The long tail theory of digital distribution implies that given almost unlimited choice, the total demand for less popular items will exceed that of the most popular items. Some studies have suggested that while the traditional demand curve may be growing a longer tail, it is getting flatter rather than...

TVBLOB is an Italian software and service development company based in Milan that has created a platform that aims to bring the power of the web to the television, either through closed networks or over the top of existing networks. It is not the first company to attempt to combine...

The Italian broadband service provider Tiscali says it is is shutting down its Tiscali TV service in Italy. The company has given notice to customers without providing further explanation. As the third IPTV service provider in Italy it struggled to sign up subscribers. The future of the Tiscali TV service...

The European Commission has confirmed that all four operators that applied to deliver mobile satellite services across Europe will go forward to the next stages of the selection procedure. Ironically, one of the candidates has questioned the right of the commission to appoint such services. Meanwhile, in China the roll...

The BBC is trialing a new desktop download manager for its iPlayer, based on the Adobe Air platform. It will enable Windows, Mac and Linux users to download programmes to their desktops. Downloads were previously only available for Windows users. The BBC is also dropping its peer-assisted distribution, opting for...

It was one of the biggest nights in participation television in Britain, as two top shows went head to head, collecting millions of phone votes between them. Unfortunately the producers on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing show had to freeze the phone vote and finish the programme early, once they...

The BBC has outlined plans to share its iPlayer with other broadcasters and bring it to the television set by developing a common industry approach to on-demand and internet services. It says the plans are already being progressed by a group including the BBC, ITV and BT. They have yet...

Fetch TV is an independent, subscription free set-top box that combines a high-definition ready digital video recorder and home media centre with video on demand services. It is has been developed by IP Vision, backed by Netgem, which is offering the service direct to the consumer or as a white...

Tioti TV+ from start-up company Vizimo is a new application available from the Apple store that allows viewers to schedule their viewing using their iPhone or iPod Touch. Vizimo, which describes itself as developing 'next-generation guidance', recently acquired Tioti, a web site built around programme information and a social network....

The European Commission has published guidelines to help accelerate the roll-out of mobile television, underlining its continuing commitment to the promotion of such services. So far the deployment of mobile television in Europe has met with mixed success, but cross border mobile television services using satellite and the DVB-SH standard...

Controversial targeted advertising company Phorm has appointed former British chancellor Norman Lamont and former Ofcom executive Kip Meek as non-executive directors. It follows the departure of the chief operating officer and three other non-executive directors due to differences over the management and direction of the company....

Livestation, an online television platform, has shown a version of its player working on the Apple iPhone. The live online demonstration came days after Joost released an application for the Apple device. Livestation has yet to have its application added to the Apple store. The Joost and Livestation applications are...

British satellite broadcaster Sky and commercial network ITV have separately launched new online video players based on Microsoft Silverlight. While the BBC is backing Adobe with its iPlayer, Sky has relaunched its Sky Player and ITV has relaunched its own service, which it is rebranding ITV Player. Both use the...

MobiTV, which provides a managed service for mobile television and radio on networks including Sprint and AT&T in the United States, has now passed the five million subscriber mark. The presidential election saw an increase in viewing. A million subscribers signed up in the last five months. MobiTV previously pulled...

The Competition Commission has provisionally concluded that the proposed video on demand joint venture between the BBC, ITV and Channel Four will restrict competition in the supply of video on demand services in the United Kingdom. The UKVOD initiative, also known as Project Kangaroo, is likely to result in a...

British satellite broadcaster Sky plans to offer broadcasters the ability to serve targeted adverts to viewers in Sky+ homes, based on their personal profiles. Television advertisers probably waste at least half of their money. They just do not know which half. Targeting advertising based on viewer preferences could avoid trying...

Joost has released an application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch that allows users to stream and view any videos in its library over a wireless connection. The iPhone already has the built-in ability to access YouTube. The new Joost application is freely downloadable from Apple iTunes and has...

After closing down its network television recording service of dubious legality, TVCatchup has returned with a web site that will for the first time allow viewers in the United Kingdom to watch all the free-to-air television channels online in one place. It currently offers 18 channels and aims to offer...

A new hybrid bradcast and broadband box will allow the French pay-television broadcaster Canal+ to deliver interactivity and online video to the television through a built-in network port. Exclusively provided by Pace France, formerly the set-top box division of Philips, the first integrated high-definition digital video recorder for Canal+ is...

YouTube has finally expanded its player to support widescreen video and has even been experimenting with video in 1280x720 high-definition format. YouTube also supports subtitles and captions uploaded in simple file formats. As broadcasters and other online services continue to raise the bar in terms of video quality, it may...