Exclusive: O2 exec on the £31bn mega merger with Virgin Media and why mobile is the future June 30, 2021 O2’s recently approved £31bn tie-up with Virgin Media will speed up investment in telecoms infrastructure and bolster the UK’s post-pandemic recovery, the mobile network’s boss said recently. The mega-merger, agreed last year by O2 owner Telefonica and Virgin Media parent Liberty Global, received final approval last month after an in-depth probe by regulators amid concerns [...]
Telly takeover: Bumper night for ITV as viewers flock to Euros and Love Island June 29, 2021 Many Brits were left with a telly dilemma last night after the return of hit dating show Love Island clashed with an epic Euros showdown between France and Switzerland. But while fans were forced to take their pick of the drama, the real winner of the night was ITV, which screened both events. The broadcaster [...]
Virtual reality nights out take on cinema: Adele at forefront of new craze June 29, 2021 Superstar Adele is at the forefront of a new craze sweeping pandemic-hit London: virtual reality nights out. The singer has been seen enjoying regular nights out at VR haunts since lockdown rules on going out were relaxed. Other stars reported to be hooked on the trend include fellow singer Skepta and broadcaster Jonathan Ross. The [...]
Emily Maitlis censured by BBC over ‘controversial’ Piers Morgan retweet June 28, 2021 Emily Maitlis has been reprimanded by the BBC after the broadcaster ruled she had breached impartiality rules by sharing a “controversial” Piers Morgan tweet. In February Maitlis used her personal Twitter account to retweet a post by the former Good Morning Britain host that read: “If failing to quarantine properly is punishable by 10yrs in [...]
Half of UK festivals now cancelled as insurance pleas mount June 25, 2021 More than half of UK festivals planned for this summer have now been cancelled due to ongoing uncertainty about coronavirus restrictions. Industry body the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) today said it estimates that 51 per cent of all festivals with more than 5,000 attendees have been called and warned the sector was at a [...]
Andrew Neil takes break from GB News after ‘rocky start’ June 25, 2021 Andrew Neil has announced he is taking a break from GB News just two weeks after he launched the channel. The veteran TV presenter said on his show last night that he would be away for a “few weeks” as he admitted the venture had got off to a “rocky start”. He told viewers that [...]
Teneo boss loses charity job after drunken antics at Prince Harry’s J-Lo concert June 25, 2021 The head of PR behemoth Teneo has stepped down from the board of a charity following allegations of drunken misconduct at a star-studded fundraising concert. Declan Kelly, chairman and chief executive of Teneo, has lost his board seat at campaign group Global Citizen after an alcohol-fuelled incident during the concert in May. He has also [...]
Screenshot: Is the Netflix documentary craze coming to an end? June 25, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Proper propaganda **Is the Netflix documentary craze coming to an end? **Adland bins plans for junk food ad ban Media Moment of the Week: Proper propaganda Nothing screams flourishing democracy like a video of flag-waving children singing a patriotic anthem, right? That seems to be Gavin Williamson’s policy, [...]
Don’t hide from me, event data: Andrew Lloyd Webber launches legal action to force govt to share pilot events results June 25, 2021 West End grandee Andrew Lloyd Webber has joined entertainment industry heavyweights in launching legal action to force the Government to hand over the results from its coronavirus pilot events scheme. In a statement the group, which also includes musician Peter Gabriel, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh and music industry trade body Live, accused the Government [...]
Euros 2020: BBC receives thousands of complaints over airing Christian Eriksen collapse June 24, 2021 The BBC has received over 6400 complaints for its coverage of Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsing during the Euro 2020 match against Finland earlier this month. Eriksen received CPR on the field in Copenhagen after suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing as he chased the ball. Doctors resuscitated the footballer on the pitch with a [...]