Same for our company (.DE/.US/APAC). We'd many Skype/phone interviews only recently. Given that we are a niche business (Biometric Algorithm / Software development) so very specialized people are needed, and that i'm used to quite not ordinary colleagues (one a-bit-hippie-type-of-guy used to come to the office without shoes 3/4 of each year, it was ok with all of us) it's good that way. Also, i'm not sure that they had more than just my CV without photo before i even had my interview invitation; my previous experience counted.

Additionally, i highly assume the Council will never do TV or similar interviews.