Advanced Television

FTA

Mediaset wins Champions League FTA and streaming

Italian broadcasting group Mediaset has acquired the streaming rights for 104 matches from the UEFA Champions League during the 2021-2024 seasons. According to Italian news agency Radicor, Sky Italia and Mediaset have snatched up the most important Italian TV rights packages for Europe’s premier football competition. Besides the streaming rights, Mediaset also obtained the exclusive […]

January 19, 2021From Branislav Pekic in Rome

MPs approve BBC Chair appointment

MPs on the UK House of Commons, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee have confirmed the appointment of Richard Sharp as the new Chair of the BBC Board following his appearance before the Committee. In a Report, Committee members say they were impressed by Sharp’s understanding of the business, the need to deliver on public […]

January 18, 2021By Colin Mann

Prediction: Freeview to see increased competition

Increased movement and competition on UK DTT platform Freeview is among the developments for 2021 predicted by Chris Parsons, Chief Executive at channel operations specialist MediaPaedia Broadcast. His five predictions are: Covid efficiencies are here to stay 2020 saw unprecedented changes in the broadcast industry, one traditionally based on trade shows and meetings. Production has […]

January 15, 2021

e.tv: “Spectrum plan will ruin our FTA business”

e.tv, the South African broadcaster and a division of eMedia Investments, says that the country’s ICASA regulator’s plans to sell off terrestrial spectrum will damage its free-to-air business. e.tv has joined a lawsuit with Telkom, a major South African telco and broadband supplier, to request that the high court places a hold on ICASA’s scheme. […]

January 15, 2021By Chris Forrester

UKTV increases network share in 2020

Multichannel programmer UKTV has revealed that its both its channels and UKTV Play VoD service saw strong growth for share of commercial impacts (SOCI) and channel viewing thanks to high performing originals underpinned by viewers tuning in to enjoy nostalgic and archive programming, in a year that saw the world in major upheaval. “At the […]

January 13, 2021

MPs to question BBC Chair-designate

Richard Sharp will appear before the UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny following the Government’s announcement that he is the preferred candidate for the post. MPs are expected to focus questions on the role of the BBC and the future of public service broadcasting more generally. The […]

January 8, 2021By Colin Mann

African Movie Channel launches on Freeview

African Movie Channel has launched on the Freeview television platform in the UK. The launch of the channel on the platform via Channelbox on Freeview Channel 271, makes African Movie Channel the first Nollywood channel to be distributed on UK Freeview. Connected Freeview is available in more than 13 million households in the UK. AMC […]

January 7, 2021

BBC lockdown education initiative

The BBC is to deliver what it says is the biggest education offer in its history across more of its platforms. It will bring together BBC Two, CBBC, BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and online to deliver a new education offer to children, teachers and parents as a third national lockdown begins. Reacting quickly to […]

January 6, 2021

Ofcom amends broadcasting regulations

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom has confirmed changes to its Broadcasting Code and Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising following consultation. The changes reflect new requirements on broadcasters under the revised Audiovisual Media Services Regulation 2020, and also take account of legislative changes following the end of the transition period for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. In brief, Ofcom is amending: the […]

December 31, 2020By Colin Mann

United Group acquires Nova Broadcasting

Southeast Europe—focused multiplay telco United Group is to acquire Nova Broadcasting Group, Bulgaria’s largest multi-platform media company, from Advance Media Group. The transaction is expected to close early in 2021 and is subject to customary regulatory approvals. Nova comprises 10 TV channels, including national NOVA TV; the country’s largest online platform Net Info that reach […]

December 29, 2020By Colin Mann