TEAMtalk Satellite (originally IMC Ltd) commenced business in the early 1980s as a national project into ship-shore communications called 'Efficient Ship 2000'. Two ex-seafaring college lecturers, Bernie Thomas and Tim Whalley were assigned to research the British government-posed question: 'What will ships be using computers and communications for by the year 2000?'
Alongside the development of IMC's innovative early messaging system, Bernie and Tim responded to a request for passenger news from cruise companies such as P&O Cruises and Cunard. News for passengers in the form of INSTANT! News started in basic format, covering stories from home for British and American passengers cruising the seas. Today, the SatNews service offers 55 daily editions in 10 different languages to both passengers and ships' crew.
After ten years of steady growth, IMC purchased Ocean Satellite Television Inc. and opened an office in the US.
In April 2000, IMC became part of the TEAMtalk Media Group plc, following its acquisition of IMC in September 1999 for £4m.
On 7th January 2002, IMC was renamed TEAMtalk Satellite Ltd. to reflect IMC's full integration into its parent company and in June 2002, became a wholly owned subsidiary of UKBetting Plc. UKBetting specialises in the provision of original sports content, delivered to customers through multiple delivery channels. It owns sportinglife.com and teamtalk.com and through these brands has major content partnerships with companies such as BT Openworld, AOL, Orange and the FT.
