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US media ownership restrictions were yesterday relaxed by the country’s Republican-led Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In a 3-2 vote over the body’s Democrat contingent, rules governing cross media ownership and audience share limits were eased in a move that is similar to proposals in the UK’s pending Communications Bill (see Puttnam Threatens To Quash Communications… Continue reading FCC Relaxes US Media Ownership Rules As Expected

The BBC is stepping up competition against its commercial rivals and is strengtheing its marketing strategy in the nations and regions with the appointment of a new senior strategic marketer.The shake-up is intended to achieve a “step change” in the impact of the BBC’s marketing activity in all parts of the UK by strengthening campaigns… Continue reading BBC Steps Up Marketing In Nations And Regions

The full scale roll-out of digital cinema installations could begin as early as next year, according to new analysis from Screen Digest. At present, only 160 screens worldwide have high-end digital cinema presentation capability, equivalent to just one-eighth of one per cent of total first-run cinemas. However, initial screenings have proved popular, with a recent… Continue reading Digital Advertising Kickstarts Cinematic Revolution

Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has issued a stern defence of the Communications Bill, warning that if Rupert Murdoch takes control of Five, new rules will be introduced to prevent him from using the channel to cross promote his other media interests. Peers are due to gather in the House of Lords today to discuss the… Continue reading Jowell Hints At New Laws If Murdoch Moves On Five

BSkyB is considering plans to expand its in house advertising unit to make cut price commercials for outside clients, in a bid to lure more brands to TV.According to reports in the Financial Times, managing director of Sky networks, Dawn Airey, wants BSkyB to target companies that regard television advertising as too costly to pursue.… Continue reading Sky Considers Plans To Enter Ad Production Market

Online banking is expected to maintain its upward momentum in Western Europe with the number of accounts set to increase by over 50 million in the next five years, according to a new study from IDC. It is estimated that there were around 50 million European surfers accessing internet banking services by the end of… Continue reading Europeans Switch To Internet Banking

ITV’s first major venture into interactive television has proved a success with over 1 million viewers voting for I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here via interactive applications.The interactive vote generated £110,000 for charity and follows a successful run for the reality TV show, which attracted an average of 12.3 million viewers during… Continue reading Interactive Vote Proves A Success For I’m A Celebrity

The mobile phone industry experienced a stronger-than-anticipated first quarter with handset sales up by 18% from last year, according to new figures from Gartner Dataquest. The US-based research firm calculates that sales totalled 112.7 million units, up from 93.8 million units in Q1 2002 (see Worldwide Mobile Phone Sales Dipped in Q1). This reflected high… Continue reading Record First Quarter For Mobile Providers

Viacom Outdoor has secured Carling to launch a network of giant plasma screen billboards across ten key tube stations on the London Underground.The new electronic poster formats will be the first of their kind to be installed on the London Underground network and will screen a series of different Carling ads throughout the day.Situated in… Continue reading Viacom Secures Carling For New Plasma Ad Screens

Viacom Brand Solutions has secured a deal with Britvic to promote its new Freekee Soda soft drink across Nickelodeon’s online and broadcast platforms.The four-week long campaign, which begins later this month, will encourage viewers to visit Nickelodeon’s website to enter a special Freekee Soda competition for the chance to become a TV presenter.The on-air promotion… Continue reading New Britvic Campaign Puts The Fizz In Nickelodeon