January discounts give retailers a boost but high street caution remains February 5, 2019 Retail sales rose last month thanks to a boost from January discounting, but retailers remain cautious as uncertainty on the high street continues. Total sales were up 2.2 per cent in January compared to the month before, an improvement from the 1.4 per cent increase seen in the same period last year and the highest [...]
Viacom launches on-demand streaming app for MTV reality shows February 4, 2019 MTV owner Viacom has launched a new streaming app aimed at younger audiences as it joins a growing list of broadcasters offering an on-demand service. MTV Play, which will initially be available only in the UK, will offer a range of catch-up and box set programmes, as well as a live feed of MTV’s broadcast channel. [...]
Born in the purple: Cadbury drops trademark amid battle for wrapper colour February 4, 2019 Cadbury’s legal battle to protect its distinctive shade of purple has come to an end after the chocolate maker gave up its trademark. In December the Court of Appeal ruled against the confectionery company, which had tried to trademark the shade of purple used on its wrappers. Read more: The colour purple: Cadbury loses latest court battle [...]
Two Huawei workers expelled from Denmark after immigration inspection February 4, 2019 Two members of staff at beleaguered telecoms firm Huawei have been expelled from Denmark after a police inspection showed they did not have the correct immigration paperwork. Copenhagen police charged four members of staff following an inspection at the firm’s offices on Thursday for failing to supply the necessary work and residency permits. Read more: Vodafone [...]
Ofcom complaints league table reveals worst phone and broadband providers February 4, 2019 Virgin Media and Vodafone have topped the league table for the most telecoms and broadband complaints in the third quarter last year, according to regulator Ofcom. Virgin received the most complaints for both pay-monthly mobile and pay-TV services, while Vodafone was the most bemoaned provider for broadband and landline. Read more: Which mobile operators offer London's [...]
Facebook must face the same regulation as other media outlets, says former Tory digital minister February 4, 2019 Facebook is not capable of regulating itself and should be subjected to strict government oversight, the former minister for digital and culture has said. Tory MP Ed Vaizey today waded into the debate around regulation of big tech companies, saying Facebook must take responsibility for the content published on its platform. Read more: Social media sites should [...]
Huawei braces for fresh criticism in upcoming GCHQ review amid spying claims February 4, 2019 Huawei is set to come under fresh scrutiny in an upcoming government report that will criticise the company for its alleged failure to address security concerns. The next annual report by the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) specialist facility will criticise Huawei over the security of its technology and slam the firm for failing to fix [...]
Which advert won the 2019 Super Bowl? February 4, 2019 Microsoft has been named Super Bowl advertising champion with a campaign for an adaptive controller that allows children with disabilities to play video games. The technology giant’s advert was the most popular aired during the New England Patriots’s victory in the iconic American football fixture last night, according to a survey by marketing research firm [...]
Telecoms tycoon Sunil Mittal plots £6bn Airtel Africa float in welcome boost for City February 3, 2019 Indian telecoms mogul Sunil Mittal is eyeing an $8bn (£6.1bn) float of Airtel Africa in a much-needed boost for London listings. The billionaire boss of Bharti Airtel, the second-largest mobile operator in India, is planning an initial public offering (IPO) of the company’s Africa division later this year, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Read more: London listings [...]
Canadian vinyl record shop boss Doug Putman joins bidding war for HMV February 3, 2019 Canadian vinyl record tycoon Doug Putman has made a dramatic late bid to snap up collapsed music store HMV in a move that could hamper Mike Ashley's takeover plans. Douglas Putman, who owns Canadian chain Sunrise Records, has entered the auction and is now the front-runner ahead of the Sports Direct tycoon, according to media reports. [...]
