Advanced Television

STB

Com Hem upgrades to VCAS Ultra

Verimatrix, a specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for network-connected devices and services, has announced that long-standing customer Com Hem has upgraded to Video Content Authority System (VCAS) Ultra to provide pay-TV security for a new deployment. Built on the Android N (Nougat) operating system, the new STB is being rolled out to Com Hem’s 1.4 […]

September 4, 2018

Research: Pay-TV execs expect increased competition

The global findings of the 2018 Pay-TV Innovation Forum, produced by content protection and multiscreen television solutions provider NAGRA in partnership with international research and strategy consultancy MTM, highlight that 84 per cent of pay-TV executives expect competition for paid-for video services to increase dramatically over the next five years. The programme seeks to identify

August 30, 2018

US DVRs cost $1.8bn annually through poor power saving

An analysis of digital video recorders (DVRs) from cable and telco providers by Sense shows that they consume nearly as much energy while idle as when your TV is on, and their energy saving modes are not effective. For instance, Comcast’s XFinity X1 DVR uses 26 watts when active

August 21, 2018

Jail term for ISD seller

Warren Gleave, of Burnley in the northwest of England, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison having been found guilty of selling illicit streaming devices pre-loaded with premium content. Gleave was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court and was immediately taken into custody. Over a three year period, Gleave unlawfully made in excess of £200,000 […]

August 17, 2018By Colin Mann

Foxtel launches 4K cricket

Australian pay-TV operator Foxtel will broadcast all Australian men’s international cricket and KFC BBL games in 4K during the forthcoming Australian summer on a new dedicated channel that marks the first year of a six-year A$1.182 billion (€0.75bn) broadcast rights agreement. The Seven network will be the free-to-air broadcaster of Tests and 43 BBL matches, […]

August 15, 2018By Colin Mann

Kudelski sell SmarDTV to Neotion

Digital security specialist the Kudelski Group, and Neotion, a provider of secure solutions for the pay-TV industry, have reached an agreement whereby Kudelski’s SmarDTV’s Conditional Access Module (CAM) and set-top box businesses are transferred to SmarDTV Global, a newly established entity affiliated with Neotion. Upfront cash consideration for the transaction amounts to $20 million (€17.26m), […]

August 14, 2018By Colin Mann

Report: Criminals profit with OTT streaming credentials

Hundreds of stolen login details for popular OTT services are available every month on the dark web for an average of only $8.81 (€7.60), potentially putting consumers at risk and impacting OTT revenues, according to new research by digital platform security specialist Irdeto. Via dark web marketplaces, a variety of products, accounts

August 13, 2018By Colin Mann

US: Energy-efficient STBs save $3.5bn

Consumers have saved $3.5 billion, and more than 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been avoided as a result of the voluntary set-top box energy conservation agreement among US pay-TV providers, manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates, according to a new report on the industry Voluntary Agreement for Ongoing Improvement to the […]

August 13, 2018

£50,000 fine for IPTV pirate

Luke Skinner, of Buntisland in Scotland has received a court order against him having been found to be selling IPTV subscriptions and pre-loaded illicit streaming devices on Facebook Marketplace, which gave users access to premium content such as provided by Sky, illegally. Skinner was selling subscriptions to content for £35 (€39) per year as well […]

August 8, 2018By Colin Mann

41% of streaming device owners use daily

Parks Associates has published research showing streaming media players are the most frequently used Internet-connected entertainment device, with 41 per cent of owners using their players daily or almost daily. Only 34 per cent of smart TV or smart PVR/DVR owners use these devices daily. The firm’s 360 Deep Dive: Streaming Device Use and Setup […]

July 25, 2018