Media stocks received a boost yesterday with the publication, shortly before the market closed, of the Government’s draft Communications Bill (see Draft Communications Bill Relaxes Cross Media Rules). The Bill, which is designed to simplify the regulations governing the media sector, was seen as opening the way for bids for radio groups and Chrysalis, Scottish… Continue reading Sharewatch
Just in case the populace has not seen enough of David Beckham, between press coverage of the infamous metatarsal and the slew of World Cup related advertising featuring the England captain, in the month leading up to the tournament in Japan and Korea 300 Taxi Media cabs will be carrying pictures of him.600 superside ads… Continue reading David Beckham Takes To Cabs
With the well documented financial troubles of the companies peddling broadband, it would be easy to assume that this was a new technology having trouble taking off. Telewest Broadband shed 1,500 jobs last week, NTL is filing for bankruptcy protection and Glasgow-based Omne Communications had to call in the administrators on Friday, blaming sector uncertainty.… Continue reading Feature: Building Broadband Britain
UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB has confirmed that KirchPayTV, in which it holds a 22% stake, has today filed for insolvency due to illiquidity and huge debts. The insolvency comes because KirchPayTV’s investors are now unwilling to offer any more funds whilst the business looks for additional financing. This is despite reports that there were a… Continue reading KirchPayTV Files For Insolvency, BSkyB Expects No Return
NTL has broadly welcomed the draft Communications Bill but has called on Parliament to consider what it terms the “Five Tests of Convergence” to ensure that the measures contained in the new legislation will be in step with the converging communications industries.The five tests set out by the communications company are: Does the Bill support… Continue reading NTL: Consider Convergence Tests For Bill
The number of internet users in the European region is forecast to reach 175.7 million this year and 221.2 million by 2004, according to a new report from eMarketer released today. Whilst growth is beginning to slow, Europe will remain the second largest regional internet market, behind Asia-Pacific and ahead of North America. European internet… Continue reading European Internet User Forecasts
The Government’s draft Communications Bill, announced in Parliament yesterday, proposes scrapping most of the ownership rules within the TV, radio and newspaper markets clearing the way for further consolidation within the UK media sector and opening it to foreign investment.The Bill plans to remove barriers preventing large newspaper owners such as Rupert Murdoch’s News International,… Continue reading Draft Communications Bill To Simplify UK Media
According to a new report from the Yankee Group, wireless subscriber numbers will exceed 18.5 million in Canada by 2006. Although voice revenues will only increase from C$6.4 billion in 2002 to C$8.8 billion in 2006, data revenues will grow rapidly from C$45 million to almost C$1.3 billion in the same period. The Yankee Group… Continue reading Wireless Subscriber Growth In Canada Will Rocket, Says Yankee Group
According to the DCMS and DTI, who jointly published the draft Communications Bill yesterday, the new legislation has the following functions: Establishes a new regulatory framework for the whole of the Communications sector. Transfers functions from the existing five regulators to OFCOM. Provides for further deregulation to evolve as markets change and streamlines the regulatory… Continue reading The Bill In Brief: The Changes To Come
US newspapers suffered predominantly flat or declining circulation in the last six months, according to data released by the US Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Average daily circulation for the 820 titles on the audit declined by 0.6% across the period. Whilst New York papers were boosted by… Continue reading US Newspapers See Sales Slump
