Advanced Television

Policy

Commissioning boost for BBC regional production

The BBC is introducing changes in network television commissioning to support its commitment to make the biggest possible impact right across the UK. In a blog post, Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of Nations at the BBC, notes that the Corporation is already by far the biggest commissioner of television programming outside London, investing almost £1 […]

May 27, 2025By Colin Mann

Ofcom consults on Starlink spectrum usage

UK comms regulator Ofcom is consulting on a proposal to issue fixed-term spectrum licences to enable Starlink to use E band frequencies for Non-geostationary Orbit (NGSO) gateway earth stations at three sites in the UK. This is to expand backhaul capacity to support satellite broadband services. Ofcom notes that take-up of satellite broadband is rising, […]

May 27, 2025By Colin Mann

HBO casts roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley for TV series

The upcoming Harry Potter TV series from HBO has cast screen newcomers Dominic McLaughlin in the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Francesca Gardiner, showrunner and executive producer, and Mark Mylod, director of multiple episodes and executive producer, said in a joint statement: “After an extraordinary […]

May 27, 2025By Nik Roseveare

EC IP report identifies failing countries

The European Commission’s biennial Report on the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Third Countries identifies IPR deficiencies in third countries that cause the greatest economic harm to EU interests. In addition, the EC’s Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List describes the latest trends in counterfeiting and piracy, and lists websites and physical […]

May 23, 2025By Colin Mann

FCC spectrum boost for satellite broadband

The Federal Communications Commission is aggressively pursuing spectrum abundance as part of its Final Frontiers agenda to secure US leadership in space and supercharge the possibilities of satellite broadband. The Commission voted May 22nd to kickstart a proceeding that could unlock more than 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for high-speed Internet delivered from space.  That amount […]

May 23, 2025By Colin Mann and Chris Forrester

North Wales arrest for Hollywood movie piracy

A man from North Wales has been arrested on suspicion of leaking unreleased Hollywood films online. Officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police arrested the man, aged 47, on suspicion of copyright offences. He is suspected to have obtained thousands of films, TV series and music without the […]

May 23, 2025

TAC airs C4 production plans concerns

Following Channel 4’s confirmation that it will be establishing an in-house production arm, Channel 4 Productions (C4P), following the removal of its exemption from doing so in last year’s Media Act, Llyr Morus, Chair of TAC, (Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru) which represents the independent television production sector in Wales, said that the broadcaster would need to […]

May 23, 2025By Colin Mann

Openreach accelerates UK full fibre upgrade

UK digital infrastructure provider Openreach has committed to build the country’s most reliable broadband technology, full fibre, even faster – thanks to increased investment from BT Group. The company has already built the new infrastructure to more than 18 million homes and business nationwide – including more than four million in just the last 12 […]

May 22, 2025By Colin Mann

France: Court orders VPNs to block illegal sports streaming

Canal+ has secured a ruling from the Paris Judicial Court ordering the blocking of over 200 domain names associated with illegal sports streaming sites by five VPN providers. In accordance with the ruling, a legal first, VPN providers NordVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and Proton are now required to block access to 203 domain names used […]

May 16, 2025

ACE welcomes MagisTV Oficial convictions

The Colombian prosecutor in Pasto, Nariño announced the sentencing of the two defendants in the MagisTV Oficial case, which was referred to them by antipiracy coalition the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE). The judge found the defendants violated Colombia’s criminal laws against copyright infringement and use of malicious software. The defendants received a 30-month […]

May 16, 2025By Colin Mann