News Corp has announced a series of executive appointments within the company's Digital Media Group, the division responsible for driving digital strategy across the organisation, and directing the company's standalone digital media businesses. News Corp. Digital Media's (NDM) new executive team includes General Counsel and EVP of Business Affairs Dan Fawcett; EVP of Operations Jack […]
BT Group has criticised a government proposal that would allow UK authorities to suspend Internet access temporarily for those who engage repeatedly in copyright-infringing file sharing. BT said the 'summary justice' proposal undermines rights to due process and raise costs for consumers by requiring expensive network interventions on the part of ISPs. BT also said […]
Canada's largest media company, Canwest Global Communications, has filed for bankruptcy protection as it struggles to unearth itself from a C$4bn (£2.4bn) mountain of debt. The sprawling empire owns a range of broadcasting and print businesses. Canwest’s chief executive, Leonard Asper, said business would carry on as usual despite the legal process: “We are firmly […]
The Technical Committee of the European Broadcasting Union has agreed a set of measures for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband (HBB) services and devices. It says it backs "the exciting opportunity these technologies bring to viewers and the broadcasting world, and the significant work that has already been done in this domain." The committee said that while […]
BSkyB has hired BBC marketer Naomi Gibney, who has responsibility for flagship brands including BBC1, BBC2 and CBBC, to head marketing across the satellite broadcaster’s entertainment channels. At she'll be director of marketing and communications for Sky Networks with responsiblity for all content and channel marketing across entertainment channels including Sky1, Sky Movies, Sky Arts […]
From David Del Valle in Madrid Telefonica and Berlusconi-controlled Mediaset may join forces to acquire Sogecable, owner of pay-TV platform Digital Plus and commercial TV channel Cuatro, say reports in Spain. The Italian TV group would be looking to integrate Cuatro with Tele 5, controlled by Mediaset and currently leading the audience ratings. Sogecable has […]
NXP Semiconductors will take a majority stake in Trident Microsystems Inc. in a deal that combines Trident with NXP’s business of selling chip sets for televisions and set-top boxes. The two companies said that privately-held NXP will receive a 60% equity stake in Trident. NXP will get newly issued shares along with a purchase of […]
From Colin Mann in Cannes KIT digital, a leading global provider of on-demand software solutions for managing and monetising Internet Protocol (IP)-based video assets, has reached deals to acquire two of its leading competitors, Nunet of Cologne, Germany and The FeedRoom, based in New York City. The aggregate consideration paid for Nunet and The FeedRoom […]
Disney Channels Worldwide President Rich Ross has been named chairman of Walt Disney Studios overseeing production, distribution and marketing for all of Disney's movie labels, including Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone, Miramax and Disney/Pixar. In addition, he'll also head Disney's theatrical and music groups. He reports to Disney prexy and CEO Bob Iger. Ross succeeds Dick […]
The Kudelski Group is renewing its attempt to take full ownership of OpenTV with a higher offer valuing the interactive TV software maker at $215 million. The deal offers OpenTV shareholders $1.55 per share for the 108 million outstanding shares that Kudelski does not already own. In February Kudelski, which currently owns 27% of OpenTV’s […]