Advanced Television

Policy

e.tv: “Spectrum plan will ruin our FTA business”

e.tv, the South African broadcaster and a division of eMedia Investments, says that the country’s ICASA regulator’s plans to sell off terrestrial spectrum will damage its free-to-air business. e.tv has joined a lawsuit with Telkom, a major South African telco and broadband supplier, to request that the high court places a hold on ICASA’s scheme. […]

January 15, 2021By Chris Forrester

Regulator: Social influencers must finance European TV content?

Spain’s regulatory body CNMC has demanded that TV and streaming influencers be classified as “Audiovisual Services Providers through video exchange platforms” in the new TV law, set to be approved over the coming weeks. CNMC´s aim is that the streaming platforms used by influencers – such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram TV and Twice – are […]

January 14, 2021From David Del Valle in Madrid

YouTube suspends Trump channel

YouTube is the latest social network to suspend US President Donald Trump, joining the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Google-owned video sharing service has prevented Trump’s account from uploading any new content or live-streaming for a minimum of seven days, and has said it could extend the period. “After review, and in light […]

January 13, 2021

Comcast cuts cash to election deniers

Comcast has joined the growing number of US companies that have re-thought their political contributions to some Republican legislators. Comcast issued a statement saying: “The peaceful transition of power is a foundation of America’s democracy […] This year, that transition will take place among some of the most challenging conditions in modern history and against […]

January 12, 2021

Lockdown support measures from Virgin Media

UK multiplay operator Virgin Media has introduced a series of measures to help keep its customers connected and entertained during the latest nationwide lockdown. The operator is making a variety of pay-TV channels and on-demand programming available for customers at no extra cost, and is also providing free mobile data to ensure families facing financial […]

January 12, 2021

BT, BBC zero rate mobile lockdown learning

BT and the BBC have announced plans to zero rate the hugely-popular online education strand BBC Bitesize for all EE, BT Mobile, and Plusnet Mobile customers, while UK schools remain closed. The first of its kind agreement means that from the end of January 2021, customers of EE, BT Mobile and Plusnet Mobile accessing BBC […]

January 11, 2021By Colin Mann

Analyst: South Africa TV licence plan unworkable

South Africa is looking to charge users a full television licence fee if they view programming on their phones or laptops. The plan includes viewing of OTT content from the likes of Netflix. Public comments have until February 15th to be logged.  One public forum, ‘Dear South Africa’, says it has already logged 34,000 comments […]

January 11, 2021

SES vs Intelsat dispute drags in Telesat

SES, which is suing Intelsat with a $1.8 billion claim and due to go to trial in June, is looking to bring testimony from Ottawa-based Telesat into the dispute. At the heart of the legal dispute between SES and Intelsat is an argument over Intelsat’s handling of an alleged 50/50 agreed division within the C-Band […]

January 11, 2021

MPs to question BBC Chair-designate

Richard Sharp will appear before the UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny following the Government’s announcement that he is the preferred candidate for the post. MPs are expected to focus questions on the role of the BBC and the future of public service broadcasting more generally. The […]

January 8, 2021By Colin Mann

MPs criticise Government digital target failures

The Public Accounts Committee of the UK House of Commons, in its Improving Broadband report, has identified a digital inequality, compounding the economic inequality “harshly” exposed by Covid-19, suggesting that a “litany” of failures from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) means business and homes in rural areas could be locked out […]

January 8, 2021By Colin Mann