Advanced Television

Policy

Samba TV privacy controls for Smart TVs

Samba TV, a global player in television data and omniscreen measurement, has announced the rollout of The Smart TV Privacy Manager, featuring progressive consumer protections within Smart TVs. The integration of the Privacy Manager, featuring the globally accepted IAB Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF), is being rolled out in partnership with major global brands, publishers, […]

February 10, 2021

TV licence fee increase confirmed

The UK Government has confirmed that from April 1st 2021, the cost of the annual television licence fee will increase from £157.50 (€178.90) to £159.00. The Government, which is responsible for setting the level of the licence fee, announced in 2016 it would rise in line with inflation for five years from April 1st 2017. […]

February 9, 2021By Colin Mann

European Court suspends Galileo contract signings

The European Court has suspended a massive $1.8 billion (€1.47bn) manufacturing contract with Airbus and Thales Alenia for production of Galileo sat-nav satellites. The Court is looking at allegations of trade secret thefts. An objection to the Court from Germany-based satellite builder OHB-System which had pitched with the UK’s Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) on construction […]

February 8, 2021By Chris Forrester

Smartmatic file $2.7bn suit against Fox News

Smartmatic has filed a $2.7 billion defamation suit against Fox News owner Fox Corp, alleging Fox conducted a disinformation campaign against the election technology company. Smartmatic cited Fox news reports it said had repeated false claims that Smartmatic had “fixed and rigged” the 2020 election. “The Earth is round. Two plus two equals four. Joe […]

February 5, 2021

Ofcom revokes CGTN broadcast licence

Broadcast regulator Ofcom has withdrawn the licence for international English-language satellite news channel CGTN to broadcast in the UK, after its investigation concluded that the licence is wrongfully held by Star China Media Limited. In the UK, broadcasting laws made by Parliament state that broadcast licensees must have control over the licensed service – including […]

February 4, 2021By Colin Mann

Tencent polices supply chain corruption

Tencent, the South African and Chinese-backed web-giant, says it has fired staff and named and shamed 37 supplier companies in an anti-corruption drive. Tencent Holdings is China’s biggest social media and videogames company, said in a statement February 3rd that it had reported 40 staff to the authorities since it commenced its anti-corruption drive in […]

February 4, 2021By Chris Forrester

Ofcom consults on PSBs and indie production

UK broadcast regulator Ofcom is inviting evidence on the relationship between public service broadcasters (PSBs) and the independent TV production sector. In December 2020, Ofcom published Small Screen: Big Debate (SS:BD), a consultation looking at how to strengthen and maintain public service media in the UK for the next decade and beyond. The current regulatory […]

February 2, 2021By Colin Mann

Survey: 7.1m Brits missing out on free broadband

Comparison site Compare Fibre reports that 57.4 per cent of lower-income households in the UK (some 7.1 million people) have not taken up, and are unaware of the help on offer to assist with maintaining connectivity under the lockdown. This includes: Free Wi-Fi vouchers to 5 million hotspots are available through the BT website. You […]

February 1, 2021

ICASA to challenge MTN demands in court

South African telco MTN has mounted a legal challenge to the nation’s ICASA regulator over its plans to auction and award licences for 5G development in the country. MTN’s documents were filed at the Pretoria High Court on January 27th. ICASA said on January 29th that it will oppose MTN’s legal action and that it […]

February 1, 2021By Chris Forrester

de La Raudière new Arcep Chair

Laure de La Raudière has been appointed as the new Chair of France’s communications regulator  Arcep for a six-year term, by an Order published in the Journal Officiel of January 28th 2021. A graduate of the École Normale Supérieure, and a telecommunications engineer, de La Raudière began her career with France Telecom – Orange in […]

January 29, 2021By Colin Mann