US radio revenue rose by 6% across the course of 2002, in a recovery that is described as ‘remarkable’ by the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB). According to figures just released by the RAB, national spend rose by 13% over 2001, whilst local was up by 4%. The Bureau says that the figures also represent a… Continue reading US Radio Revenue Grows 6% In 2002

Almost one-third of US broadband households are interested in purchasing a home networking product this year, according to new research from Parks Associates. Broadband Access @ Home III, a national survey of internet usage, revealed that 28.2% of broadband subscribers are likely to adopt a home network in the next year. This system allows multiple… Continue reading Home Networking Set For Major Growth

Merrill Lynch has revised down its forecasts for the growth of digital television (DTV) penetration in the UK, after the number of customers declined for the first time in 2002 following the closure of ITV Digital. The financial struggles of cable companies, NTL and Telewest Communications, have also stunted growth of the sector. Merrill is… Continue reading Freeview Moves In On Multi-Channel Sector – Merrill Lynch Long-Term Forecasts

Carlton and Granada’s proposed £2.6 billion merger is expected to be referred to the Competition Commission this week by the Office Of Fair Trading. The two broadcasting giants agreed the terms of the deal last October following months of speculation about the future of the ITV Network (see Carlton And Granada Enter Advanced Merger Talks).… Continue reading ITV Merger Set For Competition Commission Referral

Trinity Mirror is believed to have been in talks with venture capitalists Apax Partners and Candover about a possible £1.3 billion bid for the newspaper group. Reports suggest that Trinity Mirror chairman, Sir Victor Blank, met with Apax Partners and Candover to discuss an offer for the company late last year. However, the talks are… Continue reading Trinity Mirror Rumoured To Have Received Take-Over Bid

Vivendi Universal is believed to be considering a new bid for its US entertainment businesses from the oil tycoon Marvin Davis. It is alleged that Davis held a closed doors meeting with Vivendi boss Jean-René Fourtou last week in which he offered $15 billion for VUE, which includes Universal Studios and Universal Music. He has… Continue reading Davis Makes New Offer For VUE

It seems that the most common phrase emanating from advertising prognosticators at present is ‘cautious optimism’. This could be a brave euphemism for hoping for the best in continuing weak conditions, or it could be a reluctance to get excited about the fact that figures are looking up (just in case they start to fall… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – January 2003

The latest IPA Industry Census shows that smaller agencies appear to have escaped the brunt of last year’s downturn, increasing the size of their workforce during 2002. According to the report, small and medium sized agencies experienced a respective 4% and 5% increase in the number of people they employed last year, compared to large… Continue reading IPA Census Brings Good News For Smaller Agencies

Total US magazine advertising revenue rose by 9.5% year on year during January, to close at $883.5 million, according to the latest data from the Publishers Information Bureau (PIB). The number of advertising pages for January was up 4.8% to 12,483. Eleven of the twelve major advertising categories revenues rise over January 2002. Notable gains… Continue reading US Magazine Revenues Rise By 9.5% In January

The number of US mobile data subscribers is expected to top 12.5 million by the end of this year and a new survey from Parks Associates has shown that there is now considerable enthusiasm for the services on offer. As part of its latest Broadband Access @ Home report, the market research and consulting firm… Continue reading Mobile Data Finding Favour In The US