22 September 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting is delighted to reveal the AIBs 2017 shortlist.
2017 has been a record year for this competition that rewards the best factual productions across video, audio and online. The AIBs are truly international, with work submitted from every continent.
It has been a tremendous challenge for us to deliver this shortlist, as so many – if not all – of the entries deserve recognition. The productions included in this year’s final selection are remarkable, adopting a wide range of techniques to cover a wide range of subjects.
Our global panel of judges have now received the productions that they are going to evaluate. They now face an even tougher challenge than our long and shortlisting teams.
On Wednesday 1 November, we will announce the overall winners in each category at our gala awards night at LSO St Luke’s in London. Hosted by Matthew Amroliwala from BBC World News, this is a meeting point for producers, editors, journalists and executives from all over the world and provides an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas in a collaborative and celebratory atmosphere. The following day, 2 November, we will hold our #iamabroadcaster The AIBs Masterclass. This offers the chance to learn from colleagues and peers in the international factual media industry in a half-day event that helps share knowledge and foster cooperation.
Places are already being booked for both events and we’re looking forward to another sell-out gala evening and Masterclass. Details of how to book places at the AIBs gala awards night and the #iamabroadcaster Masterclass are online at http://theaibs.tv/the-aibs-2017-gala-dinner/.
We wish good luck to all our finalists and look forward to welcoming you to your celebration of success in November!
15 September 2017
Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced at the IBC show in Amsterdam that its Sat.tv app, the smart programme guide available through tablets and smartphones, is now running on connected TVs using the HbbTV standard. Available for free channels broadcasting from Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD and 7/8° West video neighbourhoods, Sat.tv helps viewers browse through hundreds of free channels and track their favourite programmes. The extension to connected TVs starts at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood and will be expanded in the coming months to Eutelsat’s 7/8° west neighbourhood.
More than 1.2 million downloads
Launched in April 2016, the application which is free to download on the App Store and Google Play Store, is designed for the millions of viewers in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East receiving over 400 free-to-air channels broadcast from Eutelsat’s two leading hubs, at 13° East (HOTBIRD) and 7/8° West. It has achieved a record number of downloads, reaching 1.2 million this month.
Improved visibility of free-to-air channels
Sat.tv is a new-generation smart programme guide designed to enrich the viewer experience and represents a new way for free-to-air satellite channels to engage with their audiences. A breakdown of programme schedules appears in real time in the application. The user-friendly interface, available in five languages (English, French, Russian, Italian and Arabic), allows viewers to access full details of the programmes of their choice in almost 40 languages.
Personalised recommendations directly on HbbTV connected TVs
The principal features include access to all programmes broadcast by channels included in the app, with the option of refining a search by time, channel or programme type. Viewers can easily record their preferences, enabling the recommendation engine to put forward programmes that match individual interests.
Through the addition of the HbbTV standard, viewers equipped for HOTBIRD can now directly access on their connected TV both personally selected and recommended programmes.
Sat.tv and its latest developments will be presented during the IBC show in Amsterdam from 15 to 19 September on Eutelsat’s stand – Hall 1, Stand D59.
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
15 September 2017
Talia Limited, a leading communication provider serving the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, announces the partnership with Arabsat of a new 10-channel video uplink to the Arabsat Badr-7 satellite located at 26°E.
The service will offer both SD and HD channel uplinks and will form the basis of a new high-power Ku-band neighbourhood over Iraq. Content will be up-linked from the Talia Teleport in Raisting, Germany and monitored for quality in the Talia NOC in Erbil on the Badr-7 located at 26E.
With many content creators looking to new audiences, the neighbourhood of channels will provide a voice and original Iraqi-themed programming to millions of currently underserved and underrepresented citizens. Following scheduled meetings at IBC in September, we expect the number of to increase further.
With Talia’s strong regional presence in Iraq and well-established customer base, Talia are ideally placed to serve the region.
“This partnership cements our on-going commitment to Arabsat,” stated Talia CEO and President Alan Afrasiab. “This service will start with 10 channels but we believe this will expand as more broadcasters reach the growing number of viewers in the region. The video platform continues to build on our existing broadcast services and experience and the Middle East’s leading communications provider.”
Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President & CEO said “Indeed, we have conducted cautious surveys during the course of selecting our teleport partner to launch Arabsat 1st DTH platform from Germany. We’ve reached the conclusion that Talia with its globally recognized brand in terms of adequate and reliable Satellite and Terrestrial Networks offering various facilities connecting Middle east and Europe with high monitoring capabilities and quality of service that provide excellent solution to ARABSAT DTH Services from Europe, of which shall provide Arabsat international & regional broadcasters with the optimum quality of service.”
(Source: Arabsat press release)
14 September 2017
The Broadcasting Board of Governors’ CEO John F. Lansing testified before the Helsinki Commission today on the escalation of Russian disinformation around the world and the BBG’s response to it.
“Make no mistake the United States is confronted by information warfare, and I don’t use that term lightly,” said Lansing. “The good work of our journalists around the world is an essential element of the national security tool kit through the export of objective, independent, and professional journalism and the universal values of free media and free speech.”
Lansing detailed the February launch of Current Time, a 24/7 Russian-language digital network that aims to reach Russian speakers in Russia, the Russian periphery, and around the world.
Current Time produces daily news shows about the United States and global events (including within Russia), and features reports on business, entrepreneurship, civil society, culture, and corruption. It is distributed in more than 23 countries on 59 satellite, cable, and digital distributors.
Co-chair Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) agreed with Lansing on the effectiveness of the network, “Current Time is a responsible and responsive attempt to get the truth out.”
The hearing, which examined Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation, both domestically and abroad, was chaired by Acting Chairman Cory Gardner (R-CO). Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) were among the Commission Members who attended.
In addition to BBG CEO Lansing, the committee heard testimony from Melissa Hooper, Director of Human Rights and Civil Society Programs at Human Rights First and Molly McKew, CEO of Fianna Strategies.
A recording of today’s hearing is available on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe’s website.
CEO Lansing’s written testimony is available here.
(Source: BBG press release)
13 September 2017
Arqiva, the UK’s leading communications infrastructure and media services company, has extended its lease for C and Ku-band capacity with Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia’s leading satellite operator for sports content delivery across the Asia-Pacific.
The agreement will see Arqiva’s continued use of AsiaSat 5 to deliver a broad range of sporting events to Asian viewers, from football and cricket, to volleyball and tennis. The new agreement also provides Arqiva the option of using Ku-band capacity on AsiaSat 7, allowing additional flexibility in the deployment of smaller antennas for occasional use and live events. Arqiva’s expanded collaboration with AsiaSat demonstrates AsiaSat’s capability in presenting a wide range of satellite capacity of the quality and penetration that meets clients’ distribution needs. AsiaSat’s ubiquitous coverage now plays an essential role in Arqiva’s global content delivery network.
David Crawford, Managing Director, Satellite and Media at Arqiva, said, “In addition to our continued commitment to provide services in the Asia-Pacific region, this lease extension with AsiaSat gives Arqiva and our customers true flexibility for future live events. Our on-going strategic partnership with AsiaSat reinforces our commitment to providing premium occasional use services in the market.”
Barrie Woolston, Chief Commercial Officer of AsiaSat said, “We are delighted to support Arqiva with an expanding range of high quality capacity, enabling Arqiva to enjoy great flexibility and efficiency for delivering the best possible content distribution solutions to their clients, alongside the benefits of AsiaSat satellites’ strong penetration in the Asian TV market.”
(Source: AsiaSat press release)
13 September 2017
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to resolve claims brought by the Azerbaijani government that have hampered its news reporting inside the country for almost three years.
“We have been unable to make any progress on clearing these charges through the Azerbaijani judicial system,” said RFE/RL President Thomas Kent. “The charges are baseless, and as Azerbaijan is under the jurisdiction of the ECHR, we’ve decided to take our case there.”
RFE/RL’s Baku bureau was raided and shut down by state agents in December 2014 on charges, including two tax-related claims, the company has repeatedly said are bogus. While it has sought to challenge the tax case at all levels of the country’s judiciary (other charges were overturned in 2016), the Supreme Court ruled to suspend further review until what authorities say is a parallel, criminal investigation is complete. RFE/RL lawyers have questioned the validity of the criminal investigation, which began with the raid and has dragged on despite a requirement under Azerbaijani law that it be completed by the end of 2016. It has produced no charges or report.
Says Kent, “We can only conclude that this so-called investigation is an exercise in obfuscation. It has produced no evidence of wrongdoing, but it has kept our Baku bureau in legal limbo and created a threatening atmosphere for our journalists.”
RFE/RL’s appeal to the ECHR, filed in June, cites Articles 6.1 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Azerbaijan is a signatory, which provide for the right to a fair trial within a reasonable amount of time and the right to an effective remedy.
In addition to seeking remedy through the courts, RFE/RL has repeatedly appealed to Azerbaijan’s prosecutor general to resolve the status of its Baku bureau. Most recently, in a letter this past August, RFE/RL requested an update on the criminal investigation; the return of company stamps, seals, and documents that were seized during the 2014 raid and are needed if the bureau is to be reopened; and the release of bureau bank accounts that were frozen, with funds totaling more than $70,000. Authorities have acknowledged receipt of the letter but have issued no reply.
Separately, RFE/RL has filed locally to appeal a court-approved blockage of the Azerbaijani Service’s website for “posing a threat” to the country’s national security and for publishing “extremist content.” The ban has been in effect since March. No court date has yet been set.
RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, known locally as Radio Azadliq, is an indispensable source of independent news in the country, actively publishing text, audio, and video content on the web, via satellite, and on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and other digital platforms.
(Source: RFE/RL press release)
