David Dimbleby throws hat in the ring for BBC chairman October 9, 2020 Media veteran David Dimbleby has announced he is considering a bid for BBC chairman, claiming he was “horrified” by reports that former Telegraph editor Lord Charles Moore was the Prime Minister’s top pick for the job. The TV presenter, best known for hosting political debate show Question Time, told the BBC speculation that Moore was [...]
UK broadcasters call for new regulation amid threat from streaming rivals October 8, 2020 The UK’s public service broadcasters have doubled down on their calls for tighter regulation of the media landscape amid growing competition from deep-pocketed streaming rivals. The heads of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 were today united in their pleas to bring British broadcasting rules up to date to contend with modern viewing [...]
Media minister warns Channel 4 could be privatised in fresh broadcasting row October 6, 2020 Media minister John Whittingdale today said the government was mulling a sale of Channel 4 as he launched a fresh salvo on the publicly-owned broadcaster. Speaking at a virtual event during the Tory party conference, Whittingdale said ministers were debating the Great British Bake Off broadcaster’s future amid competition from streaming services such as Netflix [...]
Former No 10 spin doctor Sir Robbie Gibb tipped for BBC chairman role October 5, 2020 Former Downing Street spin doctor Sir Robbie Gibb is said to have taken pole position in the race to become the next chairman of the BBC. Gibb, who served as Theresa May’s communications director and formerly headed up the BBC’s political output, was being lined up for a non-executive position on the broadcaster’s board. But [...]
PR outfit Hawthorn poaches BBC veteran Ross Hawkins: ‘right opportunity at the right time’ October 5, 2020 Ross Hawkins is leaving the BBC after nearly two decades, joining Westminister public relations firm Hawthorn Advisors, the political correspondent confirmed to City A.M. “It’s been brilliant fun [at the BBC], but this is the right opportunity at the right time,” Hawkins said. The seasoned reporter, who joined the BBC in 2001, said one of [...]
Andrew Neil’s GB News will test whether there is appetite for a Fox News-style news channel in the UK October 2, 2020 The announcement this week that Andrew Neil, the doyen of political broadcasters since David Dimbleby quit the stage, was to be chairman of GB News and anchor its flagship evening show four times a week breathed new life into a story that had become a little stale. It was momentous for a number of reasons: [...]
New BBC boss Tim Davie ‘prepared to fire stars’ who break impartiality rules September 29, 2020 The BBC’s new director general today said he is prepared to fire high-profile figures who break the broadcaster’s devout impartiality rules on social media. In his first major move at the helm, Tim Davie, who took up the post earlier this month, said the corporation will publish new social media rules next month which will [...]
Non-payment of TV licence set to be decriminalised and replaced with fines September 28, 2020 Ministers are finalising plans to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence and replace it with action by civil courts and bailiffs. Under proposals set to be announced next month, the government will introduce legislation to bring TV licence non-payment under the scope of “civil debt”, much in the same way non-payment of utility bills is [...]
Gary Lineker takes 25 per cent pay cut as BBC promises reform September 15, 2020 Gary Lineker will take a 23 per cent pay cut as part of a fresh five-year deal to continue hosting Match of the Day. New figures published today showed the former England footballer remains the BBC’s best paid star, pulling in a salary of £1.75m. But the new contract, which will keep Lineker at the [...]
New BBC boss promises ‘urgent reform’ amid pressure over funding September 1, 2020 The new director general of the BBC has promised to keep reforming the public service broadcaster “with urgency” as he faces a fierce debate over its funding model. Tim Davie, who took up the top job today, acknowledged that the corporation faced challenges, but insisted it remained relevant in the modern media landscape. “Overall my [...]