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Two of Spain’s largest cable operators have announced plans to roll out digital TV services this year, according to a report on Europemedia. ONO and Auna Cable had been expected to launch operations in late-2002 but the uncertain state of the DTV market led to a delay. Both services will carry up to 100 channels… Continue reading Spanish Viewers To Get New DTV Services

News Corporation has made conciliatory overtones to Brussels in a bid to gain regulatory approval for its takeover of Telepiù, the Italian pay-TV arm of Vivendi Universal. Rupert Murdoch has agreed to pay in the region of E900 million for the operator which he plans to merge with News Corp’s own pay-TV venture, Stream to… Continue reading Murdoch Makes Concessions On Telepi

The media sector was under pressure on Wednesday as three brokers inflicted heavy downgrades on the already fragile sector.Goldman Sachs forecast that the sector would continue to be dogged by uncertainty. The broker cited muted advertising prospects, geopolitical fears and high valuations.Dresdner KW downgraded Carlton and Granada, claiming that although merger upside and an ad… Continue reading Sharewatch

Channel 4’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, has emphasised the channel’s commitment to public service broadcasting, by promising greater investment in British programming, riskier scheduling and more commitment to new talent over the coming year.Thompson told delegates at yesterday’s Oxford Media Convention that defining and delivering its version of public service broadcasting is the single most… Continue reading Thompson Confirms Channel 4’s Public Service Commitment

Advertising and public relations company, Chime Communications, has announced it is to sell 49% of its Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury (HHCL) advertising agency to WPP.WPP will pay £3.5 million in cash for the stake in HHCL, which will become part of WPP’s international Red Cell network. Chime will have the option of selling the remaining… Continue reading Chime Communications Sells 49% Of HHCL To WPP

Lord Currie, chairman of the new super-regulator, Ofcom, has confirmed that the rules governing television advertising are likely to be relaxed later this year, in a move that could clear the way for the self-regulation of other media sectors.Currie emphasised that the new catch-all regulator was keen to pursue “co-regulatory opportunities” in the broadcast arena,… Continue reading Ofcom Likely To Relax Broadcast Advertising Rules

Pay-per-click ad network, Espotting, has secured a European search distribution deal with Fast Search & Transfer (FAST), a developer of real-time alert technologies.The deal will see Espotting provide web search results with its paid listings, as well as paid listings on FAST’s showcase site, www.AlltheWeb.com.In return, FAST will offer Espotting its web search results as… Continue reading Espotting Secures Distribution Deal With FAST

2002 was a bumper year for cinema with box office revenue growing by 10% year on year, according to the latest figures from trade publication, Screen Finance.Research shows that box office takings topped £800 million last year, with 350 film releases, compared to a box office total of £727 million from 321 releases in 2001.Tim… Continue reading UK Box Office Earnings Climbed 10% In 2002

The Government has warned the BBC that it will face a comprehensive review to win the renewal of its charter, which runs out in 2006.Speaking at yesterday’s Oxford Media Convention, Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, dismissed rumours that the charter and the licence would be automatically handed to the BBC. She said that the Corporation would… Continue reading Government Promises Review Before BBC Charter Renewal

McDonald’s has renewed its sponsorship of Virgin Radio’s breakfast show for a further 12 months, in a deal worth £750,000.The new sponsorship deal will extend McDonald’s presence beyond the breakfast show to programmes in other day parts. In-store promotions will run alongside the on-air activity to promote new McDonald’s product launches.The renewed agreement will also… Continue reading McDonald’s Renews Virgin Breakfast Sponsorship