MPs launch inquiry into power of social media influencers March 26, 2021 MPs have launched an inquiry into the power of influencers amid concerns about a lack of regulation over how social media stars promote products online. Influencers have been gaining prominence in recent years thanks to the continued growth of social media use and the popularity of hit reality shows such as Love Island. But they [...]
Ofcom to build Manchester tech hub as it gears up for new online role March 26, 2021 Ofcom today unveiled plans to open a new tech hub in Manchester as it prepares to take on its new role as the UK’s first online regulator. The media watchdog said its new base, which is set to be up and running by the summer, will create 150 new jobs by 2025. The organisation will [...]
ITN warns of UK ‘news desert’ without broadcasting revamp March 26, 2021 The UK could be at risk of a digital “new desert” where audiences are unable to access high-quality news online unless effective regulation is brought in by Ofcom, ITN has warned. The production giant, which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, warned against a situation where “significant numbers of people can [...]
Screenshot: Will workers’ rights put a puncture in Deliveroo’s IPO? March 26, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Farewell to the real McCoy **Will workers’ rights put a puncture in Deliveroo’s IPO? **A watchdog bares its teeth Media Moment of the Week: Farewell to the real McCoy In a shock bit of transfer news this week, BBC presenter Simon McCoy announced he was leaving the Beeb [...]
Corona Impact Series: How an immersive Hackney entertainer blurs pandemic boundaries March 25, 2021 In this series, City A.M. looks at the financial and economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on a range of small and medium-sized businesses across London. This week: How an immersive entertainment agency in Hackney was forced to switch from physical to virtual overnight, without losing any of the power of the experiences. “As Covid hit and the [...]
Johnny Depp loses bid to appeal ‘wife beater’ libel ruling March 25, 2021 Johnny Depp has been refused permission to appeal a High Court ruling that he violently assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard during their tumultuous relationship. In November a High Court judge ruled against Depp after he sued the Sun newspaper for libel over an article that labelled him a “wife beater”. Lawyers for the Hollywood actor [...]
Ministers ‘missed the boat’ over BBC licence fee reform, MPs warn March 25, 2021 The government has no choice but to maintain the BBC’s licence fee funding model for the foreseeable future due to its failure to find an alternative, MPs have warned. In an in-depth report published today, the DCMS committee said that while the £157.50 annual charge has a “limited shelf life” in the modern media landscape, [...]
ITV chief Carolyn McCall takes 20 per cent pandemic pay cut March 24, 2021 The chief executive of ITV took a 20 per cent pay cut to her basic salary for seven months during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to documents. Dame Carolyn McCall’s voluntary decision emerged as the broadcaster revealed the gender pay gap at the organisation grew during 2020 although its ethnic diversity pay gap shrank. The boss [...]
Bloomsbury hikes profit forecasts again as Brits binge on books March 24, 2021 Bloomsbury today lifted its revenue and profit forecasts for the second time in as many months as it hailed “exceptional” sales as a result of the pandemic. The publishing house, best known for the Harry Potter series, said it expected revenue of £171m in the year to the end of February, while pre-tax profit is [...]
UK record label revenue grows as streaming offsets pandemic hit March 23, 2021 UK record label revenues ticked up last year as the booming popularity of streaming services helped to offset the impact of the pandemic. Recorded music revenue grew to £1.1bn in 2020, up 3.8 per cent on the previous 12 months and the highest level since 2006. It is also the fifth consecutive year of growth, [...]