RGB Networks, a specialist in network video processing, has confirmed that its Video Multiprocessing Gateway (VMG) has been deployed by XIT Communications, a rural telecommunications cooperative that serves six counties in Northwest Texas, to transcode the programming it receives in the MPEG-2 format into MPEG-2/H.264 that its network can deliver to subscribers. The VMG is […]
On December 7th a Russian Proton rocket suffered a serious malfunction and three satellites it was carrying tumbled into the Pacific Ocean after launch. The Glonass satellites would have served Russia’s GPS navigation. A formal Board of Inquiry has been set up to determine the cause of the failure. However, this will take some […]
BSkyB is closing its music subscription service Sky Songs after it failed to gain any traction with consumers. Launched in October 2009 it offered unlimited music streaming for £6.49 a month (€7.67), later reduced to £4.99 but it failed to make any impact on a market dominated subscription services like Spotify and track sales service […]
As news of Sky Songs being abandoned breaks, it appears Spotify is considering a new service via Virgin’s new TiVo STB. It could be the first ‘add-on’ service for the UK version; in the US TiVo carries subscription options for several third parties including Live365, MusicChoice and Netflix. Spotify has been trying to […]
Avail-TVN, a digital media services company in North America, has published the results of a survey measuring consumer behaviours and attitudes toward VOD. In the survey, conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, nearly two-thirds of consumers – 63 per cent – say that availability of television programme episodes on-demand makes them more likely to watch […]
Dailymotion has launched a new section on its website offering catch-up TV content from several French broadcasters. The video sharing website has so far made agreements with BFM TV, M6, W9, NRJ 12, France4, France 24 and Arte to stream their programming. Programmes will be available for seven days after live broadcast. The service is […]
Middle East pay-TV operator Orbit Showtime Network is about to initiate an improved conditional access system designed to disable an estimated five million pirates, many viewing on so-called Dreambox receivers. Owners of Dreambox units use the internet to update the latest pirate software to view encrypted programming. Orbit Showtime (OSN), which merged their rival services […]
Canada’s Cogeco Cable has entered into agreements with INVIDI Technologies and Channel Zero to trial the INVIDI Advatar addressable targeted advertising system with TV broadcaster CHCH. The Advatar system enables television advertisers to deliver tailored messaging to individual households during a commercial break. This technology uses public domain demographic information to accurately pinpoint consumer needs […]
Many illegal file sharers believe they are the ‘Robin Hoods of the digital age’ and are motivated by altruism and a desire for notoriety, according to analysis of people motivations illegally download digital media. The research by Joe Cox, from the University of Portsmouth Business School, is the first study to distinguish between the characteristics, […]
Al Jazeera English has confirmed that the channel has been granted a downlinking licence to broadcast in India. The decision, which was made by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, allows cable and satellite companies in India to add Al Jazeera English to their current line-up of channels. The announcement from the Indian Government follows […]