A new forecast from OPera Media predicts that continued strong increases from the online search and classified sectors will see UK total advertising spend increase by 3.3% this year, adding that the television, press and radio markets will continue to lose share of advertising spend in 2007. OPera also says that television revenues will remain… Continue reading UK Adspend To Increase By 3.3% In 2007

The latest IPA ‘Trends in Television’ report for Q2 2007 shows the first year on year increase in average daily viewing levels for some time, now standing at 3.46 hours, up from 3.43 hours for the same period last year. The non-terrestrial channels continue to grow in terms of penetration, patronage and share of viewing,… Continue reading Q2 2007 TV Viewing Stabilising

Commercial radio revenue figures for the second quarter of 2007 have grown to over £85 million, according to RadioCentre, the industry body for UK commercial radio. In a statement released today, RadioCentre said local revenue for the quarter grew year on year by 1.2% to over 40 million and sponsorship & promotions revenue dipped slightly… Continue reading Growth For Commercial Radio Revenues

Steve Burch, Virgin Media chief executive, is to leave the company with immediate effect, citing family and personal reasons. Neil Berkett, Virgin Media’s chief operating officer is to take on the chief executive responsibilities for the time being, with the company saying that it intends to start a search for a replacement shortly. Burch, who… Continue reading Steve Burch Steps Down As Virgin Media CEO

Richard Huntingford, ex-Chrysalis radio chief executive, has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Virgin Radio. Huntingford joined Chrysalis in 1987 and announced his departure in June following the group’s sale of its radio division. The SMG owned Virgin Radio also announced that Rosemary Thorne is joining as senior independent director, whilst David Palmer has already… Continue reading Richard Huntingford Named Virgin Radio Chairman

The Office of Fair Trading has said it would agree to consider a review of the imposed Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) on ITV.According to reports, the broadcaster, which has challenged the restrictions following the Carlton/Granada merger, has finally persuaded the OFT to think about looking at the case.The OFT said it would make a decision… Continue reading OFT Agrees To Consider Review Of CRR

UK online retail reached an all-time high in July, exceeding £4 billion for the first time, according to retail body the IMRG. UK sales were up 80% year on year, to £4.2 billion, £1.86 billion higher than in July 2006. Electricals was the strongest growing sector, up by 102% year-on-year, with clothing, footwear and accessories… Continue reading UK Online Retail Reaches All-Time High

Spending on search engine marketing in the UK is forecast to grow 58% this year to £2.2 billion, with almost £2 billion of that coming from paid search, according to a new report from E-consultancy. The study says that although the growth rate has fallen from 65% in 2006, it looks as if the market… Continue reading UK Search Engine Marketing To Grow

WPP has reported a 5.3% increase in like-for-like revenues for the six months to the end of June, helped by acquisitions in China and India and faster growth in the US. WPP posted a pre-tax profit of £338 million, a 6.9% on the same period last year. Its reported revenue rose 2% to £2.9 billion.… Continue reading WPP Revenues Increase 5.3%

The King was a big draw for ITV1 last night, with Young Elvis In Colour grabbing a peak of 3.6 million adults (an 18.9% share of the audience) in its 9pm timeslot.The insightful documentary, shown 30 years after the death of one of pop culture’s biggest icons, featured rare colour archive and home movies of… Continue reading Elvis Gets A Big Audience For ITV1