Roku launches ad-funded UK streaming channel with classic British shows April 7, 2020 Roku has today launched a new UK channel as the ad-funded streaming service ramps up its TV offering for British consumers. The Roku Channel will offer users free access to more than 10,000 films, TV episodes and documentaries. It will feature British favourites such as Homes under the Hammer, Kitchen Nightmares and Skins, as well [...]
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson moved to intensive care after condition worsens April 6, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care after his coronavirus condition worsened, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital last night with persistent symptoms of Covid-19. His medical team made the decision to move him to intensive care at roughly 7pm this evening after his condition [...]
Pound plunges after Boris Johnson admitted to intensive care April 6, 2020 The pound fell sharply against the dollar and euro this evening after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to intensive care. The Prime Minister was permitted to St Thomas’ Hospital last night with persistent symptoms of coronavirus. He moved to intensive care at roughly 7pm this evening after his condition deteriorated, Downing Street confirmed. The [...]
Coronavirus: ‘Too early’ to consider lockdown exit plan April 6, 2020 It is too early to consider how the UK will exit the current coronavirus lockdown, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said today. Raab, who led the government’s briefing following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s admission to hospital last night, said current measures were “beginning to work”, but refused to discuss how or when they would be eased. [...]
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 [...]
UK coronavirus deaths hit 5,000 but daily rate slows April 6, 2020 The UK coronavirus death toll has risen past 5,000, but the daily rate of growth slowed for the second consecutive day. A total of 5,373 have now died after a further 439 deaths were recorded, the Department of Health has confirmed. However, it marks the second consecutive day that the number of daily deaths have [...]
Ocean Outdoor launches £10m media fund for virus-hit firms April 6, 2020 Advertising group Ocean Outdoor has launched a £10m fund offering free ad space to the retailers and small businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. The fund will give businesses and brands access to advertising space on the company’s network of screens in 12 UK cities. Ocean’s out-of-home sites in London include Piccadilly Lights and [...]
Facebook classified ads under scrutiny amid EU competition probe April 6, 2020 EU regulators have turned their attention to Facebook’s classified advertising business as part of an ongoing competition probe into the tech giant. The next stage of the antitrust investigation will examine whether the social media platform is distorting the classified ads market by promoting its free Marketplace service to users. Regulators have sent a 14-page [...]
BT gives staff pay rise as chief executive donates salary April 6, 2020 BT has handed out a share bonus to all staff and pledged not to cut jobs during the coronavirus crisis as the telecoms giant faces a surge in demand for its services. Each of BT’s 100,000 employees will be awarded £500 in shares in June, while thousands of non-managerial staff will be given a 1.5 [...]
Pressure builds on social media firms to stamp out ‘crazed’ 5G conspiracy theories April 6, 2020 Social media firms are under fierce pressure to stamp out misinformation about 5G amid fears the spread of conspiracy theories is putting lives at risk. Phone masts have been set alight in locations across the UK due to posts circulating online falsely claiming that there is a link between mobile phone technology and the coronavirus [...]