Deadline: New UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Says “Spirit Of Our New Government” Reflected In Film & TV Industry Potential, As Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery & Paramount Execs Attend Her Debut Speech

Story from Deadline:

Representatives from Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount attended new UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy‘s debut speech today, in which Nandy said “the spirit of our new government” is reflected in the social and economic potential of the nation’s film and TV industry.

BizAsia: Youngsters continue to turn away from traditional TV; radio listening up

Story from BizAsia:

For the first time, less than half of 16-24-year-olds are now watching broadcast TV in an average week, according to Ofcom’s annual study into the nation’s media habits.

Variety: U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Outlines Prospects for $218 Billion Creative, Sports and Media Sector

Story from Variety:

U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy gathered leaders from over 150 organizations in Manchester on Wednesday to discuss the government’s plans for economic growth in the creative industries, sports, and media sectors.

Virgin Media UK: Virgin Media to offer Premier Sports for FREE in August

Story from virginmedia .com:

From August 1st you can watch all the action on Premier Sports 1 HD (Channel 551) and Premier Sports 2 HD (Channel 552) at no extra cost, including live Scottish Premiership and LALIGA action.

©2022 Virgin Media.

FT: Virgin Media UK 'closing in' on new deal with TNT Sports UK

Story from FT:

Virgin Media O2 Executives are closing in on a deal to show the Premier League football matches managed by TNT Sports, which is jointly owned by BT and Warner Bros. Discovery, as broadcasting fee negotiations near conclusion.

FT: Warner Bros Discovery in talks with UK streamers over HBO programmes

Story from FT:

Warner Bros Discovery is in talks about showing HBO content in the UK via its Max streaming platform on rival streaming and TV services, raising fresh questions over its existing exclusive arrangement with Sky to show hit programmes such as Game of Thrones.

Comfirmed: Sky Sports + linear TV Channels to launch on August 8th

Sky Sports has confirmed that Sky Sports Arena will become Sky Sports + from August 8th.

National League: Groundbreaking Deal Announced With Broadcast Giants DAZN

Story from The National League:

The National League are delighted to announce a new long-term partnership with DAZN, Europe’s largest sports broadcaster.

Broadband TV News: Virgin Media O2 in profit against subscriber losses

Story from Broadband TV News:

Virgin Media O2 has continued to fight against subscriber erosion as its cable business lost 13,600 customers in Q2.

Variety: ITV Grows Profits, Margins as It Battles Headwinds in First Half of 2024

Story from Variety:

British broadcast group ITV delivered a mixed financial performance for the first six months of 2024, as it continues to navigate a shifting media landscape.

Variety: Sky Content Boss Zai Bennett Jumps Ship to BBC Studios Productions as CEO and Chief Creative Officer

Story from Variety:

Sky content boss Zai Bennett has jumped ship to BBC Studios Productions, where he has been appointed CEO and chief creative officer.

Sky News: BBC reveals highest-paid stars - including former newsreader Huw Edwards despite being off-air

Story from Sky News:

Huw Edwards is among the BBC's highest-paid stars of the last year, despite being suspended in July 2023 amid allegations of misconduct.

Variety: BBC to Cut 500 Jobs as Financial Deficit Grows

Story from Variety:

The BBC has revealed plans to reduce its workforce by 500 full-time positions over the coming two years as the broadcaster’s annual report displays evidence of financial difficulties.

Media Guardian: Half a million households cancelled BBC licence fee last year

Story from Media Guardian:

Half a million households cancelled their licence fee last year as the BBC struggled to connect with younger audiences drifting away to Netflix and YouTube.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Meets the Babes' to close on July 31st

From July 31st at 10am Adult Phone in channel 'Meets the Babes' is set to close on Virgin Media UK.

Source: V6.

Media Guardian: ECB wants to keep the Hundred name even if it switches to Twenty20 format

Story from Media Guardian:

The England and Wales Cricket Board is pushing ahead with proposals to switch the Hundred to a Twenty20 format, but plans to keep the competition’s name.

Media Guardian: BBC chief warns viewers could miss big Olympic moments due to ‘pinch points’

Story from Media Guardian:

Television viewers of the Olympics in the UK could miss exciting live moments during the Games if several key events happen simultaneously, the man in charge of delivering the BBC’s Olympics coverage has warned.

Rugby Broadcast: Premier Sports may land rights to the Champions Cup

Story from Rugby Broadcast on X:

BREAKING:

Media Guardian: Ofcom to ban inflation-linked mid-contract price rises on phones, pay-TV and broadband

Story from Media Guardian:

Phone, broadband and pay-TV companies are to be banned from imposing mid-contract price increases linked to inflation, in a crackdown by the regulator after a Guardian investigation exposed “greedflation” in the sector last year.

Broadband TV News: Ofcom to update rules on Crown Jewels events

Story from Broadband TV News:

Ofcom is seeking evidence around TV’s Crown Jewels as it prepares to implement changes to the rules around their broadcast under the Media Act 2024.