Advanced Television

3D on Poland’s n

Platform ‘n’ will launch Poland’s first regular 3D TV service, to be called “nShow 3D.”  The new 3D service debuts on December 4th, with special live coverage of the European Boxing Union’s (EBU) heavyweight showdown between Poland’s Albert “The Dragon” Sosnowski and defending champion Alexander Dimitrenko. The announcement was made by Christian Anting, Platform ‘n’ […]

November 29, 2010

SES invests another $75m in O3b

O3b is a new satellite constellation that is promising fibre-like speeds from orbiting craft and providing broadband connectivity to “the Other 3 Billion” (O3b) of largely unconnected people and businesses either side of the Equator. SES already owns 34 per cent of O3b. SES will invest a further $75 million over the next3 years. O3b […]

November 29, 2010By Chris Forrester

German cable loses out to DTH and IPTV

The number of German TV households using cable TV has dropped from 57.6 per cent in 2005 to 52.7 per cent in 2010, according to a study by German magazine Focus. At the same time, the number of satellite TV households has grown from 41.2 per cent to 45.7 per cent and households using digital […]

November 29, 2010

Virgin unveils TiVo taster

The first images of Virgin Media’s new TiVo service have been released, showcasing a simple user interface for users to find their favourite programmes TiVo, the US DVR pioneer, is set to “revolutionise the way customers watch on-demand and pay-TV programmes,” promised Virgin Media when it first announced plans to offer the service. The new […]

November 29, 2010

Sirius-XM not looking abroad

Sirius-XM says it is looking for a partner in Mexico, but other than that it is not seeking to play an investment or ownership role in the international development of pay-radio. But it is looking to sell or license its skills internationally. So said David Frear, CFO and VP at Sirius-XM Radio, speaking at the […]

November 29, 2010By Chris Forrester

On demand takes toll on DVD

Sales and rentals of DVDs and Blu-ray discs fell by 7 per cent to $10.9 billion in the first nine months of this year compared with last year, according to the industry body The Digital Entertainment Group; and the British Video Association says DVD sales fell 5.6 per cent last year. The fall was most […]

November 29, 2010

Canada needs TV and telco marriage

Two of Canada’s largest companies say their marriage is the best way to keep Canadian content thriving. While regulators have not yet approved telco BCE’s  purchase of broadcaster CTV, both told a Canada parliamentary committee that their union is crucial. The companies say that without working together, neither can compete against a rapidly growing influx […]

November 29, 2010

Microsoft online TV plan

Microsoft is in talks with media companies to license TV networks for a new online pay-television subscription service through its Xbox and other devices reports the US press. Apparently Microsoft envisages a “virtual cable operator” delivered online for a monthly subscription. However some reports reference an alternate plan that sees the company cooperate with cablecos […]

November 29, 2010

Pirate Bay founders lose appeal

Pirate Bay’s co-founders have lost their appeal against convictions for encouraging illegal filesharing, and have had their collective fine increased by $2 million to $6.5 million. A Swedish appeals court ruled that Fredrik Neij, Peter Sunde and Carl Lundstrom remain guilty of helping Pirate Bay users illicitly share copyrighted music and film content via their […]

November 26, 2010

Shareholders attack Sky Deutschland

German shareholder representation group DSW has stated the board of Sky Deutschland has an obligation to take legal action against the company’s former management over its alleged misstating of subscriber numbers and its financial situation. Last week the company was castigated by financial regulator BaFin for allegedly overstating its subscriber figures and thereby misleading the […]

November 26, 2010