November 20, 2012 – Nearly half of all Internet users are unsure whether the content they are accessing online is legal, Ofcom research has found.

However, one in six people online believed they downloaded or accessed content illegally over a three-month period this year.

The findings come from the first wave of a large-scale consumer study into the extent of online copyright infringement among Internet users aged 12 and above.

Read more at Advanced Television

World Television Day 2012: European commercial broadcasters and TV sales houses highlight the value of television

Brussels, 21 November 2012 – This year, for the first time, European commercial broadcasters and television sales houses from public and private sectors take the opportunity of World Television Day, declared by the United Nations in 1996, to reflect on the values of television as a medium, including its multiple social roles.

egta and ACT highlight the role of TV in communicating on key transnational issues, its relevance to the world economy and its contribution to social and cultural development through testimonials and first-hand accounts on a website set up especially for this occasion (www.worldtelevisionday.tv). Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, invited to comment on this occasion, said: “Television is still the way to reach the most citizens and talk to them – and with them – about how the EU affects their lives.”

By appealing to people’s hearts and minds, television creates a sense of unity and gathers millions to share extraordinary moments together, especially when it comes to live sports events: “It’s the media – television included, evidently – that bring Formula One to the living rooms of fans, followers and motorsport enthusiasts alike” commented Michael Schumacher for egta and ACT.

The main messages endorsed by ACT and egta on the social values of television include the following:

• Television is a cornerstone of democracy and a pillar of freedom of expression and cultural diversity;
• TV informs and educates, while continually inviting people to explore beyond their living rooms;
• TV offers visibility and stands behind many charitable organisations’ fundraising initiatives;
• TV creates a sense of unity, promotes sport’s values and ethics and inspires people to follow healthy role models;
• As a driver of tomorrow’s multimedia world, TV is constantly reinventing itself, while anticipating and adapting to society’s needs and habits.

Philippe Delusinne, ACT President & CEO of RTL Belgium commented:

“In the digital era, while we offer our professional content on multiple screens, linear TV remains the leading medium. Television is an instantaneous and effective communications medium, and this position comes with certain responsibilities to society. It is our task and our honour to report on important events across the world, to drive debates and to encourage people to reflect. Today is a day to realise that TV is there for us and that we fulfil many social roles through creating and distributing programmes that inform, engage and entertain millions of people across the world.”

Heikki Rotko, egta President & CEO of MTV Oy Finland added:

“The digital “r-evolution” has allowed television to free itself from the constraints of time and space and to travel seamlessly from the living room to a multitude of screens, offering viewers of all ages, genders and nationalities a renewed and much richer experience around content and information when and wherever they want. These are exciting times for broadcasters; times when we reinvent, transform and add value to an activity that consumes the major part of most

people’s days and when we consider how to best harness the great potential of both linear and on-line television to help develop attitudes and responses to the world we all inhabit.”

Find TV facts and testimonials from celebrities across the world about their experiences with television on: www.worldtelevisionday.tv and on Twitter #worldtvday and @worldtvday

About egta:

egta is the association representing television and radio sales houses, either independent from the channel or in-house, that market the advertising space of both private and public television and radio stations throughout Europe and beyond. egta fulfils different functions for its members in fields of activities as diversified as regulatory issues, audience measurement, sales methods, interactivity, cross-media, technical standards, new media etc.

During its 35 years of existence, egta has become the reference centre for television & radio advertising in Europe. egta counts 125 members operating across 37 countries.

See www.egta.com

Press contacts:

Katty Roberfroid
Secretary General
Phone : +32 2 290 31 31
E-mail: katty.roberfroid@egta.com

Anne-Laure Dreyfus
Communications Manager
Phone : +32 2 290 31 34
E-mail: annelaure.dreyfus@egta.com

About the ACT:

The Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT) is a trade body for the commercial broadcasting sector in Europe. Formed in 1989, the ACT has 33 member companies active in 37 European countries, operating and distributing several thousand free-to-air and pay-tv channels and new media services. By offering a wide range of choice and variety to the viewer, the sector is a leading source of entertainment and information to millions of European citizens. These companies, via their membership in the ACT, are part of a unique European platform for learning about new developments and case studies in the fast-moving world of digital media, either via our Working Groups, or on individual request.

Press contact:

Ross Biggam
Director General
Phone: +32 2 738 76 13
GSM: +32-477-407 733
E-mail: rb@acte.be

Marta Sokol
Communications & EU affairs officer
Phone: +32 2 738 76 12
GSM: +32 496 160 220
E-mail: ms@acte.be

November 11, 2012: Nearly a year after YouTube sprinkled $100 million across the online video ecosystem to create more than a hundred new “channels,” it’s doubling down.

Google’s video giant will provide a second round of funding to 30% to 40% of its original partners and will start notifying those getting more investment in the next few weeks. “Our biggest objective was to kick-start the ecosystem, to bring in great creators, to deepen our relationships with advertisers and to grow viewership,” said Global Head of Content Strategy Jamie Byrne.

In the first round, YouTube took a scattershot approach, funding 100 concepts from a wide variety of producers as well as a lot of mainstream celebrities. A year later, YouTube has a better feel for what worked, namely programming that appeals to a young demographic in genres like humor, music, cars and sports.

http://adage.com/article/digital/youtube-preps-big-round-content-investments/238248/

November 07, 2012: ESPN in India and Dish TV are locked in a bitter dispute over signal use with ESPN threatening to withdraw its signal to Dish TV as reported by Hindustan Times.

ESPN has been accusing DISH TV of unauthorized use of its signals. It has threatened to deactivate three popular sports channels, ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket in 21 days, saying there has been no agreement between the two on the disputed issues.

In a statement, ESPN Software India said, “This is to inform subscribers of Dish TV India that ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket services are liable for de-activation after expiry of 21 days due to non-signing of agreement, illegal provisioning/retransmission of services and breach of applicable regulations including reporting requirements.”

http://www.mediamughals.com/News/1/1/Article/11033/ESPN_India_threatens_of_channel_withdrawal_to_Dish_TV.htm

November 14, 2012: Now TV has regained the exclusive broadcasting rights of the English Premier League for three seasons starting with the next one.

The company had lost the broadcasting rights in 2010 to Cable TV, whose contract ends with the close of the current season in May.

According to a source, the fresh contract cost Now TV less than US$200 million (HK$1.5 billion), believed to be lower than what Cable TV paid for the right to air the hugely popular competition.

Cable reportedly earned US$60 million a year from the broadcasts.

http://thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=128324&sid=38212043&con_type=1&d_str=20121114&fc=4

The IDMPO is an inter-agency outfit that runs iJAM, a microfunding and mentorship scheme for startups.

 

http://sgentrepreneurs.com/2012/11/14/michael-yap-steps-down-as-deputy-ceo-of-singapores-mda/