Discovery Communications has reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31st 2017. First quarter revenues of $1,613 million increased 3 per cent compared to the prior year primarily due to 5 per cent growth at International Networks and 3 per cent growth at US Networks. First quarter net income available to Discovery Communications decreased […]
South Africa’s recently appointed Minister of Communications, Ayanda Dlodlo, is reportedly dumping her predecessor’s strategy which backed non-encryption of digital set-top boxes. The former minister, Faith Muthambi, had favoured ‘open’ digital receivers despite the ruling African National Congress political party that boxes needed to be encrypted. Muthambi was replaced in March. Muthambi’s approach was designed […]
Johannesburg-based Econet Media says it will invest around $1.19 billion over the next five years on acquiring exclusive TV content for its Kwese TV pay-TV platform. The news emerged via an application to Lesotho’s Communications Authority where Kwese TV is seeking a licence to operate. Kwese TV is already on air in Ghana, Zambia, Rwanda, […]
Opera, the developer of the most popular mobile browser in Africa, announced its plan to invest $100 million over the next two years to facilitate the growth of African digital economy. The company will use the investment to speed up internet adoption in Africa and strengthen the internet ecosystem with local partners. Africa is on […]
Sorenson Media, a specialist next generation television, has opened a new office in Seoul, Korea. The office will allow Sorenson Media to have greater access and connectivity with notable TV manufacturers in the region as it aims to enhance and scale its OEM partnerships. “Strengthening our relationships with manufacturers and rolling out services in Asia […]
According to Mike Fries, CEO of International TV and broadband company Liberty Global, the improvement in subscriber additions, led by its operations in the UK and Germany, contributed to its best first quarter video performance in the last ten years, with a “robust” take-up of the new 4K-enabled Virgin TV V6 set-top box and customer […]
Australia’s Government has announced a comprehensive package of reforms that it suggests will improve the sustainability of Australia’s free-to-air broadcasting sector, support the creation of high quality Australian content and modernise broadcasting and content regulation. The package also includes a community dividend in the form of further restrictions on gambling advertising. The measures include: Abolishing […]
Delia Bushell, Managing Director, BT TV and BT Sport, is leaving the company. Confirmation by the telco followed weekend newspaper reports that she had quit. Bushell joined BT in July 2014 from Sky Italia, where she was Chief Commercial Officer, having spent the previous fourteen years at the then BSkyB and Sky Italia in a […]
John Malone-backed media conglomerate Liberty Global announced its Q1 revenues of $3.52 billion (€3.21bn), down 17.8 per cent (y-o-y). Its European-based Operating Income was also down 18 per cent (to $431 million). The results were blamed on a “soft start” to the year by CEO Mike Fries. “While most markets reported results consistent with our […]
London-based Avanti Communications suffered an all-time low price for its shares on May 5th, falling 8.5 per cent to 9.49p. One month ago the price was 12.56p, although this itself was massively down on its 96p price a year ago. Sellers of Avanti stock were being offered 9.25p for their shares. The collapse in Avanti’s […]