Carlton Communications, one of the biggest ITV companies, is to team up with Universal Studios to create two channels to be broadcast on digital terrestrial television.The two channels, rumoured to be one film- and one crime-focused, are to be run on On Digital, formerly British Digital Broadcasting (see Newsline).The film channel will feature material from… Continue reading Carlton and Universal To Run Together In Digital Race
Media group Pearson today announced half-year pre-tax profits of £358.5 million for the six month period ended 30 June 1998. Pre-tax profits for the same period last year stood at £80.7 million. Sales were up from £957 million to £989 million.The group’s Financial Times division lifted its profits by 12% to £66.8 million, boosted by… Continue reading Pearson Profits Remain Strong
“Refreshment, renewal and reality,” promised ITV’s director of programmes, David Liddiment, as he unveiled the broadcaster’s Autumn programme schedule last week. “Could do more,” was the reaction of one ad agency TV buyer.The main concern for ITV is that the new schedule draws in enough viewers to meet the peak-time viewing share target of 38%… Continue reading ITV’s Viewing Share Challenge
The new media division of Ginger Media Group (GMG), Ginger Online, has registered all its websites with ABC //electronic, the independent audit organisation.Chris Evans’ Ginger Group already runs the website of its Virgin Radio station (http://www.virginradio.co.uk/). GMG is planning to launch websites for both its TFI Friday series and for GMG as a whole. John… Continue reading Ginger Plans New Websites And Registers With ABC
The latest report by Merrill Lynch on advertising groups points to positive and healthy growth.A strong set of interim results are predicted. A growth in headline pre-tax profit is anticipated, as is a growth in advertising worldwide.WPP’s interim results should show strong headline pre-tax profit growth of 19.3% to £93.4 million, as should Aegis which… Continue reading Advertising Industry Prospects Look Good, Says Merrill Lynch
ITV is still resisting pressure to join negotiations with BSkyB to be carried by its digital satellite service.The most recent development in the digital TV war involved Channel Four announcing deals with both BSkyB and On Digital (previously British Digital Broadcasting) to have both its current analogue output and a new Film Four digital channel… Continue reading ITV Stands Its Ground In Digital TV War
It is understood that the supermarket chain ASDA is involved in negotiations with cable companies Flextech and Cable & Wireless to launch its own home-shopping channel. Neither Flextech nor Cable & Wireless could give details of the prospective deal, but a spokesperson for ASDA did comment that plans were underway.This speculation accompanies an announcement made… Continue reading ASDA To Be Channelled Into Homes
Monday Pearson releases interim financial results today.Tuesday The relaunched NME site will be reviewed as this week’s Website Of The Week.Thursday Quarter 2 1998 RAJAR data is released. Telewest releases interim financial results.Friday MediaTel’s weekly media industry focus and analysis, mediawatch, will feature in The Times‘ media pages.
Kent-based regional newspaper publisher, Adscene, has reported pre-tax profits of £5.2 million for the year ended 31 May 1998; this is a rise of 8.6%. Operating profit at the group was up a record 10% to £6.6 million. Earnings per share were up 19% to 11.3p.Adscene’s non-executive chairman, Harry Lambert, said: “Publishing has achieved record… Continue reading Adscene Profits Up 8.6%
Katz Radio Sales has won the contract to sell airtime across all Essex Radio Group stations – Essex FM, Breeze, Ten 17 and Oasis. Katz will also handle sales for the new East Anglia station, Vibe FM.Katz officially takes over sales for the stations on 3 August. Katz managing director, David Foreman, said he was… Continue reading Katz Wins Essex Radio Group
