BBC

BBC receptive to household bill licence fee shift

The BBC is open to the idea of replacing its licence fee funding model with a household bill-linked scheme, but has warned that proposals to decriminalise non-payment to the existing mechanism will result in cuts to programming. In its submission to a government consultation on the plans that began earlier this year, the BBC said […]

Boris Johnson coronavirus address becomes one of the UK’s most watched programmes ever

UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on March 23 was historic in more ways than one, with the British prime minister not only introducing unprecedented measures to address the coronavirus pandemic but also setting viewing records. The brief pre-recorded broadcast was watched by 27.1 million British households on linear TV. The official […]

Virgin Media adds BBC Sound to TV platform

Liberty Global-owned Virgin Media has become the first UK pay TV provider to add the BBC Sounds app to its TV platform. BBC Sounds replaced the BBC iPlayer radio app earlier this year. From yesterday, the BBC Sounds app, which allows users to listen to all of BBC’s live and on-demand radio, music and podcasts, […]

BBC launches children’s iPlayer experience

The BBC has launched a children’s version of its iPlayer. Housed within the iPlayer app, the service promises to “bring together the best from CBBC and CBeebies, and other suitable BBC programming, all in one place.” The new children’s iPlayer doesn’t offer any new content, but rather curates the broadcaster’s kids shows – such as […]

BBC outlines coronavirus measures

The BBC has outlined a “wide-ranging package of measures” while the nation is housebound as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  Describing these as “challenging times” BBC director general Tony Hall said that “As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a special role to play at this time of national need.” In a press release, […]

BBC delays over-75s licence fee change

The BBC will delay licence fee changes for over-75s until August. The public broadcaster had previously announced controversial plans to introduce a means-tested licence fee for over-75s which would have seen up to 3.7 million pensioners lose out on the free benefit. However, amid the coronavirus which has seen Brits urged to stay indoors, the […]

Some BBC services could be knocked “out of action” by coronavirus, admits Hall

The BBC could suspend some of its services in the face of coronavirus, said director general Tony Hall. Speaking to parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Hall said that though the broadcaster is “intent on keeping absolutely everything open,” some service could be ruled “out of action.” He said: “We have to make sure […]

BBC gets down and dirty with Extreme E digital deal

Extreme E, the electric SUV off-road racing series set to start in January 2021, has signed a multi-year deal with BBC Sport.  The deal will see each of the five races broadcast across the BBC’s digital platforms, with the first taking place in Lac Rose, Dakar, Senegal on  January 23-24 2021. Describing the deal with […]

BritBox announces Australian expansion, hits 1 million subs in US

ITV and BBC Studios UK-content streamer BritBox is to launch in Australia later this year. The SVOD service, which was first launched in the US and Canada in 2017, offers an array of UK programming and last year revealed plans to “significantly expand” its offering with more original drama and live events. It will be […]

1 2 3 … 87