Telewest’s chief executive has announced he is to leave the company on completion of its planned merger with Flextech next week. Tony Illsley is believed to be quitting after being given the secondary position of group managing director in the newly formed group (see Telewest And Flextech Agree Terms Of £2.26bn Merger).The position of chief… Continue reading Telewest Chief Quits As Flextech Merger Plans Finalised
The upcoming sale of a minority stake in beeb.com, the commercial BBC internet service, has given rise to speculation that Flextech or NTL will bid for a stake of up to 30 per cent. Earlier this year the BBC denied that it was going to float the service (see BBC Denies Plans For Worldwide Sell… Continue reading Beeb.com Minority Stake May Go To Flextech Or NTL
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has published a new draft of its Sponsorship Code. Although key principles regarding editorial independence and the distinction between advertising and sponsor credits remain, the code aims to simplify rules on sponsorship credits, reflecting the fact that the ITC sees itself as a ‘light touch regulator’.Martin Hart, ITC’s head of… Continue reading ITC Takes Simpler Approach In New Draft Sponsorship Code
Benetton’s “Death Row” campaign gained more national newspaper coverage than any other advertising this year. Featuring convicted murderers awaiting execution, the advertising was the most talked about campaign in the three months to the end of March.This is the result of the latest “Ads That Make News” survey by Propeller Communications. Advertising for charities featured… Continue reading Death Row Ads Top Controversy Poll
There was speculation yesterday that Spanish telecoms group, Telefonica, was considering selling its 5% stake in Pearson. Both sides are said to be frustrated with the working relationship. As a result Pearson shares ended 254p down at £21.05.The three companies wrangling over merger deals to create the UK’s largest commercial television broadcasting group – Granada,… Continue reading Sharewatch
Scottish Radio Holdings announced its final bid for Border Television yesterday. Scottish Radio has increased its original offer (see Scottish Radio Launches £116m Hostile Bid For Border TV) to around £141m, having made progress in getting Border to discuss the deal for the first time on Monday. The new offer would give 5 new SRH… Continue reading Scottish Radio Raises Bid As Border Shares Rise
Cable & Wireless Communications said that it has taken almost 190,000 orders for its digital television service, with 150,000 installations completed. Of these, more than 90,000 customers are already using interactive services.The cable group began to roll-out its digital service last May (see Cable & Wireless Communications Rolls Out Digital TV Offerings), and recently announced… Continue reading CWC Announces Digital Subs Of 190,000
ONdigital said today it had 673,000 subscribers to its digital terrestrial platform, and expects this number to rise to 1 million by the end of the year. The pay-tv company, which is joint-owned by Carlton Communications and Granada, said that its sales had increased by 22% for the three-month period to the end of March.A… Continue reading ONdigital On Target To Reach 1 Million Subs By End Of Year
News that Capital Radio is about to launch a rival bid for Border Television (see Capital Radio Prepares Border TV Bid) caused Border shares to rise again yesterday, gaining 27˝p to £11.82˝. The television companies suitors fared less well, with Capital Radio falling 75p to £15.12˝ and original bidder Scottish Radio Holdings falling 12˝p to… Continue reading Sharewatch
Outdoor advertising company, the More Group, today announced the acquisition of Barnett’s Taxi Advertising, a London-based company tagged “the name behind the names on cabs”.Stevie Spring, chief executive of the More Group, said: “Barnett’s extensive knowledge of the London area and regional market combined with More Group’s national strength is a winning combination. It means… Continue reading More Acquires Taxi Advertising Group
