According to a new report from Gartner, GPRS networks will struggle to match the expectations of mobile operators until the application gap has been bridged to allow universal use of the technology. Analysys had previously indicated that General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), allowing consumers and business constant access to the Internet, would have 6 million… Continue reading GPRS Set To Miss Targets, Says Gartner

Commercial Radio needs to face up to “serious issues” if it is to raise its profile in the UK, according to a new report from media consultants, Billetts. In a review of the industry, commissioned for JP Morgan, it is acknowledged that radio experienced significant growth during the 1990s and its share of display advertising… Continue reading Commercial Radio Must Be Upwardly Mobile, Says Billetts

Video on-demand (VOD) will generate more than $1.9 billion in revenues worldwide by 2006, according to a new report from In-Stat/MDR. As the number of cable modems and digital subscriber line (DSL) services continue to increase throughout the world, VOD services over internet networks will grow to a total of more than 17 million users… Continue reading Global Video On Demand Revenue To Reach $1.9bn By 2006

Press reports today have suggested that EMAP is considering spinning off its radio interests into a separate business. This may pump up its market rating ahead of a relaxation of ownership rules and the subsequent consolidation in the radio industry. EMAP is primarily a magazine publishing group and because consumer press is a slower growth… Continue reading EMAP Radio Business Spin-Off Speculated By Reports

US media executives are eyeing takeover and merger opportunities in the UK, following the relaxation in ownership restrictions proposed by the Draft Communications Bill, according to report in this morning’s Financial Times. The paper notes that Bob Wright, chief executive of NBC, was in London last week on the lookout for possible deals for his… Continue reading US Media Execs Eye UK Opportunities, Says FT

Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) says that radio revenues are expected to drop by 2% in the year to the end of September. This is offset by a 2% rise in press revenue, leaving overall group revenues flat for the year, excluding acquisitions and disposals. Including acquisitions, radio and press revenues combined are 12% ahead of… Continue reading SRH Radio Revenues Drop 2% In Full Year

Jazz FM and Guardian Media Group (GMG) have reached an agreement following a revised takeover offer from GMG for the radio station, the two groups announced yesterday evening. GMG had previously tabled an offer of 180p per share, or £41 million, but the Jazz FM Board had urged its shareholders to take no action with… Continue reading Jazz FM Agrees To £44.5m Takeover By Guardian Media

A new report on global entertainment and media (E&M) spend published by PricewaterhouseCoopers has found that the industry will enjoy a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% between this year and 2006, eventually reaching $1.4 trillion (see Entertainment And Media Spend Set For 5.2% Growth To 2006, Says PWC). The report also makes a… Continue reading PricewaterhouseCoopers Predicts Global Media And Entertainment Sector Growth

Merrill Lynch analysts have cut their European advertising growth forecasts for 2002 and 2003, as economies remain relatively weak. The forecast for this year has been reduced from -2.0% to -3.0%, whilst 2003 is downgraded from 3.5% to 1.5-2.0%. The broker has made similar reductions to its US and global ad forecasts (see Merrill Lynch… Continue reading Regional Forecasts Nudged Down By Merrill Lynch

The high interest of under 25s and up scale consumers will drive demand for 3G mobile services, much as these groups drove the growth of the overall mobile phone market. This is one of the findings of the Wireless and Internet Technology Adoption By Consumers Around The World report from Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). The… Continue reading Young, Up-Market Consumers Will Drive Mobile Internet, Says TNS