ABN Amro has downgraded its recommendation of European broadcaster RTL from Hold to Reduce this morning, following the release of the group’s year-end financials results (see RTL Says 2001 Earnings Will Be Flat In Current Ad Climate). The broker says: “For the first time a European broadcaster has admitted that there will be no H2… Continue reading ABN Downgrades RTL

New figures from market research group AC Nielsen show that Germany’s advertising expenditure in February was 8.8% lower than the previous year. January was 1.4% down and gross television revenues were 4.7% lower than 2000, according to an analysis of the figures by ABN Amro. The fall is mainly due to lower spend from the… Continue reading Germany Experiences Ad Downturn

International media group Independent News & Media (INM) has this morning reported a pre-tax profit increase of 13% to €155 million for 2000. This is slightly below most analysts’ expectations and has caused the shares to drop during trading today. Executive chairman Anthony O’Reilly said that it is too early in the year to make… Continue reading Independent Reports Positive Results, But Below Expectations

Regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press has this morning offered a positive outlook for the coming year after unveiling better than anticipated financial results. Profit before tax was up 20.9% at £66.5 million and operating profit grew by 27.3% from £65.9 million in 1999 to £83.9 million. Chairman Fred Johnston acknowledged the transatlantic economic slowdown and… Continue reading Johnston Press Gives Positive Outlook For 2001

European free-to-air broadcaster RTL this morning said that it feels “better placed than most … to withstand the current uncertainties in advertising markets around Europe.” Nevertheless, the company warned that earnings were likely to be flat in 2001 due to the effects of restructuring Pearson Television North America and a decrease in the audience of… Continue reading RTL Says 2001 Earnings Will Be Flat In Current Ad Climate

Europeans are watching more TV than ever before according to new research published by the Media Edge. The average European watches over three hours per day, with the Italians and the Spanish watching the most at over 4 hours per day, compared to 3 hours per day in 1989 for Italians and 3½ hours per… Continue reading Research Reveals Increasing Consumption Of Media Across Europe

European broadcast and content company, RTL Group, has this morning confirmed that Richard Eyre, director of strategy and content, and an executive director of the board, will be leaving at the end of March. This announcement follows speculation in the press yesterday (see Eyre Understood To Have Quit RTL Post). Tony Cohen, currently chief executive… Continue reading RTL Confirms Eyre’s Departure

The US second-largest newspaper publisher Knight Ridder has announced that the deterioration of advertising revenues in March will knock back its first quarter earnings by around 25%, when compared to the previous year. The company – which publishes 32 daily titles including the Miami Herald and Philadelphia Inquirer – said that earnings would be 15-20… Continue reading Knight Ridder Becomes Latest Newspaper Group To Issue Profits Warning

Taylor Nelson Sofres’ results yesterday were above analysts and investors expectations and offered an upbeat outlook for 2001 (see Taylor Nelson Sofres Releases Positive Year End Results). The market research network said it expects the sector to grow by 8% during the year and believes it is in a good position to take advantage of… Continue reading Taylor Nelson Sofres Financial Results – Reaction

The number of UK home internet users has reached 13.5 million, according to the February 2001 figures from Jupiter MMXI. This represents an increase of 1 million users since October 2000. The UK’s online population is now estimated to spend an average of six hours and 48 minutes surfing the internet each month, with men… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Total Number Of Home Internet Users In UK Hits 13.5 Million