Advanced Television

Samsung tops US 4K set sales

Findings from Parks Associates indicate that by mid-2015, more Samsung 4K TV sets were sold in the US than any other brand. Samsung accounted for 28 per cent of 4K TV purchases made within the last 12 months to US broadband households. Best Buy was the leading retailer, capturing more than 40 per cent of […]

December 3, 2015

Rovi: TV, streaming 3rd biggest time commitment

Rovi has released phase-two findings from a sponsored survey of pay-TV and OTT content subscribers in the US, Europe, and Asia. The study uncovered trends in viewer behaviours related to discovery, search, and recommendations for entertainment content and programming. While phase one

December 3, 2015

Sky invests in MCN TV4 Entertainment

Sky has joined the growing roster of broadcasters backing Multi Channel Networks (MCNs) by investing $0.3 million, via convertible debt security, in LA-based TV4 Entertainment which owns a growing portfolio of special-interest television channels aimed at audiences which are typically underserved by traditional TV companies. The channels are distributed across multiple online platforms in the […]

December 3, 2015

Star India wins new India licences

India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has doled out nine new channel operating licences, plus permitting four to be transferred from Maa TV Networks for Star India. Maa TV was acquired by 21st Century Fox back in February for $375 million. The new Maa channels now re-licensed are Maa TV, Maa Movies, Maa Music […]

December 3, 2015By Chris Forrester

Brazil gives preliminary approval to ARRIS-Pace deal

Following earlier confirmation that the US Department of Justice had closed its antitrust investigation into ARRIS’s proposed $2.1 billion (€1.96bn) acquisition of digital TV and broadband technology solutions provider Pace, a further obstacle to the deal’s confusion has been removed with the confirmation of preliminary approval, without restrictions, from Brazil’s competition authority CADE. The clearance […]

December 3, 2015

Sea Launch for sale

Reports out of Moscow say that struggling launch operator Sea Launch is either up for sale or is seeking an investor to take over a portion of the business. Russian news agency TASS says that Sea Launch’s running costs are around $30 million annually. Sea Launch provides an assembly and floating launch platform (a converted […]

December 3, 2015By Chris Forrester

Snoopy touts Moments Worth Paying For

Snoopy and Charlie Brown are championing the value of the big screen experience and enjoying all those great moments worth paying for with their friends, all in support of pro-copyright consumer education body the Industry Trust for IP Awareness’s successful Moments Worth Paying For campaign. The exclusive Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie trailer […]

December 3, 2015By Colin Mann

Freesat adds UKTV channels

Cable and satellite programmer UKTV is launching three channels on subscription-free satellite TV platform Freesat, marking the next step in its platform growth strategy. Yesterday, Drama and Really will be available to users of the service. “We work hard to secure platform deals that give more people our channels, and ultimately grow UKTV’s footprint,” said […]

December 3, 2015

Yentob steps down as BBC creative director

Alan Yentob has resigned as the BBC’s creative director following controversy over his role as chairman of the Kids Company charity. Yentob has faced scrutiny for his role in its financial mismanagement and faced claims that he tried to influence BBC coverage of the charity’s demise. He said the speculation was “proving a serious distraction” […]

December 3, 2015

IMAX expands in Japan

Giant screen specialist IMAX is to expand in Japan, and has signed a 10-screen agreement with local cinema operator Toho Cinemas. The deal is its largest-ever in Japan IMAX says that Japan is a top territory on a revenue per screen basis, with an average revenue of $1.2 million per screen, and which places Japan […]

December 3, 2015By Chris Forrester