Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 11hIt'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. 040
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 14hRevealed: 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.comDid 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. 13637
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Matt 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.comBBC Boss Matt Brittin Details Silicon Valley Revolution At BroadcasterIn 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." 332
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Some 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 ShowThe BBC is considering plans to regenerate 'Doctor Who,' with Jed Mercurio, STV Studios, and World Productions submitting bids to make sci-fi series. 010
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026We'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.comBBC Staff Revolt Over Job Cuts By Posting Laughing Emojis During CallBBC employees expressed defiance over job cuts by posting laughing emojis during a management call this week. 042
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I hear you, but I work for a US-based title, so it's kind of ingrained in me - sorry 221
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I *think* it was just pipped by the finale of the civilian season, which got 9.4m. 010
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Wow, 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. 26115
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The 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.comBBC Holding Final Interviews For Next News ChiefThe BBC's search for its next head of news has entered the home stretch, with four candidates remaining in the process. 011
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Haha. I *think* that's a compliment. I will take it as such! 101
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Hearing 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... 100
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026BBC 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.comBBC Cuts: Around 150 Tech Staff Expected To Take Voluntary RedundancyAround 151 employees are set to exit BBC Media Tech, the unit that helps power online services including iPlayer and BBC Sounds. 013
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026New: 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.comBBC Expected To Announce TV & Radio Network Closures Next WeekThe 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. 297
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The 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. 042
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026This 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’ TVEveryone 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... 182
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026To all C4 employees: my DMs are open - here and elsewhere. www.jakekanter.ukjakekanter.ukHomeAbout 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... 020
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026I 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. 130
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Grim 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.comChannel 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. 42925
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026New: 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-... 121
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Bake 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 AccountsIn a legal battle, Sky also accuses 'The Great British Bake Off' producer Letty Kavanagh of charting private boat trips on a credit card. 012
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 13/08/2026New: 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.comITN Journalist Exited With Payoff After He Suffered DiscriminationITN faces fresh questions about its workplace culture after an external review concluded that a journalist suffered disability discrimination. 031
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Obsessed 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.comDonald Trump BBC Lawsuit: 285 Americans May Have Seen 'Panorama' FilmDonald Trump suing BBC on the basis that fewer than 300 Americans may have seen a documentary that misleadingly edited his January 6 speech. 010
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026This 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.comSky 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. 011
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 16/07/2026A 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. 000
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 08/07/2026Could 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.comBBC In Talks With "Subscale" Channel 4 To Host Its Content On iPlayerCould 'The Great British Bake Off' return to the BBC? The broadcaster is in talks with Channel 4 to host its content on iPlayer. 011
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026Big 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.comSky To Takeover ITV In Deal That Reshapes British TV MarketSky has finally sealed a deal to acquire ITV's television network operations, putting it in charge of hit series including 'Love Island.' 131
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026By 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! 010
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Would 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.comParamount-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. 121
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Peppa 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. 021
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026A "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.comBBC News Cancels Shows Like 'The World Tonight' Amid "Grim" CutsBBC News has annouced its contribution to the BBC's overall plan to slash costs by £500M ($670M) over the next three years. 32113
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 17/06/2026In 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.comBBC To Cancel & "Review" TV Networks As It Cuts Content SpendThe BBC's new director general has announced plans to slash commissioning spend across its TV, radio, and news divisions by £80M ($107M). 340
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 20/05/2026Fascinating 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.comBBC Boss Tells Staff He Will Use Data To BuildBBC 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. 021
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Not enough has been written about what a truly insane decision it was to resurrect BBC3 as a linear channel. 160
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026A 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. 0132
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026I 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... 120
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Other "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.comBBC Plans 2,000 Layoffs In Major Cost-Cutting DriveThe BBC is planning to make 2,000 job cuts in one of its most brutal cost-cutting efforts to date. 1101
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Absolutely 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.comBBC Plans 2,000 Layoffs In Major Cost-Cutting DriveThe BBC is planning to make 2,000 job cuts in one of its most brutal cost-cutting efforts to date. 148061
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 30/03/2026A 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.comBBC's Scott Mills Exits After Allegations Over His ConductBBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has left after allegations over his personal conduct, according to reports. 011
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 22/03/2026A 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. 271
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 21/03/2026Petty 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. 0111
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026You're spot on. It would be laughable if it weren't so sickening. 000
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 09/03/2026He deleted it, but the fact that he even posted it at this time is very revealing. 100
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 24/02/2026EXCL: 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.comWarner Bros. Complained About BAFTA Racial Slur Incident & Requested It Be Cut From BBC BroadcastWarner Bros. raised concerns about involuntary racial slur directed at 'Sinners' stars during the BAFTA Film Awards, requesting a cut to BBC show. 000
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Update: 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... 010
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026Also, 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.comBAFTA Film Awards: BBC On Alert For Politically-Charged Speeches (And Swearing) After Glastonbury “Death To The IDF” DebacleThe BBC will be monitoring the BAFTA Film Awards closely for politically-charged speeches after the Bob Vylan Glastonbury scandal last year. 000
Jake Kanter @jakekanter.bsky.social · 23/02/2026The 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. 240
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. 000