Business group guru John Longworth plots new pro-Brexit rival to CBI February 16, 2020 Former British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) chief John Longworth is said to be plotting the launch of a new business lobby group to take on the CBI. Longworth left the BCC in 2016 shortly after the organisation suspended him for saying the UK’s future could be “brighter” outside the European Union. A new group would [...]
Broadband customers set to save up to £150 under new Ofcom rules February 14, 2020 New Ofcom rules set to come into effect from tomorrow could save millions of customers up to £150 each, or a collective £1bn a year, on the cost of landline, broadband, TV and mobile packages. The broadcasting and telecoms regulator is set to enforce rules that require companies to offer customers the best deals available [...]
Business groups blast new Ofcom powers to police social media February 12, 2020 Business groups have hit out at Nicky Morgan’s plans to give Ofcom an expanded role in regulating the internet, calling the plan “unrealistic” and saying it would create “uncertainty”. The culture secretary announced that the broadcast regulator would be beefed up to tackle social media firms over “online harms”. Ofcom’s new role, first mooted in [...]
Ofcom set for role as ‘online harms’ regulator February 12, 2020 A beefed-up Ofcom will be responsible for tackling social media firms over “online harms”, culture secretary Nicky Morgan will announce later today. The broadcasting regulator will become Britain’s first internet watchdog, the Financial Times reported, as the UK attempts to crack down on illegal material on sites such as Youtube and Facebook. Ofcom’s new role, [...]
Ofcom’s powers expanded to include social media regulation February 11, 2020 Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is expected to be handed the responsibility of regulating internet platforms tomorrow, as the government publishes its response to a public consultation on online safety measures. Digital media and culture secretary Nicky Morgan will announce Ofcom’s expanded role tomorrow morning, which will see the watchdog hold tech companies to account over the [...]
Former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie calls for radio licence overhaul February 10, 2020 Former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie has urged the government to auction the UK’s analogue radio licences to the highest bidder, arguing that market forces should dictate their value. The government has launched a consultation into the renewal of commercial FM and AM licences for national stations Classic FM, Talksport and Absolute Radio, which are set [...]
BBC calls for ‘demonstrable resilience’ as it launches search for new boss February 10, 2020 The BBC has fired the starting pistol on its search for a new director general, calling for applicants with “demonstrable resilience” as it tries to head off fierce political pressure. The broadcaster today published a job advert for its top position after current director general Tony Hall announced plans to step down in the summer. [...]
Brands told to turn to Youtube ads as young TV viewers tune out February 5, 2020 Brands targeting younger consumers can best boost their reach by advertising on Youtube as viewers desert traditional TV, according to a new report. Research published today by media consultancy Ebiquity revealed the number of people viewing ads on linear TV fell 4.4 per cent last year — worse than the predicted decline of 3.6 per [...]
Culture secretary denies attack on BBC as she hints at wider broadcaster review February 5, 2020 Culture secretary Nicky Morgan has denied the government is launching an attack on the BBC as she hinted at a wider review of public service broadcasters. Morgan today launched a public consultation on whether to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee amid a shift in viewing habits fuelled by the rise of streaming services [...]
New John Lewis boss makes first key hire February 4, 2020 Former Ofcom boss Sharon White has made her first key hire as she takes over as chairman of struggling department store John Lewis. Nina Bhatia has been appointed executive director of strategy and commercial development following a reshuffle of the partnership’s structure. Bhatia, who was most recently managing director at home energy management company Hive [...]