Advanced Television

Broadcast

India: 34% of DTH subs are “inactive”

India has a claimed DTH universe of some 91.5 million TV subscribing homes. The problem is that more than a third of these ‘subscribers’ are inactive according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI looks on the bright side and says that ‘active’ subscribers grew 3.36 per cent in the quarter-year to March […]

December 2, 2016By Chris Forrester

StarTimes Kenya DTH launches

Fast-growing African DTH service StarTimes has launched in Kenya. Deputy Governor of Kajiado County Paul Ntiati thanked China for the initiative, noting that it will go a long way toward transforming the lives of Kenyan people through increased access to information and entertainment. “It is our hope that more people will continue to access the […]

December 2, 2016By Chris Forrester

Russia’s RSCC wants two new satellites

Russia’s state-owned commercial satellite operator Russia Satellite Communications Co (RSCC) is looking to buy two new commercial satellites, provisionally called Express-80 and Express-103. RSCC is hiring a bank in order to secure finance of a total of some $165 million in order to fund the building of the two satellites. Thales-Alenia Space will supply the […]

December 2, 2016By Chris Forrester

NZ: Quickflix launches Access and Red carpet

Quickflix, New Zealand’s original movie and TV streaming service, has revealed changes to its legacy digital movie streaming business with the launch of Quickflix Access and Quickflix Red Carpet – new products that will bring the latest Hollywood movies and exclusive entertainment and other benefits to Kiwi movie fans. Quickflix Access allows users to sign […]

December 2, 2016

EBU support for Digital Single Market proposals

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said it believes the European Commission’s proposal on broadcasters’ online transmissions and retransmissions will enable more Public service media (PSM) content to circulate online without harming the existing prerogatives of rightsholders and broadcasters, suggesting that such bodies need copyright licensing systems which allow them to respond to citizens’ expectations […]

December 1, 2016By Colin Mann

France: Netflix subs watch 30 hours per month

Netflix subscribers in France are among the “most engaged” across Europe, watching an average of 30 hours of content each month (up from 20 hours in 2014). French users mostly request US TV series. Netflix reports it is “extremely satisfied” with its development in France, although it doesn’t disclose any subscription figures. The platform has […]

December 1, 2016From Pascale Paoli-Lebailly in Paris

Spain: AMC launches video games channel

AMC Networks International Iberia has launched Machinima, the first pay-TV channel in Spain dedicated to video games. Machinima is available on Samsung smart TVs, iOS and Android devices and via web streaming for €0.99 a month or €9.99 a year. The service is free for the first month. Eduardo Zulueta, President of AMC Networks International […]

December 1, 2016From David Del Valle in Madrid

AsiaSat 8 agreement to Spacecom rescue

Satellite operator AsiaSat has entered into a transponder service agreement with Spacecom. The agreement is in respect to the use of AsiaSat’s in-orbit satellite AsiaSat 8, which will be relocated to an orbital slot as agreed with Spacecom. Exclusive rights to use all Ku-band transponders on AsiaSat 8 will be granted to Spacecom for a […]

December 1, 2016

Sky Sport News goes FTA with MX1

Global media service provider MX1 has signed a multi-year contract and is assisting pay-TV broadcaster Sky in taking its first steps into free-to-air TV. Starting from December 1st – and for the first time – the broadcaster’s sports-related news channel, Sky Sport News, will be available free-to-air via the Astra satellite. MX1 was chosen to […]

December 1, 2016

Australia: Digital content changes mobile habits

Australians’ increasing appetite for digital content is driving profound changes in mobile device use, services, infrastructure and content delivery, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Communications report 2015–16, revealing current trends in consumer behaviour and industry responses. “The continuing increase in digital data traffic has been the main cause of change in the […]

December 1, 2016