15 January 2004
Universal Domestic Television (UDT) has become the first major studio to sign an agreement with Teletrax to electronically monitor the broadcast of promotions for its entertainment shows by television stations across the United States.
“Universal is in the vanguard of the programming marketplace and we believe that others will soon follow its lead,” said Andy Nobbs, Managing Director of Teletrax.
Teletrax is the first and only global digital video monitoring service. Its patented technology embeds an imperceptible digital watermark into video that is robust enough to survive aggressive editing and special production effects such as picture compression. Additionally, Teletrax can detect usage with granular precision, down to one second of video.
As the first entertainment-programming client to adopt the one-of-a-kind service, Universal joins other Teletrax charter clients including leading news organizations Reuters and NBC News Channel.
Teletrax is a member of the AIB.
15 January 2004
Harris Corporation announced on 9 January that it has been awarded a one-year, US$96 million contract by the Defense Contracting Command-Washington, on behalf of the Coalition Provisional Authority, for developing an existing but antiquated media network into a modern media organization for the Iraqi people.
Harris Corporation created an Iraq Initiatives Office in July 2003 headed by Managing Director Youssef Sleiman. The initiative leveraged the products, capabilities, and resources of the company’s five communications businesses to address opportunities related to the rebuilding of Iraq. “We created a focused organization to support reconstruction efforts in Iraq and to apply the unique capabilities that Harris has to offer in both commercial and government communications systems. The extensive experience of our Broadcast Communications Division on international projects, combined with the large integration programs expertise of our Government Communications Systems Division, will ensure the success of this initiative,” said Howard Lance, chairman, president, and CEO of Harris Corporation.
The goal of the IMN contract is to create from the existing organization a first class, integrated media network that will include two national radio channels, two national television channels, and a national newspaper, “Al Sabah.”
Harris will lead this project and provide all of the necessary transmitters, integration and automation broadcast equipment with support from the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), a Middle Eastern media network, and Al Fawares, a Kuwaiti company with Iraqi ownership.
As the UK’s Financial Times reported on 10 January, Iraq’s communications minister said he was not consulted about the contract and threatened to overturn it when the US-led administration hands power to a sovereign Iraqi government in July. “We very much welcome the help of others to reshape our media, but to relinquish our responsibilities and to give control to foreign media is politically and socially wrong,” said Mr Abadi. He called the contract “temporary”. If the handover goes to plan Iraqi ministers will have responsibility for deciding the fate of the licences.
Harris Corporation is a member of the AIB.
15 January 2004
French broadcast regulator CSA (Conseil supérieur de l’audiovisuel) has fixed the date for the launch of terrestrial digital television as between 1 December 2004 and 31 March 2005. The precise date of start of transmissions will be announced six months in advance, with the Council deciding on a coverage target of approximately 60 per cent of the population by the end of 2005 and a final objective of reaching 85 per cent.
Viewers will be able to receive about fifteen national television channels, as well as local programmes, with the possibility of another fifteen subscription stations.
The CSA has published a list of 88 planned transmitter sites on its web site at www.csa.fr/pdf/frequences_tnt_191203.pdf.
15 January 2004
A Saudi satellite news channel went on air 11 January 2004. Al-Ikhbariya is the fourth TV channel transmitting from the kingdom but the first to specialise in news and current affairs. Initially on air for 12 hours a day, it will eventually transmit around the clock. The channel has 46 correspondents in the country and abroad, and in a Saudi first, includes three Saudi women among its news anchors.
Al-Ikhbariya joins a growing number of regional satellite news channels, led by Qatar’s Al-Jazeera and Dubai-based Al-Arabiya, which is Saudi-owned.
15 January 2004
The Hutton Report into the circumstances surrounding the death of British government scientist Dr David Kelly will be announced on 28 January.
The Hutton Inquiry investigated the role of the BBC, Britain’s Ministry of Defence and the British Prime Minister’s office and the report is expected to have significant impact on British politics and the way that journalists and news editors cover stories.
The BBC has already introduced some changes in the way it operates in advance of the Report’s publication, such as restricting its journalists from writing for newspapers and magazines.
15 January 2004
Stephen Stewart has joined BBC Broadcast as Head of Operations to help manage the channels in the Broadcast Centre, which opened 6 October 2003. Stephen previously managed the Five account at the London Playout Centre. Prior to this he managed the Flextech channels, including five major satellite channels, live studio, and 13 post suites. He also implemented a video server and automation technology to allow the channels to expand to 17. Previously he was the programme director for Formula One Communications and a Senior Network Director for Channel 4.
Margaret Kelly, Director of Playout and Media Services, commented, “Stephen will be a key member of our playout management team and brings valuable experience to our business as we start to playout channels from the new Broadcast Centre over the next year.”
