Thread: Satellite TV Market News

TV Genius powers ITV Player app

TV search and recommendation specialist TV Genius’s Content Discovery Platform is to power the personalised recommendation feature of the new ITV Player app for Facebook. The app will promote Christmas and New Year scheduling, as well as into 2010, through recommendations of content available via the ITV Player online catch-up service, as well as remind users of relevant upcoming shows. It also allows them to share recommendations with friends and compare preferred programmes to see how compatible their TV viewing habits are.

This is the first time ITV has built a social media app specifically to enhance the TV content discovery experience. The service enables users to rate ITV programming according to their preferences, which then analyses the results to offer true relevance to recommendation results, powered by TV Genius’ Content Discovery Platform.

UPDATE..Thomson Unveils HD Satellite Set-Top Box for Consumer IP Video Services




Thomson has initiated a high-volume production launch of its HD MPEG-4 DSI705, a satellite set-top box (STB) capable of supporting advanced, IP-based video services over existing coaxial L-band delivery infrastructures, Thomson announced Dec. The STB, which combines L-band with low-noise block control signaling, aims to enable operators to migrate IP over single wire technologies using simplified installation techniques. The unit also allows multi-room viewing and PVR.


Thomson said the technology leverages existing infrastructure, provides operators with the ability to market new services and expand their residential presence using a networked service platform, which will help satellite operators compete in the IP video market.
The content delivery landscape is changing dramatically as multi-room viewing becomes the next crucial evolution of the PVR and consumers seek to supplement linear video with over-the-top IP content,” said Georges Laplanche, Thomson’s Senior Vice President of its Connect Division, in a statement.

Thomson HD satellite STB

Thomson, a global provider of services to content creators, has unveiled its high-definition (HD) MPEG-4 DSI705, the satellite industry’s first set-top-box (STB) capable of supporting advanced, IP-based video services over existing coaxial L-band delivery infrastructures.

"The content delivery landscape is changing dramatically as multi-room viewing becomes the next, crucial evolution of the PVR and consumers seek to supplement linear video with over-the-top IP content," said Georges Laplanche, Senior Vice President of the Connect Division at Thomson. "The DSI705 allows satellite operators to compete in this increasingly competitive, IP-connected video world by seamlessly enabling IP migration over single wire technologies via simplified installation techniques."

Fuller, Hulu to launch web reality series




American Idol creator Simon Fuller has joined forced with US video on-demand service Hulu to launch a new web-based reality TV series.

Titled If I Can Dream, the US-exclusive show will commence broadcasts in early 2010 on Hulu and a dedicated website, along with extra content on mobile and social media platforms.

Produced by Fuller's 19 Entertainment, the show will follow five aspiring performers living in the Hollywood Hills as they struggle to make the big time. The participants will be given acting, modelling, vocal and music coaching in an effort to launch their careers.

Each 30-minute episode will be supported by pre and mid-roll adverts, along with product placement. Contestants will also use video messages and updates on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to interact with viewers.

"I am determined to continue challenging convention and pushing the boundaries of mainstream entertainment. The next frontier is the video world of authentic real time interaction," said Fuller.

"If I Can Dream experiments with technology to provide for the first time a complete open-door opportunity that allows the viewer to experience reality in a way never before attempted.

"It is time the public got to see the truth behind what it takes to launch the careers of young artists who have a dream that one day on pure merit they can be professional entertainers and gain the recognition they crave. This is the dawning of a new age."

'Watchdog' to go out live on BBC One





Consumer affairs programme Watchdog will return to BBC One in spring 2010 as a revamped live show, it has emerged.

In September, the programme relaunched as a one-hour format filmed in front of a studio audience, starting at 8pm rather than the usual 7.30pm.

Presenters Nicky Campbell and Julia Bradbury were also replaced by Rogue Traders' Matt Allwright and Anne Robinson, who returned to the show after an eight-year absence.

Despite reasonably strong early ratings for the new set-up, audience figures steadily declined as the series progressed. According to figures supplied by data firm Attentional, the series averaged 3.9m viewers compared to the 4.6m average when it was a half-hour format in 2008.

Watchdog was initially due to return for another series in the New Year, but the programme will now be delayed until spring while the format is fine-tuned.

However, a BBC spokesman told The Guardian that the show will be filmed live at BBC's Media Centre on Wood Lane, London when it returns. It will also be expanded from six to nine episodes.

He added: "The situation as it stands is that Watchdog will return in the spring as a live show, hence its return has been slightly delayed so the schedule can accommodate this."

That was the year that was


on a year of downturns, spindowns, and upwardly mobile technologies.

Recessions are funny things and 12 months ago you might have wondered if there would be a TV industry to write about at the end of 2009. But we are a broad church, and those soothsayers that reckoned on pay-TV being more resilient than TV advertising were largely on track.

Of course it depends where you sit, and we all know someone now sitting at home, rather than in the arguably more comfortable office chair. There is also the question of subscriber numbers. Remember the journalists’ rule. If it hasn’t been made public, then it probably isn’t very good.

The argument is that pay-TV is resilient against recessionary pressures because people prefer to stay at home with their movie subscription because this is a cheap form of entertainment. Sky found this to be true, though there was the slightest hint that there may have been some spindown to smaller packages, not that there was any indication from the subscriber numbers that continue to reach new heights.

Spain has not been quite so lucky, the indebted cablenet ONO is facing falling subscriber numbers in the most unpleasant of economic environments. Its satellite compatriot Digital+ is not faring much better, its parent Sogecable appearing as if it is perpetually for sale.

Generally speaking if a platform is doing badly then it has continues to underperform, if it is doing well, then the luck continues and you make your own luck.

Sky is making its own luck when it comes to HD. It can be no coincidence that the platform with the most HD subscribers is also the one with the greatest number of channels. Indeed 1.6 million subscribers is considerably more than some platforms have in their standard definition portfolio. The same could even be said for the number of channels.

Two interweaving technologies came of age this year, video-on-demand, and its web-based cousin online TV. The operators of both trumpet the success of their libraries and its usage. Such figures are normally presented in the form of how many programmes are viewed and downloaded in the course of a month. Virgin Media will tell you that over half of its subscribers have used its on demand service, which of course means that just under half haven’t, but think of what such services might already be doing to usage patterns. What we don’t often get is information on how long audiences might hang around for. Remember that journalist’s rule.

The intriguing thing about PC-based catch up TV services is that most people would probably not use them were similar content available to them over the television. Virgin Media is making a start here, is Telenet in Flanders, the latter has somehow managed to charge for the majority of its on demand content from the very beginning. Virgin is beginning to insert advertisements into its free on demand content, suggesting that some viewers at least are staying tuned long enough to benefit from a mid-roll commercial.

A narrow escape 2009 will be remembered first and foremost as a year in which our worst fears were not realised.



2009 will be remembered first and foremost as a year in which our worst fears were not realised.

It began with the world slipping into recession, having just avoided the collapse of the global financial system. Needless to say, there were question marks as to the future of the TV industry in the CEE region and survival of many companies. And perhaps not surprisingly, they centred round broadcasters heavily dependent on advertising rather than cable and DTH platforms, whose main source of income was derived from subscription fees.

The fact that companies such as CME, which operates commercial TV stations in no fewer than seven countries, came through this year still fighting fit says much for the resilience of the industry. It also bodes well for looks like being an eventful and highly interesting 2010.

This year will be remembered as one in which the take-up of digital TV services – principally those provided by cable and DTH operations – grew impressively throughout the CEE region. IPTV continued to enjoy mixed fortunes, being highly successful in some countries (Russia, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, to name but four), but much less so in others (Poland and Romania), while DTT remained in the slow lane.

Indeed, in the latter case, the year ended with not a single country having yet completed the transition to digital broadcasting. What is more, only one or two, including Estonia, will do so in 2010.

The long-awaited consolidation in the region’s DTH sector never really materialised in 2009, though there were some important deals. Mid Europa Partners, which already included Serbia Broadband (SBB) and its platform Total TV, bought the Bulgarian operation ITV Partner in October.

Just a month earlier, Russia’s Gazprom-Media, whose interests include NTV-Plus, acquired Tricolor TV, the largest platform in the region in terms of subscriber numbers.

Although more DTH platform launches are likely in 2010, so, too, are mergers and acquisitions.

Consolidation is also on the agenda in the cable sector. It is becoming increasingly likely that Poland’s “big four” operators will by this time next year be the “big two” or even “one”, with Liberty Global and/or Sweden’s EQT V emerging dominant players.

Having survived 2009, the region’s TV industry certainly has much to look forward to in 2010.

BDA= 3D specs bring packaged media to broadcast ideal


The= Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) has finalised its specification for the use of 3D, opting for ‘Full HD 3D’, and marrying its proposal with recommendations for a broadcast standard.

The format is the same as that recently recommended as a broadcast standard by ZetaCast in its report for the UK regulator Ofcom. The backwards compatibility means that it is possible to purchase a 3D title now, even if an affordable 3DTV display is still a little way off. However, the system differs from Sky’s own 3D HD proposals that will use the existing fleet of Sky+ HD receivers with the side-by-side format that effectively halves the current HD resolution.

“Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3D or 2D,” said Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee. “We believe this demand for 3D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3D experience to the living room.”

Blu-ray= 3D will offer full 1080p resolution to each eye, maintaining the picture quality established with HD; it will be able to display on any 3D display regardless of the technology behind it.

Consultants= Futuresource said it expected an upsurge in the adoption of high definition and Blu-ray during 2010, strengthened by a clearly defined 3D roadmap.

“Following= the success of 3D in the cinema there is a major industry push to establish 3D in the home,” says Jim Bottoms, Director, Futuresource, “and today’s announcement by the BDA ensures a unified route forward. The quality and experience of high definition via Blu-ray disc is unparalleled, and for those consumers not yet convinced by the HD experience, 3D will be another key selling point and a highly persuasive reason to upgrade. Our research shows that 3D-enabled BD players will be available in Q2 next year to support the major push on 3D TVs that will start at CES and build throughout the year. Further interest will be driven by owners of PS3 consoles, which will be able to play ‘Blu-ray 3D’ content.”

According= to Futuresource, falling prices have kept the consumer’s interest in 3D, despite recessionary pressures

Snell adds control to climate




The Copenhagen climate change conference (COP15) used Snell's Alchemist motion-compensated standards conversion to ensure image quality in its worldwide broadcasts.

TV 2 Danmark, as host broadcaster for the conference, together with Danmon Systems Group and East Production, used Snell's Alchemist Ph.C, the company's HD motion-compensated standards converter. The Alchemist Ph.C - HD was installed at the International Broadcasting Centre to make transparent standards conversion available to international broadcasters reporting on conference proceedings.

"COP15 represents a key milestone in efforts to address climate change, and our goal as host broadcaster, together with TV 2 and East Production, is to provide the high-quality footage - complemented by best-in-class conversion tools - necessary for the international coverage of this high-profile event," said Peter Thomsen, director at Danmon Systems Group. "We have a long and successful history working with Snell equipment, and we're pleased to be making the advanced standards conversion algorithms and proven performance of the company's Alchemist Ph.C - HD available to broadcasters at COP15."

The Alchemist Ph.C - HD is being offered as a rentable resource for those broadcasters needing to convert 625/50 European signals to 525/60 or 1080i/59.94 (for North America/Korea/Japan) and other international standards.

"Climate change is among the most pressing common global issues today, and working in partnership with Danmon Systems and TV 2 to make the Alchemist Ph.C - HD readily available at COP15, we are helping to ensure that any of the 192 countries attending the COP15 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are able to receive quality images as conference proceedings unfold," said Mark Gardner, Snell's sales director, Northern Europe and MEA.

Tyrell delivers digital encoding




Pepper Post has adopted Anystream Agility encoding technology from Grab Networks and Tyrell CCT in order to grow its online media business

The scalable encoding solution, together with the customised workflow designed by Tyrell CCT, will initially be used by Soho-based Pepper for the transcoding of content for its client, Projector TV. Projector TV is a new IPTV/VoD platform specialising in world cinema, independent movies, documentaries and international television programming.

Grab Networks' Anystream Agility 2G was built to meet the demands of the changing video industry. The Agility 2G solution provided to Pepper comprises four nodes running across Blade servers, managed from a single web user interface. The system can transcode up to 100 films a day from materials delivered by content providers worldwide and has been designed by Tyrell CCT to provide Pepper with an automatic encoding and delivery workflow. The encoding engine enables immediate transcoding to commence whilst the content ingest is still occurring, allowing the facility to increase efficiencies.

"Anystream Agility 2G gives us significant transcoding abilities and a scalable architecture to respond to a growing market," said Shane Warden, Joint MD at Pepper Post. "We now have the ability to offer fast and flexible encoding and transcoding services at any level and volume.

Nick Soper, technical director at Tyrell CCT UK added that "Agility 2G allows customers to effectively meet the challenges of greater throughput, better and faster availability and more rapidly changing distribution requirements that are inherent in the fast growing on-demand video marketplace."