Advanced Television

Broadcast

e.tv to launch South Africa DTT news channel

e-tv’s parent company (eMedia Investments) says it will launch a new 24-hour news channel, OpenNews, which will be carried on South Africa’s DTT service provided by Platco Digital. eMedia already has a news channel on DStv’s pay-TV service. OpenNews will initially be in Standard Definition but plans to switch to digital later this year. The […]

May 17, 2018By Chris Forrester

Netgem SoundBox HD now available

TV and entertainment innovation specialist Netgem has launched its first all-in-one Smart soundbar + TV box in the UK. SoundBox HD is now available direct to consumers under the Netgem brand via Amazon.co.uk and will be bundled by Service Providers starting from June. Following its unveiling in February 2017, Netgem SoundBox has had a positive […]

May 17, 2018By Colin Mann

Czech Republic: Space for Internet video ads on TV increasing

HbbTV technology has opened the door for Internet video ads on TV. Since its arrival, classic video ad blocks are no longer the only way to show viewers ads. Space for this form of advertising is now growing rapidly and has reached beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. Red button technology, otherwise known as […]

May 17, 2018

BT unveils converged network vision

The ‘Consumer’ Business Unit of BT Group – comprising BT, EE and Plusnet – has unveiled a new converged network vision which it says will bring together the best of broadband, mobile and Wi-Fi to provide seamless connectivity for customers across the UK. BT also revealed a deal to carry Amazon Prime video on its […]

May 16, 2018By Colin Mann

Analyst: Netflix to top 200m subs by 2023

Analyst firm Digital TV Research forecasts that Netflix will have 201 million streaming subscribers by 2023, up by 82 per cent from 111 million at end-2017. About 28 million subscribers will be added in 2018 – making it the largest growth year ever. Lower growth is expected after 2018, according to the Netflix Forecasts report. […]

May 16, 2018

Amazon dominates DTC TV network subscriptions

Research from The Diffusion Group (TDG) finds that Amazon Prime Channels accounts for more than half of all direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscriptions in the US. Its dominance is especially prominent among premium DTC apps including HBO, Showtime, and Starz. More than half of HBO DTC subscribers used Amazon Prime Channels to purchase their service. Rates are […]

May 16, 2018

‘Second screening’ makes ads more effective

Research by media agency MediaCom and technology company ViewersLogic shows that viewers are much more likely to follow up on a TV advert when simultaneously using their phone or tablet – dispelling one of advertising’s biggest myths that using another device would detract attention away from an advert. ‘Second screening’ – the act of watching […]

May 16, 2018

Study: YouView users mix different viewing patterns

UK hybrid digital TV platform YouView has revealed data on how the nation is watching its favourite TV programmes, with analysis suggesting that the vast majority of viewers watch the first episode of a programme on live TV, but then tend to shift towards viewing in a combination of ways. The platform backhauls 370 million […]

May 16, 2018

Mediaset returns to profit in Q1

The Board of Directors of Italian broadcaster Mediaset has approved the results for the first quarter of 2018 which confirm a return to profit. Net revenues were €860.6 million, compared with €889.3 million a year earlier, with the Italian market accounting for €631.0 million (€649.3 million) and the Spanish market for €229.6 million (€240.4 million). […]

May 16, 2018From Branislav Pekic in Rome

Mediaset, Atresmedia face €5bn compensation claims

Spain’s two largest TV groups, Mediaset and Atresmedia, could face €5 billion compensation demands if the CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia) probe into their allegedly-illegal ad practices that distort the market finds that they are indeed guilty. Regional public broadcasters and smaller DTT operators could ask for sky-high compensation of up […]

May 16, 2018From David Del Valle in Madrid