BSkyB has denied reports that it is re-entering discussions with French broadcaster Canal Plus about a possible joint alliance. Sky’s statement follows speculation in the Observer last weekend that discussions were to recommence.Talks between the two broadcasters began in February when possible joint ventures were discussed (see Newsline), but broke down in March after Canal… Continue reading BSkyB Denies Rekindling Of Talks With Canal Plus
Following the announcement of a £266 million takeover offer for Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers (PSN) yesterday (see Newsline), Johnston Press’ share price remained nearly unchanged, dropping a ˝p to 272p, but PSN shot up by 272˝p to 2222˝p. By 10:15 this morning, the group had dropped back to 2210p.Outdoor advertising group Maiden fell by 38p… Continue reading Sharewatch
In its submission to the BBC Funding Review Panel, the Independent Television Commission (ITC) has voiced strong opposition to the introduction of a higher licence fee for digital television (DTV) viewers. The Commission today said:“Digital television is an important growth area in which there is currently considerable UK leadership. If this is to be sustained… Continue reading ITC Opposes Digital Licence Fee And BBC Advertising
The Radio Authority has put out to tender the local digital radio multiplex for the Cardiff and Newport area. This is the seventh digital radio multiplex to be advertised by the radio regulator (see Newsline).The proposed licence will cover an area with an adult population of about 800,000. The RA hopes to award the licence… Continue reading RA Continues To Advertise Local Digital Radio Multiplexes
Advertising expenditure in Ireland enjoyed an increase of 18% to Ir£85 million in the first quarter of this year, according to IAPI’s monthly review, AdSpend.Irish media buying specialist, Media Bureau, has re-analysed the IAPI data itself and finds that all TV expenditure in Q1 is up by 22% – this includes an estimated Ir£2.3 million… Continue reading Irish Ad Expenditure Up 18% In First Quarter
Talk Radio is in negotiations to buy Morecambe-based radio station, The Bay, for an expected £3.5 million. Talk’s negotiations for the station, which has 110,000 listeners a week, are understood to be exclusive.The Bay is owned by media and football club owner, Owen Oyston, who was jailed for rape in 1997. In April last year… Continue reading Talk Radio To Buy Oyston Station
Inflation has dropped below the Government’s 2.5% target rate, according to new figures. Underlying inflation in April fell to 2.4% after picking up to 2.7% in March because of the effect of the Budget duty increases on petrol and tobacco, the Office for National Statistics said today.The headline rate of inflation – which includes mortgage… Continue reading Inflation Dips Below Target
Dow Jones and Reuters are to combine their interactive business services, Dow Jones Interactive and Reuters Business Briefing, in venture that will hold combined revenues of over $225 million (£139 million).The new company, called Dow Jones Reuters Business Interactive LLC, will be a leading global service provider of proprietary and third-party business information to corporate… Continue reading Reuters And Dow Jones Link Up Internet Business Services
Following news that Reuters is to combine its interactive business services with Dow Jones to form a new company called Dow Jones Reuters Business Interactive LLC (see Newsline), Reuters rose 4˝p to 891˝p by the close of trading yesterday. By 11 o’clock this morning, Reuters had risen to 909p.Capital Radio climbed 4p yesterday to 865p… Continue reading Sharewatch
The long-running battle to take control of regional newspaper publisher, Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers (P&SN), looks set to end today as Johnston Press moves in with an agreed takeover offer of 2,225p per share.The offer values P&SN at £266 million and is a 15.4% premium on the company’s closing price of 1,950p yesterday. Johnston’s moves… Continue reading Johnston Seals Portsmouth & Sunderland’s Fate With £266m Offer
