Focus: Broadcasting

  Terrestrial radio has been battered financially, as new competitors and the slow economy hurt the ad-based advertising model, but new technology and satellite delivery is helping radio players survive. AM and FM radio has been at the forefront of the music industry for decades, as the medium served as the primary means for introducing...

[Satellite TODAY 04-01-10] Telesat signed a contract with Canadian DTH proivder Shaw Direct for 16 Ku-band transponders on the planned Anik G1 satellite, Telesat announced March 31.     “The deal is the result of Industry Canada‚s recent decision to make extended Ku-band available for direct-to-home television services, a decision that allows our companies to expand...

[Satellite News 04-01-10] Middle East satellite operator Yahsat’s first satellite, Yahsat 1A, has received a 10-year satellite services license in the United Arab Emirates by the region’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), a development which CEO Jassem Al Zaabi considers to hold “immense significance” for the company.     TRA Director General Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim hailed...

[Satellite TODAY 03-30-10] DirecTV will add ESPN 3D to its dedicated 3-D programming package, scheduled to launch in June, the satellite broadcaster announced March 29.     ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa...

[Satellite TODAY 03-30-10] The Kudelski Group now fully owns OpenTV, a global supplier of middleware and interactive TV solutions to satellite pay-TV operators, Kuldelski announced March 29.     The Kudelski Group completed its previously announced redemption of the outstanding OpenTV class-A ordinary shares it did not already own. OpenTV.         In a statement, the...

[Satellite TODAY 03-29-10] The ITU has stepped into an interference dispute between Eutelsat and Iran, the ITU Radio Regulations Board (RRB) announced March 26.     In a statement, the ITU RRB urged Iran to end interference hampering Eutelsat satellite operations. The Administration of France, on behalf of Eutelsat, notified the RRB of the interference emanating...

[Satellite TODAY 03-29-10] New York City sports broadcaster MSG will telecast the March 24 NHL hockey match between the Rangers and Islanders in 3-D, marking the first time that U.S. home viewers will received a live 3-D sports telecast, MSG announced March 26.     MSG HD subscribers with 3D compatible televisions will be able to...

[Satellite TODAY 03-26-10] U.S. government-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA) has altered and restarted its satellite broadcasting service in Ethiopia after the country’s prime minister ordered it jammed, VOA announced March 25.     “The international broadcasting agency launched this new means of transmission in order to overcome the jamming by the government of Ethiopia," VOA...

[Satellite TODAY 03-25-10] Measat Satellite Systems signed an agreement with Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific to distribute the Discovery HD channel via the Measat-3a satellite, the operator announced March 24.     Discovery HD features content from across Discovery Networks’ most popular channels as well as select exclusive content. Discovery now operates HD services in eight Asia-Pacific markets:...

[Satellite TODAY 03-25-10] Media transport solutions developer Net Insight has been contracted by France Telecom subsidiary GlobeCast to expand its media contribution network and provide technology to handle GlobeCast’s services for 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Net Insight announced March 24.     GlobeCast, which operates a secure global satellite and fiber video transport...