1 Jul 2008 07:00
Date: 1 July 2008
On behalf of: NetPlay TV plc ("the Group" or "NetPlay TV")
Embargoed for: 0700hrs
NetPlay TV plc
BBC's Former Head of Light Entertainment Joins NetPlay TV
NetPlay TV plc (AIM: NPT), the AIM-listed interactive gaming company, is pleased to announce that Michael Leggo has joined as its Director of Television for the Group's wholly owned subsidiary NetPlay TV Broadcasting. He will also act as Director of Television for the entire Group. The BAFTA winning, former Head of Light Entertainment for BBC Television will oversee all of NetPlay TV's television programming for its own channels and for other broadcasters.
Michael's brief will be to bring mainstream editorial and production expertise to NetPlay TV's rapidly expanding television operations and to build further relationships with broadcasters.
NetPlay TV has access to over 24 million TV homes throughout the UK via its Sky Channel 847, Virgin and Freeview channels. The Company's focus is on the delivery of a converged interactive gaming experience allowing its customers to interact with its games on a variety of platforms - TV, Internet and mobile - from a common integrated wallet.
Martin Higginson, Chairman and Chief Executive of NetPlay TV plc, said:
"As our portfolio of our own TV channels and shows for larger broadcasters expands, it is vital that our television is supported by someone of Michael's track record and reputation. We are delighted that he has agreed to join the Company and look forward to working with him to build on the exciting platform we have created."
Michael Leggo commented:
"NetPlay TV's dedication to providing quality entertainment has already proved massively successful. With ever more channels and platforms to cater for, this is a particularly exciting time to be joining the Company."
Michael started directing on Not the Nine O' Clock News and revolutionised British Saturday night primetime television with Noel's House Party, which he created, produced and directed. For this he won a BAFTA (1992) and the series won Bronze Rose of Montreux (1994). Head of Light Entertainment for BBC Television (1994 to 1999), Michael was the editorial head for all of the BBC's prime time entertainment, including all National Lottery programming. Michael has been Chairman of the Light Entertainment Expert's Group of the European Broadcasting Union and a consultant to the European Commission. Numerous production credits also include overseeing the staging in Birmingham of the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest to international acclaim and creating and directing the popular opera series Leslie Garrett Tonight (BBC 2). Michael co-devised and directed The Richard Blackwood Show (C4). Michael created and was Executive Producer of the Lights, Camera, Magic! specials for Disney which have now been seen globally by over 50 million people.
Currently Director of Broadcast and Programming for Unique Communications Group, recent Entertainment output includes: David Walliams - My Life With James Bond (ITV1), It Started With Swapshop (BBC Two); That's What I Call Television (ITV 1). Michael will remain a director and shareholder of UCG and will continue to Executive Produce key projects.
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For further information:
NetPlay TV plc www.netplaytv.plc.uk
Martin Higginson, Executive Chairman via Redleaf
Michael Leggo via Redleaf
Redleaf Communications Tel: 020 7822 0200
Emma Kane/ Sanna Sumner / Mike Ward netplay@redleafpr.com
Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited
Sindre Ottesen Tel: 020 7426 9000
Notes to Editors
Publication photographs are available from Redleaf Communications or www.redleafpr.com
About NetPlay TV plc
NetPlay TV plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (NPT). It operates a number of interactive gaming services under a UK gaming license, including "Live Roulette" ™ and Big Box Bingo. www.liveroulette.com www.bigboxbingo.com. These services can also be viewed live on television on Sky Channel 847 12 noon - 4am. Virgin One 12 midnight - 3am, and Bravo TV 1am - 4am. (BigBoxBingo - Tuesday 6.30pm Sky Channel 847).