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The ITC has concluded that there is no need for a public interest test with regard to the proposed merger between Grampian Television and the Scottish Media Group.ITC: 0171 306 7743

On 9 July President Bill Clinton dealt a major blow to the proposed $368.5 billion deal reached previously between tobacco producers and litigants concerning various class action legal suits. The deal meant that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would have to show that the reduction of nicotine levels in tobacco would not mean a… Continue reading US: Clinton blow to tobacco deal

The UK Government appears to have moved away from the immediate, full-scale ban on sponsorship that was originally proposed by Frank Dobson, the Health Minister. Instead of an immediate ban there are likely to be a series of transitional measures to phase out tobacco sponsorship over a number of years. This phasing-out would be in… Continue reading UK: Government sets up new agenda

The Council meeting in Luxembourg has failed to make any progress on the creation of a Guarantee Fund for the film and audiovisual industry. The majority of delegations were in favour of the proposal and the Luxembourg delegation has undertaken to try to make progress under its presidency, which started on 1 July. It is… Continue reading EU: Council stalled over Guarantee Fund

Stewart Butterfield, Channel 4’s director of sales and marketing, has been appointed managing director of Granada UK Broadcasting. Butterfield, will be responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating Granada Media Group’s UK broadcasting interests.Butterfield was an unsuccessful candidate for Michael Grade’s job at Channel 4.David Liddiment, the current MD, is to take-up a new senior position at… Continue reading Granada Knows What Side Its Bread Is Buttered

The Sun Banking Corporation, the banking arm of Sun Life of Canada, has extended its sponsorship of Stevenage Borough Football Club for the 1997/8 season.The Corporation stated: “the Bank has received significant national media coverage in the press and on television. This has proved to be a most cost-effective means of promoting the Bank.”Sun Banking… Continue reading The Sun Banks On The Boro

Bernard Kouchner, French health minister, has indicated that he is seeking ways of strengthening the Evin Law, which bans alcohol and tobacco advertising in most media. He also appears to have closed off the possibility of accommodating the problems caused by the law for Anheuser-Busch, one of the major sponsors of next year’s soccer World… Continue reading EU: French minister to strengthen law

Subject to board approval, Andy Barnes will succeed Stuart Butterfield as sales and marketing director at Channel 4. Butterfield is leaving to become managing director of Granada UK. Barnes is currently Butterfield’s deputy.Channel 4: 0171 396 4444

The EC has declared that a monopoly on television advertising awarded on cultural grounds by the Flanders Regional government to the Flemish television channel VTM contravenes EU Treaty rules on competition and freedom to provide services. The ruling was made on 26 June and followed a complaint brought by VT4, a rival broadcaster based in… Continue reading EU: EC judgement in VTM case

The EC has given formal notice to the Spanish government that it must amend Spain’s ley Digital (which took effect on 3 May – see AIG Notices 18) following a complaint from the digital television provider CanalSatelite; the complaint argued that the new law was obstructing the company in its competition with rival Telefonica. The… Continue reading SP: EC takes action on decoders