27 February 2017
At its 85th meeting, the DVB Steering Board approved updates to TS 102 809 “Signaling and carriage of interactive applications and services in Hybrid broadcast/broadband environments” introducing an authentication mechanism to help prevent ‘Man in the Middle’ attacks in Smart TVs supporting interactivity.
This update was triggered by a security researcher demonstration showing that it was possible for attackers to modify the broadcast TV signal and so exploit bugs in the software of Smart TVs to gain control over the TV. A successful ’Man in the Middle’ attack could enable a hacker to access TV features such as its camera, microphone, and potentially other devices connected to the set. The new version will provide additional security to interactive solutions like the HbbTV specification, which relies heavily on TS 102 809.
The updated specification enables broadcasters to add authentication information to the signaling of their interactive services. In essence, the television receiver learns the legitimate transmission on each channel and will then identify and reject any subsequent tampering. This provides an extra layer of defense for TV sets and their owners in addition to manufacturers’ activities to improve their products security.
Commenting on this important action by the Steering Board, DVB Chairman, Peter MacAvock said “Although ‘Man-in-the-Middle’ attacks have been demonstrated, there is little real-world evidence of such attacks. Even so DVB acknowledges the potential risks, and has moved to address these with a comprehensive and appropriate specification to re-assure consumers and industry alike.”
Security across all parts of the broadcast chain is vital and the Association for International Broadcasting has an active Cyber Security Working Group to help its Members share expertise and information. See our Working Groups section for more information.
27 February 2017
Latest Africascope results confirm Africanews’ strong reputation in French-speaking Africa with 6.3 million people aware of the news channel across seven countries surveyed*, and boasting a healthy weekly audience of 2 million viewers.
Africanews is a leading multilingual, Pan-African news outlet. Africanews is available in sub-Saharan Africa via its complete offering (TV + digital: website, social media,mobile applications).
According to the latest Africascope 2016 survey, conducted by Kantar TNS in seven French-speaking African countries, Africanews has created an awareness of 38%, which represents 6.3 million people aware of Africanews. Less than one year after launching the channel it has also earned a weekly audience of 2 million viewers.
Africascope survey results show Africanews’ audience is young and more affluent than the average of the target population. The majority of its audience are men who account for 64% of Africanews’ weekly viewership.
Africascope also highlights the strength of TV in all countries surveyed, with an average 90% of people aged 15 and over watching television daily, which amounts to 15.1 million viewers.
Africanews, the key Pan-African media in Gabon, Cameroon and The Democratic Republic of Congo
Less than a few months after launching, Africanews is already exceptionally well-known in Gabon, where 2 out of every 3 respondents are aware of Africanews (65%).
Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo have also proven receptive to the new Africanews TV channel, where awareness levels for 2016 stand at 42% and 41% respectively.
Elsewhere across French-speaking Africa, the channel is known by 1 in 3 respondents, with 37% in Ivory Coast and 30% in both Senegal and Burkina Faso stating their awareness of the news channel.
Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews and President of Africanews said: “On January 6th, Africanews celebrated the first anniversary of its digital launch. The increase of the channel’s awareness ratings in just one year is a strong and deep source of motivation for our team in Pointe-Noire and its network of correspondents that extends throughout the world. These results confirms the relevance of our vision and our strategic project, an editorial choice made in Africa by Africans, with factual information dedicated to Africans.
These audience’s results confirm the growing ascendancy of the news outlet in Sub-Saharan Africa which also witnesses an ever-increasing number of leading advertisers and partners which choose Africanews as a channel for their communications.”
KANTAR TNS and its Africascope media survey
Kantar TNS has been measuring the audiences of national and international television channels and radio stations since 2008. Africascope is the essential survey for measuring audience and awareness, and for understanding target groups’ profiles and consumer habits.
Africascope is conducted in the capitals of seven countries in French-speaking Africa, on a sample of nearly 16,000 people aged 15 and over, representative of the survey areas population of 16.8 million people. The surveys were carried out face-to-face in interviewees’ homes, using the quota method (gender, age, education and profession of the respondent).
* Countries surveyed: Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou), Cameroon (Douala and Yaoundé), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Gabon (Libreville), Ivory Coast (Abidjan), Mali (Bamako) and Senegal (Dakar).
(Source: Euronews press release)
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.
