Competition watchdog risks ‘killing’ British tech firms, startups warn March 3, 2020 The UK competition watchdog risks “killing” rising British tech companies by launching lengthy investigations while global rivals are free to pull ahead, startups have warned. In a letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak, seen by City A.M., industry body the Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec) said the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) “eleventh-hour interventions” risked [...]
Sky confirms Disney Plus deal as it ramps up streaming war chest March 3, 2020 Sky today confirmed it has signed a multi-year deal with Disney Plus to make the nascent streaming service available to its pay-TV customers. The deal means Disney Plus will be fully-integrated on Sky Q, while Now TV subscribers will be able to access the service in the coming months. Disney Plus, which launches in the [...]
UK tycoons buy Twickenham Studios as they launch £500m film venture March 2, 2020 Two British tycoons have snapped up Twickenham Studios as part of a £500m project to develop studio space to meet surging demand for new films and TV shows. Piers Read, producer of The Inbetweeners and Peep Show, and Jeremy Rainbird, who launched Bafta-winning production company Merman, have bought the west London studio hub for £50m. [...]
Streaming firm Dazn looks to shake up sports market with UK launch March 2, 2020 Streaming platform Dazn is set to expand to more than 200 countries, including the UK, as it looks to break the stranglehold of traditional broadcasters over sports rights. London-based Dazn, dubbed the “Netflix of sports”, currently operates in nine countries but has yet to break into the UK market, which is dominated by Sky and [...]
Possible lifeline for Sirius as shareholder Jupiter backs Anglo American deal March 2, 2020 Embattled Sirius Minerals could be saved as a key investor pledged to back the controversial Anglo American rescue deal a day before shareholders vote. Jupiter Fund Management, which has a 7.8 per cent stake in the troubled project, will tomorrow back the £405m deal, according to Sky News. Last month the boss of Sirius urging [...]
Number of UK coronavirus cases hits 40 March 2, 2020 The Department for Health said today the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK had risen by four to 40. The department said 13,525 people have been tested for the virus, with 40 positive results. Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer of England, said the four new patients had recently travelled from Italy. The [...]
Saga halts Titan Travel sale as coronavirus worries weigh March 2, 2020 Over-50s insurer Saga is said to have halted the sale of one of its travel businesses as the coronavirus outbreak sparks chaos across the tourism industry. Advisers to Saga have postponed the auction of Titan, which operates escorted tours, cruises and rail journeys to various destinations around the world. A number of private equity firms [...]
European Union raises risk of coronavirus outbreak from moderate to high March 2, 2020 The risk of coronavirus in the European Union has been raised from moderate to high, the president of the European Commission said today. Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement as Brussels confirmed its first cases of the disease. “The ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) has announced today that the risk level [...]
Sky closes in on bumper £300m Six Nations broadcasting deal March 1, 2020 Sky is said to be closing in on a £300m deal for the broadcast rights to the Six Nations in a controversial move that could wipe the rugby tournament from terrestrial TV. The tender process for the new broadcasting contract is set to close when this year’s tournament wraps up on 14 March, with Sky [...]
Goldman-backed Neyber set to be rescued by rival Salary Finance March 1, 2020 The Goldman-Sachs backed lender Neyber will reportedly sell its assets to rival Salary Finance. Neyber is expected to appoint administrators this week, according to Sky News reports. The consumer finance provider will offload its assets including its blue-chip customer contracts to Salary Finance. Sky News sources said the deal was almost certain to happen in [...]