The world’s largest radio operator Clear Channel is believed to be keeping a close eye on the £700 million merger talks between Capital and GWR, with a view to launching a possible take-over bid for the combined group.Reports suggest that the American radio giant, which controls more than 1,250 commercial stations in the US, could… Continue reading Clear Channel Circles As Radio Merger Talks Advance

Virgin is to become the first UK broadcaster to launch visually enhanced radio for mobile phone users, in a move that will provide a range of new commercial opportunities for advertisers.The service will become available early next year when the new generation of visual radio-enabled Nokia handsets launches in the UK. Users will initially be… Continue reading Virgin Launches Visual Radio For Mobile Phones

Advertisers and media agencies have expressed concern that the potential £700 million merger of Capital and GWR to form the UK’s most powerful commercial radio group could substantially lessen competition in the market for airtime sales.The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising say they are analysing the “exact” implications… Continue reading Advertisers Express Concern At Radio Merger Plans

Capital Radio and GWR have confirmed they are in merger talks to create a single broadcaster worth more than £700 million, in a move that could kick start the long-awaited consolidation of the commercial radio industry.The two companies, which have been in discussions since the Government relaxed the ownership regulations at the start of this… Continue reading Capital And GWR Confirm £700 Million Merger Talks

The total number of UK households with access to digital television increased to 55% in the second quarter of this year, up from just 53% in the previous quarter, according to official figures from communications regulator Ofcom.The latest Digital Television Update will provide a much needed boost to the Government’s plans to switch-off the analogue… Continue reading Digital Penetration Increases As Deadline Looms

Media super-regulator Ofcom has warned that it will not be rushed into setting a definite switch-off date for the analogue radio signal, despite wide-spread calls from some of the industry’s most influential commercial players.Ofcom chief executive, Stephen Carter, claimed that a switch-off date that was too early could make the transition to digital less achievable… Continue reading Ofcom In No Rush To Set Switch-Off Date For Radio

More than 60% of top marketers plan to increase their media budgets again next year, with online advertising expected to be the main beneficiary, according to a new study from global research group Millward Brown.The survey, carried out across a wide range of industries, shows that 56% of senior level marketers saw their media budgets… Continue reading Media Budgets Expected To Increase Again In 2005

The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers is urging media regulator Ofcom to rethink controversial plans to amend the alcohol advertising codes, claiming the current proposals are “highly prescriptive” and unclear”.In its submission to Ofcom’s public consultation on new codes for broadcast television advertising, ISBA claims that the new regulatory framework could seriously restrict the freedom… Continue reading ISBA Urges Ofcom To Rethink Drinks Marketing Crackdown

Virgin Radio has secured Sky TV as the exclusive sponsor of its high-profile Pete & Geoff breakfast show as part of an extensive brand marketing campaign to be launched the satellite broadcaster later this autumn.The deal, which builds on the an existing eleven year relationship between the two brands, includes full show credits and promotional… Continue reading Virgin Reaches For The Sky With Breakfast Sponsorship

Advertisers continued to return to television, national newspapers and outdoor in the second quarter of this year as the economic recovery gathered steam.The latest figures from the Advertising Association show that total UK adspend rose by a solid 5.7% year on year to just under £3.7 billion, as confidence slowly returned to the industry and… Continue reading UK Adspend Shows Solid Growth In Second Quarter