The UK’s commercial radio stations have launched a robust defence of their public service credentials in the face of an ongoing investigation into the state of the industry being carried out by media super-regulator Ofcom.A wide-ranging survey has been carried out by the Commercial Radio Companies Association to gauge the amount of news, weather, travel… Continue reading Commercial Radio Defends Public Service Credentials

The UK’s first television advertisement was broadcast on this day in 1955 following the launch of Britain’s first commercially funded television station.The Independent Television Authority began broadcasting on 22 September forty-nine years ago in a move that ended the long-running monopoly of the BBC and brought advertisements to the airwaves for the first time.The station… Continue reading Television Advertising Celebrates 49th Birthday

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has this morning agreed to sell its 5.5% stake in French multimedia group, Thomson SA, to Citigroup Global Markets and UBS Limited, as part of its £600 million programme to sell-off non-core assets. The 15.5 million shares held in Thomson, which were believed to be the jewel in ITV’s crown, originated from… Continue reading ITV’s Sell-Off Continues With Stake In Thomson

WPP Group is continuing its expansion strategy, with J Walter Thompson purchasing a 30% stake in Chinese advertising and marketing group, Newsun Insight. Newsun, which generates revenue of $1.95 million last year, was founded in 2002 and currently employs 115 people. Clients of the Guangzhou based group include TCL computers, Li Bai detergent and Star… Continue reading WPP Buys 30% Stake In Chinese Ad Group Newsun

Telephone companies are now having to make a tough choice between sticking with the communications business or going all-out with a big investment in the television market, according to a new report. The Business Case for Broadband Entertainment report from Analysys says, providers of broadband are weighing up the possibility of streaming television content over… Continue reading TV On Broadband May Prove To Be Risky

Radio audience measurement body RAJAR has confirmed plans to release its quarterly listening figures earlier in the day following enquiries from a number of commercial radio stations.The move follows concerns raised by a number of large market-listed broadcasters that the release of highly anticipated audience data early to RAJAR subscribers presented the potential for insider… Continue reading RAJAR Revises Data Release Arrangements

Top-Up TV has announced the launch of its first major advertising push on terrestrial television to attract customers to its low-cost subscription service, which is accessible through specially equipped Freeview boxes.The service, which provides Freeview customers with ten extra channels for £7.99 per month, will be boosted by a multi-million pound advertising campaign beginning this… Continue reading Top-Up Targets Terrestrial Viewers With Ad Campaign

Emap has announced the appointment of Adrian Serle as the new managing director of its West Midlands-based Kerrang! 105.2 with a brief to increase the radio station’s revenue as the company builds its FM operations.Serle will take up his new position on 4 October, making the move to Birmingham from Emap radio stablemates, Hallam FM… Continue reading Kerrang! Appoints New Managing Director For Midlands

IPC Prospector, the magazine marketing outfit, has bolstered its senior management line-up with the appointment of former Trinity Mirror research boss, Darran Snatchfold, to the newly created role of ad marketing manager.Snatchfold will report directly to group ad marketing director, Christina Hartley, with a brief to promote magazine advertising to agency planners and buyers. He… Continue reading IPC Prospector Bolsters Senior Management Team

Business internet access is expected to drive forward the popularity of the on-line market over the next few years, which has slowed considerably when compared to the astronomical growth rates of the 1990’s, says a new report. According to In-Stat/MDR, internet access take-up rate is predicted to achieve strong single-digit revenue growth until 2008, as… Continue reading US Internet Access Still Growing Thanks To Businesses