The Government’s media regulator, Ofcom, has outlined the steps that have to be taken to ensure the UK’s terrestrial broadcasters are ready for a fully digital future, which could become a reality as early as 2007.The consultation document adds weight to previous reports which predicted that analogue switch-off will become a reality for commercial television… Continue reading Ofcom Announces Plans For Early Digital Switch-Over

Consumer magazine publisher, Future Network, has today warned profits have been held back as a result of a weak Dollar, despite pre-tax profits growing by 7% during the first six months of this year.From January to June 2004, pre-tax profit rose to £7.2 million, up from £6.7 million year-on-year, while operating profit rose 9% to… Continue reading Future Network Profits Rise Despite Weakened Dollar

Broadband internet has established itself as a firm favourite in the UK, as 41% of web surfers now opt for a high-speed connection when going online.According to new research from global market research group, NOP World, the growing popularity of the internet in the UK, which now reaches 58% of the population (26.8 million), has… Continue reading UK Broadband Usage To Double In Six Months

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has today announced that pre-tax profits have jumped up 59% to £132 million in the first half of this year, driven by an improvement in advertising revenue which grew by 4% for the group.Although significant improvements were seen across the board for ITV, the biggest achievement comes from its news division and… Continue reading Improved Advertising Revenue Drives ITV Profits Up 59%

As the advertising upturn continues, Scottish Media Group (SMG), has seen a turnaround in its fortunes as pre-tax profits grew by 20% to £5.5 million during the first half of this year.The Glasgow-based group’s television division recorded the strongest performance of all sectors, for the period from January to June, as operating profits grew by… Continue reading Television Helps Boosts Fortunes At SMG

As time draws closer to the bidding deadline for US advertising firm, Grey Global Group, WPP are thought to be putting together an offer of cash and shares worth around $1.3 billion.According to a report in The Times, the bid from the advertising giant’s chief executive, Sir Martin Sorrell, will be joined by an offer… Continue reading WPP Prepares $1.3 Billion Offer For Grey

Global market research group, Aegis, has today unveiled that revenues for the first six months of 2004 have grown by 15% to just under £339 million, spurred by a recovery in Europe and stronger than expected new business wins.Pre-tax profits from January to June grew to £294.5 million as a result of the ‘global brand… Continue reading New Business Wins Spur On Revenues At Aegis

According to a new report from Juniper Research, the UK is set to remain the country with the highest level of digital terrestrial television (DTT) penetration, topping 90% by 2009, followed closely by other EU countries such as; Finland at 85%, Italy with 83% and Spain with 77% penetration.DTT penetration is expected to reach nearly… Continue reading UK To Top European DTT Charts By 2009

Carat, the world’s largest independent media agency network, has said that ‘solid recovery’ in Europe and the US has led to an increase in its advertising spend forecasts for 2004 and 2005, despite the Olympic Games failing to provide the significant uplift expected.According to the agency, global spending on advertising in 2004 is now expected… Continue reading Carat Revises Adspend Forecasts Upwards

As a result of better than expected advertising revenue at Johnston Press, Merrill Lynch has revised upwards its advertising growth forecast for the regional newspaper publisher to 5.3% this year and 4% in 2005.In light of Johnston Press posting impressive profit growth of 16%, to £77.3 million from January to June 2004, Merrill Lynch said:… Continue reading Latest Johnston Press Forecasts From Merrill Lynch