Weekly news round-up: ProSieben appoints new CEO & Fox News launches OTT service

ProSiebenSat.1 appoints new CEO
Former Dyson Chief Executive Max Conze has been appointed CEO of German broadcast group ProSiebenSat.1. He replaces Thomas Ebeling, who is set to leave the company this week. According to C21, Conrad Albert, Deputy CEO, will oversee operations until Conze takes up his new role in the summer. 

Fox News to launch OTT service 
Fox News is to launch Fox Nation, a stand-alone OTT subscription service. According to the New York Times, the network is planning to develop hours of new daily programming with a mostly fresh slate of anchors and commentators. 

US government begins net neutrality repeal process
The US Federal Communications Commission has published the final notice of the repeal of net neutrality regulations. Cnet reports that the action starts the clock for legal challenges and last-ditch congressional action to maintain the regulations, with many groups expected to file lawsuits challenging the repeal and Democrats to lead efforts to reverse the FCC’s action.

Manchester United to launch YouTube channel
Manchester United is to launch an official YouTube channel, bolstering its own pay-TV channel, website and Facebook page. The Guardian reports that Manchester United is the only Premier League team and only one of the top clubs globally not to create an official channel since YouTube launched in 2005.

C4 to pull VoD service from Freesat  
UK broadcaster Channel 4 is to pull its catchup service All4 and its 4HD channel from Freesat following a change to the platform’s pricing structure, reports Broadband TV News. A spokesperson told the site that the changes had resulted in ”a very significant cost increase for Channel 4”. Freesat said it hoped the channels would return soon. 

Qualcomm rejects Broadcom’s offer 
Discussions between Qualcomm’s board and Broadcom have faltered, with shareholders of the chipmaker now expected to decide on the fate of the $121 billion takeover deal, according to Bloomberg.   

Nokia launches digital cities push
Nokia has unveiled a series of digital cities initiatives, including IoT for Smart Cities, a modular platform designed to help operators and systems integrators to do unified smart city management, according to Telecoms.com. Applications include video surveillance. 

Sony inks taxi AI deal 
Sony has struck a partnership with six Japanese taxi operators who will use the tech giant’s AI platform for dispatch service and mobile payment platforms, according to a report by Mobile World Live.