From Sherlock to David Attenborough: BBC earmarks March as launch date for new download-to-own service BBC Store November 7, 2014 You will be able to download and keep individual thousands of programmes from the BBC's archive for the first time next spring. The iTunes-style download-to-own service, dubbed BBC Store, will go live in March 2015, following a trial early next year. Although you can already download-to-own a number of programmes, this is expected [...]
Walking Dead and Mad Man broadcaster AMC Networks buys 49.9 pc of BBC America October 24, 2014 The broadcaster behind The Walking Dead and Mad Men has acquired a 49.9 per cent stake in BBC America. AMC Networks has acquired the stake in BBC Worldwide's US channel – which broadcasts BBC series including Doctor Who, Planet Earth, Top Gear and Luther in the US – for $200m. BBC Worldwide and AMC said [...]
God Only Knows Vs Perfect Day: With One Direction, Pharrell and Chris Martin on board, which BBC Children in Need song has more star power? October 8, 2014 Throw together an all star cast of singers and musicians, from the newly famous to musical legends, sprinkle in a boyband and a rock star or two, and you have the latest song created by the BBC to raise money for Children in Need. The new version of the Beach Boys song, God Only Knows, [...]
BBC iPlayer now delivers 30-day catch up October 6, 2014 Much to the delight of the BBC’s online viewers, the broadcaster has officially extended iPlayer’s catch-up from seven to 30 days, allowing fans of Dr Who and Sherlock three more weeks of procrastination. The extension, announced in April but enacted today, comes in time for autumn’s line up, which includes shows such as the Great [...]
Scottish independence: Large crowds protest against perceived BBC and Nick Robinson bias September 14, 2014 At least 1,000 people have protested outside the BBC’s Glasgow HQ against the broadcaster’s perceived bias in the Scottish independence referendum. Pro-independence supporters, many of whom were waving the flag of Scotland and holding anti-BBC placards, gathered outside the BBC Scotland building in the Pacific Quay area at around 2pm this afternoon. The [...]
BBC Trust nominee grilled by MPs September 9, 2014 RONA Fairhead, the preferred candidate for chairmanship of the BBC Trust, faced a grilling by MPs yesterday morning, including questions over her role during the HSBC Mexico money laundering scandal and her Pearson pay off. Fairhead was the chair of HSBC’s risk committee at the time of the case, which resulted in the bank being [...]
BBC Trust candidate Fairhead quizzed over HSBC money laundering scandal September 9, 2014 Rona Fairhead, the preferred candidate for chairmanship of the BBC Trust, faced a grilling by MPs this morning, including questions over her role during the HSBC Mexico money laundering scandal and her Pearson pay off. Fairhead was the chair of HSBC's risk committee at the time of the case, which resulted in the bank [...]
CBeebies schools to open in China as part of BBC tie-up with Popular September 7, 2014 THE BBC’S commercial arm has signed a deal with Singapore-based Popular Holdings to roll out a chain of CBeebies-branded English-language schools across China. Starting with openings in Shanghai, followed by Beijing and across mainland China and Hong Kong over the coming years, the deal will see the BBC receive licensing fees from the use of [...]
No Blue Peter badge for Sajid Javid as he lives the dream at BBC studio September 4, 2014 The Rt Hon Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove and UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport Sajid Javid is no luvvie. Not a bit of it. However, when it comes to reliving his childhood, he’ll jump at the opportunity. Yesterday, Sajid was doing a tour of TV studios, as you do, taking in [...]
“Fear and loathing” at BBC as staff vote to strike (again) September 1, 2014 BBC staff have voted for strike action over redundancies and cuts at the BBC, according to the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). Members voted for strike action by a massive 73.6 per cent of the vote. The figure rose to 86.9 per cent of members when they were asked whether they should take action [...]