Further speculation about the proposed merger between United News & Media and Carlton Communications (see Carlton And United News & Media Set For £7.8bn Merger) continued to affect shares. The City is now convinced that the Competition Commission will not allow it to go ahead and believes United will fall prey to Granada instead. United… Continue reading Sharewatch
Over a third of the UK population believe that the quality of programming on the BBC has declined but still value its quality. These are the results of a CIA Sensor survey in which adults were asked their opinions on multi-channel and public service broadcasting.The results are timely, coming as they do in the week… Continue reading BBC Programming Has Declined, Says 40% Of The Population
Over 25% of all homes passed and marketed by broadband cable operators take cable television, according to the latest figures released by the Independent Television Commission (ITC). This marks the eighth successive quarter in which the cable penetration rate has risen.A total 12.9% of all TV homes now take cable television, compared to 12.6% in… Continue reading Over One In Four Choose Cable Television
WHSmith has strengthened its plans to become a leading online book seller by today announcing a deal to join Telewest’s interactive cable TV service, Active Digital (see Telewest Builds Interactive Service To Rival Open).Under the agreement, WHSmith will sell books, CDs, videos and stationery through the service’s interactive platform which is due to launch next… Continue reading WHSmith Signs Up To Telewest Digital Service
Cable group Telewest was one of the worst performers on the FTSE 100 yesterday, slipping 17žp to 316žp. Its proposed merger with Flextech (see Telewest/Flextech Merger Plans Revealed) and the consequential dilution of earnings is still causing concern within the market with analysts delaying profitability forecasts until at least 2003.Shares in Reuters leapt yesterday as… Continue reading Sharewatch
Clear Channel International has announced the appointment of Stevie Spring as chief executive of its outdoor advertising arm, More Group UK. She will take up the position in February after leaving her current job as managing director of the Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R advertising agency.Chief executive of CCI, Roger Parry, said: “We are delighted to… Continue reading More Group Appoints New Chief Executive
The Wireless Group, which owns Talk Radio and nine regional UK radio stations, is to launch its own in-house sales company on Tuesday 4 January. Called Impact, it will form a one-stop shop for clients and agencies around the country.Tim Bleakley, currently sales director for the Wireless Group, will become managing director of the new… Continue reading The Wireless Group Launches New Sales House
Trinity Mirror has confirmed that it is interested in making a takeover bid for regional newspaper publisher, Newscom. Trinity has approached the Newscom Board and has written to the secretary of state for Trade and Industry, Stephen Byers, seeking permission to make a bid.Trinity Mirror’s interest follows similar letters to the Department of Trade and… Continue reading Trinity Mirror Confirms Interest In Newscom
The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has rejected plans for the introduction of an extra charge to the licence fee to help fund the BBC’s digital services. The MPs on the Committee were responding to the independent funding review panel, chaired by economist Gavyn Davies, which proposed that digital TV viewers… Continue reading MPs Reject BBC Digital Licence Levy
The Granada Group launched its internet entertainment service provider yesterday, three months later than planned (see Granada Seeks Agency For Net Project). The ISP offers access to a range of sites based around Granada’s highest rating television programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale, as well as providing e-mail and internet access to its subscribers.The… Continue reading Granada Launches G-Wizz
