Coronation Street usually only elicits storms of protest when its time slot is moved because of football coverage. However, during the summer, the Street managed to provoke complaints to the ITC on not one, but two occasions, with varying results.In July and August, one viewer noted that the character of Ken Barlow was involved in… Continue reading Coronation Street’s Book Plugs and Carpark Thugs Come Up Against ITC
The Radio Authority has awarded the local digital multiplex licence for Northern Ireland to Score Digital. Score is owned by Scottish Radio Holdings and has already won similar licences for Edinburgh (see Score Wins Digital Licence For Edinburgh) and Glasgow (see Score Digital Is Sole Bidder For Glasgow Digital Radio Licence).The licence is designed to… Continue reading Radio Authority Awards Digital Multiplex In Northern Ireland
A new contender has emerged for the take-over of United News and Media’s (UNM) Express newspaper group. Indian conglomerate the Hinduja Group has issued a statement saying that it is interested in making a bid. An offer, rumoured to be around £100m, is expected to appear within the next few days.UNM is already thought to… Continue reading Bid Rumours Continue To Circulate For Express Group Takeover
The Wireless Group has today announced the acquisition of Wave 105 FM, the Southampton-based contemporary radio station. In its first deal since floating earlier this year (see Wireless Group Sets Price For Flotation), TWG is to pay £21.3m to purchase the remaining capital, excluding its current 24.6% stake.The acquisition will complement the group’s existing portfolio… Continue reading Wireless Group Expands Its Southern Portfolio
The proposed acquisition of British Interactive Broadcasting Holdings (BiB), which operates the interactive TV service Open, by BSkyB (see BSkyB Takes Control Of Open, Plans To Improve Look, Feel and Services) should be allowed, providing the satellite broadcaster agrees to provide a clean feed of premium TV to rival distributors, quelling competition concerns.Announcing the decision,… Continue reading BSkyB Must Undertake Clean Feed Guarantee For Open Takeover To Proceed
Viewing of non-terrestrial channels in digital homes slipped slightly during September, helping terrestrial channels gain back audience share. The latest BARB figures show viewing of BBC1 in digital homes increased from 16.4% in August to 19% during September, while ITV increased its share from 15.5% to 17.5% in digital homes.ITV continues to lose out in… Continue reading Digital Round-Up – September 2000: Terrestrials Gain Share In Digital Homes
Granada Media has announced that it is to form an independent internet and broadband company in partnership with high street retailer Boots.The company is to launch a health and beauty information and transactional website and interactive digital television channel in February 2001. Revenues from the venture will come from the sales of around 10,000 product… Continue reading Granada Media Teams With Boots To Create Internet and Broadband Company
Matthew Bannister, head of marketing and communications at the BBC, has resigned from his position and will leave the corporation at the end of the year.Greg Dyke regretted his decision to quit in a statement today: “Matthew has been a great colleague in the short time we’ve been working together and the ideas he has… Continue reading Bannister Quits BBC
Granada Media announced its alliance with high street chemist Boots yesterday, to form an internet and broadband company (see Granada Media Teams With Boots To Create Internet and Broadband Company). News of the deal had no effect on Granada’s shares, which remained at £3.92.WPP jumped 37p to end at £7.30 following a positive recommendation.BSkyB shares… Continue reading Sharewatch
Yesterday marked another bad day for media stocks, with shares falling in most cases. This was the case at Bright Station, which is rumoured to be among the companies interested in buying Boxman, the CD e-retailer which announced its intention to take voluntary liquidation yesterday. Shares in Bright Station ended yesterday down 1½p at 55p.Heavier… Continue reading Sharewatch
