All OTT (over-the-top) articles
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Strategy & ChangeFuture network will be massive, blockchain‑led computer
Telefónica’s Executive Chairman is urging operators to embrace the collaborative spirit that enabled roaming to create a new connectivity platform.
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PremiumDT tames “zoo” of TV products across Europe
Android TV platform is foundation for DT’s Europe-wide streaming offer.
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MarketingTelefónica has a change of plan on convergence
Fusión brand set to be replaced after a decade as totem for Group’s convergence strategy. Move comes with convergent ARPU and acquisition in stall. New service to draw on Group’s prolific recent recruitment of partners such as Microsoft, Prosegur, and Teladoc.
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Content & TVMovistar Plus+ signs €1.4bn DAZN deal for La Liga rights
Telefónica’s pay-TV platform to broadcast every Spanish top-flight match for five years from the 2022–23 season. DAZN retains production responsibilities, with Movistar Plus+ customers granted access to broadcasts. DAZN continues telco partnership strategy to ease rights costs.
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Products & ServicesMovistar 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 & TVTelefónica 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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Products & ServicesDT evangelises Polte to startup IoT device makers
IoT expert encourages hubraum community to test cellular-based location technology from US-based vendor. Maintains ‘OTT solution’ caters for many IoT use-cases. Polte survives DT’s rigorous testing process, which saw it preferred to cloud-based location technologies from Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, and Skyhook.
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Products & ServicesMovistar+ sets stage for aggregator play in Spain
New CEO Cristina Burzako restructures and refocuses strategy. Focus tightening on partnerships and customer experience, but original content and exclusive sport remain important differentiators. Amidst Movistar+ revamp, Telefónica faces big decisions and bigger bills for content rights.
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Partnerships & AlliancesBT targets Amazon as key commercial partner
As Consumer embraces a platform strategy and seeks new partners to help boost customer value and enhance its billing relationships, a concerted effort is being made to woo internet giant Amazon. Relationship building reflects determination to achieve a “best for partnerships” strategic objective.
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Suppliers & SCMBT taps Blackbird for in-cloud video editing
Content operations team to adopt new editing software, with Group seemingly keen to retain some form of remote working model post-COVID-19. Blackbird CEO says BT’s green credentials chime with its own. Eleven Sports and Liverpool Football Club join BT in vendor’s expanding client ecosystem.
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Content & TVVodafone shoots for ‘world leadership’ as TV platform goes live in Germany
Sky’s the limit for Vodafone TV cloud platform ambition. Big step in TV platform consolidation across the Group. Migration underway in Germany.
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Venturing & InvestmentsDTCP debuts in South Korea with Catenoid investment
Fund joins Series-C round for online video platform provider that has ties with KT. The startup becomes DTCP’s first South Korean interest since landing in 2019.
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Strategy & ChangePlay axed from Telefónica Mexico’s content offering
OB opting to strengthen alliances with other OTT players instead of building out own video content platform. Movistar Play remains live in a host of other Latin American markets, but ambitious growth targets across LatAm far off realisation.
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Content & TVCloud-based Vodafone TV platform rolls into Germany
Platform launch is one of multiple moves in German TV revamp. Start of migration appears to be happening several months behind schedule. Rollout solidifies Group strategy for TV technology platform.
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PeopleBT’s sports rights boss Haworth subbed off
Andy Haworth, BT Sport Rights & Commercial Managing Director, is set to take a position away from BT. Departure follows renewal of key rugby rights, but with critical Premier League negotiations on the horizon.
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Products & ServicesTVision relaunch blurred by carriage disputes
New live-TV streaming service raises hackles of media partners over how channels are distributed. Sievert does not see TVision as a profit pool, or loss leader, but way to stimulate demand for 5G and fixed wireless broadband. TVision Home to shutter on 30 December 2020.
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Products & ServicesTelefónica|Vivo gearing up for Disney+ launch
Vivo melding OTT service with three separate payment plans from mid-November 2020. OTT market spiking, with operator attempting to keep pace.
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Public AffairsDeutsche Telekom exec blames regulators for “miserable state” of European market
VP of European Affairs launches no-holds-barred attack; wants regulation to be “enabling” rather than “value-destructing”. Exec calls for rethink on spectrum auctions, wholesale roaming, and mobile termination rates.
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Content & TVBT in cross-fire over pay-per-view matches
Broadcasters switch to pay-per-view model for Premiership football. Flak taken for pricing, but pegged as an interim measure to survive COVID.
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Content & TVTelefónica nets UEFA tournament hat-trick
Movistar+ to air Champions League, Europa League, and newcomer Europa Conference. Winning €975m bid a relative steal as COVID-19 topples Telefónica’s competitors.