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BSkyB’s controversial acquisition of the live coverage rights to England’s test cricket matches has been given the green light by Ofcom following a consultation with the nation’s broadcasters and viewing public.Ofcom’s decision will allow BSkyB to broadcast exclusive coverage of test matches played in England in 2006-2009, while highlights of matches will be broadcast by… Continue reading Sky’s Cricket Deal Gets Thumbs Up As Five Scoops Highlights

Terrestrial heavyweights ITV and Channel 4 look set to slug out the battle for Crown Castle’s remaining airspace on Freeview alone, after the broadcast firm left rivals out of the last round of applications for the licence.Reports this morning suggest that Crown Castle has invited the two broadcasters to expand upon their proposals for the… Continue reading ITV To Face Channel 4 Over Empty Freeview Slot

Channel 4 has announced its best January performance for five years, with an audience share of 10.3%, topping the performance of BBC 2 and defying the downward trend of its terrestrial rivals.The impressive performance follows a strong 2004 for the broadcaster, in which its audience grew by 2% year on year. A spokesman for Channel… Continue reading Channel 4 Sees Best January In Years After Audience Boost

Former Five chief executive, David Elstein, has succeeded in his purchase of the Hallmark Channel’s international TV operations, completing the long-rumoured deal worth an estimated £167 million.The purchase was backed by private equity group 3i and Providence Equity Partners, who reportedly put in half the money to buy the Hallmark property from Crown Media Holdings.Elstein… Continue reading Elstein Successful In Bid For Hallmark Channel

The Wireless Group has ceased discussions with chairman and chief executive, Kelvin MacKenzie, over the possibility of a shareholder buy-out of the firm by a consortium of senior management figures.The talks between MacKenzie and TWG are understood to have ended after the outspoken radio chief lost the backing of a private equity group. However, the… Continue reading Wireless Group Halts Takeover Talks With MacKenzie

Radio operator GWR has announced the launch of the UK’s first dedicated ‘chill’ digital radio format, designed to broaden listener choice, offering a relaxing and ambient 100% music service.Chill will include artists such as Moby, Zero 7, Royksopp, Air, Groove Armada and Norah Jones and will be broadcast across nine NOWdigital multiplexes serving Bristol &… Continue reading GWR To Chill With New Digital Station

The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against ITV after it screened a commercial for American Express featuring a surfer riding a large wave following an ITV News report on the Asian tsunami.The complaint was made to the ASA against ITV, Channel Four, Channel Five and Sky One, with six viewers complaining that it… Continue reading ITV’s Wrist Slapped Over Tsunami Ad Placement

GMTV will lose one of its best known faces in April as presenter Eamonn Holmes sits on the breakfast show’s famous red sofa for the final time, ending a career of more than 12 years with the broadcaster.Holmes has been the face of GMTV since it began in 1993, steering it to success and into… Continue reading Holmes Quits GMTV After More Than A Decade

The former chief executive of Five, David Elstein, has bought the Hallmark Channel’s international TV operations for an estimated £167 million. The purchase was backed by private equity group, 3i, and Providence Equity Partners, who reportedly put in half the money to buy the unit from Crown Media Holdings. Commenting on the deal, Crevan O’Grady,… Continue reading Elstein Buys Hallmark Channel’s International TV Operations

Kelvin MacKenzie’s Wireless Group is reported to be the latest interested party in the battle for Scottish Media Group (SMG) owned Virgin Radio. It is thought that Lord Wahees Alli, the media mogul fronting private equity group 3i’s bid for the station, has held talks with the Wireless Group to discuss combining Virgin’s sales unit… Continue reading Alli And MacKenzie Eye Up Possible Radio Ad Sales Merger