UK telecoms and media regulator Ofcom has confirmed the appointment of Sir Ian Cheshire as the next Chair of commercial PSB Channel 4. He will join the broadcaster’s Board on April 11th 2022, succeeding the interim Chair Dawn Airey. Cheshire was Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc from January 2008 to early 2015. Before that […]

Michael Grade is the government’s preferred candidate for the Ofcom chair, the UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has announced. Lord Grade has had a long career in broadcasting, encompassing London Weekend Television, the BBC, ITV, as well as over nine years as Chief Executive of Channel Four Television. In May 2004 he was appointed Chairman […]

Research reveals that teenagers back increased curbs on the internet, and fear their voices are not being heard in the discussion around the Online Safety Bill. After the draft Bill was scrutinised in Parliament this week, connectivity provider TalkTalk has teamed up with its partner Internet Matters – online safety and wellbeing experts – to […]

The UK culture secretary has firmly advised Ofcom to take “timely and transparent” action against Russia’s state broadcaster in the UK amid concerns it is spreading disinformation. Nadine Dorries has told the regulator Ofcom she is concerned that RT will “look to spread harmful disinformation” in the UK. She says that the Russian government is […]

The Communications and Digital Committee of the House of Lords, the UK’s upper legislative chamber, has launched a new inquiry into the future funding of the BBC. The BBC gets roughly £3.6 billion of its current £5 billion annual income from the television licence fee. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said recently that it was time […]

Prime Video has announced a multimillion-pound long-term contract with Shepperton Studios for exclusive use of new production facilities at the Surrey studios for future original TV series and movie productions. The new facilities will comprise nine sound stages, workshops and office accommodation, totalling approximately 450,000 square feet, and forming part of the wider redevelopment and […]

Official figures published by the BFI’s Research and Statistics Unit show further growth in the economic recovery of UK film and high-end TV (HETV) production in the wake of the pandemic with record levels of spend contributed to the economy. The combined spend by film and high-end television production (HETV) during 2021 reached £5.64 billion […]

UK creative industries businesses will benefit from a £50 million (€60.7m) Government boost to help drive economic growth and level up the country. The investment includes £21 million to help build on the international success of the UK film industry through a three-year UK Global Screen Fund. This follows a successful one-year pilot of the […]

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has announced the appointment of industry veteran Dawn Airey as Channel 4’s interim Chair, replacing current Chair, Charles Gurassa, who departs on January 27th 2022. Airey joined the Channel 4 Board in December 2021 as a non-executive director. Her career includes roles as Chair and CEO of Channel 5, Managing Director […]

James Purnell, a former Director of Radio at the BBC, as well as its Director of Strategy and Digital, has suggested that the Corporation be funded by a household fee, also proposing that the BBC buy fellow public service broadcaster Chanel 4, whose future ownership is being considered by the Government. Writing in the Sunday […]