It has emerged that Greg Dyke, the chairman of Pearson Television, is to be the new director-general of the BBC. Dyke will takeover from Sir John Birt next March.The decision is surrounded by controversy due to Dyke’s links with the Labour Party in the past, and Tory leader William Hague has demanded an urgent meeting… Continue reading Dyke To Be Next BBC Director General
Following news this morning that Greg Dyke is to be the next director general of the BBC (see Newsline), Dyke has resigned from the Labour Party and pledged to uphold the Corporation’s reputation for independence.Commenting on the appointment this morning, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the biggest and best job… Continue reading Dyke Pledges To Uphold BBC’s Independence
Newsquest’s share price soared up 32p to 455p yesterday following the announcement of a takeover bid by US publishing group Gannett (see Newsline).Pearson, which yesterday announced that it was off-loading its share in Lazards, also shot up 78p to 1328p (see Newsline).Emap, whose shares have fallen recently due to the announced ban on tobacco advertising,… Continue reading Sharewatch
ITN, the TV news production company, is understood to be in the process of planning a 24-hour UK rolling news service, which it hopes will bring the ITN brand forward over the next few years. ITN already has a 50% stake in EuroNews, the multilingual rolling news service, and it is thought that this could… Continue reading ITN Considers 24-Hour Rolling News Service
The Guardian Unlimited network of websites has finalised an editorial and classified advertising content deal with portal site Yahoo UK & Ireland. Under the deal, Yahoo will carry editorial content from across the Guardian Unlimited network and all advertising from the Jobs Unlimited recruitment site.The group has also secured content partnership deals with a number… Continue reading Guardian Unlimited Creates Advertising Partnership With Yahoo UK & Ireland
Express Newspapers have appointed Anne Mollen to the post of director of new media. She was previously head of business development at the group. Udirect, the pay-per-view film service launched earlier this month (see DBC Launches Udirect PPV Film Service With £4m Campaign), has appointed Bernadette O’Reilly as sales director. Cabal Communications men’s title front… Continue reading Newsline Brief
For the second time this week, Channel 4’s gay drama Queer As Folk is in the spotlight causing controversy. The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) received 138 complaints about the series according to its latest bulletin.Complainants were concerned about the portrayal of homosexuality in the series, explicit sexual scenes, drug use and bad language. The BSC… Continue reading BSC Tackles More Channel 4 Gay Drama Controversy
The Advertising Association (AA) has published its annual Advertising Statistics Yearbook this week, showing that advertising spend rose to £14.3 billion during 1998 and accounted for its highest ever share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Press continues to attract the bulk of adspend, grabbing a 52% share. Expenditure on newspaper classified advertising increased by 5.6% during… Continue reading ‘Press Claims Bulk Of Adspend Share’ Says Advertising Association
Cable & Wireless Communications continued to rise yesterday after announcing the opening of a new call centre in Swansea. The group climbed 20˝p to 646˝p.Highbury House Communications, the publisher which yesterday announced the acquisition of Wyvern Crest, rose by žp to 26˝p (see Newsline).Regional newspaper group Newsquest fell 2˝p to 423p yesterday. It emerged this… Continue reading Sharewatch
Pearson, international media group and publisher of the Financial Times, is selling its 50% interests in the French investment banker Lazards to investment company Gaz et Eaux, for £410 million. This ends an 80 year relationship between Pearson and Lazards.Lazards’ main activities are investment banking and asset management. Pearson intends to use proceeds from the… Continue reading Pearson Sells Lazards Stake For £410m
