Trinity Mirror began trading yesterday after the merger between the two groups was given the unconditional go-ahead on Monday (see Trinity-Mirror Deal Gets ‘Unconditional’ Go-Ahead). Prices closed at 601˝p. The Mirror group will be de-listed shortly.Yesterday’s announcement that US media giants CBS and Viacom are to merge gave a boost to UK broadcasting stocks. Carlton… Continue reading Sharewatch
UK interest rates have gone up by a quarter point to 5.25%. The decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to increase rates has come as a shock to traders and was condemned by industry heads.
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is to release figures for free and paid regional press simultaneously beginning this week. Verified Free Distribution titles will be released two weeks early to allow for a concurrent release with the Regional Paid Press on Friday September 10th.The change comes as a result of improvements at ABC and… Continue reading Verified Free And Regional Paid Newspapers To Share Release Date
Carlton Communications is to acquire a further 50% stake in Hamdon Entertainment, giving the group sole control of the Los Angeles-based business, which is the one of the largest worldwide co-producers, financiers and distributors of made-for-television movies. The acquisition is part of a ten-point plan announced by the group in May this year (see Carlton… Continue reading Carlton Expands Its US Interests
Announcing the first interim reports since he became chairman, Don Cruickshank summed up a “successful” six months for the Scottish Media Group. Within this period, which has seen the launch of a new newspaper, the Sunday Herald, and a new digital television channel, S2, as well as the loss of the Channel 4 rebate, SMG… Continue reading Scottish Media Reports Six-Month Rise In Profits
Telewest Communications saw a dramatic rise in its share prices yesterday. The cable company, which has seen falls since announcing its acquisition of Cable London (see Telewest Takes Control Of Cable London In £428m Deal) saw a rise of almost 4%.Capital Radio continued to make gains after the Radio Authority last week awarded the CE… Continue reading Sharewatch
The Radio Authority yesterday imposed its most serious sanctions ever when it fined Oxygen FM £20,000 and shortened its licence by 2 years. The Oxford-based station, which broadcasts to students and young listeners, was given the sanctions after it fabricated its output in an attempt to deceive the regulator.An investigation was launched into the station… Continue reading Toughest Sanctions Ever For Student Radio Station
Rémy Sautter has been appointed chairman of the board of directors at Channel 5. He replaces Greg Dyke, who became director-general of the BBC in June (see Dyke To Be Next BBC Director General).Sautter is currently president and chief executive officer of CLT-UFA, the largest radio and television group in Europe, which holds a 29%… Continue reading Channel 5 Gets New Chairman
British Sky Broadcasting yesterday announced the appointment of its new general manager. Richard Freudenstein, who will join the company next month, will have particular responsibility for the further development of its digital services.Freudenstein is currently employed as director of operations and business development at Fox-Tel, the Australian pay-TV group. Speaking about his appointment Tony Ball,… Continue reading Sky Gets New General Manager
Regional newspaper group Trinity was issued with a deadline for the required disposal of its Northern Ireland titles on Friday, making its £2 billion deal with the Mirror Group wholly unconditional from today. The Department of Trade and Industry has allowed the regional newspaper group 12 months to sell the titles, which include the Belfast… Continue reading Trinity-Mirror Deal Gets ‘Unconditional’ Go-Ahead
