Broker Merrill Lynch has given Telewest Communications a buy recommendation following “increased efficiency” at the cable company.Telewest’s interims, due on the 6 August, should show EBITDA growth of 230% to £56 million on turnover up 24%, according to the report. This is a raise on Merrill Lynch’s previous forecasts which gave EBITDA for 1998 of… Continue reading Merrill Lynch Upgrades Telewest Report
It is understood that longwave radio station Atlantic 252 is to reposition itself to attract a younger, more hip audience.Whilst the station’s core audience is currently 15-24 year olds, research conducted by Atlantic’s marketing controller, Alison Victory, has led to plans for an increase in a cool, underground culture feel.The playlist will see a gradual… Continue reading Atlantic 252 To Pull A More Trendy Audience
It is understood that Kelvin MacKenzie, former Mirror Group deputy chief executive, has now entered exclusive talks in his bid for Talk Radio.McKenzie’s consortium, TalkCo, submitted a bid for CLT-ufa’s 62.3% stake in Talk last week (see MacKenzie Closes In On Talk). The offer is believed to be around £27 million. TalkCo is being backed… Continue reading MacKenzie Enters Talk Talks
Pan-European sports broadcaster, Eurosport, is preparing plans to launch a UK-specific version of the cable and satellite sports channel.Eurosport currently covers events from across Europe and has a relatively low presence in the UK. British Eurosport, the project’s working name, will offer UK sports coverage with a regional element.A spokesperson for Eurosport played down the… Continue reading Eurosport Plans For UK Service
Mirror Group-owned cable channel, Live TV, will be exempt from minimum carriage requirements (MCRs) for the duration of its current contracts, the Independent Television Commission (ITC) has announced today.The ITC recently decided to remove MCRs from cable and satellite providers. Previously the MCR rule had forced an agreement between a programme channel provider and a… Continue reading Live TV Will Be Exempt From Minimum Carriage
The Radio Authority (RA) has appointed Martin Campbell as its head of programming and advertising. Campbell is currently managing editor at Talk Radio, and will join the Authority on 16 August.Campbell’s remit is to ensure smooth running of regulatory and licensing functions of the RA in terms of licensees’ programming and advertising.Radio Authority: 0171 430… Continue reading RA Appoints Head Of Programming And Advertising
Murfin Music International has told the Radio Authority (RA) that it intends to buy Classic Gold 954/1530, an AM service which broadcasts to Hereford and Worcester. The station is currently owned by Radio First.As Murfin already owns an overlapping station, Sunshine 855, the RA will conduct a public interest test and invite public comment on… Continue reading Murfin Music To Buy Classic Gold 954/1530
Advertisers in the UK spent a total of £13.1 billion in 1997 according to figures released in the Advertising Association’s Media Pocket Book yesterday.Of this total press took just under £7 billion and television drew £3.6 billion worth of ads.Total UK Advertising Expenditure At Current Prices (£m) 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997… Continue reading UK Advertising Market Was Worth £13bn In 1997
Zone, the publisher of Manchester United magazine, is launching Maximum Mountain Bike on 30 July. The monthly titled, edited by John Stevenson, will have an initial print run of 56,000 and is priced £2.95.Maximum Mountain Bike‘s core audience is the 21-35 year olds who have grown up with an interest in mountain bikes, says Chris… Continue reading Zone Launches Maximum Mountain Bike
Two new drama series started this week, both featuring gratuitous shots of naked flesh. ITV’s new three part drama series Imogen’s Face stars the gorgeous Samantha Janus as a happily married woman who decides to embark on an affair. With lines like “You’re punishing me for being beautiful”, it’s easy to see that this programme… Continue reading TV Viewing Summary – W/E 05/07/98
