Speculation surrounding a merger between cable giants Telewest and ntl continues to mount, with reports this morning suggesting that US media-owner, Viacom, could bid for Telewest’s Flextech television business, owners of Living TV, Bravo and Challenge. The company also holds joint ownership with the BBC of the UKTV network of channels, including UKTV Gold and… Continue reading Viacom In Frame For Flextech Sale

Global wireless mobile phone subscriber growth is currently experiencing robust expansion after several years of slower growth, stemming from the economic downturn of the last few years. According to high-tech market research firm, In-Stat, the worldwide wireless market is forecast to grow to more than 2.3 billion subscribers, with an increasing battle for supremacy among… Continue reading Global Wireless Market Expanding

The US radio industry had a slow April, with national radio advertising expenditure falling by 2% and local radio adspend being flat compared to the same period in 2004. According to estimates by the Radio Advertising Bureau, April was the worst month in terms of national radio advert demand so far this year, reflecting the… Continue reading US Radio Industry Slow In April

Scottish Media Group (SMG) has released an upbeat trading statement showing progress in both operational achievements and trading performance, with its television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising departments all thriving.In the company’s annual general meeting, Chris Masters, SMG’s chairman, revealed that Virgin Radio’s listening performance had grown by 20% compared to last year, with its… Continue reading SMG Continues To Perform Strongly

Magazine publisher, Hachette Filipacchi UK (HF), has made a series of promotions and moves within its advertising teams, hoping to raise the profile of its titles through its young executives and managers.The restructure will see ELLEgirl advertising moving into ELLE and B’s advertising group, with Jacqui Greaves being promoted to commercial director for the three… Continue reading Hachette Filipacchi UK Restructures Advertising Team

Residents of Ipswich and the surrounding areas will soon receive a new FM radio service, after Ofcom advertised the latest in a succession of regional licences, serving an audience of between 200,000 and 250,000 adults.The exact coverage provided by the new licence will be determined by the location of the transmission site and other technical… Continue reading Ofcom Opens Bidding On Ipswich FM Licence

ITV rose to the top of the reality TV pile last night, although it was not the much-maligned Celebrity Love Island that brought good fortune, but outsider Ladette to Lady, which secured a peak of 5.8 million viewers to topple Channel 4’s Big Brother from the top spot.Finishing just before the start of Big Brother,… Continue reading ITV Delivers Winning Dose Of Reality

United Business Media (UBM) has completed the sale of its market research business, NOP World, to German company GfK Aktiengesellschaft for £383 million in cash, after announcing its disposal in April (see UBM Sells NOP To German Research Firm). Earlier this year, UBM announced a review of strategic options for NOP World, with a number… Continue reading UBM Completes Sale Of NOP World

Scottish Media Group (SMG) has released an upbeat trading statement showing progress in both operational achievements and trading performance, with its television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising departments all thriving. In the company’s annual general meeting, Chris Masters, SMG’s chairman, revealed that Virgin Radio’s listening performance had grown by 20% compared to last year, with… Continue reading SMG Continues To Perform Strongly

Virgin Mobile has become the latest network provider to provide television content to its customers’ mobile phones after signing a deal with BT to begin a four-month trial of the technology within London. The new service offers Virgin Mobile customers access to live digital TV 24-hours a day, featuring the UK’s first mobile electronic programme… Continue reading Virgin Mobile Offers TV To Customers