Vodafone taps up Onecom for partner deal June 16, 2019 Onecom has today announced a deal with Vodafone UK – the telecoms giant’s largest ever signed partnership – which will allow the two to reach combined business of £600m over the next five years. Following a £30m funding deal with HSBC last month, Onecom said its deal with Vodafone aims to deliver more than £100m [...]
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 [...]
Sky puts Netflix in its sights as it doubles investment after Chernobyl success June 12, 2019 Sky has unveiled plans to double its investment in original programming as it looks to build on the success of hit show Chernobyl and take on streaming services such as Netflix. The company said it has secured backing from new owner Comcast to launch Sky Studios, a new Europe-wide development and production division. Read more: [...]
Publishing platform Minute Media raises $40m in funding round June 12, 2019 Digital publishing platform Minute Media has raised $40m (£31m) in a funding round as it looks to ramp up its “aggressive” acquisition strategy. Minute Media said it has secured the investment from new investors Hamilton Lane and Maor Investments, alongside its existing backers. The latest round takes the firm’s total funding to $120m. Read more: [...]
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, [...]
BBC to scrap free TV licence for millions of over-75s June 10, 2019 The BBC has announced it will scrap its blanket free TV licence scheme for over-75s and introduce a new, means-tested system. Millions of households will have to start paying the £154.50 annual fee to gain access to the BBC’s live and on-demand programming. Read more: BBC calls on top presenters for Tory leadership race debates [...]
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 Morning Wire, industry bodies Isba and the Advertising Association (AA) said the proposals would harm advertisers and consumers but [...]
BT in talks with ITV over Britbox investment June 9, 2019 BT is reportedly in discussions over a potential multi-million-pound investment in Britbox, the joint streaming service by ITV and the BBC set to be launched later this year. The telecoms firm has held preliminary talks with ITV about taking a stake in Britbox and helping to fund exclusive dramas produced in the UK, the Sunday [...]
Entertainment One shares jump as it denies reports of senior executive exit June 6, 2019 Shares in Entertainment One jumped as much as 15 per cent this morning after it rebuffed reports that boss Mark Gordon was in talks to leave the company. Read more: Profits slip at Entertainment One after £61m write down President and chief content officer Mark Gordon is reportedly set to leave his role amid a [...]