December 2004 saw 2.2 million 12-17 year olds use the internet for entertainment, representing 78% of teenagers within this age bracket being online in the UK in this period, according to the latest research from internet research specialists, Nielsen//NetRatings. The study found that music and online games sites attracted the largest number of young adults,… Continue reading 78% Of Teenagers Use Internet For Entertainment

Nielsen Media Research has warned subscribers not to use digital cable viewing data from its MarketBreaks service from 1 November to 2 February after a processing error rendered the three-month period unusable.While Nielsen have not revealed the magnitude of the error, it said in an e-mail sent to clients on Friday: “The impact varies greatly… Continue reading Nielsen Reissues Cable TV Data Following Error

Radio operator, The Wireless Group (TWG), has confirmed media speculation that it has received a proposal regarding a possible cash offer for all the issued share capital of the company, from its senior management including chairman and chief executive Kevin MacKenzie. Industry reports over the weekend stated that MacKenzie was preparing to take control of… Continue reading TWG Confirms Offer Proposal

Magazine publishers, Highbury House Communications, has confirmed that it has reached agreement over the proposed takeover bid by Future, creating the UK’s third largest consumer magazine group, in a deal said to be worth £96.5 million (see Future To Bid For Highbury). The agreement will see titles such as Real Homes and Fast Car added… Continue reading Highbury Confirms Future Takeover Bid

Television advertising revenue in the UK is forecast to grow at its fastest rate since 2000, aided by the prospects of a general election and the UK’s economic upturn. New data released by media group ZenithOptimedia, predicts TV adspend to increase by 12% in Q1 2005, revising its previous estimates up, from 5% for the… Continue reading TV Adspend Fuelled By Elections

Commercial news providers should receive a share of the BBC licence fee once the digital switchover is complete, according to a new report from the Social Markets Foundation. The ‘What’s the news? News Broadcasting in the Digital Age’ report suggests that 5% of the BBC licence fee should be used to fund commercial television news… Continue reading Commerical News Providers Call For Funds

Egmont Magazines has announced the launch of Disney Special Collection, targeting boys and girls aged 3-7 years with what it claims is a “highly collectable, quality monthly magazine” featuring some of Disney’s best-loved characters and branded covermounted gifts.The magazine will have an initial print run of 65,000, with the first issue due to go on… Continue reading Egmont Expands Magazine Portfolio With Disney Title

Media super-regulator Ofcom has handed down a £25,000 fine to adult broadcaster, Playboy TV, following the broadcast of hardcore pornographic material which breached the watchdog’s Programme Code.Playboy’s broadcast of an R18 rated adult film on 1 May 2004, and a previous broadcast of 18 certificate material landed it in hot water with the regulator, which… Continue reading Playboy TV Fined Over Hardcore Broadcast

Future Publishing’s flagship computing magazine, PC Plus, has proclaimed a recent trial, which enabled readers to view content via their mobile phones, as a success following 35,000 downloads in just four months.The year long trial delivers a special java-based edition of PC Plus to mobile phones, a move which Future claims continues its commitment to… Continue reading Mobile Magazine Spells Success For Future

ITV has completed the sale of Superhire Limited, its prop hire business in the continued sell-off of its non-core business elements.The sale of the business, together with the freehold property it occupies, was made for for a cash consideration of £8.2 million. ITV states that the funds generated by the sale will be used to… Continue reading ITV Continues Non-Core Business Sell-Off