As the Covid-19 outbreak has escalated throughout Europe, public service media organisations (PSM) have not only kept audiences informed, educated and entertained, they have offered vital support as this unprecedented crisis deepens. A new report from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) shows how public service broadcasters have responded to the challenges of the pandemic by […]
Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video have all agreed to a temporary reduction of the bandwidth used by their services in Europe. Netflix said it will begin reducing bit rates across all its streams in Europe for 30 days, suggesting the initiative will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 per cent. The […]
Media regulator CSA has ordered Canal+ to return to encrypted broadcasts in France. Earlier this week, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said the pay-TV broadcaster would go in the clear during the Coronavirus outbreak. However, the CSA subsequently received complaints from French commercial channels TF1 and M6, accusing Canal of unfair competition. The CSA has now […]
The Premier League clubs could soon find itself in a fight with its broadcasters. Following the Premier League suspensions news (no games until at least April 30th), broadcasters could look to impose a fine on the clubs in the league if the season does not conclude on time. The delays and uncertainties over when the […]
Carolyn McCall, ITV’s CEO, has provided an overview of ITV’s response to the coronavirus crisis: “This week has seen an escalation in the impact of the coronavirus with the Government ramping up measures and recommendations that are having profound implications for people and organisations across the UK. “All businesses are being deeply affected and ITV […]
With the escalating response to the current Covid-19 pandemic, Pact, the trade association representing the commercial interests of UK independent television, film, digital, children’s and animation media companies, is calling on Government to adopt a range of measures to support one of the UK’s most successful domestic and export industries. Firstly, to support SMEs, suspend […]
The BBC has set out how it will ensure it keeps the nation informed, educated, and entertained in what it describes as unprecedented times. “We all know these are challenging times for each and every one of us,” stated Director-General Tony Hall. “As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a special role to play at […]
South Africa’s Department of Communications and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) ware increasing pressures on major sports organisers to broadcast their events on free-to-air TV as they are in the ‘public interest’. Local reports say that a parliamentary presentation by ICASA said that events like the Olympic games as well as rugby, soccer, […]
UK Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that the government will legislate to make sure new-build homes come with gigabit-speed broadband fit for the future, with the administration suggesting that this is a significant step in the Prime Minister’s plan to level up the UK and accelerate the nationwide rollout of world-class broadband with the […]
The French Guiana rocket base at Kourou has suspended all launch campaigns and missions because of the Coronavirus. Arianespace itself, plus the French CNES space agency and the many other companies based at Kourou, have ceased all activity in accordance with French government instructions, while Covid-19 remains active. The spaceport will resume activities as soon […]