BBC appoints former Google executive as director general Tech Former Google executive Matt Brittin has been confirmed as the BBC’s next director general, taking over from Tim Davie at a pivotal moment for the broadcaster. Brittin spent nearly two decades at Google, most recently serving as president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa before stepping down in 2025. He will now lead the [...]
Less magic, more panic in Disney’s AI deal Media It was always going to happen, wasn’t it? The moment AI video tools became proficient enough to conjure something that looked vaguely like a princess, or a Jedi, Disney would ultimately have to choose: spend the next decade playing a game of Whac-A-Mole in court, or license its assets in-house. The House of Mouse, it [...]
UK media giants join forces to curb AI’s use of their journalism Media Sky News has teamed up with the BBC, the Financial Times, the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph to form a new coalition aimed at setting industry standards for how AI uses news content. The group, under the name the Standards for Publisher Usage Rights coalition (SPUR), has been launched in response to growing concern that [...]
Households to pay more for BBC TV licence, government confirms February 6, 2026 Households across the country will see their bills rise after the Labour government increased the TV licence fee that funds the BBC. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said on Friday that the annual levy will be increased to £180 from 1 April. This marks a £5.50 yearly increase. The move follows rules brought [...]
Disney names new CEO as UK streaming shows early lift February 3, 2026 Walt Disney has ended its long-running succession drama by appointing parks chief Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive, as the group begins to see tentative signs of recovery in its UK streaming business. D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, is to take over from Bob Iger at Disney’s annual meeting on 18 March. Iger, who [...]
Disney streaming gains momentum as Hollywood pressure builds February 2, 2026 Disney beat Wall Street expectations in its latest quarter, buoyed by an unexpected improvement in its streaming business, despite rising costs hitting the entertainment industry. The media giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.63 for its first fiscal quarter, ahead of estimates of around $1.56. Revenue rose five per cent year on year to [...]
LSEG axes Financial Times subscriptions amid FTSE coverage retreat January 29, 2026 The operator of the London Stock Exchange has cancelled hundreds of corporate subscriptions to the Financial Times, City AM understands, in a move that could end a decades-long relationship between the two City institutions. LSEG is understood to have taken the decision in response to the paper’s gradual retreat from coverage of the London markets, [...]
Podcast group Goalhanger nets US investor backing January 28, 2026 US-based investment firm The Chernin Group (TCG) has taken a minority stake in Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts, becoming the first outside investor in the podcasting giant. The investment will support Goalhanger’s “next phase of growth”, which includes accelerating its expansion into the US and developing new IP from its hit shows. The transaction was completed [...]
Amol Rajan to step down from BBC Radio 4’s Today programme January 15, 2026 Amol Rajan is to step down from BBC Radio 4’s Today programme later this year, ending a four-year stint as one of the flagship show’s presenters, according to the BBC. Rajan will remain with the company and continue to present University Challenge as well as the Radio 4 podcast ‘Radical with Amol Rajan’. An announcement [...]
LBC owner loses £140m despite revenue marching towards £1bn January 5, 2026 Global, the media giant behind the likes of radio stations LBC, Capital and Heart, lost £140m during its latest financial year despite its revenue continuing its march towards £1bn. The London-headquartered business, which also includes Smooth, Radio X and Classic FM, has reported its latest pre-tax loss after also losing £120.3m in the prior 12 [...]