MediaCommunications

MediaCom View: A research survey by Intuitivemedia.com into mobile content habits of 6-13 year olds has found that they believe content should be free. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise as the younger generation always finds a way to hack through the barriers set by adults. The SMS revolution was exploded by youth audiences finding it as a cheap alternative to voice (which surprised the telco industry). Similarly, this survey has found that nearly 30% of those surveyed used Bluetooth to share music rather than pay for it. We're also seeing the birth of a new channel - mobile web - and even at this young age, 29% used the internet on their phone once a month, 10% once a week and 7% once a day. What stops these numbers being higher is the cost of mobile surfing. The operators know this so the ball is in their court.

MediaCom View: Industry experts and analysts have welcomed the launch of BT Vision as the telecoms provider takes on Sky, NTLVIRGIN and Freeview as the provider of television to the nation's households. BT Vision is based on the Vbox, which is a set top box that allows the household to record 80 hours of freeview television; it can record, pause and rewind live TV. It is also the hub that allows access to on-demand content via internet protocol broadband. Over forty digital Freeview channels can be accessed. BT has then cut a raft of fantastic deals with content providers such as Setanta, EMI and Warner Bros. This will provide viewing from such genres as films, music, sport, children and popular light entertainment. BT Vision viewers can watch the whole match of their favourite premiership team, 6 hours after the match kicks off.

MediaCom View: The second national digital multiplex licence has been officially advertised by Ofcom, prompting Channel 4 to confirm it's intention to bid. The broadcaster has been in talks recently with various potential consortium partners with whom it plans to launch a variety of new stations. These would be in addition to it's own plans to launch 4-branded national stations from 2008. To date Sky, Universal Music, IPC and Canwest are all confirmed partners. The channel's director of radio Natalie Schwartz claims their main aim is to attract new audiences and succeed in launching a 'new creative era for radio' which will help to boost commercial radio's share of the market. Ofcom are accepting bids for the licence until 28th March 2007.