Rupert Murdoch, 40% owner of BSkyB, said yesterday that there was to be no merger between the broadcaster and French pay-TV group Canal Plus following reports of talks over recent months (see Newsline).The talks, which commenced early this year between the two broadcasters, were suspended after disagreements about management of the possible merged group. However,… Continue reading Murdoch Rules Out BSkyB/Canal Plus Merger
Last year, ITV’s proposal to move its News at Ten bulletin met with some stiff opposition from the public and government. The Network hoped that the move, and other scheduling adjustments, would help to increase its viewing share, generating schedule flexibility in the crucial prime peak segment and of course allowing feature films to continue… Continue reading ITV Ratings Show General Year On Year Improvement
Express Newspapers has announced that from this Sunday, 4 July, the Sunday Express is to experience some major editorial changes.The paper’s business pages, Investor, is to be made into a separate broadsheet section called SmartMoney, which in turn will make room for an extension of the papers lifestyle and features sections. A new consumer orientated… Continue reading Express Newspapers Launch SmartMoney Business Section
There are currently more teenage girls than boys using the internet in the UK, according to a survey of over 40,000 internet users by Fletcher Research. Whilst overall, UK web users are split 60:40 male to female, amongst users aged 24 and under the majority are female, according to the survey.Older web users are predominately… Continue reading Research Shows More Teenage Girls Than Boys Online
Emap, which yesterday boosted its portfolio with the acquisition of magazine publisher Wagadon, soared 37p to 1147p (see Newsline).Reed International jumped 24˝p to 447žp after speculation about a renewed merger with Dutch group Wolters Kluwer.The closing prices of media company shares yesterday were:
It has emerged this morning that media group EMAP has acquired magazine publisher, Wagadon. The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed by EMAP. Amongst Wagadon’s magazines portfolio are Arena, The Face and Frank; EMAP publishes numerous titles including FHM.More details will follow as soon as they are available.EMAP: 01733 568 900 Wagadon: 0171… Continue reading EMAP Acquires Wagadon For Undisclosed Sum
Shares in regional newspaper group Adscene continued to soar yesterday, closing up 27˝p (12%) at 257p. This boost in value follows the announcement of a £75.4 million management buy-in at the group, along with the sale of Adscene’s Midlands newspapers to Northcliffe Newspapers for £44.5 million (see 3i Backs £75.4m Management Buy-In Of Adscene).Global media… Continue reading Sharewatch
GWR sales house, Opus, is to take control of airtime sales for the two London News Radio stations, News Direct 97.3FM and LBC 1152 AM. The stations, which will be sold in tandem by Opus, were previously handled by an in-house sales team at London News Radio. This sales team has now been incorporated into… Continue reading Opus Takes Sales For London News Radio Stations
Sky Digital is adding three new channels to its television portfolio today, with the arrival of MTV Extra, MTV Base and VH1 Classic on its digital satellite television service.MTV Extra carries an alternative choice of programming to MTV, and allows viewers to catch up on shows missed first time round. MTV Base is dedicated entirely… Continue reading Sky Digital Brings Three More Channels On Air
Independent Television News (ITN) has signed a new five year agreement with Channel 5 to continue supplying its news until 2004. The new contract replaces a deal between the two groups which was due to expire in 2002 and includes a committment to maintain 5 News as a ‘trend setting’ news service.Under the new contract… Continue reading ITN To Be Supplier Of Channel 5 News Until 2004
