1 April 2009
Recent data from the MAVISE TV database, developed for the DG Communication of the European Commission by the European Audiovisual Observatory, shows the continued expansion of television channels in the European (EU 27 + Croatia and Turkey) television market. More than 200 new TV channels were launched in 2008. There are now a total of 5587 channels (plus 412 non-European channels) available in the 29 countries.
Digital terrestrial television (DTT) has experienced significant developments in the last year. Six of the 29 countries included in the MAVISE database have already ceased analogue terrestrial transmission. France, Italy, Spain and the UK (four markets with large use of terrestrial television) have reached very high levels of DTT penetration in households and two of these have started regional switch-off of the analogue signals (Group 2). The third group includes smaller countries with established DTT services. The market will see more rapid development this year with the expected launch of new services in Slovenia, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Greece, and Slovakia. There are a number of channels on DTT line-ups in 16 countries. Currently the services in Malta are Pay-TV only, with FTA services to be launched in 2009.
DTT as a free to air platform plays an important role in the provision of universal service television. The presence of the public service channels (and their important role in the development of DTT) can be seen below in the breakdown between public and private channels on the DTT line-ups. On average the capacity used by public service channels on DTT platforms is approximately 25% as compared to 75% for private channels. In comparison, within the entire range of channels available in the 29 countries on all platforms, 7% are public while 93% are private. In Belgium, there are currently only public service offers.
When looking at the types of channels available on the DTT platforms (by genres) there are also some significant differences compared to the entire television market on all platforms. The DTT platforms have a significantly higher percentage of generalist, news, business and cultural channels. There is a lower channel capacity on DTT platforms in comparison to satellite or cable and this has probably led to a clearly higher focus on making available more public service, generalist and news and cultural content. Specialist channels such as sport, cinema and childrens channels are still significant, but other niche channels are much less prominent on the DTT platforms: home shopping, adult channels, weather, religious, minority interest etc. Adult channels are available on DTT platforms in Finland, Netherlands, Estonia, Italy and Lithuania (where pay-DTT services are available). Home shopping channels are included in the line-ups of Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
There is also a difference between smaller and larger markets regarding the number of national and international channels available. The larger countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK have significantly more national and regional channels. In contrast smaller countries such as Estonia, Lithuania and Malta currently rely on international channels for almost 50% of their DTT content.
1 April 2009
At the 2009 NAB Show in Las Vegas, Nev., STATS (booth SL5011) and Vizrt (SL5508) will host an exclusive in-booth demonstration of its holographic-effect technology for members of the media on Tuesday, April 21st at 8:30AM. STATS and Vizrt are exhibiting from neighboring locations at NAB and this special demonstration will be seen from both companies exhibit areas.
Since we announced our plans to conduct in-booth demonstrations for NAB attendees, members of the media have clamored for their own opportunity to see the holographic effect up close, said Bjarne Berg, CEO for Vizrt. “The press event is an exciting opportunity for us to demonstrate it and show broadcasters how they can use it to their advantage. “
The press demonstrations will provide a wonderful opportunity to display the versatility of this product both in term of potential uses as well as set up and size, said Brian Kopp, Vice President at STATS. We look forward to demonstrating the product and answering any questions about the technology.
The holographic effect proved very effective in drawing viewers to CNNs election night coverage, with an estimated 13 million viewers tuning in. It is poised to redefine the remote interview, creating the appearance of a face-to-face exchange. The transmission is seamless, provides high optical quality and eliminates the traditional split-screen view and production sequences of typical remote interviews.
This innovative video treatment is comprised of STATS video processing and tracking technology, along with Vizrts real-time tracking and rendering software. The impression of the holographic interview is completed in fractions of a second.
Multi-participant interviews are possible, changing the scale of the hologram subject or using the image in post-production to create intriguing promos.
Press interested in attending will need to pre-register with Nick Stamm from STATS, stamm@stats.com or Robin Hoffman from Pipeline Communications robinhoffman@pipecomm.com and will be required to show a special exhibit floor pass for entry. Representatives from STATS and Vizrt will distribute the passes at the LVCC Main South Lower Hall entrance on Tuesday, April 21 beginning at 8 AM.
31 March 2009
The founding conference of the National Bureau of Investigative Journalism (NBR) is taking place in Moscow on March 31, RFE/RL’s Russian Service reports.
The chief editors of Russia’s leading media outlets are gathering to discuss the organization’s goals and objectives.
The president of the Moscow-based Fund to Protect Glasnost, Aleksey Simonov, told RFE/RL that the NBR should become a sort of lobbyist for journalists’ interests in state entities, such as the State Duma and Interior Ministry.
According to Simonov, the increasing violence directed against journalists in Russia demands closer cooperation between journalists and police investigators.
He also said investigative journalism remains one of the most effective and necessary genres in Russia.
26 March 2009
Quantel today announced that its award-winning Genetic Engineering teamworking technology now supports the popular Lasergraphics Director pin-registered film scanner.
The Lasergraphics interface allows frames to be scanned at full speed directly to the Genetic Engineering shared workspace so that creative work can commence immediately, without wasting time and disk space on an intermediate transfer stage. The interface leverages the openness of Quantels Sam data server, which enables third party access to Quantel shared workspace without requiring a special API or licence.
The high speed Lasergraphics Director pin-registered film scanner replaces HD telecines and first-generation scanners while delivering higher quality, said Lasergraphics CEO, Dr. Stefan Demetrescu. “Quantel’s open access technology is very much in line with our efforts to design products that remove the risks associated with file-based workflow integration and interoperability while dramatically lowering overall system costs.”
Were delighted to add Lasergraphics to the many manufacturers with tried and tested workflow partner products for our Genetic Engineering technology, said Mark Horton, Quantel Strategic Marketing Manager. Working with the team at Lasergraphics, weve produced a practical and productive solution which will be of interest in DI, post production and restoration.
26 March 2009
Al Jazeera Network, the Middle East-headquartered international broadcaster, announced that it is significantly stepping-up the distribution of its feature programmes. It will be offering a range of its factual and documentary programming from Al Jazeera English, the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and the Al Jazeera Satellite Channel.
Phil Lawrie, Director of Global Distribution stated: “With a growing portfolio of programmes from these three acclaimed channels, we’re able to market a range of compelling programming that covers a wide variety of current affairs topics and issues.
The library available from Al Jazeera English includes over 50 hours from its award-winning documentary strand Witness, comprising stories told by local filmmakers that provide a fresh insight into world events as they impact on the daily lives of ordinary people.
Arabic-language content includes Al Jazeera Documentary Channel’s 4-part documentary Arab Christians and, from the Al Jazeera Satellite Channel, The PLO – a 13-part documentary looking at the creation, establishment and existence of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
Al Jazeera showcases this content and more at the forthcoming MIPDOC, March 28-29, and MIPTV, March 30-April 3.
26 March 2009
The AIB is pleased to announce that companies can now book enhanced entries in the
2009 Global Broadcasting Sourcebook.
For just £295 (plus UK VAT at 15%), companies can have an enhanced entry that includes their
logo in full colour, plus a description of up to 120 words – all set in an eye-catching
coloured box.
You can see an example of the enhanced listing
here.
To reserve your enhanced listing in the new edition of the
Global Broadcasting Sourcebook that
will be published at the end of May 2009, use our online shop
here. We will then contact you to obtain your logo and listing.
Alternatively, download the booking form
here, or talk to Alison
Seary on
+44 (0) 20 7993 2557.
You can also book advertising in the Sourcebook – look through the
media pack
here.
