BBC Radio 2 continues to have the highest weekly reach of all the national stations at 13.5 million listeners, according to the RAJAR figures for Q4 2008, following a year on year rise of 5%.BBC Radio 1 was not far behind, with 10.5 million listeners, although it was down both year on year and period… Continue reading BBC Radio 2 remains top national station

Magic 105.4 remains above all the other London stations for the third consecutive quarter, in terms of weekly reach and share of listening, according to RAJAR figures for Q4 2008.Its average weekly reach in London is back up to almost 2 million listeners, after a period on period increase of around 6%.Magic was also the… Continue reading Magic 105.4 stays on top in London

Internet giant Yahoo! has reported a $303 million (£212 million) net loss in the fourth quarter, although its revenue was up for the period. The company’s net income for the whole of 2008 was down 36% on 2007 to $424 million. Yahoo! said that the loss was due to restructuring charges related to layoffs and… Continue reading Yahoo! reports $303m net loss in Q4

The increasing availability of broadband-enabled mobile networks will underpin continued strong growth in mobile phone usage in Brazil, Russia, India and China, according to a report published by Juniper Research. Mobile phone usage in the BRIC markets will grow from 1.21 billion in 2008 to 1.64 billion by 2013, said Juniper. The report also found… Continue reading Strong mobile usage growth forecast in BRIC markets

Though the majority of US households are ready for the changeover to digital television next month, 5.7% – or 6.5 million homes – remain unprepared according to a report from The Nielsen Company. This is an improvement of more than 1.3 million ready homes since Nielsen reported at the end of December, the company said,… Continue reading 6.5m US homes not ready for digital switchover

Jonathan Gillespie, Google UK’s head of YouTube and display, is leaving the company to join GMG Radio as its new commercial director.Gillespie, former head of radio at OMD, will be responsible for the commercial activity of the group’s portfolio of 13 Smooth, Real, Century and Rock Radio stations.Gillespie joined OMD UK in 1998, where he… Continue reading Jonathan Gillespie to join GMG Radio

Online auction site eBay has appointed its first director of advertising partnerships for the combined territories of the UK, Ireland and pan-EMEA.The move – part of the firm’s plans to bolster third-party revenue deals – sees Philip Rinn, formerly director of advertising partnerships for Ebay Advertising International, take on the role.Rinn will lead the auction… Continue reading eBay creates UK, Ireland and EMEA advertising hub

BSkyB’s first half adjusted operating profit was up 26% to £388 million, according to a financial statement released today. Reporting a strong first half performance, the satellite broadcaster also revealed an increased rate of customer growth. There was an increase in average revenue per user, up 5% year on year to reach a new high… Continue reading BSkyB announces 26% increase in operating profit

Subtv, the national youth media network, and Gym Screen Media, the national health club network, have agreed a merger of their ventures which will see them brought together under the newly formed Media 42 Group.The two networks will maintain their brand identity and positioning but production, technology and delivery skills will be combined in content… Continue reading Subtv and Gym Screen Media agree merger

Independent News & Media has promised to eliminate “any loss-making businesses”, which could lead to a sale of its Independent and Independent on Sunday newspapers.It is understood that IN&M is open to discussions with potential buyers of the titles, which are thought to be losing at least £10 million per year.Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch… Continue reading IN&M could sell Independent titles