UK


COBA calls for “ambitious” broadcasting deal ahead of Brexit

COBA, the UK multichannel broadcasters’ association, has once again sounded the alarm on the likely impact of Brexit on the industry and has called on the government to seek an “ambitious” deal on broadcasting before companies are forced to activate their contingency plans. Speaking to the parliamentary committee on exiting the EU, COBA executive director […]

C4 narrows shortlist for new HQ and creative hubs

Channel 4 (C4) has narrowed down the choice of locations for its new national headquarters and two new creative hubs to six UK cities, with Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham all in the running. The UK public service broadcaster said it is now in “advanced negotiations” with the six cities, following a second stage pitch process […]

SVOD subs overtake pay TV in the UK, Ofcom reports

Subscriptions to OTT TV services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Now TV have overtaken traditional pay TV services in the UK, according to figures compiled by media and telecom regulator Ofcom. According to Ofcom’s latest Media Nations report, which covers major trends in UK television, pay TV revenues also declined last year after a period […]

UK’s high-end drama boom leads to £2.6m in levy funds

The UK’s booming production schedule in television drama saw a record £2.6 ($3.63) million paid in contributions to the High-end TV (HETV) Levy fund last year, according to UK body Creative Skillset. Over 100 high-end productions including Game of Thrones, Poldark, Luther, Derry Girls, The Durrells, Black Mirror, Shetland, Call the Midwife and Peaky Blinders, made the payments […]

Sky and A+E Networks extend European partnership

Sky has extended its long-term partnership with A+E Networks and will continue to distribute A+E’s channels across its European footprint. The deal applies to A+E Networks’ six brands in Europe – History, Lifetime, Crime + Investigation, H2, A&E, and Blaze. The latter launched in the UK in September and recently went live in Italy exclusively […]

Amazon launches subscription TV in UK, Germany

Amazon has launched its Amazon Channels offering in the UK, Germany and Austria, allowing Prime users to add live and on-demand TV as part of their subscription package. Amazon Channels launches with a line-up of more than 40 channels in the UK and more than 25 in Germany and Austria, with Amazon promising more additions […]

UK-Brazil coproduction treaty ratified

The UK and Brazil production treaty has finally been formalised, smoothing the way for TV and film coproductions between the two countries. The pact was negotiated by the British Film Institute on the UK side, with support from the UK government, and the Brazilian Film Agency (BRAVI). Productions covered by the treaty will be given national […]

The Grand Tour drives Amazon above Netflix

New data shows that Amazon has stolen a march on Netflix in the UK and Germany, with The Grand Tour giving the SVOD service the edge over its rival. Amazon and Netflix never reveal viewing data, but research from Parrot Analytics covering both territories reveals mega-budget motoring series The Grand Tour has registered as the […]

In-demand chart: Germany (January 29-February 4, 2017)

Amazon is successfully taking on Netflix in Germany, Europe’s largest TV territory, with the overall most in-demand digital original, and another in the top five. Reflecting a wider trend, Amazon Prime Video has challenged Netflix with two titles in the top five digital originals in Germany: The Grand Tour in first place and The Man […]

UK, Germany clean up at international Emmys

Programmes from the UK and Germany led the way at the International Emmy Awards in New York last night, winning six of the gongs that were up for grabs. UK winners at the event, which was presented by Alan Cummings, came in the Best Performance by An Actor, Comedy and TV Movie/ Mini-Series categories, while […]