More Media Business articles

The sale of publishing and media group United Business Media’s (UBM) market research firm, NOP has sparked interest from three major players in the media world, WPP, Aegis and Taylor Nelson Sofres. NOP is valued at £250 million (see UBM Considering Sale Of NOP World), with the first rounds in the auction, which is being… Continue reading Race For NOP Starts

The former head of Emap PLC’s radio business, Tim Schoonmaker, is reported to be working on a bid with private equity group HG Capital, for Glasgow based Scottish Media Group’s (SMG) Virgin Radio. It is thought that, although Schoonmaker has been hired in an advisory capacity, he will take an offer for the broadcaster if… Continue reading HG Capital To Bid For Virgin Radio

Radio broadcaster, Capital FM, has agreed to sell Century FM so that the Competition Commission does not investigate its merger with GWR Radio. In a statement posted this morning on the stock exchange, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said that the merger of Capital and GWR could lead to a ‘substantial lessening of competition… Continue reading Capital To Sell Century FM

Publishing group, Reed Elsevier has revealed a 1.7% increase in full-year profits, with adjusted pre-tax profits of £1,027 million, up from £1,010 million in 2003 (see Reed Elsevier Sees 2003 Profits Rise But Predicts Dip In 2004), according to the Group’s 2004 preliminary results announced today. The company, the world’s largest publisher of science journals,… Continue reading Reed Elsevier Reveals 1.7% Increase In 2004 Profits

Mobile telephone operator, Orange has announced plans to launch the UK’s first broadband network that will work on both the mobile network and the fixed-line network, depending on where customers are located when they connect. Customers accessing the internet at home will be connected to the internet via service provider Wanadoo, owned by Orange’s parent… Continue reading Orange Launches UK’s First Broadband Network

Radio operator, The Wireless Group (TWG), has confirmed media speculation that it has received a proposal regarding a possible cash offer for all the issued share capital of the company, from its senior management including chairman and chief executive Kevin MacKenzie. Industry reports over the weekend stated that MacKenzie was preparing to take control of… Continue reading TWG Confirms Offer Proposal

Magazine publishers, Highbury House Communications, has confirmed that it has reached agreement over the proposed takeover bid by Future, creating the UK’s third largest consumer magazine group, in a deal said to be worth £96.5 million (see Future To Bid For Highbury). The agreement will see titles such as Real Homes and Fast Car added… Continue reading Highbury Confirms Future Takeover Bid

Glasgow-based Scottish Media Group (SMG) has turned down a £100 million offer for Virgin Radio from private equity group, 3i, according to industry reports. The take-over bid started in December, but to no avail after SMG rejected the offer of Lord Alli, the media heavyweight spearheading 3i’s bid. Reports indicate that 3i has threatened to… Continue reading SMG Rejects 3i Offer For Virgin

Commercial broadcaster, ITV, has announced the disposal of its prop hire business, Superhire Limited to Space Holdings Limited for a cash consideration of £8.2 million. The funds raised from the sale will be used to reduce ITV’s borrowings and represents a further stage in it’s disposal programme of non-core assets. ITV has now raised more… Continue reading ITV Sells Prop Hire Business

Telecommunications firm, British Telecomm has announced a continued rise in broadband take-up, with the company enjoying a record number of digital subscriber line (DSL) connections in the third quarter of 2004, according to a trading statement released today. BT said that it had connected a record 813,000 DSL customers in Q3, with broadband users by… Continue reading BT Connects Record Number Of DSL Customers