John Pluthero will assume management control of both the international and the Europe, Asia and US divisions of Cable & Wireless following the departure of Harris Jones, the international chief executive, this week. Richard Lapthone, group chairman, said Pluthero was the ideal choice to oversee the division now that the recovery phase in the Europe, […]
A report by the Federal Communications Commission is claimed to show that cable TV companies have reached a subscriber saturation point that may lead to the agency exerting greater regulatory authority over the industry. The finding is in an annual report that assesses competition in the pay-television market. The report will conclude that the agency […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid The Spanish Competition authorities has started legal proceedings against the recent alliance between the Spain’s largest pay-TV group Sogecable and Telefónica to launch a joint triple play offer and joinly negotiate with TV content providers. The National Council of Competition (CNC) argues that there is evidence of an abuse […]
New consumer research from Leichtman Research found that about one-quarter of households in the United States have at least one television set capable of receiving high definition programming– essentially double the penetration of HDTV of two years ago. Yet, consumer confusion related to high definition programming and products remains strong. LRG's latest HDTV research found […]
Four buyout firms have been shortlisted in the race to buy British private equity firm Cinven’s 35 percent stake in French cable operator Numericable. The firms selected – PAI Partners, TPG Capital, Carlyle and Providence – must now submit a firm offer within a month, a fifth firm could still be added to the shortlist. […]
OpenTV Corp said it will get $1.5 million related to the settlement of a 2002 lawsuit against former competitor Liberate Technologies Inc over patents concerning interactive television. Liberate, whose assets have since been acquired by TVWorks, acknowledged that OpenTV’s patents are valid and enforceable and admitted infringement, OpenTV said in a statement. TVWorks, a joint […]
EchoStar Communications Corporation reported total revenue of $2.79 billion for the quarter ended September 30, a 12.9 percent increase compared with $2.48 billion for the corresponding period in 2006. Net income totaled $200 million for the quarter compared with $140 million in 2006. DISH Network added approximately 110,000 net new subscribers during the third quarter […]
Disney announced they have signed a deal to launch Disney Channel On Demand, a Video On Demand offer on Fastweb IPTV. The agreement represents a further step in its strategy of seeking to leverage on new digital platforms to extend its reach and availability to viewers. Fastweb IPTV subscribers are given the opportunity to enjoy […]
From Sotires Eleftheriou in Paris The French broadcasting regulator CSA has issued a call for candidates for national personal mobile TV services. The services are to be carried on the M7 multiplex using the DVB-H standard. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2008. M7 covers 70 urban areas and has a capacity for 16 […]
US operator Cablevision reported a wider net loss for the third quarter, but operating income rose 59 per cent as more cable TV customers signed up for high-speed Internet and digital phone services. Cablevision also trimmed its forecast for full-year growth in cash flow, from 10 per cent to 9 per cent, and said it […]