WIN's push for digital handout
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
REGIONAL network WIN Television is negotiating with the Federal Government to pay for the digitalisation of its South Australia and West Australian networks.
WIN owner Bruce Gordon said there was "strong government support" to help the networks in its mandated move to reach regional audiences with multi-channel offerings.
"We are asking the Government for funding to go digital in SA and WA, and they are making very good noises they are going to because they want all the viewers to have access to all the channels," he said.
WIN owner Bruce Gordon said there was "strong government support" to help the networks in its mandated move to reach regional audiences with multi-channel offerings.
"We are asking the Government for funding to go digital in SA and WA, and they are making very good noises they are going to because they want all the viewers to have access to all the channels," he said.
White paper should tackle terrorist television
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
CONCERN about domestic radicalisation and home-grown terrorism is a big part of the government's white paper on counter-terrorism released last week.
So why haven't successive governments banned Hezbollah's television station, al-Manar, from screening in Australia?
After all, al-Manar is all about radicalising its viewers.
So why haven't successive governments banned Hezbollah's television station, al-Manar, from screening in Australia?
After all, al-Manar is all about radicalising its viewers.
History Channel now Widescreen
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
The History Channel - channel 606 is now available in 16:9 Widescreen.
Conroy watches relations with NBN Co, Telstra crumble
Monday, 8 March 2010
THE cat and mouse game between Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Telstra continues to dominate public focus on the federal government's $43 billion national broadband network.
Behind the scenes, relations between Conroy's department and the project's operating body, NBN Co, are believed to have deteriorated, particularly over the future delivery of broadband services by satellite.
Informed sources say a meeting between department officials and NBN two weeks ago was "extremely tense".
Behind the scenes, relations between Conroy's department and the project's operating body, NBN Co, are believed to have deteriorated, particularly over the future delivery of broadband services by satellite.
Informed sources say a meeting between department officials and NBN two weeks ago was "extremely tense".
Push for content exemption in digital switchover
Monday, 8 March 2010
COMMERCIAL television broadcasters are lobbying the federal government for urgent legislation to exempt regional broadcasters from having to broadcast 55 per cent Australian content on their digital multichannels when the television switchover occurs.
The industry is awaiting a response from the government as Mildura, which will be the first region in Australia to turn off its analog signal, is due to switch to digital transmissions in just over three months.
Broadcasters said they expected a positive response to the call, which is contained in Free TV Australia's submission to the content and access review for digital multichannels, called by the Department of Communications in December.
The industry is awaiting a response from the government as Mildura, which will be the first region in Australia to turn off its analog signal, is due to switch to digital transmissions in just over three months.
Broadcasters said they expected a positive response to the call, which is contained in Free TV Australia's submission to the content and access review for digital multichannels, called by the Department of Communications in December.
UPDATED: Ovation channel here to stay
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Ovation is to become a stand-alone channel on Foxtel in May 2010.
Foxtel customers can subscribe directly to Ovation for $9.95 per month by calling 1300 682 846 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
SelecTV and Optus TV customers will continue to receive Ovation as usual.
An announcement regarding Austar, as well as exciting subscriber benefits will be made soon.
Foxtel customers can subscribe directly to Ovation for $9.95 per month by calling 1300 682 846 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
SelecTV and Optus TV customers will continue to receive Ovation as usual.
An announcement regarding Austar, as well as exciting subscriber benefits will be made soon.
Freeview aims at Foxtel with 'catch-up' TV
Friday, 5 March 2010
The commercial free-to-air TV networks are putting their weight behind the launch of an electronic programming guide and an aggregated online catch-up TV service to land the next blow on pay TV but admit plans have been delayed by technological difficulties.
Robin Parkes, the chief executive of the free-to-air marketing body Freeview, confirmed the launch of a Freeview-branded electronic programming guide in June to rival Foxtel's iQ device. Its catch-up TV service, accessed via the EPG, will be turned on in the last quarter, she said.
Freeview will not make any of the hardware but is working closely with manufacturers of TV sets, digital video recorders and set-top boxes to have devices in stores in June.
Robin Parkes, the chief executive of the free-to-air marketing body Freeview, confirmed the launch of a Freeview-branded electronic programming guide in June to rival Foxtel's iQ device. Its catch-up TV service, accessed via the EPG, will be turned on in the last quarter, she said.
Freeview will not make any of the hardware but is working closely with manufacturers of TV sets, digital video recorders and set-top boxes to have devices in stores in June.
ABC boss Mark Scott goes in to bat for public broadcasting
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
ABC chief Mark Scott has hit back at critics of the public broadcaster.
After reports last week that the BBC is to start downsizing after criticism from commercial players in Britain and controversies over extraordinary salaries paid to some of the BBC's media talent, Mr Scott used the ABC's new website The Drum to defend his strategy in an article claiming the mounting criticism has more to do with the failed business strategies of commercial players.
Mr Scott's essay came after The Australian's columnist Mark Day wrote on Monday that it was time to debate the role of government in media.
After reports last week that the BBC is to start downsizing after criticism from commercial players in Britain and controversies over extraordinary salaries paid to some of the BBC's media talent, Mr Scott used the ABC's new website The Drum to defend his strategy in an article claiming the mounting criticism has more to do with the failed business strategies of commercial players.
Mr Scott's essay came after The Australian's columnist Mark Day wrote on Monday that it was time to debate the role of government in media.
Sky Racing 2 To Go Live March 30
Monday, 1 March 2010
The first of Sky Racing's new channels, Sky Racing 2, will go live on Tuesday 30 March as the first stage in Sky racing vision revolution.
Sky Racing 2 will feature more than 80 thoroughbred, harness and greyhound meetings each week.
Of these, 35 will be new race meetings and more than half of those will be Australian.
Sky Racing is creating a new world of racing vision in 2010 with the introduction of two new channels, to complement the existing Sky Racing channel.
Sky Racing 2 will feature more than 80 thoroughbred, harness and greyhound meetings each week.
Of these, 35 will be new race meetings and more than half of those will be Australian.
Sky Racing is creating a new world of racing vision in 2010 with the introduction of two new channels, to complement the existing Sky Racing channel.
Kerry Stokes flags pay-TV push
Monday, 1 March 2010
KERRY Stokes has thrown his weight behind Australia's pay-TV sector saying the model is not broken and he would be prepared to "double" his bet in the industry "if we got the chance".
Mr Stokes, 69, says he remains "genuinely excited" about Seven's portfolio of free-to-air television, magazine and newspaper assets, and also says "great mastheads" have a future in the digital world.
While he may have focused on his WesTrac earthmoving business in recent months, it's clear in an interview with The Australian, Mr Stokes, executive chairman of Seven, has lost none of his enthusiasm for the media side of his $3 billion corporate empire.
Mr Stokes, 69, says he remains "genuinely excited" about Seven's portfolio of free-to-air television, magazine and newspaper assets, and also says "great mastheads" have a future in the digital world.
While he may have focused on his WesTrac earthmoving business in recent months, it's clear in an interview with The Australian, Mr Stokes, executive chairman of Seven, has lost none of his enthusiasm for the media side of his $3 billion corporate empire.