Virgin Media axe CSI New York

FAST Channel update on Virgin Media's TV360 and Stream boxes:

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Tom Cruise Is “Probably Biggest Investor In UK Economy Over Past Decade,” Jokes Culture Minister Chris Bryant

Story from Deadline:

“Tom Cruise is probably one of the biggest investors in the UK economy over the past decade,” joked UK Culture Minister Chris Bryant this morning, as he urged the creation of more British IP.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Paramount UK Chief Ben Frow Says Channel 5 Won’t Be Sold After Skydance Merger

Story from Deadline:

Ben Frow has pledged that UK network Channel 5 will be backed in a new era for Paramount.

Paramount Global for sale latest - TVB Europe: New Paramount Global owner says he doesn’t view linear channels, including UK’s 5, as ‘declining’

Story from TVB Europe:

David Ellison, chairman and CEO, of the new Paramount Skydance Corporation, has said the company is not looking to “spin off” its linear TV channels.

Advanced Television; Data: UK SVoD nears 20m subs

Story from Advanced Television:

Worldpanel by Numerator has found that paid-for ad supported streaming services are on track to surpass ad free services in UK households by Q2 2026.

Advanced Television: POP Channels on Pluto TV in UK

Story from Advanced Television:

Narrative Entertainment is expanding the reach of its children’s channels with the launch of POP, Tiny Pop and POP Up on FAST platform Pluto TV.

Variety: U.K. Government Formally Rejects Streaming Levy, Doubles Down on Mixed Production Ecology

Story from Variety:

The U.K. government has firmly rejected calls for a 5% levy on streaming platforms and mandatory IP retention rules, instead emphasizing the benefits of a “mixed ecology” that welcomes both international investment and local production in its formal response to parliamentary recommendations on British film and high-end television.

Advanced Television: World Darts Champion of Champions on Pluto TV

Story from Advanced Television:

The World Seniors Darts Bet Goodwin Champion of Champions will be shown live and free on Pluto TV.

Variety: U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Rules Out Streamer Levy

Story from Variety:

British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has firmly rejected proposals for a levy on streaming platforms operating in the U.K., despite recent recommendations from a parliamentary committee suggesting such a measure could help support the country’s television drama sector.

BBC News: MPs call for streaming levy to help UK TV industry

Story from BBC News:

A share of the revenue streaming services make from subscription fees should be paid into a fund to support British high-end TV production, an influential group of MPs has said.

Broadcast: Paramount execs eye UK growth after ‘very bleak’ period

Story from Broadcast:

Paramount execs Lisa Kramer and Lindsey Martin have talked up the increasing demand from UK buyers, a year on from what they termed as a “very bleak” period for the country’s scripted sector.

The Media Leader: Paramount to handle sponsorship on 5 as it offers brand partnerships exclusively

Story from The Media Leader:

Paramount International Advertising Sales has announced it will exclusively offer all creative brand partnership opportunities, including sponsorship, across its entire linear and streaming portfolio in the UK.

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.”

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.

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.

Paramount Global for sale latest - Deadline: Paramount Committed To Channel 5 Amid Skydance Sale Process, Says UK Chief Sarah Rose

Story from Deadline:

Channel 5 remains part of the Paramount “ecosystem” as the Skydance sale progresses and the network’s American owners are even “envious” of its model, according to UK chief Sarah Rose.

Deadline: UK Government Launches Forum To Consider Future Of Linear TV Amid Streaming Revolution

Story from Deadline:

The UK government plans to examine ways of sustainably preserving linear television for older and underprivileged audiences amid the streaming revolution.

Advanced Television: Pluto TV expands NBCU content in UK

Story from Advanced Television:

Pluto TV has announced a partnership with NBCUniversal (NBCU) Global TV Distribution to bring an array of comedy, dramedy, action, and fan favourites content to viewers in the UK starting November 1st.

Deadline: Channel 4 Content Boss Criticizes Channel 5 For Failing To Challenge Phillip Schofield On ‘Cast Away’

Story from Deadline:

Phillip Schofield‘s swift return to TV on Channel 5 over the weekend has generated plenty headlines and the move has clearly dominated chatter at rival broadcasters.

Broadband TV News: Pluto TV ads suite of FAST news channels

Story from Broadband TV News:

Pluto TV is launching a collection of FAST channel focusing on global and local news coverage.