The UK cable operator rose 3.2% to 55.75p, while its rival NTL soared 6% in New York to 52 cents, as reports surfaced that it is in talks with a number of rivals interested in investing in the cable company and sharing some of its hefty £12bn debt burden.
BSkyB was down 1.5% to 745.5p after set-top box manufacturer Pace Microtechnology announced that it will launch a £100 digital receiver in March, which will broadcast free-to-air digital channels.
The low-cost set-top box has the potential to boost ITV Digital figures and help cut losses. Purchasers of the £100 boxes who wanted to upgrade to a service with some pay-TV channels would have the option to buy a smart card giving them access to the ITV Digital service.
ITV Digital could then stop offering free set-top boxes as an incentive to potential customers and possibly halve the amount of investment its shareholders Granada and Carlton Communications are forecast to have to plough into the channel before it breaks even.
This news helped provide an initial boost to Carlton and Granada, both of which have seen their shares take a rough ride over the last few days. This morning, Granada was one of the leading blue-chip gainers, up 2% at 11am.
However, this afternoon it was up just 0.58% to 129.75p. Carlton, meanwhile, was down 0.33% to 224p.
Among advertising shares there was very little movement today. Cordiant Communications was up 1.6% to 97p as speculation about its future ownership continued to spiral.
Aegis Group, owner of Carat, was down 1.3% and WPP Group, which last year controversially took over Aegis rival Tempus, was down 0.6% to 711p.
Chime Communications, owner of Bell Pottinger PR and HHCL & Partners, fell 0.7% to 141.5p.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand
Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)