EXCLUSIVE - Media Boy UK Sources: 14 FAST channels are set to launch on Virgin Media UK from tomorrow

Media Boy UK HQ Sources has just confirmed that 14 FAST channels are set to launch tomorrow via the Virgin Media UK EPG on all boxes outwith TiVo.

Variety: All3Media Being Eyed by Mediawan, Banijay, Sony After ITV Pulled Out of Acquisition

Story from Variety:

All3Media, the production-distribution giant behind “Fleabag,” “The Traitors” and Jamie Dornan-starrer “The Tourist,” will return to the sales block in September after ITV backed away from a deal last month.

Hollywood Reporter: ITV Adds Former Discovery Executive Marjorie Kaplan to Board

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

U.K. TV giant ITV has added former Discovery top executive Marjorie Kaplan to its board of directors.

Media Guardian: ITV warns it is in ‘worst ad recession since financial crisis’

Story from Media Guardian:

ITV has warned it is in the midst of the worst advertising downturn since the 2008 financial crisis.

I: DAZN prepares to enter bidding war for Premier League TV rights with Sky Sports and TNT

Story from I:

Streaming platform Dazn will join the bidding for Premier League TV rights when a potentially “challenging” auction opens in the autumn, "I" can reveal.

Daily Mail: BBC 'defend paying John McEnroe more than £205,000 for Wimbledon'

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC insiders have reportedly defended their decision to increase John McEnroe's pay for this year's Wimbledon, despite him not commentating the men's final.

Deadline: ITV Will “Closely Monitor” James Martin’s Productions But Plans To Continue Working With Under-Fire TV Chef

Story from Deadline:

UK broadcaster ITV will “closely monitor” productions from under-fire TV chief James Martin going forwards.

Deadline: BBC News Channel Anchor Yalda Hakim Quits For Sky Just Months After Landing Chief Presenter Role

Story from Deadline:

BBC News journalist Yalda Hakim is quitting less than four months after being promoted to a sought-after £230,000 chief presenter role on the UK broadcaster’s rolling news channel.

Deadline: ITV Bosses On Labor Strikes And Walking Away From $1.3B All3Media Deal

Story from Deadline:

ITV bosses have provided color on how the U.S. labor strikes are impacting the UK broadcaster and why they walked away from a £1B deal to acquire The Traitors production group All3Media.

Virgin Media: Virgin Media O2 enhances its TV offering with the introduction of FAST channels

Story from Virgin Media:

Virgin Media O2 is partnering with A+E Networks EMEA, All3Media International, Banijay Rights, Blue Ant Media, Extreme International, Fremantle, Little Dot Studios and Tastemade to launch a selection of new Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels, available to all Virgin TV customers at no extra cost from August 1st.

Media Leader; ITV CEO: TV ad market in ‘worst recession’ in 15 years

Story from Media Leader:

“This is the worst advertising recession we’ve seen since the global financial crisis [in 2008],” ITV CEO Carolyn McCall has warned after the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster suffered a double-digit drop in ad revenue.

Media Leader: BBC license fee review must be honest

Story from Media Leader:

A thorough review of the BBC’s licence fee is necessary, but it must consider that such a fee, perhaps turned into a household charge, may be the least-bad option.

Deadline; Revealed: TV Chef James Martin Rapped By ITV After Being Accused By His Crew Of Bullying & Intimidating Behavior

Story from Deadline:

Brit TV chef James Martin is at the center of a bullying storm after he was accused of intimidating his crew on multiple occasions.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: Degaint Viaplay insist Scottish football show will go on

Story from Daily Record:

Viaplay have defiantly outlined their Scottish football schedule for the next three months despite reports that the company was on the verge of financial collapse.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: 6 Viaplay alternatives for Scottish football as bombshell rips up the script

Story from Daily Record:

Any Scottish football fan who has just seen their annual Viaplay subscription fee appear on their bank statement will be entitled to wonder just what they are going to get for their money now that the Nordic media giants have announced they are pulling out of the UK.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: Scotland Euro 2024 qualifying blackout to be avoided

Story from Daily Record:

Scotland's armchair fans look set to avoid a blackout of the national team’s bid for Euro 2024 qualification despite Viaplay’s decision to pull out of all UK sport coverage.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: BBC urged to take on Viaplay rights to Scottish football and broadcast more free-to-air matches

Story from Daily Record:

The BBC has been urged to step in and secure broadcast rights for live Scottish football after Viaplay announced it was pulling out of the UK.

Daily Mail: How TNT Sports stacks up against Sky and The BBC

Story from Daily Mail:

This season, TNT Sports will be the new kids on the block in the world of football, replacing BT Sports.

Deadline: Robert Blair Exiting Warner Bros Discovery After 25 Years

Story from Deadline:

Warner Bros Discovery President of International TV Distribution Robert Blair is leaving after 25 years with the company.

Deadline: BBC Defends Wall-To-Wall Huw Edwards Coverage After Audience Complaints

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has defended the high volume of coverage it dedicated to the scandal involving Huw Edwards, the British broadcaster’s highest-paid news presenter.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Rumour: "BBC Scotland in talks with UEFA to buy Scotland rights"

Scottish Award Winning Radio/TV Presenter Ewen Cameron has just been tweet:

Morninggate - Daily Mail: Willoughby will return to This Morning to save the troubled ITV show

Story from Daily Mail:

There were fears that This Morning could be axed amid the fallout over Phillip Schofield’s affair with a much younger colleague.

Daily Mail: Premier League clubs dealt major blow as Apple rule out rights bid

Story from Daily Mail:

Apple chief Eddy Cue has effectively ruled out buying a share of Premier League broadcasting rights as the technology giant want 'global rights' deals like they have with Major League Soccer.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Broadband TV News: Call for PSBs to take on Viaplay’s Scottish Football rights

Story from Broadband TV News:

BBC and STV are being urged to take on the broadcast rights for Scottish football currently held by the troubled streaming service Viaplay.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Deadline: Canal+ Takes Minority Stake In Viaplay

Story from Deadline:

Canal+ has taken a minority stake in embattled Nordic outfit Viaplay Group, which this morning announced it was making at least 25% of its workforce redundant.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - BBC News; Viaplay: Broadcaster of Scotland games and Scottish League Cup to pull out of UK

Story from BBC News:

Viaplay is to end its coverage of sport in the UK, which includes broadcasting Scotland men's matches, the Scottish League Cup and URC rugby.

Viaplay Group Crisis - Digital TV Europe: Viaplay to cut quarter of staff and eyes sale, commercial chief Wallestam to exit

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Viaplay Group in the Nordics is to cut more than 25% of its staff, with recently promoted CCO Filippa Wallestam among those exiting the business, as it pulls out of the US and UK and considers a potential sale.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - STV News: Scotland national team broadcaster Viaplay announces withdrawal from UK

Story from STV News:

Viaplay has confirmed that it is pulling out of the UK market as part of a major cost-cutting exercise.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Daily Record: Viaplay pull out of Scottish football to spark Scotland national team blackout fears

Story from Daily Record:

Viaplay have pulled out of all UK sport coverage as part of a raft of cost-cutting measures, leaving Scotland national team games facing a blackout.

Broadcast Sport: Sky Sports completes Chris Sutton transfer

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has joined Sky Sports for its Scottish Premiership coverage.

Viaplay Group Crisis - Deadline: Viaplay To Lay Off More Than 25% Of Staff As Nordic Outfit Mulls A Sale & Pulls Out Of U.S.

Story from Deadline:

Viaplay is letting go of more than 25% of its staff as it pulls streaming out of the U.S. and UK and mulls a sale.

Daily Record: SPFL avoid Viaplay Cup panic button as £2.5m cheque in the bank amid broadcaster's eye watering losses

Story from Daily Record:

SPFL bosses will not be pressing the panic button over the financial plight of League Cup sponsors Viaplay - as they’ve already banked a £2.5m cheque from the troubled TV firm for this season.

Media Guardian: Huw Edwards faces months off air as BBC investigation could last to autumn

Story from Media Guardian:

Huw Edwards faces being off air for months after the BBC’s director general said an internal investigation into the suspended News at Ten presenter was likely to stretch into the autumn.

Daily Mail: BBC Scotland suffers plunge in viewing figures

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC Scotland is facing new questions over the quality of its content as new data shows viewing figures have fallen sharply.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Scottish Sun: Viaplay spark ‘withdrawal’ fears as SPFL broadcast partner posts huge loss

Story from Scottish Sun:

Scottish football could be hit with a major broadcasting blow after Viaplay revealed they are reviewing their services.

Daily Mail: Woods confirmed as leader of all-female TNT Sports' presenting team

Story from Daily Mail:

Laura Woods was the centrepiece of TNT Sports' launch on Tuesday as the broadcaster confirmed their all-female line-up of football presenters ahead of next season.

Daily Mail: TNT Sports 'AXE Peter Walton from coverage as shake-up continues'

Story from Daily Mail:

TNT have axed Peter Walton for next season amid a major shake-up with the broadcaster's on-screen personnel, according to reports.

Media Guardian: BBC faces review of licence fee model with alternative methods considered

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC is facing a review into its funding model with subscription, a broadband levy and even advertising touted as potential alternatives to the licence fee.

BT Sport now TNT Sports

Virgin Media UK has now rebranded BT Sport as TNT Sports.

Media Guardian: Tory MP in charge of scrutinising British media hosted drinks event for GB News

Story from Media Guardian:

The Tory MP in charge of scrutinising the British media hosted a parliamentary drinks party for GB News, the Guardian has learned.

EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media UK delayed the launch of FAST channels until sometime next month

Media Boy UK sources has reveal that the FAST channels launching via the TV360 and Virgin Media Stream boxes as of 6pm tonight has now been postponed.

Advanced Television: SPFL extends BBC Scotland deal

Story from Advanced Television:

The SPFL today has signed multi-year extensions to its broadcast agreement with the BBC.

Radio Today: JACK fm licences in Oxfordshire to be acquired by Bauer Media

Story from Radio Today:

The JACK stations in Oxfordshire are set to close as Bauer Media moves to acquire the group’s two fm licences.

Daily Mail: Jeff Stelling set to succeed Laura Woods at talkSPORT

Story from Daily Mail:

Jeff Stelling is the front-runner to succeed Laura Woods on talkSPORT’s breakfast show.

Daily Mail: BBC accused of talking down Britain's new trade deal by Conservatives

Story from Daily Mail:

A new impartiality row hit the BBC last night after the Conservatives accused the corporation of talking down a major new trade deal.

Media Guardian: BBC should stand up for itself more, says Tony Blair

Story from Media Guardian:

Tony Blair has said the BBC should “stand up for itself more” as it faces questions over its handling of complaints about Huw Edwards.

Daily Mail: Mike Dean joins Sky's Soccer Saturday team as a refereeing pundit

Story from Daily Mail:

Mike Dean has been snapped up by Sky Sports and will be a weekly feature of their new-look Soccer Saturday show after stepping down from PGMOL duties.

Daily Mail: BT Sport strike last-minute broadcast deal with Major League Cricket

Story from Daily Mail:

BT Sport have struck a late deal with Major League Cricket to broadcast the inaugural season of the new American T20 tournament.

Daily Mail: Jules Breach to replace Des Kelly as TNT touchline reporter

Story from Daily Mail:

Jules Breach is set to replace Des Kelly as the new main touchline reporter and post-match interviewer at TNT Sports.

Daily Mail: TNT Sport make a shock bid for Super League TV rights

Story from Daily Mail:

TNT Sport have made a surprise bid for Super League's television rights with the new channel seeking to become the home of both codes of rugby.

Viaplay Sports UK Crisis - Viaplay withdraws 2023 financial outlook as ill health forces chair to step aside

Story from Broadband TV News:

Viaplay has announced its withdrawing its previously published full year 2023 outlook.

Daily Mail: Simon Thomas set to replace Jeff Stelling as Soccer Saturday host

Story from Daily Mail:

Former Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas has won the race to replace Jeff Stelling as host of Sky Sport’s iconic results service Soccer Saturday.

Deadline: ITV “No Longer Actively Exploring” Deal To Buy ‘The Traitors’ Producer All3Media

Story from Deadline:

It doesn’t look like ITV will be buying The Traitors producer All3Media.

Deadline: Huw Edwards’ Conduct Was Being Examined By BBC News Journalists Before The Sun’s Sex Pics Claims

Story from Deadline:

BBC News journalists had begun work on a potential exposé about Huw Edwards prior to The Sun newspaper sparking a UK media storm about the presenter, Deadline can reveal.

Deadline: BBC Boss Tim Davie Warns Of “Complex Set Of Circumstances” As It Investigates Claims Against Presenter Huw Edwards

Story from Deadline:

BBC Director General Tim Davie has warned that it will be complex for the corporation to get to the bottom of allegations against Huw Edwards while being mindful of its duty of care to the presenter.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 chief awarded nearly £1.5m salary in 2022

Story from Media Guardian:

Alex Mahon has been awarded the highest annual pay for a chief executive in Channel 4’s 40-year history, only months after the broadcaster avoided being privatised, amid a “challenging” economic environment and a TV advertising downturn.

Two new channels has launch on Virgin Media UK

The following channels has now launch on Virgin Media UK:

• That's TV UK has launch on Virgin UK Channel 150.
• That's 60s has launch on Virgin UK Channel 296.

 

Broadcast Sport: BBC & ITV unveil Women’s World Cup squads

Story from Broadcast Sport:

BBC and ITV have revealed their presentation line-ups for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

Media Guardian: It never rains but it pours as BBC boss hit by yet another storm

Story from Media Guardian:

Tim Davie is facing possibly the biggest crisis of his crisis-strewn stint as the BBC’s director general after one of the corporation’s prominent male television presenters was suspended.

I News: How local TV shrank into a supporting player in Murdoch’s culture wars

Story from I News:

The local television revolution, which launched on Freeview a decade ago to promote local journalism and encourage community viewing, has descended into an outlet for reruns of The Benny Hill Show and simulcasts of Jeremy Kyle Live.

Daily Mail: 'Final two' contenders to replace Jeff Stelling at Sky Sports revealed

Story from Daily Mail:

Soccer Saturday's new host is set to be revealed 'in the coming days', with it down to 'the final two' contenders for the job, according to reports.

Media Guardian: Champagne with Rupert Murdoch … Keir Starmer’s Labour is preparing for power

Story from Media Guardian:

After 13 years of Conservative government it was, in the words of one guest, “an extraordinary, symbolic moment, like a changing of the guard”.

Daily Mail: Thomas among the names being considered as Stelling's successor

Story from Daily Mail:

Simon Thomas is among the names being considered as a successor for Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show.

Deadline: Documents Reveal BBC Boss Tim Davie Was In Contact With Top Government Official On Day He Suspended Gary Lineker

Story from Deadline:

BBC Director General Tim Davie was in contact with a senior government official on the day he suspended Gary Lineker, raising questions about whether he was pressured to punish the presenter for breaking impartiality rules.

EXCLUSIVE: Two new to Virgin Media UK Channels to launch next week

Media Boy UK Blog Sources has JUST reveal that both That's TV and That's 60s is set to launch on Virgin Media UK from July 11th.

EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media UK to launch FAST Channels on EPG on July 18th

TWO Media Boy UK sources has confirmed to Media Boy UK HQ that FAST Channels is set to appear on the Virgin Media EPG on some boxes on July 18th.

Broadcast Sport: FA "exploring" end of 3pm blackout for women’s football

Story from Broadcast Sport:

The FA’s director of women’s football, Baroness Sue Campbell, has revealed that the organisation is considering women’s football being televised during the 3pm blackout.

Peterborough Telegraph: Shock as Peterborough's Ideal World TV staff say they have been made redundant

Story from Peterborough Telegraph:

Staff at Peterborough’s Ideal World TV say they have been made redundant after a plea for a buyer for the company failed to materialise.

Advanced Television: Sky, Channel 4 extend F1 partnership

Story from Advanced Television:

Sky and Channel 4 have extended their partnership enabling motorsport fans across the UK to watch free-to-air Formula 1 coverage through to 2026.

Broadband TV News: No plans to close TalkTV

Story from Broadband TV News:

Rupert Murdoch has insisted there are no plans to shut down TalkTV, despite concerns over poor viewing figures.

EXCLUSIVE: Media Boy UK sources reveal more channel changes set to happen by August

Media Boy UK sources news on more EPG changes on Virgin UK in July:

EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports to launch Sky Sports Tennis

Media Boy UK Sources has reveal to me that Sky Sports are set to launch Sky Sports Tennis HD it will be a replacement Channel for a yet unknown existing Sky Sports channel.

I will update when I know more....

Advanced Television: Rowden leads AMC Networks International UK Content Group

Story from Advanced Television:

AMC Networks International UK has announced that Sam Rowden has been promoted to the newly-created position of Vice President, Content Group, overseeing AMC Networks International UK’s overall content strategy.

Media Leader: Channel 4 is making all the wrong moves

Story from Media Leader:

While the decision not to privatise was the right one, the recent move to drop The Andrew Neil Show while spending on US-owned dramas doesn’t bode well for the broadcaster.

EXCLUSIVE: Media Boy UK HQ gets update from Media Boy UK sources

Here is news round up by Media Boy UK Sources:

Daily Mail: Geoff Shreeves is favourite to replace Des Kelly at TNT Sports

Story from Daily Mail:

Geoff Shreeves has been tipped to replace Des Kelly as the main pitchside reporter for TNT Sports after announcing he is quitting Sky Sports.

Rumour - Digital Spy Forum: That's Media set to launch two channels on Virgin Media UK soon

That's TV UK and That's 60s are being reported on Digital Spy Forum as Coming soon to Virgin Media UK.

Virgin Media July 4th changes: Virgin Media EPG from July 4th

THIS PAGE WAS LAUNCH ON JUNE 28th AT 16:00 - LAST UPDATED JULY 4TH AT 14:20:

Here is the new general Entertainment channel numbers from July 4th:

Rumour - Cable Forum: Virgin Media UK in talks with Warner Bros Discovery to add Discovery+ to be included as part Family pack

Cable Forum is reporting that Virgin Media UK are in talks about a deal for Discovery+ to be included as part of the top tier tv pack.

Daily Mail: Geoff Shreeves quits Sky Sports after rejecting a pay-cut

Story from Daily Mail:

Sky Sports' veteran touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves is to leave the channel with immediate effect.

Advanced Television: Channel 4 signs Disney content deal

Story from Advanced Television:

Ten iconic series are set to land on Channel 4’s streaming service following the signing of a new content deal with Disney.

Deadline: Ofcom To Investigate Shows On GB News & TalkTV Helmed By Politicians

Story from Deadline:

UK regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into shows hosted by politicians on GB News and TalkTV, including one featuring a segment on Donald Trump’s civil trial.

Broadband TV News: Pluto TV is now available to Virgin Media customers

Story from Broadband TV News:

Virgin Media households with either the Virgin TV 360 or Stream products can now receive over 100 live linear channels from Pluto TV.

Daily Mail: Premier League will offer live TV coverage of every Sunday game

Story from Daily Mail:

The Premier League are set to offer live television coverage of every Sunday match from the season after next in a major change to their broadcast rights strategy.