Wireless Group chief executive, Kelvin MacKenzie, has reiterated his threat of legal action against RAJAR following its rejection of electronic measurement (see RAJAR Says ‘No For Now’ To Electronic Measurement).Speaking at this year’s annual Radio Festival in Birmingham, the flamboyant former Sun editor claimed that electronic meters are more accurate than the current diary system… Continue reading MacKenzie Off To Court Over Electronic Measurement
ITV needs to brace itself for a 3.3% fall in advertising revenues this year, according to new analysis of the commercial television sector from Lehman Brothers. The FY forecast for 2004 has been duly cut from 4% to 2.5%.Also On MediaTel Insight Today…Poor Business Plans To Blame For Pay-TV FailuresThe inability to initiate professional business… Continue reading MediaTel Insight: ITV Advertising Forecasts From Lehman Brothers
Nahed Ojjeh, the Syrian-born chess promoter, has increased her stake in Cordiant Communications to more than 10%, it was revealed last night. The crisis-torn advertising group has told the stock exchange that Mrs Ojjeh, the widow of a Saudi billionaire, had “built a stake in the company during the period 10 June 2003 to 4… Continue reading Mystery As Chess Queen Raises Cordiant Stake
Liberal democrat peer, Lord McNally has narrowly failed to enforce changes to the Communications Bill which would have prevented Rupert Murdoch from buying a UK terrestrial TV channel, such as Channel Five. Despite support from across the political divide, the proposed amendment (see Lib Dems May Scupper Communications Bill Compromise) was defeated by 167 votes… Continue reading Lords Fail to Carry “Murdoch Amendment”
Capital Radio boss, David Mansfield, has moved to rule out a potential takeover by American-owned Clear Channel following the relaxation of the media ownership regulations. Lowry Mays, chief executive of Clear Channel, has made no secret of his intention to acquire a major UK radio group once the Communications Bill comes into force (see NewsLine)… Continue reading Capital Radio Chief Moves To Quash Clear Channel Takeover
Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, has warned that the relaxation of the media ownership regulations could lead to the market being flooded with radio stations that are simply in the business of ”selling products” for advertisers. Speaking at this yearÂ’s annual Radio Festival in Birmingham, Dyke criticised the GovernmentÂ’s plans to allow just… Continue reading Dyke Warns Against Regulatory Free For All
The government’s last minute agreement with Lord Puttnam may not be enough to secure the smooth passage of the Communications Bill through the Lords, after Liberal Democrat peer Lord McNally called for a specific ban on Rupert Murdoch buying Channel Five. Liberal Democrat peers are hoping to force an amendment to the bill which would… Continue reading Lib Dems May Scupper Communications Bill Compromise
Ofcom Chairman, Lord Currie, has welcomed the GovernmentÂ’s decision to amend the Communications Bill to give the new super-regulator the power to investigate major media mergers (see Government Ends Media Ownership Deadlock). The eleventh hour amendment, put forward by Lord Puttnam to limit the dominance of large media owners following the relaxation of the ownership… Continue reading Ofcom Chairman Welcomes Puttnam’s Plurality Test
Trinity Mirror was seen in the spotlight, up 2.05%, on reports that chief executive, Sly Bailey, has ruled out the demerger of the company’s national and regional newspapers and is set to initiate a thorough cost-cutting programme (see Bailey Seeks To Cut Costs At Trinity Mirror).Cordiant also remained in focus, down 6.67%. The stock was… Continue reading Sharewatch: Trinity Rises On Positive Comments
Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, has warned that the relaxation of the media ownership regulations could lead to the market being flooded with radio stations that are simply in the business of “selling products” for advertisers.Speaking at this year’s annual Radio Festival in Birmingham, Dyke criticised the Government’s plans to allow just two… Continue reading Dyke Warns Against Regulatory Free For All
