Following publication by the UK government of its draft Media Bill, which it says will enable public service broadcasters better to compete with streaming giants, a number of political and industry figures have shared their thoughts on the proposals. Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell said that the bill was “long overdue”, adding: “British TV and […]
The BBC has published its Annual Plan for 2023/24 which commits to providing a wealth of programming and services for all audiences across the UK, but which recognises the increased savings requirement caused by the 2022 licence fee settlement and economic environment. The publication confirms the BBC maintains its position as the UK’s number one […]
Channel 4 and ITV’s multiplex service Digital 3&4 has appointed Steve Holebrook as its new Managing Director as Greg Bensberg steps down after ten years in the role. Reporting into the Digital 3&4 board, Holebrook will lead the strategic approach of the business and manage the operations of the Digital 3&4 service across all engagement […]
The award-winning ITV Studios label, Potato, in partnership with Belfast-based Nice One Productions has announced that Roman Kemp is to front the brand-new quiz show – The Finish Line – due to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year, joined by Sarah Greene. Currently filming in Belfast, Northern Ireland, contestants will compete […]
Britain’s biggest broadcasters will get new privileges and freedoms to make more hit shows and better compete with global streaming giants under new draft legislation. The government claims the draft Media Bill will enable public service broadcasters (PSBs) – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV and S4C – to unleash their potential to […]
Disney+ has announced that Searchlight Pictures’ Rye Lane will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ on May 3rd in the UK & Ireland. From director Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane is a romantic comedy that stars David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah , as Dom and Yas, two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course […]
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons is to question Lord Birt, former BBC Director General, and Lord Patten, former BBC Trust Chair, on issues relating to BBC impartiality. The one-off session on March 28th follows recent issues culminating with the suspension and reinstatement of Gary Lineker on Match […]
The changing needs of viewers and listeners and a demand for greater public accountability are enshrined in a new, modernised BBC operating licence announced by broadcast regulator Ofcom. The licence, which comes into effect on April 1st, 2023, has been designed firmly to hold the BBC to account on delivering its remit, while enabling it […]
The UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee MPs is to question Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, on the organisation’s work as the regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. The session on March 14th is likely to explore a range of broadcasting issues, including the BBC’s operating licence, content […]
Following an extensive search headed by 2023 partners the global music management and publishing company TaP Music, the BBC has confirmed that singer-songwriter Mae Muller will be representing the UK at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, set to be held in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine, in May 2023 with I Wrote A Song. The […]