Latest Headlines

• EditShare announces Flow Media Asset Management public beta (MESA Europe)

  Published May 31, 2018

  EditShare, based in Basingstoke in the UK is a technology leader in intelligent shared storage, AQC and media management solutions. Today, it invites the post production community to test the next generation of its Flow Media Asset Management platform. For the first time, any broadcast or production facility can install Flow MAM on top of […]

• EC approves Liberty Global Ziggo acquisition (Digital TV Europe)

  Published May 31, 2018

  The European Commission has confirmed its approval of Liberty Global’s acquisition of Dutch cable operator Ziggo in the Netherlands. The move follows the annulment of its earlier approval of the 2014 acquisition, by the EU General Court last year. The EC originally approved the merger, subject to the condition that it divest its Film1 channel […]

• How much screen time is too much for kids? (The Guardian)

  Published May 31, 2018

  For many parents in the digital age, battles over screen time and devices have become a depressing part of family life and knowing “how much is too much” has become a moving target. Up until a few years ago, parenting advice centred around the concept of “screen time” quotas, with a Goldilocks-style sweet spot of […]

• France Televisions uses Sony HDC-4300 4K cameras at Roland Garros (InBroadcast)

  Published May 31, 2018

  Tennis fans can enjoy the clarity of stunning 4K pictures, thanks to the use of Sony technology at Roland Garros. France Televisions is live operating the acclaimed Sony HDC-4300 system cameras, to deliver simultaneous production in 4K, HDR and HD from the Philippe-Chatrier central court. Sony’s PWS-4500 4K live production server is also in use […]

• Insight TV hires Liberty Global exec (TBI Vision)

  Published May 31, 2018

  Netherlands-based Insight TV has appointed Liberty Global’s Angela Borrillo as VP Business and Legal affairs. Borrillo will be responsible for overseeing and managing Insight TV’s business concerns and strategy and ensuring the company operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Prior to joining Insight, Borrillo spent more than ten years at Liberty Global in […]

• BBC to trial Ultra HD and VR during FIFA World Cup (TVB Europe)

  Published May 31, 2018

  The BBC has announced it will trial both Ultra HD and virtual reality during this summer’s FIFA World Cup. All matches due to be broadcast on BBC One will be available on iPlayer in UHD and HDR – although it says there will only be a limited number of viewers able to watch each game. […]

• Ericsson lands €250m 5G loan from EIB (Telecoms.com)

  Published May 31, 2018

  The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €250 million (£215m) loan agreement with Ericsson, to boost the vendor’s R&D efforts in 5G. The cash will be made available through the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), a joint initiative between the EIB and the European Commission, with the focus on development of hardware and […]

• Royal Wedding: Sky News uses LiveU HEVC transmission units (SVG Europe)

  Published May 31, 2018

  To facilitate 4K coverage for Sky Q customers, Sky News turned to long-time partner LiveU, to add dynamic live coverage from its fixed Windsor UHD OB location. The supply of the units and additional support was provided by LiveU UK partner Garland Partners. Sky News Manager, news technology, Richard Pattison said: “Because of the importance […]

• Round Two: Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester among seven in Ch 4 HQ bid (Prolific North)

  Published May 30, 2018

  The first-round pitch process to find a home for the new national HQ for the UK’s Channel 4 was launched by Chief Executive Alex Mahon in April. More than 30 submissions were received, now whittled down to seven by Mahon, Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Allan and the broadcaster’s executive team. The cities/regions going through are […]

• Orange showcases the power of VR at Roland Garros (Total Telecom)

  Published May 30, 2018

  Orange has extended its long-standing partnership with the French Open, to provide spectators with a unique digital experience. In collaboration with the French Tennis Federation, Orange is to offer spectators the opportunity to take part in an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experience that will allow attendees to compete on the Philippe-Chatrier […]

• Netflix joins MPS seminar on HDR content creation (Broadcast Tech)

  Published May 30, 2018

  Netflix is to take part in a seminar at the Media Production Show 2018, which takes place at London Olympia on Jun 12/13. The company will offer a valuable insight into how to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) content. Netflix Manager Production Technologies Chris Clarke will be joined by The Farm Group’s globally renowned senior […]

• Stakeholders slam EC copyright reform draft (Digital TV Europe)

  Published May 29, 2018

  Both the EBU – the European public broadcaster organisation – and a group representing authors of audiovisual works have expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the compromise position on copyright reform in the EU that was agreed by the European Council. Last week, the Council’s permanent representatives committee Coreper agreed a position on the draft directive […]

• ZOO Digital extends services in Asia Pacific with Kantana Group (MESA Europe)

  Published May 29, 2018

  ZOO Digital’s two-year partnership with Kantana Group has expanded in Thailand and Vietnam. The localisation service provider has built on its partnership with one of Thailand’s oldest and largest film studios, to help grow its cloud dubbing service. ZOO Digital President Gordon Doran said: “I’m delighted to announce that we have extended our partnership and […]

• Europe tries to tame the Wild Wild Web (Telecoms.com)

  Published May 29, 2018

  The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) deadline might have passed but the communications industry isn’t taking time to lick its wounds. Next on the agenda is the e-Privacy regulation – implementation targeted for 2019 – and lobbyists are already hitting the bureaucrats hard with the simple argument: rules kill innovation. However, rules are in place […]

• October Studios opens in Norfolk, UK (Broadcast)

  Published May 29, 2018

  October Films has launched October Studios, a studio space focused on UK producers working for US networks. Based in Norfolk UK, it consists of multiple studios, standing sets, costume and prop stores. October Films says it includes a “wide supply of American props and vehicles”, as well as “…the only full-scale standing Oval office film […]

• TFL launches SeriesLab 2019 (Torino Film Lab)

  Published May 29, 2018

  TorinoFilmLab (TFL), based in Turin Italy, has launched its third edition of SeriesLab – an annual programme aimed at developing innovative and high-profile international TV series projects. The lab follows the creation process of a TV series concept and it offers the support of qualified tutors and story editors for the generation of ideas and […]

• ITV, BBC mull $1.3bn UKTV bid (C21 Media)

  Published May 29, 2018

  ITV is to consider a link-up with the BBC to make a £1billion (€1.15bn) bid to buy out Discovery’s 50% stake in multichannel broadcaster UKTV, according to a report in the Telegraph newspaper. UKTV is jointly owned by the BBC Studios and Discovery Communications, following the latter’s recent deal to acquire Scripps Networks Interactive for […]

• Virgin Media buys Casey Cablevision (Digital TV Europe)

  Published May 29, 2018

  Virgin Media has agreed to buy regional Irish cable operator, Casey Cablevision, which is based in Dungarvan, County Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland. The deal, which was agreed for an undisclosed price, will give Casey Cablevision’s existing customers in Dungarvan access to the full suite of Virgin Media’s products and services. Virgin said […]

• Mediapro loses Italian football TV rights (Advanced Television)

  Published May 29, 2018

  Spanish TV company Mediapro has lost the TV rights to Italian Serie A football, following the league’s decision to cancel the contract awarded to the firm for €1.05 billion (£915m) a year from 2018 to 2021. With this decision, the football rights auction is to be relaunched, with a battle between Sky and Mediaset predicted. […]

• Ooyala says data driven video is ‘resetting the media of the future’ (SVG Europe)

  Published May 29, 2018

  In its “State of the Media Industry 2018” report, video analytics specialist Ooyala says that data and data-driven video are “the key to every conversation happening today in the media industry.” From consumer engagement and privacy to technological advances, content strategies and monetisation, “…data in its various forms is everywhere and companies are challenged with […]

• Ericsson unveils Eastern European HQ in Budapest (Total Telecom)

  Published May 29, 2018

  Ericsson Hungary has inaugurated its new headquarters in Budapest. The campus boasts state of the art research and development facilities and will house over 2,000 employees. The opening ceremony was attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm. The high-tech building will be among the most modern and ambitious places to […]

• Calrec appoints international Sales Manager (InBroadcast)

  Published May 29, 2018

  Calrec Audio has appointed Karl Chapman as International Sales Manager, primarily to concentrate on EMEA territories. Chapman’s knowledge and experience will further expand the company’s sales in both TV and the radio industry – which it recently entered with ‘Type R’ – in addition to assisting the entire Calrec team with the overall business. Calrec […]

• SVOD in Middle East to reach 14 million by 2023 (Dataxis)

  Published May 28, 2018

  Latest research from Dataxis sheds light on the evolution of the digital video market in the Middle-East, which is expected to grow significantly over the next five years. The growth will be driven by the progression of SVOD, forecast to account for 14 million subscribers in 2023, up from around 3 million in 2017. Turkey, […]

• Audience Analytics and Blockchain: 2 topics to feature at HITS Europe Summit

  Published May 24, 2018

  With just four weeks to go to the HITS Europe Summit in London, the speaker programme is taking shape, and registrations are building strongly. Among the various topics coming under the spotlight during the day, audience analytics will be just one of the highlights. During one of the panel discussions, a number of senior industry […]

• NBC Universal, Havas Group and Endemol Shine discuss the future (IBC 2018)

  Published May 24, 2018

  As is fitting for the home of technical invention and innovation, IBC2018 will present a broad range of ambitious and timely elements, to engage, inform and inspire the content creators and owners from around the world who will visit the RAI, Amsterdam from Sep 13-18 2018. This must-attend event includes inspiring conference themes that will […]

• UK Chancellor: ‘Full-fibre network by 2033’ (Advanced Television)

  Published May 24, 2018

  UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has targeted full-fibre to the premises (FTTP) connections being available to 15 million premises by 2025 and committed to delivering a nationwide FTTP network by 2033. Delivering a speech at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Annual Dinner 2018, Hammond said that the government is in agreement with […]

• Apple TV 4K rental option for Canal+ subscribers (Streaming Media Europe)

  Published May 24, 2018

  New and existing Canal+ customers will soon be able to choose between the company’s standard set-top box or an Apple TV 4K. Customers choosing the Apple TV will rent it for €6 (£5.20) per month. Going with an Apple TV will also allow households to connect a second box. “The move is intended to attract […]

• ‘Creativity meets Technology’ at Futurescope 2018 (IFTN)

  Published May 24, 2018

  Animation Ireland and Animation Skillnet have announced that the two organisations will come together to host a series of panel discussions at Futurescope 2018 on May 31 in Dublin. The “Creativity meets Technology” theme will explore topics such as: “IP development for a changing distribution and consumer landscape”; “The future of interactive medical education”; “Creative […]

• BT launches Plus fibre, announces 4G convergence plans (Digital TV Europe)

  Published May 24, 2018

  BT has launched BT Plus, its new converged fibre and 4G plan, which offers fast connections in and out of the home in a single bill. BT Plus will give customers “superfast” or “ultrafast” fibre speeds and a free upgrade to the fastest 4G speed available on their network. According to BT, “…ultrafast plans come […]

• Philip Bloom: Google ‘stole my videos’ (BBC News: Technology)

  Published May 24, 2018

  Google has enraged a leading UK film-maker by using his footage in a corporate video that later leaked online. The technology company used material from more than half a dozen of Philip Bloom’s films to make a provocative presentation about ways it could exploit users’ data in the future. Mr Bloom makes a living from […]