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 [...]
Netflix and Amazon cash in on British streaming market with double the revenue of UK services May 29, 2019 Netflix and Amazon’s revenues from UK streaming customers last year was £1.1bn, twice the amount the Britain’s biggest broadcasters made from their own streaming platforms. Netflix made around £693m in revenues from its UK subscriber base of 10m people last year, while Amazon generated £400m from 7.7m subscribers to its Prime Video platform. The figures, [...]
Brexit talks: Still no progress in discussions between the Conservatives and Labour May 13, 2019 Brexit talks between the Conservative and Labour frontbenches ended in stalemate yet again on Monday despite frantic speculation a crunch vote was set for later this week. Tory MPs were told a three-line whip was in operation for Thursday – meaning an important vote was scheduled – before it was downgraded to a one-line whip. [...]
Protecting the UK’s creative treasures by bringing the digital pirates down a peg leg or two April 26, 2019 The gathering storm of state-backed piracy is high on the agenda, as leaders from creative industries gather for World Intellectual Property Day today. As you read this, a pirate media empire is illegally broadcasting 10 channels of live sport – including one of Britain’s most valuable exports, the English Premier League – to a region [...]
Channel 4 set to move into former nightclub building Majestic in Leeds April 2, 2019 Channel 4 is in advanced talks to move its national headquarters into the Majestic building in Leeds city centre. The broadcaster said it is in negotiations with real estate firm Rushbond to lease 25,000 square feet of office space over three floors in the former cinema and nightclub. Read more: Editor's Notes: Brexit: An Uncivil War [...]
BBC takes control of UKTV channels as Discovery lines up new streaming service April 1, 2019 The BBC will take control of UKTV channels as part of a deal with Discovery that will also see the launch of a new on-demand video service for BBC nature programmes. BBC Studios – the broadcaster’s commercial arm – jointly owns UKTV with US media giant Discovery. Read more: BBC removes podcasts from rival Google [...]
Mars, Mondelez and Kellogg’s hit with advert bans over inappropriate targeting March 6, 2019 Food brands Mars, Mondelez and Kellogg’s have all been handed down advert bans after the watchdog ruled they had inappropriately targeted children and exaggerated health claims. Mars was censured over an advert for its Wrigley’s Extra chewing gum, which featured on Channel 4’s on-demand service. Read more: Sky Incredibles advert banned over superfast Wi-Fi claims [...]
Thinking about taking on an apprentice? National Apprenticeship Week is a good time to start March 5, 2019 One of the great things about my job as a minister is hearing from employers about the positive impact that apprentices have had on their businesses. Employers often talk about the energy and enthusiasm that apprentices bring to the workplace. And they are not just talking about young people either, but apprentices of all ages [...]
Who wants a smartphone? Here’s how to sell the Nokia 3310 in 2019 February 25, 2019 "Hello? Yeah I’m on my mobile. Yeah I’m in the library. Nah I can’t talk right now. I’m in a library for Christ’s sake.” If you’re old enough to remember Trigger Happy TV, my apologies in advance for the earworming melody of the Nokia tune bouncing around your skull for the rest of the day. [...]