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
Newscom, the regional publisher which changed its name from Southern Newspapers last year (see Newsline), has announced that it is to join the bidding war for Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers. The group has confirmed that it is in preliminary discussions with the P&S board with a view to making an offer for its newspaper assets.Newscom… Continue reading Newscom Keen To Join Bidding Race For Portsmouth & Sunderland
Talk Radio has announced that it has set up a regional sales office in Manchester as part of a strategy to take control of its own sales effort ahead of the launch of its Scottish Macro service in April.Julia Upton takes the role of regional sales controller at the new unit, which began operating from… Continue reading Talk Radio Opens Manchester Sales Office
The cable company NTL has announced that it is to carry an interactive games channel on its cable digital TV service, which is due for launch in the spring. The channel is the first of its kind in Britain and involves the cable operator teaming up with interactive software publisher Infogrames Entertainment.NTL digital cable subscribers… Continue reading Game On With NTL’s Interactive Services
DMG Radio’s bid for Radio Mercury Ltd has received approval from the Radio Authority (see Newsline). The group has been acquired for £3.75 million. Radio Mercury controls the local radio services Mercury FM and Fame 1521. Capital Radio is to sell off its Henry J Beans chain of restaurants to a consortium led by a… Continue reading Newsline Brief
BSkyB has announced today that its pre-tax profits for the six months ended 31 December 1998 fell by 58.6% year on year to £53.2 million following the launch of digital satellite television, Sky Digital, in October last year (see Digital Launch Update). Turnover at Sky stood at £753 million (£691.8 million last year), 65% of… Continue reading BSkyB Profits Fall Following Sky Digital Launch, But Targets Are Met
Bad taste seems to be a theme running through this month’s report from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Numerous complaints were received by the Authority about offensive and distasteful advertising.The campaign for Help The Aged, which ran in the national press, received complaints that it was offensive and frightening. The ad featured a photo showing… Continue reading Advertisers Disciplined For Their Poor Taste
RevenueAlthough official Advertising Association (AA) revenue figures have not yet been released, the industry’s revenue is expected to be up by 10% on last year to £97 million, according to Cinema Advertising Association (CAA) estimates. This compares to a 1998 growth for the UK ad industry as a whole of about 5% – official Advertising… Continue reading Cinema Annual Round-Up 1998
