More Industry News articles

The proposed £1 billion sale of the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has generated a flurry of interest from commercial broadcasters, venture capital groups and investment banks.However, it is understood that some would-be buyers are being put off by confusion over the lucrative rights to successful BBC shows and products, such as The Office or… Continue reading Sale Of BBC Worldwide Raises Issues Over Rights

Sky Sports has signed an exclusive three-year deal to become the first UK broadcaster to screen live coverage of the new A1 Grand Prix motor racing series.The series launches next autumn and pits identical cars against each other in what is being billed as a true test of driving skill. The event is intended to… Continue reading Sky Sports Secures Exclusive Rights To New A1 Grand Prix

The Barclay brothers have poached Murdoch MacLennan, managing director of Associated Newspapers, to become chief executive of the Telegraph titles they acquired last month for £665 million.It is understood that the highly secretive twins have been talking to the 54 year-old newspaper veteran for some weeks and have now persuaded him to join the new… Continue reading Telegraph Raids Rival Associated For New Chief Executive

Broadband data networks could reach nearly two million US households by the end of 2004 if the current take-up rate continues, says a new report. According to Parks Associates’ Consumers & Emerging Multimedia Platforms study, the success of home networking, which reached more than one million US households this year, is expected to be as… Continue reading Broadband ISPs Find Success With Home Networks

International consumer magazine group, Future Network, has today announced that it has acquired two UK games magazines from Dennis Publishing for £2.5 million.The purchase of PC Zone and Computer & Video Games from the US publishing house, also includes sister website, computerandvideogames.com.Managing director, Robert Price, said: “This acquisition is good news for Future because it… Continue reading Future Network Buys Games Mags For £2.5 Million

Merrill Lynch has said that it expects global advertising giant, WPP to grow by up to 4% this year, as strong underlying business momentum is spurred on by a general recovery and key boost from the Olympics. The update from Merrill Lynch, which was issued as a result of WPP announcing its half year results… Continue reading Latest WPP Forecasts From Merrill Lynch

Global advertising giant, WPP, has announced that half-year revenues have reached over £2 billion for the first time ever, spurred by a significant increase in advertising revenue. Revenues at the world’s second largest advertising group, rose from January to June by 6% year-on-year to £2.03 billion, stimulated by the effects of Euro 2004, the Olympic… Continue reading Revenues At WPP Exceed Expectations To Reach £2 Billion

Britain’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV, saw positive growth yesterday, rising by 2.24% to close at 102˝p. However, the company has recently been forced to drop several high-profile shows from its prime-time positions in order to avoid further declines in its viewing share.The last few months have seen ITV become ruthless in axing peak-time programmes that… Continue reading Sharewatch: ITV Rises Despite Fears Of Revenue Short-Fall

Senior executives from Channel 4 and RTL, the pan-European broadcaster that holds the controlling stake in Five, are scheduled to meet next week to hold discussions about a possible tie-up between the two broadcasters. The two commercial rivals have made no secret of their desire to forge closer links to help them compete in the… Continue reading Television Bosses Set To Hold Further Merger Talks

Channel 4 looks set to provide viewers with increased betting opportunities through their televisions, following a deal with Sky Bet, BSkyB’s wholly-owned betting business.Sky will provide the broadcaster with interactive betting services for its live coverage of horseracing events. The service will run alongside a range of interactive services provided by Channel 4, including information… Continue reading Channel 4 Bets On Sky For Interactive Gambling Service