Reality TV stars’ Instagram debt ads banned by watchdog June 2, 2021 Instagram posts by three reality TV stars promoting a debt advice service claiming it could wipe out 85 per cent of people’s debt have been banned by the advertising watchdog. Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, Helen Briggs from Ex On The Beach and Towie’s Myles Barnett, who have more than 4m followers between them, all posted [...]
ITV returns to the FTSE 100 amid summer rebound hopes June 2, 2021 ITV is set to return to the FTSE 100 this month after its shares staged a major rebound since its lows at the height of the pandemic last year. The broadcaster was kicked out of the top flight of the index in September after a major slump in advertising and the cancellation of summer hit [...]
Channel 4 privatisation plans heat up amid media deal frenzy June 1, 2021 Ministers have taken another step forward in plans to explore a potential sale of Channel 4 as the growing popularity of streaming sparks a frenzy of major media dealmaking. The state-owned broadcaster has reportedly been added to a list of assets that could be sold as the Treasury looks to shore up the country’s finances [...]
Sun shines on FTSE 100 amid reshuffle as ITV aims for prime-time slot June 1, 2021 The sun is shining on the FTSE 100 with the index receiving an early summer boost pushing it firmly above the psychologically important 7,000 mark. As the global growth recovery story unfolds, miners in particular are on the front foot today, as high demand for metals in particular push prices higher. Anglo American and Rio [...]
Losing faith: French music firm Believe lowers fundraising target ahead of IPO June 1, 2021 French music firm Believe, which helps artists get discovered on streaming platforms such as Spotify, has trimmed down its fundraising hopes ahead of a stock market float this month. The startup today said it planned to raise €300m (£258m) when it lists on the Euronext Paris exchange — below the €500m initially planned. The price [...]
M&C Saatchi lifts forecasts after new client wins June 1, 2021 M&C Saatchi has lifted its forecasts for the full year as it hailed better-than-expected trading in the first four months of the year. The advertising group said business had been stronger than anticipated as the easing of lockdown restrictions sparked signs of a recovery in ad spend. The London-listed firm also secured business from a [...]
The world is not enough: Amazon’s streaming push continues with $8.45bn deal for Bond studio MGM May 26, 2021 Amazon has confirmed it will acquire iconic film studio MGM in a deal worth $8.45bn (£6bn). MGM has more than a century of filmmaking history and is the home of a string of famous titles, including Tom & Jerry, The Wizard of Oz and the James Bond franchise. In a statement today the companies said [...]
GB News gears up for TV debut as it unveils launch date May 26, 2021 GB News today took another step forward in its bid to shake up the UK broadcasting landscape as it unveiled plans to launch next month. The new TV channel, spearheaded by former BBC presenter Andrew Neil, said it will launch on Sunday 13 June. It will begin broadcasting at 8pm with a special programme titled [...]
Contentsquare secures $2.8bn price tag after Softbank-led funding round May 26, 2021 Data analytics platform Contentsquare has secured a valuation of $2.8bn (£1.9bn) following a funding round led by Japanese investment giant Softbank. The digital experience firm, which helps companies understand how people interact on their website or app, nabbed the price tag after raising $500m in a Series E round. The cash injection was led by [...]
Facebook and Google lobby UK to block Paul Dacre as Ofcom chair May 25, 2021 Facebook and Google are said to have ramped up their lobbying of the UK government amid fears Paul Dacre could be appointed as the next chair of Ofcom. Dacre, the former editor of Daily Mail, has been tipped as the frontrunner to lead the UK’s media watchdog. He is one of four final candidates set [...]
