GM
MediaGuardian posted:
SMG is changing its name to stv Group to highlight its renewed focus on Scottish television, following the disposal of Virgin Radio and outdoor advertising business Primesight.
Our core TV business is outperforming and I am confident that the strategy we are executing in regional advertising, content and digital media will deliver significant growth. The new name we propose, stv Group, reflects the company's focus and uniqueness in the Scottish media market," Woodward said.
The SMG board also indicated that trading remained in line with expectations for 2008 and disclosed that the company expected a cash benefit of £10m from 2008 to 2011 as a result of tax planning.
SMG said the stv brand reach is strong in Scotland, with 4 million watching its output every week and the company reported a 26% share for its premier news programmes, Scotland Today and North Tonight.
The company's ventures division has recently signed a major two year contract with Setanta Sports and is planning to relaunch the stv.tv website later this summer, with the same online content rights as ITV.com.
This will enable the relaunched stv.tv site to offer video simulcasts, catch-up and archive services of ITV shows including Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Other video content available to watch on the site will include programmes from stv's own library, which stretches back more than 50 years, including Taggart.
The new look stv.tv site, developed in partnership with online video platform company Brightcove, will also offer news, sport, entertainment and drama.
Our core TV business is outperforming and I am confident that the strategy we are executing in regional advertising, content and digital media will deliver significant growth. The new name we propose, stv Group, reflects the company's focus and uniqueness in the Scottish media market," Woodward said.
The SMG board also indicated that trading remained in line with expectations for 2008 and disclosed that the company expected a cash benefit of £10m from 2008 to 2011 as a result of tax planning.
SMG said the stv brand reach is strong in Scotland, with 4 million watching its output every week and the company reported a 26% share for its premier news programmes, Scotland Today and North Tonight.
The company's ventures division has recently signed a major two year contract with Setanta Sports and is planning to relaunch the stv.tv website later this summer, with the same online content rights as ITV.com.
This will enable the relaunched stv.tv site to offer video simulcasts, catch-up and archive services of ITV shows including Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
Other video content available to watch on the site will include programmes from stv's own library, which stretches back more than 50 years, including Taggart.
The new look stv.tv site, developed in partnership with online video platform company Brightcove, will also offer news, sport, entertainment and drama.
