Guardian Enterprise Group is to launch its new, nationwide multicast digital broadcast network, .2 Network in February 2008. .2Network programming includes a licensing deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for over 300 titles of blockbuster, award-winning films as well as four television series. Dubbed 'Network-in-a-Box' .2Network provides local station affiliates with a uniform, national network […]
BSkyB chief executive James Murdoch has revealed that the group is developing a “hybrid” media model using its satellite and digital terrestrial platforms to allow subscribers to access content seamlessly from TVs, PCs or mobiles. In an FT.com interview, Murdoch also rejected claims that his aggressive strategy had exposed it to possible regulatory punishment, saying: […]
From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italian public broadcaster RAI plans launch two new TV channels, as part of its new digital terrestrial TV strategy for the period 2008-2010 that has been approved by the Board of Directors. RAI's future 'core' DTT platform will see the launch of an entertainment channel for young viewers in 2008, […]
Hulu, News Corp and NBC Universal's online video joint venture, said it will pair traditional 30-second ads with long-form video such as full-length sitcom episodes, and restrict ads on short-form content to 10-15 seconds. CEO Jason Kilar said the sector was “just getting started”, adding: “No one has figured out the optimal customer experience. No […]
Spanish infrastructure company Abertis has bought a 28.4 per cent stake in satellite operator Hispasat for E199 million. Abertis said it had made the purchase through its Abertis Telecom unit from Ensafeca Holdings and it will now control 37.3 per cent of Hispasat shares as it also holds an indirect holding through its 32 per […]
Satellite TV service provider DirecTV has launched NBA (National Basketball Association) TV HD with plans to offer more than 72 games in HD and other NBA programming in HD, 24/7. With the addition of NBA TV HD, DirecTV now offers 74 full-time national HD channels, including 16 sports networks in HD- more than any other […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has prohibited all television service providers from entering into or enforcing exclusive access provisions that block competitors from serving apartments, condominiums or other private real estate developments. “Millions of consumers live in apartments, condos or other private developments, and, until now, many of them have been denied the benefits of […]
PeerApp, player in peer-to-peer (P2P) acceleration and caching solutions for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), has launched new software that provides higher-quality subscriber experiences with HTTP video streaming traffic from YouTube, Google Video, MySpace and other video-sharing web sites. The software, a module for PeerApp´s carrier-grade UltraBand² solutions, supports the HTTP video streaming protocol and caches […]
Entone, provider of IPTV home connectivity solutions, has confirmed that its Hydra IP video gateway is being deployed by HickoryTech for its IPTV rollout in Minnesota. HickoryTech offers integrated communication products and services to business and residential customers over a regional fibre network.
Forecasts from analyst firm Canalys indicate the IPTV market will see rapid growth over the next three years, driven by telecom operators' desire to boost ARPU (average revenue per user) and counter the growing threat from competing triple-play providers. Worldwide IPTV subscriber levels will increase more than tenfold by the end of the decade, growing […]