22 February 2017
The latest edition of the AIB’s media industry briefing has been published. This regular newsletter reaches a constantly growing audience of more than 27,000 media leaders in over 150 countries globally.
In this edition:
- MBC+ on Ooredoo
- Eutelsat reaches 1,000 HD channels
- NBC Universal buys into Euronews
- Radio going from strength to strength
- CNN en Espanol suspended in Venezuela
- Women leading in ABC comedy drama
- New members for the AIB
- People
Read the industry briefing here.
22 February 2017
The BBC is seeking a future star of African journalism for the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award, now in its third year.
Journalists from across the continent are invited to apply for the award, which aims to uncover and promote fresh talent from Africa.
The winner will spend three months at the BBC headquarters in London, gaining skills and experience.
Applications close on 15th March 2017 at 23:59 GMT.
The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 in 2014. In November 2014, the Association for International Broadcasting presented its Founders Award in memory of Komla to his widow, Kwansema.
You can read about eligibility criteria for the Award here.
21 February 2017
RMIT University and ABC News have partnered to relaunch award-winning news service Fact Check, to be based in Melbourne at the University’s new state-of-the-art Media Precinct.
From March, RMIT ABC Fact Check will once again test and adjudicate on the accuracy of claims made by politicians, public figures, advocacy groups and institutions engaged in public debate.
Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Professor Martyn Hook, said the nonpartisan, non-profit collaboration aimed to reduce the levels of deception and confusion around public policy issues and debates.
“This partnership with the ABC builds on RMIT’s reputation for producing journalism graduates with integrity, credibility and commitment to the highest standard and principles of media practice,” Hook said.
“In a time of ‘post-truth’, ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’, it is ever more critical to hold public figures to account and ensure that public discourse – the basis of democracy – is based in fact.
“RMIT is thrilled to join with the ABC to relaunch Fact Check and support this crucial public service.”
ABC Director of News Gaven Morris said the innovative partnership would bring great value to audiences.
“ABC News is delighted to be able to work with the academic community, as well as other groups and institutions, in this way,” he said. “Sharing resources, and collaborating on analysis and original research, helps us better serve the broadest possible audience.
“Fact-check journalism is a great way of providing more of the essential context people need to help them fully understand the major stories and important issues of the day.”
RMIT ABC Fact Check will research and publish Fact Checks, Fact Files and restart the Promise Tracker. Content will be published through the ABC’s Digital platforms and a dedicated RMIT portal.
It will be headed by Director Russell Skelton, a Walkley Award-winning journalist who founded and ran the original ABC Fact Check from 2013 until mid-2016.
RMIT will also appoint a Senior Editor and Fact Check Researchers, along with interns drawn from RMIT journalism students and alumni. Journalism academic staff will also work with the Fact Check team to research the emergence and value of Fact Check journalism in today’s media landscape.
The assembled RMIT ABC Fact Check team will be an anchor tenant in the new RMIT Media Precinct, an industry-leading studio, teaching and production facility opening in March.
The ABC will retain final editorial control of, and responsibility for, all Fact Check content published by the ABC. Content will be subject to all the ABC’s Editorial Policies and its normal complaints handling procedures.
21 February 2017
London-based international media facilities house to benefit from AIB’s global networks and services
The Association for International Broadcasting, the trade association for television, radio and online, has welcomed London-based studio and facilities house Celebro Media as its latest Member.
“It is great to have Celebro Media on board as a Member of the Association for International Broadcasting,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “Celebro Media is an innovative company and we have been impressed by the innovative solutions it offers to broadcasters. We are looking forward to helping Celebro Media as it develops its services in the UK and around the world.”
“We are extremely pleased to be part of the AIB community,” commented Wesley Dodd, CEO of Celebro Media (pictured). “We are dedicated to supporting the international broadcasting industry and being involved in the AIB’s global networks will be a real benefit to my colleagues and me. Celebro Media is looking forward to sharing its expertise and its innovations with other AIB Members in the Association’s working groups. And of course, we’re happy to explore how Celebro Media can help and assist other AIB Members.”
Through its Membership of the Association for International Broadcasting, Celebro Media now has access to the full range of the AIB’s work, ranging from market intelligence briefings to participation in working groups that focus on key areas of activity such as emerging technology, cyber security, sustainability and audience measurement. The AIB also supports its Members on key issues that affect their business through its international lobbying activities.
The Association for International Broadcasting is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that works for the benefit of its Members and of the wider media industry.
20 February 2017
Ooredoo and MBC GROUP hosted a star-studded event at the Museum of Islamic Art last night to launch the exclusive new MBC+ Ooredoo Channel for Ooredoo TV subscribers.
The event was attended by Ooredoo Qatar CEO Waleed Al Sayed, MBC GROUP CEO Sam Barnett and a host of MBC talent including: “Sabah Al Khair Ya Arab” star Khaled Al Shaer, reporter and broadcaster Ali Al Ghofaily, journalist Ola Al-Fares, as well as presenter Ghada Mussali from MBC1 and presenter Mariam Said from ET Bil Arabi.
The MBC+ Ooredoo Channel launch is part of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Ooredoo and MBC GROUP signed last year, which gave Ooredoo exclusive rights to some of the GROUP’s most popular High Definition (HD) channels in Qatar.
With this latest partnership, Ooredoo TV customers will now be able to exclusively enjoy a brand new channel and that will include a selection of MBC’s best Arabic content.
MBC+ Ooredoo Channel is available on channel 180 now and content will include: Tabakh Al Sultan, Scoop, Dahsha, El Hokm, El Hob Al Halal and much more.
Talking at the event, Waleed Al Sayed, Ooredoo Qatar Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since its launch Ooredoo TV has offered the latest and best content, whether live, On Demand or on the go via the Ooredoo TV App. This is the latest step in our vision of offering leading local and international content to Qatar and we hope you enjoy the wide range of programmes we have selected especially for Ooredoo TV customers in HD.”
MBC Group CEO, Sam Barnett said: “It’s a privilege to be partnering with such an innovative telecommunications company.
The speed and sophistication of the network provided by Ooreedoo means that viewers in Qatar are able to experience audiovisual content at industry leading levels of quality”.
Barnett further added: “It was only a few months ago when we announced our intention to work together, and now today our combined teams are ready to launch both MBC+ Ooreedoo and our premium Video On Demand service SHAHID PLUS”.
To ensure that Ooredoo’s entertainment portfolio stays ahead of the growing switch to digital content, Ooredoo and MBC GROUP have recently announced that all Ooredoo customers can now exclusively enjoy MBC’s SHAHID PLUS online service in Qatar. They can catch-up with the latest & the exclusive shows, award-winning content among many dramas and movies with no ads.
With MBC’s SHAHID PLUS service, Ooredoo customers enjoy MBC’s premium VOD service and enjoy its strong content offering (exclusive Arabic series, shows and the latest Arabic movies) on-the-go in an uninterrupted experience with no ads.
Existing Mozaic TV customers who want to upgrade to Ooredoo TV to take advantage of the MBC+ Ooredoo Channel can simply visit any Ooredoo retail shop to register and collect a free Ooredoo TV play device.
Ooredoo TV offers features such as 4K resolution, time shift, Android apps, parental control, thousands of hours of on-demand content and much more at no extra cost. Ooredoo TV is available from Ooredoo Shops, Starlink, TechnoBlue and Jumbo outlets. The service has no upfront charges, no equipment costs and no ongoing contracts.
Visit ooredoo.qa/portal/OoredooQatar/ooredoo-tv_2 for more.
About Ooredoo
Ooredoo is Qatar’s leading communications company, delivering mobile, fixed, broadband internet and corporate managed services tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential.
(Source: MBC press release)
20 February 2017
- HD pace accelerates across Eutelsat video neighbourhoods
- 240 new channels in 2016 represents ↗30% growth
High Definition TV continues to gain ground across the broadcast satellites operated by Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) with the 240 HD channels launched in 2016 equalling the total number launched during the previous two years.
The symbolic landmark of 1,000 channels was crossed this month with the launch at Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD neighbourhood of CGTN HD, the news and current affairs channel of China’s CCTV media organisation, marking its first foray into HDTV in Europe.
Eutelsat’s key video neighbourhoods all saw HD growth in 2016, with three distinguished for exclusive content and market leadership.
Accelerating HD growth at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood
The upwards curve of HD take-up was particularly strong at Eutelsat’s flagship HOTBIRD position where HD channels increased by 25% to 250, now accounting for almost one in four channels in the HOTBIRD line-up. This dynamic is driven by three key trends:
- Progressive HD adoption by public broadcasters including RAI that has transitioned nine channels to HD and CCTV that launched three channels
- New premium pay-TV content in flagship platforms including Sky Italia, Polsat, nc+ and Nova
- A wave of new free-to-air channels that include Euronews HD and Al Jazeera English
Eutelsat 7/8° West position sets the trend in Middle East, North Africa and features exclusive HD channels
With almost 150 HD channels (up 40% in one year), of which 100 are exclusive, the 7/8° West position hosted by Eutelsat and Nilesat satellites leads the transition to HD in the Middle East and North Africa. Free-to-air channels in HD now outnumber pay, with strong brands launched exclusively at this neighbourhood including five channels launched by Kuwait TV and Echourouk News HD, the 24/7 Algerian news channel.
Eutelsat 36° East neighbourhood hits new high spot in Russia and Africa
Eutelsat satellites at 36° East that serve Russian and African markets clocked 14 additional HD channels over the last 12 months, rising to 114 HD channels. Russia’s leading NTV+ and Tricolor platforms each broadcast around 40 channels, to which can be added 32 HD channels broadcast to homes in Siberia from 56° East. In Africa, MultiChoice Africa and Zap are in the vanguard of HD, broadcasting 16 and 17 channels respectively and underscoring the trend towards higher resolution in Africa’s TV market.
Michel Azibert, Commercial and Development Director at Eutelsat, said: “2016 marked a tipping point for High Definition TV across our portfolio of video neighbourhoods, culminating in a new landmarkof 1,000 channels, many of which are exclusive to Eutelsat. We are fully equipped to accommodate this accelerating pace and to work closely with broadcasters as they transition to an enhanced viewing experience.”
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
