Ofcom calls for new laws to protect public service broadcasters July 4, 2019 Ofcom has urged the government to introduce new laws to support public service broadcasters amid rising competition from streaming giants. The media regulator has called for new legislation to ensure channels operated by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are displayed prominently on online platforms. Read more: Revamp media regulation to help broadcasters [...]
Internet regulation plans ‘fall short’ for digital businesses July 4, 2019 Government plans to regulate tech firms will not do enough to secure the UK’s status as a hub for digital companies, businesses have warned. The Confederation for British Industry (CBI) said proposals laid out in a recent white paper risk falling short of the government’s ambition to create world-leading regulation. Read more: MPs set ultimatum [...]
Mobile users can now switch providers with a single text July 1, 2019 Mobile customers can now switch network providers with one free text message under new rules that came into force today. Previously, mobile users had to call their current provider to request a porting authorisation code (PAC) before they could switch to a new network. Read more: Three becomes latest UK mobile operator to set 5G [...]
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 [...]