The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has referred the anticipated joint venture between Vodafone Group Plc and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited concerning Vodafone Limited and Hutchison 3G UK Limited for an in-depth investigation, on the basis that, on the information currently available to it, it is or may be the case that this merger […]

Brazil is launching a new TV standard called TV 3.0 in 2025. This technology, according to the government, will revolutionise the way people watch TV by integrating it with the internet. Viewers will use apps to navigate channels, replacing the traditional number system on remote controls. This will allow channels to offer additional on-demand content, […]

The HbbTV Association, an initiative dedicated to providing open standards for the delivery of advanced interactive TV services through broadcast and broadband networks for connected TV sets and set-top boxes, has announced the release of a new version of the HbbTV Conformance Test Suite. The v2024-1 Test Suite, developed by the HbbTV Testing Group, is […]

Aerospace giant Boeing is suing Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism venture Virgin Galactic, alleging unpaid invoices and the misappropriation of Boeing-owned trade secrets and IP. Boeing is suing via its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, and its writ states that Virgin has not paid $26.4 million in invoices for work related to the development of a […]

SpaceX has been asking the FCC for permission to share spectrum already allocated to Globalstar and Dish Network AWS-4 spectrum. The FCC has dismissed SpaceX’s application. The SpaceX application had included deployment of 7,500 Starlink ‘second-generation’ satellites with equipment operating in the 1610-1617.775 MHz (Earth to space), 2483.5-1500 MHz (space to Earth, and in the […]

Channel 4 has launched its first equity strategy, ‘Equity by Design’, a framework that sets out how it will create fair outcomes for everyone and accelerate change in the industry. The strategy details how Channel 4 will work to ensure there is equity in experience by improving how diversity and inclusion is built into decision-making. […]

The Italian government has adopted amendments to the Audiovisual Media Services Law that prioritise investment in original Italian content, particularly for streaming services. Streaming players like Netflix and Prime Video must now invest 16 per cent of their Italian revenue in European productions (down from 20 per cent, but 70 per cent must be Italian […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has suggested that a proposed Vodafone/Three merger, which seeks to combine two of the four UK mobile network operators, could lead to higher prices for customers and affect investment in UK mobile networks. The CMA launched its initial Phase 1 investigation in January 2024 after it was notified […]

Andy Harries, co-founder of Left Bank Pictures, producer of acclaimed series The Crown, has warned that the UK production sector is in danger of ending up as a first class, top-end service industry to the US at the expense of our own experiences. Harries issued the warning in an acceptance speech at the 50th annual […]

South Africa’s SABC public broadcaster has its staff deadlocked in what are long running pay negotiations. The powerful Communication Workers Union (CWU) is now threatening a full blown strike. SABC and CWU have been talking since July 2023 about a pay rise. SABC offered 6 per cent, which was accepted by the CWU but the […]