‘Scale is survival’: UK broadcasters race to merge as streaming giants squeeze revenues Media British broadcasters are turning to mergers as television revenues come under pressure from streaming services, YouTube and online ads, according to Ofcom. The media regulator’s annual Media Nations report found commercial broadcaster revenues fell from £4.98bn to £4.83bn in 2025, despite the wider TV and online video market growing seven per cent to £18.4bn. Growth [...]
Romesh Ranganathan makes it hard to defend the BBC Opinion There is a lot to love about the BBC. But the new Romesh Ranganathan-fronted Corporation love-in will backfire, writes Matt Kenyon I’ve been getting sentimental about the BBC lately. Two different people have separately reminded me of Merlin; I had my first encounter with Louis Theroux’s Neil and Christine Hamilton documentary; I’ve been strangely hypnotised [...]
I recreated all my favourite TV tropes, from crawling through pipes to being two kids in a trenchcoat Life&Style TV tropes told Amelia Tait that life would be spent crawling through ventilation shafts and avoiding quicksand. The reality was very different… until now When I was old enough to know better but young enough for it to still be an excuse, I used to try and run through walls like Wile E. Coyote. I [...]
CMA launches antitrust probe into Hollywood’s mega merger June 9, 2026 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a formal merger enquiry into Paramount Skydance’s anticipated $110bn (£86bn) acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, escalating the regulatory hurdles facing a deal that has already triggered a fierce, multi-front corporate war over Hollywood jobs and executive payouts. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Tuesday it has commenced its [...]
Sky rivals Netflix with one TV subscription to rule them all February 18, 2026 Brits now spend more time with streaming services than with traditional broadcast TV. In the US, streaming has already surpassed linear viewing; in the UK, the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime are absorbing a growing share of screen time and, in turn, consumer spend. Revenue from digital entertainment rose to an all-time high of [...]
Disney streaming gains momentum as Hollywood pressure builds February 2, 2026 Disney beat Wall Street expectations in its latest quarter, buoyed by an unexpected improvement in its streaming business, despite rising costs hitting the entertainment industry. The media giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.63 for its first fiscal quarter, ahead of estimates of around $1.56. Revenue rose five per cent year on year to [...]
Steve Coogan’s TV maker returns to profit before High Court settlement January 6, 2026 Steve Coogan’s production company returned to profit ahead of settling a High Court defamation claim, it has been revealed. Baby Cow Productions has reported a pre-tax profit of £358,628 for the year to 31 March, 2025. The profit comes after the business posted a pre-tax loss of £374,081 for the prior 12 months. New accounts [...]
The 13 unmissable TV shows to watch in 2026, from Industry to Bridgerton January 2, 2026 It’s set to be another blockbuster year for TV shows in 2026, with the return of much-loved franchises like Bridgerton and Industry, as well as a range of new launches, including – for the young and perpetually online – Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty, a thrilling-sounding look at “ozempic culture,” and the return of Dawn French [...]
Jordan North: Capital Breakfast host becomes a millionaire December 18, 2025 TV and radio presenter Jordan North has become a millionaire after taking over as host of Capital’s breakfast show. North succeeded Roman Kemp as host in April 2024 alongside Siân Welby and Chris Stark. The former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here runner-up had previously been a DJ at Radio One. Now, new accounts [...]
Warner Bros to snub Paramount’s takeover in favour of Netflix December 17, 2025 Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is preparing to urge shareholders to reject a $108bn (£81bn) hostile takeover bid from Paramount, after one of its key financial backers pulled out of the deal. Affinity Partners, the investment firm owned by Jared Kushner, said it would no longer support Paramount’s offer, citing a shift in circumstances. “The dynamics [...]