The government’s last minute agreement with Lord Puttnam may not be enough to secure the smooth passage of the Communications Bill through the Lords, after Liberal Democrat peer Lord McNally called for a specific ban on Rupert Murdoch buying Channel Five.Liberal Democrat peers are hoping to force an amendment to the bill which would prevent… Continue reading Lib Dems May Scupper Communications Bill Compromise
This month sees the release of the 100th issue of Official UK PlayStation Magazine (OPM). Published by Future Publishing, the best-selling magazine is the only title still dedicated to the original Sony PlayStation. Featuring news, reviews and previews of all the latest games, OPM launched in November 1995 as the only official magazine dedicated to… Continue reading Playstation Magazine Reveals 100th Issue
Total UK advertising expenditure was relatively flat in 2002 as the football World Cup prompted a second half revival following a difficult start to the year, according to figures published today.The Advertising Statistics Yearbook from the Advertising Association shows that spending, including agency and production costs increased by 1.2% to £16.7 billion. However, this equated… Continue reading Nominal Growth For Advertising Market In 2002
Capital Radio boss, David Mansfield, has moved to rule out a potential takeover by American-owned Clear Channel following the relaxation of the media ownership regulations (see Draft Communications Bill Relaxes Cross Media Rules).Lowry Mays, chief executive of Clear Channel, has made no secret of his intention to acquire a major UK radio group once the… Continue reading Capital Radio Chief Moves To Quash Clear Channel Takeover
UK advertising expenditure totalled £16.7 billion in 2002, according to latest statistics from the Advertising Association. Cinema advertising, direct mail and the internet all saw healthy gains but the press sector continued to perform poorly with revenues down by almost £200 million to £8.31 billion.Also On MediaTel Insight Today…Website Affinity Driving Purchase Intent, Says StudyInternet… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: 2002 UK Advertising Revenue Figures
Guardian Unlimited is to introduce a range of paid-for web content and services from later this month, including digital editions of the Guardian and the Observer.Although access to the core Guardian Unlimited network will remain free and unrestricted, users will be able to purchase an ad-free version of the site for £20 a year and… Continue reading Guardian To Charge For Web Content
Cordiant was the sector’s big mover last week, up 36.36%, after it was revealed that a Syrian billionairess is the independent investor who recently purchased a 2% stake in the troubled advertising group. The private investment, alongside that of leading shareholder Active Value may scupper WPP’s takeover bid for the group(see Endgame No Clearer As… Continue reading Sharewatch: Cordiant Rises On Independent Investment
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has received 126 complaints over a Halfords ad, which featured chimpanzees dressed as humans.The ad, which included the strapline: “with our deals you pay peanuts so we thought we’d give you monkeys” showed chimpanzees dressed in tracksuits riding bikes and ‘working’ on cars.The ad provoked a flurry of complaints from… Continue reading Halfords Climbs Down Over Chimp Advertising
Sky News has launched a new broadband content service, called Sky News Active, which it claims is the world’s first interactive news channel.The new service will feature video streaming and additional content from Sky News and will be similar to the Sky News Active service available via digital television.It will consist of eight special channels… Continue reading Sky News Launches Broadband Services
Granada Enterprises has extended its sponsorship agreement with Silentnight Beds, which is to sponsor the fourth series of Where The Heart Is later this month.The sponsorship agreement, which will incorporate animated break bumpers, will be worth around £500,000 and last for the entire series.The deal was brokered by Stewart Hunt, senior sponsorship executive at Granada… Continue reading Granada Cuddles Up To Silentnight
