CeBIT – HANOVER. European Commissioner Viviane Reding once again said the Commission wants to set a European standard for mobile TV and DVB-H is the system of choice. It is a European development and by making it mandatory it will help grow the market further. In March 2006, also at CeBIT, Reding called upon Member […]
Applications accepted for German DVB-H pilot
Today the media authority Landesanstalt für Kommunikation (LFK) in the German state of Baden-Württemberg has opened the application process for the nationwide 16-channel DVB-H pilot project. The window for applications will close in one month’s time, on April 13. The new channels should come on the air early 2008. The media authority is not just […]
New regulator for Russia
According to a local report, Russia’s President Putin has signed a decree paving the way for the creation of an all-media regulatory body. Combining the existing Federal Service for Telecom Supervision and Federal Mass Media and Cultural Heritage Oversight Service, its functions will range from monitoring the development of IT to all areas of the […]
EC publishes Audiovisual without Frontiers text
The European Commission has published the consolidated text of its revised Television Without Frontiers Directive. The new Audiovisual without Frontiers Directive is designed to provide a legal framework to Europe’s audiovisual sector following developments in video-on-demand, mobile TV and digital TV. The proposals include a relaxation on the amount of advertising that can be screened […]
Sci-Fi awarded Benelux licences
Versions of Sci-Fi Channel and 13th Street have been licensed by Ofcom for carriage in the Benelux. The two stations have been issued with television broadcast licences. Another broadcaster using the UK as its base is Discovery Channel and the network has received a new licence for Spain and Portugal. Also receiving a licence from […]
Providence eyes Bulgaria’s BTC
The US investment company Providence Equity Partners has emerged as the frontrunner to buy a majority (65%) stake in the incumbent Bulgarian telco BTC. It is currently owned by the Icelandic entrepreneur Thor Bjorgolfsson’s Novatur Holdings and has attracted interest from several parties including Turkey’s Turk Telekom and Turkcell. Providence Equity Partners are understood to […]
Flemish analogue switch-over in 2008
Flanders (Belgium) will switch off its analogue terrestrial television signals at the end of 2008, the Flemish government has decided. The Dutch speaking part of the country is highly cabled with around 97% of all homes connected and it is thought about 60,000 homes will be affected who only receive television over the air. A […]
Increased advertising opportunities in Flanders
Flemish private broadcasters will no longer be forced to air five-minute long videoclips prior and following children’s programmes, as the media regulator has announced its new advertising rules will take effect on Monday (March 5). Currently Flemish private broadcasters are not allowed to air commercials five minutes prior to the the start and following a […]
Trade Secretary launches Sky-ITV investigation
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling is to rule on whether BSkyB’s purchase of a 17.9% stake in ITV was against the public interest. Darling has asked Ofcom to hold an inquiry into last autumn’s purchase by BSkyB in the wake of plans by the then NTL Telewest to make its own takeover of Britain’s […]
EC approves Liberty Global control of Telenet
The European Commission has approved Liberty Global’s recently increased and controlling ownership position in Telenet Group Holding NV. As previously announced on November 13, 2006, Liberty Global exercised options that increased the Company’s ownership in Telenet to 28.07%. With today’s regulatory approval, Telenet will be consolidated for financial reporting purposes beginning January 1, 2007 and […]