From Colin Mann in London Future assessment of the UK’s wireless spectrum should take into account whether optimum use is being made of broadcasting spectrum in an age of widespread broadband data, according to Ed Richards, CEO of Ofcom. “We need to continue to ensure that spectrum is put to good use for all our […]
Archie Norman, the new chairman of ITV, is reportedly considering plans to charge for the broadcaster’s spin-off digital channels ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4. Despite Norman not joining the company until January, a number of reports hinted at the direction in which he is preparing to take ITV. 'City sources' told newspapers Norman believes it was […]
General Electric and Vivendi are apparently $1 billion apart in their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal, damping hopes of a quick resolution to the stand-off holding up Comcast's bid for a majority stake in the group. GE and Comcast, the cable operator that wants to take a 51 per cent stake […]
Michael Barry, Head of Programming at UK telco BT, has confirmed that the next set-top box to be issued for its hybrid DTT/IPTV service BT Vision will be capable of receiving Freeview HD terrestrial channels. Freeview HD broadcasts will start to become available in the UK from next month, starting in the Granada region and […]
Following the demise of Joost, the other internet video aggregator service Babelgum is shutting its Dublin HQ. There are also reports that offices in London, Milan and New York will be consolidated. Babelgum told paidContent:UK: “This decision allows Babelgum to streamline its approach, improve its cost effectiveness and ensure its continued growth in future years. […]
The Government's introduction of the Digital Britain bill on Friday last week will “secure the UK's position as a world-leading digital economy”, say ministers. “We need to make sure copyright and the systems around it work in the digital era.” The Government was “likely to get this bill through” they say but others doubt it […]
Channel 4 is looking to extend its brand online with more standalone web content – unrelated to its TV shows – and is considering content charging models. Kevin Lygo, the director of content and television at Channel 4, outlined changes to the broadcaster’s public service remit referred to in the Digital Economy Bill. These include […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid Spanish operators are relying on HDTV services to give a boost to the deadlocked pay-TV market. Telefonica is launching its new VDSL services for over 2 million homes with a higher broadband speed (30 and 25 Megabites), including triple play and, from December, HDTV services such as AXN HD […]
Netflix has acquired the rights to an initial 53 indie movies from the Independent Film Channel (IFC). The movies are available to Netflix customers immediately for streaming, and more titles will be added in the future.
To coincide with its third birthday, Bluewin TV, the Swiss IPTV service, is rebranding as Swisscom TV. The product name change is part of the strengthening of the Swisscom umbrella brand which took place in 2008. Three years after its launch it has acquired over 200,000 customers.