More Industry News articles

Haim Saban, the US media investor, plans to make a second attempt to acquire the assets of the indebted Kirch media empire, according to new reports. Just six weeks after opting out of a €2 billion deal (see Kirch TV Deal Hits The Rocks), Saban has apparently returned with a reduced bid for KirchMedia. He… Continue reading Saban Back In For KirchMedia

United Business Media has added to its stable of construction magazines with the acquisition of Aprovia UK for £79 million.The deal will see Aprovia, which includes The Builder Group and Barbour Index, integrated into UBM’s CMP Information division. It was bought by venture capitalists Cinven, Carlyle and Apax from Vivendi Universal in June 2002.The Builder… Continue reading UBM Builds Up Portfolio With Aprovia Acquisition

Emap’s Smash Hits is to increase its profile in the run up to next month’s ABC results with the launch of a one-off Summer Quiz Special.The 52-page spin-off title, which goes on sale on 13 August priced at £2.50, will feature more than 100 celebrity quizzes and will be covermounted with a special Smash Hits… Continue reading Smash Hits Launches One-Off Quiz Special

The concept of on-demand television has remained tantalisingly out of reach of both consumers and telecoms operators for a good number of years now. Often hailed as a potential revolution in viewing habits and as a key source of new revenue for cable and telco companies, the video on-demand (VOD) sector has nevertheless so far… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: Video On-Demand Remains On Hold

United Business Media was seen under pressure, down 1.62% yesterday, after failing to impress the market with the acquisition of Builder Group, the construction magazine business (see UBM Builds Up Portfolio With Aprovia Acquisition).Elsewhere, Cable & Wireless was seen in the spotlight, down 4.64%, after its chief executive revealed that the restructuring process recently put… Continue reading Sharewatch: UBM Falls Ahead Of Acquisition

Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has admitted that Lord Puttnam’s last minute plurality test amendment to the Communications Bill helped to improve the recently passed legislation (see Parliament Finally Green Lights Communications Act).The Government was forced to accept the eleventh hour proposal to give Ofcom the power to investigate major cross-media mergers after a group of… Continue reading Jowell Admits Plurality Test Improved Communications Bill

The cost of unmetered dial-up internet access could be reduced by service providers, following a ruling by Oftel that will force BT to bring down the amount it charges operators to use its network.Following an investigation into BT’s charging practice, the telecommunications watchdog is forcing the company to reduce its fees by 17%. Oftel concluded… Continue reading Oftel’s BT Ruling Should Bring Down Dial-Up Internet Costs

For years advertisers have been striving to target socially active 18-25 year olds, but with this demographic spending less time on the sofa and more time out on the town, Rick Weir, marketing director of Hi-Tech Solutions, explains that advertisers need to turn to bars and clubs to get their message across.Most of us are… Continue reading NewsLine Column: Bar-Room Branding

Mediaedge:cia’s managing director, James Whitmore, has left the company and is to be replaced by Matt James, formerly managing director of Manning Gottlieb OMD.The move comes just months after Mediaedge:cia’s UK group chairman, Rob Norman, took control of the agency, following the departure of Fiona McAnena to become development director at parent company WPP’s marketing… Continue reading Mediaedge:cia Parts Ways With Managing Director

The European Commission is prepared to take steps to stop BSkyB retaining exclusive live rights to English Premiership football matches, according to weekend press speculation. Broadcasting contracts are now up for renewal and in a bid to allay charges of anti-competitive behaviour, the Premier League has split the available games into gold, silver and bronze… Continue reading EC Could Obstruct New Sky Football Deal