10th-14th June: Your guide to what’s happened this week in the media, entertainment and technology industry.

Facebook Watch unveils new strategy
Facebook announced strategy updates for its platform Watch, including content monetisation and original news shows. First launched in 2017,  Facebook now has 120 million engaged users daily. CNBC reported whilst users are active, advertisers are requesting specifics on viewing data as a way to better connect with users.

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox
Microsoft has unveiled a new Xbox promising 8K graphics supporting framerates of up to 120 fps and higher resolution. The console, codenamed ’Project Scarlett’, will offer a faster gaming experience, according to The Verge.

C7 Australia signs deal with Facebook 
Australian-based Seven Studios will be the first in the country to supply its digital content to Facebook Watch. C21 reported that the first original series will launch on 17 June, complementing output from the broadcasters linear and streaming schedule. 

BBC’s Killing Eve success
The BBC announced the first episode of season two of the hit series KIlling Eve brought in 3.7 million on 8 June,  Advanced Television reported 18,000 people signed into their BBC accounts have binged through the full box set and already finished the whole second series.

Amazon overtakes Google and Apple as world’s most valuable brand
BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands has ranked, Amazon ahead of Apple and Google in brand value. Amazon is now worth £248 billion and increased its brand value by 52% year on year thanks to its “diverse ecosystem of products and services”.  According to Campaign, Vodafone ranked in 49 as the highest-placed UK brand in the top 100.

Mobile is gaming’s future
The future of gaming is shifting from playing on large, expensive consoles to playing on mobile devices on the go. TechCrunch reported that mobile games account for 10% of the time users spend in apps and are on track to reach 60% market share in 2019. According to PwC, mobile and social gaming are expected to grow nearly 7% by 2023 to $13.8 billion. 

Ofcom green lights iPlayer changes 
Ofcom have provisionally approved BBC’s changes to its iPlayer service, proposed to keep in line with changes in consumption habits. The changes will see selected content available for 12 months and longer to test public interest. TBI reported that the regulator is “concerned about the competitive challenges created,” particularly for other public service broadcasters’ VOD services and also for BBC Studios-ITV’s planned BritBox.

Huawei cancels Windows laptop launch
Huawei has cancelled a Windows launch in response to the Trump administration ban on US telecommunications firms using Huawei equipment. The company’s laptop market is still growing with the company planning to unveil a new MateBook. However, according to The Verge, the launch is postponed indefinitely. 

Number of tech jobs rising across the UK
Technology is now one the UK’s biggest sectors of employment according to new figures from the Government’s Digital Economy Council. ITV reported that Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright said the Government would continue to invest in the tech sector.

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