Sunday, 31 March 2013

Google Play movies come to India

Google Play movies come to India:
Google Play movies come to India



Louise Duffy | 29-03-2013

Google Play movies are now available for rent in India. Users can watch them on the web or through the Google Play Movies & TV Android app.

The movies can be downloaded in HD or standard versions, depending on the device and compatibility.

Prices range from Rs 50 to Rs 100, depending on how old the movie is; and the same films can be bought for Rs 350 to Rs 390.




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Japanese digital terrestrial broadcasters resolve patent issue

Japanese digital terrestrial broadcasters resolve patent issue:
Japanese digital terrestrial broadcasters resolve patent issue



Louise Duffy | 29-03-2013

Japanese patent pool licence administrator ULDAGE has reported that the digital terrestrial broadcasters of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), and the Open University of Japan, and ULDAGE, have executed licence agreements for patents relating to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

Digital terrestrial broadcasting, which started in Japan in December 2003, is provided in conformity with the so-called ARIB Standards established through discussions among the participating members of the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB). The standards reflect technologies, suggestions, and ideas of numerous broadcasters, device manufacturers, and other concerned parties, and consequently, there is a wide variety of patent holders involved in such technologies, and a large number of patents are also involved.

Unless appropriate measures are taken to tackle this kind of complex patent issue, the standards themselves or the growth of digital terrestrial broadcasting business itself could be negatively affected.

ULDAGE was established in July 2006 in order to resolve such patent issues and promote the growth of the digital television broadcasting system by gathering various patents relating to digital television broadcasting in one place and then licensing them as a package through the so-called patent pooling method.

At present, ULDAGE has pooled approximately 500 patents held by 14 patent holders. Under the licence programme intended for receivers, which was implemented back in 2007, 161 licensee companies manufacture and sell such devices, and the programme has contributed to the establishment of the environment for the expansion of access to digital television in relation to the complete transition from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting.

ULDAGE has long pursued negotiations with the representatives of the broadcasters to materialise the licence programme for digital broadcasting. It says the licence agreements with the broadcasters is groundbreaking in that the broadcasters will now reward the patent holders, namely, the developers of the relevant technologies, by directly bearing an appropriate proportion of royalties for the use of such technologies.

As a result, the broadcasters will be able to further their broadcasting businesses in a stable condition without any concern over the issue of digital terrestrial broadcasting-related patents pooled with ULDAGE.




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NAB 2013: Harmonic aims to hit right note with HEVC video

NAB 2013: Harmonic aims to hit right note with HEVC video:
NAB 2013 News



NAB 2013: Harmonic aims to hit right note with HEVC video



Editor | 30-03-2013

As the drive towards producing technology based on the HEVC standard begins to ramp up, Harmonic has released a video about the next-generation compression standard examining its numerous benefits and applications.

The film, “HEVC: The Chosen One to Enable Ultra HD?”, from the video delivery infrastructure firm aims to provide viewers with a brief definition of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard compression standard which has been designed to address the growing issue of network pressures as online video proliferates.



Its proponents claims that HEVC video streams using the new standard will need only half the bit rate of its predecessor,ITU-T H.264 / MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC), which currently accounts for over four-fifths of all Web video. This could be crucial in the roll out of streams in increasingly higher quality especially the forthcoming Ultra HD 4K video products.

“Our VidTech Insider video series is [designed] to get up to speed on new technologies and trends that will be demonstrated at the industry’s largest event of the year — the 2013 NAB Show,” explained Peter Alexander, senior vice president of marketing and chief marketing officer at Harmonic.



“The most recent video in the series explores HEVC, an exciting new technology that we expect to have a major impact on existing and emerging applications such as OTT and Ultra HD.”

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Youku Tudou to add 33 US TV shows

Youku Tudou to add 33 US TV shows:
Youku Tudou to add 33 US TV shows



Louise Duffy | 29-03-2013

Chinese internet TV company Youku Tudou has added 33 American TV dramas and variety shows, produced by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, The CW and WB, to its international library in 2013.



Titles include Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, Elementary, Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, 666 Park Avenue, Cougar Town, American Idol and Scandal.

Since 2010, Youku Tudou has imported more than 20 US TV dramas and variety shows, including Desperate Housewives, Glee, Survivor, America’s Got Talent and X-Factor and more. The fastest growing content category, US TV viewership in China has seen a growth of roughly 400% from 2011 to 2012, says Youku Tudou, with average views for single episodes reaching as high as 2.5 million.

In addition to the new US content, Youku Tudou recently signed an exclusive partnership with Hong Kong Television Broadcasts (TVB) to host more than 2,500 hours of TVB dramas for the next two years.




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MIPTV: A+E announces movies, series and formats for global market

MIPTV: A+E announces movies, series and formats for global market:
MIPTV: A+E announces movies, series and formats for global market



Michelle Clancy | 30-03-2013

A+E Networks has announced its line-up of TV movies, real-life series and a selection of formats for the international market for MIPTV.

Headlining the slate is a handful o Lifetime Original Movies: Ring of Fire, starring Jewel; Betty & Coretta, starring Angela Bassett and Mary J. Blige; and Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story, starring Eric McCormack and Lolita Davidovitch.

Other programming highlights include character-driven reality series like Storage Wars: New York, Double Divas, Bamazon, Aussie Pickers and Pawn Stars UK, along with the format 7 Days of Sex. It will also return with Counting Cars, Duck Dynasty, Mankind The Story of All of Us and The Men Who Built America.



“A+E Networks’ MIPTV line-up features new and returning content across a variety of genres,” said Marielle Zuccarelli, managing director of International Content Distribution at A+E Networks. “Our returning slate includes the acclaimed ‘big history’ productions, The Men Who Built America and Mankind The Story of All of Us, both of which feature cutting-edge graphics and beautifully shot recreations that give these programs a truly cinematic look and feel.”




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Elemental launches cloud-based live, VOD video processing PaaS

Elemental launches cloud-based live, VOD video processing PaaS:
Elemental launches cloud-based live, VOD video processing PaaS



Michelle Clancy | 30-03-2013

Multiscreen video enabler Elemental Technologies has launched Elemental Cloud, its platform as a service (PaaS) for securely managing the creation of premium live and on-demand TV content.

An architecture for video processing in the cloud, the platform dynamically scales resources and provides integration with on-premise video operations.

The growth of multiscreen video is challenging media companies to provide a high-quality viewing experience in an increasingly dynamic environment, the company rightly noted. New consumer devices, delivery technologies and government regulations are inundating the market and existing video operations are becoming strained by evolving requirements and fluctuating processing volume. A cloud-based approach, it said, makes it easier for video providers to incorporate new standards and elastically scale capacity to keep pace with variable demand.

“Elemental Cloud has been developed in conjunction with several of the world’s premier media brands to allow video professionals to cost-effectively balance processing resources, while optimising existing capital investments,” said Keith Wymbs, vice president of marketing at Elemental. “As a trusted supplier of multiscreen deployments in more than 40 countries, we are excited to deliver the increased flexibility, agility and value content programmers, pay TV operators, and studios will require over the next decade.”

The Elemental Cloud architecture includes: universal interface provides management of on-premise and cloud-based resources simultaneously; the ability to use resources entirely in the cloud or in combination with on-premise infrastructure for a hybrid implementation; identical video, audio and metadata outputs, whether they’re processed on-premise or in the cloud; dynamically scalable virtual resources in a configurable manner; autonomous deployments of dedicated resources for asset protection; and redundancy with transparently replicated services and geographically distributed resources.




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Captain Kirk and the Gorn face off again for online video audiences

Captain Kirk and the Gorn face off again for online video audiences:
Captain Kirk and the Gorn face off again for online video audiences



Michelle Clancy | 30-03-2013

More than four decades after they first squared off on an isolated desert planet, Captain Kirk and the Gorn come face-to-face again to settle their longstanding feud… but this time the battle begins on a comfy sofa with the two former foes seated in front of a video screen.

The original Kirk-Gorn duel was seen in the classic 1967 Arena episode of Star Trek. This time they are coming together to promote the 23 April release of Star Trek: the Video Game.

In the promotional video, released on Yahoo! Movies, William Shatner and the Gorn are seen casually playing the new game when an onscreen dispute leads to a friendly fight re-enacting actual choreographed punches from the classic TV brawl blow-for-blow. This time, however, couch pillows replace the space rocks that were thrown the first time around.



“What better way to spotlight the adventure and fun everyone can have actually playing as Capt. Kirk in the new game, than to team up the legendary former captain himself to play one of his old foes,” said LeeAnne Stables , president of consumer products at Paramount Pictures, the studio releasing the game. “Mr. Shatner is such a great sport and that Gorn had absolutely no chance of coming out on top this time.”

After spending a day on the set with the Gorn to create the video, Shatner added, “It never ceases to amaze me how many people still ask me about that scene. It’s 46 years later, and he hasn’t aged as well as I have.”

The video game features a vastly updated version of the Gorn as the key foe to legendary duo Kirk and Spock. Players take on the roles of Kirk and Spock, who work together to get to the heart of a mysterious attack by an enemy with unimaginable strength – a re-imagined version of the Gorn. In an entirely original story, written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk , the Gorn is a terrifying threat, with an army that could overwhelm Kirk, Spock and the crew of the Enterprise.




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ESPN, WNBA extend TV broadcast rights deal

ESPN, WNBA extend TV broadcast rights deal:
ESPN, WNBA extend TV broadcast rights deal



Michelle Clancy | 30-03-2013

ESPN and the WNBA have extended their content carriage agreement through the 2022 season. The TV broadcast rights deal will extend ESPN’s relationship with the league to 26 years, dating to the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997.

The new agreement allows up to 30 live games to be televised each season on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and WatchESPN, including coverage of the playoffs, draft and All-Star Game. In addition, for the first time, ESPN will telecast the WNBA draft in prime time on 15 April.

ESPN also said it will continue to enhance its production and commitment to the sport with behind-the-scenes access to WNBA teams, players and coaches.

“This strengthens ESPN’s commitment to the league and helps solidify us as the home of women’s sports content,” ESPN president John Skipper said. “We want to be active participants in growing the league.”

WNBA president Laurel Richie also revealed the WNBA’s new logo at an event announcing the deal, which marked the first time the logo had been modified since the league launched 16 years ago. Richie explained that the new logo better embodies the athleticism and diversity of today’s WNBA players, while still embracing the traditional silhouette logo that fans have come to associate with both the NBA and WNBA.

“There is nothing greater than having a partnership with a company whose commitment to women’s sports is deep,” Richie said. “I think this is going to be a seminal season for the WNBA. This is a moment in time that I think we are poised and primed to capitalise on.”

The 2013 WNBA season tips off 27 April with a doubleheader on ESPN2

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MLB.TV offers free live spring training viewing

MLB.TV offers free live spring training viewing:
MLB.TV offers free live spring training viewing



Michelle Clancy | 30-03-2013



MLB.TV, Major League Baseball’s live video subscription service, is offering fans a free preview this weekend. The preview will feature a schedule of Spring Training exhibition games, each available across every MLB.TV supported device, beginning with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies from Citizens Bank Park at 1:05pm ET on Saturday.

Now in its 11th year, MLB.TV Premium supports more than 350 mobile and connected devices via various apps, including MLB.com At Bat on smartphones and tablets.

At Bat, free for MLB.TV Premium subscribers or available for a one-time annual fee of $19.99 has updated its features to include one free MLB.TV Game of the Day; MLB.TV Premium subscriber login to watch every out-of-market game live and on-demand; home and away radio broadcasts; in-progress highlights; Gameday pitch tracking with realistic ballpark renderings; condensed games; classic games library; league and team news, schedules and statistics; standings; and favorite team selection. There’s also multi-platform live audio access for At Bat 13 subscribers, offering account portability to listen to live games on Mac/PC desktops and laptops. MLB.com

At Bat 13 also is making its debut on the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone with features including MLB.TV live video streaming. MLB.com




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Thursday, 28 March 2013

TV Connect Successfully Addresses the Future of Connected Entertainment

TV Connect Successfully Addresses the Future of Connected Entertainment:
London, 28 March 2013 – The world’s leading connected entertainment conference and exhibition, TV Connect, took the rapidly converging content and TV market into a new era, as thousands of visitors filled the Olympia in London last week. The stellar speaker line-up and calibre of exhibitors and delegates reflected the evolving nature of the industry, specifically focussing on integrating media to monetise the multiplatform environment.



The theme of the conference and exhibition was undoubtedly centred on the future of connected entertainment, as highlighted by its programme which was divided into three tracks; Experience, Monetise and Deliver. With over 200 speakers at the show, 2013 truly was a record breaking year for the event where delegates and attendees had the opportunity to listen to huge industry players from the industry.



Each day kicked off with a keynote session, including Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Officer at Electronic Arts, who opened the conference with his thoughts on the huge opportunities that are presented to games providers. Day Two saw Francisco Varela from YouTube open the conference, with Bob Zitter, EVP and CTO of HBO kicking off Day Three with a session focussed on understanding the role of HBO in being the market leader in new technology development.



Joanna Jones, Events Director for TV Connect, says: “The event truly reflected the evolving nature of the industry with the right balance of content centred on the connected entertainment industry. We’ve already had positive feedback from speakers and exhibitors, as well as hearing some great comments from attendees. Exhibitors are already booking space for next year, so we’re looking to forward to even greater success in 2014.”



This year also saw the addition of three new sessions, including the Gaming Connect session where visitors learnt about the opportunity that competitive entertainment offers service providers, operators, content providers, gaming developers, social media networks and publishers. The latest developments were also revealed on how delivery space, cloud innovation and gaming networks can help enhance the real-time experience in a multiplatform world. New features also included the TV Connect bar, and the Content Bazaar, designed to provide a showcase for broadcasters to demonstrate their multiplatform innovations.



TV Connect went from strength to strength as the event had the largest and most exciting exhibition ever seen to date with impressive growth and a diverse spread of companies exhibiting on the show floor. The event witnessed an array of exciting activities from over 250 sponsors and exhibitors, including Tvinci which used the event as a launchpad for its OTT 2.0 platform and Aviion which launched version 4.0 of its Aviion OTT platform. Also at the show, KIT digital teamed up with Digisoft.tv to showcase a working example of its Social Programme Guide application that connects a second screen device with a TV as part of KIT digital’s Second Screen Interaction Suite. Huawei also gave case studies from China showing the way to build revenue through the development of TV app platforms.



The event this year saw a significant surge in attendance from C-level executives with this industry leading keynote line up, as well as the highly exclusive Media Leadership Summit hosted by Viacom, and the TV Connect Industry Awards, which attracted an unprecedented number of entries.



To view a selection of official event videos, please visit: [url]www.tvconnectevent.com[/url].



The dates for next year’s TV Connect are 18 - 20 March 2014. For further information, visit [url]http://www.tvconnectevent.com/[/url] or follow @tvconnectevent or use #tvconnect to gain sneak previews about next year.

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The GC gets second series on TV3

The GC gets second series on TV3:
The GC gets second series on TV3



Louise Duffy | 28-03-2013

New Zealand reality show The GC is returning for a second season. The show follows the exploits of a group of young Maoris living on the Gold Coast.

Production is expected to begin later in the year and the show will be screened again on TV3.

The second season of The GC has attracted funding from Te Mangai Paho, the Maori broadcasting funding agency.

TV3 says The GC was a high-rating show, with two million viewers tuning in throughout the eight-episode series. Each episode was watched by an average audience of 333,400.




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Korea’s KT and Akamai expand CDN partnership

Korea’s KT and Akamai expand CDN partnership:
Korea’s KT and Akamai expand CDN partnership



Louise Duffy | 28-03-2013

Korean telco KT has expanded its strategic partnership with cloud infrastructure service provider Akamai in the area of content delivery networks (CDNs).

Using Akamai’s Aura Managed CDN, KT will have dedicated CDN capacity that is available for its own content applications or third party CDN services. KT has been an Akamai NetAlliance Partner since 2011.

“The era has come where culture and digital content are leading the market. Our main priority is to ensure access to content from any device, at anytime, anywhere,” said Heekyung Song, senior vice president, Enterprise IT business unit at KT.

“Through this partnership with Akamai, KT will provide a CDN platform specialising in media delivery, web performance and security so companies can focus on developing quality content and web applications without concerns about delivery.”

As part of the multi-year agreement, KT plans to deploy and sell its own operator CDN based on Akamai technology, leveraging the Akamai Intelligent Platform.




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StarHub selects Actus platform for channel monitoring

StarHub selects Actus platform for channel monitoring:
StarHub selects Actus platform for channel monitoring



Louise Duffy | 28-03-2013

Singapore pay TV operator StarHub has selected Actus Digital’s enterprise Actus platform for recording and monitoring of channels.

Prior to Actus, StarHub had been using DVDs to capture and analyse broadcast content.

“With the implementation of the Actus system, StarHub monitoring is fully digitised and users are able to view broadcast content live or archived, for any channel, at any time,” said Sima Levy, CEO, Actus Digital.

“Actus is easy to use and reliable. It is also fast. With the click of a mouse, users can create clips and export to any format and distribute to any destination such as FTP servers, YouTube, and more. With access to recording, logging and media directly from a laptop, Actus has enhanced the effectiveness of StarHub’s content monitoring and sharing.”




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Zoom increases advertising rates by 30%

Zoom increases advertising rates by 30%:
Zoom increases advertising rates by 30%



Louise Duffy | 28-03-2013

Indian Bollywood channel Zoom has raised its advertising rates by 30% with immediate effect.

Avinash Kaul, CEO of ET Now, Times Now and Zoom, said: “Zoom’s strong and consistent viewership figures capture just one dimension of the brand’s popularity among its audience. Over the last few years we have seen a staggering response from fans in the real world engaging with the brand on social media platforms from across the globe. Zoom generates over 1.3 crore impressions and sparks over 1 lakh interactions every day in the social media space – it is the biggest TV brand on social media in Asia. Our clients believe in the power of Zoom as a platform to reach out to their urban, upscale consumers and the fact that the channel has the largest client base in the category is reflective of that trust.”

In a statement, the channel said the width and depth of its Bollywood content and its unique presentation style have been the key differentiators for the brand.




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Celestial Tiger Entertainment licenses more than 1,700 hours of Lionsgate content

Celestial Tiger Entertainment licenses more than 1,700 hours of Lionsgate content:
Celestial Tiger Entertainment licenses more than 1,700 hours of Lionsgate content



Louise Duffy | 28-03-2013

Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has closed licensing deals for more than 1,700 hours of Lionsgate’s TV series and feature films with broadcasters and entertainment platforms in south east Asia and Greater China.

Highlights include the sale of Mad Men Season 5 to FOX International Channels (FIC), Anger Management to Comedy Central Asia, Boss to HBO Asia and Nashville to beTV and Sony Entertainment Television (SET) as well as a slate of current and upcoming feature films to HBO Asia and FIC.

“The scope of our recent licensing deals reflects the tremendous appetite for Lionsgate content in the Asian marketplace,” said Wendy Reeds, CTE’s executive vice president, content sales and distribution.

“It’s exciting to represent some of the most talked about series and movies of the past year and I’m pleased we have

found ideal homes for them in Asia.”




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Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Showtime is back to Sharing and this is the proof

Showtime is back to Sharing and this is the proof:

Peace be upon you and God’s mercy

What was waiting for every bouquet Showtime enthusiast exclusively for the first time in the Arab forums since December 19, 2010

To reach a breakthrough this system stubborn on Sharing and became available in addition to the servers Abu Dhabi Sport. I’m not going to insert a picture so as not to reveal the process and I’m going to insert a light server for this package giant, but for 3 days only so as not to be recognizable by the company

To download the server with your own username Click ****no ext links****


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Dutch broadcaster NOS selects GlobeCast and Eutelsat resources for SNG operations

Dutch broadcaster NOS selects GlobeCast and Eutelsat resources for SNG operations:
GlobeCast and Eutelsat Communications today announced that they have signed a multi-year agreement with NOS, the Dutch broadcasting network, for dedicated capacity on the EUTELSAT 12 West A satellite to meet NOS’s growing requirements for satellite news gathering (SNG).



The new contribution network will support NOS’s planned upgrade to HD operations for its SNG facilities and trucks by the end of 2013. It will also increase the broadcasting resources mobilised by NOS to support news events which promise to be highly active in the Netherlands in 2013; one high-profile story being the coronation on April 30 of Prince Willem-Alexander.




We’re pleased that we are once again able to meet NOS’s demanding requirements for reliability and quality of service,” said Alessandro Alquati, Director of Contribution Services at GlobeCast. “ We’re looking forward to working with Eutelsat to drive NOS’s expanding and evolving SNG operations.”



Satellites remain a core technology for flexible and high-quality reporting of news, sports and cultural events. We are delighted that the power and coverage of the EUTELSAT 12 west A satellite are matching the expectations of the Netherlands’ most experienced broadcaster and look forward to exciting times in collaboration with GlobeCast,” added Nick Daly, Managing Director, Eutelsat UK Ltd.

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Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Eutelsat and Arabsat resolve dispute

Eutelsat and Arabsat resolve dispute:
Eutelsat and Arabsat resolve dispute

By Chris Forrester





The long-running dispute between Eutelsat and Arabsat over the 25.5/26 degrees East orbital slot is on its way to being resolved. The argument has drawn in Qatar and largely revolves around frequencies claimed by Iran over its Zohreh-2 (non-existent) satellite. A decision has been pressing for some years, and made all the more dramatic by the upcoming launch of a Eutelsat/Es’Hail joint-venture satellite this summer.



Currently, under a controversial ITU decision, Iran is permitted to retain its regulatory filing for the Zohreh-2 craft. This latest outline agreement makes no mention of Iran’s claim which will no doubt lead to fireworks from Tehran.



The compromise agreement has been described by Eutelsat as not perfect, but allowing both parties to get on with business with a dependable structure. Arabsat’s CEO Khalid Balkheyour, said: “We recognize that the whole business is a compromise, and that there can be no outright winners in such a position, and we might be considered to be unhappy, as they will be unhappy, but at least we can live together and work with the transponders which are available.”



Settling this dispute means that Eutelsat has now wrapped up two out of its three major legal problems. The first was in the form of its Deutsche Telekom arbitration over the disputed 28.2/28.5 position, announced last month, and now this Arabsat problem.



All that remains is for it to resolve the complex dispute with SES over rights to the 28.2/28.5 degrees East position, which is before an arbitration tribunal in Paris.

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SPL sued in ‘pirate’ dispute

SPL sued in ‘pirate’ dispute:
SPL sued in ‘pirate’ dispute





scottish-footballThe Scottish Premier League (SPL) is facing a £1.7 million (€2m) damages claim over its bid to stop a pub group screening live matches via a Polish broadcaster.



The SPL secured a court order in 2007 preventing Lisini Pub Management showing games at ex-Celtic star Harry Hood’s bar, Angels, in Uddingston. The ban was rescinded after the European Court found a similar ban in England was a restriction on competition.



A judge has now rejected the SPL’s bid to have Lisini’s claim thrown out.

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BBC says goodbye to HD channel

BBC says goodbye to HD channel:
BBC says goodbye to HD channel

March 26, 2013



The BBC has shut down its BBC HD channel and replaced it with a simulcast HD feed of BBC2, which will air alongside the November 2010-launched BBC1 HD channel.



As of today BBC2 HD will be available subscription-free on all UK digital TV platforms offering HD channels – including Sky HD, Virgin Media, Freesat HD, BT Vision, Freeview HD and YouView.



The launch date, first announced earlier this year, follows the earlier decision to close the general BBC HD channel as part of the BBC’s ‘Delivering Quality First’ cost saving efforts, announced in 2011.



The BBC HD channel launched in December 2007 and was the UK’s first free-to-air, high-definition television channel. Since its launch, it has broadcast a stand-alone schedule of BBC High Definition output from across the corporation’s portfolio.

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DREAMBOX 100 - £ 99.00

DREAMBOX 100 - £ 99.00:

New Baby Dreambox non-linux model. Easy to set up and use.


USB, LNB, Ethernet Port, SCART, Card Reader.


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4oD delivered on Samsung Smart TVs

4oD delivered on Samsung Smart TVs:
4oD delivered on Samsung Smart TVs



Editor | 26-03-2013

As it continues on its path of strong upward growth, Channel 4 is making its 4oD video-on-demand service available on Samsung Smart TVs.

The increasingly popular VOD offering from the UK’s fourth largest broadcaster will be available from the Samsung Apps section of the Smart TV store giving viewers the opportunity to catch up on programmes for up to 30 days after transmission.

Programmes available will include Grand Designs, Hollyoaks, One Born Every Minute and the forthcoming second series of recent International Emmy winner, Black Mirror by Charlie Brooker. On the Samsung sets, 4oD will join services including Netflix, LOVEFiLM, Rightmove, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook andTwitter. “The new addition of 4oD to the Samsung Smart Hub not only strengthens our catch-up offering, it also provides our customers with even more choice for their television viewing,” said Robert King, vice president of consumer electronics for Samsung UK, commenting on the launch. “From popular dramas through to classics from the last three decades, customers will be guaranteed thousands of viewers’ hours of entertainment all complemented by Samsung’s premium picture quality and revolutionary product design.’’ Added Sarah Milton, head of VOD at Channel 4: “We’re pleased to be able to extend the availability of 4oD, our successful video-on-demand service, to Samsung’s Smart TVs as we continue to widen the reach of Channel 4 content onto key platforms. Smart TV owners will now be able to catch up with recent popular Channel 4 programmes and access many shows from Channel 4’s vast archive spanning 30 years of broadcasting - on demand via their television.”




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SXSW: AMC offers DVD extras with content in OTT movie portal

SXSW: AMC offers DVD extras with content in OTT movie portal:
SXSW: AMC offers DVD extras with content in OTT movie portal



Michelle Clancy | 14-03-2013

AMC Networks is launching a transactional video-on-demand catalogue movie website, dubbed Yeah! TV, starting with over 50 movies, including 300, Terminator and Pulp Fiction.

Films can be rented for $4.99 for 48 hours through the site, which AMC announced at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

The company said that Yeah! ([url]www.YeahTV.com[/url]) plans to differentiate itself by including access to bonus content typically found on a DVD, without obscuring the movie. Special features such as interviews with filmmakers and cast can be accessed with a click that pauses the movie and plays the interview.

For example, viewers can see director Richard Donner describe how Marlon Brando wanted his Superman character Jor-El to look like a bagel; watch Juliette Lewis and Tom Sizemore disagree on how his nose was broken while filming Natural Born Killers; hear Michael Madsen describe a near on-set fight between Quentin Tarantino and Lawrence Tierney during the filming of Reservoir Dogs; or hear Wes Craven describe what real-life events inspired him to create A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Viewers can also access trivia and little-known facts about characters and scenes minute-by-minute throughout each movie. And, there are quizzes that allow viewers to test their knowledge of favourite movies.

Catalogue titles available this month from a variety of studios include: Scream, Reservoir Dogs, 300, The Terminator, Clerks, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Crow, The Exorcist: Director’s Cut, Superman: The Movie, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2, Child’s Play, No Country for Old Men, Pulp Fiction, The Expendables, Blade Runner: The Final Cut, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Dirty Dancing, The Shining, Watchmen, This Is Spinal Tap, The Blair Witch Project, Jackie Brown, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Apocalypse Now Redux, From Dusk Till Dawn, Natural Born Killers and Hannibal.

A Yeah! iPad app is slated to debut this summer.




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3net enters development of new 3D, 4K content for linear TV

3net enters development of new 3D, 4K content for linear TV:
3net enters development of new 3D, 4K content for linear TV



Michelle Clancy | 26-03-2013

3net Studios has begun principal photography on two native 3D television series for global distribution and is finalising post-production on a returning series for the 3net US linear TV service. In addition, the company has put three native 4K television series into development.

“The global growth of 3DTV into the home increased by 72% in 2012, and we’re starting to see the impact of those 41 million new sets sold last year as consumers around the world look to their entertainment providers for compelling, original 3D content,” said Tom Cosgrove, president and CEO at 3net and 3net Studios, which is a joint venture between Sony, Discovery and IMAX. “And with a 2013 forecast of continued dramatic 3DTV penetration – and now a faster than anticipated roll-out of 4K – 3net Studios is bolstering our current roster of original 3D and 4K production to keep pace with the growing demand from the global marketplace.”

One of the productions is Turn & Burn, a six-episode, hour-long, non-scripted reality programme featuring the “artistry and antics of El Reyes Garage in Venice, California.” Meanwhile, Dark Secrets is an eight-episode, half-hour series with fictional recreations of supernatural psychic events. And, the company is in the final stages of post-production on a new season of Hillbilly Blood: A Hardscrabble Life, which is slated for a special 3D/2D simulcast on 3net and Discovery’s Destination America Saturday.

On the ultra HD front, the studio has put three new 4K original documentary and natural history series in active development: National Parks Adventure, Metropolis and Made by Man.




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Raleigh-Durham turns up airport TV

Raleigh-Durham turns up airport TV:
Raleigh-Durham turns up airport TV



Michelle Clancy | 26-03-2013

The ClearVision airport television network has launched in the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

With the February unveiling of ClearVision in the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, RDU’s installation marks the second US launch.

The service carries local news, music and sports programming from more than 140 content partners.

“For the more than nine million passengers who travel through RDU each year, our airport is the first and last impression they are left with when visiting the Research Triangle Region,” said RDU airport director, Michael Landguth. “Launching ClearVision gives us the opportunity to keep up with the tech-savvy population and communicate with travellers about all that our region has to offer.”

Welcoming more than 9.2 million travellers in 2012, RDU is the gateway to three top universities, a renowned high-tech community in Research Triangle Park and a range of tourist attractions ranging from the mountains of western North Carolina to the Atlantic coast.

“Consumer desire for fast, compact video information and entertainment is growing at a rapid pace, especially at airports; ClearVision’s shortened versions of popular shows, news and events directly address this opportunity,” said Clear Channel Airports’ president Toby Sturek. “ClearVision now gives travellers a more varied video entertainment experience while waiting in the airport. Its launch represents a huge step in delivering the information and entertainment that travellers constantly want, while also providing advertisers with a dynamic platform for reaching engaged audiences.”




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América Móvil garners Olympic broadcast rights for Rio, Sochi Games

América Móvil garners Olympic broadcast rights for Rio, Sochi Games:
América Móvil garners Olympic broadcast rights for Rio, Sochi Games



Gabriel Miramar-Garcia | 26-03-2013

América Móvil has acquired the broadcast rights for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and for the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, next year.

The company has acquired broadcast rights on all media platforms across Latin America, which includes Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

“In 2016 the Olympic Games in Rio will be a significant moment in Olympic history, and we are very pleased to have reached this important agreement to ensure fans across the continent are able to have the best broadcast experience of the Games,” said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

IOC finance commission chairman Richard Carrión, who led the negotiations, added, “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with América Móvil which is a new partner for the IOC. They demonstrated a clear passion for the Olympic values and are excited about the Games coming to Latin America in 2016. The IOC negotiates broadcast rights on behalf of the Olympic Movement, and we believe this is a great deal for our stakeholders. The agreement ensures there will continue to be free Olympic Games television coverage across Latin America, but also allows viewers the choice of following the action on other media platforms as well.”




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Amazon green-lights Zombieland for Prime original OTT series

Amazon green-lights Zombieland for Prime original OTT series:
Amazon green-lights Zombieland for Prime original OTT series



Michelle Clancy | 26-03-2013

Amazon Studios, the original movie and series production arm of Amazon.com, will add cult classic Zombieland to the line-up of pilots already in production for Prime Instant Video streaming over-the-top (OTT) service.

Zombieland, which is the seventh comedy pilot added to Amazon’s pilot line-up, will be made available (along with the other six comedy pilots and six children’s pilots) for free on Amazon Instant Video and LOVEFiLM UK. Customers are invited to view the pilots and then review them on the site; customer feedback will help determine which of the 13 pilots Amazon Studios will make into full-season productions, to air on Prime Instant Video.

“Zombieland is a fan favourite and we can’t wait to see where this story line goes in a serialised format,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios. “We’ve been announcing a lot of exciting exclusive content for Prime Instant Video, like Downton Abbey, Under the Dome, and Justified, and we think adding original shows to that line-up is going to make Prime even more enticing for customers.”

Zombieland is based on the hit Columbia Pictures movie of the same name, and finds four survivors outwitting zombies and searching for a place to call home. The Zombieland pilot comes from the feature film’s original creative team, writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (G.I. Joe: Retaliation, The Joe Schmo Show), and producer Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm). Eli Craig (Tucker and Dale vs. Evil) is directing the pilot.

“Zombieland will strive to break the rules — action, adventure, thrills, chills and laughs and all packed into a half-hour format,” said creator Paul Wernick. “This is not your average show, but Amazon is not your average network.”




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Sandvine wins $3MN in follow-on OSS orders from North American cableco

Sandvine wins $3MN in follow-on OSS orders from North American cableco:
Sandvine wins $3MN in follow-on OSS orders from North American cableco



Michelle Clancy | 26-03-2013

Broadband policy and OSS specialist Sandvine has nabbed $3 million in follow-on orders from a North American cable operator which has been a Sandvine customer since 2005.

The orders were received in March and represent the ongoing expansion of the operator’s deployment of business intelligence and traffic optimisation solutions.

Network Analytics, one of Sandvine’s BI products, forecasts long-term trends in consumer experience and resource utilisation so that operators can proactively decide where to allocate resources and spending. Sandvine’s Fairshare Traffic Management product uses network data to apply business rules that protect subscribers’ quality of experience under various network conditions.

“The strength and longevity of the relationships with our cable customers is attributable to ongoing product innovation that reflects more than a decade of experience working with top MSOs,” said Tom Donnelly, Sandvine’s COO for sales and global services. “As the cable market and Internet usage have evolved, we have continued to deepen the insight we offer into network traffic and enhance the flexibility of policies for improving the subscriber experience.”




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Monday, 25 March 2013

France Télécom-Orange won't sell all of Dailymotion

France Télécom-Orange won't sell all of Dailymotion:
France Télécom-Orange won’t sell all of Dailymotion



Parent Category: News | 25-03-2013



French operator France Télécom-Orange has no intention to sell the entire video streaming platform Dailymotion of which it owns 100%.



Following press stories about ongoing talks with US platforms including Yahoo! for a takeover of a 75% stake, Orange CEO Stéphane Richard has said that he’s looking more for an industrial partner.

Talking to Le Figaro, he added: “Dailymotion must be given means to develop and accelerate growth, notably in the US, to compete with giant YouTube. It is not a question of money but really of industrial partnership.”

2.5 billion videos are screened each month on Dailymotion, whose platform attracts 112 million unique visitors.




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France Télévisions introduces first cost reduction measures

France Télévisions introduces first cost reduction measures:
France Télévisions introduces first cost reduction measures



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 25-03-2013

On Friday France Télévisions’ president Rémy Pflilmlin disclosed to his board the first cost reduction measures he wants to take so the group can achieve financial balance in 2015, according to an in-house document cited by AFP.

The measures will be implemented in the coming weeks and will lead to the renegotiations or breaking of many contracts related to programming and other spending, the document says.

France Télévisions aims to save €150 million between now and 2015. The 2013 budget has been agreed, showing a €42 million loss.

The measures have been disclosed while negotiations between FTV and the French Ministry of Communication regarding amending the pubcaster’s contract of objectives and means, are still open.

The talks are aimed at redefining the goals of France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô, while the group faces a budget crunch this year.




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UK creative sector cashes in on digitisation

UK creative sector cashes in on digitisation:
UK creative sector cashes in on digitisation



Joseph O’Halloran | 25-03-2013

Digitisation has been “surprisingly” positive for the creative sector in the UK, very much including the TV sector, according to a new study by Booz & Company.

Commissioned by Google, “The Digital Future of Creative UK” study found that despite what it called significant structural changes, the revenues of the five major industries — book publishing, press publishing, film & TV, gaming and music — have increased to more than £30 billion since 2001, translating into a stable yearly growth rate of approximately 1%. During this period revenues from these digital businesses grew by more than 10% per year to almost £9 billion.



Fundamentally the survey found that the Internet in particular has driven media consumption of Europeans to record levels, finding that on average, Britons spend almost five hours per day with media products and services, two hours and 20 minutes of which dedicated to watching TV.

Commensurate with this increased engagement has been significant improvements in monetisation of content. European consumers were found to spend on average more than three pence per hour on media consumed online, representing an increase of almost 140% since 2003. The average monetisation level per consumer was 15 pence per hour for film and television content and roughly 20 pence for print products.

For the European market, the study comes to similar conclusions revealing total revenue of the focus industries increasing by £26 billion since 2001 to almost £175 billion. A quarter (£43 billion) of this revenue was attributed to digital businesses with a yearly growth rate of 11%, slightly more dynamic, said Booz, than the respective UK trend. However it noted that with a total daily media consumption of only slightly more than four hours and an Internet share of 1.3 hours, the European creative sector still has some way to go to fully catch up in the digital environment.

“Consumers and creators are the great beneficiaries of digitisation in the creative sector,” says Hannes Gmelin, principal and digital media expert from Booz. “But companies in the creative industries can also thrive as long as they are able to create relevant consumer experiences and focus on the two growth areas digital and consumer-paid content.”




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Pepsi IPL goes mobile with nexGTv

Pepsi IPL goes mobile with nexGTv:
Pepsi IPL goes mobile with nexGTv



Louise Duffy | 25-03-2013

Indian mobile TV service nexGTv has bagged the official mobile streaming rights for the Pepsi IPL 2013.

With a total of 76 matches, the action will start on 3 April and go on until 26 May. nexGTv will stream the matches live, and match repeats and highlights will be available in the video-on-demand (VOD) section of the nexGTv mobile app.

GD Singh, director of DigiVive, said: “Cricket is not just a sport in India but the real source of entertainment with a lot of emotions involved.

“This is ‘the real content’ desired by users. We have witnessed immense success during last cricketing actions that were streamed live on nexGTv. Streaming all the 76 matches of IPL is yet another step towards our commitment of delivering best possible service and content on our mobile TV platform.”




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mio TV and STAR Sports deliver enhanced F1 broadcasting

mio TV and STAR Sports deliver enhanced F1 broadcasting:
mio TV and STAR Sports deliver enhanced F1 broadcasting



Louise Duffy | 25-03-2013

Formula One fans in Singapore will be able to watch a ‘multiplied’ viewing experience of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship with mio TV’s Sports Multiview, a multiscreen channel offering viewers four additional angles of the event.

The additional views are provided by regional sports channel STAR Sports, and are available on SingTel mio TV channel 118.

They will cover all live broadcasts of the practice, qualifying and race days, all in high definition (HD).

The extra feeds will feature the following:




  • Main Race (Lead feed) – Catch all the race action across all feeds of the current race

  • Onboard (Driver Cam) - Watch all the action unfold directly from the driver’s seat

  • Pit Lane (Pit Cam) – Get access to the action happening in the pits with an insight into the challenges and pressures experienced by the Formula One teams

  • Telemetry (Distance Measurement) – Updates viewers on all the race data via the information screen




Viewers will be able to toggle between the different feeds.

The broadcast of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship is available to all mio TV subscribers of the Sports Plus Pack.




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Scripps Networks overhauls international travel channel

Scripps Networks overhauls international travel channel:
Scripps Networks overhauls international travel channel



Editor | 25-03-2013

A new brand identity, new programming and new scheduling are among the outcomes of a brand refresh across all international territories by Scripps Networks Interactive’s Travel Channel.

Said to be most radical overhaul in the channel’s history, Scripps said that following its acquisition of Travel Channel International a year ago its ambition was to bring the channel more in alignment with the overall Scripps brand, strategically unifying Scripps’s extensive library of content with new local commissions.

As a part of the overhaul, a newly enhanced schedule will see in excess of 400 hours of content added. Six new programming genres will be revealed as part of the channel’s fresh new look and feel - Adventure Experience, Factual Travel, Lifestyle, Food, Luxury and Travel Passions. Complementing the new brand logo and identity, creative agency Lambie-Nairn worked with Travel Channel International to devise new on-air materials.

The refresh will firstly roll out in territories outside the US, where the channel will still retain an international look and feel. The channel will have what Scripps says is a more substantial overhaul of its scheduling and programming, including series premieres across new programming genres, complemented by core programmes that Scripps claims will “continue to resonate” with global audiences. The US will then see a major launch to reflect its new brand shortly thereafter.

The Travel Channel US and Travel Channel International worked collaboratively to create the new logo and identity, for which Scripps said it was crafting a cohesive global brand that promises the best in travel-themed entertainment.



“As the leader in lifestyle media in the home, food and travel categories, Acripps Networks is proud to be investing in a brand new identity for Travel Channel across its international territories,” said Nick Thorogood, SVP content and marketing, Scripps EMEA, commenting on the move.

“Leveraging a well trusted brand in the US, we are building an even stronger brand together bringing our expertise and knowledge of the international market. We believe the new programming and presentation, alongside the new look, will appeal to all our audiences, affiliate partners and advertisers alike – it’s dynamic, fresh and delivers the experience and quality of a modern world-class channel.”




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Asia Today and ZEE invest £3MN in brand integration specialist MirriAd

Asia Today and ZEE invest £3MN in brand integration specialist MirriAd:
Asia Today and ZEE invest £3MN in brand integration specialist MirriAd



Louise Duffy | 25-03-2013

Digital brand integration specialist MirriAd today announced a £3.6 million strategic investment including £3 million from Asia Today Ltd (ATL) and ZEE, a deal led by Indian media entrepreneur Subhash Chandra and brokered by David Glick, CEO of entertainment and media business fund manager, and existing shareholder, Edge Investment Management (Edge).

The strategic investment between ATL and ZEE will see MirriAd deployed across India and other markets in Asia on broadcast, cable and satellite, and follows the success of campaigns by Zee TV in the UK, which used MirriAd technology to integrate UK brands into the Indian-produced popular daily soap Pavitra Rishta.

ZEE has 400,000 hours of programming available in six languages across the world and it aims to double its current reach of 670 million viewers in the 169 countries, to which it broadcasts.

MirriAd’s digital solution enables brands to be integrated into programming remotely and independently of production schedules. This MirriAd platform offers brands the opportunity to target huge audiences across many countries with ease and across a wide variety of content locally, regionally and globally.

Glick commented: “The results of MirriAd’s technology have to be seen to be believed, and with deregulation of product placement taking place around the world, the potential is enormous. We are delighted to welcome a businessman of the calibre of Subhash Chandra on board as a co-investor.”

MirriAd CEO Mark Popkiewicz said: “This is an exciting and important development for MirriAd. Asia and in particular India represents an incredibly important growth market with enormous potential for our bespoke technology for both media owners and brands. With a high GDP growth rate and a population of over 1.21 billion, India is a must-have market for brands. Edge is an active and supportive investor with immense entertainment industry knowledge, and to have Subhash Chandra together with ZEE and ATL commit to our future is a significant endorsement of our vision.”

Chandra, who is also chairman of ZEE, added: “MirriAd’s technology offers ZEE and ATL a great opportunity to integrate locally relevant brands across all our territories, who knows - we might even be able to create an ad-free channel before long.”




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Dimension 3 Festival calls for 4k content

Dimension 3 Festival calls for 4k content:
Dimension 3 Festival calls for 4k content



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 25-03-2013

Dimension 3 Festival, previously dedicated to independent S3D productions, has launched a competition category for 4K content. The deadline for film submissions is 26 April.

On 20 June, about 30 films will be screened in a cinema in Seine-Saint-Denis near Paris and an evening ceremony with 400 professionals will reward the best S3D and 4K content.

Distributors, producers and directors who wish to participate in the festival’s competition must submit their content online in one of the following categories: fiction (feature film, TV content, short film), documentary, animation, live recording, special formats (advertising, corporate film, graphical overlay, music video, theme park visual ride, museum content) and student films.

A selection of films from the competition will be presented as part of 3Discovery, a festival taking place in cinemas throughout Seine-Saint-Denis from 10-25 June 2013.




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3D still kicking as CAMERON | PACE earns Emmy nominations

3D still kicking as CAMERON | PACE earns Emmy nominations:
3D still kicking as CAMERON | PACE earns Emmy nominations



Editor | 25-03-2013

Reports of the death of 3DTV may be somewhat exaggerated as the CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) has won nominations along with ESPN 3D and CBS for two Sports Emmys.

Receiving its nomination from the 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Technical Team (Remote) category, CPG, formed by Hollywood legend James Cameron and Vincent Pace, was recognised for its work on ESPN 3D’s Winter X Games 16 and the 2012 PGA Masters Golf Tournament, a joint production between CBS and ESPN 3D.



The 2012 Winter X Games in Aspen required the deployment of 34 camera systems in six different event locations, some reaching higher than 9,000 feet. Five different rig variations, ranging from handhelds to robotic cameras, were used to capture the action.

CPG’s coverage of the 2012 Masters featured 28 systems. Coverage included the telecast of the Par 3 Contest, which took place the day before the start of the official golf tournament. The addition of a second location to the five-day shoot required strategic repositioning of seven different rigs around the Augusta course.

“Our thanks to the National Television Academy for its recognition,” commented Vincent Pace. “Both the ESPN Winter X Games and the Masters Golf Tournament are internationally recognised for excellence in sports broadcast. CPG is proud be a part of that tradition to innovate the sports experience for the viewer.”




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JSC Global Contact Consulting selects Eutelsat for new satellite TV platform

JSC Global Contact Consulting selects Eutelsat for new satellite TV platform:
JSC Global Contact Consulting selects Eutelsat for new satellite TV platform



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 25-03-2013

Georgian media company JSC Global Contact Consulting has selected Eutelsat Communications for a new satellite broadcasting platform called Global TV.

The company has signed a multi-year lease for capacity on the Eutelsat 36B satellite, using the widebeam footprint that provides premium coverage of Georgia, surrounding regions and as far as Western Europe.

JSC Global Contact Consulting will initiate satellite broadcasting this month, starting with four FTA channels and expanding to include both Georgian and international channels.

It plans to install several thousand dishes across Georgia over the next two years, which will be pointed to Eutelsat 36B at 36° East.




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HBO CTO: 3DTV is 'dead'

HBO CTO: 3DTV is 'dead':
HBO CTO: 3DTV is ‘dead’



Michelle Clancy | 25-03-2013

A top executive with premium cable net HBO has gone public with the opinion that 3DTV and 4K ultra HD TV are essentially dead in the water.

Bob Zitter, executive vice president and CTO at HBO, is due to leave HBO at the end of March but took the opportunity of a speaking turn at the TV Connect event in London to note that 3D with glasses was a failure, and that ultra HD has a very hard road ahead in order to succeed.

“We never thought that 3D with glasses was ever going to get off the ground,” Zitter told show attendees. “Consumers have shown they do not want to wear glasses in the home. 3D with glasses is dead.”

As for stereoscopic, glasses-free 3D technology, he added that it is likely to be many, many years before it becomes the norm in residential 3D systems.

When it comes to 4K TV content, Zitter was equally unenthused: “I’m very sceptical that consumers are going to want to buy it,” he said.

He said that because screens need to be at least 60” in order for the viewer to tell the difference between HD and ultra HD, and only about 25-30% of homes have the living room space for that size, the addressable market is automatically limited. Also, 4K sets are out of the price range of most consumers, costing from $15,000 to $40,000.

“Zitter’s comments on 4K should concern TV makers who are increasing their investment in new 4K sets,” said analysts at TV Predictions. “If channels such as HBO are reluctant to produce in 4K — and there is already a dearth of programming available in the format — it will be increasingly difficult to persuade consumers to buy the sets, regardless of price.”






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Friday, 22 March 2013

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JSC of Georgia selects EUTELSAT 36B for new satellite TV platform

JSC of Georgia selects EUTELSAT 36B for new satellite TV platform:
SC Global Contact Consulting, the Georgian media company, today announced it has selected Eutelsat Communications for a new satellite broadcasting platform called Global TV. The company has signed a multi-year lease for capacity on the powerful EUTELSAT 36B satellite, using the widebeam footprint that provides premium coverage of Georgia, surrounding regions and as far as Western Europe. JSC Global Contact Consulting will initiate satellite broadcasting this month, starting with four Free-to-Air channels and progressively expanding to include both Georgian and international channels.



In order to accelerate access to the new platform, JSC Global Contact Consulting
plans to install several thousand dishes across Georgia over the next two years that will be pointed to EUTELSAT 36B at 36° East.



Z
urab Bazlidze, Director General of JSC Global Contact Consulting, commented: “The EUTELSAT 36B satellite quickly emerged as the platform of choice for our new venture. It combines the power we need for DTH broadcasting with exceptional coverage of our chosen regions. We can launch our new platform confident that the service and support provided by Eutelsat will accelerate the success of this new broadcasting initiative in Georgia.”



Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet,
Eutelsat’s Chief Commercial Officer, added: “We welcome JSC Global Contact Consulting onto the powerful EUTELSAT 36B satellite that offers strong opportunities for continued growth. Satellite broadcasting in Georgia is poised to enter a new era and we look forward to building a longstanding relationship with our new partner.”

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Thursday, 21 March 2013

Major Media Players Highlighted at TV Connect Industry Awards

Major Media Players Highlighted at TV Connect Industry Awards:
London, 21 March 2013 – Industry game-changers and innovators from around the globe have been acknowledged as the leaders in their field at the TV Connect Industry Awards. Telefónica Digital, Ericsson, Telekom Malaysia and ZTE Corporation are included in the winning line-up announced at the prestigious gala ceremony last night. The awards highlight excellence in the connected entertainment space and celebrate the broad range of innovation and achievement in the industry.



Now in its seventh year and judged by an impressive panel of senior individuals in the industry, including cable and telecom operators and independent experts, the awards took place at One Mayfair, London (20 March) and are a symbol of recognition and respect in the connected entertainment community.



Joanna Jones, Events Director for TV Connect, said: “The calibre of entries for the awards gets stronger every year and our winners are a true showcase of the excellence that keeps the industry advancing. By receiving acknowledgement for their outstanding work and commitment and their ground-breaking technologies, award winners can strengthen their positions as technology leaders, receive much-deserved recognition from their peers and continue spearheading new developments in the connected entertainment ecosystem.”



Bob Zitter, EVP and CTO of Home Box Office (HBO), was also presented with an award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Industry during the ceremony, for his efforts as a technology leader and innovator. The accolade came ahead of Zitter’s participation in the TV Connect conference agenda this morning (Thursday 21 March), in which he gave a keynote presentation.



The full list of winners:



Bouygues Telecom – Best TV Experience Enhancement

Telefónica Digital – Best Multiscreen TV Service

Motorola Mobility – Best Multiscreen TV Solution

Broadpeak – Best Network Technology for IP TV & OTT TV

Minerva Networks – Best SDP for IP TV & OTT TV

AT&T – Best TV App

DUNE HD – Best TV Consumer Device

ZON TV Cabo – Best TV On The Move Service

Ericsson – Best Cloud or CDN Service Delivery

Telekom Malaysia – Best Live Online TV Service or Solution

SoftAtHome – Best Digital Home Service Innovation

ACCESS - Best Component or Enabler

ZTE Corporation - Special Category Award: Best New Route To Multiscreen Monetisation

Bob Zitter - Outstanding Contribution to the Industry



Highly commended:



Viaccess-Orca - Best TV Experience Enhancement

Virgin Media – Best Multiscreen TV Service

Verimatrix – Best Multiscreen TV Solution

Mariner – Best Network Technology for IP TV & OTT TV

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. - Best SDP for IP TV & OTT TV

Accedo – Best TV App

Amino – Best TV Consumer Device

Tvinci – Best TV On The Move Service

NAGRA – Best Cloud or CDN Service Delivery

Oman Telecommunications Company – Best Live Online TV Service or Solution

Advanced Digital Broadcast SA - Best Digital Home Service Innovation

Broadcom Corporation - Best Component or Enabler

Verimatrix - Special Category Award: Best New Route To Multiscreen Monetisation



For more information about the TV Connect Industry Awards 2013 please visit the website at [url]www.tvconnectawards.com[/url].

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Wednesday, 20 March 2013

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FiOS TV to offer beIN SPORT

FiOS TV to offer beIN SPORT:
FiOS TV to offer beIN SPORT



Editor | 20-03-2013

In the latest component of its venture into the US, Al Jazeera’s beIN SPORT subsidiary has signed a deal with Verizon to host its content on the FiOS TV service.



Claimed to be America’s fastest growing network, dedicated to live and exclusive coverage of international sports in particular football, beIN SPORT will take its HD channels both in English and, crucially for the beautiful game in the US, Spanish via beIN SPORT en Español HD to Verizon’s fibre-based TV service which regards itself as America’s most advanced video network, with over 4.7 million customers nationwide.



FiOS TV customers will now have access to leagues and tournaments from Europe and South America, including Spain’s La Liga — boasting the big draws of Lionel Messi and Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid — as well as Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1, South American World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America 2015. The network also carries the US Men’s National Soccer Team away games of the 2014 World Cup as well as international tennis, golf, volleyball, rugby, handball, motorsports and more.



Verizon will offer beIN SPORT on FiOS TV as part of its Ultimate HD package. The Spanish-language channel, beIN SPORT en Español HD, will be available on FiOS TV Channel in Verizon’s La Conexion and Spanish-language TV packages. The channels are available now to FiOS TV customers in Florida, Texas, California, and Pittsburgh, and will be available in all markets by mid-April.



“FiOS TV customers can now enjoy the exclusive international sports programming found only on beIN SPORT and beIN SPORT en Español,” commented Ben Grad, director of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon. “We know how important this channel is for many of our customers, and we are excited to provide them with a way to watch the top leagues from around the world. The addition of beIN SPORT is part of our ongoing commitment to give our customers access to the most exciting sports programming and most popular multicultural content available today.”



“We’re celebrating. To be a part of FiOS TV is another significant milestone,” added Yousef Al Obaidly, managing director of beIN SPORT. “Now FiOS sports fans can experience the power and drama of live international competition with our unique presentation that enables viewers to ‘be in’ the game and enjoy every thrilling moment.”

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Al Jazeera to launch French News Channel

Al Jazeera to launch French News Channel:
Al Jazeera to launch French News Channel



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 20-03-2013

Al Jazeera’s director Ahmed Ben Jassem Al-Thani has announced the upcoming launch of a French-speaking news channel.



Speaking at a forum in Doha, Qatar, the director didn’t mention where the network would broadcast from, however.

Since last summer, Al Jazeera has been op

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Tuesday, 19 March 2013

SES increases reach to 276 million TV homes worldwide

SES increases reach to 276 million TV homes worldwide:
SES announced today that it has further increased its reach in 2012, driven by strong gains, especially in India and Germany. SES now reaches 276 million TV homes worldwide, over 17 million homes more than in 2011.



The most important growth driver of the increase in reach was India, with a year-on-year gain of 7.5 million TV homes. The two very successful DTH platforms, Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV, now reach 25 million Indian TV homes with SES satellites. The SES capacity in India is contracted through the Indian Space Research Organisation. The Indian DTH market is growing at a fast pace, with an average increase of more than 800,000 subscribers per month in 2012. Dish TV is the largest DTH operator in India and Asia. Airtel is one of the fastest growing DTH operators in India and joined the SES platform in 2011.



Germany has again contributed significantly to the growth of satellite reach in 2012. The switch-off of analogue satellite signals and the success of the platform HD+ have contributed to a further growth of the satellite reach by more than 500,000 to over 18 million homes in 2012.



In Europe, 85 million TV homes receive their signal from satellites, up from 84 million in 2011. Over the last four years, satellite has increased its reach in Europe by 17 percent. Terrestrial and cable reception both slightly decreased year-on-year, from 79 million in 2011 to 78 million in 2012 for terrestrial homes and from 69 to 68 million for cable homes in Europe. IPTV increased from 16 to 17.5 million homes. With 43 percent of all digital homes, satellite continues to be the leading digital TV infrastructure in Europe. The number of households watching satellite TV in HD quality continues to increase and reached 41 percent of all satellite households. ASTRA serves 143 million European TV households (including indirect cable and IPTV reach), 73 percent of all European satellite homes and 80 percent of all European satellite HD homes.



These are the results of the SES Satellite Monitor, a market research study that SES conducts annually.



“The further extension of our reach is the result of our significant fleet investments and the successful development of leading DTH platforms, especially in emerging markets,” said Norbert Hoelzle, Senior Vice President Commercial Europe at SES. “More and more households acknowledge the significant advantages of satellite reception and the excellent channel line-up in numerous markets. SES has succeeded in generating growth not only in very dynamic emerging markets but also in highly developed markets like Germany. The further deployment of our fleet and continuous investments into new technologies like HD, Ultra HD and SAT>IP confirm our strategy to be the partner of choice for free-to-air and pay-TV broadcasters as a technical enabler. SES is also the infrastructure of choice for millions of consumers and TV viewers.”

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