Sharewatch: BSkyB Rises Despite Christmas Subscriber Concerns

Satellite superpower BSkyB was one of only a handful of media stocks to see a rise in share price last week, climbing by 0.63% to close at 557˝p on Friday. Last week saw renewed concerns over the broadcaster’s subscription figures, with high street retailer Dixons warning of a slowdown in the sale of electrical entertainment goods.

The electronics giant claimed that its sales had slowed and warned margins would come under pressure in the run up to Christmas as consumer spending seems to have lost pace. The apparent slow down could spell bad news for television and radio broadcasters hoping to promote new products over Christmas (see Slow Down Of Electrical Goods May Hit Sky Subscriptions).

Elsewhere newspaper heavyweight Trinity Mirror suffered one of the week’s largest share price decreases, losing 2.94% to close at 628p. The publisher signed a deal with Guardian Media Group last week to secure joint investment in a £45 million printing plant in Oldham, Manchester. The investment will see Trinity take on a 15-year contract to print GMG’s regional titles in the North West, starting in early 2006 (see Trinity Mirror To Print Guardian Media Group Titles).

ITV also saw a dip, losing 1.77% to 111źp. Last week saw the broadcaster commended over its Contract Rights Renewal system, with the Government’s independent adjudicator praising ITV’s full co-operation with advertisers to create a smooth working relationship (see Contract Rights Renewal Working Well Says Adjudicator).

The closing prices of media company shares on Friday were: