Sales at former FT publisher fall, but expectations steady thanks to reduced cost base October 17, 2016 Pearson's share price fell seven per cent on Monday morning after the education business, which sold the Financial Times last year, reported sales falling at a greater pace than anticipated. But the FTSE 100 company said its cost base was also lower than expected, with 2016 guidance and 2018 goals unchanged. [stockChart code="PSON" date="2016-10-17 08:59"] Read more: Pearson [...]
New BBC cost-cutting plans restrict presenters’ foreign travel October 15, 2016 Presenters on some of the BBC’s most popular programmes are to be prevented from going abroad as part of the corporation’s cost-cutting plans. They mean presenters from news programmes such as BBC Breakfast and Newsnight will not be permitted to travel abroad to cover breaking international news. Instead, reporters could stand in for presenters. Read [...]
Netflix paid less than £400,000 in UK corporation tax last year on revenues of £37m October 14, 2016 Netflix paid less than £400,000 in UK corporation tax last year, it has emerged. Companies House accounts show the US firm paid €441,775 (£398,610) in UK corporation tax in the year to 31 December. Netflix Services UK’s revenue for the year came in at €40.5m, while its profit before income tax was €1.99m. Read more: [...]
BBC to cut 300 jobs in its production arm October 13, 2016 The BBC will cut 300 jobs in its production arm as part of a wide-ranging restructuring, it said today. The broadcaster said the number of staff at BBC Studios will be slashed as it continues to cut costs – with most of the job cuts taking place in England. As part of the BBC's cost-cutting drive, it has [...]
Sky believes in better future after quarter in which rivals benefited from Euro 2016, Olympics and Paralympics October 13, 2016 Sky has said it is “on track financially” despite the company suffering at the expense of rivals broadcasting Euro 2016, the Olympics and the Paralympics. The figures In the UK and Ireland, turnover was up five per cent to to £2.1bn in the quarter to 30 September, boosted by a June TV price rise. However, Sky [...]
Advertising spend forecast increased, showing companies have “held their nerve in the face of Brexit uncertainty” October 12, 2016 A closely-watched report has forecast advertising spend in the UK will increase by 1.9 per cent in 2016, up from a previous estimate of a 0.2 per cent fall. The IPA’s Bellwether Report suggested that its forecast revision shows marketers “have held their nerve in the face of Brexit uncertainty”. Read more: TfL awards Outdoor Plus [...]
With consumers glued to their smartphones, mobile ad budgets are soaring October 12, 2016 Reading this on your smartphone? Company advertising departments will be pleasantly unsurprised. Consumers’ obsession with their smartphones meant that firms increased their mobile advertising budgets by 56 per cent year-on-year to £1.7bn in the first half of 2016. This means that 36p in every £1 spent on internet advertising now goes on phones, up from 4p [...]
Hola: Business broadcaster CNBC launches in Latin America October 11, 2016 Business news TV station CNBC is to launch in Latin America as part of a strategic partnership with Sky Mexico. The move is part of the US-headquartered company’s plans to expand into emerging markets. CNBC Indonesia is also set to go live this year. The launch will give the broadcaster a presence in countries such as [...]
Informa launches rights issue following US takeover deal approval October 11, 2016 Informa’s share price was lowered by eight per cent this morning as part of a rights issue. Informa’s issuance comes shortly after the company received shareholder approval for the acquisition of US business Penton Information Services for £1.2bn. [stockChart code="INF" date="2016-10-11 09:28"] Read more: British information business Informa announces £1.2bn takeover of US rival After [...]
Broadcast regulator ramps up diversity pressure on BBC October 11, 2016 The broadcast regulator’s chief executive has ramped up pressure on the BBC over diversity. Ofcom’s Sharon White also said that although the corporation holds a “special status” in public life, it will not receive “special treatment” when the body begins overseeing the broadcaster next year. Read more: BBC’s £60m hotel bill: 2016 on track to [...]