Screen Digest back issues from November 2008:
Worldview.(Insight)
Nov 01, 2008 ... As usual, several instances of cross-overs between media arise in the following pages, providing evidence of convergence and symbiosis. Behind the trend is usually one or other of the major multimedia conglomerates, and one in particular seems to be making the most of its opportunities. ...
UK multichannel market heats up: digital channels face pressure on carriage fees and ad competition.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [television] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * UK TV digital viewing share increased from 14 per cent in 2003 to 37 per cent last year * More than 245 channels are now competing for a slice of the multichannel advertising spend * Main pay platform BSkyB ...
US integration ban: one year on: uptake of subscriber-owned Cablecard set-top boxes is still low.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] [Wired media] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * US cable operators are banned from deploying STBs with integrated conditional access components * Cablecard host devices make up 14 per cent of the installed base of digital cable viewing devices ...
Slowdown in new digital screens: lull in new installations as business terms are worked out.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Total d-cinema screens reached 7,229 in 50 territories at mid 2008 * China is still the leading international territory, but roll-out has slowed * Levels of stagnation in the first six months can be ...
Creating a home for 3D releases: industry working towards 3D movies in post-theatrical windows.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] [Television] [Cinema] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * First generation 3D displays are on the market but with no consensus on the approach * Various trade bodies are attempting to define technical standards * Stereoscopic displays (with ...
Smartphones to boost mobile games: Google's Android launch brings new developments to gaming.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wireless media] [Games] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Major publishers will release titles for Google's Android mobile operating system * Open source games platforms present a challenge to major publishers * Smartphone sales will boost growth in ...
Online movies to grow fast in Japan: Japan will be the fourth largest online movie market by 2012.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Film] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * The current digital movie market is small as consumers continue to buy physical product * The online movie market likely to be driven by broadband-connected TVs and games consoles * Browser-based ...
Packaged media are here to stay: DVD and Blu-ray to remain dominant in home entertainment.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Package media will remain the channel of choice for the foreseeable future, through the economic crisis * BD take-up may be slower than anticipated, but consumers won't stop buying DVD * Package media will ...
Music games are driving growth: gamers have voracious appetite for post-disc-release content.(Focus)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Games] [Music] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard lead the field with the biggest selling franchises in this key genre * Other publishers, attracted by the genre's success, will release more music games than ever in a quarter ...
World video spending stablises: retail DVD spending champions rise in world video spending.(Profile)
Nov 01, 2008 ... KEY FACTS ABOUT WORLD VIDEO IN 2007 * World consumer spending on video software grew 1.3 per cent to $53.3bn in 2007 after two consecutive years of decline * Worldwide DVD Video player/recorder penetration rose to 45 per cent in 2007, up from 40 per cent in 2006 ...
AccessIT recruits first circuit to phase two.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] US circuit Dickinson Theatres has become the first exhibitor to sign up for the second phase of AccessIT's d-cinema network targeting 10,000 screens in North America. Dickinson will convert 24 sites with 310 screens as part of the deal. The circuit has already equipped ...
Industry moves step closer to DCI compliance.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) has licensed three test sites for verifying that proposed equipment is compliant with the ongoing d-cinema standards process. In October 2007, DCI released its 475-page Compliance Test Plan Version 1.0, finalised by CineCert (see ...
Mobile television developments round-up.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Games] [Television] * France: Although DVB-H licences were awarded by the CSA in May 2008, mobile operators and content providers struggle to agree on the business models and level of financial commitment that each party must procure. As a result the network deployment has been put on ...
Universal takes on dollar-a-night rental kiosks.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] DVD rental vending operator Redbox has filed suit against Universal Studios Home Entertainment and three of its affiliates over new distribution terms apparently proposed by the major for rental machines (known in the US as kiosks). The draft revenue sharing agreement would ...
Studios commit to further VPF deals.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] Independent movie studio Lionsgate has signed up to support the second phase of the d-cinema initiative managed by AccessIT in North America. Lionsgate is the fifth studio to commit to long-term supply of digital content and virtual print fee (VPF) payments for the ...
US circuit signs up exclusively for 4K.(GENERAL)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] US cinema circuit Muvico Entertainment has signed up to the d-cinema deployment scheme managed by Sony Electronics to equip all of its screens with 4K projection technology. Muvico, one of only around 20 US circuits with more than 200 screens, will upgrade all of its ...
ISP Scarlet fails to filter illegal P2P traffic.(REGULATION)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Piracy] Belgian ISP Scarlet has appealed against the court ruling of July 2007 that ordered it to filter and block illegal file-sharing of copyrighted works from the repertoire of SAMAB (Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers). The ruling included suggestions for ...
Cox and Time Warner fined over cable access.(REGULATION)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wire media] Cox, Time Warner Cable (TWC) and TWC division Oceanic have been penalised for preventing subscribers using customer-owned Cablecard host devices (CHDs)--such as integrated digital TVs--from viewing channels delivered via switched digital video (SDV). They have been ordered to ...
US Act toughens anti-piracy enforcement.(REGULATION)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] [On-line] [Piracy] The Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 (PRO-IP Act) became law in the US on 14 October 2008. The Act heightens the protection of intellectual property (IP) for films, music and computer software by dramatically ...
Playboy to close DVD operation.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] Adult entertainment group Playboy Enterprises will exit the DVD business in 2009, to re-focus on internet delivery and its current video-on-demand operation. It aims to reduce costs by $10m through the closure, which will result in loss of around 80 staff. * Adult ...
Sony allows Capcom dedicated PSN storefront.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Games] [On-line] Japanese games publisher Capcom is to launch its own branded storefront within the PlayStation Network (PSN) sales platform for PS3. The studio's output on both Xbox Live Arcade and PSN has shown significant commitment in the past 18 months, culminating in the releases of ...
Apple's handset revenue already ranks third.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wireless media] In its first quarter of availability, Apple shipped 6.9m iPhone 3G worldwide, for a total of 13m iPhones shipments since its introduction in July 2007. For 2008 alone, Apple shipped 9.3m units. Apple's target of selling 10m iPhones in 2008 will be reached before the ...
BT offers mobile broadband backhaul.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wireless media] [Wired media] Mobile Broadband Network (MBNL) has signed a five-year agreement with BT to manage high speed links to connect 7,500 base stations to their respective core networks. MBNL is a 50:50 joint venture company formed by T-Mobile UK and 3 UK to combine their 3G ...
Apple Macbook and iPhone shipments soar.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wireless media] Hardware and software manufacturer Apple reported its highest quarterly shipment of Mac computers in third quarter 2008: 2.6m, representing a 20.6 per cent growth on the year-ago quarter and a small rise from the 2.5m sold in the previous quarter. iPod shipments reached ...
Qwest shuts down ChoiceTV.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Television] US telco Qwest is to close its IPTV service Qwest ChoiceTV. The platform, which has roughly 42,000 subscribers, is no longer to be supported by the company, and customers will be migrated over onto DirecTV, the satellite operator with which Qwest has a marketing ...
DreamWorks and Universal back together again.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Film] As anticipated, Universal is to take over theatrical and home entertainment distribution of content from DreamWorks, following the latter's split from Paramount in January 2009. Links between the two studios are strong; they were distribution partners prior to Paramount parent ...
Airplus TV takes Telecom Italia's PPV business.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] Digital terrestrial television (DTT) company Airplus TV has signed an agreement with Telecom Italia Media (TIM) to take control of the telco's pay-per-view operations in Italy. La Sette Cartapiu will be spun off into a new company and sold to an Italian subsidiary of Airplus ...
Abu Dhabi venture to boost Middle East media.(BUSINESS)(twofour54)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Film] [Television] Joint ventures between Western media companies and Arabic firms will be a key focus for a media development zone launched last month (October) in Abu Dhabi under the brand name twofour54. To differentiate it from other 'media hubs' in region, such as near-by Dubai Media ...
HMV plays games with competition.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Games] UK-based home entertainment retailer HMV has launched a video games trade-in service. Branded Re/Play, the scheme will allow customers to exchange video games for store credit. Since 24 October 2008, 160 HMV stores accept used PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP and DS ...
Poland lays out digital cinema conversion plan.(BUSINESS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Cinema] [E-cinema] Grouping of cinema business stakeholders has come together in Poland to launch a plan to convert around 40 per cent of the nation's screen base to DCI-level digital cinema equipment. According to Polish Audio-visual Producers Chamber of Commerce (KIPA), there are around ...
Strong UK volume sales buck Euro DVD trend.(MARKETS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] UK consumers bought a record 161.9m DVDs durignt he first nine months of 2008, according to data from the British Video Association (BVA). DVD sales in the third quarter reached an unprecedented 51.7m, up 6.4 per cent on the previous record, set in 2007. * Although the ...
AT&T U-Verse TV growth increases further.(MARKETS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Television] AT&T's IPTV service, U-Verse TV, reached 781,000 total customers at end third quarter 2008, an increase of 232,000 on the previous quarter (42 per cent growth quarter-on-quarter). WhilST the growth rate has declined slightly from Q2's 45 per cent Q-on-Q growth, net ...
Netflix raises charges for BD rental.(MARKETS)(Blu-ray Disc )
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] Netflix is introducing a $1 surcharge for Blu-ray Disc (BD) rental from 5 November 2008. Until now, Netflix subscribers have been able to rent BDs for no additional charge. Those subscribers that do not wish to rent BDs must update their Netflix account. Netflix ...
Strong start for latest Sony PSP device.(MARKETS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Games] The fourth incarnation of Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP), the PSP 3000, has started strongly. In its first week on sale, the 3000 has boosted total PSP sales in Japan--including earlier versions of the handheld--to an all-year high. Industry estimates place PSP sales in Japan at ...
Digital content store launches across Mid East.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Music] [Film] [Games] [Arvato Middle East Sales and the Abu Dhabi Media Company are launching a digital content store. The Getmo Arabia 50:50 joint venture is based in Abu Dhabi and will operate across the Middle East, North Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, ...
Discovery to launch new UK channel on Freeview.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] [Wire media] US cable programmer Discovery Communications is to launch a new channel in the UK next year, its first to target the fast-growing free digital terrestrial TV market. The name of the new channel--24-hour and entirely advertising-funded--has not been disclosed, but ...
T-Mobile launches Google Android G1 phone.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Wireless media] Handset manufacturer HTC, mobile operator T-Mobile and Google have unveiled the first phone based on the Google-backed Android operating System. The G1 is a T-Mobile exclusive that launched in the US on 22 October 2008 for $179 with a two-year contract including data. The ...
MTV launches HD service in Europe.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] Viacom's MTV Networks International (MTVNI) is launching its first ever international high-definition service: MTVNHD. The 24-hour English-language service premiered mid September 2008 in Belgium, Poland (n, Cyfra+) and the Nordic region. In a bullish move, MTVNI intends to ...
Google adds click-to-buy links to YouTube videos.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] [On-line] Google has added retail links to thousands of YouTube's partner videos. Links to online stores iTunes and Amazon.com are embedded on music videos from companies including EMI Music, whilst videos from Electronic Arts (EA) will include an Amazon.com product link to EA's ...
Sony starts BD-Live loyalty scheme.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] [On-line] Sony has created a Blu-ray Disc (BD) owners rewards programme, Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club. The club will be accessible to the owners of BD-Live enabled Sony BD titles via the BD-Live interactive capabilities of BD players. Users who register their profiles will be ...
Orange launches five new cinema channels.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] France Telecom is launching five new channels in France on 13 November 2008 as part of the multiplatform Orange Cinema series. The new channels include film channel Orange Cinemax, which is available in HD and includes first-run films and TV series shown for the first time in ...
Mediaset and Rai launch free digital platform.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] Italy's free-to-air broadcasters have teamed up to introduce a new free digital TV platform that is bound to rival Sky Italia's pay satellite platform. Operating under the brands Tivu and Tivu Satellite, the new platform is set to launch on DTT as early as December 2008. A DTH ...
Netflix adds Starz to online streaming option.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Television] Netflix has partnered Liberty Media subsidiary Starz Entertainment to add Starz movies to Netflix's online streaming option. Access to the Starz Play package is available at no additional cost to Netflix's DVD rental subscribers. As a result, 2,500 videos will be ...
Televisa launches new online video portals.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Video] Media giant Grupo Televisa, which produces and distributes Spanish-language programming throughout Latin America and US, has launched two new online video portals (Tvolucion.com and televisadeportes.com) from its new arm Televisa Interactive Media. Once all content has ...
TeliaSonera uses backbone to distribute content.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Television] [Wireless media] TeliaSonera International Carrier, the business-to-business network operations arm of TeliaSonera, the incumbent telco in Sweden, Finland, Lithuania and Estonia, will launch a distribuion service for video and rich media content. It has partnered MPS ...
O2 adopts new games portal.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Games] Player X Distribution, a division of mobile content company Player X, has launched its new off-deck games portal called 100% Mobile, with Telefonica subsidiary O2 UK. The portal, accessed via O2's WAP service through a link on the O2 Active homepage or games section, ...
Sony streams premium hi-def with free Blu-ray.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [Video] Sony is streaming Sony Pictures blockbuster Hancock direct to appropriately equipped Bravia HDTV sets in advance of the film's release on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD). The film, available to rent in either hi-def or standard definition versions between 28 October and 10 November, ...
YouTube offers full-length streams of CBS shows.(PRODUCTS)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [On-line] [Television] YouTube has begun offering full-length ad-supported shows from CBS in the US. At launch content was limited to older shows, including Star Trek and The Young and the Restless. Episodes contain pre-, mid- and post-roll ads. Ads are sold by CBS with the revenue split ...
Business.(Directory)
Nov 01, 2008 ... <Pre> Mergers, takeovers and investments Booyah Web and mobile content company has USA; no phone number raised $4.5m of funding from Kleiner www.booyah.com Perkins Caufield & Byers. Based in California and founded ...
Events diary.(Calendar)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Screen Digest events The Future of Online Media Distribution London, 6 November; Screen Digest; t +44/20 7424 2820; f +44/20 7424 2838; e fay.hamilton@screendigest.com; www.screendigest.com/events/seminars/online-media-distribution/view.html PEVE/Screen Digest Digital ...
Anchor Bay.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Anchor Bay, independent video distributor, is to begin producing feature films under the name Anchor Bay Films (UK; ...
Arqiva.(For the record)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Arqiva, the UK transmission company, has put another Freeview slot up for sale, for which bids were due on 22 October 2008, with a decision due by the year end. The new channel ...
Arvato Digital Services.(For the record)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Arvato Digital Services, international optical disc replicator, part of the Bertelsmann Group, has added a second Blu-ray Disc (BD) line to its German headquarters at Gutersloh, in addition to the line installed earlier this year (see 2008/149b2). Arvato (Germany; +49/ 52 4180 5200; ...
EMI.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... EMI is set to launch an online music store in December. The outlet will offer a la carte DRM-free music downloads and promotional materials, including some free music downloads. EMI (UK; +44/20 7795 7000; ...
ESPN.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... ESPN, a Walt Disney-owned sports media company, has rolled out its ESPN360 online video service in the UK. ESPN360.com offers free access to sports highlights, news and interviews and a paid subscription service for live and on-demand streaming of major US sporting ...
Firefly Entertainment.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Firefly Entertainment, independent DVD label, which handles brands such as Snoopy and Hello Kitty in the UK, went into administration in September 2008, citing ...
Gigantic Releasing.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Gigantic Releasing, independent film distributor, has launched a video streaming website offering independent films for $2.99, released online day-and-date with ...
Hit Entertainment.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Hit Entertainment, children's entertainment specialist, has merged its UK and international home entertainment arms into one division. The ...
Liberation Entertainment.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Liberation Entertainment, US indie distributor, has closed its UK distribution arm with the loss of 12 staff. Earlier in 2008 the UK arm of Liberation (USA; +1/310 ...
MTV.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... MTV is to combine two of its German free-to-air channels, Nick and Comedy Central, into a single channel from January 2009. To introduce viewers to the concept, Nick programmes will be shown on Comedy Central between 18:00 and 20:15 from mid December 2008. Following the move, evening ...
Odeon Cineplex.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Odeon Cineplex, Greek DVD manufacturer, has lost an infringement lawsuit by MPEG-2 patent owners relating to its distribution of DVDs in Germany. Odeon Cineplex (Greece; +30/2106 694 400; www.odeon.gr) is required to cease its distribution of DVD discs in the country ...
Panasonic Corporation.(For the record)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Panasonic Corporation became on 1 October 2008 the official name of Matsushita Electric Industrial ...
Sharp.(For the record)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Sharp, Japanese electronics manufacturer, is launching a range of LCD HDTVs with internal Blu-ray players. No global release has been announced for the Aquos DX range that ...
High costs threaten two digital cinema tiers.(PERSPECTIVE)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The impending conversion of all modern screens to digital was ultimately envisaged as beneficial to all industry stakeholders. For the independent distribution sector the switch promised lower print costs and reduced barriers for theatrical release; for cinema operators, there was the ...