Media Brief

I'm the BBC's media correspondent and this is my brief selection of what's going on.

The Independent has launched a new daily title, called "i", aimed at attracting "readers and lapsed readers of quality newspapers". The concise paper, which will cost 20p, will share the same editorial staff as The Independent. The Guardian says the new paper is designed to attract younger readers. The BBC reports that there had been speculation that the Independent and the Independent on Sunday would become free papers.

Gillian Reynolds in her Daily Telegraph radio review looks at the political significance of the widely praised A History of the World in 100 Objects:

"How fortunate for the BBC that so many column inches of praise were being devoted to Radio 4's epic series, A History of the World in 100 Objects, just as the Corporation's controversial settlement with the Government on future funding was announced. Here was exactly the kind of programming that could not be made outside licence fee-funded radio."

Ofcom has decided to take no action over an offensive remark by Jeremy Clarkson about the Ferrari F430 Speciale. The BBC reports it has apologised for the comment and removed it from repeats and the iPlayer version.

Brand Republic reports that Sky will rebrand Living, the channel bought as part of Virgin Media Television, as Sky Living, in a push to promote its entertainment programming. It will boost its on-screen investment by 25%, and close pay-TV channel Bravo and free-to-air Channel One, formerly Virgin1, with the loss of 50 jobs.

The Guardian says Pearson reports strong growth in its digital sectors, with Ft.com subscriptions up 50% and ebook sales up 300%

The government's various strategies for economic recovery come under scrutiny in most of the newspapers, as the BBC newspaper review shows. The Daily Telegraph reports on David Cameron's hint that the cap on skilled workers entering the UK may be eased to help firms short on staff. The Sun says the prime minister piled pressure on banks to make more loans to small businesses.

Links in full

• BBC | Independent launches new 20p 'i' newspaper
• Guardian | Independent introduces its succinct spin-off - the tabloid 'i'
• Telegraph | A History of the World in 100 Objects, radio review
• BBC | Top Gear 'speciale needs' joke offensive, says Ofcom
• Brand Republic | Living to become Sky Living as part of new entertainment offering
• Guardian | Pearson raises full-year earnings forecast
• BBC | Newspaper review

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