GMG Radio has hired Ofcom’s John Furlong as the controller of its local Manchester TV station Channel M ahead of a relaunch of its live TV service.

Channel Five has ordered a new AFP series about photography – with Panasonic on board.

The BBC is to cover a series of regional debates that will explore the government’s impending Spending Review across TV, radio and the web.

A new digital sales house has launched with a pledge to represent no more than five online publishers, claiming this will enable it to better meet publishers’ and advertisers’ needs.

Comics David Walliams and Matt Lucas have unveiled their latest creations – and hope they take off with viewers.

Legit News: Craymer’s tuner centers on Spice Girls songs — TV comedy scribe/performer Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous,” “French and Saunders”) will pen “Viva Forever,” the previously announced stage tuner from “Mamma Mia” creator/producer Judy Craymer.

Flash Designer required for a fast growing broadcast and corporate production company based in Bristol. The designer must have a couple of years’ experience in designing and building complex interactive Flash-based e-learning training modules. Three month contract Please send us your CV with links to your sample work.

Mark Finnegan has been appointed UK media director of Orion Trading, the corporate barter company of Interpublic Group’s Mediabrands.

Hachette Filipacchi’s Elle magazine is advertising for the first time in six years to celebrate its 25th birthday issue, which has five limited edition covers.

Legit News: ‘Spelling Bee,’ ‘Luise Miller’ among highlights — The European premiere of Tony-winning tuner “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a new adaptation of Friedrich Schiller’s 19th-century thriller “Luise Miller” and the first London revival of Pinter’s “Moonlight” are the highlights of the 2011 Donmar Warehouse season announced Friday.