Market analyst group, Merrill Lynch, today announced that it is revising down its quarter two 2004 growth forecast for the US radio industry, from 5.5% to 4.0%. Merrill Lynch returned to the crystal ball after April radio advertising revenue results were weaker than expected, growing by only 4%, down from 10% in March 2004 and… Continue reading 2004 US Radio Forecast Downsized By Merrill Lynch

Fox International has announced plans to launch its youth television network, Fuel, in Europe offering 13 to 24 year-old viewers a mix of extreme sport, music and entertainment.The European roll-out of the channel will begin in the last quarter of this year in Italy, where it will be available on Eutelstat. Programming will focus around… Continue reading Fox Launches Digital Channel To Fuel Youth Viewing

Commercial radio saw revenue increase by 7.5% year on year during the first quarter of 2004 to more than £150 million, as big-brand FMCG advertisers continued to increase their investment in the medium. The latest figures from the Radio Advertising Bureau maintain the upward growth for commercial radio, which continues to lead the way out… Continue reading Commercial Radio Continues To See Revenue Rise

Aegis shareholders yesterday voted against the company’s remuneration report which would see chief executive, Douglas Flynn, getting a £2.35 million ‘payment for failure’, according to reports in The Independent. At yesterday’s annual general meeting, the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), led shareholders of the media buying agency, to vote against the severance payment, which… Continue reading Aegis Boss Pay Off Turned Down By Shareholders

Research group, Strategy Analytics, expects the number of European households with broadband internet to reach 41% by 2008, according to eMarketer. By the end of this year, broadband uptake in Europe is expected to reach 20% (33.5 million) of all households, with strong broadband markets such as Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium helping to spur growth… Continue reading Broadband To Reach 41% Of European Households By 2008

More than half (56%) of US internet users say they are likely to switch to a high-speed connection within the next six months, with there being an equal split between people choosing cable and DSL, says Ipsos-Insight. The study conducted by the global market research firm, also reveals that one in four US households with… Continue reading Battle For Broadband Customers Hotting Up

Profit for Highbury House Communications is significantly ahead of last year, reflecting the impact of acquisitions in 2003 and improved performance from its business magazine sector.At this morning’s AGM, Highbury House chairman, Ian Fletcher (pictured), told shareholders that Group revenue for the first four months of this year is up 38% on the same period… Continue reading Highbury House Reaps Benefits of 2003 Acquisitions

Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson is hoping to announce the appointment of a new chief executive to replace the outgoing Mark Thompson by the end of July at the latest.Insiders at the publicly-owned broadcaster reportedly believe an appointment could be announced much earlier following news that a team of head-hunters is due to be appointed… Continue reading Johnson To Name New Channel 4 Chief By End Of July

TNX TV, the UK’s first train based television network, has signed C2C as the ninth regional rail operator to carry its service, in a move that extends its reach to an extra 25 million commuters per year.The network will provide entertainment and information programmes, including comedy and general interest features, designed to enhance passengers’ journeys.… Continue reading TNX Signs Train TV Deal With Ninth Rail Operator

GWR saw pre-tax profits double to £17.1 million for the year, as advertising revenues grew by 8.4% to £125.6 million outperforming the radio industry increase of 7.8%.National radio revenue, accounting for 51% of GWR’s total revenue, rose by 8.7%, while local radio revenue grew by 7.9%. This is largely thanks to GWR’s implementation of new… Continue reading GWR Outperforms Radio Industry As Profits Double