Buzzfeed forms video ad alliance as publishers look to fend off tech giants September 24, 2019 Buzzfeed has teamed up with two other digital media companies to pool their video advertising space, as the firms look to counter the dominance of tech giants. Buzzfeed, Group Nine Media and Insider will create an alliance enabling them to sell advertising space across all three companies’ websites, apps and Youtube channels. Read more: Publishers [...]
M&C Saatchi warns on profits as accounting scandal drags on September 24, 2019 Shares in M&C Saatchi hit a seven-year low this morning as the company warned that its operating profit for 2019 is expected to fall below expectations. The ad men said that full-year operating profit was likely to land around five to 10 per cent lower than previously announced. Read more: Shares in M&C Saatchi plunge [...]
Ofcom launches probe into Chinese state broadcaster over Hong Kong coverage September 23, 2019 Ofcom has launched an investigation into Chinese state broadcaster CGTN over concerns its coverage of protests in Hong Kong broke the regulator’s impartiality rules. Ofcom is understood to be probing four separate news programmes aired on the station in August and early September. Read more: Ofcom gives green light to BBC’s Britbox push CGTN, which [...]
BT lines up Champions League bid as it looks to retain lucrative rights September 22, 2019 BT is gearing up to defend its control of Champions League TV rights as the telecoms giant cashes in on price rises in its broadcast division. BT Sport paid £1.2bn in 2017 to secure exclusive rights to Champions League and Europa League matches for three seasons, cementing its control of European football coverage. Read more: [...]
Netflix boss says The Crown will ‘look like a bargain’ as streaming battle begins September 20, 2019 Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings says the its drama about the British Royal family, ‘The Crown’, will “look like a bargain” as the arrival of streaming rivals Apple, Disney and NBC will push content costs up. The series, which will include 60 episodes over six season, cost a reported £100m to produce. Read more: Netflix [...]
Ofcom gives green light to BBC’s Britbox push September 19, 2019 Regulator Ofcom has given the thumbs up for the BBC’s investment in Britbox – a new streaming service to rival the likes of Netflix. The regulator said that there is no “significant risk” that Britbox, a collaboration with ITV, will distort the market and create an unfair advantage. Read more: Britbox: BBC and ITV reveal [...]
Sky and Channel 4 sign advertising deal as streaming threat looms large September 17, 2019 Channel 4 has signed a deal to use Sky’s advertising technology as the broadcasters strengthen ties amid growing competition from streaming rivals. The two companies today announced a multi-year deal that will see Channel 4 use Sky’s Adsmart platform to deliver targeted ads on its linear channels. Read more: Ofcom clears Channel 4 News over [...]
Media group Endeavor looks to raise $712m from float September 16, 2019 US media giant Endeavor Group today said it is looking to raise up to $712m (£573m) from its initial public offering (IPO) later this year. The company, which owns Hollywood talent agency William Morris Endeavor, said it will sell roughly 19m shares priced between $30 and $32 each. Read more: Liberty Media faces logistical nightmare [...]
Government drops probe into Saudi investments in Evening Standard and Independent September 16, 2019 The government has decided not to pursue a probe into Saudi investments in the Evening Standard and the Independent, despite concerns they could harm freedom of expression. Culture secretary Nicky Morgan today said she will not appeal a court ruling that blocked the government from forcing a full public interest inquiry. Read more: Independent and [...]
Disney boss Bob Iger resigns from Apple board as streaming rivalry heats up September 15, 2019 Disney chief executive Bob Iger has stepped down from the board of Apple as the two companies prepare to go head to head in the escalating streaming wars. Iger stepped down from his role on 10 September, the same day Apple unveiled the price and launch date of its streaming service, according to a one-line [...]