Innovid, the video platform, has raised $27.5 million (€25.4m) in funding. New Spring Capital has become the latest investor in the company, while all previous investors, including Sequoia Capital Israel, Genesis Partners, Cisco Ventures and T-Venture, participated in the round. $12.5 million of the financing was received as debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank and Triple Point Capital. This […]
The continued roll-out of 4K/UHD services has received a boost following the announcement of an updated royalty rate structure by independent licensing administrator HEVC Advance, following active engagement with market participants across the industry. The updates support accelerated adoption of HEVC in the marketplace for the benefit of both industry and consumers. “After our initial […]
The BBC is to end its Formula 1 coverage three years early, according to Broadcast, which suggests that former UK free-to-air rights holder ITV will take over the deal, which was scheduled to last until 2018. Such a deal would likely see ITV will broadcast a selection of races live, as the BBC has done […]
Satellite operator O3b networks has closed a $460 million funding exercise, and has promptly ordered up a batch of eight more Ka-band satellites additional to its existing 12-craft constellation. Satellite operator SES, which already owns a 45 per cent stake in O3b, says it has also “participated” in the fresh funding round although declines to […]
In what the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport describes as “an early Christmas present”, homes and businesses in some of the most remote areas of the UK are to be offered a subsidised satellite broadband connection if they are currently unable to obtain an affordable broadband service of at least 2 Mbps. The […]
The late Ray Dolby, founder and major shareholder in Dolby Labs. has left Pembroke College, Cambridge, $52.6 million (£35m) in his will. The donation by Dolby, who died in September 2013, is the largest-ever made in modern times to the College. Ray Dolby was a graduate student and subsequent PhD research fellow at Pembroke College. […]
Sky has joined the growing roster of broadcasters backing Multi Channel Networks (MCNs) by investing $0.3 million, via convertible debt security, in LA-based TV4 Entertainment which owns a growing portfolio of special-interest television channels aimed at audiences which are typically underserved by traditional TV companies. The channels are distributed across multiple online platforms in the […]
Rona Fairhead, Chairman of the BBC Trust has suggested the Corporation’s future will best be protected through intelligent reform rather than policy revolution, and that it should be regulated by a robust, independent body with real teeth, with its own Charter, powers and responsibilities. Speaking at the Voice of the Listener and Viewer’s Autumn 2015 […]
The Optus cable TV and broadband network acquired by Australia’s national broadband network (nbn) for A$800 million (€545m) is in such poor condition the nbn is considering replacing it entirely, according to a leaked document, which suggests that building over the Optus HFC network with Telstra HFC or a mix of other technologies would deliver […]
The UK government is to invest £85 million (€120m) a year in enhancing BBC services around the world including in Russia, North Korea, the Middle East and Ethiopia. The money is to help “build the global reach of the World Service” to half a billion people and “increase access to news and information”. The government […]