Advanced Television

Rights

India’s Manthan pays-up for World Cup

Indian MSO Manthan in Kolkatta has paid up some of its outstanding fees to broadcaster Sony Pictures Networks, and the cableco’s viewers can now again watch the World Cup. The absence of Sony programming – and the World Cup games – caused civil disturbances and arrests in some areas following the June 15th cessation of […]

June 25, 2018By Chris Forrester

Report: UK TV programme sales £902m

Pact – the trade association representing the commercial interests of UK independent television, film, digital, children’s and animation media companies – has published its new-look TV Exports report, which it says reinforces the UK’s position as a world leader in producing high-quality programmes that are popular with viewers around the world. The report – produced […]

June 22, 2018

Amazon Prime on BT TV STBs

UK multiplay telco BT has become the first major UK pay-TV provider to offer Amazon Prime Video access via a set-top box – giving customers the ability to access Prime Video’s TV & movie content at the push of the button. The move – revealed by advanced-television in mid-May 2018 – forms part of BT’s […]

June 21, 2018By Colin Mann

EU copyright reform vote: Industry reaction

A number of representative bodies have commented on votes taken by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs which could lead to major changes to European copyright law The Federation of European Film Directors (FERA), the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe (FSE) and the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) welcome the vote in favour of […]

June 21, 2018By Colin Mann

APAC: Sports media rights worth $5bn this year

The market value of sports media rights is set to reach $5 billion in Asia Pacific ex-China this year, according to Asia Pacific Sports In The Age Of Streaming, a report published by Media Partners Asia (MPA). The value represents a 22 per cent increase from 2017, lifted by rising demand for digital rights and […]

June 21, 2018

India: World Cup carriage dispute escalates

Sony Pictures Network, its Indian general entertainment bundle of channels, has cut its transmissions to Kolkatta’s MSO cable operator Manthan over alleged unpaid subscription fees. The cessation of services was doubly embarrassing for the giant MSO given that Sony has exclusive coverage of the FIFA World Cup on air at the moment. Sony’s channels were […]

June 21, 2018By Chris Forrester

Irish licensees fined for Sky Sports infringements  

Following successful legal action taken by Sky, three licensees in the Republic of Ireland have been found guilty for infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports programming in their premises without a commercial contract with Sky. Aaron Sharkey, licensee of The Moylurg Inn, Bridge Street in Boyle. Eamon Cliffe, licensee of The Railway Bar, Mill […]

June 21, 2018By Colin Mann

Hulu chief: “Quality, not quantity”

Hulu CEO Randy Freer, speaking to CNBC, has taken a subtle shot at rival Netflix regarding its incredibly high content spend. “I think money is a relative term. I think it’s how you spend that is really important. We are not going to make 800 shows next year, we’ll probably make 20 or 25,” he […]

June 20, 2018

Portugal: Eleven acquires more top-flight football

Global sports provider Eleven Sports has added to its growing portfolio in Portugal with the acquisition of live football from Bundesliga, the German Supercup (both from 2019/20), Scottish Ladbrokes Premiership, Belgian Jupiler Pro League, the Belgian Supercup and Arsenal’s official club channel (from 2018/19). “Eleven Sports is bringing the best players, clubs and leagues to […]

June 20, 2018

F1: OTT to co-exist with linear

David Bailey, Senior Research Manager at Formula 1, has suggested that linear coverage of the sport will continue alongside the category’s recently-launched F1 TV OTT service, with the service’s roll-out dependent on broadcast arrangements in respective territories. Delivering a Keynote Address at the IHS Markit Media and Technology Conference in London, Bailey told delegates that […]

June 18, 2018By Colin Mann