UK govt publishes consultation on future of TV distribution
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

UK govt publishes consultation on future of TV distribution

The UK government has published a Media Green Paper on proposed reform to the UK's public service media system. This consults on options to force social media firms and video sharing platforms to make PSM news content more prominent and easy to find on their platforms. This includes news content from the BBC, Channel 4, 5, ITV, STV, S4C and other trustworthy providers. For instance, one option could be for a range of local/national news publishers being more likely placed at the top of social media feeds, h

Telecom Plus announces new 5-year plan
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Telecom Plus announces new 5-year plan

Telecom Plus, UK provider of subscription-style household services trading as Utility Warehouse, has announced a new 5-year plan to maximise long-term shareholder value. This aims to to double the number of multi-service customers from around 500,000 to over one million by FY31. The new strategy follows a review of its operations and comes as the group reports results for the year ending 31 March 2026. 

Which? allowed to proceed with iCloud legal claim against Apple
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Which? allowed to proceed with iCloud legal claim against Apple

UK consumer group Which? has been given the go-ahead from the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) to proceed with a GBP 3 billion opt-out collective claim against Apple on behalf of iCloud storage customers. Which? claims that Apple has given preferential treatment to its own cloud storage service, thereby forcing Apple device owners to use the iCloud service. This has in turn restricted market competition and led to customers overpaying for their monthly iCloud subscription. 

Comcast Universal Ads platform launches with UK broadcasters
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Comcast Universal Ads platform launches with UK broadcasters

Comcast has launched the 'Universal Ads' self-service advertising platform in the UK in partnership with broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Sky. This will allow SMBs to run a single campaign across Channel 4 Sales, Sky Media and ITV Media for the first time. The Universal Ads platform makes buying premium TV advertising really simple, allowing brands to have a campaign live in minutes using a single, self-service platform. The UK broadcasting partnership was announced at Cannes Lions 2025, with the launch mark

Virgin Media O2 to start 2G network shutdown in summer 2029
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Virgin Media O2 to start 2G network shutdown in summer 2029

Virgin Media O2 has announced plans to start switching off its 2G network from summer 2029 as part of is Mobile Transformation Plan. This follows the successful withdrawal of 3G services by end-2025, and will allow spectrum to be reused for more efficient and faster 4G and 5G networks.

Quickline funds digital skills sessions in rural Lincolnshire
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Quickline funds digital skills sessions in rural Lincolnshire

Quickline Communications, UK rural broadband provider, is working with Lincs Digital to provide IT skills courses for people in rural Lincolnshire communities. The community-based courses, funded by Quickline and delivered by Lincs Digital, will help local people learn the digital skills needed to get online and access vital digital services - such as using the NHS app to book appointments and order prescriptions; applying for passports, driving licences and Blue Badges online; accessing/managing bus applic

Currys says 1 in 3 Brits holding onto their first mobile phone
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

Currys says 1 in 3 Brits holding onto their first mobile phone

New research from UK tech retailer Currys shows that 1 in 3 Brits are still holding onto their first phone phone, of which 25 percent are old Nokia phones. The average home has 30 unused devices, with UK households hoarding more than 880 million unused devices nationwide. Mobile phones are the most commonly hoarded device, with 4 in 5 Brits keeping old mobile phones. 

EE promotes Safer SIMs offering with new Toy Story 5-inspired campaign
UNITED KINGDOM 23 JUN

EE promotes Safer SIMs offering with new Toy Story 5-inspired campaign

BT Group's mobile network EE is launching a cinema activation inspired by the new Disney/Pixar film 'Toy Story 5'. Developed in partnership with Digital Cinema Media (DCM) and WPP Media, the campaign launches nationwide on 19 June to help families discuss online safety. It includes a co-created 30-second film with the Toy Story characters helping a family about tech, safety and growing up in a connected world.

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

UK govt could force social media firms to prioritise PSB news content - report

The UK government is considering forcing video platforms and social networks to give priority to BBC and other public service broadcasting (PSB) content, reports The Telegraph newspaper. According to unnamed sources at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the proposals would give priority to news from PSBs, including ITV and Channel 4, to help tackle disinformation and maker it easier for internet users to access "trusted news sources". A consultation on the proposals is expected to be published in th

NatureTime natural world content launches on ITVX
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

NatureTime natural world content launches on ITVX

UK broadcaster ITV has signed a content agreement with Blue Ant Media to make its NatureTime natural world programming brand available on the ITVX streaming platform. NatureTime documentaries and series will be available on ITV in summer 2026 as part of a co-branded block and FAST channel. The partners will also launch content on a new YouTube channel called ITV NatureTime. 

Channel 4 agrees five new ad inventory partnerships
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

Channel 4 agrees five new ad inventory partnerships

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has announced five new premium ad inventory partnerships. This will see its VoD ad inventory become available across the global platforms of Amazon Ads, Hawk (Azerion subsidiary), FreeWheel, PubMatic and Yahoo DSP. This will significantly boost programmatic opportunities for advertisers, and follows a recently expanded partnership with Google Display & Video 360 to overlay Google Audiences on Channel 4 inventory. 

CityFibre announces expansion of VodafoneThree partnership to mobile backhaul
UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

CityFibre announces expansion of VodafoneThree partnership to mobile backhaul

CityFibre announced an expansion of its long-term partnership with VodafoneThree with a new mobile network transmission contract to support the latter's 5G standalone network roll-out. The expanded agreement sees CityFibre become a preferred supplier for network transmission to connect VodafoneThree mobile sites across the UK. CityFibre is already a preferred digital infrastructure supplier to VodafoneThree, supporting its retail broadband services.

UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

UK Information Commissioner resigns after workplace investigation

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced the resignation of Information Commissioner John Edwards. This follows an investigation into his behaviour, which found that it "fell short of the conducted expected from a public official". He had already voluntarily stepped away from his duties as Information Commissioner at end-February to allow for an independent workplace investigation. He has submitted his resignation to the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

UNITED KINGDOM 22 JUN

ITV, STV report high TV audiences for Scotland World Cup match

UK broadcasters ITV and STV have reported strong viewing peaks for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Scotland and Morocco. The game achieved a TV peak audience of 6 million viewers across ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player; and won an 81 percent share of TV viewing at its peak. 

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

UK payment fraud losses reach GBP 1.28 billion in 2025 - UK Finance

Criminals stole GBP 1.28 billion through payment fraud in the UK in 2025, up 4 percent from 2024, according to the latest Annual Fraud Report from UK Finance. Most authorised push payment (APP) fraud cases originate online (66%) or through telecoms networks (17%) - leading UK Finance to call for tougher obligations on companies operating in these sectors.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

Hyperoptic sees network traffic spikes during World Cup games

UK fibre altnet Hyperoptic said some of the highest network traffic spikes on its network so far in June has been driven by fans watching 2026 FIFA World Cup games. It recorded peal network traffic around 10 percent higher than a standard Wednesday evening (around 1.4 Tbps) during the open game of the competition. During England's first game on Wednesday 17 June, traffic peaked at around 1.6 Tbps (around 15% higher than typical early-June Wednesday evening).

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

London Mayor wants city to become global esports hub

The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has outlined plans to major London a major global hub for esports, with the aim of attracting more international companies and major events to the city, and boosting opportunities for young people. He wants to build on the success of London hosting several high profile events - including the current Valorant Masters Tour at the Copper Box Arena, and the League of Legends World Championship Final at the O2 in 2024.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

London Mayor announces new GBP 12 mln AI support package for SMEs

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced  anew GBP 12 million support package at London Tech Week to help small businesses across the city adopt AI technology and boost productivity and growth. The scheme will invest GBP 4 million a year over the next three years to help small business adopt AI. The launch comes as research shows that less than 1 in 6 SMEs currently use AI tools.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

Mayor promotes Green Data Centre Innovation across London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has outlined plans for the city to become a worldwide leader in Green Data Centre Innovation, including coordinated action on data centre development. The pledge come as the City Hall publishes a new report showing the surge in demand for energy in London to power new data centres. The Mayor is committed to whole-city coordinated action on data centre growth focused on resilience, climate and responsible AI; to help London remain a leading global hub for AI and digital innovation.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

Vodafone UK launches biggest-ever brand campaign

Vodafone UK is launching its biggest-ever brand campaign, developed with creative agency Leo UK. 'The Nation's Biggest Network' campaign has been created to show the company's commitment to building the best mobile network in the UK, backed by investment of GBP 11 billion by VodafoneThree. The fully integrated campaign launched on 15 June across social media, display and OOH; with a TV ad launching on 17 June with a 60-second spot during the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between England and Croatia.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

ITV sees peak of 15.4 million viewers for England World Cup match

UK broadcaster ITV registered a peak of 15.4 million viewers (TV set) for its coverage of England's first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday 17 June. This is the highest peak UK TV audience of 2026, beating the 9.8 million registered by BBC show 'The Traitors'; and is the highest peak audience on any channel or streamer since the 2025 UEFA Euro tournament.

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

SRN programme activates over 140 4G masts across Great Britain

Industry group Mobile UK confirmed that more than 140 UK government-funded 4G masts have now been activated through the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme across Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). The majority of the upgrades have been completed on existing mast infrastructure, instead of building new towers, to help reduce the environmental impact of the scheme and preserve the countryside's natural beauty. The total includes 55 SRN masts in Wales, of which 11 have been activated in 2026. 

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

Deloitte opens new London AI Studio; trains UK workers on Gemini Enterprise

Deloitte is opening a new AI Studio on its London campus, developed in partnership with Google Cloud. Announced at the Google Cloud London Summit 2026 and opening in late-July, the Deloitte AI Studio will help UK organisations deploy agentic AI solutions. It will focus on transitioning sectors such as financial services, the public sector retail, consumer products, healthcare and life sciences, and technology, media and telecoms (TMT).

UNITED KINGDOM 19 JUN

Netomnia connects over 40,000 premises serviceable in Sale

Netomnia's full-fibre network roll-out in Sale has now delivered over 40,000 premises serviceable, helping to reduce one of the biggest connectivity gaps in Greater Manchester. Netomnia started its Sale network build in September 2022. The town joins Oldham, Cheetham Hill and Didsbury as part of Netomnia's growing full-fibre network footprint across Greater Manchester. 

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