Emap has confirmed that Hachette Filipacchi is to keep hold of the glossy women’s monthly, Red after a £17 million deal was thrashed out between the two publishers. Emap insiders have suggested that the group was keen to maintain control of Red, and had increased its offer to Hachette several times in an attempt to… Continue reading Emap Sells Stake In Red Magazine

Following protracted negotiations, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has agreed to buy Telepiù, the loss-making Italian pay-TV operator, from Vivendi Universal for E920 million (£580 million). Speaking at a conference in New York yesterday, Murdoch said that Telepiù was “a world class property in an untapped market without cable competition.” News Corp will take an 80%… Continue reading News Corp Completes Telepiu Transaction

UPC has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US and Netherlands ahead of a debt for equity swap designed to secure the future of Europe’s largest cable TV company. Financial restructuring is expected to result in UnitedGlobalCom, a subsidiary of Liberty Media, increasing its share of the company to 65.5%. UPC’s remaining bondholders will retain… Continue reading UPC Files For Bankruptcy

Telewest Communications, the struggling UK cable firm, has reached an agreement with bondholders to eradicate £3.5 billion of its £5.3 billion debt in return for 97% of the company’s shares. It has also deferred the repayment of £68 million of interest on bonds as it seeks further approval from investors. The debt for equity swap… Continue reading Telewest Agrees £3.5 Billion Debt Deal

The total number of cable subscribers to high speed internet services in the US is approximately 10 million, according to a new survey by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA). The organisation asserts that since 1996, operators have spent more than $65 billion upgrading cable systems to enable consumers to access digital broadband services.… Continue reading US Cable Modem Customers Reach 10 Million Mark

Online map sites have experienced some of the fastest growth seen on the internet in the last year, according to a report from Nielsen//NetRatings. The research shows that 7.1 million European web users accessed a mapping website during July, an increase from 2.5 million in October 2001. Online map sites are especially popular with office… Continue reading Online Map Sector Could Produce The ‘New Google’

A new study has found that increasing numbers of broadband users are watching sports coverage online and the budding industry is already worth more than $100 million. Researchers at technology research firm, Strategy Analytics examined hundreds of international sports sites and reported on the current availability of webcasts and their potential for the future. At… Continue reading Broadband Offers Sporting Chance To Rights Holders

A leading media analyst at Merrill Lynch has offered a grim prognosis for the short term future of the advertising industry, claiming that recent events have conspired to foster uncertainty rather than spread optimism. Lauren Rich Fine says that negative earnings announcements, volatile share prices, confusing economic forecasts and the ongoing threat of war mean… Continue reading US Advertisers Hold Fire As Difficult Conditions Prevail

US consumer confidence in the internet remained stable in the third quarter of 2002, according to a new report from ACNielsen. The Internet Confidence Index monitored by Yahoo! and ACNielsen remained flat in Q3 at 113 from the previous quarter. However, it has increased from 105 at the same period last year, indicating greater confidence… Continue reading Internet Confidence Steady In Third Quarter, Says ACNielsen

The Daily Mail & General Trust, publisher of the Daily Mail, is to remain family controlled, according to its chairman Viscount Rothermere. According to a report in today’s Times newspaper, Rothermere has no intention of changing the company’s controversial share structure that gives his family control of the voting rights. He asked: “Why should the… Continue reading Daily Mail & General Trust To Remain Family Owned