Germany unveils 8% streamer levy: The German coalition government has agreed to introduce a statutory 8% investment obligation requiring national and international streamers and VoD services to invest in German film and TV production. The measure, which could take effect as early as April, will be backed by a major increase in public production incentives, almost doubling annual support to €250m. So what: Germany is moving decisively to rebalance power between global streamers and domestic production, and if it works it will intensify pressure on the UK and other European markets to follow with similar levies.
BBC licence fee increases by £5.50 to £180 from April as government approves inflation-linked rise: The government has approved an inflation-linked rise in the BBC licence fee to £180 from April, confirming CPI-based uplifts until the end of the current charter in 2027, while the green paper consultation on the BBC’s future funding model continues. So what: The BBC gets short-term funding stability but long-term uncertainty, and every price rise now lands inside a wider political argument about what the BBC should look like post-2027.
BBC targets greater unity among Gen Z: The BBC’s Unboxd research found 37% of 16–24-year-olds say they cannot be friends with someone who holds different views, compared with 21% of those aged 25 and over. The corporation says it wants to create more spaces for open debate and shared experiences, including live viewing moments and digital-first formats, as part of its charter renewal audience work. So what: The BBC is positioning itself not just as a content provider for young audiences but as a social cohesion platform, using digital commissioning as a tool to counter echo chambers.
Sky reveals cast and launch date for SNL UK: Saturday Night Live UK will launch on the revived Sky One on 21 March with an 11-strong cast of emerging comic performers spanning stand-up, acting and social-first creators. The six-part run will follow the US format with topical sketches, Weekend Update, a guest host and a musical guest, under lead writer Jonno Johnson. So what: Sky is betting that a live, social-shareable comedy brand can deliver appointment viewing in a fragmented market, and success will give UK broadcasters fresh proof that “event TV” can still be built from new talent rather than legacy names.
Sky revives flagship channel ahead of SNL launch: Sky is bringing back the Sky One brand, closing Sky Max and Sky Showcase and consolidating entertainment and comedy programming onto a single flagship channel from 24 February. The new Sky One will sit at channel 106 and serve as the home for SNL UK and other major entertainment titles. So what: This is a brand and navigation play, reducing choice paralysis on linear while strengthening a single destination for big entertainment launches, and it signals that channel identity still matters even in a streaming-led ecosystem.
C4 in-house move will create more ‘resilient’ broadcaster: Channel 4’s specialist factual lead Shaminder Nahal has defended the broadcaster’s in-house production strategy, arguing it is designed to diversify revenues and strengthen Channel 4’s ability to support indies. The approach combines a new in-house unit, acquisitions via the Creative Investment Fund, and a higher indie quota, despite criticism from Pact. So what: The indie sector’s long-standing settlement with Channel 4 is being renegotiated in real time, and this will become a key test case for how PSBs balance public purpose with commercial resilience.
Britain capable of switching off terrestrial TV by 2030s with government support, report finds: A Sky-commissioned Oliver & Ohlbaum report argues the UK can switch off terrestrial TV in the mid-2030s if government supports the remaining households without internet access, estimated at around 330,000 (2.2%). The research suggests strong public appetite for a managed transition, with most respondents favouring digital inclusion schemes over maintaining a reduced ‘nightlight’ broadcast service. So what: DTT switch-off has shifted from taboo to plausible, but the political risk sits in protecting vulnerable audiences, and broadcasters will need to frame digital transition as a social policy issue not just a tech upgrade.
BBC warned over ‘inauthentic and clunky’ portrayals of diversity: An independent review led by Anne Morrison and Chris Banatvala says the BBC has improved representation but still pays too little attention to class and geography compared with race, disability and gender. It flags a persistent concentration of commissioning power in London and warns that “smattering of diversity” approaches can lead to inauthentic portrayals, urging better measurement and stronger regional talent development. So what: The BBC is being pushed to treat class and regionality as core representation metrics, and the commissioning power debate will directly shape trust, portrayal and the political temperature of the charter renewal period.
Rhodri Talfan Davies named interim DG: BBC nations director Rhodri Talfan Davies will become interim director general from 3 April after Tim Davie steps down, while also joining the BBC board as an executive director from 1 February. Rhuanedd Richards continues as interim nations director, and the permanent DG appointment process is underway. So what: The BBC’s next phase will be led by a figure closely tied to decentralisation and “Across the UK”, which could strengthen the corporation’s regional credibility at a moment when governance and trust are under heavy scrutiny.
Tim Davie opposes hybrid funding model for BBC: Tim Davie has warned that splitting the BBC by genre under a hybrid licence fee plus subscription approach would undermine public service broadcasting, arguing it would shrink local news and fracture universality. He has also called for licence fee reform and greater governance independence, saying the BBC faces “profound jeopardy” if it cannot modernise. So what: The BBC’s outgoing DG is drawing a hard line against paywalled genre splits, signalling the corporation will fight for universality in the charter debate, even if it accepts reform elsewhere.
Simon Cowell boards Sky X Factor documentary: Sky has confirmed a multi-part documentary series on The X Factor produced by 72 Films, with Simon Cowell participating alongside contributors from in front of and behind the camera. The series is positioned as a definitive account of the ITV-era cultural phenomenon, while likely revisiting claims from contestants about negative experiences. So what: This is nostalgia with risk baked in, and Sky will be trying to capture cultural conversation while managing reputational exposure, especially if the series leans into allegations about duty of care.
BBC unveils first YouTube commissioning brief: The BBC has published its first YouTube-first commissioning brief for BBC3’s new factual channel Perspectives, offering £2m split between two producers to deliver at least 30 episodes each across repeatable formats. The channel is aimed at 16–24s and designed to encourage dialogue and debate without political punditry, with a strong emphasis on testing formats and iterating based on feedback. So what: The BBC is formalising YouTube as a commissioning destination with broadcast-style budgets and expectations, which will reshape indie development priorities and intensify the platform battle for Gen Z attention.
Analysis: BBC and YouTube deal unpacked: Further details on the BBC–YouTube partnership suggest no change to the BBC’s policy against running advertising on public service content in the UK, while advertising will continue internationally. The BBC’s ambition is to launch around 50 public service channels on YouTube within 12 months, prioritising new formats rather than full-length “lift and shift” episodes. So what: The BBC is attempting a uniquely British middle path: platform scale without platform monetisation at home, which raises long-term questions about sustainability, discoverability and whether public service rules can keep pace with creator economics.
BBC and YouTube launch groundbreaking partnership featuring new digital channels: The BBC and YouTube have launched a partnership to expand BBC content on the platform via new channels, digital-first commissions and a training programme led by the National Film and Television School for 150 media professionals. The BBC says content will drop simultaneously on YouTube, iPlayer and Sounds, with new channels spanning documentaries, kids content and global news formats. So what: This is a strategic re-platforming of the BBC to meet audiences where they are, but it also places the corporation directly into competition with creators and commercial broadcasters on YouTube’s terms.
Netflix eyes live TV as shares slide after Q4 results: Netflix says it will invest more in live events and video podcasts in 2026, reporting strong revenue and profit growth while shares fell amid investor concerns linked to its Warner Bros Discovery acquisition. It highlighted recent and upcoming live programming, emphasising live voting and interactive features as drivers of engagement and sign-ups. So what: Netflix is accelerating its move into broadcaster territory, turning live formats into acquisition and advertising engines, and UK broadcasters will face tougher competition for appointment viewing and unscripted talent.
The Apprentice to change contestant vetting process after ‘abhorrent’ social posts: The BBC has ordered producer Naked to review its vetting process after historical Islamophobic and sexist posts by a contestant in the upcoming series were reportedly missed by third-party checks. The contestant will still appear, and the BBC says it is taking the failure extremely seriously. So what: Due diligence is now part of brand safety, and broadcasters will be forced to prove their vetting systems are credible in an era where reputational risk can derail entire series launches.
Sky News reshapes 10pm bulletin to launch The Wrap: Sky News is replacing its News at Ten format with The Wrap, a nightly 10pm–midnight programme focused on live discussion, video storytelling and analysis rather than traditional packaged reports. It will be hosted by Anna Botting and Gillian Joseph, with panellists staying across the programme and a continuing newspapers segment bridging into the next day. So what: This is a recognition that breaking news has moved elsewhere, and the battleground is now interpretation and relevance, with Sky trying to own the “make sense of it” space in a post-bulletin world.
Amol Rajan to leave Today: Amol Rajan will step down from Radio 4’s Today later this year to set up his own company, while remaining with the BBC via University Challenge and his Radio 4 podcast and series Radical. The BBC has not yet announced his Today replacement. So what: High-profile BBC talent is increasingly treating the creator economy as a parallel career track, and broadcasters will need clearer strategies for retaining stars while accommodating entrepreneurial ambitions.
Children’s book publisher launches TV arm: Maverick Arts Publishing is launching Maverick Pictures to develop screen projects based on its children’s titles, beginning with a live-action adaptation of Dragon Girl in partnership with Cardiff indie A New Road Productions. The book series is being relaunched over the next two years and will also be published in North America by Sourcebooks. So what: IP owners are moving upstream into production, and publishers are positioning themselves as rights-led studios, creating new competition and new partnerships for indies and broadcasters hungry for proven family brands.
Freely surpassed 1m users in Christmas week: PSB-backed streaming platform Freely passed 1m weekly users over Christmas week, with high repeat usage and strong performance for live PSB channels. Everyone TV says Freely was the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025, with viewing spanning dramas, soaps and entertainment staples. So what: Freely is becoming the PSBs’ most credible distribution answer to big tech platforms, and its growth strengthens the argument that “free, streamed, British TV” still has mass-market pull.
Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman joins Sky News for flagship daily politics show and investigations role: Cathy Newman is leaving Channel 4 News after two decades to join Sky News, where she will present a flagship 7pm politics programme, launch a podcast and contribute investigative journalism and documentaries across Sky’s digital platforms. Sky positions the hire as part of its strategy to strengthen political coverage through to 2030. So what: Star political journalists are now being recruited as cross-platform brands, and Sky is signalling it wants to compete not just on breaking news but on premium investigations and political authority.
ITV Daytime shows will stay true to their roots, editorial boss says: ITV Daytime editor Vivek Sharma says Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will remain recognisable despite major operational changes, including moving to MultiStory Studios and merging production infrastructure. The overhaul includes new systems, LED walls and integrated lighting, with the stated aim of modernising live production while keeping the shows’ editorial DNA intact. So what: ITV is trying to future-proof live daytime without losing familiarity, and the test will be whether viewers accept behind-the-scenes consolidation without feeling the shows have been hollowed out.
BBC files motion to dismiss Trump lawsuit: The BBC is seeking to dismiss Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit in Florida, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump has failed to state a claim, while also seeking to pause discovery. The case relates to allegations that a Panorama edit misleadingly portrayed Trump’s 6 January speech, and the BBC disputes claims the programme was available in the US on BritBox. So what: This is a high-stakes legal and reputational battle that could set precedents around editorial processes, distribution claims and discovery demands, and it keeps BBC impartiality and governance under an international spotlight.
Tim Davie pushes back on BBC relevance to youth: Tim Davie told the Public Accounts Committee that evidence does not support claims young audiences do not trust the BBC, arguing trust remains high globally and that the BBC must stay present on platforms like X to counter disinformation. He acknowledged pressure to leave X but said withdrawing would cede ground to state-backed actors. So what: The BBC is framing platform presence as a national resilience strategy, not just an audience strategy, which will influence how the corporation argues for funding and legitimacy in the charter debate.
BBC urges UK government backing for World Service: Senior BBC leaders have warned that distribution is as critical as journalism production amid conflict, censorship and disinformation, calling for government backing as the World Service funding settlement approaches its end. The BBC says it faces escalating blocking and interference in more countries and needs long-term investment to sustain reach and security. So what: The World Service is being pitched as a strategic national asset in an unstable world, and its future funding will become a major test of whether the UK treats international broadcasting as soft power infrastructure.
Community radio fund awards pass one million pounds: Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund has distributed just over £1m across 47 stations following a significant uplift for 2025–26 supported by DCMS and reallocated funds. Grants ranged from £7,500 to £39,839 and are aimed at sustainability roles and volunteer training across rural and urban stations. So what: The uplift is welcome but demand still massively outstrips supply, and community radio will use this moment to argue for long-term structural funding rather than one-off boosts.
Ofcom resolves LBC issue over listener text message: Ofcom has resolved a standards case after LBC broadcast a listener text making extreme claims about Jewish education, finding the material was not sufficiently contextualised and breached Rule 2.3. LBC removed the programme online and James O’Brien apologised on air the next day. So what: Live interaction remains a regulatory risk point, and broadcasters will need tighter verification and framing systems for audience-generated content on contentious topics.
Talk in breach after radio guest drops a C-bomb before lunch: Ofcom has found News UK’s Talk in breach after a guest used the most offensive language during a live mid-morning programme at 11.44am, with insufficient mitigation and no on-air apology. The broadcaster said the remark was unexpected and procedures have been reinforced. So what: This reinforces that “editorial relevance” does not override time-of-day protections without strong safeguards, and will likely harden live compliance protocols across speech-led stations.
RAJAR Q4 2025 observations – 50 million are listening: RAJAR figures for Q4 2025 show weekly radio reach at 50 million adults and total listening at 1.015bn hours, with commercial radio increasing share to 55.2% versus the BBC’s 42.8%. Online listening reached 29.8%, ahead of AM/FM, and smart speaker listening continues to rise, reinforcing a shift in how audiences access radio. So what: Radio’s reach remains mass-market, but platform migration is accelerating, and broadcasters that treat smart speakers, apps and video-social distribution as core rather than add-ons will be best placed to hold audience share.
Alun Thomas gets BBC Radio Cymru afternoon slot: Journalist Alun Thomas will become the main presenter of Post Prynhawn on BBC Radio Cymru from February, hosting Tuesday to Friday, with Nia Thomas continuing on Mondays. The appointment strengthens the station’s late afternoon news offer, with further schedule changes including Gwenllian Grigg taking over Dros Ginio on Thursdays. So what: This is a classic local trust play, reinforcing Welsh-language news identity at drivetime-adjacent moments where habit listening is strong and where BBC Nations strategy is under heightened attention.
Permanent shows for Steffan Powell and Rima Ahmed at 5 Live: BBC Radio 5 Live has confirmed Steffan Powell as permanent Weekend Breakfast co-host on Sundays, and Rima Ahmed joining from BBC Radio Leeds to co-host Fridays, while continuing her Leeds role Monday to Thursday. The changes strengthen 5 Live’s breakfast team ahead of the summer World Cup period. So what: 5 Live is building a deeper bench of recognisable voices with cross-network credibility, using breakfast as a strategic gateway to high-value news and sport audiences.
K107FM launches brand-new weekday show Alex In The Afternoon: K107FM is launching a new weekday afternoon show hosted by Alex Airnes, with a refreshed schedule featuring multiple local presenters and an explicit commitment to more locally focused content amid wider industry consolidation. The new programme begins 26 January and will run midday to 3pm. So what: Hyper-local stations are positioning “localness” as a differentiator against networked radio, and these moves often become the clearest proof point for advertisers and regulators that community-rooted programming still matters.
BBC Local Radio is giving away hundreds of smart speakers: BBC Local Radio is running a nationwide giveaway of smart speakers across England and the Channel Islands, encouraging listeners to tune into breakfast shows for a call-to-win mechanic. The BBC frames this as helping more people access local stations easily from home. So what: This is audience retention disguised as a competition, nudging listeners onto smart speaker habits that protect BBC local listening as AM/FM declines.
BBC Asian Network Represents returns looking for new presenters: BBC Asian Network is bringing back Asian Network Represents after a three-year pause and is recruiting 12 new presenters to front weekly shows from April through March next year. The initiative will replace One More Chai and is positioned as paid development for new British Asian talent regardless of prior experience. So what: The BBC is using talent pathways as both representation strategy and pipeline-building, and this is a signal that discovery formats are returning as a serious route into mainstream broadcasting.
Community radio group presses Ofcom on future FM licensing: The UK Community Radio Network is urging Ofcom to commit to issuing new FM community radio licences in its 2026/27 plan, arguing small-scale DAB is not viable or accessible everywhere and that relying solely on digital risks excluding communities. The network is encouraging stations to respond to consultation and raise the issue with MPs and local leaders. So what: FM is becoming a social inclusion argument again, and Ofcom will face pressure to justify any move that effectively freezes access to spectrum for new local voices.
