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Five’s director of programmes Dan Chambers has poured cold water on the prospect of the broadcaster launching a digital channel in the near future, claiming it would be “phenomenally” expensive to get off the ground. The UK’s smallest commercial channel is currently looking at ways to strengthen its position in the burgeoning digital market and… Continue reading Digital Offerings Too Expensive For Five

ITV’s sale of special effects house, Moving Picture Company, has attracted the attention of several major players, including Sir Martin Sorrell’s international advertising giant, WPP. The sale of MPC, undertaken as part of ITV’s £550 million disposal of non-core assets, is also understood to be of interest to former Carlton chairman, Michael Green, French electronics… Continue reading WPP Amongst Bidders For ITV’s Special Effects Group

UBC Media, the UK’s largest independent radio production company, has announced details of a development agreement with Channel 4 to create a radio station from the company’s existing Oneword digital radio station. In a statement this morning, UBC stated that it had agreed to work with Channel 4, as well as with third party companies,… Continue reading UBC Announces Plans For Radio With Channel 4

Regional newspaper publisher, Johnston Press, has today announced that pre-tax profit for the first six months of this year rose by 16% to £77.3 million, spurred by greater than expected advertising revenue. Operating profit at the group from January to June 2004, jumped 9.5% to £92 million, fuelled by an overall growth of 6% from… Continue reading Profits At Johnston Press Fuelled By Ad Revenue

Commercial broadcaster ITV has disposed of Carlton Books for an undisclosed sum as part of its £600 million programme to sell-off non-core assets. The sale of the non-fiction book publisher, which was a management buy-out, is expected to be the first of many and will be followed by the sale of the Moving Picture Company,… Continue reading ITV Starts Disposal Of Non-Core Assets With Carlton Books

WPP is considering the possibility of a £500 million rights issue to purchase American advertising group, Grey Global. Chief executive of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell, said last week, he is looking at Grey’s book but did not confirm whether he would be making a bid for the last independent advertising network. According to a report… Continue reading WPP Considering £500 Million Rights To Buy Grey

International consumer magazine group, Future Network, has today announced that it has acquired two UK games magazines from Dennis Publishing for £2.5 million. The purchase of PC Zone and Computer & Video Games (CVG) from the US publishing house, includes sister website, computerandvideogames.com. Managing director, Robert Price said: “This acquisition is good news for Future… Continue reading Future Network Buys Games Mags For £2.5 Million

The proposed £1 billion sale of the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has generated a flurry of interest from commercial broadcasters, venture capital groups and investment banks. However, it is understood that some would-be buyers are being put off by confusion over the lucrative rights to successful BBC shows and products, such as The Office… Continue reading Sale Of BBC Worldwide Raises Issues Over Rights

Global advertising giant, WPP, has announced that half-year revenues have reached over £2 billion for the first time ever, spurred by a significant increase in advertising revenue. Revenues at the world’s second largest advertising group, rose from January to June by 6% year-on-year to £2.03 billion, stimulated by the effects of Euro 2004, the Olympic… Continue reading Revenues At WPP Exceed Expectations To Reach £2 Billion

Senior executives from Channel 4 and RTL, the pan-European broadcaster that holds the controlling stake in Five, are scheduled to meet next week to hold discussions about a possible tie-up between the two broadcasters. The two commercial rivals have made no secret of their desire to forge closer links to help them compete in the… Continue reading Television Bosses Set To Hold Further Merger Talks