Daily Mail: BBC executives joked Bashir scandal would give them 'Tower' sentence

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC executives joked that the Martin Bashir scandal would see them sent for a 'ten-year stretch in the Tower', newly released documents reveal.

X EXCLUSIVE; Sources: MUTV and LFC TV will never launch on Virgin Media Stream due to "due to licensing issues"

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Boy UK on X Sources has revealed to Media Boy UK HQ that both MUTV and LFC TV will never be on Virgin Media Stream boxes "due to licensing issues".

Digital TV Europe; BBC: iPlayer to be recognised as streaming destination rather than catch-up service, says exec

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Speaking at the OTT Question Time event in London, Kerensa Samanidis, general manager of BBC iPlayer, said the pubcaster’s 2020 deal with UK producer Pact which introduced a 12-month window exclusivity on programming across the streamer played a significant move in repositioning the streaming service in the market.

Digital TV Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery's head of streaming EMEA talks about Warner Bros. Discovery UK

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery's head of streaming's Hooper Rosa said that Warner Bros. Discovery “has not been shy” about its ambition to launch its own streaming service in markets where it currently has a distribution partnership with Sky in 2026, without giving details about the impact the launch would have on existing licensing agreements.

Media Guardian: GB News criticised for confusing two Sikh politicians in social media post

Story from Media Guardian:

A Conservative peer and a Labour MP have criticised GB News after the rightwing television channel confused the two Sikh politicians in a social media post.

Daily Mail: BBC hasn't learned from Bashir scandal

Story from Daily Mail:

When it was broadcast in 1995, the Panorama interview with Princess Diana was the most remarkable, and arguably most consequential, in British TV history.

Broadband TV News: UK Media Bill receives thirds Commons reading

Story from Broadband TV News:

The UK Media Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Sky Sports; Sky Sports Tennis: Channel launching on February 11 as home of ATP, WTA Tours and US Open in UK and Ireland

Story from Sky Sports:

Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK, with Sky Sports Tennis set to launch on Virgin Media UK from February 11, making tennis content available all day, every day for fans.

X EXCLUSIVE: Has Media Boy UK on X been told Sky Sports Tennis channel numbers?

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Boy UK on X has been told that Sky Tennis may launch on the following EPG numbers:

Deadline: Channel 4 To Merge Several Commissioning Departments & Leave London Horseferry Road Premises As It Sets Out Layoffs Plan

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4 is merging several commissioning departments including TV drama and film and leaving its Horseferry Road premises as the network sets out its layoffs plan and five-year strategy.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 says it is to sell London HQ as it confirms job cuts

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 is to sell its London headquarters as deep job cuts that are expected to particularly affect staff based in the capital result in the search for new, smaller premises.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 set to announce plan to axe almost 250 jobs

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 is set to announce plans to cut almost 250 jobs as the British broadcaster adjusts to the decline in demand for advertising.

Deadline: Channel 4 Staff Brace For Job Cuts D-Day As UK Broadcaster’s Content Teams Set To Learn Fate

Story from Deadline:

On Monday, Channel 4 will detail its biggest round of layoffs in 15 years.

Media Boy UK HQ views on where Sky Sports Tennis Channels may launch on Virgin!

Here is what Media Boy UK HQ thinks may happen on February 9th:

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports to add studio coverage from second India v England test

Story from Broadcast Sport:

TNT Sports will add a studio presentation to its India v England cricket coverage from the second test of the series.

Rumour - Digital Spy Forum: Is Premier Sports coming back to UK next month?

Someone on Digital Spy Forum is saying that Viaplay Sports may rebrand back to Premier Sports next month.

X EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports Tennis set to soft launch on Virgin Media UK next month

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Boy UK on X Sources has reveal to Media Boy UK HQ that Sky Sports Tennis is set to soft launch on Virgin Media EPG on February 9th.

Media Guardian: BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz is ‘completely biased’, minister claims

Story from Media Guardian:

A minister has lashed out at a satirical Radio 4 show as being “completely biased” in the latest allegation from the Conservatives about BBC impartiality.

Broadcast Sport: BBC puts SPOTY out to competitive tender

Story from Broadcast Sport:

The BBC has announced that Sports Personality of the Year will be put out to competitive tender, to decide who produces the show.

Daily Mail: Sky Sports are set to snap up UK TV rights

Story from Daily Mail:

Sky Sports are set to snap up UK TV rights for this year’s IPL following a legal battle between existing rights holders DAZN and Indian media company Viacom18.

Deadline; Op-Ed: The UK Government Spent A Day Bashing The “Bias” BBC, But Its Claims Were Misleading

Story from Deadline:

If you spent Monday morning watching or listening to the news in the UK, you would be forgiven for thinking that the BBC was getting it badly wrong on impartiality.

Advanced Television: Sky Sports, R&A extend rights deal

Story from Advanced Television:

The R&A and Sky Sports have extended their partnership for live coverage of The Open, AIG Women’s Open, and elite amateur events through 2028.

Advanced Television: Sony, Zee both sue for compensation

Story from Advanced Television:

The Sony/Zee merger is dead but both parties say legal claims for compensation will be made.

Advanced Television: Government responds to broadcasting in Wales report

Story from Advanced Television:

In its report published in October 2023, the UK House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee called for the Six Nations rugby tournament to be included in Group A of the Listed Events Regime.

Advanced Television: Super League+ goes live

Story from Advanced Television:

Rugby League Commercial (RLC) has launched its new global, direct-to-consumer streaming service, SuperLeague+.

Broadcast Sport: Netflix to show live WWE from 2025

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Netflix has picked up the rights to air live WWE. From January 2025 Netflix will show WWE’s weekly program, Raw.

BBC News; BBC review: Ofcom to gain more powers over BBC News website

Story from BBC News:

Ofcom is to gain more powers over BBC online services, including the BBC News website, as part of a series of changes unveiled by the government.

Digital TV Europe: Warner Bros. Discovery airs Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery will air the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 as part of its Olympics programming plans.

Daily Mail: Ex-BBC lawyer sues TV Licensing after accused of not having a licence

Story from Daily Mail:

A former BBC Scotland lawyer is suing TV Licensing chiefs after claiming he was falsely accused of not paying for a licence.

Deadline: Sony Walks Away From $10B Merger With Zee Entertainment In India

Story from Deadline:

Sony has terminated plans for its long-in-the-works merger of its television and streaming operations in India with local giant Zee Entertainment Enterprises, saying that closing conditions were not satisfied.

Deadline: Sky UK & Ireland CEO Stephen Van Rooyen Stepping Down

Story from Deadline:

Sky UK & Ireland’s CEO and Group CCO, Stephen van Rooyen, will step down at the end of next month.

Deadline: Ofcom & BBC Board Handed More Powers To Handle Complaints About BBC Content As UK Gov’t Publishes Long-Awaited Mid-Term Review

Story from Deadline:

Ofcom and the BBC Board are to be handed more powers to oversee complaints about BBC content including on its website and YouTube channel, as the government’s mid-term review into the corporation focuses intensely on the issue of complaints and impartiality.

EXCLUSIVE - Media Boy UK views: What may happen on Virgin Media UK when Sky Sports Tennis launch?

The following list is just the views of Media Boy UK HQ so all channels numbers may change:

• 501. Sky Sports Main Event HD

Sky: Viaplay Group to close Viaplay Sports Xtra next week

Sky Forum has reveal that Viaplay Xtra HD will close on January 25th on Virgin Media UK.

The Telegraph: How Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV is losing the ratings war with GB News

Story from The Telegraph:

When Richard Wallace, the head of Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV, issued a call to arms to staff at the fledgling news channel over the weekend, he did not mince his words.

TNT Sports: How to watch England men’s cricket tour of India in 2024 on TNT Sports

Story from TNT Sports:

Get set for a fun ride as England head to India for their five-match Test series starting on January 25, with all the action to be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Digital TV Europe: DAZN lifts paywall for Women Football offering

Story from Digital TV Europe:

DAZN UK will lift the paywall for its Women Football offering starting January 23 as part of a campaign advocating for the growth and investment of women’s football.

Deadline: Jonathan Ross To Host ITV UK Oscars Coverage

Story from Deadline:

Jonathan Ross is to host the UK coverage of the Oscars as the world’s biggest movie awards ceremony shifts to ITV for the first time.

Deadline: ‘The Avengers’ Reboot In Works At StudioCanal, Wall To Wall; ‘Industry’ Duo Mickey Down & Konrad Kay Writing

Story from Deadline:

Iconic 1960s television series The Avengers is getting a remake.

Deadline: Channel 4 & Australia’s SBS Board ‘Titanic In Colour’ Doc From Woodcut Media

Story from Deadline:

The sinking of the Titanic continues to fascinate filmmakers and audiences, and a new two-part doc about the tragic ship has pre-sold into the UK and Australia.

Digital Bit Rates: Virgin Media rename two unknown tests

Story from Digital Bit Rates:

Digital Bit Rates is now reporting that Virgin Media UK has rename both Sky Sports Tennis HD 1 and Sky Sports Tennis HD 2 as No name - SID701 and No name - SID702.

BBC News; S4C: Dad of sacked boss Sian Doyle sends scathing letter to channel

Story from BBC News:

The father of sacked S4C boss Sian Doyle has written to the UK government and the channel to blame them both for his daughter taking an overdose.

BBC News: BBC agrees to sell EastEnders set at Elstree to raise funds

Story from BBC News:

The BBC has agreed a deal to sell the EastEnders set and its other studios at Elstree, Hertfordshire, as part of a drive to raise funds.

BBC News: University of Southampton writer's comic in DC Netflix series

Story from BBC News:

DC Comic characters created by a Southampton professor are being brought to life in a new Netflix series.

Advanced Television: PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions on DAZN

Story from Advanced Television:

Riyadh Season has revealed that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) will host a pay-per-view mega event – PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions – from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 24th.

Media Guardian: Ed Balls kicks Susanna Reid in the head on Good Morning Britain

Story from Media Guardian:

Social media often features photographs taken by irate passengers posting about inconsiderate travellers putting their feet on seats or headrests.

Cable Forum: Sky Sports Red Button added to Virgin Media's 360 Boxes

Cable Forum is reporting that Sky Sports Red Button has today launch on Virgin Media's 360 Boxes.

The Sun: Sky Breakfast viewers rip into ‘awful’ studio as Kay Burley’s new show kicks off

Story from The Sun:

Sky Breakfast viewers have ripped into the ‘awful’ studio as Kay Burley’s new show kicked off - ranting ‘is this in a caravan?!’

BBC News: UK government silent on S4C turmoil, Labour says

Story from BBC News:

Labour frontbenchers have accused the UK's culture secretary Lucy Frazer of doing nothing to address the crisis at Welsh language broadcaster S4C.

BBC News: S4C chairman Rhodri Williams doesn't want second term

Story from BBC News:

The boss of a scandal-hit TV channel has said he does not want a second term in charge.

X EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports set to launch the Sky Sports EFL app to broadcast EFL games as part of Sky Sports EFL new deal

Story from Media Boy on X:

Sky Sports is also set to launch the Sky Sports EFL app to broadcast EFL as part of Sky Sports EFL broadcasting deal.

Hull Daily Mail: Super League streaming platform launch date and name confirmed as new era arrives

Story from Hull Daily Mail:

Super League's new streaming service will launch next week as the competition embarks on a new era of broadcasting.

Hull Daily Mail: Sky Sports confirm three new commentators ahead of Super League season

Story from Hull Daily Mail:

Sky Sports have confirmed three additions to their Super League commentary team ahead of the 2024 season.

The Telegraph: England's tour of India to broadcast on TNT Sports and Discovery+

The Telegraph is reporting that England's tour of India is set to be broadcast on TNT Sports and Discovery+.

Rumour - Digital Spy Forum: Eden is now set to be called U& Documentaries from June

Story from Digital Spy Forum:

On November 23rd 2023 - Broadband TV News did report that Eden was set to be rebrand as U&eden by 2025.

Broadcast Sport: ITV picks up Hexagon Cup padel right

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Forthcoming padel tournament, The Hexagon Cup, has secured a deal with ITV for UK broadcast rights as it prepares for its first event.

The Scottish Sun: Flagship BBC show's 'atrocious' viewing figures revealed as 200 people tune in

Story from The Scottish Sun:

A flagship BBC Scotland show has been branded "atrocious" after its viewing figures were revealed.

Daily Mail: Half of Scots audiences now believe the BBC is 'not for them'

Story from Daily Mail:

Viewers in Scotland are more likely to believe the BBC is out of touch with their lives than people who live south of the Border, new research suggests.

Daily Mail: Pressure grows on BBC to sanction Gary Lineker

Story from Daily Mail:

Pressure is growing on the BBC to sanction Gary Lineker after the presenter reposted a call for Israel to be punished by FIFA.

X EXCLUSIVE - RUMOUR: Will Virgin Media UK be rebranded soon?

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Base on information from Media Boy UK on X sources Virgin Media UK may no longer be allowed to use the Virgin name from Late 2025.

Daily Record: Rangers land extra Sky Sports fixture as club and broadcaster unlock punter perks with PPV boost

Story from Daily Record:

Rangers have struck deal with Sky Sports that will allow the SPFL broadcaster to show an extra Scottish Premiership game live from Ibrox this season – with the club able to show two more home games on pay per view in return.

Deadline; Saga Of Missing BBC News Channel Presenters Continues: Five Women Face “Ignominy” Of Reapplying For Jobs After Being Benched For Nine Months

Story from Deadline:

The BBC‘s protracted stand-off with five seasoned female news channel presenters has taken another twist after the women were asked to reapply for jobs for a second time.

SportsPro: Opportunistic calls for World Darts Championship final on FTA TV ignore Sky Sports’ 30-year commitment

Story from SportsPro:

The UK is by far and away the biggest darts market in the world.

Media Guardian: Welsh politicians ‘astonished’ at culture secretary’s absence during S4C bullying scandal

Story from Media Guardian:

It is “wholly unacceptable” that the culture secretary did not meet the chair of the Welsh-language public service broadcaster as it was engulfed in a crisis, a group of Welsh MSs have said.

X EXCLUSIVE; Source: "200+ channels set to launch on Virgin Media's Stream box within the next month"

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Daily Mail: Shameful that TV chiefs have left us facing Test blackout

Story from Daily Mail:

You really do wonder what more Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum must do in their drive to reinvigorate and revive Test cricket.

Advanced Television: MPs call for new S4C Chair

Story from Advanced Television:

Stephen Crabb MP, the Chair of the UK House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee, has written to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer following its ‘concerning’ evidence session with the Chair of S4C and the Lead Non-Executive Board Member of the S4C Unitary Board.

Media Guardian: Carol Vorderman vows to ‘cause a commotion’ with LBC radio show

Story from Media Guardian:

Carol Vorderman has vowed to “cause a commotion” after joining LBC two months after quitting her weekly BBC Radio Wales show because of the corporation’s new social media guidelines.

Media Guardian: Lib Dems ask Ofcom to investigate GB News over Ed Davey criticism

Story from Media Guardian:

The Liberal Democrats have called for Ofcom to investigate GB News over alleged impartiality breaches after the channel featured Nigel Farage and Conservative MPs criticising Ed Davey and other opposition politicians about their role in the Post Office IT scandal.

Digital TV Europe: Channel 5 reports strong growth across linear channels

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Paramount Global’s UK pubcaster Channel 5 reported a 5% share increase across its linear channels at the end of 2023, according to BARB TV ratings.

Deadline; Analysis: Channel 4 Staff Cull Plan Could Help Repair Ruptured Relations With Indies, But Some Commissioners May Pay The Price

Story from Deadline:

A producer wryly tells us that they arrived to Channel 4 HQ in late 2023 to discover a boarded-up front, feeling their way around to a narrow door on the side of the building “where there stands a huge bouncer.”

Bizasia: Zab Khan to leave the BBC after 35 years

Story from Bizasia:

Zab Khan has announced his exit from the BBC, after a span of over 35 years.

Media Guardian: Chair of S4C faces calls to be replaced after sacking of two female executives

Story from Media Guardian:

The chair of the Welsh language public service broadcaster has been accused by MPs of acting as “judge, jury and executioner” and faces calls to be replaced after the dismissal of two female executives.

Deadline: BBC Developing Drama Series On Bible John, One Of Britain’s Most Notorious Unidentified Serial Killers

Story from Deadline:

The BBC is developing a drama series about Bible John, one of Britain’s most notorious unidentified serial killers.

Digital TV Europe: Sky Sports secures rights to Africa Cup of Nations 2024

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Sky Sports will air the leading professional football tournament Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the UK which gets underway on January 13.

Media Guardian: Row after culture secretary blocks minority ethnic woman from Channel 4 board

Story from Media Guardian:

A row has broken out over the government’s role in Channel 4 management appointments after it blocked a minority ethnic woman from joining the broadcaster’s board.

Deadline: UK Government Blocks Woman Of Color Joining Channel 4 Board Amid Diversity Row

Story from Deadline:

The British government has blocked a woman of color from being appointed to Channel 4‘s board for a third time, raising further questions about ministers meddling in media appointments.

UPDATED - Rumour: Are Sky set to launch two Sky Sports Tennis Channels soon?

Here is the latest Media Boy UK HQ have on the soon to launch Sky Sports Tennis UK.

STORY 1 - JANUARY 8TH 2024 POSTED AT 2.25PM:

Will Sky launch two Sky Sports Tennis channels?

Deadline: Film4 Chairman Daniel Battsek Exiting UK Broadcaster With Ollie Madden Set To Take Reins

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon this morning announced the departure of Film4 Chairman Daniel Battsek who is set to return to the U.S. from March.

Media Guardian: With the spectre of job cuts, Channel 4 bosses must be seen to share the pain

Story from Media Guardian:

• Views on this post is from Nils Pratley.

It is 12 months, almost to the day, since sense prevailed and the government abandoned its reckless plan to privatise Channel 4.

Deadline: ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Contestant “Demands Rehearsal Footage In Support Of PTSD Legal Claim”

Story from Deadline:

A bubbling conflict from the last series of the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing – the original show of the global Dancing with the Stars franchise – has broken through the surface with a celebrity contestant reportedly demanding she receive footage of her dance rehearsals to assist in a possible legal claim.

Deadline: Ofcom Delays Publishing Research On Politicians As Presenters Until Finalizing Key GB News Rulings

Story from Deadline:

Ofcom has delayed publishing research on politicians presenting news shows until the UK media regulator has reached crucial rulings on GB News.

Daily Mail: BBC to screen live Super League matches on a Saturday evening

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC have won the rights to broadcast Super League matches free-to-air for the next three years in a major boost for rugby league.

Deadline: GB News Has Tested British TV Rules To Breaking Point — Will 2024 Be Its Year Of Reckoning?

Story from Deadline

Like it or loath it, GB News is a trailblazer.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 tells staff a round of major job cuts is looming

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4’s chief executive has confirmed to its 1,200 staff that a round of major job cuts is looming, as the broadcaster seeks to hasten its shift to streaming amid the worst TV advertising downturn in 15 years.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 plans deepest job cuts in over 15 years after TV ad slump

Story from Media Guardian:

Channel 4 is drawing up plans to cut potentially as many as 200 jobs in its biggest round of layoffs in more than 15 years, as it seeks to make savings to weather the worst TV advertising downturn since 2008.

Daily Mail: Ex-BBC presenter Johnny Ball accuses it of destroying children's TV

Story from Daily Mail:

He taught a generation their maths times tables on much-loved BBC shows such as Think of a Number.

Deadline: BBC “Plans U-Turn Putting Sidelined Female Presenters Back On Screen After Nearly A Year”

Story from Deadline:

Five female BBC news presenters have been off the air, on full pay, since March 2023, when BBC News Channel merged with BBC World News and dozens of roles were axed.

Media Guardian; ‘Jobs will be next’: TV ad slump prompts more fear among staff

Story from Media Guardian:

Talk of job cuts took the place of the usual toasts and chatter about bonuses at the UK’s biggest broadcasters over Christmas as the industry faces the worst decline in traditional TV advertising in 15 years.

Deadline: ITV Slams “Vindictive” Remarks By Ex-Footballer About Its Female Commentators

Story from Deadline:

British former footballer turned former manager Joey Barton has escalated his battles regarding female commentators in sport, after he was slammed by broadcaster ITV for making “vindictive” remarks about two of their pundits.

SportBusiness: IMG to lose long-held BBC snooker production contract

Story from SportBusiness:

IMG is expected to lose its long-running production contract with the BBC for host broadcast coverage of the World Snooker Championship, UK Masters and UK Championship, SportBusiness understands.

©2024 SBG Companies Limited.

Deadline; BBC News’ New Year Message To Staff: Money Is Tighter Than In “Any Year In Recent Times”

Story from Deadline:

BBC News has started the year with a sober reminder for staff: money will be tight.

Deadline: BBC Storyville Picks Up Sundance Prize-Winning Doc ‘Bad Press’

Story from Deadline:

BBC Storyville has acquired U.K. rights to the Sundance prize-winning doc Bad Press.

Deadline; BBC Hits Back At Complaints About Transgender ‘Doctor Who’ Character: “The Show Will Continue To Proudly Celebrate Diversity”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has brushed off complaints from Doctor Who viewers who argued that the inclusion of Yasmin Finney‘s transgender character Rose was “inappropriate.”

Deadline; UK TV Ratings: BBC’s ‘The Tourist’ Returns To Just 2.2M & Is Comfortably Beaten By ITV Post Office Drama

Story from Deadline:

BBC drama The Tourist returned for its second season last night in the lucrative New Year’s Day 9 p.m. slot to just 2.2M viewers, beaten comfortably by ITV‘s post office drama.

X EXCLUSIVE: What Sky UK may do in 2024

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Media Boy UK HQ can see the following happen in 2024:

X EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports to broadcast 2024's Africa Cup of Nations

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

Sky UK has reveal that Sky Sports will broadcast Africa Cup of Nations 2024's tournament live in the UK on across:

Daily Mail: BBC is accused of a 'weak-willed whitewash' on Gary Lineker's tweets

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC bosses have been accused of a 'weak-willed whitewash' after refusing to say if Gary Lineker was disciplined for breaching social media rules by mocking Tory MPs.

Deadline; David Kernan Dies: ‘Carry On’ Star And Sondheim Stalwart Was 85

Story from Deadline:

Tributes have been paid to British actor David Kernan, who died at the age of 85 on Boxing Day.

Virgin Media: Love Drama to launch on Virgin Media UK on January 3rd

Virgin Media Channel 100 has confirmed "Love Christmas" will only broadcast until January 3rd on Virgin Media.

Two Channels closes on Virgin Media UK

The following channels has close on Virgin Media UK (Boxes may very):

• 160. E! HD [Closing was first reported by our sister site - Media Boy UK on X.]
• 614. NBC News NOW HD