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CCIA denounces European copyright ‘protectionism’

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), an international not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated to innovation and enhancing society’s access to information and communications, has called on the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to fight against what it suggests are ‘protectionist’ European IP policies. With Europe poised to enact additional copyright policies that the CCIA says […]

February 11, 2019By Colin Mann

InterDigital makes offer for Technicolor R&I

Technicolor has confirmed it has received a binding offer and entered into exclusive negotiations with InterDigital, a mobile technology research and development company, for the sale of its Research & Innovation activity. InterDigital acquired Technicolor’s Patent Licensing business in 2018. Frederic Rose, Chief Executive Officer of Technicolor, commented: “This proposed transaction continues the simplification of […]

February 11, 2019

Zegona raises €114m to buy more of Euskaltel

UK telecom investor Zegona Communications has approved a capital enlargement of €114 million with the intention to purchase more shares in Spanish cable operator Euskaltel on the open market. With the capital and a further €33 million in debt Zegona, who already has a 15 per cent stake, plans to acquire an additional 12.5 per cent […]

February 8, 2019From David Del Valle in Madrid

Woody Allen sues Amazon Studios

Woody Allen is suing Amazon Studios for breach of contract in refusing to distribute his latest movie. The 83-year-old Hollywood director, actor and writer is seeking some $68 million in damages, after accusing the company of backing out of a multi-picture deal without cause. Amazon released two of Allen’s films and also distributed his TV […]

February 8, 2019

Spain: Orange won’t bid for Euskaltel

Orange Spain will not buy – partly or wholly – the Basque-country based telco Euskaltel. In a statement to Bloomberg, the company said that “it rules out any transaction with Euskaltel”.  With the announcement, Orange Spain puts an end to speculation over the last weeks about its intention of buyinging into Euskaltel to strengthen and […]

February 7, 2019From David Del Valle in Madrid

beIN takes another shot at Comcast

Qatar’s beIN Sports has filed an additional complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) citing US cable giant (and Sky Europe-owner) Comcast, saying that Comcast is not prepared to negotiate carriage terms on its Xfinity service in the US. beIN alleges that Comcast is acting illegally in its refusal to negotiate. beIN has not been […]

February 7, 2019By Chris Forrester

Childs steps down as UKTV CEO

UKTV announced that Darren Childs has decided to step down from his role as CEO. Childs’ name has been mentioned in connection with the role of chief executive at the English Premier League, following the withdrawal of Discovery Communications executive Susanna Dinnage, who had been appointed to replace Richard Scudamore. He leaves as it seems […]

February 7, 2019

European creatives call for fair remuneration rules

As the negotiations on the proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market are drawing to a conclusion, European and international authors and performers’ organisations from all sectors are urging the EU negotiators to strengthen the much-needed Article -14 providing for fair and proportionate remuneration for authors and performers, and to adopt Articles 14, […]

February 7, 2019By Colin Mann

Fell new DTG independent Chair

Digital TV Group (DTG), the self-funding UK collaboration centre for innovation in digital media technology, has appointed technology leader Simon Fell as its new independent Chair. Fell – whose career across IT, online and broadcast media, telecoms and airport technology spans five decades – takes over from Dr David Docherty OBE, who steps down after […]

February 7, 2019

WWE Network Q4 subs up 7%

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has reported that Q4 revenues increased 29 per cent on the same period last year to $272.5 million (€240m). The WWE Network – the company’s SVoD service – saw average paid subscribers increase by 7 per cent to approximately 1.59 million. The entertainment juggernaut also reported that full year revenue increased […]

February 7, 2019By Nik Roseveare