BSkyB is to offer a new service that allows its digital viewers to send SMS text messages via their TV remote controls or cordless keypads.The messages will be created and sent using Sky Digital’s text service and will cost 25p each. Viewers will be able to send messages whilst watching TV by pressing the text… Continue reading BSkyB Digital Viewers Get The Message
The deal to create digital horseracing and betting channel, Go Racing, could be in jeopardy as the British Horseracing Board (BHB) has so far failed to fulfil a major condition of the arrangement in a move the Go Racing CEO has described as “plainly ludicrous.”Having reached an agreement with the majority of British racecourses (see… Continue reading Go Racing Deal Could Be Halted By Pre-Race Data Problem
New figures from Competitive Media Reporting (CMR) report that ad spend in the US is down 5.2% for Q1 2000 when compared to the same period last year. Total ad spend has dropped from the Q1 2000 total of $23.8 billion to $22.6 billion for the first quarter of this year. Top advertisers such as… Continue reading US Q1 Ad Spend Figures From Competitive Media Reporting
John Hardie, commercial director at ITV has unexpectedly quit to take up a position at Walt Disney overseeing the groups TV operations across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. DCMS head of strategy and communications, Paul Bolt, has been appointed director of The Broadcasting Standards Commission. David Wheldon has been promoted to the role of… Continue reading Appointments Brief
According to latest figures from internet monitering company NetValue, low income earners (those earning under £600 a month) make up the largest group of net users, 26.9%. “The Internet is not reserved for a rich elite”, NetValue’s Alki Manias said. “These figures show that the web is being welcomed by low income earners. Online businesses… Continue reading Low Income Users Are Largest Group Online
ITV will issue the tender specifications for its national news contract in the next week and ITN will face competition for the first time.ITN, which is jointly owned by Carlton, Granada, UBM and Reuters will be challenged by Channel 3 News, a consortium formed by BSkyB, CBS, Bloomberg, Chrysalis and Ulster TV.An ITV spokesperson today… Continue reading ITV News Up For Grabs As Bidding Process Begins
Media analyst group ABN Amro has downgraded its global ad forecasts following a “weaker than expected start to 2001”. Estimates for global advertising growth, which had previously stood at 3.4%, have now been reduced to just 1.3%.Amro cites weaknesses in the telecoms and technology markets, shifts in media mix by FMCG companies and the current… Continue reading ABN Amro Downgrades Global Ad Forecasts
After announcing a pre-tax loss of £69m in its interim results yesterday (see Continued Ad Revenue Woe At Granada, But Results Are Top End Of Predictions), shares in Granada remained stable, holding at £1.67.The boat continued to rock for Bright Station with shares plunging 17.2% to close at 7¼p, with a loss of 1½p. This… Continue reading Sharewatch
UK advertising and PR group, Chime Communications, this morning said it is positive about the outcome for the first half of the year, despite less ‘buoyant’ market conditions. Lord Bell, chairman of Chime Communications, told the company’s AGM that pressure to reduce costs has been increased and that the group’s services have been widened internationally.… Continue reading Chime Communications Sees Positive First Half
Stock in Granada ended yesterday’s trading flat at 167p following the group’s financial results (see Continued Ad Revenue Woe At Granada, But Results Are Top End Of Predictions), but started to fall again this morning over continued worries that there is no visible end to the current advertising downturn. By 10:30am stock was down 6¼p… Continue reading Granada Financial Results – Reaction
