France has two months to respond to European Union complaints that free channels awarded to Canal Plus, TF1 and M6 could violate competition rules. The manner in which the channels were granted, to compensate for the switch from analogue to digital television, could violate European Commission rules of transparency and non- discrimination. France’s culture ministry […]
News Corp’s bid to acquire the shares in BSkyB that it does not already own is to be reviewed by the EU competition regulator, now the UK’s own Office of Fair Trading has not sought jurisdiction over the case. The OFT had a deadline of November 26th to ask the EU for permission to review […]
Hylas 1, owned by Avanti Communications, was launched on Nov 29 into orbit aboard an Arianespace rocket. Avanti’s CEO David Williams says he is confident that his company’s three-year plan to fill the craft is on schedule, and that a second Hylas will be launched in 2012. There could also be a third satellite ordered. […]
Bridge Technologies has announced a partnership with Sydney-based broadcast supplier and integrator Magna Systems & Engineering, for sales and support of the VideoBRIDGE line of digital media monitoring products in Australia. Magna Systems is one of the leading integrators in Australia and the Pacific Rim, and a major distributor for blue-chip broadcast manufacturers. “Bridge Technologies […]
Judged by the editors of What Satellite & Digital TV, Home Cinema Choice, and consumer technology website Techradar.com, the Freesat Product Awards 2010 reward innovation across the categories of Freesat HD, Freesat + Recorders, and TVs. Products were acknowledged for excellent design, build quality, AV performance, and for including features that exceed the Freesat specification […]
ACCESS, the provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, and Vestel Electronics announced that they have incorporated ACCESS’ NetFront Browser DTV Profile HbbTV Edition in the new Vestel HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) set-top box (STB). This new device will enable consumers to receive satellite operator SES ASTRA’s new […]
A UK judge has dismissed an application by TV re-streaming site TVCatchup to throw out a copyright case brought against it by Britain’s broadcasters, saying that “the claim does have a real prospect of success”. The website has been re-streaming live TV channels for two years ago. ITV, Channel 4 and Five in June filed […]
Sky News is to launch an Arabic-language version. Backed 50/50 by the wealthy Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corp, the new operation will be based alongside CNN’s new Abu Dhabi news bureau at twofour54, the fast-growing facility company. However, while CNN’s bureau has just a handful of local staff Sky News’ Arabic service will have some […]
Platform ‘n’ will launch Poland’s first regular 3D TV service, to be called “nShow 3D.” The new 3D service debuts on December 4th, with special live coverage of the European Boxing Union’s (EBU) heavyweight showdown between Poland’s Albert “The Dragon” Sosnowski and defending champion Alexander Dimitrenko. The announcement was made by Christian Anting, Platform ‘n’ […]
O3b is a new satellite constellation that is promising fibre-like speeds from orbiting craft and providing broadband connectivity to “the Other 3 Billion” (O3b) of largely unconnected people and businesses either side of the Equator. SES already owns 34 per cent of O3b. SES will invest a further $75 million over the next3 years. O3b […]