Jeff Henry, UK chief executive of Hallmark TV has reportedly left the channel after its purchase by a conglomerate group, led by former chief executive of Five, David Elstein. The deal, said to be worth £127 million, saw private equity groups 3i and Providence Equity Partners back Elstein’s acquisition of the Hallmark Channels international operations… Continue reading Chief Executive Leaves Hallmark TV

ITV shareholders have ruled out the possibility of involvement in breaking up Scottish Media Group (SMG), damaging Lord Alli’s proposed takeover bid of Virgin Radio for private equity company 3i. Lord Alli had hoped to win support from ITV shareholders in his bid for Virgin, after the Glasgow-based media group had rejected his previous offers… Continue reading ITV Rules Out Helping Alli Buy Virgin

Media owners are missing out on a huge opportunity to interact and talk to consumers on the internet, according to Adam Freeman, head of commercial development at Guardian Unlimited. Speaking at Admap and the World Advertising Research Centre’s Sponsorship and Marketing Conference in London yesterday, Freeman pointed out the benefits of this vast medium for… Continue reading The Rise Of Online Sponsorship

UK TV revenue is predicted to grow by 4% year on year in 2005, according to forecasts released by media consultancy agency, Billetts. Billetts predicts television’s strong revenue growth in 2005 to be fuelled by Channel 4 and interactive revenue sales. Commercial audiences are expected to rise by 3%, led by rising multi-channel penetration. This… Continue reading Billetts Predicts TV Revenue To Lead 2005

Scottish Radio Holdings looks set to fend off takeover bids from rival groups by acquiring radio and newspaper companies, according to chief executive David Goode, with the company belived to be actively seeking acquisition targets in a bid to become the hunter rather than the hunted.The move follows increasing speculation that radio giant Emap will… Continue reading SRH To Avoid Takeover Through Acquisitions

Internet protocol television (IPTV) looks set to be the future of TV, causing problems for advertisers with current scheduled TV advertisement breaks ceasing to exist in the new format. TV advertisers are already under threat from the new generation of TV set-top boxes, which allow viewers to fast forward through advertisement breaks. Research from media… Continue reading The Future Of Television – IPTV

US advertising expenditure is predicted to increase by 5.1% in 2005, to $150.5 billion, following the estimated growth of 10.6% in 2004, according to forecasts released by TNS Media Intelligence. TNS Media Intelligence estimates quarter-by-quarter growth of 6.9% for the first half of 2005, slowing to 3.5% in the second half. This decline is attributed… Continue reading Online Advertising Spend Leads Growth Projections For 2005

Channel 4 has announced its best January performance for five years, with an audience share of 10.3%, topping the performance of BBC 2 and defying the downward trend of its terrestrial rivals.The impressive performance follows a strong 2004 for the broadcaster, in which its audience grew by 2% year on year. A spokesman for Channel… Continue reading Channel 4 Sees Best January In Years After Audience Boost

Former Five chief executive, David Elstein, has succeeded in his purchase of the Hallmark Channel’s international TV operations, completing the long-rumoured deal worth an estimated £167 million.The purchase was backed by private equity group 3i and Providence Equity Partners, who reportedly put in half the money to buy the Hallmark property from Crown Media Holdings.Elstein… Continue reading Elstein Successful In Bid For Hallmark Channel

Radio operator GWR has announced the launch of the UK’s first dedicated ‘chill’ digital radio format, designed to broaden listener choice, offering a relaxing and ambient 100% music service.Chill will include artists such as Moby, Zero 7, Royksopp, Air, Groove Armada and Norah Jones and will be broadcast across nine NOWdigital multiplexes serving Bristol &… Continue reading GWR To Chill With New Digital Station