Simon Mukerjee, managing director at DWA Business, comments on Ray Snoddy’s Will the pay model really work for newspapers online…? article, which was published on Tuesday… “I think it is even more stark than suggested. I simply cannot see anyone paying for anything other than very specialised content. And even then, how much they are prepared… Continue reading Point of View – ‘Will the pay model really work for newspapers online…?’

Independent News & Media has sold its 18% stake in Cashcade for £13.2 million to digital group PartyGaming.The struggling newspaper group will receive €15.3 million for the gambling group, which owns gaming brands such as Foxy Bingo, as well as “incremental proceeds” over the next two years as long as earnings targets are met.PartyGaming’s deal… Continue reading INM offloads Cashcade asset

Arqiva is understood to be in discussions to buy the technology behind Project Kangaroo, the failed broadband TV venture between BBC Worldwide, Channel 4 and ITV.The broadcast transmission company was up against Orange as the only serious contenders to buy the technology, however, Orange pulled out of the process in May.As a result, talks with… Continue reading Arqiva set to buy Kangaroo technology

Yellow Pages directory site Yell.com has signed a deal with Videojug to provide “how to” videos and a blog network.The online business directory has added the new features in a bid to turn the Yellow Pages service into a multimedia content company, according to reports.Videojug, the creator of around 50,000 video clips, will provide online… Continue reading Yell.com adds new video network

ITV1’s new six-part Car Crime UK series, which started alongside BBC One’s new prime time crime series, The Truth About Crime, just managed to pip its rival the top spot last night.BBC One’s crime documentary had a promising start when the two new rival programmes came head-to-head, attracting 3.1 million peak viewers, but lost out… Continue reading Overnights: ITV1’s new crime show pips BBC One to the top spot

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince lived up to its magical hype, conjuring up a staggering £19.8 million in its first five days at UK and Ireland box offices.The sixth film in the Potter fantasy series hasn’t disappointed audiences, or its distributor Warner Bros, making a massive £11.9 million during its opening weekend in the… Continue reading All-new Harry Potter opens with almost £20m

BBC One’s The Street secured the highest ratings during the all-important prime time slot last with 5.3 million peak viewers.The second episode in the six-part series, which saw a single mother played by Anna Friel turn to prostitution to pay off her debts and provide for her two sons, attracted over 5 million average viewers… Continue reading Overnights: The Street banks the top spot with 5.3m viewers

Investment in Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) programming from the five main broadcasters has dropped by almost 15% over the last four years, according to new research.Ofcom’s latest PSB annual report shows that the five main PSBs spent £2.6 billion on original UK programmes in 2008, down from £3 billion in 2004.The report also found that… Continue reading Ofcom: PSB investment in decline

Yahoo! has unveiled its revamped homepage today with new features including integrated social networks such as Google and Facebook.The new opt-in site has been made available in the US today and will be released across Yahoo!’s international properties throughout the rest of the week, including the UK.Yahoo!’s chief executive Carol Bartz said the redesigned homepage,… Continue reading Yahoo! unveils its new homepage

BBC One’s Live Golf coverage dominated the ratings yesterday, peaking with a high of more than 5.3 million viewers.Around 3.3 million average viewers tuned in to watch The Open Championship, securing BBC One with a impressive 24.2% audience share between 12.50pm and 7.30pm.American Stewart Cink triumphed over his rival Tom Watson by six shots in… Continue reading Overnights: The Open hits a high of 5.3m viewers