Newsclip Service
July 2002
These news-clips have been collated from various news sources because they are considered possibly relevant to Interactive TV learning developments.
July 2002
(Europe) Report - European Television 6th Edition
According to the 6th Edition of "European Television," The number of European digital households is expected to rise by 25% during 2002 and is forecast to reach 127 million by 2010. This 500-page report takes you through the facts and major issues that are currently shaping the European television industry. (Source: Informamedia) (see summary)
(USA) Report - Television on Demand: The Business Case
Television over broadband is here - but is it an essential service, or a risky investment? This report guides you through the business models, strategies, costs and revenues that are associated with the market, so you can make the right investment decisions and avoid costly mistakes. (Source: Ovum) (see summary)
(UK) Report - Oftel's Internet and Broadband Brief
This report, which highlights recent developments in the UK take-up of Narrowband and Broadband services, found that at end June 2002 there were 709,000 Broadband end users (ADSL & cable modem). (Source: Oftel) (see summary)
(USA) Content and Applications for Broadband Home Internet
This report forecasts broadband adoption through 2007, highlighting developments in the key marketplaces of North America, Europe, and Asia. It also discusses the current status of content for residential broadband services, detailing the key applications and their prospects for success.(Source: SRI-BI) (see summary)
31 July 2002
(UK) BskyB prepare for Two-way broadband
According to InteractiveTV Today, UK satellite TV operator BSkyB is to launch a small DSL module, which plugs into the data port of any existing Sky or Sky+ box. For now, the DSL module will serve merely to eliminate the need to dial to access ITV services on Sky Active, but BSkyB is expected to announce plans that take advantage of its broadband capacity later this year. The module is intended to be purchased in tandem with BT's "BT Broadband" product that was announced at the end of July (Source: InteractiveTV Today Issue 4.63 August 5, 2002) (see "BT Broadband" press release)
(USA) VOD – A viewers perspective
This article highlights the advantages and disadvantages of using VOD service from the new Time Warner Cable service for the Twin Cities, USA. (Source: Star Tribune) (see article)
30 July 2002
(Ireland) Telecom Regulator exempts some wireless licensing
Irish Telecoms Regulator, Etain Doyle has made a number of wireless short-range devices exempt from licensing, this includes fixed wireless access (FWA) in the 5.8GHz band. This decision will pave the way for the provision of a new wave of wireless broadband services. (Source: Telecom.paper.com) (see article)
23 July 2002
(USA) Personalized Information TV is launched
BIAP’s Personalized Information Television (PiTV) software product will be available to a combined subscriber base of nearly 14 million in the U.S. As a result of an agreement with various digital cable TV providers their software-only application will enable subscribers to personally select the content they want to appear on their TV screens in the form of moving crawls, dissolving scrolls and pop-up priority alerts. (Source: BIAP) (see press release)
22 July 2002
(Singapore) Report - Broadband Usage in Singapore
According to a new report on Broadband usage in Singapore, about one-in-three or 950,000 Singapore residents aged 10 years and above now use broadband to access the Internet. The number of broadband service providers has also grown from two to 12 since the launch of Singapore ONE in 1998.
(Source: Blue Sphere Interactive) (see report) (see project website)19 July 2002
(UK) MPEG-4 to be launched
MPEG-4, which would allow full motion video over the Internet, is to be launched after months of wrangling. This open compression technology for digital multimedia, which condenses digital files for easier Internet transfer is thought to probably show up first in web and mobile phone applications and video-on-demand services. (Source: vnunet.com) (see article)
17 July 2002
(Africa) African Interactive television expands service
MultiChoice Africa (MCA) has expanded its full return path based iTV services to most subscribers. TV-Mail, TV-Shopping and a new DStv Guide are now on offer to the general public. MCA CEO Nolo Letele said, “Interactive television, which is an integral part of our digital satellite broadcasting business, heralds a new era in broadcasting.” (Source: MultiChoice Africa) (see press release)
15 July 2002
(USA) VOD Educational Magazine Launched
Rainbow Media Holding's unique video-on-demand (VOD) service, is launching a video magazine geared toward toddlers to young adults called Mag Rack Kids Club Matthew Strauss, executive vice president and general manager said "The programming is educational yet fun and perfectly designed for VOD. Parents can also appreciate the variety of activities the program offers." (Source: PR Newswire) (see press release)
10 July 2002
(USA) VOD management software Launched
nCUBE Corporation are to launch their nABLE Media Management System (MMS), that will enable sophisticated content management application for on-demand television services and provide marketing and reporting to tailor on-demand television offerings for customers. (Source: nCUBE) (see press release)
5 July 2002
(UK) £29 set top box offer from TVCompass
TVcompass have announced a plan to sell their Digital Set Top Box (STB) and interactive TV remote for £29, which will give the viewer access to 24 free-to-view channels TV, digital radio and full interactivity, provided by the consortium of the BBC, Sky and Crown Castle. There would be no monthly subscription and no need to plug the box into a telephone line. TV compass aims to launch the products by Spring 2003. (Source: TVCompass) (see press release)
4 July 2002
(UK) BBC & Crown Castle to bring Digital TV to the masses
The BBC and Crown Castle have been offered 12-year licences to provide free-to-view digital TV. It is hoped that this will encourage the take-up of Digital TV and make the proposed analogue switch off, a more realistic prospect. Peter Abery, President and Managing Director, Crown Castle added: "We will now be working closely with the BBC to get the digital terrestrial platform, free from the technical problems that dogged ITV Digital, back up and running as quickly as possible." (see BBC press release) (see ITC press release)
(UK) Sky to head Government TV
Sky TV aim to develop local government iTV services and have lauched their first local authority, Suffolk County Council. They are also in talks with several councils from around the UK. 'We're very keen to work with both local and national government department services,' said a Sky spokesman. 'Digital satellite offers a valuable distribution channel for e-government services.' The iSuffolk service was developed in partnership with Fujitsu and will operate from within the UK Online iTV portal. (Source: New Media Age) (see article)
(UK) DKTV goes into Liquidation
UK public service iTV channel, DKTV has gone into liquidation. Their partner, Video Networks is currently in discussions with the London boroughs of Newham and Camden to determine whether they would be willing to take over production of the on-demand local programming dktv was creating for them. (Source: Interactive TV Today)
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July 2001
Last updated 30 April 2004