Rupert Murdoch, 40% owner of BSkyB, said yesterday that there was to be no merger between the broadcaster and French pay-TV group Canal Plus following reports of talks over recent months (see Newsline).The talks, which commenced early this year between the two broadcasters, were suspended after disagreements about management of the possible merged group. However,… Continue reading Murdoch Rules Out BSkyB/Canal Plus Merger
It has emerged this morning that media group EMAP has acquired magazine publisher, Wagadon. The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed by EMAP. Amongst Wagadon’s magazines portfolio are Arena, The Face and Frank; EMAP publishes numerous titles including FHM.More details will follow as soon as they are available.EMAP: 01733 568 900 Wagadon: 0171… Continue reading EMAP Acquires Wagadon For Undisclosed Sum
Shares in regional newspaper group Adscene continued to soar yesterday, closing up 27˝p (12%) at 257p. This boost in value follows the announcement of a £75.4 million management buy-in at the group, along with the sale of Adscene’s Midlands newspapers to Northcliffe Newspapers for £44.5 million (see 3i Backs £75.4m Management Buy-In Of Adscene).Global media… Continue reading Sharewatch
GWR sales house, Opus, is to take control of airtime sales for the two London News Radio stations, News Direct 97.3FM and LBC 1152 AM. The stations, which will be sold in tandem by Opus, were previously handled by an in-house sales team at London News Radio. This sales team has now been incorporated into… Continue reading Opus Takes Sales For London News Radio Stations
Sky Digital is adding three new channels to its television portfolio today, with the arrival of MTV Extra, MTV Base and VH1 Classic on its digital satellite television service.MTV Extra carries an alternative choice of programming to MTV, and allows viewers to catch up on shows missed first time round. MTV Base is dedicated entirely… Continue reading Sky Digital Brings Three More Channels On Air
Independent Television News (ITN) has signed a new five year agreement with Channel 5 to continue supplying its news until 2004. The new contract replaces a deal between the two groups which was due to expire in 2002 and includes a committment to maintain 5 News as a ‘trend setting’ news service.Under the new contract… Continue reading ITN To Be Supplier Of Channel 5 News Until 2004
EMAP this morning announced the acquisition of Wagadon, specialist publisher of men’s and fashion magazines, for an undisclosed sum. The merger of the two publishing operations boosts EMAP’s portfolio of titles, with Wagadon’s Arena, The Face and Frank particularly complementing EMAP Metro’s stable of titles, which includes best-selling men’s lifestyle mag, FHM.The sale of Wagadon… Continue reading EMAP Boosts Consumer Magazine Portfolio With Acquisition Of Wagadon
The GWR Group has today announced the acquisition of Plymouth Sound, which operates an AM and FM licence in the South West.GWR, owner of Classic FM, bought the group for £5.28 million from The Local Radio Company (TLRC). GWR already had an interest in Plymouth Sound through its 20% holding in TLCR. Plymouth Sound’s two… Continue reading GWR Acquires Plymouth Sound For £5.3 Million
Scottish Radio Holdings fell by 17˝p to 950p yesterday. The group denied rumours yesterday that it was in merger talks with Clear Channel (see Newsline).Adscene’s stock remained unchanged at 229˝p, but reports are emerging this morning that the regional newspaper group is being split in two in a deal involving 3i and Northcliffe Newspapers. Details… Continue reading Sharewatch
The latest batch of readership figures, released by the National Readership Survey (NRS) yesterday, show that the Sunday national newspapers are continuing to shed readers. Year on year only the Independent On Sunday, Mail On Sunday and the Observer reported increases in readership.The News Of The World, Sunday Express, Sunday Mirror, Sunday People, Sunday Telegraph… Continue reading National Newspaper NRS Round-Up – May 1999
