Ofcom, the new super-regulator for the media and communications industry, is to be up and running and ready to take on its full responsibilities by mid-December this year. The regulator’s recently appointed chief executive, Stephen Carter (see Carter Set For Chief Executive Role at Ofcom), has informed staff across the five existing bodies that Ofcom… Continue reading Ofcom To Be Fully Operational By December This Year

Viacom is considering a bid for the US entertainment assets of Vivendi Universal, according to reports today. Vivendi remains heavily in debt and there has been widespread speculation that it is prepared to divest its American businesses which includes Universal Pictures and USA Cable (see Bidders Move On Vivendi For Entertainment Assets, Say Reports). Sumner… Continue reading Viacom Eyes Up VU Entertainment Division

Although still in its infancy, digital cinema is attracting audiences and a new poll shows that more than 80% of moviegoers appreciate the new format. The Digital Audience Preference Study represents the first attempt to gauge the attitudes of film enthusiasts and exhibitors towards digital cinema. It was carried out by First World Pictures for… Continue reading Cinema Audiences Give Thumbs Up To Digital

US consumers spent $1.3 billion on online content during 2002, a year on year increase of 95%, according to a new report from comScore Networks and the Online Publishers Association (OPA). Research has shown that businesses and consumers are showing an increased willingness to pay for internet content (see Online Content Revenues Set To Rise)… Continue reading Online Content Sales Surge In 2002

UMTS services are set to revitalise the mobile industry and boost the revenues of European operators but a degree of patience may be required. This is according a new study from market management consultants Arthur D. Little and the Paris brokerage Exane. The report, Back in the Road: But Who’s Got the Mapâ‚Ź picks up… Continue reading Mobile Operators Pin Hopes On UMTS

Newspaper and online advertising appears to have the most effect on affluent internet users in the US, according to a new report out this week. washingtonpost.com, in conjunction with Nielsen//NetRatings, surveyed its visitors during January and found that 58% of respondents from households earning more than $100k said that newspaper ads had influenced them to… Continue reading Big Spenders Roused By Press And Online Ads

The Government is proposing the launch of 32 new FM radio stations, which could provide services to a number of key cities over the next few years. The proposal to free the licences, which would be warmly received by the commercial radio industry, is being put forward by the Radio Authority as part of its… Continue reading Raft Of New FM Radio Licences Proposed

Over 65,000 UK consumers have signed up for 3G mobile phones ahead of the network roll-out later this month. The mobile operator Hutchinson chose Monday (03/03/03) to officially present its service, the first of its kind on the UK mainland. In layman’s terms, 3G offers the prospect of a wide range of wireless services including… Continue reading Hutchison Brings 3G To The UK

Digital television will reach 80 million European households by the end of 2007, equivalent to more than half of the overall TV market, according to a new study from Datamonitor. The report, entitled Digital and Interactive TV Markets: Service development and uptake to 2007, examined the progress made by cable, satellite and digital terrestrial platforms… Continue reading DTV In Half Of European Homes By 2007, Says Report

SMG, the media group which owns Virgin Radio and Scottish Television, this morning said that it does not expect any material recovery in advertising conditions before 2004. Releasing the group’s annual financial results, chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: “Overall, we remain cautious about the outlook for 2003 and we are managing the business on the… Continue reading SMG Sees No Ad Recovery This Year