Advanced Television

Regulation

Dinenage elected CMS Committee Chair

Dame Caroline Dinenage has been elected Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons. She beat former Chair Damien Collins and Acting Chair Damian Green. The election was called following the resignation of Julian Knight. Dinenage takes up position with immediate effect and will serve to the end of […]

May 18, 2023By Colin Mann

Broadcast 2040+ campaign grows numbers

Pressure is mounting on the UK Government to safeguard digital terrestrial TV (more commonly known as Freeview) and aerial radio services until at least 2040, following record breaking viewing figures during Eurovision and the Coronation. A coalition of groups calling for these vital services to be protected has expanded significantly in recent weeks, with a […]

May 17, 2023By Colin Mann

EC clears Microsoft Activision acquisition

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed $68.7 billion (€62.2bn) acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The approval is conditional on full compliance with the commitments offered by Microsoft, and comes some three weeks after the UK blocked the deal over concerns it would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud […]

May 16, 2023By Colin Mann

Netflix warns providers of credentials backlash

Netflix has warned UK telcos and service providers that they can expect a customer backlash as it cracks down on account sharing this month. The streamer says the ‘free use’ of its platform dented its ability to invest in new content. It plans to start warning UK customers over account-sharing violations in the coming weeks, […]

May 16, 2023

Liberty Media facing further Class Actions

Two major Class Actions are naming Liberty Media and CEO Greg Maffei in their allegations. One Class Action by shareholders in TripAdvisor, itself with a major shareholder in the shape of Liberty Media, can proceed with their lawsuit. The claim centres on a move by TripAdvisor from its existing Delaware domicile to Nevada and alleged […]

May 16, 2023

3 candidates for CMS Committee Chair election

Three candidates will be on the ballot paper for the position of Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee after nominations closed. The ballot of all Members of the UK’s House of Commons will take place between 11am and 2.30pm on May 17th. The candidates are: Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe Dame […]

May 16, 2023By Colin Mann

Vice Media files for Chapter 11

Vice Media has formally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is reported that the digital media and broadcasting company will now seek ‘Debtor in Possession’ financing and pursue a sale. The bankruptcy petition, filed at the Southern District of New York court, talks of debts to Fortress Credit of some $475 million (€436.7m), amongst […]

May 15, 2023By Chris Forrester

Surveys highlight effective site blocking benefits

The most recent piracy landscape consumer surveys commissioned by trade body the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) show that while piracy rates remain stable in many countries around Asia-Pacific, there have been notable increases in piracy rates in Thailand and Taiwan, with a discernible increase also in Hong Kong. Notably, rights holders face challenges in procuring […]

May 15, 2023By Colin Mann

VMO2’s Shared Rural Network connectivity boost

UK multiplay operator Virgin Media O2 has delivered 4G connectivity across 50 sites as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, providing residents, businesses and visitors in rural communities with faster and more reliable mobile coverage than ever before. The SRN is a £1 billion (€1.15bn) joint initiative between mobile network operators and the […]

May 15, 2023By Colin Mann

Green joins CMS Committee Chair race

Damian Green, currently Acting Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the UK House of Commons has announced his candidacy for the full-time role. Green has been a member of the Committee since the start of the current Parliament in January 2020. The Conservative MP for Ashford has previously served as First Secretary […]

May 15, 2023By Colin Mann