Sky is set to sell mobile advertising around its content in a bid to offer advertisers cross-platform opportunities and push into the commercial mobile sector.The mobile ad deals across the T-Mobile and Vodafone portals will kick-start this week with ads for Fiat and Adidas.This is one of the first times a content owner has taken… Continue reading Sky takes charge of its mobile ad sales

WPP has signed a definitive agreement to swap certain assets with The Nielsen Company, which will allow the group to complete its £1.1 billion takeover of Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).The deal will see WPP give up its 50% stake in Nielsen, which will mean Nielsen will now own 100% of the international television audience measurement… Continue reading WPP and Nielsen agree to swap assets

Five is set to launch a dedicated children’s channel following the success of its kids’ strand Milkshake.The broadcaster could roll-out its first digital channel since 2006 as early as next year, according to reports.Carl Ratcliff, head of brand strategy and marketing at Five, said: “Our Milkshake brand is very strong, so we are in ongoing… Continue reading Five to launch dedicated kids’ channel

Microsoft has signed a new search deal with Sun Microsystems in a bid to increase its share of search traffic.The deal will allow Internet Explorer users to install an MSN Toolbar with Live Search as they download the latest Sun Java plug-ins, which has over 800 million users worldwide, according to Sun.Yusuf Mehdi, senior vice… Continue reading Microsoft confirms new search deal

ITV has insisted that its decision to integrate its online assets into its programming operations last week was not a cost-cutting tactic.The restructure will see all of ITV’s online assets, which include video streaming, ITV programming and project Kangaroo, fully integrate with ITV’s family of broadcast channels (see ITV integrates online and programming operations).Michael Grade,… Continue reading ITV insists online and video merger is not a cost-cutting tactic

BBC plans to make its iPlayer catch-up service available to a wider audience, by unblocking the access for international users.Speaking at a conference last week, the BBC’s director of future media and technology, Erik Huggers, said: “The internet is by definition a global medium, yet today we are artificially blocking international access to the iPlayer.“That’s… Continue reading BBC plans to extend iPlayer to global audience

The X Factor topped the weekend viewing figures once again, pulling in more than 10.7 million peak viewers to ITV1 on Saturday evening.An average of almost 10.2 million average viewers tuned in to see the remaining acts sing Mariah Carey hits, securing ITV1 with a massive 42.6% audience share, while a further 9.2 million peak… Continue reading The X Factor stays on top

Project Kangaroo has announced that Ashley Highfield is standing down from his role as chief executive.A joint statement from BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4, said: “The shareholders would like to thank Ashley for all his hard work and dedication to the venture.”Rod Henwood, currently lead regulatory adviser for the project, has been appointed interim… Continue reading Kangaroo CEO steps down

BSkyB is set to launch an online subscription service in the new few months, allowing customers to watch Sky channels via the internet.The new service, which will be accessible to non Sky TV or Sky Broadband customers, will be available on the broadcaster’s VoD service Sky Player.Sky plans to offer its sports channels on the… Continue reading Sky set to launch online subscription service

The Financial Times has rolled out a revamped version of its website today, with five new-look international homepages and a simplified design.New features on FT.com include the trademark pink tint from its print editions, a clearer main column, comment pieces, a new uncluttered look and fewer ads than before.This is the first stage of the… Continue reading Financial Times unveils new look website