The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has passed the merger of NTL and Telewest, as well as BSkyB’s acquisition of telecoms firm, Easynet. Announcing its decision to the city, the OFT stated: “Both cases relate to the emergence of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) as an alternative means to provide ‘triple-play’ (pay-TV, internet and telecommunications) services,”… Continue reading OFT Approves Media Mergers

US media owner, Viacom, has spilt itself into two companies, CBS Corp and Viacom, with investors getting one CBS share and one Viacom share for each two of Viacom they own. The division will see Viacom own the MTV cable business and the Paramount Pictures studio, while CBS owns Simon & Schuster, Showtime and Paramount… Continue reading Viacom Splits Into Two

Older internet users are using the internet more heavily compared to this time a year ago, with a new study from Burst Media! showing that 61% of users aged 55 and over have increased their online presence. The survey revealed that the majority of respondents, 65.5%, visited more websites than they did this time last… Continue reading Older Users Move Online

Government watchdog, Ofcom, has announced plans to allocate three additional blocks of radio spectrum filling the gaps in local multiplex coverage, resulting in local DAB digital radio services being accessible to every part of the UK. The new proposals will also see a block added to national commercial multiplexes, offering additional choice to as many… Continue reading Ofcom Announces New Spectrum Plans

BBC1’s premier of football film Bend It Like Beckham attracted a healthy average of 3.6 million adult viewers last night, rising slightly in the second part of the film showed after the news.ITV’s Doc Martin however, was the clear ratings winner last night, with an average of 7.3 million adults tuning in.Eastenders attracted an average… Continue reading ITV Wins With Doc Martin

Government watchdog, Ofcom, has announced plans to allocate three additional blocks of radio spectrum filling the gaps in local multiplex coverage, resulting in local DAB digital radio services being accessible to every part of the UK.The new proposals will also see a block added to national commercial multiplexes, offering additional choice to as many listeners… Continue reading Ofcom Announces New Spectrum Plans

Media and communications group, Aegis, has announced the acquisition of market research business RBMR for a cash consideration of €5.4 million payable over five years. RBMR includes the market research subsidiaries of German based Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, which specialises in business to business, financial, utilities, telecoms and transport research. Commenting on the deal, Robert… Continue reading Aegis Acquires German Market Research Business

The MediaTelInsight team would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. INSIGHT will close from this afternoon at 1pm until 9am on 3rd January 2006.

Independent News & Media has enjoyed a strong 2005, with a positive trading statement for the publisher showing good growth in circulation and advertising group revenues for the 11 months to 30th November. The Group revealed strong growth across its five main markets, the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, expecting to report… Continue reading Independent News & Media Enjoys Strong 2005

Global digital subscriber lines (DSL) rose by over 9% in the third quarter of 2005, passing the 125 million mark by 30th September. Research company Point Topic now forecasts a total of at least 135 lines world-wide by the end of this year. According to the broadband analysis company the Middle East and Africa is… Continue reading Global Broadband Lines Up By 9% In Q3 2005