End of an era: Jeremy Paxman graduates from University Challenge after nearly three decades August 20, 2022 Ending his reign as the longest-serving current quizmaster after nearly three decades on British TV, Jeremy Paxman confirmed today he is stepping down as the host of University Challenge. The 72-year-old, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last year, has presented the show since it was revived by the BBC in 1994, some 28 years [...]
Cineworld share price plunges over 50 per cent amid bankruptcy reports August 19, 2022 Cineworld’s share price has plunged more than 53 per cent today amid reports it is filing for bankruptcy. Investors bailed out of the stock, leaving it with a share price of 4.5p a piece. However, shareholders have been stepping back for more than a year. The cinema chain had been hit particularly hard by successive [...]
Discovery dumps stake in GB News as it claws £60m investment August 18, 2022 GB News has secured £60m in investment in a new ownership arrangement, which sees Warner Bros. Discovery dump its stake in the firm.
Gaming giant Embracer snaps up Lord of the Rings rights in bargain deal August 18, 2022 In a clear defiance to the slowing M&A landscape, Embracer Group has snapped up the intellectual property rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit literary works, as well as five other firms in a £645.7m deal.
‘Vast shoes to fill’: Amol Rajan to replace Jeremy Paxman as new University Challenge host August 18, 2022 Amol Rajan is set to become the new host of BBC Two’s University Challenge.
Going old school: why new media’s rise is far from inevitable August 18, 2022 Ian Whittaker is twice winner of the City A.M. Analyst of the Year, a long-standing Square Mile media analyst and founder of advisory firm Liberty Sky Advisors The last 12 months has been a brutal one for many of the most high-profile names in the Media space. According to a recent FT piece, nearly $400bn [...]
Royal Mail posties back strike action in ballot August 17, 2022 Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to back further strikes. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have voted in a second ballot to enter into a formal dispute with management over pay and conditions. Members voted by 98.7 per cent on a 72.2 per cent turnout. An earlier vote in July had seen some [...]
Ladbrokes owner Entain fined record £17m over social responsibility and money laundering failures August 17, 2022 The gambling watchdog whacked the betting shop owner Entain with record £17m this morning over “completely unacceptable” anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures. The Gambling Commission said the Ladbrokes and Coral owner repeatedly failed to protect problematic gamblers from betting huge sums in their shops and online casinos. The commission said the firm let blocked [...]
Young watching seven times less broadcast TV than over 65s August 17, 2022 Young adults are watching seven times less broadcast TV than those aged 65+, according to new figures published today, as they continue to bypass traditional broadcasters and enjoy streaming services. While those aged 65 and over spend almost six hours a day enjoying broadcast TV, the average for people aged 16-24 is less than an [...]
BBC could face journalist walkout as channel merger plans face backlash August 16, 2022 BBC journalists are weighing up strike action as the broadcaster plans to merge channels, including BBC News and BBC World News.