Which telecoms companies have the worst customer service? April 30, 2019 Talktalk has been named and shamed in a report into customer satisfaction at UK telecoms firms, ranking bottom of the table for the third year running. The latest report by regulator Ofcom revealed which broadband and phone companies have the most and least satisfied customers, based on the complaints it received last year. Read more: [...]
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 [...]
Comcast beats profit estimates but streaming rivals eat into revenue April 25, 2019 US media giant Comcast has beaten Wall Street estimates to post strong first-quarter profit, but fell short on revenue. The figures Comcast posted a 17.9 per cent increase in revenues to $26.9bn (£21bn). Net profit rose 14 per cent to $3.6bn. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 18.1 per cent to $8.6bn. [...]
Which consumer survey reveals UK’s worst mobile network providers April 23, 2019 Vodafone has been ranked the UK’s worst mobile operator as big-name providers continue to lag behind their smaller rivals. Vodafone was rated the worst network, while O2 and EE completed the bottom three, according to the latest survey from consumer group Which. Read more: Vodafone broadband advert banned by watchdog for misleading consumers Virtual network [...]
Liz Truss is right to hit the brakes – HS2 would put us all on the train to nowhere April 12, 2019 The bogeyman of politics may be ousted for good, if the chief secretary to the Treasury has anything to say about it. I’m not referring to our Halloween Brexit, but rather High-Speed 2 – a follow-on from the first high-speed rail project, mapping a fast route from London to Birmingham, with branches to Manchester and Leeds [...]
Topshop billionaire Sir Philip Green slammed over potential pensions row as US investor backs out April 10, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s troubles escalated this morning as an influential parliamentary chair hit out at the billionaire tycoon and news emerged of a top US backer pulling out of his retail empire. The Topshop owner has been accused of being up to “old tricks again” by Frank Field, chair of the Work and Pensions Select [...]
AT&T denies reports it is exploring sale of Game of Thrones producer HBO Europe April 10, 2019 US telecoms giant AT&T has denied reports it is exploring the sale of HBO’s European division in a bid to slash its $170bn (£130bn) debt pile. A Financial Times report stated executives have held internal discussions over the possible sale of HBO Europe, which produces hit TV series Game of Thrones, but have not yet held meetings with potential [...]
British American Tobacco calls in headhunters as chairman prepares to step down April 9, 2019 The chairman of British American Tobacco (BAT) is set to step down as changes to financial regulations mean he can no longer serve on the board. Richard Burrows, who has chaired the firm since 2009, is the latest victim of new City rules meaning directors can no longer be considered independent after nine years. Read [...]
Debenhams shares fall into the red as investors eye deadline for Sports Direct offer April 8, 2019 Debenhams shares dipped five per cent in early afternoon trading today, falling from a 15 per cent rise this morning as the deadline for a pre-pack administration draws near. The embattled department store chain is set to hand ownership to lenders tomorrow if Sports Direct fails to reach an agreement with the retailer by the end [...]
Let’s not let rage become the prevailing story of our nation April 8, 2019 Public morality, but private depravity – a time when keeping up appearances on the outside was very much the order of the day. You have to wonder if Brexit has turned this Victorian attitude decisively on its head. No one watching the daily media scrum on College Green could argue that today’s national conversation is [...]