Channel Five secured a record audience last night with 3.6 million viewers tuning into its documentary on Michael Jackson’s Face.According to unofficial overnight figures from BARB, the channel achieved a 15% share of viewing between 9pm and 10pm, the largest ever recorded at Channel Five, aside from films and football matches.The documentary, which was heavily… Continue reading Jacko Helps Five Face The Future
Week on week analysis of the media sector reveals heavy losses after a turbulent week on trading.Embattled telcom group,Telewest, saw the sector’s most significant decline, falling 25% week on week. The group is under pressure to reach a restructuring agreement with its bondholders within a month following a decision to delay a £68 million coupon… Continue reading Sharewatch
The Daily Mail & General Trust, publisher of the Daily Mail, is to remain family controlled, according to its chairman Viscount Rothermere.According to a report in today’s Times newspaper, Rothermere has no intention of changing the company’s controversial share structure that gives his family control of the voting rights. He asked: “Why should the voting… Continue reading Daily Mail & General Trust To Remain Family Owned
Wireless Group-owned sports radio station talkSPORT has secured Mercedez-Benz vans as the six figure sponsor of its weekend football results updates.The deal, which will run during the 2002/2003 season, will see Mercedez sponsor the half-time and full-time results round-ups during Adrian Durham’s Football First programme on Saturday afternoons.Adam Roland, sponsorship controller at talkSPORT’s sales house,… Continue reading talkSPORT Gets A Result With Mercedez-Benz Deal
The publishing assets of SMG, which were put up for sale earlier this month, have attracted considerable interest from the UK’s prominent newspaper groups but many analysts believe that the company’s valuation is excessive given current market conditions.SMG has decided to concentrate its attention on television and radio advertising and is looking to reduce debts… Continue reading Publishing Giants To Compete For SMG Titles
Internet search engine Google has launched a new cost-per-click advertising service called AdWords.The service allows advertisers to buy search terms that are closely related to their products. When a user types in the sponsored keyword a link to the advertiser’s website appears alongside a list of specially selected search terms.The product, which is available in… Continue reading Google Enters Cost-Per-Click Market
The BBC has today announced the launch of BBC7, a new digital talk-radio station for adults and children.The new station, which is due to go on air within the next few months, will feature comedy, drama and book readings. It will also broadcast a daily children’s show, called Big Toe Radio Show, which from 4pm… Continue reading BBC Launches New Digital Talk Radio Station
A leading media analyst at Merrill Lynch has offered a grim prognosis for the short term future of the advertising industry, claiming that recent events have conspired to foster uncertainty rather than spread optimism. Lauren Rich Fine says that negative earnings announcements, volatile share prices, confusing economic forecasts and the ongoing threat of war mean… Continue reading US Advertisers Hold Fire As Difficult Conditions Prevail
Outdoor advertising contractor, Maiden Group, said that sales declined by 5.1% in the six months to 30 June 2002, pushing the group into the red. Pre-tax loss for the period was £2.3 million, down from the £2.2 million profit of the same period last year. However, things are starting pick-up, with a ‘slow but steady’… Continue reading Maiden Pushed Into Red By Tough First Half
Media Stocks joined the broader FTSE rally on Thursday, cheered by strength on Wall Street and evidence of a gilt to equity swap.The radio sector was seen in focus after Capital Radio boosted the sector with some positive guidance and the unexpected news that Chris Tarrant will stay on as host of the breakfast show… Continue reading Sharewatch
