Latin America's pay-TV regulations creating inequality

Latin America's pay-TV regulations creating inequality:

Latin America’s pay-TV regulations creating inequality



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 30-09-2013



The different laws and regulations for media in Latin America may be generating inequality in the pay-TV sector. During Jornadas Internacionales, organised by AVTV – Argentina’s association of cable TV – the region’s different models were discussed, with special focus on Argentina’s media law.



José Felix, from Brazil’s Net, described its country’s example as a way of improving an industry through law. According to him, after removing the licences’ limits and creating a stable environment for investment, the competition experienced great growth.



“There is no geographical limit for the licences and with a relative low budget it’s possible to accede to a satellite or cable permission,” said Felix. “Now it’s possible to invest and plan the future of the industry.”



The situation in Argentina is radically different. The law doesn’t guarantee the future of the investments, so competition is being affected. “One cable licence lasts for ten years and may not be renewed,” explained Carlos Moltini, from Cablevision. “The investments need from seven to nine years to return, and at the same tame the telcos operate with more advantages,” which he says generates unequal conditions within which to compete.



Venezuela has other problems related to the sector’s development and the difficulties in purchasing technology. According to Eduardo Stigol from Intercable, the law is quite advanced in Venezuela but the main problems are related to importation rules and the currency’s instability.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267708-Latin-America-s-pay-TV-regulations-creating-inequality?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Kantar Media appoints Mansoor Khan in new director's role

Kantar Media appoints Mansoor Khan in new director's role:

Kantar Media appoints Mansoor Khan in new director’s role



Louise Duffy | 30-09-2013



Kantar Media has appointed Mansoor Khan to the new role of director of MENA and South Asia, Kantar Media Audiences.



The company is already active in the region, with operations in the UAE, Egypt, Turkey and technology licensing arrangements in several territories in southern Asia.



With more than 23 years of experience, Khan is a veteran of the television audience research and measurement business. In his new role he will lead business development activities to increase the company’s footprint in the region.



Currently director of international developments at Kantar Media Audiences, Khan has played an instrumental role in securing and launching the company’s TV audience measurement services in more than 14 countries across Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Far East Asia and China.



Keld Nielsen, global commercial director, Kantar Media Audiences, said: “We see huge potential in this region across all areas of media which means putting in place credible electronic measurement techniques to underpin trading currencies. In appointing Mansoor to this key role to develop our local presence, the industry will also benefit from his considerable skills and experience.”



Khan added: “I am looking forward to working with clients and the wider industry in such a dynamic and media-driven area of the world. Promoting the importance of understanding and measuring the connected consumer, across all media, continues to be at the forefront of our mission in this region and further afield. I welcome the opportunity.”



The new role is effective from 1 October 2013, and Khan will relocate from London to the region.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267710-Kantar-Media-appoints-Mansoor-Khan-in-new-director-s-role?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal

BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal:

BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 30-09-2013



BRB Internacional is to distribute the pre-schooler hit The Hive in Spain and Portugal.



The 78-episode series, which is globally represented by Space Enterprises, is achieving worldwide success. The show was also popular with Spanish audiences when some parts of the series were broadcast on Disney Junior.



But from now on, BRB, which is also producing children’s shows such as Invizimals, will be acting as an exclusive agent for the Iberian Peninsula.



The Hive targets pre-schoolers and aims to help them understand daily life in a simple and positive way, with a very colourful style. As with many of the latest successes on children’s TV, the brand is supported all around the world by different partners for different platforms. Mookie is in charge of toys, Leap Frog is responsible for educational games, Avanquest for videogames, Igloo for books, and Ravensburger for puzzles.



Disney Junior broadcasts The Hive in over 150 countries and it has a wide range of broadcasting platforms, such as ITV1 in the UK, ABC in Australia and YLE in Finland.



“We are confident that it’s going to be a big success in Spain, as well as Portugal where it premieres next year,” said Javier Biern, director of licensing at BRB. “The ratings remain strong everywhere, so we look forward to opening up our licensing programme in Spain and Portugal, and also hope to see a terrestrial partner come on board soon,” added Mark Hurry from Space Enterprises.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267709-BRB-to-exclusively-distribute-The-Hive-in-Spain-and-Portugal?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation

euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation:

euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation



Parent Category: News | 30-09-2013



The euronews multiplatform and multilingual European news channel has struck an exclusive global partnership with smartclip to monetise its recently-launched video content across the online video, mobile and connected TV applications.



euronews claims to be Europe’s most-watched news channel, available 24 hours a day in 13 language services and currently watched in 400 million homes in 155 countries. For its part, smartclip has recently inked deals with Philips, Samsung and LG, allowing the multiscreen advertising platform to grow its reach for advertisers. Under the terms of the arrangement with euronews, the multiscreen video and brand advertising platform will deliver advertisements for the news organisation in Europe, Australia, Canada and the US as it expands its multichannel presence.



smartclip believes that the partnership will enable euronews to maximise its rich media content through advertising, and allow brands to interact with consumers across numerous devices, reaching them whenever and wherever they are with engaging and rich content. “As we add more and more rich media content to our news channel, it is important that we adapt our advertising formats,” said euronews managing director Olivier de Montchenu. “We have partnered with smartclip due to the global reach of its community and the fact that with its advertising solutions, our viewers will be able to receive meaningful ads for them.”



Added Jean-Pierre Fumagalli, CEO at smartclip: “We are excited to be working with euronews across the world, helping advertisers to realise the value of engaging online video advertising on the channel. This partnership continues to expand our inventory across different devices and applications and tap into the consumer appetite for online news.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267707-euronews-fastens-on-smartclip-to-boost-multiscreen-monetisation?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Eutelsat and SBS Net Connect Montenegro’s Police HQ and Border Controls

Eutelsat and SBS Net Connect Montenegro’s Police HQ and Border Controls:

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and Satellite Broadband Service Network Montenegro (SBS Net) today announced the completion of an ultra-fast, secure satellite network connecting Montenegro’s police headquarters with the country’s six border control stations. The implementation is the first live VPN to use OneAccess’ game-changing satellite router, which delivers high speed, enterprise-class VPN services via Eutelsat’s next-generation KA-SAT satellite. The new network delivers transmission speeds of up to 20Mbps download and 6Mbps upload and will enable the Police of Montenegro to benefit from the most advanced uses of an ultra-fast broadband VPN, including the rapid implementation of integrated backup and traffic offload solutions in highly secure environments.



“The ability to exchange information quickly and securely between Montenegro’s Police HQ and its six border control stations will enhance its operations considerably,” said Ljiljana Vukovic, Manager of SBS Net. “This project provides the Police of Montenegro the means to control the country’s borders via a highly secure network. The results of extensive testing demonstrated that the OneAccess solution significantly improved the network’s user experience and bandwidth capability, while maintaining an absolutely secure environment. We are confident that the benefits of this one-box solution will be recognized by other business clients.”



In March, Eutelsat and OneAccess introduced an innovative satellite router solution using next generation KA-SAT capabilities to deliver DSL-like satellite VPN services at DSL-like prices to the enterprise market. The solution enables the delivery of a variety of traffic acceleration, IP routing and IP-VPN secure transport services and has been specifically designed to meet the needs of organisations that require centralised control over geographically dispersed offices, like Montenegro’s police HQ and border control stations.



Bertrand Meis, CEO at OneAccess, commented: “Enterprise satellite broadband was once considered by the market to be a costly connectivity solution, principally suitable for hard to reach locations. Our partnership with Eutelsat has given us the opportunity to challenge this perception and open a new sales category for satellite broadband, enabling communication service providers of all kinds to offer compelling next generation satellite services to the business marketplace. This is the first satellite offering to satisfy both the encryption and network optimisation demands required to bring competitive and reliable business-grade satellite connectivity to market. The power of KA-SAT has enabled us to provide innovative and cost-effective products designed to meet the challenging demands not only of distributed companies but also of vital public institutions, such as the Police of Montenegro.”



Jean-François Fenech, General Manager of Eutelsat Broadband, said: “Montenegro Police’s decision to choose a KA-SAT delivered service for vital communications further underlines the capability and reliability of next generation satellite technology. Our KA-SAT services are leading the market for satellite broadband, while our partnerships with OneAccess and SBS Net enable us to deliver this capability to businesses and other large organisations.”



OneAccess designs, develops and markets innovative platforms for the profitable delivery of CPE-based managed network services for communication service providers (CSPs) across the globe. In June 2013, the Eutelsat and OneAccess partnership received the Business Service Innovation Award at the 2013 Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards for radically transforming the landscape for satellite-based enterprise communications across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267661-Eutelsat-and-SBS-Net-Connect-Montenegro’s-Police-HQ-and-Border-Controls?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal

BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal:

BRB to exclusively distribute The Hive in Spain and Portugal



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 30-09-2013



BRB Internacional is to distribute the pre-schooler hit The Hive in Spain and Portugal.



The 78-episode series, which is globally represented by Space Enterprises, is achieving worldwide success. The show was also popular with Spanish audiences when some parts of the series were broadcast on Disney Junior.



But from now on, BRB, which is also producing children’s shows such as Invizimals, will be acting as an exclusive agent for the Iberian Peninsula.



The Hive targets pre-schoolers and aims to help them understand daily life in a simple and positive way, with a very colourful style. As with many of the latest successes on children’s TV, the brand is supported all around the world by different partners for different platforms. Mookie is in charge of toys, Leap Frog is responsible for educational games, Avanquest for videogames, Igloo for books, and Ravensburger for puzzles.



Disney Junior broadcasts The Hive in over 150 countries and it has a wide range of broadcasting platforms, such as ITV1 in the UK, ABC in Australia and YLE in Finland.



“We are confident that it’s going to be a big success in Spain, as well as Portugal where it premieres next year,” said Javier Biern, director of licensing at BRB. “The ratings remain strong everywhere, so we look forward to opening up our licensing programme in Spain and Portugal, and also hope to see a terrestrial partner come on board soon,” added Mark Hurry from Space Enterprises.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267648-BRB-to-exclusively-distribute-The-Hive-in-Spain-and-Portugal?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Latin America's pay-TV regulations creating inequality

Latin America's pay-TV regulations creating inequality:

Latin America’s pay-TV regulations creating inequality



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 30-09-2013



The different laws and regulations for media in Latin America may be generating inequality in the pay-TV sector. During Jornadas Internacionales, organised by AVTV – Argentina’s association of cable TV – the region’s different models were discussed, with special focus on Argentina’s media law.



José Felix, from Brazil’s Net, described its country’s example as a way of improving an industry through law. According to him, after removing the licences’ limits and creating a stable environment for investment, the competition experienced great growth.



“There is no geographical limit for the licences and with a relative low budget it’s possible to accede to a satellite or cable permission,” said Felix. “Now it’s possible to invest and plan the future of the industry.”



The situation in Argentina is radically different. The law doesn’t guarantee the future of the investments, so competition is being affected. “One cable licence lasts for ten years and may not be renewed,” explained Carlos Moltini, from Cablevision. “The investments need from seven to nine years to return, and at the same tame the telcos operate with more advantages,” which he says generates unequal conditions within which to compete.



Venezuela has other problems related to the sector’s development and the difficulties in purchasing technology. According to Eduardo Stigol from Intercable, the law is quite advanced in Venezuela but the main problems are related to importation rules and the currency’s instability.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267647-Latin-America-s-pay-TV-regulations-creating-inequality?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation

euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation:

euronews fastens on smartclip to boost multiscreen monetisation



Parent Category: News | 30-09-2013



The euronews multiplatform and multilingual European news channel has struck an exclusive global partnership with smartclip to monetise its recently-launched video content across the online video, mobile and connected TV applications.



euronews claims to be Europe’s most-watched news channel, available 24 hours a day in 13 language services and currently watched in 400 million homes in 155 countries. For its part, smartclip has recently inked deals with Philips, Samsung and LG, allowing the multiscreen advertising platform to grow its reach for advertisers. Under the terms of the arrangement with euronews, the multiscreen video and brand advertising platform will deliver advertisements for the news organisation in Europe, Australia, Canada and the US as it expands its multichannel presence.



smartclip believes that the partnership will enable euronews to maximise its rich media content through advertising, and allow brands to interact with consumers across numerous devices, reaching them whenever and wherever they are with engaging and rich content. “As we add more and more rich media content to our news channel, it is important that we adapt our advertising formats,” said euronews managing director Olivier de Montchenu. “We have partnered with smartclip due to the global reach of its community and the fact that with its advertising solutions, our viewers will be able to receive meaningful ads for them.”



Added Jean-Pierre Fumagalli, CEO at smartclip: “We are excited to be working with euronews across the world, helping advertisers to realise the value of engaging online video advertising on the channel. This partnership continues to expand our inventory across different devices and applications and tap into the consumer appetite for online news.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267636-euronews-fastens-on-smartclip-to-boost-multiscreen-monetisation?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Successful launch for Astra 2E

Successful launch for Astra 2E:

Successful launch for Astra 2E



Editor | 30-09-2013



Leading satellite operator SES has announced the successful initial launch phase of its new ASTRA 2E craft aboard an ILS Proton launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.



Built by Astrium of France and based on the Eurostar E3000 platform, ASTRA 2E carries 60 Ku-band transponders, as well as 4 Ka-band transponders. The satellite has been designed to enable the delivery of next-generation broadcast and broadband services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the highly popular neighbourhood of 28.2/28.5 degrees East.



ASTRA 2E is be the seventh Eurostar satellite in the SES fleet, following the launch of SES-6 in June 2013 and ASTRA 2F in September 2012.



After launching on schedule, SES subsequently confirmed successful first, second and third-stage separations and ignition of the Breeze M booster rocket.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267627-Successful-launch-for-Astra-2E?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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BBC reveals drama premieres on iPlayer

BBC reveals drama premieres on iPlayer:

BBC reveals drama premieres on iPlayer



Editor | 30-09-2013



The BBC has accelerated its digital content strategy by premiering documentaries on the iPlayer catch-up and video-on-demand (VOD) platform before they are screened on their commissioning channel.



Part of the Modern Outlaws Season on BBC Four’s Storyville documentary series the documentaries — Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer, Smash And Grab: The Story Of The Pink Panthers and The Great Hip-Hop Hoax — will each premiere on BBC iPlayer on 12 October and subsequently broadcast on BBC Four nine days later.



The digital first offerings form part of the BBC’s trial to premiere up to 40 hours of programmes across the iPlayer. Each of the Storyville documentaries in the Modern Outlaws Season are said to feature unprecedented material such as never-before-seen footage of the Pussy Riot trial, the first televised interviews with members of the Pink Panthers and exclusive interviews with hip-hop duo Silibil N’ Brains.



Commenting on the strategic nature of the move, Nick Fraser, series editor, Storyville, said: “This is a bold experiment. Storyville has been doing very well on BBC iPlayer and we want to see how our films do when they are premiered there. It’s another step on the way to making documentaries freely available in any medium through the BBC.”



Added head of TV content, BBC iPlayer, Victoria Jaye: “By network premiering these three powerful Storyville films on BBC iPlayer and featuring them as a single Modern Outlaws Season, we want to increase their exposure and attract audiences who might miss them in the schedule … we’re excited to see how the audience respond to us more creatively harnessing BBC iPlayer to complement how they discover our programmes.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267626-BBC-reveals-drama-premieres-on-iPlayer?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Spanish starting to cut the cord but not sheltering behind OTT

Spanish starting to cut the cord but not sheltering behind OTT:

Spanish starting to cut the cord but not sheltering behind OTT



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 29-09-2013



Pay-TV is clearly falling in Spain and has lost more than 500,000 subscriptions during the past year, according to a report by CMT, the telecom market commission. But over-the-top (OTT) operators are not profiting as a result.



Although not all the OTT and online services are counted in the report - they still appear under the section “others” and the CMT has not developed a specific counting method for them - the figures show clearly that the Spanish audience is still not betting on the new pay-TV formats.



From some 4 million customers in 2008, Spain’s pay-TV sector has lost clients in cable, IPTV and satellite and currently accounts for just 3.7 million people. Canal+ is still on top with 1.6 million customers (nearly 100,000 left the platform since last year). ONO with 830,000 and Movistar TV with 630,000 are second and third.



The report doesn’t show a picture of VOD or multiscreen services, which, according to some companies’ statements, have been experiencing growth lately.



Pay-TV has also seen a fall in revenue, although it has invoiced around €400 million in Q2, accumulating more than €800 million in the first half of the year. The mobile TV business, which was non-existent a few years ago, has grown to reach €7 million in revenue in Q1 and Q2.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267582-Spanish-starting-to-cut-the-cord-but-not-sheltering-behind-OTT?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Orange launches VOD, HD, multiscreen pay-TV in Spain

Orange launches VOD, HD, multiscreen pay-TV in Spain:

Orange launches VOD, HD, multiscreen pay-TV in Spain



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 29-09-2013



After several months of rumours lacking in detail, Orange has officially presented its renovated pay-TV service for Spain through which it intends to reach 100,000 customers by the end of the year.



Orange TV will be a HD, multiscreen and VOD platform ready to compete in a still small market but with great growth expectations.



The IPTV platform will have 25 channels plus the regular DTT offer integrated in the same service. Fox, AXN, Calle 13, TNT, Paramount Comedy or Fox Crime, among others, will be available. In addition, all channels that broadcast in HD in Spain will be available in high quality for connections more than 8Mb.



Orange TV will have a catch-up service with content available up to 15 days after the original broadcasting and a VOD platform with some 600 titles. An extra service with Disney content on-demand will be available for a higher price.



The platform is designed for ADSL and current Orange TV customers, but can also be used by 3G and 4G customers. An Android and iOS app will bring the service to the multi-platform environment.



The former Orange pay-TV platform never achieved success in Spain, where pay-TV is not popular. But the recent successes of online, VOD and OTT operators have make the French telco bet again on TV.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267583-Orange-launches-VOD-HD-multiscreen-pay-TV-in-Spain?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Fox brings Life and MundoFox to Latin America

Fox brings Life and MundoFox to Latin America:

Fox brings Life and MundoFox to Latin America



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 29-09-2013



Fox International is bringing Fox Life and MundoFox to Latin America. The channels will available from 4 November, for more than 70% of the Latin audience.



Fox Life will be similar to Utilísima, focusing on lifestyle, but trying to target a younger audience. The channel will include international shows featuring chefs Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, showing for the first time in the region. According to Fox, lifestyle has been the subgenre that has experienced the greatest growth in the region during the past year.



MundoFox is a entertainment channel produced exclusively for the region with Hispanic content, including movies, reality shows, series and original productions.



Diego Reck, senior VP for marketing at Fox, said: “With MundoFox we are betting on generating Latin versions of worldwide hits such as E.R, Malcolm in the Middle or Breaking Bad, either self-producing or collaborating with other companies.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267581-Fox-brings-Life-and-MundoFox-to-Latin-America?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Bundesliga launches YouTube channel

Bundesliga launches YouTube channel:

Bundesliga launches YouTube channel



Jörn Krieger | 28-09-2013





Germany’s national football association Deutsche Fußball Liga has set up a YouTube channel to keep international football fans up to date with the happenings in the German football league, Bundesliga.



The free-of-charge offering includes highlights and goals, reports about players, funny scenes and videos from the Bundesliga history.

The target group are Bundesliga fans in foreign countries, mainly the USA, Japan, Russia and Poland. The YouTube channel is not available in German-speaking Europe for rights reasons.

An editorial team produces new clips in English language each day. There will be around 20 videos each week tailor-made for the fans in the different countries.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267496-Bundesliga-launches-YouTube-channel?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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BBC Worldwide acquires format rights to Sewing Bee

BBC Worldwide acquires format rights to Sewing Bee:

BBC Worldwide acquires format rights to Sewing Bee



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 28-09-2013





BBC Worldwide has acquired the format rights for Sewing Bee, from the creator of The Great British Bake Off, Love Productions, ahead of Mipcom 2013.



The Great British Sewing Bee, which has been re-commissioned for a second series, won an average 3 million viewers and outperformed BBC Two’s primetime average share by 70% (among All Individuals 4+).

The format follows a nationwide competition to find the country’s best amateur sewer via three tense, time-limited challenges.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267493-BBC-Worldwide-acquires-format-rights-to-Sewing-Bee?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Sony inks remake deal with Cosmo Film

Sony inks remake deal with Cosmo Film:

Sony inks remake deal with Cosmo Film



Editor | 28-09-2013





More Scandinavian creative long ships are setting sail for the US as Sony has signed a remake deal with Copenhagen production house Cosmo Film for hit series Park Road.



Scandinavian dramas are hit stuff right now as the success of subtitled original dramas Wallander, The Killing, The Bridge and Borgen in the UK have driven US remakes of The Killing and The Bridge which FOX International Channels (FIC) has just picked up the exclusive second season pay-TV rights for .

Written by Mette Heeno and produced by Mie Andreasen, Park Road (Laerkevej) is an ensemble story featuring the lives of the residents of the fictional eponymous street each of whom has a fatal secret. It was first aired on Danish Broadcaster TV2, lasting for two seasons and also had a theatrical feature released across Denmark in 2012. Park Road was made with support from the Danish Film Institute with TV2 distributing locally, and LevelK handling world-wide distribution.

“We are thrilled and honoured by this opportunity – especially with Robin and Mitch attached whom we find extremely talented. This is confirming the international potential of Danish TV drama”, said Cosmo Films co-owner Rasmus Thorsen.

The deal also incorporates eOne as production partner and NBC as official US broadcaster.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267494-Sony-inks-remake-deal-with-Cosmo-Film?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Netflix raises the bar on OTT quality

Netflix raises the bar on OTT quality:

Netflix raises the bar on OTT quality



Editor | 28-09-2013





Rounding off a rather good week Netflix is to give all of its members access to HD programing regardless of their Internet service provider (ISP).



The move comes only days after the over the top (OTT) leader had signed up a distribution deal with a second leading European cable company, Sweden’s Com Hem, following a similar arrangement with Virgin Media in the UK. Netflix will be available as an app in Com Hem’s TiVo service from December 2013.

With access over cable networks removing any network quality issues for the equation, Netflix is turning to improve QoE over its traditional access platforms. Netflix will now offer content in a higher bit rate stream, Super HD, applying less compression to the 1080p image and meaning that the ability to receive content in such quality will depend on broadband quality and performance. The company stresses that members who subscribe to an ISP with a direct Netflix connection will get the best experience. However the HD and Super HD streams are only available on certain titles.

Outlining why corporate communications director Joris Evers said: “We initially rolled out Super HD in January only through ISPs with a direct connection to Netflix. Based on the performance data we’ve seen, and in response to member requests, we are now expanding availability to give all our members the ability to enjoy Netflix in the best possible quality.”

Netflix added that it would continue to encourage ISPs to adopt Netflix Open Connect , its optimised video content delivery network available free to ISPs and said to be designed to deliver the best possible Netflix experience by storing content as close as possible to members’ homes.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267495-Netflix-raises-the-bar-on-OTT-quality?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Euronews launches on Dish Digital's DishWorld

Euronews launches on Dish Digital's DishWorld:

Euronews launches on Dish Digital’s DishWorld



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 28-09-2013





Euronews has launched on US international TV service DishWorld and is now available in DishWorld’s English international TV offering.



Customers can watch DishWorld and Euronews on computers, tablets and phones, as well as on home TVs and entertainment centres via Roku streaming video players.

DishWorld gives access to 175 channels and 15 languages.

Euronews has already been available on Dish’s satellite-TV platform since 2006.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267491-Euronews-launches-on-Dish-Digital-s-DishWorld?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Optus closes mobile TV app

Optus closes mobile TV app:

Optus closes mobile TV app



Louise Duffy | 28-09-2013





Australian telco Optus is to shut down its mobile TV app from 28 October due to a lack of customer demand.



Speaking to Encore, a spokeswoman for Optus said the decision was taken because of a lack of customers signing up for the product. “On 28 October 2013, Optus will be shutting down the Optus Mobile TV app for commercial reasons.”

“Customers who are currently subscribed to a monthly Optus Mobile TV subscription will be able to continue using their service until 28 October. Customers won’t be able to subscribe to monthly subscriptions from 23 September.”

An announcement on the company’s website says: “Unfortunately there’s no plan to bring the Optus Mobile TV app back at this time.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267492-Optus-closes-mobile-TV-app?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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IBF re-elects Man Jit Sing as president

IBF re-elects Man Jit Sing as president:

IBF re-elects Man Jit Sing as president



Rebecca Hawkes | 28-09-2013





Man Jit Singh, chief executive of Multi Screen Media, has been re-elected president of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) for the year 2013-14.



Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, South Asia, Discovery Networks, was elected to the role of vice president, alongside existing vice presidents Punit Goenka, managing director, Zee Entertainment, and Rajat Sharma, chairman and editor in chief of India TV.

After his re-election at the IBF’s 14th annual general meeting in Mumbai, Singh said: “I am delighted that my industry colleagues continue to have faith in me to guide the IBF. The last year has been very eventful for our industry with digitisation phases I and II, considerable progress on a new measurement system under BARC, and a shift from TRPs to TVTs.

“Substantial challenges continue in the current year. We need to build on the success of content regulation, continue the process of digitisation and work collaboratively with the broader industry.”

Singh was first elected as president of the IBF in 2012, succeeding Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India.

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Sudan closes Khartoum offices of Al Arabiya, Sky News Arabia

Sudan closes Khartoum offices of Al Arabiya, Sky News Arabia:

Sudan closes Khartoum offices of Al Arabiya, Sky News Arabia



Rebecca Hawkes | 28-09-2013





The Sudanese authorities have shut down the Khartoum operations of pan-Arab television news channels Al-Arabiya and Sky News Arabia, according to the UAE-based broadcasters.



The closures come as Sudan faces the largest demonstrations seen during President Omar al-Bashir’s 24-year rule. Stemmed by a fuel price hike, the unrest has led to reports of the death at the hands of security forces of more than 50 people – although official figures put this at 29.

Tarek al-Tijani, Sky News correspondent in Khartoum, told AFP that government officials closed his office on 27 September.

“Security officers came and informed us that the authorities had decided to freeze our activities. They seized equipment and told us we can no longer carry out journalistic activities,” said al-Tijani.

Al Arabiya’s closure came hours after its Khartoum correspondent was summoned by government officials, the station said.

A media blackout is now being reported in Sudan, with journalists saying the daily newspapers Al-Sudani and Al-Majhar al-Siassi were seized at the printing press on Friday (27 September). A third daily, Al-Watan was reportedly ordered not to go to print after covering the protests in its Thursday edition.

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Zimbabwe’s 1st TV goes off air

Zimbabwe’s 1st TV goes off air:

Zimbabwe’s 1st TV goes off air



Rebecca Hawkes | 28-09-2013





The privately owned channel 1st TV, which broadcasts from South Africa into Zimbabwe via satellite and the internet, has suspended operations due to a lack of funds.



The independent TV station, which launched ahead of Zimbabwe’s elections in July, promised to provide an alternative voice to the dominant and state controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

Responding to claims the network was backed by western governments, Andrew Chadwick, former communications director for Morgan Tsvangirai, told the BBC most of 1st TV’s funding comes from private entities.

“We’ve also received support from groups supporting human rights, freedom and democracy,” Chadwick added in July – as President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party vowed to “cripple” 1st TV.

In a statement on 27 September, the station said: “1st TV launched on the promise of one month’s financial support. We managed to extend that to two months. But as of now, we have to go off air while we raise more resources and source more programmes.

“Our pledge to you, is that when we return it will be on a permanent basis and it will be with improved entertainment programming, more soaps, movies and dramas as well improved education, information and news programmes,” the station added.

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Pay-TV penetration grows in Latin America, advertising doesn't keep pace

Pay-TV penetration grows in Latin America, advertising doesn't keep pace:

Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 27-09-2013

Pay-TV penetration is growing unstoppably in Latin America, says the advertising council LAMAC in its latest report, but the advertising sector isn’t keeping pace and is still putting most of its financial efforts in free-to-air TV.

Over half of Latin Americans have access to at least one pay-TV platform, which represents a massive growth over the past years. While in 2008, 36.3% of the region’s inhabitants could receive pay-TV, now 56.3% can. On average, Latin Americans consume more than three hours of pay-TV during the week and 3.5 at weekends. But, according to LAMAC, only 10% of advertising investment targets the pay-TV audience.

The specific data by country shows the same picture. In Chile nearly 70% of the population has access to a pay-TV platform, standing at almost 100% within some economic segments. In addition, pay-TV’s share is 58.3% during weekends, when the Chileans consume 3.5 hours of pay-TV.

Colombia and Argentina have over 80% penetration and the pay-TV platforms capture nearly 50% of the audience. Venezuela’s pay-TV share is 60% and during the weekends over four hours of cable TV are watched.

And, according to LAMAC, in all these countries, although there are some differences, over 85% of advertising campaigns target free-to-air channels. The specifics of the audience segments and the huge effort needed to reach a large portion of viewers may be behind this behaviour.

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Roku revamps set-top streamer line-up

Roku revamps set-top streamer line-up:

Roku revamps set-top streamer line-up



Michelle Clancy | 27-09-2013





Roku has refreshed its family of streaming video and TV set-top, over-the-top (OTT) players.



The new Roku LT adds support for up to 720p HD video quality, while the Roku 1 takes streaming a step further than the Roku LT with support for up to 1080p. The Roku 2 offers 1080p and adds a remote with built-in headphone jack for private listening to that, with a dual-band wireless for better Internet connectivity. Both are popular features that were previously available only with the Roku 3.

The Roku 3, which launched in the US in March, has the features of the Roku 2 plus Ethernet and USB ports and an enhanced remote with built-in headphone jack and motion-control for gaming.

The Roku LT, Roku 1 and Roku 2 players along with the Roku 3 provide access to the Roku Channel Store, which features more than 1,000 channels in the US and more than 450 channels each in Canada, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

“These new players bring useful improvements at existing prices – just in time for the holidays,” said Jim Funk, senior vice president of product management at Roku. “We’re giving customers more value for their money by adding a headphone jack for private listening and dual-band wireless to the Roku 2, and support for 1080p HD video to the Roku 1. We are excited to bring these and other great features to our new line-up which provides a better TV experience across every price point.”

Roku also has free apps for iOS and Android devices to transform a phone or tablet into a Roku command centre. In addition, the Play on Roku feature lets consumers stream their personal music, video and photos to a Roku player.

The Roku LT player will be available in the US only, while the Roku 1 and Roku 2 players will be available in the US, Canada, the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The flagship Roku 3 player which launched in the US in March is now also available in all of these countries.

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Zulu TV to be unveiled at end of September

Zulu TV to be unveiled at end of September:

Zulu TV to be unveiled at end of September



Rebecca Hawkes | 27-09-2013





Director and musician Mbongeni Ngema is to launch Zulu TV, a new satellite channel for sub-Saharan Africa, at an event in Durban on 30 September.



“Due to the reach of the channel, we will be broadcasting predominantly in English, but will carry a healthy contingent of Zulu programmes as well,” says Ngema, whose company Committed Artists Records and Films is behind the project.

“We plan to devote much of our broadcast material to local content, with a strong focus on material relating to KwaZulu-Natal. Demographically the province has a rich cultural mix, given its population of Zulu-speakers, Indian communities and whites. To ensure a degree of international coverage, we will also be linking up with Voice of America and other networks.”

The channel’s content will include music, talk shows, news and current affairs, arts and culture, television drama, and sitcoms – focusing largely on the work of local artists – to be broadcast in high definition.

“Our core target market will be primarily language and geographically based - that is the whole of South Africa. We are also targeting the entire Southern African region, where many Nguni and non-Nguni-based languages are spoken,” said Ngema.

“The founders of the channel have knowledge of and experience in diverse cultures such as Zulu, Francophone, Swahili, Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Sotho, so it will have a sub-Saharan and regional appeal. English subtitling will be used where necessary to make programmes accessible to all language groups and open up opportunities for international licensing,” he added.

The channel aims to employ between 500 and 100 people in its first year. Although a commercial project, Committed Artists are also in discussion with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial Government about carrying some its programmes and advertisements.

“Our objectives underpinning the launch will include seeking to reflect the way of life of the people of the sub-Saharan region and Africa in general. We aim to create an omnipotent brand, available to the market at its choice plug points,” said Ngema.

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Foxtel selects NAGRA to support subscription TV across connected devices

Foxtel selects NAGRA to support subscription TV across connected devices:

Foxtel selects NAGRA to support subscription TV across connected devices



Editor | 27-09-2013





Leading Australian pay-TV provider Foxtel has invested in NAGRA technology to support and enable advanced, feature-rich services across its range of connected set-top boxes.



Under the terms of the deal, NAGRA will contribute its MediaLive Service Platform which is designed to offers the tools to manage, secure and operate, from a single platform, media services across multiple delivery networks, devices and content types.

The Service Platform will see use in enabling interactive applications such as video-on-demand (VOD), catch-up TV, information services and applications based on HTML5, ensuring portability of applications across devices. It also provides the core component for managing complex customer scenarios with multiple users, devices and business models.

“NAGRA is a long-standing and trusted partner of Foxtel, and has provided us with many products including core headend, middleware and applications technology,” commented Michael Ivanchenko, Foxtel director of products. “We are pleased to further extend our collaboration by selecting the MediaLive Service Platform to support our future requirements. Its modular architecture was a key driver in its selection.”

“Foxtel is at the forefront of innovation in subscription television and continuously strives to provide its customers with the best feature-rich viewing experience possible,” added Jean-Michel Puiatti, NAGRA senior vice president multiscreen. “We are excited to have them benefit from everything the flexible MediaLive Service Platform has to offer to deliver impactful subscription TV services.”

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James Murdoch to head Sky Deutschland's supervisory board

James Murdoch to head Sky Deutschland's supervisory board:

Jörn Krieger | 27-09-2013

James Murdoch is to become the new chairman of the supervisory board of German pay-TV broadcaster Sky Deutschland on 27 September 2013 after the deputy chief operating officer, chairman and CEO, international, of 21st Century Fox was elected by the board to the top position.

Murdoch, who’s been a member of the supervisory board since April 2013, will succeed Chase Carey, president and chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox. Carey, who’s been chairman since July 2010, will remain a member of the board.

The change doesn’t come as a surprise as it was announced in July that the son of media entrepreneur and Sky Deutschland majority stakeholder Rupert Murdoch would become the new head of the supervisory board by the end of the year.

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Pay-TV, mobile video boost Argentina's comms market

Pay-TV, mobile video boost Argentina's comms market:

Pay-TV, mobile video boost Argentina’s comms market



Gabriel Miramar-Garcia | 27-09-2013





The Argentinean telecom and pay-TV market generated $15.2 billion in service revenue in 2012, and is expected to grow to an estimated $15.6 billion in 2013, a 2.1% year-on-year growth, according to Pyramid Research.



The mobile voice and data segments alone generated 58.3% of the total revenue of the sector in 2012, while the pay-TV and fixed broadband segments accounted for 16.5% and 12.6%, respectively. Moving forward, Pyramid expects mobile data to continue increasing its weight over the total market revenue to become the largest revenue contributor by 2016.

The Argentinean telecom sector faces important regulatory challenges if it wants to fully unleash its growth potential however. One of the most critical issues in Argentina’s regulatory agenda for 2013 is granting operators access to additional 3G and 4G spectrum, as well as enforcing more measures to encourage competition across all segments. An LTE auction has been delayed, for instance.

Mobile data is nonetheless expected to surpass mobile voice as the largest revenue contributor in Argentina in 2016, driven by a rapid uptake of smartphones encouraged by telecom operators with aggressive subsidies, according to the research firm. And that, in turn, is largely driven by uptake in video services.

“In 2012, mobile data services accounted for 42.8% of the total service revenue generated by operators compared with 38.3% a year earlier,” said Eulalia Marín-Sorribes, senior analyst at Pyramid Research.

Telecom Personal, which has been very active in encouraging smartphone adoption, is currently the operator with the highest data revenue ratio in the market at 52.3% in 2012.

“The proliferation of smartphones has contributed to changed data consumption patterns among mobile phone subscribers,” said Marín-Sorribes. “The use of mobile email, social network platforms and OTT mobile apps, such as Whatsapp, has grown rapidly, boosting data traffic growth. As a result, and following the global trend, SMS traffic has started to decline, decreasing progressively.”

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Telemundo NY taps Colombian star to anchor news

Telemundo NY taps Colombian star to anchor news:

Telemundo NY taps Colombian star to anchor news



Gabriel Miramar-Garcia | 27-09-2013





Telemundo Nueva York today announced that Colombian journalist Gloria Echeverry has been named news anchor for Noticiero Telemundo Nueva York, effective 30 September. In her new role, Echeverry will co-anchor the 6pm and 11pm ET weekday newscasts along with renowned journalist Jorge Ramos.



“I begin this new phase excited to be part of Telemundo Nueva York’s great team of professionals and eager to share the desk with Jorge Ramos,” said Echeverry. “I look forward to delivering our audience the news of the day, and advising them on how that information is going to directly affect their families.”

With more than 15 years of experience in television, radio and business communications, Echeverry has anchored several newscasts in her native Colombia and also one in Miami, and has worked at companies such as Social Action of the Presidency of the Republic, Image and Press and the Ministry of Communications in Colombia.

Echeverry holds a degree in Social Communications and Journalism from the Universidad Central of Colombia and is currently pursuing a degree in social media marketing from Interlat Communication and Marketing.

“Telemundo Nueva York is committed to the growth and quality of our news programmes and we believe that Gloria’s role will bring a new dynamism to the news coverage that viewers will greatly appreciate,” said Jose Morales, vice president of content for WNJU.

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Telemundo snags top ratings in Miami, NYC and Chicago

Telemundo snags top ratings in Miami, NYC and Chicago:

Telemundo snags top ratings in Miami, NYC and Chicago



Gabriel Miramar-Garcia | 27-09-2013





During September, local broadcasts of Telemundo Media’s original productions delivered strong performances for Telemundo Station Group in local markets, according to Nielsen data.



Caso Cerrado Edicion Estelar outranked English-language TV stations among adults 18-49 to become the second most-watched TV show in its time period in the Miami market and No 3 in New York and Chicago. Also in Miami, Marido en Alquiler and Santa Diabla were the most-watched programmes across all stations among adults 18-49. Dama y Obrero ranked No 2, regardless of language, among adults 18-49 in its time period in the Miami market.

Also, Un Nuevo Dia was the fastest-growing local TV programme in its time period, regardless of language, among adults 18-49 in Phoenix (+228%), San Francisco (+165%) and Houston (+143%). Telemundo’s morning show, which began a new season on 9 September, also experienced impressive year-over-year growth in Miami (+118%), Dallas (+34%), Los Angeles (26%) and New York (+24%).

When it came to late evening local news, Miami’s Noticiero Telemundo 51 outranked all other local stations as the most-watched late evening local newscast in its time period among adults 18-49, regardless of language, for its sixth consecutive month.

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Idate report predicts soaring on-demand market as live TV struggles

Idate report predicts soaring on-demand market as live TV struggles:

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 26-09-2013

The fixed and mobile video market worldwide will grow by an average of 3.2% per year from 2013 to 2025, including an average 2% growth for live TV and a 14% annual growth for on-demand services.

However, according to Idate’s latest report on the future of TV, and video distribution as a whole, the growth will be much lower in developed markets.

This means that in Europe’s top five markets (Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain), average annual growth will stand at 1.6% from 2013 to 2025. On the contrary, the live TV market (including catch-up TV services) will fall by 0.7%, while on-demand services will experience an average annual increase of 18.5%.

"This new report provides an opportunity to completely rethink the distribution models used for TV and video content, much in the way we believe content producers and providers, network operators and app stores are doing," Idate’s deputy CEO, Gilles Fontaine, commented.

Alongside the ‘business as usual’ scenario, characterised by several key points such as live viewing partially overtaken by on-demand viewing, increased competition in the pay-TV market, the decrease in ad rates for live TV and the increase for video-on-demand (VOD), Idate outlines two alternative possibilities.

They depict how the increased replacement or parallel use of live and on-demand viewing would affect the TV industry’s future. The pessimistic ‘music industry syndrome’ sees the video services market in the European top five shrinking by an average 0.8% a year, and not being offset by on-demand services. The ‘best of both worlds’ scenario puts average annual growth at 3.9%, including 2% growth for live broadcasting services.

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Slingbox 350 comes to UK and Nordic countries

Slingbox 350 comes to UK and Nordic countries:

Slingbox 350 comes to UK and Nordic countries



Editor | 27-09-2013





Despite seemingly having kept a low profile recently, Sling Media is back with a new Slingbox to provide live and recorded HD content to smartphones, tablets, laptops and connected devices.



The new Slingbox 350 is a completely redesigned retail product from the EchoStar subsidiary, replacing the Slingbox SOLO and joining the Slingbox PRO-HD as the two models available in the European market. It is designed to tap into demand by European consumers eager to find new ways to watch television but who, says the company, may be confused by the many options in what it calls a highly fragmented TV anywhere market. Slingbox asserts that only it can deliver consumers’ entire living room television experience, regardless of where they are and without additional subscription fees.

“Slingbox is the best way to extend the entire living room television experience anywhere, and we’re very pleased to bring this new model to European customers,” explained Michael Hawkey, Sling Media’s vice president and general manager. “We’ve redesigned Slingbox from the ground up, creating one of the highest-performing products on the market. With this new product introduction, Sling Media continues to evolve and disrupt the category we created.”

Slingbox 350 will go on sale in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark from retailers at a suggested retail price of £129/€179.

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Emirates adds Latin American films to inflight entertainment

Emirates adds Latin American films to inflight entertainment:

Rebecca Hawkes | 26-09-2013

Latin American movies are to be included in Emirates inflight offering following a new deal with passenger entertainment provider IFE Services.

The films are “carefully selected” from well-established studios in Mexico and Brazil as well as the developing industries of Uruguay and Columbia, said IFE Services, and include the acclaimed titles El Verano de Los Peces Voladores (The Summer of Flying Fish) and ROA.

IFE Services will manage the digital encoding of the movies for onboard delivery across Emirates’ audio visual on-demand (AVOD) system, known as ice (information, communication and entertainment). Passengers will be able to choose from six Latin American movies that will be regularly updated.

"The Latin American film industry is currently enjoying a renaissance with a growing number of local, highly talented film-makers producing movies for the region’s 600 million film-goers. The movie production industry continues to thrive in the larger traditional markets of Brazil and Argentina alongside unprecedented growth in emerging markets such as Chile and Venezuela," the companies’ statement said.

IFE Services also supplies African movies to Emirates in languages including Afrikaans, Arabic, English, French, Kikuyu, Swahili and Zulu, following an earlier deal announced in March 2013.

Emirates’ ice system has been voted the World’s Best Airline Inflight Entertainment for nine consecutive years by Skytrax. Its latest digital widescreen system offers up to 1,500 channels of entertainment, including over 300 films, hundreds of TV shows, and thousands of musical choices.

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Novovision signs deal with Trio Orange for Smile TV

Novovision signs deal with Trio Orange for Smile TV:

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 26-09-2013

Novovision, producer and distributor of short-format, non-verbal comedy programming, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Canadian producer Trio Orange for the sketch series Smile TV.

The series, previously distributed by Lagardère Entertainment, was originally financed by Trio Orange and Media Entertainment Group (MEG).

MEG was acquired by Novovision in 2011.

Novovision will distribute the 26 x 22’ episodes of Smile TV, but will also offer the 700-odd clips that make up the series on an individual basis.

These clips also feature in the 40 episodes of Bubble Comedy Show, a compilation of comic sketches launched by Novovision in 2012.

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Idate report envisages three scenarios for TV in 2025

Idate report envisages three scenarios for TV in 2025:

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 26-09-2013

The fixed and mobile video market worldwide will grow by an average of 3.2% per year from 2013 to 2025, including an average 2% growth for live TV and a 14% annual growth for on-demand services.

However, according to Idate’s latest report on the future of TV, and video distribution as a whole, the growth will be much lower in developed markets.

This means that in Europe’s top five markets (Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain), average annual growth will stand at 1.6% from 2013 to 2025. On the contrary, the live TV market (including catch-up TV services) will fall by 0.7%, while on-demand services will experience an average annual increase of 18.5%.

"This new report provides an opportunity to completely rethink the distribution models used for TV and video content, much in the way we believe content producers and providers, network operators and app stores are doing," Idate’s deputy CEO, Gilles Fontaine, commented.

Alongside the ‘business as usual’ scenario, characterised by several key points such as live viewing partially overtaken by on-demand viewing, increased competition in the pay-TV market, the decrease in ad rates for live TV and the increase for video-on-demand (VOD), Idate outlines two alternative possibilities.

They depict how the increased replacement or parallel use of live and on-demand viewing would affect the TV industry’s future. The pessimistic ‘music industry syndrome’ sees the video services market in the European top five shrinking by an average 0.8% a year, and not being offset by on-demand services. The ‘best of both worlds’ scenario puts average annual growth at 3.9%, including 2% growth for live broadcasting services.

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Television 2025: New report from IDATE on the future of TV

Television 2025: New report from IDATE on the future of TV:

Live TV vs. on demand viewing: what does tomorrow’s world have in store for broadcasting?



Montpellier, 26 September 2013 – IDATE has released the latest edition of its report devoted to the future of TV, and to video distribution as a whole. Supported by its latest research, IDATE indicates a tipping point in TV industry evolution, predicting changes in viewer behaviour and evolving business models, as the new industry player hierarchy is now taking shape. In this report, IDATE identifies how current consumer behaviour is shaping TV services for future years.



According to IDATE’s Deputy CEO, Gilles Fontaine, “this new report provides an opportunity to completely rethink the distribution models used for TV and video content, much in the way we believe content producers and providers, network operators and app stores are doing”.



IDATE proposes and describes a “Business as usual” scenario, characterised by several key points including:



live viewing partially overtaken by on-demand viewing;



piracy that creates obstacles to the switch from physical to online viewing;



increased competition in the pay-TV market, affecting prices;



ad rates for live TV decrease and increase for video on-demand (VoD).



According to this prediction, the video market on fixed and mobile networks worldwide will grow by an average of 3.2% per year from 2013 to 2025 – which includes average 2% growth for live TV and 14% annual growth for on-demand service. The market’s growth will be much lower in developed markets, however. This means that in Europe’s top five markets (EU-5) – i.e. Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain – average annual growth will stand at 1.6% from 2013 to 2025, with the live TV market (including broadcasters’ catch-up TV services) in decline by 0.7%, while on-demand services experience an average annual increase of 18.5%.



Growth of video service revenue on fixed and mobile networks (EU-5, million EUR)

Source: IDATE



Alongside this “middle of the road” scenario, IDATE outline two alternative possibilities that depict how the increased replacement or parallel use of live and on-demand viewing would affect the TV industry’s future:



“The music industry syndrome”: in this pessimistic, disruptive scenario, the video services market in the EU-5 will shrink by an average -0.8% a year, and not be offset by on-demand services, including catch-up TV services that will decrease by an average -4% annually.



“Best of both worlds”: at the other end of the spectrum, this optimistic viewpoint puts average annual growth at +3.9%, including 2% growth for live broadcasting services.



The three development scenarios for the TV market, 2009-2025 (EU-5, million EUR)

Source: IDATE

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KiKa channel licenses Spike 2 from PGS Entertainment

KiKa channel licenses Spike 2 from PGS Entertainment:

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 26-09-2013

Children’s programming distributor and brand manager PGS Entertainment has licensed the animated Christmas CGI TV short Spike 2 (1x35’) to ZDF Group’s children’s channel, KiKa.

Produced by TAT Productions and Master Films, the animated made-for-TV movie follows the success of the first Spike movie and shorts, which have been sold worldwide.

Spike 1 has been a huge success on KiKa during the Christmas season since 2009.

France Télévisions, Télétoon and Canal+ Family are the commissioning broadcasters for Spike 2.

The film has already sold in many territories, including France. It is shown on 3 Rai (Italy), RTBF, VRT (Flemish-speaking Belgium), RTS (French-speaking Switzerland), LRT (Lithuania), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), TV2 (Denmark), Workpoint TV (Thailand), CW Vortexx (US), Radio Canada, SimbaSat (French-speaking Africa) and TV5.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267311-KiKa-channel-licenses-Spike-2-from-PGS-Entertainment?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Foxtel selects Digitalsmiths to support its data management

Foxtel selects Digitalsmiths to support its data management:

Louise Duffy | 26-09-2013

Foxtel has selected Digitalsmiths Seamless Discovery to provide metadata management to support its pay-TV services on both broadcast and IPTV platforms.

Digitalsmiths Seamless Discovery and Unified Data Service enables personalised search and recommendations features for content across live TV, time-shifted TV, premium channels and VOD across all connected devices.

Michael Ivanchenko, Foxtel director of product, said: “After extensive evaluation, Foxtel selected Digitalsmiths based on its strong metadata foundation, robust set of APIs, and ability to deliver, manage and host a fully integrated content discovery solution.”

Ben Weinberger, co-founder and CEO of Digitalsmiths, added: “Foxtel continues to pave the road with cutting-edge innovation, and our team is excited to partner with one of the world’s leading subscription TV companies…



“We look forward to being a key component in Foxtel’s ongoing commitment to deliver the highest quality experiences to their

subscribers.”

Digitalsmiths Unified Data Service creates a single index where multiple video-related data sources - such as images, reviews, ratings, statistics, awards, cast, directors, schedule data and merchandising - are ingested, aggregated, reconciled and stored.

Foxtel works with TMS to provide a deeper metadata foundation to enhance their subscriber experience. Digitalsmiths Unified Data Service is pre-integrated with TMS providing a seamless deployment for Foxtel.

Digitalsmiths Seamless Discovery claims to be the industry’s most comprehensive content discovery platform powering personalised search, recommendations, social discovery, mood discovery, and sports discovery all enabled by robust data management capabilities. It delivers these capabilities, as well as a suite of business management tools that pay-TV providers can use to strategically control and personalise their video offerings.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267258-Foxtel-selects-Digitalsmiths-to-support-its-data-management?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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HyppTV adds RTL CBS Entertainment HD to its Mega Pack

HyppTV adds RTL CBS Entertainment HD to its Mega Pack:

Louise Duffy | 26-09-2013

Telekom Malaysia’s IPTV service, HyppTV, and RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network have inked a deal to bring the newly launched RTL CBS Entertainment HD channel to Malaysia.

The new channel is now part of the HyppTV Mega Pack and is also available on HyppTV Everywhere, allowing subscribers to watch shows any time and everywhere on multiple devices including PC’s, laptops, smartphones and tablets.

Jeremy Kung, Executive VP of New Media TM, said: “With RTL CBS Entertainment HD, we are delighted in being able to expand the channels unique world class and top rated programmes to our HyppTV customers nationwide.”

RTL CBS Entertainment HD features reality shows such as The X Factor USA and America’s Got Talent; entertainment

news from Entertainment Tonight, and US series such as Elementary and the upcoming Under the Dome.

Jonas Engwall, CEO of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, said: “We are very excited to partner exclusively with HyppTV to bring RTL CBS Entertainment HD to Malaysia. We share in HyppTV’s commitment to deliver high quality content to Malaysian viewers and we

see strong growth potential for HyppTV with the addition of our channel available both for linear viewing and through HyppTV Everywhere.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267257-HyppTV-adds-RTL-CBS-Entertainment-HD-to-its-Mega-Pack?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Majority of Arab satellite TV channels are now online

Majority of Arab satellite TV channels are now online:

Rebecca Hawkes | 25-09-2013

Around two-thirds of free-to-air (FTA) satellite television channels in the Arab world have an online presence, according to new research.

Of the 658 fully operational FTA channels targeting the Middle East and North Africa via the Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive satellites, 68% (448) have an online presence, says Jordan-based Arab Advisors Group.

“The results show that a majority of the 448 channels that have online presence lean more towards an enhanced online presence. Furthermore, 21.7% of channels with an online presence generate online revenues from their supporting online presence, such as online advertisement, online shopping, etc,” said Hind Qweider, senior research analyst, Arab Advisors Group.

Those channels with corresponding portals portraying the channels’ services and content, and where the integration between the satellite channel and its online presence is strong, are considered to be offering an enhanced online presence by the researchers.

“Almost 42.7% of the satellite channels have online presence for promotional purposes only and do not aim at generating online revenues. 20.2% of the channels that have online revenue generating features have an enhanced online presence,” added Dalia Haddad, research analyst, Arab Advisors Group.

The researchers found that a number of satellite channels with a basic internet site, with relatively weak integration between its services and content, intend to enhance their online presence.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267109-Majority-of-Arab-satellite-TV-channels-are-now-online?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Trilogic Digital Media to acquire Fashion TV’s Trinity Dream Works

Trilogic Digital Media to acquire Fashion TV’s Trinity Dream Works:

Rebecca Hawkes | 25-09-2013

Mumbai-based media and content syndication company Trilogic Digital Media Ltd is buying out the Fashion TV franchisee Trinity Dream Works (TDPL) for an unknown amount.

TDPL, which gains revenue from broadcast advertising, license fees and merchandising royalty income, was created to position the Fashion TV and F brand in India, and is set to do likewise in Europe, Reuters has reported.

Fashion TV was introduced originally in India by Modi Entertainment; however the partnership between the two soured prior to the expiration of their business agreement.

The F brand is now reportedly set to be licensed to various high-end projects, including luxury real estate, international lounge bars and a beauty chain. A range of merchandising options are also on the cards, with F Jewellery, F Energy Drinks and F Fashion Vodka in the pipeline, according to the stock market disclosure, which also details expansion plans to the Middle East and elsewhere in South Asia.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/267110-Trilogic-Digital-Media-to-acquire-Fashion-TV’s-Trinity-Dream-Works?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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