Warner Bros has announced it will be launching a number of branded, video-on-demand, non-linear channels on a subscription- and advertiser-supported basis over a variety of global delivery platforms. The on-demand and broadband models make financial sense, says Jeffrey Schlesinger, Warner Bros International's president. “The costs here are much lower than creating a linear channel. You […]
Research published by Informa shows that nearly 54 million digital TV households will be added in 2007, bringing the global total to 239 million. The report forecasts that digital penetration of TV households will reach 22 per cent by year-end. The North American penetration rate will exceed 68 per cent, with Western Europe at 52 […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid The launch of DVB-H mobile TV in Spain has been put on hold until the next Government’s mandate following the general elections in March 2008. The General Secretary of Telecommunications, Francisco Ros, confirmed that the DVB-H mobile TV plans “stand adjourned”. The lack of a specific legal framework which […]
RTL Group has signed an agreement with Luxembourg-based Continental Finance Group (CFG) to build up a joint venture for the production, operation and distribution of thematic, non-terrestrial TV channels in Russia and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). According to the agreement, RTL Group will purchase 50 per cent of the shares of Content […]
S2M (satellite to mobile), a Dubai-based company specialising in satellite broadcasting, is planning to launch the region’s first satellite-to-mobile TV service in the MENA region early next year. S2M will launch its own satellite, allowing TV and radio stations to broadcast across the Middle East and North Africa. The company will combine satellite technology with […]
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) is conducting a public consultation from now till January 4th 2008 to seek feedback on the Authority's proposed policy and regulatory framework for mobile TV services. The move to facilitate the commercial deployment of mobile TV in Singapore – coming soon after the successful commercial deployment of High-Definition […]
TV Guide Mobile has reached an agreement with mobile service Helio to provide TV guidance, editorial commentary and entertainment news directly to its members' wireless devices. The deal with Helio — a joint venture of SK Telecom and EarthLink that provides voice and data services over a national third-generation network — will allow its members […]
Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK, the body overseeing the digital switchover, is stepping down. Ennals is leaving to become president of Cole Hann, the footwear and leather-goods division of Nike. The move is a return to the US for Ennals, who was previously a senior vice-president of worldwide marketing at Reebok. Ennals sought […]
The broadcast value chain is undergoing a significant transformation as digital workflows, HD and traditional IT infrastructure revolutionise the TV industry. The movement is creating immense challenges and opportunities for broadcasters as they fight to adapt to multi channel and multi platform distribution. In a new report, 'The Evolving Broadcast Value Chain', Datamonitor, independent market […]
From Branislav Pekic in Rome Mediaset has announced the launch of two new free-to-air digital terrestrial TV channels. Launching on November 30, Iris will be dedicated to cinema, theatre and opera. It will be able to count on a movie archive with more than 1,000 titles, but the schedule will also include sitcoms, TV series, […]