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Ofcom’s second 5G auction concluded with proceeds half those of historic levels for a number of reasons.
The outcome is positive for all operators with no major surprises. The results imply a much more level playing field for the UK mobile operators than in the past.
A relief for the operators but proceeds for the exchequer will be disappointing, and ALF renegotiation may reduce their revenue steam further.
Douglas says News Corp’s deals were “tactical victories” and it had done “an impressive job of keeping this issue front of people’s minds. But the strategic question remains in place. How to improve the incentives for independent, quality news origination in the digital age, assuming we all agree that that plays a critical role in a healthy democracy.”
He added “We hope the UK’s digital markets unit will deal with such strategic questions – designing for new definitions, norms, practices and market outcomes – regarding origination, curation and content distribution, rather than carving out a series of time-stamped deals.”
Jamie said “What is interesting here is that the Chinese Communist party has done a good job of cultivating huge tech giants, national champions. But there has always been a split under the surface between those who want to encourage the great tech leap forward and a growing unease among those worried about these huge companies and the big public figures at the head of them, like Ma, outgrowing the patronage of the [Chinese communist] party.”
Francois said "It's rubbish. Young people can sustain a full night binge watching series."
"If the content is of interest young people can be much more dedicated. So, I don't think it is a good characterisation of young viewers."
ITV continues to battle the stop-start nature of Britain’s reaction to COVID-19, with Q3 and Q4’s cautious advertising recovery stunted by the current lockdown. However, from April onwards things are expected to be looking up.
Studios has been hit similarly hard, with worldwide stoppages on content production, but ITV notes that over 90% of productions are back in production.
UK subscriber numbers for BritBox were announced for the first time—it hit 500k in January—the number being neither alarming nor particularly impressive.
Francois said "Some buyers seem after a trophy asset, maybe lured by the hope of political influence,” but the views of the competition regulators were “the big question mark."
“Industrial rationale calls for consolidation. Will regulators reset their worldview to accept that the relevant market now includes online platforms competing with national TV channels for viewers and advertising spend?”
Facebook emerged from 2020 reporting record revenue growth of 22% over the year, built on its huge volume of usage, its simple buying tools and its trove of first-party data.
Facebook’s ability to match third-party data for targeting and attribution is also central to its success. However, Apple and Google are restricting data-matching tools like third-party cookies and mobile IDs, and Facebook is moving to minimise the damage.
Facebook is trying to turn its sites into storefronts by launching ‘Facebook Shops’. It is also taking public stands on the use of data for advertising, and on the need for brand-building in marketing plans. These are conversations all advertisers and media owners should be engaged with.
Claire said “Murdoch has displayed an extraordinary capacity to let go. While I don’t see Fox News as saleable, like the Wall Street Journal and the Sun I can’t see anything happening with them while he is alive. He is a real news man, but no one says his children love the mandatory political elements of the news businesses the way their father does.”
Growth in the UK production sector is being driven by increased investment by American streaming services, while local broadcasters rely on co-productions to fund increasingly-expensive, high-end content.
However, while this investment is welcome, our analysis shows that the output is predominantly less ‘British’ than that commissioned directly by local broadcasters.
Distinctive and diverse British cultural touchpoints are created or perpetuated by television. Current trends suggest a dilution of this, a globalisation of local content, and perhaps less relevance to British viewers.