Radio giant Emap has announced a wide-reaching expansion to its Big City Network, adding 12 new ILR (Independent Local Radio) stations.The expansion is the result of Emap’s recent acquisition of Scottish Radio Holdings, a purchase which brought SRH’s 22 stations under Emap’s control (see Emap Takeover Of SRH Cleared).Emap’s Big City Network now stretches to… Continue reading New Stations Expand Emap’s Big City Network

ITN has signed up to provide news content through the internet, with the company’s programmes forming part of internet giant MSN’s new video service, due to launch next month.The deal will extend ITN’s on-demand offerings, building on recent deals between the broadcaster and internet video providers such as Greengrass (see ITN Signs Up For GreenGrass… Continue reading ITN Widens On-Demand Partnerships With MSN Deal

Kelvin MacKenzie has been appointed non-executive chairman of UK communications group, Media Square, taking up the position with immediate effect. Media Square expanded its operations last year, buying Huntsworth PLC’s marketing services for £55 million in November. Commenting on MacKenzie’s new position, Jeremy Middleton said: “Kelvin’s expertise in, and knowledge of, the media sector, plus… Continue reading MacKenzie Gets New Role At Media Square

Specialist magazine publisher, Future, expects a satisfactory outcome for the financial year as a whole, with trading in the first quarter, October to December, broadly on track. Commenting on the expected results, Roger Parry, chairman of Future said: “The current market conditions are challenging and we continue to take a cautious view on the near… Continue reading Future Reveals Q1 Trading On Track

Sir Martin Sorrell has announced that he is still interested in buying Aegis’s research division, Synovate and taking a small stake in the remaining media business. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sorrell told delegates of his plans, claiming that before a deal could be done, WPP would have to study Synovates’… Continue reading Sorrell Still Interested In Aegis

Highbury’s last remaining magazines were sold off yesterday, with Bournemouth-based Imagine Publishing snapping up 24 of the failed company’s computer and gaming titles.The magazines, including PC Home, Play and iCreate were secured following a 2.7 million investment by Imagine’s venture capital backer Kleinwort Capital.Elsewhere, Highbury’s Front, Hotdog and DVD World titles have been purchased by… Continue reading Highbury House Sell Off Continuing Apace

BBC One’s time travelling detective drama Life on Mars continued to perform well last night, outshining its nearest rival, ITV’s Northern Lights with an average adult audience of 5.9 million.ITV’s comparative audience of 5.1 million was enough to top Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother, however, which drew 4.3 million in the same time slot.Five’s new… Continue reading Life On Mars Sees Northern Lights Dimmed

The BBC has won an inflation-busting increase to the licence fee, with secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell, announcing a new cost of £131.50 from 1 April.The new cost is an increase of 4.2% on the current price for a colour licence, representing an increase of £5 in real terms. A… Continue reading BBC To See Increased Licence Fee From April

Teletext has announced three major new management appointments ahead of a drive to extend its digital media offering over the coming months.The appointments see Ash Makkar join the firm as head of marketing, while Ray Mason joins as managing director for TeletextHolidays.co.uk and Stephen Dunk joins as deputy managing director of Teletext Holidays on TV.Commenting… Continue reading Teletext Reshuffles Management Ahead Of Digital Investment

Highbury’s last remaining magazines were sold off yesterday, with Bournemouth-based Imagine Publishing snapping up 24 of the failed company’s computer and gaming titles. The magazines, including PC Home, Play and iCreate, were secured following a 2.7 million investment by Imagine’s venture capital backer Kleinwort Capital. Elsewhere, Highbury’s Front, Hotdog and DVD World, titles have been… Continue reading Highbury House Sell Off Continues