The UK’s Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is consulting agencies, consumer organisations and the Government on proposals to develop a self-regulatory scheme for UK ads on the internet. The “Trustmark” scheme would use icons on ads to show that advertisers and publishers have agreed to comply with the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion.
BBC Online has launched a website dedicated to Asian news and culture. Called Network Asia, the website is aimed at Britain’s large Asian community and people interested in the exploration of Asian culture.The site has an open discussion forum, where visitors can exchange ideas, news, views and comments on any topics, including sex and sexuality,… Continue reading BBC Launches New Asian Website
The UK Government has referred BskyB’s bid for Manchester United Football Club to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. This followed comments by EC Commissioner Karl Van Miert, responsible for EU competition issues, who told journalists in Brussels that the bid appeared to pose competition problems. He added that the Commission’s services will be following developments… Continue reading UK: BskyB bid referred
Carlton Communications has this afternoon announced that its discussions with Arsenal Football Club, with a view to a takeover, have been terminated. It was thought that talks were at an advanced stage although no financial consideration had been mentioned (see Arsenal and Carlton Update).It is understood that Arsenal is in talks with United News &… Continue reading Carlton Calls Off Arsenal Takeover Talks
Jim Murray, director of the consumer group BEUC, has criticised the EC’s e-commerce proposals. Mr Murray said that consumers should not have to deal with the individual laws of the 15 member states. He added that it was absurd to treat on-line consumers in the same way as consumers who go to the supplier’s country… Continue reading EU: BEUC criticises e-commerce proposals
ITV has today been ordered to drop its current advertisements for digital terrestrial television (DTT) after the ITC found them to be denigratory to the satellite platform run by Sky Digital.Earlier in the week the watchdog upheld a number of complaints about these ads made by BSkyB and ITV was forced to change the format… Continue reading ITV Told To Remove Digital Ads By ITC
LLP, the publisher of Lloyd’s List, the daily insurance newspaper, and IBC, the business information group, have announced a £315 million merger. The merged company will be called Informa. Shares in both companies rose yesterday on the back of the news: LLP closed up 39p at 272˝p and IBC was up by 72˝p to 437˝p.… Continue reading Newsline Brief
The consultation process being conducted by the ITC into ITV’s plans to re-organise its peak time schedule closed on 29 October. This has been a high profile debate, centring around the proposal to move “News at Ten”, with the ITC receiving more than 1800 submissions. The AA and ISBA each made submissions defending ITV’s right… Continue reading UK: ITV’s peak time schedule
Carlton and Granada are to link up with WebTV Networks to carry out an interactive television UK trial in London and Liverpool this year (see Newsline).The trial with gather information on how consumers will use interactive television. WebTV has 500,000 users in the US, and the aim of its service is to provide better TV… Continue reading Carlton And Granada In Interactive Television Trial
DMG Radio, a subsidiary of Daily Mail & General Trust, has agreed to acquire Sussex-based Radio Mercury for £3.75 million.Radio Mercury runs Mercury FM and Fame 1521 AM which broadcast across the Reigate and Crawley area and have a combined weekly reach of 87,000 listeners according to the latest RAJAR figures. The takeover will be… Continue reading DMG Radio Acquires Radio Mercury
