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Cable company Telewest’s interactive applications developer, SmashedAtom, is to shut its business unless a buyer can be found. The joint venture with Atomic Tangerine had a business model which relied on demand from third party broadcasters – a demand that has dwindled over recent months. Telewest says that it is now not necessary for it… Continue reading Telewest Closes Interactive Apps Developer SmashedAtom

The late start to the ad-buying period for the 2001-2002 US television season is starting to cause concern for the TV networks, according to an article in the US’ Mediaweek yesterday. The site reports that with only three weeks before the start of the season advertisers have placed formal orders for only around a third… Continue reading US TV Networks Suffer Low Pre-Season Ad Bookings

UK venture capital group Cinven has tabled a E2 billion offer for Vivendi’s business to business (B2B) magazine portfolio, the French media group revealed this morning. The management of Vivendi is supporting the offer despite ‘several’ other approaches for the business, reportedly from the likes of Reed Elsevier, Pearson, VNU and EMAP (see EMAP May… Continue reading Cinven To Acquire Vivendi Magazine Portfolio For E2bn

Almost 70% of retailers are wrongly judging the success of their internet investments on top-line return on investment (ROI) metrics such as online sales and profits, according to research from Jupiter Media Metrix released last week. Companies that look at the non-transactional benefits of their sites ÂÂ- including online influenced sales and improved payroll productivity… Continue reading Retailers Wrongly Judge Online ROI, Says Jupiter

Channel 4 may find itself with a £100-200 million charge for the use of its broadcasting spectrum under the new communications legislation proposed by the Government, according to a report in today’s Financial Times. Other commercial broadcasters are already subject to the spectrum fee, but Channel 4 has so far been exempted due to its… Continue reading Channel 4 May Be Hit By

EMAP is consider acquiring some of the magazine assets currently up for sale by Vivendi Universal, according to a report in French newspaper La Tribune this morning (see Reed Elsevier Is Likely Buyer Of Vivendi Publishing Arm). The report claims that specialist titles Le Moniteur and Exposium are likely to be of greatest interest to… Continue reading EMAP May Be Interested In Vivendi Specialist Mags

Hong Kong’s financial secretary, Antony Leung Kam-chung, forecast that there will be a rebound in the economy there by next year, although companies are likely to continue slashing jobs, according to a report in the South China Morning Post‘s website. Chief secretary, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, also predicted the economy would “eventually find its legs and… Continue reading Hong Kong Sees Economic Rebound By Next Year

IPC Media has today announced that it is to close three internet sites and make 90 staff redundant, following a review of its online business. Beme.com, unmissabletv.com and uploaded.com will all close, as IPC instigates a programme to rationalise its portfolio of internet brands. The company will now focus on six internet sites, which it… Continue reading IPC Media Closes Online Businesses Costing 90 Staff

Global publisher and market research firm VNU has reported a ‘reasonable’ set of interim financial results, although B2B performed weaker than expected, according to analysts at ABN Amro. Headline profits came in at €398 million (£252 million), against the broker’s forecast of €403 million. VNU has a cautious outlook for the coming year and has… Continue reading VNU Interims Hit By Tough Ad Market

Interactive and educational TV company, Einstein Group, has said it is reviewing its strategic options following the recent downward movement in its share price. The review may lead to a sale of all or part of the company, although discussions so far have not included a sale of the company in its entirety. Einstein’s statement… Continue reading Einstein Group Looks At Possible Assets Sale