Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has reported a $3.4 billion (£2 billion) net loss in the year to 30 June.Figures released today reveal that the media giant took $8.9 billion in writedowns on acquisitions, including a previously undisclosed $452 million charge in Q4 against the Fox Interactive Media division, which owns MySpace.Profits at the company’s global… Continue reading News Corp reports $3.4bn loss

Virgin Media added just 20,400 TV customers in the second quarter, giving the service a total of 3.7 million subscribers, while its broadband customer base was up by 5,100 to 3.7 million.BSkyB published its annual results last week, which showed that it is gaining subscribers at its fastest rate for five years, adding 462,000 customers… Continue reading Virgin Media adds 20,400 TV customers in Q2

comScore has been appointed as as the independent provider of centralised site content vetting on behalf of the Internet Advertising Sales Houses (IASH) – the official sales house council of the IAB in the UK.The site vetting initiative requires the classification of more than 12,000 sites by degrees of suitability for hosting display advertising, giving… Continue reading IASH appoints comScore as 3rd party for site content vetting

Analyst UBS says that ITV should consider changing to a subscription model to boost revenues.According to a report in today’s Independent, Daniel Kerven, analyst at UBS, said there was little upside even after a recovery and “given ongoing structural pressures, we have suggested that it should consider migrating to a subscription model”.A survey carried out… Continue reading UBS: “ITV should switch to subscription model”

Magic 105.4 has announced an exclusive deal with Lakeside Shopping Centre that will see the Essex retail venue launch its first ever radio sponsorship.The deal, brokered by Mediaedge:cia, will span seven months until 3 January 2010 and support Lakeside Shopping Centre’s bid to encourage London families to visit for a day out.Every Saturday throughout August,… Continue reading Lakeside partners Magic 105.4 for first ever radio campaign

National Magazine Company is launching a hard-cover edition of men’s monthly title Esquire.The magazine will go on sale this Thursday, 6 August, at its usual price of £4.25, despite the extra costs involved in its production, according to a report on MediaGuardian.co.uk.NatMags is also producing a special “super size” edition of Harper’s Bazaar, also available… Continue reading Esquire goes hard-cover

NME Radio has launched an iPhone application via the iTunes store allowing users to immediately purchase and download music played on the station.Users can also text the NME Radio studio directly from the application, which it says is the first app of its kind for a UK radio broadcaster.Sammy Jacob, NME Radio managing and programming… Continue reading NME Radio launches iPhone app

Reports claim that Treasury minister Stephen Timms is to be appointed communications minister, overseeing the government’s Digital Britain plans.Timms will take over from Lord Carter, who confirmed his departure in June as the Digital Britain report was published (see Lord Carter expected to step down).Among the recommendations laid out in the report, Timms will have… Continue reading Timms to take on Digital Britain role

BT Vision has agreed a deal with ESPN to air the American broadcaster’s new channel.The new channel will air 46 live Barclays Premier League matches in the 2009/10 season and 23 matches a season from 2010-2013 after it won the rights following the collapse of Setanta (see ESPN wins rights to 46 Premier League matches).ESPN… Continue reading BT Vision to show new ESPN sports channel

Guardian News & Media is reportedly considering options for the Observer, including its possible closure.According to reports across the broadsheet press, GNM is working on a three-year plan which includes ensuring the future of the Guardian.This follows Friday’s trading statement where the company revealed a pre-tax loss of £89.8 million for the year to the… Continue reading GNM could close the Observer