Sky TV, the programming arm of UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB, has appointed ex-Microsoft Network executive Steve Billinger as its first director of interactive programming. Reporting to Elizabeth Murdoch, Sky’s general manager and director of programs, Mr Billinger will help create interactive channels for broadband services. He will also advise on the co-ordination of existing services Sky Online, Sky Text and Sky Interactive. Mr Billinger made his mark in the interactive and new media programming world by launching the UK version of the Microsoft Network in 1995. He then moved to Sky where he re-launched computer and IT channel and was tasked with creating a link between broadcast and on-line services. However, while many TV channels have set out to link their programs with web pages, there is no direct interaction between the two media. With the development of services such as Web TV interaction between the two types of content will become possible.
