Possibly reflecting how times have changed since the 1980s, the Royal Wedding between Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones achieved less than spectacular viewing figures: 9.34 million people tuned into watch BBC1’s coverage of the event, with a further 5.47 million watching ITV’s coverage; both audiences are well down on the 20 million plus viewing… Continue reading TV Viewing Summary W/E 20/06/99
Set-top box manufacturer, Pace Microtechnology, has today posted pre-tax profits of £15.1 million for the year ended 29 May 1999. This compares to a loss last year of £12.1 million. Aggressive promotions by BSkyB and ONdigital, culminating in the offer of free set-top box equipment for digital television customers (see ONdigital Returns Fire In DTV… Continue reading Digital TV Promotions Push Pace Into The Black
Media and hotels group, Granada, performed well at the end of last week following strong trading in its hotels and leisure businesses. Granada finished up 64p at 1,246p.EMAP continued to benefit from its acquisition of men’s and lifestyle magazine publisher, Wagadon. EMAP did not disclose the cost of Wagadon, publisher of The Face and Arena,… Continue reading Sharewatch
Outdoor company the More Group, which is owned by Clear Channel Communications, has bought a 51% share in Italian street furniture company Jolly Publicita. This is the More Group’s first direct investment in Italy. VNU Business Publications in London has appointed Brin Bucknor as UK managing director. The Independent Radio and Television Commission (IRTC) is… Continue reading Newsline Brief
Rupert Murdoch, 40% owner of BSkyB, said yesterday that there was to be no merger between the broadcaster and French pay-TV group Canal Plus following reports of talks over recent months (see Newsline).The talks, which commenced early this year between the two broadcasters, were suspended after disagreements about management of the possible merged group. However,… Continue reading Murdoch Rules Out BSkyB/Canal Plus Merger
Last year, ITV’s proposal to move its News at Ten bulletin met with some stiff opposition from the public and government. The Network hoped that the move, and other scheduling adjustments, would help to increase its viewing share, generating schedule flexibility in the crucial prime peak segment and of course allowing feature films to continue… Continue reading ITV Ratings Show General Year On Year Improvement
Express Newspapers has announced that from this Sunday, 4 July, the Sunday Express is to experience some major editorial changes.The paper’s business pages, Investor, is to be made into a separate broadsheet section called SmartMoney, which in turn will make room for an extension of the papers lifestyle and features sections. A new consumer orientated… Continue reading Express Newspapers Launch SmartMoney Business Section
There are currently more teenage girls than boys using the internet in the UK, according to a survey of over 40,000 internet users by Fletcher Research. Whilst overall, UK web users are split 60:40 male to female, amongst users aged 24 and under the majority are female, according to the survey.Older web users are predominately… Continue reading Research Shows More Teenage Girls Than Boys Online
Emap, which yesterday boosted its portfolio with the acquisition of magazine publisher Wagadon, soared 37p to 1147p (see Newsline).Reed International jumped 24˝p to 447žp after speculation about a renewed merger with Dutch group Wolters Kluwer.The closing prices of media company shares yesterday were:
Sky Digital is adding three new channels to its television portfolio today, with the arrival of MTV Extra, MTV Base and VH1 Classic on its digital satellite television service.MTV Extra carries an alternative choice of programming to MTV, and allows viewers to catch up on shows missed first time round. MTV Base is dedicated entirely… Continue reading Sky Digital Brings Three More Channels On Air
