Media heavyweights, Lord Clive Hollick, Stephen Grabiner and Greg Dyke may launch a £6 billion bid for broadcaster ITV, according to industry reports. The three work for private equity houses and are rumoured to have held talks, discussing the possibility of forming an alliance to fund a bid for the commercial giant. Last week it… Continue reading Possible Consortium Bid For ITV

ITV’s future is at the centre of renewed speculation today, with reports surfacing that a possible bid of £6 billion is being prepared for the broadcaster by a conglomerate of investors, including Lord Hollick and former BBC director general, Greg Dyke.The rumours build on comments made by Hollick last week, when the outgoing chief executive… Continue reading Greg Dyke Implicated In ITV Bid Speculation

The first television search engine offering customers over 42,000 hours of clips, has been launched by blinkx TV, allowing users to search online for clips from their favourite news, sports and entertainment programmes.The new technology allows TV and radio programmes from 15 international broadcasters, including the BBC, ITN and Sky News, to be fully searchable… Continue reading First Online TV Search Engine Launched

ITV Sales has announced the appointment of Jeremy Neaves as its new head of customer communications, further underlining the company’s drive to provide a more customer focused approach to its business.Neaves has spent the past 12 years working in agencies, holding positions with some of the nation’s best known direct marketing and relationship marketing agencies,… Continue reading ITV Hires Customer Boss To Boost Client Focus

Speculation has intensified surrounding Associated Newspapers’ Evening Standard, with city brokers Cazenove warning that the paper may have to drop its coverprice or become a freesheet in order to survive intensified competition in the capital.The warning follows similar speculation last month that the newspaper would merge its operations with Associated’s high-profile freesheet, the Metro, and… Continue reading Freesheet Evening Standard Speculation Continues

Government media watchdog Ofcom, has announced a raft of new analogue commercial radio licences to extend its planned radio timetable into 2005.The move could benefit a number of cities across the UK, including Swindon, Torbay and Swansea, with the introduction of several smaller licences now, and the possibility of larger licences being introduced by March.Amongst… Continue reading Ofcom Extends Radio Licence Programme

The Direct Marketing Association has announced the appointment of Charles Ping, head of CRM at Guardian Newspapers, as its new chairman, replacing David Coupe, managing director of Experian’s marketing services division, who has stepped down following the completion of his two year term as chair.During his two year chairmanship, Coupe has played a key role… Continue reading Direct Marketing Association Appoints New Chairman

The Daily Telegraph has proved successful in attracting young and upmarket audiences, according to data from the National Readership Survey, with the paper citing increases of up to 50% in the much sought after 15-24 age group.In year on year analysis the figures for April to September 2004 show the Daily Telegraph adding more young… Continue reading Telegraph Sees Growth In Young Readers

ITV is understood to be planning a take-over bid for digital broadcaster UKTV’s portfolio of channels, a move that would secure the broadcaster’s future in a multi-channel TV environment.Although ITV has yet to make a formal bid for its rival’s collection of digital channels, reports this morning suggest the proposition is at the centre of… Continue reading ITV Considering Bid For UKTV Digital Channels

The UK online travel sector is forecast to reach 4.9% market share in January, equalling the best ever month previously set by the travel industry, according to online intelligence service Hitwise. UK visits to internet travel sites are up 14%, on a year on year analysis, with the first week of January 2005 seeing online… Continue reading UK Online Travel To Equal Best Ever Month