Liberty Media has disclosed that it is to extend an offer to acquire bonds of the UK cable operator, Telewest after a group of bondholders filed a lawsuit claiming that the offer was illegal. Telewest, which is £5.3 billion in debt, announced last week that it was to begin refinancing negotiations (see Telewest Agrees To… Continue reading Liberty Extends Telewest Tender

The ITC has welcomed the Government’s recently published draft Communications Bill as going a long way towards creating the regulatory framework for a dynamic market, but has warned that it needs to provide a more detailed definition of public service remits.In evidence prepared for the Joint Scrutiny Committee on the Bill, the ITC says that… Continue reading ITC Calls For Clearer Public Service Definitions

The ITC has given its support to the Governement’s recently published draft Communications Bill which it says goes a long way towards creating the regualtory framework for the UK’s dynamic media market.In evidience prepared for the Joint Scrutiny Committee on the Bill, the ITC gives partucluar welcome to the proposed liberalisation of the media ownership… Continue reading ITC Welcomes Move Towards Dynamic Media Market

The Independent Television Commission has confirmed that it has received “a number of expressions of interest” in the three digital terrestrial multiplex licences formerly owned by ITV Digital.At this stage the expressions of interest are confidential, but it is thought that possible bidders may include a consortium of terrestrial broadcasters including the BBC and former… Continue reading ITC Receives Expressions Of Interest In Digital Licences

Initial reaction is already emerging in response to the publication today of the draft Communications Bill:Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell’s opposite number on the Conservative benches, Tim Yeo, has said: “I give a cautious welcome to the publication of this Bill. I however, remain disappointed that Tessa Jowell has not followed her own logic and fully… Continue reading Reaction To Draft Bill Begins

The Takeover Panel has this morning ruled against WPP’s attempt to free itself from its 555p-a-share offer for Tempus Group. WPP had made a submission to the Takeover Panel in an attempt to invoke the Material Adverse Change clause in its initial offer citing the further deterioration of the ad market following the terrorist attacks… Continue reading Takeover Panel Rules Against WPP

The Takeover Panel has this morning ruled against WPP’s attempt to free itself from its 555p-a-share offer for Tempus Group (see Tempus Confirms WPP Offer). WPP had made a submission to the Takeover Panel in an attempt to invoke the Material Adverse Change clause in its initial offer citing the further deterioration of the ad… Continue reading Takeover Panel Rules Against WPP

Several major online marketing companies have joined forces to set up a regulatory body to enforce codes of practice for the use of commercial email and to fight the proliferation of spam.The E-mail marketing association (eMMa) plans to set up codes of practice that advertisers, advertising agencies and internet service suppliers will be urged to… Continue reading New Standards For The Internet

The sales arm for the former Southnews regional press business is to be transferred to Amra. The move follows the group’s acquisition by Trinity Mirror last year (see Trinity Mirror Buys Southnews For £284m).Sales representation for the group’s stable of over eighty regional titles will be transferred on 4 June, further strengthening Amra’s position as… Continue reading Amra Takes On Sales For Southnews

The five communications regulators have announced an agreement to work together in preparation for the introduction of Ofcom. A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Broadcasting Standards Commission, Independent Television Commission, Office of Telecommunications, Radio Authority and Radiocommunications Agency, sets out the arrangements for working closely together on a wide range of issues.A steering group… Continue reading Regulatory Bodies To Join Forces In Preparation For Ofcom