More Uk articles

Granada this morning held its first AGM since the demerger from the Granada Compass hospitality business, which was fully completed at the end of last week. Chairman Charles Allen told the company that 2000 delivered a good performance and increased earnings by 9%. In July 2000, 20% of the group – then Granada Media –… Continue reading Revenues Will Be Slow In First Half For Granada

BSkyB had signed up 5.25 million digital customers by 6 February and had hit the 5 million mark by the end of last year, according to the satellite broadcaster’s interim financial results released this morning. This represents a record quarterly growth of 538,000 subscribers. However, whilst the company’s digital targets were achieved ahead of schedule,… Continue reading BSkyB Hits Digital Target But Losses Grow

Stephen Byers, secretary of state for trade and industry, has said that he will not refer the takeover of Express Newspapers by Northern & Shell to the DTI. The announcement allows completion of the deal, which was agreed in November last year. Since then the Express newspaper has seen a raft of resignations in reaction… Continue reading Express Takeover Cleared By Byers

7 February 2001 Rupert Murdoch is understood to be on the verge of sealing a deal that would merge his Sky Global Networks business with US’ satellite television company, DirecTV. This in turn could pave the way for a global float of the Sky Global Networks satellite group. Investors are anticipating the announcement today as… Continue reading Murdoch May Be Close To Agreeing DirecTV Deal

DMG World Media, the exhibitions arm of the Daily Mail & General Trust, has aquired a 25% stake in US trade show organiser Western Exhibitors LLC in a deal worth $10m. DMG plan to acquire the remaining 75% in five years time.The company holds gift shows in San Francisco, Seattle and Portland and is the… Continue reading DMGT Buys Stake In US Trade Show Organiser

Saturday night’s double helping of Popstars gave ITV its highest peaktime share of the year so far, at 42.5%. The earlier 6.45pm edition attracted an audience of 10.9m – a 48.6% share – and at 9.15pm, 11.6m people, – a 46.7% share – tuned in to the show as it announced the five hopefuls to… Continue reading Popstars A Hit For ITV

Channel 4 is set to launch a new company, 4 Ventures Limited, to manage commercial activities outside of its core channel. It will house the group’s pay-TV services Film Four and E4 as well as its internet and interactive ventures.Channel 4 International Ltd, the group’s programme sales and co-production arm, and its film division, Film… Continue reading Channel 4 Launches Commercial Arm

European pay-tv group RTL jumped 7% yesterday as Bertelsmann took majority control of the company by increasing its stake to 67% (see Bertelsmann Acquires Controlling Stake In RTL). Prices closed at £63.72.The newly demerged Granada (see Granada Rises On Positive Ratings) was down however, dipping almost 5% to 186źp as Compass shareholders dumped unwanted media… Continue reading Sharewatch

The Financial Times is set to start charging subscriptions to its website, FT.com. Currently a free service, selected sections such as its archive, will soon be available on a paid-for basis.FT owner Pearson has brought forward the date it wants its websites to break even from 2003 to 2002. The group claims that FT.com now… Continue reading FT.com To End Free Access

Channel 4 is set to launch a new company, 4 Ventures Limited, to manage commercial activities outside of its core channel. It will house the group’s pay-TV services Film Four and E4 as well as its internet and interactive ventures. Channel 4 International Ltd, the group’s programme sales and co-production arm, and its film division,… Continue reading Channel 4 Launches Commercial Arm