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
The digital consortium Switchdigital has announced an addition to its list of shareholders. Carphone Warehouse is to join the Wireless Group, Clear Channel International and Ginger Media Group as part owner and retail partner.Switchdigital, which unites Talk Radio and Virgin Radio, lost the bid for the first digital multiplex licence for London earlier this year… Continue reading Carphone Warehouse Joins Switchdigital
Shares in Granada rose 21˝p to 622˝p as the media group announced it is to merge its television rentals business with rival Radio Rentals in a £1 billion venture called Box Clever.Telewest saw a rise in its share prices as the cable group announced details of its planned merger with pay-TV group Flextech (see Telewest/Flextech… Continue reading Sharewatch
Carlton Communications has teamed up with French commercial broadcaster, TF1, to set up a joint venture to operate internet and online businesses across Europe. Each of the companies is to invest Euro50 million (ďż˝31.5 million) in the venture which will be called @lliance.@lliance is being created to acquire and develop sports, entertainment and interactive rights… Continue reading Carlton Commits 32m To Internet Venture With TF1
IPC is believed to be preparing for a flotation in 2001. The magazine group announced a fall in its full-year profits yesterday. Pre-tax profits for the year to September 30, were £2.8 million.The group gained its independence last year when it bought the company from Reed Elsevier with the help of venture capital group Cinven… Continue reading IPC Prepares For Flotation
Channel 4 has stolen the rights to two key US series, Friends and ER, away from satellite broadcaster BSkyB (see Feature: Channel 4 Is Good Friends With Comedy Shows). In a deal with the programmes’ owners, Warner Brothers International Television, C4 takes both the terrestrial and pay-TV rights to the series, and other Warner TV… Continue reading Channel 4 Steals Friends And ER Rights From Sky
Satellite broadcaster, BSkyB, has strengthened its position with Premier League football this morning by taking a 5.0% stake in Sunderland Football Club. Sky is paying £6.5 million to buy into the club and become its exclusive commercial and media agent for an initial period of five years. Under the contract, revenues made from the media… Continue reading BSkyB Buys Into Sunderland FC
The much-anticipated merger between Telewest and Flextech (see Telewest And Flextech Close To Merger) was delayed yesterday due to legal complications. The two companies are expected to complete the deal, in which Telewest will pay £2 billion for Flextech, in the next few days. Telewest stock closed up 26žp at 340p; Flextech finished up 5p… Continue reading Sharewatch
