Satnews

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Technicolor approves Vector Capital plan

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly ©RapidTVNews | 22-06-2012

The General Shareholders’ Meeting of technology group Technicolor has approved the acquisition proposed by Vector Capital Corporation as offered on 25 May 2012 and amended on 13 June.

Winning over JP Morgan’s bid, Vector’s transaction will take place in two steps as Technicolor will issue both 47, 471,506 shares through a reserved capital increase and 61, 643, 316 shares in a capital increase. Vector has committed to subscribe up to three quarters of the amount of the Rights Issue to ensure the success of the operation.

The level of participation of existing shareholders in the Rights Issue will determine Vector’s final stake in Technicolor. At the end, Vector will hold between 18% and 29.94% of Technicolor’s share capital.

These capital increases, of an amount between â,¬167 million and â,¬191 million, will allow Technicolor to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance its capabilities to implement its “Amplify 2015” strategic roadmap.

Technicolor employs 17,000 people worldwide and is reported to have accumulated a â,¬1 billion debt.

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NRJ Group to invest â,¬5 million into channel modernisation

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly ©RapidTVNews | 22-06-2012


French DTT, group NRJ has launched a â,¬5 million modernisation plan for its TV pole ahead of the launch next December of new women’s FTA HD channel Chérie HD.

New installations will serve the group’s four channels NRJ 12, Chérie HD, NRJ Paris and NRJ Hits. Chérie HD will also be available on the satellite, on cable and all ADSL platforms. Like NRJ 12, the channel will have its own app on HbbTV connected TV sets.

When launched in 2005, DTT channel NRJ 12 was the first one to offer 16/9 images and Dolby Digital sound.

To catch the new HDTV channel and the five others next December, viewers receiving only DTT channels, will need to change their adaptor.

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Pepcom buys HL komm in Germany

Jörn Krieger ©RapidTVNews | 22-06-2012


The consolidation in Germany's cable industry continues: Cable company Pepcom wants to take over Leipzig-based regional market player HL komm for around â,¬50 million.

Leipzig's city council approved the sale of 100% of the shares in the company currently owned by the city's public utility subsidiary Stadtwerke Leipzig at its latest meeting. Germany's federal anti-trust authority Bundeskartellamt still has to approve the deal.

According to the council, Pepcom guarantees for HL komm's headquarters to remain in Leipzig until at least 2020 and rules out redundancies due to operational conditions until 2016.

HL komm offers telephony and internet for private and business customers as well as a cable TV package under the brand "an!" in cities in eastern Germany such as Leipzig, Halle, Dresden, Erfurt, Magdeburg, Chemnitz and Jena.

With more than 750,000 households served, Pepcom is Germany's fifth-largest cable operator. The Munich-based company has been in the ha$$$ of UK financial investor Star Capital Partners since 2010.

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BT final ISP to block Pirate Bay

BT has become the UK’s final major Internet service provider to block The Pirate Bay, following a high court order for ISPs to censor the torrent-sharing site.

In April 2012, the British High Court forced six major providers to block access to the website. BT asked for more time to respond to the court order, and evaluate the implications of setting up the blockade. It has now complied with the court order, and BT users with a taste for torrents will be redirected to a notice from the British Phonographic Industry.

According the Pirate Party UK, BT also blocked the additional addresses added by the Pirate Bay in response to the block in recent weeks. However, “within minutes of the block being put in place, the Pirate Bay made additional addresses available to circumvent the block.”

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UEFA awards football rights in Germany and Azerbaijan

    UEFA, the European football body, has awarded some Europa League rights in Germany to ProSiebenSat1.

    The commercial broadcaster has been granted the right to broadcast the best live Europa League match each match week, as well as a weekly highlights programme. The programming will be broadcast each match week on free-to-air channel Kabel 1.

    All rights have been granted on a platform-neutral basis with the rights being exploited on television, the internet, as well as on mobile.

    UEFA has also awarded all free-to-air 2012-15 Europa League media rights in Azerbaijan to public broadcaster AZTV.
    Each match night, one live match will be broadcast on the channel AZTV. In addition one live match per kick-off slot, followed by a highlights programme, will be shown each match night on channel Idman Azerbaijan.

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TransGaming to deliver GameTree TV to IPTV service provider in Asia

Louise Duffy ©RapidTVNews | 22-06-2012


TransGaming has announced that it has signed an agreement to deliver GameTree TV to a major IPTV service provider based in Asia.

The service provider dominates a market of some 8 million households in Asia-Pacific, which is expected to lead the world in IPTV subscriber growth, reaching 550 million subscribers by 2017 according to an April 2012 research report by Global Industry Analysts.

Vikas Gupta, CEO & President of TransGaming, said: "TransGaming continues to sign new service provider deals across the world which is a demonstration of the world-class high quality and compelling games solution we have created with GameTree TV.

"The Asia-Pacific marketplace is going to outpace the rest of the world in terms of IPTV adoption and TransGaming is at the forefront. We expect to bring this solution to market and then work with other industry leaders until we stand as the dominant content provider to operators throughout the region."

The details of this agreement will be announced within the next 90 days. GameTree TV is scheduled to tentatively launch with the IPTV service provider by autumn 2012.

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Tablets, smartphones displace PCs for paid for video

Editor ©RapidTVNews | 22-06-2012


It has long been held that the explosion of tablets and smartphones has driven the upsurge in online video usage, but when it comes to business it seems that portable screens are cannibalising, and not complementing, existing platforms.

Indeed, as revealed by the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Residential Pay-to-View Study, since 2011 as paid video content becomes more available via different distribution channels, tablet and smartphone-based video usage has increased, there has been a commensurate decline in PC/Mac-viewing usage.

Drilling deeper, the study found that, as indicated in other surveys, tablets were the most-often-used handheld device, accounting for use by nearly a fifth (18%) of customers, up 7% year-on-year. By contrast, phone-based usage inched up 2% to 16%. Overall, and including overlapping usage, 29% of video service customers watched paid content on a handheld device. Over the same time, PC/Mac viewing of paid content declined from 39% to 48% in 2011.

"Customers are becoming more comfortable viewing their paid content on a smaller screen, such as a tablet or mobile phone," explained Frank Perazzini, director of telecommunications at J.D. Power and Associates. "The convenience of the device, as well as the availability of the content, has made it much easier to experience video on a variety of devices. However, the desire to watch events and video content as it happens is still prevalent, as more than 50% of viewers watch live television programming."

The study also revealed interesting age demographic differences in the usage and viewing practices and satisfaction of paid content by Gen Y and Baby Boomer customers. Even though satisfaction with video service providers among Gen Y customers declined to 752, down 18 points from 2011, satisfaction among Baby Boomer customers actually grew by 19 points to 748. The analyst believes that among Gen Y customers, satisfaction has declined in part due to lower ratings for cost of service and customer service, while satisfaction among Baby Boomer customers has increased due to higher ratings for billing, ease of use and variety of videos/programming provided. These have significance in real business terms. In addition, when selecting a video service provider, 21% of Gen Y customers consider mobility a factor, compared with only 9% of Baby Boomer customers, further highlighting the different needs of these two generations.

"Baby Boomers are more becoming more comfortable with paid video technology and, as a result, are becoming more satisfied with the services available," added Perazzini. "Conversely, Gen Y customers are already familiar with the technology and not only demand a high level of service from video service providers, but also are quick to seek alternatives when they believe they could have a better experience elsewhere."

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Spectrum of opportunity as Arqiva agrees acquisition with Wi-Fi firm

Editor ©RapidTVNews | 02-07-2012


UK broadcast infrastructure and media services company Arqiva has agreed buy-out terms with Wi-Fi operator Spectrum Interactive in a deal worth £23.4 million.

On completion of the transaction, intended to see all employees of Spectrum Interactive join the infrastructure firm, Arqiva will accelerate its wholesale mobile data business by having a scalable Wi-Fi portfolio from which it can tap into the huge growth in smartphones and mobile enabled devices and the associated demand for mobile services.
"The acquisition of Spectrum Interactive positions Arqiva as one of the UK’s largest Wi-Fi hotspot providers and uniquely we would be the only wholesale provider with no associated retail service. We are well placed to help define the Wi-Fi space …allowing us to individually tailor services for our customers to meet the growing demand for data capacity,” said Arqiva CEO John Cresswell commenting on the deal.
"Arqiva’s acquisition of Spectrum Interactive will ensure that our organisation will continue to lead and flourish in what is a highly innovative and competitive market,”added Simon Alberga, Executive Chairman, Spectrum Interactive.

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GlobeCast makes commercial launch of new IPTV service

Editor ©RapidTVNews | 02-07-2012


France Telecom/Orange subsidiary GlobeCast has announced the commercial launch of its new IPTV platform for international and thematic content in the US.
The new MyGlobeTV went live offering 16 Romanian channels and will add more as it fulfils its intended mission of bringing international and thematic audiovisual content directly to subscribers in the Americas. GlobeCast says that it is in discussions with broadcasters from around the world that wish to be a part of the new platform which will provide broadcasters with not only the technical solution for reaching homes in the Americas, but also the marketing and demographics research and support, as well services including customer support and billing.

At launch the solution will be based on a set-top box connected to the viewer's existing broadband connection but by the end of 2012 GlobeCast expects to be able to allow viewers to access the service from any Internet-enabled device, such as a smartphone, tablets, or PC, with or without the use of equipment.
"We unveiled MyGlobeTV at the 2012 NAB Show in April, and we're very happy now to launch the initial group of channels to the public," said Emma Brackett, Vice President of Consumer Video Products and Services at GlobeCast. "Broadcasters from around the world now have an additional means of distribution in the world's largest media market. With MyGlobeTV, they can develop new revenue streams and expand their viewer base by reaching markets not easily accessed via DTH satellite. We will continue to develop the service by adding more channels from around the world that include content from many different genres.”

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Retrans spats for DISH, Time Warner threaten affiliate feeds

Michelle Clancy ©RapidTVNews | 02-07-2012


Local affiliate retransmission spats are back, with two issues (between Hearst and Time Warner Cable, and West Virginia Media Holdings and DISH Network) making their way into the headlines.
DISH has failed to reach a renewal agreement for four stations in West Virginia, resulting in an immediate blackout for its subscribers. The satellite provider no longer now has access to the feeds from WBOY in Clarksburg, WOWK in Charleston, WVNS in Bluefield and WTRF in Wheeling.

"We are disappointed that West Virginia Media has chosen to be so unreasonable in their dema$$$, and we think West Virginia Media has done a disservice to its communities by making the news content unavailable at a time when the viewers need their news the most," said Andrew LeCuyer, vice president of programming for DISH, in a statement.
Meanwhile, group of stations owned by Hearst in Hawaii, New Hampshire and South Carolina are in talks with Time Warner Cable for new retransmission-consent contracts, which are due to expire. Negotiations have now been forestalled into mid-July, so the outcome is by no means settled.

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Southwest debuts in-flight live TV on smart devices

Michelle Clancy ©RapidTVNews | 01-07-2012


Southwest Airlines said that it plans to sell live in-flight television service on a trial basis, trying out tariffs that run from $3 to $8.

Rather than implementing a seat-back strategy, the seven channels--all focused on news and sports--will be available via customers' smart devices and laptops. The channels will be delivered in dedicated streams over Wi-Fi.
The airline plans to start off with service on five planes, with expansion to as many as 20 throughout July. If all goes well, all of the airline's Wi-Fi-enabled planes (about 250 of them) will come with the service by the end of the year.
The channels included are NBC Sports, MLB, NFL Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News and Fox Business News.
There are other airlines that offer live TV in-flight, including JetBlue and Virgin America. Those however offer the service via seat-back. Southwest will be plying the personalisation waters--an approach that may pay off in spades considering the uptick in thirst for multiscreen video.

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Hawaiian Telcom to bring comprehensive Olympics coverage to Oahu

Michelle Clancy ©RapidTVNews | 01-07-2012


Universal Sports Network has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Hawaiian Telcom to bring the network's exclusive Olympic sports coverage of qualifying, trials and world championship events, as well as other endurance and adventure sports programming, to Hawaiian Telcom TV customers in the Oahu market.
Universal Sports will be available as a free preview to all customers for two months before becoming available exclusively to Advantage Plus package subscribers.
"We are pleased that Hawaiian Telcom recognizes the high value that Universal Sports Network offers through our exclusive rights to some of the world's biggest sporting events, and welcome them to our growing list of distribution partners," said David Sternberg, CEO of Universal Sports. "We look forward to delivering our unique and compelling content, including the Kona Ironman, and building a successful relationship with Hawaiian Telcom as they grow the footprint of their outstanding, all-digital TV service throughout Oahu."
Universal Sports provides year-round, Olympic-related programming and coverage of top world championship events. In the Olympic year 2012, the channel has featured exclusive English-language coverage of the women's and men's CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying soccer tournaments and the AIBA Americas Olympic boxing qualifying tournament. In addition, Universal Sports Network is the home of 23 World Championships in 2012, and it will once again deliver exclusive U.S. television coverage of such prestigious annual competitions as the Boston Marathon, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España and Kona Ironman.
"Hawaiian Telcom is thrilled to bring Universal Sports to our TV customers, and the timing couldn't be better as the world's elite athletes complete their preparations for the Olympic Games in London," said Brad Fisher, Hawaiian Telcom's senior vice president of strategy & marketing. Since the commercial launch of the company's new digital TV service one year ago, Hawaiian Telcom has added an additional 30 HD channels like Universal Sports Network HD, and now delivers over 100 full-time HD channels.

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Roku adds international channel streaming via Dishworld

Gabriel Miramar-Garcia ©RapidTVNews | 01-07-2012


Dishworld IPTV has inked a deal with Roku, maker of a set-top box over-the-top (OTT) player, to bring international content to the United States, including feeds from Brazil.
The Roku STB will allow subscribers to watch streaming television anywhere in the home if they have a high-speed wireless broadband connection and a Dishworld subscription.
Dishworld offers international IPTV channels in several languages, including Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu more, offered from various locations around the world via IP streaming. Subscription prices range from $19.95 to $44.99 per month.
Under the new deal, subscribers can purchase their palm-sized Roku units online from the Roku Channel Store or at retail stores, with three available models to choose from. Existing Dishworld subscribers will be able to replace their current receivers with Roku players at no extra charge.
In addition to Roku's streaming the Dishworld IPTV Channels, Roku also announced that Dishworld will now manage and launch the expansion of future foreign channels and content within the Roku platform.

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Directors resign from Eutelsat Board

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly ©RapidTVNews | 03-07-2012

Satellite operator Eutelsat has announced the resignation of board directors Abertis Infraestructuras, represented by Francisco Reynes Massanet, and Abertis Telecom, represented by Marta Casas Caba.

These resignations follow the announcement on 22 June by the Abertis Group of the partial sale of its stake in Eutelsat Communications thereby reducing its holding from 15.35% to 8.35% of shares. The Eutelsat Board of Directors now comprises eight members of which four are independent.

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RRsat to launch new Ku-Band platforms on AMOS-5 satellite over Africa

Louise Duffy ©RapidTVNews | 04-07-2012

RRsat Global Communications has launched two new Ku-Band MCPC platforms on Spacecom's AMOS-5 Satellite at 17degrees East. These two MCPC platforms, Ku-1 (West Central Africa) and Ku-3 (East West Africa), will complement RRsat's existing focus on providing direct to home (DTH) content to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Lior Rival, VP of sales & marketing at RRsat, said: "The African market for broadcast television is growing rapidl. Together with AMOS, we believe that with these platforms we will be able to give leading TV and radio channels the opportunity to reach a continent demanding new television viewing. RRsat is able to cost-effectively bring content from Europe, Asia and the Americas for DTH distribution.

Eyal Copitt, Spacecom's senior VP of sales, Africa, added: "AMOS-5 was designed and built specifically for the African market with powerful beams and superior coverage of Africa's largest markets. We are excited that RRsat has chosen to bring their MCPC platforms to our Ku-1 and Ku-3 beams.