Advanced Television

Broadcast

CEA and NAB online antenna

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have unveiled a partnership to produce AntennaWeb.org, an online antenna mapping programme designed to help consumers and electronics retailers determine the proper outdoor antenna to use in order to receive free local broadcast channels. The tool is particularly valuable to consumers as the […]

February 21, 2008

Euro VoD services expand in 2007

At the end of 2007, a survey by the European Audiovisual Observatory and the French Government’s Media Development Department found 258 VoD services in operation in the 24 European countries covered, compared with 142 services at the end of December 2006. This upsurge in the number of services is largely explained by the fact that […]

February 20, 2008

Cablevision rolls out SeaChange flash memory

Cablevision Mexico has become the first digital cable television company to enhance its video-on-demand operations with SeaChange flash memory storage and streaming. Mexico’s largest digital cable operator has switched on SeaChange International’s MediaServer Flash Memory Streamers, seamlessly extending Cablevision ‘s SeaChange Axiom software and disk-based server operations.

February 20, 2008

RTVE and Telefonica in multimedia deal

From David Del Valle in Madrid The Spanish state-owned group, RTVE -that operates the terrestrial TVE 1 and La 2- and the incumbent telco Telefonica have signed a 3-year strategic agreement to promote and develop joint multimedia projects through all existing distribution platforms. The agreement, signed by the presidents of the companies, Luis Fernández and […]

February 19, 2008

Samsung See'N'Search

CE maker Samsung has introduced its first set-top box, the Internet-powered See’N’Search device designed to allow users to integrate web functionality into their TV viewing experience. According to Samsung, the See’N’Search set-top trolls a virtual channel guide to catalogue what’s on and when. It then uses that information to suggest video or web sites to […]

February 19, 2008

13m+ US households not ready for digital

More than 13 million households with television sets that can only receive analogue broadcasts are currently unprepared for the transition to all digital broadcasting that is scheduled for February 18, 2009, according to the Nielsen Company. Another 6 million households have at least one television set that would no longer work after that date. Neilsen […]

February 19, 2008

Big uplift predicted for broadcast

Researcher Datamonitor expects the global broadcast market to experience significant revenue growth from $284.1 billion in 2007 to $326.2 billion by 2010. However, it is expected that growth will only be secured through revenue diversification from value-add and bundled services including Internet service provision, HD content, on-demand solutions, interactive applications and multi-platform distribution.Consumers are faced […]

February 18, 2008

TBS and VTR to launch CNN Chile

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and VTR, a division of Liberty Global, will partner to launch CNN Chile, the first 24-hour, pay television news network specifically programmed for the Chilean market. The channel is scheduled to debut this year. TBS Latin America and VTR are equal partners in CNN Chile, which represents the first joint-venture of […]

February 15, 2008

ISPs snub three strike plan

The body representing internet service providers in the UK has cast doubt on government proposals to make them responsible for identifying and punishing illegal music and video downloaders. The Internet Service Providers' Association opposes the idea that it should take responsibility. “ISPs are no more able to inspect and filter every single packet passing across […]

February 15, 2008

National TV losing out to DTT and IPTV

From Branislav Pekic in Rome During 2007, the main European countries have further consolidated the long term trend that sees analogue terrestrial TV channels loosing audience ratings in favour of DTT and especially IPTV. According to the Milan-based e-Media Institute, in the UK digital TV penetration has surpassed 85 per cent (figures from the end […]

February 14, 2008