Independent News & Media (INM) has been given clearance from the Competition Commission to acquire the Belfast Telegraph group from Trinity Mirror plc, as it is not thought that the transfer would operate against the public interest.Stephen Byers made the announcement yesterday, saying that when considering the Commission’s report he had been “mindful of the… Continue reading INM Acquisition Of Belfast Telegraph Group Cleared
The countries of Europe may be moving towards a state of unification, but the needs of outdoor markets across the continent continue to be diverse, according to a new survey. A study was conducted among leading figures in European Advertising by the Henley Centre on behalf of Clear Channel. It found that while pan-European advertising… Continue reading Pan European Outdoor Campaigns Are The Future, But Markets Remain Diverse
ITV’s “…from Hell” series of documentaries has fallen foul of the Independent Television Commission (ITC) for language broadcast in an April episode.The programme Salesmen from Hell attracted 29 complaints from viewers because of language including the sentence, “You walk like a wanker, you talk like a wanker, you dress like a wanker.” The programme was… Continue reading ITC Upholds Complaints On Language From Hell In ITV Documentary
BSkyB has confirmed that from today it will take a controlling stake in Open, the interactive TV service company, in a move rumoured to be imminent last week (see BSkyB Seeks Control Of OpenTony Ball, chief executive of BSkyB said plans for the future of Open included, “increased usage, more content partners, a wider range… Continue reading BSkyB Takes Control Of Open, Plans To Improve Look, Feel and Services
Proposals from regional newspaper groups Gannett and Johnston Press to bid for Regional Independent Media have been referred to the trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers. The regulatory body has until 27 September to decide if the proposed takeover bids act against the public interest and to report on its findings.Last month Gannett began a… Continue reading RIM Bids Referred To Competition Commission
The news that the Competition Commission has approved the potential merger plans of Carlton, Granada and United News & Media (see DTI Clears Way For ITV Merger) had a dramatic effect on the share prices of the companies involved. Granada Group jumped 21p to £6.38. Granada’s recently floated media interest, Granada Media (see Granada Media… Continue reading Sharewatch
As a three-week countdown to a decision on the future of the UK television industry begins, rumours and expectations are surrounding the big three ITV players. Under Takeover Panel rules, Carlton, United and Granada have three weeks to conduct discussions before declaring their preferred outcome, after Stephen Byers gave the go-ahead for consolidation of ITV… Continue reading Carlton Considers Dropping Out As Countdown To Two-Way ITV Merger Begins
Alec Davidson is now president of the Newspaper Society for 2000-2001. The managing director of Northcliffe Newspapers took over the role at a meeting of the Society’s Countil of Members on Wednesday. In a speech, Davidson said that he wanted to make the industry stronger “economically and politically”. Capital Radio’s former group head of programmes,… Continue reading Appointments Brief
Stephen Byers has published the assessment and recommendations he received from John Bridgeman, the director general of fair trading, in regard to the ITV mergers.He agreed with the Competition Commission’s decision that it would be undesirable to allow a merger which created a single company with a dominant position within the ITV network. The Competition… Continue reading Details Of DGFT’s Advice On ITV Mergers Published
Both Carlton and United have issued statements welcoming this morning’s verdict from the DTI which clears the way for a merger between the two ITV groups. But all eyes are on Granada as it decides which of its rivals it will mount a bid for.Carlton and United are carefully studying the report issued by the… Continue reading Carlton And United Welcome Merger Clearance
