Advanced Television

OTT

Poor picture quality is a barrier to content adoption

A broadcast industry poll conducted by AmberFin has revealed that poor picture quality remains a major barrier to content adoption on new viewing devices, such as a mobile phone and PC. Furthermore, 70 per cent of experts surveyed agreed the industry is failing to capitalise on the new market opportunities offered by the Internet, VOD […]

January 27, 2009

Premier League targets pirates, wants 'IP Tsar'

The English Premier League is planning an aggressive campaign to protect its intellectual property rights in an attempt to clamp down on rogue websites that stream football matches for nothing and pub landlords who broadcast foreign feeds, amid fears that they could damage its income from broadcasting rights. Having recently recorded a surge in the […]

January 23, 2009

AT&T bags Viacom content

AT&T has confirmed a deal with Viacom units MTV and BET Networks for its ‘U-verse’ IPTV service, which covers HD and international channels, the renewal of existing channels, advertising expenditures, and content for upcoming service AT&T CruiseCast, a satellite-based in-car entertainment service planned for later this year. Seven new HD networks will be added to […]

January 19, 2009

Tudou sued for copyright infringement

Over 80 copyright holders including video portal Joy.cn, film distributor PolyBona Film, and record label Orange Sky Entertainment have formed an anti-piracy alliance, and are suing China's largest video-sharing site Tudou. In May 2008, Joy.cn filed suit against Tudou for unauthorised use of its video content, which Tudou resolved in November with an out-of-court settlement […]

January 7, 2009

Kangaroo bounced by Competition Commission

From Colin Mann in London The Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded that the proposed VOD joint venture between the BBC through BBC Worldwide ITV and C4, 'Project Kangaroo', will restrict competition in the supply of VOD services in the UK. In a summary of the provisional findings, the CC has concluded that the joint […]

December 4, 2008

Fox signs BT Vision deal

Twentieth Century Fox has signed an agreement giving BT video-on-demand rights to a range of new and classic movie titles for BT's digital TV service, BT Vision. From 15th December 2008, BT Vision customers can enjoy, on demand, hit movies from the Twentieth Century Fox library. All Twentieth Century Fox movies on BT Vision will […]

December 3, 2008

YouTube CEO: work with us

From Colin Mann in Cannes YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley has called on broadcasters to work with the online video community to extend their reach and develop business models. Delivering a MIPCOM keynote speech on Managing Content in the Internet Age, Hurley told delegates: "We want to continue to be your partner and continue to work […]

October 16, 2008

Discovery on YouTube

Discovery Communications and YouTube have debuted nine YouTube Channels, featuring a robust collection of clips from Discovery’s family of world-class network brands. Tailoring content to the global YouTube community, Discovery will also roll out a series of targeted international Channels showcasing localized and native language content for specific regions around the world. The partnership also […]

September 26, 2008

Kangaroo concerns Sky

BSkyB has added its voice to concerns about Project Kangaroo, the online television service planned by ITV, Channel 4 and BBC Worldwide. Many of the channels on Sky's subscription TV service draw heavily on archive programming. In its filing to the Competition Commission, which is investigating Kangaroo, Sky argued that the service "might be expected […]

September 19, 2008

Free films and TV shows through IMDb

Amazon has revealed that its subsidiary, The Internet Movie Database (IMDb), will now allow users to watch feature films and TV shows for no charge Over 6,000 titles will be available, the company said, citing recent episodes of popular television shows such as 24 and Heroes and classic films such as Some Like It Hot. […]

September 17, 2008