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BT's updated TV app has an on-demand section just for kids
Like the UK's other big TV providers, BT offers customers an app that lets them manage their YouView+ set-top box and access some of the content they pay for when they're away from the living-room flatscreen. The service formally known as BT TV Everywhere has been rebranded today, adopting the simpler name of "BT TV." And with that new title comes a few new features, namely a dedicated on-demand section for kids' shows from the likes of Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
BT's acquisition of EE is complete
For BT and EE, the moment has finally arrived. All of the relevant regulators have given their approval, allowing BT to acquire the UK's largest mobile network. It's a £12.5 billion deal that will have huge ramifications for the broadband, TV and telephone industries. Both brands will be left alone in the short term, but there's obvious potential to combine their respective proficiencies -- EE in mobile, BT in broadband and TV -- to take on providers like Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk.
BT gets the green light to buy EE for £12.5 billion
In the 11 months since BT confirmed it was buying EE, the UK's biggest carrier, the two companies have waited on the approval of regulators that need to make sure their union won't stifle competition. It took almost eight months for the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) to provisionally give the deal the thumbs-up, but today BT has finally received the final rubber stamp it has been craving. In its investigation, the CMA looked at potential issues raised by rivals, which included TalkTalk, Vodafone and other major UK providers. It believes they would "not result in a substantial lessening of competition" in any of the markets that BT and EE operate in, including retail mobile, wholesale mobile, mobile backhaul, wholesale broadband and retail broadband services.
BT's Ultra HD box can now stream Netflix in 4K
BT beat its UK TV rivals to the punch earlier this year, launching an Ultra HD channel and a 4K set-top box to watch it on. After turkey, all the trimmings and one too many sherbets, though, it's unlikely whatever sports-related programming BT's showing will entertain every member of the extended family, even if it is in jaw-dropping definition. Well not to worry, because just in time for Christmas, you can now watch Netflix's 4K catalogue on BT's Ultra HD box.
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ISPs warn UK snooping law will cost time and lots of money
The Investigatory Powers Bill, aka the new Snoopers' Charter, aims to clarify and extend the UK government's surveillance capabilities. Of the proposed changes to existing legislation, one of the biggest is the requirement that all British ISPs store the last 12 months of browsing data so that it may be accessible to government agencies. The draft bill still needs the approval of the House of Commons and House of Lords to become law, so the finer details aren't yet set in stone, but the UK's major internet providers are already advising it'll be a big ask. Speaking to the bill's joint committee yesterday, execs from BT, Sky and Virgin Media warned the capture and storage of Internet Connection Records (ICRs) would be both costly, and could take several years to implement.
Sky told it doesn't have to give BT a discount on Sky Sports
BT Sport is no longer the David to Sky Sports' Goliath. When it launched in August 2013, the underdog TV service weighed heavily on less popular football leagues such as Serie A in Italy and Ligue 1 in France. But BT has slowly expanded, spending large amounts for the Champions League, the Europa League and a highly sought-after batch of Premier League fixtures. That's triggered Ofcom to re-evaluate what's known as a "wholesale must-offer" between Sky and BT. Its final decision, announced today, means that Sky is no longer forced to offer its flagship sports channels, Sky Sports 1 and 2, at a discount to BT.
BT Sport ads banned for promoting 'free' Champions League coverage
Once again, BT has been criticised for promoting its BT Sport channels with "misleading" TV ads. The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told the company to pull a number of adverts, including a prominent one on TV, which promises free BT Sport access for BT TV and BT broadband customers. For BT, this is particularly bad timing. The company finally has the rights to broadcast live Champions League and Europa League football in the UK, after snatching them from Sky back in 2013. The two prestigious tournaments didn't come cheap, so BT needs BT Sport -- and specifically its new BT Sport Europe channel -- to be a resounding success. With that in mind, BT has been heavily promoting its European sports coverage as a "free" extra for all BT TV customers.
UK watchdog gives BT and EE's merger the go-ahead
BT's £12.5 billion acquisition of EE cleared a big hurdle today after the UK's competition watchdog agreed to provisionally clear the deal. The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) said today that after considering whether a union between the two companies would impact mobile, fixed line and broadband services, the merger was "not expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market in the UK."
BT wants Netflix's 4K content on its Ultra HD box
BT may've launched the first 4K sports channel in the UK, but it doesn't expect you to shell out for its new Ultra HD box just to catch the odd footy match in the highest of definitions. It's now a matter of sourcing enough content to make the upgrade as attractive as possible, and BT is already investing in sports-centric 4K programming outside of live games. The appetite for Ultra HD entertainment can't be sated solely by sport, however, which is where BT hopes Netflix can lend a hand. BT Sport's Chief Operations Officer told Digital TV Europe that the company is currently talking to Netflix about enabling 4K in its app for BT's Ultra HD YouView box. Unfortunately, there's no word on when this might happen, and there isn't a great deal of 4K content on Netflix yet as it is, but it would certainly help BT show its latest set-top box isn't just for footy fans.
BT promises 300Mbps broadband for 10 million homes by 2020
BT's chief executive Gavin Patterson has emerged today with a laundry list of promises designed to improve broadband speeds, coverage and public confidence in the UK. First up is a commitment to a new, minimum broadband speed of 5-10Mbps, which the company claims will be enough for people to "enjoy popular internet services like high definition video." The idea to push for a minimum standard was actually introduced by the UK government earlier this year. BT's involvement is a crucial statement of support, although at the moment there's no timeframe as to when it'll be introduced or even feasible. There's also the matter of the speeds themselves -- 5Mbps, most would argue, isn't enough to support a family or a group of flatmates that regularly use the internet simultaneously.
Virgin Media's next superfast city is Nottingham
Earlier this year, Virgin Media pledged to rapidly expand its cable broadband across the UK. Dubbed "Project Lightning," its aim is to offer speedy 152Mbps internet to an extra 4 million homes over the next five years. The company kicked off the project in Manchester, and today it's announcing the next city on its hit list: Nottingham. Roughly £25 million of its promised £3 billion investment will go towards fitting out 50,000 homes and businesses in the area. Specifically, this is the NG postcode -- so Nottingham's city centre, suburbs and surrounding towns, including Mansfield and Newark-upon-Trent. If you're desperate to get hooked up, you can register your interest now at Virgin Media's "Cable My Street" site -- there's no guarantee, but it just might move your neighbourhood further up the list.
Labour party joins calls for BT and Openreach breakup
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is currently reviewing whether BT and Openreach, a subsidiary which manages most of the UK's broadband infrastructure, should be left alone or separated entirely. Sky and TalkTalk have already expressed their views -- unsurprisingly, they want the pair split up -- and now they've got another supporter in the Labour party. Chris Bryant, the shadow culture secretary, says Openreach and the government are delivering broadband "too slow, too late." In the Telegraph, he argues that Ofcom should work on the basis that Openreach needs to be "split from the rest of BT, unless their review produces conclusive evidence to the contrary." It's not an unwavering stance, but it's clear the Labour party favours reform. BT will need to do more interviews like the one below if it's to prove the current arrangement is in the public interest.
BT outbowls Sky to show England's next Ashes series
The 2015 Ashes series may only have concluded yesterday (with England retaining the urn), but broadcasters are already focusing their attention to the next round of tests in two winters' time. After stealing a significant chunk of Sky's prized football coverage away, BT announced today that it's won the rights to the 2017-18 Ashes series, dealing a heavy blow to its rival in the process. As part of its bid, the company secured access to Australian International Cricket and KFC Big Bash League matches from 2016 to 2021, which will include the five all-important Ashes matches in late 2017.
Sky Sports will show 100 extra La Liga matches this season
To make up for its lack of Champions League and Europa League football, Sky is doubling down on La Liga. The broadcaster will be showing over 300 matches from the Spanish division this season -- up from its usual tally of roughly 200. British interest in the league has always been high, given the quality of teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. With the extra games, however, Sky Sports customers will get to see more of football superstars Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez and Bale on their TVs. Are the fixtures enough to counterbalance the loss of the Champions League? No, but it's better than nothing. BT Sport is steadily growing its stockpile of live TV rights, so it's in Sky's interest to do the same. The company still has the lion's share of Premier League rights, but expanding its La Liga offering could stop a few unhappy subscribers from jumping ship.
My BT app lets you restart your router remotely
If you're a BT broadband, mobile or TV customer, it's now a tad easier to manage your account from a phone. BT has released a new app called "My BT" for iOS and Android, which lets you check recent bills, track hardware orders and review the packages that you're currently signed up to. More useful, perhaps, is the ability to check the status of BT services in your area -- for instance, when your home broadband suddenly crumbles -- and even alter an engineer appointment. The app will also offer assistance for improving your home network, and, if you're really lazy, give you the option to restart your BT Home Hub remotely. So when your connection is next on the fritz, you no longer have to get out of bed and break your Netflix marathon to do the whole "off and on" router routine.
BT exclusive 'Fear The Walking Dead' to premiere on August 31st
When BT announced it had teamed up with AMC to bring exclusive US shows to the UK, all eyes were on when Fear The Walking Dead, a new spin-off of the popular zombie drama The Walking Dead, would reach our screens. Turns out we'll only have to wait a few more weeks for the BT exclusive to make its debut, after the broadcaster shared news that the show will premiere on August 31st at 9pm.
Sky retains Spanish football TV rights for three more years
Much like the Premier League, broadcasters have to bid for the TV rights for other major sporting leagues around the world. Sky has delivered comprehensive coverage of Spain's La Liga championship for two decades, but recently reports suggested that its biggest broadcasting rival, BT, had swooped in and stolen them. It turns out that's not the case, because Sky has today announced it has secured La Liga access for another three years.
BT's broadband prices are going up this September
Stick with the same phone, broadband or TV provider for long enough and eventually your bills will go up. It's just a matter of when and by how much. BT is the latest in the UK to announce some price rises, which will be coming into effect on September 20th. Broadband packages are going up "by no more than 6.94 percent" -- you can check your own plan here, and BT is keen to stress that some won't be changing at all. Line rental, meanwhile, is going up by a pound -- making Standard Line Rental £17.99 and Line Rental Plus £19.99 per month -- and its call plans will be rising between 14 and 50 pence.
Sky will reportedly launch its 'SkyQ' 4K box within weeks
Just days after BT began selling its Ultra HD box online, broadcasting rival Sky appears ready to show off its own 4K hardware. The Telegraph reports that the pay TV provider is just weeks away from launching "SkyQ," an Ultra HD set-top box that will reportedly let subscribers watch or record at least four programmes at once. Like the EE TV box, Sky's player will also share broadcasts across smartphones and tablets, as families increasingly shift towards smaller screens.
BT's Ultra HD box now available to order online
When the Premier League kicks off again in two weeks, we'll see new teams and fresh faces, but there'll also be a new way to catch the action as it unfolds. That's all thanks to BT's new Ultra HD box, which will offer coverage of Saturday evening and mid-week matches in glorious 4K. While the new Humax-made YouView box has been available to purchase over the phone for around a week, BT has today opened up online orders, making it much easier to get your living room ready for when Arsenal meet Chelsea in the FA Community Shield on August 2nd and the lunchtime kickoff between Manchester United and Tottenham on August 8th.
