Impacts ITV’s impacts were down for all audience categories year on year in June. This was due to the especially high number of impacts last year caused by the Network’s coverage of the World Cup. Men dropped back by 19.1% to 8,714 and ABC1 Adults were down 12.9% to 8,209. Conversely, Channel 4 enjoyed increases… Continue reading TV Round-Up – June 1999
NTL has today acquired the telephone, internet and television operations of Cable & Wireless Communications plc (CWC ConsumerCo), at a cost of £8.2 billion. The deal to buy CWC is being backed by France Telecom, which has spent $5.5 billion increasing its stake in NTL from its current position of 10% (see NTL Enters Exclusive… Continue reading NTL Spends £8.2bn On Cable & Wireless Communications
Shares in the free internet service provider Freeserve are expected to open at 150p, which would value the company at £1.5 billion. Freeserve, which is being floated by parent company electrical retailer Dixons, is said to be over-subscribed by between 10 and 30 times.The huge demand for Britain’s first big internet flotation, due mainly to… Continue reading Huge Scramble For Shares In Freeserve
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has this morning approved the takeover bids for Mirror Group by both Trinity and Regional Independent Media (RIM) (see Trinity Offers £1 Billion For Mirror Group). However trade and industry secretary, Stephen Byers, has stipulated that Trinity divest of its four Northern Ireland titles – the Belfast Telegraph,… Continue reading DTI Approves Mirror Group Takeover Bids
The Office Of Fair Trading (OFT) is to review undertakings given by ITV companies, Granada and Carlton, and broadcasting and financial services group, MAI, which limit each company’s control of TV advertising revenue to 25% of the market.In 1994 Granada acquired LWT, Carlton acquired Central Television and MAI bought Anglian Television. The result of these… Continue reading OFT To Review ITV Companies’ Revenue Share Restrictions
Vivendi, the French media and utilities group, last night sealed an £825 million deal to increase its stake in satellite broadcaster BSkyB to 24.5%. At the same time the company also raised its stake in French pay-TV company, Canal Plus, to 49%. Vivendi is now actively looking for an international strategic partnership for Canal Plus… Continue reading Vivendi Raises Stake In BSkyB To 25%
Following reports that Gavyn Davies’ review of funding at the BBC may recommend a £35 increase to the licence fee, nine of the leading commercial television broadcasters met yesterday in London to formalise a collective lobbying strategy. Of particular concern to the group is the possibility that the BBC may introduce an increase of £35… Continue reading Commercial Broadcasters Unite Against BBC ‘Digital Tax’
The start of the fifth series of Friends has given Channel 4 a welcome boost to its Friday night line-up. The episode featuring the aftermath of Ross’ wedding day mix up, attracted an audience of 5.81 million and had a consolidated viewing share of 29%. The presence of such a strong leader programme helped push… Continue reading TV Viewing Summary W/E 11.07.99
News that French media and utilities group, Vivendi, had increased its stake in BSkyB to 24.5% sent a number of media stocks soaring. BSkyB itself finished up 5p at 555˝p. Vivendi acquired Pearson and Granada’s minority stakes in Sky for £825 million, valuing the satellite broadcaster at 600p per share (see Vivendi Raises Stake In… Continue reading Sharewatch
Talk Radio today augmented its coverage of British football clubs’ European matches by signing an exclusive radio rights deal with Newcastle United. The deal means that Talk will be the only station with broadcast rights for all of Newcastle United’s UEFA Cup games in the 1999/2000 season. Talk also signed a similar deal with Manchester… Continue reading Talk Radio Boosts European Football Coverage With Newcastle Rights
