News
SES plans ultra-high-definition transmissions
Satellite company SES is reported to be planning to launch ultra-high-definition channels. Romain Bausch, the president and chief executive of the Luxembourg-based company told analysts that SES is ready to help launch 4K resolution channels within “two to three years from now”. He suggested that BSkyB could be preparing to pioneer the introduction of the next generation in high-definition television.
TalkTalk suggests YouView is still on track for launch
TalkTalk says that YouView is still “on track” for a “gradual ramp up” from July to a marketing launch from September. The project, backed by British broadcasters and broadband service providers, has been much delayed and has yet to commit to a firm launch date. Beyond the core technical specification, no details of any technical standards or interfaces have yet been published. Far from being an open platform, YouView appears to be increasingly driven by commercial interests.
Dish adds hopper feature to skip ads
American satellite television operator Dish Network has upset broadcasters by adding an AutoHop feature that automatically skips commercials that are recorded as part of the Primetime Anytime feature on its latest digital video recorders. In an extraordinary case of biting the hand that feeds, Dish is fundamentally undermining the business model of the commercial channels but it is not clear what they can do to prevent it, other than refuse to carry advertisements for Dish on their networks, or ultimately refuse to allow Dish to carry their channels.
EchoStar launches slimmest digital video recorder
EchoStar has introduced what it claims is the slimmest digital video recorder in the world. The ultra slim aluminium box houses a twin-tuner digital video recorder with a 500GB hard disk drive. At just 14mm high, it complements the latest flat screen designs, but could we soon see televisions incorporating such storage?
Ensequence attracts further $26 million in funding
Ensequence, a company that has been trying to push interactive television for over a decade, has pulled in a further $26 million in investment to “accelerate its expansion into mobile and connected TV.” Ensequence has also gained a new board member, Jim Stengel, a former global marketing officer at Procter & Gamble, a member of the advisory board at Myrian Capital, which led the funding round.
Red Bee Media chief executive to leave
Bill Patrizio, the chief executive of Red Bee Media, is leaving the media services company with no role to go to and no successor announced. He told Broadcast: “There’s no mystery or media story — my departure is about finding the next role where I can really make a difference”. This is the latest in a succession of surprise departures through the revolving doors of Broadcast Centre in West London. In the last two years Red Bee Media has lost its Chief Technology Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, neither of whom have been directly replaced.
