Source: Optimedia, January 2001   1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 £m 2,495 2,545 2,596 2,674 2,754 2,809 % increase year on year 4% 2% 2% 3% 3% 2% Estimated CPT £6.35 £6.54 £6.80 £7.01 £7.22 £7.36 Media Inflation (%) 3% 3% 4% 3% 3% 2%

According to IDC, the appeal of internet radio to consumers is too strong for advertisers to ignore. “Internet radio might appear a superior product ready to sweep away traditional radio, but it’s not – at least not yet,” said Malcolm Maclachlan, senior analyst for IDC’s Consumer and eCommerce Media program. “To be successful in the… Continue reading New Strategies Required To Facilitate Effective Internet Radio Advertising

The boost to digital television uptake required to allow analogue switch-off could be provided via a subsidy on equipment from licence-fee money, said BBC director-general Greg Dyke yesterday. Speaking at the Commons media select committee, Dyke is reported to have said that the corporation was considering whether to use licence-fee money to fund a large-scale… Continue reading Licence Fee Money May Fund Digital Box Giveaway Says BBC Director General

Forever Broadcasting, the Newcastle-based independent radio and new media group, has announced the acquisition of Wolverhampton Area Radio (WAR), owner of analogue station 107.7 The Wolf. Forever has paid £5.1 million – £4.1 million in cash and the remainder by the issue of ordinary shares in the company. Forever will also absorb liabilities of £45,369.… Continue reading Forever Broadcasting Acquires The Wolf – 9 February 2001

US newspaper group Gannett today reported its quarter four and full year financial results, which show that in the three months to December 2000, net income remained pretty flat at $294.9 million – just up from $294.6 million the previous year. However, the company also said that 2000 was the ninth consecutive year of record… Continue reading Gannett’s UK Revenues Hit By Sterling Fall – 9 February 2001

9 February 2001 A 42% stake in women’s magazine group Marie-Claire is to be sold to Hachette Filipachi Medias (HFM), the magazine publishing division of Lagardere Group. Whilst the terms of the deal were not disclosed, an offer from HFM in November last year valued a 17% stake at €90 million, effectively putting €534 million… Continue reading HFM To Take 42% Stake In Marie-Claire

ITV has said that charges for carriage of its channels on the Sky platform would has create “almost pure profit” for BSkyB. In a submission to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s select committee for the Government’s White Paper, the network said that it would have to pay over £20m a year for ITV… Continue reading Sky Asking £20m For Carriage, Says ITV

ONdigital has asked the government to appoint a digital television “champion”. The digital terrestrial broadcaster suggests the creation of such an position will allow further promotion of the new medium and facilitate the switchover from analogue. In a statement relating to the Communications White Paper, the group said that a national switchover plan should be… Continue reading ONdigital Calls For Appointment Of Digital TV “Champion”

Merrill Lynch has downgraded BSkyB stock from accumulate to neutral, following yesterday’s financial results. Cable subscriptions revenues fell and the incorporation of losses from interactive TV services company Open hit revenues harder than had been expected by both Merrill and ABN Amro (see City News). By the end of trading yesterday BSkyB stock was down… Continue reading BSkyB Results 7 February 2001 Reaction – 8 February 2001

According to IDC, the worldwide DSL subscriber base rose by over 447% in 1999 and the total number of lines is expected to reach 66.4 million by 2004 – a rise of 61.9 million on 2000. “Clearly, pent-up demand for faster Internet connections – particularly among work-at-home households such as telecommuters, day-extenders, and home-based businesses… Continue reading Worldwide DSL Market Thriving