New Culture Secretary
The election of a new Labour Government has been widely seen as good for the BBC – especially with the Charter Renewal due in the next few years. The new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan, who has been supportive of the BBC in the past.
Variety likes the appointment:
It’s often mentioned that the Conservatives burnt through five Prime Ministers. But they also had 12 Culture Secretaries during the last 14 years. Some, like Nadine Dorries, were actively hostile towards the BBC and imposed income cuts which are still being felt. The i newspaper says the Starmer government has bigger fish to fry following the election but the BBC and Channel 4 should receive a fairer hearing from the new administration. We’ll need to wait and see what that means but in the meantime many media commentators are expecting a period of calm. It has been announced that Chris Bryan MP will join Nandy’s team.
From 1998 to 2001 Bryant was Head of European Affairs at the BBC.
Tubi
Never heard of it. Neither had I until a few days ago. It’s a free, ad supported streaming service owned by Rupert Murdoch. It’s been doing quite well in the States and now it’s coming here.
In a crowded market with Netflix, Disney +, ITVX and of course the BBC iPlayer all fighting for audiences, a new free service could have an impact on what is already a crowded market.
