The Wireless Group, which owns Talk Radio and nine regional UK radio stations, is to launch its own in-house sales company on Tuesday 4 January. Called Impact, it will form a one-stop shop for clients and agencies around the country.Tim Bleakley, currently sales director for the Wireless Group, will become managing director of the new… Continue reading The Wireless Group Launches New Sales House
Trinity Mirror has confirmed that it is interested in making a takeover bid for regional newspaper publisher, Newscom. Trinity has approached the Newscom Board and has written to the secretary of state for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, seeking permission to make a bid.Trinity Mirror’s interest follows similar letters to the Department of Trade and… Continue reading Trinity Mirror Confirms Interest In Newscom
The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has rejected plans for the introduction of an extra charge to the licence fee to help fund the BBC’s digital services. The MPs on the Committee were responding to the independent funding review panel, chaired by economist Gavyn Davies, which proposed that digital TV viewers… Continue reading MPs Reject BBC Digital Licence Levy
The Granada Group launched its internet entertainment service provider yesterday, three months later than planned (see Granada Seeks Agency For Net Project). The ISP offers access to a range of sites based around Granada’s highest rating television programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as well as providing e-mail and internet access to its subscribers.The… Continue reading Granada Launches G-Wizz
The digital consortium Switchdigital has announced an addition to its list of shareholders. Carphone Warehouse is to join the Wireless Group, Clear Channel International and Ginger Media Group as part owner and retail partner.Switchdigital, which unites Talk Radio and Virgin Radio, lost the bid for the first digital multiplex licence for London earlier this year… Continue reading Carphone Warehouse Joins Switchdigital
Shares in Granada rose 21˝p to 622˝p as the media group announced it is to merge its television rentals business with rival Radio Rentals in a £1 billion venture called Box Clever.Telewest saw a rise in its share prices as the cable group announced details of its planned merger with pay-TV group Flextech (see Telewest/Flextech… Continue reading Sharewatch
Hello! magazine recently completed a controlled advertising test in the regional press which resulted in increased sales for the women’s magazine. The test campaign in the Isle of Wight County Press ran over three promoted issues and saw sales rise over 18%, higher than the average national sales increase.Publishing director of Hello! Sally Cartwright said:… Continue reading Local Press Ads Boost Sales Of Hello!
Satellite broadcaster, BSkyB, has strengthened its position with Premier League football this morning by taking a 5.0% stake in Sunderland Football Club. Sky is paying £6.5 million to buy into the club and become its exclusive commercial and media agent for an initial period of five years. Under the contract, revenues made from the media… Continue reading BSkyB Buys Into Sunderland FC
The much-anticipated merger between Telewest and Flextech (see Telewest And Flextech Close To Merger) was delayed yesterday due to legal complications. The two companies are expected to complete the deal, in which Telewest will pay £2 billion for Flextech, in the next few days. Telewest stock closed up 26žp at 340p; Flextech finished up 5p… Continue reading Sharewatch
Details of the proposed merger between Flextech and Telewest have been revealed after the formal announcement of the deal was postponed yesterday (see Sharewatch). A legal hitch involving Microsoft, which agreed to buy a 29.9% stake in Telewest earlier this year and which is still awaiting regulatory clearance, is believed to have caused the delay.Under… Continue reading Telewest/Flextech Merger Plans Revealed
