3rd February
Independent set to launch alternative music magazine
MediaCom View: The Independent is set to launch a stand-alone music magazine in collaboration with AIM (Association of Independent Music). Independent Music, which will be edited by the newspapers arts editor David Lister, will be the UKs first magazine dedicated exclusively to independent artists and labels. The title will be published quarterly from Friday the 3rd February, with an initial print run of 400,000. Copies of the magazine will be included as part of the newspaper package alongside their Arts and Books Review supplement, with additional copies being sent out to record labels and at point of sale across independent record stores.
Survey shows surge in broadband usage
MediaCom View: The mass take-up of broadband has been stimulated by ever decreasing pricing structures that suppliers are offering. New products are being launched into the market all the time with maximum connection speeds reaching 24megabits/sec from as little as 25 per month. This is great news for consumers. Broadband has enabled web users to access richer content, faster. This experience will lead users to expect more from websites. This can be seen at blueyonder.co.uk (Telewest cable TV and broadband supplier) which is supplying TV content direct to the web, with shows that are produced specifically for the online audience. It will be interesting to monitor the uptake of broadband TV as the penetration of broadband continues to increase.
Channel 4 increases programming budget
MediaCom View: The broadcaster has confirmed plans to spend over 500m on C4 and more than 100m on E4 and More4 combined. They have also pledged to substantially increase the amount of original UK programming that they commission.
Channel 4 set to win 70m ad revenue from ITV1 under CRR
MediaCom View : According to the industry press it seems that Channel 4 are set to celebrate gaining the lions share of ITV1s CRR losses. They are believed to have gained at least 70 million, close to half of the money that ITV1 has lost. Whilst ITV are still hoping to claw some money back into their digital channels, it is believed that BSkyB also did well at the negotiating table followed by IDS and Five.
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