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 [...]
Channel 4 to air Hollyoaks on Snapchat as it targets young viewers June 4, 2020 Channel 4 today said it will air Hollyoaks on Snapchat as part of a fresh deal to bring more than 300 episodes of its TV programmes to the social media app over the next year. From today the broadcaster will show short-form edits of the soap opera favourite on Snapchat’s Discover section. The Undateables, The [...]
TV sector faces ‘bleak future’ without government intervention April 6, 2020 The UK’s commercial TV sector faces “permanent change” as a result of coronavirus unless the government steps in to help, top media analysts have warned. In a note to clients published today, Enders Analysis warned a combination of declining advertising revenue and a shutdown in filming had left broadcasters and the production sector facing a [...]
Channel 4 taps Grayson Perry as it launches new creative plan March 25, 2020 Artist and broadcaster Grayson Perry will host a new show teaching housebound Brits how to make art as part of a slate of new creative programming on Channel 4. Grayson’s Art Club will feature the iconic crossdresser and famous guest artists, who will teach people how to sculpt, draw and create while in quarantine. It [...]
Coronavirus: Broadcaster viewing figures surge as Brits flock to TV news March 19, 2020 The UK’s public service broadcasters have reported a huge surge in viewer numbers as Brits flock to TV news to find out the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak. Almost 8.7m people tuned into the BBC Six O’Clock News last night — the highest figure recorded since Christmas Day 2008 and more than twice the [...]
Channel 4 under fire over BP Paralympics sponsorship January 12, 2020 Channel 4 has come under fire from climate activists after it announced that BP will sponsor its coverage of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Environmental evangelists have taken aim at the broadcaster for accepting money from the oil giant, which is one of the world’s largest contributors to fossil fuel emissions. Read more: Boris [...]
Sky and Channel 4 sign advertising deal as streaming threat looms large September 17, 2019 Channel 4 has signed a deal to use Sky’s advertising technology as the broadcasters strengthen ties amid growing competition from streaming rivals. The two companies today announced a multi-year deal that will see Channel 4 use Sky’s Adsmart platform to deliver targeted ads on its linear channels. Read more: Ofcom clears Channel 4 News over [...]
Ofcom clears Channel 4 News over Jon Snow’s ‘white people’ comment August 5, 2019 Ofcom has cleared Channel 4 News of wrongdoing after presenter Jon Snow remarked he had “never seen so many white people in one place” during a Brexit rally. The regulator received 2,600 complaints that Snow’s comment, made at the end of the programme, was racist and offensive. Read more: BBC gets Ofcom approval to stream [...]
Channel 4 grows revenue as it doubles down on digital June 11, 2019 Channel 4 has posted a modest rise in revenue for the year as it looks to shift its focus to digital viewing amid a “challenging” economic environment. The broadcaster reported a 1.5 per cent rise in revenue to £975m in 2018, as record digital revenue offset a decline in traditional viewing. Pre-tax profit hit £5m, [...]
Netflix raises prices by 20 per cent as it blames $15bn production budget May 30, 2019 Netflix is raising the prices of some of its subscriptions by as much as 20 per cent as it prepares to ramp up investment in new TV shows and films. The streaming service is increasing the cost of its standard plan, which allows users to watch on two screens, by £1 to £8.99, while the [...]