The total global internet audience (age 15 and older from home and work computers) surpassed 1 billion visitors in December 2008, according to data from the comScore World Metrix audience measurement service. The Asia-Pacific region accounted for the highest share of global internet users at 41%, followed by Europe (28% share), North America (18% share),… Continue reading Global internet audience increases

MediaTel Group is hosting a full morning seminar next month looking at the ‘Future of TV’, which will be examining Ofcom’s reviews of PSB and CRR and asking what the future holds for Channel 4.The morning’s first session will look at the future of TV in terms of advances in technology and the impact upon… Continue reading ‘Future of TV’ seminar coming next month

Two of the media industry’s most respected commentators gave their views on the coming year at a one-off MediaTel Group event earlier this week.Torin Douglas and Ray Snoddy discussed topics such as Ofcom’s PSB review, the purchase of the Evening Standard by Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev and leadership in the media.Held under the Chatham House… Continue reading MediaTel Group looks at the year ahead

US consumers are spending 11% more time online than watching TV, and internet video is emerging as the key platform for the delivery of on-demand video services. Yankee Group analysts advise that media companies should focus on the internet as a primary opportunity in 2009. The emergence of the ‘Anywhere Consumer’ – Yankee Group’s vision… Continue reading US consumers spending more time online than watching TV

US newspaper ad revenues are forecast to fall to $28.4 billion by 2012, down from an estimated $37.9 billion in 2008, according to new research from eMarketer. eMarketer forecasts a 15.9% drop in 2009, pulling ad revenues down to $31.9 billion. From 2010 through 2012, the rate of decline will slow but remain in negative… Continue reading US newspaper ad revenues on downward slide

Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev has acquired London’s Evening Standard for £1 from Daily Mail & General Trust. The deal will see a new company, Evening Standard Ltd, established that will own the paper, with Lebedev taking a stake of 75.1% and DMGT subsidiary Associated Newspapers becoming a minority shareholder with 24.9%. Associated will continue to… Continue reading Ex-KGB spy buys Evening Standard

Former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev has acquired London’s Evening Standard for £1 from Daily Mail & General Trust.The deal will see a new company, Evening Standard Ltd, established that will own the paper, with Lebedev taking a stake of 75.1% and DMGT subsidiary Associated Newspapers becoming a minority shareholder with 24.9%.Associated will continue to provide… Continue reading Lebedev buys Evening Standard

Ed Balls, the secretary of state for children, schools and families, has criticised a proposal to remove local councils’ obligation to place public notices in local newspapers.Balls described such a move as a “retrograde thing to do”, adding “I don’t think it would be sensible to have any strategy on these things which actively damages… Continue reading Balls opposes removal of mandatory council ads in local press

Declan Boyle has been appointed ad director at IPC Innovator – IPC Advertising’s centralised insert and cross platform direct division.Boyle will spearhead a repositioning of Innovator as it offers direct response clients solutions to their database marketing and direct multiplatform needs.Ali Deas, IPC Advertising central sales group ad director, said: “Declan’s wealth of experience in… Continue reading New IPC Innovator ad director

National commercial digital radio operator Digital One is formally inviting applications for new DAB radio stations and is cutting carriage costs to boost interest.Following the closure of several digital stations last year – such as theJazz and The Arrow – and the end of Channel 4’s foray into DAB (see Channel 4 Abandons Digital Radio… Continue reading Digital One advertises for new DAB stations