Ofcom has set out drastic proposals to toughen regulations for participation TV shows following the premium-rate phone-in scandals that dominated 2007.TV and radio shows relying heavily on premium-rate telephone services, such as quiz shows and psychic and adult chat lines, are the focus of the clampdown.Five’s Quiz Call and more than 20 adult channels are… Continue reading Ofcom Sets Out Dramatic TV Phone-In Rules

News Corporation has acquired a majority stake in the UK’s video ad network Utarget, which will be merged with Rupert Murdoch’s existing online ad network .Fox Networks. Utarget will be rebranded Utarget.Fox and will work with the Fox Interactive Media Audience Network, which like .Fox Networks is part of Fox International Channels. As part of… Continue reading News Corp Acquires Majority State In UK Video Ad Network

People who read newspapers on a regular basis spend more money on Christmas presents than those who watch the most amount of television, according to new research from the Newspaper Marketing Agency. The study found that print readers outspent TV viewers in the Christmas run-up across a range of categories, including groceries, alcoholic drinks, household… Continue reading Research Reveals Newspaper Readers Spend More Than TV Watchers

Online advertising grew almost 40% year on year in 2007 to a new high of over £2.8 billion, according to the latest IAB and PwC research released today. This makes the medium the third largest last year, up from being the smallest market sector in 2003, taking its share to 15.3% from 11.4% in 2006.… Continue reading UK Online Adspend Grows Almost 40% Year On Year In 2007

Adults living with children are 40% more likely to use the internet, according to research from the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA). Over 7,000 Europeans took part in the research, which found that over 70% of adults with children go online every week, compared with only half (52%) of those without. Those with children were… Continue reading Adults With Children More Likely To Go Online Than Childless

Magic 105.4 is launching a new television advertising campaign made up of user-generated content.The campaign features two 30-second spots with the theme “Magic good mood film”, which were created after an appeal by breakfast DJ Neil Fox for listeners to send in photographs that made them smile.Images were submitted via Magic’s website, where a link… Continue reading Magic Launches UGC TV Ad Campaign

MediaTel Group’s booking and trading system for online media, DELTA, has announced an impressive set of trial partners.The three OPera agencies – OMD, Manning Gottlieb OMD and PHD – plus leading digital agency, Profero, will be the first agency partners. Sales point partners include AOL, MSN, Guardian Media Group and Bauer Advertising.Adam Pace, OPera Media’s… Continue reading DELTA Trial Launches With Impressive Group Of Partners

Negotiations with Richard Branson over the rights to the Virgin brand are delaying the sale of Virgin Radio to Absolute Radio. The possibility is also emerging that the Virgin stations may be rebranded, with ‘Jack’, the name of Absolute’s Oxford station, one of the suggestions. It is understood that once an interested party reached the… Continue reading Virgin Radio Could Be Rebranded Under Absolute

Microsoft has told Yahoo! that it plans a hostile takeover bid if the company does not agree to a merger in the next three weeks. Microsoft wants Yahoo! to accept its $31 (£15.50) a share bid or the software company will approach the internet firm’s shareholders directly. Microsoft warned it may lower its price if… Continue reading Microsoft Gives Yahoo! An Ultimatum

A new report from research firm Attentional indicates that the sharp drop in the BBC’s viewing share observed in recent years will flatten out, with the corporation’s network of channels projected to have 32.1% of viewing in 2012. This figure is down from 34% in 2007, and while Attentional adds that ITV will narrow the… Continue reading BBC’s Viewing Share To ‘Flatten Out’