Climate protesters throw red paint at Brazil’s London embassy August 13, 2019 Climate change protesters covered Brazil’s London embassy with red paint this morning, as outrage grows over the fate of the Amazon rain forest under President Jair Bolsonaro. Two Extinction Rebellion activists climbed onto a glass awning above the embassy’s entrance, while others fixed themselves to the windows with glue. They left red hand prints and [...]
Sky confirms Disney Plus deal as it ramps up streaming war chest March 3, 2020 Sky today confirmed it has signed a multi-year deal with Disney Plus to make the nascent streaming service available to its pay-TV customers. The deal means Disney Plus will be fully-integrated on Sky Q, while Now TV subscribers will be able to access the service in the coming months. Disney Plus, which launches in the [...]
UK box office revenue tops £1.25bn as cinemas fend off streaming giants January 15, 2020 UK cinemas pulled in more than £1.25bn last year as film fans continue to flock to the big screen despite the growing popularity of streaming services. Cinema admissions exceeded 176m in 2019 as punters were drawn in by blockbuster hits such as Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King and Joker. It marks the third consecutive year [...]
MWC 2020 cancelled after coronovirus fears spark mass exodus February 12, 2020 Telecoms extravaganza Mobile World Congress (MWC) has been cancelled after fears over the coronavirus sparked a mass exodus by some of the world’s biggest tech giants. GSMA, which organises the annual conference, today said the outbreak had made it “impossible” for the event to go ahead later this month. “With due regard to the safe [...]
Test and trace programme breaks GDPR laws, government admits July 20, 2020 The NHS Test and Trace scheme that collects contact details of those who have been in close proximity to Covid-19 breaks data protection laws, the Department for Health and Social Care has admitted. Campaigners from the Open Rights Group (ORG) earlier this month threatened legal action against the department over claims the NHS programme has [...]
Culture secretary Nicky Morgan warns BBC not to ignore licence fee row January 23, 2020 The culture secretary has warned the BBC it would be making a “big mistake” if it thought the row over the licence fee was not an issue of public concern. Baroness Nicky Morgan dismissed the notion that the broadcaster’s funding model was only relevant to those in Westminster, arguing instead that it affect the wider [...]
Alphabet nears $1 trillion valuation on ad growth optimism January 13, 2020 The valuation of Google parent company Alphabet is on the verge of hitting the prestigious $1 trillion (£770bn) mark after a string of positive analyst coverage pushed up its share price. Shares in Alphabet edged to within one per cent of the $1 trillion market capitalisation on Friday as the tech firm continues a bullish [...]
Tech giants hit back at France’s digital tax August 19, 2019 Silicon Valley leaders have said plans for a French digital tax were discriminatory against US firms, but urged President Donald Trump to avoid retaliating with tariffs. In evidence submitted to a hearing by the US Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) today, representatives for Google, Facebook and Amazon said the levy would hurt revenues, harm local businesses [...]
US stock markets hit record highs as Middle East tensions ease January 9, 2020 US stock markets hit record highs today as easing tensions in the Middle East soothed traders’ nerves after a week of drama. The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 both rose just over 0.5 per cent, to 28,900.74 and 3,270.63 respectively. Read more: European stocks hit record high as Iran tensions subside The Nasdaq was [...]
Commercial radio listening dips despite rise of smart speakers February 6, 2020 Commercial radio stations suffered a decline in audience numbers in the fourth quarter, despite a surge in listening through smart speakers. A total of 35.1m people tuned in to UK commercial radio each week, down from 35.9m in the previous three months, according to the latest figures from industry body Rajar. The sector also lost [...]