The European Commission is concerned that the launch and operation of Rupert Murdoch’s British Interactive Broadcasting may be harmful to fair competition in the digital marketplace.Within the next few weeks the EC is expected to request that BIB allays concerns that the broadcaster might restrict access to its networks and subsidise decoding equipment which only… Continue reading EC Seeks Assurance Of BIB’s Market Position
The agreement on Clear Channel Communications’ takeover bid for More Group has been withdrawn by More following a higher bid by its French rivals Decaux (subscribers see French Counter-Bid For More Group).At the beginning of the month billboards company More agreed to the £446 million takeover bid from Clear Channel (subscribers see Surprise Takeover Of… Continue reading More Group Withdraws Clear Channel Agreement
The dispute over Stephen Grabiner’s move from United News & Media (UNM) to become chief executive of British Digital Broadcasting is scheduled to be heard in court this Friday.UNM claims that Grabiner left the company before his contract was seen out and is therefore trying to prevent him beginning the chief executive post until January… Continue reading Court Hearing Scheduled For Future BDB Chief
VNU’s new computer title, Computeract!ve , is claiming first issue sales of over 200,000 copies. This would make the title one of the highest-selling computer magazines on the shelves at the moment. According to the last set of ABC consumer magazine figures, only Future’s Official Playstation Magazine has a higher circulation at 205,619.While Computeract!ve‘s initial… Continue reading Computeractive Pleased With Initial Sales
Ulster TV has said that 1998 will be a “challenging year for the company” in the face of increased competition from Channel 5 and non-terrestrial channels. The broadcaster went on to say that growth is likely to be “modest and not substantially different from that achieved in 1997.”The broadcaster also announced plans for its digital… Continue reading Ulster TV Cautious Over Future Growth
According to agency estimates, total terrestrial television revenue for February (including GMTV) came in at £176.35 million. Of this, ITV brought in £120.83 million (down 0.8% year on year), Channel 4 £41.12m (up 9.3%), Channel 5 £9.53m and GMTV £4.87m (down 9.8%).Among ITV audiences there was a large rise in costs for Women, which saw… Continue reading TV Round-Up – February
Outdoor poster group Maiden today announced annual results which showed a 27% increase in pre-tax profits to £10.1 million and a 15% growth in turnover to £63.2 million.The company also said that it wanted to remain independent despite overtures from overseas investors. Maiden chief executive Ron Zeghibe said he would rather seek acquisitions than be… Continue reading Maiden Posts 27% Increase in Profits
Outdoor advertising company Primesight has today announced pre-tax profits for 1997 of £830,000, up 77% on the previous year. Turnover increased 13% to £12.99m.Primesight chairman Martin Barber said: “These record results follow the introduction of the company to the Stock Exchange’s Official List last July and we are now beginning to see the benefits derived… Continue reading Record Results At Primesight
Regional newspaper publisher Newsquest has announced pro-forma pre-tax profits for the year ended 31 December 1997 of £52.3 million. This is an increase of 84.9% on 1996’s pre-tax profit of £28.3 million.The company, which floated itself on the Stock Exchange in October and set financial targets (subscribers see Sharewatch W/E 17/10/97), managed to beat its… Continue reading Newsquest Pre-Tax Profits Up 85%
The numerous companies involved in the launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT) are to be bundled together under the umbrella brand name The Digital Network.As a number of services and channels start to launch later this year, the industry is concerned that the consumer will be ‘confused’ by the more complicated term digital terrestrial television;… Continue reading DTT Becomes Branded The Digital Network
