Over a third of the UK population believe that the quality of programming on the BBC has declined but still value its quality. These are the results of a CIA Sensor survey in which adults were asked their opinions on multi-channel and public service broadcasting.The results are timely, coming as they do in the week… Continue reading BBC Programming Has Declined, Says 40% Of The Population
Over 25% of all homes passed and marketed by broadband cable operators take cable television, according to the latest figures released by the Independent Television Commission (ITC). This marks the eighth successive quarter in which the cable penetration rate has risen.A total 12.9% of all TV homes now take cable television, compared to 12.6% in… Continue reading Over One In Four Choose Cable Television
WHSmith has strengthened its plans to become a leading online book seller by today announcing a deal to join Telewest’s interactive cable TV service, Active Digital (see Telewest Builds Interactive Service To Rival Open).Under the agreement, WHSmith will sell books, CDs, videos and stationery through the service’s interactive platform which is due to launch next… Continue reading WHSmith Signs Up To Telewest Digital Service
Cable group Telewest was one of the worst performers on the FTSE 100 yesterday, slipping 17žp to 316žp. Its proposed merger with Flextech (see Telewest/Flextech Merger Plans Revealed) and the consequential dilution of earnings is still causing concern within the market with analysts delaying profitability forecasts until at least 2003.Shares in Reuters leapt yesterday as… Continue reading Sharewatch
Clear Channel International has announced the appointment of Stevie Spring as chief executive of its outdoor advertising arm, More Group UK. She will take up the position in February after leaving her current job as managing director of the Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R advertising agency.Chief executive of CCI, Roger Parry, said: “We are delighted to… Continue reading More Group Appoints New Chief Executive
Trinity Mirror has confirmed that it is interested in making a takeover bid for regional newspaper publisher, Newscom. Trinity has approached the Newscom Board and has written to the secretary of state for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, seeking permission to make a bid.Trinity Mirror’s interest follows similar letters to the Department of Trade and… Continue reading Trinity Mirror Confirms Interest In Newscom
The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has rejected plans for the introduction of an extra charge to the licence fee to help fund the BBC’s digital services. The MPs on the Committee were responding to the independent funding review panel, chaired by economist Gavyn Davies, which proposed that digital TV viewers… Continue reading MPs Reject BBC Digital Licence Levy
The Granada Group launched its internet entertainment service provider yesterday, three months later than planned (see Granada Seeks Agency For Net Project). The ISP offers access to a range of sites based around Granada’s highest rating television programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as well as providing e-mail and internet access to its subscribers.The… Continue reading Granada Launches G-Wizz
The digital consortium Switchdigital has announced an addition to its list of shareholders. Carphone Warehouse is to join the Wireless Group, Clear Channel International and Ginger Media Group as part owner and retail partner.Switchdigital, which unites Talk Radio and Virgin Radio, lost the bid for the first digital multiplex licence for London earlier this year… Continue reading Carphone Warehouse Joins Switchdigital
Shares in Granada rose 21˝p to 622˝p as the media group announced it is to merge its television rentals business with rival Radio Rentals in a £1 billion venture called Box Clever.Telewest saw a rise in its share prices as the cable group announced details of its planned merger with pay-TV group Flextech (see Telewest/Flextech… Continue reading Sharewatch
