RTL to test pay-TV on digital terrestrial
February 23, 2009 by Robert Briel
The German RTL Group will launch a new model for digital terrestrial broadcasts in order to break the deadlock over the future for commercial broadcasters on the platform. In what seems to be a test market, the broadcaster will launch a special multiplex in the Stuttgart region with its free-to-air (FTA) channels RTL, Vox, Super RTL and RTL 2, as well as the two subscription channels RTL Crime and RTL Passion. Read the Story »
Dutch to introduce first open cable regulation
February 23, 2009 by Robert Briel
The Dutch telecom regulator OPTA has managed to convince the European Commission that the country’s cable TV market is different enough to allow special regulation, paving the way for open cable access to the analogue TV distribution market. Read the Story »
REKAM and CAIW show the way for digital competition
February 23, 2009 by Robert Briel
The Dutch cable operator REKAM was the first to introduce a second supplier of digital television, allowing CAIW to offer services on its network in June 2007. The company has now released full figures of the actual numbers of subscribers for both platforms. Read the Story »
IPTV: A Central and Eastern European assessment
February 23, 2009 by Chris Dziadul
The surprise closure of the Czech IPTV service Volny TV earlier this month has undoubtedly raised some doubts as to the future of IPTV in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Given its already high cable and DTH penetration, not to mention the gradual rollout of DTT, can the region also realistically sustain a healthy IPTV sector? Read the Story »
Dutch satellite homes encouraged to watch UK channels
February 19, 2009 by Robert Briel
Dutch DTH provider Canal Satelliet Digitaal has started to actively promote reception of the free-to-air Freesat channels broadcast from the UK. The operator has introduced a special “Triple Sat” set, which enables simultaneous reception of three Astra satellites with a single dish and LNB. Read the Story »
Sweden turns to online viewing
February 19, 2009 by Julian Clover
Swedish audiences are increasingly turning to online video, according to the latest research from MMS, the organisation most associated with counting Swedish television audiences. Read the Story »
Challenging year ahead for strong MTG
February 19, 2009 by Julian Clover
Modern Times Group President and CEO Hans-Holger Albrecht has warned of challenging times ahead. His comments came after the Viasat Broadcasting business produced solid growth in the fourth quarter, as increasing APRU in the Nordic region combined with a rapid development in the emerging markets of Central and East Europe. Read the Story »
Canal Digital Cable HD success
February 17, 2009 by Julian Clover
Canal Digital Norway has achieved a 30% penetration of HD receivers in cable households from a standing start 12 months ago. It follows the cable and satellite pay-TV operation’s move to include HD channels as part of its overall proposition, rather than charge an additional fee for an HD tier. Read the Story »
Sky Italia growing premium services
February 17, 2009 by Julian Clover
News Corp has put some colour on the latest numbers from its Italian DTH operation Sky Italia. The satcaster added an additional 322,000 subscribers during 2008, bringing the total to 4.7 million, another high water mark. Around 300,000 gross subscribers were added on the quarter, a net increase of 150,000. Read the Story »
Sky reopens launch queue to HD channels
February 17, 2009 by Julian Clover
BSkyB is exploring plans to reopen its EPG launch queue to channels broadcasting in the HD format. The satcaster has informed broadcasters using the Sky Digital platform that would see the first channels being able to enter the EPG since it ceased accepting applications for places in the queue since October 3, 2007. Read the Story »
