Satellite giant Sky is gearing up for the launch of its long-awaited high definition (HD) service, listing the first wave of HD channels in its electronic programme guide (EPG), and enabling the first interactive systems ahead of launch later this year.The broadcaster will begin to carry listings for its first nine HD channels over the… Continue reading Sky Gears Up For High Definition Launch

Ulster TV has withdrawn from bidding for the nine GCap Media Stations currently under auction, leaving the path open for the remaining contenders. According to a report in this morning’s Guardian, the Local Radio Company, UKRD and Absolute Radio are all considering making an offer for the GCap radio stations. GCap announced plans to dispose… Continue reading UTV Backs Down From GCap Radio Sale

Online newspapers in the US continue to thrive, with news websites attracting an average of 53.6 million visitors a month during the fourth quarter of 2005, enjoying a rise of 30% from 41.1 million in Q4 2004. According to the latest figures from the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), users are spending more time on… Continue reading Online Newspapers Continue Strong Growth

Christmas sales have boosted digital radio uptake, according to new figures from the Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB), with almost 500,000 digital receivers sold in December alone. The festive sales push the number of DAB purchases to date to 2.7 million, with 1.4 million sold in 2005 alone. Around 5.4 million people now listen to… Continue reading Christmas Radio Sales Boost DAB Uptake

Annual revenue from bundled services offering consumers different combinations of landline voice, high-speed internet, television or wireless voice services, is predicted to rocket, as providers realise the importance of the service for the long-term viability of their business models. According to new research from Parks Associates, by 2010 more than half of broadband households in… Continue reading Triple-Play Revenues Forecast To Hit $119.5 Billion By 2010

January saw a number of key forecasts made about the state of the advertising market, both UK and worldwide. The consensus of opinion from industry sources was that the internet would continue to make its presence felt in the media world, with the medium expected to enjoy a surge in popularity throughout 2006. eMarketer predicts… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: Media Healthcheck – January 2006

The BBC’s family history show, Who Do You Think You Are, proved its consistency as a ratings winner last night, topping primetime viewing with an average of 5.6 million adults tuning in to trace Julian Clary’s heritage.The programme, which has scored ratings wins in the past, despite tough competition from Channel 4 and ITV (see… Continue reading Family History Proves Its Pedigree For BBC Two

ITV’s Justin Sampson, director of customer relationship marketing, is to leave the company as Patrick Ugeux becomes director of marketing strategy and the broadcaster creates the new role of advertising development director.Sampson took up the role with ITV in 2004, ending more than a decade at the Radio Advertising Bureau (see ITV Poaches RAB’s Sampson… Continue reading ITV Reshuffles Commercial Team As Sampson Departs

Emap’s iconic teen music title, Smash Hits, is to close following a slide in circulations and poor advertising revenues, reports today suggest.The magazine’s closure will not end the Smash Hits brand, however, with Emap retaining its TV and radio stations of the same name.The magazine has seen its circulation slip by almost 52% over the… Continue reading Smash Hits To Close As Music Fans Move Online

Outdoor advertising group JCDecaux, has announced an increase of 7.2% year on year in revenues, reaching €1.74 million, on the backend of stronger than expected growth in the fourth quarter of 2005. Sound organic revenue growth in the group’s Street Furniture and Transport divisions led to overall organic revenue growth of 4% for 2005. Revenues… Continue reading JCDecaux Enjoys 7.2% Rise In Revenues In 2005