The BBC has been criticised by its Board of Governors for not producing a consistent level of quality of programming on its flagship channel, BBC One. The governors voiced their opinion in the corporation’s annual report, released today.While the board said that BBC One had “scaled new heights” with programmes such as Walking with Dinosaurs… Continue reading BBC Criticised By Governors In Annual Report
Saatchi & Saatchi did not reach its 500p merger price yesterday (see Publicis Buys Saatchi & Saatchi For £1.24bn), because a fall in the value of Publicis shares reduced the value of the offer, which was all-stock. Shares in Saatchi & Saatchi ended down 1½p at £4.19½.Daily Mail group, which recently offloaded its DMG radio… Continue reading Sharewatch
Future Network today announced strong growth in its net-based activities and unveiled a series of launches for the coming year. At its inaugural Annual General Meeting, chief executive Greg Ingham said the group, which floated on the London Stock Exchange a year ago today (see Price Set For Stake In Future), was on track to… Continue reading Future Looks Bright A Year On From Float
Adfast, the new net-based artwork delivery system funded by the regional press, will be demonstrated to industry figures at an exhibition this week. Over 7,000 delegates at the Total Publishing exhibition will be able to view the system, which currently holds more than 1,000 registered regional newspapers.The system was developed by the Newspaper Society to… Continue reading Adfast Rolls Out Across The UK
One of the world’s largest media-buying operations looks set to be created following yesterday’s deal between Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi (see Publicis Buys Saatchi & Saatchi For £1.24bn). Publicis-owned Optimedia and Zenith, which is 50%-owned by Saatchi, are expected to begin merger talks on the possibility of combining their operations on completion of the… Continue reading Zenith And Optimedia Look Set To Merge On Completion Of Saatchi Deal
A merger between Vivendi, Canal Plus and Seagram was unveiled today, creating a media giant to rival AOL-Time Warner. The French media and utilities group, which owns 50% of TV company Canal Plus, will unite with Canadian-owned Seagram in a deal worth £22bn.The new company will be renamed Vivendi Universal and its combined assets will… Continue reading Vivendi, Seagram And Canal Plus Merge In £22bn Deal
GWR has agreed to consolidate DMG Radio, the radio interests of the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), in its own radio business. The deal, worth £146 million, will see GWR, which owns Classic FM as well as 38 local licences, add a further eight UK local stations to its portfolio and enhance its overseas… Continue reading Feature: GWR Seeks Licence Disposal Amid Consolidation
Shopping online may be becoming more popular (see UK Internet Users Giving Online Shopping More Credit), but it has some way to go to beat playing games or listening to music on the internet.The latest figures from MMXI Europe show that European internet users have increased the amount of time they spend looking at entertainment… Continue reading We’d Rather Play Games Than Shop On The Net, Says Report
Saatchi & Saatchi has agreed to be taken over by French advertising group Publicis in a deal which will see the creation of the world’s fifth largest advertising company. Publicis is to pay £1.24bn for the group in an all-paper deal.The agreement will see Saatchi & Saatchi owning 30% of the combined group, which will… Continue reading Publicis Buys Saatchi & Saatchi For £1.24bn
Attic Futura has announced plans to restructure its advertising department, becoming the third magazine publisher to redefine itself across its core markets. The group, which publishes titles including TV Hits and Sugar, will now conduct sales across two major genres: youth and entertainment and women’s health and lifestyle.A number of senior appointments have been made… Continue reading Attic Futura Restructures Sales Department
