The text messaging phenomenon continued to grow in June, with an average of 55 million person to person text messages sent across the four UK GSM networks per day, according to statistics from the Mobile Data Association (MDA). The latest figure represents a solid increase on June 2002, when an average of 45 million text… Continue reading Text Messages Staying Up For The Summer

The concept of on-demand television has remained tantalisingly out of reach of both consumers and telecoms operators for a good number of years now. Often hailed as a potential revolution in viewing habits and as a key source of new revenue for cable and telco companies, the video on-demand (VOD) sector has nevertheless so far… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Video On-Demand Remains On Hold

The European Commission is prepared to take steps to stop BSkyB retaining exclusive live rights to English Premiership football matches, according to weekend press speculation. Broadcasting contracts are now up for renewal and in a bid to allay charges of anti-competitive behaviour, the Premier League has split the available games into gold, silver and bronze… Continue reading EC Could Obstruct New Sky Football Deal

The UK’s largest newspaper group, Trinity Mirror, is set to axe several hundred jobs in its advertising, administrative and distribution operations, according to reports. The Financial Times believes the job losses will be announced at the end of the month as part of a strategic review by the group’s new chief executive, Sly Bailey. It… Continue reading Trinity Set To Cut Jobs In Strategic Review

United Business Media has added to its stable of construction magazines with the acquisition of Aprovia UK for £79 million. The deal will see Aprovia, which includes The Builder Group and Barbour Index, integrated into UBM’s CMP Information division. It was bought by venture capitalists Cinven, Carlyle and Apax from Vivendi Universal in June 2002.… Continue reading UBM Builds Up Portfolio With Aprovia Acquisition

The UK’s display advertising market grew by just 0.7% in the first quarter of the year, but is set to steadily improve over the next year, according to the latest forecast figures from the Advertising Association (AA). Display expenditure was £2.0 billion in Q1 2003, the lowest level since the first quarter of 2002. Spend… Continue reading Advertising Association Quarterly Display Forecasts

The cost of unmetered dial-up internet access could be reduced by service providers, following an order by Oftel that will force BT to bring down the amount it charges operators to use its network. Following an investigation into BT’s charging practice, the telecommunications watchdog is forcing the company to reduce its fees by 17%. Oftel… Continue reading Oftel’s BT Ruling Should Bring Down Dial-Up Internet Costs

The European Commission is prepared to take steps to stop BSkyB retaining exclusive live rights to English Premiership football matches, according to weekend press speculation. Broadcasting contracts are now up for renewal and in a bid to allay charges of anti-competitive behaviour, the Premier League has split the available games into gold, silver and bronze… Continue reading EC Could Obstruct New Sky Football Deal

After months of debate and a string of eleventh hour amendments the Government’s long awaited Communications Bill has finally become law, signalling what could be the biggest shake-up of the media industry for decades. The Bill’s eight month passage on to the statute books was far from straight forward and it was feared that disagreements… Continue reading Parliament Finally Green Lights Communications Act

First half revenue growth at UK outdoor advertising company, Maiden Group, is expected to be at the top end of the previously forecast 3-5% range, the group said this morning. However, it also noted that the difficult trading conditions have continued into the second quarter of the year and that forward visibility remains limited, with… Continue reading Maiden Sees Continuing Weak Conditions In First Half