Advanced Television

Pay TV

SIAE protects Sky Italia content

SIAE and Sky Italia have signed an agreement to protect operators who use Sky Business subscriptions in their premises, in full compliance with the law, strengthening control activity in bars, restaurants and public places. The protection of content in all its forms and the related return on investments are objectives that SIAE, the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, […]

June 14, 2024

Research: CEE SVoD growth driven by pay-TV, telco bundles

Data from Omdia reveals that approximately 25 per cent of all paid SVoD subscriptions in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) now originate from pay-TV and telco bundles. This shift highlights the growing importance of strategic partnerships in the region’s streaming landscape. According to Omdia’s research, indirect net additions – those through partnerships rather than direct-to-consumer […]

June 13, 2024

Report: Italian TV channel offer continues to shrink

The number of TV channels broadcasting in Italy has been steadily decreasing over the past decade, dropping from 389 in 2012 to 343 in 2022 and 316 in 2023, according to a report published by Confindustria Radio Televisioni. At the end of 2023, there were 268 nationally-produced channels, a drop of 18 per cent compared […]

June 10, 2024From Branislav Pekic in Rome

Dish Network in talks for new financing

Dish Network, the troubled US satellite-TV provider with more than $20 billion (€18.3bn) in debt, is holding talks with some of its convertible holders about potential new financing, according to a Bloomberg report. Dish is said to have received financing offers from convertible noteholders to provide fresh capital tied to wireless spectrum held at a […]

June 7, 2024

Arrest in illegal Sky streaming case

A strike day has seen robust police work by the UK’s North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) targeting fraud and illegal streaming of premium Sky content to help defund and dismantle wider organised crime. Officers executed a warrant on Coxwold Road in Stockton-on-Tees that is believed to be involved in an illegal streaming operation […]

June 5, 2024By Colin Mann

Research: US prefers fibre internet when available

The US fibre rollout may be slow and concentrated in urban areas, but it’s customers’ preferred choice when available. Fibre internet service providers (ISPs) outshine non-fiber ISPs 76 to 68 (out of 100) for customer satisfaction, per the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Telecommunications Study 2024. Yet, although fibre remains the top broadband choice, 5G […]

June 5, 2024

Multichoice OKs Canal+ bid

The independent board tasked by South Africa’s most significant pay-TV operator, MultiChoice, has recommended shareholders accept the takeover bid from French broadcaster Canal+. The offer values the company at $2.9 billion (€2.6bn). The Johannesburg group’s board said “the terms and conditions of the offer are fair and reasonable to MultiChoice shareholders”, and pointed to a […]

June 4, 2024

Sentence in illegal Firestick case

Kevin James O’Donnell, from Liverpool in the northwest of England, has been handed down a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to charges of promoting and selling illegally modified firesticks that offered unauthorised access to premium film and television content, including live football matches. The verdict, handed down at Liverpool Crown Court, follows an extensive […]

June 4, 2024By Colin Mann

Licensees hit with £32K Sky piracy fines

Two licensees in London and Essex have been ordered to pay a total of £32,133.28 (€37,600) in damages for infringing Sky’s copyright by showing Sky Sports programming illegally in their premises, following successful legal action taken by Sky. Sky sought, and was awarded, damages and costs in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC). The licensees […]

May 30, 2024By Colin Mann

Sky Italia readies Sky Stream launch

Sky Italia is launching the Sky Stream digital box on June 3rd, offering a flexible solution for those who prefer a traditional TV experience with the convenience of streaming. Subscribers will be able to select content from various sources, including live and on-demand content from Sky, popular streaming services (such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, […]

May 28, 2024From Branislav Pekic in Rome