GB News reports losses of £31m after first year on air
The broadcaster has paid substantial sums to attract politicians and on-screen talent including Nigel Farage, Arlene Foster, and Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg
Conservative British TV channel GB News has reported losses of £31 million after its first year on the airwaves.
The right-wing British television and radio channel first launched in June 2021 with promises to ‘shake up’ broadcasting, famously opening with Andrew Neil announcing: “We are proud to be British – the clue is in the name”.
However, it quickly suffered an advertiser boycott shortly after its debut with brands including Sainsbury’s and Ikea pulling ads from its channel.
Airing with shows from big names like ex-BBC journalist Andrew Neil, ex-UKIP Leader Nigel Farage, Daily Mail columnist Dan Wooton and ex-Sky broadcaster Colin Brazier amongst others, it has spent huge sums to attract on-screen talent and a year on its Companies House accounts for the year to 31 May 2022 report a loss of £30.7m.
The accounts show that GB News Limited reported advertising revenues of £2.97m, digital revenues of £564,000 and sponsorship revenue of £105,664, however, the cost of sales stood at £25.4m and operating expenses at £8.9m.
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Yet the business has said that its directors are ‘satisfied’ with the results for the year and expect growth in the future.
Conservative politician Jacob Reese Mogg hosts a regular show on the channel called ‘State of the Nation’. / Image: GB News / Youtube
The reports follow warnings from bosses in February that the channel faced a tough financial environment, as they revealed it is now being financially supported by Brexiteer hedge fund tycoon Sir Paul Marshall and Dubai-based investment company Legatum.
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At the start of March, the broadcaster moved its website from gbnews.uk to gbnews.com, which a spokesperson said: “allows us to reach a much larger potential global audience”.
The broadcaster has paid substantial sums to attract politicians and other talents including Nigel Farage, Arlene Foster, and Conservative MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies.
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According to PA Media, McVey was paid £58,650 by GB News in 2022 and Davies £46,203.
Press Gazette also found in December that GB News had spent more than any other publisher on payments to MPs, dishing out a total of £82,040 between October 2021 and September 2022.
Since then the company has hired two more sitting Conservative parliamentarians, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson, to host shows on the platform.
GB News said its average monthly reach according to BARB was 2.32 million in the 2021/22 financial year, an average linear audience share of 0.3%. A spokesperson said this figure had risen to 2.84 million by February this year.
Macclesfield FC player Ethan McLeod tragically killed in car crash
Danny Jones
Local footballer Ethan McLeod, who played for Macclesfield FC, has sadly died following a tragic car crash on the motorway.
The Birmingham-born player and former Wolves academy talent was driving back home from Macclesfield’s away game against Bedford Town on Tuesday night when he was involved in a collision along the M1.
Just 21 years old, the talented Cheshire-based forward was a substitute in the 2-1 win over the East Midlands side in the National League North.
The accident is said to have occurred at around 10:40pm on 16 December near Northampton after his white Mercedes collided with a barrier.
You can read the official Silkmen statement in full down below:
“With the heaviest of hearts and an overwhelming sense of surrealism that Macclesfield FC can confirm the passing of 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod.
Travelling back from Bedford Town last night, Ethan was involved in a car accident on the M1, which tragically took his life. Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him.
“But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be – both on and off the pitch.
“Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces – even on the darkest of days. News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our entire Club, and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now.
Rest in peace, Ethan McLeod.
The Macclesfield FC forward was involved in a car accident that took his life when travelling back from Bedford Town on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/A3u7JFmdlE
“The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan’s passing will undeniably never heal”, they continued, “but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future.
“Ethan will live in our hearts and minds forevermore, and no matter what the future holds, his unique smile that mesmerised us all will never be forgotten.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ethan’s family and friends at this deeply traumatic time, together with an assurance that we will provide as much support as we can to those who need it. May you rest in peace, Ethan – you will forever be a Silkman.
His past clubs, as well as plenty of other teams, organisations and people in and around the footballing world, are paying tribute to the promising youngster.
Rest in peace.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod who has passed away following a car accident last night.
The 21 year old spent a number of years with the academy setup at Wolves and will be missed by many. #WWFCpic.twitter.com/MSjKaISMKT
Featured Images — Wikimedia Commons/Macclesfield FC (via X)
UK News
Erling Haaland dresses up as Santa and hands out Christmas presents in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has doubled as Father Christmas in his latest YouTube stunt, dressing up as Santa and handing out presents to local kids in the new episode.
We’re starting to think he might be one of the most likeable footballers on the planet right now.
The Norwegian footballer recently surpassed Alan Shearer’s ‘fastest to 100 goals record’ in the Premier League and has been well and truly back to his best as Man City continue to rediscover their form, but the big blonde number nine has been delighting both on and off the pitch of late.
For starters, even before any of the season’s givings began, we got the giggle just from our first glimpse of the thumbnail.
Yes, Haaland definitely has a habit of leaning into the humorous side of his celebrity status, having already dressed up as the Joker for Halloween in one of the first episodes published on his still relatively new YouTube channel.
However, the 25-year-old got up to some more heartwarming activities this time around, swapping the face paint, green wig and stripey suit for a red coat, hat, some little glasses and a big white beard.
With the video itself showing him getting into character and loading his car with a sack full of presents, he then goes on to visit multiple houses to dish out the surprise gifts.
While the title and description state that he drove around the streets of 0161, it’s hard to tell where exactly he went, but we’d guess it was more around Alderley Edge and/or the Cheshire side of the Greater Manchester borders.
One particular interaction between the disguised Blue and a young Red certainly produced a harmless little bit of comedy…
Either way, on the whole, this particular instalment was more wholesome than it was funny, and it’s always nice to see sports personalities and famous people spreading kindness.
Obviously, not everyone can afford to be as generous as a Premier League and world-famous international athlete, but it’s nevertheless a nice touch.
Georgina Pellant -
10th March 2023 
