Sumner Redstone, chairman of Viacom, refused to rule out a bid for ITV at the Royal Television Society (RTS) dinner in London last night.Redstone was the keynote speaker at the dinner to present RTS Fellowships to Janie Grace, the controller of children’s programmes at ITV and Steve Hewlett, the Director of Programmes at Carlton Television.According… Continue reading Viacom Eyes Prospect Of ITV Takeover
Emap has announced it is to invest £1 million in its weekly Nursing Times magazine, giving it a new look and a new editor.The re-vamp will be supported by an advertising campaign which will include news-stand promotions, direct mail, outdoor and radio ads throughout December. A second wave of promotions is scheduled to start in… Continue reading New Editor And New Look For Nursing Times
American broadcaster CBS is suing Granada, claiming its popular I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here show is a rip off of its Survivor programme.A copyright infringement suit has been filed in New York alleging that I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here “directly copies the format, look and feel of… Continue reading CBS Sues Granada Over I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here
New research unveiled at the Easy TV Event, organised by the ITC in association with the Consumers Association and the Design Council, has recommended a more user-centred approach to the design of digital television.The Easy TV Event, which is part of an ongoing initiative to promote the need for easier to use digital television equipment,… Continue reading Digital TV Urged To Be More User Friendly
The Department of Health has pledged to sweep away “the outdated restrictions” on advertising non-prescription medicines in the UK.The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has launched a consultation proposal to remove all legal restrictions on advertising non-prescription medicines to the public, which could potentially create a lucrative new market for advertisers. Current legislation forbids the advertising… Continue reading Government Set To Relax Regulation On Advertising Drugs
The media sector was mixed on Wednesday as traders awaited key interest rate decisions and after trading closed, the US Federal Reserve slashed rates by 0.5%, enhancing hopes of a similar move by the Bank of England today.Reuters was the market’s big story as a result of unusually heavy turnover in shares which prompted speculation… Continue reading Sharewatch
NTL UK’s managing director, Stephen Carter, has confirmed he is to step down from his role at the end of the year, prompting speculation that he is eyeing the chief executive role at Emap.Barclay Knapp, CEO of NTL said: “Over the past two years Stephen has achieved a great deal at NTL. We are now… Continue reading Stephen Carter To Step Down From NTL
Net losses at debt-laden cable operator, Telewest Communications, fell by 34% to £397 million during the third quarter of the year, the company announced in its interim financial results this morning.Whilst turnover rose by 4% to £1.0 billion and operating loss dropped by 25% to £187 million, the company’s debt has risen by 9% year… Continue reading Telewest Reduces Losses Ahead Of Restructure
The BBC has earmarked Sunday nights for big budget dramas with the announcement of two major projects on BBC1 and BBC2.The two historical adaptations, King Charles II and Byron, will be screened on Sunday nights in November 2003. The move could see the BBC dominating the key Sunday night viewing slot, which is traditionally very… Continue reading BBC Bags Sunday Night Drama Slot
Carlton and Granada are poised to take the plunge and propose a single ITV sales house to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), according to reports today.It is understood that the submission will arrive at the OFT at the end of the month. However, it is widely expected that any merger will be referred to… Continue reading ITV Ready To Push For Single Sales House
