June saw several Hollywood blockbusters dominating the nation’s cinemas, as Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith secured a second month as the most popular film choice, despite pressure from Batman Begins, the fifth Batman film featuring a fourth new face behind the mask.Last month saw Star Wars draw a total of 10.5 million… Continue reading June Sees Blockbusters Dominate Cinema

The Daily Telegraph has re-launched its popular Fantasy Football game, with new branding and enhanced interactive elements designed to draw even more players than its previous successful runs.Fronted by the newspaper’s columnist, broadcaster and footballing legend Alan Hansen, the competition will offer more prizes, and new features for the 05/06 football season. In addition, Hansen… Continue reading Hansen To Front Telegraph Fantasy Football Drive

RTL’s acquisition of a 100% shareholding in Five earlier this week has sparked rumours of a takeover bid from the company for Telewest’s programming arm, Flextech. RTL secured complete control of Five after agreeing with United Business Media to acquire the outstanding 35.4% shareholding for £247.6 million (see RTL Seizes Full Control Of Five). The… Continue reading RTL Buyout Sparks Five / Flextech Bid Rumours

The latest estimates from internet research specialist, Point Topic, suggest that over 11 million people now use retail voice over IP (VoIP) services for at least some of their phone calls, marking an increase from just over five million in mid-2004. Point Topic’s figures are based upon the publicly available number of total VoIP subscribers,… Continue reading Worldwide VoIP Subscribers More Than Double

GMTV saw its revenues rise by 7.6% year on year during June, totaling £4.7 million and marking the only growth amongst the nation’s terrestrial broadcasters.ITV was less fortunate, seeing its revenues drop by 19.7% in the same period to £109.8 million. However, the broadcaster has invested heavily in its multi-channel offerings, announcing plans to invest… Continue reading Television Market Round-Up – June 2005

Virgin Radio has signed high-profile Sky Sports presenter Tim Lovejoy to host a star-studded magazine-style sports programme from 28th August.Lovejoy will take to the air on Sunday afternoons, playing music and interviewing sports and showbiz celebrities from 4pm until 7pm.The signing coincides with both the Ashes and the start of the new football season, bringing… Continue reading Virgin Radio Signs Sky Sports Star

New research from interactive specialists, Zip TV, claims that 30% of potential advertising interactors, dubbed ‘Unimpressed Pragmatists,’ are not pressing the red button because there are too few incentives. According to the study, a further 22%, referred to as ‘Apprehensive Stargazers’, are too daunted by the prospect to interact with an ad. The findings, ZipTV… Continue reading Advertisers Urged To Engage Interactive Audiences

New research from America shows that women are the principal users of digital video recorder (DVR) technology, with men seemingly relenting their stereotypical control of family TV viewing.In a national survey of 1,000 DVR users, the study showed 48% of married women making the decision to buy into the technology, while 55% believed they had… Continue reading Women Take Control In DVR Homes

RTL has secured complete control of Five, after agreeing with United Business Media to acquire the outstanding 35.4% shareholding for £247.6 million.The transaction is expected to be finalised by the autumn, although it remains subject to regulatory approval from competition watchdogs.The announcement sees RTL command a 100% share holding, having built up its interest in… Continue reading RTL Seizes Full Control Of Five

New research from interactive specialists, Zip TV, claims that 30% of potential advertising interactors, dubbed ‘Unimpressed Pragmatists,’ are not pressing the red button because there are too few incentives.According to the study, a further 22%, referred to as ‘Apprehensive Stargazers’, are too daunted by the prospect to interact with an ad.The findings, ZipTV claim, highlight… Continue reading Advertisers Urged To Engage Interactive Audiences