Archant buys 50 per cent stake in group discounts website

Posted by Alex Sharp on 14 January 2011 at 12:27
Tags: Journalism

Regional media group Archant has bought a 50 per cent stake in www.tickles.co.uk, a local group discount website.

‘Ticklers’ are offered a significant discount on a specific local product or service, in return for a guaranteed minimum number of sales over a limited time period.

The service is free to use and since its launch in May 2010, local “Ticklers” have already saved over £200,000 in Norfolk and Cambridge - Archant claims.

In the next few weeks the website will expand to Ipswich and then to the rest of the country.

97 journalists killed worldwide last year

Posted by Alex Sharp on 13 January 2011 at 11:38
Tags: Broadcast, International, Journalism, Newspapers, People

An average of almost two journalists were killed each week last year as they went about their work, the International News Safety Institute has reported.

The INSI report that 97 journalists were killed in 2010, 85 of whom were murdered, while in the course of their duty.

While high, the total is down from 133 killed in 2009 when 32 journalists were killed in one incident in the Philippines. (more…)

Lords, academics and union leader fear News Corp’s BSkyB takeover

Posted by Alex Sharp on 10 January 2011 at 11:03
Tags: Broadcast, International, Journalism, Media Business, National Union of Journalists, Television

Lords, journalism academics and trade unionists united today to raise their fears about the proposed takeover of BSkyB by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.

In a letter to the Financial Times, Lord Fowler, Lord Puttnam and Professor Roy Greenslade joined others - including NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear - in urging Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt to refer the bid to the Competition Commission for further proper examination. (more…)

Sky News announces new shows for Boulton and Murnaghan

Posted by Alex Sharp on 6 January 2011 at 12:39
Tags: Broadcast, Journalism, Television

Sky News is turning its Boulton & Co blog into a weekday HD show.

From Monday 17 January Sky News political editor, Adam Boulton, will present the lunchtime programme with Royal correspondent Sarah Hughes from 1-2pm, at a new Westminster studio.

The show will feature interviews and debate, with a flexible structure to adapt to the day’s breaking news.

Dermot Murnaghan will also be presenting a new Sunday morning show starting from this Sunday.

‘Murnaghan’ will be a mix of politics, business and sport. As well as the traditional head-to-head interviews the show will aim to bring politicians face-to-face with experts and individuals directly affected by their policies.

John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: “These shows see two of Sky’s major talents in hugely exciting new programmes. They will reinvent traditional formats, engaging with viewers via social media, and capitalising on all the benefits of HD.”

BBC spends £16m in three years on senior manager redundancy payouts

Posted by Alex Sharp on 6 January 2011 at 12:27
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, Freedom of Information, Journalism, Radio, Television

In the past three years the BBC has spent more than £16m making redundancy payments to 115 senior managers, a report this morning revealed.

The Daily Telegraph revealed the figures this morning after submitting a Freedom of Information request to the corporation. The highest payout was in the region of £600,000.

A BBC spokesman defended the payouts, tellling The Telegraph: “These redundancies are an essential part of our £2bn savings drive.”

This morning’s story follows reports that the BBC paid out over £600,000 dealing with employment tribunal claims last year.

BBC ‘looks to retain ownership of key magazine titles’

Posted by Alex Sharp on 6 January 2011 at 10:49
Tags: BBC, Broadcast, Consumer Magazines, Customer publishing, Journalism, Magazines, National Newspapers, Newspapers, Television

Despite offering to sell off its magazine division last year, BBC Worldwide is planning to retain ownership and control over a number of leading titles, according to a report this morning.

Sources told the Daily Telegraph the BBC has proposed dividing its titles into three blocks; one of which would be sold, including titles like the Radio Times, another would see BBC branded magazines licensed to a rival publisher for ten years. (more…)

Could Zara Phillips say Hello! to wedding deal?

Posted by Alex Sharp on 4 January 2011 at 15:08
Tags: Journalism, Magazines, National Newspapers

It seems Zara Phillips could be following in her brother’s footsteps to sign with Hello! Magazine for her upcoming wedding to rugby player Mike Tindall.

Back in 2008 Peter Phillips agreed a £500,000 deal with Hello! to cover his marriage to Autumn Kelly.

According to The Telegraph’s Mandrake column Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall are “seriously considering” a highly lucrative offer for exclusive photographs of their wedding.