YouTube plans to offer live channels later this year in an effort to take on traditional broadcasters.The video-sharing site’s proposal would mean that members of the public could report breaking news stories, host their own live shows and performances or set up their own Big Brother-style 24-hour reality channel.Although YouTube has yet to make an… Continue reading Live YouTube Channels To Take On Traditional Broadcasters

Global Radio has made a third and “final” offer for GCap Media, valuing the Capital Radio and Classic FM owner at £370 million.The offer, at 225p a share in cash, is conditional on the recommendation of the board. The offer is around 20% higher than Global’s original offer in December of £313 million.GCap has now… Continue reading Global Radio Makes ‘Final’ £370m Offer For GCap

The IPA has reported an “optimistic” picture for television viewing in 2007, with a slight increase in hours of viewing each day and the continuing expansion of digital viewing.The latest Trends in Television Viewing Report covering the last quarter of the year shows the average number of hours of television viewing each day at 3.63… Continue reading IPA Reports “Optimistic” Q4 2007 TV Viewing Levels

Revenue for commercial radio has increased over 7% year on year for the final quarter of 2007, at over £150.9 million.According to the latest figures from the RadioCentre, radio advertising totalled £598.2 million last year, up 2.8% on 2006.Within the £150 million, national revenue saw the largest growth year on year by 11.4% to £8.3… Continue reading Commercial Radio Records First Full Year Revenue Growth Since 2004

The IPA has reported an “optimistic” picture for television viewing in 2007, with a slight increase in hours of viewing each day and the continuing expansion of digital viewing. The latest Trends in Television Viewing Report covering the last quarter of the year shows the average number of hours of television viewing each day at… Continue reading IPA Reports “Optimistic” Q4 2007 TV Viewing Levels

A new report from Informa Telecoms & Media forecasts that by 2012, 909 million homes will have access to true video-on-demand (VOD) or near-video-on-demand (NVOD) technology, representing 78% of the world’s TV homes and generating revenues in excess of US$10 billion. The report, entitled On-Demand TV & PVRs, projects that North America and Europe will… Continue reading Almost 80% of Worldwide TV Homes To Have Access To VOD By 2012

The global TV advertising market is set for a tough two years, with the outlook improving from 2010 to 2012, according to a new forecast from Screen Digest. The research predicts that 2008 will be a difficult trading year for TV advertising, with spend growing at a lower rate than the economy, at only 1.9%… Continue reading Global TV Ad Market Set For Tough Two Years

Global Radio could be ready to walk away from a takeover of GCap, following the rejection last week of its improved £333 million offer. According to a report on the Guardian, Global does not want to overpay for GCap and is waiting to see whether new chief executive Fru Hazlitt’s recently announced measures to boost… Continue reading Global Radio Could Walk Away From Possible GCap Takeover

Pearson, owner of the Penguin publishing group and the Financial Times, has reported revenues of £4.22 billion for 2007, up 6%. The company, which also owns a US education business, saw operating profits rise 14% on an underlying basis to £632 million. Marjorie Scardino, chief executive, said: “We continue to reshape Pearson into a more… Continue reading Pearson Reports 6% Revenue Increase

Abigail Blackburn has been appointed editor of IPC Connect’s celebrity weekly title Now.Currently deputy editor of sister-title Woman, Blackburn will lead the 42-strong Now editorial team.Blackburn joined IPC Connect in November 2005 as part of the development team for the 2006 re-launch of Woman.Prior to joining IPC, Abigail worked in a variety of senior roles… Continue reading New Editor For Now