Latest News from Media Boy UK HQ on new channels testing 2023

Last updated on December 30th 2023 at 19:50 (THIS POST WILL STAY AT TOP OF BLOG): 

Deadline: Sky Censured By Ofcom For Second Time In A Year Over Swearing, This Time On ‘Entourage’ Repeat

Story from Deadline:

Sky has been rapped by Ofcom for the second time in the space of a year over swearing in one of its repeat shows, this time Entourage.

Daily Mail: Top BBC jobs are still filled with staff who went to private school

Story from Daily Mail:

More than a fifth of the top jobs at the BBC are filled by people who were privately educated, new figures show - despite working class viewers complaints that the broadcaster is out of touch.

Here some Q&A about a soon to launch Sky Sports Tennis

Here is the wee bit of Q&A about Sky Sports Tennis:

Q) Hi Media Boy UK I would like your opinion on something please. Is it possible for Sky Sports to charge extra for Sky Sports Tennis as an add on?

BBC set to hand over secret Diana emails about Martin Bashir scandal

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC is set to hand over documents related to the Martin Bashir scandal after a judge ordered the corporation to give them up earlier this month – but may redact some before surrendering them to a tribunal.

Deadline; UK TV Ratings: BBC’s Latest Agatha Christie Adaptation Ahead Of ITV’s ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’ From Easter Weekend

Story from Deadline:

The BBC‘s latest Agatha Christie adaptation concluded last night ahead of ITV‘s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? from over the Easter Weekend.

Deadline: Alastair Campbell Considered Legal Action Against BBC Over Iraq War Coverage, Archives Show

Story from Deadline:

Notorious former UK government spin doctor Alastair Campbell was pondering legal action against the BBC 20 years ago over its reporting of the controversies surrounding the Iraq War.

The Sun: TNT Sports axe major show from schedule with UK fans forced to pay to watch

Story from The Sun:

TNT Sports has axed their coverage of WWE NXT.

Morninggate - Deadline: Holly Willoughby Set For TV Return After Kidnap Plot & ‘This Morning’s Phillip Schofield Scandal

Story from Deadline:

Holly Willoughby is ready to make her comeback on ITV‘s Dancing On Ice after enduring a difficult 2023.

Deadline: BBC Dunks On Research Accusing It Of Feeding Viewers A “Diet Of Woke Bias”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has criticized research accusing the UK broadcaster of peddling viewers a “steady diet of woke bias,” including news about slavery and gender diversity storylines in drama.

FT: GB News hands shares to Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nigel Farage

THIS STORY FIRST APPEAR IN FT ON NOVEMBER 3RD 2023;

Story from FT:

GB News has given shares to some of its top presenters and contributors, including former Conservative business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, ex-UK Independence party leader Nigel Farage and Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Ireland.

BBC News: Amazon Prime Video to have ads in UK from February

Story from BBC News:

Amazon is set to introduce adverts to its Prime Video streaming service from 5 February 2024.

Deadline; UK TV Ratings Bonanza: The Most-Watched Shows Of 2023

Story from Deadline:

Another year draws to a close, one in which we may have (almost) seen the back of the Covid-19 pandemic, a UK Prime Minister managed to stay in office for more than five minutes and audiences were dazzled by an array of TV shows and performances including a once-in-a-generation week that saw a royal Coronation and Eurovision.

Deadline; Henry Sandon Dies: ‘Antiques Roadshow’ Expert Was 95

Story from Deadline:

Henry Sandon, longtime Antiques Roadshow expert, television personality, author and lecturer, has died.

Daily Mail: Margaret Thatcher biopic to fill the void left by Netflix's The Crown

Story from Daily Mail:

A major new biopic of Margaret Thatcher is in the works that could fill the hole for fans of The Crown, which is due to end this month.

Deadline: British Star Fears Death Of The Traditional TV Sitcom, Blames “Broadsheet Snobs”

Story from Deadline:

British stand-up comedian and actor Lee Mack fears the death of the traditional TV sitcom is upon us.

The Sun: Star of The Office is suing Disney for £150,000 — claiming he was injured fighting an ogre in a TV show

Story from The Sun:

The actor who played sexist sales rep Finchy in The Office is suing Disney for £150,000 — claiming he was injured fighting an ogre in a fantasy TV show.

Rumour - Digital Spy Forum: Virgin Is set to replace Lionsgate+ with Disney+ Premium

Digital Spy Forum is reporting that due to Lionsgate closing in January Virgin Media UK is set t Replace Lionsgate+ with Disney+ Premium - for the extra £3 per month.

Deadline: Pinewood, Warner, Sky Sound Alarm Over “Studio Tax” Threat To UK Status As Hollywood Rival

Story from Deadline:

Pinewood, Warner Bros Discovery, and Sky have sounded the alarm over a so-called UK film “studio tax” that they argue could torpedo Britain’s status as a rival to Hollywood.

Advanced Television: Channel 4 streaming viewing up 24%

Story from Advanced Television:

Channel 4 has unveiled its 20 most streamed episodes and top series of 2023, in a year that has seen a 24 per cent increase in streaming minutes, and over 53.5 billion viewer minutes consumed on the streaming platform overall.

Media Boy UK Best of and review of Virgin Media UK

Media Boy UK Best of and review of 2023:

01) The Biggest poster of the year on Cable Forum (NOT Media Boy UK):

Winner is - TimeLord2018 with 88 posts

WBD/Paramount merger - If WBD and Paramount do merge what brand would it own in the UK?

What will Warner Bros Discovery/Paramount own if merge in the UK?

WBD/Paramount merger - BBC News: Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount in merger talks

Story from BBC News:

Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global are in early talks to merge, according to multiple media reports.

Daily Mail: BBC presenter interrupted by a man who mistakes him for an employee

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC presenter Ben Boulos was interrupted while live on television on Wednesday morning by a man who had mistaken him for an employee.

Deadline: ‘Doctor Who’ Producer Bad Wolf Gets £43M Boost From Unusual Deal To Make BBC Sci-Fi Series

Story from Deadline:

Bad Wolf‘s unusual deal to make BBC Studios show Doctor Who helped boost the Sony-owned production outfit’s revenues.

BBC News: ICO's criminal investigations team looks into claims BBC withheld documents

Story from BBC News:

The Information Commissioner's Office says its criminal investigations team is looking into claims the BBC withheld documents relating to Martin Bashir's 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

BBC News; England cricket: MP bids to get Test matches shown free on TV

Story from BBC News:

Live coverage of England's home Test cricket matches would be shown on free-to-air TV under a proposed law change.

Deadline: GB News Hit By Latest Ofcom Breach Over Campaign To Save Britain From Becoming Cashless Society, With Five ‘Don’t Kill Cash’ Investigations Still Open

Story from Deadline:

GB News has been hit with its first Ofcom breach over the network’s Don’t Kill Cash campaign and more could be incoming.

X EXCLUSIVE: NBC News NOW HD to close at midnight on December 31st on Virgin UK

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Guardian: Ian Wright to step down as Match of the Day pundit at end of current season

Story from Media Guardian:

Ian Wright will step down from his regular punditry role with the BBC’s Match of the Day programme at the end of the football season in May 2024.

Daily Mail: Barton claims Football Focus will be cancelled in Alex Scott jibe

Story from Daily Mail:

Joey Barton has suggested Football Focus could follow A Question of Sport in being cancelled by the BBC as he appeared to aim another jibe at the show's host Alex Scott.

Garygate - Deadline: BBC’s Highest Paid Presenter Is “Tucker Carlson Of The UK,” Complain Colleagues

Story from Deadline:

Gary Lineker, the BBC’s highest paid presenter and rider of many a controversial media storm, has been dubbed the “Tucker Carlson of the UK” by resentful colleagues, The Times reports.

Media Guardian: Full clip of BBC presenter’s viral middle-finger countdown released

Story from Media Guardian:

Millions have seen the viral clip of a BBC News presenter holding up her middle finger to the camera.

Mirror: Cat Deeley 'turns down This Morning job' and leaves ITV bosses 'pulling their hair out' with stress

Story from The Mirror:

This Morning has been left in chaos after Cat Deeley reportedly turned down the offer to replace Holly Willoughby as the host of the show.

BBC News; Samir Shah: MPs voice 'serious reservations' about new BBC chairman

Story from BBC News:

MPs who grilled the incoming BBC chairman have "serious reservations" about some of his attributes.

Media Guardian: BBC shelves Question of Sport, blaming ‘funding challenges’

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC is pulling Question of Sport, the world’s longest-running sport quiz, citing “funding difficulties”.

Broadband TV News: Little Britain returns to terrestrial TV

Story from Broadband TV News:

Controversial comedy Little Britain is to return to UK screens 20 years after its original transmission.

The Sun: Much-loved GMB host and 90s TV legend revealed as This Morning’s new dream team after Holly Willoughby exit

Story from The Sun:

Presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley are set for big-money deals as the new faces of This Morning.

X EXCLUSIVE: Media Boy UK Sources give more information on DAZN

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Boy UK BLOG sister site Media Boy UK on X got the following information from MB UK Sources on November 28th.

Broadband TV News: DAZN looks for new funding for 2024

Story from Broadband TV News:

DAZN is in conversation with potential investors to expand its current range of sports.

BBC News: Gary Lineker seemed to break rules, next BBC chairman says

Story from BBC News:

Gary Lineker breached the BBC's social media rules in tweets about Tory MPs during a row about the government's Rwanda policy, the candidate to be corporation chairman believes.

BBC News: Gary Lineker criticised over Rwanda comments in impartiality row

Story from BBC News:

Gary Lineker has faced fresh criticism after backing a campaign calling for the scrapping of the government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Broadcast Sport: DAZN & TNT Sports Box Office share Day Of Reckoning fight night

Story from Broadcast Sport:

The Day Of Reckoning fight night will be available through both DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland.

Bauer Radio channels closes on Virgin Media UK

The following Bauer Radio channels has now closed on Virgin's TiVo and V6 boxes.

Advanced Television: ONE Championship signs Sky Sports deal

Story from Advanced Television:

ONE Championship (ONE), the martial arts organisation, has announced an exclusive partnership with Sky Sports to air ONE events and ancillary programming on Sky’s broadcast and digital platforms across the UK and Ireland.

Deadline; RedBird IMI Emerges As New Favorite To Buy ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Maker All3Media

Story from Deadline:

Jeff Zucker and Gerry Cardinale‘s RedBird IMI has emerged as the new frontrunner in the race to buy Squid Game: The Challenge maker All3Media.

Broadband TV News: GB News asks investors for £30 million

Story from Broadband TV News:

GB News is in talks with investors to raise £30 million.

X EXCLUSIVE: Media Boy UK HQ has seen more information on Sky Sports Tennis

Story from Media Boy UK on X EXCLUSIVE:

Here is latest information Media Boy UK on X have on Sky Sports Tennis from Media Boy UK sources:

Digital TV Europe: TNT Sports to air and stream FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery and BT JV TNT Sports and its streaming home discovery+ are to show all matches of FIFA Club World Cup 2023 Saudi Arabia live from Jeddah in the UK and Ireland.

Deadline: BBC Must Release Emails Relating To Martin Bashir’s Princess Diana Interview, Judge Orders

Story from Deadline:

The BBC must release a large number of emails relating to Martin Bashir‘s infamous 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

X EXCLUSIVE; Sources: Virgin Media UK have "A new box in the pipeline"

Story from Media Boy on X: 

Media Boy UK on X sources has reveal to Media Boy UK HQ that Virgin Media UK has got a new box "in the pipeline".

X EXCLUSIVE; Sources: Virgin Media UK are "working on FOUR contracts right now"

Story from Media Boy UK on X: 

Media Boy UK on X sources say Virgin Media UK are said to be working on FOUR contracts right now.

Digital TV Europe: BBC set for more cuts after lower-than-expected licence fee rise

Story from Digital TV Europe:

The BBC has confirmed it will have to make further budget cuts following the UK government’s decision to increase the licence fee that funds it by less than had been expected.

Deadline: ‘Doctor Who’ Gets More Than 100 Complaints Over “Inappropriate” Transgender Character

Story from Deadline:

The BBC received more than 100 complaints from Doctor Who viewers who argued that the inclusion of Yasmin Finney‘s transgender character Rose was “inappropriate.”

Deadline: BBC Insiders Alarmed Over Funding Deal That Blows $100M Hole In Budget & “Threatens Independence”

Story from Deadline:

BBC insiders have voiced alarm over a funding deal that has blown a £90M hole in the UK broadcaster’s finances and sources say potentially threatens its independence.

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports picks up Formula E live rights for UK and Ireland

Story from Broadcast Sport:

TNT Sports has won the live rights for Formula E in the UK and Ireland, and have confirmed Jermaine Jenas as the new TV host.

Variety; Phillip Schofield Inquiry: ITV ‘Unable to Uncover’ Evidence of Affair With ‘This Morning’ PA, Anchor Did Not Participate Due to ‘Risk to His Health’

Story from Variety:

ITV has published findings from its external inquiry into former “This Morning” anchor Phillip Schofield‘s affair with a PA on the show.

Digital TV Europe; TV Advertising: ITV boss says main focus is to grow digital advertising across ITVX

Story from Digital TV Europe:

ITV’s chief executive officer Carolyn McCall has said the UK broadcaster is currently focusing on growing its digital advertising business and revenue for its AVOD platform ITVX, in a keynote session at The Future of TV Advertising Global held by The Media Leader in London.

Deadline: BBC Presenter Caught Giving Middle Finger To Camera As “Private Joke” Goes Wrong

Story from Deadline:

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri was caught giving the middle finger to camera in an on-air gaffe that she says was a “private joke” gone wrong.

Media Guardian: BBC condemns low licence fee rise warning of impact on creative sector

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC’s governing body has said the UK’s creative sector will be hit by the government’s decision to limit the expected licence fee increase to £10, after the culture secretary confirmed a below-inflation rise.

Wales Online: S4C releases full Capital Law report into bosses' behaviour

Story from Wales Online:

A report released today into the working environment and atmosphere at S4C paints a dire picture of the culture and mood within the Welsh language broadcaster.

Advanced Television: Ofcom consults on new Channel 4 licence

Story from Advanced Television:

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom is consulting on proposals for a new licence for Channel 4, ahead of its current licence expiring on December 31st 2024.

Media Guardian: Samir Shah to be appointed as next chair of BBC

Story from Media Guardian:

The veteran TV executive Samir Shah is set to be appointed as the next chair of the BBC.

Daily Mail: Jamie Carragher drops hint over Sky Sports future in Gary Neville meme

Story from Daily Mail:

Jamie Carragher suggested he and Gary Neville will grace Sky Sports' Premier League coverage for some years to come after the broadcaster's new rights deal was secured.

TJC's Ideal World launches on Virgin Media UK

TJC's Ideal World HD has today launch on Virgin UK Channel 747.

Broadband TV News: Culture secretary hints at below inflation rise for BBC licence fee

Story from Broadband TV News:

The Government has opened up a new front against the BBC after the culture secretary said she wanted the BBC licence fee to go up by an “appropriate amount”.

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports to air England women’s cricket India tour

Story from Broadcast Sport:

TNT Sports is to broadcast the England women’s cricket tour of India, starting 6 December with a T20 clash.

BBC News: BBC licence fee £15 increase too high, culture secretary says

Story from BBC News:

An increase to the BBC licence fee by almost £15 would "absolutely" be too much, the culture secretary has said.

Daily Mail: Premier League announce new £6.7bn UK TV rights package from August 2025

Story from Daily Mail:

The Premier League has confirmed its status as the richest league in the world by agreeing a new domestic TV deal with Sky Sports and TNT Sports worth £6.7billion over four years between 2025 and 2029.

Media Guardian: BBC likely to receive below-inflation rise in licence fee

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC will receive a below-inflation increase to the licence fee, the culture secretary, Lucy Frazer, has in effect confirmed after Rishi Sunak said he welcomed cuts made by the corporation to its spending and services.

Media Guardian: Rishi Sunak says BBC cuts are ‘welcome’ amid reports of licence fee curbs

Story from Media Guardian:

The prime minister has said that cuts at the BBC are “welcome” and that it is appropriate for the corporation to make savings when things are difficult.

Deadline: BBC Quiz Show Cancelled Over Lack Of Support For Disabled Contestants

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has cancelled the festive edition of its longest running TV quiz show after contestants complained that producers had failed to support them participating with disabilities.

Deadline: All3 Buyer Rumors Heat Up

Story from Deadline:

The future of All3Media has been under discussion for a large portion of 2023, and it appears a deal might be reaching the finish line.

Daily Mail: BBC want Premier League TV price cut

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC are seeking a reduction in the £60million-a-year fee they pay the Premier League for Match of the Day because there will be fewer 3pm Saturday kick-offs in the next TV rights cycle.

Media Guardian: Sacked S4C chief calls for investigation into Welsh-language channel

Story from Media Guardian:

The former head of the Welsh public service broadcaster has sent a scathing letter to the culture secretary calling on her to urgently investigate S4C and its chair, amid a deepening crisis at the top of the Welsh-language channel.

Viaplay Sports UK Takeover - Deadline: Viaplay Sells UK Biz & Announces Equity Injection

Story from Deadline:

Viaplay has sold its UK business back to Premier Sports and revealed “the renegotiation of credit arrangements and the proposed injection of new equity into the Group” as it battles the economic downturn.

Broadcast Sport: Prime Video adds Jeff Stelling & Dan Walker for Premier League

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Prime Video has added Jeff Stelling and Dan Walker to its Premier League coverage over December.