The increasing popularity of Freeserve has helped digital TV penetration to rise to 55% of AB adults aged between 25 and 54, according to the latest wave of VIPer research. The study, which explores the media consumption of the UK’s most influential and affluent socio-economic group, shows that the growth of digital TV has enabled… Continue reading VIPers Sink Fangs Into Digital TV

Carlton Communications has this morning unveiled first half financial results that beat market expectations, pushing shares in the group up by 7.2% to 119p by 10:00am this morning. Earnings before interest and tax were up from £11.3 million in H1 2002 to £32.0 million this time. The group moved into a pre-tax profit of £37.0… Continue reading Carlton Results Push Shares Up As Profits Return

The Radio Authority has urged the new super-regulator, Ofcom, to carry on its model of regulation when it assumes its full responsibilities at the end of the year. In its final Annual Report before being phased out by the new catch-all regulator, the current radio watchdog emphasised that its ability to oversee “fifty thousand programme… Continue reading Radio Authority Calls For Ofcom To Carry On Legacy

Hollinger chairman Lord Black faces a frosty reception from shareholders tomorrow as concerns mount over falling ad revenues and huge debts at the international media group. Operating revenues at the Telegraph Group, Hollinger’s UK newspaper division, totalled £84 million in the first quarter of 2003, down from £86.6 million in the same period last year.… Continue reading Telegraph Group Sees No Upturn In 2003

Over a third of US households will have at least one online game player by the end of 2003, according to a new study by Ipsos-Insight. The report, commissioned by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), estimates that the proportion of online gamers will reach 37% this year, up from 18% in 1999 and 31%… Continue reading Online Gaming Wins New Players

The number of US households with a high-speed broadband internet connection rose by 50% year on year in March, but the rate of growth is showing signs of slowing, according to a report from Pew Internet & American Life. A decline in the proportion of dial-up users wanting to upgrade to broadband, coupled with limited… Continue reading US Broadband Reaches 30m, But Growth Looks Set To Slow

Global mobile messaging revenues will double to almost $70 billion by 2007 as a result of further growth of SMS text messaging and uptake of new services. This is according to a study from media and technology consultancy Analysys. The report, Where Next For Mobile Messaging? Driving revenues profitably and controlling cannibalisation reveals that total… Continue reading Mobile Messaging Services To Bring In The Lucre

Analysts at Merrill Lynch have downgraded their ITV1 net advertising revenue (NAR) forecasts, following first half financial results released by Granada yesterday (see Granada H1 Earnings Rise, June Ad Revenue Down). Granada reported that ITV1 airtime sales grew slightly in the first half, by 0.2% to £436 million. Whilst this performance is stronger than generally… Continue reading Merrill Lynch Cuts ITV 2003 Airtime Revenue Forecasts

Airtime advertising revenue growth at Granada scraped into positive figures during the first half, with the company today reporting a 1% rise to £442 million. Despite the weak ad figures, Granada’s turnover and earnings were significantly stronger than expected by Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers analysts (see ITV Ad Revenue To Drop 2% In 2003,… Continue reading Granada H1 Earnings Rise, June Ad Revenue Down

The Department of Trade & Industry has announced that the bid by regional publisher Newsquest for 45 titles currently owned by Independent News & Media has been referred to the Competition Commission. It was revealed two months ago that IN&M was selling its UK regional newspaper business in a deal worth £60 million (see Independent… Continue reading Competition Commission To Investigate Latest Newsquest Deal