MediaCommunications

MediaCom View: The MoS is planning to re-launch their female focussed supplement 'You' in the Spring next year. It was only last month that they launched 'Live' magazine in a bid to attract more male readers. They are reluctant to disclose details of the new magazine but Advertising Director Simon Davies has confirmed the paper is ''Looking at options''. Industry sources have said the new-look magazine will have improved paper quality and is due to debut in either February or March. You magazine has been faced with increasing competition recently from the quality marketplace. The Sunday Telegraph recently launched fashion and beauty supplement 'Stella' and the Observer is planning to debut their new fashion magazine in the New Year. It appears the MoS is taking steps to strengthen their portfolio and prevent their female readers from straying.

MediaCom View: News International has imposed a three year editorial budget freeze as its four national newspapers (Sun, NoW, Times and Sunday Times) are facing rising costs and an uncertain advertising market. Costs have risen at News International by 135m over the past three years and staff have been told that reducing overheads is an ongoing priority. With circulations also under significant pressure and competition as fierce as ever, Len Hinton, the News International Chairman, has said that a tough retail market has affected the advertising revenue. In addition to this he also mentioned the high costs of giveaways, which publishers are increasing reliant on. New printing plants costing 600m will allow the company to take advantage of full colour printing. How News International will take advantage of this we will have to wait and see.

MediaCom View: Digital station Prime Time Radio, which targets listeners over 50, has announced it is exiting the DAB platform from May 2006. In the Rajars for the period ending 18 September, the station had a weekly reach of 202,000, nearly as high as Emap's rock station Mojo. However, despite revenues growing on other SAGA radio formats, Prime Time has not been able to support itself and the decision has been made to cease broadcasting.

MediaCom View : Globally the take-up of on-demand TV is set to reach a third of all homes by 2010. This is according to a report by "Informa Telecoms and Media" who expect North America to lead the way closely followed by Europe. Currently VoD offerings such as Homechoice and on-demand TV such as Sky+ have a limited penetration in the UK but the report goes on to state that this new model of consuming television should prove very lucrative for subscriber based services in their attempts to reduce churn and improve revenues.

MediaCom View : In a move believed to have cost in the region of 12 million, Channel 4 have won the race for the latest Freeview slot to become available. Initially the channel will be used as a timeshift offering for More4 whilst a new channel proposition is put together. It is believed that Channel 4 may put together a channel involving all of their US imports potentially from both the past and the future but this is yet to be confirmed.

MediaCom View : The advent of Broadband has really changed the way people consume media. Time spent online is now over 11 hours a week in the UK, second in Europe only to France and a year on year increase of 17%. The internet is now faster, more interesting and a richer experience; align that with ever decreasing subscription prices and increased bandwidth, usage and reliance on it will continue rise rapidly. Usually advertising money follows consumer behaviour, and we have seen that in Search Marketing over recent years, but mainly for direct response advertising. The internet can be used in a very engaging and sophisticated way to communicate with audiences. As an industry we need to understand that mass communication is moving quickly to mass customisation with the consumer in the driving seat. A good example of this is the iPod/mp3 player market. Created and driven by faster broadband, changes in consumer behaviour and the desire for customised media.