Kudelski launches OpenTV takeover bid
Friday, February 27th, 2009
As part of its 2008 financial results, Kudelski announced its intention to acquire the remaining share of 35% of OpenTV. OpenTV said it will consider the bid.
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Archive for February, 2009
Cable programming goes online
Friday, February 27th, 2009
According to Reuters, Cable operators such as Comcast are discussing the idea of putting their cable content online. The service would be available to comcast subscribers and according to other sources, to people living inside the “comcast zone”.
But the main question is whether putting cable programming online would cannibalize cable operators’ long-time offer, and thus change the whole industry’s business models…
Netflix customers to stream more movies than DVD in 2009?
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
According to Feedflix, which is a Netflix account analysis tool that enables subscribers to see their spending and the time they keep a rented movie, there is a trend for streaming to overtake DVD rentals in 2009. (see figure DVD shipments vs Instant watch)
Comcast to offer OnDemand Online
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Comcast plans to launch an online version of its OnDemand video service. According to several sources including The wall Street Journal, cnet and The Business Insider, the service will mainly provide access to new cable networks content, that is not currently available online, for people living inside the “comcast zone” (not necessarily subscribers).
DreamWorks Animation Fourth-Quarter Profit Drops 45%
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
DreamWorks Animation said fourth-quarter profit fell 45 percent, sales fell 31 percent to $199.8mln. Studios including DreamWorks Animation have been hurt by declining DVD sales, even with films such as “Panda,” the sixth biggest box-office seller in U.S. and Canadian theaters last year.
Star TV launches online movie library
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
In collaboration with Warner Bros, Swiss broadcaster Star TV launched an online movie library, which will contain more than 1000 warner bross titles by the end of the year. The service will also allow users to download other classic and current titles, which will be available at the same time as their official DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Channel4 looking for options
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Channel 4, the publicly owned UK commercial broadcasters is apparently looking for options as it faces a very difficult environment. Mergers with BBC, already publicly owned, or most likely with Five (RTL) are possible.
In 2008, Channel managed to maintain the audience of Channel4’s portfolio of channels to 11,9%, but it was severely affected by the shrinking TV advertising market, especially at the end of 2008. It also expects further declines in 2009.
Channel 4 announced a massive restructuring and internal cost-savings project which was implemented in the fourth quarter of 2008 and included cuts in the workforce of around 25 percent of total staff. Along with additional cuts in non-programming areas such as marketing, cost savings of over £50mln were achieved in the year. A further £75mln of cost savings have been targeted for 2009.
End of Orange Sport exclusivity
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
By decision of the Paris Tribunal of Commerce, Orange Sport can not be sold in bundle exclusively to Orange broadband subscribers. Jointly with Canal+, Orange had acquired football rights for €203mln per year until 2012. The objective was to sell bundle TV & broadband, increase ARPU and reduce churn.
STB: Technotrend acquired by Kathrein
Tuesday, February 24th, 2009
Görler Telekom, a Kathrein company, has taken over the German STB maker Technotrend.
Technotrend products are aimed at all the products related to TV & PCs. Most of its products are sold in Germany via retail and specialist consumer electronics stores.
Kathrein had 2008 revenues of €1,3bn. It is a worldwide leading antenna manufacturer (mobile, broadcast). It is also active in STB receivers (mainly for the free to air market), and in cable tv infrastructure.
Hollywood Is Worried as DVD Sales Slow
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Though blu-ray is growing, the DVD market, which fell 6.3% last year, might no longer attract as much audiences as on-demand content. According to Adams media research, online movies and TV shows as well as cable and satellite companies’ video-on-demand services grew 19% last year.
Consequently, studios are taking defensive steps by targeting this new market. Further more, selling or renting movies electronically is a good business. Studios collect about 70% of the $4.99 that cable companies charge viewers to rent a movie vs. 30% for selling a DVD.