Advanced Television

Catch Up

UKTV/Virgin dispute: No resolution

The carriage dispute between multichannel programmer UKTV and multiplay operator Virgin Media remains unresolved, despite it appearing that a deal had been reached between the pair. The failure to reach agreement on a renewal saw 10 channels (including the five free-to-air channels such as Dave) replaced on Virgin TV at 00:01 on July 22nd. A statement […]

August 6, 2018By Colin Mann

Australia: SVoD subs up 54% YoY

The Australian SVoD market continues to grow strongly, reaching 9.1 million subscriptions at the end of June 2018 – a year-on-year increase of 54 per cent, according to research from emerging technology analyst firm Telsyte. Over the same period, SVoD revenues in Australia grew substantially (up 90 per cent) reaching over A$700 mililon at the […]

July 30, 2018

Research: Virgin likely to lose TV subs after UKTV blackout  

Virgin Media customers say they are more likely to cancel their TV subscriptions because of the withdrawal of the UKTV channels, according to independent research conducted by research firm Kantar TNS, which provides evidence

July 26, 2018By Colin Mann

Australia: Nine acquires Fairfax

Australia’s Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media Limited have entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement under which the companies will merge to establish Nine as one of Australia’s leading independent media companies. The Proposed Transaction will, subject to required approvals, be implemented by Nine acquiring all Fairfax shares in a deal valued at A$4 billion (€2.5bn). […]

July 26, 2018

BBC: Green button programme restart

The BBC says it has made it even easier for viewers to make sure they never miss a moment of BBC TV shows. A new function lets TV viewers with a connected and capable smart TV start watching programmes from the beginning, whilst they’re still being broadcast, simply by pressing the green button on their […]

July 26, 2018

ITV H1 revenues up 8%; plans D2C boost

ITV, the UK commercial broadcaster, has reported total external revenue up 8 per cent at £1.5 billion (2017: £1.4 billion) with non-advertising revenues up 14 per cent at £958 million (2017: £837 million). Total ITV Studios revenue up 16 per cent at £803 million (2017: £692 million), including £12 million of unfavourable currency impact. ITV […]

July 25, 2018

Discovery launches QuestOD

Discovery has unveiled QuestOD, a catch-up and live streaming service for its free-to-air factual entertainment brands Quest and Quest Red. To coincide with the start of the new football season, Quest content will launch in HD, so fans can watch the English Football League (EFL) highlights whenever and wherever they want. Offering live streaming and […]

July 24, 2018

Virgin TV replaces UKTV channels

The failure of Virgin Media and UKTV to reach agreement on the carriage dispute between the pair saw the programmer’s 10 channels (including the five free-to-air channels such as Dave) replaced on Virgin TV at 00:01 on July 22nd. “We are as disappointed as our customers that we have had to replace UKTV’s channels,” commented […]

July 23, 2018By Colin Mann

Ofcom: SVoD subs surpass pay-TV

The number of UK subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix has overtaken those to traditional pay-TV for the first time, marking a major shift in the UK’s viewing habits, according to findings in regulator Ofcom’s Media Nations report, a comprehensive study of major trends in the UK’s television, radio and audio sectors. The amount […]

July 18, 2018

BBC: ‘2018 most live-streamed World Cup’

A massive 44.5 million tuned in to watch one of the most entertaining World Cup tournaments to date on the BBC this summer, according to figures released by the Corporation. Millions across the country have witnessed moments that will stay with them forever, including England reaching its first semi-final in 28 years. The Three Lions’ […]

July 17, 2018