Unitymedia Kabel BW expands VOD service

Unitymedia Kabel BW expands VOD service:

Unitymedia Kabel BW expands VOD service



Jörn Krieger | 28-02-2014



German cable operator Unitymedia Kabel BW increased its video-on-demand (VOD) service by almost 2,000 titles to a total of 8,000 titles in the first two months of 2014.



As a new partner, the company won Munich-based movie studio Prokino which specialises in crossover and art-house movies. The films which Prokino has contributed include, for example, The Butler, Before Midnight, Biutiful, Donnie Darko, Slumdog Millionaire and Welcome to the Land of Shtis.



Demand for the service is rising, with the number of titles ordered from the VOD service rising by 85% over the past 12 months, with turnover volume having doubled.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280628-Unitymedia-Kabel-BW-expands-VOD-service?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Telefónica invoices nearly €3,000MN more in LATAM than Europe

Telefónica invoices nearly €3,000MN more in LATAM than Europe:

Telefónica invoices nearly €3,000MN more in LATAM than Europe



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 28-02-2014



Telefónica has confirmed that Latin America has the biggest share of its global business, representing an income of €29,193 million, compared to €26,840 million from Europe.



During 2013, the Spanish telco earned 17% more than in 2012 and will pay a €0.75 dividend per share.



For Telefónica, debt reduction is still its main objective. The debt stands at €45,381 million, although the company’s increase in income led to a reduction of debt greater than had been expected. The company’s net profit in 2013 was €4,593 million, a number Telefónica intends to increase during 2014 while cutting the debt to under €43,000 million.



The figures presented by the telco don’t include the latest sales of its Czech Republic and Ireland subsidiaries. Taking these into account, Telefónica’s debt would be €42,325 million, meaning a debt ratio of 2:31.



Regarding operations, mobile communications and Internet are still leading the telco’s business, although in Latin America the DTH services, both directly to customers through Movistar TV and as a wholesaler through B2B unit Media Networks, are also reporting profits.



The telco is still strong in Spain – where it was once the public monopoly – invoicing nearly €13,000 million last year. But this figure represents an 11.9% drop with respect to the previous year, although the pay-TV and fibre businesses reported profits.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280626-Telefónica-invoices-nearly-€3-000MN-more-in-LATAM-than-Europe?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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BBC World eyes DAB+ in Germany

BBC World eyes DAB+ in Germany:

BBC World eyes DAB+ in Germany



Jörn Krieger | 28-02-2014



The BBC is considering distributing its English-language international service BBC World on digital terrestrial frequencies (DAB+) in Germany.



The BBC has a strong interest in entering digital radio in Germany in important metropolitan areas such as Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hannover and Hamburg, Michael Kayser, the German representative of BBC World News, told industry magazine Meinungsbarometer Digitaler Rundfunk. He added that firm negotiations were underway with media authority LPR Hessen regarding distribution in Frankfurt.



The BBC, which is currently only available terrestrially in Germany on an FM frequency in Berlin, wants to refinance the technical costs for the digital radio distribution through a two-minute advertising window broadcast ahead of the main news programmes. As a precondition for the BBC’s digital radio engagement, Kayser is therefore considering measuring DAB+ audience figures like it is the case with FM stations.

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Atresmedia taps Sony for new HD equipment

Atresmedia taps Sony for new HD equipment:

Atresmedia taps Sony for new HD equipment



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 28-02-2014



Sony has announced it will deliver 30 new HD studio cameras to Atresmedia which intends to restructure its HD productions, centralising equipment control.



Atresmedia has purchased 30 HDC-1700 cameras, based on CCD and 3G fibre optic configuration. The cameras can record on 1080/50i, 1080/25P and 1080/50P, depending on production needs. Through the 3G fibre connection the software can be temporarily or permanently actualised to meet the resolution demands.



The media group has already purchased 14 HDC-1400R cameras, which are compatible with Sony’s new model.



Atresmedia is looking to reinforce the HD production of its own shows, which are broadcast on Antena 3 and laSexta.

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¡Hola! TV increases Latin American distribution

¡Hola! TV increases Latin American distribution:

¡Hola! TV increases Latin American distribution



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 28-02-2014



¡Hola! TV continues its growth in Latin America, where it is to launch in Bolivia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic. It has also recently announced a distribution agreement with Venezuela’s direct-to-home (DTH) operator Intercable.



The channel, a co-production of Spain’s Atresmedia and ¡Hola! magazine ( http://www.hola.com/), has been increasing in popularity among the pay-TV audience in LATAM and the US since it started airing at the end of last year.



Anticipating an even larger distribution during the coming months, the network has named a new sales director for Latin America and the US. Rolando Figueroa will work close to MBA Networks and Imagina US to develop the channel’s new distribution strategy, looking to the long term. During the past 15 years, Figueroa has worked for some of Latin America’s most important producers and distributors including MGM, Endemol and the BBC.



“Increasing distribution while creating a solid position in the region and opening new markets are our priorities,” explained Ignacio Sanz de Acedo, the network’s CEO. “We are carrying out an important investment effort in order to reinforce our programming and intend to seriously increase our audience during the coming months.”



During its short period on air, ¡Hola! TV managed to be placed among the 30 most watched channels of DirecTV, one of Latin America’s main satellite pay-TV platforms.

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Internet mostly browsed on mobile devices in Spain

Internet mostly browsed on mobile devices in Spain:

Internet mostly browsed on mobile devices in Spain



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 28-02-2014



Mobile devices are the main browsing platform used by most Spanish people, although smart TVs are increasing in importance and are used by 14.1%, mostly to watch streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) content.



According to the latest report from AIMC, 85.5% of the Spanish population use mobile phones daily to surf and 43% also use tablets. And, as has been noticed globally, mobile screens are growing unstoppably, while PCs are gradually losing users.



Although they are still far from the smallest smart devices, connected TV screens are also gaining importance among Spain’s Internet consumers and this has also been noted in research by IAB.



According to AIMC, 76% of connected TV users have a smart TV, while the rest have other devices such as consoles or advanced set-top boxes. Over 81% use their devices to watch audiovisual content, live streaming and VOD, while almost 38% also use them to surf, 15.4% for social activities and nearly 12% to check the email.



Regarding social networks, Facebook is still the most popular platform, according to AIMC. Over 90% of social network users are on Mark Zuckerberg’s platform, 45.1% use Twitter, 37.7% Google+, 24% Linkedin and 20% Instagram.



Google has confirmed its hegemony in Spain’s Internet market. While Google+ increased its users by 7%, Chrome tops the most used browser ranking almost 30 points over Firefox and Explorer. Android has a market share of 72.9% (13.7% more than 2012).

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Calimero brings strong audiences to TFou

Calimero brings strong audiences to TFou:

Calimero brings strong audiences to TFou



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 28-02-2014



The new TF1 CGI animated series Calimero has achieved audience growth during its third broadcast weekend during TF1’s children’s block TFou.



Since its launch on 9 February, Gaumont Animation’s production has achieved an average audience share over three Sundays of 35.8%, among kids aged four to ten.



These Médiamétrie results are confirmed on TF1’s digital media where, Calimero ranked as the third favourite hero on tfou.fr in just two weeks, according to the broadcaster.



Calimero tells about the adventures of a loveable little black chicken that was initially created in 1963 by Nino Pagot, Toni Pagot and Ignazio Colnaghi and became an international hit with 290 episodes of animation aired in over 80 countries.



In addition to TF1, the new CGI adaptation is set to air on Italy’s Rai, Germany’s Super RTL, Disney Junior, TV Tokyo, Tele Quebec and TSR in Switzerland.



Gaumont Animation coproduced the series with Calidra, the rights owner, Italy’s Studio Campedelli and Japanese partners TV Tokyo and Kodansha.



International distribution is handled by Gaumont Animation managing as well the brand internationally, excluding Asia, on behalf of Calidra.

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Prime to handle sales of Ma Chaîne Sport’s library

Prime to handle sales of Ma Chaîne Sport’s library:

Prime to handle sales of Ma Chaîne Sport’s library



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 27-02-2014



Prime Entertainment Group has signed a distribution agreement with Ma Chaîne Sport to handle the international sales of more than 550 hours of sports and health and wellness programming.



Prime can now offer 247 hours of combat series, 139 hours of wellness and combat sport’s magazines as well as 166 hours of multiple championships: French League 3, Portuguese League Cup, Tennis Senior’s Tour, Men and Women’s French Volleyball league and French championships of Gymnastics and Ice Figure Skating.



With this catalogue, Prime Entertainment Group, formerly known for programmes related to cinema, celebrities and Hollywood, continues to diversify.



It has multiplied its distribution capacity four-fold following agreements inked with European producers in France, Germany and Holland as well as internationally with American and Israeli producers.



In addition to France, Ma Chaîne Sport airs in more than 22 million homes worldwide.

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SA budget releases funds for migration to digital TV

SA budget releases funds for migration to digital TV:

SA budget releases funds for migration to digital TV



Rebecca Hawkes | 27-02-2014



The South African Government has allocated R265 million (US$24.5 million) for digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration over the medium term, as part of its budget for the year 2014-15.



Of this funding, R195.1 million ($18.02 million) will be allocated to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for its digital library and a digital playout centre, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced on 26 February.



Sentech will be allocated R69.8 million ($6.45 million) to finalise the roll out of DTT infrastructure. In addition to the new funding from this year’s budget, R1.5 billion has already been allocated to the Universal Service and Access Fund to subsidise set-top boxes, antennae and digital TV equipment installation for the underprivileged, the Treasury said.



“Between 2011/12 and 2013/14, R690 million was transferred to the agency to cover the subsidies for the set-top boxes. These funds remain unused due to a delay in finalising the criteria to determine qualifying households and the court case around the set top box mechanism,” said the government.



An additional R700 million has been made available under the DTT sub-programme to enable the agency to roll out set-top boxes, antennae and instillation over the medium term.



In addition, funds have been re-prioritised towards planning for broadband roll out, said the Treasury.



The Department of Communications aims to enable this by allocating 676,000 subsidised digital set-top boxes to subsidy scheme recipients by March 2015, switching off 63 analogue transmitter sites nationally by March 2015, and transferring required funding for digital infrastructure to Sentech by March 2015. A digital opportunity plan and digital development plan will be established by March 2014, and the digital readiness plan and digital future plan by 31 December 2014.



The complete transition from analogue to digital broadcasting has faced delays in South Africa, but switch over is now set for 1 April 2014.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280557-SA-budget-releases-funds-for-migration-to-digital-TV?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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TiVo reports record revenues and cable additions

TiVo reports record revenues and cable additions:

TiVo reports record revenues and cable additions



Editor | 27-02-2014



PVR pioneer TiVo has posted hugely strong financial results in its fourth quarter and fiscal year, with record full-year service and technology revenues, net income and cable additions.



Overall by 31 January 2014, TiVo continued its acceleration in MSO additions posting a record 313,000 cable MSO subscriptions added in the fourth quarter. Total TiVo subscriptions now stand at approximately 4.2 million, up 34% year-over-year. Moreover, the company showed positive self-owned quarterly net additions for first time in six years driven by a 41% year-over-year growth in gross additions and lowest absolute churn in almost eight years.



Among the customer highlights was ness that US MSO Comcast plans to expand its successful integration of Xfinity On Demand to its entire footprint. It also posted success with ONO in Span and Sweden’s Com Hem. In the UK, the two millionth Virgin Media TiVo customer was connected since the service launched in December 2010.



For the fourth quarter, service and technology revenues were $84 million this compared with $65.7 million for the same quarter last year. This was a record amount and Record an increase of 28% year-over-year.



TiVo reported adjusted EBITDA of $19.6 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $16 million to $19 million, and compared with an adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.6 million in the same quarter last year. Net income was $710,000, compared with a net loss of $15.8 million in the same quarter last year.



“This was another solid quarter for TiVo and a very strong end to a year in which we delivered positive net income for the full Fiscal Year, robust Adjusted EBITDA growth over the course of the year, and the best year of subscription additions since Fiscal Year 2005 through new deals with major service providers across the globe,” said Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo.



“This rapid growth, combined with our exciting recent Digitalsmiths acquisition, the work we have done to innovate and create a product that embodies the future of television viewing … We are continuing to see encouraging subscription growth. Our record 313,000 MSO cable subscription additions exceeded last quarter’s strong results and underscores that the TiVo offering continues to be deployed aggressively by operators globally.”

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Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany

Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany
:

Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany




Jörn Krieger | 26-02-2014



As Europe’s first mobile network operator, Vodafone Germany will test LTE Broadcast under live conditions along with technology companies Ericsson, Samsung and Qualcomm.



With the new method, which could be described as DTT for mobile networks, linear TV channels can be transmitted to an unlimited number of recipients. In contrast to conventional mobile TV distribution, no single data stream has to be set up for each reception device, preventing network overload during strong demand.



For the test run, the stadium of German Bundesliga team Borussia Mönchengladbach will be equipped with the new streaming technology. An unlimited number of viewers will then be able to watch several TV channels through LTE Broadcast on their smartphones and tablets. The mobile device has to be LTE-compliant and needs an LTE Broadcast app. The Internet data volume included in the mobile phone subscription will not be affected when using the service.



As TV partners, Vodafone has won a large, not yet named German TV broadcaster as well as Sky Deutschland. The pay-TV operator will contribute its Bundesliga coverage to the trial.



“This first test-run in Europe is an important milestone for the German mobile industry,” said Rob Wolters, key account manager at Ericsson. “With LTE Broadcast, we will soon be able to enjoy TV or video transmissions unrestrictedly at locations at which many people want to do so at the same time, for example in the stadium, at public TV viewing events or in shopping centres.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280528-Vodafone-to-trial-LTE-Broadcast-in-Germany
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BT Sport keeps Bundesliga rights

BT Sport keeps Bundesliga rights:

BT Sport keeps Bundesliga rights



Jörn Krieger | 27-02-2014



Germany’s domestic football league Bundesliga will continue to be shown in the UK and Ireland by BT Sport, the channel operated by BT, following a new contract covering the seasons 2015/16 and 2016/17 signed by Bundesliga’s rights sales arm DFL Sports Enterprises and the UK-based telco.



The agreement, the financial details of which have not been disclosed, enables BT Sport to screen at least 115 Bundesliga games per season live – around 15 matches more than in the current 2014/15 rights period. Each week, at least three live games will be shown with further matches to be aired time-shifted.



Preview and highlight shows as well as the games of the DFL Supercup will also be part of the coverage. BT Sport will also show studio programmes with hosts and guests. Furthermore, BT Sport’s website and mobile services will provide extensive information on the Bundesliga.



“So many Bundesliga games have never been shown in the UK before. We are happy about the extension of this successful collaboration,” Jörg Daubitzer, managing director of DFL Sports Enterprises, said in Frankfurt.

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Ooyala enhances Univisión TV everywhere experience

Ooyala enhances Univisión TV everywhere experience:

Ooyala enhances Univisión TV everywhere experience



Parent Category: News | 27-02-2014



Premium video publishing, analytics and monetisation company Ooyala has won a significant contract with Univisión Communications, the leading media company serving the huge US Hispanic community.



Ooyala will provide its video player support for UVideos, Univisión’s bilingual digital video network, as well as the digital properties for Univisión Deportes Network, its 24-hour sports cable network.



It will also deliver authenticated live and on-demand content for Univisión across platforms including online, mobile Web and, coming soon, the UVideos Apps on iOS and Android. As a result, Univisión will extend the reach of its news, live sports and entertainment programming to all screens.



Also as part of the integrated solution, Ooyala has developed a customised player for UVideos and integrated closely with other third-party ad monetisation and analytics solutions to help Univisión deliver engaging and high-performing experiences. To deliver upon Univisión’s TV everywhere strategy, Ooyala integrates with Adobe Pass and multiple MVPDs to deliver authenticated video. Ooyala’s solution is also deeply integrated with Freewheel Ad Manager across all platforms to optimise Univisión’s advertising strategies.



“We’re very happy to have such an innovative partner helping us build our next generation digital video platform and keeping us at the forefront of TV, digital, and mobile experiences,” explained Univisión’s president of digital and enterprise development, Kevin Conroy. “Ooyala has done a great job integrating with our existing infrastructure to deliver on our monetisation and analytics needs, as well as significantly improve load times to deliver exceptional experiences for our viewers, both online and on mobile.”



“Univisión is at the top for a reason; they create engaging content for one of the fastest growing demographics in the US and they’re investing in mobile - the fastest growing means of consuming content,” added Ooyala CEO Jay Fulcher. “Mobile video, particularly for live sports, continues to grow rapidly for broadcasters.”

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TVB.COM opts for Verimatrix VCAS architecture for its SVOD service

TVB.COM opts for Verimatrix VCAS architecture for its SVOD service:

TVB.COM opts for Verimatrix VCAS architecture for its SVOD service



Louise Duffy | 26-02-2014



TVB.COM, a member of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), has selected the Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) architecture to provide revenue security for its subscription-based VOD (SVOD) service, GOTV. TVB is Hong Kong’s largest independent television broadcaster.



Kenneth Wong, chief operating officer, TVB.COM, said: “TVB.COM is committed to providing its subscribers with access to the content they crave with the best user experience. In order to protect TVB’s valuable video assets, it was imperative that we had a robust security strategy in place. Verimatrix offers us the technology, support and expertise we need to protect and optimise our service offering with premium content.”



VCAS for Internet TV provides a complete digital TV security solution for OTT services over multiple networks. Featuring enhanced HLS security, VCAS for Internet TV secures pay-OTT services to multiple screens and across multiple network types, including both broadcast (linear) and VOD delivery modes. Specifically, VCAS for Internet TV provides pay-TV security features otherwise only found in managed DVB and IPTV networks, thus enabling the use of premium content for OTT services.



“Asian operators are rapidly adopting business models featuring pay OTT video services,” said Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer, Verimatrix. “Verimatrix stands ready to help these operators implement a comprehensive revenue security strategy that is robust enough to protect premium content, yet flexible enough to support the addition of new devices, services and features in the future.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280456-TVB-COM-opts-for-Verimatrix-VCAS-architecture-for-its-SVOD-service?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Sky Deutschland to launch kids' zone on Snap

Sky Deutschland to launch kids' zone on Snap:

Sky Deutschland to launch kids’ zone on Snap



Parent Category: News | 26-02-2014



German pay-TV broadcaster Sky Deutschland will create a children’s area on its online video library Snap on 27 February, bundling around 1,500 children and family titles.





The offering will include movies like The Little Mermaid, Up and Where the Wild Things Are, series such as Pinocchio and The Woodlies, and Disney productions like Tron: Uprising, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest, Heroes, Jimmy Two-Shoes, Imagination Movers and Handy Manny.



New content will be added each day, for example new episodes of series from the Disney Channel such as Duck Tales, Phineas and Ferb and Jake and the Never Land Pirates.



To access the kids’ zone, users need to download the new version of the Snap app which also contains new features such as language selection when downloading a title.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280455-Sky-Deutschland-to-launch-kids-zone-on-Snap?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany

Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany
:

Vodafone to trial LTE Broadcast in Germany




Jörn Krieger | 26-02-2014



As Europe’s first mobile network operator, Vodafone Germany will test LTE Broadcast under live conditions along with technology companies Ericsson, Samsung and Qualcomm.



With the new method, which could be described as DTT for mobile networks, linear TV channels can be transmitted to an unlimited number of recipients. In contrast to conventional mobile TV distribution, no single data stream has to be set up for each reception device, preventing network overload during strong demand.



For the test run, the stadium of German Bundesliga team Borussia Mönchengladbach will be equipped with the new streaming technology. An unlimited number of viewers will then be able to watch several TV channels through LTE Broadcast on their smartphones and tablets. The mobile device has to be LTE-compliant and needs an LTE Broadcast app. The Internet data volume included in the mobile phone subscription will not be affected when using the service.



As TV partners, Vodafone has won a large, not yet named German TV broadcaster as well as Sky Deutschland. The pay-TV operator will contribute its Bundesliga coverage to the trial.



“This first test-run in Europe is an important milestone for the German mobile industry,” said Rob Wolters, key account manager at Ericsson. “With LTE Broadcast, we will soon be able to enjoy TV or video transmissions unrestrictedly at locations at which many people want to do so at the same time, for example in the stadium, at public TV viewing events or in shopping centres.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280454-Vodafone-to-trial-LTE-Broadcast-in-Germany
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France 2 picks up Antiques Roadshow format

France 2 picks up Antiques Roadshow format:

France 2 picks up Antiques Roadshow format



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 26-02-2014



BBC Worldwide Productions France is producing a local version of the long-running series Antiques Roadshow for pubcaster France 2, the channel announced at a press conference about its daytime programming.



The French version will be hosted by actress, comedian and director Charlotte De Turckheim, and mirror the UK version, with experts travelling across France to appraise antiques that locals have brought in.



It will air as from September on Saturday afternoons, and will be backed by a strong second-screen environment.



The original version of Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One in the UK, with international versions including a US series on PBS and a Swedish version on SVT.



To boost daytime and access prime time audiences in the 4.30pm-8pm time slot, France 2 is now betting on lifestyle programmes.



In addition to Antiques Roadshow, the channel has also announced a daily show about the best craftsmen as well as some cooking formats.



This slot has experienced low viewing figures since the beginning of the season, with ten daytime shows launched but three only going higher than 10% market share.



Repositioning its daytime programming, France 2 is looking for the slot to be at the same audience level as the whole day, around 14% on average.



Regarding the access prime time slot, nothing has been decided yet, but the new entertainment show L’Emission Pour Tous is not proving to be the miracle solution it was expected to be.



The show is stuck under the 10% audience share mark and could be taken off next season.

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Rovi bolsters search and recommendation as it swoops for Veveo

Rovi bolsters search and recommendation as it swoops for Veveo:

Rovi bolsters search and recommendation as it swoops for Veveo



Parent Category: News | 26-02-2014



In a bid to create what it believes will be a “truly differentiated” entertainment discovery solution, Rovi has acquired the personalisation and contextual search tool provider Veveo.



As part of the deal, worth approximately $62 million, Rovi will combines Veveo’s solutions with its search and recommendation engine and extensive metadata hoping to result in a faster, more meaningful and simplified entertainment search and recommendation service for MSOs, device manufacturers and social media companies.



“The Veveo acquisition will deepen Rovi’s cloud-based search and recommendation capabilities, enhance our entertainment metadata and guide solutions with next-generation semantic capabilities, and help us grow our advertising and analytics offerings,” said Tom Carson, president and CEO, Rovi.



“Veveo has developed a great set of technologies and is a clear strategic fit for where we are going as a company. This transaction positions us for leadership in search and recommendation, which is consistent with our stated focus on establishing leadership in targeted market segments. Rovi is enhancing its capabilities to deliver more and better discovery solutions, as our customers look to personalise the consumer entertainment experience across multiple screens and platforms.”



Veveo’s technologies include proprietary, knowledge graph-driven semantic technologies and natural-language controls that enable the implementation of search and recommendation interfaces operated by voice-based conversational commands. By helping to drive contextual and personalised entertainment search and recommendations, Veveo believes that its capabilities simplify the process of connecting consumers to the TV programming and movies that are most relevant to them at any given moment across a range of devices.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280406-Rovi-bolsters-search-and-recommendation-as-it-swoops-for-Veveo?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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MWC 2014: 30% of US broadband users watch mobile video monthly

MWC 2014: 30% of US broadband users watch mobile video monthly:

MWC 2014: 30% of US broadband users watch mobile video monthly



Joseph O’Halloran | 26-02-2014



As Mobile World Congress 2014 continues to unveil the latest in devices capable of supporting video experiences, research from Parks Associates has shown that almost three-tenths of US broadband users watch video on a mobile phone monthly.



Moreover, the analyst’s mobile industry research showed that at present the average user consumed 1.7 hours of video on a mobile phone each week and the number of people in North America who watch mobile video and TV shows on mobile devices at least weekly will increase to 173 million by 2017.



“Since 2008, revenues from voice services for the top-four US mobile network operators (MNOs) have declined 6%, while data revenues have grown 129%,” said Harry Wang, director, Health & Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates. “Mobile data revenues will be key to offsetting stagnant growth in voice revenues. Most major MNOs worldwide are transitioning or have already adopted tiered or shared usage-based data plans, and they will continue to experiment with pricing models to optimise the revenue-generation potential of mobile data access.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280390-MWC-2014-30-of-US-broadband-users-watch-mobile-video-monthly?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Brightcove inks deal with Vualto for integrated online content publishing

Brightcove inks deal with Vualto for integrated online content publishing:

Brightcove inks deal with Vualto for integrated online content publishing



Parent Category: News | 26-02-2014



Content delivery and management specialist Vualto is partnering with Brightcove to deliver tailored online video campaigns and initiatives via the latter’s Video Cloud platform.



Vualto will be taking advantage of the platform’s transcoding and delivery capabilities as well as using its own custom extensions that enhance Video Cloud, including the ability to support downloadable content with DRM, standalone upload tools, integration with existing content management systems (CMS), customised players with management of subtitles and dynamic overlays, as well as video advertising insertion based on the VAST standard. The company has already implemented Brightcove Video Cloud in several major projects recently, including the delivery of an online, on-demand video service.



“Vualto is uniquely positioned to deliver turnkey solutions, quickly and cost-effectively, that meet the real needs of our customers,” said Camilla Young, CEO of Vualto. “We have used Brightcove’s industry-leading technology in many of our projects, and our new formalised relationship as an official partner makes it easier and quicker for us to realise our customers’ requirements.”



“Vualto has successfully built and implemented a range of exciting video initiatives using the Video Cloud platform,” added Cassandra Zuffante, director of alliances for Northern and Central Europe at Brightcove. “We are excited to partner with Vualto and enable the company to build innovative video experiences faster and with better functionality for a range of customers in the future.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280389-Brightcove-inks-deal-with-Vualto-for-integrated-online-content-publishing?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Foxtel unveils Presto movie streaming service

Foxtel unveils Presto movie streaming service:

Foxtel unveils Presto movie streaming service



Louise Duffy | 26-02-2014



Foxtel is to launch a new online movie service, Presto, in Australia on 13 March. It will offer a monthly pass to stream Foxtel Movies, both live and on-demand, via PC and Macs and compatible iPads for AUD$19.99 a month.



Presto will be available as a special offer to new customers for AUD$4.99 in their first month. Subscribers can connect to Presto in minutes and are free to come and go from the service on a monthly basis, with no lock-in contract and without the need to buy through a basic tier.



All Presto movies are ad break-free and the service offers films from all seven Foxtel Movies live channels including: Foxtel Movies Premiere, Foxtel Movies Comedy, Foxtel Movies Romance, Foxtel Movies Thriller, Foxtel Movies Action, Foxtel Movies Family, and Foxtel Movies Masterpiece, as well as on-demand movies from these channels.



Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein said: “We’re thrilled to announce that the countdown is on for the launch of Presto. Starting 13 March, Australian movie lovers will have access to as many movies as they want from a massive library of cinematic hits for a price per week equivalent to what they’d pay for just one standard iTunes movie rental.



“We’ve had fantastic feedback since our initial announcement and anticipation from Australians, hungry for a new way to experience great movies, when and where they want, and free from ad-breaks, continues to grow. We’re looking forward to Presto taking the stage in the coming weeks.”



Foxtel Movies offers content from studios and independents including MGM, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Roadshow Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros Entertainment, Hopscotch Entertainment One, ICON, Studiocanal and Transmission Films.

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Oscar Pistorius trial to be broadcast live

Oscar Pistorius trial to be broadcast live:

Oscar Pistorius trial to be broadcast live



Rebecca Hawkes | 25-02-2014



The trial of athlete Oscar Pistorius can be partially televised, a South African judge has ruled from Pretoria.



Judge Dunstan Mlambo said the entire audio of the trial could be broadcast live, and sections of the trial could be filmed and televised live, after considering the application brought by media groups MultiChoice, eNCA and Eyewitness News.



The trial of Oscar Pistorius, who shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013, begins on Monday 3 March. State prosecutors allege his action was pre-meditated, although the athlete denies murder, claiming he mistook the model and reality TV star for a burglar.



The opening arguments, evidence of experts, police witnesses and closing arguments at the trial will be broadcast – via three remote controlled cameras – on MultiChoice’s pay-TV network DStv.



Testimony from Pistorius and his witnesses will not be televised, and other witnesses may apply in writing not to appear on screen.



There is intense public interest in the trial, and DStv will launch a 24-hour dedicated channel – the Oscar Pistorius Trial channel – on Sunday 2 March.



The 27-year-old double amputee won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and in the same year also became the first amputee runner to compete at an Olympic Games.

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BARC selects Civolution, Mediametrie's audience measurement system

BARC selects Civolution, Mediametrie's audience measurement system:

BARC selects Civolution, Mediametrie’s audience measurement system



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 25-02-2014



French technology provider Civolution has announced that the Indian Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has contracted it to provide its watermarking technology to underpin one of the world’s largest audience measurement platforms.



This comes shortly after BARC chose the TV meter system of audience measurement and survey company Mediametrie.



The two companies will build the technology framework for an audience measurement solution, addressing a population of over one billion, of which over 600 million have access to television.



This will be the first fully digital audience measurement system employed directly by the Indian broadcast industry and is scheduled to commence operation towards the end of this year.



The audience measurement system has already been deployed by Mediametrie in multiple TV markets and relies on Civolution’s audio watermarking coding technology for automated content identification.



It integrates seamlessly into Mediametrie’s TV meter system for panellists’ equipment and data processing.



The system provides broadcasters with a detailed analysis of their exposure to the public, whether by the number of households tuning in to a programme or the amount of time spent watching each piece of content.



Civolution’s audio watermark is embedded in the TV’s sound track prior to broadcast. Upon airing, the content is then identified by Mediametrie’s TV meter, in real-time.



The technology provides cross-platform audience measurement and will enable mobile device measurement.

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Orange in talks with Microsoft for Dailymotion

Orange in talks with Microsoft for Dailymotion:

Orange in talks with Microsoft for Dailymotion



Parent Category: News | 25-02-2014



Orange CEO Stephane Richard has confirmed he is talking with US giant Microsoft about a possible partnership for the French online video platform Dailymotion, with Orange maintaining a majority stake.



In an interview with French television channel BFM TV at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, he said “talks continue … with Microsoft,” but added, “this doesn’t mean that we will reach an agreement”.



Last year, a deal to sell Dailymotion to Yahoo! was blocked by the French Government, but Orange has continued searching for potential partners to further expand the platform, notably across the US.



Other talks are also ongoing with French partners regarding content, Richard added, noting that Dailymotion’s future will be through a business model based on high quality paid content.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280353-Orange-in-talks-with-Microsoft-for-Dailymotion?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Altice approaches Vivendi to buy SFR

Altice approaches Vivendi to buy SFR:

Altice approaches Vivendi to buy SFR



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 24-02-2014



Vivendi Group confirmed today (24 February) that it has been approached by Altice, Numericable’s parent company, regarding a potential alliance between SFR and the cable operator.



The media group noted that to date, it has not received any formal offer, implicitly denying a report by Les Echos that stated a provisional agreement had been reached on Friday.



According to the financial daily, the Vivendi supervisory board has given green light to SFR CEO Jean-Yves Charlier to negotiate and reach a full agreement in the coming weeks.



The operation would valorise SFR to more than €15 billion, with expected synergies at €6 billion, according to Les Echos.



“The Vivendi supervisory board will announce a decision, if necessary, as and when appropriate,” Vivendi said.



If both groups agreed on a sale, Altice, which achieved an IPO last January in Amsterdam, would control more than 50% of the SFR-Numericable entity, with Vivendi holding 32%.



In addition to Numericable in France, Altice is active in other European countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland as well as in Israel and French overseas territories.



In the Dominican Republic, it has recently taken over Orange’s affiliate.



Altice claims 13.9 million subscribers globally.

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Netflix looks to French IPTV

Netflix looks to French IPTV:

Netflix looks to French IPTV



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 24-02-2014



US video streaming platform Netflix has approached several IPTV services to integrate into its box ahead of the SVOD service’s expected French launch in September.



According to a report from L’Express, Orange is seen as the favourite partner in the current negotiations.

Free, SFR and Bouygues Telecom have also met the platform, but any agreement with SFR and Bouygues seems unlikely as both parent companies own premium content channels Canal+ and TF1.



A deal with Orange would give Netflix access to more than ten million subscribers in France but also potentially to its subscribers base in Spain and Poland.

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The Returned sold in Scandinavia

The Returned sold in Scandinavia:

The Returned sold in Scandinavia



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 24-02-2014



Zodiak Rights has announced a raft of deals in Scandinavia for The Returned after striking licence deals with public channels YLE in Finland and NRK in Norway.



The 8x60’ 2013 International Emmy-winning hit drama series, produced by Haut et Court TV for Canal+ has also been acquired in Iceland by the national broadcaster RUV.



These deals follow previous agreements inked in Sweden with SVT, in the UK with Channel 4 and in the US with SundanceTV.



The Returned has already sold in over 70 territories.



Zodiak Rights holds the worldwide distribution rights to the series.

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euronews, Nokia, Microsoft team up for new Windows apps

euronews, Nokia, Microsoft team up for new Windows apps:

euronews, Nokia, Microsoft team up for new Windows apps



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 24-02-2014



euronews has released two new Windows applications available on Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 tablets and PCs in collaboration with Nokia and Microsoft.



Both apps are free from the Windows Phone Store and Windows Store.



The Windows Phone 8 app has already registered 55,000 downloads in less than two months.



The apps provide the latest news features on international, economic, cultural and scientific topics as well as video-on-demand (VOD) magazines. They are accessible worldwide and offer a choice of 11 languages.



In the coming months, both apps will offer more programmes and features including live streams, news quizzes, bookmarks for favourite news stories and a search engine.



Two other languages, Arabic and Persian, will also be added.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280251-euronews-Nokia-Microsoft-team-up-for-new-Windows-apps?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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VU+ Duo Linux HDTV Receiver - £ 0.00

VU+ Duo Linux HDTV Receiver - £ 0.00:

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Content Media teams with Great Point in strategic output deal

Content Media teams with Great Point in strategic output deal:

Content Media teams with Great Point in strategic output deal



Editor | 23-02-2014



In what it calls a landmark move, the Content TV and Digital division of Content Media Corporation has announced a partnership with Great Point Media.



Content Media is a global entertainment media company based in London with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto, which owns and distributes film, television and digital assets.



Content Film, its film sales division, holds the rights to 255 titles and also acquires top-tier documentaries. Content Television, its TV sales division, holds the library rights to 3,900 hours of TV programming incorporating major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, special event programming, kids’ series, TV movies and mini-series. Content Digital licenses over 300 hours of bespoke digital properties, in addition to the existing library, to digital media platforms worldwide, including on-demand, broadband and mobile.



The partnership deal provides Content Television with international distribution rights on Great Point Media’s television output for two years, as well as the ability to collaborate on packaging, creative development and sales strategies for television content aimed at markets outside its UK base.



“The team at Great Point Media has unparalleled expertise and experience in the financing and development of television programming with true global impact,” commented John Schmidt, Content Media Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to partner with them as distributor and to work with them to tailor these titles for the demands of international audiences, maximising their potential from the outset.”



Great Point Media Chairman Robert Halmi added: “We are excited to strike this new deal with Content Television, which will add a wealth of international opportunities to our existing business and a real global reach for our new projects… We have a number of exciting projects in development and are looking forward to announcing the first acquisition through this partnership very soon.”

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FremantleMedia says hola España with new Madrid office

FremantleMedia says hola España with new Madrid office:

FremantleMedia says hola España with new Madrid office



Editor | 22-02-2014



Providing more evidence of its ambition to grow its global production business, FremantleMedia has opened a new office in Madrid.



As CEO, Nathalie Garcia will head up FremantleMedia España charged with the strategic vision and overall management of the business, as well as developing and producing programming for broadcasters in the market.



Having a presence in Spain is regarded as an important step in FremantleMedia’s growth strategy for southern Europe explained FremantleMedia’s Chief Executive Officer, Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Nathalie’s impressive track record in understanding the Iberian television market and her expertise working with key broadcasters to develop successful originations and local format productions will be invaluable in helping us to gain a foothold in this market, as we seek to broaden our global presence further.”



Garcia joins FremantleMedia from Plural Entertainment where she was CEO for Spain and Portugal. She is credited with restructuring the business to bring it more in line with market conditions, securing long-term production commitments like Hermano Mayor, the Spanish adaptation of French format Le Grand Frère and boosting the novelas production with both original developments and adaptations of formats such as Belmonte, based on Telemundo´s Herederos del Monte.



Commenting on the move, Garcia added: “FremantleMedia has a worldwide reputation as a high quality television producer with an international network of production offices that feed and supply one another. I’m very much looking forward to working with such a global business, helping to build FremantleMedia España’s operation. I can’t wait to work with local broadcasters on FremantleMedia’s impressive catalogue of brands like Family Feud, Got Talent, The X Factor, Idols and The Price is Right in order to build a 360 degree business that encompasses television and digital.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280036-FremantleMedia-says-hola-España-with-new-Madrid-office?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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WatchON, Wuaki.tv form partnership

WatchON, Wuaki.tv form partnership:

WatchON, Wuaki.tv form partnership



Editor | 22-02-2014



With the UK being a hotbed of video streaming, the Wuaki.tv streaming film and online TV service has added its entire on-demand catalogue to the Samsung WatchON app.



Under the terms of the deal, Samsung WatchON users can access Wuaki.tv’s catalogue of films and TV shows directly through the Android app on their mobile or tablet.



Wuaki.tv claims to provide a unique streaming subscription and rental service, where users can choose between a monthly subscription to the Wuaki.tv Selection, a regularly-refreshed catalogue of movies and TV series from major Hollywood studios and UK distributors, or rental and purchase of newly released blockbusters and TV shows, all through a single service. Wuaki.tv’s existing range of device and tablet apps already runs on platforms including the iPad, iPhones, Samsung, LG and Panasonic Smart TVs and the Xbox One console.



The entire Wuaki.tv catalogue can now be accessed through the ‘video’ tab in the WatchON app, allowing users to rent, purchase or watch subscription content on demand. The app also syncs with Samsung Smart TVs, allowing users to begin watching a mobile on their phone or tablet and beam it directly to a big screen TV instantly. The WatchOn app will then switch to a ‘second screen’, providing viewers with details of the movie or TV show they’re watching.



“Having already partnered with Samsung to provide Wuaki.tv on its big screen Smart TVs, we’re now shifting Wuaki.tv to the smaller mobile screen by integrating with the Samsung’s WatchON app”, said Jacinto Roca, CEO of Wuaki.tv. “Wuaki.tv is dedicated to making the concept of the ‘second screen’ a reality, adapting to the changing viewing habits of audiences to make it easier and more convenient for them to watch their favourite movies and TV shows wherever they are, with all the information they could want.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280034-WatchON-Wuaki-tv-form-partnership?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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History channel leads Romanian factual content

History channel leads Romanian factual content:

History channel leads Romanian factual content



Editor | 22-02-2014



A+E Networks UK’s flagship channel History has risen to be the most viewed factual channel among urban adults aged 18-49 in Romania.



History launched a localised broadcast feed in Romania in early 2013. This, A+E says, has enabled the channel to tailor its diverse slate of hit programming for the Romanian audience.



The factual and entertainment broadcaster says that History has achieved its position in the Romanian market with a range of high-rating franchise series — including Pawn Stars and Counting Cars — which have attracted a younger audience. Indeed, at 38 years, History has the lowest average viewer age of all factual channels in Romania.



“We are extremely proud of our growth in Romania and remain dedicated to bringing our portfolio of high quality programmes to our audiences,” commented Tom Davidson, Managing Director of A+E Networks UK. “We are continually investing in the market and, following our success last year, plan to increase momentum in 2014.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/280033-History-channel-leads-Romanian-factual-content?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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9.5 million FTTH/B subscribers in Europe

9.5 million FTTH/B subscribers in Europe:

9.5 million FTTH/B subscribers in Europe



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 21-02-2014



Research institute Idate has seen a new impetus from some FTTH/B incumbents with a significant impact on coverage growth as Europe reported a solid 33% increase in the number of FTTH/B subscribers in 2013.



FTTH/B coverage also continues to progress quickly in Europe with a growth of 22% in the period.



“There were more than 9.5 million FTTH/B subscribers in the EU-35 at end 2013, and nearly 41 million homes passed,” Valérie Chaillou, head of research, telecoms business unit writes on Idate’s blog.



She also predicts the worldwide very high speed broadband market will grow 95% within the five next years to reach €182 billion in 2017.



Last year, several countries showed a real dynamism both in terms of coverage and take-up rates, with Switzerland leading the panorama with 70% of FTTH/B subscribers at the end of 2013 being new subscribers.



The country is followed by much larger markets such as Turkey, Spain and Poland (where, respectively, 46%, 39% and 32% of FTTH/B subscribers are new 2013 subscribers).



Scandinavian countries, sometimes already considered as mature, are still leading the European market. The Danish FTTH/B market for instance grew by 30% in 2013 in terms of number of subscribers and this growth is mostly due to the dynamism of the Waoo! joint venture created by 15 utilities.



On other markets, FTTH/B subscriptions also increased significantly. In the total, 16 countries present a 30% or more growth in terms of subscribers in 2013, among which France, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and even Germany and the UK.



“In terms of players involved in FTTH/B projects, alternative carriers are still leading the way, representing 45% of the total homes passed in EU35 at the end of 2013, and nearly 68% considering EU39, including Russia and Ukraine,” Chaillou adds.



She points out the dynamism of Vodafone which significantly increased its coverage in both Portugal and Spain.



Some rollouts are also interesting in France in the context of the national programme for superfast broadband, but most of them are still in the very beginning of the process. They represent some 450,000 homes passed at the end of 2013.



Incumbents remain important players in all European countries and some considerably accelerated their 2013 rollouts, Idate remarks. They represent 43.1% of HP in EU35 at end 2013, up 5% compared to 2012.



After Telefonica in Spain, with 1.3 million new homes passed between December 2012 and December 2013, Orange in France (+849,000 HP) is one of them along with Turk Telekom in Turkey (+500,000 HP), KPN/Reggefiber in the Netherlands (+385,000 HP) and TeliaSonera in Sweden (+350,000 HP).

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Deutsche Bank and Kirch Group settle dispute

Deutsche Bank and Kirch Group settle dispute:

Deutsche Bank and Kirch Group settle dispute



Jörn Krieger | 20-02-2014



Deutsche Bank and Kirch Group have ended their long-running legal battle with the financial settlement on which both sides agreed costing Germany’s largest bank €775 million in addition to interest rates and compensation of expenses – apparently amounting to a total of more than €900 million.



The settlement, which puts an end to all legal cases between Deutsche Bank and Kirch Group, is based on a proposal by Munich’s higher appeal court from March 2011.



Media entrepreneur Leo Kirch who died in 2011 made Deutsche Bank and its former head Rolf Breuer responsible for the bankruptcy of his company and instigated the legal action as Breuer doubted Kirch’s creditworthiness in a TV interview in 2002.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279919-Deutsche-Bank-and-Kirch-Group-settle-dispute?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Ooredoo teams with EBU for beIN SPORTS’ football coverage

Ooredoo teams with EBU for beIN SPORTS’ football coverage:

Ooredoo teams with EBU for beIN SPORTS’ football coverage



Rebecca Hawkes | 20-02-2014



beIN Sports is to benefit from a new video contribution network from Qatari telco Ooredoo in partnership with the European Broadcast Union (EBU) for the delivery of HD European football footage between the broadcaster’s studios in Paris and Doha.



beIN Sports will aggregate all French Ligue 1 sports production through Paris and transmit the video content over the media contribution network, based on Net Insight’s Nimbra platform. It will also direct its coverage of Spain’s La Liga and the Italian Serie A through the network to Qatar.



“Our new robust network solution will enable us to deliver the very best high definition coverage of the most exciting European matches live and direct to our viewers’ homes. This world class network implementation is another indication of our ambition to be the world’s leading sports broadcaster,” said Mohammad Al Subaie, executive director of commercial affairs, beIN Media Group.



The network guarantees loss-less routing and provides enhanced capabilities to control the quality of service, with easily enabled ad hoc services, according to the EBU’s Graham Warren.



The Qatari sports broadcaster, formerly known as Al Jazeera Sport, holds the Middle East and North African broadcast rights to many major football leagues and competitions, including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279900-Ooredoo-teams-with-EBU-for-beIN-SPORTS’-football-coverage?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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ICFLIX, FIC deal for MENA video streaming

ICFLIX, FIC deal for MENA video streaming:

ICFLIX, FIC deal for MENA video streaming



Parent Category: News | 20-02-2014





Online media service ICFLIX is expanding its range of content to stream across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through a new deal with Fox International Channels (FIC).



TV dramas including The Walking Dead and The Listener will now be added to the subscription-based service, along with National Geographic Channel documentaries in English, Arabic and Farsi.



Fox’s Baby TV will also be available in both English and Arabic to boost the children’s entertainment available on ICFLIX.



The Netflix-like service, which has provided a variety of on-demand Arabic, English and Bollywood video content since 2012, is available to subscribers across MENA for US$7.99 a month. Bollywood and Jazwood (Arabic entertainment) content is also available to ICFLIX users globally.



Subscribers can watch ICFLIX-delivered movies, TV series, cartoons, and documentaries on PCs, Macs, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279899-ICFLIX-FIC-deal-for-MENA-video-streaming?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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OSN growth boosts KIPCO profits

OSN growth boosts KIPCO profits:

OSN growth boosts KIPCO profits



Rebecca Hawkes | 20-02-2014



Middle East pay-TV operator OSN has performed well to propel its major investor, KIPCO, to record a 75% net profit for the fourth quarter of 2013-14.



The Kuwaiti investment company said its net profit in the three months to 31 December 2013 was KD14 million (US$49.7 million), compared to KD8 million ($28.4 million) in the same period last year.



The holding company recorded “very positive performance trends” in all its core sectors, which include banking, media, real estate and insurance, said Faisal Al Ayyar, vice chairman, KIPCO.



“In particular, our broadcast company, OSN, continued to deliver strong improvement in revenue and profit, and subscriber numbers are now close to the one million mark,” he added.



The 2013 results mark KIPCO’s 22nd consecutive year of profitability. Its board has recommended a cash dividend of 20% and a 5% stock dividend.

KIPCO holds a 60.5% stake in the Dubai-based satellite TV network OSN, which was valued at about US$4.3 billion in November 2013 by brokerage Arqaam Capital.



In 2012, OSN claimed a 30% increase in subscribers – reaching 734,000 households across the Middle East and North Africa, according to Arqaam. OSN’s revenues also grew 24% and its subscriber base grew 22% during the first nine months of 2013, according to the brokerage.



KIPCO has made no further mention of the initial public offering (IPO) that it was considering for OSN last June.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279898-OSN-growth-boosts-KIPCO-profits?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Sky broadcasters team up for TV series

Sky broadcasters team up for TV series:

Sky broadcasters team up for TV series



Jörn Krieger | 20-02-2014



Sky Deutschland will jointly produce a TV series with BSkyB and Sky Italia, its sister companies in the UK and Italy, for the first time.



The story will be based on the popular Italian comic book Diabolik. The main character is a dangerous ruthless master thief who uses his expert skills in identity theft to literally take on the look and personality of his targets and adversaries to get what he wants.



The series, currently in development stage, will consist of ten one-hour episodes. The companies are now focusing on appointing a showrunner.



Following international crime series 100 Code, Diabolik will be Sky Deutschland’s second co-production.



With the move, the pay-TV operator follows the example of US broadcaster HBO which has enjoyed great success with original series productions for years.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279862-Sky-broadcasters-team-up-for-TV-series?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Arte picks up Sundance's Rectify

Arte picks up Sundance's Rectify:

Arte picks up Sundance’s Rectify



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 19-02-2014



French-German channel Arte has purchased the TV rights to the drama series Rectify, after striking a deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE).



The fictional series, a Sundance Channel production, has been acquired by the cultural channel for both France and Germany.



Rectify is already airing on Sky in Germany, after the company picked up the premiere window rights in the country, and it has also premiered on the Sundance Channel in France.



Rectify is set to return for a second series on Sundance Channel in the US in summer 2014.

The series features a man released from prison after 19 years when DNA evidence casts doubt on his conviction for the rape and murder of a young girl.



He returns to his hometown where he must readjust to his new life as doubt still lingers over his innocence.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279797-Arte-picks-up-Sundance-s-Rectify?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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TV5Monde turns to HD

TV5Monde turns to HD:

TV5Monde turns to HD



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 19-02-2014



As it celebrates its 30 year anniversary, international French-speaking channel TV5Monde has announced that it has switched the production and broadcast of all its ten channels to high definition (HD).



In France, IPTV supplier Free has already adopted the new standard and others should follow as TV5Monde forecasts it will deploy HD in the course of 2014 across the US, Maghreb and the Middle East as well as in the Asia Pacific region.



TV5Monde’s multiplex migrated from standard definition (SD) to HD on 15 February making its ten feeds now available in both standards, for cable, satellite and IPTV operators wishing to carry one or both options.



TV5Monde reaches 243 million homes across 200 countries.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279795-TV5Monde-turns-to-HD?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Turner to rename German women's channel

Turner to rename German women's channel:

Turner to rename German women’s channel



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 19-02-2014



Turner Broadcasting System Deutschland will change the name of its German women and lifestyle channel Glitz into TNT Glitz on 1 April, moving the pay-TV channel closer to its sister channels TNT Serie and TNT Film.



The channel which targets women between 20 and 39 will at the same time get a new pink logo resembling the logos of TNT Serie and TNT Film. The new slogan will be “Wir sind pink” (“We are pink”).



Turner has also gained a new distribution partner for the channel’s HD version as from 1 April, TNT Glitz HD will be accessible to all Sky satellite customers within basic package Sky Welt and thereby also become available in Austria for the first time. The number of subscribers will increase to more than 3.4 million through the move.

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LE Rights sells Scary Larry series in Spain

LE Rights sells Scary Larry series in Spain:

LE Rights sells Scary Larry series in Spain



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 18-02-2014



Lagardère Entertainment Rights (LER) has sold the animated series Scary Larry to the Spanish RTVE group for its CLAN channel and is also currently in negotiations with MBC 3 in the Middle East.



This animated sitcom series (52x13’) is already airing in Brazil (Globosat), Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro (RTS).



It was produced by Genao Productions, 1492 Television and Cartoon Pictures as a co-production for Canal + Famille.



The series features Larry, a teen werewolf, who leads the audience from one monstrous mishap to the next.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279667-LE-Rights-sells-Scary-Larry-series-in-Spain?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Icecrypt 2m HDMI-HDMI Gold Plated Lead - £ 19.95

Icecrypt 2m HDMI-HDMI Gold Plated Lead - £ 19.95:

Gold-plated 19-pin male-male HDMI cable, for connection between two HDMI devices.

http://www.kiwieurope.com/product.php?id_product=22 via Kiwi Europe Ltd - Featured Products

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NTV-PLUS delivers Sochi Winter Olympics UltraHD broadcast

NTV-PLUS delivers Sochi Winter Olympics UltraHD broadcast:

NTV-PLUS delivers Sochi Winter Olympics UltraHD broadcast



Editor | 18-02-2014



As the Games generate excitement in curling, the skeleton and the luge, Russian pay-TV provider NTV-PLUS has raised its own game with a live satellite UltraHD broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics.



In partnership with semiconductor solutions firm Broadcom and video processing provider Elemental Technologies, NTV-PLUS says it used the traditional curtain raiser to the event to display industry traction in UltraHD content delivery using HEVC compression standard.



Indeed the broadcast was said to be the first to provide real-time UltraHD TV via a satellite link on a single set-top box chip. It deployed an end-to-end 4KTV HEVC workflow using Broadcom-enabled real-time decoders, Elemental Live video encoders, NTV-PLUS satellite uplink and signal receiving systems and Sony PMW-F55 Cine Alta 4K Digital Cinema cameras for playback on Panasonic 65-inch 4K TVs.



“NTV-PLUS creates high quality television content accessible throughout the country, and we are proud to bring the excitement of this January’s events in Sochi,” said Oleg Kolesnikov, chief technology officer of NTV-PLUS. “Building on our broad sport programming and satellite offerings, broadcasting the Winter Olympics in 4K resolution shows what can be accomplished when operators and silicon vendors work together to deliver UltraHD content.”

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279618-NTV-PLUS-delivers-Sochi-Winter-Olympics-UltraHD-broadcast?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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MediaWorks relaunches free VOD service

MediaWorks relaunches free VOD service:

MediaWorks relaunches free VOD service



Louise Duffy | 18-02-2014



New Zealand’s MediaWorks has relaunched its free video-on-demand (VOD) service, offering shows from TV3 and Four. 3NOW is available on mobile and tablet (iOS and Android) and on Samsung televisions. TV3’s online catch-up service has been rebranded as 3NOW.



MediaWorks director of programming, Mark Caulton, said: “We’re always looking for ways to enrich the viewing experience. We know our audience want to be able to watch their favourite shows on their iPhones, Android devices and tablets, and have access to a desktop online catch-up service. 3NOW delivers all of that, with more of our content than ever.”



MediaWorks’ director of interactive, Siobhan McKenna added: “Audience expectation has been high so it’s especially good to get such a strong product to market.



“When the content is so great, it’s important to ensure the user experience is largely ‘invisible’. It takes time and skill to make something appear simple and seamless.



“The interactive team has done a fantastic job, and word of mouth through our testing period has been encouraging, with the beta version of the iOS App alone downloaded more than 50,000 times to date.”



To celebrate the launch of 3NOW, MediaWorks is treating viewers to a box set release of Netflix series House of Cards on Sunday 23 February. All 13 episodes in series one will be available to watch on 3NOW for 28 days.



Key features of 3NOW include:

• An improved catch-up video platform

• The ability to pause shows and carry on watching from where the user left off

• Extra video content exclusive to 3NOW

• Innovative social media integration – helping users to share viewing experiences with their friends

• Recommendations

• A new EPG, enabling users to look back and look forward

• The ability for users to manage their data consumption

• 3NOW provides new opportunities to clients and sponsors thanks to its ad-logic

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279617-MediaWorks-relaunches-free-VOD-service?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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TF1, Canal+, M6 concerned about competition from Netflix, Google

TF1, Canal+, M6 concerned about competition from Netflix, Google:

TF1, Canal+, M6 concerned about competition from Netflix, Google



Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 17-02-2014



The heads of the three main commercial broadcasting groups in France, TF1, Canal+ and M6, have written to the French Minister of Culture, Aurélie Filipetti, expressing concern about the growing competition coming from the Web as well as technology giants such as Google, Apple and Netflix.



Arguing that the French audiovisual sector is not undergoing a financial crisis but experiencing an industrial revolution that threatens their economic future, Nonce Paolini, Bertrand Méheut and Nicolas de Tavernost have submitted urgent proposals to save the French audiovisual sector.



In the letter, which was released on the blog Immédias by L’Express, the trio justify their approach by the fact that such US giants have a global business model based on flexible legislative framework and huge fiscal optimisation.



The French TV market is, on the contrary, facing an explosion in the number of free TV channels while the advertising sector is stagnating. It also suffers from rules set up in the 1980s which are particularly complex compared to other European legislation.



Paolini, Méheut and de Tavernost have therefore called on the French Government to reconsider the taxes to which the sector is submitted, liberalise creation and ban advert-forbidden sectors.



Calling for a new organisation to regulate relationships between producers and broadcasters, they also warn against any radical change in the media chronology, whose mechanism secures financing for the French movie industry.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279583-TF1-Canal-M6-concerned-about-competition-from-Netflix-Google?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Open Cable reaches No 3 in Spain

Open Cable reaches No 3 in Spain:

Open Cable reaches No 3 in Spain



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 17-02-2014



Open Cable Telecomunicaciones has become Spain’s third largest cable operator after Telefónica and ONO. The company, founded by six local operators, has been joined by 41 new local firms, extending its coverage throughout the whole country.



According to Antonio Ramón Guilabert, the company’s CEO, quoted in the financial newspaper CincoDías, Open Cable “has been transformed to become the country’s third operator by coverage”. The regional cable operators Telecable, R and Euskaltel, which have a large client base in their areas, were not considered for this ranking, as they don’t cover the entire Spanish territory.



Open Cable was founded by Crevision, TV Almansa, Tele Elda, Telecable Jumilla, Triunfa Telecomunicación de Arnedo and Tele Novelda, and is currently offering TV and Internet in 200 cities, invoicing nearly €50 million per year. Among the 47 local operators, Open Cable has over 500,000 clients.



The company targets rural areas and the smallest cities, specifically aiming to offer services through 4G LTE. “We are the perfect candidate to solve the market deficiencies in the country’s less populated areas,” said Guilabert, “thanks to our mobile network, we will be able to offer very competitive services packages.”



Open Cable’s business model is untested in Spain. Every member is independent and all of them share a common infrastructure in Madrid from where the network is managed by Open Cable while every local partner is responsible of invoicing the services to the client.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279582-Open-Cable-reaches-No-3-in-Spain?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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Antel speeds up cable deployment in Uruguay

Antel speeds up cable deployment in Uruguay:

Antel speeds up cable deployment in Uruguay



Juan Fernandez Gonzalez | 17-02-2014



Over 700,000 Uruguayan homes now have access to the Internet and pay-TV through Antel’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, although only 275,000 are actually connected to it.



The public company has also extended 4G LTE coverage throughout the country’s most populated areas.



Antel has surpassed 2013’s goals and has already announced more ambitious ones for 2014. Over half a million Uruguayans will be connected to Antel’s FTTH during this year, while network deployment will continue.



“Uruguay has 62% of homes connected to the Internet, 25% of which are using FTTH,” said Carolina Cosse, Antel’s president, adding: “These are very high figures, digits of an OECD country.”



According to Cosse, the FTTH network, which offers speeds up to 30Mbps, is having a positive impact for other industries, especially pay-TV, as it allows better and faster video delivery.



Antel has also been deploying 4G LTE since December 2011 and all the district capitals already have an average coverage of 73%. In Montevideo, the coverage is of 78%, while in Punta del Este has reached 99%.

http://www.satsupreme.com/showthread.php/279581-Antel-speeds-up-cable-deployment-in-Uruguay?goto=newpost via SatSupreme.com - Satellite TV - Daily Satellite TV News

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