Buzzfeed to go public through $1.5bn US Spac deal June 24, 2021 Buzzfeed today unveiled plans to go public through a blank-cheque deal that will value the media firm at $1.5bn (£1bn). The website, known for its listicles and quizzes, said it will merge with 890 Fifth Avenue Partners, a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company (Spac) that holds $288m in its trust account. In addition, Buzzfeed has [...]
ITV to move all London staff to White City in cost-cutting plan June 24, 2021 ITV today said it will move all its London staff to one headquarters at the BBC’s former White City campus as part of plans to slash costs. The broadcaster currently has three locations in the capital, with staff split between offices in Holborn, Gray’s Inn Road and Westworks in White City. But around 2,000 employees [...]
Advertisers ‘dismayed’ as UK pushes ahead with junk food ad ban June 24, 2021 The UK advertising industry has reacted with fury after the government confirmed it will push ahead with a ban on junk food adverts. Adverts for foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) will be banned on TV before 9pm while tighter restrictions will be placed on online promotions under new rules set to come [...]
Channel 4 privatisation risks pulling the plug on UK production June 23, 2021 When Thatcher’s government set up Channel 4 back in 1982 as the boisterous youth-focused challenger to the BBC behemoth, it was a radical shake-up of Britain’s fusty broadcasting landscape. Now, almost four decades later, that same landscape is unrecognisable, its skyline dominated by the giants of the internet and streaming age. It’s in this context [...]
Never Gonna Give EU Up: Radiohead and Bob Geldof plead for support to continue Euro tours June 23, 2021 Over 200 artists have backed a campaign pushing the government to act on Brexit-related red tape around touring in the EU. The #LetTheMusicMove campaign, launched today, was set up by the Featured Artists’ Coalition (FAC). It is calling for a “transitional support package” to cover new costs placed on UK artists and music businesses after [...]
David Davis: Online safety bill will be ‘catastrophic’ for freedom of speech June 23, 2021 The government’s plans for new laws cracking down on tech companies will be “catastrophic” for freedom of speech, David Davis said today. The former cabinet minister branded the online safety bill a “censor’s charter”, comparing it to George Orwell’s 1984 and accusing the government of outsourcing the policing of the internet to Silicon Valley. Ministers [...]
Festivals face ‘survival threat’ without insurance scheme, MPs warn June 23, 2021 Music festivals face a serious threat to their survival unless the government underwrites an insurance scheme covering the risk of cancellation, MPs have warned. In a report published today the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned that festivals were making “difficult decisions” about whether to risk their survival by going ahead this summer. The MPs added [...]
Vodafone powers entire European network with renewable energy June 23, 2021 Vodafone has announced its entire European operations will be 100 per cent powered by electricity from renewable sources next month. The FTSE 100 telecoms firm’s mobile and fixed networks, data centres, retail and offices will all be powered more sustainably from July 1. The announcement comes after a decision this time last year to bring [...]
Hong Kong paper Apple Daily to close after Beijing crackdown June 23, 2021 Hong Kong pro-democracy paper Apple Daily will shut down after 26 years following a fierce crackdown by Beijing. The tabloid, which was known for its criticism of mainland China, will end its print and digital editions on Saturday 26 June. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said today that it marks a “chilling blow” to freedom [...]
UK targets Netflix and Channel 4 with new streaming rules June 23, 2021 The government is plotting an overhaul of the UK broadcasting landscape in a move that could place tightened regulations on US streaming giants such as Netflix. Ministers will carry out a review of rules for video on-demand platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus in an effort to protect viewers and boost public [...]