|
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
Our Latest Issues
Visit our archive to access more than 200 features! |
Scroll down page or click below for news - latest first
Tuesday
Friday 23rd May
ONO E8m profit in the first quarter
Hulu lands new partners
TF1, Canal+ M6 defend commercial channels
Qualcomm joins in Ip.access
Unity up on triple plays
Mobile TV possible without 3G
IPTV needs whole-home networking solution
Social networking ads diappointing
Interoperability dogs IPTV service providers
Piracy still rampant in UAE
Redlasso sued
TVU and Vobile delivery platform
Bell Video Store
ONO E8m profit in the first quarter
From David Del Valle in MadridSpain's largest cable company ONO reported a profit of E8 million for the quarter against a E13 million loss for the same period last year. EBITDA amounted to E164 million, up 10.6 per cent, with total revenues reaching E400 million, 75 per cent of them from the residential business. The ARPU grew by 1.2 per cent up to E52.
ONO ended the quarter with 1.8 million residential clients, up 3.5 per cent, with 604,000 clients taking triple play, 32 per cent of the total. The company increased by 10.8 per cent its broadband customers to 1.24 million, 2.2 per cent up for telephony to 1.61 million , and up 11 per cent for TV subs to 1.01 million capturing 51,000 new TV subscribers in the first quarter.
Back to top
Hulu lands new partnersHulu, the video website owned by News Corp and NBC Universal, has confirmed its service will be distributed on seven new sites.
Hulu videos will now be distributed on entertainment and social network sites TV.com, TVGuide.com, BuddyTV.com, Flixster.com, MyYearbook.com, Break.com and Zap2it.com.
Back to top
TF1, Canal+ M6 defend commercial channelsFrench commercial TV operators Television Francaise 1 (TF1), Vivendi SA's Canal+ and M6-Metropole Television have announced the creation of an association (ACP) to 'defend the rights and professional interests' of national, private, terrestrial channels.
The formation of ACP comes at the time when a government-appointed commission is due to announce its proposals for removing advertising from state channels. President Nicolas Sarkozy said in January he wanted to end advertising on public TV channels. Advertising revenue brings in about E800 million a year for France's public TV channels and the news boosted shares of commercial rivals who stood to gain from the ban. The commission, created by Sarkozy, is made up of MPs and broadcasting professionals, and is due to report back by the end of May.
Back to top
Qualcomm joins in Ip.accessUS chipmaker Qualcomm, the owner of the Meiaflo alternative mobile TV platform, has joined Cisco Systems, Intel and Motorola by taking a stake in Ip.access, a UK-based pioneer of femtocells. Femtocells are routers that connect directly to 3G mobile phones. Ip.access, which is based in Cambridge, is developing the technology to allow operators to create 3G "hotspots" in their customers’ homes.
Many mobiles contain 3G radio and WiFi, so femtocells can allow operators to improve indoor coverage and redirect traffic from their own networks to customers’ fixed-line broadband connections. Ip.access did not reveal the size of Qualcomm’s "strategic investment".Before full deployment, operators must ensure that the devices do not interfere with wider 3G networks, as well as being easy for customers to set up and for carriers to manage remotely.
Back to top
Unity up on triple playsGerman cableco Unitymedia posted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2008 of E94.3 million up from E81.6 million in 2007. The company said it had enjoyed its strongest quarter for digital pay-TV take-up for two years with 29,000 new subscribers, giving it a total of 485,000. During the quarter there were 65,000 net additions to internet services for a total of 376,000, with revenues growing to E8.9 million.
Back to top
Mobile TV possible without 3GWhile many MNOs are planning to use a combination of 3G and dedicated mobile broadcasting networks to deliver mobile TV and video services, they must not overlook emerging alternatives, according to a a report published by Analysys Mason.
Many MNOs already offer TV and video services over their 3G networks. Concerns over capacity and quality of service are driving MNOs to combine 3G networks with dedicated mobile broadcasting networks (such as DVB-H and MediaFLO). However, these are not the only ways of delivering mobile TV content. Indoor wireless systems (such as femtocells and WLAN) and sideloading (where content is transferred from a PC or other device to memory in a mobile handset) are important delivery mechanisms with valuable benefits.
iPhone users can already watch a range of TV content without the need for 3G or mobile broadcasting capability, using sideloading and WLAN streaming," says Dr Alastair Brydon, Analysys Mason Associate and co-author of the report.
IPTV needs whole-home networking solution
IPTV faces an uphill struggle to penetrate the consumer market if it remains a stand-alone pay-TV service, according to Gartner.
In an industry dominated by incumbent cable and satellite operators, as well as traditional terrestrial free-to-air network broadcasters, Gartner says that IPTV operators need to entice consumers with a range of bundled services, including IP-based home networking, offering a one-stop, whole-home solution.
"Although today’s PC-based home networks are able to deliver high-quality video and audio around the home, most consumer electronic products, such as TVs, digital set-top boxes (STBs), and DVD players, remain stubbornly isolated in their ability to communicate with other equipment over a wide area," says Paul O’Donovan, principal research analyst at Gartner. "As the Internet increasingly becomes a source for video consumption by a wider family audience, there is a need to address this issue and to expand home-networking options."
Back to top
Social networking ads diappointingThe failure of social networking sites - such as Facebook and MySpace - to translate their global popularity into ad revenue has led research company eMarketer to downgrade ad-spend forecasts for the social-networking sector by around £250 million (E312m) by 2011. eMarketer said that "in spite of the media hype" around social networking worldwide-advertising spending has "not met expectations".
The company has downgraded its projection for worldwide ad-spend on the sites to £2.15 billion by 2011, from a previous forecast of £2.4 billion.
However, eMarketer said that the growth rate of global ad-spend on social networking websites from a low base is impressive, with a 72 per cent year-on-year rise forecast for 2008 - taking the figure to £1 billion.
Back to top
Interoperability dogs IPTV service providersInfonetics Research has reported that a growing number of telcos worldwide are deploying IPTV, and are being troubled by interoperability problems.
"IPTV is the application many service providers feel offers them the best opportunity to stem the loss of revenue from declining fixed access lines, and help them to more quickly recoup revenue from their ongoing fiber deployments. Yet, there are significant hurdles faced by IPTV and video providers, and chief among them is interoperability. Various standards organisations are developing IPTV standards but all are in various stages of completion and adoption. Until the majority of vendors agree to rally around a particular group of standards, interoperability will remain a critical problem for would-be IPTV providers," said Jeff Heynen, directing analyst for IPTV and next gen OSS and BSS at Infonetics Research.
Back to top
Piracy still rampant in UAESatellite and cable operators in the UAE say efforts to put an end to pay TV piracy have failed thus far. "Piracy is harming our business but we cannot put a definite number on the customers lost," e-vision CEO Humaid Rashid Sahoo told Emirates Business. "Broadcasting from other countries such as India and South Africa is normally cheaper because the broadcasters there serve mass markets back home and can afford to lower their costs.
Video-sharing platform Redlasso, which launched promising to share ad revenues between copyright holders and clip creators, is being sued in the US by NBC, CBS and Fox for streaming excerpts from their shows without permission.
Back to top
TVU and Vobile delivery platformTVU Networks, a live Internet TV service and Vobile, a provider of video content identification and management products and services, have confirmed the availability of its end-to-end content delivery platform with enhanced security for live Internet TV broadcasting.
TVU, developers of the TVUBroadcast software and the TVU BD1000 Broadcast Appliance, offers 300 live channels through its downloadable TVUPlayer. TVU's solution is turnkey, offering effective monetisation capabilities for content owners, including geo-filtering, subscription services and personalised in-stream ad insertion tools.
Back to top
Bell Video StoreCanadian telco Bell has launched its online movie store. The Bell Video Store gives Canadians access to over 1500 downloadable movies and television shows for purchase or rental. Bell is the first online service in Canada to offer download-to-own movies the same day they become available in retail stores and download-to-rent shortly thereafter.
Back to top
Thursday 22nd May
Portugal Telecom aims for 100,000 IPTV clients by end-June
BBC iPlayer receives 75m+ requests
Spain's new government confirms DTT roadmap
Mobile search adspend to reach $2bn by 2013
TM Forum major new programme
BBFC ratings online
Time Warner $9bn cable spin-off
Parks Associates identifies ‘Super Buying’ segment
DirecTV rates No. 1 in Pay TV
Videoload and Sony movie deal
NBC partners with DISH to expand interactive advertising
Canal+ sole pay-HD applicant
More hertz sells more TVs
MGM on Sky Italia
Intelsat Galaxy 18 launch successful, Panasonic deal
TVN to invest $28m in VOD
KPN deploys Scopus IP-headend
Verizon TV throughout New York
Oz/NZ broadband pushes out TV
Globecast takes Rede Record to Asia
NDS New Delhi office
Portugal Telecom aims for 100,000 IPTV clients by end-June
From Branislav Pekic in RomePortugal Telecom has revised the targets for its Meo pay-TV service and is now aiming to sign up 100,000 clients by the end of June.
This figure anticipates in six months the goals announced during the launch of Meo, in the second half of last year. At the time, Portugal Telecom said the goal was to reach 100,000 clients by the end of December 2008. Meo closed the first quarter of 2008 with 47,000 clients, having added 26,000 between January and March.
Meanwhile, rival Zon Multimedia has announced the launch of four High Definition channels for TV Cabo’s cable and satellite subscribers. National Geographic, MOv, and Sport TV (providing live coverage of 31 games of the Euro 2008) will be added in June, while TV Cine will be launched in September. Zon claims it has received so far 10,000 requests for its new digital set-top box launched this week.
Back to top
BBC iPlayer receives 75m+ requestsBBC research has revealed that the BBC iPlayer has now received more than 75 million requests to stream or download programmes since launch. The research also shows that BBC iPlayer enjoyed another month of strong growth during April.
The total number of requests for downloads and streams of BBC programmes in April was 21 million, rising from 17.2 million in March and representing growth of over 20 per cent month on month. Average weekly users of BBC iPlayer reached 1.4 million in April, up from 1.1 million in March, and approximately double January's average of 750,000 users.
The average daily number of requests to download or stream programmes via BBC iPlayer rose to 700,000 in April. This is an increase of more than a quarter on the 550,000+ daily requests to stream or download in March, while in January there was an average of 360,000+ requests received each day.
Back to top
Spain's new government confirms DTT roadmap
From David Del Valle in Madrid
The new Minister of Industry, Miguel Sebastian, has confirmed the analogue switch-off deadline, scheduled for April 3 2010, ruling out a delay in the migration to digital, contrary to Sogecable's hopes of a deferment.The decision to allow pay DTT services, as broadcasters such as Mediapro – a shareholder in La Sexta - had demanded, Mediapro, has been conditional on an possible agreement amongst all TV operators. "We have time till 2010 (to make a decision). We are studying several possibilities and would like that there was a consensus", said the minister. This seems to be a difficult task as some operators are against pay DTT services, such as Tele 5 that has asked for a 5-years moratorium to allow those pay TV services.
The current legislation obliges digital operators to broadcast free-to-air, although the Government is willing to change it to allow pay DTT services. Mediapro has announced the launch of a pay-TV DTT channel over the next months to offer football and Formula 1.
In the meantime, the digital migration is facing a new challenge with the analogue switch-off in the province of Soria next July 23. It will be the first real test in a Spanish region with more than 50,000 inhabitants to know whether the migration is working or not. More than 18,000 homes will only receive digital TV in a process financed by the Administration with E3.2 million destined to buying set-top-boxes and adapting aerials. The state subsidies range between E450 per each building to adapt the dishes and E60 to help people buy MHP-based boxes and E15 for the installation.
Back to top
Mobile search adspend to reach $2bn by 2013Annual adspend on mobile search will reach $445 million in 2008 - representing more than 34 per cent of total mobile adspend - before rising to more than $2 billion by 2013, according to Juniper Research.
The Juniper reports - Mobile Search and Discovery and Mobile Advertising – found that as operators abandon the ‘walled garden’ model, consumers were increasingly searching for content both on and off-portal, thereby providing a substantial target audience for advertisers. However, the reports note that there are significant opportunities for advertising across a host of mobile applications and delivery mechanisms, with nascent channels such as MMS and idle-screen advertising attracting a combined annual adspend of more than $1 billion within five years.
According to Juniper Research’s Principal Analyst, Dr Windsor Holden, "While mobile advertising was historically dominated by campaigns conducted almost exclusively via SMS, the mass adoption of 2.5G and 3G handsets - combined with the development of applications enabling targeted, instant measurement and frequency capping – mean that we now have a situation where consumers can receive personalised advertising across a variety of rich media delivery channels."
Back to top
TM Forum major new programme
From Nick Snow in NiceThe TM Forum has revealed it has been working with the UK Government to establish a new industry programme aimed at serving the procurement needs of large-scale end-user organisations. These buyers purchase IT and communications technology on a scale equivalent to many service providers and as such many of the Forum's standards and guidelines and best practices are directly applicable.
The TM Forum has traditionally mainly served the needs of the telecom industry. However, with growing convergence of technologies spurring a major change in the demarcation lines between telecom, cable, media and web players that position is changing very quickly. The same underlying driver, technology convergence, is also changing the picture for many large-scale consumers of communications and IT technologies.
Back to top
BBFC ratings onlineThe British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has launched a voluntary online ratings scheme, extending its established ratings labels to digital downloads and computer games.
Web stores and services that sign up to the content ratings system, called BBFC Online, will apply the guidance labels to downloaded and streamed films, TV shows and computer games - whether distributed via the Internet, TV set-top boxes, games consoles or mobile devices. The new online scheme features the eight familiar BBFC ratings symbols including U, 15 and 18 seen in cinemas and on DVD releases.
The BBFC said several "key media players were poised to sign", while Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Europe have already joined.
Back to top
Time Warner $9bn cable spin-offTime Warner will receive a higher than expected $9.25 billion dividend from the spin-off of Time Warner Cable and has confirmed plans for a "complete legal and structural separation" of the two companies.
Jeff Bewkes’ biggest strategic step since becoming Time Warner chief executive in January would help each company’s management focus on realising the potential of its respective business and give investors greater choice, Bewkes said. "We’re bullish on Time Warner Cable’s prospects, but its strategic goals and capital needs are increasingly different from those of our other businesses," he added, underlining Time Warner’s ambition of maintaining "solid" investment grade credit ratings.
Back to top
Parks Associates identifies ‘Super Buying’ segmentConsumer research from Parks Associates has identified a ‘super buying’ segment of US broadband households responsible for the overwhelming majority of dollars spent on consumer electronics products.
The survey of 2,500 broadband households, found roughly 25 per cent of broadband households spent $2,000 or more on CE products in the past 12 months. This amounts to 80 per cent of all expenditure on CE products made by broadband households. This ‘Super Buyer’ segment has similar demographic characteristics as the average broadband household but is distinguished by attitudinal differences.
"The Super Buyers enjoy using these devices and see them as an extension of their identity," said John Barrett, director, research, Parks Associates. "They aren't much wealthier than other broadband households, but they perceive CE costs and benefits differently than the other 75 per cent of broadband households."
Back to top
DirecTV rates No. 1 in Pay TVFor the eighth year running, DirecTV has scored higher for customer satisfaction than all major cable TV companies in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
In this year's ACSI survey, DirecTV posted an index score of 68, reflecting customers' overall satisfaction with the service, compared to the cable and satellite TV category, which scored a 64 overall. Customers surveyed by the ACSI in the first quarter of 2008 were also asked about such issues as perceived quality, perceived value and their expectations prior to subscribing to the service. The ACSI also measures customer loyalty and retention.
Back to top
Videoload and Sony movie dealSony Pictures Television International (SPTI) and Videoload, the Video on Demand (VOD) and Electronic Sell Through (EST) service from Deutsche Telekom, have inked an agreement that makes Sony Pictures titles available through the service. Videoload customers can now buy Sony Pictures titles digitally on an EST basis for retention on their PCs and burning to disc as well as being able to rent movies as before on a VOD basis. The agreement covers newly released Sony Pictures titles as well as selected library titles.
Back to top
More hertz sells more TVsOver the next four years, shipments of televisions that offer a superior picture by using 100Hz/120Hz and faster refresh rates will rise from negligible levels to nearly 90 million in 2012, according to iSuppli Corp.
Paul Semenza, vice president of iSuppli, forecast that 120Hz refresh technology would be found in 46.2 per cent of LCD-TVs shipped in 2012, up from 2.9 per cent in 2007.
Semenza said 120Hz, along with full High-Definition (HD) resolution and the 40-inch and above size, would gain popularity over the next few years as consumer adopt sets with higher image quality. "There’s a myth that television makers can throw anything out there for $499 and consumers will buy it," Semenza said "The reality is that consumers pay attention to picture quality."
Back to top
Canal+ sole pay-HD applicant
France's Conseil superieur de l'audiovisuel has revealed that Canal+ was the
sole applicant in response to the TV regulator's request for applications to
provide a pay-TV channel in high definition. The CSA has deemed the
application admissible.
Back to top
NBC partners with DISH to expand interactive advertisingDISH Network Corporation, Americas third largest pay-TV provider and NBC Universal, have signed an agreement to provide interactive trigger capabilities to NBC Universal's 14 television networks and 10 NBC owned-and-operated TV stations. DISH Network subscribers who have a digital video recorder will now be able to use their remote controls to request more information from advertisers about their products or to receive coupons for various product discounts.
As part of the agreement, NBC Universal will offer the ability to purchase advertisements with interactive trigger capabilities as a way to enhance their campaigns on NBC broadcasts delivered through DISH Network's satellite service. NBC will also be able to provide advertisers with detailed reports about viewer participation with DISH Network's interactive products. Both DISH Network and NBC Universal will continue to work together to develop new interactive products to serve future clients.
Back to top
MGM on Sky ItaliaMGM Networks, a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio, has signed an agreement with News Corp’s Sky Italia, one of Europe’s largest subscriptions television platforms and the leading pay television service in Italy, to launch a local language version of the MGM Channel beginning June 1st. The deal marks the MGM channel’s debut in Italy.
Back to top
Intelsat Galaxy 18 launch successful, Panasonic dealSatellite service provider Intelsat has confirmed that the Galaxy 18 satellite was successfully launched aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket. The satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral, will operate from 123 degrees west and serve programmers, government and corporate broadband customers in the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Galaxy 18 will join Intelsat’s North American cable community within its Galaxy fleet comprising 16 other satellites that cover North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The satellite features 24 C- and 24 Ku-band transponders allowing for increased power and flexibility for video and data transmissions.
Intelsat has also confirmed a multi-year service agreement with Panasonic Avionics Corporation that will result in the next generation of in-flight passenger broadband access. Panasonic is introducing an advanced satellite transmission platform that will allow airline passengers the ability to access Internet-based information and entertainment. The service, Panasonic eXConnect, provides passengers Internet connectivity. The platform will leverage Intelsat’s existing GlobalConnex SM Network Broadband service.
Back to top
TVN to invest $28m in VODTVN Entertainment Corp., the on demand company, has announced it will be investing $28 million this year in infrastructure, technology, and business processes to support its advanced suite of file-based delivery services. The new investment plan allows TVN to significantly expand its research and development activities and increase storage and distribution capacity.
Back to top
KPN deploys Scopus IP-headendScopus Video Networks, a provider of digital video networking solutions, has confirmed that Dutch telco KPN, has deployed a Scopus IP-headend solution for delivery of video and audio over IP. Using Scopus customised solution, KPN offers its subscribers more than 180 video and audio channels via its fibre optic cable infrastructure.
Back to top
Verizon TV throughout New YorkVerizon has told the New York City Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) that the company is ready, committed and eager to install its advanced fibre-optics network throughout all five boroughs of the city and thus provide real TV choice to some 3.1 million households. Verizon is prepared to make an historic investment in the city, and plans to offer competitive cable service to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the five boroughs later this year.
"We have the people, knowledge, resources and dedication to service to do the job and build our FiOS fibre-optic system in every New York City neighbourhood," said Thomas Dunne, Verizon vice president for government affairs in New York, in testimony submitted to the committee. "We are eager to bring cable TV competition to the entire city. We know that residents here have but one choice for a wireline cable provider - the cable monopoly that happened to be granted a franchise to operate in their neighbourhood."
Back to top
Oz/NZ broadband pushes out TVPeople living in Australia and New Zealand with broadband spend more time on the net than they do watching television, a survey has found. The survey of 864 Australians and 219 New Zealanders, conducted for networking company Cisco, has found each person spends an average of 22 hours a week on the internet and 14 hours watching TV.
"Broadband consumers are using the internet to access video information in ever-increasing numbers and it is up to Australian and New Zealand media and service providers to adapt to that change," Cisco vice president Les Williamson said.
The survey by international research consultancy Illuminas found that 59 per cent of Internet users watched or downloaded media content from the Internet. Short video clips or music videos were most commonly viewed (by 38 per cent of respondents), followed by news programming (25 per cent). Fifty-one per cent of respondents said they watched video online because it was free and 37 per cent said convenience was an important reason.
Back to top
Globecast takes Rede Record to AsiaContent management and delivery company GlobeCast has signed a deal with Brazilian television giant Rede Record Internacional TV to launch its exclusive channels across the Asian Continent via SatLink's AsiaSat 2 MCPC platform.
Back to top
NDS New Delhi officeNDS, provider of technology solutions for digital Pay TV, has increasing its presence in India with the opening of a new, sales and support office in New Delhi. NDS aims to offer the Indian Pay TV industry the best service and support of any technology provider.
Back to top
Wednesday 21st May
57% of UK viewers time-shift TV content
Sogecable and Orange launch Yacom +
Netflix streams to TV
HD TV owners still watching SD
Conax buys Secustream
DTH subs ‘happier’ than cable
News Corp adds to Premiere share
OpenTV for NBC
Viaccess closes on Orca
Dailymotion ad profits
swisscom launches Bluewin TV mobile
Orange Internet radio
RRsat distributes Sony’s sci-fi
GLDS and SinglePipe deploys first joint billing
57% of UK viewers time-shift TV contentRedback Networks, an Ericsson company that makes video-centric routers, has released results of a nationwide survey in the UK, measuring the popularity of on-demand TV and Internet video.
In a survey of 2168 online adults, the Redback sponsored research showed that more than half of UK residents (57 per cent) watch up to 10 hours or more of on-demand TV or recorded TV each week. This is TV that either supplements or replaces broadcast TV viewing. The same survey also found that women watched more on-demand or recorded TV than men (58 per cent vs. 55 per cent). Seniors (55+) and young adults (18-24) watched the most on-demand or recorded TV (60 per cent); 25-34 year-olds watched the least (51 per cent).
The most common methods for recording programmes in the UK were Sky+ (22 per cent), personal video recorders, and VHS machines (27 per cent). On demand services are also used for later recorded viewing. 11 per cent use on demand TV services, whilst 16 per cent use Internet catch up services, such as the BBC iPlayer.
Back to top
Sogecable and Orange launch Yacom +
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Sogecable, owner of Digital + and Canal +, and telco Yacom, controlled by Orange, is launching Yacom +, a joint triple play offer with broadband Internet access, phone calls and satellite pay-TV.
The service, similar to Trio Plus launched last November by Sogecable and Telefonica, will be available in those areas covered by Yacom and to all Digital +'s clients. The offer includes ADSL at a 10 Megabits speed, phone calls to national fixed numbers, wifi router and fixed phone for a monthly fee of E29.95, with the basic package of Digital Plus free of charge until September and from then at E19.95 per month.
This is the second Sogecable's agreement with a telco operator to launch a triple play offer in an attempt to boost its pay-TV subscriptions deadlocked at 2 million subscribers.
In the meantime, the future of the pay-TV group is still in the air, following the Spanish media group Prisa taking over the company by acquiring Telefonica's share. Three Telefonica executives on the Sogecable's board have stepped down. Speculation about the sale of the pay-TV division is increasingly with four possible candidates: Telefonica, News Corporation, Vivendi and the Mexican mogul Carlos Slim.
Back to top
Netflix streams to TVNetflix the world’s largest online movie rental service, and Roku, an innovator in digital media streaming technology announced the introduction of The Netflix Player by Roku, a device that enables Netflix subscribers to instantly stream a growing library of movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV.
Priced at just $99.99, the player is available for purchase and is simple to install, easy to use and gives Netflix members instant access to more than 10,000 movies and TV episodes. "We’re excited to bring the first Netflix ready device to the market, " said Anthony Wood, CEO and founder of Roku. "The seamless integration of the Netflix service into our player has resulted in true ease of use for the consumer. Now, streaming video isn_t limited to people sitting in front of the PC; it's ready for the TV in the living room."
The current to PC Netflix service has 8.2 million subscribers, but has limited usage. The new box can be connected to a broadband connection wired or wireless. "We think this is something that offers a big value at a low cost," said Reed Hastings, Netflix's chief executive officer.
Without providing further details, Netflix has said two other major consumer electronics companies are working on set-top boxes for its streaming service.
Back to top
HD TV owners still watching SDResearch from Scripps Networks has shown that US viewers with access to high-definition (HD) television channels watch more television than do non-HD households. However, HD-enabled homes still tune to standard-definition (SD) channels in large numbers, even when HD versions are available.
The study suggests that the cable industry practice of segregating HD channels into tiers far removed from their SD counterparts may discourage the viewing of high-definition programming. In contrast, satellite operator DirecTV assigns HD and SD feeds the same channel number and their interactive program guide can be programmed to enable automatic HD tuning.
The study is based on actual set-top box tuning data gathered by research firm TNS from approximately 300,000 households in Charter's Los Angeles cable system, one of the largest in the nation.
Back to top
Conax AS, the CA provider that is part of Telenor, has entered a contract to purchase 100 per cent of Secustream Technologies AS. Secustream delivers anti-pirate software solutions for interactive TV, including IPTV, PC-TV and web-TV.
Secustream was founded by NTNU (Norwegian Technological University) and Telenor in October 2006, and has been financed by Proventure Seed since March 2007. NTNU Technology Transfer AS has handled the growth and commercialisation of Secustream since its start-phase.
"The sale of Secustream provides the means to free our resources for further research and commercialisation at NTNU. This transaction strengthens the bond between NTNU and Telenor, and is positive for continued cooperation between NTNU’s research environments and Telenor/Conax," says NTNU’s President, Torbjørn Digernes. "Secustream’s products will strengthen Conax’s product portfolio for interactive TV. At the same time, Conax’s significant market structure can provide Secustream’s technology with an international breakthrough," says Berit Svendsen, CEO, Conax.
Back to top
DTH subs ‘happier’ than cable
US Satellite customers are still happier with their service than cable, but the wired medium’s customer-service-satisfaction numbers are on the rise, driven by smaller operators. The customer-satisfaction scores for most cable and satellite companies were up in the most recent (2008) American Customer Satisfaction Index, with satellite still leading the way.DirecTV was up 1.5 per cent to a 68, the highest score of any individual company measured, while Dish Network got the second-highest score at a 65, although that was down from a 67 the year before. The index goes to 100 and is based on the degree to which the customer is satisfied with his or her service. According to the index, of the four largest cable operators surveyed, Cox had the highest score at a 63, unchanged from the year before. Next came Time Warner Cable at a 59, up 1.7 per cent from a 58 the year before. Comcast was down 3.6 per cent to a 54 to tie with Charter, which was down 1.8 per cent.
Back to top
News Corp adds to Premiere share
News Corp has upped its holding in the German pay-TV platform to 25.01 per cent. This is up from 22.7 per cent and follows the company progressively increasing its holding since January when it paid E287 million for a 14.58 per cent stake previously held by Unitymedia.
News Corp executives Mark Williams and Tom Mockridge, recently promoted to head all News TV outside the UK, are due to be appointed to Premiere’s supervisory board at a general assembly on June 12th. The European Commission has said it may review the News’ stake based on concern it could block decisions at an AGM.
Back to top
OpenTV, provider of solutions for the delivery of advanced television and advanced advertising services, announced that NBC Universal has selected the OpenTV Participate solution to power, centralise and manage cross-platform interactive television applications, including Web, mobile and set-top box, for NBC Universal’s broadcast and cable networks.
The programs that will feature the interactive services have not yet been announced. This enterprise-wide deal comes one year after NBC.com used the OpenTV Participate solution to successfully power live, Web (PC) based interactive services for the hit primetime series Heroes.
Back to top
Viaccess closes on Orca
Viaccess, a France Telecom subsidiary, has announced the closing of the acquisition of the Orca Interactive. The acquisition of Orca Interactive is part of Viaccess’s strategy to supply its customers with a complete offer of services and integrated products for broadcast-IPTV applications.
Back to top
YouTube rival Dailymotion said it expected to make more than E10 million in revenue this year, despite only selling ads since July 2007.
Dailymotion CEO Mark Zaleski said. "We are in growth mode. We are past the start-up phase and now in the consolidation and monetisation phase." Dailymotion’s three founders own 21-22 per cent of the company while the balance is held by individual investors and PE firms.
Back to top
swisscom launches Bluewin TV mobileSwisscom has launched its mobile television service, Bluewin TV mobile, in Switzerland to become one of the first European providers to offer high-quality television experience to its mobile customers. Working together, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks enabled this service with their mobile TV technology and services.
The service is made available through a network based on the Digital Video Broadcast for Handheld (DVB-H) standard and can be watched on DVB-H-enabled mobile devices. Swisscom provides its customers with a range of subscription plans and Nokia N77 devices.
Back to top
Orange Internet radioOrange has confirmed it is launching an Internet radio device, which can be used to access over 4,000 stations. The Liveradio is the start of a series of entertainment products planned by Orange, and works in conjunction with a specially-designed website for broadband customers. Users can register preferences and add stations to their favourites.
Back to top
RRsat distributes Sony’s sci-fi
RRsat Global Communications Network has been chosen to distribute AXN SCI-FI, the science fiction channel from Sony Pictures Television International ("SPTI") into Russia, over its premier RRsat Global Network. The new agreement will leverage extensive capabilities of the RRsat Global Network including RRsat’s fiber optic link from the United Kingdom and encrypted satellite distribution services over the ABS-1 Satellite. As part of the agreement, RRsat will also provide value added services such as encryption.
Back to top
GLDS and SinglePipe deploys first joint billing
SinglePipe Communications and Great Lakes Data Systems have announced integration of flow-through billing and provisioning for commercial and residential VoIP services. SinglePipe is one of the first telephony services providers to integrate with GLDS’s Service Provisioning Gateway for Voice (SPG) interfaces. The new integrated solution has been successfully deployed for CMA Communications in Dallas.
Integration with the GLDS gateway (SPG) allows operators to control SinglePipe Digital Voice services directly from GLDS’s WinCable billing system. The integration eliminates the need for multiple disparate systems, and allows operators to manage SinglePipe delivered services without additional mediation or provisioning layers. Direct provisioning from the billing system will allow CMA to manage triple-play service delivery more efficiently, minimise revenue loss, and ensure a higher level of customer satisfaction.
Back to top
Tuesday 20th May
Orange TV will cover 98% of French households
Telefonica IPTV subs up 64%
IPTV equipment posts aggressive growth
TV Numeric planning VOD via DTT
Microsoft approaches Yahoo again
US cable adds more broadband subs than telcos
iPlayer take-up slowing
Broadcasters plan Super Hi-Vision demo
PTCL to launch IPTV soon
MGM and Comcast HD deal
QVC goes HD
Televisa and ZON to deploy Tandberg
ADB tru2way certified STB `
ICTV now ActiveVideo Networks
Orange TV will cover 98% of French householdsAs part of the deployment of Orange’s triple play offer, 24 million French households (98.3 per cent of the mainland population) will be able to access Orange TV from July 3rd with the launch of its’ DTH service.
Orange has confirmed the selection of the two orbital positions as Eutelsat Hot Bird and Atlantic Bird 3 to handle the satellite broadcasting of the TV reception of its triple play offer where this is not accessible via ADSL. Globecast, another subsidiary of the France Telecom group, will handle the encoding, encrypting and transmission of the Orange TV channels.
As of July 3rd, nearly all French households will be able to subscribe to an Orange triple play offer (from E29.90 a month). Depending on where they live, customers will be equipped with either Orange TV via ADSL or via an installation combining ADSL and satellite reception.
The Orange football service is being launched in August following the winning of the rights to France’s premiere matches for the next four years. Orange Cinéma Séries goes live in the autumn, available across TV, PC and mobile, and featuring content from with Warner Bros International Television, HBO, Gaumont and Fidélité Films.
Back to top
Telefonica IPTV subs up 64%
From David Del Valle in MadridTelefónica has declared a 64.4 per cent increase in the number of pay-TV subscribers it serves worldwide for the first quarter of this year to reach 1.8 million, with operations up and running in Spain, the Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
In Spain, the company reached 554,045 customers for its Imagenio IPTV service, adding 42,958 subscribers during the first three months of this year. Telefónica Latinoamérica reports that it now has over 1.2 million pay-TV subscribers in the region, with operations in Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil, compared to 700,148 customers in March 2007. Of this total, there are now 231,625 pay-TV subscribers in Chile, while Peru registered a 12.7 per cent increase in revenues from TV services.Telefónica O2 Czech Republic added 14,008 subscribers to its IPTV service in the first quarter of this year, reaching a total of 87,173.
Back to top
IPTV equipment posts aggressive growth
The latest Synergy report finds that IPTV equipment sales continue to be driven by upgrades to Carrier networks, especially at the Edge, handling the surge in subscriber and traffic growth. Synergy anticipates Worldwide IPTV subscribers to increase substantially over the next two years and approach close to 40 million IPTV subscribers by 2010. Synergy research also finds that IPTV deployments in China and South Korea are developing at an accelerated pace. In Europe, Service Providers continue to heavily invest in IPTV deployments.
"IPTV has transitioned from a forward-thinking play to an essential strategy for Service Providers to counter competitive forces and pursue lucrative revenue opportunities," says Ray Mota, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer at Synergy Research Group, "This continues to translate into dollars spent on infrastructure equipment providing intelligence and service delivery at the Edge of the Service Provider network."
The fastest growing IPTV market segment was IPTV Set Top Boxes (STB), which grew 86 per cent year over the year.
Back to top
TV Numeric planning VOD via DTT
From Sotires Eleftheriou in ParisPresenting its new launch campaign to the press, the French pay DTT operator DTT Numeric outlined its strategy and future plans. The service was "soft launched" last September as a "low cost" pay TV DTT service, with a subscription of E8 a month plus E5 for the rental of a standard definition decoder, providing 7 premium channels, in addition to the 18 free DTT channels. It will now beef up its distribution network to around 1,000 distributors and launch a national advertising campaign, aimed at the 9 million households equipped with DTT. It hopes to attract 400,000 subs within the next few years, from the 7,000 at present.
Looking ahead there will be a PCMCIA decoder card, for use with new (especially flatscreen) TVs with a built-in DTT tuner. This should be available by the end of this year, priced probably at E38 and removing the need to pay a rental for the decoder. Another innovation is a PVR with VOD features. Films and other programmes will be recorded on the decoder’s hard disc during downtime on the local DTT transmitters. This is expected in about eighteen months time. Further into the future, TV Numeric is working on a triple play service using Wimax.
Back to top
Microsoft approaches Yahoo againMicrosoft has said it is considering a deal with Yahoo which would not involve a full buyout of the company. The two are discussing combining their advertising sales operations in order to rival Google. Microsoft's previous offer to buy Yahoo for $33 a share - a figure which valued the company at $47.5 billion was turned down.
US Cable adds more broadband subs than telcos
Leichtman Research Group has reported that the nineteen largest cable and telephone providers in the US - representing about 94 per cent of the market - acquired 2.2 million net additional high-speed Internet subscribers in the first quarter of 2008. The top broadband providers now account for 64.1 million subscribers with cable companies having about 34.7 million broadband subscribers, and telephone companies having about 29.5 million subscribers.
The top cable companies added 1.2 million subscribers, representing 54 per cent of the net broadband additions for the quarter versus the top telephone companies.
Back to top
iPlayer take-up slowingUK broadband firm PlusNet has claimed that take-up of the BBC's iPlayer broadband TV service has slowed significantly after meteoric traffic growth in the early months of 2008. The BBC iPlayer typically accounts for 50 per cent of all streaming traffic on PlusNet's network, according to products and development director Neil Armstrong. However, Armstrong described PlusNet's traffic figures as showing a "natural levelling off" in the take-up of streaming services, which has been driven by the iPlayer in the first few months of 2008.
"We've reached an initial plateau where lots of people with computers have dabbled with the iPlayer but that growth has been slowing for a few months," he said.
Armstrong said the launch of Kangaroo - the commercial broadband TV joint venture backed by BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 - by October would trigger more interest in online streaming, with consumers shifting behaviour away from the use of personal video recorders such as Sky Plus. "Streaming is an ever growing portion of usage, but for a relatively small number of users. As it becomes more popular and more people use it, that will grow quickly," he added.
Back to top
Broadcasters plan Super Hi-Vision demoThe BBC, NHK of Japan and RAI of Italy are to collaborate on a unique demonstration in Amsterdam in September with international links of Super Hi-Vision, the system which combines 7680 x 4320 pixel images with 22.2 channel immersive audio. The demonstration is being actively supported by Siemens, the BBC’s technology partner, Cable&Wireless which will provide fibre connectivity from London to Amsterdam, and Eutelsat which will provide a satellite link from Torino to Amsterdam.
In the series of demonstrations - which will run throughout the IBC2008 - content shot in Japan will be mixed with live pictures from a camera located in central London, operated by SIS Outside Broadcasts (previously BBC Outside Broadcasts). The live feed from London will be compressed using MPEG-2 and delivered over an ultra-broadband fibre, provided by Cable&Wireless. Content will also be played into the demonstration from a server in Torino, Italy, delivered over two full satellite transponders provided by Eutelsat.
Back to top
PTCL to launch IPTV soonPakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) will launch an IPTV service very soon in which triple play facilities would be provided to consumers including almost 150 TV channels , according to a high official of PTCL .
Back to top
MGM and Comcast HD dealMGM HD, the high definition movie channel from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has signed an affiliate agreement with Comcast Corporation This new agreement between MGM and Comcast will provide Comcast the ability to distribute the network to its high-definition (HD) customers with hundreds of HD movies from MGM's library.
Back to top
QVC goes HDSES will be adding QVC HD to its line up of available channels. QVC is the first home retail shopping channel to offer high-definition programming through SES Americom’s HD-Prime platform.
Back to top
Televisa and ZON to deploy TandbergTandberg Television, part of the Ericsson Group, has revealed that its MPEG-4 AVC video encoding and distribution systems have been chosen by Grupo Televisa to deliver programming across Mexico via satellite using DVB-S2 8PSK modulation. Migrating from MPEG-2, Televisa will become the first broadcaster in North America to move to an all MPEG-4 AVC distribution solution for its broadcast affiliates. Using the same amount of satellite bandwidth, the Tandberg Television MPEG-4 AVC system allows Televisa to simultaneously distribute both HD and SD content whereas before they were only sending SD.
Tandberg has also confirmed that its OpenStream Digital Services platform has been chosen by Portugal’s ZON TVCabo to facilitate its planned video on-demand (VOD) services. Tandberg Television will also take the role of lead integrator for the VOD play-out.
Back to top
ADB tru2way certified STBAdvanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) has announced its latest advanced, HD cable set-top box (STB) for the US digital television market the ADB-4820C. The product has been specifically designed to operate with new flat panel television sets and has an innovative space saving design which mounts to the back of a TV.
The ADB-4820C is the first STB solution to receive full tru2way certification and is now available for commercial deployment. The unit is fully integrated with OCAP software from Vidiom and Osmosys ensuring compatibility with the new generation of digital cable networks and features DOCSIS technology to enable a high level of interactivity to drive advanced services into and around the home.
Back to top
ICTV now ActiveVideo NetworksICTV, which provides ActiveVideo solutions that infuse TV with web content and interactivity, is changing its name to ActiveVideo Networks to better communicate the company’s services.
Back to top
Monday 19th May
NDS v Nagrastar, nominal damages
New Sky Player
Qualcomm picks up UK spectrum
Telefonica launches TV content platform for local TV
Belgacom Q1 disappoints
CW in trouble
Shaw to sell TVB
China Digital TV Q1 up 84%
J:COM subscription figures
Harris platform for LG / Samsung ATSC
Teracom selects Dreampark
NDS v Nagrastar, nominal damagesA jury in a US District Court in California has exonerated NDS Group companies in the lawsuit brought by satellite operator EchoStar and Nagrastar, the joint venture between EchoStar and Kudelski Group. The level of damages claimed by the plaintiffs, widely reported as amounting to over $1 billion, has ultimately resulted in an award in actual damages of $45.69 or, in statutory damages, of $1000, relating to a single incident involving a test card used by NDS.
In a statement, NDS said that it was pleased that the four-week long trial in which it faced what it described as "baseless allegations, widely repeated and exaggerated to suggest the involvement of our majority shareholder News Corporation," had ended in a resounding affirmation of NDS and its business ethics and proper conduct.
"NDS has been at the forefront of fighting pay-TV piracy for the last decade, on the technological front, as well as on the legislative and law enforcement fronts. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to achieve our current record of zero piracy," continued the statement. "We have stated consistently throughout the course of this trial that the piracy of EchoStar was the result of inferior technology arising from inadequate investment in research and development by Kudelski. This position has been validated with today’s verdict."Echostar commented: "We are pleased that after four weeks of testimony on all the facts, the jury concluded that NDS violated the Federal Communications Act and the California Penal Code. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those individuals and companies that engage in stealing our satellite signals. While we are disappointed in the jury's damages award, we are pleased that NDS will be responsible for our attorney fees in this case, and that we were completely vindicated on NDS' meritless counterclaims."
Back to top
New Sky PlayerSky has overhauled its online VOD service by adding streaming capabilities and rebranding it "Sky Player". Sky said: "The online service will take on the Sky Player brand in recognition of the public’s growing awareness of additional online video ‘player’ services."
In addition, Sky non-subscribers can now access the same Sky Player interface - Sky Anytime on PC was previously only available to non-Sky customers via a separate website. Sky Player offers subscribers content from channels including Sky One, Sky Arts, and The History Channel, along with movies and sports clips. Unlike the BBC's iPlayer, the service also offers live streams of several Sky channels.
Back to top
Qualcomm picks up UK spectrumA standards war for mobile TV in the UK became a real possibility with Qualcomm winning the latest Ofcom spectrum auction. Qualcomm UK Spectrum Ltd has been awarded spectrum in the L-band (1452-1492) for a licence fee of £8,334,000 (E1.04bn).
Qualcomm has previously conducted UK tests in Cambridge and Manchester. Its proprietary Mediaflo system competes with the EU approved DVB-H. Qualcomm will take possession of the spectrum with immediate effect.
Back to top
Telefonica launches TV content platform for local TV
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Telefonica has announced the launch of MASTV, a platform to distribute TV content for (analogue and digital) local TV channels aimed at capturing 10 per cent of more than 1,000 TV stations currently existing throughout Spain.
Its subsidiary Telefonica Servicios Audiovisuales will distribute packages of TV content "at a very competitive price", according to the company so that local TV channels can offer them to their viewers.
Fiction series, with International productions like Frecuencia 04, sitcoms or comedy programmes will be scheduled from Monday to Friday from 16.00 to 19.00 pm and from 16.00 to 20.00 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Local TV stations will be able to take the live signal of MASTV from Hispasat satellite or store its content and then broadcast it at their discretion.
Back to top
Belgium's dominant telecom operator Belgacom has reported a worse than expected 3 per cent drop in first-quarter sales, but reiterated its financial targets for the whole of 2008.
Belgacom's first-quarter sales fell to E1.469 billion from E1.515 billion euros a year earlier. Belgacom said that price cuts imposed by European and local regulators were the cause of the decline. EBITDA came in at E518 million, down 3.3 per cent from E536 million last year.
In more positive news for Belgacom, the telco announced that its IPTV subscribers increased by 43,931 during the first quarter to 349,250.
Back to top
CW in troubleTwo years after CBS and Time Warner combined their second-tier networks UPN and WB into the youth-oriented CW to pool young viewers prized by advertisers, the network's hopes of surviving are looking increasingly bleak, reports the WSJ. The network has lost about 28 per cent of its target audience of 18 to 34 year olds so far this season. Its ratings during this month's "sweeps" period -- the all-important measure upon which future advertising rates are set -- are down about 22 per cent.
Advertisers eager to reach a young demographic initially clamoured to sign on to the CW, but have since cooled to the network. Part of the problem is that the CW's young audience is most prone to spend leisure time on the Internet. Last winter's Hollywood writers' strike, which forced scripted shows off the air for three months, hastened the defection of viewers to the Web.
Back to top
Shaw to sell TVBSir Run Run Shaw, the centenarian founder and chairman of Hong Kong based Television Broadcasts, is in talks to sell his stake in the world’s leading Chinese language broadcaster and has attracted interest from private equity groups including Bain Capital and Blackstone.
TVB is by far Hong Kong’s dominant TV station, with a big presence in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. It also has a sizeable distribution and syndication business in overseas markets, including the US and Canada. Almost 40 per cent of its revenue was derived outside Hong Kong last year.
The 40-year-old company is attractive to private equity investors because of its underleveraged balance sheet, according to Goldman Sachs analysts. They also said that TVB could squeeze more profits out of its operations in China.
Shaw Brothers, which has a 26 per cent stake in TVB, said this week that Shaw Holdings, its controlling shareholder that is wholly owned by Sir Run Run, was in discussions to offload its stake in TVB.
Back to top
Chinese conditional access (CA) systems provider China Digital TV Holding has announced its unaudited financial results for Q1 2008, with net revenues reaching $17.4 million, up 65.7 per cent year-on-year but down. Net income for the quarter came to $11.4 million, up 84.1 per cent year on year but down 11.5per cent quarter on quarter. Quarterly revenues from smart cards and related products were $15.8 million, an increase of 75.6 per cent from the same period of 2007 and a decrease of 11.4 per cent from Q4 2007. Revenues from services during the period were $1.6 million an increase of 5.0 per cent year-on-year, but a decrease of 14.9 quarter-on-quarter.
Back to top
J:COM subscription figuresJupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), the multiple system operator in Japan controlled by Liberty, has announced that the total subscribing households as of April 30, 2008 served by J:COM’s 20 managed franchises reached approximately 2.85 million, up 180,000, or 6.7 per cent since April 30th, 2007. Combined revenue generating units for cable television, high-speed Internet access and telephony services reached 5.05 million, up 427,500 or 9.2 per cent since April 30th, 2007.
Back to top
Harris platform for LG / Samsung ATSC
Harris Corporation will introduce the first full mobile digital TV transmission platform to meet the new Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) solution that was proposed by LG Electronics and Samsung. The Harris offering, which will be introduced in November 2008, will enable television broadcasters to quickly begin the transition to mobile digital television (DTV).The proposed LG and Samsung mobile handheld solution is based upon elements of the Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld (MPH) technology — developed by Harris, LG Electronics and Zenith — as well as Samsung's Advanced Vestigial Sideband (A-VSB) system. The development clears the path for electronics manufacturers to begin designing mobile DTV devices, and for local DTV broadcasters to proceed with confidence to build out their new mobile DTV services.
Back to top
Dreampark has confirmed that Sweden's government-owned media company, Teracom, has chosen Dreampark's Dreamgallery² IPTV middleware solution. Teracom plans to offer IPTV services using Dreamgallery through its recent acquisition of IPTV operator Svenska Basboxbolaget.
Back to top
