5 December 2017
The award recognizes projects that have the “greatest impact on the development of the global digital community,” and is presented by the Diplomatic Council, a global think tank accredited by the United Nations.
Ruptly Live heralds a new dawn of live content syndication, allowing publishers to deliver quality live content without the usual high costs – making live streaming technology as accessible as possible.
The process removes the need for specialist technology, coding or expertise – all users need to do is sign in, select an event and click to stream.
Live video can be streamed directly to social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Periscope, and up to eight lives can be broadcast simultaneously.
Live translations are available in four languages, and the platform offers access to ground-breaking 360 videos and drone footage, also in 4K.
The project was unveiled at MIPCOM in October 2017 during a discussion on the future of live streaming with VICE, 9GAG and What We See.
The DC Global Media Innovator made its debut in 2016 with British company V-Nova, who won the award thanks to their PERSEUS signal compression technology.
In 2017, it was Emblematic Group from Santa Monica, CA, who swept the title for their role in the medium of virtual reality documentary films.
The winner of the 3rd Global Media Innovator will be awarded on February 2 at the annual DC gala in Frankfurt, after the winner is selected by an international panel of top-class media and IT professionals.
(Source: Ruptly press release)
4 December 2017
Available on more than 30 airlines worldwide*, Euronews joins EasyJet’s newest Air Time entertainment offer, developed by Immfly, currently deployed on the British carrier’s fleet.
Thanks to the onboard wireless network, travelers of the Europe’s second largest airline company (with more than 78 million passengers per year) can now access the free service via their personal devices.
Euronews’ inflight offer on board EasyJet includes articles on international news, business, culture, sci-tech and European affairs, all available in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
The inflight entertainment and services platform is developed in partnership with Barcelona-based company Immfly, which also offers Euronews on Iberia Express, Volotea and XL Airways.
*Euronews’ content is available on board 34 airline companies from China to the Emirates, from Russia to the United States, through the Seychelles and Australia. Air carriers choose Euronews in order to meet their international travelers’ demand for a quality source of information. Euronews’ short-format videos available in several languages seem to be just the ticket.
(Source: Euronews press release)
1 December 2017
The Association for International Broadcasting has been working on the issue of Brexit since the referendum in 2016, gathering intelligence on the potential impact that AIB Members will feel.
A report into the playout and distribution sectors of the UK broadcasting industry has now been published to help inform debate and discussion, and to assist parliamentarians and others involved in Brexit negotiations.
“We’ve been monitoring developments around Brexit for the past 18 months,” says Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “Since so many channels serving audiences across the European Union are based in the UK, licensed by the UK media regulator Ofcom, it is vital that there’s a flow of relevant, accurate and detailed information about the international media industry. The AIB, with almost a quarter of a century’s experience in the sector, is extremely well-placed to offer insight and intelligence to those empowered to make decisions. We are also determined to help our Members who may be impacted by Brexit. This new report is evidence of the work we’re doing to help and assist.”
The report includes data sets and information compiled from the AIB’s research and from its Members involved in playout and distribution. The report has been submitted to the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Copies are available to AIB Members, although detailed financial data are redacted to protect confidentialities. Contact the AIB Secretariat to obtain a copy.
29 November 2017
A programme highlight in NHK WORLD’s December/January schedule are the ‘Songs of Tokyo.
Tokyo has a lot to sing about, and many of Japan’s best-known artists did just that in two nights of performances at NHK Hall.
Among the artists featured are: AKB48, Aqours, Cornelius, Joe Hisaishi, Kana Nishino, KANJANI∞, KyaryPamyuPamyu, Linked Horizon, LiSA, MAN WITH A MISSION, MIYAVI, NEWS,
Perfume, SEKAI NO OWARI, T.M.Revolution,XJAPAN
You can listen to “NHK WORLD presents SONGS OF TOKYO” on the following dates:
www.nhk.or.jp/songsoftokyo/
Part 1: Dec.31 Sun. 22:10/ Jan. 1 Mon. 5:10/ 12:10/ 18:10 (UTC)
Part 2: Dec. 31 Sun. 23:10/ Jan. 1 Mon. 6:10/ 13:10/ 19:10 (UTC)
Part 3: Jan. 1 Mon. 22:10/ Jan. 2 Tue. 5:10/ 12:10/ 18:10 (UTC)
Part 4: Jan. 1 Mon. 23:10/ Jan. 2 Tue. 6:10/ 13:10/ 19:10 (UTC)
Duration: 48 minutes each
(Source: NHK press release)
23 November 2017
Walesi, the Fijian Government’s Digital Television infrastructure management company, has signed a multi-year agreement with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) that will for the first time expand free-to-air television throughout Fiji. The agreement covers C-band capacity on the EUTELSAT 172B satellite to complement terrestrial coverage of the Walesi digital television platform.
Eutelsat’s new, all-electric satellite, now in full commercial service, will allow Walesi to provide digital free-to-air television via a Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform that will serve even the most remote, deep rural, and maritime areas of Fiji located beyond range of terrestrial networks. The platform will initially provide access to six digital free-to-air channels – with capacity to further expand – that will be accessible via a set-top box. Walesi will announce details regarding the DTH roll-out and Government-subsidised boxes in the coming weeks.
“This universal satellite coverage will be transformational for Fiji in three ways: it will provide better access to information to all Fijians, especially those in remote, deep rural, and maritime communities; it will further Fiji’s standing as an international telecommunications hub for the entire Pacific region; and it will fortify the climate resilience of our infrastructure,” said Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Communications. “This is just the beginning; going forward, our partnership with Eutelsat will allow the Government to fulfil our vision of providing video, data, and voice access to every community in Fiji.”
Michel Azibert, Eutelsat’s Chief Commercial and Development Officer, added: “This agreement reflects not only the value of our new EUTELSAT 172B satellite in complex geographies such as Fiji, but also the immediate impact of satellite broadcasting for nationwide coverage of digital TV. We are delighted to be working with Walesi to promote access to free-to-air television for all and to be part of the effort to bridge the digital divide.”
About Walesi
Walesi is a 100% government owned digital television infrastructure management company. Tasked with providing a nationwide digital television platform and associated infrastructure, Walesi is installing over 17 major communications and broadcast sites around Fiji which will be managed on a neutral host model. These major sites will be complemented by micro sites in remote and maritime regions that will be supported by bidirectional satellite capacity to expand data, video, and voice connectivity to previously unserved communities.
About Eutelsat Communications
Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world’s leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Over 6,700 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat assembles 1,000 men and women from 32 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service.
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
21 November 2017
Around 19m homes to receive British classics on Freeview following Arqiva Mux move
Arqiva, the leading UK communications infrastructure and media services company, has today announced that British vintage film channel, Talking Pictures TV, is moving to one of its main standard definition (SD) multiplexes at the end of November – expanding the channel’s reach to around 19 million homes across the UK.
To date, Talking Pictures TV – which launched on Arqiva’s T2 HD multiplex in September 2015 – has been available in SD to Freeview HD customers, and viewers on Sky, Freesat, YouView and Virgin Media. The move, which will take effect on Thursday 30 November, will extend coverage across the country.
Sarah Cronin-Stanley, Director at Talking Pictures TV, commented: “Talking Pictures TV offers TV viewers the opportunity to watch nostalgic films from the 1930s onwards for free. Since we first launched two years ago we’ve built a diverse audience of millions of loyal viewers across multiple platforms, covering the length and breadth of Britain – all sharing our passion for this golden era of film! We’re delighted that, by moving multiplexes, we’ll be able to reach an even broader audience, and hope others may discover a new interest in classic films through discovering our content.”
Mike Finchen, Director, Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) at Arqiva, commented: “During the length of our partnership with Talking Pictures TV, it’s been great to see the rapid growth its business has experienced; it has gone from strength to strength, and the move to our SD Mux will ensure it continues on this trajectory.
“With 91% of the UK population watching traditional forms of television at least once a week[1], DTT and the Freeview platform present broadcasters of all shapes and sizes – especially independent providers like Talking Pictures TV – with the perfect opportunity to air programming to an audience who already know and love their content, and to expand their footprint among devoted TV viewers.”
Subject to retuning their TV and/or set-top box, viewers should be able to view Talking Pictures TV 24 hours a day on Freeview Channel 81 with effect from the afternoon of Thursday 30 November, 2017. For help on how to retune, visit Freeview.co.uk/support or Freeview channel 100.
(Source: Arqiva press release)
[1] Digital UK, Switched on: a guide to UK television, 2017/18
