Channel 4 has announced an increase in profits of 9%, allowing the broadcaster to pump an extra £50 million into its programming budget this year. The rise sees the broadcaster’s profits hit £48.5 million, with advertising growth of 6% over the year increasing turnover to £894 million. Channel 4’s main channel saw advertising and sponsorship… Continue reading Revenue Rise Sees C4 Pump £50m Into Programming

UK publishing group, Pearson, has agreed to buy US teacher certification group National Evaluation Systems Inc (NSE), with the deal expected to add to adjusted earnings per share and return on invested capital from 2007. According to Pearson, NES is the leading provider of customised state assessments for teacher certification in the US, working under… Continue reading Pearson Buys US Teacher Certification Group

Channel 4 is to court controversy this August with a series of near-the-knuckle comedy programming specifically designed to cause offence.The broadcaster’s Offensive Comedy Season will feature a range of documentaries and films examining un-PC topics, designed as a reaction to increasing social tension and social discord.“In an era where cartoons can lead to international rioting… Continue reading Channel 4 Plans To Offend With Comedy Season

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