Media group Pearson has confirmed that Marjorie Scardino, CEO, has stepped up to take the place of Greg Dyke as chairman of Pearson Television. Mr Dyke is to be the next director-general of the BBC (see Newsline).The move will allow Scardino to monitor developments at the TV group whilst directors search for a replacement for… Continue reading Scardino Replaces Dyke As He Prepares For BBC DG Post
The advertising and media group WPP has released a trading update after its annual general meeting today.The group’s worldwide revenues were up by almost 11% on a constant currency basis. UK interests for the group showed a 13% increase in revenues. WPP’s public affairs and PR sectors showed the biggest rise in the first 5… Continue reading WPP Sees Positive Trade In First Half Of 1999
The Dixons Group has announced that it is to float 18.25% of its successful internet subsidiary Freeserve on the London Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq in the US. John Pluthero, chief executive of Freeserve, commented: “The floatation of Freeserve is an important milestone in our strategy to become the UK’s home on the internet.”Shares will… Continue reading Dixons To Float One Fifth Of Freeserve
Scottish Radio Holdings, which has been approached by Clear Channel with a proposal to buy a stake in the company, fell 15p to 920p by the close of trading on Friday, .Cable & Wireless Communications dropped 3p to 630p. The group has announced that its basic digital cable TV package is to cost less than… Continue reading Sharewatch
Cable & Wireless Communications has announced that its digital television service is to be available from £9.98 per month – this includes a digital set-top box, telephone line rental (with reductions of up to 50% on a standard BT phone call), a basic channel pack and from October, TV email and access to interactive services.A… Continue reading Cable & Wireless Digital Package To Cost From £9.98 Per Month
Pet food manufacturer, Pedigree Masterfoods, has signed a deal with ITV to sponsor its new peak time series Mad About Pets. The first 5 shows will feature credits for Whiskas, and the following shows in the series will carry credits to Pal. The series will start on 2 July, and the deal was negotiated by… Continue reading Pedigree Group To Sponsor ITV Peak Time Pets Series
The Guardian Unlimited network of websites has finalised an editorial and classified advertising content deal with portal site Yahoo UK & Ireland. Under the deal, Yahoo will carry editorial content from across the Guardian Unlimited network and all advertising from the Jobs Unlimited recruitment site.The group has also secured content partnership deals with a number… Continue reading Guardian Unlimited Creates Advertising Partnership With Yahoo UK & Ireland
Express Newspapers have appointed Anne Mollen to the post of director of new media. She was previously head of business development at the group. Udirect, the pay-per-view film service launched earlier this month (see DBC Launches Udirect PPV Film Service With £4m Campaign), has appointed Bernadette O’Reilly as sales director. Cabal Communications men’s title front… Continue reading Newsline Brief
For the second time this week, Channel 4’s gay drama Queer As Folk is in the spotlight causing controversy. The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) received 138 complaints about the series according to its latest bulletin.Complainants were concerned about the portrayal of homosexuality in the series, explicit sexual scenes, drug use and bad language. The BSC… Continue reading BSC Tackles More Channel 4 Gay Drama Controversy
It has emerged that Greg Dyke, the chairman of Pearson Television, is to be the new director-general of the BBC. Dyke will takeover from Sir John Birt next March.The decision is surrounded by controversy due to Dyke’s links with the Labour Party in the past, and Tory leader William Hague has demanded an urgent meeting… Continue reading Dyke To Be Next BBC Director General
