Lessons for sponsors from sport’s biggest summer of protests since the suffragettes August 29, 2023 Sport sponsors need to be clear on what they stand for – not just what they stand next to – if they are to avoid blowback from protests, says marketing expert Matt Readman. This has been the most disrupted summer of sport for over a century. The pitches, courses and tracks of the UK now [...]
World Rugby streaming service to make all World Cup games available everywhere August 25, 2023 World Rugby has announced the launch of RugbyPass TV, a new streaming platform that will ensure live coverage of every game at the Rugby World Cup is available everywhere. British-based rugby fans will be able to follow the tournament in full on ITV’s channels, but in territories without blanket broadcast coverage the games will be [...]
Louis Theroux warns on campaign for ‘Brexit from the BBC licence fee’ August 24, 2023 Louis Theroux feels there is a “vested interest” by some media outlets for a “Brexit from the licence fee”. On Wednesday, during the annual MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh Television Festival, the broadcaster and documentary-maker said he believes the BBC is in a “no-win” situation of trying to “avoid offence” and in danger of avoiding [...]
Post Office boss to return bonus pay linked to Horizon scandal August 24, 2023 The boss of the Post Office has said he will return all of his bonus payment linked to the Horizon inquiry regarding hundreds of wrongfully convicted postmasters. Nick Read, chief executive of the Post Office, also apologised again for “procedural and governance mistakes made” in the firm linking significant bonus payments to work related to [...]
Which? urges Ofcom to probe Virgin Media rate hikes August 24, 2023 Which? has called on Ofcom to probe Virgin Media’s pricing tactics, accusing it of “egregious” tactics and “woeful” customer service. The consumer champ said Virgin could be breaking the law by giving itself “sweeping powers” to hike broadband bills by “unlimited sums” whenever it feels like it. Plus, the telecoms company is reportedly slapping on [...]
England World Cup final defeat smashes UK TV audience records for women’s football August 21, 2023 England’s World Cup final with Spain on Sunday smashed UK TV audience records for a women’s football match, despite an early kick-off and the Lionesses missing out on the trophy. The nail-biting 1-0 defeat attracted an average audience of 13.3m watching on live television, with both BBC One and ITV broadcasting the match from Australia. [...]
Sky-high pay for broadcaster chief despite poor performance August 20, 2023 Sky’s head honcho Dana Strong has pocketed more than $30m (£23.6m) in just two years making her one of the UK’s highest paid executives, despite the broadcaster’s finances taking a nosedive last year. Sky owner Comcast delivered a pay check of $15.2m to Strong in 2022, even as revenues plummeted 11.5 per cent. In 2021, during [...]
Barbie and Oppenheimer gives Everyman a £11m summer boost August 18, 2023 Everyman reported nearly £11m in revenues after Barbie and Oppenheimer – together known as ‘Barbenheimer’ – drew in record numbers of crowds. The boujee cinema chain said the lucrative film pairing, released in the final week of July, helped the group rake in a revenue of £10.6m in the month of July, up from £7.1m [...]
JD Wetherspoon chair Tim Martin hits out at Daily Mail article on panini and pint prices August 18, 2023 JD Wetherspoon issued a statement to the stock exchange this morning - confirming their ham and cheese panini comes with a free soft drink
Sir Michael Parkinson dies aged 88: Heartfelt tributes to ‘greatest interviewer of our age’ August 17, 2023 Sir Michael Parkinson has died aged 88, as tributes flowed in for the TV talk show host, also known for being the face of Axa insurance adverts for over-50s. A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his [...]