British free-to-air flagship channel operated by the BBC
Netflix has announced deals to add short-form video from publishers including BuzzFeed Studios, Condé Nast, Hearst, People, Tastemade and Penske Media brands. The licensed clips and ongoing short series will roll out August 3 in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, with runtimes from two to 20+ minutes.
Counter Terrorism Policing has taken over the murder investigation into former MP Ann Widdecombe after new evidence prompted the re‑arrest of a 28‑year‑old man. Officers say the killing was targeted; detectives are pursuing digital forensics and multiple lines of inquiry to establish motive while the suspect remains in custody under the Terrorism Act.
The BBC is confronting a funding crisis as licence-fee income declines amid changing audience habits. The corporation is exploring reforms, including subscriptions or a household levy, to sustain its public-service mission ahead of the 2027 charter review.
Argentina has advanced to the World Cup final after a gripping extra-time win. Messi has delivered decisive moments, setting up late goals and demonstrating why he is widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest. England faces a bronze final as they prepare for a different challenge.
The BBC’s Fake or Fortune? has authenticated a portrait as the work of 18th-century Scottish artist Katherine Read, marking it as the earliest European female-artist portrait of an Indian sitter. A sleeping-bag-wrapped work, found by Mary-Louise Wedderburn, is now valued well over 100000 pounds, with experts calling the attribution crucial for art history and the market.
BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast will see Katty Munchetty move from BBC Breakfast to host the flagship show from January, while Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards are stepping down this December. Munchetty has praised the move and the programme’s live-news format, and the network confirms a new co-host will be announced later this year.
The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have seen Scots secure more podium spots across events from Aug. 12-15, with Team GB leading the medal table. Daily schedules highlight finals and key qualifications as 49 nations compete for 50 golds.
Disability Rights UK's Kamran Mallick says funding through the Access to Work scheme has been cut for a driver/support worker after a July call. The scheme funds practical support for disabled workers. The NAO finds processing times have surged to 109 days by late 2025, with more applications in 2024/25 and rising spend. Ministers deny policy changes while campaigners say generosity is being trimmed.
The BBC has decided to discontinue Ski Sunday as part of a broader review of sport output. The programme, a staple since 1978, is being replaced by digital-first coverage of winter sports across BBC platforms, with more online content and live rights preserved for major events.
The first season drew a large audience as Bob Mortimer and Richard Ayoade led a dramatic, rapid-fire contest in which laughter ends a comedian’s run. The show has a Halloween special, with the second series already planned for next year. Ten comedians are confined to a room for six hours, earning yellow cards for smiles and laughs; a potential final twist is imminent as the Halloween episode nears.
ITV confirms a panel refresh for The Voice UK, with Cheryl and Aitch joining as coaches and Sir Tom Jones leaving a full-time role. Emma Willis will host, with Solomon and Dixon taking over the presenting duties. The changes come amid insurance cost concerns and a push to refresh the show.
The Lammermuir festival has filled Amisfield Walled Garden near Haddington with a 100-tuba ensemble, under Artistic Director James Waters, to explore large-scale brass in outdoor space. The Guardian piece recounts the planning, acoustics, and collaboration with trumpeter Marco Blaauw.
Runners aged 25 and under now account for more than 15% of entrants in the Great North Run, according to the organisers. The BBC reports growing youth involvement at the famed half marathon, with new running clubs forming as the event continues to attract participants across Gateshead, South Tyneside and South Shields.
BBC and The Guardian report a major refresh for Strictly Come Dancing as Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take the helm. New professional dancers join the show, the partner-reveal is staged in front of a studio audience, and the format gets a broad shake‑up while still delivering the familiar glitz.
The Celebrity Traitors series is back on BBC One, with Claudia Winkleman hosting 21 new celebrities in Ardross Castle, Scotland. The show aims to uncover Traitors and faithfuls as they vie for a charity prize of up to £120,000. The Highlands setting and a star-studded cast are highlighted, with episodes airing starting October 1.
The Guardian reports Clarkson urges a single Britflix to survive streaming era; Reuters notes Channel 4 and the BBC are weighing collaboration amid funding pressures and audience fragmentation. Both pieces frame pressure on UK public-service media as competition from global platforms grows.
The second series of Celebrity Traitors has launched with 21 stars entering Ardross Castle in Scotland. Host Claudia Winkleman introduces a larger cast, extended episodes, and new twists as Richard E. Grant and Maya Jama are revealed as Traitors. The series streams on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, with international options via Peacock in the US.
The BBC reality game show has opened with a dramatic launch, featuring Acaster and Rajan negotiating to be traitors while facing potential murder. The episode sets up alliances, betrayals and a charity prize pot, with Claudia Winkleman hosting at Ardross Castle.
Rangers have maintained a six-match league winning run, moving top of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0/3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. Naderi has starred in attack, while Shankland and Chermiti remain sidelined. Hearts deliver a 5-0 win, and Celtic face pressure as title race tightens.