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The BBC has outlined its case for a new licence fee settlement, calling for an increase of RPI plus 2.3% a year from April 2007, taking the total cost per household to £150.50 by 2013, compared with the current cost of £126.50.The increase, the Corporation claims, will help deliver the move to a fully digital… Continue reading BBC Requests Increased Licence Fee For Digital Britain

IPC ignite! is to broaden the appeal of its Uncut music and movie title with the publication of a sister magazine, Uncut DVD.The new title will focus on the “world’s finest movies,” offering readers background information on both new and old movies, as well as reviews, interviews and behind-the-scenes access to the “greatest films ever… Continue reading IPC Broadens Uncut Offering With DVD Title

Tonight sees Channel 4 launch its second digital entertainment channel, with More4 due to begin broadcasting to Freeview, Sky and Cable households at 8pm this evening.The new channel, which will broadcast daily from 4pm to 6am after tonight’s launch, has already courted controversy, with its launch schedule including a satirical drama on former home secretary… Continue reading More4 Set For Debut Broadcast Tonight

Reports over the weekend claim French entrepreneur and chairman of Havas, Vincent Bollore, is preparing to increase his stake in British media firm Aegis to nearly 20%, adding further credence to rumours that his Groupe Bollore will soon make an offer for purchase of the company.Bollore has been steadily increasing his stake in Aegis for… Continue reading Bollore Set To Increase Aegis Share Further

Research and analysis firm Ipsos has announced the purchase of rival MORI in a deal worth £88 million, bringing the famous research brand under its control and renaming it Ipsos Mori.The acquisition significantly expands Ipsos’ capabilities in the UK, as well as widening its abilities in the European and global markets.MORI’s reputation is well established… Continue reading Ipsos Boost Profile With MORI Merger

Associated Newspapers and Metro International today confirmed the creation of an Irish edition of Metro, the free morning newspaper, to be published in partnership with The Irish Times Limited.The newspaper will be launched today in Dublin, with Metro International initially owning 10%, while Associated commands 90% of the new venture’s share capital.Pending clearance from competition… Continue reading Metro Branches Out With Irish Edition

BSkyB is to allow advertisers to sell goods directly to customers through interactive TV advertisements, with viewers able to purchase using a credit or debit card directly via their TV set.Viewers pressing red during an interactive advert will now be able to leave the broadcast stream and be taken to a specially created dedicated advertiser… Continue reading Sky Plans Purchases Through Interactive Ads

Reports this morning point to yet more upheaval for Britain’s cable industry, following ntl and Telewest’s confirmation of their merger earlier this week, with a consortium of American investors plotting a takeover bid for both companies in what could be one of the most complex private-equity transactions ever undertaken.According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ),… Continue reading Cable Giants Face Second Takeover By US Investors

UKTV is to launch a dedicated sports channel later this month, according to reports this morning, with the name UKTV Sport being used in a soft launch next week.According to the Guardian, the new channel is the result of extra funding secured by UKTV, which has enabled the project to go ahead after years of… Continue reading UKTV To Launch Sports Channel

ITV chief executive Charles Allen was today branded as the broadcaster’s “architect of decline” in an open letter from John Billett, chairman of consulting and auditing company Billets.The letter from Billett to Campaign magazine paints the ITV boss in a very poor light, stating that his preoccupation with revenues has led to a decline in… Continue reading Allen Is ITV’s ‘Architect Of Decline’ Says Billetts Boss