Advanced Television

Inside Satellite

Chris Forrester

Chris Forrester is one of the most experienced and highly regarded journalists in the field. His insight and analysis, particularly in the satellite and pay-TV arena, is highly prized. He has written for all the major business journals in the sector as well as several national newspapers.

EU gets tough on Iranian TV

Eutelsat has stopped carrying channels from Iranian state broadcaster IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting).  UK-based Arqiva is the service supplier and holds the IRIB contract, and has terminated its contract with IRIB.  19 TV and radio channels are affected, mostly transmitting from Eutelsat’s popular ‘Hotbird’ satellites. French media regulator, the Conseil Superieur de l’Audiovisuel […]

October 16, 2012

All change for Scandinavia?

Modern Times Group is in an envious position in the Scandinavian and Baltic markets, with pay-TV and free-to-air channels as part of its portfolio. However, there seems to be some major events that are already affecting MTG’s position and prospects. A major report from investment bankers Morgan Stanley suggests that other elements are also in […]

October 12, 2012

EU space industry “in danger”

“Our friends in the EU commission are telling us today that the telecoms industry is now mature, and that further funding needs are falling,” stated Giuseppe Viriglio, Vice President at trade organisation Eurospace, and a highly vocal critic of many of today’s European space policies, speaking at ESOA’s European Satellite Day in Brussels recently. “One […]

October 8, 2012

Eutelsat is bank’s top tip

Investment bank Credit Suisse, in a note for investors, says that it remains positive on the long-term outlook for the satellite industry, and says it favours Paris-based Eutelsat as its “top pick” amongst operators. However, it also used its report to upgrade its rating on Luxembourg’s SES, from ‘Neutral’ to ‘Outperform’. The report also says […]

October 3, 2012

VOOM vs EchoStar: “Betrayal” alleged

With a jury in place, the $2.3 billion Cablevision/Voom lawsuit against EchoStar/DISH got into its stride on Friday, with Voom’s lawyers  arguing that the its all-HDTV service died because EchoStar reneged on a 15-year carriage agreement it had with Voom’s owners. EchoStar denies the allegation, and argued that its commitment to the agreement hinged on […]

October 1, 2012

Ray Dolby given rare honour

Ray Dolby, the founder of Dolby Labs and famed for his work in noise reduction for film and sound technologies, is to receive the Charles S Schwartz Award from the Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA). The award will be received by Dolby’s son David at a ceremony on November 1st in Los Angeles. Leon Silverman, president […]

September 28, 2012

A merger between DirecTV and Dish Network?

It is a story that simply won’t go away, and is trotted out regularly. But perennial gossip about a possible merger between arch pay-TV rivals DirecTV and Dish Network was given added fuel by a comment made at Friday’s Goldman Sachs’ Communicopia Conference by DirecTV’s CEO Michael White deserve attention. White told analysts that consolidation […]

September 24, 2012

Pick and mix “Skyfall” for BSkyB

BSkyB may be just a few weeks away from launching its all-James Bond movie channel but one investment banker is marking down its longer-term view of BSkyB’s share price, saying that it is dropping its previous 650p target to 630p, as it “believes the [higher] valuation fails to reflect the challenges ahead”. Berenberg Capital Markets, […]

September 20, 2012

South Africa STB decision “unlawful”

e.tv, a South African free-to-air broadcaster, has issued a writ against the country’s minister of communications, Mrs Dina Pule, arguing that the minister’s decision to award a set-top box control system contract for DTT reception is “unlawful, procedurally unfair, irrational and unreasonable”. The contract was awarded in May to the nation’s signal distribution company, Sentech. […]

September 19, 2012

James Cameron: “Blown away by glasses-free 3D”

Acclaimed movie director James Cameron admitted he was amazed by the quality of 3D-TV displayed at IBC last week. Speaking at a demo on the Dolby booth of the Dolby/Philips 3D joint-venture (which uses Dutch company Dimenco’s technology), he said “There is room for improvement but this already good enough for the consumer market, you […]

September 18, 2012