Google has acquired YouTube, the video sharing website, for $1.65 billion (£884 million) in a stock-for-stock transaction. When the acquisition has been completed, YouTube will retain its brand identity and strengthen and complement Google’s own video business. In a statement, Google said that the number of Google shares to be issued in the transaction will… Continue reading Google Acquires YouTube For $1.65 Billion

Five has signed a multi-million pound film deal with Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), which will see the full portfolio of 2006/7/8 feature films debut on the channel.The package includes major movies such as The Da Vinci Code and Spiderman 3. The deal also includes a broad selection of library titles from Sony Pictures for… Continue reading Five Signs Film Deal For Flagship And Digital Channels

Mike Clasper, the former BAA chief executive, has pulled out of the race to take over from former ITV chief executive Charles Allen, and speculation has re-emerged that Sir James Crosby, the former chief executive of HBOS, has also withdrawn.According to a report in yesterday’s Sunday Times, investors in the broadcaster are increasingly concerned that… Continue reading Another Candidate Pulls Out Of Race For ITV Top Job

Rumours that ITV chairman Sir Peter Burt will quit once Charles Allen’s replacement at the broadcaster has been found have escalated, sources have told the trade press.Sources have said that Burt is not enjoying the role and wants to leave as soon as possible, whilst the ITV board is said to be split over how… Continue reading ITV Chairman Expected To Go

The Daily Telegraph has not ruled out launching a tabloid version of the paper, according to an online survey it has carried out.If the tabloid version goes ahead it will initially be launched in the London area, the survey revealed.The smaller sized edition would not replace the current broadsheet but would rather be offered alongside… Continue reading Daily Telegraph Could Launch Tabloid Edition

Google is continuing negotiations to acquire video-sharing website YouTube, in a deal estimated to be worth $1.6 billion (£857 million). The deal is expected to be concluded by the end of the week, with industry figures saying that the acquisition could see Google’s AdWords, its online ad program, incorporated into the YouTube site. Meanwhile, according… Continue reading Google Continues Negotiations To Buy YouTube

Rumours that ITV chairman Sir Peter Burt will quit once Charles Allen’s replacement at the broadcaster has been found have escalated, sources have told the trade press. Sources have said that Burt is not enjoying the role and wants to leave as soon as possible, whilst the ITV board is said to be split over… Continue reading ITV Chairman Expected To Go

Mike Clasper, the former BAA chief executive, has pulled out of the race to take over from former ITV chief executive Charles Allen, and speculation has re-emerged that Sir James Crosby, the former chief executive of HBOS, has also withdrawn. According to a report in yesterday’s Sunday Times, investors in the broadcaster are increasingly concerned… Continue reading Another Candidate Pulls Out Of Race For ITV Top Job

Two thirds of US online gamers are female, according to Nielsen Interactive Entertainment’s newly released third annual Active Gamer Benchmark study. The research, which puts the total figure for active gamers (those who play for more than one hour per-week) in the US at 117 million, says that 56% of those play online and 64%… Continue reading Two Thirds Of US Online Gamers Are Female

Two of the biggest satellite radio companies have released subscriber figures for the third quarter, with differing fortunes for each. According to Sky Report, XM Satellite Radio added 285,000 subscribers in the last quarter, its lowest total in 10 consecutive quarters, ending the quarter with 7.2 million subscribers. XM has a target of 1.7 million… Continue reading Mixed Market For US Satellite Radio