ITV’s future is at the centre of renewed speculation today, with reports surfacing that a possible bid of £6 billion is being prepared for the broadcaster by a conglomerate of investors, including Lord Hollick and former BBC director general, Greg Dyke.The rumours build on comments made by Hollick last week, when the outgoing chief executive… Continue reading Greg Dyke Implicated In ITV Bid Speculation

The first television search engine offering customers over 42,000 hours of clips, has been launched by blinkx TV, allowing users to search online for clips from their favourite news, sports and entertainment programmes.The new technology allows TV and radio programmes from 15 international broadcasters, including the BBC, ITN and Sky News, to be fully searchable… Continue reading First Online TV Search Engine Launched

ITV Sales has announced the appointment of Jeremy Neaves as its new head of customer communications, further underlining the company’s drive to provide a more customer focused approach to its business.Neaves has spent the past 12 years working in agencies, holding positions with some of the nation’s best known direct marketing and relationship marketing agencies,… Continue reading ITV Hires Customer Boss To Boost Client Focus

Media heavyweights, Lord Clive Hollick, Stephen Grabiner and Greg Dyke may launch a £6 billion bid for broadcaster ITV, according to industry reports. The three work for private equity houses and are rumoured to have held talks, discussing the possibility of forming an alliance to fund a bid for the commercial giant. Last week it… Continue reading Possible Consortium Bid For ITV

The ability to avoid TV commercials through the use of PVRs (personal video recorders) is costing UK advertisers £30 million a year, according to a new white paper produced by media analyst Big Picture. The growth in the penetration of PVRs, such as Sky+, has given a significant number of TV viewers the opportunity to… Continue reading UK Ad Avoidance Costing Advertisers £30 Million Per Year

The number of 15-22 year old web users accessing the internet via a broadband connection has experienced dramatic growth, rising to 70% in the final quarter of 2004. Results from a new survey published by youth-oriented online content site, Bolt, show an 11% increase on the previous quarter. One half of total number of 15-22… Continue reading Increased Broadband Uptake By Young Surfers

Speculation has intensified surrounding Associated Newspapers’ Evening Standard, with city brokers Cazenove warning that the paper may have to drop its coverprice or become a freesheet in order to survive intensified competition in the capital.The warning follows similar speculation last month that the newspaper would merge its operations with Associated’s high-profile freesheet, the Metro, and… Continue reading Freesheet Evening Standard Speculation Continues

Government media watchdog Ofcom, has announced a raft of new analogue commercial radio licences to extend its planned radio timetable into 2005.The move could benefit a number of cities across the UK, including Swindon, Torbay and Swansea, with the introduction of several smaller licences now, and the possibility of larger licences being introduced by March.Amongst… Continue reading Ofcom Extends Radio Licence Programme

The Direct Marketing Association has announced the appointment of Charles Ping, head of CRM at Guardian Newspapers, as its new chairman, replacing David Coupe, managing director of Experian’s marketing services division, who has stepped down following the completion of his two year term as chair.During his two year chairmanship, Coupe has played a key role… Continue reading Direct Marketing Association Appoints New Chairman

The Daily Telegraph has proved successful in attracting young and upmarket audiences, according to data from the National Readership Survey, with the paper citing increases of up to 50% in the much sought after 15-24 age group.In year on year analysis the figures for April to September 2004 show the Daily Telegraph adding more young… Continue reading Telegraph Sees Growth In Young Readers