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 [...]
Iconic Labs buys stake in student news website The Tab September 12, 2019 Iconic Labs has bought an indirect stake in student publishing company The Tab, marking the latest move in the media firm’s aggressive acquisition spree. Iconic Labs has secured a 24 per cent stake in media investment vehicle Medium Channel Media (MCM), which in turn has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire The Tab. Read [...]
Share boost for audio firm Focusrite as it dials up revenue forecast September 12, 2019 Shares in audio equipment manufacturer Focusrite rose more than six per cent this morning after it forecast full-year revenue ahead of expectations. Read more: Audioboom posts revenue surge as it doubles down on original podcasts Focusrite, which makes studio equipment such as microphones and equalisers, said it expected revenue of roughly £84m, up from £75.1m [...]
Car manual publisher Haynes posts jump in profit as digital shift pays off September 12, 2019 Haynes Publishing Group has posted a sharp rise in revenue and profit for the full year as the car manual specialist’s digital shift helped drive business in its corporate division. Read more: Shares in car manual publisher Haynes soar as it eyes sharp profit growth The figures Haynes posted a seven per cent increase in [...]
Publishers hit out at ‘unscrupulous’ tech giants over digital ad market domination September 11, 2019 British news publishers have clashed with Silicon Valley tech giants amid a government probe into anti-competitive behaviour in the digital advertising market. Media organisations including the Daily Mail’s parent company and Channel 4 have launched blistering attacks on Facebook and Google over their monopoly power and “unscrupulous behaviour”. Read more: Competition watchdog launches probe into [...]