Channel 4 is set to launch a new company, 4 Ventures Limited, to manage commercial activities outside of its core channel. It will house the group’s pay-TV services Film Four and E4 as well as its internet and interactive ventures. Channel 4 International Ltd, the group’s programme sales and co-production arm, and its film division,… Continue reading Channel 4 Launches Commercial Arm

dmg world media, the exhibitions arm of the Daily Mail & General Trust, has aquired a 25% stake in US trade show organiser Western Exhibitors LLC in a deal worth $10m. dmg plan to acquire the remaining 75% in five years time. The company holds gift shows in San Francisco, Seattle and Portland and is… Continue reading DMGT Buys Stake In US Trade Show Organiser

In the midst of Popstars fever, the BBC is making plans for a re-launch of its flagship pop music show Top Of The Pops. The show will shortly move from its old home at Elstree, in order to accommodate a further weekly episode of Eastenders which is also filmed at the Hertfordshire studios. One possible… Continue reading BBC To Re-Launch Top Of The Pops

Bertelsmann has taken majority control of European television company, RTL. It has purchased a further 30% stake in the group from Groupe Bruxelle Lambert, increasing its hold to 67%. In return Groupe Bruxelle Lambert will receive a 25.1% stake in Bertelsmann AG, which includes Bertelsmann Music Group and magazine publisher Gruner & Jahr. Pearson, which… Continue reading Bertelsmann Acquires Controlling Stake In RTL

Chrysalis Group chairman Chris Wright this morning told the company’s AGM that the strong start to the financial year has continued, with radio revenues showing a year on year growth of 41% for the first five months of the year. This is a much stronger performance than rival groups: Capital Radio recently posted poorer than… Continue reading Radio Revenues Up 41% At Chrysalis

The Financial Times is set to start charging subscriptions to its website, FT.com. Currently a free service, selected sections such as its archive, will soon be available on a paid-for basis. FT owner Pearson has brought forward the date it wants its websites to break even from 2003 to 2002. The group claims that FT.com… Continue reading FT.com To End Free Access

French media group Vivendi has held talks with Liberty Media chairman, John Malone, about selling its stake in BSkyB to the US company, the Sunday Times reported at the weekend. Although no sources were given, the paper claimed that Malone flew to Paris to discuss a possible purchase of the 22.7% stake in the satellite… Continue reading Liberty Media May Be Interested In BSkyB Stake

US local radio sales climbed 1% in the first month of 2001 despite the prevailing slow advertising economy and record increases for 2000. National sales for January were down 15% on the previous year although when combined with the healthier local total this drop was only 35 year-on-year. These monthly totals are based on the… Continue reading Radio Gains In January Despite ‘Soft Economic Climate’

Media and communications group Aegis has announced the acquisition of UK-based international market research company, FW Market Research. Aegis will pay a maximum of £5 million – £466,666 cash and 1.2 million in Aegis shares now and a possible further £3 million cash, depending on FW’s performance. Aegis is currently expanding its range of services… Continue reading Aegis Strengthens Market Research Businesses With FW Acquisition

European media groups DirectGroup Bertelsmann and RTL have struck a deal which will see them working together to develop interactive television and broadband activities for what they hope will be a “clear competitive advantage” in this area over other European competition. The arrangement will see RTL take over Bertelsmann Broadband Group, which is currently part… Continue reading European Media Giants Team Up To Tackle Interactive TV And Broadband Challenges