In October, Merrill Lynch lowered its global ad forecast from 4.9% growth for the year to 4.3%. The financial analyst also said that Europe is seeing weakness in the UK, Germany, and Spain, although online continues to perform strongly. Merrill Lynch added that in the US, it maintained its H2 online forecast growth rates, resulting… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – October 2006

The BBC and Sky dominate mobile TV and internet, according to new research from Telephia which shows that 33% of all mobile TV viewers watched BBC1, whilst 29% watched Sky Sports. The BBC also secured top ranking amongst mobile internet sites, with 28% of all mobile web users visiting the site, whilst the Sky Sports… Continue reading BBC And Sky Dominate Mobile TV And Internet

US non-travel e-commerce spending by consumers increased 23% in Q3 2006 versus a year ago, according to new research from comScore Networks. In the third quarter, online non-travel (retail) spending increased to $23.1 billion (up 23%), whilst travel spending, despite a slowing growth rate, reached $18.2 billion (up 9%). Overall, total online spending by consumers… Continue reading US E-Commerce Spending Increases 23%

The iPod’s grip on the portable music device market could be challenged by consumers using the MP3 facility on their mobile handsets, according to a new report from Continental Research. The Autumn 2006 Mobile Report shows that amongst those people who listened to an MP3 on their phone, 13% did so everyday, and 70% did… Continue reading Mobile Phone MP3 Players Could Challenge iPod

The UK economy is set to grow at or just above 2.5% per annum both this year and next, according to the latest forecast from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The NIESR says that assuming interest rates are raised to 5% per annum in November and 5.3% per annum early next… Continue reading UK Economy Set To Grow At 2.5%

One out of every ten online consumers in the US watches television broadcasts online, according to the latest Consumer Internet Barometer survey from The Conference Board and TNS. The top reasons given for watching TV broadcasts online are personal convenience and avoiding commercials. Only a small percentage of consumers claim that their traditional television viewing… Continue reading One In Ten US Online Consumers Watches Internet TV

Mobile TV is seen as having good potential for growth as it is a service which should have mass appeal across the whole customer base, unlike many other content services such as games, according to new research from Ovum. Mobile gaming, says Ovum, appeals to around only 20% of users, whilst there have been some… Continue reading Mobile TV Providers Could Have To Consider Ad Supported Models

Despite mobile phone providers’ endeavours to recruit 3G customers, third generation technology remains a low priority for mobile users across the globe, with cost the overriding factor, according to new research from TNS. The research identified little increase in 3G technology usage amongst consumers, who see the offer of mobile TV and surfing the net… Continue reading 3G Capability Remains Low Priority For Mobile Users

Pearson, publisher of the Financial Times, has announced that it is on track to produce record profits for the year. The group recorded underlying operating profit up 15% for the first nine months of the year and sales up 5%, whilst total sales for the nine months to September 30 were up by 11% and… Continue reading Pearson On Track To Deliver Record Profits This Year

The board of SMG has threatened to resign after a dispute with one of its main shareholders as to who should run the company. According to a report in the Guardian, non-executive directors told Fidelity that they would quit unless the fund manager stop demanding that they fire chairman Dr Chris Masters. Fidelity has apparently… Continue reading SMG Board Threatens To Resign