Enders Analysis provides a subscription research service covering the media, entertainment, mobile and fixed telecommunications industries in Europe, with a special focus on new technologies and media.
Our research is independent and evidence-based, covering all sides of the market: consumers, leading companies, industry trends, forecasts and public policy & regulation. A complete list of our research can be found here.
Watch The Jocelyn Hay Lecture 2021 delivered by Claire Enders on the challenges facing UK broadcasting and the PSBs. The event was chaired by VLV Chairman, Colin Browne.
Overall radio listening remains robust and continues to make up the majority of audio time, however a worrying decline in both reach and hours amongst younger people makes further innovation necessary
Shifting audio distribution trends driven by digital and IP listening, as well as the increasing influence of smart speakers and connected devices, represent significant challenges for the radio industry going forward
Strong collaboration and regulatory support will be needed to reconnect with elusive younger listeners, prevent US tech companies from becoming de-facto gatekeepers, and preserve the public value at the core of the UK radio industry
Alice said “If DMGT attempted to buy the Telegraph it would definitely trigger competition and media plurality investigations, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean it would be blocked. With the long-term structural decline of the newspaper market, whether a deal should be blocked is not as clearcut as it used to be.”
She added “I can’t see them looking to buy the Telegraph in the short term. But strategically, in the medium term, given the market, I could see it happening.”
Douglas said “There’s a ‘Game of Thrones’ drama taking place. But the key story behind it is this profound strategic rethinking of the company.”
Claire said “There’s a lot of overlap. The impetus to put together MailOnline with the main titles is driven by costs. It has to be done.”
She added “These types of assets have been systemically condemned by the City, which is never going to get this story again. It’s better off being privately managed. He’s doing what’s necessary now, which is to put these titles on a sensible footing as cash flow machines for his family.”
Gareth said “The economics of the game are fantastic”. But he added there were only so many battles that EA could pick with football bodies. “You don’t want to be in a position where all of a sudden you’re beginning to unpick [naming] arrangements."
Francois said “This, and a couple of other notable licenses, including NENT in Scandinavia, Poland and Netherlands, and Telekom Srbija, more than make up for the drop in China."
Julian said “I don’t think sports makes sense for a lot of the online digital platforms." He added that he “wouldn’t read too much” into the discovery of SportsKit as an indication that Apple is preparing such a move. This software could be used to deliver things like the latest scores to fans instead of live streamed matches.
Claire said said the allegations were a severe blow to Afiniti’s stated ambitions for a US listing. “It would certainly compromise, fatally, plans for an initial public offering."
Market revenue growth remained positive in Q3 despite much of the lockdown bounceback dropping out, and is at a significantly higher level than pre-pandemic.
The backbook pricing pressure that has plagued the operators over the last 18 months appears to be finally starting to drop away, allowing strong demand and firm pricing to feed through.
The prospects for next year are also very positive, with firm price increases expected from April, ultrafast upgrades growing in significance, and continued annualisation of backbook issues.
