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Two of the media industry’s most respected commentators gave their views on the coming year at a one-off MediaTel Group event earlier this week.Torin Douglas and Ray Snoddy discussed topics such as Ofcom’s PSB review, the purchase of the Evening Standard by Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev and leadership in the media.Held under the Chatham House… Continue reading MediaTel Group looks at the year ahead

Sun Online has beaten the traditional December drop in users, according to new figures released by ABCe. Out of all the national newspaper sites audited by ABCe the Sun‘s online presence is the only one that actually saw an increase in unique users in December.Guardian.co.uk remained on top but was down 3.2 million users on… Continue reading ABCe: Sun Online beats December slump

Five US is being renamed Five USA as part of the branding refresh of the broadcaster’s channels.The renamed channel will have a completely new on and off air look from February 16, containing returning shows and newly acquired programmes.Jeff Ford, Five’s director of digital channels and acquisitions, said: “I’m delighted with the look and feel… Continue reading Five US to be renamed Five USA

The culture secretary Andy Burnham has pledged to save Channel 4 and favours a deal with BBC Worldwide over a potential merger with Channel Five.Speaking at the Oxford Media Convention today, Burnham said “the Channel 4 brand is here to stay” and will play a pivotal role in providing plurality of public service content beyond… Continue reading Burnham backs Channel 4

The profit margins within traditional media, including newspapers and television, will never be the same again, according to WPP’s chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.Speaking at an IAA event yesterday, Sorrell warned that the media industry continues to be “disintermediated” by low-cost business models.“The painful thing for old media is it will never be the same… Continue reading Sorrell: Old media will never be as profitable again

US consumers are spending 11% more time online than watching TV, and internet video is emerging as the key platform for the delivery of on-demand video services. Yankee Group analysts advise that media companies should focus on the internet as a primary opportunity in 2009. The emergence of the ‘Anywhere Consumer’ – Yankee Group’s vision… Continue reading US consumers spending more time online than watching TV

Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev has acquired London’s Evening Standard for £1 from Daily Mail & General Trust. The deal will see a new company, Evening Standard Ltd, established that will own the paper, with Lebedev taking a stake of 75.1% and DMGT subsidiary Associated Newspapers becoming a minority shareholder with 24.9%. Associated will continue to… Continue reading Ex-KGB spy buys Evening Standard

US newspaper ad revenues are forecast to fall to $28.4 billion by 2012, down from an estimated $37.9 billion in 2008, according to new research from eMarketer. eMarketer forecasts a 15.9% drop in 2009, pulling ad revenues down to $31.9 billion. From 2010 through 2012, the rate of decline will slow but remain in negative… Continue reading US newspaper ad revenues on downward slide

BBC One’s live coverage of President Obama: The Inauguration pulled in more than 7 million peak viewers yesterday, making it one of the highest rating programmes of the day.More than 5.1 million average viewers tuned in to see Barack Obama enter the White House yesterday afternoon, securing BBC One with a significant 33.2% audience share… Continue reading Obama’s inauguration attracts 7 million viewers

Former KGB agent Alexander Lebedev has acquired London’s Evening Standard for £1 from Daily Mail & General Trust.The deal will see a new company, Evening Standard Ltd, established that will own the paper, with Lebedev taking a stake of 75.1% and DMGT subsidiary Associated Newspapers becoming a minority shareholder with 24.9%.Associated will continue to provide… Continue reading Lebedev buys Evening Standard