17th June
ITV digital deal threatened by OFT investigation.
MediaCom View: ITVs stakeholder purchase of bandwidth for extra channels
on Freeview is to be investigated for being uncompetitive. At present they are conducting research before deciding
whether to refer it to the Competition Commission.
Barbs TV Measurement process opens home-viewing debate.
MediaCom View: Barb has invited the industry to participate in an eight
month debate on the future of the television trading currency. Key questions that will be looked at include the
fragmentation of television viewing, and whether Barb should measure other media.
Ofcom has called for the BBC to be forced to share their annual licence fee.
MediaCom View: Ofcom re-iterated its call that, for the public service
system to retain influence and impact in the future, the BBC must not become isolated in a growing - and
exclusively commercially focused - sector.
Jackson verdict boosts ratings for Sky News.
MediaCom View: Sky News benefited from the highly-publicised end of
Michael Jacksons trial on Monday night as they achieved their 4th highest ever ratings, peaking at
1,069,000 viewers and a 6.79% share.
Agencies query Grazia ad rates.
MediaCom View: Agencies are currently questioning the value of
advertising in Grazia. The cost of placing an insertion is in line with premium glossy titles such as
Vogue; however its readers are treating it as a traditional weekly magazine. A 1 off offer in the
Daily Mail last Thursday and the number of non-premium advertisers has raised the industrys concerns
over Grazias circulation and market position. Grazia should hopefully see a period of good fortune
starting in the autumn with the onset of the new fashion ranges.
Heavy investment sees Future Publishings profits dragged down.
MediaCom View: Future Publishing has warned that sales of niche titles
had been disappointing since the start of April. Futures chief executive, Greg Ingham, delivered the companys
first half results, stating that the second half of the year has begun a little below our expectations.
Amongst the worst hit sectors is the gaming division, with a weakness in consumer demand, however the launch of
several next generation consoles, such as the PlayStation 3, should boost fortunes. Along with this, Future is
hoping to see an upturn due to its purchase of 38 titles from Highbury House, this is as long as the OFT does
not intervene.
XFM wins Manchester FM licence.
MediaCom View: Xfm will sit nicely in a marketplace dominated by
mainstream pop and dance music and will offer upmarket witty programming and great music to a city that
is famous for producing great music and its fair share of wit, comedy and talent. This will be a boost
to GCap amid so many stories about poor trading performances.
