ABC pitches for massive digital grant

Original article by Stephen Brook
The Australian – Page: 28 : 23-Jul-18

The ABC is seeking a one-off funding boost to prepare it for the eventual termination of traditional broadcasting services and its shift to a pure-play online media company. As part of the public broadcaster’s online-only future, it proposes to establish a database containing its entire archive of audio-visual content. ABC chairman Justin Milne notes that it spends about $200m a year on broadcast infrastructure and spectrum, but it will no longer incur these costs when it ultimately shifts to an online-only platform.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE, AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, OZEMAIL LIMITED, TELSTRA BIG POND

Surge in video streaming on NBN

Original article by Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 3-Jul-18

Data from NBN Co shows that video streaming, web browsing and virtual ­private networks account for the bulk of traffic on the national broadband network. The average household with an NBN connection now downloads 200 gigabytes per month, compared with just 70GB per month three years ago. Labor has declined to comment on whether it still intends to roll out fibre-to-the-premises technology nationwide if it wins the next federal election.

CORPORATES
NBN CO LIMITED, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, NETFLIX INCORPORATED

Foxtel targets cricket in streaming push

Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 19 : 3-Jul-18

Foxtel is said to be aiming to launch its direct-to-consumer sports streaming video service in early November, to coincide with the start of its cricket coverage. The new service is tipped to have separate branding to distinguish it from other Foxtel products, and is part of the pay-TV group’s push to increase its market penetration. Foxtel’s broadcasting rights deal with Cricket Australia includes exclusive streaming rights.

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FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, CRICKET AUSTRALIA, FOXTEL NOW, FOXTEL GO, FOXTEL PLAY, PRESTO ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, HBO

Calls for Netflix to back local content

Original article by Dana McCauley
The Australian – Page: 24 : 2-Jul-18

Screen Producers Australia has used its submission to the competitive neutrality inquiry into public broadcasting to push for local content quotas to be extended to streaming video providers. It noted that Netflix has a larger library of Australian content on its US platform than it offers to local subscribers. SPA has called for government intervention to ensure that local content producers are not disadvantaged, while it has also urged legislative action to protect content producers against unfair contracts with regard to broadcasting and streaming rights.

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SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), NETFLIX INCORPORATED, AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, CBS CORPORATION, DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS PTY LTD

Optus lets SBS simulcast rest of World Cup

Original article by Jennifer Duke
The Age – Page: 5 : 29-Jun-18

Optus CEO Allen Lew says the telco is confident that it has resolved the technical issues that plagued its live streaming coverage during the first week of the FIFA World Cup. However, Optus has agreed to allow SBS to broadcast all remaining matches in the tournament, including ones that were initially to have been exclusive to Optus Sport. SBS MD Michael Ebeid notes that the public broadcaster’s World Cup coverage has attracted eight million viewers to date. Meanwhile, Tunisia has won 2-1 against Panama in the latest World Cup match.

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SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), WORLD CUP, FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Red-faced Optus lets SBS screen games

Original article by Brad Norington
The Australian – Page: 3 : 21-Jun-18

SBS will simulcast all remaining matches in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup following the technical issues that have plagued Optus’s live streaming coverage. Optus CEO Allen Lew had previously expressed confidence that the problems had been resolved. However, he has announced that Optus will offer free access to its World Cup coverage until the end of August and paid subscribers will receive a full refund. Optus will also consider compensation requests from advertising partners for its World Cup coverage. Meanwhile, Spain has defeated Iran 1-0 in the latest World Cup match.

CORPORATES
SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, WORLD CUP, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Optus confident it has sidelined World Cup streaming glitches

Original article by Yolanda Redrup
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 20-Jun-18

Optus will provide an update on 20 June regarding the actions it has taken to address problems with its live streaming of the FIFA World Cup. However, the telco believes that it has resolved the technical issues that forced it to allow broadcast partner SBS to televise matches that were to have been exclusive to the Optus Sport service. Marketing expert Michelle Gamble says Optus’s advertising partners for its World Cup coverage may seek compensation from the telco. Meanwhile, Russia has defeated Egypt 3-1 in the latest World Cup match.

CORPORATES
SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), MARKETING ANGELS CONSULTANCY, HISENSE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, REBEL SPORT LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

World Cup fail: Optus gives SBS games

Original article by Tom McIlroy
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 19-Jun-18

The problems Optus has experienced with its live streaming coverage of the soccer World Cup has prompted it to allow SBS to simulcast extra matches. Optus CEO Allen Lew says the telco has resolved the technical issues, although some customers are expected to continue to experience problems for several days. As a result, SBS will broadcast six matches that were to have been exclusive to the Optus Sport streaming video service. The technical problems were caused by a surge in demand for the Optus service. Meanwhile, England has defeated Tunisia 2-1 in the latest World Cup match.

CORPORATES
SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE (SBS), SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Optus takes aim at more Euro football

Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 30 : 18-Jun-18

Optus aims to expand its soccer coverage by seeking to gain the Australian broadcasting rights to a number of domestic competitions in Europe. Optus will broadcast every match of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, while it has held the English Premier League rights since 2015. There is also speculation that it is set to gain the EUFA Champions League broadcasting rights, which are currently held by Al Jazeera-owned BeIN Sports Australia.

CORPORATES
SINGTEL OPTUS PTY LTD, WORLD CUP, ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE, BEIN SPORTS AUSTRALIA, AL JAZEERA, TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED – ASX TLS, THE A LEAGUE PTY LTD, THE W LEAGUE, SOCCEROOS, MATILDAS, AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE, NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE

Stan cuts Hollywood deals on prime content

Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 18 : 6-Jun-18

Streaming video provider Stan has secured an exclusive content deal with the Starz pay-TV network, which is owned by Hollywood film studio Lionsgate. The deal gives Stan access to Lionsgate’s library of films and TV shows. Stan has also struck an output deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, while it will produce two new drama series in partnership with Sony Pictures Television and Disney-owned ABC.

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STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, STARZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LLC, LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER INCORPORATED, SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INCORPORATED, AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY, WALT DISNEY COMPANY, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, PLAYMAKER MEDIA PTY LTD