More Media Business articles

Speculation surrounding a merger between cable giants Telewest and ntl continues to mount, with reports this morning suggesting that US media-owner, Viacom, could bid for Telewest’s Flextech television business, owners of Living TV, Bravo and Challenge. The company also holds joint ownership with the BBC of the UKTV network of channels, including UKTV Gold and… Continue reading Viacom In Frame For Flextech Sale

United Business Media (UBM) has completed the sale of its market research business, NOP World, to German company GfK Aktiengesellschaft for £383 million in cash, after announcing its disposal in April (see UBM Sells NOP To German Research Firm). Earlier this year, UBM announced a review of strategic options for NOP World, with a number… Continue reading UBM Completes Sale Of NOP World

Scottish Media Group (SMG) has released an upbeat trading statement showing progress in both operational achievements and trading performance, with its television, radio, cinema and outdoor advertising departments all thriving. In the company’s annual general meeting, Chris Masters, SMG’s chairman, revealed that Virgin Radio’s listening performance had grown by 20% compared to last year, with… Continue reading SMG Continues To Perform Strongly

Channel 4 has announced the appointment of Rod Henwood to the newly created role of New Business Director, giving him management responsibility for the broadcaster’s commercial arm, 4 Ventures. A key focus of Henwood’s new role will be to drive new business opportunities across the group, as well as developing potential acquisitions and strategic partnerships.… Continue reading Channel 4 Appoints Henwood As New Business Director

Media communications and market research group, Aegis, announced today the acquisition of French market research group, ARTeam, with the company becoming a part of Synovate, Aegis’s fast growing global research network. ARTeam was bought for an initial consideration of €3.0 million payable in cash on completion, with a deferred payment over three years of up… Continue reading Aegis Buys French Research Group

Multi-media group, Emap, has said that it reserves the right to make an offer below 1,040 pence per share for Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH), despite its bid for the company being turned down. Emap was disappointed by SRH’s reaction to its proposal, which Emap believes fully values SRH, both on the basis of its current… Continue reading Emap Reserves Right To Bid For SRH

United Business Media is preparing to offload its 35% stake in Five, reports over the weekend have claimed, with 65% stakeholder, RTL Group, in line to purchase the remaining share for £200 million. The Sunday Express claims that the two groups have held talks over the deal, which could be completed within two months as… Continue reading UBM Considers Sell Off Of Stake In Five

Online retail sales in the US are predicted to rise by almost 25% this year, with revenues forecast to increase to $109.6 billion, up from $89 billion in 2004, according to a new study released by Shop.org and conducted by Forrester Research. The projections are in line with analyst eMarketer’s latest online retail estimates, predicting… Continue reading US Online Retail To Rise By 25% In 2005

ITV has revealed that viewing share for the ITV family of channels has continued to grow on all the main platforms over the last six months, with digital terrestrial television enjoying the greatest growth, rising by 1.9 share points and accounting for 27.8% of all viewing over that period. In the company’s annual general meeting,… Continue reading Digital Channels Drive ITV Viewing Share

Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) has announced an increase of 7% in adjusted profit before tax, reaching £114.5 million, despite some of its businesses facing tough trading conditions. In the group’s interim results for the first half of the year ending 3rd April, advertising revenues for Associated Newspapers increased by 2.5%, with display advertising… Continue reading DMGT Announces 7% Rise In Profits