The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to investigate Qatar’s allegations of intellectual property breaches against Saudi Arabia, dismissing the latter’s objection over what it said were national security concerns. The WTO has agreed “to establish a panel to rule on Saudi Arabia’s alleged failure to provide adequate protection of intellectual property rights”. Qatar claims that […]
A group of 18 key industry players across the audio-visual and sport sectors have welcomed the recognition of the European Institutions of the importance of territorial exclusivity in the EU’s Online Broadcasting Directive but remain concerned about the introduction of the Country of Origin principle. In a joint statement, the signatories say: “We take note […]
Fifty per cent or more of consumers are streaming video content at least once a week via a Smart TV/external streaming device, mobile device, a computer, or a laptop, according to findings in the 2018 Global Consumer Streaming Habits Survey, from cloud services for video provider Brightcove, which analyses consumption preferences across generations when it […]
An annual survey on US consumer video viewing habits from advisory firm Altman Vilandrie & Company indicates that more than 60 per cent of US viewers now subscribe to paid video services, with a majority subscribing to at least one video service and a pay-TV provider. Furthermore, 63 per cent of all viewers selected live […]
Avanti Communications has had to enter Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the US as part of its recent financial restructuring. Chapter 15 is a section of the US bankruptcy code that deals with jurisdiction and under Chapter 15 a business based outside the US can obtain access to the US courts and the formula is used […]
South Korea’s overall video and TV market spend is on track to achieve 8 per cent growth in 2018, ending the year at 7.8 trillion KRW, ($7bn), according to the latest Video Insights country report from research and knowledge-based consulting company Futuresource Consulting. “South Korea ranks as one of the world’s ten largest video entertainment […]
Telefónica’s pay-TV platform Movistar has cancelled the transmissions of its eSports TV channel, Movistar eSports. All its content will now instead be made available through other channels, including #Vamos, and through VoD. The channel was launched two years ago aiming to satisfy an expanding market and turn eSports into key content. Netflix integration on the […]
Satellite operator SES has raised a total of €400 million in a syndication of Schuldschein Loans. A Schuldschein loan is one that does not need to have a new prospectus issued, and can replace a private placement. They tend to cost less than a bond issue. The SES borrowing comprises a €150 million 5.5-year floating […]
Freeview and Digital UK have announced that the total number of Freeview Play devices sold in the UK has now surpassed five million. Freeview Play was launched in 2015 to provide viewers with access to live, catch up and on-demand programming. Freeview has also revealed that over three million of these devices are being used […]
RTL Group has announced the combination of Divimove and UFA X, effective January 1st 2019, into one integrated organisation for the production, aggregation and monetisation of short-form video content in Europe. Going forward, UFA X with its offices in Berlin and Cologne will enhance Divimove’s capabilities in digital storytelling and format development. The combination follows […]