Broadcasters will have their licences amended by Ofcom to make them directly responsible for failures in participation services on TV and radio.Following the numerous phone-in scandals and Richard Ayre’s report into PRS services last week (see Ofcom Finds ‘Systemic Failures’ In Premium Rate Phone-In ServicesOfcom Finds ‘Systemic Failures’ In Premium Rate Phone-In ServicesOfcom Finds ‘Systemic… Continue reading Ofcom To Make Broadcasters Responsible For PRS Failures

The worldwide online population will increase from 1.1 billion users in 2006 to 1.5 billion in 2011, representing 22% of the overall worldwide population in that year, according to a new report from JupiterResearch. The Worldwide Online Population Forecast, 2006 to 2011: Emerging Economies Catalyse Future Growth report shows that Brazil, Russia, India, and China… Continue reading Global Online Population To Increase

Broadband adoption amongst European silver surfers (55 years and over) is growing at a faster rate than the average European internet user (26% year on year growth compared to 14%), according to new research from the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA). The EIAA report also shows that 68% of all European internet users aged 55+… Continue reading Silver Surfers Catching Up With Youth Online

Channel 4 is to pay £28 million for 50% of Emap’s music television business Box Television Ltd. Emap said that the joint venture will look to exploit new and emerging digital growth opportunities beyond traditional broadcast revenue streams. Emap’s music TV business currently comprises seven TV channels: The Hits, The Box, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, Q,… Continue reading Channel 4 To Buy 50% Of Emap’s Music TV Business

Virgin Media has reportedly started a bidding auction which could see it sold for £11 billion. A report in the Times says that Virgin Media’s executive chairman, Jim Mooney, has given a series of presentations to potential bidders. According to the report, so far 11 parties have shown interest in buying the company, including the… Continue reading Auction Begins For Virgin Media

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has called on the European Commission to follow the principle of technological neutrality after it named DVB-H as the single standard for mobile TV in Europe.The use of the DVB-H standard will be legally encouraged in the 27 member states following last week’s announcement, with the Commission saying that if… Continue reading EBU Does Not Want Single Mobile TV Standard

In response to last week’s cessation of all competitions following revelations of multiple editorial breaches, the BBC has announced it will establish a new Editorial Standards Board.Last Wednesday, the BBC announced a total suspension of all competitions, with phone-related competitions on BBC TV and radio to stop from midnight that night, and online and interactive… Continue reading BBC Establishes New Board To Monitor Editorial Standards

Channel 4 is to buy 50% of Emap’s music TV business, Box Television Ltd, for £28 million.Emap first moved into music television in 1996 with its purchase of The Box for £6 million. Its TV business now comprises seven TV channels: The Hits, The Box, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, Q, Kiss and Magic.In a statement released… Continue reading Channel 4 To Buy Half Of Emap Music TV

Following last week’s announcement that the American ABC is to produce a single combined figure for newspaper and online readership, the British ABC has said that it has no plans to follow suit.The US ABC board has agreed to add an estimated integrated readership figure to its official circulation reports from November this year (see… Continue reading British ABC Has No Plans To Combine Print And Online Figures

Independent magazine publisher, Development Hell, has appointed its first digital editor, in a move billed to fuel the relaunch of the websites of music titles Mixmag and The Word.Fraser Lewry will take up the role, which will be both creative and editorial, bringing a serious amount of experience to the job, including previous experience with… Continue reading Development Hell Eyes Digital Focus