All Content & TV articles – Page 6
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Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone continues 5G drive with German standalone launch
Vodafone Germany first to launch SA network in country. Claims more than ten million customers can already access services from home. Partners with DAZN to test 5G mobile streaming of the German Bundesliga. Moves continue notable European 5G ramp-up for Vodafone in 2022.
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M&A
Vivendi head sees Telefónica–Prisa “synergies” as acquisition rumours continue
Arnaud de Puyfontaine wants strategy alignment with “common vision”. Local reports claim Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez “does not look favourably” on potential Vivendi involvement with Telefónica. Atresmedia also in the frame as part of convoluted acquisition scene in Spain.
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Products & Services
Magenta Telekom taps Broadpeak for Austrian TV launch
Cloud PVR solution implemented as Magenta TV crosses German border. Expansion boosts service following the collapse of MagentaGaming offering in February 2022.
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Content & TV
Movistar Plus+ lays out international content distribution strategy
Movistar Plus+ Internacional division established to drive original, Spanish-language productions in overseas markets. Buendía Estudios and Sony executive Valenzuela installed to lead the unit. Content partnerships prioritised, with distribution brought closer in-house.
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Products & Services
Movistar to ‘reinforce’ Fusión bundles in defensive play
Spanish operator mulls adding adjacent services such as health and alarms to bundles. High-profile Fusión brand could be dropped.
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Content & TV
Telefónica ally Atresmedia enters Movistar Plus+ fray
Spanish media group reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. Move pits Atresmedia against Vivendi, which is also seeking to build up Spanish media assets. Telefónica taking advice as pressure mounts on pay-TV business in Spain.
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M&A
Telefónica mulls Movistar Plus+ options as Vivendi circles
Vivendi reportedly interested in buying part of Movistar Plus+. French media group seeking approval to increase Prisa stake to 29.9%. Telefónica seeking advice as pay-TV customers drain away in Spain.
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M&A
Discovery JV: BT Sport to be unbundled from BT
Another twist to the tale as BT and Discovery enter exclusive discussions. Jansen indicates agreement encompasses Eurosport UK and ‘Discovery app’, hinting at sports content tie-up; says deal has “no downsides”. The move could be a huge blow to DAZN, which appeared to have secured an $800m buyout.
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Premium
Telefónica renews Netflix deal
Extension maintains Netflix content on Movistar’s pay-TV platform in Spain.
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Content & TV
Telefónica eyeing new industrial partners for Movistar+
Early-stage consideration reportedly underway on partnership that would see Telefónica bring in new investor for domestic pay-TV platform and international production interests. North American Spanish-language media merger may provide template for closer links between platforms and content. Movistar+ rebranding underway to further differentiate service from core offerings.
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Content & TV
VodafoneZiggo, KPN vie for F1 pole position
Vodafone JV wheels out four-month discount for Viaplay, a streaming platform with F1 broadcasting rights. Rival KPN lifts flag on free twelve-month deal to entice new customers. F1 and ‘Max Verstappen factor’ seen as big lure for Dutch pay-TV subscribers.
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Operations
BT and TalkTalk footing the YouView bill as losses mount, Arqiva exits
Latest accounts show the TV platform’s shareholders now down to six, with the two operators keeping the venture afloat. R&D budget remains high at £16m, compared to revenue of just £9m. Telcos remain coy on paying subscribers for their TV services.
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Premium
VM O2 picks ITV for IPTV advertising support
VM O2 signs ITV for content aggregator play. Addressable advertising and “full” integration among the benefits. JV’s first IPTV service pushed back for a 2022 launch.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Spain: Telefónica landed with RTVE funding bill
RTVE funding still billed to Telefónica and co.; LeasePlan and Microsoft tie-ups.
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M&A
VM O2 CEO happy as spectator to BT takeover saga
Lutz Schüler, CEO at Virgin Media O2, said he “thanks God” his business is not distracted by shareholder goings on. Comes after Patrick Drahi expanded his shareholding in VM O2 rival BT. Schüler’s attention fixed on customer experience improvements and fibre rollout.
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Content & TV
Movistar, DAZN secure five-year La Liga deals
La Liga generates €4.95bn in revenue from new round of concessions. Movistar’s controversial agreement on hold ahead of talks between Telefónica and regulator CNMC.
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Premium
T-Mobile launches Paramount+ add-on
Un-Carrier signs broad distribution agreement with ViacomCBS to grant access to Paramount+ streaming platform for all contract customers. Complimentary first-year subscription added to T-Mobile’s existing Apple TV+ and Netflix offers.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Partner Markets: Vodafone TV to end in NZ
Developments from around Vodafone’s soft-power network: New Zealand’s Vodafone TV to be retired in 2022; MTS subsidiary acquires facial recognition specialist VisionLabs.
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Premium
Elsewhere in Vodafone Group: senior telco execs discuss strategy
Vodafone attends get-together on post-pandemic priorities.