BBC Worldwide will be allowed to acquire Virgin Media’s 50% stake in pay-TV joint venture UKTV to help secure the financial future of Channel 4, despite a ban on all other merger and acquisition activity imposed by the BBC Trust. Sir Michael Lyons, the BBC Trust chairman, outlined a tighter remit for BBC Worldwide that […]
The European Commission would oppose the Spanish government if it cuts the Internet access of users that download copyrighted material, the European Commission’s top telecommunications policy-maker, Viviane Reding, has said. “If Spain cuts off Internet access without a procedure in front of a judge, it would certainly run into conflict with the European Commission,” Reding […]
The chief executive of Fox Filmed Entertainment has said the US should join France in cutting off the Internet connection of users who repeatedly download copyright-protected films. CEO Jim Gianopulos said Internet piracy is the single biggest threat to the film industry worldwide, and independent films are the hardest hit. He said Internet service providers […]
Vivendi/Canal+ has bought broadcaster TF1's 9.9 per cent stake in Canal Plus France for E744 million. After the deal – originally planned for the first quarter of 2010 – is completed, Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group will own 74.9 percent of Canal Plus France. TF1 has held a put option since January 2007 following Vivendi/Canal Plus […]
Telegent Systems, a developer of semiconductors that enable mobile TV services, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $250 million in its initial public offering (IPO). The company, which plans to list its shares on the Nasdaq under the symbol “TLG,” has yet to announce details such as the number […]
The Government's introduction of the Digital Britain bill on Friday last week will “secure the UK's position as a world-leading digital economy”, say ministers. “We need to make sure copyright and the systems around it work in the digital era.” The Government was “likely to get this bill through” they say but others doubt it […]
From Colin Mann in London Future assessment of the UK’s wireless spectrum should take into account whether optimum use is being made of broadcasting spectrum in an age of widespread broadband data, according to Ed Richards, CEO of Ofcom. “We need to continue to ensure that spectrum is put to good use for all our […]
General Electric and Vivendi are apparently $1 billion apart in their valuation of the French group's stake in NBC Universal, damping hopes of a quick resolution to the stand-off holding up Comcast's bid for a majority stake in the group. GE and Comcast, the cable operator that wants to take a 51 per cent stake […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid Telefonica is set to take a 20 per cent stake in Prisa-controlled DTH platform Digital Plus, for E400 million, valuing the platform at E2 billion – far from Prisa’s original expectation of E2.5 billion. The acquisition takes place 18 months after Telefonica sold its 16.73 per cent stake in […]
DirecTV has named Michael White as its new President and CEO. White announced in September that he will retire later this year from his current position as vice chairman of PepsiCo. He will assume his new role at DirecTV beginning January 1st, 2010.