Optus confirms launch of D3 bird
Thursday, 02 July 2009
OPTUS today confirmed it will launch its D3 satellite, which will be used to provide more pay-TV channels, in mid-August.
The director of Optus Satellite Paul Sheridan said the new satellite will significantly increase its capacity.
``We are especially excited about Optus D3 because, for the first time in a decade, the new satellite will increase Optus' fleet capacity by more than 30 per cent, providing new business opportunities in broadcast television, direct-to-home market, new data services and services bundling,'' he said.
The director of Optus Satellite Paul Sheridan said the new satellite will significantly increase its capacity.
``We are especially excited about Optus D3 because, for the first time in a decade, the new satellite will increase Optus' fleet capacity by more than 30 per cent, providing new business opportunities in broadcast television, direct-to-home market, new data services and services bundling,'' he said.
ABC launches digitial radio stations
Thursday, 02 July 2009
The ABC has launched a unique sports channel, ABC Grandstand, on its new digital radio platform that will broadcast every ball of the upcoming Ashes series and AFL and NRL matches around the country.
At the formal launch of ABC Radio's digital radio stations, ABC managing director, Mark Scott, said "This is just the start of our investment in what we think will be an exciting area for our listeners for years to come."
ABC Radio will provide simulcasts of its existing ABC Radio services plus three previously announced new music stations, ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz and ABC Country.
At the formal launch of ABC Radio's digital radio stations, ABC managing director, Mark Scott, said "This is just the start of our investment in what we think will be an exciting area for our listeners for years to come."
ABC Radio will provide simulcasts of its existing ABC Radio services plus three previously announced new music stations, ABC Dig Music, ABC Jazz and ABC Country.
Buyers tuning in to digital
Thursday, 02 July 2009
RETAILERS are gearing up for a run on digital radios after many metropolitan radio stations began digital broadcasting yesterday.
Digital radios have arrived in stores in force, but the most basic device costs more than twice the price of most analog radios.
The cheapest costs $169, a model with built-in wifi and iPod dock costs between $300 and $600, and the best devices are as much as $999. There is only one model available for use in cars, where, according to a Dick Smith survey, 54 per cent of people listen to radio. It costs $299.
Digital radios have arrived in stores in force, but the most basic device costs more than twice the price of most analog radios.
The cheapest costs $169, a model with built-in wifi and iPod dock costs between $300 and $600, and the best devices are as much as $999. There is only one model available for use in cars, where, according to a Dick Smith survey, 54 per cent of people listen to radio. It costs $299.
Mildura: our digital guinea pigs
Thursday, 02 July 2009
Mildura will lead the charge as Australia waves goodbye to analog, writes Larry Schwartz.
In 364 days, an estimated 60,000 television viewers in and around Mildura, in the north-west of Victoria, will lead Australia into the digital-only television era.
"The rest of Australia is going to watch this and say, 'Strike me,' if it's a basket-case and there's bad media and people going off crook," said the federal member for Mallee, John Forrest.
In 364 days, an estimated 60,000 television viewers in and around Mildura, in the north-west of Victoria, will lead Australia into the digital-only television era.
"The rest of Australia is going to watch this and say, 'Strike me,' if it's a basket-case and there's bad media and people going off crook," said the federal member for Mallee, John Forrest.
Foxtel dumps Gamesworld
Wednesday, 01 July 2009
Foxtel has dropped its interactive games service, Gamesworld, effective from today.
On Channel 555, it offered three genres of games, Kids Family, Brainteaser Trivia and Casino Sport as an additional fee-based service between $6.95 – $16.95 per month. It had also partnered with the Australian organisation TwoWayTV for its Brainteaser Trivia games.
Foxtel issued a brief statement saying: “From Tuesday 30 June 2009, Gamesworld will no longer be available as part of Foxtel’s service. After carefully considering Gamesworld’s place in Australia’s growing games market, Foxtel has decided to remove the service and use this bandwidth to provide even greater customer choice through the addition of new channels and more interactive services in 2009.”
On Channel 555, it offered three genres of games, Kids Family, Brainteaser Trivia and Casino Sport as an additional fee-based service between $6.95 – $16.95 per month. It had also partnered with the Australian organisation TwoWayTV for its Brainteaser Trivia games.
Foxtel issued a brief statement saying: “From Tuesday 30 June 2009, Gamesworld will no longer be available as part of Foxtel’s service. After carefully considering Gamesworld’s place in Australia’s growing games market, Foxtel has decided to remove the service and use this bandwidth to provide even greater customer choice through the addition of new channels and more interactive services in 2009.”
Foxtel survey hints at new channels
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Foxtel is currently conducting consumer surveys with online research site YourOpinion.com.au that hints at future channels.
Leaked on the website SneakPeek there is the suggestion it could soon be offering six HD movie channels, including HD versions of existing channels FOX8 HD and W HD.
Showtime could also be split into themed channels: Showtime Action, Drama and Comedy.
Leaked on the website SneakPeek there is the suggestion it could soon be offering six HD movie channels, including HD versions of existing channels FOX8 HD and W HD.
Showtime could also be split into themed channels: Showtime Action, Drama and Comedy.
Familiar voices top radio ratings
Monday, 29 June 2009
TALKBACK regained the ascendancy in the fourth radio ratings survey of the year as familiar names such as Alan Jones, Ray Hadley, Neil Mitchell, Ross Stevenson and John Burns dominated their timeslots, while Hamish and Andy ruled national drive.
FM stations are still struggling, with this year's new ratings methodology. Five of Sydney's six FM stations rose but the reverse was true in Melbourne. Talk radio held top spot in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, where ABC891 beat 5AA for the third survey in a row.
Elsewhere, the two problem networks had erratic results. Austereo's Triple M dropped further in Melbourne, losing 0.6 points for a 4.3 per cent share, although its Sydney sibling added 0.6 points for a still-worrying 4.3 per cent share. DMG's own problem network, Vega, showed similar disparity, rising in Melbourne (up 1.1 points for a 4.9 per cent share) and falling in Sydney (down 0.7 points for a 3.6 per cent share).
FM stations are still struggling, with this year's new ratings methodology. Five of Sydney's six FM stations rose but the reverse was true in Melbourne. Talk radio held top spot in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, where ABC891 beat 5AA for the third survey in a row.
Elsewhere, the two problem networks had erratic results. Austereo's Triple M dropped further in Melbourne, losing 0.6 points for a 4.3 per cent share, although its Sydney sibling added 0.6 points for a still-worrying 4.3 per cent share. DMG's own problem network, Vega, showed similar disparity, rising in Melbourne (up 1.1 points for a 4.9 per cent share) and falling in Sydney (down 0.7 points for a 3.6 per cent share).
Aussie radio sector leaves empty-handed
Monday, 29 June 2009
THE commercial radio sector's bid to improve the quality and creativity of Australian radio advertising has received a major snub at the Cannes International Advertising Festival.
The industry has invested heavily in recent years by launching the Sirens Awards, which boasts a trip to Cannes as its top prize, while also running workshops for the advertising industry.
Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne rewarded the industry's efforts in 2007 when it captured the radio Grand Prix for a two-minute ad titled Hoedown for Snickers.
The industry has invested heavily in recent years by launching the Sirens Awards, which boasts a trip to Cannes as its top prize, while also running workshops for the advertising industry.
Clemenger BBDO in Melbourne rewarded the industry's efforts in 2007 when it captured the radio Grand Prix for a two-minute ad titled Hoedown for Snickers.
Multi-channel Winter Olympics to lure viewers
Monday, 29 June 2009
THE first multi-channel pay-per-view Olympics telecast, for the winter Olympics in February, could disrupt the start of the 2010 free-to-air television ratings season by attracting more viewers to pay-TV.
Foxtel and its regional partner Austar will charge subscribers $50 if they sign up this year to view the four channels it will put to air in both high definition and standard definition for the Vancouver games.
Media buyers estimate Foxtel could generate pay-per-view subscription revenues of about $15 million from existing customers, in addition to the $6m it is seeking from advertising, based on a prediction that 300,000 Fox Sports subscribers could take up the offer.
Foxtel and its regional partner Austar will charge subscribers $50 if they sign up this year to view the four channels it will put to air in both high definition and standard definition for the Vancouver games.
Media buyers estimate Foxtel could generate pay-per-view subscription revenues of about $15 million from existing customers, in addition to the $6m it is seeking from advertising, based on a prediction that 300,000 Fox Sports subscribers could take up the offer.
Ten outvoted on change to release of revenue figures
Monday, 29 June 2009
NETWORK Ten's proposal to stop disclosing free-to-air television networks revenue figures has been rejected by rivals Seven and Nine.
Several sources confirmed the issue was discussed at last week's Free TV Australia board meeting, but Nine and Seven opposed changing the system.
The Free TV industry body releases revenue figures every six months on advertising spending in each capital city, metropolitan and regional totals and the split in capital city markets between the three commercial networks, and total free-to-air TV advertising revenue.
Several sources confirmed the issue was discussed at last week's Free TV Australia board meeting, but Nine and Seven opposed changing the system.
The Free TV industry body releases revenue figures every six months on advertising spending in each capital city, metropolitan and regional totals and the split in capital city markets between the three commercial networks, and total free-to-air TV advertising revenue.