The UK Government has published proposals to combine all the supervisory and regulatory powers in respect of financial services under one regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The draft Financial Services and Markets bill sets up a single ombudsman and compensation scheme for investors and depositors, a financial services appeals tribunal, oversight of the Lloyd’s insurance… Continue reading UK: New bill to reform UK rules
According to ITC data released today, the ITV Network (including GMTV) attained an average viewing share of 32.5% for the year up to 30 June 1998. BBC1 gained a share of 30.0%. However, BBC2 pipped Channel 4 gaining 11.2% average share, to C4’s 9.9%.Channel 5 managed to clock an average viewing share of 3.5% for… Continue reading ITV Clinches Annual Viewing Share Over BBC1
Carlton Communications, one of the biggest ITV companies, is to team up with Universal Studios to create two channels to be broadcast on digital terrestrial television.The two channels, rumoured to be one film- and one crime-focused, are to be run on On Digital, formerly British Digital Broadcasting (see Newsline).The film channel will feature material from… Continue reading Carlton and Universal To Run Together In Digital Race
IPC Magazines has appointed Caroline Lowe as head of ad marketing for its Country & Leisure Group.Lowe joins IPC from Haymarket where she was research manager for its consumer group. She is to report to Philippa Stuart, IPC’s marketing director of advertising.IPC Magazines: 0171 261 6575
BSkyB’s digital TV war against On Digital (see Countdown To BSkyB Digital Launch Begins) has led brokers Merrill Lynch to downgrade the satellite broadcaster’s profit forecasts for the next two years.Sky has promised free satellite dish installations to digital customers at a cost of around £80 per subscriber. As a result of this, along with… Continue reading BSkyB Report Downgraded Following Digital Promotions
The European Commission is to draw up a table of national regulations and other controls on discounting practices. This will form the basis of any further proposed action to reinforce single market rules and principles in commercial communications. The table, and an accompanying paper, will seek comments from the Expert Group on Commercial Communications and… Continue reading EU: Expert Group to study premiums
Monday Pearson releases interim financial results today.Tuesday The relaunched NME site will be reviewed as this week’s Website Of The Week.Thursday Quarter 2 1998 RAJAR data is released. Telewest releases interim financial results.Friday MediaTel’s weekly media industry focus and analysis, mediawatch, will feature in The Times‘ media pages.
Media group Pearson today announced half-year pre-tax profits of £358.5 million for the six month period ended 30 June 1998. Pre-tax profits for the same period last year stood at £80.7 million. Sales were up from £957 million to £989 million.The group’s Financial Times division lifted its profits by 12% to £66.8 million, boosted by… Continue reading Pearson Profits Remain Strong
“Refreshment, renewal and reality,” promised ITV’s director of programmes, David Liddiment, as he unveiled the broadcaster’s Autumn programme schedule last week. “Could do more,” was the reaction of one ad agency TV buyer.The main concern for ITV is that the new schedule draws in enough viewers to meet the peak-time viewing share target of 38%… Continue reading ITV’s Viewing Share Challenge
The new media division of Ginger Media Group (GMG), Ginger Online, has registered all its websites with ABC //electronic, the independent audit organisation.Chris Evans’ Ginger Group already runs the website of its Virgin Radio station (http://www.virginradio.co.uk/). GMG is planning to launch websites for both its TFI Friday series and for GMG as a whole. John… Continue reading Ginger Plans New Websites And Registers With ABC
