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!
The biggest sponsorship deal between a British broadcaster and an internet company took place yesterday when Channel 5 signed a £3 million deal with ShopSmart.com. The one-year contract will see the Net shopping portal sponsoring the channel’s peak-time film output.ShopSmart.com plans to create a number of executions to suit each different genre of film. Managing… Continue reading Channel 5 Signs Biggest Net Sponsorship Deal
Carlton Communications has teamed up with French commercial broadcaster, TF1, to set up a joint venture to operate internet and online businesses across Europe. Each of the companies is to invest Euro50 million (ďż˝31.5 million) in the venture which will be called @lliance.@lliance is being created to acquire and develop sports, entertainment and interactive rights… Continue reading Carlton Commits 32m To Internet Venture With TF1
IPC is believed to be preparing for a flotation in 2001. The magazine group announced a fall in its full-year profits yesterday. Pre-tax profits for the year to September 30, were £2.8 million.The group gained its independence last year when it bought the company from Reed Elsevier with the help of venture capital group Cinven… Continue reading IPC Prepares For Flotation
Channel 4 has stolen the rights to two key US series, Friends and ER, away from satellite broadcaster BSkyB (see Feature: Channel 4 Is Good Friends With Comedy Shows). In a deal with the programmes’ owners, Warner Brothers International Television, C4 takes both the terrestrial and pay-TV rights to the series, and other Warner TV… Continue reading Channel 4 Steals Friends And ER Rights From Sky
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
