Broadband News: Entertainment & Media

The ‘freemium’ trap: don’t get caught out

Freemium services have become big business online in recent years, but this hybrid business model could be costly.

Freely is the latest evolution in live online streaming

The new Freely streaming service promises to simplify the task of watching live British television online.

Is social media finished?

Is social media over? Some platforms are clearly in their death throes, but the need to communicate will stay with us.

Where is the streaming media industry headed?

Does Bluesky have a bright future?

The Bluesky social media platform continues its slow rollout, but will it succeed in replacing the outlet formerly known as Twitter?

How does viral marketing work?

Viral marketing is one of the internet age’s most successful – yet also most challenging – promotional methods.

Will AI replace writers?

The question of will AI replace writers has been asked many times – but the answer doesn’t change.

Looking back on obsolete online tech we used to use every day

Obsolete internet technologies show how far the online world has come, and offer pointers to where it’s heading..

What’s being done to tackle fake reviews?

Fake online reviews are a scourge of the internet, but retailers are staging a patchy fightback against them

It’s time you understood microtransactions… your kids already do

How 1980s computer games underpinned today’s gaming experiences

The influence of 1980s computer games continues to reverberate, influencing modern console design and online titles alike

The metaverse will be AR not VR-powered

The metaverse is growing rapidly, but its future lies in assisting daily life rather than replacing it.

Peloton still high on Christmas wishlists despite post-pandemic struggles

The smart exercise-bike phenomenon has had a tough year, but for those with deep pockets Peloton is top of the leaderboard.

Deepfakes threaten our perceptions and wellbeing

AI-generated video fakes may be the latest insidious threat to online safety. Here's how to spot one.

What happens to old websites?

Old websites are often forgotten and abandoned, but their addresses can subsequently be reused by unrelated brands or businesses

Are NFTs just a con, or is there more to it?

Why streaming content is splintering across numerous platforms

Streaming content platforms are on the rise, even as the number of people able and willing to pay for them begins to decline

You’re doing aspect ratio all wrong…

The optimal aspect ratio for streaming and gaming can affect everything from app design to your experiences as a consumer

Strange places you can watch streaming content online

Streaming services are making it easier than ever to watch streaming content online wherever you happen to be

The best streaming content coming in 2022

Staying in remains the new going out, and these new series could be among the best to stream as we enter year three of the pandemic.

Should social media have a dislike option?

Social media dislike buttons have been in the news since YouTube dropped them, but are these tools really a bad influence?

Save your old tech… it may become a classic!

You might be tempted to throw old technology away, but it may have value as a future example of classic equipment.

Sky makes move to online with Sky Glass

As Sky renews it's pitch for the streaming-wars, here's everything you need to know about Sky Glass.

Whatever happened to Ceefax and Oracle?

Ceefax and Oracle provided many people’s first exposure to interactive digital services, and their legacy lives on in unexpected ways

Are there too many TV channels in today’s online age?

The concept of having too many TV channels would have seemed ridiculous twenty years ago, but we’re now saturated with broadcasting content

How 1980s home computers paved the way for the internet

The explosion in 1980s home computers paved the way for the connected world of the 1990s, and widespread adoption of the internet

Comparing the UK’s best streaming services in 2021

The UK's best homegrown streaming platforms offer a variety of content for all audience demographics, but competition – and choice – is growing

BritBox is 4 years old – has it been a success?

The launch of BritBox heralded a domestic rival to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but a lack of accessibility is hindering take-up

Why have so many Google projects and products failed?

History is littered with failed Google projects, reflecting the hit-and-miss nature of investing in new technologies

Lockdown one year on – the mental depletion of online living

Mental depletion is becoming an increasingly well-recognised phenomenon, with the internet simultaneously helping and hindering efforts to recharge

The best British crime dramas streaming now

As Line of Duty returns, we look at the best British crime dramas on streaming platforms here in the UK

TV licence to be scrapped after superfast broadband?

The battle between TV and internet might finally have a winner.

The best podcast sites for 2021

With so much online content to choose from nowadays, finding the best podcast sites can be difficult if you don’t know where to look

The best streaming content in 2021 to watch out for

After enjoying some outstanding box sets in 2020, it’s time to consider what streaming content in 2021 might look like.

Why social media is addictive – and how to manage it

Managing social media addiction has become such a pressing topic, it should arguably be taught as part of the National Curriculum

Six of our favourite box sets to savour over Christmas

In a year that’s seen some extraordinary new television, these are the series for binging on this festive season.

Study finds UK’s Top Christmas Films… and they’re pretty Violent!

In-depth data analysis shows we love a good punch-up in our festive faves

NowTV named best for Christmas films

The platform's Sky Cinema Pass subscription beats all others for our festive favourites

Ten games consoles that changed the world

We review ten historic games consoles whose launch, development and specifications led to the current crop of high-end machines

PS5 beats Xbox to cause internet traffic jams.

The new PS5 almost broke the internet...sort of!

How Sony’s PlayStation has evolved since 1995

The history of the PlayStation demonstrates how gaming has evolved over the last 25 years, through a series of significant technological advances

A Modern Classic : What can we expect from the Atari VCS?

It's had a complex gestation, but this 2020s take on a retro machine will finally be arriving in the near future

Best shows coming to Netflix and Amazon to hibernate with this winter

The best escapism streaming platforms have to offer during winter under lockdown.

My Wi-Fi! Borat cancelled in Kazakhstan for broadband jokes.

Sacha Baron Cohen is in hot water for mocking Kazakhstan's broadband... among other things.

Who are the platforms bringing you the best of British drama?

It's box-set binge season - make sure you're not missing out on Blighty's drama gems!

The high privacy cost of free social media platforms

Social media platforms are completely free to use, but their slick apps and vast data repositories have to be paid for somehow

DIY Video streaming – the rise of a big-bucks phenomenon

Self-made live video is big business nowadays, from Twitch and YouTube channels to Instagram Stories and Facebook Live streams

Xbox All Access could change console gaming forever

Xbox All Access lets you buy a console like a phone, but will it change gaming?

Oculus Quest 2: Transforming gaming or threatening privacy?

The new Facebook-owned standalone VR system looks like a bargain, but will it come with hidden costs?

Is your broadband ready for the PS5?

The latest version of Sony’s flagship console launches soon.