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Shares in BSkyB tumbled yesterday after a Banc Of America Securities analyst warned that the satellite broadcaster’s customers are increasingly downgrading their subscriptions to cheaper packages. The broker placed a Sell rating on Sky, claiming that 700,000 top-tier subscribers downgraded their TV packages last year following price increases. Analyst Sean Eddie questioned whether Sky would… Continue reading BSkyB Shares Hit By Broker Worries

Venture capitalists are believed to be circling around Carlton and Granada, assessing the prospect of making a bid for the ITV partners ahead of their planned £2.6bn merger. It is understood that the former head of Channel Five, David Elstein, has been discussing the possibility of a take-over bid with a consortium of VC firms.… Continue reading Venture Capitalists Eye Carlton And Granada

UK market research growth slowed in the second half of 2002 as ad hoc business declined, according to Merrill Lynch. Nevertheless, the broker is still expecting a 2.5% growth for the full year. Moving into 2003, growth is expected to remain positive – at around 2.5% again – despite increasing pressure on ad hoc business.… Continue reading UK Market Research Growth Slows, But Remains Positive

The RTL Group has today confirmed the appointment of Gerhard Zeiler as its new chief executive in succession to Didier Bellens (see RTL Chief Leaves For Pastures New). Zeiler takes up the post with immediate effect but will also continue as chief executive of German broadcaster RTL Television. He is thought to be close to… Continue reading Zeiler Takes The Helm At RTL

Worldwide advertising network, Grey Global Group, has reported that revenues for 2002 were essentially flat when compared to 2001, despite a 10.5% rise in the fourth quarter. This came principally from the company’s North American operations. The company said that full-year increases for its US operations were offset by poorer figures coming from the international… Continue reading Grey Global Shows Strong Q4, Flat Full Year 2002

Chrysalis Radio’s like for like airtime revenues rose by 18.6% in the five months to 31 January 2003, massively outperforming other major UK operators. In a statement released this morning ahead of the group’s AGM, Chrysalis said that trading remains ‘robust’ and in line with expectations. Excluding the acquisition of LBC and disposal of Galaxy… Continue reading Chrysalis Radio Revenues Surge 19% In Last Five Months

Cordiant Communications has confirmed that it has entered into negotiations to sell a number of Australian assets including the advertising agency George Patterson Bates. It was reported last week that Cordiant was discussing a £40 million deal with Pacific Equity Partners, a private equity firm with links to David Hearn, Cordiant’s new chief executive (see… Continue reading Cordiant Prepares To Sell Australian Assets

The latest IPA Industry Census shows that smaller agencies appear to have escaped the brunt of last year’s downturn, increasing the size of their workforce during 2002. According to the report, small and medium sized agencies experienced a respective 4% and 5% increase in the number of people they employed last year, compared to large… Continue reading IPA Census Brings Good News For Smaller Agencies

Carlton and Granada’s proposed £2.6 billion merger is expected to be referred to the Competition Commission this week by the Office Of Fair Trading. The two broadcasting giants agreed the terms of the deal last October following months of speculation about the future of the ITV Network (see Carlton And Granada Enter Advanced Merger Talks).… Continue reading ITV Merger Set For Competition Commission Referral

Trinity Mirror is believed to have been in talks with venture capitalists Apax Partners and Candover about a possible £1.3 billion bid for the newspaper group. Reports suggest that Trinity Mirror chairman, Sir Victor Blank, met with Apax Partners and Candover to discuss an offer for the company late last year. However, the talks are… Continue reading Trinity Mirror Rumoured To Have Received Take-Over Bid