Rishi Sunak refuses to say if HS2 to Manchester is being scrapped – six times October 3, 2023 Rishi Sunak has refused to confirm whether HS2 to Manchester is being scrapped six times while being grilled in a live interview. The Prime Minister insisted to BBC Breakfast he had “absolutely not” given up on the multi-billion pound rail scheme which has dominated the Conservative Party Conference. “We’ve got spades on the ground on [...]
Government would be ‘crazy’ not to reconsider HS2 costs, minister says September 24, 2023 The government would be “crazy” not to reconsider the costs of the HS2 rail project, Grant Shapps has told the BBC. Shapps said Rishi Sunak was prepared to take “difficult long-term decisions” amid reports the Prime Minister is set to axe the northern leg of HS2. The defence secretary told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura [...]
BBC Studios relaunching international news site amid licence fee freeze September 17, 2023 The BBC is gearing up for an expansion in the US market as it seeks to bolster its revenues amid challenges at home. BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s main commercial arm, is preparing to relaunch its advertising-supported news website in North America, ahead of next year’s US presidential election. Following its debut there, the revamped website [...]
Media bosses under fire over Russell Brand allegations September 17, 2023 Pressure is mounting on TV industry execs as allegations of sexual misconduct by entertainer Russell Brand come to light.
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 [...]
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. [...]
The BBC needs a chief ‘why?’ officer if it’s to regain its relevance August 15, 2023 The BBC is struggling for its survival. It sees a hostile government, new agile competition from streamers and social media, and may soon find out what life is like without the guaranteed income of a licence fee. Faced with this dilemma, the BBC announced a new show yesterday sure to change the institution’s fortunes: a [...]
BBC sells iconic Maida Vale Studios to Hans Zimmer August 14, 2023 The BBC has sold its iconic Maida Vale Studios to a partnership of film producers and composer Hans Zimmer for an undisclosed sum. Once echoing with the sounds of music legends like The Beatles, David Bowie and Dusty Springfield, the recording hub has been sold to a partnership between film producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, [...]
Do viewers prefer the news or Netflix? Ofcom’s latest report reveals state of the nation August 3, 2023 Traditional news channels have beaten Netflix to secure the top spots on the nation’s television appetite as audiences increasingly drift to different media outlets, according to Ofcom’s latest annual Media Nations report. BBC One emerged as the viewers’ first port of call when switching on the TV last year, capturing 20 per cent of the [...]
Nigel Farage receives apology from BBC over Coutts account closure reporting July 24, 2023 The BBC has apologised to Nigel Farage for suggesting he lacked the funds needed to hold an account at Coutts after the private bank cut ties with the former Ukip leader. The BBC’s business editor Simon Jack made the apology after a story published by the corporation suggested Mr Farage had his account shut for [...]