Matthew Bannister, former director of radio at the BBC, has dismissed digital radio as a costly mistake in an article in today’s Times.This week the commercial digital radio group Digital One announced the launch of its latest phase of transmitter roll-outs, and implied that the BBC was not pulling its weight in trying to make… Continue reading Bannister Dismisses Digital
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has told Channel 4 to broadcast an apology to viewers offended by its satirical documentary on paedophilia, Brass Eye, but has stopped short of fining the channel.The ITC recognised the channel’s right to broadcast the programme, which attracted a barrage of complaints when it was shown in July (see Brass… Continue reading Channel 4 Rapped For Brass Eye
A fifth candidate is reported to be shortlisted for the BBC chairmanship. John Ashworth, a scientist and former chairman of the British Library, joins David Dimbleby, Michael Grade, Baroness Jay and Gavyn Davies in preparing for interviews beginning next week.The decision regarding the appointment will be made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport… Continue reading Fifth Candidate For BBC Chair
Digital One has announced the rollout of the third phase of its transmitter network and has expressed its hope that the BBC will match the commercial sector’s commitment to the success of the platform.Twenty new transmitters will be added to the network during this phase, bringing coverage beyond the licence commitment of 85% to nearer… Continue reading Phase Three For Digital One
Rivals.net, the Chrysalis owned network of sports websites, has signed a five figure deal with IBM to sponsor its Ryder Cup coverage.The deal will see IBM take full sponsorship of the Rivals.net golf site, Tee-2-Green, and includes banner ads and branded screen savers.Rivals.net sales executive, Mark Wright, said: “Rivals.net will be closely following the Ryder… Continue reading Rivals.net Signs Up IBM
Channel 4 have today hit back at the ITC, branding their ruling on the Brass Eye satirical documentary “unclear and contradictory.”Channel 4’s director of programmes, Tim Gardam, today attacked the regulator, which condemned the programme, broadcast on 26 July, for causing “exceptional and gratuitous offence.”He said: “What is disappointing and confusing about the ITC ruling… Continue reading Channel 4 Hits Back At ITC
New media advertising is set to boom over the next few years, despite its rocky fortunes in the last 18 months. Market researchers Allegra Strategies forecast that while the difficult market will mean a downturn this year, the average rate of growth for the next few years for new media ad revenues will be 51.8%… Continue reading New Media Ad Revenue To Rise
The number of UK homes with multi-channel TV has reached the 10 million mark according to the latest figures from the British Audience Research Bureau (BARB). The figures show that 41% of the UK’s 24,458,000 TV households now have multi-channel TV and that almost 28 million individuals throughout Britain have access to multi-channel services. The… Continue reading 10 Million UK Homes Have Multi-Channel TV
Nielsen//NetRatings reports in its Internet Ratings Report for July 2001 that Internet growth in US homes grew by 63% in the past two years. The US online population increased by 16% in the period from July 2000 to July 2001. Growth for the period 1999 to 2000 was 41%. “Despite a troubled economy and slumping… Continue reading US Internet Penetration Shows Strong Growth
With more downgrades to media forecasts having emerged this week, the sector was dominated by falling share prices yesterday, and 9 out of 10 of the worst FTSE 100 performers were TMT stocks.The Wireless Group was among those suffering, with a fall of 11p or 11.76% bringing it to a closing price of 82½p. As… Continue reading Sharewatch
