OfCom - CMU | the music business explained

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

public

YouTube • 3 min read

YouTube now the second most watched media platform in the UK, behind only the BBC

YouTube is now second only to the BBC when it comes to at-home video consumption, according to a new report from OfCom. The regulator considers what that means for traditional public service broadcasters like the BBC, having recently suggested new laws to force YouTube to sign-post their content…

Chris Cooke • 31 Jul 2025

Boom Radio welcomes OfCom ruling blocking BBC’s plans for golden oldies radio station

public

BBC • 3 min read

Boom Radio welcomes OfCom ruling blocking BBC’s plans for golden oldies radio station

Media regulator OfCom has told the BBC that it can’t launch a new Radio 2 spin-off station playing music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The planned new station was heavily criticised by commercial golden oldies station Boom Radio, which said the planned new BBC service would be unfair competition…

Chris Cooke • 11 Apr 2025

OfCom delays launch of golden oldies service on BBC Sounds

public

BBC • 2 min read

OfCom delays launch of golden oldies service on BBC Sounds

The BBC’s plan to add a golden oldies service to its BBC Sounds app is on hold after regulator OfCom said the proposal represents a material change to output and therefore requires a public interest test. This has been welcomed by the commercial radio sector which has been critical of the BBC’s plan…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2024

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

public

Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

The warning from MPs to the UK government that there is an urgent need to support grassroots music venues, calls for SXSW London to shift its planned June 2025 date, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 11 May 2024

Commercial radio sector calls on OfCom to block BBC's plans for four new radio stations

public

BBC • 3 min read

Commercial radio sector calls on OfCom to block BBC's plans for four new radio stations

The BBC’s plans to launch four new radio stations have been criticised by the commercial radio sector, which argues that the proposed new genre and decade specific services simply replicate what commercial stations are already doing. Trade body Radiocentre says OfCom should block the move…

Chris Cooke • 08 Feb 2024

Working class audiences want the BBC to take more risks when producing new programmes

public

BBC • 1 min read

Working class audiences want the BBC to take more risks when producing new programmes

A new study from UK media regulator OfCom says that the BBC should take more risks when commissioning new content in order to better connect with audiences from lower socio-economic groups…

Chris Cooke • 30 Nov 2023