CNBC's European strategy

Ryamond Snoddy of the Independent in London examines business news network CNBC‘s strategy on the continent.

Snoddy writes, “Mick Buckley –- who runs CNBC Europe and is CNBC president and chief executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa –- remains optimistic, despite the gloomy current events, about prospects for the rest of 2008. ‘I would hope that we have significant growth,’ he says, adding: ‘There is no sign of any slowdown.’

“CNBC, which this month celebrates its 10th anniversary, can apparently buck the dismal trends in the media because it is international – and because its target audience is largely the upmarket men whom advertisers still want to reach, even in recessionary times. For advertising purposes, the company says it only measures viewers who are in the top 20 per cent income bracket.

“Its ratings are boosted by big-name anchors such as Maria Bartiromo –- aka ‘the Money Honey’ –- who recently landed an exclusive one-on-one interview with the Republican shooting star Sarah Palin, presidential candidate John McCain’s running mate.

“CNBC’s audience is measured daily in the States, and the channel has just had its best July figures for five years. The latest London numbers aren’t in yet but the company believes something similar has been happening in Europe.”

Read more here.