General Atlantic to sell half its stake in £2bn oil data group Argus Media May 29, 2019 Growth equity fund General Atlantic (GA) is set to sell half its stake in oil data group Argus Media in a deal that will value the firm at roughly £2bn. Morning Wire understands GA, which bought a 50 per cent stake in Argus three years ago for around £1bn, is in advanced talks with long-term [...]
BBC calls on top presenters for Tory leadership race debates May 28, 2019 The BBC has confirmed it will host a series of TV debates and interviews as Tory leadership hopefuls battle it out to become the next Prime Minister. BBC News will put on a series of special programmes, including a debate between all the candidates in the leadership race in mid-June, moderated by Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis. [...]
In commercial television, image is everything May 28, 2019 It was Andre Agassi who brought us the phrase “Image is everything”. He was chasing the corporate dollar of camera giant Canon when he uttered the immortal words, which he soon found being shouted back to him on the tennis court. Three words, three commonplace words, but, strung together at that moment in the late 1980s [...]
Live TV still the top choice for Brits despite rise of on-demand viewing May 28, 2019 Broadcast live TV is still the go-to option for Brits when deciding what to watch, despite the surge in popularity of on-demand services, a new survey has revealed. More than two-fifths of the UK population still always turn to live TV in the first instance, making traditional broadcasters the most popular choice, according to research [...]
GDPR is one year old, but has the EU’s data protection regulations helped business or eroded trust? May 24, 2019 Saturday marks the first anniversary of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) finally coming into force. GDPR was heavily hyped up, with many hoping – or fearing – that it would fundamentally change not only how companies handle people’s data, but also how consumers view their online interactions with businesses. Anyone with an [...]
The Sky’s the limit May 23, 2019 I’ve always been fascinated by the media. That’s just as well I suppose, as I run a reputation management firm. But I am constantly intrigued by its influence, its reach, the way it works – and always, always the stories going on behind the scenes. So it was a genuine pleasure to welcome Jeremy Darroch, [...]
Ofcom expresses concern over reality TV after Jeremy Kyle Show death May 21, 2019 Ofcom has expressed concern about the treatment of reality TV stars, a week after ITV axed the Jeremy Kyle Show following the death of a contestant. Appearing in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Ofcom chief executive Sharon White said the regulator is “particularly concerned” about the duty of care broadcasters have [...]
Profits slip at Entertainment One after £61m write down May 21, 2019 Entertainment One said today that its profit before tax fell 43 per cent to £37m after one-off charges. The company behind children's TV favourite Peppa Pig said adjusted profit before tax was up 20 per cent at £156m from £130m. It said underlying earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation was up 21 per cent at [...]
Netflix signs Pinewood Studios deal as it ramps up investment in British shows May 19, 2019 Netflix has reportedly signed a deal to lease a third of the space at Pinewood Studios as it looks to ramp up its investment in British TV shows. The US streaming giant is set to take roughly 150,000 square feet of space at the famous film studios in Buckinghamshire, the Sunday Telegraph reported, citing sources. [...]
Magazine publisher TI Media sells NME and Uncut to Bandlab Technologies May 17, 2019 Magazine publishing group TI Media has sold NME and Uncut to social media content platform Bandlab Technologies. The media firm, which owns a host of well-known UK magazines, today said it has agreed to sell the two music titles and all associated social, digital and print assets for an undisclosed sum. Read more: TI Media [...]