Bottom Line: Costs bite but Premier commitment pays off October 17, 2013 NO MATTER who wins, wars are always expensive. When BT kicked off its bid to take on rival BSkyB with its own dedicated sports channels earlier this year, it sparked a bidding battle for Premier League football rights that sent prices soaring. Sky acknowledged the hit in its first quarter results yesterday as programming costs rose [...]
Sky Broadband customer numbers pass five million but profit drops October 17, 2013 Sky has announced this morning that it has seen 50 per cent growth in new paid-for subscriptions, with 800,000 in the three months to 30 September. Profit before tax for the period stood at £245m – down from £288 for 2012/13. (Release) The BSkyB Group has said it has seen nine per cent growth in [...]
BBA announces retirement of chairman Michael Harper October 16, 2013 Multinational jet company BBA aviation has this morning announced the retirement of chairman Michael Harper, following yesterday's report that Sir Nigel Rudd, outgoing chairman of Invensys, is expected to join the board of BBA. (Release) City A.M.'s Marion Drakers writes yesterday: Sir Nigel, who is also the chairman of Heathrow Airport Holdings, could be announced [...]
BBA Aviation aims to appoint Sir Nigel Rudd as its new chairman October 15, 2013 SIR NIGEL Rudd, the outgoing chairman of Invensys, is expected to join the board of corporate jet firm BBA Aviation. Sir Nigel, who is also the chairman of Heathrow Airport Holdings, could be announced in the chair’s role at FTSE 250-listed BBA as soon as today, after the appointment was first reported by Sky News. [...]
Best of the Brokers for 16 October 2013 October 15, 2013 To appear in Best of the Brokers, email your research to notes@cityam.com CSR UBS has upgraded the software group from “sell” to “neutral” with a price target of 530p following a recent dip in the share price. The broker thinks the current value reflects seven per cent annual growth, and expects to see third-quarter results [...]
‘Underpriced’ Royal Mail sale to be probed by MPs October 15, 2013 A panel of MPs is keen to investigate the privatisation of Royal Mail by calling in City bankers who advised ministers on the sell-off, reports Mark Kleinman, City editor at Sky News. Sky News has learnt that certain members of the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Select Committee want to interview executives from the syndicate [...]
Sky Movies deal pushes TV rivals closer together October 14, 2013 BT FINALLY inked a deal with Sky yesterday to show its premium Sky Movies channels on BT’s TV packages following three years of negotiations. Though talks between the media giants to allow Sky Sports content across all of BT’s TV offerings remain ongoing, the Sky Movies deal could indicate Sky is more willing to negotiate [...]
BT offers movies package as Sky agreement reached October 14, 2013 Fresh signs that the relationship between BT and Sky might be healing. The two have signed a multi-year contract that will see BT customers able to watch Sky Movies for an additional monthly subscription, from 26 October. BT TV customers will be able to enjoy the latest movies across 11 Sky Movies channels, in standard [...]
London Report: UK employment figures to show lift in economy October 13, 2013 UK employment figures out this week look set to give further weight to signs of Britain’s growing economy. The September numbers, to be released on Wednesday along with unemployment statistics, are predicted to be up on last month. “Strong demand has been met by surging employment in recent months, which is lowering unemployment. [...]
Blown away by Dorset October 13, 2013 Head to a hotel on the south coast for wholesome activites, fresh salty air and inexpensive fine dining OF ALL the pastimes that governments enjoy, most involve splashing our cash around, telling us what to do, and chucking in a dose of mild nationalism to make it seem a bit more palatable. Little surprise, then, [...]