More Uk articles

David Evans, business director at MediaTel.co.uk, looks at the current health of the magazine market and asks whether it can withstand the pressures of the recession…The breaking news that Arena has been suspended, along with the announcement last week from NatMags regarding staff cuts shows that the recession is beginning to hit home in the… Continue reading What next for magazines?

More than 70% of UK adults take more notice of mail that is aimed specifically and accurately at them, according to new research.The research, from direct marketing specialist GI Direct, found that receptiveness to personalisation was highest in Scotland and the South, while people in East Anglia and the North West appear more “jaded and… Continue reading Consumers take more notice of personalised DM

BSkyB has expressed interest in buying the recently re-branded UKTV portfolio, which is currently 50% owned and operated by rival Virgin Media.Speaking at a conference in Florida, Sky’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch said that content companies are in Sky’s sights, according to reports.“We will look at acquisitions if we think they can advance our strategy,… Continue reading Sky expresses interest in UKTV acquisition

Ofcom today announced plans to back the development of ultra high-speed internet access across Britain in a bid to open up competition and clear the way for future investment.The media regulator has unveiled a series of new measures to develop broadband that runs at speeds in excess of 40 megabits per second, which is more… Continue reading Ofcom encourages expansion of ultra high-speed broadband

Ofcom has today published a consultation on a local commercial radio format change request, received from Liverpool’s 24-hour speech radio station City Talk 105.9.Bauer Radio, City Talk’s owner, has proposed all-speech content at peak times, which would include weekend breakfast, weekend late breakfast and drivetime, but wants to add a mix of music and speech… Continue reading Ofcom considers City Talk’s format change

Bauer Media’s men’s lifestyle magazine Arena is being “suspended” in a move which could see the loss of 12 jobs.A four-week staff consultation has begun, which could lead to redundancies in editorial and advertising. The April issue, out next Thursday, will be the last.The magazine, which launched in 1986, had a circulation of 29,374 according… Continue reading Bauer Media’s Arena to close after 22 years

ITV and Setanta are set to renegotiate the payment terms of their £425 million rights deals with the Football Association.Setanta is thought to of delayed making a payment of £10 million on its £150 million contract, while ITV has met its payments so far, but is attempting to reassess the schedule so that is has… Continue reading ITV and Setanta renegotiate football rights deal

Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, has expressed confusion at a story in the Sunday Telegraph regarding merger talks between BT and Channel 4.Johnson told MediaWeek.co.uk: “I am not sure how the story came about, as we held a meeting with BT Vision more than a year ago.“The company might have submitted an interest in… Continue reading Johnson reacts to BT Vision/Channel 4 merger speculation

Clear Channel Outdoor’s worldwide revenue was flat year on year during 2008, although it fell 16% year on year in the fourth quarter. Revenue at Clear Channel’s international division was up by approximately $62.3 million in 2008, mainly brought about by movements in foreign exchange. There was, however, a slight revenue decline in the UK.… Continue reading Revenues flat at Clear Channel Outdoor

Havas has reported a rise in net income of 25% for 2008, to €104 million, with net debt down to €79 million. The group, whose operations include Euro RSCG, Havas Media and Arnold Worldwide, saw organic growth grow 4.7% while its operating margin was 12.1%, up from 8.2% in 2006. Havas said that its new… Continue reading Havas reports strong performance in 2008