Advanced Television

Broadcast

Online video ads preferred to TV advertising

Pre-roll online video advertising is proving to be the most accepted form of advertising according to German magazine publisher Burda Community Network (BCN). A study into the perceptions of online video advertising revealed one in four respondents (23 per cent) say they are 'extremely bothered' by traditional TV advertising compared to the one in eight […]

October 21, 2009

BBC Trust vetoes plan to share iPlayer

The BBC’s plan to offer Channel 4, ITV and Channel Five the free and open use of its iPlayer online video technology has been blocked by the BBC Trust because it will not deliver value to licence-fee payers. Open iPlayer, originally dubbed Project Marquee, was intended to create a “federation of on-demand public service broadcasting […]

October 20, 2009

Sky wants 3D advertisers

The pay-TV group is in talks with media agencies about offering 3D ads to run on its new 3D platform, which will incorporate advertising capabilities. Sky said: “Although it’s still very early days, we anticipate there being a range of exciting new creative opportunities for advertisers. As we prepare to launch a commercial service next […]

October 20, 2009

Spain approves new overall TV law

From David Del Valle in Madrid A Spanish cabinet meeting has approved a new overall TV law (Ley General del Audiovisual) paving the way for the creation of an Audiovisual Council, the exploitation and development of pay DTT, Mobile TV and HDTV and allowing TV cross-ownerships, among other things. With the new legislation, TV operators […]

October 19, 2009

US mobile digital TV standard approved

The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has confirmed the approval of A/153 ATSC Mobile DTV Standard. The ATSC Mobile DTV Standard defines the technical specifications necessary for broadcasters to provide new services to mobile and handheld devices using their digital television (DTV) transmissions. “Development and adoption of the ATSC Mobile DTV Standard is a major […]

October 19, 2009

700+ on-demand audiovisual services in Europe

The European Audiovisual Observatory and the Direction du développement des médias (France) are publishing a new study entitled Video on Demand and Catch-Up Television in Europe. The study provides a survey of the on-demand audiovisual services existing in Europe and is based on the criteria established in the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which was […]

October 19, 2009

German broadcasters reveal switchover date

German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF plan to switch off their analogue transmissions on Astra on April 30th 2012, according to Carl Eugen Eberle, ZDF Director of Legal Affairs. Analogue television being completely discontinued on the date seems unlikely. Just 30 per cent of German cable households have so far made the switch to digital […]

October 19, 2009

Canal+, AlloCiné team up

Canal+ and Internet movie information specialist AlloCiné have signed a deal to promote video on demand on the French market. By the end of the month, CanalPlay, the platform for downloading videos at the request of Group Canal + will be available on the new site Allociné. CanalPlay is currently the only platform for VOD […]

October 19, 2009

Opera supports HbbTV

Opera Software has joined the cross-industry consortium that is leading the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) initiative. The purpose of HbbTV is to harmonise the broadcast and broadband delivery of news, information and entertainment to the end consumer through set-top boxes and connected TVs. Opera's active support of this initiative will ensure the creation of […]

October 16, 2009

Samsung rolls out Amazon and Blockbuster On Demand

Samsung Electronics America has confirmed the immediate availability of Blockbuster’s library of digital entertainment for rent or purchase on select 2009 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray Players and Blu-ray integrated Home Theatre Systems. The VOD movie rentals range from $2.99 to $3.99, while purchases will typically range from $7.99 to $19.99. Amazon Video On Demand will also […]

October 16, 2009