Brands told to turn to Youtube ads as young TV viewers tune out February 5, 2020 Brands targeting younger consumers can best boost their reach by advertising on Youtube as viewers desert traditional TV, according to a new report. Research published today by media consultancy Ebiquity revealed the number of people viewing ads on linear TV fell 4.4 per cent last year — worse than the predicted decline of 3.6 per [...]
Culture secretary denies attack on BBC as she hints at wider broadcaster review February 5, 2020 Culture secretary Nicky Morgan has denied the government is launching an attack on the BBC as she hinted at a wider review of public service broadcasters. Morgan today launched a public consultation on whether to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee amid a shift in viewing habits fuelled by the rise of streaming services [...]
Spotify boosts subscribers amid surge in podcast listening February 5, 2020 Spotify today reported a sharp growth in subscriber numbers as the music streaming giant cashed in on its recent investment in podcasts. The Swedish firm boosted its monthly active users to 271m in the four quarter, up 31 per cent year on year, with paid subscribers up 29 per cent to 124m. Total revenue for [...]
Government opens consultation into licence fee decriminalisation February 5, 2020 Culture secretary Nicky Morgan will today launch a public consultation on whether to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee, ramping up political pressure on the BBC. Under current laws anyone who uses a TV or watches BBC iPlayer without paying the licence fee is guilty of a criminal offence. Those who refuse to pay [...]
Relx splashes out $480m on fraud prevention firm Emailage February 4, 2020 Relx today said it has inked a deal to buy US startup Emailage for roughly $480m (£368m) as the publishing and analytics giant looks to boost its fraud prevention capabilities. Emailage, which uses machine learning technology to help clients spot fraud, is one of a number of businesses cashing in on a booming demand for [...]
BBC licence fee to increase by £3 from April February 3, 2020 The annual cost of the TV licence fee increase from £154.50 to £157.50 from 1 April, the BBC confirmed today. The fee is set by the government, which announced in 2016 that it would rise in line with inflation for five years from April 2017. The new charge equates to £3.02 per week or £13.13 [...]
Future shares boosted after short-seller launches attack February 3, 2020 Publishing group Future saw its shares rise seven per cent this morning, just days after the firm came under attack from a short-seller over the price of its stock. In a trading update, the media group, which publishes specialist trade magazines, said it had continued to grow audience numbers and had seen strong revenue growth. [...]
Sky urges Ofcom to take action against public service broadcasters February 2, 2020 Sky has urged the broadcasting regulator to take action against ITV and Channel 5, saying the channels benefit from too much “government support”. Ofcom, the communications regulator, allows public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – certain benefits in return for them making programmes that benefit the public. However, paid-for [...]
FCA opens probe into M&C Saatchi’s £12m accounting blunder January 31, 2020 The City watchdog has launched a probe into M&C Saatchi’s accounts after the advertising giant admitted an £11.6m accounting error in December. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened its own investigation into the issue, which saw M&C Saatchi shares implode. M&C Saatchi also issued a profit warning at the same time, admitting earnings could [...]
BBC ‘faces existential threat’ as it slashes 450 jobs January 29, 2020 The BBC has been warned it is facing an “existential threat” after the broadcaster announced it will cut roughly 450 jobs. The corporation today said it will slash the roles from its news output as it looks to save £80m by 2022 and counteract declining viewing figures. The cuts are set to impact Newsnight, which [...]