Revenue dips for Virgin Media O2 as it eyes digital expansion and growth November 2, 2022 Virgin Media O2 posted a slight revenue dip in the third quarter, as the telecom giant rides out “an increasingly challenging macroeconomic backdrop”. Adjusted revenue was down 0.6 per cent to £2.59bn, with results dragged down by a 3.7 per cent decline in handset revenue. Total mobile revenues increased by 2.1 per cent to £1.5bn, [...]
Exclusive: ASA chief on how to regulate adland in a world of greenwashing and crypto November 2, 2022 The UK’s advertising body made headlines last month when it banned a series of HSBC green ads for being misleading about their environmental credentials, and said any future campaigns must disclose the bank’s contribution to the climate crisis. Guy Parker, head of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), told City A.M. that this decision was “groundbreaking” [...]
Focus should be on vapes accessibility rather than cigarette bans says think tank November 2, 2022 The government should focus on tobacco alternatives rather than cigarettes bans, says leading think tank. In a new report published today, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) urges policymakers to focus on boosting vapes and e-cigarettes rather than looking towards bans, which has been the preferred strategy in countries such as New Zealand. Recent data [...]
BBC’s local radio cuts slammed as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘misguided’ November 1, 2022 Leading journalist trade body has slammed the BBC’s ambitions to invest more into its local digital news. Chief exec of The News Media Association Owen Meredith criticised the broadcaster’s plans to cut back its late-night local radio, which will see 139 audio roles axed. All local shows after 10pm are set to be replaced with [...]
Harry Styles saves the day for Sony’s music arm November 1, 2022 Sony was buoyed by its music division this quarter, with the group’s profitability countervailing the Japanese giant’s reduced gaming success. Music revenues climbed from JPY 217 billion (£1.2bn) to JPY 359 billion (£2.1bn), with higher sales across recorded music and publishing thanks to new music from big hitters like Harry Styles. Although gaming revenue also [...]
Scoring Gen Z attention: Snap teams up with Sky Sports in new content deal November 1, 2022 Snap has announced a renewed content partnership with Sky Sports UK to host made-for-mobile, short-form content on Snapchat Discover. Sky Sports, a content partner since 2015 with over 1.8 million Snapchat subscribers, will publish highlights from every single Premier League football match, Women’s Super League highlights, behind the scenes content, clips from Soccer AM, Monday [...]
Another player in the market? Viaplay launches its own UK sports and film streaming service November 1, 2022 Nordic producer Viaplay has launched its own streaming service in the UK today, piling in on the crowded video on demand market. The direct-to-consumer packages are priced between £3.99 and £14.99 a month, with content focusing on Nordic storytelling. There are more than 1,000 hours of Viaplay original content, as well as curated third-party series and films. [...]
Playtech finance chief steps down due to ‘personal reasons’ November 1, 2022 The chief of finance at Playtech will step down at the end of this month due to “personal reasons”. The gambling software firm said in an announcement that Andrew Smith, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, would leave his positions on 28 November. Brian Mattingley, Chairman of Playtech, said in a statement: “Andy has played [...]
US judge blocks Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster’s £1.9bn merger November 1, 2022 A US judge has blocked Penguin Random House’s planned $2.18bn (£1.89bn) purchase of Simon & Schuster, after finding the move would hurt competition for anticipated best sellers. Judge Florence Pan of the US district court for the District of Columbia said that the combination of Bertelsmann owned Penguin and Paramount Global owned Simon & Schuster would “substantially” [...]
Local cabbie prices could spiral following Uber lawsuit over VAT November 1, 2022 Taxi firms could be forced to up their prices by a fifth as Uber calls for cabbies across the country to pay VAT on their journeys. A High Court hearing is expected to be handed down this week after the ride-hailing giant sued Sefton Council about VAT terms operating outside of London. Since the 1970s, [...]
