Communications industry players, consumer bodies and legislators have lined up to offer their comments on President Barack Obama’s call for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality. Not unsurprisingly, some of the most trenchant criticism comes from Republican politicians who will be seeking to thwart the President’s […]
When prospective Republican Presidential nominee Ted Cruz was searching for an insult to describe President Obama’s clear support of the Neutral Netters he spat out “It’s Obamacare for the Internet”. That’s a phrase guaranteed to jar like fingernails down a blackboard over here in Europe. We (in the UK and the US) are two nations […]
Research from Parks Associates into the European pay-TV industry and the ‘Internet of Things’ shows adoption of PC-to-TV connections in Europe exceeds adoption in the US. Among broadband households, 54 per cent in Spain and 38 per cent in the UK and
Discovery Communications and Sony are reportedly to end their India joint-venture in the face to new regulations. Media regulator TRAI has forbidden the bundling of TV channels to more than one broadcaster. The 12-year joint venture, Multi Screen Media Discovery, in which Sony holds the lion’s share (74 per cent), is separating and each former […]
DirecTV is litigating in Los Angeles Superior Court against Al Jazeera America. The case alleges that news channel Al Jazeera Americas is not what it signed up to carry. The case, in essence, goes back to former Vice President Al Gore’s $500 million sale of Current TV to Al Jazeera, and where the news broadcaster […]
According to Peter Ostapiuk, Vice President, Media Product Management at satellite operator Intelsat, Push Video-on-Demand can be an effective way of delivering and monetising content in the African region. In a Blog post, Ostapiuk notes
Mobile data connections and services are growing strongly in Africa, but the continent continues to lag behind most of the rest of the world in terms of high-speed broadband connectivity, according to research by global analyst firm Ovum. The number of mobile subscriptions in Africa continues to grow faster than in any other major world […]
Discovery Networks International is realigning its European operations into three business clusters with the aim of unlocking new growth opportunities, maximising operational effectiveness and increasing revenue across the continent and beyond. JB Perrette, President, Discovery Networks International, said that Discovery Communications had achieved tremendous success outside the US by driving organic growth and complementing it […]
Notwithstanding a ruling by South Africa’s Western Cape High Court to suspend broadcasting its adult channels, Johannesburg-based On Digital Media (ODM) is to continue transmissions of Playboy TV and two other channels. The Court found that regulator ICASA’s approval for the broadcaster to transmit the channels was “flawed”. However, the ruling was made in favour […]
A gang of veteran TV execs have teamed to launch Justice Network, a free-to-air US multicast channel that will focus on true-crime programming. The team includes founder Lonnie Cooper, a founder of Bounce TV. Steve Schiffman, former president of National Geographic Channels is acting as CEO of the company whilst the head of distribution is […]