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
The Telegraph group is launching a series of promotions aimed at attracting women to its titles. Focusing on six distinct areas – skincare, travel, fashion, interiors, beauty and health – it will offer monthly discounts on products and treatments.Called More for Me, the campaign intends to raise the proportion of female readers of the Telegraph… Continue reading Telegraph Launches Promotion To Lure Women
The Department of Trade and Industry has effectively ended the six year undertaking by ITV companies not to exceed 25% ownership of all TV net advertising revenue (NAR), by allowing the proposed mergers between Granada and either United News & Media or Carlton, or between United News & Media and Carlton to go ahead.Stephen Byers,… Continue reading ITV Merger Ruling Abolishes 25% Advertising Revenue Limit
IPC is set to launch a magazine for the burgeoning consumer technology magazine sector (see Feature: Home Computing Magazine Market Goes From Strength To Strength). The group has succeeded in poaching Jim Lennox, editor of Computeractive, for the new venture. The VNU title has already lost deputy editor Dylan Armbrust to Future (see Computeractive’s Deputy… Continue reading Launches Brief
Emap announced that it had increased ad revenues with its cross-media strategy in a first quarter report yesterday (see Cross-Media Ads Push Revenues At Emap). Shares in the company ended up 43p at £11.48.Reuters continues to ride a wave of market confidence (see Sharewatch). Shares ended up 20p yesterday at £13.60.Another good performer yesterday was… Continue reading Sharewatch
Trade secretary Stephen Byers has announced his decision on the three-way merger battle between Granada, United and Carlton. He has given the go-ahead for Granada to take over either of its rivals, Carlton Communications or United News & Media, but has imposed conditions on the proposed merger between United and Carlton.He said that a merger… Continue reading DTI Clears Way For ITV Merger
