Subscriptions to OTT TV services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Now TV have overtaken traditional pay TV services in the UK, according to figures compiled by media and telecom regulator Ofcom. According to Ofcom’s latest Media Nations report, which covers major trends in UK television, pay TV revenues also declined last year after a period […]
The BBC is in talks with Channel 4 (C4) to make a £500 million (€565 million) bid to take full control of UKTV, according to The Guardian. BBC Studios is already the owner of 50% of UKTV, but it wants a majority stake in the company as it is a major source of profit for […]
YouView chief executive Richard Halton is to stand down at the end of this year to pursue new opportunities. The UK hybrid digital TV platform, which is jointly owned by BT, TalkTalk, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Arqiva, said that Halton, who led YouView from launch, had decided the moment was right […]
The heads of the BBC and Channel 4 have come together to call for new legislation that will protect the prominence of UK public service output in today’s changing and increasingly digital media landscape. Speaking at a parliamentary event yesterday, BBC director general Tony Hall and Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon said action was needed […]
In response to calls by the BBC and Channel 4 for greater prominence for their digital services, the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA) has fired back – warning that intervention should not include changes to traditional linear TV, as doing so could damage much-needed investment in UK children’s programming. According to COBA, its multichannel members invested £23m in first-run, UK-made […]
Channel 4 has integrated its All 4 on-demand service with Google Assistant across Google’s family of Home devices. The step means that All 4 viewers can use Google Home and Google Home Mini devices to ask the Google Assistant to play shows from All 4 on Chromecast. “We have a great track record in partnering […]
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and network operator Arqiva have agreed to invest £125 million (€142 million) over five years to accelerate UK digital terrestrial platform Freeview’s transition to “a fully hybrid platform”. The four Digital UK shareholders said they aim to further develop Freeview Play, the DTT platform that marries free-to-view terrestrial TV and […]
Channel 4 has announced the cities and regions that have been shortlisted to house its new national headquarters and two new creative hubs. From more than 30 submissions, the UK broadcaster has narrowed down the choice to seven cities for consideration as a national headquarters or creative hub. A further six sites have been listed […]
UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has called on the UK’s public service broadcasters to collaborate in order to compete with global giants like Netflix, describing a previous regulatory block on such efforts as a “tragedy”. Speaking at the DTG Summit in London this morning, Ofcom group director and board member, Steve Unger, predicted that something along […]
The BBC, Channel 4 (C4) and ITV have held discussions to join forces and create a streaming service that combats US giants Netflix and Amazon, according to reports. The Guardian reported that the trio are currently in early-stage talks to launch the service, which may also involve US TV and film group NBC Universal. Potential […]
