World

BBC finances strain despite hit shows as licence base declines

• Falling licence fee payments are straining BBC finances.
• Hit programmes have not offset the funding pressure.
• The BBC faces cuts and possible funding reform.

The BBC says its finances are under growing pressure even though some of its programmes continue to perform strongly, because the number of households paying the TV licence fee is falling. That matters because the licence fee remains the corporation’s main source of income, so a shrinking payer…

Bectu Union Boss Philippa Childs Stepping Down After Nearly 10 Years

• Philippa Childs, Bectu's first female leader, is stepping down next year after nearly a decade steering the UK broadcasting union through industry crises
• She expanded the union by 10,000 members, championed workplace safety standards, and advocated against harassment—now her successor from parent union Prospect will be named

The head of the UK broadcasting union is stepping down after almost a decade in post. Philippa Childs, Bectu’s first female boss, will exit at the start of next year. Her successor will be unveiled by Bectu’s parent union Prospect soon. Childs has been running Bectu, which represents…

Will Ferrell bombs during MLB Home Run Derby as baseball fans torch Netflix’s broadcast

• Will Ferrell's comedy appearance at Netflix's MLB Home Run Derby broadcast fell flat with viewers, marking a departure from his typically well-received cameos
• The streaming network's coverage suffered from technical difficulties and hosting choices that compounded audience dissatisfaction with the overall event quality

Will Ferrell's Home Run Derby commentary drew brutal X reactions, with fans calling his routine cringe and begging for a mute button all night.

10 Best Rom-Coms of the Last 10 Years

• Rom-coms were declared dead during the superhero era but have experienced a major comeback
• Streaming platforms revived the genre by embracing fresh storytelling and modern perspectives
• Recent releases prove the category remains commercially viable and culturally relevant

To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Crazy Rich Asians, and Anyone But You are all among the best romantic comedies of the last 10 years.

LIVE REVIEW: System Of A Down Deliver Visceral Masterclass At First UK Show In Nine Years

• System Of A Down headlined Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 13, 2026, marking their first UK performance in nine years
• The band displayed strong musicianship and visible enthusiasm throughout their set, with Queens Of The Stone Age providing an impactful opener
• The event drew a diverse crowd and was characterised as a significant cultural occasion

Generational. The post LIVE REVIEW: System Of A Down Deliver Visceral Masterclass At First UK Show In Nine Years appeared first on Rock Sound.

Coleman gets first England squad call for France Test

• Mary Coleman earns her first England rugby league call-up for a mid-season Test against France on 25 July
• The Wigan Warriors prop switched from rugby union four years ago and recently won the Women's Challenge Cup
• Match serves as World Cup warm-up; England's tournament campaign begins in October across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea

Wigan Warriors prop Mary Coleman - a former Blue who played in three Varsity Cups - earns her first call-up for England's summer Test in France on 25 July.

Armed police respond after reports of man with firearm on estate