The irony of the filter bubble for advertisers is bittersweet February 6, 2017 "Algorithm" became a dirty word in 2016; few know what one is, fewer know how one actually works. Sure sounds scary though. “Filter bubble” can be added to that list, the latter a product of the former. The notion that social media algorithms nurture confirmation bias through reflecting self-affirming views, and therefore prejudice, is rife. [...]
Boss of troubled newspaper group Johnston Press set for meeting with activist investor February 5, 2017 The under-pressure chief executive of newspaper group Johnston Press is preparing for talks with activist investor Crystal Amber, which recently became the company’s biggest shareholder. Ashley Highfield expects to meet the investor shortly, with chief financial officer David King, after a trading update at the end of last week. Read more: Why Brexit, Trump and [...]
Newspaper group Johnston Press hit by sterling fall, but Brexit, Trump and fake news could be a boost in 2017 February 3, 2017 Newspaper group Johnston Press has a complicated relationship with Brexit. The publisher of the i, Yorkshire Post and Scotsman today reported being hit by “Brexit-related uncertainty” in a trading update. In addition, the fall in the value of sterling that followed the vote has increased the cost of imported paper and ink, adding more pressure [...]
For that reason, they’re out: Two Dragons are quitting the Den at the end of this series February 1, 2017 Two of Dragons Den's best-loved names will be roaring their last this series, after they announced plans to quit. Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins and Bombay Bicycle Club entrepreneur Sarah Willingham have both said they will step down at the end of the current series. With just four episodes left before the finale on 26 February, that [...]
Fresh from its dispute with Sky, Discovery channel Eurosport has clinched the Olympics across six countries February 1, 2017 Fresh from securing a last-minute deal with Sky to save its channels yesterday, Discovery today announced an Olympic tie-up with broadcasters across six European countries. Discovery spent last week embroiled in a public spat with Sky over the future of its channels on Sky's UK and German platforms. Read more: Sky & Discovery close in on 11th [...]
Sky and Discovery reach a deal – but the war of words isn’t over January 31, 2017 Discovery and Sky have reached a last-minute deal in a very public spat which had threatened to see popular channels removed from the satellite TV provider. Discovery had threatened to pull its channels after it was dissatisfied with the price Sky had initially offered. The end-of-month deal ensures that its channels, which also include Eurosport [...]
Walter Presents and chill? Channel 4’s foreign language, Netflix-style service to launch in US January 31, 2017 A Channel 4-backed online streaming service for foreign-language dramas is to launch in the United States. Walter Presents, a subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) service, launched in the UK last year. It was founded by Global Series Network’s Walter Iuzzolino and is majority-owned by Channel 4. For $6.99 (£5.60) a month, US customers will have access to 34 series [...]
Deadline day: Sky and Discovery close in on 11th hour deal January 31, 2017 Sky and Discovery are closing in on a last-minute deal to save the likes of Eurosport and Animal Planet from the UK's screens. The two media giants are in the middle of an embarrassing spat over the future of Discovery's channels on the Sky platform. Read more: Still hope? Deadline looms for Sky and Discovery Last Wednesday Discovery [...]
Mayor unveils plans to address skills shortages in London’s film industry and bump up investment January 31, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced his plans to make the capital the "world's most film-friendly city" – including the launch of a Cultural Infrastructure Plan. He will deliver a new skills strategy, alongside Creative Skillset and Film London, to identify shortages within London's film industry, establish ways into the sector for talented creatives and encourage [...]
Fake news is troubling – but censorship is far worse January 31, 2017 We're in the grip of a fake news epidemic that is now poisoning our politics. That is the impression one would get from observing the tweets of the great and good. In the aftermath of Brexit in the UK and Donald Trump’s victory in the United States, it has been tempting for those who could [...]