2 September 2010
Chinas State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) announced that it would consolidate radio and television networks under a single national cable television network company, Peoples Daily Online reports.
It said the new company would come up by the end of the year and would further expand into new businesses like mobile TV and online videos.
Tao Shiming, Director of the SARFT Society Administration Bureau said: “The nation’s radio and television networks need to be consolidated under one roof as currently they are individually run and have not developed into large-scale entities.”
Presently there are 1,000 radio and television networks in China. The absence of a nationwide and unified network comes in the way of their plan to compete with others for the opportunities that arise from the convergence of technologies, said industry experts.
Mr Tao said the consolidation exercise was likely to start at the provincial level by the end of this year and culminate in nationwide consolidation later.
Zeng HuiMing, Deputy Secretary-General of the cable TV committee of the China Radio and Television Association, said: “All networks in the nation are likely to be integrated in three years.”
China last month launched a pilot project in 12 cities to test the convergence of the three networks. The trials are expected to last until 2012 and will focus on connecting the broadcasting and telecom networks. (Source: ABU)
17 August 2010
The Association for International Broadcasting has already started planning for the 2010 “AIBs”, the International Media Excellence Awards, and is delighted to announce that Vanessa Mock of Radio Netherlands Worldwide will be the presenter at the gala awards ceremony to be held in London on Tuesday 9 November.
Vanessa works in Brussels, covering EU-affairs, focusing on day-to-day developments in Brussels and European politics, ranging from agricultural reforms to EU enlargement, immigration to EU-Russia relations . She also covers Nato, especially the Afghanistan mission and tensions between EU and Nato. Previously she worked for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and the Financial Times. Vanessa speaks English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, and Italian.
The AIB is already receiving enquiries about entries and sponsorship for the 2010 awards which will be formally announced on April 12th. The latest details can be found in the Awards section of the AIB website
12 August 2010
The free app, boasting more LIVE sports content than any other sports app in Europe, has been downloaded 2,518,432 times (and counting!) since its launch last year.
The app leverages Eurosport.com’s ditorial expertise and online excellence, featuring real-time text commentary, live results, breaking sports news, stats, standings and fixtures.
It is the only sports application available in 9 different language versions,* plus an international version available in any country in the world, and has been a resounding success, topping download lists in France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Eurosport Chairman and CEO, said: “Eurosport innovates to provide quality content across all media devices, and mobile is the perfect way to enjoy, share and experience sports news and events. Any first birthday is always a very special time and, together with the 2.5 million downloads, it is proof that we are delivering the global sports fans what he wants, when he wants it and where he wants it.”
Arnaud Maillard, Eurosport’s New Media Director, added: “This is a life-cycle, and though today we celebrate the free app’s first birthday we will continue to innovate and grow our diverse online and mobile offering for the iPhone and iPad.”
Not forgetting the iPad … Since its launch in May of this year, the Europsort.com for iPad sports app, has been downloaded over 118,000 times in two months, making it the most popular iPad sports app across Europe.
All of Eurosport’s apps for iPhone and iPad are available for download on iTunes and the App Store.
12 August 2010
Vizrt, a leading provider of content production tools for the digital media industry, announced today that it has appointed François Laborie as its new Chief Commercial Officer.
François Laborie joined Vizrt at the beginning of 2006 as the Company’s Executive Vice President Marketing. At the beginning of 2010, he took on the additional role of Regional President for the EMEA region. Prior to joining Vizrt, he held senior positions, such as project manager at the EADS Corporate Research Center, division Information Technologies.
Martin Burkhalter, CEO for Vizrt, stated, “We are very happy to have been able to fill the vacant position of CCO internally. François has made a great impact since joining the Company. Together with his team, he positioned Vizrt as one of the major brands of the digital media industry. François also oversaw the establishment of consistent processes and structures to deliver product packages and customer care on par with Vizrt’s ambitions. Both as EVP and then President of Vizrt’s largest territory, François played an active role in Vizrt’s strategy development and implementation to create a unique platform for the media industry.
His leadership has been instrumental in changing the competence of his team from purely marketing to becoming an essential input in all commercial processes, proving that he is ready to take on an even more senior role within the Company.”
François Laborie commented, “I am very enthusiastic to be given the opportunity to build further on our ambitious global commercial strategy at such an exciting time in our industry. In the four years I have been with Vizrt, the Company has continuously evolved, anticipating the great rise and transformation of the digital media landscape. We are now present in all areas from content creation, through media asset management, to publication and delivery over a wide variety of platforms. The position Vizrt has achieved in the market is unique and I am proud to be a part of this. The next challenge will be to convert the great potential that is out there, both in terms of global expansion and product/solution diversification, into growth.”
12 August 2010
2010 marks an important period in the annals of Africa: its the year when a 10-year follow-up on the declaration of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will be made, 5 year post the Gleneagles G8 Summit commitments, 26th anniversary of the Ethiopian famine that claimed the lives of millions, and a year when 17 African countries are marking their 50th anniversary since independence.
And in spite of making tremendous progress in economic, social and political spheres, Africa is still regarded by the international world as a failing, if not a failed continent.
As part of the Annual Meeting of the Africa Progress Panel (APP) held in Geneva, the APP organized a debate in front of an informed audience where answers were sought for the following questions:
Is Africa its own worst enemy?
Does Africa deserve special treatment?
Does the world need Africa more than Africa needs the world?
To view the trailer, please click here
Delivery will be by FTP!
Please contact Farah Chaudhry on farah@a24media.com should you require the debate for broadcast purposes.
12 August 2010
As millions of Muslims await the start of the holy month of Ramadan, VOA’s Hausa Service will be among the first in Nigeria to broadcast the official announcement of the start of the annual fasting and prayer season.
The holy month of Ramadan begins in Nigeria when the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who leads the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, confirms reports that the new crescent moon has been sighted, an event expected Wednesday but perhaps as late as Thursday.
Muslims from around the country have been urged to call the palace when they see the new moon. A committee of experts will evaluate the reports.
A Hausa Service reporter will be in the Sultan’s palace for the announcement, and is expected to speak with a member of the Moon Sighting Committee, as well as get reaction from people gathered at the palace for the event.
VOA’s Hausa Service has four daily broadcasts and a weekly audience estimated at approximately 21 million listeners in the region on shortwave and AM with a website that features live and on-demand audio broadcasts. The Hausa program line-up includes integrated newscasts, discussion shows, diverse stringer reports, interviews, feature programs, and special reports covering a wide variety of issues.
Visit the Hausa Service website, http://www1.voanews.com/hausa/news/, for a Ramadan timetable that will include the timing of breakfast and when Muslims are expected to cease eating, drinking and sex.
In addition, the Service will be running a series of special programs all month, including a call-in show that will allow listeners share their Ramadan preparations.
