Media super-regulator Ofcom has today published controversial proposals for the launch of an entirely new public service broadcaster to be run by commercial operators as a rival the BBC in the digital age. The radical suggestion has been put forward as part of a wide-ranging set of proposals designed to protect the future of public… Continue reading Ofcom Plans New Public Service Channel To Rival BBC

Television on DVD (TV DVD) is set to become a new high-growth category, according to a new report, with many US programmes hoping to make a successful transition in to this market, similar to that made by hit-shows Friends and the X-files. According to investment bank, Merrill Lynch, consumer spending on TV DVD is expected… Continue reading TV Shows On DVD Set For High Growth Period

The BBC has indicated that it would rather pursue partnerships or joint ventures for its commercial arm Worldwide rather than sell it or see it floated on the stock market, as previous reports have suggested. Speaking at a Royal Television Society dinner yesterday, the BBC’s director-general, Mark Thompson, confirmed the publicly-funded broadcaster was reconsidering ownership… Continue reading BBC Prefers Partnership Deals For Worldwide, Says Thompson

Capital Radio Group has said that it is ‘cautious’ about radio advertising revenues in October to December, despite radio continuing to outperform the display advertising market. In a trading update issued this morning ahead of full-year results due on 25 November 2005, the group said, radio revenues for the third quarter are forecast to be… Continue reading Capital Radio ‘Cautious’ Over Q4 Results

Capital and GWR have this morning agreed the terms of their proposed £711 million merger to create a single broadcaster controlling more than 40% of the radio advertising market. The merger will see the creation of the UK’s largest commercial radio group, reaching around 18 million listeners each week with a total of 55 local… Continue reading Capital And GWR Agree £711 Million Merger Terms

GWR, owner of radio station Classic FM, has said that following a strong start to the year, revenues for the first six months are expected to grow by 3% year-on-year. However, revenues in the second quarter, especially during August, were slower than anticipated and as a result its analogue sector, which generate 92% of group… Continue reading GWR Confident Over Revenue Prospects For the Year

Classic FM’s managing director and programme controller, Roger Lewis, is leaving the GWR-owned radio station at the end of next month to join ITV.News of his departure comes on the morning that GWR and Capital agree the terms of their proposed £711 million merger, which will see the creation of the UK’s largest commercial radio… Continue reading Classic FM Loses Managing Director To ITV

IPC Media’s weekly celebrity magazine, Now, has teamed up with mail order specialists Freemans to launch a joint marketing initiative.The market-leading title will this week begin targeting the catalogue’s customers with a specially created email marketing campaign featuring a mixture of special offers and competitions designed to drive sales.A ‘test cell’ of Freemans customers will… Continue reading Now Partners Freemans In Joint Marketing Initiative

MegaPoster has seen off tough competition from rivals Clear Channel and Blow-Up Media to secure the giant-banner advertising contract for Edinburgh.The three to five year deal gives MegaPoster exclusive rights to install giant banners on suitable properties undergoing refurbishment in the city. It is expected that up to twelve new advertising sites will be erected… Continue reading MegaPoster Beats Rivals To Edinburgh Banner Contract

ITV has secured an exclusive licensing agreement with Warner Brothers International Television Distribution for the rights to show a range of high-profile Hollywood movies across its family of channels over the next few years.The deal will give the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster access to feature films from Warner Brothers’ recent theatrical slates including titles such… Continue reading ITV Secures Rights To Show Blockbuster Movies