Digital TV News

Sky Sports app for iPad gets 20 replay angles for Champions League Final | News | TechRadar

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:02:49 +0000

The Sky Sports app for iPad has received a rather fancy new update, ahead of this Saturday night’s Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium.

via Sky Sports app for iPad gets 20 replay angles for Champions League Final | News | TechRadar.

Microsoft’s new Xbox tipped to conquer cloud streaming | News | TechRadar

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:01:57 +0000

Microsoft’s next Xbox console is poised to go toe-to-toe with Sony’s PlayStation 4, and a new report out over the weekend claimed that cloud streaming will be one of the major battlefields between the two systems.

via Microsoft’s new Xbox tipped to conquer cloud streaming | News | TechRadar.

Target Testing SVOD Service | Home Media Magazine

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:57 +0000

New streaming service would include digital sellthrough similar to Redbox Instant

Target Corp. has begun testing a subscription video-on-demand service, dubbed Target Ticket — a platform intended to compete with Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video, Redbox Instant and Hulu Plus.

via Target Testing SVOD Service | Home Media Magazine.

Dish Upgrades TV Everywhere App | Home Media Magazine

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:25 +0000

Dish Network May 20 rolled out an upgraded app that allows users to access live TV, recorded programming and video-on-demand content on connected devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.

via Dish Upgrades TV Everywhere App | Home Media Magazine.

Vision TV Network comes to mobile devices

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:46:25 +0000

Vision TV Network brings live international television to iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

via Vision TV Network comes to mobile devices.

Smart TV failing the connectivity test

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:54 +0000

Smart TVs are lagging behind laptops, desktops and set-top boxes when it comes to consumers deciding how to connect their TV sets to the internet.

via Smart TV failing the connectivity test.

Bidders line up for Moscow metro TV

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:45:25 +0000

Three broadcasters have submitted proposals to operate a TV service on the Moscow metro.

via Bidders line up for Moscow metro TV.

Analogue shut-off could hurt cable

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:44:18 +0000

Cable operators in the Netherlands continue losing subscribers to other platforms, but losses could be greater when they stop distributing analogue signals.

via Analogue shut-off could hurt cable.

50 VOD Professionals 2013

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:43:47 +0000

This time last year we asked who you thought the fifty most influential people working in the UK’s New Television sector were. You responded with some brilliant suggestions including Daniel Danker at the BBC, Sarah Milton at 4oD, Ben McOwen-Wilson at YouTube, Anthony Rose at Zeebox and Jonathan Lewis at Vevo. Indeed, these leaders occupied the first five positions in our final list which you can see here.

via 50 VOD Professionals 2013.

Mobile TV & Video Viewers to Exceed 2bn by 2017

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:42:42 +0000

A new report from Juniper Research has found that by 2017, 2 billion mobile and tablet users will watch TV and video on their devices. This is attributed to the growing popularity of short and easily shared video clips, and the increased global uptake of connected devices with faster processors and better displays.

via Mobile TV & Video Viewers to Exceed 2bn by 2017.

What online video and TV fans can expect from Microsoft’s next Xbox — Tech News and Analysis

Ian D. Nock — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:41:35 +0000

Microsoft is set to announce a new Xbox on Tuesday. Here’s what we know so far about everything related to TV and online video services.

via What online video and TV fans can expect from Microsoft’s next Xbox — Tech News and Analysis.

RCS&RDS sells another Digi operation

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:12:58 +0000

Slovak Telekom has agreed to buy Digi Slovakia for an undisclosed fee.

via RCS&RDS sells another Digi operation.

Pay TV is hurting, and even skeptics now admit cord cutting could be at fault — Tech News and Analysis

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:12:15 +0000

Pay TV providers in the US lost subscribers for the first time ever over the 12 months ending in March. Especially alarming is the slowing growth of lower-priced offers.

via Pay TV is hurting, and even skeptics now admit cord cutting could be at fault — Tech News and Analysis.

MPEG-DASH deployments due before second half of 2014 » Digital TV Europe

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:11:45 +0000

More than 75% of MPEG-DASH deployments are due to take place either the second half of 2013 and the first half of 2014, according to a new study by the DASH Industry Forum.

via MPEG-DASH deployments due before second half of 2014 » Digital TV Europe.

FilmOn to bring Premier League archive games

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:11:11 +0000

Streaming web TV service FilmOn FilmOn.com’s internet football channel has said it will show Premier League archive games, available on PC or smartphone.

via FilmOn to bring Premier League archive games.

Netflix launches in France, Holland rumoured

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:10:46 +0000

Rumours about impending Netflix launches in The Netherlands and France are surfacing again.

via Netflix launches in France, Holland rumoured.

Poland doubles DTT coverage

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:10:16 +0000

Poland has undergone the latest stage of its transition to digital broadcasting, in the process almost doubling the number of people able to receive DTT services to 25 million.

via Poland doubles DTT coverage.

informitv – Smart television usage remains relatively low

Ian D. Nock — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:09:48 +0000

Consumer awareness of smart televisions and what they can do remains relatively low. While 13% of homes in the United Kingdom now have a smart television, up 2% since Christmas, only half of them use one as the main way of accessing online services on their television. Recent research from YouGov suggests that people are still more likely to use a computer or set-top box to connect their television to the internet.

via informitv – Smart television usage remains relatively low.

Russia to add 900,000 IPTV subscribers in 2013

Ian D. Nock — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:56:58 +0000

According to a report from J’son & Partners Consulting, at the end of 2012 the IPTV subscriber base in Russia was about 2.54 million, or 4.7% of households in the country.

via Russia to add 900,000 IPTV subscribers in 2013.

More than 3,000 on-demand services in Europe

Ian D. Nock — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:56:31 +0000

The European Audiovisual Observatory has just taken stock of on-demand audiovisual services on the occasion of the Cannes Film Market. These data are available in the MAVISE database, which has now been expanded to cover on-demand audiovisual services in Europe and is available online free of charge.

via More than 3,000 on-demand services in Europe.

Sharp introduces new IGZO laptop displays with resolutions up to 3200 x 1800 pixels – Liliputing

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:40:43 +0000

Laptops with 1080p displays are so last year. A handful of notebooks including the MacBook Pro with Retina, Google Chromebook Pixel and Toshiba Kirabook already have higher-than-full-HD screens. Now Sharp wants to step things up a notch with its new IGZO displays for notebooks.

via Sharp introduces new IGZO laptop displays with resolutions up to 3200 x 1800 pixels – Liliputing.

TiVo launches iPad recommendations » Digital TV Europe

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:28:01 +0000

US DVR specialist TiVo has updated its iPad app to include a ‘What to Watch Now’ feature, combining recommendations and personal preferences to create a custom display of relevant content.

via TiVo launches iPad recommendations » Digital TV Europe.

nc+ to appeal fine

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:27:19 +0000

The new Polish DTH platform nc+ is to appeal the PLN11 million (€2.62 million) fine imposed on it by the competition authority UOKiK.

via nc+ to appeal fine.

Italy leads in HbbTV potential

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:59 +0000

HbbTV take-up could be higher in Italy than any other leading television market in Western Europe by 2015.

via Italy leads in HbbTV potential.

HBO Go widens Bulgarian reach

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:38 +0000

HBO Go is now available to subscribers of blizoo, the largest cable operator in Bulgaria, who have a HBO subscription and a broadband internet service.

via HBO Go widens Bulgarian reach.

TalkTalk TV growth accelerating, new low-cost box planned » Digital TV Europe

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:26:14 +0000

UK telecom operator TalkTalk more than doubled its TV subscriber base in the quarter to March 31 and said it was adding 12,000 new TV subscribers a week as it exited its financial year. It also confirmed plans to launch a lower-cost TV offering in the current financial year.

via TalkTalk TV growth accelerating, new low-cost box planned » Digital TV Europe.

Com Hem opens registrations for TiVo » Digital TV Europe

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:25:53 +0000

Swedish cable operator Com Hem has opened registrations for its forthcoming TiVo advanced TV offering.

via Com Hem opens registrations for TiVo » Digital TV Europe.

Vodafone to use Deutsche Telekom network for IPTV in Germany

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:25:29 +0000

Vodafone Germany (“Vodafone”) today announced a next-generation network access agreement with Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) which will allow Vodafone to offer high-speed fixed-line broadband and internet protocol-based TV (“IPTV”) services across Germany.

via Vodafone to use Deutsche Telekom network for IPTV in Germany.

24% of Russian homes equipped for satellite TV reception

Ian D. Nock — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:24:27 +0000

RSCC (the Russian Satellite Communications Company) and Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced that Astrium has been selected to build the Express-AMU1/EUTELSAT 36C satellite that will be launched in 2015 to provide follow-on and expansion capacity for the EUTELSAT 36A broadcast satellite operating at 36° East.

via 24% of Russian homes equipped for satellite TV reception.

Telly apocalypse foretold for 4G arrival fails to hit London: Brighton next • The Register

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:34:12 +0000

Freeview-watching Londoners are safe from 4G interference, with trials failing to elicit even a single complaint – thanks to the capital’s comprehensive coverage and its use of a Freeview band well clear of invading 4G signals.

via Telly apocalypse foretold for 4G arrival fails to hit London: Brighton next • The Register.

eircom launches fibre net

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:28:26 +0000

Ireland’s eircom has been joined by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD to launch its national fibre broadband network.

via eircom launches fibre net.

TalkTalk will introduce non-DVR YouView set-top in autumn | Videonet

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:28:04 +0000

TalkTalk will introduce a non-DVR YouView set-top box in the autumn. The company said today it will create a ‘value-for-money’ Essentials TV product with a smaller, lower-cost YouView set-top box that will be available to all 4 million TalkTalk customers. The company also plans to offer a wider range of specialist channels including some catering for different languages.

via TalkTalk will introduce non-DVR YouView set-top in autumn | Videonet.

Motorola prepares for the all-channel multiscreen line-up | Videonet

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:34 +0000

The trend in multiscreen TV is “absolutely towards the entire channel line-ups being made available to different devices,” according to Mike Gannon, EMEA Home Product Architect at Motorola Mobility. He says this is a way to differentiate the Pay TV offer against the likes of Netflix and other direct-to-consumer OTT offers. “Everything should be made available as a live stream, on-demand and as sync-and-go, where you can download content securely and take it with you,” he declares, pointing to the future shape of Pay TV multiscreen.

via Motorola prepares for the all-channel multiscreen line-up | Videonet.

TalkTalk adds 150,000 YouView customers in three months | Videonet

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:05 +0000

TalkTalk signed up 150,000 new subscribers to its YouView service in the first three months of this year and says this makes TalkTalk TV the UK’s fastest-growing new TV service. At the end of March the company had 230,000 TV customers. 12,000 new customers are signing up each week, the company reports.

via TalkTalk adds 150,000 YouView customers in three months | Videonet.

Motorola uses cloud UI concept to make entry-level STBs shine | Videonet

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:26:46 +0000

Motorola Mobility has been demonstrating its solution for a cloud-rendered User Interface, harnessing the HTML5 apps development standard within its DreamGallery user navigation solution. The company is harnessing the ActiveVideo Networks CloudTV H5 platform, which effectively stitches together the UI view that a customer needs to see (based on the commands sent back to the network from an STB) and turns that into an H.264 or MPEG-2 video stream that is decoded in the receiver as if it were another channel.

via Motorola uses cloud UI concept to make entry-level STBs shine | Videonet.

ABR streaming needs 5.1 Surround Sound | Videonet

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:26:24 +0000

As more Pay TV content is delivered as streaming video to the television, so the requirements for improved audio become more obvious. If operators want consumers to move seamlessly between their broadcast and IP services within their UI environment, like when they are watching VOD on hybrid STBs, they need to avoid a sudden loss of quality from, for example, 5.1 Surround Sound to simple stereo.

via ABR streaming needs 5.1 Surround Sound | Videonet.

On demand takes off in Europe

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:26:04 +0000

There are currently over 3,000 on demand audiovisual services established in European countries or received in at least one country, according to the European Audiovisual Observatory.

via On demand takes off in Europe.

SeaChange, Stofa cooperation continues

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:25:42 +0000

The Danish cable operator Stofa has signed a multi-year service and maintenance contract with SeaChange International for its SeaChange Adrenalin VOD services.

via SeaChange, Stofa cooperation continues.

Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:22:40 +0000

A reliable birdy told me that Samsung’s next firmware update will remix the TV to launch Samsung’s Smart Hub page as the default page when you turn on your TV as opposed to the last channel your were on, watching linear TV.

via Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia.

Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:22:29 +0000

via Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia.

Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:22:16 +0000

via Rumour: Samsung Splash Page to Take Over TV in Next Firmware Update? [2115] | Opinion – TV App Market – Social TV, Connected TV, TV Apps, Second Screen, Transmedia.

German TV advertising market up for RTL

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:21:45 +0000

TV advertising market conditions in the first quarter remained challenging, in line with local macro-economic developments. Looking across the Group’s larger markets, RTL Group estimates that only the German TV advertising market was up by 1.3%, while other markets were down.

via German TV advertising market up for RTL.

NPD: Netflix Tops Among Tablet Users | Home Media Magazine

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:11:16 +0000

Netflix ranks tops among tablet users, accounting for one-third of total video-viewing time during the month of March, according to The NPD Group.

via NPD: Netflix Tops Among Tablet Users | Home Media Magazine.

DTG :: News :: Report: 63% of smart TV owners connect their device

Ian D. Nock — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:05:51 +0000

Research published by Parks Associates today revealed that 26% of US broadband households own a smart TV and 46% own at least one set-top box.

via DTG :: News :: Report: 63% of smart TV owners connect their device.

Streaming services now account for 40 per cent of European traffic | News | TechRadar

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:05:48 +0000

Real-time entertainment services like Netflix, Spotify, BBC iPlayer and YouTube account for an average of 40.5 per cent of all peak downstream data across Europe, new research has claimed.

via Streaming services now account for 40 per cent of European traffic | News | TechRadar.

Sony announces exciting prices for 4K TVs in the UK | News | TechRadar

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:56:54 +0000

Sony has finally announced UK prices for its Bravia X9 range of 4K TVs and it’s good news. The 55-inch X9000A Ultra HD telly is set to cost just £4,000, while the 65-inch model is 50 per cent more expensive at £6,000.

via Sony announces exciting prices for 4K TVs in the UK | News | TechRadar.

Google TV officially updated to latest versions of Android and Chrome, faster updates promised going forward

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:49:49 +0000

It apparently wasn’t big enough to garner a mention earlier today, but Google has now followed up its slew of I/O keynote announcements with the news that it’s moving Google TV to the latest versions of Android (that’d be 4.2.2) and Chrome.

via Google TV officially updated to latest versions of Android and Chrome, faster updates promised going forward.

Broadpeak opens umbrellaCDN

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:48:52 +0000

Broadpeak, which provides content delivery networks (CDN) and high performance video servers for cable, IPTV, OTT, and hybrid TV operators, plans to demonstrate the new umbrellaCDN.

via Broadpeak opens umbrellaCDN.

WISI delivers HbbTV over IPTV

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:47:59 +0000

The blurring of TV and internet together with the emerging HbbTV services is providing a challenge for the futureproofing of TV headends and next-generation networks.

via WISI delivers HbbTV over IPTV.

Eastern Europe set for digital TV boom » Digital TV Europe

Ian D. Nock — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:47:37 +0000

The number of digital TV homes in Eastern Europe will double between now and 2018 and pay TV revenues will increase by almost a third in the same period, according to new research.

via Eastern Europe set for digital TV boom » Digital TV Europe.