There was speculation yesterday that Spanish telecoms group, Telefonica, was considering selling its 5% stake in Pearson. Both sides are said to be frustrated with the working relationship. As a result Pearson shares ended 254p down at £21.05.The three companies wrangling over merger deals to create the UK’s largest commercial television broadcasting group – Granada,… Continue reading Sharewatch
Scottish Radio Holdings announced its final bid for Border Television yesterday. Scottish Radio has increased its original offer (see Scottish Radio Launches £116m Hostile Bid For Border TV) to around £141m, having made progress in getting Border to discuss the deal for the first time on Monday. The new offer would give 5 new SRH… Continue reading Scottish Radio Raises Bid As Border Shares Rise
The Radio Authority has announced six new measures to explain and give access to more of its processes. Launching the initiatives, Richard Hooper, who chairs the Authority, said: “I see openness and transparency as fundamental to strengthening the relationship between the regulator and the regulated.”The measures relax the ‘purdah’ rules governing contact between the Authority… Continue reading Radio Authority Announces Initiatives To Increase Openness And Transparency
Following the purchase of Ginger Media in January (see Scottish Media Gets Regulator’s Approval For Ginger Takeover), Scottish Media Group has announced plans to restructure its share capital. The plans will effectively create a 4-for-1 share split and also involve rebranding in order to reflect a wider UK presence.The scheme is still subject to approval.… Continue reading Scottish Media Group Announces Restructure Plans
ONdigital said today it had 673,000 subscribers to its digital terrestrial platform, and expects this number to rise to 1 million by the end of the year. The pay-tv company, which is joint-owned by Carlton Communications and Granada, said that its sales had increased by 22% for the three-month period to the end of March.A… Continue reading ONdigital On Target To Reach 1 Million Subs By End Of Year
News that Capital Radio is about to launch a rival bid for Border Television (see Capital Radio Prepares Border TV Bid) caused Border shares to rise again yesterday, gaining 27˝p to £11.82˝. The television companies suitors fared less well, with Capital Radio falling 75p to £15.12˝ and original bidder Scottish Radio Holdings falling 12˝p to… Continue reading Sharewatch
Outdoor advertising company, the More Group, today announced the acquisition of Barnett’s Taxi Advertising, a London-based company tagged “the name behind the names on cabs”.Stevie Spring, chief executive of the More Group, said: “Barnett’s extensive knowledge of the London area and regional market combined with More Group’s national strength is a winning combination. It means… Continue reading More Acquires Taxi Advertising Group
The Daily Mail has agreed for its January 2000 circulation figures to be re-issued following an investigation by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). Revised monthly figures are currently available, with six-monthly data due next week.The investigation was initiated when two complaints from within the industry were received by the audit bureau. Sales figures during… Continue reading Daily Mail Circulation Figures Re-Issued
NTL has today launched its free internet service, to be shortly followed by TV-based internet access. The PC version of ntlworld, offering internet calls, ISP subscription and call connection for free, has launched today ahead of its scheduled date of 17 April, when the TV-internet service will go live.The group announced its intention to enter… Continue reading NTL Launches Free Internet Service Ahead Of Schedule
Sky Sports will launch its latest sports news service today. Skysports.comTV was available from 6am to digital subscribers and has been designed to act as a companion to the online service at www.skysports.com. The new channel will replace Sky Sports News , from which it evolved.Viewers will see the main broadcast image surrounded by graphics… Continue reading Sky Launches New Sports News Service
