Advanced Television

Rights

Canal Plus Internet TV deals

Canal Plus has signed deals with France Telecom’s Orange, Neuf Cegetel and Iliad’s Free to supply content from some of its channels via the internet. Subscribers to the three Internet access providers will be able to view TPS Star, Cinestar, Cineculte, Cinetoile, Piwi, Teletoon and Sport Plus via ADSL.

August 29, 2007

Simply Sports channels

Online video group Simply Media is diversifying into male-oriented programming, having acquiring a majority stake in online golf channel GolfBug.tv for an undisclosed sum. The group has announced plans to launch a suite of sports channels branded Simply Sports.

August 27, 2007

BT, Sony video phone on PSP

BT Group and Sony have unveiled new software that will allow gamers using portable PlayStations to make video and voice calls and send instant messaging. They said the Go!Messenger wireless software for Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld game player was set for commercial launch in January 2008. In a battle for supremacy against Japanese rival […]

August 26, 2007

Spanish soccer war hots up

From David Del Valle in Madrid The dispute between Sogecable, owner of Cuatro and Digital Plus, and Mediapro, shareholder in TV channel La Sexta, over football TV rights has intensified following the decision of Audiovisual Sport, the Sogecable-controlled company that manages the football rights to suspend providing football broadcasts to Mediapro over nonpayment of fees […]

August 26, 2007

TVE International pulls out of Hispasat

From David Del Valle in Madrid TVE International’s transmissions to Europe cannot be watched anymore through Hispasat (30º West) as the channel has controversially decided to pull out of the Spanish satellite. The satellite had been distributing the channel free-to-air since 2002. TVE International is now available on Eutelsat’s Hot Bird (13º East) and Astra […]

August 24, 2007

Viasat Scandinavia adds Warner Bros

Viasat Broadcasting has entered a licensing deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group for Warner’s feature films to be aired on Viasat OnDemand and CDON on demand services in Scandinavia. The agreement will enable users of Viasat’s and CDON’s on demand services to order and view content on a video on demand basis (VOD) via […]

August 24, 2007

Aniboom on YouTube

Aniboom, an Internet site for animators to create and share original clips, is launching its own channel on video site YouTube. A small start-up founded in Israel last year, Aniboom offers professional and amateur animators a place to showcase their clips and test their popularity with Web audiences. The company also provides tools for creating […]

August 22, 2007

OFT to look at CRR

The Office of Fair Trading will make its decision on whether to review contracts rights renewal by the end of summer. With the start of the TV trading season – which will see advertising deals struck between broadcasters and media agencies for 2008 – starting next month, any decision to review CRR is unlikely to […]

August 22, 2007

BBC, O2 tie up

BBC Worldwide's Digital Media division announces a new content partnership with mobile operator O2. Under the deal, BBC Worldwide will provide a range of branded mobile content to be retailed through the O2 Active mobile portal. The O2 distribution deal with BBC Worldwide follows on from the recent appointment of Peter Mercier as head of […]

August 22, 2007

Portugal Television to start June 2008

From Branislav Pekic in Rome Portugal Channel Television, a project aimed at the international promotion of the Iberian country as a tourist destination, plans to launch regular broadcasts in the first half of 2008. The channel, which was officially presented at this year's Lisbon Tourism Market (BTL), is a project of production company Tele 7, […]

August 20, 2007