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In the midst of Popstars fever, the BBC is making plans for a re-launch of its flagship pop music show Top Of The Pops. The show will shortly move from its old home at Elstree, in order to accommodate a further weekly episode of Eastenders which is also filmed at the Hertfordshire studios. One possible… Continue reading BBC To Re-Launch Top Of The Pops

Bertelsmann has taken majority control of European television company, RTL. It has purchased a further 30% stake in the group from Groupe Bruxelle Lambert, increasing its hold to 67%. In return Groupe Bruxelle Lambert will receive a 25.1% stake in Bertelsmann AG, which includes Bertelsmann Music Group and magazine publisher Gruner & Jahr. Pearson, which… Continue reading Bertelsmann Acquires Controlling Stake In RTL

Chrysalis Group chairman Chris Wright this morning told the company’s AGM that the strong start to the financial year has continued, with radio revenues showing a year on year growth of 41% for the first five months of the year. This is a much stronger performance than rival groups: Capital Radio recently posted poorer than… Continue reading Radio Revenues Up 41% At Chrysalis

The Financial Times is set to start charging subscriptions to its website, FT.com. Currently a free service, selected sections such as its archive, will soon be available on a paid-for basis. FT owner Pearson has brought forward the date it wants its websites to break even from 2003 to 2002. The group claims that FT.com… Continue reading FT.com To End Free Access

French media group Vivendi has held talks with Liberty Media chairman, John Malone, about selling its stake in BSkyB to the US company, the Sunday Times reported at the weekend. Although no sources were given, the paper claimed that Malone flew to Paris to discuss a possible purchase of the 22.7% stake in the satellite… Continue reading Liberty Media May Be Interested In BSkyB Stake

Ireland’s Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) this morning said that it does not approve Ulster Television’s proposed acquisition of Cork-based radio broadcaster, County Media. UTV announced its intention to acquire County Media for IRE£28.5 million in November last year. However, the IRTC said that it was “not prepared to approve the present application” and… Continue reading UTV’s County Media Acquisition Blocked By IRTC

Media and communications group Aegis has announced the acquisition of UK-based international market research company, FW Market Research. Aegis will pay a maximum of £5 million – £466,666 cash and 1.2 million in Aegis shares now and a possible further £3 million cash, depending on FW’s performance. Aegis is currently expanding its range of services… Continue reading Aegis Strengthens Market Research Businesses With FW Acquisition

European media groups DirectGroup Bertelsmann and RTL have struck a deal which will see them working together to develop interactive television and broadband activities for what they hope will be a “clear competitive advantage” in this area over other European competition. The arrangement will see RTL take over Bertelsmann Broadband Group, which is currently part… Continue reading European Media Giants Team Up To Tackle Interactive TV And Broadband Challenges

Reuters has acquired a 25% stake in rival online news service Citywire as part of its continued reinvention as an internet company. The group’s planned personal finance portal will carry commentary and analysis from www.citywire.co.uk and the two will collaborate in the development of new products and content feeds. Mark Wood, managing director of Reuters… Continue reading Reuters Takes Stake In Citywire

BBC radio continued to improve its overall share of listening, at the expense of commercial stations, according to the latest figures released by RAJAR this morning. All BBC improved its share by a further 0.3% points in the final quarter of 2000, while All Commercial slipped 0.7% points. Amongst commercial stations losses were most acute… Continue reading BBC Continues Its Upward Trend In Latest RAJAR Report