Channel 4 has acquired the broadcast rights to a number of hit American shows from Warner Bros, continuing its strategy of importing big-budget comedy and drama programmes, as outlined in its spring schedule earlier this year.The move will see new disaster series, Invasion, included in Channel 4’s schedules, while sitcom The War at Home promises… Continue reading Channel 4 Bolsters Schedule With New US Shows

The BBC has acquired extra satellite bandwidth from Luxembourg-based SES Global, but this morning denied that it was preparing for an imminent launch of high definition (HD) services.A spokeswoman for the Corporation was quick to quash reports that a roll-out of superior quality broadcasts was on the cards, stating that, although there has been extensive… Continue reading New BBC Bandwidth Could Lead To HDTV Launch

IPC advertising has announced the appointment of Dan Handscomb as ad director for IPC Innovator, marking the media boss’s return to the group after taking the position of group business development manager with Haymarket Publishing.The new role will see Handscomb reporting to Neil Perkin, ad director for marketing and strategy within the new look group… Continue reading Handscomb Returns To IPC As Ad Director

European e-commerce is rising in popularity across Europe, with increases of 40% expected for 2005, spurred on by the adoption of broadband across the continent. According to eMarketer’s latest report, Western Europe E-Commerce, online shopping and purchasing is on the rise even in countries that are seeing deteriorating offline retail sales. Commenting on the research,… Continue reading European E-Commerce Forecast To Rise By 40% In 2005

Mobile gaming is increasing its presence in the advertising market, with video games and mobile phones set to collide and impact on the cultural relevance of marketing techniques and channels. The increasing penetration and the depth of content available on mobile phones is forcing advertisers to identify new ways to reach audiences in order to… Continue reading Mobile Gaming Impacts On Marketing Techniques

Personal video recorder (PVR) penetration is continuing to gather pace in the UK’s digital TV market, with new research revealing that almost one in ten people in digital homes own a PVR. According to Ipsos’ Digital Audience Research Tracker (DART) out of the 29 million people who have digital television, 9% claim to own PVRs.… Continue reading UK PVR Uptake On the Rise

Channel 4 is to embark upon the UK’s largest ad funded programming strand to date, with soft drinks giant Pepsi backing six one hour programmes on Channel 4 and E4.The programmes, produced by Freedom Media’s production arm, Freedom TV, will promote the company’s sugar-free Pepsi Max brand, with Pepsi Max Downloaded aimed squarely at the… Continue reading Channel 4 Signs UK’s Largest Ever Ad Funded TV Deal

United Business Media (UBM) looks set to sell its 35% stake in UK terrestrial broadcaster, Five, after intensified speculation this morning over a buyout deal from European broadcaster, RTL.Such a deal would see RTL take complete control of the broadcaster, building on its existing 65% share of the company.Reports suggest a price tag of £220… Continue reading UBM Set For Five Share Sell Off

The RAJAR Board has approved recommendations for the new contract specification and is to issue an Invitation to Tender within the week.The audience measurement body expects that tenders will be submitted before the end of the year, with the new contract due to be awarded in the early part of 2006, for a 2007 start.The… Continue reading RAJAR Invites Tenders For New Measurement Contract

The BBC is to become the first British broadcaster to premiere television content via broadband, with its decision to screen the new series of comedy show, The Mighty Boosh, online a week ahead of its transmission marking a true television first.The Mighty Boosh will be available online from 19 July, a full seven days ahead… Continue reading BBC To Premiere Award Winning Sitcom Online