Virgin Media has today announced a content programming deal with HBO, including smash-hit series like The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Entourage.The deal marks HBO’s first entry into the UK market place. At least 50 hours of premium programming will be available upon full roll-out, through Virgin Media’s TV-on-demand service.The HBO subscription service will be… Continue reading HBO Launches On Virgin Media VOD Service

Ofcom will today start a review of the future of children’s programming in the UK as part of its overall programme investigating the future of public service broadcasting (PSB) in the digital age.The project will look at the state of children’s media in the UK, examine the role of television within this, explore prospects for… Continue reading Ofcom Begins Review Of Children’s Programming

ITV has announced that Sir James Crosby is to be appointed as senior independent director and chairman of the nomination committee of the board. Crosby, 50, replaces Sir George Russell and will serve as an independent representative for shareholders to contact. Sir George Russell, deputy chairman, said: “I am very pleased that James has accepted… Continue reading New Senior Independent Director For ITV

A new report from eMarketer shows that the US remains the single largest internet market in the world with 181.9 million internet users in 2006, although China is likely to take the lead before the decade is out. Ben Macklin, eMarketer senior analyst and the author of the new Worldwide Internet Users: 2005-2011 report, said:… Continue reading US Remains Largest Internet Market In The World

Two thirds of US internet users watch television whilst surfing the net, according to a new report from eMarketer. As consumers become flooded with more media, they are finding ways to make room for it rather than letting some of it go, says the online market research company. Though teens are more likely to do… Continue reading US Internet Users Watch TV Whilst Online

January saw several advertising forecasts released for the year ahead, with many of them placing online adspend at the forefront of expected growth. The Long Term Advertising Expenditure Forecast, compiled by the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) on behalf of the Advertising Association forecast that advertising expenditure will increase by up to 36% in real… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – January 2007

Broadband will reach almost half a billion subscribers by 2011, according to a new report from ABI Research. ABI says that broadband internet access is gradually becoming a defining characteristic of advanced industrialised economies, and broadband take rates have been increasing at a rapid pace across the world. The latest update to ABI Research’s online… Continue reading Global Broadband Subscribers To Increase

The number of IPTV households is forecast to grow from 5.8 million homes globally in 2006 to over 80 million in 2011, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics. The technology research firm says that penetration of pay TV subscribers within this larger group of connected IPTV households will reach 51% by the end… Continue reading IPTV Households To Grow To Over 80 Million

Another chapter in the Branson Vs Murdoch saga has unfolded, with BSkyB challenging Virgin Media to sign a new deal to continue to carry its basic portfolio of channels across the cable network, reflecting “the proposed new terms and considerable value of its basic channels”.Sky launched adverts on channels such as Sky One last night.… Continue reading Branson Vs Murdoch: Round Three

Chrysalis has decided to initiate a formal review of its strategic operations, which could lead to a demerger of its radio and music businesses. The company has hired Hawkpoint Partners to assist with the review, with the company’s founder and 26% majority shareholder, Chris Wright, said to be coming round to the suggestion put forward… Continue reading Chrysalis Initiates Formal Review of Strategic Operations