Newsclip Service
Archive - February 2001
28 February 2001
Interactive digital TV will reach 625 million viewers by 2005 according to study
According to the latest research from
industry consultants, Strategy Analytics, 625 million people around the world
will have access to online services on their TV sets by 2005, including online
shopping, banking, games, information and interactive entertainment services.
These conclusions are presented in a study entitled "Interactive Digital
Television: Worldwide Market Forecasts" and published recently by Strategy
Analytics within its strategic advisory service, The Interactive Home.
By the end of 2001, the study predicts that 38 million homes worldwide will have
access to interactive digital television services, up from 20 million today.
Western Europe accounts for 62% of the audience this year, North America 18%,
Asia-Pacific 10% and Latin America 1%. 74% of viewers use a satellite-based
service, 21% cable and 5% terrestrial.
The most advanced market in the world is the UK, where 40% of homes will have
interactive digital television by the end of 2001. All the UK's major digital
platforms, satellite, cable and terrestrial, offer a wide range of interactive
services such as interactive sports coverage, t-commerce, games, email and
walled garden Internet.
Other leading European markets include Denmark (household penetration end 2001
(25%), Spain (23%) and Sweden (22%). The success of advanced digital television
services is leading to the emergence of a fast-growing new industry of iTV
application and software developers eager to build on the potential of the new
platforms. (see
press release) (see
article)
22 February 2001
24 hour access to school work through Broadband Network
Nearly ¾ million pupils and teachers in the East Midlands of England will benefit from a new Government funded educational initiative that will give 24 hour access to school work and learning resources through e-learning. The project is the largest of its kind ever to be undertaken in the UK.
The East Midlands Broadband Consortium, formed by nine local authorities, has agreed a deal that will link over 2,500 primary and secondary schools, libraries and learning centres to a high speed broadband network provided by ICL, Kingston Communications business services division and Synetrix.
The £24 million system, known as the East Midlands Regional Broadband Network, will act as an Intranet providing access to multimedia technology never before seen in learning establishments. Students logging on to the network will benefit from access to a managed learning environment appropriate to the user's age and national curriculum level. This will enable student achievement to be monitored and kept up to date on a more frequent basis. (see press release)
5 February 2001
Dreamcast as a Set-Top Box
Pace Micro Technology, the largest supplier of digital set-top boxes in Europe and the fourth largest in the world, is teaming up with Sega to deliver Dreamcast games into your homes through digital personal video recorder (PVR) set-top boxes. (see article)