Advanced Television

Broadcast

BBC Super Hi-Vision plans emerge

    NHK developed Super Hi-Vision, often called ‘Super HDTV‘ thanks to its 4000 lines on the TV screen, is gaining momentum, despite the hype surrounding 3D-TV. The BBC is about to capture a rock concert in London, and transmit the Super Hi-Vision images direct to Japan later this month. Roger Mosey, who is the […]

September 14, 2010By Chris Forrester

Canada: Bell to acquire CTV

Canadian telco BCE Inc. (Bell) has confirmed plans to acquire 100 per cent of CTV, the Canadian leader in speciality television, digital media, conventional TV and radio broadcasting. Bell says the transaction gives it full ownership of Canada’s best media assets to enhance the growth of Bell’s TV, wireless and online services for years to […]

September 13, 2010

Terrestrial HDTV for Finland

  Finland’s largest cable TV operator DNA has revealed plans to bring HDTV to 1.5 million Finnish homes by 2011, with availability in the largest Finnish cities already by the year-end. A deal with Ericsson will enable DNA will make the HDTV experience available for 60 per cent of all Finnish digital terrestrial TV households […]

September 13, 2010

Permira scoops Asia Broadcast Satellite

  A company backed by the Permira funds, along with the Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) management team, has reached an agreement to acquire Kingsbridge Limited, the holding company for ABS, one of the fastest growing premium satellite operators in the world. The Permira funds will become the majority shareholder of ABS. Founded in 2006 by […]

September 13, 2010

Multi-screen solution from Netgem

Connected entertainment specialist Netgem has unveiled a significant development of its NetgemTV middleware to support new adaptive TV technologies. Extending the reach of pay-TV Operators, these new features are geared to enable the creation of multi-screen services which can be delivered securely and consistently. Microsoft’s Silverlight and Play Ready plug-ins have been integrated into Netgem’s […]

September 13, 2010From Colin Mann in Amsterdam

Mediaset gets multiplex capacity for HD channel

     Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset has been awarded temporary multiplex capacity for the launch of HDTV tests.  Although the tender to award five digital multiplexes has yet to take place, Mediaset has received Channel 58 (frequency 770 MHz) in those areas of Italy where the ASO has already taken place. The broadcaster plans to […]

September 13, 2010From Branislav Pekic in Rome

3DTV: Proceed with caution

A number of barriers need to be overcome and issues need to be addressed for the broadcast and pay-TV industry to see 3DTV as a viable business proposition, according to speakers at a 3DTV Analyst Forum held during IBC. Doug Sheer, CEO and Chief Analyst, D.I.S. Consulting Corporation, suggested that although 3DTV had drivers such […]

September 13, 2010From Colin Mann in Amsterdam

One stop shop from DTG

  The Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for digital TV in the UK, has announced that DTG Testing, the digital television industry’s test and conformance centre, is to provide manufacturers with a single facility for Connected TV, HbbTV, Freeview, Freesat and Digital Tick test and conformance. Additionally, DTG Testing is working with Project […]

September 12, 2010From Colin Mann in Amsterdam

Sky’s Darcey: Pay-TV will lead in original content

Mike Darcey, Chief Operating Officer, BSkyB, has suggested that  the real challenge facing the broadcasting industry isn’t finding the technical ‘nous’ to develop the products and systems such as those showcased at IBC, but rather how to pay for it all. Participating in a keynote panel on ‘New Routes to Funding Original Content’, Darcey told […]

September 11, 2010From Colin Mann in Amsterdam

Ericsson: All Australians to get digital free-to-air TV

  A new five-year deal between Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC, and Ericsson will help address rural DTT blindspots. Thanks to Ericsson’s latest satellite video compression technology, the ABC will be able to expand the reach of its high-definition and standard-definition digital TV programming across the country. As Australia undergoes the switch from analogue to […]

September 10, 2010