The Independent Television Commission (ITC) is to advise the Monopolies & Mergers Commission (MMC) to block the takeover of Manchester United Football Club by BSkyB (see MMC Outlines Issues Of Concern Over BSkyB Bid). In an announcement to be made later this morning the TV watchdog will outline why it believes the Sky deal, and… Continue reading ITC Calls For Block On BSkyB/Man Utd Deal
FHM‘s towering domination of the men’s lifestyle magazines market continues with this round of results. However, whilst year on year figures show the title going from strength to strength (up by 16.7%), a six month comparison paints a picture slightly less rosy. Period on period EMAP Metro’s FHM sales were down by almost 24,000 copies,… Continue reading FHM Sales Slip During 1998
The last six months of 1998 have thrown up a mixed batch of circulation figures for women’s monthly magazines. Year on year, the rises and the falls of the sector are fairly 50/50. Marie-Claire achieved the largest growth in sales year on year.Emap’s Red and Wagadon’s Frank, both relative newcomers to this market, did not… Continue reading Prima Leads The Way For Women’s Monthlies
Osprey Communications and MBS Media have created a joint venture called Halo, a stand-alone media shop. Halo will handle £17 million of Osprey business at launch. The 50:50 deal was brokered by the AAR Group. The radio licence for central Scotland has been awarded by the Radio Authority to Beat FM. Capital Radio’s Fun format… Continue reading Newsline Brief
The latest episode in the saga of BSkyB’s bid for Manchester United Football Club (see Newsline) has unfolded today with the Independent Television Commission (ITC) urging the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) to consider the implications very carefully.The watchdog commented: “The ITC has always wanted to see effective competition for the rights to broadcasting sports… Continue reading MMC Hears ITC Concerns Over A BSkyB/Man Utd Deal
Huddersfield FM has been fined £5,000 by the Radio Authority (RA) for breaching its Promise of Performance eight separate times.The watchdog found that the station had not broadcast, amongst other things, two separate weekly hour-long arts and entertainment features, education features or satisfactory sports coverage, after pledging to do so.Peter Gibbings, chairman of the RA,… Continue reading RA Fines Huddersfield FM For Eight Promise Breaches
Following the acquisition of The Petersen Companies in December last year (see EMAP Makes £720m US Move), EMAP has today announced the purchase of General Media’s Automotive Group of magazines for £21.9 million.The portfolio includes four monthly titles, Four Wheeler, Stock Car Racing, Open Wheel and Drag Racing Monthly along with the rights to Four… Continue reading EMAP Augments US Interests With £22m Acquisition
1998 saw a continuation of growth in the cable sector, with the industry breaking through the 11 million homes mark at the beginning of the year. By 1 October it had risen further to just under 12 million (11.99) according to ITC data*. Over 2.7 million broadband homes now receive a cable TV service, which… Continue reading Cable And Satellite Annual Round-Up 1998
Open, the consumer branding of British Interactive Broadcasting, has rolled out its first ad campaign in the run up to the launch of interactive TV services on Sky Digital. Open this week announced that Argos and Dixons have joined the venture to provide interactive home shopping services through digital satellite television (see BSkyB Profits Fall… Continue reading Open Rolls Out Ad Campaign For Interactive TV Services
BSkyB shares surged yesterday on the back of the company’s interim financial results and the announcement that 350,000 Sky Digital set-top boxes had been sold by the end of January (see BSkyB Profits Fall Following Sky Digital Launch, But Targets Are Met). BSkyB closed yesterday up 14.6% (60˝p) at 474žp.Despite an upbeat trading statement released… Continue reading Sharewatch
