Your guide to what’s happened this week in the media, entertainment and technology industry.
ITV inks addressable ad deal for ITV Hub
ITV will launch a complete programmatic premium advertising platform after it signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Amobee for end-to-end buying and selling of video inventory on its video-on-demand service ITV Hub. Broadband TV News reported the deal will give advertisers control over the purchasing of campaigns across the platform and the ability to deliver mass simultaneous reach across linear channels, alongside targeted, data-driven addressable advertising on ITV Hub.
BBC moves licences to the Netherlands
The BBC has applied for some of its broadcasting licenses to move to the Netherlands to ensure it can continue transmitting across the European Union (EU) ahead of a potential no-deal Brexit. According to TVB Europe, if Britain leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement its commercial broadcasting arm could be invalid.
T-Mobile signs content deal with Viacom
Viacom is the first TV partner T-Mobile has announced for its forthcoming OTT service that was announced in 2017. According to Variety, the multiyear deal will see MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Paramount join the new video service which is yet to have a launch date or price revealed. Viacom’s president and chief executive Bob Bakish said the new T-Mobile entertainment service “represents an important evolution in how audiences consume our content.”
Amazon to join OneWeb in space race
Amazon has filed its first papers with the US government for approval to launch a network of 3,236 low earth orbit satellites, following OneWeb in its satellite launch to provide high-speed terrestrial internet services. Tech Crunch reported that Project Kuiper will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world.
EU antitrust regulators to force data sharing
Technology giants including Google and Amazon should be enforced to share data rather than be broken up, according to academics enlisted by the European Commission. The recommendations come after a year reviewing the digital challenges, reported Reuters. The academics called for speedier investigations to deal with the rapid changes in technology markets.
Zuckerberg calls for tighter internet regulation
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has said there is a need for governments and regulators to have “a more active role” in internet regulation ahead of fears over election advertising propaganda, reported The Guardian. Zuckerberg said legislation was important for “protecting elections” and it should be updated, adding that Facebook had already made “significant changes around political ads”.
- Read more Zuckerberg concedes Facebook regulation
Netflix invests in Spanish hub
The streaming giant has opened its first European production hub in Tres Cantos, Madrid, as part of a multi-million Euro investment in Spanish language content in a move to support Spain’s creative community. According to Advanced Television, Netflix has invested heavily in Spanish language shows since launching four years ago.
Australia passes law targetting tech firms
A controversial law has been passed by the Australian government that could see executives from technology companies jailed if a platform hosts violent videos. The bill has been reported by the BBC as a world first and follows last month’s terror attack in New Zealand where a live stream was hosted on Facebook. The legislation would include penalties of up to £5.6m or 10% of a firm’s annual turnover.
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