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

The Italian Government has said that it is not concerned that the merger of pay-TV operators Stream and Telepiù will created a monopoly in the market (see News Corp Completes Telepiu Transaction). Telepiù is being acquired by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation for E920 million and will be merged with News Corp’s Stream division to form… Continue reading Italian Government Sees No Problem With Murdoch Monopoly

Almost 90% of European newspaper publishers believe that digitally printed newspapers will be a commercial reality by 2010. This is one of the findings of a new report from Digital Dots, published in partnership with Ifra, the international organisation for media publishing. The Digital Newsprint for Roaming Readers report, which surveyed 50 European newspaper publishers,… Continue reading Digitally-Printed Newspapers Will Be Commercial Reality By 2010, Say Publishers

Magazine publishers should look to developing Asian economies such as China and South Korea for sales growth over the next twelve months, according to data from the FIPP/Zenith Optimedia World Magazine Trends 2002/2003 report. The study says that whilst traditional markets continue to stagnate, China’s role in the global magazine sector is growing substantially and… Continue reading Magazine Publishers Should Look To Asia For Sales Growth

Mobile phone operators who ploughed millions of pounds into third generation investments will not see a return on their outlay for about twelve years, according to a sobering report from Forrester Research. In a survey, nine out of ten senior executives at European 3G licence holders expressed confidence that the technology, which features audio, video… Continue reading 3G Operators Face Long Wait For Profits

One in four households will not be able to receive digital terrestrial television (DTT) when the BBC launches its new Freeview service later this month. The BBC, which is launching the service in conjunction with BSkyB and Crown Castle, said that universal coverage will only be possible when the signal is strengthened in four years… Continue reading One In Four Households Will Not Receive Freeview