BSkyB is to continue legal action in the fight to hold on to the 17.9 per cent stake it holds in rival broadcaster ITV. The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal last month upheld an original ruling by the Competition Commission that by holding the stake BSkyB had an adverse impact on the market. But Sky has […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid Spain’s largest cable operator ONO lost 19,000 subs in the third quarter which the company blamed on the deteriorating economic environment and a lack of commercial activity during summer time. ONO ended the third quarter with 1,935,636 total subs, with telephony experiencing the sharpest decline losing more than 7,000 […]

NDS has announced that Caroline Le Bigot has taken on responsibility for its business in Latin America in addition to her senior role in EMEA. In recognition of her contribution to NDS and reflecting her expanded responsibility, Le Bigot has been promoted to NDS Senior Vice President, EMEA and Latin America, and General Manager, NDS […]

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) has promoted Bruce Tuchman to President, of MGM Networks. In this newly created position, Tuchman will continue to oversee MGM Networks, the division of MGM which manages and develops the company's interests in both MGM and non-MGM branded international television channels and services distributed via cable, satellite, IPTV, SVOD, Mobile and other […]

The FTTH Council Europe has concluded its input into the European Commission's public consultation exercise on regulatory approaches to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks. Joeri Van Bogaert, President of the FTTH Council Europe explains the guiding principles of the response: "The FTTH Council Europe believes that, where feasible, competition based on access to passive infrastructures […]

BskyB is to raise $600m in a bond issue to institutional investors to provide funding for activities including possible acquisitions and the refinancing of debt. It launched a private placement late yesterday of 10-year bond notes at 9.5% interest. “It is expected that the net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate […]

Ad-funded, youth-oriented mobile virtual network operator Blyk has raised an impressive E40 million round from its existing investors. CEO Pekka Ala-Pietilä warned that, "like everyone else, [we] are feeling the impact of the world's financial situation" and Blyk has "taken decisive steps to cut costs and streamline our organisation." Since its launch in September 2007, […]

GE has declared its interest in buying media assets in a sign that a slumping economy has not shaken General Electric's confidence in its television and film business, NBC Universal. Jerry Immelt, GE chief executive, told the FT the company had the resources to capitalise on bargains as it wades through the downturn. "There are […]

Project Kangaroo, the JV between ITV, the BBC and Channel 4, is planning a test launch in January ahead of a competition ruling that will decide its ultimate fate. It is currently the subject of a Competition Commission investigation assessing its impact on the online video-on-demand market, but is forging ahead with technical development of […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid SES Astra is to make a formal complaint before the European competition authorities against the Spanish Government for its alleged preferential treatment to Abertis Telecom in the deployment of DTT in the country. The Luxembourg-based company has accused the Spanish Administration of helping out its main competitor in the […]