Internet backbone provider Level 3 Communications says Comcast is demanding a recurring fee for transmitting internet movies and “other content” to Comcast customers, accusing the cableco of violating the FCC’s “net neutrality” principles. Comcast says Level 3 is misrepresenting the negotiations between the two companies. “Comcast is effectively putting up a toll booth at the borders of its broadband Internet [...]
Following the public complaint made by electronic manufacturers for the lack of a real HDTV in the country, the Government is finalising a new piece of legislation that will oblige broadcasters to label their content, in an attempt to avoid public confusion between HD and standard definition services in the market. Several nationwide TV broadcasters -TVE, Tele 5, Antena 3 [...]
A forecast from MRG projects that global growth of OTT video services will exceed $1 billion in 2010 and US$20 billion in 2014, based on over 40 OTT Service Operators and Device Vendors profiled. “This is the most complete available analysis of connected OTT smart devices offering both live and on-demand video services,” says Mike Galli, MRG Analyst. “It’s a [...]
France has two months to respond to European Union complaints that free channels awarded to Canal Plus, TF1 and M6 could violate competition rules. The manner in which the channels were granted, to compensate for the switch from analogue to digital television, could violate European Commission rules of transparency and non- discrimination. France’s culture ministry defended the channels, saying they [...]
News Corp’s bid to acquire the shares in BSkyB that it does not already own is to be reviewed by the EU competition regulator, now the UK’s own Office of Fair Trading has not sought jurisdiction over the case. The OFT had a deadline of November 26th to ask the EU for permission to review the case under a rule [...]
Hylas 1, owned by Avanti Communications, was launched on Nov 29 into orbit aboard an Arianespace rocket. Avanti’s CEO David Williams says he is confident that his company’s three-year plan to fill the craft is on schedule, and that a second Hylas will be launched in 2012. There could also be a third satellite ordered. Guaranteed pre-sales amount to some [...]
Bridge Technologies has announced a partnership with Sydney-based broadcast supplier and integrator Magna Systems & Engineering, for sales and support of the VideoBRIDGE line of digital media monitoring products in Australia. Magna Systems is one of the leading integrators in Australia and the Pacific Rim, and a major distributor for blue-chip broadcast manufacturers. “Bridge Technologies has significant experience in the [...]
Judged by the editors of What Satellite & Digital TV, Home Cinema Choice, and consumer technology website Techradar.com, the Freesat Product Awards 2010 reward innovation across the categories of Freesat HD, Freesat + Recorders, and TVs. Products were acknowledged for excellent design, build quality, AV performance, and for including features that exceed the Freesat specification to bring greater functionality to [...]
ACCESS, the provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile, beyond-PC and digital TV markets, and Vestel Electronics announced that they have incorporated ACCESS’ NetFront Browser DTV Profile HbbTV Edition in the new Vestel HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) set-top box (STB). This new device will enable consumers to receive satellite operator SES ASTRA’s new HbbTV-enabled services. SES ASTRA is [...]
UK-based satellite services specialist Arqiva is going through some internal changes, with existing CEO Tom Bennie stepping down once a new CEO is found, and seeing Nick Thompson looking after its newly merged terrestrial broadcast, satellite & media division (and Steve Holebrook running mobile, government & enterprise). Thompson now says that with solid revenue numbers in place Arqiva is still [...]
