Regional newspaper publisher, Newsquest, has today reported a 23.9% increase in pre-tax profits to £21.4 million for the 13 weeks to 4 April 1999. Operating profit at the group was up by 11.9% to £24.6 million.Newsquest is currently awaiting a Competition Commission report on its plans to bid for rival regional newspaper publisher Portsmouth &… Continue reading Newsquest Profits Up By 24%
The battle between BSkyB and ONdigital to secure digital television (DTV) customers has been taken a step further today with the announcement of set-top box subsidies from both broadcasters.Whilst ONdigital has said that it will offer customers a ‘free’ set-top box (STB) unit when they buy a new £200 TV set, Sky has stolen the… Continue reading Digital TV War Intensifies
This morning’s announcement by BSkyB that it intends to offer digital satellite television customers free set-top boxes and reduced cost BT telephone calls (see Digital TV War Intensifies) has been described by rival digital terrestrial broadcaster, ONdigital, as “great news for the digital TV market.”Sky’s offer comes just as ONdigital unveils its planned promotion of… Continue reading ONdigital May Develop New DTV Offer To Compete With BSkyB
United News & Media suffered a drop in its share price yesterday of 32˝p to 727p, a blow to the boost it received at the end of last week following its acquisition of US technology publisher, CMP Media (see Sharewatch).ONdigital, the digital terrestrial TV venture jointly owned by Carlton and Granada, announced plans today to… Continue reading Sharewatch
Cable & Wireless Communications, the UK’s second largest cable TV and telephony company, has finally confirmed a definite date for the roll out of its digital cable television service. CWC’s digital TV will be commercially available from 1 July 1999 through trials. The complete service, with digital interactive offerings, will be available to customers in… Continue reading Digital TV To Cost CWC £60m
Two posters in the campaign for IPC Magazines’ new men’s title, Later, have been removed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) because of their references to drug use. The national campaign was launched last week and was immediately targeted by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) as being unacceptable.One of the posters read: “Get Some… Continue reading IPC’s Later Poster Campaign Censured By ASA
United News & Media’s boost from the £575 million acquisition of US technology publisher, CMP Media (see United News & Media Acquires US Technology Group In £575m Deal), continued on Friday. UNM shares finished up 39˝p at 759˝p by the end of trading last week. Positive recommendations from brokers lifted UNM further.A positive trading statement… Continue reading Sharewatch
Latest data from CAA/EDI shows cinema admissions in the first quarter of 1999 averaged 2.68 million a week – an 8% increase on the last quarter of 1998.The month of March actually fell year on year, dropping by 14.2% compared to March 1998, when the film Titanic contributed to the high admission figures. Total admissions… Continue reading March 1999 Cinema Admissions – First Quarter Up 8%
Interactive television services company, Open, has announced six new content providers ahead of its planned launched this autumn. WHSmith, Going Places, Abbey National, Manchester United, Yellow Pages and Press Association are all on board for the next stage in television services. The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) has published a paper on religious language and imagery… Continue reading Newsline Brief
It is understood that Leeds-based media buying agency Media Brokerage (Mark Nicholas Media) has closed its business with significant outstanding debts. The phone is not being answered at Media Brokerage’s offices.
