Week commencing 21st July 2008
 All
of the main terrestrial channels recorded a year on year
decline in viewing share according to the June figures. However,
Other channels saw a year on year increase in viewing share of 2.3
percentage points. ITV1's viewing share fell by 1.1 percentage points
year on year in June, leaving it with a total share of 17.8%. BBC
One's viewing share also dropped, to 22.1%, following a year on
year dip of 0.7 percentage points. Both channels screened the European
Football Championships in June and while viewing figures were pretty
strong, the England team's absence was keenly felt. There was a
very slight dip in BBC Two's viewing, down by 0.1 percentage points,
to leave its total at 8.1%. Channel 4 and Five were both down, by
0.9 and 0.4 percentage points respectively. Channel 4 now has a
total share of 8.5%, while Five's rests at 5.0%.
Other channels were up by 2.3 percentage points year on year, to
37.9%. In digital homes, BBC One and BBC Two both enjoyed increases
in viewing share, up 0.2 and 0.4 percentage points respectively.
BBC One now has a 20.7% share in digital homes, while BBC Two's
is 7.2%. ITV1 and Channel 4's viewing shares both fell by 0.7 percentage
points year on year in digital homes, leaving them with totals of
16.5% and 7.8%. Five was down by just 0.1 percentage points year
on year, leaving its total viewing share at 4.6%.
Other channels remained static year on year with a 42.3% viewing
share. Source: MediaTel NewsLine
The joint free satellite service from ITV and the BBC, Freesat,
is set to launch 18 new radio and TV channels. The first set of
channels launches on July 24 and features a entertainment, news,
shopping and gaming channels, while the second set launches on August
1 and is made up of radio stations including Capital Radio and Xfm,
among others. Emma Scott, managing director of Freesat, said: "Following
last week's launch of BBC and ITV regional variants, these new TV
and radio channels further enhance Freesat's offering and provide
extra choice to viewers and listeners." Freesat launched in
May offering over 80 free digital television, radio and interactive
channels including high definition services from the BBC and ITV.
Freesat box prices start from £49.99, with a high definition
box available from £120, while installation costs from around
£80. Source: MediaTel NewsLine
 Customer
magazines are the most relevant and informative form of direct
marketing, according to a new report. The Participation Media report
by the DMA and APA found that customer magazines generate the highest
level of positive response from consumers. Over 50% of consumers
read customer magazines and view them positively. The survey also
reveals customer magazines to be the most passed on media, with
5% of consumers passing magazines on to friends and colleagues,
while 37% file away magazines to read at a later date. Customer
magazines were also found to be the second most successful channel
at driving retail traffic, behind TV and radio advertising. Julia
Hutchison, APA chief operating officer, said: "I am thrilled
that customer magazines have once again topped the survey. "It
reinforces what we in the customer publishing sector have known
for a long time - that customer magazines are both welcomed by consumers
and deliver fantastic return on investment for brands and organisations."
Source: MediaTel NewsLine
Daily Mail and General Trust, owner of the Daily Mail newspaper,
has reported a 5% year-on-year rise in its third-quarter revenues,
as its national newspapers offset ad revenue declines with circulation
gains and its business divisions continued to grow. Associated Newspapers,
publisher of the Daily Mail, Evening Standard and Metro newspapers,
registered a marginal 0.4% rise in total revenues to £243m.
Circulation revenues, which make up nearly half of Associated's
print revenues, were 4% higher than the same period last year, reflecting
the increase in the Daily Mail's cover price in April from 45p to
50p. Total advertising revenues in the period dropped by 3%, with
strong growth in digital ad revenues offsetting a fall in print
revenues. Northcliffe Media, the company's regional newspaper division,
was worst hit. Its total revenues for the quarter were down 7% compared
to the same period last year. Excluding acquisitions and disposals
made in the prior year, underlying revenues were down 5% to £102m.
This fall came on the back of weakening ad revenues, which were
11% lower than the same period last year. All major ad categories
fell, particularly in property, which dropped 25%. However, DMGT's
overall revenues increased due to continued growth in its business-to-business
divisions. DMG Information, which invests in and manages business-to-business
information companies, reported a 6% rise in third quarter revenues
to £78m. The division continues to experience strong trading
except in its two principal property information companies, Landmark
(UK) and EDR (US), which are affected by the current market conditions.
DMG World Media, the company's events division, grew its revenues
by 43% in the period to £49m. Source: BrandRepublic
The recycling agreement struck between the London Lite, thelondonpaper and Westminster council is falling short of
targets set by the local authority. In January, Westminster Council
said that it expected the recycling scheme to ensure the emptying
and recycling of nearly 400 tonnes of free newspapers a year. According
to a report on MediaGuardian.co.uk, council figures have revealed
that in the six months since the recycling scheme launched, bins
placed at key points in central London have collected 120 tonnes
of paper, the equivalent of 1,920 trees. During the six-month period
the council collected 465 tonnes of waste paper from its 153 on-street
recycling bins. A Westminster council spokeswoman told MediaGuardian.co.uk:
"The 400 [tonnes target] was always a maximum figure based
on all bins being out at all times. "We are very proud of what
we have achieved so far but still we want to do more."
The publishers of the two titles, News International and Associated
Newspapers, installed 70 new recycling bins in central London in
January after Westminster Council had threatened to cut distribution
points by 30%, with distributors also threatened with having to
sweep up within a 100 metre radius at the end of each shift. The
two companies each installed 35 bins in the West End and Victoria
at a cost of £500 each. Source: MediaTel NewsLine
 Radio
Plymouth has won the re-awarded FM local commercial radio licence
for Plymouth, beating off competition from neighbour Pirate FM.
Regulator Ofcom was forced to re-advertise the licence earlier this
year after previous winner Macquarie Bank handed it back when it
ditched plans to launch rock station Diamond FM. By the closing
date of 30 April, Ofcom had only received two applications for the
licence. In a statement, Ofcom said it expected Radio Plymouth to
begin broadcasting at the earliest opportunity and no later than
two years from the award date. Radio Plymouth is 65% owned by the
London Media Company, with the remaining shares held by individuals.
The licence will be issued for a 12 year period. Source: Broadcast
 As many as 73% of web users have left a favourite website because
of intrusive or annoying ads, according to research, with gambling
and financial service ads coming off the worst. The research reveals
the extent of resistance to badly targeted online advertising, particularly
among younger consumers. The independent research, conducted by
Opinion Matters for HowTo.tv showed that the figure rose to 84%
among 25-34 year olds -- an increase of over 20% on the 2007 findings.
On a more positive note, the research found that younger consumers
are actively engaging with online video content, with 83% of 25-34
years old and 74% of 16-24 year olds stating they have watched an
online video, compared to a national average of 70%. When asked
what would be the effect of a video ad on their favourite website,
56% of 16-24 year olds and 44% of 25-34 year olds said it would
make them more likely to purchase the brand, compared to 38% of
35-44 year olds and 29% of 45-54 year olds. Source: BrandRepublic
Google has been named
as Britain's top Superbrand, beating Microsoft and Mercedes Benz,
according to a new report published today. The search engine giant
came top in a list of 500 brands available in the UK, ahead of Apple,
the BBC and Sony. Microsoft fell to second place in this year's
survey, although it is still ahead of rival Apple, which despite
the rent launch of the iPod and iPhone, just missed out on a place
in the top 10. The survey was compiled by the Centre for Brand Analysis
and reflects the opinions of 2,200 members of the British public.
Sony took 10th place, beaten by BMW at seven, Bosch at eight, and
Nike at nine. Source: MediaTel NewsLine
 Mobile
outdoor contractor Look Media is upgrading its Look Walker
mobile billboards product with new Bluetooth capability. The Bluetooth
facility enables clients to deliver their digital content straight
to their target audiences in high footfall pedestrian areas, while
the use of experienced staff to wear the Walkers allows a personal
interaction offering guidance to people on how to access the content
and so improve response rates. In a trial campaign for Westminster
Council, the campaign achieved 10% acceptance of messages, said
Look Media. The Walkers display one poster on the back and another
smaller one on the front above the wearer's head, with the Bluetooth
symbol displayed on the top. Jonathan Schultz, managing director
of Look Media, said: "Combining our Walkers with people makes
Bluetooth a much more engaging advertising channel. Our people help
consumers when they have problems accessing the content or if they
aren't familiar with the technical aspects of Bluetooth." "In
a way it's leafleting without paper and all the accompanying print
and distribution costs." Source: MediaTel NewsLine
Edited by The Digital Team |
