Advanced Television

STUDY: OTT will exceed $20bn in 2014

A forecast from MRG projects that global growth of OTT video services will exceed $1 billion in 2010 and US$20 billion in 2014, based on over 40 OTT Service Operators and Device Vendors profiled. “This is the most complete available analysis of connected OTT smart devices offering both live and on-demand video services,” says Mike […]

November 30, 2010

TF1, M6, Canal+ Free may break EU rules

France has two months to respond to European Union complaints that free channels awarded to Canal Plus, TF1 and M6 could violate competition rules. The manner in which the channels were granted, to compensate for the switch from analogue to digital television, could violate European Commission rules of transparency and non- discrimination. France’s culture ministry […]

November 30, 2010

Sky bid may have EU probe

News Corp’s bid to acquire the shares in BSkyB that it does not already own is to be reviewed by the EU competition regulator, now the UK’s own Office of Fair Trading has not sought jurisdiction over the case. The OFT had a deadline of November 26th to ask the EU for permission to review […]

November 30, 2010

Hylas 1 “well on target”

Hylas 1, owned by Avanti Communications, was launched on Nov 29 into orbit aboard an Arianespace rocket. Avanti’s CEO David Williams says he is confident that his company’s three-year plan to fill the craft is on schedule, and that a second Hylas will be launched in 2012. There could also be a third satellite ordered. […]

November 30, 2010By Chris Forrester

Magna brings Bridge Technologies to Australia

Bridge Technologies has announced a partnership with Sydney-based broadcast supplier and integrator Magna Systems & Engineering, for sales and support of the VideoBRIDGE line of digital media monitoring products in Australia. Magna Systems is one of the leading integrators in Australia and the Pacific Rim, and a major distributor for blue-chip broadcast manufacturers. “Bridge Technologies […]

November 30, 2010

TechniSat wins Freesat HD award

Judged by the editors of What Satellite & Digital TV, Home Cinema Choice, and consumer technology website Techradar.com, the Freesat Product Awards 2010 reward innovation across the categories of Freesat HD, Freesat + Recorders, and TVs. Products were acknowledged for excellent design, build quality, AV performance, and for including features that exceed the Freesat specification […]

November 30, 2010

ACCESS, Vestel Power ASTRA’s HbbTV

ACCESS, the provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, and Vestel Electronics announced that they have incorporated ACCESS’ NetFront Browser DTV Profile HbbTV Edition in the new Vestel HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) set-top box (STB). This new device will enable consumers to receive satellite operator SES ASTRA’s new […]

November 30, 2010

UK’s Arqiva to expand overseas

UK-based satellite services specialist Arqiva is going through some internal changes, with existing CEO Tom Bennie stepping down once a new CEO is found, and seeing Nick Thompson looking after its newly merged terrestrial broadcast, satellite & media division (and Steve Holebrook running mobile, government & enterprise). Thompson now says that with solid revenue numbers […]

November 30, 2010

Judge rejects TVCatchup case

A UK judge has dismissed an application by TV re-streaming site TVCatchup to throw out a copyright case brought against it by Britain’s broadcasters, saying that “the claim does have a real prospect of success”. The website has been re-streaming live TV channels for two years ago. ITV, Channel 4 and Five in June filed […]

November 29, 2010

Sky News to launch in Arabic

Sky News is to launch an Arabic-language version. Backed 50/50 by the wealthy Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corp, the new operation will be based alongside CNN’s new Abu Dhabi news bureau at twofour54, the fast-growing facility company. However, while CNN’s bureau has just a handful of local staff Sky News’ Arabic service will have some […]

November 29, 2010By Chris Forrester