More Industry News articles

Cable group Telewest and pay-TV company Flextech, which are in the midst of a £2.3 billion merger, both reported poor year-end financial results today. The merger, which will create a vertically integrated company worth more than £12 billion, was cleared by the Department of Trade & Industry earlier this month. Telewest saw a rise in… Continue reading Telewest And Flextech Report Losses Ahead Of Merger

The £8.2 billion cable merger between NTL and Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) has been approved by the secretary of state following recommendations passed from the Competition Commission at the end of last month (see Competition Commission Reports On NTL/CWC Merger). Despite concerns from trade and industry secretary, Stephen Byers, that the merger might be… Continue reading Government Clears NTL/CWC Merger

Stock in BSkyB continued to rise (up 50p) despite the clearance by the Government of the merger of cable companies NTL and CWC (see Government Clears NTL/CWC Merger). BSkyB had opposed the deal under the current cable regulations, claiming that a merged company would be as dominant as Sky and should therefore operate on an… Continue reading Sharewatch

The Commons Select Committee for culture, media and sport yesterday called for the return to the ITV evening schedule of News At Ten. This increases the pressure on the Independent Television Commission (ITC) to oppose the new schedule when it produces its report on the changes in May. The Select Committee is led by Gerald… Continue reading MPs Push For Return Of News At Ten

Programmes The BBC would call it brand extension, others would say it’s scraping the barrel for all it’s worth. Whatever you want to call it When Changing Rooms Met Ground Force certainly proved popular with the viewing public, with an audience of 10.56 million tuning in to the one-off programme.The fifteenth anniversary celebrations of Eastenders,… Continue reading TV Viewing Round Up – February 2000

It is understood that Peter Littlewood, a senior marketer for confectionary giant Mars, is currently the most likely candidate to take over as chief executive of the ITV Network. According to a report in this week’s Marketing, Littlewood last week came over to the UK from his current post in the States to meet with… Continue reading Mars Marketer Tipped For ITV Top Role

Following Budget Line 2000, a detailed Budget Review is now available on Newsline. Sponsored and provided by chartered accountants Brebner Allen Trapp, it comprehensively outlines the changes made in the Chancellor’s budget speech yesterday.To access the full report click here.For more information please contact Maurice Taylor ([email protected]) or John Craig ([email protected]) at Brebner Allen Trapp.

Shares in BSkyB fell 113p to £17.96 as the broadcaster’s proposed acquisition for a 24% stake in German group KirschPayTV was given the all clear by the European Commission.Johnston Press saw its shares rise after it reported strong financial results yesterday (see Revenues And Profits Strong At Johnston Press). Prices rose 5p to 305˝p.Dialog dropped… Continue reading Sharewatch

The UK is to receive its first interactive pools betting service next month when Two Way TV and Ladbrokes team up to launch Matchball. The service will be marketed under the Vernons Pools brand and launches on 8 April.Interactive TV services company, Two Way TV, will initially offer Matchball to digital cable television viewers, firstly… Continue reading UK To Get First Interactive Betting Service

Carlton Communications has signed a deal with WHSmith to link the two companies’ internet businesses, ‘maximising the potential of their entertainment and e-commerce portals’. They will cross-promote their sites, www.whsmith.co.uk and www.carlton.com, with the newsagent advertising the TV company’s pages in its stores.The deal will see Carlton selling advertising space across both companies’ sites and… Continue reading Carlton Signs Net Deal With WHSmith