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NEWS Monday February 21st to Friday February 25th 2005
Scroll down page or click below for news - latest first
| Tuesday | |||||
Cablevision Systems posted a widened quarterly loss hurt by poor results at its satellite operations but subscriber growth had been strong, sending shares higher. America's No. 6 cable operator had some of the strongest subscriber growth in the industry in the basic cable, high-speed Internet and digital phone business and shares traded up 6 per cent as a result. The company has been aggressively marketing a promotional package that includes video, Internet and phone services for about $90 a month.
Cablevision posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $305.83 million, compared with a net loss of $197.3 million, a year earlier. This included a non-cash impairment charge of $354.9 million in its satellite business. Revenue rose 11 per cent to $1.36 billion. The company added 10,788 net new basic cable subscribers in the quarter, its third consecutive quarterly increase. It ended the quarter with 2.96 million subscribers. It also added 145,933 net new digital video customers in the quarter, 93,517 net new high-speed Internet subscribers, and 83,497 net new phone subscribers.
Cablevision has agreed to sell some of its satellite assets to EchoStar Communications Corp. and has struck a deal to sell the rest of its money-losing satellite operations to Cablevision founder and chairman Charles Dolan.
The company said
it expects basic cable subscriber growth of 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent in
2005. It expects cable TV revenue and adjusted operating cash flow to rise
in the mid-teen percentages.
Back to top
|
Are
you in London on March 8th? |
Spain's
Canal Plus seeks to broadcast in the clear
From David del Valle in Madrid
Sogecable, owner
of digital DTH platform Digital Plus and pay-TV channel Canal Plus, has asked
the Government for permission to turn Canal Plus into a 24-hour commercial
TV channel financed by ad revenues. Canal Plus's present TV licence, granted
in 1989 and renewed ten years later, only allows the pay-TV channel to broadcast
free-to-air for six hours per day and the rest of time encrypted. Sogecable
has now asked the Government to lift this limit and allow Canal Plus to broadcast
free-to-air 24 hours on the grounds of "public interest".
Sogecable's move has caused a new stir in the market with Antena 3 and Tele
5 vehemently opposed. Digital broadcasters Net TV and Veo TV are also asking
the Administration to become analogue channels. The Government has claimed
that it will thoroughly study all these demands. This new controversy comes
at a time when Parliament is debating new TV legislation that lifts the limit
on the existence of TV channels with nationwide coverage (currently limited
to three), opening the door to new national services.
Back to top
Video-on-demand for broadband provider CinemaNow is joining forces with reality TV producer Endemol USA to offer more than 75 hours of reality programming for download via the CinemaNow Web site, www.cinemanow.com. The deal marks the first time that any season of the worldwide hit 'Big Brother' and other successful Endemol shows will be available in their entirety, on-demand via the Internet.
"As CinemaNow's content actively expands, consumers can select from a broader selection in on-demand viewing," said Eric Stein, Director of Acquisitions for CinemaNow., who added that with CinemaNow's ability bring video content to the masses, a broad array of content producers recognised the growing potential of broadband delivery.
Lisa Higgins,
senior vice president production for Endemol, noted that the deal not only
broadened Endemol's reach, but also strengthened its relationship with viewers
by giving them the opportunity to consume programming on the platform that
works best for their lifestyle.
Back to top
TiVo Inc. shares have jumped over 17 per cent propelled by speculation that Apple Computer might buy the digital video recorder maker.
Neither company would comment, say US reports, though TiVo's out-going chief executive, Michael Ramsay, has said the company is not for sale. But with a market capitalisation of only $300 million, analysts believe the company might be easy prey, perhaps for consumer electronics makers or media companies looking to bolster their video services. Other rumoured possible suitors include Sony, TW, Comcast and Liberty.
The speculation
is despite TiVo's well-known strategic problems in its relationship with DirecTV,
which has control over access to most of its customers.
Back to top
Harris Corporation is teaming up with broadcast transmission provider NTL Broadcast, as the exclusive supplier of broadcast transmitters for NTL's UK mobile TV trial using the DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld) standard.
The trial, to be undertaken by NTL Broadcast and mobile operator O2, will cover 120 square kilometers in the Oxford area of the United Kingdom, using 10 transmitting sites. NTL Broadcast and O2 will test their business model and consumer mobile TV preferences beginning in June this year.
Terry Howard, head of media business development at NTL Broadcast commented that existing market research results need to be validated in a trial environment with the help of key players in the industry such as Harris.
According to Dave Stephenson, vice president of Harris Broadcast Europe, such trials are "the first step in getting a new technology to market, and in acquiring useful knowledge that is very important for the future planning and strategy of Harris, NTL Broadcast and the other partners."
Harris has previously
been selected by NTL Broadcast and by The Bridge Networks in Australia to
supply the transmission products for their respective trials.
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China will be
Nokia's most important market within three years, says chairman and chief
executive Jorma Ollila. The company already takes 10 per cent of its revenues
in China and expects it to surpass the US, which currently generates 13 per
cent of group sales. China has more mobile users than anywhere else, at almost
335 million, and a quarter of the world's new mobile subscriptions could come
from China by 2010, Ollila believes. The expansion of services into non-urban
areas and the demand for replacement phones in the cities is seen as driving
the growth.
Back to top
The socialist
Government plans to approve a package of measures to encourage the sale of
DTT set-top-boxes and boost the market. One initiative is a reduction in the
VAT applied to DTT boxes in order to encourage consumer uptake and raise sales.
Today, there are only around 110,000 set-top-boxes in operation, all belonging
to subscribers of former DTT platform Quiero.
The Electronic Association Asimelec estimates that the current cost of accessing
DTT is around E200 to E300 per home. For Asimelec, the key to developing DTT
is to extend its present coverage from the current 70 per cent to 95 per cent
of the population. According to Asimelec, apart from coverage issues, quality
content, including interactivity, is the driving force behind DTT market development.
in Asimilec's opinion, should be driven by state-owned group RTVE. Asimelec
has asked the Government to launch a massive campaign to promote DTT to raise
awareness of 's importance, in order to foster the market.
Back
to top
Thursday
24th February 2005
Elstein
leads Hallmark bid
Premiere
wants E1.2bn from float
Mobile
content value will soar
Essel
Group to launch PlayTV
US
online ads surge
Russia
to prosecute downloaders?
Sirius
snaps up NASCAR
Cogeco
signs voice suppliers
Amino/Widevine
tie up
Armenian
Television on GlobeCast
Elstein leads Hallmark bid
It seems the long awaited buy out of Hallmark International may be on with
former Sky and C5 executive David Elstein apparently close to a $245m bid
for the US company’s international operations.
The media executive is backed by 3i and Providence Equity Partners, the venture
capital groups, in the purchase from the privately held greetings card company,
which has concluded there is no synergy between its traditional business and
its international TV arm. The company is to keep its US broadcasting unit.
Hallmark TV is available to about 60 million viewers around the world, in
the UK the channel chalks up about a 1% share in multi-channel homes. Hallmark
International lost $12 million on revenues of $69.3 million in the first nine
months of the year, but the UK arm is thought to be profitable.
Back to top
|
Are
you in London on March 8th? |
Premiere
wants E1.2bn from float
Germany's Premiere, plans to raise as much as E1.18 billion in an IPO to pay
back debt and fund an expansion. The broadcaster and its owners will sell
42.1 million shares at 24 euros to 28 euros each, Premiere said.
"The IPO will help us to expand our operations,'' Chief Executive Georg
Kofler said at a press conference in Munich. ``We will massively reduce our
debt and because of lower interest payments we will be able to invest in content
and marketing activities to lure more customers.''
The share sale will value Premiere at about E2 billion. Earlier this month
it reported its fourth-quarter net loss narrowed to E24.8 million from E76.2
million a year earlier. Sales rose 6.6 percent to E265.1 million.
Back to top
Mobile
content value will soar
Universal Mobile is predicting an explosion in the value of content sold via
mobiles rising from E4bn to E10bn-E12bn over the next five years, reports
the FT.
The company, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal of France, suggested that wireless
music revenues would become an increasingly important part of the industry,
potentially matching or exceeding the trend towards digital downloading. In
comments endorsed by other music majors, including EMI of the UK, Universal
is forecasting rapid growth for ring tones, videos, full-track downloads and
voice messaging by famous artists.“ In terms of mobile downloads, it
is running at about 10m a month, but that number is doubling every six to
eight months,” said the Universal executive.
Adam Klein, EMI executive vice-president for strategy and business development,
on Tuesday hinted that ring tones the largest contributor to mobile music
sales would be replaced increasingly by “real tunes”, using original
recordings rather than jingles. “The rate of growth is curtailed by the
lack of handset capability, but that will change,” he said. He revealed
that labels and mobile operators were exploring artist-based phones emulating
the recent U2 iPod from Apple including pre-loaded songs by particular singers
and video clips.
Back to top
A day after big
gains in UK online ads were announced it is revealed online advertising spending
leapt by nearly a third last year in the US.
Advertisers spent a record $10bn online in 2004 in the US, according to the
Interactive Advertising Bureau and PriceWaterhouse Coopers. Spending grew
by 32% last year, nearly six times faster than the overall US advertising
market, which rose by just 5.6%.
Spending shot up from the $7.3bn advertisers spent online in 2003 and eclipsed
the $8.1bn companies lavished on the internet in 2000. While online sales
collapsed after the dotcom bubble burst, since the end of 2002 the value of
internet ads has grown steadily.
In the last three months of 2004 alone, advertisers spent $2.2bn online, the
ninth successive quarter of online growth, The success of online advertising
last year means that it has now overtaken the domestic US box office in value
terms. Last year American filmgoers spent $9.35bn going to the movies, while
advertisers spent $9.6bn online.
Back to top
Russia to prosecute downloaders?
Russian prosecutors are considering criminal charges against a Web site that
offers cheap music downloads, the music industry's global trade group has
said. The computer crimes unit of the Moscow City Police submitted the results
of its investigation of Allofmp3.com to the City Prosecutor on according to
the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
Unlike the market-leading iTunes online music store, Allofmp3.com offers music
in the popular MP3 format without digital rights management to prevent unlimited
copying. Songs only cost about 5 cents each, compared with 99 cents from most
services in the United States, and it offers music from groups that have not
given permission for their songs to be sold online.
The site claims on its Web site to be legal because it pays a fee to a copyright
group that represents songwriters, the Russian Organisation for Multimedia
and Digital Systems. In most countries, payments must also be made to artists
and record labels, but Allofmp3 says it is exempt because of what it calls
a "loophole" in Russian law. "We have consistently said that
Allofmp3.com is not licensed to distribute our members' repertoire in Russia
or anywhere else," said Igor Pozhitkov, Regional Director of IFPI Moscow.
Back to top
Sirius snaps up NASCAR
In the latest sign that US sat radio is running into veru big business, Sirius
Satellite Radio has paid $107.5 million for the exclusive rights to Nascar
for five years, starting in 2007. Sirius said it will create a new channel
devoted entirely to Nascar.
In addition to carrying all 10 months of Nascar's Nextel Cup Series, Busch
Series and Craftsman Truck Series races, the channel will offer behind-the-scenes
news and driver profiles. Sirius also said it will sell advertising on the
new channel. Nascar, with 75 million fans, is the second most watched sport
on television, behind the National Football League. The $107.5 million fee
will be paid over the course of the deal, with larger amounts coming at the
end.
In addition to Nascar, the company now has exclusive satellite rights to all
NFL and National Hockey League games and non-exclusive rights for up to 40
National Basketball Association games each week. Sirius' main rival, XM Satellite
Radio has exclusive satellite rights to all Major League Baseball games.
Back to top
Cogeco signs voice suppliers
From Gail Chiasson in Montreal
Montreal-based Cogeco Cable has made deals with two strategic suppliers who
will provide services and technology in support of delivery of its residential
digital phone service, which will launch later in 2005.
Cogeco's residential voice service will be based on network technology provided
by Cisco Systems while interconnectivity to the public switched telephone
network and long distance routing will be made possible via TELUS.
Once the new
service is launched, Cogeco will enhance the offering with value-add new features
and applications over time to meet the evolving needs of customers.
Cogeco Cable is the second largest cable operator in both Ontario and Québec,
and ranks fourth in Canada in terms of the number of basic service customers
it serves. Through its two-way broadband cable infrastructure, Cogeco Cable
provides customers with analog and digital video and audio services, as well
as high-speed Internet access.
A subsidiary of of Cogeco Inc., which also owns radio and TV stations in Quebec,
Cogeco Cable is one of several major television distributors in Canada getting
into the telephone business using VoiP. Videotron has been offering the service
since January, Shaw Communications launched its service last week, and both
Cogeco and Rogers will offer their services later in 2005.
Back to top
Amino/Widevine tie up
Amino Communications, the IPTV STB supplier, will begin securing its AmiNET500
PVR set-top boxes with the Cypher Virtual SmartCar from Widevine Technologies,
the largest provider of content security solutions to the video over IP market.
The AmiNET500 is the first PVR (Personal Video Recorder) for IPTV applications
to be fully secured against unauthorized copying of digital content - a critical
condition before content can be licensed for use on PVR enabled networks.
It supports time-shifting, pause and trick-play of live material, instant-record,
and instant replay, and scheduled record of up to two streams simultaneously.
The AmiNET500 can also act as a home media server by providing RTSP video
streams to one or more other set top boxes. All content transmitted using
the Widevine Virtual SmartCard solution is stored on the disk in its original
encrypted form.
Back to top
Armenian Television on GlobeCast
GlobeCast announced
the addition of Armenian Public Television and Radio to its Direct-to-Home
European satellite television platform on HOT BIRD. The platform offers this
key channel access to the largest television community in the world, with
an estimated 95 million Direct-to-Home and cable homes in Europe, the Middle
East and Northern Africa.
Back to top
Alcatel,
Microsoft IPTV alliance
BskyB debut icredit card
SES Global beats forecasts
EC Pubcaster probe
Swingewood returns with AIM vehicle
ITV/BBC encourage iAds
BBC selling broadcast division
TiVo passes 3 Million
Qualcomm to introduce FLO in India
Racing UK racing ahead
Pace PVRs for Foxtel
DMC
first to use Adstream
Alcatel, Microsoft IPTV alliance
Alcatel
and Microsoft have announced a global collaboration designed to rapidly accelerate
the availability of IPTV for broadband operators world-wide. Alcatel and Microsoft
expect that this precedent-setting agreement between a leading provider of
Triple Play solutions and a leading provider of software solutions will help
expand the quickly-growing ecosystem of IPTV industry partners and enable
telecommunication providers to take advantage of global economies of scale
provided by large-scale IPTV deployments planned across the globe.
Alcatel and Microsoft will develop an integrated IPTV delivery solution building
on Alcatel's leadership in broadband, IP networking, development, and integration
of end-to-end multimedia and video solutions, and Microsoft’s leadership
in TV software solutions and connected-entertainment experiences across consumer
devices.
As part of the agreement, the two companies plan to pursue a series of joint
initiatives, including: Developing and customizing new applications to meet
the unique needs of different cultures and markets around the world, enhancing
application and network resilience for better reliability in large-scale deployments,
integration of content, security and digital rights management to ensure secure
delivery of high-quality content, to and throughout the home, managing quality
of service through intelligent video packet handling, and end-to-end integration
of management systems for the application platforms and all components of
the network including the home network.
“We
are excited to collaborate with Microsoft and benefit from its leadership
in TV software delivery platforms and innovative consumer experiences delivered
across devices in the multimedia-connected home,” said Serge Tchuruk,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alcatel. “We are committed to
integrate the current Alcatel video solutions with Microsoft TV IPTV Edition,
resulting in a market-leading integrated offering.”
”Alcatel's deep understanding of broadband service providers and leadership
in broadband solutions and integration make it a natural partner for us. Aligning
our efforts will give customers an unmatched network-access, software-delivery
and systems-integration solution,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s
chief executive officer. “Together, Alcatel and Microsoft will usher
in a new generation of exciting entertainment, information and communication
services, enabled by the marriage of powerful broadband networks and advanced
software.”
Back
to top
SES Global beats forecasts
The group had revenues of E1.147 billion (2003: E 1.208 billion) and EBITDA
of E842 million (2003: E943 million) which reflects certain lower-margin revenue
items, lower one-time item contributions and costs linked to discontinued
or restructured activities in the one- and two-way broadband service area,
said SES. Profit of the Group rose to E 230 million (2003: E 205 million),
benefiting from the release of tax provisions. Increased dividend of EUR 0.30
(2003: EUR 0.22) per share proposed.
Romain Bausch, President & CEO, stated: "During the year, SES GLOBAL
recorded a number of significant achievements. In addition to securing the
group's long-term future with new contracts, we successfully launched four
satellites for both new and replacement capacity, and established a vibrant
trading platform for our shares with our listing on Euronext Paris. Since
3 January 2005, SES GLOBAL has become a member of the SBF 120 Index.”
Back
to top
EC Pubcaster probe
The European Commission is launching an inquiry into German public television
and radio's use of licence fee money to fund internet and other services,
reports the Guardian.
Theoretically, the investigation could have consequences for other pubcasters
such as the BBC. The probe follows complaints from private channels two years
ago that their state-owned rivals, ARD and ZDF, used illegal subsidies.
It is thought the Commission regards the licence fee itself as not an illegal
subsidy under EU rules – it is a matter for national authorities alone.
But using public money to fund internet-based services and win a slice of
the growing market could be unlawful. ARD.de and ZDF.de, which offer sports
and financial news as well as advice, are expanding.
Back
to top
Swingewood returns with AIM vehicle
John Swingewood, former head of internet operations at both BT and BSkyB,
is returning to the market as chairman of Pannal, which is listing on Aim.
The shell company has already raised £1.5m (E2.17m) through a placing
of shares with investors and plans to seek out investments in the technology
arena.
"We feel there's growing sentiment towards internet companies that have
survived the turbulent times and we feel there are some real opportunities
out there for us," Swingewood said.
Swingewood’s most recent business, Digital Interactive Television Group
(DITG), was bought by Yoomedia in November last year for just over £14m.
Back
to top
ITV
Sales and BBC Broadcast are working together for the first time on a joint
initiative to promote the benefits of interactive TV advertising to the creative
community.
The pair are approaching London's top ten traditional creative agencies with
an offer to help educate them about how interactive spots could be made more
effective.
The aim of the joint roadshow is to demonstrate the business benefits of red-button
ads, as well as how the creative boundaries of interactivity can be pushed
to enhance the brand experience.
"The real potential of interactivity is still to be realised," said
Peter Birch, head of interactive sales at ITV. "This is largely due to
it still being viewed by some as being about technology rather than about
creativity."
Back
to top
BBC selling broadcast division
The
BBC is planning to start the sale of its £100 million (E145m) Broadcast
division. It is apparently planning to place an advert seeking initial expressions
of interest from would-be buyers. The Corporation will draw up a longlist
of bidders who will be sent a memorandum outlining the unit's financial performance.
Likely bidders include Thomson, the French technology group; Ascent Media,
a TV production specialist owned by Liberty Media; Carlyle, the venture capitalist,
and Macquarie Infrastructure Communications Group, the owner of the old NTL
television transmission business. Last year operating profits were £7
million on sales of £109 million and it employs 1,000 staff.
Back
to top
TiVo passes 3 Million
TiVo Inc. the leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs),
announced that as of January 31, 2005, its subscription base exceeded 3 million.
TiVo added approximately 698,000 total net subscriptions during its fourth
quarter ended January 31, 2005, including approximately 251,000 TiVo-Owned
subscriptions and 447,000 DIRECTV with TiVo subscriptions.
"Last year, we launched an aggressive growth plan that included increasing
our subscription acquisition spending to grow our base, strengthen our market
position, and fuel our recurring revenue model," said Mike Ramsay, TiVo's
Chairman and CEO. "We accomplished our goal of doubling our sub base
to over 3 million subscriptions."
Back
to top
Qualcomm to introduce FLO in India
From Shveta Malik in New Delhi
Qualcomm is reportedly holding discussions with Reliance Infocomm and Tata
Teleservices to offer Forward Link Technology (FLO), for TV-on-mobile in India.
Qualcomm Inc. had recently said that it will launch its proprietary MediaFLO
mobile TV technology in the U.S. this year with an eye toward making it an
international standard. The company had established MediaFLO USA to help third-generation
cellular network operators deliver low-cost, high-quality audio and video
programs to consumers.
The executives from Qualcomm told a financial daily in India that the company
is working with telecommunication companies on the regulatory aspects of deploying
FLO, so that the operators can work with the regulator Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (Trai) on licensing and spectrum related issues. Reliance
Infocomm and Tata Teleservices are scheduled to demonstrate FLO during the
upcoming Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Associations (CTIA) wireless
2005 meet in the US, says the report.
Back
to top
Video Networks has unveiled enhancements to its HomeChoice service, designed to boost alternative advertising opportunities for its on-demand platforms. These include the introduction of advertising slots to appear automatically before any on-demand programme and the ability for subscribers to press a button on remote controls to receive an e-mail combining details of programmes, products or services promoted on-screen.
Dean
Hawkins, chief operating officer of Video Networks, said: “Video Networks
has already announced plans to launch The Ad Chart following an extremely
successful pilot with Lowe Partners, and these latest developments reinforce
our commitment to creating alternative advertising opportunities on our platform.”
Back
to top
Pace
Micro Technology has commenced deliveries of the world’s first cable-based
DVB personal digital recorder (PDR), as part of a new contract with FOXTEL,
Australia’s leading subscription television provider. Pace’s TDS460NF
and TDC460NF for FOXTEL will use a 160 gbyte hard drive to record digital
quality television programming. Integrated twin tuners allow one programme
to be recorded while watching another, or two programmes to be recorded at
the same time while watching a previously recorded program. Additional features
include; pause live TV, instant replay and review, fast forward, rewind, radio
recording, time-shift and automatic recording of multiple episodes of selected
series.
Back
to top
DMC first to use Adstream
The Digital Media Centre (DMC), the digital media facility dedicated to multi-lingual
broadcasting, has become the first broadcaster to use Adstream in Europe for
its end-to-end digital commercial delivery services offered to its clients,
including Extreme Sports Channel.
Located in Amsterdam, the DMC is one of the first of a number of broadcasting
companies to offer this complete digital service through Adstream. Adstream
provides a 100% digital workflow between the DMC, agencies, postproduction
facilities, its clients and its media-scheduling department at IDS, allowing
copy to be received within two hours of booking.
Back
to top
Verizon’s
bid for MCI delayed
Spain sets up a watchdog committee
to boost DTT
Hutchison and Hanoi Telecom: 3G for Vietnam
New VoIP security alliance
Desmond
bars TV listings
MGM
channel for Asia
Opera: Voice-Enabled Home Media IBM
SCM:
Boxer approval
Micronas
in PVRs
Verizon’s
bid for MCI delayed
An MCI Inc. shareholder has sued to block the long-distance telephone company's
$6.6 billion takeover by Verizon Communications Inc., saying the price was
too low.
The suit claims the telco and its board have breached their duties "by
depriving MCI's public stockholders of maximum value to which they are
entitled". This delay is welcome news for other potential bidder Qwest
Communications. The lawsuit claims the amount Verizon would pay is "unconscionable,
unfair and grossly inadequate" compared with the "intrinsic value"
of MCI's common stock and future growth prospects, as well as the scarcity
value of the company's assets in the quickly consolidating communications
Back to top
Spain sets up a watchdog committee
to boost DTT
From David del Valle in Madrid
The socialist Government has decided to create a watchdog committee to follow
up the transition to digital, in an attempt to give a real boost to the DTT
market.
This new body - to be set up under the presidency of the State Secretary of
Telecommunications, Francisco Ros - will be composed of representatives from
state-owned group RTVE, regional channels (FORTA), private televisions (UTECA),
radio stations, electronic manufacturers, installers and wholesalers.
The committee aims to take the necessary decisions to foster and develop DTT,
as well as to establish and approve a global strategy in the transition period
to digital until the analogue switch-over now scheduled for 2010.
Within this Committee, the Ministry of Industry will also create the so-called
DTT Technical Forum, responsible for carrying out the technical actions approved
by the Committee.
The creation of this watchdog committee takes place at a time when the Government-sponsored
DTT bill - under discussion in Parliament - is causing a stir in the TV market.
Back to top
Hutchison and Hanoi Telecom: 3G for Vietnam
From Shveta Malik in New Delhi
Vietnam has inched closer to the launch of a 3G mobile phone network as Hutchison
Telecom has been granted a 3G licence in a tie-up with a Vietnamese partner
for the service.
The licence has gone to Hanoi Telecom and Hutchison Telecom. The US$656 million
mobile network project is a JV with a contractual duration of 15 years. The
two sides will develop a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 network
to provide mobile telecom services in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese has already signed with American company Qualcomm to set up
a training centre for CDMA technology. According to reports, Vietnam is the
second fastest expanding telecom market in the world after China, albeit from
a low base.
Back to top
New VoIP security alliance
As a number of technology groups have given warning that the technology, known
as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is susceptible to unsolicited voicemails
or "spit" (as opposed to Spam), and is intrinsically less secure
than PTN, a new industry body, the VoIP Security Alliance, has been launched
to find ways to make the VoIP network more secure.
BT has offered several "new wave" internet services. A spokesman
for BT said that its VoIP product was secure. "We would only offer a
service if we knew it was a really safe service," he said.
Back to top
Desmond bars TV listings
Colourful UK newspaper tycoon Richard Desmond, owner of the Express Group
who built his fortune on soft porn, is trying to make broadcasters pay to
put their TV listings in his publications.
So far the channels are standing out against the idea – Desmond want
up to E217,000 a year to put programme details in his national titles The
Express and The Star. Desmond says he will list the terrestrial FTA channels
for nothing and others at weekends but doesn’t see why he should provide
free publicity at other times. His determination is underlined by the fact
that rival papers refuse to take listings for his Fantasy TV and he believes
if he can change the relationship between papers and TV channels, rivals will
be unable to refuse him the right to buy a slot for his soft porn channels.
Channels affected include the digital channels run by the BBC, ITV, Channel
4 and Sky, as well as MTV, UK Gold, Living TV, Eurosport, Discovery, the Disney
channel, and many more.
Back to top
MGM channel for Asia
Further accelerating its presence throughout Asia, MGM Networks has launched
The MGM Channel to subscribers in Thailand via the country’s largest
cable and satellite provider, UBC. "In just over a year, we have seen
tremendous growth throughout Asia," said MGM Networks’ Executive
Vice President Bruce Tuchman.
The MGM Channel became available this month as part of UBC’s Silver and
Platinum Packages. MGM and UBC also plan to introduce Thai subtitling to the
channel in the near future.
Among other Asian operations, MGM Networks has a strategic alliance in the
Greater China and Southeast Asia market with CNBC Asia Pacific, which assists
MGM in the operation and distribution of a dedicated MGM channel in the region.
The UBC deal will be part of this regional alliance. It follows similar launches
in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Back
to top
Opera: Voice-Enabled Home Media IBM
Opera Software have announced their voice-enabled Electronic Programme Guide
(EPG) for home media, introducing home entertainment users across the globe
to the future of human-computer interaction.
Opera says "Finally, there is an easier way for people to interact with
their DVD players, DVRs and digital TV set top boxes without having to negotiate
an array of remote controls." The voice-enabled EPG is a multimodal (or
multiple forms of input and output such as speech, keyboard or handwriting)
project aimed at increasing awareness in the consumer electronics sector of
the benefits of voice-enabled Web technologies.
"Opera is a leading player in making technology easy and accessible for
people in their everyday lives, and the voice-enabled EPG is not science fiction,
but a compelling demonstration of what you can do with Web technologies for
home media," says Igor Jablokov, Director, Multimodal and Voice Portals,
IBM Software Group.
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SCM: Boxer approval
SCM Microsystems announced that Swedish DTT operator BOXER TV-ACCESS has tested
and approved SCM’s digital TV security modules for use with BOXER’s
DTV broadcast network. SCM also announced the company has shipped the first
10,000 security modules to distributors serving the market in Sweden.
SCM’s security modules for BOXER-TV ACCES utilise the VIACCES security
system, which the Swedish digital terrestrial TV operator is offering to existing
and new subscribers in Sweden.
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TPS
Neuf Telecom IPTV service
From Sotires Eleftheriou in Paris
Internet access provider Neuf Telecom and digital TV platform TPS signed an agreement on Friday to making TPS available via IP to Neuf's broadband subscribers. The service will start this spring. Neuf's subscribers will be able to purchase a range of channel packages starting at E11 a month. The packages will mirror those available via satellite.
TPS is owned
66 percent by TF1 and 34 percent by M6. Last November Neuf added IP TV to
its broadband service for E6 a month on top of the broadband subscription
which starts at E14.90 a month.
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The Government-sponsored digital TV bill -now under discussion in the Parliament has united Spanish media groups in opposition. In an unpredecented move, Planeta (Antena 3, Onda Cero), Tele 5, Vocento, Recoletos, Unedisa (El Mundo) and La Razon- have joined forces to refute the legislation "because it (the new rule) creates uncertainty and distrust" in the market.
In a joint public
appearance, they accused the Government of favouring the interests of the
media group Prisa, main shareholder in Sogecable, owner of Digital Plus and
Canal Plus, by lifting the limit on the number of nation wide channels, allowing
Prisa to turn Canal Plus into an FTA commercial channel and compete for the
advertising market. The Government insists that the new legislation will increase
"pluralism" to the benifit of all citizens. Jose Montilla, minister
of Industry, says the opposition to the new rule is because "they (the
critical media groups) do not want to share the advertising pie" with
others.
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IMS Research forecasts that the US and Canada will account for approximately 26% of the worldwide market for digital set-top boxes in 2009. The growth in set-top box shipments in this region is expected to be driven by deployments of advanced set-tops, such as HD and DVR boxes. In a recent study, Worldwide Market for Digital Set-top Boxes and iDTVs, IMS Research estimates that the US and Canada's set-top box market reached over 21 million units shipped in 2004.
"Until now,
mid-range set-tops, such as ones enabling interactive services, have made
up the largest share of this market," stated Paul Erickson, market analyst
at IMS Research. "This is expected to change by the end of 2005, as both
cable and satellite operators continue to deploy advanced HD and DVR boxes.
Additionally, more over-the-air HD broadcasts will create demand for HD DTT
boxes." Other interesting findings about the US and Canada region include:
The digital set-top box market is expected to plateau stating in 2007, as
satellite and cable platforms reach high digital penetration levels.Revenues
generated for shipments of digital set-top boxes are likely to decline over
the next five years, as falling set-top box prices more than offset volume
increases.
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J-COM Liberty Media International (LMI) announced today it will begin consolidating Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (J-COM) for financial reporting purposes effective January 1, 2005. In December 2004, LMI's approximate 45% ownership interest in J-COM, and an approximate 20% interest in J-COM owned by Sumitomo Corporation were combined in a holding company called LMI/Sumisho Super Media, LLC(Super Media). As a result of these transactions, Super Media acquired a 65% controlling interest in J-COM.
On February 18,
2005, J-COM announced an initial public offering of its common shares in Japan,
which caused LMIs casting or tie-breaking vote with respect to decisions by
the management committee of Super Media to become effective. As a result of
this change in the governance of Super Media, wewill begin accounting for
Super Media and J-COM as consolidated subsidiaries effective January 1, 2005.
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Online video advertising is poised for takeoff in the next three years as consumers seek out more video material on the Internet, but marketers need to learn quickly how to adapt to the commercial format, according to Internet marketing company Viewpoint.
"2004 was the year of people testing the water with Internet video ads," said Viewpoint Chief Executive Jay Amato. "You will see more of this in 2005, and I think 2006 to 2007 will be a breakout time."
Industry experts
expect online video advertising to gain momentum in 2005 with the broader
use of high-speed Internet connections in U.S. homes and offices. Amato hopes
the increased adoption will help Internet advertising companies capture more
of the $60 billion-plus invested in television. "People want to take
TV experiences to the Web, but in a targeted way," Amato said. Advertisers
might best place ads within Internet video that gives sought-after information,
such as how-to demonstrations of cooking or home renovations, as well as news
or entertainment.
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The New York
Times Company has paid $410m for the online information business About.com
from publishing group Primedia. About.com provides consumers who search its
database with information on topics such as health, finances, food and travel.
In its most recent quarterly results, The New York Times Company said online
advertising revenues were 30% higher than the same time period a year earlier.
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Arab Digital
Distribution (ADD) has announced the launch of "Prime Sports " another
new sports channel for viewers in Middle East, North Africa & Europe.
The new sports channels will be available to subscribers to Al Awael - Premium
Arabic Family Entertainment, FirstNet - Premium International Entertainment
& Pehla - Premium Asian Entertainment.
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The head of US public service broadcaster PBS is to step down. PBS president and chief executive Pat Mitchell has announced that she will not seek a third term as head of the broadcaster and will leave when her contract ends next year.
The announcement
comes shortly after PBS came under fire for an episode of children's show
Postcards from Buster, in which the eponymous cartoon character visited two
families headed by lesbians in Vermont, which allows same sex marriages. PBS
decided not to distribute the episode to its network of TV stations around
the US, after president Bush's education secretary, Margaret Spellings, sent
the broadcaster a letter questioning whether federal funds should be used
to support such programming.
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Eutelsat has announced an agreement with IABG, a leading German technology service provider, for satellite capacity to expand its broadband services offer in the Middle East. IABG will use four transponders on Eutelsat's W6 satellite, which supplies a footprint optimised for companies and organisations with communications requirements between Europe, North Africa, the Sahara, the Middle East and the Gulf region.
IABG will primarily
target its services to organisations and enterprises in Germany, Italy, Austria
and Switzerland who want to establish closer, faster and more secure communications
links between their sites in the Middle East and Gulf regions and their headquarters
in central Europe. The company already operates many hundreds of networks
for large corporations and ISPs in the Middle East. For the transfer of these
networks from other satellite systems and its new security services, IAGB
will use four of the 24 transponders on Eutelsat's W6 satellite.
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