Sky One’s screening of the long-awaited Simpsons episode written by Ricky Gervais drew 1.5 million adults last night, exceeding the audience for the two preceeding episodes and more than doubling the audience of a following edition of the show.Airing at 6:30pm, the episode featured Gervais as the voice of Charles – Homer Simpson’s opposite number… Continue reading Gervais-Penned Simpsons Scores Ratings Hit For Sky

BBC Origin has announced the launch of a new full-colour monthly puzzle magazine, with Mind Games launching on the 6th June 2006.The publication will offer readers brainteasers, puzzles, quizzes and facts, providing high quality content to satisfy the hardcore puzzler and “embracing everyone who likes to think.”Commenting on the launch, Andy Marshall, managing director of… Continue reading BBC Origin Launches New Puzzle Magazine

Radio giant GCap Media has appointed Scott Muller, programme director of DMGT Australia’s Nova 969, as its new programme director for flagship station Capital Radio.The move sees Muller replace former programme director Nik Goodman, who stepped down from the position last week, along with managing director Keith Pringle, in what was described as a “mutual”… Continue reading GCap Poaches DMGT’s Muller For Capital Role

The Manchester Evening News is to become a free paper within the city’s central district next week, as publisher Guardian Media Group prepares to distribute 50,000 free copies a day.The move will not replace the paid-for title, which will continue to sell for 35p outside the city centre. The publisher hopes to boost the paper’s… Continue reading GMG To Take MEN Free For City Centre Readers

Davina McCall will not be returning to her self-titled chat show, the BBC has confirmed, following a string of ratings failures which saw the programme crushed by opposition from rival broadcasters.Confirming the Corporation’s decision to drop the programme, Peter Fincham, controller of BBC One, said: “Davina played in a very challenging slot on BBC. It’s… Continue reading BBC Drops Davina After Dismal Chat Debut

Digital radio broadcaster and programme producer, UBC Media, has launched its Digital Radio Display Text Software in partnership with US company, Harris Corporation. The deal will see UBC’s display text software integrated into Harris’s HD Radio Flexstar product portfolio, potentially generating millions of dollars in revenues for the UK based company. The US radio industry… Continue reading UBC Media Signs Radio Deal With US Firm

Online shoppers in Germany rose by 7% in 2005, reaching 26.9 million, with increasing amounts of consumers using the internet to research purchases. New data from ENIGMA GfK claim that half a million internet users in Germany look at products online before buying them, with price comparison the main reason for doing so. Research online… Continue reading Online Shopping In Germany Up 7% In 2005

The unstoppable march of Google is benefiting the entire online advertising industry, with new predictions from Merrill Lynch claiming the search engine is helping to increase the market. According to the analyst, Google’s innovation is expanding the online industry, with improved targeting of advertising on the internet making internet usage time more valuable. Merrill Lynch… Continue reading Google Pushes Online Ad Industry Forward

Overall internet advertising revenues totalled $12.5 billion in 2005, a new annual record exceeding 2004’s figure by 40%. According to new figures released by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), internet ad revenues in the last quarter of 2005 reached $3.6 billion, representing a 34% increase over the same period in 2004. Commenting… Continue reading Online Adspend Hits $12.5 Billion In 2005

ITV is to lose another of its best-known presenters this year, as Denis Norden announces his retirement from the broadcaster after 30 years with the channel.Norden will record one final entertainment special next month, which will mark the end of his time with ITV. Entitled All the Best From Denis Norden, the programme will be… Continue reading Norden Calls It A Night On ITV