David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle sets new government up for BBC clash as John Whittingdale named secretary for culture, media and sport May 11, 2015 David Cameron set his government on a collision course with the BBC yesterday, appointing John Whittingdale as the new secretary of state for culture, media and sport. Whittingdale, who chaired the culture, media and sport committee in the last parliament, has previously been highly critical of the licence fee system used to fund the public [...]
As licence fee critic John Whittingdale is made culture secretary, is this bad news for the BBC? May 11, 2015 Sam Bowman, deputy director of the Adam Smith Institute, says Yes John Whittingdale has described the licence fee as being “worse than a poll tax,” and wants to decriminalise non-payment. That is a good idea: 10 per cent of magistrate court cases are for licence fee non-payment. Every week that means 3,000 people are fined [...]
Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon and Leanne Wood to face BBC audience questions: Here’s what you need to know April 30, 2015 As the three main party leaders prepare to spar with the public ahead of tonight's leaders' Question Time special, some may be wondering how the leaders of the minor parties are planning to spend their evening. While the leaders of Ukip, SNP, and Plaid Cymru may not be involved in tonight's premier event, they will [...]
Ukip takes on the BBC over Camilla Long’s mockery of Nigel Farage on Have I Got News for You April 30, 2015 Ukip is embroiled in a fresh conflict with the BBC, after it asked the police to investigate the corporation over comments made during the satirical programme Have I Got News for You. The complaint was made last Friday in relation to comments made by guest panellist Camilla Long. The party claims her suggestions could hamper [...]
Question Time election leaders special 2015: When is it, how can I watch, what’s the format, is the BBC audience biased? April 30, 2015 Tonight is the last set-piece TV event of the General Election for the three main party leaders. In a Question Time special David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will face the public in a final push to change minds before polling day. The last TV leaders' debate failed to shift the polls significantly [...]
Russell Brand and BBC lift Audioboom’s podcast audience April 20, 2015 Online podcast provider Audioboom has been living up to its name lately, reporting explosive growth in content and registered users in yesterday’s performance update. Audioboom, home of The Russell Brand Podcast, signed on over 150 new content partners in March, acquiring programs like BBC Radio’s Six O’Clock News and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. The additions [...]
Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood to appear in BBC election specials after Ed Miliband, David Cameron, and Nick Clegg get Question Time slots April 18, 2015 Nigel Farage is to be served up to a regional audiences as part of a several BBC specials ahead of the General Election. Farage will appear in a programme in England on 30 April, the same day Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood will appear in [...]
General Election 2015: More people watched last night’s Emmerdale than the BBC debate April 17, 2015 Was it the lack of star quality in the form of Prime Minister David Cameron or the lure of the Dingles? We're not sure but either way last night's leaders' debate got a pummelling in the ratings. BBC1's Election Debate – billed as the challengers' contest with no Cameron and no Nick Clegg – was [...]
BBC debate: The leaders’ debate had a surpise winner… according to social media April 17, 2015 Twitter exploded during the BBC challengers’ debate (Source: Twitter) The five party leaders battled it out yesterday evening in a hotly contested debate designed to rouse support ahead of the General Election – now just 19 days away. Labour leader Ed Miliband emerged triumphant from the debate according to the polling data immediately after, with SNP [...]
General Election 2015: Ed Miliband comes out smiling in opposition leaders’ big BBC TV debate April 16, 2015 It was a big night for Ed Miliband. Going into a debate of the opposition party leaders, he had to prove that he was the Prime Minister in waiting at the same time as taking friendly fire from other left-wing parties, and anti-Westminster shots from Nigel Farage. Agreeing to debate was definitely a risk for [...]