Advanced Television

Another hold-up for South Africa DSO?

South Africa’s much-promised and long-delayed digital switch over risks being held up again. The problem on this occasion is a Court action by eTV, South Africa’s 5th terrestrial broadcaster. The Pretoria High Court ruled November 6th that eTV could mount an appeal against the government’s DTT policy. The appeal would be before South Africa’s Supreme […]

November 10, 2015By Chris Forrester

TF1 confirms Newen acquisition

Following the confirmation at the end of October that it was likely to take a majority stake in production company Newen, French commercial broadcaster TF1 and FLCP, the holding company of the Newen group, have signed an agreement under which TF1 will acquire a 70 per cent equity interest in FLCP, with the existing shareholders […]

November 10, 2015

Canada: Record TV subs loss

Canada’s publicly traded television service providers combined lost almost seven times more TV subscribers in the nine‐month period ended September 30th 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, according to research from consulting firm Boon Dog. The big TV service providers combined lost a record 153,000 TV subscribers in their respective three fiscal 2015 […]

November 10, 2015

ICASA allows ODM business transfer

On Digital Media (ODM), the South African pay-TV broadcaster, is being allowed to transfer its transmission licences to Star Times Group.  South Africa media regulator ICASA approved the transfer November 9th. ODM traded as TopTV. The transfer is also a major step forward in ending the complex and troubled transfer of the business to StarTimes […]

November 10, 2015By Chris Forrester

TWC in Roku IP streaming trial

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has launched The TWC TV Roku Trial in New York City, its first IP-only video trial. Participants will experience TWC’s video service delivered through its secure and managed network using a Roku Streaming Player rather than leasing a traditional set-top box. As an incentive for participating in the trial, participants will […]

November 10, 2015

Russia “eavesdropping” on satellite operations

A mysterious Russian satellite has spent the past few weeks getting altogether much too close to some well-known international satellite operators. The Russian satellite, called ‘Luch’, launched back in September 2014 and in April popped up within a half-degree of Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 901 satellites orbiting 36,000 kilometres above the Equator. The US Dept. […]

November 10, 2015By Chris Forrester

Sling TV offers legal alternative to TVpad

In the wake of federal court action and subsequent enforcement efforts to shut down the distribution of pirated content via the “TVpad” streaming device, Sling TV has announced a promotion to help connect US-based fans of Chinese television with a legal, reliable source of popular programming. Earlier this year, DISH Network (of which Sling TV […]

November 10, 2015

Arabsat/ISRO ready for launch

November 10th should see a giant Ariane 5 rocket lift off with two passengers on a dual launch mission. Arabsat-6B (aka BADR-7), along with Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSAT-15, are scheduled for launch with the 43-minute launch window opening at 6.34 pm (French Guiana time (21.34 GMT, 4.34 pm EST. The two satellites have […]

November 10, 2015By Chris Forrester

Amazon Video now on UK Roku

Streaming media service Roku has confirmed the launch of Amazon Video on the Roku streaming platform in the UK. Amazon Video offers Roku customers access to more than 50,000 popular and new release movies and TV episodes they can instantly rent or buy, while Amazon Prime members can stream a library of more than 15,000 […]

November 10, 2015

Net Insight enters OTT market

Net Insight, a provider of live, interactive and on-demand media transport, today announces that the company is entering the OTT market to solve the live OTT streaming challenges stunting the growth of this market opportunity. Net Insight is uniquely positioned to bring real-time delivery of content, which enables true live OTT distribution, supporting and encouraging […]

November 10, 2015