KirchMedia, the insolvent TV arm of Leo Kirch’s fallen media empire, said on Thursday that it had received seven bids for its assets from possible investors with a highest bid of E2.6 billion. “The high level of interest from potential investors confirms our view that the restructuring of KirchMedia can be completed successfully in the… Continue reading Seven Bids In For KirchMedia

The new managing director of Telewest has admitted that the indebted cable group will have to undergo financial restructuring to guarantee its future performance. Charles Burdick who has taken the helm following the removal of former chief executive, Adam Singer (see Telewest Chief Executive Removed In ‘Boardroom Coup’), said “We’re moving down the steps to… Continue reading Telewest Moving Closer To Debt Swap Agreement

The challenging advertising market continues, according to the first half financial results statement from United Business Media (UBM) released this morning. The group’s chief executive, Clive Hollick, said that there has been “no let-up in the difficult market conditions”. Accordingly, pre-tax profit fell by 43.2% to £40.7 million for the six months to 30 June… Continue reading Continuing Tough Market Hits UBM Profits

UK television revenues are set to hit £3.1 billion this year, representing a 3.1% growth over 2001, according to forecasts from buying agency Carat. Growth is expected to rise to 4.7% in 2003, with longer term forecasts currently predicting 4.0% growth each year thereafter until 2007. By this time UK TV revenue will total around… Continue reading Long-Term UK TV Revenue Forecasts From Carat

ITV revenues are set to show positive growth for the rest of the year, bar a predicted dip in December, according to the latest forecasts from media buying agency Carat. July is expected turn in a growth of 3.7%, whilst August jumps up to 6.3% higher than the same month in 2002. Growth is then… Continue reading ITV Revenues Look Positive For Remainder Of 2002, Say Carat TV Forecasts

The plight of media giant, AOL Time Warner has deepened with news that its accounting practices are to be investigated by the US Department of Justice. The announcement comes only a week after the Securites and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched a similar inquiry following allegations of malpractice at the AOL internet service (see AOL Time… Continue reading Justice Department To Launch AOL Probe

Gunter Thielen, the new chief executive of Bertelsmann, has categorically denied that the group is under pressure to sell high profile media divisions such as Channel 5 and Gruner & Jahr magazines. While accepting that the company would exceed self-imposed debt limits for the year, Thielen claimed that Bertelsmann would reduce its arrears through consolidation… Continue reading Bertelsmann To Consolidate, Not Sell, Says Chief

Radio advertising revenues rose by 23% in the three months to 31 July 2002 at Chrysalis Radio, following a 24% growth during March and April, the company announced in a statement this morning. These figures are considerably higher than second and third quarter forecasts from the Advertising Association (AA) and indicate that Chrysalis is currently… Continue reading Chrysalis Radio Ad Revenues Outperform Market

The Football League today lost their High Court case against Carlton and Granada’s collapsed ITV Digital venture over £178.5 million owed from a three-year broadcasting deal. ITV Digital, formerly known as ONDigital, went into liquidation in April when it announced that it could not fully honour the £315 million contract. A number of league clubs… Continue reading League Loses ITV Digital Battle

GWR is selling its 25% stake in DMG Radio Australia to Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), holder of the remaining 75%, in return for a cancellation of debt to the company. As part of the deal, 5.8 million new shares in GWR will be issued to DMGT, raising its stake in GWR from 26.8%… Continue reading GWR Offloads DMG Radio Australia And Reduces Debt