The Competition Commission yesterday sent letters to the main parties involved in the proposed acquisitions by Granada of Carlton Communications and United News and Media (see Granada Referred To The Competition Commission). The letter, which highlights those matters which have been identified by the investigating group for further consideration, was made public in order to… Continue reading Competition Commission Sends Issues Letters To Granada Merger Companies
Programmes This month was a pretty sparse one for top notch programmes, with BBC1’s Monarch of the Glen proving to be one of the few successful new television series. Viewing figures for the rural drama hovered around the 8 million mark throughout March, with consolidated share of viewing around 30%. The good performance of the… Continue reading TV Viewing Round Up – March 2000
Speculation continued yesterday about a possible bid for Emap from Yahoo!. As a result Emap shares finished up 38p at £11.38.Dialog shares rose yesterday, following the company’s entry into a partnership involving its search engine unit WebTop.com and news feed supplier Moreover.com. Shares rose 7p to 104½p.Newscom released a good set of first quarter results… Continue reading Sharewatch
Regional newspaper group Newscom has invited potential buyers to formally approach its board following the release of healthy first quarter results yesterday (see Newscom Announces “Excellent” First Quarter Results). The Competition Commission has given clearance for Newsquest, Johnston Press and Trinity Mirror to bid for the group (see Competition Commission Clears Newscom Bids) for whose… Continue reading Newscom Invites Formal Approaches From Potential Buyers
Newscom yesterday announced a 53.6% rise in operating profits for the first quarter of this year. Profits rose to £8.4m during the 14 weeks before 1 April this year. This figure includes the Christmas to New Year week, but with this discounted, the increase would be 64.7% to £9m.Pre-tax profits increased to £7.9m, compared to… Continue reading Newscom Announces “Excellent” First Quarter Results
BSkyB’s interactive TV reward scheme has exceeded its first monthly response target of 100,000 entries. Sky Rewards offers digital subscribers the chance to enter competitions for prizes such as concert tickets. The scheme has attracted 231,000 entries since its launch on March 20, with nine out of ten entries recieved via Sky’s interactive TV service,… Continue reading Sky Exceeds Target Uptake For Loyalty Scheme
The latest findings of ongoing research into the habits of Britains AB consumers have been released today. The VIPer panel project was established in May last year by a consortium including Channel Four and Condé Naste Publications (see VIPer Research Targets ABs). The first wave of findings, unveiled last November, identified seven sub-categories of affluent… Continue reading Second Wave Of VIPer Research Released
GWR’s group programme director Steve Orchard took the opportunity at the Music Radio 2000 conference yesterday to challenge the BBC’s decision to accept sponsorship from music website Worldpop for the Top 40 chart (see BBC’s Top 40 Gets Commercial Sponsor). Confronting Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt, Orchard said that if financial benefits from the £4m… Continue reading BBC Faces Pressure For Transparency Over Top 40 Sponsorship
The Competition Commission has allowed the acquisition by Vivendi of a minority stake in BSkyB (see Vivendi Raises Stake In BSkyB To 25%). The decision was announced yesterday by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, who had referred the case to the commission last year (see Cable & Wireless Communications “Disappointed”… Continue reading Vivendi Given Clearance For BSkyB Stake
There was speculation yesterday that US Internet portal Yahoo! was considering a takeover bid for Emap. Shares in the UK magazine publishers reached a peak three months ago of £17.73. Yesterday they closed 141p up at £11.00.Reuters Group released first quarter results showing solid revenue growth. In response shares in the group rose 23p to… Continue reading Sharewatch
