Google is ‘killing off industries’ with online ad monopoly, tech bosses tell Westminster committee June 21, 2023 Several small tech companies have accused Google of stifling competition due to its monopoly of the online advertising market – amid calls to increase competition by lawmakers. The House of Lords communications and digital committee heard the tech giant is “killing off industries”, and that its dominance leads to higher prices. In the hearing which [...]
Forget Marvel: Meet the Barbie Universe, says Mattel boss Ynon Kreiz June 21, 2023 Ynon Kreiz is the CEO of a $6bn company, responsible for some of the world’s most recognisable brands, and I’m pressing him on whether or not he has a favourite Barbie. “I wish I had one so I can give you a straight answer,” he says after the third time I ask him. “But I [...]
Online ad spend at favoured platform Google to hit £653bn by 2026 June 19, 2023 Google is the most popular search engine among advertisers and generates the highest revenues out of all major internet companies, a study on global digital marketing has found. According to the research, conducted by linkdaddyseo.com, Google held a majority 58 per cent share in the search advertising market in 2022, beating major competitors such as [...]
Harry and Meghan’s Spotify deal ends after Duchess hosts just one series of her podcast June 16, 2023 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s deal with Spotify has ended following a mutual agreement between the royals and the streaming giant. The parting of the ways was confirmed by a joint statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and Spotify. Meghan hosted only one series as part of the deal – the [...]
Vodafone and Three UK ‘transformative’ merger sparks speculation over CMA approval June 15, 2023 Britain’s competition regulator is set to scrutinise the long-awaited tie-up of Vodafone and Three, announced yesterday. The deal will create the largest mobile network in the UK. Vodafone boss Margherita Della Valle said the merger is “great for customers, great for the country and great for competition”, but commentators warned last night the CMA was [...]
Vodafone and Three announce long-awaited £15bn UK mega merger June 14, 2023 Vodafone and CK Hutchinson, owner of Three, have announced their long-awaited UK merger today. The new group ‘MergeCo’, now the UK’s biggest mobile operator, was revealed this morning and is valued at £15bn, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. MergeCo is 51 per cent Vodafone owned and 49 per cent CK Hutchinson owned. Vodafone chief [...]
Nintendo crowned ‘best value for money’ as nearly 70 per cent of Brits reduce gaming spend June 13, 2023 Nintendo’s online gaming subscription is the “best value for money” – but British gamers have spent less on products as the cost of living crisis weighs down their wallets. The Mario and Luigi creators have beaten the likes of the Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus in Indivisible Gaming’s investigation into online gaming subscriptions. An [...]
US competition watchdog follows UK and blocks Microsoft’s $68bn Activision swoop June 13, 2023 America’s competition watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has moved again to prevent Microsoft from acquiring Call Of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The US regulator asked a court to temporarily block the $68.7bn (£54.7bn) merger, which it believes could significantly reduce competition in the market. In December, the FTC issued an initial legal complaint, saying, [...]
Telegraph and Spectator to be put up for sale as bank takes over parent firm June 7, 2023 The Telegraph newspapers and Spectator magazine are set to be put up for sale after their parent organisation was forced into receivership due to unpaid debts. The firm’s holding company B.UK, owned by the billionaire Barclay family, was placed into receivership by the Bank of Scotland after the firm failed to strike a deal on [...]
BBC announce Dame Elan Closs Stephens as acting chair after Richard Sharp’s exit June 2, 2023 Dame Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed acting chairwoman of the BBC following Richard Sharp’s departure. Mr Sharp resigned after publication of a report which found he broke the rules by failing to disclose that he played a role in getting then-prime minister Boris Johnson an £800,000 loan guarantee. The Government announced on Friday that [...]