Media Guardian: Bad economics at the BBC enabled Tory austerity and its aftermath – and it knows as much

Story from Media Guardian:

How different might the last decade of British politics have been if the public had been better informed about economics?

Advanced Television: World Cup boost for iPlayer

Story from Advanced Television:

BBC iPlayer has seen its best year ever, breaking 7 billion streams for the first time ever. 2022 grew 9 per cent on 2021, and ended the year with both the best month and best quarter iPlayer has ever seen, with 700 million streams for December and 2 billion streams between October and December.

Broadband TV News: ITVX wants more personalisation

Story from Broadband TV News:

ITVX’s plans for 2023 include building up its ad proposition and SVOD experience.

Media Guardian: Head of watchdog recuses himself from BBC chair inquiry

Story from Media Guardian:

The head of an investigation into Richard Sharp’s appointment as the BBC chair has recused himself from the process, admitting the pair have met several times.

Media Guardian: BBC Local staff to vote on strike action over radio overhaul

Story from Media Guardian:

BBC Local staff are likely to strike next month over changes to radio schedules after a journalists’ union announced industrial action would be put to members in a formal ballot.

BBC News: Nadine Dorries broke rules with talk show role - watchdog

Story from BBC News:

Nadine Dorries has been accused by Parliament's anti-corruption watchdog of breaking the ministerial code by not consulting it before taking a TV job.

BBC News: Review of BBC economic coverage finds concerns but no systematic bias

Story from BBC News:

A review of the BBC's reporting of government financial policies has said it is not biased towards one particular political position, but there are things "that put impartiality at risk".

Media Guardian: UK homes cancelled 2m streaming services last year as cost of living soared

Story from Media Guardian:

British households cut more than 2m subscriptions to services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ last year, as the cost of living crisis fuelled the first annual decline since the UK streaming revolution began a decade ago.

Media Guardian: Boris Johnson was ‘told to stop seeking Richard Sharp’s advice on finances’

Story from Media Guardian:

Boris Johnson was formally asked by his then cabinet secretary to stop seeking “advice” about his financial affairs from Richard Sharp just days before he was announced as the BBC chair, according to reports.

Daily Mail: BBC consider axing the daily tips from Today programme

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC are considering dropping the daily racing tips from Radio Four's flagship Today programme in a controversial move that would enrage casual punters and further diminish the corporation's coverage of the sport.

Media Guardian: Nadine Dorries to interview Boris Johnson on launch of her TalkTV show

Story from Media Guardian:

The former culture secretary Nadine Dorries is to host her own Friday night talk show on TalkTV and her first programme will feature an exclusive interview with Boris Johnson.

Broadcast Sport: Sky Sports signs first direct ICC cricket deal

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Sky Sports has extended its broadcast rights deal with the ICC until the end of 2031, in what is the first time the pair have had a direct contractual relationship.

Radio Today: Bauer Radio could be fined for turning off Absolute Radio’s AM service

Story from Radio Today:

Ofcom is considering giving Bauer Radio a financial penalty for ending its national AM licence eight years early.

New York Post: Netflix will put a stop to password sharing by end of March

Story from New York Post:

Netflix plans to bar users from sharing passwords for free by the end of March of this year, according to a recent company announcement in a letter to shareholders.

BBC News: MPs warn local news will struggle to survive without more support

Story from BBC News:

MPs have warned that local news outlets will struggle to survive without more support from the government.

BBC News: Joanna Gosling bids an emotional farewell to BBC News live on-air

Story from BBC News:

Presenter Joanna Gosling has signed off for the final time, after 23 years at BBC News.

BBC News: Jacob Rees-Mogg to host GB News show

Story from BBC News:

Former Tory cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg is to host his own TV talk show on GB News, the broadcaster said.

BBC News; Radio Foyle: Politicians and BBC hold talks about cuts

Story from BBC News:

Politicians from the north west of Northern Ireland have met BBC management in London to discuss proposed cuts to BBC Radio Foyle.

BBC News; Richard Sharp: BBC chairman says he will not quit over Boris Johnson loan row

Story from BBC News:

The chairman of the BBC says he won't quit over the Boris Johnson loan row.

Media Guardian; Richard Sharp: BBC chair was shareholder in firm awarded £600k while he was a No 10 adviser

Story from Guardian Media:

Richard Sharp owns a multimillion pound stake in a healthcare company which was granted nearly £600,000 for Covid research while Sharp worked in No 10, it has emerged.

Media Guardian: Richard Sharp says ‘no conflict of interest’ in appointment as BBC chair

Story from Media Guardian:

Richard Sharp has insisted he had no conflict of interest when he was appointed the chair of the BBC by Boris Johnson, despite allegations he helped secure a loan of up to £800,000 for the prime minister only weeks earlier.

Media Guardian; Richard Sharp: ‘pale, male, stale’ BBC chair with friends in high places

Story from Media Guardian:

When Richard Sharp was named as BBC chair two years ago, he was worried staff had already made up their minds about him: “White, pale, male, stale,” as he put it.

Broadcast Sport: Murray heroics help Warner Bros. Discovery to Australian Open audience growth

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Warner Bros. Discovery has revealed that streaming audiences for the first week of the Australian Open have grown by almost a third year-on-year.

Broadband TV News: BBC Chair to appear before DCMS Committee

Story from Broadband TV News:

The Commons DCMS Committee has announced plans to question BBC Chair Richard Sharp following media reports about his appointment.

Media Guardian: Panel approving Richard Sharp as BBC chair included Tory party donor

Story from Media Guardian:

The government-appointed panel that approved Richard Sharp as a prime candidate for the role of BBC chair included a Conservative party donor and prospective MP, as well as the wife of the former chair of the Spectator who worked with Boris Johnson when he edited that political magazine.

UPDATED: Virgin Media UK set to give some Channel 4, Disney, ITV, Paramount Global, Sky UK and Warner Bros. Discovery channels new home from Tuesday

If Media Boy UK get move changes we will update this page:

Deadline: Veteran ITN Editorial Director Chris Shaw To Depart

Story from Deadline:

Chris Shaw, Editorial Director of ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 News operator ITN, is exiting the company after four decades.

Media Guardian: Richard Sharp’s position as BBC chair under investigation

Story from Media Guardian:

Richard Sharp’s position as BBC chair is the subject of two separate investigations, amid allegations he helped Boris Johnson secure a loan of up to £800,000 weeks before he was recommended for the job by the then prime minister.

Broadcast Sport: Warner Bros. Discovery to close BT Sport Stratford studio

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Warner Bros. Discovery is to close BT Sport’s Stratford studio.

Media Leader: BBC journalists to vote on strike action over local radio services changes

Story from Media Leader:

Journalists at the BBC are holding a consultative ballot on strike action.

Media Guardian: Johnson denies conflict of interest in appointment of BBC chairman

Story from Media Guardian:

Boris Johnson made a surprise appearance in Ukraine on Sunday as he denied any conflict of interest over his role in appointing a new BBC chairman while in No 10.

Media Guardian; ‘It’s like signing Messi’: Ken Bruce’s move a coup for Greatest Hits Radio

Story from Media Guardian:

When Ken Bruce announced his departure this week from Radio 2 after 31 years, leaving behind his 8.5 million regular listeners, many people assumed the 71-year-old legend would be hanging up his headphones for good.

Virgin Media UK set to launch Sky Sports UHD Channels soon

The following UHD Channels will launch soon on Virgin Media:

• Sky Sports Main Event UHD
• Sky Sports UHD 1
• Sky Sports UHD 2

Deadline: Love Nature And Sky Co-Producing Animal Rivalries Doc

Story from Deadline:

Love Nature and Sky Nature are on board Gladiators, a four-part doc from producer Talesmith about the life-defining battles in the animal kingdom.

Broadcast Sport: 200+ BT Sport staff at risk of redundancy

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Over 200 BT Sport staff are at risk of redundancy following their switch to Warner Bros. Discovery, a statement from union Prospect confirms.

Radio Today: Alternative plan proposed to reshape and network Local BBC Radio stations

Story from Radio Today:

The BBC has changed some of its proposals for programme sharing across its local radio network with extra shows and revised pairings of stations.

Deadline: Warner Bros Discovery Gives “Considerable” Number Of UK And Ireland Staff £1,000 Payment To Help With Cost Of Living Crisis

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery is handing many of its UK and Ireland staff a one-off payment of £1,000 to help combat the cost of living crisis.

Media Guardian: BBC apologises for pornographic prank during FA Cup football coverage

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC has apologised after its coverage of an FA Cup football match was marred by pornographic noises being played loudly while its presenters were live on air.

Media Guardian: Ken Bruce to leave BBC for new radio show

Story from Media Guardian:

The broadcaster Ken Bruce is to leave the BBC after more than four decades – 31 of those years spent presenting his morning show on Radio 2.

Media Boy UK Views: Has Ideal World sign a ideal deal with Virgin Media?

As reported on January 12th Ideal World was rumoured to be set to close today - but it still broadcasting on Virgin Media.

Media Guardian; ‘Proud to be a disruptor’: GB News faces growing pains as it tries to clean up image

Story from Media Guardian:

GB News has entered the new year with a new plan: cut costs, hire more major talent, get off an advertising blacklist – and force all producers and presenters to take training workshops brushing up on “the law and Ofcom”.

Hollywood Reporter: Warner Bros. Discovery, European Broadcasting Union Secure Olympics Rights in Europe Through 2032

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Warner Bros. Discovery and pan-national broadcasting group the European Broadcasting Union have secured all rights in Europe to the Olympic Games from 2026 through 2032.

Media Guardian: BBC Formula One presenter Jennie Gow says she has had a serious stroke

Story from Media Guardian:

BBC Formula One presenter Jennie Gow, who regularly appears on Netflix’s series Drive to Survive, has said she has had a “serious stroke”.

Media Guardian: ITVX enjoys strong first month thanks to A Spy Among Friends and World Cup

Story from Media Guardian:

ITV said its streaming hours jumped 55% in the first month of its new service ITVX, launched to compete with Netflix, Disney and Amazon, boosted by viewers tuning in to watch World Cup football and the hit drama A Spy Among Friends.

Deadline; BBC Director General Tim Davie On Digital Switchover: “We’re Not Putting A Date On It Or Anything Stupid Like That”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC is “not proactively putting a date on a digital switchover or anything stupid like that,” Director General Tim Davie has said, but rather sparking a “broader conversation across the UK for when we do move across.”

Deadline: BBC Gives Unchallenged Platform To Anti-Vaxxer; Wins Praise From Disgraced Lawmaker Who Compared Covid Shots To Holocaust

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has stoked controversy after giving a virtually unchallenged platform to a Covid jab critic on its rolling news channel.

Deadline; BBC News Anchor Exodus: Three Presenters Quit Ahead Of Divisive Channel Merger

Story from Deadline:

Three of the BBC’s most experienced news presenters are quitting the UK broadcaster as it ramps up plans to merge its international and domestic news channels.

Rumour: Ideal World may close on Virgin Media next week

Digital Spy Forum is reporting that Ideal World may stop broadcasting on Virgin Media on January 17th.

Media Boy UK HQ has now added more EPG listings for Sky and Freeview

Media Boy UK Blog has added the following EPG listings to "Media Boy UK Extra" pages:

Media Leader: What does the future hold for Channel 4 now?

Story from Media Leader:

Stephen Arnell offers his take on Channel 4 avoiding privatisation and what it could spell for broadcaster-owned content.

Digital TV Europe: BBC iPlayer enjoys record-breaking start to the New Year

Story from Digital TV Europe:

The BBC says viewers and listeners “flocked to BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds in record numbers over the festive period”.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Channel 4 privatisation plans formally abandoned

Story from Media Guardian:

Plans to privatise Channel 4 have been formally abandoned, ending years of threats to the broadcaster that cost the government millions of pounds and were opposed by the vast majority of the media industry.

Channel 4 Takeover - Media Guardian: Culture secretary ‘recommends dropping Channel 4 privatisation’

Story from Media Guardian:

The culture secretary has recommended the government drop its plans to privatise Channel 4, according to a leaked letter that suggests ministers will instead push the broadcaster to move jobs out of London.

Media Mole: Sky secures five-year rights deal for South Africa T20 cricket league

Story from Media Mole:

Sky Sports has announced that it has acquired the UK rights to the new South African T20 cricket league, the SA20.

Daily Mail: BBC 'warping modern Britain' with 'woke' dramas, report warns

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC risks 'warping modern Britain' by allowing its TV dramas to be blighted by politically correct bias in their stories, a report has said.

Deadline: Peter Capaldi-Directed Parenting Comedy ‘They F**k You Up’ In Works At Sky

Story from Deadline:

Peter Capaldi, the former Doctor Who star, is to direct a comedy-drama pilot for Sky Studios about a mother who adopts five children.