Media Guardian: BBC boss hits out at ‘shortsighted’ Tory budget cuts

Story from Media Guardian:

Cuts to the BBC’s budget by successive Conservative governments have been “shortsighted” and risked undermining its future, the director general said in a speech on Tuesday.

The Sun: BBC News star announces shock departure after 20 years on air

Story from The Sun:

A BBC NEWS star has announced he's leaving the channel after 20 years on air leaving his colleagues stunned.

The Sun: BBC to slash 100 hours of TV shows this year as major drama is axed

Story from The Sun:

The BBC is slashing 100 hours of TV shows this year and a major drama is axed in a bid to save money.

Media Guardian; ‘Know your audience’: BBC 5 Live chief on the station’s staying power

Story from Media Guardian:

More of the BBC needs to be based outside London to reflect the “conversation of the nation” and secure its future, according to the controller of BBC Radio 5 Live.

Deadline: Viaplay Boss Vows Company “Will Be Different” After Horrors Of 2023

Story from Deadline:

“Moving forward, our company will be different.”

Deadline: BBC Deficit Projected To Skyrocket To $620M Next Year

Story from Deadline:

The BBC‘s financial deficit is projected to reach nearly £500M next year as the corporation delivers what it has described as a “transformational budget.”

BBC News: STV journalists on strike over bid for pay rise

Story from BBC News:

News programmes at Scottish broadcaster STV could be blacked out because of a 24 hour strike by journalists.

Deadline: ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Says Disney+ Deal Had To Happen As Demise Of The BBC Is “Undoubtedly On Its Way”

Story from Deadline:

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies has issued some doom-and-gloom thinking behind why the hit sci-fi series needed to partner with Disney+.

Deadline: Richard Sharp Says Actions That Led To His Resignation As BBC Chair Were “Misrepresented Wilfully By Other Forms Of The Media”

Story from Deadline:

“I wasn’t happy at the way my activities were characterized and think they were misrepresented wilfully by other forms of the media.”

Daily Mail: Absolute Radio faces ageism storm over sacking of Frank Skinner

Story from Daily Mail:

Frank Skinner's sacking from his Absolute Radio show has triggered accusations of ageism.

Daily Mail: Richer homes may have to pay more for TV licences

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC's director-general says he is open to 'reform' of the licence fee and making it 'more progressive', as he laid out his plans for the corporation's future.

Deadline; ‘Dear England’: BBC Beat Netflix In Bidding War For Joseph Fiennes Series Amid Fears For UK Drama

Story from Deadline:

The BBC was victorious in a bidding war with Netflix for Dear England amid fears for the future of British storytelling on television.

Cable Forum: Virgin Media UK and Paramount Global in talks

Found the following over on Cable Forum:

Virgin Media O2 and Paramount+ (are) in talks about Paramount+ being included in top tier TV pack.

Deadline: GB News Boss Criticizes Ofcom For Being Too Slow With Investigations

Story from Deadline:

The boss of GB News has criticized Ofcom for being too slow with its investigations.

Broadband TV News: BBC to focus on three essential roles

Story from Broadband TV News:

BBC director-general Tim Davie has said the broadcaster’s enduring mission to inform, educate and entertain is now more vital than ever as it grapple with rapid technological change, disinformation and social division.

Deadline; Kay Benbow Dies: “Legendary” Leader Of BBC Preschool Channel CBeebies Was Champion Of Kids TV

Story from Deadline:

Key Benbow, the influential former Controller of BBC preschool channel CBeebies, has died.

Deadline: BBC Will Stop Using AI For ‘Doctor Who’ Promotion After Receiving Complaints

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has “no plans” to use AI again to promote Doctor Who after receiving complaints from viewers.

BBC News: BBC to explore how to reform licence fee, director general says

Story from BBC News:

The BBC's director general Tim Davie has announced that the corporation will explore how to reform the licence fee.

Deadline; Kate Middleton: BBC Rejects Complaints Its Photo Edit Coverage Was “Excessive & Sensationalist”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has rejected complaints from UK viewers who said its coverage of the edited Kate Middleton Mother’s Day photo was over the top.

BBC News: BBC must spend more on TV in Wales, says Senedd report

Story from BBC News:

The BBC needs to spend as much on television content in Wales as it does in Scotland, a new Senedd report says.

Deadline: BBC Commissioned Half Of All UK TV Scripted Shows Last Year, Ampere Research Finds

Story from Deadline:

The BBC commissioned half of all UK TV scripted last year, defying the slowdown that hit its rivals and streamers and spending big on kids shows and thrillers, according to new research.

Virgin Media UK makes catch of the day with launch of Fishing TV app

Virgin Media TV enriches its line-up with Fishing TV, offering over 1,400 hours of angling content.

Media Guardian: BBC looks for commercial deals as it faces potential end of licence fee

Story from Media Guardian:

The BBC is to sign more deals with commercial partners in an effort to shore up its finances, with further cuts to services expected as it faces the potential end of the licence fee.

Deadline: ‘The Great British Bake Off’ Likely To Stay On Channel 4 Amid Speculation Over Netflix Move

Story from Deadline:

The Bake Off bun is set to stay in the Channel 4 oven.

Broadband TV News: ITV accepts Ofcom licence renewal

Story from Broadband TV News:

ITV has confirmed it has accepted the offer from regulator Ofcom to renew all of its PSB licences.

Media Guardian: Channel 4 to oust top commissioner in Leeds and run role from London

Story from Media Guardian:

The most senior commissioner in Channel 4’s Leeds office is to lose her job, the Guardian can reveal, leaving the broadcaster with no top decision makers living in the city of its “national headquarters”.

Digital TV Europe: TNT Sports extends Premiership Rugby rights

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Warner Bros. Discovery‘s TNT Sports has renewed its rights to the Premiership Rugby in the UK and Ireland.

Deadline: Former ITV & Channel 5 Bosses To Examine Future Funding At The BBC

Story from Deadline:

Former ITV and Channel 5 bosses will examine the future funding model of the BBC.

Deadline: BBC Buys ‘Suits’ Following Smash Year On Netflix

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has acquired Suits, the smash legal drama that was the most-watched show on Netflix last year.

Sky Sports: Sky Sports to show IPL and WPL live on new four-year deal to 2027

Story from Sky Sports:

Sky Sports will show the Tata Indian Premier League and Tata Women's Premier League live in a new four-year deal from 2024-27.

Deadline: BBC Boss Tim Davie Says Broadcaster Must “Be Nice” Amid “Whipped Up” Trans Rights Debate

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has a duty to “be nice” amid the fraught debate about transgender rights, according to the UK broadcaster’s director general.

Media Boy UK on X: More FAST Channels set to launch on Virgin Media

Story from Media Boy UK on X:

 A+E Networks and Virgin Media O2 has announced the UK launch of two new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels to its offering.

Tiny Pop closes on Virgin Media as Virgin Media O2 signs 11th hour deal to keep some channels on air

Here is the round up of today's changes on Virgin Media UK:

Closes:

• Tiny Pop close on Virgin UK Channel 737 by it owner.

Channels signs new deals:

• The owner of both Islam Channel and Islam Channel Urdu did late yesterday sign a new deal with Virgin Media O2 to carry on broadcasting. Just hours before their old deal was set to run out.

Deadline: ‘Doctor Who’ Producer Jane Tranter Says British TV Tax Credits Must Be Updated Amid Over-Reliance On Hollywood Investment

Story from Deadline:

Jane Tranter, the co-founder of Doctor Who and His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf, has called on the UK government to update British television tax credits to promote domestic investment.

Deadline: Channel 4 Bonuses Are “Slap In The Face” For Fired Staffers & Ailing Freelance Workforce, Bectu Says

Story from Deadline:

"A slap in the face” was the verdict of broadcasting union Bectu to Channel 4 bosses’ decision to accept bonuses this year amidst a 250-staff layoff program.

Virgin Media UK signed new deals with Al Jazeera Media Network and Nickelodeon UK Limited

Virgin Media UK has sign new deals with Al Jazeera Media Network and Nickelodeon UK Limited. 

Daily Mail: Hollyoaks actor quits soap after nine years amid Channel 4 budget cuts

Story from Daily Mail:

Ross Adams has quit Hollyoaks after after nine years one the soap, he revealed in an update on Sunday.

Broadband TV News: DCMS Committee to question BBC Director-General

Story from Broadband TV News:

Senior BBC executives will face the parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday as part of its regular scrutiny of the broadcaster’s work.

Deadline; Revealed: Channel 4 Bosses To Accept Bonuses In 2024 As Hundreds Of Staffers Laid Off

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4 bosses will take home reduced bonuses in 2024 as 250 staffers are laid off.

BBC News; GB News: Ofcom says channel broke rules and warns over MPs presenting news

Story from BBC News:

GB News has been warned about its use of politicians as presenters after media regulator Ofcom ruled that five episodes of programmes hosted by serving Tory MPs broke its rules.

Deadline; ‘Doctor Who’: BBC & Disney+ Set Simultaneous Global Premiere Date

Story from Deadline:

Doctor Who has a date.

Deadline; Netflix UK Unscripted Slate: Bear Grylls, Holly Willoughby Team For ‘Bear Hunt’; Guy Ritchie Boards True Crime Doc ‘Millennium Diamond Heist’

Story from Deadline:

Netflix has pulled the curtain back on a slate of UK unscripted originals, including reality competition series Bear Hunt, starring Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby.

Deadline: Tim Davie To Set Out “Future Direction Of The BBC” In All-Staff Speech Later This Month

Story from Deadline:

The “future direction of the BBC and its role for the UK” will be set out in an all-staff speech from Director General Tim Davie on March 26th, at which point he will address “a new wave of technological change reshaping the media landscape.”

BBC Sport: BBC to show Scotland games against Northern Ireland & Finland

Story from BBC Sport:

Scotland's two home warm-up matches for Euro 2024 are to be broadcast live by the BBC following a deal with rights holder Viaplay.

Deadline: BBC Unveils New ‘Newsnight‘ Boss After Funding Cuts

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has unveiled the Executive Editor who will lead Newsnight into its new era following funding cuts.

Deadline: Netflix & UK Writers Guild Strike First Ever Agreement For Scripted Series

Story from Deadline:

Netflix has struck a deal with the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) over live-action scripted series for the first time.

BBC News: STV journalists to go on strike over pay

Story from BBC News:

Journalists at STV are set to go on strike over pay after talks with management broke down.

BBC News; This Morning: Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard make their debut

Story from BBC News:

Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have said they are "so excited" as they make their debut on This Morning.

Deadline: UK Oscars Coverage Makes ITV Bow With Peak Of 1M Viewers But Show Criticized For Insensitivity & A Lack Of Critical Expertise

Story from Deadline:

Oscars coverage in the UK was free-to-air last night for the first time in two decades but ITV‘s coverage was slammed on social media for insensitivity and a lack of critical expertise.

Daily Mail: Alison Hammond breaks silence on This Morning snub

Story from Daily Mail:

Alison Hammond has broken her silence regarding This Morning's new hosts after being 'snubbed' by ITV bosses.

Deadline: Cat Deeley Reveals Being Caught In LA Mall Shooting Scare Inspired Return To UK

Story from Deadline:

Cat Deeley, longtime presenter of So You Think You Can Dance, has revealed details of her experience being caught up in a Los Angeles shopping mall shooting scare that made her want to leave her home in Hollywood and return to live in the UK.

Hollywood Reporter: Paramount Promotes Lee Sears to President, International Markets Ad Sales

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

Paramount Global has promoted Lee Sears for the second time in less than a year as it looks to align its domestic and international broadcast, cable and streaming assets to create a global content powerhouse.

Daily Mail: ITV offer Jeremy Clarkson a 'lifeline'

Story from Daily Mail (Story exited by Media Boy UK HQ):

Jeremy Clarkson has been offered a 'lifeline' by ITV.

Deadline; “Quite The Hypocrite”: Jeff Zucker Lashes Out At British Broadcaster Andrew Neil & GB News Co-Owner Paul Marshall Over RedBird IMI’s Proposed Deal For Telegraph Newspapers

Story from Deadline:

Jeff Zucker did not hold back today in taking on some of Britain’s biggest media stalwarts as RedBird IMI pushes on with its bid to buy The Telegraph and Spectator publications.

Deadline; “We Have Made The Bottom Line Better For Production Companies Up & Down The Country”: UK Culture Secretary Says “Game-Changing” Indie Film Relief Will Bring Balance To A Sector Too Reliant On Big-Budget Fare

Story from Deadline:

UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has said the 40% indie film tax relief will bring balance to a movie sector that has swung too far towards big-budget fare in recent years.

Hobby Maker HD launches on Virgin Media UK

Hobby Maker HD has today launch on Virgin Media UK on Virgin UK Channel 754.

Digital TV Europe: Sky Sports, BBC & Prime Video among most popular sports streaming apps

Story from Digital TV Europe:

Connected TV and cross-screen advertising company, LG Ad Solutions, has revealed over a third of UK consumers use three or more streaming apps to watch live sports, with Sky Sports (57%), BBC (55%) and Prime Video (53%) among the most popular.

Deadline: Channel 4 Hires Chief Financial Officer Amidst Layoffs

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4 has hired a Chief Financial Officer amidst its 250-staff layoff program.

Media Leader; Snoddy: BritBox has revealed ITV and BBC’s opposing strategies

Story from Media Leader:

ITV is garnering praise for its domestic programming as it battles a tough TV market, while the BBC takes a more internationalist approach.

Media Leader: BritBox has revealed ITV and BBC's opposing strategies

Story from Media Leader:

ITV is garnering praise for its domestic programming as it battles a tough TV market, while the BBC takes a more internationalist approach.

Deadline: ITV Bosses Predict Post-Strike Commissioning “Blip” & Describe Generative AI As A “Co-Pilot” For Creatives

Story from Deadline:

ITV boss Carolyn McCall has detailed the potential for a post-strike “blip” as commissioning conversations are restarted with U.S. buyers, while the head of ITV Studios described generative AI as a “co-pilot for creatives.”

Deadline: ITV Profits Tumble By 32% But Green Shoots In Production Division As Broadcaster Kicks Off “Strategic Restructuring & Efficiency Programme”

Story from Deadline:

ITV profits tumbled by 32% following a tricky 2023 but there were green shoots in a solid performance from the Studios production arm, as the broadcaster reveals it is in the early stages of a “strategic restructuring and efficiency programme.”

Deadline: BBC Buys Viaplay’s ‘Rebus’ Reboot Ahead Of Scandi Streamer’s UK Exit

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has bought Viaplay‘s Rebus reboot, following international streamer Viaplay’s decision to exit the UK.

Daily Mail: BBC strike new FA Cup TV deal with TNT Sports after fending off competition from ITV - in major boost to their sport coverage

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC will continue to show live FA Cup matches for four years from the 2025/26 season after agreeing a deal with main rights holder TNT Sports.

Deadline: Departing STV Boss Simon Pitts To Become Global CEO

Story from Deadline:

STV boss Simon Pitts has unveiled his new gig just a day after announcing he was leaving the Scottish broadcaster-producer.

BBC News: GB News posts £42m loss but grows online audience

Story from BBC News:

GB News saw its losses jump nearly 40% over the last year but says it has grown its online audience fivefold.

Media Guardian: Dan Wootton leaves GB News to set up own ‘independent platform’

Story from Media Guardian:

The television presenter Dan Wootton has announced he is leaving GB News to set up an independent platform, and in a parting shot accused the media regulator Ofcom of censorship.

Daily Mail: TNT Sports swoop for rugby's autumn internationals

Story from Daily Mail:

TNT Sports are close to securing a two-year contract to broadcast the Autumn Internationals in the last standalone deal before a mega auction for TV rights for the new Nations Championship and the Six Nations from 2026.

Deadline: Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV To Go Online-Only Weeks After Piers Morgan Quit Daily Linear Show

Story from Deadline:

Rupert Murdoch‘s TalkTV is going online-only two years after launching with fanfare and following the suit of its star presenter Piers Morgan.

Media Guardian: TalkTV to close down television channel and go online only

Story from Media Guardian:

The rightwing news channel TalkTV, launched in 2022 by Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, is to stop broadcasting on television after struggling to match its main rival GB News for ratings.

Deadline: New BBC Chair Samir Shah Kicks Off His Tenure By Telling Staff Of “Tough Choices & Hard Decisions” To Come

Story from Deadline:

“Tough choices and hard decisions” are to come at the BBC.

Deadline: Ofcom Finds GB News In Breach Over Laurence Fox Misogynistic Rant & Says It Has “Significant Concerns” About The Network’s Live Output

Story from Deadline:

Ofcom has said it has “significant concerns about GB News’ editorial control of its live output” after rapping the network for Laurence Fox‘s highly misogynistic rant on Dan Wootton‘s show.

Media Guardian: Hit shows such as Mr Bates could bring a dramatic improvement in ITV’s fortunes

Story from Media Guardian:

When Alan Bates took his campaign for justice to Westminster again last week, it would not just have been the hundreds of post office operators he represents who would have been pleased by his persistence.

UK Cable TV Changes: Hobby Maker HD set to launch Virgin Media UK

Story from UK Cable TV Changes:

UK Cable TV Changes has reveal that Hobby Maker HD is set to launch soon on Virgin UK Channel 754.

Deadline: BBC Determines Presenter “Broke Impartiality Rules” During Discussion On Transwomen Chess Players

Story from Deadline:

One of the BBC’s highest profile news presenters broke rules on impartiality by referring to transgender women as “males” live on air, the corporation has determined.

BBC News: Screenwriter slams Doctors axing as filming ends

Story from BBC News:

A screenwriter has slammed what he called the "disastrous" decision to cut much-loved BBC series Doctors.

Variety: Tubi set to launch in UK by 2025

Story from Variety:

Tubi’s updated brand identity comes as the streamer plans to expand in the U.K. this summer.

Deadline: Writers On BBC Shows To Get 10% Pay Rise & Improved Residuals

Story from Deadline:

Writers on BBC shows have landed themselves a 10% pay increase and improved residuals following updates to the agreement between the Writers Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and UK’s biggest public broadcaster.

Deadline: Harry Enfield Steps Down As Director Of His Production Outfit After 12 Years

Story from Deadline:

Iconic British comedian Harry Enfield has stepped down as director of his production company after 12 years.

Media Guardian: ITV sells stake in Britbox International to BBC Studios for £255m

Story from Media Guardian:

ITV has sold its 50% stake in BritBox International, the streaming service that offers programmes such as Line of Duty outside the UK, to BBC Studios for £255m in cash.

DAZN Women Football launches on Virgin Media UK

DAZN Women Football FAST Channel has today launch on Virgin UK Channel 554.