The Government has announced that the impending analogue switch off and the subsequent move towards digital television will form a central part of the wide-ranging review of the BBC’s ten year charter. Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, said the public debate on the future of the BBC would examine the “vital” role played by the Corporation… Continue reading BBC Charter Review Will Focus On Digital Television

Despite wide-ranging efforts to publicise interactive services, the majority of Americans are blissfully unaware of the full potential of iTV, according to a new survey from Ipsos-Insight. The report claims that 50% of US adults have heard of iTV, which allows users to access information, buy products or play games on their TV sets, but… Continue reading Consumers Largely Ignorant About iTV Services, Says Report

US householders planning to install a home network in the next year are more likely to use different media functions than those currently networked, according to a survey by the NPD Group. Some 28% of respondents claimed to have home network systems and of those people, 33% said they would like to share personal media… Continue reading Home Network Services In Demand, Says Report

Almost half of US online households with an annual income in excess of $75,000 have high-speed internet access, according to a survey conducted by Knowledge Networks/SRI. The poll, conducted in August and September 2003, is the latest study to show a link between wealth and broadband connectivity. It is reckoned that 49% of affluent internet… Continue reading Wealthy Webheads Embrace Broadband Services

There will be 4% growth in UK television advertising in 2004, with ITV set to take 50.2% of the commercial market, according to forecasts from Merrill Lynch. Judging from recent comments by Mick Desmond, Chief Executive Designate of the network, the year is shaping up to be an eventful one for TV executives. ITV saw… Continue reading ITV Advertising Outlook From Merrill Lynch

Speech-based radio station Oneword has announced a raft of redundancies and a wide-ranging restructure of its operations following the withdrawal of one of its major shareholders. The fledgling digital radio station is currently reviewing its commercial operations in an attempt to reduce costs after Hong Kong-based USI Holdings announced its intention to sell its 50%… Continue reading Oneword Restructures As Major Shareholder Pulls Out

Evidence of growth in the European digital TV market is reflected in interim results from Pace Micro Technology which show the company to be operating profitably again. A slump in sales of set-top boxes resulted in pre-tax losses of £16 million in the last financial year (to May 31 2003) (see Pace Sales Dip 40%… Continue reading Pace Rides The Digital Wave

The Wireless Group (TWG) has reached a deal that will see it consolidate its influence over digital broadcasting in London. Kelvin MacKenzie’s radio company has acquired a 10% stake in DRG, owner of the London III digital multiplex licence, from Matsushita Electric Europe, a subsidiary of Panasonic. TWG already has a 23.58% shareholding in DRG… Continue reading Wireless Group Expands Commitment To Digital Radio

Tim Schoonmaker, the Emap radio chief executive who resigned suddenly last week, is planning to team up with venture capital companies to bid for radio groups in the newly deregulated market place. Schoonmaker, who ran Emap’s radio and digital television operations, announced his intention to step down last week, in a move that caused surprised… Continue reading Emap Radio Boss Linked To Venture Capital Groups

US shoppers spent a record $18.5 billion online during the 2003 holiday season, according to the latest eSpending Report from Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and Nielsen//NetRatings. This figure, which does not include travel, is 35% higher than the $13.7 billion outlay recorded for November and December 2002 and indicates growing customer demand for ecommerce. “Online… Continue reading Online Santa Delivers The Goods In Record Style