Video & OTT Technology News
Products & Services
O2 Extras aims to bolster loyalty scheme
O2 Extras proffers bundled subscriptions to streaming services, including Amazon’s Prime Video and Audible. Component of efforts to improve customer retention, amid growing competition from rival loyalty programmes.
- Content & TV
Movistar Play now available on smart TVs
Telefónica’s Movistar Play over‑the-top pay‑TV service has been integrated into Samsung smart TVs in Latin America.
Content & TVHungary latest to receive Vodafone TV service
Vodafone Hungary set to become the latest in a string of European OpCos to launch OTT TV service.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica España and Atresmedia create TV content JV
Telefónica España and Atresmedia, a Spanish media group, agreed a deal to create a 50:50 joint venture (JV) to produce and distribute Spanish-language original series and films for Telefónica’s Movistar+ pay‑TV platform and Atresmedia channels.
- Suppliers & SCM
Zenterio buyout raises questions for Deutsche Telekom
Once-close partner appears to have been damaged by DT supply refresh.
- Partnerships & Alliances
T‑Mobile US agrees go-to-market tie‑up with Quibi
T‑Mobile US (TMUS) agreed a go-to-market tie‑up with Quibi, a high-profile mobile video startup that is due to release services in April 2020.
- Products & Services
T‑Mobile Poland adds Amazon Prime Video to broadband and multi‑play packages
T‑Mobile Poland (TMPL) added Amazon Prime Video to its recently-launched wireline broadband and multi‑play packages.
- Content & TV
PHABRIX flags role in HDR trials with BT Sport
Broadcast test and measurement solutions provider PHABRIX flagged its role in nine months of high dynamic range (HDR) technology trials conducted by BT Sport.
- Content & TV
Timeline Television selects Tedial’s MAM platform for BT Sport’s facilities
Production facilities specialist, and existing BT Sport broadcast partner, Timeline Television selected media asset management (MAM) provider Tedial’s Evolution MAM platform to handle and orchestrate media processing and workflow archiving at BT Sport’s facilities in Stratford and the BT Tower in London.
- Products & Services
Vodacom looks for regional growth via digital media
South African operator retains exclusive expansion mandate within Vodafone.
- Marketing
Vodafone Group supports video marketing startup Spirable
Personalised video marketing startup Spirable was given some love by outgoing Vodafone Global Brand & Media Director Sara Martins de Oliveira as it announced receipt of a Series-A funding round (albeit without an apparent contribution from the Group).
- Strategy & Change
Telekom Deutschland forced to adjust StreamOn
TDE to amend two disputed aspects of media offer, for now. Principal court proceedings in Cologne have yet to run their course.
- Content & TV
Vodafone UK’s Pay-TV plans remain on standby
Pay-TV services expansion plans at Vodafone UK remain on standby.
- Strategy & Change
New competitive threat as Forthnet firms up MVNO
MVNO-sceptic Vodafone compelled to support rival’s mobile launch. Possible trigger for long-mooted M&A action.
- Strategy & Change
HAL’s odyssey: Deutsche Telekom grows API framework to drive savings
Executives claim progress in Europe’s digitally-flavoured simplification plan, flagged at DT’s last Capital Markets Day. OneApp customer support platform nears full reach across Europe area. E-commerce and TV services next. Data-analytics layer in pipeline.
- Operations
Digital transformation (DTW19): culture change, reskilling crucial
Reskilling employees fundamental to Wind Tre’s digital transformation strategy. Cultural and organisational change critical for digital transformation to be adopted at scale and to succeed. Operators must change their corporate identity to attract vital new talent. Wind Tre CIO sceptical of vendor marketing of new technologies.
- Products & Services
Telefónica ramps up AURA
Telefónica provided insights into its AURA strategy, including more market launches. Microsoft’s position as a partner remains a core element of the project. Commitment reiterated to overcoming the challenge of combining local services with a central unified vision.
- Network & Infrastructure
Operators, other industries struggle for 5G commonality
5G expectations have been raised, and now need to be met: lots of talk of potential, but monetisation not clear cut. Scepticism over network readiness for advanced, challenging applications, such as in gaming and sport. Supplier establishment again chided for dragging feet on harmonisation and cloud-ification; operators stuck in ...
- Innovation (R&D)
TM Forum DTW19: 2019 Catalysts spark pragmatic innovation
Rundown of key Catalysts, joint initiatives. More than 30 joint technology projects demoed, with assurance, partnering, and customer experience to fore. Operator preoccupations ahead of 5G include profitability and effectiveness of network slicing. Drones, emergency services, and healthcare among focus verticals.
- People
Deutsche Telekom People Moves, June 2019
36 key people moves tracked and analysed. Bohle takes over delicate privacy role from Kremer.
- Suppliers & SCM
Accedo helps integrate Telekom Deutschland’s Magenta TV service
Swedish video solutions provider Accedo highlighted that it had helped integrate Telekom Deutschland’s Magenta TV service with the Amazon Fire TV device.
- Content & TV
Vodafone switching channel
Pay-TV – where the Liberty acquisition promises to make Vodafone Europe’s second-largest player behind Sky – was highlighted at Arch Summit as a particular point of leverage for the Group when it comes to strengthening its consumer proposition.
