Stage and stream: Amazon inks broadcast deal for National Theatre productions May 25, 2021 Amazon Prime has inked a deal to stream four productions filmed by the National Theatre this summer, including the original stage version of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. The tie-up will also include Frankenstein, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and Hamlet, which also features the Sherlock star, filmed at the Barbican in 2015. Amazon [...]
Ofcom calls for BBC to take on ‘independent’ expertise as part of editorial review May 24, 2021 Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has tonight written to the BBC urging it to take on independent advice from broadcasting experts as part of its review of its editorial policies and governance following the Martin Bashir scandal. The broadcaster today announced that it would carry out the review to make sure the scandal could “never happen again”. [...]
BBC to review editorial policies after Diana interview scandal May 24, 2021 The BBC will carry out a review into its editorial policies and governance in the wake of a scandal over reporter Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana. A report into the interview published last week found the broadcaster had covered up the “deceitful” tactics used by Bashir in securing the explosive 1995 sit-down. It blasted [...]
Cineworld shares fizz as big screen reopening drives ‘strong’ first weekend May 24, 2021 Shares in Cineworld pushed higher this morning after the cinema chain hailed a strong opening weekend in the UK following the easing of Covid lockdown measures. The cinema chain said its performance was led by the success of family hit Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, starring James Corden. Cineworld, which also owns the upmarket Picturehouse [...]
Euromoney snaps up networking platform Relationship Science in $7.4m deal May 24, 2021 Financial data firm Euromoney today said it has acquired networking platform Relationship Science in a deal worth $7.4m (£5.2m). The London-listed company said the bolt-on deal would add further scale to its growing people intelligence business and bring further value to clients. Relationship Science provides relationship-mapping services, giving users data on how two different businesses [...]
Saturday Sitdown: Public media played key role during Covid, says STV boss May 22, 2021 The UK’s public service broadcasters played a vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic and should be protected, the chief executive of STV has said. In an interview with City PM, Simon Pitts threw his weight behind traditional TV channels, insisting they were still relevant despite the rise of streaming heavyweights such as Netflix. “I don’t [...]
Jeremy Paxman diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease May 21, 2021 Legendary broadcaster Jeremy Paxman has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The 71-year-old journalist and University Challenge presenter said he had been receiving “excellent treatment” and that his symptoms were “currently mild”. “I can confirm I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I am receiving excellent treatment and my symptoms are currently [...]
BBC: Boris Johnson ‘very concerned’ about Princess Diana interview scandal May 21, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today waded into the row over the BBC’s infamous interview with Princess Diana, saying he was “obviously very concerned” about the findings of a new report. The damning report by Lord Dyson, published yesterday, found the broadcaster had covered up the “deceitful” tactics used by reporter Martin Bashir in securing the [...]
Six Nations to remain free-to-air as BBC and ITV ink new deal May 21, 2021 The Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air after the competition reached an agreement in principle to renew its broadcasting deal with the BBC and ITV. The new agreement will run for four years from 2022 until after the championships in 2025. For the men’s competition, ITV will show all of England, Ireland, Italian and [...]
Sunday Times Rich List: Marcus Rashford tops the UK’s biggest givers May 21, 2021 Manchester United football player Marcus Rashford has become the youngest person to top The Sunday Times Giving List this year, which measures philanthropy among the ultra-wealthy. The list highlighted today that the UK saw more new billionaire’s during the pandemic than any other time over the list’s 33-year history. However, this year also saw a record amount of donations, exceeding £4bn [...]
