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ITV is set to slash a further 600 jobs, cut £65 million from its programme budget and sell Friends Reunited and SDN in a desperate attempt to recover finances following its 41% profit decline.The struggling broadcaster today reported an adjusted pre-tax profit fall of 41% in 2008 to £167 million and a 32% drop in… Continue reading ITV’s profits down by 41%

ITV remains confident in the long-term course set by its content-led strategy, but will it be able to survive in the short-term?ITV today announced total losses of £2.7 billion after a huge downward realignment of its asset valuation – the broadcaster reported a pre-tax profit fall of 41% in 2008 and a 20% decline in… Continue reading Can ITV survive in the short-term?

BSkyB has expressed interest in buying the recently re-branded UKTV portfolio, which is currently 50% owned and operated by rival Virgin Media.Speaking at a conference in Florida, Sky’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch said that content companies are in Sky’s sights, according to reports.“We will look at acquisitions if we think they can advance our strategy,… Continue reading Sky expresses interest in UKTV acquisition

ITV and Setanta are set to renegotiate the payment terms of their £425 million rights deals with the Football Association.Setanta is thought to of delayed making a payment of £10 million on its £150 million contract, while ITV has met its payments so far, but is attempting to reassess the schedule so that is has… Continue reading ITV and Setanta renegotiate football rights deal

Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, has expressed confusion at a story in the Sunday Telegraph regarding merger talks between BT and Channel 4.Johnson told MediaWeek.co.uk: “I am not sure how the story came about, as we held a meeting with BT Vision more than a year ago.“The company might have submitted an interest in… Continue reading Johnson reacts to BT Vision/Channel 4 merger speculation

ITV1’s Dancing on Ice triumphed in the TV ratings battle last night, with a peak of 9.9 million watching the first of two Sunday night shows.The first instalment of Dancing on Ice, on from 7pm to 8.15pm, picked up a 37.4% share of the audience, while the skate-off, which saw Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett voted… Continue reading Dancing on Ice picks up a peak of 9.9m viewers

BT is in talks with Channel 4 over a possible merger of its television subsidiary BT Vision with the broadcaster.Luke Johnson, chairman of Channel 4, said he would fully support a merger between Channel 4 and BT Vision, according to a report in the Sunday Telegraph.Johnson said that a merger offered a “certain logic”. “A… Continue reading BT in merger talks with Channel 4

Screen Digest is forecasting UK advertising revenue to drop by 8.4% in 2009 as marketer’s confidence falls to its lowest point and several major client industries such as finance, retail and automotive retract budgets. As prices have hit an all-time low, TV advertising is set to decline by 7.7% in 2009, predicts Screen Digest. Amplified… Continue reading UK ad revenue to drop 8% in 2009

Project Canvas, the joint venture to bring catch-up from the PC to the TV by BBC, ITV and BT, is set to cost £24 million to get up and running.BBC, ITV and BT hope to provide an open technology service so that viewers with Freesat or Freeview and a broadband connection can access catch-up and… Continue reading Project Canvas startup to cost £24m

ITV1’s Billy Connolly series Journey to the Edge of the World just pipped BBC One’s Crimewatch to the highest ratings during the all-important 9pm to 10pm peak slot.The second episode of the comedian’s journey through the remote regions of Canada pulled in 4.3 million average viewers and a 18.3% share, however, Crimewatch managed to the… Continue reading ITV1’s Billy Connolly picks up the peak-time ratings