The biggest tech breakthroughs of the last decade December 18, 2019 It is easy to forget, as we approach the end of not just 2019 but also the decade, just how far technology has developed over the past 10 years. To mark the end of the era, City A.M. asked several experts for what they think have been the biggest technological breakthroughs or advancements made in [...]
Tube delays: Central, District and Circle Lines suffer rush hour misery December 17, 2019 Commuters were left to endure a torrid rush hour journey to work this morning after Tube delays hit three Underground lines. A signal failure at Aldgate and an earlier one at Hammersmith have brought the Circle Line to a halt in the anti-clockwise direction, as well as running with minor delays the other way. Read [...]
DEBATE: Is it time for a review of the licence fee and how the BBC is structured? December 17, 2019 Is it time for a review of the licence fee and how the BBC is structured? Jamie Williams, managing partner at the advertising agency isobel, says YES. In a perfect world, the BBC licence fee structure could remain as it is, and the BBC would produce brilliantly entertaining content and unbiased news coverage at affordable [...]
The unexpected consequences of gorilla conservation in Uganda December 11, 2019 Standing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, I’m dodging a light hail of fruits being thrown down by gorillas in the trees above. The animals climb down and gallop through the undergrowth. While they roly-poly down the steep slopes, we chase them in a less dexterous fashion, slipping onto our backsides and hoping we don’t roll in [...]
Netflix shares slide after analyst predicts subscriber losses December 11, 2019 Netflix shares closed down three per cent last night after a broker slashed its rating for the streaming service amid growing competition. Laura Martin, media and internet analyst at Needham, downgraded Netflix from “hold” to “underperform”, predicting that the service will lose 4m US subscribers in 2020 as new rivals enter the market. Read more: [...]
The Beeb needs reform December 10, 2019 In an unconventional move for a frontline politician at election time, Boris Johnson yesterday offered an honest and reasonably clear answer to a question. Asked what he thought of the BBC licence fee he said — whilst muttering something about not concocting policy on the hoof —that it seemed rather outdated. Well, he’s right. Some [...]
Margrethe Vestager says EU will review competition rules in light of increasing digitalisation December 9, 2019 The EU will review its rules on how it defines markets to react to increasing digitalisation, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said today. Vestager said it was time to review the EU’s market definition notice which has been in place since 1997. “Changes like globalisation and digitisation mean that many markets work rather differently from [...]
Netflix dominates Golden Globe nominations with 34 nods December 9, 2019 Netflix has secured 34 nominations for this year’s Golden Globe awards, dominating both the TV and film lineups. The streaming giant secured 17 nominations for both divisions of the awards, in an extraordinary validation for the streaming giant, which received its first Globes nod five years ago. Read more: Apple TV Plus gives Netflix chills [...]
RBS under fire over fake reviews for new app December 8, 2019 Natwest-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has come under fire for writing fake reviews of its new online banking app Bó. Eagle-eyed users noted that a string of five-star reviews, some of which were published months before Bó’s 27 November launch, praised the app for features including design and notifications system. Read more: RBS launches [...]
Saudi Aramco IPO to be largest in history at $25.6bn December 5, 2019 Saudi Aramco is set to raise a record $25.6bn (£19.5bn) in the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history, as it was reported that the oil giant would price its shares at 32 riyals (£6.50) per share, the top end of its range. The sale price will see Aramco knock Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba off [...]