UK Government

Ofcom outlines full fibre support proposals

Ofcom has outlined a set of proposals to support long-term investment in full-fibre networks, following the publication yesterday of the government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR). The UK’s communications regulator said that “consistent, predictable regulation” over the coming years will help companies like Openreach, Virgin Media, Vodafone, CityFibre and TalkTalk as they build out full-fibre […]

UK government: superfast broadband now in 95% of UK premises

The UK government says it has delivered its manifesto commitment to extend superfast broadband to 95% of UK homes and businesses by the end of 2017. Culture minister Matt Hancock announced the news today after independent broadband news and information site ThinkBroadband confirmed that more than 19 out of 20 UK homes and businesses can […]

UK seeks post-Brexit ‘country of origin’ deal update by May

A cross-party report on the impact of Brexit has called for the UK government to provide an update on its progress in securing a new ‘country of origin’ deal by the end of May 2018. The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report warned that if country of origin rules – which allow TV companies to broadcast throughout […]

Margot James appointed UK digital minister

Margot James has been appointed the UK’s minister of state for digital, replacing Matt Hancock who was upped to culture secretary earlier this week. In her new role James, who is the Conservative MP for Stourbridge, will also cover the creative industries. She was previously parliamentary under secretary of state at the department for business, […]

Matt Hancock upped to culture secretary

The UK’s minister of state for digital, Matt Hancock, has been promoted to secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport as part of prime minister Teresa May’s cabinet reshuffle. Hancock replaces Karen Bradley who has now been appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland. She in turn replaces James Brokenshire who has stepped […]

UK culture secretary reappointed

UK culture secretary Karen Bradley has retained her position in a cabinet re-shuffle that followed last week’s general election. Bradley was first appointed secretary of state for culture, media and sport on 14 July 2016, and was elected Conservative MP for Staffordshire Moorlands in May 2010 – a seat she retained last week. In April, […]

UK government refers Sky takeover to regulators

The UK government has formally referred 21st Century Fox’s planned £11.7 billion takeover of the 61% it does not already own of Sky to regulators. Speaking in the House of Commons this morning, culture secretary Karen Bradley said that it was “wholly appropriate” to seek comprehensive advice from broadcast regulator Ofcom on public interest considerations, […]

Bazalgette to lead government review into UK creative industries

TV industry veteran Peter Bazalgette will lead an independent review into the UK’s creative industries, as part of the government’s new Industrial Strategy. Bazalgette will investigate how creative industries – including the music and video games industries – can help underpin the UK’s “future prosperity” by using and developing new technology, capitalising on intellectual property […]

iPlayer licence fee law comes into effect

A change to UK law requiring viewers to buy a licence fee in order to watch programmes on-demand from the BBC iPlayer comes into effect today. The law change marks the first time that UK viewers are required to pay to access non-live BBC programming via the web – with the licence fee previously only […]

Channel 4 reports record year as it faces uncertain future

Channel 4 reported record revenues of £979 million last year, an increased audience share for its main channel and spent more money on content than ever before. Unveiling Channel 4’s 2015 annual report, CEO David Abraham said that the UK broadcaster had delivered on its public service remit, at a time when the its future […]

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