The publisher has announced several key hires for the group in London and Milan.

The launch comes as new data reveals that almost 20 million smartphone users in the UK are deliberately buying more data than they actually need.

dfs adverts dominated British TV screens this Christmas and New Year, according to analysis looking at the top 20 advertisers by volume of TV spot.

The growing dominance of Facebook and Google is thought to be responsible for the decline.

Chief executive Ashley Highfield said the disposal will help to put Johnston Press on “a stronger footing” and reduce net debt.

The deal will give Fox control of more than 22 million households across Britain, Ireland, Austria, Germany and Italy.

The Times is continuing its period of growth and is now the only title reporting both period and yearly circulation gains.

As as vice president of platforms and partnerships, Bateson will manage the Guardian’s partnerships with Google and Facebook.

The Deloitte report looks at the economic, cultural and social value that news media publishers contribute to the UK.

Politicians and campaigners have called on Prime Minister Theresa May and UK regulator Ofcom to investigate Rupert Murdoch’s multi-billion pound bid to buy Sky – arguing Murdoch should be subject to a “fit and proper person test”.