| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 07/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Travel Deals Direct adopts new stance
TRAVEL Deals Direct has introduced studio-based presenters to its channel, despite initial claims it would avoid a ‘babes on the couch’ and ‘guy with a Colgate smile’ image.When the channel was originally launched, in January, commercial director Gary Wardrope said it would use two formats – destination videos and interviews with customers – to differentiate the channel from rival TVTravel Shop.
However, it has now started to show presenters broadcasting from a studio for five to 10 minutes on the hour and half-hour.
Wardrope said the studio segments had been introduced to meet the need of tour operators which wanted to promote late deals and update them regularly.
Travel Deals Direct has signed up new partners including JMC, Cosmos, British Airways, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, Hayes and Jarvis, Somak Holidays and Tradewinds.
Wardrope confirmed that the channel plans to increase broadcast time from five hours a day to 18 hours a day from October. Other changes in the pipeline include allowing viewers to call up destination videos on demand and book using their remote controls.