Carlton and Granada could re-open merger talks within the next few weeks following speculation that Carlton chief executive, Gerry Murphy, is leaving the company. According to a report in today’s Guardian, Granada chairman, Charles Allen, is expected to push for the consolidation of the two ITV companies if Murphy leaves to take the top job… Continue reading Carlton And Granada Merger Talks Could Be Back On
ARCHIVE ▸ The Media Leader Staff
The media and advertising industries should not fall foul of recession-fuelled pessimism when considering the long-term revenue prospects for the sector, says the Advertising Association (AA) in a new set of growth forecasts. In its new Long Term Advertising Expenditure Forecast report, the AA claims that it is confident that ad expenditure will recover from… Continue reading AA’s Long Term UK Ad Forecasts Warn Against Pessimism
More than one million UK households now have a high-speed broadband internet connection, according to new a report from communications regulator Oftel. The figures from telecoms operators show that the number of broadband connections has doubled over the last six months, with uptake rates now running higher than 20,000 per week. The Oftel figures concur… Continue reading UK Hits One Million Broadband Homes
The US radio sector is showing healthy advertising revenue figures, with the RAB this week reporting a 5% rise in August and claiming that Q4 should see double-digit growth (see US Radio Revenue Up 5% In August, Double-Digit Q4 Growth Anticipated). This follows an impressive 9% jump during July (see US Radio Revenue Shoots Up… Continue reading US Radio Benefits From Strong TV Market
ITV viewing figures are improving ‘significantly’ during the autumn season and are now tracking flat compared with last year, according to analysts at Merrill Lynch. In August, ITV1’s share of viewing was 23.7%, a year on year decline of 1.1% points, but a rise from July’s low of 22.4%. BBC1 remained virtually flat both year… Continue reading ITV Shows Autumn Pick-Up In Viewing And Revenue
Express Newspapers owner, Richard Desmond, is considering a bid for Virgin Radio, according to a report in yesterday’s Observer newspaper. It is understood that Desmond has discussed the possible acquisition with the Board of his company, Northern & Shell (N&S), although a bid is not thought to be imminent. Analysts believe that N&S might lack… Continue reading Richard Desmond Eyes Virgin Radio, Say Reports
After falling behind in the early stages, the UK is gaining ground on other European countries in terms of broadband uptake. There will be one million subscribers nationwide within the next fortnight, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “We have waited a long time to see the benefits of telecoms infrastructure… Continue reading High Speed Internet Growth Accelerates In UK
US radio airtime ad sales rose by 5% during August, showing a continuing improvement in trading for the sector, after July’s sales grew by 9% (see US Radio Revenue Shoots Up 9% In July). Local sales figures for August increased 4% and national spend was up by 9% year on year. In the eight months… Continue reading US Radio Revenue Up 5% In August, Double-Digit Q4 Growth Anticipated
A new study from Forrester Research has cast doubt on the profitability of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and advised European politicians to allow market forces to dictate the analogue switch-off date. “Governments and public broadcasters across the EU remain gung-ho about the public utility and commercial prospects of DTT,” said Forrester analyst Hellen K. Omwando.… Continue reading Governments Should Bow To Consumer Demand On DTT, Says Report
Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), which were heralded as a revolutionary innovation in the media marketplace, have failed to win over the American public, according to a new report from The Yankee Group. Research shows that only 1.8 million US households will have DVRs by the end of the year although this is set to increase… Continue reading DVRs Fail To Live Up To The Hype