Gone for good: UK distributor behind Take That film goes bust June 4, 2026 The London-based distributor behind the Take That musical film has gone bust, City AM can reveal, in the latest sign of the intense cost pressures facing the industry. Elysian Film Group Distribution is part of the wider Elysian umbrella, founded by former Studiocanal chief Danny Perkins in 2018. FRP Advisory has been appointed as liquidators [...]
Martin Sorrell calls WPP ‘catatonic’ as Goldman slaps sell rating on its own client June 4, 2026 Sir Martin Sorrell spent 33 years turning WPP from a small Kent-based wire and plastics manufacturer into the world’s largest ad company. He left in 2018 following a dispute over personal conduct that he has consistently denied, and has been a vocal critic of his successors ever since. “I think they are further gone than [...]
S4 Capital cuts jobs as Sorrell predicts ‘fewer people’ in advertising June 4, 2026 S4 Capital has cut a further 150 jobs this year, amid warnings from Sir Martin Sorrell that AI will leave the advertising industry employing “fewer people” in the years ahead. The London-listed marketing group said its workforce has fallen to around 6,200, down from roughly 7,000 a year ago, as clients continue to rein in [...]
New Married At First Sight series still in edit despite ‘troubling’ allegations May 20, 2026 Channel 4’s new chief executive, Priya Dogra, has said allegations surrounding Married at First Sight (MAFS) UK were “really hard to watch”, as the broadcaster weighs the future of the hit reality show while the next series remains in edit. Dogra confirmed on Wednesday that no decision had yet been made on whether the upcoming [...]
Google to teach small publishers how to use AI amid copyright row May 12, 2026 Google has launched an AI training programme for small publishers to teach them how to benefit from AI, as the technology continues to reshape how audiences access news. The announcement follows a similar scheme launched by the Mag Seven firm last year, which had targetted bigger players in the industry, with names like Tindle Newspapers [...]
The Festival of Words: From Gyles Brandreth to Anthony Scaramucci – all you need to know about the Fleet Street Quarter festival May 12, 2026 The Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words covers everything from politics to culture, literature, storytelling, broadcasting and public life. It features a fascinating line-up of speakers and panel guests, from political heavyweights to stars of stage and screen. We’re pretty sure it will be a front-running for the Best Arts or Culture Experience category of [...]
Daily Mail owner sells US data arm for $1bn April 30, 2026 The owner of the Daily Mail has agreed to sell its US property data business in a $1bn (£730m) deal, as it reshapes its portfolio and frees up cash for new investments. Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), controlled by Rothermere Continuation Holdings, said it will offload Trepp to Fitch Group in an all-cash transaction [...]
Airtel eyes fintech IPO spin off in $10bn boost for London market April 28, 2026 British telecommunications giant Airtel is mulling listing its mobile money business on the London Stock Market in what could be one of the largest public debuts on a European exchange in years. Airtel Money – a digital commerce service that allows users to store money, transfer funds and buy mobile data – is said to [...]
Meet the startup backed by Peter Thiel that wants to ‘hold journalists to account’ April 28, 2026 Founder Aron D’Souza spoke to Maria Ward-Brennan about his Peter Thiel-backed startup, which aims to hold journalists accountable by providing real-time ratings and investigations into their reporting practices. There exists a lively debate about the extent to which AI could replace journalists, but before it does that – could it develop a hold over the [...]
Billionaire Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings quits after earnings miss April 17, 2026 The billionaire co-founder and chair of Netflix has quit after the streaming giant’s weak financial outlook spooked the market. Reed Hastings, who co-founded Netflix 29 years ago, told investors he will not stand for re-election in June and will focus on philanthropy once he leaves the firm. The shock departure comes after the streaming giant [...]