|
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
Our Latest Issues
Visit our archive to access more than 200 features! 
|
Scroll down page or click below for news - latest first
Tuesday
Friday 16th July
Irish DTT plan cost cut to E70m
Nomura says Sky worth £17.5bn
RTVE funding may breach EU law
Google pushes FCC for open video device
2mbps UK broadband delayed until 2015
Early demand for 'TV Everywhere'
30% of radio listened to on net
Warner Bros and Netflix expanded streaming deal
Schwarz leaving C4
Vecima announces new CFO
Telegenic relies on Grass Valley for 3D replays
FOX increases Russian channels
Irish DTT plan cost cut to E70mRTÉ now expects to spend E70 million to provide a free-to-air digital terrestrial television (DTT) service to 1.6 million homes in Ireland by December 31st, 2012, the date when the existing analogue system will be switched off.
In a State where massive cuts are the order of the day, this is down from the original estimate of E150 million, when it was envisaged that a commercial operator would run five DTT multiplexes along with RTÉ’s terrestrial service.
The broadcaster has also proposed to the Minister for Communications that it offer DTT through DTH to the 2 per cent of homes in the Republic who cannot currently receive an analogue signal because of their remote location. RTÉ wants to bundle broadband with the satellite product, so these rural blackspots would be able to receive high-speed Internet services.
RTÉ had already spent E40 million to date. It was building a DTT transmission network across 51 sites. RTÉ is proposing to launch two public-service DTT multiplexes. The first will be operational by the third quarter of 2011 and will carry nine television stations and 12 digital radio stations.
It is proposed that RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2, TV3, TG4, RTÉ News (currently available online) and 3e (owned by TV3) would have their own dedicated channels. A seventh channel would be shared by RTÉ Children, Euronews and RTÉ+1 and run from about 7am to midnight.
The second multiplex is likely to carry high definition versions of these stations and possibly an Irish film channel and an Oireachtas channel.
Back to top
Nomura says Sky worth £17.5bnSky’s board has already told News Corp it has to come up with £8 (E9.6) a share to get its interest, now Nomura says they should ask for £10, valuing the business at £17.5 billion.
The bank says Sky is ready to ‘harvest’ its cash flow after years of it being suppressed by investment in HD and subscriber acquisition.
The Catch 22 of ‘true value’ versus no other buyers as long as News stays in means a compromise – say £9 – will eventually be reached.
Back to top
RTVE funding may breach EU law
From David Del Valle in Madrid
The Spanish National Competition Commission (CNC) is casting doubt on the new financial framework of state-owned TV group RTVE on the grounds that the approved taxes on broadcasters and telco operators to finance the group may break the European legislation.
The new RTVE financial model obliges free-to-air and pay TV broadcasters to dedicate 3 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively, of their revenues to financing the broadcaster. Telcos pay 0.9 per cent.
The Competition watchdog doubts that the taxes are compatible with the European legislation. The EC has already begun legal proceedings against France for implementing a similar scheme for TF1.
The CNC has also fiercely criticized the RTVE's annual budget of E1.200 million which it regards it as way too high.
Back to top
Google pushes FCC for open video deviceIn comments to the Federal Communications Commission, Google has supported a proposed standard called AllVid that describes an open interface for consumer video network equipment.
"Generally, there are few technical impediments today to building a search index that combines both broadcast and Internet content, so that users can search for accurate and up-to-date information about the availability of video across different platforms," Google says. "Too often, however, consumers are constrained from easily navigating the universe of available video content on the platform of their choosing."
Google has an interest in blurring the line between TV and the Internet. The company's forthcoming Google TV platform -- backed by partners like Sony and Logitech -- aims to offer access to TV content and Internet content through a single interface, and to allow TV equipment to act as a digital music player, game console, and Web browser.
Google's comments come in response to a Notice of Inquiry published by the FCC in April. The agency asked for input on a proposed plan to make the market for retail set-top devices competitive. The FCC believes that the existing CableCARD standard has failed to produce a competitive market for set-top hardware.
Back to top
2mbps UK broadband delayed until 2015The UK government's plans to roll-out broadband access to all British homes at speeds of at least two megabits per second by 2012 have been delayed by three years.
Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, said that target would now be met by 2015. He criticised the commitment made by the previous government as "pitifully unambitious". He said that, on entering office, he discovered that insufficient resources were available to meet the target by 2012 and has delayed it to 2015.
Hunt nonetheless reiterated his ambition that Britain should have "the best broadband network in Europe by the end of this parliament". That would be defined in terms of numbers of people connected and the speed of their access, he added.
Approximately 99 per cent of the UK has access to broadband at 512kbps.
Back to top
Early demand for 'TV Everywhere'According to TDG research 60 per cent of US adult broadband users (about 95 million consumers) are enthusiastic about ‘TVE’ services, while 34 per cent (about 54 million) are willing to pay at least $5 extra per month to enjoy such access.
"Current TVE-type offerings remain relatively fledging services with little in the way of compelling content," notes Michael Greeson, TDG founding partner and author of the new report. "That's to be expected from a service breaking new ground and no doubt feeds operator belief that these services should be viewed as a free value-added service to existing residential TV subscribers as opposed to a new service capable of generating additional revenue."
As time passes, Greeson expects incumbents will become more likely to "pull a Hulu" - that is, wean customers into using the free site until demand and breadth of content can support the introduction of a premium tier worthy of an additional monthly fee. New video leader, Netflix, is expected to follow Hulu's lead and introduce a premium streaming tier that features high-value Hollywood content.
Back to top
30% of radio listened to on netNearly a third (31 per cent) of UK radio listeners tune in via the internet, according to the latest Rajar figures. Of that percentage, 29 per cent of people claim they listen live, up 2 per cent from November last year, and 25 per cent use listen again services, also a 2 per cent rise.
The results, which covered listening via mobile for the first time, showed 1.4m people have downloaded a radio app; 20 per cent of smartphone users, with 53 per cent of them claiming they use the app at least once a week.
The results also showed 16 per cent of the 1,083 people surveyed downloaded podcasts.
Back to top
Warner Bros and Netflix expanded streaming deal
Warner Bros and Netflix have announced an expansion of the companies' existing streaming content agreement. The new agreement adds a slate of catalogue TV shows available to watch instantly at Netflix and extends the existing licence for catalogue movies through 2011.
Back to top
Schwarz leaving C4Nathalie Schwarz, the architect of Channel 4's ill-fated foray into digital radio, is leaving the broadcaster after five years. Schwarz, who will depart this summer, was Channel 4's commercial and corporate development director.
Back to top
Vecima Networks, the Last Mile Solution for broadband wired and wireless networks, has confirmed the appointment of John Hanna to Chief Financial Officer and the appointment of Vecima's former CFO, Mike Barry, to President of YourLink, Vecima's wholly owned wireless Internet service provision company.
Back to top
Telegenic relies on Grass Valley for 3D replaysUK-based outside broadcast contractor Telegenic is using the Grass Valley K2 Dyno replay system (K2 Summit production client and the K2 Dyno replay controller) for 3D replays. The system is packed for easy transport in a flight-cased flyaway system and primarily used for sports coverage by BSkyB.
When deployed recently with Telegenic’s T18 stereoscopic 3D truck, the Grass Valley K2 Summit production client was used to feed mixer animation clips, primarily for 3D graphics sequences, into and out of replays using the K2 Dyno replay controller.
Back to top
FOX increases Russian channelsFOX International Channels (FIC) has increased its distribution in Russia with the launch of three TV channels on NTV-PLUS. The entertainment channels Fox Life and Fox Crime, and a factual channel in HD, Nat Geo Wild HD are all available immediately.
Back to top
Thursday 15th July
LG wary of connecting Google TV
Orange for Project Canvas as opposition digs in
BSkyB considers Arabic news service
Court: FCC indecency rule ‘chills’ free speech
Mobile TV stalls In China
World Cup boosts mobile device usage
Global video encoders market to pass $1bn by 2015
Rovi and Unitymedia sign IPG patent licence agreement
LG wary of connecting Google TVTV maker LG is hesitating to commit itself to support the Google TV initiative. CEO of the display division Simon Kang said it was wary Google could come to dominate the TV software market, leaving CE vendors as hardware-only providers.
Kang told Dow Jones: "Google TV could spark strong interest in the market, but the reason we are deliberating is because Google may one day dominate the software space and we don’t want to end up as just a hardware provider."
LG has developed a line of internet-connected TVs based on its own Netcast software. Google meanwhile has struck an agreement with Sony to develop connected TVs based on Google’s platform, while Logitech is developing a set-top box for the platform.
Back to top
Orange for Project Canvas as opposition digs inMobile operator Orange UK is prominent among the companies considering signing up to Project Canvas, the BBC-backed venture to bring VOD to Freeview and Freesat.
Orange looked at buying the technology behind Project Kangaroo, the defunct broadband TV joint venture between ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC, to bring VoD to its ISP customers. The company pulled out and Arqiva subsequently did the deal and launched online TV service SeeSaw. Arqiva is also a partner in Project Canvas.
Virgin Media –which was once considered a likely partner – is now preparing to refer the project to Ofcom as anti-competitive.
Back to top
BSkyB considers Arabic news serviceBSkyB is in talks to broadcast a 24-hour rolling news service in Arabic, based in Abu Dhabi, as part of a joint venture with a local private investor, according to reports.
Entering a highly competitive market, the satellite channel would launch under the Sky News name and be the UK broadcaster’s first venture into a territory outside the UK.
Discussions are at a relatively early stage, but the channel would launch within two years if the talks succeed. News Corp (39 per cent owner of Sky) has close links with the Saudi Rotana media group.
Back to top
Court: FCC indecency rule ‘chills’ free speechThe Second Circuit Court of Appeals has thrown out the FCC's indecency enforcement policy as unconstitutionally vague and chilling. The Supreme Court had overturned the Second Circuit's original decision that the policy was an arbitrary and capricious change in policy and remanded the case back to the court for a second look.
This time, a three-judge panel of the court said the FCC's decision finding swearing on awards shows on Fox indecent is impermissibly vague, which means it ‘chills’ free speech. "Under the current policy, broadcasters must choose between not airing or censoring controversial programs and risking massive fines or possibly even loss of their licenses," said the court, "and it is not surprising which option they choose. Indeed, there is ample evidence in the record that the FCC's indecency policy has chilled protected speech."
The decision could tee up the FCC's entire indecency enforcement policy for Supreme Court review.
Back to top
Commercial development of China's mobile TV service is falling far short of expectations. Of the 1.5 million users of China multimedia mobile broadcasting (CMMB), less than 3 per cent are actually paying for the service, creating something of an embarrassment for China Mobile, the main backer of the standard.
According to Information Week, by the end of the second quarter, 2010 domestic sales of CMMB handsets were around 1.5 million, approximately 30 per cent of total 3G mobile phone sales at China Mobile, and much lower than the 50 per cent target set by the operators. The service has been operational for more than a year but formal fees have only recently been introduced, which range from $1 to $3 per month. The small take-up of the service since fees were introduced does not bode well for the future of mobile television in China.
Back to top
World Cup boosts mobile device usageAllot Communications, a supplier of service optimisation and revenue generation solutions for fixed and mobile broadband service providers worldwide, has released its new Allot MobileTrends World Cup Report. The report indicates that mobile broadband usage increased by 24 per cent during the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. Web browsing on mobile broadband experienced the sharpest growth with a 35 per cent rise, while YouTube traffic rose significantly by 32 per cent on post-match mornings.
The Allot MobileTrends Report demonstrates that mobile devices did not replace big screen televisions during the World Cup, but rather created a new category where the two operated alongside each other. Mobile devices played a central role in enhancing the viewer's World Cup experience by offering them additional football and match-related information in real time, and by providing the ability to watch replays at leisure and distribute them virally.
According to the Allot MobileTrends World Cup Report:
- Lunchtime matches showed the largest bandwidth increase with 31 per cent
- Video streaming and P2P increased moderately by 11 per cent and 13 per cent respectively
- Mobile data bandwidth usage experienced a 16 per cent overall increase during post-match mornings
Back to top
Global video encoders market to pass $1bn by 2015
The ongoing digital trend is endorsing demand for the delivery of quality video at lowest possible bit rates over multiple media, and thus driving growth for video encoders.
Although Cable TV remains to be the preferred pay-TV service globally, its revenues are expected to be affected by the economic recession and limited investments by cable operators on digital equipment. Demand for satellite encoders is also likely to be affected. On the contrary, IPTV represents the fastest growing end-use application segment for video encoders globally. IPTV services are also gaining considerable penetration in the Asian and European markets for offering subscribers with interactive services, capability of recording content on PVR devices, games, and VOD. The increasing demand for the services is likely to lead to adoption of sophisticated compression encoders offering superior bit savings.
HD and other advanced compression format upgrades remain to be the real growth drivers for the video encoders market. Penetration of HD units is likely to exceed deployment of SD units by the year 2011, and thus vendors would be forced to supply low cost efficient products. With rise in demand by broadcasters for solutions with JPEG2000, AVC and other sophisticated compression formats, HD products remain a prospective avenue for investment.
Rovi and Unitymedia sign IPG patent licence agreementRovi and Unitymedia have entered into a multi-year licence agreement for interactive programme guide (IPG) patents owned by Rovi. The agreement provides Unitymedia with a licence to Rovi’s IPG patents for Unitymedia’s pay television services in Germany. Unitymedia, a subsidiary of Liberty Global, is the second largest cable television provider in Germany and one of the largest pay television providers throughout Europe. The agreement with Unitymedia builds on the existing relationship between Rovi and other Liberty Global subsidiaries such as UPC Broadband.
Back to top
Wednesday 14th July
Meek will be Canvas chair
EU To clear Sky Italia bid for TV frequency
Sky completes Virgin TV purchase
Inmobi raises $8m
6m 3DTVs to ship this year
Red Bee Media to playout Five HD channel
du adds SVOD with On Demand Group
Sony launches HD channel across EMEA
Rotana and Yahoo Internet video service
France 24 launches in US
Meek will be Canvas chairKip Meek, once chief policy executive at Ofcom, is said to be poised to become the chairman of Project Canvas. A long time media consultant Meek will have the tricky task of keeping the six partners - BBC, Channel 4, ITV, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva – all pointing in the same direction.
Politically he is well-connected with the coalition government having been appointed to the 12-strong panel set up by the Conservatives in April last year to conduct a review of the creative industries.
Meek’s first job will be in helping to recruit a CEO for the project.
Back to top
EU To clear Sky Italia bid for TV frequencyThe European Commission is to clear News Corp's Sky Italia to bid for a broadcasting frequency on Italy's digital television platform. The Commission is likely to allow News Corp to bid for one frequency and to use it for operating free-to-air channels, according to reports.
The clearance will ease European Union restrictions for Sky Italia agreed in 2003 when the satellite broadcaster started operating and was the only player in the pay-TV market. In return for being allowed to set up Sky Italia in 2003, merging two other Italian pay-TV operators, News Corp agreed not to move into the Italian digital TV market until the end of 2011. Sky Italia, News Corp's satellite unit, has since asked the Commission to remove the restriction, saying the competitive landscape in Italy has changed with rival Mediaset launching its own pay-TV operations.
Both Mediaset and state broadcaster RAI have opposed the easing of the restrictions, arguing the Italian pay-TV market still isn't sufficiently open to competition.
Back to top
Sky completes Virgin TV purchaseBSkyB has completed the acquisition of Virgin Media Television (VMTV) after receiving regulatory approval in the Republic of Ireland.
The satellite broadcaster, which has acquired VMTV's channels including Bravo, Living and Virgin1, said that it will rename VMTV as Living TV Group. BSkyB paid Virgin Media an initial £105 million (E125m) and up to a further £55 million if and when the deal achieves regulatory clearance in the UK.
Sky reiterated that it has not licensed the Virgin brand and intends to rebrand Virgin1 "in due course".
Back to top
Inmobi raises $8mInMobi, the mobile advertising network that started in India three years ago and has expanded globally, has raised $8 million in a second round of funding from investors to compete as more interest ramps up in the industry following Google’s and Apple’s recent acquisitions in the space.
The capital comes from its existing investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sherpalo Ventures. To date, it has raised a total of $15 million. It will help pay for InMobi’s recent expansion into the US, and its launch in Japan. It is also operational in Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. It will also double its engineering staff in Bangalore to invest in its technology platform.
Anne Frisbie, InMobi, VP & Managing Director of North America for InMobi said that rather than be threatened by Apple’s acquisition of Quattro Wireless and Google’s purchase of AdMob, she believes there’s now an even bigger need for alternative mobile ad networks.
Back to top
The penetration of 3D-capable consumer electronics devices is expected to grow quickly between now and 2015, with 5.99 million 3DTV sets to be shipped worldwide this year, according to a report from IMS Research.
The report adds that over 218 million 3DTV sets will ship cumulatively between 2010 and 2015. IMS Research identifies the popularity of 3D theatrical releases and intense competition in the home entertainment space as being some of the key drivers behind the deployment and aggressive pricing of 3DTV sets.
"Within five years, the majority of high-end large-screen TV sets and Blu-ray Disc players are likely to offer 3D capability," said Anna Hunt, principal analyst at IMS Research. "The price premium of 3D models in these markets over similar 2D products is expected to diminish quickly. Without a significant price premium, consumers are likely to future proof their purchases by opting for devices with 3D."
IMS Research is also predicting that by the end of 2015, over 241 million homes will have a 3D Blu-ray Disc player and over 280 million TV households will have an HD set-top box. "Aside from Blu-ray, many HD set-top boxes can facilitate delivery of 3D service from operators that use a frame compatible format," added Hunt. "With such a large installed base of 3D-capable devices, content makers should see enough of an incentive to aggressively pursue 3D content creation."
Numerous pay-TV operators around the world are believed to be offering or planning to offer 3D content to HDTV subscribers at no additional cost over their existing HDTV package, and this is expected to be common practise until more 3D content is available and the market grows.
Back to top
Red Bee Media to playout Five HD channelRed Bee Media has been appointed by Five to provide media management and playout services for Five HD, a high definition version of the main Five service to Sky+HD and Virgin Media’s V+HD that is available immediately.
Five HD will broadcast a simulcast of Five’s schedule on both the cable and satellite platforms, including a wide array of programmes and movies made in the HD format.
Back to top
du adds SVOD with On Demand GroupIn partnership with du, the UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, On Demand Group has launched a fully managed subscription video-on-demand offering.
The new SVOD service, which launched as "Unlimited Video on Demand," will include a wide range of TV series, comedy, dramas, documentaries, kids programming, classic movies, and blockbuster music videos acquired and packaged by On Demand Group. The Unlimited Video on Demand service will be available for a single price of AED 75, for which consumers will be able to watch the content whenever and as often as they want with full DVD-like control to pause, rewind and fast-forward. New content available in both SD and HD will be added to the service every week.
Back to top
Sony launches HD channel across EMEASony Pictures Television (SPT) is launching several HD channels across EMEA. At the forefront of bringing HD to its TV viewers, SPT’s highly successful general entertainment brand, AXN, is now available in HD in Poland and has launched on new platforms in Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Further AXN HD launches are planned for other markets later this year, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and across Africa.
Back to top
Rotana and Yahoo Internet video serviceYahoo Middle East has made a partnership with Rotana, the diversified media company and world’s largest producer of Arabic music and key distributor of movies. This alliance will enable Yahoo to use and stream Rotana’s wide range of multimedia content, including music, videos, movies, concerts, TV channels and radio, through its new Video Network channel for the Arabic speaking world.
Back to top
France 24 launches in USFrance 24 has linked up with the American platform Dish Network and its 15 million subscribers across the US. The deal with one of the leading American pay TV providers aims to offer French speaking audiences and Francophiles a genuine alternative to other international news stations. The channel is now available 24/7 to subscribers of the French bouquet.
Back to top
Tuesday 13th July
Five to go to TV X owner?
UK government backs private broadband
Deutsche Telekom personalised football service
TNTSAT sees strong growth
World Cup boosts ITV revenue but few watch final
Measuring US mobile TV market
US pay-TV patent row
3DTVs will be mainstream by 2013
Suddenlink and TiVo distribution agreement
IneoQuest introduces Cricket DVB-T monitoring probe
ruwido enhances tau remote control
Five to go to TV X owner?Richard Desmond, owner of the Daily Express newspaper and the TV X adult channels, is said to be the frontrunner to buy Channel Five, which has been put up for sale by RTL. On Friday, Five pulled out of Project Canvas in order not to commit a new owner to the related investment.
Investment bank JP Morgan is running an auction for the channel and it is possible a bidder or bidders indicated they didn’t want the company tied to Canvas. The bank has also received expressions of interest from Big Brother producer Endemol, US companies Warner and NBC, BSkyB and a consortium involving TV investor John de Mol and Greek broadcaster Antenna.
Desmond, who is also the owner of OK! Magazine, is said to have plans for OK type celebrity content for Five.
Five lost £37 million (E44m) in 2009 and RTL has written down the value of its investment in the broadcaster from £500 million in 2007 to £112 million two years later.
Back to top
UK government backs private broadband
Private sector support can help deliver Europe's most advanced broadband within five years, says the UK culture secretary, he wants Europe's leading broadband infrastructure by 2015.
Jeremy Hunt told the all-party parliamentary media group that private sector investment will help expand the reach of next-generation web services across the country. He hopes that broadband providers such as BT, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, 3 and Orange will increase their investment in UK broadband, enabling wider access to faster download speeds.
The minister said that by creating an appropriate regulatory framework, the government can encourage the private sector to offer the high broadband speeds demanded by the growing digital economy.
However, he noted that there will still be a role for public money despite the coalition government's austerity measures, especially when it comes to providing high-speed broadband in rural areas. "The market won't deliver comprehensive coverage and there will be a role for public support," Hunt noted.
Back to top
Deutsche Telekom personalised football service
Deutsche Telekom has revealed plans to offer customers of its IPTV service 'T-Home Entertain' the option to follow a personalised selection of live matches from the German Bundesliga during the 2010/2011 season.
All subscribers to the Bundesliga package will be able to choose between the country's standard method of watching games being held simultaneously (where coverage alternates between important moments in the different matches as they happen) and a hand-picked selection of their chosen teams.
Once users have set up their personal selection, they can watch the main game in full-screen mode, with an event alarm popping up every time something of relevance occurs in the secondary games The service will be available to all subscribers of the ‘LIGA total’ package at no extra charge.
Back to top
TNTSAT sees strong growthSES Astra, an SES company, has revealed that the French digital terrestrial channel offer on satellite, TNTSAT, broadcast via Astra, continues to show strong growth with a total of 2.3 million receivers sold at the end of June 2010. Between June 2009 and June 2010 alone 800,000 receivers were sold. The channel offer was launched in March 2007.
With TNTSAT, viewers are able to receive all programmes of the French digital terrestrial offer: 18 free-to-air programmes, France O, the 24 regional channels of France 3 as well as four free-to-air channels in HD. In order to receive these programmes, households only need a satellite dish pointed to an Astra satellite. There is no subscription or decoder rental fee for the service.
Back to top
World Cup boosts ITV revenue but few watch finalThe World Cup has see advertising revenues for ITV up 45 per cent on its flagship channel in June compared with the same month in 2009.
The football tournament was the main reason for a performance that went well beyond the predictions of the most bullish analyst, but the fact that the previous year’s revenues hit their nadir in June also boosted the figures. ITV1 saw sales increase 16 per cent in July and forward bookings for August are up 11 per cent, according to reports.
However, of the 20 million Britons who watched the World Cup final only about one sixth did so on ITV.
Back to top
Measuring US mobile TV marketThe Open Mobile Video Coalition, the consortium of some 900 TV stations that has been driving mobile DTV development since 2007, is employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques to gauge consumer feedback in its "Consumer Showcase" in Washington, D.C., which launched in May. The data will be crucial to defining broadcasters' business models for mobile DTV going forward.
The trial involves nine DC-area TV stations broadcasting 23 mobile DTV channels throughout the Washington-Baltimore viewing area, with Gannett's WUSA serving as a network operations centre. Some 160 Sprint wireless subscribers are receiving the mobile DTV signals on specially equipped Samsung Moment cellphones, and as of late June, another 200 consumers are now getting them on prototype Dell netbooks with mobile DTV chips.
The trial participants are being measured qualitatively by Harris Interactive, which is using a Facebook-style social media tool called an online community. Participants are required to answer three or four questions a week which are posted by a moderator, and also have the option of making voluntary comments on the service, explains Harris Interactive VP Aaron Heffron.
While the trial is still in its early stages, Harris Interactive has already assembled some 4,000 comments to date and shared some initial findings. They include: nearly two-thirds of viewing (63 per cent) is being done "on the go," compared with 44 per cent occurring at work or school; just one-third (33 per cent) of viewers say they watch mobile DTV at home. Also, just under half of viewers say they watch one or two times a day, while under 30 per cent of viewers say they watch three or more times a day.
Later this month, Harris Interactive will start to combine its qualitative findings with quantitative measurements from Rentrak, which already measures mobile consumption, including streaming video and text messaging, for big programmers like NBCU. Rentrak has installed a software agent on the smartphones and netbooks used in the trial, which captures viewing data (consumers have to opt in) and then transmits it over an IP backchannel to its servers.
The US Patent and Trademark Office issued a "notice of suspension" to Dish Network regarding its application to trademark "TV Everywhere," and the agency cited Time Warner Inc.'s prior application to trademark "On Demand Everywhere" as potentially nullifying the satellite operator's claim on the term.Dish filed to trademark "TV Everywhere" in September 2009. At the time, the term was already being used generically by TV programmers and distributors to refer to authenticated video services available on devices other than traditional television sets, including by Time Warner.
Back to top
3DTVs will be mainstream by 2013
French video game company Ubisoft has reiterated their belief in 3D TV, confident that the technology will become mainstream in just a few years.
Ubisoft's UK Head of Marketing Murray Pannell compared the uptake of 3D TVs to the success of High Definition TV sets that are now widely available. The adoption of 3DTV "will start slowly," he said. "But like HDTV, I wouldn't rule out the fact that this will be installed in everyone's living room in three years' time".
Back to top
Suddenlink and TiVo distribution agreementSuddenlink Communications, the eighth largest cable broadband company in the US, and TiVo, have entered into a strategic relationship for Suddenlink to distribute co-branded, TiVo Premiere DVRs as well as non-DVR STBs.
TiVo Premiere is TiVo's latest generation STB that unifies linear television, DVR functionality, VOD, and Internet delivered video into a single experience --all framed in a HD user interface based on Adobe Flash technology. Suddenlink plans to begin deploying the TiVo STBs to its customers later this year, including a multi-room DVR solution developed by TiVo. Suddenlink and TiVo also intend to collaborate on the development of a next generation "whole home" solution for deployment by Suddenlink in 2011.
Back to top
IneoQuest introduces Cricket DVB-T monitoring probeIneoQuest Technologies, the global provider of advanced video quality and service assurance solutions, announced the new Cricket² DVB-T monitoring probe, a powerful yet cost-effective system for continuous real-time verification of digital terrestrial television distribution. This highly advanced probe is the latest addition to the comprehensive Cricket portfolio and, when coupled with the established IneoQuest ASI and IP probes, provides a welcome DVB-T extension to enable the full end-to-end monitoring of DTT networks.
Back to top
ruwido enhances tau remote controlruwido austria has launched a new model of its award-winning ‘tau’ remote control device, which has been enhanced with a capacitive sensor for greater navigation functionality and improved ease of use. The enhanced model’s touch cursor enables the user to navigate on-screen menus, change channel and adjust volume simply by swiping a finger across the surface of the device. LED lights provide visual feedback for accurate use. The new model also features a USB connection that can be used to recharge the integrated battery and enables future software and database upgrades to be downloaded to the device.
Monday 12th July
Five quits Project Canvas
Hulu pay set for global expansion
Panasonic movie-on-demand service
PCCW applies for free-to-air TV licence In HK
China to renew Google licence
Global IPTV service revenue to hit $46bn by 2014
Regulator may drop most charges against Canal Plus
Rentrak teams with Experian
Altech UEC rolling out VAST certified STBs in Australia
Five quits Project Canvas
From Colin Mann in LondonUK broadcaster Five has pulled out of Project Canvas, the open IPTV platform, meaning that the remaining partners – the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva – will have to bear Five’s share of the costs of creating and supporting the set-top box software. The BBC Trust has indicated that the cost of Project Canvas, including development, launch, and the first four years' running costs, will be £115.6 million.
Although Five – which has been put up for sale by owner RTL - still intends to make its content available via the service, it has withdrawn from membership of Canvas’ operating consortium, pending a broader review of its digital investment strategy. Charles Constable, Director of Strategy at Five said: "We continue to support the objectives of Project Canvas and despite withdrawing our interest in the venture, we believe it will be a critical part of our strategy for reaching consumers in the future."
The BBC’s Richard Halton, Project Canvas Director said: "We've had excellent support from Five. They share our goal of bringing the benefits of Internet-connected TV to all. We look forward to working with them as a content provider to the platform in the future."
Halton recently set out details of the next steps in the Project Canvas proposition, following the authorisation given by the BBC Trust. As such, the remaining partners are expected to formalise an independent joint venture during the summer; the final aspects of the common specification will be shared in August 2010, with the programme for engaging content and service providers established in the autumn of 2010. The project had been expected to unveil the brand name ‘YouView’ imminently, with service launch scheduled for 2011.
Back to top
Hulu pay set for global expansionHulu plans to launch a subscription service internationally following the recent US release of the service. It says Hulu Plus, which allows viewers to watch full series of shows on a range of devices for $9.99 per month, has already attracted thousands of subscribers. The Hulu application, which is required to run the paid service on Apple’s iPhone or iPad, was the most downloaded application from Apple’s Apps store in its first six days of release.
Jason Kilar, Hulu’s chief executive, tried to placate pay-TV operator fears of chord cutting, telling the FT the two could co-exist. "It’s inaccurate to consider Hulu as a substitute for cable or pay TV services.
Hulu would never compete with pay-TV operators for live sports rights or for premium content only available on paid-for cable channels, such as HBO. You have to think of Hulu to a smartphone as cable TV is to a laptop ... this is about a need that’s going unmet."
Back to top
Panasonic movie-on-demand serviceIn partnership with the VOD specialist Acetrax, Panasonic has revealed its forthcoming movie-on-demand service. The Acetrax application is now available via Panasonic's 'Viera Cast' web portal and although the application is currently available only to the latest G20 screens and above, the number of compatible devices is likely to expand. The Acetrax service will be available to 'Viera Cast' enabled Blu-ray players from this September.
With Paramount, Warner and Universal on board, owners of 'Viera Cast' enabled Panasonic TVs will enjoy a selection of over 20,000 films. Users will have the option to buy and keep the film in digital format.
Films that are purchased are stored in a digital locker, and can also be viewed through a PC or Mac. Users will get a WMV copy of the movie rather than just an option to stream, retaining a digital copy while streaming from a digital locker on the TV.
At the moment films to buy are priced at up to £10.99 (E13). Films to rent come in at between £1.49 and £3.49 and expire after 24 hours.
Users will be able to register up to four devices to one account (eg Blu-ray player, TV, PC) and films are streamed using the VC1 Advanced codec which gives "DVD quality"
Back to top
PCCW applies for free-to-air TV licence In HKPCCW has submitted an application to the Hong Kong government for a licence to provide free-to-air television services in the city, joining i-Cable Communications and City Telecom in seeking to break a duopoly held by Television Broadcasts and Asia Television.
PCCW, Hong Kong's dominant fixed-line telecommunications services operator, said the capital and operating expenditure for its free-to-air TV services would be about HK$600 million in the first three years.
The company said it proposes broadcasting a 24-hour free Cantonese-language TV channel on a spare territory-wide ultra-high-frequency channel. PCCW's Now TV already operates pay TV services over the company's high-speed broadband network in the city.
Pay-television operator i-Cable Communications and broadband telecommunications services provider City Telecom applied for licences to operate free-to-air TV services in Hong Kong earlier this year. The government is still looking into their applications.
Back to top
China to renew Google licenceThe Chinese government has renewed Google's licence to operate in China ending a long-running stand-off between the two. Last month, Google said it would no longer automatically redirect users in a conciliatory move towards Beijing.
Instead, Chinese users would be sent to a "landing page", which would send them to the Hong Kong site.
"We are very pleased that the government has renewed our ICP (internet content provider) licence and we look forward to continuing to provide web search and local products to our users in China," Google's lawyer David Drummond said in a statement.
Back to top
Global IPTV service revenue to hit $46bn by 2014Multimedia Research Group (MRG) has revealed that its updated report on global annual growth shows IPTV subscribers will reach 102 million in 2014, a 25 per cent CAGR.
Despite economic hardship in some countries, robust Broadband and IPTV investments have been driving growth as a means to meet and outperform Cable and Satellite competition. IPTV Operators are using fibre in HD markets and advanced DSL such as channel bonding and VDSL2 in other (less competitive) markets. As a result, Telcos have been discreetly improving their IPTV bandwidth capacity to sub-markets that need upgrades without overspending in markets that don’t require immediate upgrading.
The Eastern European IPTV market is moving quickly to early maturity, while ROW markets show faster gains than other regions. "As late as 2007, Eastern Europe had only a few IPTV trials or start-ups. Now, there are 16 fully operating IPTV Operators and another 3-6 in trial," says Jose Alvear, IPTV Analyst with MRG. "These Operators continue to grow their service base, because they have much greater technical and creative control over their service than their Cable competition." By 2014, Europe will have 45 per cent of the global market, Asia 31 per cent, North America 19 per cent and ROW about 5 per cent.
High ARPUs still favour Europe and US IPTV markets, with largest service and systems revenues also coming from these regions. Of the specific CapEx items tracked by the report, expenditures will grow from $3.1 billion in 2010 to $5.1 billion in 2014, while Service Revenue will grow from $17.5 billion to $46 billion in 2014. Over 50 companies are profiled in the report, including many emerging markets in Eastern Europe and ROW. Despite many obstacles and competition, 23 IPTV SPs (mostly in Asia and Europe) will have exceeded the million-subscriber mark by 2014. "For many IPTV Operators, STBs make up over 70 per cent of CapEx expenditures," says Alvear. "Therefore we can expect greater penetration of integrated hybrid, IPTV, and OTT STBs (including connected TVs with STBs embedded in TV Sets)."
Back to top
Regulator may drop most charges against Canal PlusFrance’s competition regulator may drop most of the accusations against Canal Plus following a recommendation by head regulator Virginie Beaumeunier, French newspaper La Tribune reported.
The authority is likely to accept Beaumenunier’s recommendation not to challenge agreements made when Canal Plus bought rival pay-TV company TPS in 2006. This would greatly reduce Canal Plus’s potential liability to fines, according to the newspaper.
Canal Plus is still being investigated and could be fined over claims it has not respected commitments made at the time of the purchase.
Back to top
Rentrak teams with ExperianRentrak, a specilaist in multi-screen media measurement serving the advertising and entertainment industries, has announced that it will offer its customers access to Experian Simmons national and local consumer purchase propensity data through an integration with Rentrak's national and local viewership measurement services, TV Essentials and StationView Essentials.
The combination of Experian Simmons' behavioural propensities with Rentrak's second-by-second viewing data sourced from 17 million televisions will greatly improve the ability of advertisers to match their spots against programmes that their target customers actually watch.
Back to top
Altech UEC rolling out VAST certified STBs in AustraliaAltech UEC, the Durban based developer of digital STBs and interactive software solutions announced has been appointed to supply High HD satellite STBs for the initial phase of the Australian Viewer Access Satellite Television, or VAST service. VAST is a $200 million government-funded service that launched in July 2010 and is aimed at providing HD satellite television coverage for consumers that fall outside the digital terrestrial broadcast footprint.
Back to top
