The launch of the UK’s first digital radio stations this week (see Digital Radio Launches In The UK) has pushed up shares in a number of radio groups. Capital Radio surged 55p (5.0%) to 1,152˝p; Chrysalis Radio closed up 40p at 955p and GWR, joint-owner of the Digital One national multiplex, finished up 37˝p (7.4%)… Continue reading Sharewatch
Hello! magazine has reached an out-of-court settlement with OK!, which has finally capitulated in the long-running circulation figures row between the two rivals. Dating back to October last year (see Battle Of The Gossips), the dispute began when Hello! claimed that OK! had distributed inaccurate estimates of its sales figures to advertisers and journalists. The… Continue reading Newsline Brief
Julian Hardy has quit as commerical director of IPC Electric after just three months in the role. It has been reported that he was expecting more from the position and was becoming frustrated by the increasing involvement of the division’s head René Carayol.IPC Electric was unveiled as the internet division of IPC Magazines in September… Continue reading Commercial Director Of IPC Electric Quits
The Carat Group has this week finalised its takeover of Scottish media agency, Feather Brooksbank, merging it with the Carat Manchester operation to form the UK’s largest regional media planning and buying firm. Carat has paid £7.5 million for Feather Brooksbank after several months of talks and denials that a merger was on the cards… Continue reading Carat Merger With Feather Brooksbank Creates UK’s Largest Regional Media Agency
Pay-TV group Flextech has signed a major carriage deal with Telewest Communications’ recently-launched digital television service, Active Digital (see Telewest Launches Digital Service). Under the deal, all of Flextech’s channels, including the UKTV portfolio, will be available on Active Digital.Flextech’s wholly-owned stations are Bravo, Trouble, Living and Challenge TV. UKTV, which is a joint venture… Continue reading Flextech And UKTV Sign Carriage Deal With Telewest Digital
Pay-TV group, Flextech, rose 95p yesterday to a best-ever 1,102˝p as rumours spread that Granada may buy its 18.6% stake in Scottish Media Group (SMG). Granada acquired Mirror Group’s 18.6% stake in SMG earlier in the year (see Granada To Buy Mirror’s Scottish Media Stake).Emap made further gains as both Goldman Sachs and CSFB boosted… Continue reading Sharewatch
The Local Radio Company (TLRC) has bought Plymouth-based radio station Victory FM for an undisclosed sum. Victory was launched in September this year, backed by a number of local and trade investors. The station broadcasts to a potential audience of over 300,000 people, but is not currently on the RAJAR survey.Commenting on the deal, TLRC’s… Continue reading Local Radio Company Acquires Portsmouth Station
Month On MonthThe latest national newspaper circulation figures, released by the ABC yesterday, show a very slight overall decline in sales between September and October. However, for the first time in a while the Daily Mail is recording a monthly loss of sales, of just under 20,000 copies, whilst its long-suffering mid-market rival, the Express,… Continue reading National Newspaper ABC Round-Up – October 1999
The GWR group has joined forces with Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) to apply for the second digital radio multiplex licence for London. The first licence was awarded to the CE Digital consortium, which comprises Capital and Emap Radio, earlier this year (see Capital And EMAP Win First London Digital Licence).Awarding the first licence the Radio… Continue reading GWR And Scottish Radio Unite In London Licence Bid
Emap’s share prices jumped 80p to 970p yesterday as the media group reported better than expected interim results (see Emap’s Profits Beat Expectations).Pearson rose by 9p to 1,484p as it increased its internet presence with the announcement of an $800 million share deal with DBC which gives the group a one-third stake in leading financial… Continue reading Sharewatch
