Advanced Television

Ofcom consults on PSBs and indie production

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom is inviting evidence on the relationship between public service broadcasters (PSBs) and the independent TV production sector. In December 2020, Ofcom published Small Screen: Big Debate (SS:BD), a consultation looking at how to strengthen and maintain public service media in the UK for the next decade and beyond. The current regulatory […]

February 2, 2021By Colin Mann

Univision acquires AVoD service VIX

US Spanish-language content company Univision Communications has acquired AVoD service VIX, which offers content to millions of US Hispanics and consumers throughout Latin America. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Earlier in 2021, Univision announced plans to launch PrendeTV, designed to be the only ad-supported video streaming service created exclusively for US Hispanics, […]

February 2, 2021

RTL considering M6 disposal?

Responding to speculation that it was seeking a buyer for its holding in French broadcaster M6, media group RTL has issued a statement suggesting that “it has repeatedly said that there is a strong case for consolidation in the European broadcasting sector”. “RTL Group reviews such options on an ongoing basis with a view to […]

February 1, 2021By Colin Mann

Report: Europe lags on key digital metrics

At a time in which the EU is striving for digital sovereignty, fresh data shows that Europe is trailing global peers on key network roll-out and digital investment metrics, including on 5G, AI and network investment. Despite this, Europe shows progress with respect to last year, with more people covered

February 1, 2021

Survey: 7.1m Brits missing out on free broadband

Comparison site Compare Fibre reports that 57.4 per cent of lower-income households in the UK (some 7.1 million people) have not taken up, and are unaware of the help on offer to assist with maintaining connectivity under the lockdown. This includes: Free Wi-Fi vouchers to 5 million hotspots are available through the BT website. You […]

February 1, 2021

DISH, Vertical Bridge 5G infrastructure deal

US connectivity company DISH Network Corporation and communications infrastructure specialist Vertical Bridge REIT have agreed a long-term deal granting DISH immediate access to Vertical Bridge’s extensive portfolio of towers, rooftops, utility transmission structures, billboards, convenience stores and other sites used for wireless infrastructure deployment. “Building a national 5G network requires an extensive presence across urban, […]

February 1, 2021

de La Raudière new Arcep Chair

Laure de La Raudière has been appointed as the new Chair of France’s communications regulator  Arcep for a six-year term, by an Order published in the Journal Officiel of January 28th 2021. A graduate of the École Normale Supérieure, and a telecommunications engineer, de La Raudière began her career with France Telecom – Orange in […]

January 29, 2021By Colin Mann

Virgin Media: Free access to kids shows

UK multiplay operator Virgin Media is making a variety of premium kids entertainment and learning-based programmes available for all of its 3.5 million TV customers during February, at no extra cost. From February 1st, all Virgin TV customers in the UK will be given free access to seven kids pay-TV channels including Cartoon Network, Cartoonio, […]

January 29, 2021

Research: 43% US homes considering vMVPD switch

Findings from research firm Parks Associates reveal that 43 per cent of US broadband households with traditional pay-TV are likely to switch to a virtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) in the next 12 months. The research, found in Growth and Challenges for vMVPDs, shows that while the absence of live sports and live performances […]

January 28, 2021

Survey: 1 in 6 Brits struggling to afford broadband

More than one in six people are struggling to afford their broadband during the third lockdown, UK advisory charity Citizens Advice has found. This comes at a time when people are more reliant on broadband to work, teach their children and order essentials. Citizens Advice found that during the first lockdown, certain groups, including people […]

January 28, 2021