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
5 January 2007
ITN staff can now upgrade their news graphics thanks to investment in Vizrts Viz|Content Pilot software, which is designed to help networks and departments share and manage content.
ITN supplies television news to the UKs two largest commercial broadcasters ITV1 and Channel 4, as well as providing a news service for Channel 4s free to air channel, More4. Earlier this year, ITN installed Viz|Content Pilot to update graphics for ITNs ITV main UK network news bulletins. After a period of evaluation, it has now ordered Viz|Content Pilot systems for its Channel 4 and More 4 news contracts. The roll-out will continue next year with ITNs ITV London Regional news coming on line as well.
Paul Flook, Head of Broadcast Engineering for ITN, says: “Viz|Content Pilot gives staff the opportunity to adapt and update graphics templates. It took us a time to implement the software because we were pushing the limits of technology, but we have achieved a system that now works so well on ITV main bulletins that we are rolling it out to Channel 4, More4 and, eventually, to ITV London regional bulletin.”
Unlike other template-based solutions, Viz|Content Pilot features an advanced import/export tool that can transfer graphics, templates, and data across the network with ease. The tool takes care of all the necessary dependencies and makes sure all elements such as graphic scenes, templates, template data, and images are in place. Graphics and templates can be created offline on any laptop and then easily transferred into a production system. Viz|Content Pilot also integrates to the Ardendo Asset Management product suite.
Companies using the system are supplied with a variety of template graphics, into which staff can enter new data, images or video in the animation. The 2D or 3D animation can then be saved to the database for playout. The templates can be accessed through any major newsroom system. Updating and playout can be achieved automatically or manually. Viz|Content Pilot includes a powerful multi-user playlist with real-time updates allowing multiple producers to update the playlist simultaneously. The playlist also features snapshot icon previews of all elements in the list.
Viz|Content Pilot is used throughout the world by every kind of TV broadcaster, from major TV networks to minor channels. Not limited to broadcast production Viz|Content Pilot can deliver graphics content to all types of graphic displays and can serve as the core content control system for all users that require speed, a consistent look and a streamlined workflow for their graphics.
As well as supplying Viz|Content Pilot to ITN, Vizrt has also assisted with training and support to help staff adapt to the new software.
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.
