BBC One’s The Apprentice banked the highest ratings during the all-important 9pm to 10pm peak slot last night with more than 7.3 million peak viewers.Alan Sugar’s fourth task, which saw the teams make and sell two new natural bath and beauty products, attracted over 7 million average viewers and a 28.4% audience share.At the same… Continue reading The Apprentice secures the highest ratings

Amazon has blocked the online advertising system Phorm from scanning its web pages to produce targeted ads.Phorm has conducted trials of its technology with BT, which is marketed as Webwise, and now plans to roll out the service to BT users after analysing the findings.However, Amazon UK said: “We have contacted Webwise requesting that we… Continue reading Amazon blocks Phorm

The Independent is investing in a new online video player that will host short-form content across its website, such as Bebo’s online drama, The Gap Year.The new video channel, still in development stages, is being set up to replace the site’s previous channel, which was taken down several months ago.A wider range of content on… Continue reading Independent.co.uk invests in new online video player

ITV1’s UEFA Champions League Live coverage pulled in the highest ratings last night with more than 9.5 million peak viewers after 9pm.The explosive second-leg tie between Chelsea and Liverpool, which has been dubbed ‘the game of the season’, attracted more than 7.4 million average viewers and an impressive 31.2% audience share.Elsewhere, the third in the… Continue reading ITV’s football coverage triumphs with over 9.5m viewers

IPC has appointed GQ magazine’s Lewis Tucker as the new advertising director of its fashion title InStyle.Lewis, who joined GQ in 1999 as fashion advertising manager and has since been promoted to advertising director and associate publisher of GQ Style, is set to take up his new position at InStyle on May 5.Southbank’s group advertising… Continue reading GQ’s Lewis Tucker is set to join InStyle

Virgin Media claims viewers are positive about advertising when watching on-demand content from commercial providers.The cable broadcaster today announced the findings from its first “dynamic advertising trial” on its on-demand TV service, which found that triallists were happy with relevant adverts, particularly before programmes.Respondents preferred to see 30-second ads before on-demand programmes and also favoured… Continue reading Virgin: Viewers are positive about on-demand ads

A portion of the BBC’s licence fee should go to the corporation’s rivals to allow them to create more public service content, such as current affairs and regional news programming, according to a parliamentary report.The House of Lords Communication Committee said that an element of “contestable funding” should be created for broadcasters and programme makers… Continue reading Parliamentary report calls on BBC licence fee split

ITV1’s Live UEFA Champions League coverage pulled in the highest ratings throughout most of the match last night, with more than 7.6 million peak viewers.The Manchester United V FC Porto quarterfinal game, which ended in a 2-all draw, attracted 5.9 million average viewers and a 25.6% share between 7.30pm and 10pm.Elsewhere, BBC One’s new drama… Continue reading Football attracts majority of viewers

UKRD has called on The Local Radio Company’s (TLRC) shareholders to accept its £1 million cash offer for the business, amid warnings that TLRC requires additional funds to continue trading beyond April.Local radio firm UKRD, which already owns 13.5% of TLRC, made an offer to buy the rest of the company two weeks ago, however,… Continue reading UKRD calls on Local Radio Company to accept £1m cash bid

New UK search engine Oparla is offering web users the chance to pre-register to its site, ahead of its official launch next week, in order to get a month’s free ad space.The site, which has been created by internet entrepreneur Daniel Jupp, is due to launch next week after more than 12 months development.Oparla lets… Continue reading New UK search engine offers free advertising