Is Bid TV set to return?

[steveh31]

Hi someone in the Studios & Warehouse has found out that a company called Lean Forward Ltd, full of ex Sit-up people is operating from the old Bid complex thought it deserved it's own thread.

The management team include original sit-up founders AND a certain Mr Andy Hodgson.

This could be nothing as the company has been active since August 2006 but see what you think.


http://www.leanforwardtv.co.uk

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk//compdetails

 

[Flying Pigs]

On the info about Andy it mentions his gardening venture so it has been updated recently.

 

[PJ.]

Sit Up to Lean Forward, shows complete lack of originality, so yeah bound to be Sit Up bosses ....

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Sit Up to Lean Forward, shows complete lack of originality, so yeah bound to be Sit Up bosses ....

I think this is, or was, an offshoot to the short lived Sit-Up Entertainment Ltd, i.e. this isn't a new company, but granted the website has been updated recently. The idea was, according to reports back in the day, Sit-Up were looking at launching a user generated content television platform and also had a go at launching a movie channel on freeview. You will probably find info about this on forums like DS, I am sure I remember quite a bit of talk back in the day about Sit-Up trying to expand beyond shopping television. Looking at the profiles on the website, this is the original Sit-Up team consisting of the ex OnDigital/ITV Digital/Carlton and Granada Television big wigs. I suppose it is only a matter of time before Stuart Prebble joins too.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Has anyone contacted KPMG for an update regarding Sit-Up? I am wondering whether LeanForward already owned the equipment, warehouse and studio space, or if they have recently acquired this from the administrator.

 

[PJ.]

I think this is, or was, an offshoot to the short lived Sit-Up Entertainment Ltd, i.e. this isn't a new company, but granted the website has been updated recently. The idea was, according to reports back in the day, Sit-Up were looking at launching a user generated content television platform and also had a go at launching a movie channel on freeview. You will probably find info about this on forums like DS, I am sure I remember quite a bit of talk back in the day about Sit-Up trying to expand beyond shopping television. Looking at the profiles on the website, this is the original Sit-Up team consisting of the ex OnDigital/ITV Digital/Carlton and Granada Television big wigs. I suppose it is only a matter of time before Stuart Prebble joins too. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Has anyone contacted KPMG for an update regarding Sit-Up? I am wondering whether LeanForward already owned the equipment, warehouse and studio space, or if they have recently acquired this from the administrator.

Interesting stuff thanks

PJ

 

[Deleted member 16796]

I know many people on here commented about how Bid TV often resembled a quiz or bingo channel, and I tend to agree, so it is interesting to see that a year or so before Bid-Up was launched, the founders had a very different idea about which direction to take in the world of entertainment television. Have a look at this, and take note, it is the same people who are behind LeanForward:

SIT UP ENTERTAINMENT SEEKS FINANCIAL BACKING
Wednesday 8 September 1999 | 00:00 CET | News
Sit Up Entertainment's, interactive broadcasting firm, executives are discussing financial backing with Telewest and NTL, cable firms. Ashley Faull and John Egan, both former ONdigital executives, have also had talks with Apax Partners, venture capitalists and Flextech, pay TV programming firm. ONdigital, broadcaster, has proposed that the firm is established under its umbrella, but this likely to be rejected. Sit Up Entertainment's GBP50 mil initial business strategy includes the setting up of an interactive on-line casino in a TV studio with access via the Internet and digital TV networks. If the firm wishes to move into TV rights, up to GBP250 mil would be necessary.

Interesting then that this also mentions Flextech, remember the old ftn channel on freeview? Remember who acquired ftn? Yes... Virgin Media! The very same Virgin Media who acquired Sit-Up Ltd, but later sold it to a private equity firm. Look deeper into the history of OnDigital, ITV Digital, Flextech, Sky, Virgin, Sit-Up and Liberty Bell etc and you will probably spot a definite trend, but be warned, in doing so you could spend many hours glued to the likes of Wikipedia, but believe me, it is all rather fascinating.

 

[Adam82]

Now there's a biduptv twitter page https://twitter.com/biduptvchannel

 

[Flying Pigs]

Very interesting - online and 2015.

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Nice try Adam (Adam McDonald), but you know full well that is your own twitter account and website. This, however, is a genuine thread. Please, and I ask nicely, don't hijack this thread with self promotion and fantasy about a (or should I say your) copycat version of Bid TV. Start another thread for stuff like that. Prove to us that your post was on topic and relevant to LeanForward and I will apologise, otherwise please stop wasting our time.

Good luck with it all though.

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Is Bid TV set to return? That was the question, and I now know the answer.

It's official; our friends over at Lean Forward Ltd are definitely planning something and they have been granted a license (Television Licensable Content Service) and are currently in the process of recruiting producers, creative team, contact centre agents and more.

The license lists the service name as Ring Up.

I will post more when I know more, but I thought you would all be interested in this latest development.

Source:
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-broadcast-licences/updates/122014
http://www.leanforwardtv.co.uk/jobs

www.ring-up.tv - coming soon

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Lean Forward Ltd - Encouraging viewers to lean forward and participate in video entertainment, via tablet, mobile or TV.

Led by an award winning management team that has started, developed and sold businesses in numerous sectors.

We are a thrilling new start up transaction TV Business. We have a great opportunity for self-motivated and customer orientated individuals to work in our Contact Centre in Acton, West London. As a Contact Centre Agent you will be responsible for providing an efficient and effective service to new and existing customers, ensuring all calls are dealt with promptly and in accordance with Company guidelines, regulatory and Data protection requirements.

These are key roles in a new and exciting environment. The roles will initially involve testing of systems and processes, which means as the first Contact Centre Agents in the Contact Centre you will be pivotal to our success and will have the opportunity to support new Agents as the Company progresses.

Key Duties will include: -
Answering inbound telephone calls, emails and chats
Making outbound calls to customers
Registering new accounts
Dealing with and resolving queries
Achieve productivity, performance & quality targets
Desired Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate: -
Will have proven recent experience of working in a customer service based role
Is self-motivated and enjoys working to targets
Is a confident communicator with excellent spoken and written English and is able to think on their feet
Has a friendly and engaging personality with the ability to build customer relationships
Must be flexible, as the role includes evening and weekend working

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Another Lean Forward Job Ad:

We are looking for someone who loves a challenge and wants a thrilling hands-on role working in a busy production team in our West London TV studio.

You will be responsible for producing one of our two exciting, interactive TV formats:

1. A live daily phone-in covering a range of light news topics.

2. A live transactional TV format which invites viewers to play fun games. Interaction and engagement are the key to this channel brand.

We are on-air 365 days a year and shift work will be required. You will be expected to work evenings and weekends.

We have both freelance and staff positions available.

Please indicate which position you are interested in:

1. Live phone-in producer

2. Transactional TV producer

Please send a CV to apply, together with salary expectations.

Key Duties will include: -

1. Live phone-in producer: generating ideas for topics of discussion; operating a one-person gallery; supporting and motivating a presenter; fielding callers and bringing the best ones to air; moderating social media feedback from viewers; ensuring that our live output is compliant.

2. Transactional TV producer: generating ideas for engaging games; making commercial and editorial decisions during live output to meet targets; ensuring that our live output is compliant; motivating and leading a presenter and crew; controlling TV graphics and music beds.

Desired Skills and Experience

Extensive experience of either:

1. Producing ‘all-speech’ phone-in radio or TV, and the ability to generate ideas for topics of discussion on a daily basis, OR

2. Producing live transactional TV, and achieving excellent levels of viewer response.

You will:
Have a very strong understanding of live TV
Possess excellent commercial analytical skills
Have effective communication skills
Be a team player with a positive can-do attitude
Love variety and cope well with change
Have an excellent knowledge of relevant regulations
Be a problem-solver

 

[Deleted member 16796]

Having read over the finer details, or at least the initial proposal as set out by Lean Forward:

a) This reads the same as the original proposed format by Sit-Up Entertainment Ltd pre Bid-Up.tv days (see point d)
b) It sounds like a return of a Quiz Call style programme but under new management
c) If I am correct, then surely they should be seeking the help of Mr Saturday Morning
gameshow BAFTA Award Winning host/creator himself Mr Peter Simon? He would be in
his element!

And, last but by no means least, d) May I remind readers of the ShoppingTelly.com forum about
this article here: http://www.telecompaper.com/news/sit-up-entertainment-seeks-financial-backing--184554

Here is the article quoted in full:

Wednesday 8 September 1999

SIT UP ENTERTAINMENT SEEKS FINANCIAL BACKING

Sit Up Entertainment's, interactive broadcasting firm, executives are discussing financial backing with Telewest and NTL, cable firms. Ashley Faull and John Egan, both former ONdigital executives, have also had talks with Apax Partners, venture capitalists and Flextech, pay TV programming firm. ONdigital, broadcaster, has proposed that the firm is established under its umbrella, but this likely to be rejected. Sit Up Entertainment's GBP50 mil initial business strategy includes the setting up of an interactive on-line casino in a TV studio with access via the Internet and digital TV networks. If the firm wishes to move into TV rights, up to GBP250 mil would be necessary.

Also worth noting, the article mentions Flextech, and for those with good memories, you will recall a channel on freeview called ftn (Flextech Television Network). Anyone remember what was on ftn in the evenings? Check this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiz_Call

There are immediate links with the former Virgin group (and remember, they acquired Sit-Up and ran Bid/Price drop for quite a while before selling them to a private equity firm) and ftn later became Virgin 1. See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ftn - Virgin Media Television was later sold to Sky (2010) and the former ftn/Virgin 1 freeview slot is now occupied by Pick (previously known as Sky Three).

I could go into a vast amount of detail about the past links this lot at Lean Forward have with former media outlets, broadcasters and production companies, but it would soon get rather boring to read. They do have the experience, and if they have the passion and determination to make this something new and different, it should succeed.

Is history repeating itself? Will the newly revived Lean Forward plan ever launch, or is Bid TV about to make a comeback with a new name?

It is definitely one to keep an eye on. Whatever happens, good luck to the team. I look forward (lean forward in anticipation) to watching this develop and progress. As you can tell this is all brining back many memories for me.