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
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) is inviting public comment on whether a proposed merger between Granada and United News & Media would act against public interest. The Commission has taken the unusual step of asking for comments without a formal bid being made due to the particular circumstances of the case.Granada announced its intention to… Continue reading ITC Invites Views On Granada’s Proposed Acquisition Of United
MediaTel today launched a new online media availability service, MediaTrader. Providing an immediate, easy-to-use and efficient interface between media buyers and media owners, offering bespoke packages, specific promotions, sponsorship and events, as well as short-term opportunities, it has been designed to supplement the existing trading processes, and for many involved marks the first step towards… Continue reading MediaTel Launches MediaTrader
The Sunday Express has launched a new A4 magazine supplement with content including beauty, fashion, health and full weekly TV listings. The 84-page magazine, which aims to attract new advertising categories, also includes a children’s section and celebrity writers. The first issue was launched this weekend and is backed by a TV campaign. The BBC… Continue reading Newsline Brief
Broadcaster BSkyB has signed a deal with e-commerce business LetsBuyIt.com. The group paid £10 million for a stake in the pan-European company, which specialises in co-buying.Selling products ranging from kitchen appliances to resort holidays, LetsBuyIt.com brings together people who want to buy the same product and allows them to negotiate prices online. The more people… Continue reading BSkyB Buys Stake In LetsBuyIt.com
The confirmation of reports that Pearson is to merge its television business with CLT-Ufa (see Pearson In Merger Deal To Create European TV Giant) was thought to be behind new enthusiasm for media shares on Friday. Pearson shares rose 267p to £23.21.United News and Media and Carlton Communications both saw a rise in share price… Continue reading Sharewatch
It is believed that Capital Radio is to table a rival bid for Border TV this week. Border has already rejected an offer from Scottish Radio Holdings, saying the bid failed to recognise value within the company (see Border Seeks Alternatives To Hostile Scottish Radio Bid).The offer from Capital would be expected to be more… Continue reading Capital Radio Prepares Border TV Bid
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
Representatives of the regional press have called for the relaxation of ownership laws surrounding the industry. At a Newspaper Society Forum, chief executives of the UK’s largest regional press groups said that current regulations were outdated.Tim Bowdler, chief executive of Johnston Press said: “There is an overwhelming need for change in the media ownership regime… Continue reading Regional Press Laws Are Outdated, Says Tim Bowdler
The Guardian Media Group has won the Independent Local Radio Licence for the South Wales area. The group beat six other applicants in its bid for the licence with its programming proposal under the banner of Real Radio (see Seven Applicants Bid For South Wales Licence).Broadcasting across an area which includes Swansea, Newport and Cardiff,… Continue reading Guardian Group Wins South Wales Licence
