UKTV has hired Keith Porritt as executive director for commercial operations. Porritt, who will start his job in the new year, will have responsibility for managing UKTV’s relationships with programme suppliers, handle legal and business affairs and lead all commercial activity outside advertising sales. This will include handling the relationship with BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s […]

Jupiter Telecommunications (J:COM), the largest multiple system operator in Japan has acquired 97.9 per cent of the total outstanding shares in the Jyohoku New Media. As a result of the purchase, Taito Cable Television has now become a consolidated subsidiary of J:COM. J:Com said that it expected the deal to expand its reach in the […]

Russian telco Comstar has reported a 22 per cent year-on-year increase in third-quarter core earnings, but has said it would cut capital expenditure due to the financial crisis. Comstar said its adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortisation reached $184.8 million, higher than the average forecast of $163.6 million. Its OIBDA margin increased to 43.8 […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid Spain’s largest cable operator ONO lost 19,000 subs in the third quarter which the company blamed on the deteriorating economic environment and a lack of commercial activity during summer time. ONO ended the third quarter with 1,935,636 total subs, with telephony experiencing the sharpest decline losing more than 7,000 […]

On Demand Group (ODG), a subsidiary of SeaChange International, has extended its content aggregation and management services to the growing European, Middle East and Africa mobile video market with its acquisition of Mobix Interactive. Mobix is a leading provider of mobile video and TV services to some of the region’s largest carriers, including O2 and […]

TiVo reported a record profit for the third quarter ended October 31, of $100.6 million, but that was based mainly on the $105 million in damages the company received from satellite operator Dish Network and its set-top supplier EchoStar Corp. relating to patent litigation. Without the Dish/EchoStar damages award, the company would have posted a […]

BSkyB is to continue legal action in the fight to hold on to the 17.9 per cent stake it holds in rival broadcaster ITV. The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal last month upheld an original ruling by the Competition Commission that by holding the stake BSkyB had an adverse impact on the market. But Sky has […]

NDS has announced that Caroline Le Bigot has taken on responsibility for its business in Latin America in addition to her senior role in EMEA. In recognition of her contribution to NDS and reflecting her expanded responsibility, Le Bigot has been promoted to NDS Senior Vice President, EMEA and Latin America, and General Manager, NDS […]

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has promoted Bruce Tuchman to President, of MGM Networks. In this newly created position, Tuchman will continue to oversee MGM Networks, the division of MGM which manages and develops the company's interests in both MGM and non-MGM branded international television channels and services distributed via cable, satellite, IPTV, SVOD, Mobile and other […]

BskyB is to raise $600m in a bond issue to institutional investors to provide funding for activities including possible acquisitions and the refinancing of debt. It launched a private placement late yesterday of 10-year bond notes at 9.5% interest. “It is expected that the net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate […]