Advanced Television

Ofcom

Loss-making GB News receives further funding

Operating losses at troubled right-leaning news channel GB News grew 38 per cent to £42.4 million (€49.6m) in the year to May 2023, the business has revealed in accounts filed to Annual Companies House. The accounts for GB News Limited show 80 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue to £6.7 million, but also a 63 […]

March 5, 2024

Ofcom: GB News show broke offence rules

An Ofcom investigation has concluded that an episode of Dan Wootton Tonight on GB News broke broadcasting rules designed to protect viewers from offensive content. Comments made during the programme by Laurence Fox targeting female political journalist, Ava Evans, prompted 8,867 complaints to Ofcom. Viewers expressed concerns that his remarks were sexist, misogynistic and offensive. […]

March 4, 2024By Colin Mann

Rivada Space gets Ofcom access licence

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has granted Munich-based Rivada Space Networks a licence for a non-geostationary earth station network. The licence covers Rivada’s planned Low Earth orbiting satellite network, which Rivada calls its ‘Outer Net’ system. Ofcom said: “Rivada is proposing to provide government communications, maritime and aviation connectivity, enterprise networking, and backhaul services for telecommunications […]

March 4, 2024By Chris Forrester

Content industry ‘Responding to the Crisis of Childhood’ campaign

Figures from the UK children’s content industry, regulators, academics, policy makers and advocates for young people’s wellbeing came together today at the Children’s Media Summit 2024 on February 28th to try to find answers to the major issues faced by the children’s audience and the industry in these rapidly changing times. Organised by the Children’s […]

February 29, 2024

Ofcom sets out Media Bill regulation roadmap

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has set out its plans for putting the Media Bill into practice, once it becomes law. The Bill represents the first major update to media legislation for 20 years. It takes forward many of Ofcom’s recommendations to deliver a stronger system of public service media fit for the digital age, following […]

February 26, 2024By Colin Mann

Ofcom amateur radio licensing changes

Ofcom has announced that amateur radio enthusiasts will enjoy greater operating freedoms under amateur radio licensing changes outlined by the media regulator. Ofcom explained: “Last year, we set out how we planned to change amateur radio licences and policies, so they better meet the needs of current and future needs of the hobby. We received […]

February 21, 2024

Ofcom opens latest impartiality probe into GB News

Media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into People’s Forum: The Prime Minister on GB News under its due impartiality rules. In a press statement, Ofcom said: “We have received around 500 complaints about the programme which aired on GB News on 12 February 2024.” “We are investigating under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the […]

February 19, 2024

Ofcom: Broadband, pay-TV complaints rise

Ofcom has published the latest figures for complaints the media watchdog has received about major broadband, pay-TV, mobile and landline providers, covering the period from July to September 2023. On average, broadband, landline and pay-TV complaint volumes have increased from the previous quarter, while complaint volumes across all categories have slightly increased compared to the […]

January 25, 2024

Government seeks BBC impartiality reforms

The UK Government has recommended major reforms to help boost audience confidence in the BBC’s impartiality and complaints system, following the first Mid-Term Review. Launched at the halfway point of the BBC’s 11-year Royal Charter, the Mid-Term Review evaluates the effectiveness of the governance and regulatory arrangements introduced by the Charter in 2017, with recommendations […]

January 22, 2024By Colin Mann

BT changes price rise policy

BT is scrapping mid-contract price rises linked to inflation after watchdog Ofcom threatened to ban the practice. It has been one of several ISPs to tell customers the cost of their mobile and broadband services would increase by inflation plus a fixed percentage.  But Ofcom said that was confusing and price rises should be spelt […]

January 17, 2024