DMG Radio’s bid for Radio Mercury Ltd has received approval from the Radio Authority (see Newsline). The group has been acquired for £3.75 million. Radio Mercury controls the local radio services Mercury FM and Fame 1521. Capital Radio is to sell off its Henry J Beans chain of restaurants to a consortium led by a… Continue reading Newsline Brief
BSkyB has announced today that its pre-tax profits for the six months ended 31 December 1998 fell by 58.6% year on year to £53.2 million following the launch of digital satellite television, Sky Digital, in October last year (see Digital Launch Update). Turnover at Sky stood at £753 million (£691.8 million last year), 65% of… Continue reading BSkyB Profits Fall Following Sky Digital Launch, But Targets Are Met
Martina King, managing director of Capital Radio, is rumoured to be leaving the station after six years, to take up the post of MD at sales house TSMS. King was unavailable for comment when Capital was contacted by Newsline today. IPC Magazines has appointed a new editor at Off Road & 4 Wheel Drive in… Continue reading Appointment Brief
According to reports circulating this week, News International, publisher of The News Of The World and The Times, is planning to revive its closed title Today. Rumours which begun last year that the publisher intends to launch a free daily title to rival The Evening Standard and Associated Newspapers’ planned giveaway title Metro (see Newsline),… Continue reading News International May Revive Today Newspaper
The Box Music Channel has announced a new programming, marketing and production structure in an attempt to build the channel brand. A new programme unit will be led by Stephanie Price, with a team of four behind her.The music channel is also creating a new production unit, which will build and promote The Box brand… Continue reading The Box Restructures To Build Channel Brand
Scottish Media Group (SMG) has made a £35 million agreed takeover offer for Primesight, the London-based outdoor advertising company. The deal, which values Primesight at 320p per share, would represent SMG’s first major push beyond television and publishing.The expansion is also Scottish Media’s first move outside Scotland and was described by a spokesperson as “a… Continue reading Scottish Media Moves Into Outdoor With £35m Primesight Bid
BT has today confirmed the launch of a free internet service, BT ClickFree, following the lead set by Dixons’ Freeserve in September (see DoubleClick To Sell Ad Space On UK’s Fastest-Growing ISP). As part of the service BT has teamed up with Value Direct to allow customers to shop online; information and entertainment content will… Continue reading BT Confirms Free Internet Access Launch
The radio group GWR is to back a bid to launch a new multicultural radio station in Bristol. GWR has taken a 30% stake in Respec FM, which is an afro-caribbean music led local station which aims to ‘meet the needs of the diverse community of Bristol.’GWR currently owns GWR FM and Brunel Classic Gold… Continue reading GWR Sends Respec Out To Bristol
After sustaining a fall in its share price at its close on Friday, Reuters was on the up again at its close yesterday, rising 5.8% to 866p, an actual rise of almost 50p.Portsmouth & Sunderland’s shares remained static at their close yesterday, ending a day of trading at 1725p, the same as Friday. Newsquest confirmed… Continue reading Sharewatch
