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UPC PARENT INTO SAUDI
UnitedGlobalCom, parent company of cable operator United Pan European Communications (UPC), has taken a 50 per cent stake in Saudi pay-TV bouquet Al Rawwad (‘Pioneer’, formerly known as Sara Vision)....
SBS-CME DEAL ENDS IN TEARS
Scandinavian Broadcasting System’s (SBS) $615 million takeover of troubled Central European Media Enterprises (CME) hit the buffers last week. SBS’ COO Woody Knight said SBS had watched with increasing concern...
CANAL IN TALKS WITH TPS
Canal Plus has confirmed reports that it has written to TF1 chief executive Patrick Le Lay to request carriage for itelevision on the TPS platform. Canal Plus is to launch...
HALLMARK TO LAUNCH ON SKY
BSkyB has signed a deal with Hallmark Entertainment Network that will see a UK version of the family-oriented channel launch on Sky Digital early next year. The channel initially will...
INTELSAT PRIVATISATION
Intelsat is to privatised by April 2001, according to the satellite organisation’s US signatory, Comsat Corp. Intelsat plans to conduct an initial public offering within one year of its proposed...
NEW FACES AT ICO
ICO Global Communications has undergone a number of senior personnel changes aimed at reversing the company’s fortunes. An ICO spokesman said the company’s deputy chief executive officer, Fredrik Verkroost, and...
NEWS BYTES...
Zee Telefilms will buy out Star TV’s 50 per cent interest in Asia Today, the Zee/Star TV subsidiary which broadcasts Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee News. Patco, the operating...
TELENOR: NO EFFECT ON SATELLITE
The merger between Nordic telcos Telia and Telenor, expected to be approved by the European Commission this week, is not expected to have a major impact on Telenor’s satellite activities....
BSKYB MOVES THE BALL AROUND
BSkyB moved quickly to settle a potentially damaging row over its proposed coverage of this year’s Ryder Cup golf tournament last week. The pay-TV operator had intended to put its...
EUTELSAT TALKS UP MICRO TV
Eutelsat is planning to use the development of more effective compression techniques to stimulate a new market in ultra-niche broadcasting. Director general Giuliano Berretta talked to Interspace about his expectations...