Vivendi shareholders back $40bn Universal Music Spac deal June 22, 2021 Shareholders in Vivendi today backed the company’s plans to spin-off its $40bn Universal Music Group through a Spac deal, marking a major boost for billionaire owner Vincent Bollore. Pershing Square Tontine Holdings, a blank-cheque company run by Bill Ackman, has signed a deal to buy 10 per cent of the iconic record label for $4bn. [...]
Channel 4 boss warns of ‘irreversible’ privatisation risk June 22, 2021 The chief executive of Channel 4 has warned against any “irreversible” decision to privatise the broadcaster, saying it could have a damaging impact on the wider sector. Channel 4 has come under increasing pressure from ministers as they prepare to launch a consultation into a potential sale. Culture secretary Oliver Dowden has previously said that [...]
EU opens competition probe into Google’s online advertising June 22, 2021 The EU has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google over concerns the tech giant favours its own online advertising services. The probe will examine whether Google is harming competition by restricting third-party access to user data for use in advertising while reserving this data for its own use. “Online advertising services are at the [...]
Youtube handed major victory in EU copyright battle June 22, 2021 The EU has ruled that Youtube is not responsible for copyright-infringing material uploaded to its platform by users, marking a major victory for the social media firm. Music producer Frank Peterson took Youtube and parent company Google to court in Germany after users uploaded several phonograms to which he owns the rights in 2008. Publisher [...]
Murdoch’s News UK ‘held talks’ over BT Sport tie-up June 22, 2021 Rupert Murdoch’s News UK is said to have eyed up a partnership with BT’s TV division as the mogul looks to secure the future of his media empire. News UK, which publishes The Sun and The Times titles, held talks with the telecoms giant over a potential tie-up with BT Sport. Bankers from Lazard were [...]
Audioboom hikes revenue forecasts as podcast ads boom June 22, 2021 Audioboom has hiked its revenue forecasts for the full year after cashing in on strong advertising sales across its podcasting platform. The London-listed company said signed advertising bookings had already hit 99 per cent of its overall expectations for the whole of 2021. As a result, the firm expects revenue to be “significantly” ahead of [...]
Nokia shifts to two days in the office in flexible working push June 22, 2021 Nokia staff will be able to work up to three days a week remotely as the telecoms giant becomes the latest company to embrace flexible working. The Finnish firm has outlined new guidelines coming into force from next year after asking for employee feedback following the pandemic. It said staff will be given greater flexibility [...]
Screenshot: Can GB News survive the ad boycott backlash? June 18, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Richard Madeley goes full Partridge **Can GB News survive the ad boycott backlash? **London’s bumper fintech float: a Wise move Media Moment of the Week: Richard Madeley goes full Partridge It’s always risky when producers attempt a comeback of an old show, so I was sceptical when I [...]
ITV outlines Love Island duty of care measures amid safety fears June 17, 2021 ITV has outlined stringent duty of care protocols for the upcoming series of Love Island after media watchdog Ofcom tightened safety rules for reality TV. The hit dating show, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, will return to screens later this month for its seventh series. But producers have now introduced a [...]
‘Not up to government’: Return to office under threat as ministers mull legal right to work from home June 17, 2021 Brits could be granted the right to work from home forever under shock post-pandemic plans being considered by the government. Ministers have proposed legal changes that would prevent employers from forcing staff to come into the office unless they can prove it is essential. The government will consult on the plan over the summer ahead [...]
