Mobile telephone operator, Orange has announced plans to launch the UK’s first broadband network that will work on both the mobile network and the fixed-line network, depending on where customers are located when they connect. Customers accessing the internet at home will be connected to the internet via service provider Wanadoo, owned by Orange’s parent… Continue reading Orange Launches UK’s First Broadband Network

ITV has secured LG Electronics as the sponsor of its Formula One season, running across ITV1 and ITV2 in an integrated deal worth around £3.5 million.The deal includes broadcast sponsorship of all race and qualifying programmes on ITV1, and highlights on ITV2. The deal also includes sponsorship of www.itv.com/f1 and online viewer competitions.ITV’s dedicated website… Continue reading ITV Secures LG Electronics As Formula One Sponsor

Nielsen Media Research has warned subscribers not to use digital cable viewing data from its MarketBreaks service from 1 November to 2 February after a processing error rendered the three-month period unusable.While Nielsen have not revealed the magnitude of the error, it said in an e-mail sent to clients on Friday: “The impact varies greatly… Continue reading Nielsen Reissues Cable TV Data Following Error

Television advertising revenue in the UK is forecast to grow at its fastest rate since 2000, aided by the prospects of a general election and the UK’s economic upturn. New data released by media group ZenithOptimedia, predicts TV adspend to increase by 12% in Q1 2005, revising its previous estimates up, from 5% for the… Continue reading TV Adspend Fuelled By Elections

Commercial news providers should receive a share of the BBC licence fee once the digital switchover is complete, according to a new report from the Social Markets Foundation. The ‘What’s the news? News Broadcasting in the Digital Age’ report suggests that 5% of the BBC licence fee should be used to fund commercial television news… Continue reading Commerical News Providers Call For Funds

Radio operator, The Wireless Group (TWG), has confirmed media speculation that it has received a proposal regarding a possible cash offer for all the issued share capital of the company, from its senior management including chairman and chief executive Kevin MacKenzie. Industry reports over the weekend stated that MacKenzie was preparing to take control of… Continue reading TWG Confirms Offer Proposal

Magazine publishers, Highbury House Communications, has confirmed that it has reached agreement over the proposed takeover bid by Future, creating the UK’s third largest consumer magazine group, in a deal said to be worth £96.5 million (see Future To Bid For Highbury). The agreement will see titles such as Real Homes and Fast Car added… Continue reading Highbury Confirms Future Takeover Bid

Glasgow-based Scottish Media Group (SMG) has turned down a £100 million offer for Virgin Radio from private equity group, 3i, according to industry reports. The take-over bid started in December, but to no avail after SMG rejected the offer of Lord Alli, the media heavyweight spearheading 3i’s bid. Reports indicate that 3i has threatened to… Continue reading SMG Rejects 3i Offer For Virgin

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has announced the disposal of its prop hire business, Superhire Limited to Space Holdings Limited for a cash consideration of £8.2 million. The funds raised from the sale will be used to reduce ITV’s borrowings and represents a further stage in it’s disposal programme of non-core assets. ITV has now raised more… Continue reading ITV Sells Prop Hire Business

Egmont Magazines has announced the launch of Disney Special Collection, targeting boys and girls aged 3-7 years with what it claims is a “highly collectable, quality monthly magazine” featuring some of Disney’s best-loved characters and branded covermounted gifts.The magazine will have an initial print run of 65,000, with the first issue due to go on… Continue reading Egmont Expands Magazine Portfolio With Disney Title