On January 31st an Intelsat satellite worth $406 million was lost just 40 seconds after lift-off from the Sea Launch floating rocket platform. The fault, in a Russian-built Zenith rocket, has now been identified, and Sea Launch says the launch platform is likely to return to business later this year. The failure has meant that […]
Espial, a specialist in on-demand TV software and solutions, has been granted US Patent No. 8,286,217 by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent covers technology that enables service providers to implement fast channel change (FCC) on set-top boxes and TVs powered by IPTV networks. Together with the current patent grant, Espial now has […]
Synacor, provider of next-gen startpages, TV Everywhere solutions and cloud-based Identity Management (IDM) services has expanded its relationship with Verizon to offer the company’s nearly 5 million FiOS TV subscribers access to TV shows and movies from one online destination. The My Verizon website now includes a simple search and discovery experience, easy authentication, and […]
SeaWell Networks, an expert in multiscreen video delivery solutions, has announced that Pete Thompson, Vice President of Microsoft Mediaroom, has joined the company’s Board of Directors. As the Vice President of Microsoft Mediaroom, a technology leader for IPTV platforms and visionary for multiscreen experiences, Thompson brings extensive market awareness, knowledge and experience to the SeaWell […]
Freesat, the UK’s FTA digital satellite television provider has announced strong 2012/13 results as the company celebrates its fifth anniversary. Having added around 150,000 homes in the last 12 months, Freesat lays claim to being the UK’s fastest growing established TV platform, and says it continues to outgrow pay-TV rivals. According to Freesat’s own customer […]
Hulu surpassed four million subscribers for its premium Hulu Plus service in Q1 — and for the first time streamed more than 1 billion videos in a quarter. The online TV provider generated record revenues of $695 million last year, up 65 per cent over 2011. CEO Andy Forrsell also revealed that mobile viewing will […]
Samsung is preparing to launch a £14 million (€17.3m) marketing campaign to promote the S Recommendation and Smart Interaction features of its Smart TV range. The eight-week TV element of the campaign begins straight away and will feature a stampede of Roman Centurions, American footballers, Maori Warriors, police cars and cheerleaders charging towards a man […]
US President Barack Obama is nominating venture capitalist and former wireless and cable lobbyist Tom Wheeler to head the Federal Communications Commission, according to the White House. After decades in and around Washington telecom circles, Wheeler is will take the reins of the FCC as the industry prepares for a major reshuffling of ownership of […]
Yahoo has dropped its bid for Dailymotion due to objections by the French government, according to reports. Yahoo had been in talks to buy a 75 per cent stake in Dailymotion, owned by France-Telecom Orange, in a deal that would have valued the video website at $300 million. But French government officials raised concerns that […]
Despite all the talk of cord-cutting, a report from Digital TV Research states that the number of pay TV subscribers in the US will continue to increase – albeit at a slow rate. However, the Digital TV North America report states that pay TV penetration will remain flat. Simon Murray, report author, said: “Most of […]