Advanced Television

Policy

Judge clears Aereo for live TV broadcasts

Aereo, the start-up that takes live TV programming and sends it to mobile devices in New York, can continue with its service, despite objections from major broadcasters who argue that expansion can threaten the free broadcasting of events such as the Super Bowl, a judge ruled Wednesday. US District Judge Alison Nathan said she understood […]

July 12, 2012By Colin Mann

Minister confirms TV interference prevention scheme

UK Communication Minister Ed Vaizey has confirmed the terms of the £180 million scheme to help householders prevent 4G services interfering with television signals. The scheme was originally announced in February 2012. In a letter to UK comms regulator Ofcom – which ran a consultation on the issues for digital TV raised by the launch […]

July 12, 2012By Colin Mann

Judge sends Dish ad-skipping dispute to LA

Dish Network has lost its bid to handle the legal dispute over its ad-skipping technology, branded “Auto Hop,” in New York. A federal judge has ruled instead that the broadcasters suing Dish – CBS, NBC and Fox – can pursue their claims in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain granted a motion by […]

July 10, 2012

China ramps up online video regulation

Chinese Internet and broadcasting authorities have ordered intensified efforts to regulate online video content. The State Internet Information Office and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) have this week jointly issued a circular asking online video content providers to closely examine their videos before making them available for viewing. According to the […]

July 10, 2012

US Energy Department delays STB rulemaking

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed that it is delaying a proposed rule regarding energy conservation for set-top boxes to allow industry representatives and energy efficiency advocates time to negotiate a non-regulatory agreement. The DOE is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to develop a potential test procedure and energy conservation standard […]

July 9, 2012By Colin Mann

Ofcom may force BT access price cut

Telecoms regulator Ofcom may force BT to cut the price of Internet access outside London. In an effort to curb the cost of leasing capacity on BT’s networks, the regulator outlined proposed price caps. It said these would lead to “real-terms price reductions” for internet service providers and other firms. Ofcom proposed that over the […]

July 5, 2012

Virgin slams Commission pay-TV movie ruling

Virgin Media has attacked a decision by the UK Competition Commission to drop plans to curb BSkyB’s control of pay-TV film rights. In a submission to the Commission, Virgin described the decision as “irrational, unsound and highly speculative” and of failing to take relevant facts into account. In August 2010, the Commission originally concluded that […]

July 4, 2012

Anti-piracy agreement rejected by EU

The European Parliament has voted to reject the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta). The proposed agreement sought to curb piracy, but Internet campaigners said it posed a threat to online freedoms. The rejection vote followed a failed attempt to postpone the decision because of ongoing investigations into Acta by the European Court of Justice. Twenty two […]

July 4, 2012

Sky Austria contracts deemed illegal

Austrian consumer group VKI has declared that a number of clauses in the terms and conditions of pay-TV provider Sky Austria are not legal. VKI has brought a class action case against Sky Austria on behalf of the Austrian Chamber of Labour. The commercial court of Vienna found 21 out of 26 of the incriminated […]

July 4, 2012

India’s Fast Way rapped by regulator

Indian cable giant MSO Fast Way has been told it must stop “bullying” broadcasters. India’s Competition Commissioner has issued a strong warning to all cable MSO’s not to abuse their dominant position in the supply of TV channels to local users. Fast Way trades as Fast Way Transmission, Hathway Sukhamrit Cable and Creative Cable. To […]

July 4, 2012By Chris Forrester