Eutelsat Communications has reported a first quarter revenue increase of 6.2%, as the Paris based satellite operator benefited from the sustained development of video applications, up by 10.7% following the opening of new orbital positions at seven degrees West and nine degrees East. The company recorded total revenues of €211.9m from the first quarter ending [...]
EDS calls Sky claims absurd and extravagant
October 23, 2007 10.33 Europe/London By
US information technology provider EDS has described the court action launched against it by BSkyB as “absurd and extravagant”. Company lawyers told the High Court the DTH platform had only brought the £709 million (€947m) claim in a bid to escape a £48m contract it has awarded to EDS in 2000 for the building of [...]
Rogers to oversee ITV digital channels
October 23, 2007 10.13 Europe/London By
ITV has appointed Jonathan Rogers to take over the running of its digital channel portfolio including ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, CITV and Men and Motors. Rogers will be responsible for channel strategy, managing day-to-day performance and channel launches. The channel controllers will report to ITV director of television Simon Shaps on programming issues and to Rogers [...]
Virgin Media boosts TV line-up
October 23, 2007 09.55 Europe/London By
Virgin Media has announced the addition of channels from Sparrowhawk Media and CSC Media Group to its channel portfolio. Subscribers will now be able to enjoy the Sparrowhawk channels Diva TV and Movies 24+. The cablenet already carries Movies 24 and its selection of made for TV movies. Sparrowhawk, recently acquired by NBC Universal, has [...]
EBU warns mobile TV could blur DTT picture
October 23, 2007 09.24 Europe/London By
EBU technical director Lieven Vermaele has warned of interference to digital TV services should mobile TV services be allowed to broadcast in the same frequency bands. “In many European countries, digital terrestrial TV in these bands has already become a major success based on the availability of free-to-air TV services, says Vermaele. “However, this success [...]
Babe channels face PIN code protection
October 22, 2007 13.51 Europe/London By
Ofcom has told broadcasters of the so-called Babe channels that it is considering a change in its codes that would require the channels to introduce mandatory PIN codes across the Adult section of the Sky EPG. It follows last year’s warning on the appropriateness of adult content broadcast before the 21.00 watershed and the use [...]
EC clears Intelsat purchase
October 22, 2007 11.46 Europe/London By
The European Commission has given the green light to the $16.6 billion acquisition of satellite operator Intelsat by Serafina Holdings. The deal was fast tracked under the European Union’s ‘simplified’ merger review procedure. The acquisition of Intelsat was announced by BC Partners in June. The private equity house subsequently announced the creation of Serafina Holdings [...]
MySpace creates original drama
October 22, 2007 11.28 Europe/London By
Social networking website MySpace will today premiere the first episode of Roommates, a made for web TV show that follows the lives of four women in their 20s that live together in Los Angeles. The three minute episodes will be released Monday to Friday through until December 21. The first episode can be seen tonight [...]
Digiturk IPO priced at up to $11 per share
October 22, 2007 10.23 Europe/London By
Turkish pay-TV platform Digiturk has said its offer of up to 50 million global depositary receipts will be priced within a range between $9 and $11 (€6.30 and €7.70). The London listing is scheduled to take place on November 9. Digiturk is placing 25% of the company with the market with a further 2% held [...]
Virgin Media shifts focus back to broadband
October 22, 2007 10.13 Europe/London By
Virgin Media is looking to push improved broadband speeds rather than premium TV services. In an interview with The Guardian acting chief executive Neil Berkett says he wants to shift the focus towards mass market households who do not need premium sports and movies, but who want more than the basic line-up offered by DTT. [...]
