UK broadcasters are preparing bids ahead of a Champions League rights auction that is expected to secure a record sum for football governing board UEFA as the BBC, ITV and BSkyB go head-to-head. UEFA has confirmed that it will issue tender documents for the three seasons from July 2009 after this season’s Champions League final […]
Customers of Verizon's FiOS TV service are set to receive an increase of high-definition content as the US telco confirmed plans for a fivefold increase in the number of HD channels, to 150 channels, as well as plans for offering additional HD content through FiOS TV’s video-on-demand service. Verizon is also planning a major expansion […]
Music download service Napster has reported a narrower quarterly loss as revenue increased from new mobile phone-based and existing personal computer-based services. The digital company said its fiscal second-quarter net loss was $5.1 million, compared with a year-earlier net loss of $9 million. Revenue grew 24 per cent to $31.6 million from $25.5 million a […]
Internet portal AOL has launched a video search engine in the UK, which allows users to search for videos from a number of media sources such as BBC and ITN. Truveo, the video search engine, allows users to search and browse through videos from media brands as well as user-generated content from video uploading sites […]
Guardian Enterprise Group is to launch its new, nationwide multicast digital broadcast network, .2 Network in February 2008. .2Network programming includes a licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for over 300 titles of blockbuster, award-winning films as well as four television series. Dubbed 'Network-in-a-Box' .2Network provides local station affiliates with a uniform, national network […]
Microsoft has entered into a $500 million (E345m) with Reliance to launch IPTV and allied services in India. The IPTV service will be launched in Mumbai and Delhi by March 2008, to be followed gradually by other metros. CEO Microsoft Steve Ballmer said: “Reliance is about to change the way consumers experience television. TV is […]
BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch has revealed that the group is developing a “hybrid” media model using its satellite and digital terrestrial platforms to allow subscribers to access content seamlessly from TVs, PCs or mobiles. In an FT.com interview, Murdoch also rejected claims that his aggressive strategy had exposed it to possible regulatory punishment, saying: […]
From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italian public broadcaster RAI plans launch two new TV channels, as part of its new digital terrestrial TV strategy for the period 2008-2010 that has been approved by the Board of Directors. RAI's future 'core' DTT platform will see the launch of an entertainment channel for young viewers in 2008, […]
Hulu, News Corp and NBC Universal's online video joint venture, said it will pair traditional 30-second ads with long-form video such as full-length sitcom episodes, and restrict ads on short-form content to 10-15 seconds. CEO Jason Kilar said the sector was “just getting started”, adding: “No one has figured out the optimal customer experience. No […]
Spanish infrastructure company Abertis has bought a 28.4 per cent stake in satellite operator Hispasat for E199 million. Abertis said it had made the purchase through its Abertis Telecom unit from Ensafeca Holdings and it will now control 37.3 per cent of Hispasat shares as it also holds an indirect holding through its 32 per […]