Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending July 10th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!
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Christopher SlaughterCEO |
The BBC has cut a deal on that licence fee loophole we told you about last week; in exchange for the Beeb covering licence fees for people over age 75, the government will no longer exempt people who only watch BBC shows online or via catch-up services from paying the fee. Whether the deal means the BBC is now “just another arm of government” or that it’s been the “willing victim of a drive-by shooting” is another matter, but there will definitely be repercussions from its new £650m obligation. |
John MedeirosChief Policy Officer |
At a recent seminar the China the Copyright Society of China has said plagiarism and unauthorized broadcasting of TV programmes is frequently taking place across China with the TV and Film industry suffering as a result. Legal experts blamed insufficient legislation and called for a need to better define plagiarism and fair use for the Copyright Law. In something that might resonate with CASBAA members, a University professor suggested strengthening the role of industrial associations in copyright protection. |
Mark LayVice President, Singapore |
Possibly in the new world of video content distribution, which is apparently “right on the edge of total chaos,” YouTube and Facebook could be networks’ new best friends. HBO says the sampling of shows on Facebook “is an effective way for us to introduce our programming to our current and potential subscribers. Ultimately we’re trying to create new fans.” Meanwhile, for Showtime, demand from audiences was the key reason behind the launch of its OTT service this week. Stephen Colbert, on the other hand, is using YouTube to hold onto old fans before he starts hosting the Late Show in September. A big change from his highly produced Colbert Report, Stephen was a guest host of “Only in Monroe”. Let’s just say that it would make Zach Galifianakis proud and could easily be renamed “Either Side of a Pothos Plant”. |
Christopher SlaughterCEO |
First it was Vice Media on HBO, next up, Buzzfeed TV? Buzzfeed CEO Jonah Peretti is thinking about it, although he also says, “I don’t really watch television.” Taking a slightly different approach, Huffington Post is doubling down on video, and will also be looking to distribute content on broadcast TV. Add to that DailyMail.com’s deal with Dr. Phil’s production company to make a TV show, and there’s definitely a trend going on here. |
Anjan MitraExecutive Director, India |
The oscillation relating to OTT and net neutrality continues in India even as global OTT TV revenues predicted to hit $ 51 bn by 2020. Telecoms regulator TRAI has opined wider consultations amongst government agencies needed before a final call is taken, while a report ofDepartment of Telecoms is ambiguous on neutrality. This, even asexperts insist net neutrality is critical for PM Modi’s Digital India dreamand that rural India will dominate next set of Internet users. Seems nobody in Indian bureaucracy willing to be the last one to bell the neutrality-related cat. |
Kevin JenningsProgramme Director |
Fuji Television has started broadcasting Japan’s first commercial 4K ultra high definition (UHD) online streaming service. The subscription service is being delivered via the MistCDN content delivery network platform – a peer-to-peer (P2P) network capable of delivering content at bitrates of as much as 40MB per second. The service launched with a streamed documentary called Battleship Island – controversiallyawarded UNESCO World Heritage Status this week. With Netflix set to enter the market and also collaborating with FujiTV to produce original content, the local SVOD sector is expected to see rapid development. |