Communications regulator Ofcom has set out proposals for new guidelines that could hamper Government plans to make media mergers easier in the newly deregulated marketplace. The cross-media watchdog, which assumed its full responsibilities last week, plans to investigate companies hoping to complete deals that could fall foul of the plurality test amendment to the Communications… Continue reading New Ofcom Guidelines Could Tie-Up Major Media Mergers

The record industry appears to be having some success in its efforts to deter internet users from downloading music files from unlicensed websites. The results of a survey carried out by comScore Media Metrix and issued this week by the Pew Internet and American Life Project indicate that 18 million people, equivalent to just 14%… Continue reading Legal Crackdown Scares Off Music Downloaders

The number of broadband lines worldwide reached 100 million in the final days of 2003, according to analysis of the market by DSL research firm Point Topic. Figures from the third quarter show that the global number of broadband lines had risen to 89.4 million by the end of September, an increase of 10 million… Continue reading Broadband Reaches 100 Million Lines

Aegis Group, the media and market research firm, has said that trading is in line with expectations and anticipates further progress will be made in 2004. Europe’s largest advertising buyer claims that turnover, revenue and operating profit improved in 2003 and there is cause for New Year cheer given the upturn in the advertising and… Continue reading Aegis On Track To Deliver Strong Growth This Year

Aegis Group, the media and market research firm has said that trading is in line with expectations and anticipates further progress will be made in 2004. Europe’s largest advertising buyer claims that turnover, revenue and operating profit improved in 2003 and there is cause for New Year cheer given the upturn in the advertising and… Continue reading Major Media Buyer Upbeat On 2004

Business optimism is currently at its highest level for over three years and economic growth is expected to surge during 2004, providing a much needed boost to the UK advertising market. The latest BDO Business Trends Report forecasts that healthy domestic demand and an improving world climate will lift the UK’s economic growth to 2.3%… Continue reading Improving UK Economy To Boost Advertising Market

The vast majority of US consumers are happy with their online buying experiences, judging from a pre-Christmas survey carried out by Shop.org and BizRate.com. The poll of 1,126 online buyers was carried out on the first two days of December and almost 90% of those questioned professed themselves satisfied with the purchasing process. Over 60%… Continue reading Consumers Sing Praises Of Online Shopping

The recovery in US magazine advertising revenues continued during November, with spend up by 7.7% year on year, according to the latest figures from the Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). Whilst revenues were up 7.7% to $1.9 billion, advertising pages volumes dipped by 2.8%. In the year to date, revenues were up 8.6% at $16.6 billion… Continue reading US Magazine Ad Revenues Rise 8% In November

Wireless gaming is set to become a mass-market phenomenon in the US, with a third of wireless subscribers expected to be gaming by 2008, according to a new report from IDC. The group forecasts that the number of wireless gamers will rise from 7.9% of all subscribers in 2003 to 34.7%, or 65.2 million users,… Continue reading Wireless Gaming To Hit Mass Market In The US

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has been granted permission to take over US satellite broadcaster DirecTV, in an approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at the end of last week. The approval of the acquisition of DirecTV by News Corp from Hughes Electronics had been widely expected (see Murdoch Awaits Go Ahead On DirecTV Deal).… Continue reading Murdoch Gets Go-Ahead On US Satellite TV Ambitions