4/2008 23:19

and hey if worse comes to worse they can sell the EPG slots and pocket a small fortune....get brazil back online and focus more internationally..

[matt c] 09/4/2008 20:34

Ok, this has come on my radar due to Neil Craven who has also invested in LNG.
I'm know I'm being lazy but why has the price dropped so much? I know the market has been poor but this is priced to go bust.
I've had a brief look at the website, might buy a few, reasons not to at this price?