Kabel Deutschland (KDG), Europe’s largest cable company, is set to cut debt faster than markets expected and would like to absorb two smaller domestic rivals, according to Adrian von Hammerstein, chief executive. Rapidly improving sales of superfast broadband on top of basic cable television have given KDG sufficient cash flow growth to consider shareholder returns, […]
Portugal Telecom has added an interactive and a karaoke channel to its pay-TV service ‘Meo’. The interactive channel, called ‘TVI Secret Story’, enables viewers to watch everything that happens in the house 24/7 via four cameras placed in different rooms. Using the green button, users can select which camera feed they want to see, and […]
At least two more potential bidders are interested in the 50 per cent of UKTV that the BBC does not own. Virgin Media is looking to sell its 50 per cent stake of the portfolio of channels, which includes popular British channels such as ‘Dave’, ‘Watch’ and ‘Gold’. BBC Worldwide is holding onto its 50 […]
As anticipated the European Commission has ruled that the TV taxes levied by the French and Spanish governments on telcos to support their respective public national broadcasters and compensate for the removal of advertising, are incompatible with EU law. The EC has ruled taxes levied on telco operators must be directly linked to covering the […]
Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, the head of the struggling Middle East pay-TV network Orbit Showtime Network, has quit. He himself confirmed his departure to a local newspaper, saying he will stay in Dubai for the time being. He is reportedly being replaced by David Butorac, until a year ago CEO at Australia’s WIN Corp. Butorac left WIN, […]
A report from user experience consultancy Webcredible says that the BBC iPlayer is leading major UK broadcasters in the VoD usability stakes with a score of 88 per cent, followed by Scottish broadcaster STV with its STV Player coming in second with 76 per cent Sky Player scored just 55 per cent, with admittedly a […]
Phorm, the behaviourally targeted online advertising firm, has posted a loss before tax of $15.6 million in the six months to the end of June – and continues to burn through its cash reserves at $1.8 million a month. The company, which has refocused its strategy to Latin America, failed to report any revenue for […]
DTH broadcasting is very definitely in vogue for Brazilian subscribers. A slew of appealing data from Brazil’s National Telecoms Agency shows that DTH growth – at cable’s expense – is steadily rising. Penetration for satellite DTH shows penetration now stands at 42.8 per cent of homes. Via Embratel is credited with generating this new enthusiasm, […]
Paramount Pictures has struck a series of international digital distribution deals for The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers, an online adventure series. The series, which Paramount calls The LXD, has already been a hit online in the US, where it is available via Hulu The series has topped the Hulu viewing charts, beating established TV shows, […]
BlackArrow, a worldwide provider of advanced advertising solutions for New Television platforms, has announced the BlackArrow Advanced Advertising System has been selected by Rainbow Media Holdings for a multiphase trial of dynamic video-on-demand (VoD) advertising, currently underway. Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, […]