Fourth quarter advertising revenue for US newspapers will grow by 3.5%, up from the 1.0% rise in Q3, according to analysts at Merrill Lynch. Some of this improvement will be due to easier comparisons, but nevertheless, a muted ad recovery is in place, reckons the broker. The newspaper sector ended a six consecutive quarter run… Continue reading US Newspaper Revenue To Grow 4.0% In 2003, Says Merrill Lynch

The telecoms industry has been boosted by new figures which reveal that it is on target to achieve one billion GSM subscribers worldwide by the end of 2003. According to the GSM Association, which represents a large number of second and third generation wireless industry companies, GSM attracted 160 million new customers last year. Since… Continue reading GSM Success Story Continues

Almost one in three mobile phone users in Europe want a new phone within the next year and a significant proportion would like access to advanced features, according to a report from Forrester Research. The study found that 29% of mobile owners intend to replace their current phone in 2004. Some 18% are planning to… Continue reading Euro Mobile Users Wave Goodbye To Old Phones

In 2004, cable companies face a tough climate with rising competition but the industry as a whole is in a healthier state than last year and should benefit from increased uptake of new services. Research by technology consultants Ovum suggests that broadband remains a key growth area. Cable has little competition from infrastructure-based operators in… Continue reading Cable Firms To Extend Their Clout

The acquisition of Galaxy Radio Wales by Vibe Radio Services has been referred to the Competition Commission for investigation. Competition minister, Melanie Johnson, said that she is concerned that the deal, already completed (see Chrysalis Takes GWR’s LNR And Sells Galaxy 101), might reduce competition for local radio advertising in the Bath and Bristol areas.… Continue reading GWR Questions Competition Referral Of Vibe’s Galaxy Acquisition

US cable giant, Liberty Media, has for the second time declined to increase its stake in UK cable operator, Telewest Communications, indicating that its European cable ambitions may be on the wane. According to a report on FT.com, Liberty passed up the chance to buy Microsoft’s 25% holding in Telewest, despite having first rights on… Continue reading Liberty Media Passes Up 25% Telewest Stake Opportunity

Cable operator NTL has finally emerged from bankruptcy protection after restructuring its debt to satisfy creditors. The company will now be split into two parts, NTL Incorporated, featuring its UK and Ireland business, and NTL Europe. Lenders have agreed to swap $10.9 billion in debt for equity. NTL’s parent company initially applied for Chapter 11… Continue reading NTL Emerges From Bankruptcy

Global advertising revenue will grow by 3.0% in 2003, with a reasonably strong US being dragged down by poorer markets in Europe, according to an outlook for the year from Merrill Lynch. The broker says that the US will grow by 4.0%, as previously reported (see Merrill Lynch Sees ‘Cautious Optimism’ For 2003 US Ad… Continue reading Stronger US, Weaker Europe Finds Merrill’s Ad Outlook

Online ad revenues will increase by almost 50% during 2003, as a result of increased web usage, says the UK’s leading interactive media agency. It has been a difficult few years for the online advertising industry but internet consumption has continued to grow and i-level predicts that it will increase from 6% to account for… Continue reading Broadband To Provide A Boost To Net Revenues

More internet users than ever went online to browse and buy from shopping sites during the 2002 holiday season. That is the conclusion of a new report produced by market researchers at Retail Forward. A survey carried out in the week after Christmas revealed that 88% of US internet users shopped online and 75% actually… Continue reading Online Shopping Commonplace At Christmas, Says Report