ITV confirms £1.6bn Sky sale talks
ITV has confirmed it is in preliminary discussions with Sky for the sale of its Media and Entertainment business. … [Read More...]
Today’s News – As it Happens
N1 editors push management buyout to shield channel from political pressure
The programme directors of N1 in Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia have called for a management buyout of the regional news network from United Group. … [Read More...]
Social video takes 20% share as traditional TV hits record low in Sweden
Social video platforms are rapidly reshaping Sweden’s TV market, with traditional TV viewing now down to just 30% of total video consumption – the lowest level measured by Mediavision. … [Read More...]
News Line
Ergen retakes EchoStar helm as group pivots from 5G build-out to SpaceX tie-up
EchoStar chairman and co-founder Charlie Ergen has reclaimed the roles of president and chief executive in a dramatic strategic pivot built around a multi-million-dollar spectrum sale and a new SpaceX partnership.
Telefónica Deutschland appoints Santiago Argelich Hesse as new CEO
Telefónica Deutschland has named Santiago Argelich Hesse as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026.
Vectra deepens streamer bundling with Disney+ giveaway and HBO Max sports add-on
Vectra is stepping up its super-aggregator play in Poland with a one-year Disney+ promotion and a market-first HBO Max “TV and Sport Channels” add-on, tightening ties with two major global streamers inside its pay-TV and broadband bundles.
Tele2 names Nicholas Högberg CCO B2C and deputy CEO Sweden
Tele2 has appointed Nicholas Högberg as executive vice president, chief commercial officer B2C and deputy CEO Sweden, effective 1 December 2025.
Canal+ Poland launches Internet TV app offer
Canal+ has introduced a new Internet TV offer on its Polish streaming service, targeting viewers who still want linear channels but expect app-based access, no set-top box and flexible monthly billing.
CANAL+ and SuperSport lock in pan-language AFCON 2025 rights after MultiChoice merger
Canal+ has confirmed that its MultiChoice subsidiary SuperSport will broadcast the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 in English and Portuguese-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa, creating a unified rights footprint for the merged group across the continent.
Altice USA to rebrand as Optimum Communications
Altice USA is renaming as Optimum Communications, Inc as the US cable operator pursues a multi-year turnaround.
SES posts 20% revenue increase as Intelsat consolidation creates €7.1bn backlog
SES has reported a near 20% year-on-year rise in revenue for the first nine months of 2025 following the full consolidation of Intelsat from 17 July, as the enlarged group leans on Networks growth, multi-orbit scale and early integration synergies.
Orange, Eutelsat light up Martinique OneWeb gateway
Orange and Eutelsat have inaugurated a new teleport in Martinique hosting a OneWeb gateway, positioning the French overseas territory as a strategic hub for low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity across the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
Telekom Srbija prepares to acquire Orion Telecom customer base
Orion Telecom has begun shifting its residential customer base across to Telekom Srbija ahead of a full takeover of the company.
DAZN joins Prime Video in UK with subscription channel and PPV
DAZN has launched as an add-on channel on Prime Video in the UK, further extending its distribution strategy and broadening Amazon’s live sports line-up.
DAZN and TikTok to stream National League fixture on TikTok LIVE
DAZN has reached an agreement with TikTok to stream National League matches live and free via TikTok LIVE, starting with Southend United v Carlisle United on 8 November at 17.30 on the DAZN National League Channel.
People
Telefónica Deutschland appoints Santiago Argelich Hesse as new CEO
Telefónica Deutschland has named Santiago Argelich Hesse as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2026. … [Read More...]
Tele2 names Nicholas Högberg CCO B2C and deputy CEO Sweden
Tele2 has appointed Nicholas Högberg as executive vice president, chief commercial officer B2C and deputy CEO Sweden, effective 1 December 2025. … [Read More...]
Eutelsat names Sébastien Rouge as CFO
Sébastien Rouge (Eutelsat) Eutelsat has appointed Sébastien Rouge as Chief Financial Officer and member of the Group Executive Committee, reporting to CEO Jean-François Fallacher. … [Read More...]
Central & East Europe
BBC News Polska content lands on Onet.pl in syndication deal
Onet.pl has begun carrying BBC News Polska content under a new syndication agreement with the BBC World Service, adding text and video to the Onet homepage and a dedicated BBC News Polska section. … [Read More...]
CRA begins third phase of 5G Broadcast tests to verify handset compatibility
České Radiokomunikace (CRA) has launched the third phase of its 5G Broadcast trials in Prague, aiming to validate reception on commercially available smartphones and tablets . … [Read More...]
Slovak Telekom drops ČT:D/ČT art from TV platforms
Slovak Telekom has removed Czech Television’s joint kids/culture service ČT:D/ČT art from its Magio TV, Magio Sat and Digi TV line-ups. The operator has not given a reason for the change. … [Read More...]
TV
AGF integrates Amazon Prime Video into Germany’s national audience measurement
In a landmark move for audience measurement in Germany, AGF Videoforschung and Amazon have announced the integration of Prime Video into AGF’s standardised national ratings system. … [Read More...]
MFE strengthens control at ProSiebenSat.1 with new Seven.One Media CEO
MFE-MediaForEurope continues its rapid consolidation of control over ProSiebenSat.1 by placing an executive from its own ranks at the top of the German broadcaster’s advertising sales subsidiary Seven.One Media. … [Read More...]
RTL AdAlliance adds ORF to European sales network
RTL AdAlliance and ORF-Enterprise have entered into an exclusive strategic partnership to expand the international sales of Austria’s leading public media portfolio. … [Read More...]
Editors’ Choice
French broadcasters warn of sharp rise in DTT carriage costs from 2026
France’s Audiovisual Sector association (LaFA) has warned that public and private TV channels face a significant increase in TNT (DTT) transmission fees when multi-year carriage contracts are renewed from 2026. … [Read More...]
HBO Max sets German launch for January 2026, Ad Alliance to handle ad sales
HBO Max will launch in Germany in January 2026, marking the next major step in Warner Bros. Discovery’s European rollout of its global streaming platform. … [Read More...]
John C. Malone to become Chairman Emeritus at Liberty Media
Liberty Media has confirmed that long-standing chair John Malone will step down from the board on 1 January 2026 and transition to Chairman Emeritus. … [Read More...]
Long Reads
Interview: ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies combine as Big Blue Marble
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies have announced the launch of a new joint brand identity.
NEM interview with Sanja Božić-Ljubičić and Ivan Ljubičić
Ahead of NEM Dubrovnik (9-12 June 2025), Broadband TV News spoke with Sanja Božić-Ljubičić, CEO, Pickbox, Mediatranslations, Mediavision, NEM and Ivan Ljubičić, Managing Director, Mediavision and NEM.
Backscreen targets the TikTok generation
Inspired by TikTok’s short-form, ‘swipeable’, content experience, Latvian tech firm Backscreen has developed a new user interface with Gen Z in mind. Chief Commercial Officer Jan Frelek tells Broadband TV News that the mobile-first design can bridge mobile and big-screen experiences.
A new source of subscribers for streaming platforms: Anti-Piracy technology that finds pirates in the real world
Streaming platforms have long struggled with a fundamental problem: anti-piracy efforts have become an expensive game of whack-a-mole. Every piece of content removed from illegal platforms reappears within hours, sometimes minutes, creating an endless cycle that drains resources without delivering lasting results.