More Industry News articles

Chrysalis Group chairman Chris Wright this morning told the company’s AGM that the strong start to the financial year has continued, with radio revenues showing a year on year growth of 41% for the first five months of the year. This is a much stronger performance than rival groups: Capital Radio recently posted poorer than… Continue reading Radio Revenues Up 41% At Chrysalis

In the midst of Popstars fever, the BBC is making plans for a re-launch of its flagship pop music show Top Of The Pops. The show will shortly move from its old home at Elstree, in order to accommodate a further weekly episode of Eastenders which is also filmed at the Hertfordshire studios. One possible… Continue reading BBC To Re-Launch Top Of The Pops

The Financial Times is set to start charging subscriptions to its website, FT.com. Currently a free service, selected sections such as its archive, will soon be available on a paid-for basis. FT owner Pearson has brought forward the date it wants its websites to break even from 2003 to 2002. The group claims that FT.com… Continue reading FT.com To End Free Access

Telewest Communications was one of the best performers last week, its share price climbing 11% to 157p, following the issue of positive fourth quarter operating statistics (see Telewest Fourth Quarter Results Delivering On Target, Says Singer).European group RTL was down however, the market responding badly to news of its broadband deal with Bertelsmann (see European… Continue reading Sharewatch

French media group Vivendi has held talks with Liberty Media chairman, John Malone, about selling its stake in BSkyB to the US company, the Sunday Times reported at the weekend. Although no sources were given, the paper claimed that Malone flew to Paris to discuss a possible purchase of the 22.7% stake in the satellite… Continue reading Liberty Media May Be Interested In BSkyB Stake

Bertelsmann has taken majority control of European television company, RTL. It has purchased a further 30% stake in the group from Groupe Bruxelle Lambert, increasing its hold to 67%.In return Groupe Bruxelle Lambert will receive a 25.1% stake in Bertelsmann AG, which includes Bertelsmann Music Group and magazine publisher Gruner & Jahr. Pearson, which publishes… Continue reading Bertelsmann Acquires Controlling Stake In RTL

Monday MediaTel’s weekly media focus and analysis, Media Track, is featured in Campaign Media Business.Wednesday Pay-TV company BSkyB releases first half results for the year 2000, and is expected to announce a subscriber base of 5m.Granada holds its Annual General Meeting, following the completion of its demerger last week (see Granada Rises On Positive Ratings).Friday… Continue reading The Week Ahead

US local radio sales climbed 1% in the first month of 2001 despite the prevailing slow advertising economy and record increases for 2000. National sales for January were down 15% on the previous year although when combined with the healthier local total this drop was only 35 year-on-year. These monthly totals are based on the… Continue reading Radio Gains In January Despite ‘Soft Economic Climate’

Ireland’s Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) this morning said that it does not approve Ulster Television’s proposed acquisition of Cork-based radio broadcaster, County Media. UTV announced its intention to acquire County Media for IRE£28.5 million in November last year. However, the IRTC said that it was “not prepared to approve the present application” and… Continue reading UTV’s County Media Acquisition Blocked By IRTC

Advertising group Aegis has announced the acquisition of Pegram Walters Market Research Group. The cash and share deal, worth up to £5m, is a continuation of Aegis plans to expand its range of services into market research.Doug Flynn, CEO of Aegis, said: “The acquisition of Pegram Walters is another step towards our goal of building… Continue reading Aegis Expands Market Research Portfolio