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Jake Kanter

@jakekanter.bsky.social
2.5K followers 304 following 217 posts

Investigations for Deadline. Former The Times media correspondent. Email: jkanter@deadline.com

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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 11h
It's worth noting that Royal Mail and Eleven Labs, the AI audio giant whose tech generated the voiceover, deny that it was a Paul Vaughan voice clone. Audio experts say there's “considerable phonetic similarity” between the Royal Mail AI narrator and Vaughan. Decide for yourself.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 14h
Revealed: Royal Mail used an AI voiceover in a Christmas ad about human connection. We only know this because a startled viewer thought she heard the voice of her dead Dad: Paul Vaughan, the mellifluous BBC host and Paddington narrator. A cautionary tale. deadline.com/2026/10/paul...
deadline.com
Did Royal Mail Revive BBC & 'Paddington' Voiceover Star With AI?
Daughter of Paul Vaughan, an acclaimed BBC and 'Paddington' voiceover artist, accuses Royal Mail Christmas ad of resurrecting her father using AI.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Matt Brittin told employees today that he wants the BBC to “be more Elvis,” by which he meant: “A little less conversation, a little more action.” Welcome to the Silicon Valley-isation of the BBC. deadline.com/2026/10/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Boss Matt Brittin Details Silicon Valley Revolution At Broadcaster
In a speech to staff, BBC director general Matt Brittin outlined a Sillicon Valley-isation of the BBC, calling on the corporation to "be more Elvis."
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Some intriguing stuff on Doctor Who's future. The BBC has put the show out to tender and bidders are emerging. Could Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio take control of the TARDIS? Might the show head to Scotland? Or is the whole thing a fool's errand? deadline.com/2026/10/doct...
deadline.com
'Doctor Who' Bids Revealed: Producers Pitch To Regenerate Sci-Fi Show
The BBC is considering plans to regenerate 'Doctor Who,' with Jed Mercurio, STV Studios, and World Productions submitting bids to make sci-fi series.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We've reached the stage of BBC cuts where BBC staff are now defiantly posting laughing emojis during management calls about job losses. deadline.com/2026/10/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Staff Revolt Over Job Cuts By Posting Laughing Emojis During Call
BBC employees expressed defiance over job cuts by posting laughing emojis during a management call this week.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I hear you, but I work for a US-based title, so it's kind of ingrained in me - sorry
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I *think* it was just pipped by the finale of the civilian season, which got 9.4m.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Wow, massive start for #CelebrityTraitors. Season 2 premiere was watched by 8.9m viewers on the BBC, nearly 3m up from last year. A record season premiere rating for the show.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The recruitment process for the biggest job in British journalism is in its final stages. BBC interviewing four shortlisted candidates this week, from what I'm told. deadline.com/2026/10/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Holding Final Interviews For Next News Chief
The BBC's search for its next head of news has entered the home stretch, with four candidates remaining in the process.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Haha. I *think* that's a compliment. I will take it as such!
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Hearing this could be a little later than next week now. But whatever happens, service closures are in the post. Matt Brittin's comments on Kuenssberg only support this. bsky.app/profile/jake...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BBC cuts latest: 151 employees taking voluntary redundancy in BBC Media Tech, the unit that helps power online services including iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Will save £14.5m. deadline.com/2026/09/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Cuts: Around 150 Tech Staff Expected To Take Voluntary Redundancy
Around 151 employees are set to exit BBC Media Tech, the unit that helps power online services including iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New: The BBC is expected to announce the closure of TV and radio services early next week. Speculation is rife that BBC Three is at risk of being unplugged for a second time in a decade. Nothing is confirmed at this stage. deadline.com/2026/09/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Expected To Announce TV & Radio Network Closures Next Week
The BBC is gearing up to announce the closure of TV and radio services early next week, with speculation internally that BBC Three is at risk.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The state of this. A 14-year-old story, reheated to look like breaking news and embellished with gory detail, spat out across Reach's national and local news sites and aggregated into AOL feeds. There are still ways of funding journalism. This should not be one of them.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This chapter in @scottygb.bsky.social's book is one of the most extraordinary and wonderful tales from the TV vaults I've ever read. It's well worth your time - as is the whole book! www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
theguardian.com
‘That was all secret’: the ‘gay mole’ who fought the BBC to show the first queer kiss on kids’ TV
Everyone thinks Byker Grove broke the taboo in 1994, but another teen drama got there first. Here’s the astonishing story of Two of Us, which put a gay relationship on UK screens – and was the origina...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
To all C4 employees: my DMs are open - here and elsewhere. www.jakekanter.uk
jakekanter.uk
Home
About me 👋 Thanks for stopping by. I'm a journalist with 15 years of experience writing about TV, film and media. I'm the investigations editor for Deadline, the entertainment industry website, and wa...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I heard an interesting counter argument to Kangaroo recently, which posited that revisionism has disguised that it was all a mess behind the scenes, with little agreement/shithousery about how it would work, and that the block saved face for all involved.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Grim media news: Channel 4 will cut more than a quarter of its workforce before the end of the year. The 340 redundancies are the biggest round of layoffs in Channel 4's history. deadline.com/2026/09/chan...
deadline.com
Channel 4 Confirms Plans To Cut 340 Jobs
'The Great British Bake Off' broadcaster Channel 4 has announced the deepest round of layoffs in its 43-year history.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
New: The risk of a mass BBC staff walkout just increased after a new pay offer of 2.1% was rejected by unions. Exclusive details from DG Matt Brittin's latest internal town hall here, including this pretty brutal exchange. deadline.com/2026/09/bbc-...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Bake Off is back this month, but off-screen an almighty bun fight is heating up between an ex-GBBO producer and Sky, which owns the show. We're at a point in legal proceedings where claims are being made about "inappropriate" private boat charter expenses. deadline.com/2026/09/the-...
deadline.com
'Bake Off' Battle Heats Up: Sky Alleges Producer Falsified Accounts
In a legal battle, Sky also accuses 'The Great British Bake Off' producer Letty Kavanagh of charting private boat trips on a credit card.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
New: ITN journalist suffered mental health discrimination during an investigation into his concerns about his working environment. The person leading ITN's probe? A consultant tasked with improving ITN's culture amid serious unrest about complaints handling. deadline.com/2026/08/itn-...
deadline.com
ITN Journalist Exited With Payoff After He Suffered Discrimination
ITN faces fresh questions about its workplace culture after an external review concluded that a journalist suffered disability discrimination.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Obsessed with the idea that Donald Trump's $10bn lawsuit against the BBC could hinge on whether apparent US streams of the botched Panorama film were actually just UK staff at Florida cruise company Carnival watching the doc on a lunch break. deadline.com/2026/08/dona...
deadline.com
Donald Trump BBC Lawsuit: 285 Americans May Have Seen 'Panorama' Film
Donald Trump suing BBC on the basis that fewer than 300 Americans may have seen a documentary that misleadingly edited his January 6 speech.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
This is the kind of bust-up that just doesn't happen very often in the polite world of British telly. And all over one of the politest shows on British telly. deadline.com/2026/08/sky-...
deadline.com
Sky Sued By Ex-Love Productions Boss Amid Row Over 'Bake Off'
Letty Kavanagh, who ran 'The Great British Bake Off' producer Love Productions, is suing Sky, alleging that she was wrongfully dismissed.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
A peak of 21.5m viewers watched England crash out of the World Cup after a 2-1 loss to Argentina. Will almost certainly be the biggest TV audience of the year. Not quite as high, though, as the peak audience of 26.5m for England's 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Could The Great British Bake Off once again rise at the BBC? It's possible as the BBC holds talks with Channel 4 about hosting its content on iPlayer. Also: Ouch at Matt Brittin describing C4 as "very subscale." deadline.com/2026/07/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC In Talks With "Subscale" Channel 4 To Host Its Content On iPlayer
Could 'The Great British Bake Off' return to the BBC? The broadcaster is in talks with Channel 4 to host its content on iPlayer.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Thanks so much! One of my faves
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Big UK media news: Sky has finally sealed a £1.6 billion ($2.1 billion) deal to acquire ITV's television network operations. A takeover that reshapes British television. deadline.com/2026/07/sky-...
deadline.com
Sky To Takeover ITV In Deal That Reshapes British TV Market
Sky has finally sealed a deal to acquire ITV's television network operations, putting it in charge of hit series including 'Love Island.'
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
By this precedent, Lisa Nandy will have to apply the same scrutiny to Sky's proposed takeover of ITV. The two broadcasters boasted a combined viewing share of 17.7% in May. A good time to be a regulator!
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Would it be heavy-handed for UK govt to intervene in Paramount-Warner merger on "plurality" grounds? WarnerMount's combined TV viewing share in May was 6.9%, including Channel 5. The competition: -Netflix: 10.1% -ITV: 11.2% -YouTube: 18.6% -BBC: 19.5% deadline.com/2026/06/para...
deadline.com
Paramount-Warner Merger: UK Government "Minded To Intervene"
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has said she is "minded to intervene" in Paramount's $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Peppa Pig at heart of big AI row: -Hasbro wants kid actors on series to sign over voice rights to AI, giving it power to clone their performances -Agents say this is deeply problematic when children are not old enough to consent -1,000 sign open letter condemning plans deadline.com/2026/06/pepp...
deadline.com
'Peppa Pig' Backlash As Hasbro Asks Child Actors To Sign AI Clause
'Peppa Pig' owner Hasbro has stoked anger by requiring child actors on the animated series to sign over their voices to artificial intelligence.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Extremely Bluesky-coded observation
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
A "grim" day for BBC News, as: -World Tonight axed after 56 years -Money Box closed after 49 years -Amol Rajan won't be replaced on Today -BBC presenter and editor roles under review -BBC Breakfast on Sunday cancelled -Kuenssberg & Newsnight teams merged deadline.com/2026/06/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC News Cancels Shows Like 'The World Tonight' Amid "Grim" Cuts
BBC News has annouced its contribution to the BBC's overall plan to slash costs by £500M ($670M) over the next three years.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
In peak BBC behaviour, it's planning not just one, but a series of grim cost-cutting updates over the coming days. The fun starts now, with Matt Brittin warning staff that shows will be axed and TV/radio services are being "reviewed" as audiences move online. Full email: deadline.com/2026/06/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC To Cancel & "Review" TV Networks As It Cuts Content Spend
The BBC's new director general has announced plans to slash commissioning spend across its TV, radio, and news divisions by £80M ($107M).
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Fascinating first comments to staff from new BBC DG Matt Brittin yesterday. Per audio from internal call, he spoke about using data to build "sat nav around bias" and had a frank assessment of iPlayer. Ex-Google man forefronting tech in early vision for BBC. deadline.com/2026/05/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Boss Tells Staff He Will Use Data To Build
BBC DG Matt Brittin has revealed that he plans to use data improve impartiality, and has warned that iPlayer is not doing a good enough job.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Huge congrats, Scott. Look forward to reading.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Not enough has been written about what a truly insane decision it was to resurrect BBC3 as a linear channel.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
A lot of disquiet on the BBC call today about the job cuts news leaking. In a written question to bosses, a BBC staffer asked why the BBC job cuts were being reported by BBC News before being announced to BBC employees. A meta moment that truly only the BBC can deliver.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
I have now heard audio from the BBC internal call and wanted to clarify Rhodri Talfan Davies' quote. He actually said: "We have a funding model at the moment that is unsustainable and is reaching the end of its sell-by date." bsky.app/profile/jake...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Other "immediate cost control measures" being introduced include a quasi-hiring freeze, a "virtual-first" approach to travel, and "stricter controls on consultancy spend." And all this before the new boss Matt Brittin even walks in the door. deadline.com/2026/04/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Plans 2,000 Layoffs In Major Cost-Cutting Drive
The BBC is planning to make 2,000 job cuts in one of its most brutal cost-cutting efforts to date.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Absolutely brutal all-staff call currently taking place at the BBC. Up to 2,000 job cuts coming in Sept. BBC bosses painting bleak picture of finances. "Our funding model has reached end of life," interim DG Rhodri Talfan Davies said, per one insider. deadline.com/2026/04/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC Plans 2,000 Layoffs In Major Cost-Cutting Drive
The BBC is planning to make 2,000 job cuts in one of its most brutal cost-cutting efforts to date.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
A quiet final week for Tim Davie then, as Scott Mills, possibly the BBC's highest-paid presenter in 2025/26, is ruthlessly dispatched as Radio 2's breakfast show host. A R2 source says staff were "completely blindsided." deadline.com/2026/03/bbc-...
deadline.com
BBC's Scott Mills Exits After Allegations Over His Conduct
BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has left after allegations over his personal conduct, according to reports.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
A healthy audience for #SNLUK last night. Beat Channel 4 (basically unheard of for Sky). Trounced SNL US. Outscored the final season of A League of Their Own. Usual caveats apply about overnight audiences only being a small part of the ratings picture. deadline.com/2026/03/satu...
deadline.com
'Saturday Night Live UK' Viewing Figures: Sky Show Makes Healthy Start
'Saturday Night Live UK' viewing figures have dropped. Here's how it compares with episodes of 'SNL' U.S.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Petty confident, vibrant start for #SNLUK. Good gags, good fun. Jack Shep's Diana stole the show. Deadpan Paddy Young on Weekend Update also good. I'm rooting for the series. Its success can only be good for British telly.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
You're spot on. It would be laughable if it weren't so sickening.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
He deleted it, but the fact that he even posted it at this time is very revealing.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
EXCL: Sinners studio Warner Bros complained about the involuntary racial slur during BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, requesting it be cut from BBC broadcast. Warner sceptical of BBC/producers’ position that they were unaware of incident until it was too late. deadline.com/2026/02/warn...
deadline.com
Warner Bros. Complained About BAFTA Racial Slur Incident & Requested It Be Cut From BBC Broadcast
Warner Bros. raised concerns about involuntary racial slur directed at 'Sinners' stars during the BAFTA Film Awards, requesting a cut to BBC show.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Update: The BBC has now removed the BAFTA Film Awards from iPlayer after initially failing to cut a racial slur involuntarily shouted by an audience member with Tourette syndrome. bsky.app/profile/jake...
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Also, worth noting our exclusive story from last week: The BBC and producers did preparatory work for Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson's attendance at BAFTA Film Awards. deadline.com/2026/02/baft...
deadline.com
BAFTA Film Awards: BBC On Alert For Politically-Charged Speeches (And Swearing) After Glastonbury “Death To The IDF” Debacle
The BBC will be monitoring the BAFTA Film Awards closely for politically-charged speeches after the Bob Vylan Glastonbury scandal last year.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The BAFTA Film Awards' TV broadcast is on an anachronistic two-hour time delay, so why was John Davidson's involuntary racial slur not bleeped or dipped by the BBC, even if not clearly audible? And why does the incident remain on iPlayer? Crickets from the BBC this morning.
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Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
"Broadcast dominates television in the UK," said Ted Sarandos. There is still some truth in that, but also: Netflix was the third biggest TV service in Britain last year, per an official measure of audience reach.
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