Cable Europe is taking the opportunity of the launch the European Commission investigation into transparency in the collective management of copyright, to call for a full scale review of the rules that govern relationships between rights owners, collecting societies and users of copyright content across Europe. “The cable industry calls on the Commission to take […]
The Portugese cableco lost 1,302 basic cable subscribers in the six months to February 2010, compared to 19,943 in 2009. Announcing second quarter and half-year results, Canadian parent Cogeco said net additions amounted to 21,508 RGUs and 48,121 RGUs, respectively, compared to 12,833 RGUs and 84 RGUs for the same periods of the previous year. […]
DirecTV's single largest shareholder and its board chairman, is divesting most of his voting shares in the satellite television company. John Malone currently owns about 24.3 per cent of the company's voting shares, in a share exchange executed this week, his voting power in DirecTV will drop to 3 per cent. He will receive around […]
The FCC wants the US cable industry to adopt an open-standard, “gateway” device to replace current set-tops by the end of 2012, according to extracts of the FCC’s National Broadband Plan. The cable industry has resisted a one-size-fits-all approach to set tops. The FCC wants the new “gateway” to be a standard interface that “bridges” […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid The must-carry obligation traditionally imposed on nation wide terrestrial TV channels to open up their signals to cable and satellite platforms for free distribution is coming to an end in Spain. The new overall TV law (Ley General Audiovisual) frees private TV channels from the must-carry obligation and allows […]
Swiss operator Cablecom will provide a CI+ option for its subscribers from June, it will allow its new digital channel package to be watched on other sets via a Digicard charged at CHF99 a month. The new basic digital TV package will contain 55 channels and cost CHF23.20 a month. For CHF4 a month subscribers […]
German cable operator Kabel Deutschland has set March 19th to close an Initial Public Offering looking to raise over E700 million in return for floating 25-30 per cent. The price range for the IPO is expected to be announced today with the offer open from the end of this week. KDG has held talks with […]
Spanish cable operator ONO is to receive a E200 million shareholder loan as part of its refinancing. ONO will have immediate access to E125 million immediately with E75 million in liquidity reserve. The shareholder contribution is a boost to ONO's restructuring efforts though it needs more cash to meet debt covenants and a bond issue […]
From Nick Snow in Brussels In the most awaited – and delayed – session here at Cable Congress, YouTube – the über-OTT service, came face to face with cable; and everyone was friendly, up to a point. YouTube director video partnerships EMEA, Patrick Walker pointed out his service was already massive – 1 billion videos […]
From Nick Snow in Brussels Manuel Kohnstamm has been re-elected as President of Cable Europe at the trade body's 2010 Congress, with his fellow industry chiefs continuing a bullish perspective on the future, with key announcements on mobile strategies, future consolidation and changes to industry association. “It's a crucial time in cable's development and I […]