AOL is to buy leading social networking website Bebo in an $850 million (£417 million) cash deal. Bebo, founded by Michael and Xochi Birch in 2005, claims to have 11.4 million unique users in the UK and a total membership of more than 40 million worldwide. AOL said that the deal would give it a… Continue reading AOL Buys Bebo For $850m

MySpace, the social networking website owned by News Corporation, is launching an advertising system in the UK that targets consumers using the personal information on their profile pages.Travis Katz, the senior vice-president and general manager for international at MySpace, said the “hyper-targeting” system was already popular with advertisers in the US, reported the Guardian.The new… Continue reading MySpace To Launch Targeted Ad System

The Sun is planning an extensive redesign which will see it move closer in look to News International freesheet thelondonpaper, according to a report.The Guardian reports that the changes, which will be introduced over the next two months, will include colour-coded sections and a more modern design.It is understood that the Sun is planning to… Continue reading The Sun Planning Extensive Redesign

A pre-9pm ban on junk food ads could cost commercial broadcasters £450 million in lost ad revenues, according to a report.Brand Republic reports that despite a previous estimate from regulator Ofcom that a pre-watershed ban on the TV advertising of alcohol and foods high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) could cost broadcasters £250 million,… Continue reading Pre-9pm Ban On Junk Food Ads Could Cost Broadcasters £450m

Ofcom has abandoned plans for a new Public Service Publisher, saying the suggestion had served its purpose in the debate on the future of public service broadcasting by emphasising the importance of digital media.Chief executive, Ed Richards, told the Royal Television Society that the growing consumption of online content “validated Ofcom’s original PSP argument”.He said:… Continue reading Ofcom Abandons Plans For PSP

Clear Channel Outdoor UK has promoted group sales director, Rob Atkinson, to the position of UK managing director, with responsibility for driving the expansion of the company in Britain.Atkinson will report to regional president for the UK, Ireland and North Africa, Barry Sayer, and will be in charge of promoting greater synergy across all areas… Continue reading Clear Channel Outdoor Promotes Atkinson To UK MD

The BBC has said that the revamp of its digital station, BBC Three, has lured more young viewers to the channel after only a month.The corporation said share amongst 16-34s over the past month was 3.9% – a 44% rise from the same time last year. This is the highest share for 16-34s amongst all… Continue reading BBC Three Reports Positive Results Following Revamp

In 2007, global TV shipments rose 4% to almost 200 million units, worth over $100bn, and growth will accelerate to reach 280 million units, worth $160bn, by 2012, according to a new report from Understanding & Solutions. The global TV boom is being powered by consumer desire for flat panel TVs and growth in emerging… Continue reading TV Shipments To Exceed 280m Units By 2012

The combination of greater 3G adoption and a marked increase in rich media, made-for-mobile content will drive mobile entertainment revenues to $47.5 billion by 2010, according to a new report from Juniper Research. However, the Juniper report cautions that entertainment service adoption will be retarded unless improvements are made in areas such as the user… Continue reading Mobile Entertainment Revenues To Reach $47.5bn By 2010

Global net TV advertising revenues will reach US$123 billion in 2008, up 5.8% on 2007, according to a new report from Informa Telecoms & Media. From this 2008 total, net pay TV advertising will bring in US$18 billion, a figure which has doubled over the last five years. Pay TV will represent 15% of total… Continue reading Net TV Ad Revenues Forecast To Rise