Advanced Television

Policy

OneWeb gets ITU deadline extension

Liechtenstein was turned down by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) last week in its request to grant its licence-holder Rivada Space a one-year extension to its launch plans for two 300-satellite constellations. But the ITU has granted a French National Frequencies Agency (ANFR) application on behalf of OneWeb and Airbus an eight-month extension to begin […]

July 11, 2022By Chris Forrester

Europe’s commercial broadcasters reject network fees

Europe’s TV and VoD providers, represented by trade body the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT), have expressed their concerns following recent statements on creating a network fee to finance telecom infrastructures. “We understand the need for strong, widely available telecoms infrastructure in Europe which, among other things, helps […]

July 8, 2022By Colin Mann

French PSBs to boost streaming

French PSB group France Télévisions has revealed its ambition to double its TV series line-up on digital catch-up platform france.tv. Presenting its 2022-2023 season, France Télévisions is particularly seeking to attract a younger audience to its free-of-charge video platform. According to president Delphine Ernotte-Cuni, france.tv is set to become the “leading French video platform” offering […]

July 8, 2022From Pascale Paoli-Lebailly in Paris

OneWeb: “Europe needs Eurovision Space Policy”

Eurovision, the widely praised approach to some key annual broadcast opportunities, is a suitable model for space-related activities, according to Chris McLaughlin, chief of government, regulatory and engagement at OneWeb. Europe can remain competitive in the commercial space industry, says McLaughlin, “[but] needs an open door to innovation and opportunity. This, of necessity, extends the […]

July 7, 2022By Chris Forrester

Arqiva: ‘Spectrum commitment needed’

Laurie Patten, Director of Strategy and Regulation at UK broadcast communications infrastructure provider Arqiva, has called in the government to guarantee the future of terrestrial TV and radio services in the UK to 2040 and beyond. Addressing the Westminster Media Forum on the future of UK media policy, Patten told delegates that a key question […]

July 6, 2022By Colin Mann

ACT calls for further Digital Services legislation

Europe’s TV and VoD providers, represented by trade body the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT), have welcomed the adoption of the Digital Services Act package, but suggest that strong enforcement and complementary legislation are needed to deliver on digital promises. They say that both the Digital Services Act […]

July 5, 2022By Colin Mann

UEFA welcomes Kenya site-blocking

Pay-TV operator MultiChoice Kenya, with support from European football’s governing body UEFA, has obtained a ruling from the Kenya High Court that orders a series of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to permanently block access to sports pirate websites which contain materials which infringe copyright. Efforts in the fight against the pirate websites […]

July 4, 2022By Colin Mann

MPs propose Online Safety Bill amendments

Suggesting the changes would limit the powers of the Secretary of State to interfere in the work of the independent regulator Ofcom, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) of the UK House of Commons has put forward amendments to the Government’s proposed online safety legislation. The amendments to the Online Safety Bill, which […]

July 4, 2022By Colin Mann

Longer TV ad breaks for UK?

Ofcom has confirmed that the frequency and length of commercial breaks on UK television channels are to be reassessed in light of evolving viewing habits and the rise of streaming services. Current rules state that, for ITV/STV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, the total amount of advertising in any one day must not exceed an […]

July 1, 2022

GSMA calls for more 5G spectrum

Mobile industry trade body the GSMA has released analysis of the spectrum needs of 5G networks across low, mid- and high bands which it says delivers a clear vision of the spectrum capacity required to integrate 5G into the lives of businesses and consumers up to 2030. Two new reports, Vision 2030: Low-band spectrum for […]

July 1, 2022By Colin Mann