Anglo-Dutch publisher, Reed Elsevier, is reported to be considering the disposal of its business publishing and exhibitions interests ahead of a possible resumption of merger talks with Dutch group Wolters Kluwer.According to the Observer this weekend, Reed’s publishing division, which produces Computer Weekly and Variety magazines, could raise around £4 billion if sold off. Potential… Continue reading Speculation Surrounds Reed Elsevier’s Business Titles
Centaur Communications, publisher of Marketing Week, has made its largest acquisition to date: the £10 million purchase of a number of products from Miller Freeman UK. Centaur has acquired six magazines, one newsletter, four exhibitions and a number of associated products and websites from Miller Freeman’s industrial and manufacturing group. BSkyB is reported to be… Continue reading Newsline Brief
Trade and industry secretary, Stephen Byers, has blocked BSkyB’s takeover bid for Manchester United Football Club. BSkyB offered £623 million for the club and it was expected that the deal would be allowed to go ahead, with certain conditions in place.Over the last few weeks, since the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) handed its report… Continue reading BSkyB’s Man Utd Takeover Is Blocked
Media communications specialist, Tempus, has announced a 27% increase in turnover during 1998 to £1.23 million. Pre-tax profit increased by 40% over the year to £13.2 million, and basic earnings per share were up 15% to 10.8p.Tempus rebranded last May from CIA Group to avoid confusion between it and its core operational brand CIA Medianetwork… Continue reading Tempus Reports 40% Increase In Profit
Granada and Carlton both saw substantial increases in their share prices by the close of trading yesterday after their joint venture – ONdigital – announced it had signed 110,000 subscribers to its new digital television service since its launch last year (see Newsline). Granada climbed 44p to 1350p, and Carlton increased its price by 20˝p,… Continue reading Sharewatch
IPC Magazines has unveiled the marketing and promotions plans for its forthcoming men’s lifestyle title, Later (see Newsline).Pre-launch plans include an extensive sampling campaign which will run for the ten days before the magazine’s launch on 28 April. Half a million copies will be distributed to retailers such as HMV, WHSmith, Tesco, Virgin and Virgin… Continue reading IPC Outlines Marketing Plans For Later
Reacting to the news that Stephen Byers, secretary of state for trade and industry, has blocked its takeover of Manchester United (see BSkyB’s Man Utd Takeover Is Blocked), BSkyB this afternoon says it “remains convinced it did not raise any competition or wider public interest concerns.” Sky reiterated its mantra that the deal would have… Continue reading BSkyB ‘Remains Convinced’ Man Utd Deal Should Not Have Blocked
A third of adults and 53% of 15-34 year olds believe that ITV is improving its schedule since dropping the News At Ten, according to the latest report by CIA Sensor (see Newsline).Six out of ten people were pleased that they can now watch films and programmes on ITV without being interrupted by the News… Continue reading ‘New ITV Schedule Gets The Thumbs Up’ Says CIA Survey
Channel 5 is to launch a new youth zone on 24 April. A key programme of the schedule will be a new drama series, bought from New Zealand production company, Cloud 9, called the The Tribe.The youth programmes will be hosted by Kate McIntyre and a host of hyperactive cartoon characters. For the first time… Continue reading Channel 5 Rolls Out New Youth Zone
ONdigital announced at a press conference this morning that 110,000 households have subscribed to its digital terrestrial service since the launch in November last year (see Newsline). Stephen Grabiner, chief executive of ONdigital, commented: “We have built the world’s first digital terrestrial pay television business from scratch. Our early subscriber base is strong and we… Continue reading ONdigital And Bush Offer Digital TV Sets For £500
