From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italy's Communications Authority (AgCom) has initiated an investigation on the number of digital terrestrial TV channels operated by the broadcasters in respect of the quota of 20 per cent per group. According to an initial inquiry, it emerges that commercial broadcaster Mediaset accounts for 14 out of the 42 national […]

The Channel 4 chief executive, Andy Duncan, has told MPs that he expects to have an agreement on a partnership with BBC Worldwide signed within weeks. Duncan told the culture, media and sport committee that a memorandum of understanding with the corporation’s commercial arm would be signed before the government publishes its final Digital Britain […]

Finishing up a dismal earnings season for media, News Corp reported a 70 per cent drop in net income to $300 million, excluding one-time events, and a 16 per cent drop in revenue to $7.37 billion for the quarter ended March 31st. Non-broadcast channels were the one bright spot with increased affiliate revenue for Fox […]

UK Internet service providers have rejected calls for them to police the net and cut off users who repeatedly file-share material unlawfully. The group that represents ISPs said disconnecting users would be a “disproportionate response”. A coalition of UK creative industries wants the online connections of repeat offenders to be slowed or stopped. (See Daily […]

DirecTV has reported that first-quarter earnings fell 46 per cent even as subscriber growth hit a four-year high. Chief Executive Chase Carey said he expects intense competition to continue in the pay-TV business, as providers fight for consumers who have become more sensitive to price. Still, he predicted that customers will cut their spending to […]

All3Media International, one of the UK's leading independent distribution companies, has announced the appointment of Selma Turajlic as Head of Interactive Media and Licensing. Turajlic's role will be to further develop interactive elements within formats and programmes and exploit opportunities in interactive, merchandising and licensing. Initial focus will be given to broadcast related interactivity, mobile […]

David Rehr, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, has announced plans to step down from his post immediately. Janet McGregor, NAB’s CEO and CFO, will handle Rehr’s duties until a successor is named. Rehr, who came to the NAB from the National Beer Wholesalers Association in 2005, has had a rough run at the […]

US satellite TV provider Dish Network Corp has posted better than expected quarterly profit, despite losing 94,000 subscribers. Net income rose to $312.7 million from $258.6 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 2.1 per cent to $2.91 billion. Dish Network chairman Charlie Ergen, attributed the subscriber loss to the weak economic environment, as well as […]

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has awarded the digital terrestrial television (DTT) licence that was recently abandoned by Boxer to the One Vision consortium, made up of TV3, Setanta, Arqiva and Eircom. The consortium was the second-placed applicant for the DTT contracts, which were awarded last year. In April it emerged that the Boxer […]

Channel 4, Time Warner and BSkyB have been shortlisted as potential buyers of Virgin Media’s wholly owned VMtv channels Virgin 1, Bravo and Living. Virgin Media intends to sell the channels separately from its joint venture with BBC Worldwide, UKTV, which will be sold at a later stage. The BBC has denied interest in purchasing […]