More Uncategorised articles

Sky has said that its operating profits could be reduced by £15 to £20 million if it is unable to resolve a deal with Virgin Media over its basic channels.This figure includes the four months between now and the end of Sky’s financial year on June 30.In a statement about the negotiations, Sky said: “Despite… Continue reading Sky Profits Could Be Hit By Virgin Channel Dispute

The secretary of state for trade and industry, Alistair Darling, has ordered communications watchdog Ofcom to conduct an investigation into BSkyB’s acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV.“I am today asking Ofcom to conduct an initial investigation into the public interest issues that may be raised by this transaction and to report back to me,”… Continue reading Darling Demands Ofcom Investigate Sky’s Stake In ITV

Each week, NewsLine will be bringing you a round-up of the latest news from the City affecting the media industry.This week saw WPP announce a rise in pre-tax profits of 14.5% to £766.3 million for 2006.As well as the financial announcement from the world’s second largest advertising group, it was also revealed that Italian telecoms… Continue reading Media In The City

BSkyB rival Virgin Media has signed a deal to offer ratings winner Lost on-demand, which could help to retain Virgin’s cable customers if some of Sky’s channels are pulled from Virgin’s TV package.Seasons one and two of the award-winning series will be available in August on the company’s TV-on-demand service, which lets viewers choose from… Continue reading Virgin Media Nabs Lost For On-Demand Service

The dispute between rival broadcast giants Virgin Media and BSkyB has taken yet another turn, with Sky claiming that it does want its channels to be available to Virgin Media customers.Earlier today, Virgin Media released a statement insisting that Sky was about to pull its basic package of channels from the newly launched quadruple-play operation… Continue reading Branson Vs Murdoch: Round Five

The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) has said that it is disappointed by Ofcom’s decision to extend the restrictions for HFSS advertising aimed at children, claiming the new rules are flawed.Marina Palomba, IPA’s legal director, said: “The IPA is disappointed but not surprised at Ofcom’s decision to extend the broadcast advertising scheduling restrictions from… Continue reading IPA Claims New Ofcom HFSS Rules Are Flawed

Five has restructured its programming team and is searching for a director of programmes for its main channel.The new director of prgrammes will report directly to Five managing director of content, Lisa Opie, with the restructure intended to simplify the reporting structure under her.Sport, news and current affairs, factual entertainment, comedy, and children’s programming will… Continue reading Five Restructures Programming Team

BBC One’s over-the-top drama, Hotel Babylon, had a peak of 6.5 million viewers last night, a 31.9% share of viewing, in its 9pm timeslot.The show, which attracted an average of 6.3 million adults, featured David Walliams, star of Little Britain, in a guest appearance.Hotel Babylon added over a million to the audience figure for the… Continue reading Walliams Brings The Viewers To Hotel Babylon

The controversy currently raging over the alleged Richard and Judy phone quiz scam has taken a new twist, with reports claiming that it could have been going on for over four years.The quiz scam claims began when the Mail On Sunday reported that a woman who phoned in and was chosen as a contestant for… Continue reading Richard & Judy Phone Quiz Controversy Takes New Twist

Sky is to remove its major channels from Virgin Media at the end of this month after talks between the two broadcasters broke down.The two companies had been negotiating a rate which Virgin Media would pay for the satellite broadcaster’s basic channels, which include Sky One, Two, Three, Sky News and Sky Sports News (see… Continue reading Sky Channels To Be Removed From Virgin Media