Guardian goes green as it bans advertising from fossil fuel firms January 29, 2020 The Guardian will no longer accept advertising from oil and gas companies as the media group looks to cut its links with fossil fuel firms. The move, announced today, will apply across the publisher’s websites and apps, as well as in print copies of the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Weekly. “Our decision is based on [...]
Rupert Murdoch’s News UK confirms launch of Times Radio January 28, 2020 News UK today confirmed plans to launch a new talk radio station aimed at winning over listeners from the BBC’s ailing Radio 4. Times Radio, which will be advert-free, will launch later this year on DAB and online, as well as through an app and smart speakers. The media group said its new venture will [...]
Government hints at tax breaks in boost for news publishers January 27, 2020 The government has hinted that it will consider a range of potential tax breaks for news publishers, marking a much-needed boost for the industry amid tough competition from tech giants. A major review into the future of UK journalism funding last year set out a number of recommendations to help level the playing field and [...]
Sky launches new factual channels amid production push January 27, 2020 Sky today said it will launch two new factual TV channels as the media firm ramps up its investment in original productions. Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature will launch in the spring, offering subscribers original programmes as well as new series from networks such as HBO and Showtime. New original documentaries will include Tiger Woods: [...]
Secret Cinema signs deal with Disney for immersive film productions January 27, 2020 Secret Cinema today said it has signed a multi-title agreement with Disney to bring some of the entertainment giant’s biggest hits to life in London. The immersive cinema company said the first shows will premiere in the capital this year, with plans to expand the events to Los Angeles and New York. Secret Cinema was [...]
Rupert Murdoch puts BBC in his sights with Times Radio launch January 26, 2020 Rupert Murdoch is gearing up for an attack on the BBC with the launch of a new radio station to rival the embattled Radio 4. The media baron’s News UK is set to unveil details this week of Times Radio, which will be funded by the newspaper title. It is thought that Times Radio will [...]
Sky poised to sign streaming deal with Disney January 26, 2020 Sky is said to be close to signing a deal with Disney to bring the US giant’s new streaming service to its pay-TV platform. The two companies are finalising a multi-year tie-up that could shut out rivals Virgin Media and BT, the Sunday Telegraph reported. Disney Plus is expected to launch on Sky alongside its [...]
Culture secretary Nicky Morgan warns BBC not to ignore licence fee row January 23, 2020 The culture secretary has warned the BBC it would be making a “big mistake” if it thought the row over the licence fee was not an issue of public concern. Baroness Nicky Morgan dismissed the notion that the broadcaster’s funding model was only relevant to those in Westminster, arguing instead that it affect the wider [...]
Tiktok inks licensing deal as it gears up for music streaming launch January 23, 2020 Tiktok has secured a licensing deal with a major music rights agency, marking a key step forward in the social media firm’s plans to launch a new rival to Spotify. The Chinese video app today said it has entered into a multi-territory partnership with Merlin, which represents tens of thousands of independent record labels. The [...]
Comcast hikes dividend as broadband boost pushes up revenue January 23, 2020 Comcast today said it had ramped up its dividend after reporting a rise in both revenue and profit in the fourth quarter. The US media titan posted revenue of $28.4bn (£21.6bn), up two per cent on the same period last year, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose three per cent to $8.4bn. [...]
