Disney emerges as streaming rival, elevating revenue above expectations August 13, 2021 Disney’s streaming service has emerged as a strong rival in the Netflix dominated sector, which has in turn elevated the group’s revenue above expectations. Revenue was up 45 per cent to £12.3bn in its third quarter – inching past analyst forecasts of £12.14bn. The entertainment giant pulled in £664m in net income in the three [...]
Screenshot: Can the City harness the power of the Netflix model? August 13, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Victoria Derbyshire’s heels hiccup **Can the City harness the power of the Netflix model? **The CMA goes for GIFs Media Moment of the Week: Victoria Derbyshire’s heels hiccup Late on Wednesday evening prolific BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire tweeted to say she’d be on air three times in a [...]
Big screen bonanza: Londoners set for film fest with free Trafalgar Square screenings August 12, 2021 Trafalgar Square will play host to a string of free film screenings later this month as part of a major campaign to bring people back into London and boost the UK film industry. Over the Bank Holiday weekend Londoners and visitors will be able to enjoy the red carpet experience with six free matinee and [...]
BBC weighs sale of iconic Eastenders studios in Elstree August 11, 2021 The BBC is weighing up a sale of its iconic studios at Elstree in north London in a move that could spark a major upheaval for productions such as Eastenders. Real estate consultant Lambert Smith Hampton has reportedly surveyed the site ahead of a possible disposal, although no decision has been reached. The studio complex [...]
Covid: West End shows halted as self-isolation rules hit theatres August 10, 2021 While the end of lockdown restrictions promised a show-stopping return for the West End, self-isolation troubles mean London theatres are still being forced to put productions on ice. Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jersey Boys and The Lion King have all been forced to cancel performances in recent days after cast or crew members were [...]
Twitter to introduce autoblocking after Euro 2020 racist abuse August 10, 2021 Twitter will trial automatic blocking of accounts that post harmful language after Brits used the platform to hurl racist abuse at England footballers following the Euros final. The social media giant said the UK was “by far” the biggest source of abusive tweets sent on the night of England’s defeat to Italy and in the [...]
Flutter Entertainment doubles revenue, sending shares rising 8.8 per cent August 10, 2021 Revenue at sports gaming group Flutter Entertainment has rocketed 99 per cent in the past six months, scoring double the cash it recorded in the first half of 2020. The upbeat results sent shares jumping 8.85 per cent to a total share price of 14,085.00. The sports entertainment group, which owns Paddy Power and Betfair, [...]
Crackdown fears: Tencent-backed videogame maker sees shares drop 20 per cent in debut August 10, 2021 Videogame maker Krafton has watched its highly anticipated initial public offering collapse 20 per cent in its debut, as it was rocked by fears of a gaming crackdown across the pond. After securing a $3.8bn initial public offering (IPO), South Korea’s largest in over a decade, Tencent-backed Krafton became the first stock debut to fall [...]
BBC headquarters ‘in lockdown’ as anti-vax protesters target broadcaster August 9, 2021 The BBC’s central London headquarters have reportedly been placed under lockdown as anti-vaccination protesters target the public service broadcaster. Earlier today the clueless mob attempted to storm Television Centre in west London, which stopped serving as the BBC’s headquarters in 2013. It is now home to studios for daytime ITV shows including Loose Women, luxury [...]
Chinese tech tycoons lose $87bn amid Beijing crackdown August 9, 2021 A crackdown on Chinese tech giants by regulators in Beijing is estimated to have wiped $87bn (£63bn) off the personal fortunes of tycoons such as Alibaba’s Jack Ma in the last month alone. Authorities have launched a fierce campaign against some of the country’s biggest tech firms amid concerns about their escalating power, sparking sharp [...]