2 November 2009
The move from analog to digital television frees up radio spectrum for other purposes, the so-called “digital dividend”. The European Commission has published a “Digital Dividend” roadmap on how the spectrum should be used and this has just been adopted as as a Commission Recommendation and a Communication to the European Parliament and Council.
The proposals have sparked debate over a number of issues, including Cable Europe’s warning to examine the risks of interference among different consumer devices.
So Forum Europe’s policy forum on “Implementing a European Digital Dividend Strategy“, on November 30th in Brussels, offers stakeholders the opportunity to hear from those people directly involved in the formulation of the roadmap and to discuss the proposals put forward in the more detail. Top level speakers will open up a frank and interactive debate on the best way forward in implementing a European Digital Dividend strategy to ensure that maximum socio-economic benefits are achieved.
The forum is an opportunity to be part of the debate at this time of unprecedented importance for the allocation of the radio spectrum in Europe. For more information click here
2 November 2009
The Associated Press (AP), the worlds largest and most-experienced news agency and Munich based earth television network GmbH, which owns and operates the largest world-wide, fully remote controlled broadcast camera network, have announced a new content distribution partnership. AP will distribute three key earthTV products to its broadcast and online clients through Europe, and in other selected territories.
The partnership also allows AP to license earthTVs unique webTVplayer to its newspaper and publishing clients as well as other web portals seeking high quality daily video content. The three earthTV products are the hourly The World Live programmes; the networks weather programmes including 3-Day Forecast, the first weather report with real images of the future and earthTVs event programming which includes the 2010 World Cup Countdown (daily LIVE from the host cities in South Africa) and the New Years Eve spectacular. The distribution deal will commence on 1 November 2009.
Thomas Hohenacker, CEO and founder of earthTVs mother company Telcast Media Group GmbH, comments: AP has offered earthTV a global satellite transmission service for a number of years and this new partnership is a logical progression of the two companys relationship of mutual respect and trust. I think earthTV programmes which are available in the language and local design of the clients individual countries are a perfect complement for APs video news feeds. Both earth television network and AP are committed to delivering clients the highest quality products and services and we at earthTV are very excited that our two teams will be working together.
Markus Ickstadt, AP’s Director of Sales Europe, Middle East & Africa: While AP has enjoyed a commercial relationship with earthTV for a number of years, this development is an exciting departure that for the first time matches the content needs of our customers with the output both AP and earthTV can offer. earthTVs state-of-the-art technology and compelling business models represent the kind of break-through our customers are looking for, as we aim to secure income not just for us who create and deliver the content, but also our customers who display and distribute it.
30 October 2009
The presentation ceremony for the 2009 AIBs, the International Media Excellence Awards, on November 4th, will be hosted by Francine Lacqua of Bloomberg Television. The awards select the very best examples of news, current affairs and creative feature making as well as the best cross-media or mobile production, the most innovative technology and the most creative marketing campaign. They are unique in being chosen by an independent panel of judges made up leading members of the international broadcasting community. Francine Lacqua will be introducing the short list for each category, announcing the winners and conducting a short interview with each of them.
Francine is an anchor and correspondent for Bloomberg Television in London. As host of In Business, the morning newscast from 9AM to 10AM, Francine reports on the days top business and financial stories. In addition Francine co-anchors Inside Business, during the afternoon, wrapping up the close of the European markets for Bloomberg Televisions global viewers.
In recent months, Francine has interviewed UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, IMF Director General Dominique Strauss Kahn, World Bank President Robert Zoellick, South Korea Finance Minister Yoon Jeung Hyun and HSBC Chairman Stephen Green. Francine also covers Europes most prestigious events for Bloomberg Television including the World Economic Forum, Davos.
Bloomberg Television is a major sponsor of the 2009 AIBs, in line with their commitment to outstanding broadcasting and innovative ways of providing information.
Details of The AIBs including how to book can be found here
30 October 2009
Al Jazeera Satellite Channel has just finished preparations to launch a new look and a new cycle of programmes to coincide with its Al Jazeera Day celebrations on November 1st, the day on which the Network will also celebrate Al Jazeera Arabics thirteenth anniversary as well the sixth anniversary of the launch of Al Jazeera Sport Channel and the third anniversary of Al Jazeera English and Al Jazeera Documentary channels.
This Sunday nights edition of Al Hasad (Harvest of the Day), Al Jazeera Arabics main news programme, will have a new look and color scheme and new theme music. The changes include a newly redesigned studio incorporating a video wall and other state of the art technologies.
In addition, the management has also introduced important changes to its content based on findings from a recent opinion poll conducted by Nielsen, a leading international research company that specializes in viewer conduct and TV ratings. The sample survey included 27,000 viewers from 14 Arab countries.
Commenting on the New Look and new cycle of programmes at the Al Jazeera Channel, Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Network stated, The changes are aimed at making the channels programmes more dynamic and more interactive to attract new audiences, especially the youth. He further added, The new programmes will provide much more indepth analysis and the new changes to the channels studios and on-screen graphics will reflect Al Jazeeras commitment to deliver to our audiences the best in broadcasting while maintaining Al Jazeeras authentic style which they have become accustomed to over the years.
Along with the new look there are a number of additional changes introduced to news programmes as well. The main news programmes, Midday and Harvest of the Day, will adopt more in-depth analyses and a faster rhythm with the new style aimed at giving the channels reporters and correspondents in the field a greater role in coverage and a closer engagement with its audiences through social and human interest stories. The channel will continue broadcasting its Maghribi North African bulletin daily at midnight Makkah time. In addition, a new weekly sports bulletin will be shown at 2:30 Friday afternoons.
One of the most important changes in programmes will include the channels talk shows. The new programming grid will see the introduction of two new talk shows. The first called Fi Alumq, Arabic for In-Depth, will host intellectuals, analysts, and strategists to discuss issues from different angles in news and current affairs presenting in-depth analyses of major issues pertaining to the region and the world. The programme will be aired at 10 pm every Monday night and will be introduced by Al Jazeeras well-known anchor Ali Al Dafiri. Another newcomer to the grid Al Milaf or The File will deal with political and social issues that are of key interest to the Arab world and the world in general. The programme will have packages and discussions that go beyond the surface and look at the essence of issues rather than focusing on overt controversies. The File will be aired at 10pm on Friday nights and will be introduced by Sami Kluaib.
Al Jazeeras viewers will also have a chance to enjoy more football related coverage through a weekly programme called Dunia Al Kura, or The World of Football. This programme will cover the different football events in a non-traditional style prepared by a team of sporting specialists. It will be hosted by Muhammed Saadoun Al Kuwwari at 8pm Monday nights.
Minbar Al Jazeera (Al Jazeeras Platform), the programme which gives a voice to the voiceless will also see several changes to its look with a more interactive format allowing the audience to have a greater ability to express their views by engaging through social media such as Twitter and Facebook. (Source: Al Jazeera press release)
27 October 2009
In addition to the presentation of the International Media Excellence Awards, the gala evening on November 4th also includes a special guest in conversation with the AIB.
Joanna Shields (http://www.crunchbase.com/person/joanna-shields) has extensive experience of the use of social media and online platforms to expand broadcasting into the new world of multi-platform and multi-media broadcasting. She will be offering insight into how broadcasters need to adapt to this new and complex world, and will also highlight some of the opportunities that exist to exploit innovative ways to reach and interact with audiences.
Joanna was President of Bebo, responsible for all commercial aspects of the global social media network. Following the takeover of Bebo by AOL she became Executive VP for People Networks at AOL , charged with integrating and growing all of AOLs social media platforms. During her time at Bebo, the company produced the Internets most successful serialized drama, KateModern, which was nominated for two BAFTA awards and secured the Broadcasting Press Guild Innovation Award for Outstanding Development in Broadcasting.
Prior to her time at Bebo, Joanna was at Google as Managing Director for Google Europe, Russia, Middle East & Africa, where she built partnerships with some of the worlds largest media and telecom companies. She had previously been with RealNetworks as Vice President, International, where she launched the companys mobile business unit
Joanna has is now launching a digital media content company with Elisabeth Murdoch, chairman and CEO of independent TV production company Shine Group. The company aims to fuse television production with the power and reach of social media and will also focus on bringing Shine Group content online.
Details of The AIBs including how to book can be found here
