Ofcom gets the green light for new Openreach broadband regulation June 28, 2019 Ofcom has been given the green light to develop new regulation that will give telecoms firms more access to Openreach’s network in a bid to speed up the rollout of full-fibre broadband. The regulator today said it has received approval from the European Commission to press ahead with its scheme, which is designed to boost [...]
ITV bosses slammed over ‘irresponsible’ lie detector tests on Jeremy Kyle Show June 25, 2019 MPs have blasted “irresponsible” ITV bosses for using lie detector tests on The Jeremy Kyle Show without knowing how accurate they were. Senior ITV executives faced a grilling today as part of an inquiry into broadcasters’ duty of care following the apparent suicide of Steve Dymond, a former participant on the reality TV show. Read [...]
Government plans new powers to stop firms exploiting loyal consumers June 18, 2019 The competition watchdog is set to be given new powers to fine companies exploiting consumer loyalty in a crackdown on “subscription traps” and unfair cancellation charges. The government has proposed giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) legal powers to penalise firms without going through the courts. Read more: UK watchdog calls for new powers [...]
Independent and Evening Standard could face probe over Saudi stakes June 13, 2019 The Independent and the Evening Standard could face an inquiry over public interest concerns after a mysterious Saudi investor took major stakes in the titles. Culture secretary Jeremy Wright today said he is mulling an investigation into the groups behind the two newspapers, amid fears the deals could compromise freedom of expression and the accurate [...]
Podcast listeners outspend their peers, report finds June 13, 2019 Podcast listeners outspend their peers by as much as 179 per cent, a new study has revealed, in a sign that brands can cash in on avid on-demand audiences. People who listen to podcasts spend significantly more in all areas than those who do not, with the starkest contrast found among millennials, according to figures [...]
Channel 4 grows revenue as it doubles down on digital June 11, 2019 Channel 4 has posted a modest rise in revenue for the year as it looks to shift its focus to digital viewing amid a “challenging” economic environment. The broadcaster reported a 1.5 per cent rise in revenue to £975m in 2018, as record digital revenue offset a decline in traditional viewing. Pre-tax profit hit £5m, [...]
Advertisers slam government over junk food ad ban proposals June 9, 2019 Advertisers have launched a scathing attack on the government’s plans to ramp up restrictions on junk food advertising, describing them as “totally disproportionate” and lacking in evidence. In submissions to a government consultation, seen exclusively by City A.M., industry bodies Isba and the Advertising Association (AA) said the proposals would harm advertisers and consumers but [...]
Calls for mobile operators to give guarantees over rural ‘not-spot’ proposals June 6, 2019 Campaign groups have called on mobile operators to give guarantees for consumers and businesses over plans to tackle so-called rural not-spots. Consumer group Which and four rural organisations have penned a letter to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) calling for legal obligations to ensure operators improve 4G coverage in rural areas. [...]
Ofcom boss Sharon White chosen as next John Lewis chair June 6, 2019 Ofcom boss Sharon White is set to replace Sir Charlie Mayfield as the next chair of John Lewis, taking on the role as the retailer battles to recover from a recent plunge in profits and tough trading conditions on the high street. White, who is currently chief executive of the UK’s communications regulator, is set [...]
BT to close 90 per cent of its UK offices June 5, 2019 BT Group will shut offices in more than 270 locations across UK as it seeks to cut £1.5bn in costs. The telecoms company is to slash its number of offices across the UK by 90 per cent, leaving just 30 open. In some locations, existing buildings will be refurbished while in others BT will move [...]