Murdoch's assault opens pay-TV battle

Article Abstract:

Shares in BSkyB rose by 12% to a 12-month high of 607p following the announcement that it is to give free set-top boxes, reduced price telephone services and Internet connection to subscribers to its new satellite television service. BSkyB's offer seems very generous, but in fact will not cost the company very much. Furthermore, BSkyB will benefit from lower transmission and infrastructure costs after all its analogue subscribers have moved to digital. It is forecast that 46% of all households in the UK with a television will be digital by 2003, with BSkyB's share at 45%.

Marketing procedures, Satellite Telecommunications, Television, Satellite TV Communications, Internet service providers, Marketing, Direct broadcast satellite television industry, Satellite television, Satellite television industry, British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC

---

68bn pounds sterling BP-Amoco deal set to spark oil merger frenzy

Article Abstract:

BP Amoco, created from the $110 billion merger of British Petroleum (BP) and Amoco, will have net income of 3.9 billion pounds sterling and combined output of 3 million barrels of oil a day. Sir John Browne, Chief Executive-designate of the merged operation, aims to boost profits to 1.2 billion pounds sterling a year. Some 70% of the group's assets will be in OECD countries, with the US and Europe accounting for 80% of profits.

British Petroleum Company p.l.c, AN, Amoco Corp.

---

Shell to cut $2.5bn in costs and at least 4,000 more jobs

Article Abstract:

Anglo-Dutch oil concern Shell is to sell off eight of its 21 chemicals businesses as part of its goal of achieving a 14% return on capital by 2001. It will reduce costs by $2.5 billion and reduce its workforce by at least a further 4,000. It has stated that it is open to merger possibilities, although it is not actively seeking a partner. Financial markets have reacted cautiously to Shell's restructuring plan.

Comment:

Has announced sale of 8 of 21 chemical firms to reduce costs and improve capital earnings

Asset sales & divestitures, Royal Dutch-Shell PLC

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Panic as investment banks face 1bn pounds sterling loss. Big tax breaks or none at all, please Mr Brown. Tax avoiders braced for a crackdown from the Chancellor
• Abstracts: BT and MCI rethink terms of 18bn pounds sterling merger. Paper tiger. Rival bid shoots down 13bn pounds sterling BT/MCI deal
• Abstracts: Would you spend 100 pounds sterling on a new face? The hidden meaning behind your mascara. Making up may be hard to do, but it's worth it
• Abstracts: In the media, you have to make a good fist of it. 350,000 pounds sterling deal exposes the murky world of chequebook journalism
• Abstracts: Japan unveils 118bn pounds sterling rescue plan. How wage inflation has been tamed

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.