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Canal+ sees full year growth

Canal+ Group has reported full year revenues of €5.246 billion, on par with 2016, thanks in part to a 5.7 per cent growth in the fourth quarter. As at the end of December 2017, the Vivendi-owned company had total subscriber numbers of 15.6 million, up from 15 million at the end of 2016. Some 11.9 […]

February 16, 2018

TF1 Q4 profits dip

French media company TF1 Group has reported a Q4 profit of €64 million, down from €67.8 million a year ago. Total Q4 revenue was €658.3 million, down from €636 million year on year. During its earning call, TF1 confirmed its ambition to deliver growth in revenue from activities other than advertising on its 5 unencrypted […]

February 16, 2018

£1bn broadcaster investment Brexit risk

International broadcasters invested a record £1.02 billion (€1.15bn) in the UK in 2017, an increase of more than 50 per cent on the comparable figure (£679m) in 2011, according to independent research commissioned by UK trade body the Commercial Broadcasters Association, who warns that this investment is at risk unless the Government secures access to […]

February 15, 2018By Colin Mann

Spain: ‘Cartel’ accusations on convergent prices hikes

Spanish consumer association Facua has urged competition and markets watchdog the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) to look into the “agreed” rise by the country’s three largest operators (Movistar, Vodafone and Orange) of the price in convergent packages. Facua has accused the telcos of a cartel to raise the prices up […]

February 15, 2018From David Del Valle in Madrid

Ofcom faces Murdoch ‘fit and proper’ challenge

A London High Court Judge has approved a legal challenge by global citizens movement Avaaz against Ofcom, calling to question the regulator’s decision that Fox and the Murdoch family could be trusted to fully control Sky. Honourable Mr Justice Morris ruled that Avaaz’s case against Ofcom’s ‘fit and proper’ ruling in the Fox/Sky bid is […]

February 15, 2018By Colin Mann

Mediapro forced to open football rights to OTT platforms

Spanish media company Mediapro, holder of the football TV rights, will open up its sports broadcasts to third party OTT platforms to avoid being fined by the CNMC for breaking competition rules. Mediapro will provide the beIN Sports and beIN LaLiga sports channels to OTT platforms under the same terms and conditions as traditional operators. Mediapro […]

February 15, 2018From David Del Valle in Madrid

Producer Murphy joins Netflix in $300m deal

Multi-award-winning producer, director and writer Ryan Murphy, and his Ryan Murphy Productions company, have agreed a deal to produce new series and films exclusively for Netflix, starting July 1st. Murphy, who is behind a string of hot shows for Fox, has reportedly signed a 5-year deal with Netflix worth $300 million (€240m). Disney was also […]

February 15, 2018By Nik Roseveare

US state AGs warn of pirate site risks

Attorneys General representing California, Texas, Virginia and 25 other US states have warned consumers about the threat of websites pirating TV, film and other entertainment content in a public service campaign spearheaded by Internet safety watchdog Digital Citizens Alliance. Hackers often target these illegal sites to bait users into downloading malware that can jeopardise their […]

February 15, 2018By Colin Mann

Virgin lifts Liberty with “its best performance”

Liberty Global has announced its Q4 and full-year 2017 financial results. The international telco reported full year revenues of $15 billion, $3.9 billion of which were generated in the 4th quarter. This represented a rise of 2.3 per cent on the full year and 2.9 per cent on the 4th quarter. However, operating income for […]

February 15, 2018

FCC to approve SpaceX broadband application

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has proposed that the agency approve an application by SpaceX to provide broadband services using satellite technologies in the United States and on a global basis. “To bridge America’s digital divide, we’ll have to use innovative technologies,” explained Pai. “SpaceX’s application—along with those of other satellite companies seeking licences or access […]

February 15, 2018