UK Cable TV Changes: Virgin Media UK wins race to resign Sky Sports Racing

Story from UK Cable TV Changes:

UK Cable TV Changes are set to launch ''Greyhound'' via the red button on Sky Sports Racing HD for their Premier Greyhound Racing on Virgin Media UK.

Variety: ITV, RedBird IMI in Early Talks to Merge Production Arms

Story from Variety:

ITV has held early talks with the Abu Dhabi-backed investment group RedBird IMI, led by CEO Jeff Zucker, about a potential merger of their production businesses, according to a report.

Broadcast Sport: Free golf streamer, DP World Tour channel, launches

Story from Broadcast Sport:

The European Tour Group and C15 Studio have launched the DP World Tour channel, a 24/7 free ad-suppored streaming TV channel focused on “world-class golf”.

Deadline: Channel 4 Boss Warns Against UK “Sliding Into American News Swamp”

Story from Deadline:

Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon has urged UK intervention on public service news to help resist “sliding into an American news swamp.”

Broadcast Sport: Talksport launches 24/7 FAST channel with slate of original programming

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Talksport has launched a 24/7 FAST channel and smart TV app.

Media Boy UK Views: What may happen in March on Virgin Media

Here what Media Boy UK HQ thinks may happen in March after Eurosport UK closes.

Advanced Television: BBC World Service sets out £6m saving plan

Story from Advanced Television:

The BBC World Service has announced that it will be making a series of changes in order to meet savings requirements for the year ahead.

VEVO closes on Virgin Media UK

The VEVO app has been removed from Virgin Media UK.

The VEVO Red Button Channel was on Virgin UK Channel 291.

VEVO is schedule to close on January 31st on ALL other Networks.

Broadband TV News: Tubi goes live on TiVo OS powered TVs in the UK

Story from Broadband TV News:

Rupert Murdoch’s free-to-air streaming service Tubi is now available through the TiVo OS in the UK.

Deadline: UK Government Has “No Plans” For Streamer Levy Amid Scripted Funding Crisis

Story from Deadline:

The British government has effectively ruled out the idea of imposing a levy on U.S. streamers like Netflix amid a funding crisis for domestic scripted series.

Broadband TV News: BBC publishes Net Zero Transition Plan

Story from Broadband TV News:

The BBC has given details of how it intends to be Net Zero by 2050.

Broadband TV News: Sky News considers move to premium to face off linear decline

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sky News has revealed plans for a major revamp of both its programming and newsroom.

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports responds to Six Nations rights bid rumours

Story from Broadcast Sport:

TNT Sports has said that any bid for the rights to the Six Nations would be, “very challenging,” due to its links to free-to-air TV.

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports to replace Eurosport in UK & Ireland

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Warner Bros. Discovery is killing off the Eurosport brand in the UK and Ireland.

Broadband TV News: Ofcom consults on changes to PSB independent productions

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ofcom has announced a consultation on proposed changes to the guidance for Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) when drawing up their Codes of Practice on the commissioning of independent productions.

RugbyPass: Six Nations TV rights soon to be up for grabs

Story from RugbyPass:

TNT Sports could add the Six Nations to their expanding portfolio of international rugby starting next season.

Advanced Television: Channel 4 sponsors KISS Breakfast

Story from Advanced Television:

Channel 4 is the new sponsor of KISS Breakfast, marking the first time that the broadcaster is sponsoring the Bauer Media radio station.

Advanced Television; UKTV commissions Cape Carnage: Killer Catch

Story from Advanced Television:

UKTV has commissioned a new adventure documentary series, Cape Carnage: Killer Catch (10×60’), for U&Dave and streaming service, U.

Broadcast: Disney+ taps former Netflix EMEA business chief

Story from Broadcast:

Deepti Burton takes vice-president post after six years at rival streamer.

Broadcast Sport: TNT Sports to host broadcast BBC’s FA Cup fixtures

Story from Broadcast Sport:

TNT Sports will host broadcast the BBC’s FA Cup fixtures, once the pair’s rights deal begins next season.

Advanced Television: MPs publish production inquiry evidence

Story from Advanced Television:

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons has published written evidence submitted to the Committee’s inquiry into British film and high-end TV on TV production ahead of evidence sessions.

Deadline; BBC Sounds Alarm Over UK Scripted Funding Crisis: “Multiple Productions Are Stuck In Limbo”

Story from Deadline:

The BBC has issued the starkest warning yet about the UK scripted funding crisis, telling lawmakers that multiple greenlit series are “stuck in limbo.”

EXCLUSIVE: Are GINX TV in Trouble?

All info from Company house:

Media Boy UK HQ has found out the following about GINX TV:

Deadline: Amazon UK Boss Says “Greater Share” Of Prime Video TV Spend Shifting To Britain, But Streamer Would Never Have Commissioned ‘Mr Bates’

Story from Deadline:

Prime Video is shifting a greater share of its overall TV spend to Britain, according to Amazon UK boss Chris Bird.

Deadline; BBC Boss Tim Davie Wades Into ‘The Traitors’ Scottish Production Row: “We Are Not Interested In Gaming The Figures”

Story from Deadline:

“We are not interested in gaming the figures,” BBC DG Tim Davie repeated several times in front of a Scottish parliamentary committee this morning amid the row over The Traitors and local talent.

Deadline: ‘Brassic’ To End After Seven Seasons On Sky

Story from Deadline:

Hit Sky comedy Brassic is to end after seven seasons.

Advanced Television: Hexagon Cup renews ITV broadcasting deal

Story from Advanced Television:

The Hexagon Cup has announced the renewal of its partnership with ITV as broadcasting rights holder for the second edition of the padel tournament, ensuring fans across the UK can enjoy free-to-air extensive coverage of the tournament’s second edition, taking place from January 29th to February 2nd, in Madrid, Spain.

Advanced Television: BBC plays dangerous game, again

Story from Advanced Television:

Let’s not be coy, the demise of the Conservative government in the UK was a relief to the BBC. The relationship between the two was tense, at best, wilfully frictional at worst.

Media Guardian: Lebedev’s London Live TV channel closes after decade of mounting losses

Story from Media Guardian:

At midnight on Sunday, London Live, the capital’s dedicated TV channel and crown jewel of Jeremy Hunt’s strategy to populate the UK with dozens of local TV stations, will cease broadcasting after a little over a decade.

Testing on Virgin Media UK right now (UPDATE)

Here is a list of channels that are testing right now ahead of launching on Virgin Media UK (As of January 3rd):

FAST Channels;

• Hell's Kitchen - set to launch on Virgin UK Channel 233

Advanced Television: TNT Sports appoints Thomas as Head of Football

Story fri ced Television:

Pete Thomas will join TNT Sports as its new Head of Football on March 1st. He joins from production house Whisper.

UK Cable TV Changes: Virgin Media and Blue Ant Media give some Love to Pets

Information from 

UK Cable TV Changes:

Blue Ant Media has removed Love Drama from Virgin Media UK.

Advanced Television: BBC under fire for app promos

Story from Advanced Television:

UK commercial news organisations have attacked the BBC for promoting its services above their media apps on smartphones on Apple and Android platforms.

Broadband TV News: Sky to move Sky Cinema customers to new Paramount+ Basic (with ads)

Story from Broadband TV News:

Sky TV customers who receive Paramount+ as part of their Sky Cinema subscription are to be moved to the new Paramount+ Basic (with ads) plan from 21 January 2025.

BBC Sport: Snooker's big three tournaments to stay on BBC until 2032

BBC Sport: Snooker's big three tournaments to stay on BBC until 2032

Story from BBC Sport:

BBC Sport will continue to broadcast snooker's three most prestigious tournaments - the World Championship, UK Championship and the Masters - until 2032.

Broadband TV News: Piers Morgan named as top British influencer in new YouTube chart

Story from Broadband TV News:

Piers Morgan has been named as Britain’s top influencer on YouTube, according to a new survey.

BBC News: Culture secretary rules out funding BBC from taxes

Story from BBC News:

The BBC will not be funded from general taxation if the TV licence fee is abolished, the culture secretary has said.

Deadline: BFI’s Global Screen Fund Set For Funding Boost As UK Government Launches “Soft Power” Program

Story from Deadline:

The British Film Institute’s (BFI) Global Screen Fund will receive a £7 million cash injection as part of a new arts and culture investment package announced today by the UK government.

Deadline: News UK Studios Staff Face Layoffs After Piers Morgan’s Exit From Murdoch Media Empire

Story from Deadline:

Rupert Murdoch‘s News UK has placed an unknown number of employees into a consultation process as part of plans to reorganize its studios division after Piers Morgan‘s departure.

Advanced Television: UKTV doubles views to U streaming service

Story from Advanced Television:

UKTV has reported that its digital first strategy has delivered “strong VoD growth” following the BBC Studios-owned broadcaster’s decision to unite its channels and streaming service under the U masterbrand and combine its previously separate linear and VoD divisions.

Broadcast Sport: Saudi wealth fund close to $1bn DAZN investment

Story from Broadcast Sport:

Saudi Arabian national wealth fund Surj Sports Investment is reportedly close to investing £820m in DAZN.

Deadline; ‘The Traitors’: BBC & Ofcom Were Forced To Correct Record Over Scottish Talent Working On Season 1

Story from Deadline:

The row around use of local Scottish talent on hit show The Traitors, or lack thereof, is showing no signs of abating.

Broadcast Sport: BBC confirms Cates, Chapman & Logan as MOTD presenters

Story from Broadcast Sport:

The BBC has confirmed that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will succeed Gary Lineker as hosts of Match Of The Day.

Hollywood Reporter; ‘An t-Eilean’: Why the BBC Is Betting on the U.K.’s First Gaelic Prestige Drama Series ‘The Island’

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

An t-Eilean, or: The Island. That is the title of a prestige crime drama set on the Western Isles of Scotland that was launched by the BBC on Tuesday evening on its BBC iPlayer streaming service and BBC Alba, the Scottish Gaelic-language free-to-air channel that the U.K. public service broadcaster co-owns with MG Alba.

Deadline; Revealed: The British Comedy Producers Hoping To Land The Next Breakout BBC Sitcom

Story from Deadline:

The BBC is inching towards greenlighting its next big sitcom and we can reveal which producers are in the running.

Reports: London TV to launch on Freeview on January 21st

London Live has been took over by Local Television - reports say the new channel is launch at 6am on January 21st with a working name of ''London TV''.

BBC News: London Live to go off air after 10 years

Story from BBC News:

Local television channel London Live has announced it will cease broadcasting on 20 January.

Deadline: Netflix’s UK Audience Reach Overtook BBC1 For The First Time Last Year

Story from Deadline:

Netflix was the most-watched TV service in the UK for three months last year, overtaking dominant domestic network BBC1 for the first time, according to a Deadline analysis.

Advanced Television: Rugby League, IMG unveil enhanced Our League app

Story from Advanced Television:

Rugby League (RL) Commercial and IMG have unveiled a new look for Rugby League’s official fan app – Our League – powered by digital platform provider, Urban Zoo.

Advanced Television: MODUS Super Series Darts on Pluto TV

Story from Advanced Television:

FAST service Pluto TV and MODUS Super Series have agreed a partnership to bring MODUS Super Series Darts on Pluto TV across multiple international markets, including exclusively in the UK, GSA and Denmark – providing darts content 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Media Guardian; Football on TV: fans ‘paying almost 60% more to watch all big games than in 2020’

Story from Media Guardian:

Football superfans are paying almost 60% more than they were five years ago to watch the 15 most popular tournaments and leagues, as the number of broadcasters and streaming services required to follow them has increased from four to 10 over the last decade.

Sky FAST Channels given go-ahead by OFCOM to launch

OFCOM has given FOUR broadcasting Licence to Sky UK last month (December 2024) for the following FAST Channels to launch on Virgin Media UK:

Daily Mail: BBC licence fee 'could be scrapped by end of 2027 and swapped for tax'

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC TV licence fee could be scrapped and replaced by funding from general taxation under plans reportedly being considered by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

Daily Mail: Matt Le Tissier reveals full reasons he believes he was sacked by Sky

Story from Daily Mail:

Matt Le Tissier has revealed the reasons he believes he was sacked by Sky Sports, admitting he became 'unpopular' with bosses at the broadcasting giant.

Advanced Television: ITV promotes Tatlow to Head of Diversity

Story from Advanced Television:

ITV has announced that Creative Diversity Partner Sam Tatlow MBE has been promoted to take on the newly created role of Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as Ade Rawcliffe takes up her expanded role as ITV’s Chief People Officer.

Sky Sports beat Netflix to 'sign £125M TV rights deal with the PDC'

Story from Daily Mail:

Sky Sports have reportedly signed an exclusive broadcasting deal with the PDC, beating out competition from streaming giant Netflix in the process.

Deadline; ‘The Traitors’: BBC & Studio Lambert Accused Of Being Misleading About Hit Show’s Scottish Roots

Story from Deadline:

The Traitors is all about backstabbing and accusations, but accusations of deception have now extended to the behind-the-scenes production of the hit show.

Daily Mail: BBC appoints 'impartiality champions' to bolster 'trust'

Story from Daily Mail:

The BBC has appointed ‘impartiality champions’ amid criticism of allegedly biased coverage.

Advanced Television: Record audiences for Premiership Rugby festive fixtures

Story from Advanced Television:

Over the Christmas period, 2.6 million fans tuned in to Gallagher Premiership Rugby, eclipsing last season’s Festive Fixtures then-record total of 1.8 million, according to Barb figures.

Deadline; Revealed: BBC Boss Tim Davie Held Crunch Talks With Top Producers Over UK Scripted Funding Crisis

Story from Deadline:

The BBC assembled some of the UK’s finest drama and comedy producers to discuss the scripted funding crisis currently gripping the industry, we can reveal.

Advanced Television: CBeebies unveils Wonderblocks pre-coding series

Story from Advanced Television:

BBC Children’s and Education, Alphablocks Ltd and Blue Zoo Animation Studio have announced a new educational series following the success of Numberblocks, Alphablocks and Colourblocks.

Variety: Piers Morgan Takes Ownership of ‘Uncensored’ Brand From Rupert Murdoch’s News UK

Story from Variety:

Piers Morgan is exiting Rupert Murdoch‘s media empire following a lucrative three-year deal and taking ownership of his “Piers Morgan Uncensored” show and business.

Advanced Television: UKTV, BBC Studios appoint Judge as Global Acquisitions Manager

Story from Advanced Television:

UKTV and BBC Studios have appointed Sophie Judge to the role of Global Acquisitions Manager.

Deadline; Britain’s TV Chiefs Are The Longest Serving In History: Is There Strength In Stability Or Has The Industry Gone Stale?

Story from Deadline:

On stage at British television’s biggest annual gathering in 2023, Paramount UK content chief Ben Frow recounted the story of his resignation with signature flamboyance.

BritAsia TV to move online only next week

RXTV is reporting that BritAsia TV will close it linear channel on Sky and will start being an streaming only channel from January 15th.

Sky News: Montgomery-backed Local TV swoops on Lebedev's London Live licence

Story from Sky News:

A television network majority-owned by David Montgomery, the media entrepreneur, is to snap up the licence to operate a London-focused TV station from Lord Lebedev, owner of the capital's weekly Standard newspaper.

Advanced Television; Sky Sports: Peak 3.1m watch Littler win darts final

Story from Advanced Television:

Figures from Sky Sports indicate an average audience of 2.7 million for the World Darts Championship Final on January 3rd, with a peak of around 3.1 million.

Advanced Television: MPs to question new BBC Scotland Director

Story from Advanced Television:

The Scottish Affairs Committee of the UK House of Commons will question the new Director of BBC Scotland, Hayley Valentine, and other senior executives in a one-off session on BBC Scotland’s work.

Cruise1st TV cruise onto Virgin Media UK

Virgin Media UK has today launch Holiday Channel ''Cruise1st TV'' on Virgin UK Channel 758.

Advanced Television: BBC acquires The Americas docuseries

Story from Advanced Television:

The BBC has acquired The Americas – a ten-part special event nature series narrated by Hollywood actor Tom Hanks with music by Hans Zimmer – for BBC One and iPlayer from NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

Hollywood Reporter: King Charles III Knights Stephen Fry, Carey Mulligan Also Stars on U.K. New Year’s Honors List

Story from Hollywood Reporter:

King Charles III‘s New Year’s honors list has been unveiled, with Stephen Fry set to be knighted, and Carey Mulligan (Maestro), Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire, Bad Sisters star Anne-Marie Duff and veteran actor Eddie Marsan (Supacell) also among the A-listers receiving honors.

Media Guardian: Lisa Nandy urges YouTube and TikTok to promote better content for children

Story from Media Guardian:

The UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has written to video-sharing platforms, such as YouTube and TikTok, urging them to promote higher quality educational content to children.

Narrative Entertainment closes channels web sites

Info from Media Boy UK on X follower ''Popeye'':

Media Boy UK on X follower ''Popeye'' has found that Narrative Entertainment has now closed their channels website: