Sharewatch: ITV Rises As Parkinson Changes Channels

ITV saw a healthy 1.37% rise to close at 129žp yesterday as the broadcaster poached veteran chat show host, Michael Parkinson, from the BBC. Parkinson has signed a landmark two-year deal that will bring him exclusively to ITV from autumn this year.

ITV also announced an extension of its Formula One coverage yesterday, a move that will keep the sport with the broadcaster at least until the end of the decade (see ITV Keeps Wheels Moving With Formula One Deal).

Newspaper giant Trinity Mirror also saw a rise, adding 90.2% to close at 601˝p. Yesterday the company promoted Dominic Carter to the newly created role of deputy director of advertising. Carter will assume responsibility for the company’s portfolio of national titles, including the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and the People (see Mirror Names Carter As Deputy Director Of Advertising).

A good day’s trading saw BSkyB enjoy a rise of 1.09% to 696p. The rise came as the BBC reiterated Ofcom’s calls for a free-to-air satellite service to boost digital viewing. The Corporation claims that digital switchover is a viable prospect within the Government’s current timescale, but argues that certain aspects must be dealt with now to ensure the 2010 deadline is met (see BBC Calls For Free-To-Air Digital Satellite Service).

The FTSE 100 closed up by less than one percent yesterday at 4,571.8 while the FTSE 250 saw a similarly small rise to close at 6,370.6.

The closing prices of media company shares on Monday were:

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