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Ofcom has announced the award of the new FM local radio licence for Ashford, in Kent, selecting Kent Messenger’s Lark FM, broadcasting as KM-FM Ashford, from the six applications it received.Lark FM is owned by Kent Messenger, Barretts and Hobbs Parker Partnership, with the balance of the shares held by 10 individuals. The new station… Continue reading Kent Messenger Scoops Ashford FM Licence

ITV has announced the extension of its exclusive multi-year licensing agreement for the terrestrial television rights to NBC Universal’s feature films and television series in the UK.The deal will ensure ITV has exclusive terrestrial access to NBC Universal’s movies produced between 2004 and 2006. In addition, the agreement includes titles from NBC Universal’s feature film… Continue reading ITV Extends Movie Rights Deal Into 2006

Publishing and media group United Business Media (UBM) has settled its on-going dispute with commercial broadcaster ITV, created by the merger of Granada and Carlton Communications last year, over Granada’s £1.75 billion acquisition of UBM’s ITV franchises in 2000. The settlement involved a £32 million payment from ITV to UBM and, although neither company has… Continue reading UBM And ITV Settle Franchise Dispute

The UK’s commercial radio stations raised over £3 million in their Tsunami fund-raising effort, UK Radio Aid earlier this week, more than tripling the expected figure.The 12 hour charity marathon saw over 280 radio stations replacing their usual programmes with a nationally syndicated broadcast to an audience of over 20 million listeners. Participating stations agreed… Continue reading Radio Aid On Course To Raise £4 Million

The increasing penetration of personal video recorders (PVRs) is causing growing concern for advertisers, with homes using the technology skipping through 77% of ad breaks during the 42% of shows that are recorded, according to new research due to be unveiled today at the Oxford Media Convention. The new study, by media buying agency PHD,… Continue reading PVRs Causing Increasing Threat To Advertisers

International media group, Pearson, will see a near 20% increase in earnings in 2005, according to analysts Merrill Lynch. Yesterday Pearson issued a positive trading statement (see Financial Times Will Break Even For 2004), stating that the company has experienced a larger than expected growth for its Higher Education Business Group, growing ahead of the… Continue reading Merrill Predicts Optimistic 2005 For Pearson

Commercial broadcasters Capital Radio saw a dramatic jump in share price yesterday, gaining 3.55% to close yesterday at 437p. The radio station recently participated in the Radio Aid campaign, helping to raise funds for children affected by the Asian tsunami (see UK Radio Aid Donations Surpass £2 Million Mark).Earlier this week saw the company appoint… Continue reading Sharewatch: Capital Radio Lead The Way

Consumer publisher Highbury House has announced a radical relaunch programme for all three of its home interest titles, Real Homes, Inspirations and Home, hoping to boost their fortunes before launching subsequent magazines in the sector.The overhauls will take place in March, with all three titles receiving a facelift. The publisher also states that work on… Continue reading Highbury Revamps Home Interest Titles Ahead of Launches

The increasing penetration of personal video recorders (PVRs) is causing growing concern for advertisers, with homes using the technology skipping through 77% of ad breaks during the 42% of shows that are recorded, according to new research due to be unveiled today at the Oxford Media Convention.The new study, by media buying agency PHD, forecasts… Continue reading PVRs Present Increasing Threat To Television Advertisers

IPC Media has cut the price of its popular What’s on TV guide, reducing its regular cover price to provide readers with better value but retaining all the TV news and views, as well as comprehensive weekly listings information.The title’s cover price will fall to 35p from the issue dated 29 January, a move which… Continue reading IPC Boosts TV Guide Value With Lower Cover Price