Ofcom has fined 30 radio stations within GCap Media’s One Network a total of £1.1 million for unfair conduct in a competition.This is the highest fine ever imposed by the regulator on a UK commercial radio company.Ofcom found that on a number of occasions the programme makers behind the ‘Secret Sound’ competition deliberately put to… Continue reading GCap Fined Record £1.1m

Consumers are confused about the digital switchover and are still buying analogue TV sets, according to a parliamentary committee report.The report said that although the switchover timetable is on track to be completed on time, the digital tick labelling scheme is a mystery to many sales staff and customers, while many people are still buying… Continue reading Consumers Confused About Digital Switchover

Channel 4 could launch a 4Music branded TV channel in August as a replacement for The Hits music channel, according to a report.4Music will be one of the main sponsors of the V Festival 2008, taking place on 16 17 August, and Media Week reports that Channel 4 could use the opportuinity to market the… Continue reading Channel 4 Could Launch 4Music TV Channel

Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP announced yesterday that its UK revenues increased by 5% in the first five months of 2008.It also announced growth in like for like global revenue of 4.5% for the first five months of the year. However, this is below the 4.9% predicted by analysts.WPP said that this was due to slow… Continue reading Sorrell Confident For the Future

ITV’s share price fell to below 50p for the first time yesterday, taking the company’s market capitalisation to below £2 billion for a short time. This figure is less than half the £5 billion value placed on the company when an attempted takeover was made by Virgin Media’s predecessor, NTL, in 2006 (see NTL Pulls… Continue reading ITV Sees Share Price Fall

Interactive media’s share of worldwide advertising expenditures – internet, mobile and gaming – will hit 15% next year, according to a new GroupM study. This is almost double the amount recorded four years ago, with interactive media expected to remain the principle source of advertising growth as ad spending in traditional media continues to decline.… Continue reading Interactive Media Advertising To Show Major Growth

US spending on behavioural targeting will increase to $4.4 billion by 2012, according to a forecast from eMarketer. However, this year spending is expected to remain low, at just $775 million. The report says that one of the biggest drivers of behavioural targeting growth over the next four years will be online video. As more… Continue reading US Spending On Behavioural Targeting To Reach $4.4bn

A new long term plan should be created to move all radio services across to digital, according to a report from the government’s Digital Radio Working Group. The group’s initial assessment is that the move could be completed by 2020.The DRWG said that in the medium term, all national, regional and large local stations should… Continue reading Digital Radio Switchover Could Happen By 2020

SMG is changing its name to stv Group following the sale of Virgin Radio and its outdoor advertising business Primesight. The company is taking the name of its TV subsidiary stv as its overall corporate identity, with SMG chief executive saying that the move marks a return to the company’s roots. Rob Woodward, chief executive,… Continue reading SMG Changes Name To stv Group

Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP saw its UK revenues increase by 5% in the first five months of 2008. The company announced a rise in like for like global revenue growth of 4.5% at its AGM in London. All regions showed strong revenue growth on a constant currency basis, with the US up almost 7%, while… Continue reading WPP Sees UK Revenues Increase