M-Net, a subscription-funded television channel in South Africa, believes the country would be far better off scrapping plans to build pricey set-top boxes for digital terrestrial television and instead should use the money in other ways. Karen Willenberg, the broadcaster’s director of legal and regulatory affairs, says instead the country should consider the use of […]
Some time towards the end of 2012, the first batch of UK local TV licences will be awarded. The UK government is looking to create 65 highly local stations, using spare digital frequencies. The embryonic channels will also be aided with some funding from the UK’s statutory licence fee. Canis Media is looking to supply […]
CinemaNow, Best Buy’s digital entertainment service, and Intel are giving US customers the ability to enjoy a larger library of premium HD content on their PCs. For the first time, CinemaNow will offer 1080p HD movies for rental and purchase on 2nd generation Intel Core processor-based PCs with Intel Insider technology. Previously, only standard-definition movies […]
Universal Pictures has unveiled plans to make its upcoming Eddie Murphy action comedy film “Tower Heist” available through video-on-demand in the US just three weeks after it debuts in cinemas on November 4th – but with a hefty $59.99 asking price. The proposed test, which will be offered in Atlanta and Portland, Oregan, to approximately […]
Sky Italia says it has signed its five millionth sub and now reaches 15 million people across Italy. Andrea Zappia, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Italia, commented: “First and foremost, I’d like to thank our customers for entrusting their viewing to Sky. The achievement of the 5 million milestone encourages us to continue to strive […]
Following the May 2011 launch of its service bringing new release movies and more for rent to YouTube in the US, and September’s similar initiative in Canada, now over a thousand full-length feature films from major Hollywood and British studios are available for rent in the UK at youtube.com/movies. Announcing the development in a company […]
Uruguay’s planning for the roll out of digital terrestrial TV will establish 20 new channels. The capital city of Montevideo will see seven channels reserved for private TV companies, seven for non-profit TV services, and six for public channels. The analogue switch off is scheduled for November 21, 2015. New DTT licences will run for […]
Social networks have become more effective marketing tools than traditional media, says Fox Broadcasting’s VP of entertainment Kevin Reilly. Speaking at the MIPCOM Reilly said using social networks to generate buzz ahead of show premieres has helped harness new audiences. “Many of our promotional messages, and at times even the shows themselves, weren’t penetrating, so […]
Rather than disrupt television, digital technology has transformed it, according to Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group. Delivering the MIPCOM Personality of the Year Keynote Address, Sweeney said that Disney would continue to be a content creator and technology innovator, and recognised that the broadcast industry was now doing things […]
Univision Communications, the Hispanic America media company, and Hulu have announced a multi-year content agreement that will bring hundreds of hours of top-rated Spanish-language novelas, variety shows, comedies, and reality series from the Univision family of networks to Hulu and Hulu Plus. Launching later this year, the offering will include current season primetime programming from […]