Advanced Television

FTA

BBC ‘commercial subsidiaries efficient and fair competition’

The BBC Board has published a review into its own commercial subsidiaries. The review by EY has found that the BBC’s three wholly-owned commercial businesses – BBC Studios, BBC Studioworks and BBC Global News – exhibit commercial efficiency in line with their peer groups and the wider market, fit with the BBC’s mission and public […]

December 17, 2018By Colin Mann

TDF trials third UHD pilot channel

French TV transmission services company TDF is launching a third pilot channel as part of UHD trials that are taking place in Paris area and the cities of Nantes and Toulouse, in partnership with TV regulatory body CSA. The new channel complements the two previous demo channels which have been operated since 2014. TDF is […]

December 14, 2018From Pascale Paoli-Lebailly in Paris

EU facilitates cross-border content access

Negotiators from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement on the proposed copyright legislation on TV and radio programmes. The new rules will make it easier for European broadcasters to make certain programmes available on their live TV or catch-up services online, and will simplify the distribution of […]

December 13, 2018By Colin Mann

Watchdog: ‘EastEnders refurb not value for money’

The BBC’s E20 programme, to replace and enlarge the external set of long-running soap opera EastEnders and improve various infrastructure at BBC Elstree Centre is now forecast to cost £27 million more, and take an additional two and a half years to complete, compared to its plans in October 2015, according to a report from […]

December 13, 2018

Question Time most tweeted BBC show

Topical debate programme Question Time (1), political interview programme The Andrew Marr Show (2) and iconic drama Doctor Who (3) are the most tweeted about BBC TV shows of 2018, TV Licensing – the body responsible for collection of the Corporation’s licence fee has revealed. In a year of unmissable television moments, BBC news and current affairs […]

December 12, 2018By Colin Mann

Pluto TV seasonal pop-up channels

For three weeks in December, Pluto TV will ramp up its free offering in the UK with three pop-up channels catering to the cosiest time of the year. For those out and about, winter sports specials will introduce new permanent channel Pluto TV Action Sports. The line-up is part of Pluto TV’s efforts to reach […]

December 12, 2018

Roku Stream-a-thon kicks off Dec 26

Streaming platform and device specialist Roku is kicking off its first-ever Stream-a-thon, a week during the holiday season dedicated to delivering a selection of top shows and premium TV to Roku users for free. Starting December 26th, viewers will be able to watch hand-picked, unauthenticated quality television, including complete seasons and movies from such networks […]

December 11, 2018

I’m A Celebrity peaks with 12.1m

The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! UK final attracted a huge peak audience of 12.1 million/56 per cent share tuning in to see former football manager Harry Redknapp crowned King of the Jungle – the highest peak audience of the series. The final show of the series averaged 10.9 million/48.2 per cent share […]

December 11, 2018

NZ: Freeview launches streaming device

New Zealand digital service Freeview has just launched its first Live TV streaming platform, the latest in a range of recent Freeview innovations. In collaboration with Dish TV and Google, the first Freeview streaming device – the Dish TV SmartVU X – is now available. The Freeview streaming device provides Kiwis access to live TV […]

December 10, 2018

Formula E expands German FTA

German free-to-air broadcasters ARD and ZDF have expanded their existing partnerships with electric street racing series Formula E, showing more live races in season five across their networks. With the start of the new season only days away, fans across Germany will now have greater access and live viewing opportunities – with ZDF providing coverage […]

December 7, 2018By Colin Mann