Talks have broken down between Tiscali and BSkyB after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement about the satellite broadcaster’s takeover of the internet business. It is understood that Tiscali was holding out for a figure in the region of £600 million while Sky was considering an offer of around £450 million. In… Continue reading Talks break down between Sky and Tiscali

More than $25 billion in advertising revenues will be drained from media companies between January 2008 and December 2010, sparking an “advertising depression”, according to media economist Jack Myers. Total US marketing communication budgets will decline by a staggering $56 billion during the same period – down 2.4% for 2008, -6.7% for 2009 and -2.3%,… Continue reading US ad revenue down -6.7% in 2009

The number of people using their mobiles to access social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace has rocketed this year, according to new research by Orange. The study found that the combination of cheap or unlimited internet access tariffs and advanced handsets, which make it easier for people to log on to their favourite… Continue reading Mobile social networking rockets

ITV1’s New Year’s Eve special will see rock superstar Elton John and special guests perform a spectacular 90-minute show to see in 2009.Elton’s New Year’s Eve Party – Live from The O2 Arena, hosted by Kate Thornton, follows last year’s ITV1 special, Countdown to Midnight: Take That & Guests live at The O2 Arena.The show,… Continue reading Elton John to see in the new year on ITV1

There will be no NewsLine service on Thursday 18 December due to a company event.We will return first thing Friday morning with all the latest industry news and coverage of Thursday’s main media stories.MediaTel Group: 0207 439 7575 www.mediatelgroup.co.uk

eMarketer has cut its forecast for UK online ad spend, predicting that it will grow 7.2% in 2009, down from its May forecast of 17.2%. The online research firm expects UK online ad spend to reach £3.34 billion in 2008 and £3.58 billion in 2009. Karin von Abrams, eMarketer senior analyst and author of the… Continue reading UK online ad spend forecast to grow 7.2% in 2009

Wireless devices will be the primary means of connecting to the internet for most people by 2020, according to a new report by Pew Internet and American Life. The ‘Future of the Internet III’ survey found that the combination of portability and affordability will be the reason behind the mobile internet’s success in 12 years… Continue reading Most people will access the internet via mobile by 2020

Phorm is expected to launch its targeted ad service in the UK in the first half of 2009.Phorm’s system tracks web habits in order to provide targeted ads and the technology has been on trial at BT for the last few months (see Phorm Rolls Out Next BT Trial).The trial has been deemed a success… Continue reading Phorm set to launch in 2009

Newsquest have announced that its Citizen series of free weekly papers are to close.The free papers in Blackpool, Preston and Lancaster will close, while its Chorley edition will move to Blackburn. The total restructure is likely to result in the loss of eleven editorial staff as well as risks to ad sales positions.Gannett, the American… Continue reading Newsquest to close its Citizen series

Evelyn Webster, currently managing director of IPC’s women’s weekly arm, has been appointed the company’s chief executive. Webster, who has been in her current post at IPC Connect since March 2004, will report directly to IPC Media’s on-going chairman Sylvia Auton when she takes up her new role on January 1. Auton, who was appointed… Continue reading IPC Media appoints new CEO