More Media Business articles

Liberal democrat peer, Lord McNally has narrowly failed to enforce changes to the Communications Bill which would have prevented Rupert Murdoch from buying a UK terrestrial TV channel, such as Channel Five. Despite support from across the political divide, the proposed amendment (see Lib Dems May Scupper Communications Bill Compromise) was defeated by 167 votes… Continue reading Lords Fail to Carry “Murdoch Amendment”

Capital Radio boss, David Mansfield, has moved to rule out a potential takeover by American-owned Clear Channel following the relaxation of the media ownership regulations. Lowry Mays, chief executive of Clear Channel, has made no secret of his intention to acquire a major UK radio group once the Communications Bill comes into force (see NewsLine)… Continue reading Capital Radio Chief Moves To Quash Clear Channel Takeover

Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, has warned that the relaxation of the media ownership regulations could lead to the market being flooded with radio stations that are simply in the business of ”selling products” for advertisers. Speaking at this yearÂ’s annual Radio Festival in Birmingham, Dyke criticised the GovernmentÂ’s plans to allow just… Continue reading Dyke Warns Against Regulatory Free For All

The government’s last minute agreement with Lord Puttnam may not be enough to secure the smooth passage of the Communications Bill through the Lords, after Liberal Democrat peer Lord McNally called for a specific ban on Rupert Murdoch buying Channel Five. Liberal Democrat peers are hoping to force an amendment to the bill which would… Continue reading Lib Dems May Scupper Communications Bill Compromise

Ofcom Chairman, Lord Currie, has welcomed the GovernmentÂ’s decision to amend the Communications Bill to give the new super-regulator the power to investigate major media mergers (see Government Ends Media Ownership Deadlock). The eleventh hour amendment, put forward by Lord Puttnam to limit the dominance of large media owners following the relaxation of the ownership… Continue reading Ofcom Chairman Welcomes Puttnam’s Plurality Test

Total UK advertising expenditure was relatively flat in 2002 as the football World Cup prompted a second half revival following a difficult start to the year, according to figures published today. The Advertising Statistics Yearbook from the Advertising Association shows that spending, including agency and production costs increased by 1.2% to £16.7 billion. However, this… Continue reading INSIGHTanalysis: 2002 UK Advertising Revenue Figures

The number of mobile portal users in Western Europe will exceed 40 million by 2007, according to findings from IDC. A mobile portal is a powerful and flexible tool used for delivering specialised services to a wide range of handset users. IDC examined the potential of these applications in sixteen countries and concluded that the… Continue reading Mobile Portals Offer Gateway To Next Generation Services

The prospect of a merger between ITV partners Carlton and Granada has been thrown into turmoil by reports that regulators have rejected the groups’ key proposals to save the deal. According to the Observer, the Competition Commission have thrown out two plans which would have enabled the companies to keep at least one advertising sales… Continue reading ITV Merger In Jeopardy As Remedies Are Rejected

Sly Bailey, chief executive of Trinity Mirror, has apparently ruled out the demerger of the company’s national and regional newspapers but is expected to announce shortly a thorough cost-cutting programme. According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, Bailey, who has carried out a strategic review, is planning to slash overheads and cut between… Continue reading Bailey Seeks To Cut Costs At Trinity Mirror

In a widely anticipated move, Cordiant Communications has agreed the sale of its City PR firm Financial Dynamics International in a deal worth £26 million. The transaction represents the final stage of Cordiant’s disposal programme intended to cut debt. The group has already concluded deals to sell its Australian assets (see Cordiant Completes Sale Of… Continue reading Cordiant Sells PR Subsidiary For £26 Million