Government media watchdog, Ofcom has announced that it has received five bids for the Norwich FM Independent Radio Licence.The new licence is expected to have a potential audience of 240,000 listeners, but will be smaller than the existing licence held by Broadland FM.Battling for the licence will be Crown FM, a distinctive speech and music… Continue reading Ofcom Reveals Five Bids For Norwich FM Licence

Glasgow-based Scottish Media Group (SMG) has released an upbeat trading statement for the year ending 31 December 2004, revealing a 9% increase in profit before tax like for like, to £17.5 million, compared with £16 million in 2003.Total operating profit rose by a massive 62% year on year, up to £17.7 million in 2004 from… Continue reading SMG Enjoys 9% Rise In Profit For 2004

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has today announced a massive 49% increase in operating profit to £325 million for the year ending 31 December 2004, helped by a rise in net advertising revenue across the ITV brand.The company’s operating margin in 2004 grew by 45% year on year, with net cash inflow from operating activities hitting £321… Continue reading Advertising Revenues Drive ITV Profits Up

The Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken the final step in clearing the merger of Capital Radio and GWR, with the stations announcing the satisfaction of all the pre-conditions set out previously by the OFT.The OFT were concerned that the merger of Capital and GWR may result in increased concentration and reduced customer choice… Continue reading OFT Clears Final Hurdle In Capital GWR Merger

The Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken the final step in the clearance process concerning the merger of Capital Radio and GWR, with the stations announcing the satisfaction of all the pre-conditions set out previously by the OFT.The OFT were concerned that the merger of Capital and GWR may result in increased concentration and… Continue reading OFT Clears Capital And GWR Merger

Government media watchdog, Ofcom, has awarded a new 12-year FM commercial radio licence for Belfast to U105, owned by multi-media group Ulster TV (UTV).Ofcom received eleven applications for the hotly contested radio licence, which will broadcast to an adult population of around 750,000 in Belfast and the surrounding area.Commenting on the deal, Roy Bailie chairman… Continue reading Ulster TV Wins Belfast FM Licence

ITV1 has suffered one of its worst ratings drop in the past five years with audiences for the first two months of 2005 down by 10% year on year.Audience figures show 23% fewer 16-35 year olds watched ITV1 in January and February in 2005, compared to the same period in 2004.This drop is attributed by… Continue reading ITV Has A Tough Two Months As Ratings Slip

An advert for BBC Broadcast Limited has been placed in the global Financial Times and UK trade magazine Broadcast, signaling the beginning of the sales process for the BBCs commercial subsidiary.BBC Broadcast is one of Europe’s leading multimedia producer and distributors, providing a comprehensive range of services for content across all media, from television to… Continue reading BBC Broadcast Gets Go Ahead For Sale

Grey Global Group shareholders have approved the sale of the company to Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP Group, clearing the way for the deal to close on March 7 this year.Grey shareholders are reported to receive $1.7 billion in cash and WPP stock out of the $1.5 billion purchase of the New York based media group.It… Continue reading Date Set For WPP Merger With Grey Global

IPC’s Marie Claire has entered into the realm of ‘sonic advertising’, with a new advert for Herbal Essences hair products literally shouting the brand message from the magazine’s March edition.The innovative advert features a four-page glossy card with an integrated sound chip. When the card is opened by the reader they hear a woman shouting… Continue reading IPC Launches First Speaking Magazine Advert