BBC slashes nearly 400 jobs as licence fee squeeze continues September 29, 2022 The BBC has slashed nearly 400 jobs from its world service division as the broadcaster feels the increasing pressure of the licence fee freeze. The Beeb said it would be moving towards a “digital-first” strategy for the BBC World Service, cutting 382 posts in the process. “Changing audience needs around the world – with more [...]
Amazon ups Stateside pay for frontline workers as union pressure mounts in UK September 29, 2022 Amazon has agreed to boost the average pay of frontline workers in the US, adding increasing pressure on the firm this side of the Atlantic to bolster pay. The e-commerce giant said it would boost salaries from $18 to $19 (£16.60 to £17.60) per hour, while transportation teams would earn between $16 and $26 an [...]
Broadband giants told to do more as eight million homes struggle to pay bills September 29, 2022 The media regulator has called on broadband firms to do more to help struggling households, as more than eight million homes struggle to pay their bills. According to a new Ofcom study, nearly a third (29 per cent) of customers are having problems paying for their phone, broadband, pay-TV and streaming bills, doubling since 2021 to the highest figure [...]
Whatsapp boss warns govt against changes to encryption in online safety September 28, 2022 The chief of Whatsapp has warned the government against making drastic changes to message encryption in the online safety bill. Speaking with the Financial Times, Will Cathcart said that there were other ways of protecting children on apps rather than threatening encryption and explained that any move to undermine security could endanger the government’s own [...]
New Betfred penalty signs off a summer of fines from the gambling watchdog September 28, 2022 Adding to what feels like a summer of fines for betting firms, the Gambling Commission whacked Betfred with a fresh £2.87m penalty this morning for social responsibility and anti-money laundering failings. The failures include a lack of controls, which meant one punter lost £70,000 in a 10-hour period just a day after opening an account. “This [...]
Hey Brother: Avicii estate sells rights to DJ’s top hits September 28, 2022 Avicii’s top hits have been sold off to Stockholm-based entertainment firm Pophouse, adding to the tide of artists who have cashed in on their hits in recent years. In an announcement this afternoon, Pophouse, best known for developing the ABBA Voyage show in London, said it had acquired a 75 per cent ownership in the [...]
Fleet Street giant Tony Gallagher named new editor of The Times September 28, 2022 Fleet Street legend Tony Gallagher has been named the new editor of The Times, taking the reins from veteran John Witherow as the paper pushes forward on both print and digital fronts. After serving as deputy editor since 2020, Gallagher, 58, said this morning that he was “enormously proud” to take up the top spot, adding that the [...]
Everyman loved by every man: Cinema posts ‘progress on all fronts’ as losses narrow September 28, 2022 Cinema group Everyman said it had seen “progress on all fronts” this morning after it shrank its pandemic losses and notched a jump in revenues to £40.7m in the six months to June.
Exclusive: Entertainment and media firms hold nerve against economic instability September 27, 2022 UK entertainment and media firms are holding their nerve against a backdrop of economic turmoil, opting for digital investment over cuts. While there is short-term uncertainty in the market, confidence and growth can be seen in the long-term direction of the entertainment and media (E&M) industry, according to a new report from PwC. The big [...]
Youngsters ditch pints for savings as cost of living woes stunt spending September 26, 2022 Flocks of youngsters are ditching pints and nights outs en masse as the cost of living crunch sinks in. According to PwC’s consumer risk survey, 18-34 year olds are making major cuts to consumer spending, with 69 per cent either reducing or stopping eating out, 57 per cent ditching subscriptions to their streaming/TV services, and [...]
