The US newspaper industry failed to live up to expectations in 2005, with Merrill Lynch reporting a 2% rise in advertising revenue among the 11 major newspaper holding companies, falling short of the expected 4% increase. According to the analyst, average earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 5-6% in 2006, with the downward trend accelerating… Continue reading Continued Depression For Newspaper Market

Despite the increasing adoption of broadband, the “Digital Divide” in the UK between the haves and have-nots is deeper than first thought. According to the latest figures from Point Topic, household density in terms of penetration is highest in prosperous suburban areas, with business use driving the total up higher in areas such as Westminster… Continue reading UK Broadband Divide Deepening

Metro International has released its full year financial results for 2005, revealing an increase in sales of 19% across the group. The newspaper firm has seen a good performance from the 16 new editions launched during the last 12 months, with total daily circulation rising by 19% to 7.6 million copies around the world. Metro… Continue reading Metro International Sees Strong End To 2005

ZenithOptimedia has announced plans to launch its online and direct marketing agency, Zed, across Europe, marking the first stage of the agency’s global rollout. The company’s hopes its initiative will create new opportunities for business outside of ZenithOptimedia’s current agenda, with the agency looking for acquisitions to enhance its current digital offerings. Commenting on the… Continue reading Zed Launched Across Europe

Five scooped a surprise ratings victory last night, as the continuing series of CSI:Crime Scene Investigation drew an average adult audience of 3.7 million, flooring competition from all terrestrial rivals in the same time slot.Securing a 17.77% share in the 9-10pm time slot, CSI saw off competition from both BBC One’s Surviving Disaster, with 3.2… Continue reading CSI Floors Rivals As Five Takes Primetime Crown

Children’s magazine specialist, Egmont Magazines, has been awarded the licence to publish Fireman Sam magazine in the UK, with brand owner HIT Entertainment awarding the contract for launch later this year.Launching in Spring/Summer 2006, the title builds on Egmont’s existing relationship with HIT which sees the publisher produce the Fireman Sam book range.Commenting on the… Continue reading Egmont Widens Kids Portfolio With Fireman Sam Contract

GCap Media’s networked music property, hit40uk, is to offer its first ever podcasts as part of a promotion with the Home Office to increase awareness of child protection on the internet.The activity will see the Home Office’s Child Protection campaign promoted heavily through two hit40uk chart podcast shows, with listeners directed to the thinkuknow.co.uk website.The… Continue reading Home Office Taps Hit40UK For Online Safety Campaign

Freesheet publisher Metro International has released its full year financial results for 2005, revealing an increase in sales of 19% across the group.The newspaper firm has seen a good performance from the 16 new editions launched during the last 12 months, with total daily circulation rising by 19% to 7.6 million copies around the world.Metro… Continue reading Metro International Sees Strong End To 2005

BBC One’s Life On Mars continued to record large numbers of adult viewers last night, as the time-travelling detective series staring John Simm drew just under 6 million on average.ITV’s Northern Lights continued to prove popular, meanwhile, with 5.4 million adults on average securing second place for the commercial giant.The BBC’s Winter Olympics coverage also… Continue reading Life On Mars Eclipses Northern Lights

Carat Digital is to restructure following a raft of new business wins in the last six months, with the company repositioning itself to cope with more contract acquisitions in the near future.The personnel changes follow more than £10 million in new business wins for the company, including Airmiles, IHG, WWE and Allegran, which amounted to… Continue reading Carat Restructures Digital Arm Following Account Wins