A surge in shares across the Atlantic helped the FTSE 100 Index close above the 5,000 barrier for the first time since mid-March today.

The oil majors kept the London market afloat today as crude prices continued their upward march.

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings has snapped up Donegal Highland Radio, its third Irish takeover in five years.

Scottish Radio Holdings has reported a 20% hike in first half operating profits before goodwill to £13m (€18.8m) but said current trading in radio was “somewhat lacklustre”.

Scottish Radio Holdings told its biggest shareholder today that any takeover offer must value it at more than £350m (€509.5m).

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings, the parent company of Today FM and a number of Irish media assets, said yesterday that profits had risen by 12.7% in the last 12 months.

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings, (SRH) owner of Today FM and the Kilkenny People, expects revenues to increase by close to 15% this year.

TAKEOVER speculation is swirling around the parent company of Today FM, with the British media group EMAP reported to be eyeing a bid.

Scottish Radio Holdings, which owns FM 104 and Today FM, said its group operating profit for the six months to the end of March was up 14% to £10.9m (€16m).

Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) said trading for the first half of the year will show an estimated increase in group revenues, excluding acquisitions, of 10%, with a 12% rise in radio revenues and an 8% increase in press revenues.

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings has had its €26 million bid for FM104 cleared by the Competition Authority, with stringent conditions attached.

Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) has reported a 7.7% rise in like-for like sales for the first quarter of the year.

RIVERDANCE duo John McColgan and Moya Doherty waltzed away with nearly €40 million in pay over two years.

Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) earned almost €8m last year from its Irish radio and newspapers interests, which include Today FM, the Kilkenny People and the Tyrone Times.

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings, the media group that owns Today FM, said yesterday that full year profits had fallen by nearly 20%.

The Competition Authority has said it is to launch a further examination of the proposed €30m acquisition of Dublin radio station FM104 by Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH).

British media group Scottish Radio Holdings PLC reported strong growth in the year to September 30, 2003, and said it has continued into the current year.

TODAY FM owner Scottish Radio Holdings’s Irish businesses are not performing as well as its British assets, where full year sales are expected to rise 18% for the full year.

Media group Scottish Radio Holdings broadcast an upbeat message today after revenues at its radio and press divisions moved strongly ahead.

Recordings of stars such as U2 and Rod Stewart unearthed from radio archives are to be released for the first time in a multi-million pound record deal announced today.

THE MEATH CHRONICLE is to be sold for more than €30m to Scottish newspaper group Dunfermline Press and another significant media asset sale is expected to be completed before the new year.

SCOTTISH Radio Holdings (SRH) still have strong designs on the Irish market, despite incurring sharp overall losses last year.

SCOTTISH RADIO HOLDINGS which has significant newspaper and radio interests in Ireland, said yesterday its underlying full-year like-for-like revenues would be flat.

The Government tonight gave the go-ahead for the takeover by Scottish Radio Holdings of the Today FM independent national radio station and the Longford Leader newspaper group.

Scottish Radio Holdings has purchased the Longford Leader newspaper for £5.6m (€9.1m) after reaching a deal with the shareholders last Friday.