Advanced Television

RTL Group sells SpotX ad-tech unit

RTL Group is selling its US ad-tech business SpotX to Los Angeles-based sell-side advertising platform Magnite. The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q2. The purchase price consists of €468 million in cash and 14.0 million shares of Magnite stock. The agreement implies an enterprise value (100 […]

February 5, 2021

Research: US pay-TV subs want SVoD add-ons

Findings from research firm Parks Associates indicates that 60 per cent of pay-TV subscribers (accounting for nearly half of US broadband households) are interested in streaming movies and TV shows from an online video service as part of their pay-TV subscription. The company’s study, Pay TV: Perception, Adoption, and Retention, notes that pay-TV providers are […]

February 4, 2021

Ofcom revokes CGTN broadcast licence

Broadcast regulator Ofcom has withdrawn the licence for international English-language satellite news channel CGTN to broadcast in the UK, after its investigation concluded that the licence is wrongfully held by Star China Media Limited. In the UK, broadcasting laws made by Parliament state that broadcast licensees must have control over the licensed service – including […]

February 4, 2021By Colin Mann

BT Q3: Fibre, 5G progress

In reporting its results for the nine months to December 31st 2020, multiplay telco BT has claimed progress in its fibre and 5G deployment. Its digital infrastructure subsidiary Openreach’s FTTP network now reaches 4.1 million premises, built at an average run rate of 42k premises passed per week in the quarter, and remains on track […]

February 4, 2021

Panasonic Avionics claims IFC milestone

Panasonic Avionics says it has achieved a major evolution in its in-flight connectivity offering as its first extreme high throughput satellite (XTS) enters service over the Asia-Pacific region. The APSTAR-6D satellite is Panasonic Avionics’ latest investment in in-flight connectivity for passengers on commercial aircraft. It is an integral part of its third-generation communications (Gen-3) network […]

February 4, 2021

BBC reveals financial transformation results

The BBC has set out how it has transformed its finances over the past decade to ensure it continues to deliver exceptional value for all audiences. The Corporation has faced an effective real-terms reduction in income of around 30 per cent since 2010/11 as a result of increased funding obligations, such as the World Service […]

February 3, 2021By Colin Mann

Data: Strong growth for Oz BVoD

Data from research firm Roy Morgan shows 8.6 million Australians now watch Broadcast Video on Demand’(BVoD) services which include ABC iView, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play. All five leading services have grown strongly during 2020 as Australians endured a nation-wide lockdown from late March until early June and Victorians experienced a second, […]

February 3, 2021

Verizon Super Bowl 5G immersive experiences

At a time when large gatherings are limited, finding ways to bring people together safely, in-person and virtually, is more important than ever. Accordingly, US telco Verizon is using the power of the 5G built right to elevate the Super Bowl LV fan experience and make it accessible whether at the game or at home. […]

February 3, 2021

BT, EE unveil convergent BT Halo 3+

Describing it as the latest innovation in its customer premises equipment story, which redefines home broadband reliability, UK multiplay telco BT has unveiled BT Halo 3+, saying it offers the UK’s only unbreakable wi-fi connection for the home backed up by the EE mobile network. According to BT, the requirement for a reliable home broadband […]

February 3, 2021

Connected device boom demands user services focus

Increasing demands for faster, more efficient and more reliable ways to manage connected devices will make 2021 the year of service and device lifecycle management, according to open broadband standards development organisation the Broadband Forum. Broadband Forum’s User Services Platform (USP) standard offers related data models and the communication protocol to master such needs. The […]

February 2, 2021