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

Advertising expenditure in the UK rose by 5.6% in 2004, totaling £18.4 billion, according to the Advertising Association’s (AA) Advertising Statistics Yearbook 2005.The yearbook, researched and compiled on the AA’s behalf by the World Advertising Research Centre (WARC), demonstrates an annual growth rate of 4.2% in real terms, after adjusting for inflation.The new statistics show… Continue reading AA Figures Show UK Ad Spend Continuing To Rise

Emap’s flagship men’s magazine, FHM, has pushed its worldwide readership to an estimated 15 million, with the arrival of the publication in Sweden marking the 30th international edition of the magazine.The Swedish edition will have an initial print run of 150,000, and will be edited by Tobias Wickstrom, hitting the shelves at a special introductory… Continue reading FHM Widens Readership With 30th International Edition

Student TV Network, SUBtv has agreed a deal with the Fairtrade Foundation to make an exclusive live music promotion for students.The 12 to 18 month contract will see live sets and events planed, aiming to publicise Fairtrade, while introducing new musical acts to the student audience.Commenting on the initiative, Paul Miles, managing director of SUBtv… Continue reading SUBtv Signs Fairtrade Foundation For Live Music Promo

Channel 4 is to give a £2 million cash injection to its broadband operations, spawning a huge increase in online activities, and taking all of its internet content operations in house, according to reports this morning.The investment will see Channel 4 create a range of content specifically for internet audiences, including behind the scenes programmes… Continue reading Channel 4 Ploughs £2 Million Into Broadband Content

WAP usage in the UK continues to perform strongly, with 1.66 billion page impressions viewed in the UK during May, an increase of 14.1% compared to the same period in 2004, according to new figures from the Mobile Data Association (MDA).May enjoyed an average daily total of 53.8 million page impressions viewed, not quite as… Continue reading Britain’s Fondness For WAP Increases

Consumer e-commerce sales in India is enjoying strong growth, with predictions from the Internet Online Association of India (IOAI) estimating that the medium will reach a value of $550 million by 2006-2007. According to the new Power Shopper: E-commerce Report 2005-06, the internet has been a key driver of the Indian economy, with outsourcing bolstering… Continue reading E-Commerce In India To Reach $550 By 2006-2007