Microsoft and AT&T have revealed details of a collaborative effort to use Microsoft PlayReady content access and protection technology to enable shared content and converged entertainment experiences across AT&T’s TV, broadband and wireless services. As part of this collaboration, Microsoft intends to add support for PlayReady into its Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV software platform, enabling access […]

Virgin Media is selling its home-shopping broadcaster Sit-up TV to Munich-based investor Aurelius – owner of RTL Shop – for an undisclosed sum. Sit-up TV operates three digital home-shopping channels – bid tv, price-drop tv and speed auction tv. Virgin said the company’s live programmes are available to viewers in more than 20m homes in […]

According to a study released by the Council for Research Excellence and funded by Nielsen, TV watching has not waned in the US despite the emergence of mobile phones, iPods, and Internet media. Researchers followed 476 people for two 14-hours days and recorded how much they used media along with other daily activities. The research […]

From Colin Mann in Cannes Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) and film production and distribution company Gaumont have announced the development of 'Section 8', an interactive Web series exclusively distributed in the US by social portal MySpace. Endemol will handle worldwide distribution, product integration and brand partnerships. Section 8 is an interactive short-form serial thriller set […]

From Colin Mann in Cannes Al Jazeera Network, the Middle East-headquartered international broadcaster, is significantly stepping-up the distribution of its feature programmes. It will be offering a range of its factual and documentary programming from Al Jazeera English, the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and the Al Jazeera Satellite Channel. The library available from Al Jazeera […]

About 200 reactions to the interim Digital Britain report have been published. Among highlights are Sky's call for Virgin's network to be opened up to third party services, Virgin's caution on Canvas and general skepticism on anti-piracy plans and the Digital Rights Agency. Sky says it is “increasingly anomalous” that the cable network is a […]

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has confirmed its second high definition channel in Europe with the launch in Portugal on April 6th of its general entertainment, action and adventure channel, AXN HD. The channel combines a mix of movies from the US and around the world as well as popular series such as CSI and Supernatural. […]

From Colin Mann at IPTV World Forum Marking Hulu's first UK deal, the online video service has signed with Digital Rights Group (DRG) to roll out titles from its catalogue. Hulu's US service, launched publicly in March 2008 now offers content from more than 1,200 shows, series and movie titles from more than 130 providers. […]

Hulu has further signaled its international intent with the hiring of a dedicated international SVP to acquire TV rights. Johannes Larcher had previously been search firm overture's international GM, the international VP for Friendster and most recently co-founded now-defunct social betting site Pikum. There had been much speculation about a Hulu UK launch but the […]

After Dave and Watch, UKTV has unveiled its latest channel rebrands, with UKTV Style to become Home and UKTV Gardens renamed Really. The new names are the penultimate stage of the digital broadcaster’s rolling on-screen rebrand of all its channels, joining previously relaunched services Dave, Alibi, Eden, Gold, Eden and Yesterday. Really, which will target […]