Joanna Shields in conversation at The AIBs

27 October 2009

In addition to the presentation of the International Media Excellence Awards, the gala evening on November 4th also includes a special guest in conversation with the AIB.

Joanna Shields (http://www.crunchbase.com/person/joanna-shields) has extensive experience of the use of social media and online platforms to expand broadcasting into the new world of multi-platform and multi-media broadcasting. She will be offering insight into how broadcasters need to adapt to this new and complex world, and will also highlight some of the opportunities that exist to exploit innovative ways to reach and interact with audiences.

Joanna was President of Bebo, responsible for all commercial aspects of the global social media network. Following the takeover of Bebo by AOL she became Executive VP for People Networks at AOL , charged with integrating and growing all of AOL’s social media platforms. During her time at Bebo, the company produced the Internet’s most successful serialized drama, “KateModern,” which was nominated for two BAFTA awards and secured the Broadcasting Press Guild Innovation Award for Outstanding Development in Broadcasting.

Prior to her time at Bebo, Joanna was at Google as Managing Director for Google Europe, Russia, Middle East & Africa, where she built partnerships with some of the world’s largest media and telecom companies. She had previously been with RealNetworks as Vice President, International, where she launched the company’s mobile business unit

Joanna has is now launching a digital media content company with Elisabeth Murdoch, chairman and CEO of independent TV production company Shine Group. The company aims to fuse television production with the power and reach of social media and will also focus on bringing Shine Group content online.

Details of The AIBs including how to book can be found here

Quantel first in the world to release RED Rocket support

26 October 2009

Quantel has just released a new version of software for its eQ, iQ and Pablo systems which, among a number of other useful new features, also includes support for the RED Rocket accelerator board. RED Rocket only became available in August, and Quantel is the first manufacturer to release software that supports it, allowing Quantel users to benefit from the much reduced loading and conform times RED Rocket enables with RED-originated material.

“The fact that we have brought the benefits of the RED Rocket to Quantel users in such a short timescale is just another example of how focused Quantel is on its customers’ needs and the fantastic speed with which our engineers are able to react to new technologies,” said Steve Owen, Quantel Director of Marketing. “If it matters to our customers, then it matters to us!”

The new software release – V4.1rev6 – isn’t just about RED Rocket support. It also includes the Cubebuilder, which enables Pablo users to build, manipulate and apply 3D Look-up Tables (LUTs) entirely within Pablo, and many other new facilities and features, including:

* Process re-ordering in multi-layer timeline effects – more flexibility in effects creation

* Nine new blend modes – more creative options

* New and improved conform and file handling features – more efficient workflow means more time for creative work

* New file export modes simplify Blu-ray and DVD generation

Cross-media, cross-border, cross-cultural – the AIBs

21 October 2009

This event is attended by leading programme makers, journalists, editors and
executives from all over the world and last year was over-subscribed!

Click here to reserve your place at the 2009 AIBs gala dinner on 4 November at LSO st Lukes, London – AIB member price is £160 plus UK VAT per person/non-member price is £210 plus UK VAT per person

India to tighten rules for new TV channels

16 October 2009

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is planning to put stringent entry-level restrictions on broadcasters launching new television channels, the Business Standard reports.

The move is to ensure only serious players enter the business and have effective use of the limited bandwidth available for broadcasting.

A top ministry official said: “We have already asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to give its recommendations on the various criteria and conditions on the basis of which scarce resources will be given.”

Currently, India has over 500 TV channels with another 70 requests for new channels pending approval. Another 50-60 channels have been given a licence but are not operational. The ministry has asked Trai to review the existing norms and prepare the minimum criterion for granting permission.

It said that Trai would also include conditions of commitment to run the channel for a certain number of years to protect against fly-by-night operators.

At the moment, broadcasters can get permission to run a new channel if they have a net worth of India Rupees $10 million (about US$21,600) for operating one channel and India Rupees $30 million (about US$64,800) for operating a bouquet of 15 channels.

The broadcasters also have to currently ensure they operate from India and the foreign direct investment is not more than 49 percent (26 percent in the case for a news channel). There are no other restrictions on them. (Source: ABU website)

VOA launches FM radio station in Hargeisa, Somaliland

15 October 2009

Panelists emphasized the role of free press in promoting democracy at a Town Hall in Hargeisa, Somaliland today as the Voice of America (VOA) launched a new radio station in the Somalia breakaway region.

“We expect this station to serve our people impartially and to inform us – not just with news – but with balanced reports and knowledge,” Somaliland President Dahir Rayale Kahin said as he welcomed VOA’s new broadcast.

The launch of 88.0 FM brought together journalists, government officials, opposition members and civil society activists who gathered afterwards for a discussion entitled, “A Free Press in a Democracy.”

Panelists praised the gains in independent media, but said challenges remain. Faisal Ali Sheikh, chairman of Jamhuriya newspaper, opposed pending legislation that would require the Ministry of Information to review advertisements.

“The media should lobby against the amendment … which is aimed at restricting the freedom of the press,” Ali Sheikh said. Other panelists included Su’as Hussein Hagi Elmi, a female activist and Mohamoud Hussain Farah, dean of Hargeisa Univesity’s Department of Law.

During an interview with VOA’s Somali service, Somaliland’s main opposition leader, Ahmed Mohammed Silanyo, also expressed his appreciation for the new station. “We are happy to see the Voice of American launch this FM station which will help the people of Somaliland,” Silanyo said.

VOA Hargeisa 88.0 will air 24 hours of VOA programs daily. The broadcast stream includes three and half hours of news and features from VOA’s Somali service along with popular English news, discussion and music programs such as World News Now, Daybreak Africa, Hip Hop Connection and Music Mix. Besides Somali, VOA also broadcasts in English and 11 other languages throughout Africa. More information is available at www.voanews.com/Somali and www.voaafrica.com

Bloomberg buys BusinessWeek

15 October 2009

Bloomberg has emerged as the winning bidder for BusinessWeek, the troubled 80-year-old title that McGraw-Hill had put on sale this summer.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the price was said to be near USD 5m, plus assumption of liabilities, which were USD 31.9m as of April. The magazine will continue to be a weekly print publication, rechristened Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

Decisions have not been made about BusinessWeek’s staff of more than 400 people; Bloomberg will select which of those employees it wants by the end of the year, when the deal closes. Those not selected will receive severance from McGraw-Hill, said a BusinessWeek executive. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

While there was interest from parties in the private equity world, Bloomberg was seen as the preferred buyer. (Source: New York Times)