AMC Networks-backed TV and streaming outfit Shorts International has appointed Russ Armstrong, a former exec at telecoms firm Arqiva, as its COO. Armstrong reports into Shorts International CEO Carter Pilcher and will be responsible for directing global operations at the company, which operates the ShortsTV channel and focuses on short-form content. He will also lead […]
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and network operator Arqiva have agreed to invest £125 million over five years to accelerate UK digital terrestrial platform Freeview’s transition to “a fully hybrid platform”. The four Digital UK shareholders said they aim to further develop Freeview Play, the DTT platform that marries free-to-view terrestrial TV and catch-up services […]
Twenty-sixteen was bookended by subscription VOD services taking their limited offers and launching them globally around the world – Netflix shocked the world by switching on in a total of 200 territories in January and Amazon Prime Video ended the year by doing the same (albeit after 12 months of flat-out denials). The impact for […]
Turner Broadcasting System EMEA has named Jamie Friend as its new chief financial officer, TBI has learned. Friend (pictured) is promoted to the post from his role as VP, corporate strategy and insights. He will now oversee finances for Turner EMEA’s channel slate, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang, CNN International, TNT, truTV and TCM. Based in […]
UK connected TV platform YouView has secured completion of an agreement between its shareholders that guarantee the venture will continue to be fully funded for the next five years. All seven of YouView’s shareholders – BT, TalkTalk, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Arqiva – will contribute to funding YouView. YouView’s partners agreed […]
All seven of YouView’s shareholders have agreed to back the UK smart TV platform for at least five more years, with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva remaining equal shareholders. YouView has also announced that it has passed well over one million connected UK homes in the 18 months since […]
YouView’s shareholders, including the BBC, are set to sign a new agreement to secure the future of the UK connected TV service, according to press reports. According to The Guardian newspaper, YouView’s shareholders have committed to continue to back the service and will provide over £100 million (US$165.3 million) between them to finance its development […]
UK pay TV operators BT and TalkTalk could emerge as the major shareholders in web-connected TV platform YouView as a result of current financing negotiations. According to a Guardian report, the BBC and other UK broadcasters are planning to “slash their investment” in YouView, claiming that the service has brought more benefit to the two […]
The BBC’s governing body, the BBC Trust, has launched a review into the BBC’s involvement in broadband TV service YouView. The review will focus on topics such as whether the BBC’s involvement in the scheme has impacted on other public service broadcasters’ approaches to making their content available to other platforms, and the way in […]
IT magnate and The Apprentice star Lord Sugar has stepped down from his role as non-executive chairman at UK connected TV platform YouView. Sugar, founder of pioneering electronics brand Amstrad, will step down from his position at the broadcaster-backed IPTV service over the next few weeks, with a replacement chairman announced in due course. He […]
