Friday 22 February 2008

Trinity Mirror launches free weekly

Trinity Mirror has launched a new free weekly newspaper, to be delivered to and around 10,000 homes in Daventry, England, and surrounding villages, Holdthefrontpage reported Friday.

The Daventry Post will be delivered every Thursday, and compete with the Johnston Press title Daventry Express.

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Report: Many newspaper Web sites not gaining readers fast enough

A new report from Outsell Research suggests a worrying trend: many U.S. online newspapers aren't attracting readers fast enough.

“In online usage, what stands out is that most sites are just treading water,” Ken Doctor, Outsell affiliate analyst and author of the report, told Editor & Publisher. “A few have managed significant growth year-over-year, but most are somewhere between barely growing and losing audience.”

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Google: Microsoft’s bid 'unnerving'

Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin called Microsoft's bid for Yahoo an "unnerving" maneuver that threatens Internet innovation, the Associated Press reported Thursday.

Brin reiterated the company’s position that a merger could violate antitrust laws and harm Internet users, after an event at the company's headquarters.

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Mobile music in Western Europe to reach US$3.25 billion by 2011

The mobile music market in Western Europe will continue to boom within next three year, as the overall mobile music spending has grown more than double from US$636 million in 2006 to $1.7 billion this year, and is expected to achieve $3.25 billion in 2011, research firm eMarketer announced.

In 2006, more than 80 percent of the spending came from ringtones and ringback tones, which accounted for $515 million. However, they are losing ground with time. In 2011, they are expected to reach $1.63 billion, but only represent 50 percent of overall spending.

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USA Today launches lifestyle magazine

USA Today has launched a new lifestyle magazine, Open Air, Editor & Publisher reported.

The new publication covers various topics including workout tips, athletic gear, and travel destinations, and will be distributed quarterly in the Friday editions of USA Today.

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OC Register makes changes to weather revenue, circulation declines

The Orange County Register's new publisher, Terry Horne, is taking a “three-pronged approach” to weathering falling advertising revenue and declining circulation, and is hoping free community newspapers, expanded online offerings and a smaller print version will help get the Register through the newspaper industry's tough times.

“The Register has to become a 21st century business,” Horne told the Register Wednesday. “We can't have the same model that worked 10 years ago.”

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New York Times dissident shareholders boost stake

Investor group Firebrand Partners and hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners have increased their stake in the New York Times Company to 15.6 percent, making them the largest shareholder, and are pushing for four seats on the board, Brand Republic reported Friday.

The two dissident shareholders doubled their stake to 10 percent last week, before increasing it again to 15.6 percent this week. Scott Galloway, founder of Firebrand Partners, has been calling on the Times Co. to invest more in digital operations.

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SPH to launch interactive Web TV service

Singapore Press Holdings announced its latest digital initiative Friday, an interactive Web TV service to be launched later in the year, Asia Media Journal reported.

The Straits Times Razor TV will be a free-access, interactive Web television service, and will deliver live studio content and on-demand videos over a real-time interactive platform, SPH Chairman Tony Tan stated in the announcement.

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