Ofcom has announced that it is to finalise its market impact assessment of the BBC’s new online catch-up service by December 15.Ofcom and the BBC governors have established a steering group to examine the new on-demand service, which will be delivered online via the BBC’s iPlayer.The new offerings are comprised of a seven-day TV and… Continue reading Ofcom Launches BBC iPlayer Assessment

Digital channel FX has apparently developed the first television advert aimed at retaining its message even when ad breaks are fast forwarded on PVRs.According to a report in the Guardian, he 30-second advertisement is designed to retain its message when viewed at up to 12 times its normal speed.The ad contains a single image on… Continue reading FX To Air PVR Resistant Ad

It looks as if one of the front runners for the top job at ITV is no longer in the running, after it emerged today that Stephen Carter is being kept on gardening leave until the end of February.According to a report in the Guardian, Zygos, the headhunters leading the race for Charles Allen’s successor,… Continue reading Carter Stuck On Gardening Leave

The head of United International Pictures, Stewart Till, has been approached by the headhunters leading the search for Charles Allen’s successor at ITV.According to reports in the trade press, Till has been contacted by headhunters Zygos, who are understood to have also spoken to BBC Worldwide boss John Smith.Till began his career at Saatchi &… Continue reading UIP Boss Linked With ITV Top Job

The majority of the money made from quiz show channel ITV Play comes from viewers failing to get through on premium rate phone lines.According to a report in today’s Daily Telegraph, ITV is budgeting for £20 million profits from the channel this year.The report says that William Van Rest, controller of ITV Play, said that… Continue reading Failure To Get Through Fills ITV’s Coffers

Time Out Group has hired Graeme Tottle to the newly created role of commercial director of the listings guide’s sales operation, a post he recently filled for Emap men’s magazines.Tottle will oversee advertising for the London edition of Time Out and its website, as well as identifying cross-platform opportunities for clients.The newly created role will… Continue reading Time Out Hires Commercial Director

Independent media specialist Target Media has launched the UK’s largest regular specialist survey into consumer entertainment products and services.The online Eyeball research panel has been developed in partnership with Market Evolution and is intended to provide clients with insight into fast changing consumer trends.Robert Wilkerson, managing director of Target Media, said: “Eyeball Entertainment offers deeper… Continue reading Target Media Launches UK’s Largest Online Entertainment Panel

IPC tx has announced the appointment of Richard Coles as publisher of TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and Soaplife.Coles replaces Natalie Bell, who is moving on to What’s On TV and TV Easy as publisher.Philippa Brown, IPC tx managing director, said: “Richard is an extremely talented publisher and I’m delighted to appoint someone of… Continue reading IPC Tx Appoints New Publisher

WPP’s reportable revenue for the first six months of 2006 was up 16.1% at £2.864 billion, with headline profit before tax up over 24% to £361 million. On a constant currency basis, revenue was up 12.7% compared with last year, whilst on a like for like basis, excluding the impact of acquisitions and currency, revenues… Continue reading WPP Reportable Revenue Up In H1 2006

Total media spend grew by 8% year on year for the second quarter of 2006, from £2.48 billion to £2.68 billion, according to new research from Thomson Intermedia and KPMG. However, TV adspend grew only 1%, despite this summer’s World Cup, and the report says that the outlook for the rest of the year remains… Continue reading Total Media Spend Increases For Q2 2006