5 January 2007
Middle East pay-TV platform Orbit has gained exclusive distribution rights for EuroNews in 12 countries including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait in addition to non-exclusive rights across 13 other countries including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Cyprus.
Launched in 1993, EuroNews – based in Lyon, France – covers world news from a European perspective. The channel was launched to all Orbit subscribers in English and in French during December. Viewers can select the language of their choice by pressing the language button on the remote control.
This exclusive deal adds to what Orbit describes as its “unmatched portfolio of information and news channels”.
Philippe Cayla, Chairman and CEO of EuroNews said, “The Middle East is a very significant market in terms of our international growth. I am pleased to have concluded an agreement with Orbit, an important platform in the region, EuroNews will be joining their offer which gives viewers the best in Arabic and Western programming. Our mission is to bring European viewers balanced coverage on world events and Middle East news and this is an integral part of EuroNews’ international agenda.
“Since the channel has become widely available worldwide it has been met with interest and EuroNews has proved that it is a leading news channel covering world news with a guarantee of independent, impartial reporting thus successfully avoiding taking a particular national viewpoint something that is clearly important to viewers across the globe .”
Samir Abdulhadi, President and CEO of Orbit Communications Company stated, “With enormous universal interest in news, information and political affairs EuroNews will have a strong appeal among Orbit’s audiences across the Middle East. EuroNews is one of the leading channels in the news category and we are pleased to sign this agreement which will enable us to deliver European news to our valued subscribers.
5 January 2007
Perhaps starting a trend, Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has acquired 760,500 shares (around 3.0% of total issued and outstanding shares) in Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV).
Under a tie-up agreement concluded in February 2006, DoCoMo had already been working with NTV to provide attractive services converging mobile communications and broadcasting. With the successful launch of “One-segment” terrestrial digital broadcasting in April 2006, and growing sales of compatible handsets, the relationship between mobile communications and broadcasting has become closer than ever before, the telco said.
In a press statement, DoCoMo said it believes stronger ties with NTV will enable it to better offer customers a variety of exciting new services.
This could be the start of real convergence between commercial broadcasting companies and telecommunications operators, most of which are desperate for added-value content for subscribers and the ability to cross-promote major consumer brands.
5 January 2007
The Australian Communications and Media Authority
– which regulates electronic media and telecommunications in the country – is
seeking public comment on extending the digital datacasting trial currently
being conducted in Sydney by Broadcast Australia. This trial, known as DIGITAL
FORTY FOUR, is using one of the two unassigned digital television
channels that form part of the two national digital television licences due to
be allocated by ACMA in the second half of 2007.
ACMA is considering whether to extend the trial
until these channels are allocated for their designated long-term use. In
informing its decision, ACMA is seeking to ensure that the price-based
allocation process for the channels is fair, with no one bidder favoured over
another.
In the interim, ACMA has decided to extend the
DIGITAL FORTY FOUR trial until 31 March 2007.
DIGITAL FORTY FOUR was officially launched
in 2003 and incorporates:
| LCN4 |
Video Programme Guide (VPG) for
all five metropolitan free to air television broadcasters and DIGITAL FORTY
FOUR |
| LCN41 |
ABC News, Sport and Weather |
| LCN44 |
DIGITAL FORTY FOUR home page |
| LCN45 |
Channel NSW |
| LCN46 |
Australian Christian Channel |
| LCN47 |
Macquarie Digital |
| LCN49 |
Expo |
| LCNs 401-407 |
Federal Parliament and 7
associated audio channels |
The trial information provided by Broadcast
Australia is available for public access from the
ACMA website
Comments should be provided by close of
business 14th February 2007 to:
The Manager
Allocations Administration Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2617
or by email to the attention of Greg Cupitt at
aas@acma.gov.au
5 January 2007
ABU Radio
News Exchange (ARNE) contribute Asian perspectives
Kuala Lumpur, 7 December
2006 The ABU Radio News Exchange (ARNE) has gone from strength to strength in
facilitating news exchanges amongst radio broadcasters in the region.
Deborah Steele, a producer
from Radio Australia said at a recent workshop for radio broadcasters in the
Asia-Pacific organised by the ABU, that ARNE material will provide radio
broadcasters content that is relevant to their audiences needs. Broadcasters
can supplement their daily news bulletins with regional stories taken from the
radio news exchange and modify them to suit their audiences demands. Through
the unions radio news exchange, members can obtain timely and relevant stories,
stay ahead of their competitors, and broaden their audience appeal.
The ABU Workshop on Radio
News Exchange, held from 4-6 December was supported by UNESCO through a grant
under its International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
and was attended by radio news producers and editors as well as IT staff engaged
in web-based file transfer from Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal,
Pakistan, Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Workshop facilitators
included resource personnel from the ABU, Radio Australia, Deutsche
Welle-Germany and NHK-Japan and EBU who provided participants a glimpse of
elements of cutting-edge technology used in a modern IT-based newsroom.
As a fairly new initiative,
we have received a number of positive responses from our members. We hope this
workshop helped to instill a sense of ownership and further enhance members
participation, said Vijay Sadhu, ABU Senior Executive for Radio.
The workshop has recommended
the forming of a Radio News Group to be chaired by MediaCorp-Singapore. The EBU
will assist the ABU to set up an enhanced platform based on its Euroradio News
Exchange (ENE) for the further development of ARNE. ARNE aims to be a useful
source of radio news especially for radio broadcasters from less developed
countries who would otherwise have limited means of obtaining regional and
international news. Since its launch in 2005, ARNE has provided news coverage of
international interest including international sporting events such as the 2006
Commonwealth Games and the FIFA World Cup.
More information at
www.abu.org.my
4 January 2007
The AIB has updated its calendar of media industry events with the range of conferences, exhibitions and trade shows it recommends for 2007.
The calendar will have further additions throughout the year, offering a snapshot of what the AIB considers to be the most worthwhile and useful events to attend across 2007. The calendar will also include AIB events as these are announced.
If you have an event for consideration by the AIB, please e-mail register ‘@’ aib.org.uk to let us have details.
2 January 2007
Al Jazeera Network launched its Documentary Channel at 1200 GMT on 1 January from its headquarters in Doha, Qatar. This major new launch comes just six weeks after the successful launch of Al Jazeera English.
The new 24-hour channel, which broadcasts in Arabic, aims to become a leader in its field championing the promotion of documentary culture in the Arab world and beyond. From its unique position, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel will pay particular attention to the Middle East with a special focus on the cultural diversity of its societies. The channel will focus on human stories and issues aiming to transcend the immediacy of news coverage. The channels informative and educational approach will be driven by the broader human horizon focusing on issues that are usually marginalised and ignored. As the first service of its kind in the region, Al Jazeera Documentary will broadcast programmes on different aspects of human activity including social, political, cultural, scientific, historical, and environmental.
The channel will sponsor talent and work in partnership with the documentary industry and filmmakers across the world to develop programmes.
