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BSkyB chief executive, Tony Ball, could leave the satellite broadcaster as part of a wider management shake-up implemented by Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch, whose News Corporation controls over 35% of BSykB, is reported to be in talks with Ball about his future at the television company following the expiry of his contract in June next year.… Continue reading Ball Could Depart BSkyB After Management Restructure

Stronger than expected activity in the US and a slight upturn in Europe has prompted ZenithOptimedia to raise its full year forecast for global advertising expenditure. However, the revision was small and the outlook is for modest growth moving into 2004. Analysts estimate that the ad market will grow to the tune of 3.2% this… Continue reading Zenith Sees Signs Of Recovery In Ad Market

Global communications network, Aegis Group, has acquired the international research business Censydiam in a deal worth up to £8.75 million. Censydiam is based in Belgium but has offices in six other European countries as well as the US and Hong Kong. The company had revenues of approximately £15.7 million in 2002. Aegis will pay an… Continue reading Aegis Snaps Up Belgian Market Research Firm

Continuing weak advertising conditions in Europe have contributed to a 2.8% decline in first half revenues at outdoor contractor JCDecaux. Revenues came in at £758.2 million, which, when excluding acquisitions and the impact of foreign currencies, is a 1.0% rise over last year. The US was the strongest region, recording double digit growth. This is… Continue reading Weak Europe Mutes JCDecaux’s First Half

Cable firm Telewest Communications has finalised restructuring plans and agreed a debt-for-equity swap that will leave shareholders with just 1.5% of the company. Protracted talks with bondholders, notably W.R.H Huff Asset Management, Liberty Media and IDT Corporation, have resulted in a deal which will see £3.5 billion of Telewest debts exchanged for shares. The refinancing… Continue reading Telewest Agrees Restructuring Deal

Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey has received a vote of support from an unlikely source as she presses ahead with her revamp at the newspaper publisher. Tweedy Browne, a New-York based investment firm, which holds a 5.5% stake in Trinity, told the Financial Times that there were signs that Bailey was “making the right… Continue reading Bailey Wins Approval For Trinity Strategy

Ulster Television (UTV) continued to outperform the ITV Network in advertising revenue growth during the first half of the year, reporting a 1% rise in airtime revenues, as against ITV’s 5% decline. This pushed UTV’s share of total ITV revenue up to a record 2.4%. Ulster TV has consistently outperformed its ITV franchise peers for… Continue reading Ulster TV Continues To Outperform ITV In First Half

The US Senate has stepped up its efforts to scupper new media ownership laws by invoking a seldom used “congressional veto” that threatens to frustrate rule makers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking to relax existing restrictions on ownership. Proposed moves include scrapping the ban on cross-ownership of newspapers and television and allowing broadcast… Continue reading US Congress Stands Up To FCC Over Media Ownership

UK magazine publisher Highbury House Communications (HHC) today said that the costs of its acquisition and restructuring programme, together with continued weak business publishing markets, are likely to push down profits for the whole of 2003. Announcing first half financial results, the group said that the second half of the year should see a good… Continue reading Highbury House Profits Fall After Restructure Costs

David Elstein’s potential bid for ITV has been boosted by reports he has received tentative backing from US entertainment giant Hallmark. According to reports, Elstein has set up camp in Hallmark’s London offices to thrash out an alternative management plan for ITV, as Carlton and Granada remain on the cusp of a merger decision from… Continue reading Elstein’s ITV Bid Boosted By Hallmark Link