Hong Kong based IPTV operator PCCW and Rainbow Networks have signed a carriage agreement to launch the VOOM HD channel in Hong Kong, the first launch of the channel in Asia and one of the first 24/7 Asian HD channels. “Everyday, HDTV transforms the entertainment experiences of more and more viewers worldwide, and this audience […]
MTV veterans to launch ‘micro networks’
Former executives of MTV and Nickelodeon are launching six ‘micro networks’ on the web. Called Next New Networks the new venture will provide streaming content on subjects such as comics, home made clothing, car culture and cartoons. Programming will consist of short videoclips varying between three and eight minutes. Video will be free and the […]
France 24 to launch Arab service
France 24, the French international news channel, will launch its Arabic service on April 2. Arabic programming will initially be broadcast for just four hours a day from 16.00 until 20.00 hours CET. The rest of the day English edition will be broadcast. The Arabic feed will be available on Arabsat/Nilesat). France24 has hired 22 […]
RTP contemplates launching pay channels
Portuguese public broadcaster RTP is contemplating the launch of a number of pay channels. Following the introduction of a new television law on March 30 the broadcaster will be allowed to set up new public service channels for young people and other specialist genres. However, the cash strapped RTP does not have sufficient funds available […]
SPI buys up film channel
The Polish film channel Kino Polska has been acquired by SPI International for a fee believed to be in the region of PLN12-16 million (€3.10-4.14 million). SPI will now add Kino Polska to a package of services it plans to operate in Poland including Filmbox and Nonstop Kino, both of which are scheduled to make […]
Simply Media to carry Jump TV channels
Channels from broadband TV network Jump TV are to appear through a new set-top box being launched by Simply Media. Channels from Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East; including top channels from Romania, Bangladesh, Turkey and Pakistan will be made available on the Simply TV IPTV set-top. The channels will be offered […]
Mezzo performs in 1.3 million homes
Classical music and jazz channel Mezzo closed 2006 with more than 1.3 million subscribers. The channel, represented internationally by Lagardère Networks International, says that it is seeing major growth. As of December 31, 2006 the channel was available in more than 11 million homes outside of France, an increase of 268,000 international subscribers since the […]
Kamera signs sports content deal with Sportfive
Mobile and online video content company Kamera has signed a content deal with Europe’s sports rights marketing company Sportfive to distribute its portfolio of sports programming to mobile operators and online portals worldwide. The deal, which includes the upcoming Qualifiers for the Euro 2008 football championship, boosts Kamera’s sports content offering and enables Sportfive to […]
Italy, France and Spain request Euronews in Arabic
The governments of Spain, Italy and France have asked the European Commission to launch an Arabic version of the European television channel EuroNews so that Muslim countries can learn more about life and politics in the European Union. The three countries formulated the request in a letter to EU’s executive body that was delivered by […]
De Mol’s Tien set to join Dutch RTL
A deal to bring John de Mol’s channel Tien into the fold of RTL Nederland is imminent, according to Dutch newspaper reports. RTL CEO Fons van Westerloo said he expects to make an announcement “one of these days.” John de Mol confirmed talks are ongoing with various parties, but said a possible deal with RTL […]