More Media Business articles

The number of British companies with broadband internet access has more than doubled over the last year to 39%, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce. The survey shows that more than half of all companies believe that broadband is critical for success of their business, with one in six firms planning… Continue reading British Businesess See Broadband Uptake Double

Edgar Bronfman Jnr, vice-chairman at Vivendi Universal, has called on directors to accept his bid for the group’s US entertainment assets rather than merge with TV network NBC. The media giant aims to raise $14 billion from the sale of the film studios, cable channels and theme parks that make up Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE).… Continue reading Bronfman Dismisses Rival’s Bid For VUE

News Corporation has announced that it has sold its shareholding in Japanese satellite broadcaster Sky Perfect Communications in a deal worth $227 million. The media giant said that its 8.1% stake in Sky Perfect had been sold to the company’s exisiting shareholders, namely Sony, Fuji Television and trading house Itochu. The divestment follows the disposal… Continue reading Murdoch Walks Away From Japanese TV Scene

The long awaited merger of ITV giants Carlton and Granada will have little impact if the two companies are forced to divest their sales houses, according to analysts at Lehman Brothers. Advertisers and rival broadcasters claim that the merger, in its proposed form, is unacceptable because it will result in the creation of a single… Continue reading ITV Merger Likely To Be Watered Down, Says Lehman Brothers

Granada has refuted suggestions by former Five chief executive, David Elstein, that the proposed merger with Carlton Communications could produce more than £100 million of cost savings for the combined ITV company. Elstein, who is reportedly planning to parachute in an alternative management team to run the merged broadcaster, claims that the cost savings generated… Continue reading Granada Dismisses Elstein’s Merger Savings Calculations

The merger of Carlton and Granada into one ITV company will go ahead even if the Government forces them to sell off the two airtime sales houses, according to senior executives at this year’s Guardian Edinburgh Television Festival (GEITF). Tess Alps, chairman of media buying group PHD, said: “Advertisers are realistic and we know that… Continue reading Sales House Divestment Will Not Halt ITV Merger

Pre-tax profits at regional newspaper group, Johnston Press, jumped by 51% in the first half of the year, as advertising revenues nudged up by 3%. The company’s figures were bolstered by the integration of Regional Independent Media (RIM), which it acquired in April last year (see Johnston Press Acquires RIM Newspaper Business). Operating profits were… Continue reading Johnston Press Sees Profits Jump After RIM Acquisition

Former Five chief executive, David Elstein, has quashed rumours that he is looking to move into the chief executive role at ITV, should the proposed merger of Carlton and Granada proceed. Speaking at the weekend’s Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (GEITF), Elstein denied any interest in an executive role at ITV, despite his proposals recommending… Continue reading Elstein Rules Out ITV Bid, But Proposes New Management

Liberty Media has become the latest group to withdraw from the bidding process for Vivendi Universal’s US entertainment assets, following in the footsteps of MGM and Comcast (see Comcast Not In The Running For VUE). After conducting its own analysis of Vivendi Universal Entertainment’s (VUE) assets, Liberty concluded that the synergies offered are not sufficient… Continue reading Liberty Leaves VUE Auction As Shortlist Is Narrowed

ITV’s joint managing directors have attacked the idea of splitting off their ad sales departments in response to wide-ranging proposals put forward by the former head of Channel Five, David Elstein. Writing in today’s Financial Times, Mick Desmond and Clive Jones, claim that contracting out advertising sales to two separate houses would involve “undoing much… Continue reading ITV Chiefs Dismiss Ad Sales Proposal