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Retuned Freeview losing channels

Freeview viewers are losing channels after planned changes were made to the network. The company, which runs free digital television in the UK, had pre-warned users that they would likely need to retune their systems on August 12th after transmitters were updated. However, many customers say their channels have not been fully restored, despite retuning […]

August 12, 2020

P7Sat.1 Formula E coverage deal

From Season 7, which starts in January 2021, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will become the only major international motorsport on free-to-air television in Germany, with ProSiebenSat.1 airing all races live as part of new long-term partnership. The ‘ran’-racing-crew of Sat.1 will be on the ground at races bringing fans all the latest […]

August 11, 2020By Colin Mann

ITV revenues plummet in challenging times

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has published its Interim results for the period ending June 30th 2020. Revenues slumped by 17 per cent to £1.21 billion (€1.02bn) largely caused by a lack of demand for advertising bought about by the pandemic. Carolyn McCall, ITV Chief Executive, said: “This has been one of the most challenging times […]

August 6, 2020

Premiership Rugby returns on BT Sport & Channel 5

The resumption of the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season will be shown on BT Sport and Channel 5 from August 14th, with every match broadcast live. Matches will be played behind closed doors, and once crowds can safely return to stadia, BT Sport will revert to broadcasting multiple matches exclusively live per round. In a […]

August 6, 2020

Ofcom: Lockdown doubles SVoD screen time

A surge in screen time during lockdown saw UK adults spend 40 per cent of their waking day watching TV and online video services, broadcast regulator Ofcom has found in its annual study of the nation’s media habits. People spend

August 5, 2020

ITV extends British horse racing rights

ITV will continue as the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster of British horse racing until 2023. ITV, which has shown racing exclusively since 2017, has secured the rights to show nearly 100 days of racing each year for a further three years from 2021. The deal includes all the marquee events on ITV main channel, such as […]

August 5, 2020

STV Player on Freeview Play

STV Player is expanding its service UK-wide on TV platform Freeview Play. Some 1500 hours of free content is now available on the Scottish VoD catch-up service, and will now also be accessible for viewers across the rest of the UK. Richard Williams, STV’s Managing Director, Digital, said: “The reach of the STV Player is constantly […]

August 5, 2020

FA Cup final on BBC sets season-high viewing record

Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final on August 1st was the most-watched football match of the season. BARB data shows the BBC’s coverage from Wembley Stadium was watched by a peak of 8.2 million across all platforms, a 46.1 per cent audience share. The game was also shown on BT Sport. It […]

August 3, 2020

Why Sky Arts went free

Earlier this week, Sky announced that Sky Arts will become a free-to-air channel in September. Philip Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, has explained the decision. In a blog post he wrote: “As an arts broadcaster, I have spent my working life in and around some of the UK’s most interesting and unusual cultural events. In […]

July 30, 2020

Ofcom researches attitudes to PSB

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has published new research to explore the relationship that people have with public service broadcasting. This research is designed to help inform Ofcom’s work on the future of PSB – Small Screen: Big Debate. Its purpose is to stimulate a national conversation involving viewers, the broadcasting industry, Parliament, and regulators about […]

July 29, 2020By Colin Mann