27 November 2003
Reports in London today (27 November) suggest that the BBC may be planning to sell off its Technology division in the run up to renewal of the Corporation’s Royal Charter. The current charter expires at the end of 2006.
BBC Technology’s 1,500 or so staff may be told about the sale on Friday 28 November. Any sale would require the approval of the UK government (through its Culture, Media and Sport department which has responsibility for the BBC’s domestic operations).
It is suggested that a number of companies – including giant computer firms IBM and EDS – are interested in bidding for the business that last year moved into profit.
BBC Technology supplies infrastructure to the BBC and to other broadcasting and media companies worldwide, ranging from sports broadcaster ESPN to mobile phone operators such as Hutchison Telecom.
25 November 2003
The international French-language network TV5 will become the first French-speaking channel available in South Africa as of 16 January 2004. On that date TV5 will join the Dstv satellite array of the South African operator Multichoice, which has 750,000 subscribers in South Africa. TV5 is available in sub-Saharan Africa on another two of Multichoice’s digital channels with 900,000 subscribers.
The agreement will give the network full African coverage from Tunis to Cape Town and from Dakar to Djibouti. Its conclusion coincides with the state visit to France by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.
25 November 2003
A three-step strategy has been announced by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) for the digitisation of China’s TV and radio service.
In the first step, China would make great efforts to develop digital cable TV in 2003.
The second step will begin in 2005 when live digital TV transmission service through satellites and the experiment of land-based digital TV will be carried out. It is estimated that by then China’s digital cable TV users will be up to 30m.
In 2008, as the last step of the strategy, China will take advantage of the opportunity to transmit the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing to spread land-based digital TVs and high definition televisions.
When the three steps are completed, China’s digital radio and TV service will cover the whole country. So far, 27 pay digital TV channels and seven pay digital radio channels have been authorized by SARFT in China.
25 November 2003
Russkiy Berlin is a private radio station operating in the German capital. This being the Year of Russian culture in Berlin, it seems appropriate, and this will also be the first FM station in Russian to be heard in Western Europe.
The frequency was obtained against strong competition, and offers a Russian audience in Berlin of more than 200,000, many of them aged 30 to 50.
25 November 2003
Autocue, the leading supplier of newsroom and automation systems and household name in prompting, has become the first AIB Platinum Member.
Autocue has been a Member of the Association since July 2002 and has now elected to elevate its membership status to the top tier – Platinum – to take advantage of an increased range of benefits.
The AIB introduced a new three-tier membership structure at the beginning of September. The three categories are Corporate, Gold and Platinum. All membership packages have the same core benefits such as the market intelligence briefing and discounts on a range of specialised AIB services, with the Gold and Platinum tiers providing a wider range of benefits.
Full information about the AIB and its membership packages are available from Anver Anderson, Business Development Director. E-mail Anver using the link below.
21 November 2003
Anver Anderson has been appointed to the newly created position of Business Development Director at the Association for International Broadcasting.
Anver’s role includes developing and implementing new services for the AIBs growing number of members, and ensuring that the existing services provided to members meet their needs.
“I’m delighted to be joining the AIB at a time when the organisation is growing, both in terms of number of members and in the work it is carrying out across international broadcasting,” says Anver. “There are many issues facing broadcasters and their service providers and partners, and the AIB has much to offer members across the areas of regulation, representation, intelligence and lobbying. It’s exciting to be involved in the development of the AIB’s work and in supporting its members.”
Anver is a former marketing director of satellite operator Europe*Star, where he was responsible for the company’s video markets strategy throughout the five regions covered by the Europe*Star satellite: Europe, Middle East, Southern Africa, Indian subcontinent and South East Asia. Most recently he was responsible for creating and introducing the company’s Occasional Use services. Previous positions include head of sales with the UK-based facilities management company and teleport operator Merlin Communications, director of European sales with Williams Vyvx Services, and Business Planning and Market Analysis manager at Inmarsat.
“Anver’s experience across the satellite and broadcasting industries, together with his strategic and analytical skills, will provide immense benefits to the AIB and our members,” comments Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association. “With Anver’s appointment, the AIB senior management team now has a complete range of skills that will enable the Association to further develop and bring new benefits to its members.”
