Royalty rate rocks for Hipgnosis Songs Fund following US ruling July 3, 2022 Shares in Hipgnosis Songs Fund climbed today after after a fresh court decision effectively meant it will be able to collect a greater royalty rate for music streaming. It comes after the US Copyright Royalty Board upheld its decision regarding the top-line streaming royalty rate for songs, which boosted the percentage of streaming service revenue [...]
Internet jobs for less than £4 per hour: How ‘microwork’ is exploiting thousands of Brits July 2, 2022 An emerging form of internet working, dubbed ‘microwork’, is exploiting thousands of UK workers who in many cases are earning less than £4 an hour. ‘Microwork’ is a form of work on digital platforms in which short tasks are assigned to workers who are paid piece wages for completing them. This can consist of coding data to [...]
‘A win for all parties’: BT and Amazon to share Champions League rights under new £1.5bn deal July 1, 2022 Amazon will split the rights to the Champions League with BT for the 2024-27 cycle, a period which marks the start of a new format for UEFA’s men’s European club competitions. It means Amazon has secured live UK rights to the Champions League for the first time, spelling danger for broadcasters who have already felt [...]
Longer and more frequent ads: Ofcom weighs up advert rules as the UK eyes American model to stay competitive July 1, 2022 Ofcom said it may extend the time and frequency allowed for advertising breaks on UK TV as the watchdog eyes up an American-style model. As part of a review of broadcasting rules, the change could mean Brits have to see more ads, with less time in between them. Current rules set by Ofcom mean that [...]
Warner Bros says it ‘regrets’ shutting down questions about JK Rowling at media event June 30, 2022 Warner Bros has backed JK Rowling’s contribution to the Harry Potter films, sitting in contrast to its previous decision to restrict Sky News asking questions about the author to movie stars. As reported by Sky News, reporters were blocked from asking Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the eight movies, about the famous writer [...]
New internet law hands govt ‘unprecedented’ censorship powers that will curb free speech, think tank warns June 27, 2022 The Government is facing calls to “slim down” its new Online Safety Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, amid concerns over its impact on people’s freedoms and privacy, as well as innovation. The new internet legislation will hand ministers “unprecedented” censorship powers, with significant implications for free speech, new research warns. The [...]
BT rushes to deny claims that call centre staff have launched foodbank to help them through cost-of-living crisis June 24, 2022 Telecoms giant British Telecom denied this morning a union’s claims that call centre staff have set up a foodbank to help them during the cost-of-living crisis. buThe Tyneside CommunitEE pantry was set up by staff at EE – owned by BT – and offered cupboard staples such as pasta, cereal and oats, as well as [...]
Netflix eyes advertising deals as video streamers clamber for subscribers June 23, 2022 Netflix is on the road to advertising partnerships, said co-CEO Ted Sarandos, as the streaming giant works out how to salvage subscriber numbers.
Duke of York no more: New law proposes Prince Andrew and other ‘dubious’ peers to be stripped of their titles June 22, 2022 Under a new law tabled in Parliament, the Duke of York and peers could be stripped of their titles. There is currently no mechanism for such a title to be removed, but calls have been growing for action against Andrew since he paid millions to settle a US civil sexual assault case with his accuser [...]
The launch of Paramount Plus: Streaming isn’t a ‘winner takes all market’ says global chief June 22, 2022 Paramount Global launched its own streaming service in the UK this morning, entering an already flooded market of choice.