Pay no attention to the dysfunctional comms team behind the Downing Street curtain November 13, 2020 There’s a well-known warning in the world of theatre tech: if someone notices the lighting, you haven’t done your job. Yes, sometimes dazzling special effects are what make a show, but nine times out of 10 the audience only becomes aware of the tech if something goes wrong. The way you know you’re doing a [...]
Equality watchdog clears BBC of gender pay discrimination November 12, 2020 The BBC has been cleared of unlawful gender pay discrimination but was warned of a breakdown in trust between the broadcaster and its female employees. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last year launched an investigation into the BBC following a string of pay complaints from high-profile presenters such as Carrie Grace and Samira [...]
ITV forecasts advertising rebound after Covid-19 slump November 12, 2020 ITV today said it expects advertising revenue to be slightly higher year on year in the fourth quarter as spend begins to recover from its pandemic-induced slump. The broadcaster said total advertising spend was down seven per cent in the third quarter, a sharp improvement on the 43 per cent crash posted in the previous [...]
Six London music venues at risk of ‘imminent’ closure November 11, 2020 The music industry has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help secure the future of six grassroots venues in London that are in “imminent” danger of permanent closure. Kings Cross nightclub Egg, Islington favourite The Lexington and Camden’s Spiritual Bar have been named among the capital’s music hotspots that are most at risk of closure. The [...]
MPs launch inquiry into future of UK music festivals November 11, 2020 MPs have launched an inquiry into how to ensure the survival of UK music festivals after the sector was decimated by the outbreak of coronavirus. The vast majority of festivals, including Glastonbury, British Summer Time and Parklife, were cancelled this summer due to the pandemic, with revenues down an estimated 90 per cent. The inquiry, [...]
List and Shout: Round Hill Music raises $282m in London float November 11, 2020 Music royalties firm Round Hill today said it has raised $282m (£212m) from its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The Guernsey-based company, which is an owner and operator of music copyright, has outlined plans to snap up a portfolio of song catalogues with the proceeds of the float. It has already identified [...]
Netflix poaches ITN boss Anna Mallett to lead UK production November 10, 2020 Netflix has swooped on the chief executive of TV production giant ITN as the streaming giant bolsters its credentials in the UK. Anna Mallett will oversee Netflix’s production in Britain as well as local language productions across much of the rest of the world outside the US. Mallet currently leads ITN, which produces news programming [...]
Acast and Patreon team up to launch subscriber-only podcast service November 10, 2020 Acast and Patreon have joined forces to launch a new service that will allow podcast creators to make exclusive content available to subscribers across all major platforms. The tie-up will allow creators on the Patreon membership service to distribute private, patron-only podcast episodes to listeners on apps including Apple and Amazon Music. “At Patreon, we’re [...]
Premier League confirms plans to scrap controversial pay-per-view model November 10, 2020 The Premier League has confirmed it will scrap its controversial pay-per-view model after a fierce backlash from fans. The new model, which was introduced following the international break in October, means fans have to cough up £14.95 to watch games not selected for regular broadcast. The move sparked anger among supporter groups, who raised hundreds [...]
BBC licence fee negotiations kick off as ministers ramp up pressure over funding November 10, 2020 The government today kicked off negotiations with the BBC over how much the TV licence will cost in the future, dialling up the pressure on the embattled public service broadcaster. The talks will determine the level of the licence fee, which is currently set at £157.50, for at least five years from 2022. Culture secretary [...]