Broadcast (Cable TV, DTH Satellite, Terrestrial) News

O2 TV and Mautilus release first HbbTV application with SMS payments
Mar 2, 2017 – O2 Czech Republic has announced the launch of an HbbTV application with integrated SMS payments to monetize its video content via HbbTV on terrestrial FTA channels. The application was developed by Mautilus.
News categories: Mautilus, O2 Czech Republic, Lubos Lnenicka, Branislav Valo, Apps, Czech Republic, Digital TV, HbbTV, Terrestrial

12,000 new DTH channels expected over the next 10 years
Mar 1, 2017 – According to NSR, despite inroads OTT has made in many regions, linear TV via satellite will remain a global growth market with over 12,200 new channels over the next 10 years, reaching over 53,600 total by 2026.
News categories: NSR, Alan Crisp, Digital TV, Market Research, Satellite, Worldwide

beIN launches on-demand services and seven new channels
Feb 28, 2017 – beIN has launched multiple on-demand services and entertainment channels. beIN’s on-demand products include a Box-office channel, subscription and transactional video-on-demand areas and catch-up TV.
News categories: beIN Media, Digital TV, Middle-East, Satellite

Six more cable operators join SES Ultra HD trials
Feb 28, 2017 – SES (Paris; Luxembourg: SESG) has announced that six more U.S. cable operators have joined its Ultra HD trials, while some of the first cable providers to participate are nearing the historic launch of consumer Ultra HD packages across the country.
News categories: SES S.A, KPU Telecommunications, GVTC, Shrewsbury Community Cable, Steve Corda, Jeff Hendrickson, Dennis Krumblis, Jeffrey Black, Cable TV, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Satellite, USA

Comcast to launch YouTube on Xfinity X1
Feb 27, 2017 – Comcast and Google have announced a deal that will launch the YouTube app on Xfinity X1 across the U.S. later this year. X1 customers will be able to access the entire YouTube catalog alongside their Xfinity TV subscription.
News categories: Comcast, YouTube, Sam Schwartz, Robert Kyncl, Cable TV, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Streaming, USA

AMOS-7 communication satellite begins operation
Feb 27, 2017 – Spacecom (Tel Aviv: SCC) has announced that the AMOS-7 communications satellite is now providing a wide range of television and data communication services from its 4°W ‘hot-spot’ orbital position.
News categories: Spacecom, Jacob Keret, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Europe, Middle-East, Satellite

Frontier to test 4K Ultra HD content on SES platform
Feb 27, 2017 – SES (Paris; Luxembourg: SESG) has announced that Frontier Communications has begun testing 4K Ultra HD content delivery using SES’s fully-managed Ultra HD distribution platform.
News categories: SES S.A, Frontier Communications, Steve Corda, Steve Ward, Cable TV, Content Distribution, USA

New Zealand Commerce Commission blocks Vodafone/Sky merger
Feb 23, 2017 – The Commerce Commission has declined to grant clearance for the proposed merger of Sky Network Television and Vodafone New Zealand. The Commission’s assessment focused on the impact of the proposed merger on competition in both the broadband and mobile telecommunications markets.
News categories: Commerce Commission, Sky Network Television, Vodafone, Dr Mark Berry, Digital TV, IPTV, MandA, New Zealand, Satellite

DISH Network adds 28,000 pay TV subscribers in 4Q 2016
Feb 22, 2017 – DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) has reported results for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2016. In the fourth quarter, net Pay-TV subscribers increased by 28,000, compared with a loss of 12,000 in the same quarter of 2015.
News categories: DISH Network, Results, Satellite, Streaming, Subscribers, USA