PRESS DIGEST - British buisiness - Nov 28

The Times

PATIENTLINE HAS TALKS WITH BANKS AS CONDITION DETERIORATES

Hospital bedside phone operator Patientline PTL.L is in talks with its banks after revealing operating loss had trebled to 11.2 million pounds, while losses before tax doubled to 15.3 million pounds in the first half. Chairman Geoff White said: "If the company's borrowings can be consensually restructured to a sustainable level, allowing the business to address the price of incoming telephone calls, the company does have a future."

VIRGIN MEDIA'S STRATEGY CHIEF TO LEAVE AS PART OF BROADER RESTRUCTURING

Ernie Cormier, Virgin Media's (VMED.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) head of strategy, is set to leave the company in 2008 amid wider restructuring. Steve Stewart, the firm's head of customer care, will also leave at around the same time. Acting head Neil Berkett told staff Cormier had made his decision to leave "some time ago". The group declined to disclose details about any remuneration arrangements. The exits come as Berkett moves to demonstrate he is prepared to make changes to ensure the business fulfils its potential.

ITV, CHANNEL 4 AND BBC TO CREATE WEB CHANNEL

ITV (ITV.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Channel 4 and the BBC [BBC.UL] are to join forces to launch a television-over-Internet service next year in an effort to create an iTunes-style model that will allow them to compete with YouTube. The commercial service will host advertising both within and around clips in a deal that will be structured to allow each partner to benefit from content being viewed. The service, currently called Kangaroo, will be launched in the middle of 2008 under a brand name that is still to be decided.

The Daily Telegraph

PENDRAGON GOES INTO A SKID