ITV has said that charges for carriage of its channels on the Sky platform would has create “almost pure profit” for BSkyB. In a submission to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s select committee for the Government’s White Paper, the network said that it would have to pay over £20m a year for ITV… Continue reading Sky Asking £20m For Carriage, Says ITV

ONdigital has asked the government to appoint a digital television “champion”. The digital terrestrial broadcaster suggests the creation of such an position will allow further promotion of the new medium and facilitate the switchover from analogue. In a statement relating to the Communications White Paper, the group said that a national switchover plan should be… Continue reading ONdigital Calls For Appointment Of Digital TV “Champion”

Merrill Lynch has downgraded BSkyB stock from accumulate to neutral, following yesterday’s financial results. Cable subscriptions revenues fell and the incorporation of losses from interactive TV services company Open hit revenues harder than had been expected by both Merrill and ABN Amro (see City News). By the end of trading yesterday BSkyB stock was down… Continue reading BSkyB Results 7 February 2001 Reaction – 8 February 2001

According to IDC, the worldwide DSL subscriber base rose by over 447% in 1999 and the total number of lines is expected to reach 66.4 million by 2004 – a rise of 61.9 million on 2000. “Clearly, pent-up demand for faster Internet connections – particularly among work-at-home households such as telecommuters, day-extenders, and home-based businesses… Continue reading Worldwide DSL Market Thriving

Lord Dubs has been appointed the new chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC). He will hold the position for three years, commencing immediately. Lord Dubs was formerly deputy chairman of the Independent Television Commission (ITC) as well as deputy chairman of the BSC. Announcing the appointment culture secretary Chris Smith said: “I am delighted… Continue reading Lord Dubs Appointed Chairman Of The BSC

Granada this morning held its first AGM since the demerger from the Granada Compass hospitality business, which was fully completed at the end of last week. Chairman Charles Allen told the company that 2000 delivered a good performance and increased earnings by 9%. In July 2000, 20% of the group – then Granada Media –… Continue reading Revenues Will Be Slow In First Half For Granada

BSkyB had signed up 5.25 million digital customers by 6 February and had hit the 5 million mark by the end of last year, according to the satellite broadcaster’s interim financial results released this morning. This represents a record quarterly growth of 538,000 subscribers. However, whilst the company’s digital targets were achieved ahead of schedule,… Continue reading BSkyB Hits Digital Target But Losses Grow

Stephen Byers, secretary of state for trade and industry, has said that he will not refer the takeover of Express Newspapers by Northern & Shell to the DTI. The announcement allows completion of the deal, which was agreed in November last year. Since then the Express newspaper has seen a raft of resignations in reaction… Continue reading Express Takeover Cleared By Byers

7 February 2001 Rupert Murdoch is understood to be on the verge of sealing a deal that would merge his Sky Global Networks business with US’ satellite television company, DirecTV. This in turn could pave the way for a global float of the Sky Global Networks satellite group. Investors are anticipating the announcement today as… Continue reading Murdoch May Be Close To Agreeing DirecTV Deal

The latest radio audience figures, for the period to December 2000, show BBC radio continuing to improve its overall share of listening, at the expense of commercial stations. All BBC radio improved its share by a further 0.3% points to 51.7% in the final quarter of 2000, while commercial radio slipped 0.7% points to 46%.… Continue reading Insight Analysis: Latest RAJAR Figures Show BBC Stations Eating Into Commercial Sector