Advanced Television

Production

Sky commits to original British drama

Sky has stepped up its commitment to original British drama with the announcement of a line up of brand new, original drama, featuring stars including Dominic Cooper, Vanessa Redgrave, Kylie Minogue, Idris Elba and Matt Smith. Running across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment channels, the raft of new drama commissions, complemented by popular returning series, is […]

January 17, 2013

Discovery, TF1 finalise agreement

French media group TF1 and Discovery Communications have wasted no time in finalising the agreement announced December 13 and are moving forward to build a three-tier strategic alliance across Eurosport, four pay-TV channels and production. Following a favourable opinion from the employee representative bodies, the partners December 21 confirmed the signature and closing of their […]

December 23, 2012

Sunset+Vine to produce BT Sports

BT Sport has named Sunset+Vine as its lead production partner. Sunset+Vine will produce BT’s 38 live football games in the Barclays Premier League from the start of the 2013/14 season, along with 69 live Aviva Premiership rugby union matches and other sports programming. Sunset+Vine’s current production credits include ESPN’s Aviva Premiership rugby union coverage and […]

December 20, 2012

Keshet International sets up in UK

Keshet International, the distribution arm of Keshet Media Group and distributor behind multi-award winning Homeland, has opened a UK office as it continues to expand its global footprint. The London office has been opened due to Keshet’s significant growth in the international formats market and recent US success. Keshet International MD Alon Shtruzman has made […]

December 17, 2012

TF1, Discovery talks value Eurosport €850m

French media company the TF1 Group has revealed further details of the exclusive negotiations it has been pursuing since mid-November with US programmer Discovery Communications aimed at forging a strategic alliance which would create value for both companies across their numerous complementary business activities. The TF1 Board of Directors, meeting on December 12, gave CEO […]

December 13, 2012By Colin Mann

Futuresource: 4K channels in 2014

Research consultancy Futuresource expects a number of broadcasters to launch 4K channels during 2014. Test transmissions from the likes of SES Astra could start showcasing the technology in 2013. Futuresource’s forecasts suggest that by 2020, the sale of 4K-equipped receivers could amount to some 15 per cent of the overall TV set market and a […]

November 29, 2012By Chris Forrester

Sky Italia expands on-demand service

Mediaset’s on-demand offer, Premium Play, has surpassed one million users, of which 750,000 are active via an Internet connection. Premium Play, which launched in February 2011, is providing over 3,000 content (including football channels and HD) for subscribers of the pay-TV service Mediaset Premium, at no extra cost. The service has been averaging 10,000 new […]

November 29, 2012From Branislav Pekic in Rome

Discovery, TF1 discuss strategic alliance

French media company the TF1 Group and US programmer Discovery Communications have confirmed that they have entered into exclusive negotiations to forge a strategic alliance intended to create value for both companies across their numerous complementary business activities in three key areas: driving the growth of Eurosport; enhancing both companies’ pay-TV offerings in France; and […]

November 14, 2012

X Factor helps boost RTL Q3

Continued growth in the German free TV market and the continued global success of production arm FremantleMedia’s Got Talent and X Factor TV formats helped parent company RTL Group to improved third-quarter financials. Revenue for the quarter was up 5.5 per cent to €1.296 billion, with operating profits up 5.8 per cent to €165 million. […]

November 13, 2012

Banijay joins YouTube content initiative

Companies within international production conglomerate Banijay Group in France and the US have begun creating online programming for new premium branded channels as part of the YouTube Original Content Initiative. Banijay Group company Air Productions, in partnership with France Télévisions, has launched a new channel which is an extension of its popular live music show […]

October 17, 2012