Category: Broadcast

Google signed an agreement with Chile on Wednesday to deploy an undersea fiber optic cable connecting South America with Asia and Oceania, a first-of-its-kind project that aims to cement the South American country’s status as a major digital hub.

The Humboldt Cable, envisioned for deployment in 2027, is a 14,800-kilometer (9,200-mile) submarine data cable that will connect Chile’s coastal city of Valparaíso with Sydney, Australia through French Polynesia.

The initiative is being launched almost a decade after it was first proposed in 2016, and six years after the initial studies to determine its feasibility.

“This is the first submarine cable in the South Pacific, so it’s an important commitment”, Chilean Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz told journalists.

Chile, home to one of Google’s largest data centers in Latin America, is currently connected to the United States and the rest of the region via an undersea cable. This cable also provides Chile with a longer route to other continents.

Officials from both Google and the Chilean government hailed the project as critical infrastructure with potential to attract millions of dollars in investment from major tech companies, mining and banking firms in Chile and Australia.

“The idea of ​​building this cable is that it can also be used not only by Google but also by other users, such as technology companies operating in Chile,” said Cristian Ramos, director of telecommunications infrastructure for Latin America at Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

Although Google did not disclose its total investment, Patricio Rey, general manager of local partner Desarrollo País, a state-owned infrastructure company, estimated the cable project’s value at $300 million to $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million.

The Humboldt Cable will establish Chile as a data gateway for the Asia-Pacific, while strengthening its relations with Asian nations, especially China, its largest trading partner. It also comes as demand for undersea cables surges due to increased reliance on cloud computing services.

The next stages involve installing the submarine cable, selecting and contracting a telecommunications operator, and constructing landing stations in Chile.

The initiative could heighten tensions as Chile finds itself caught in the middle of an intensifying rivalry between China and the Trump administration. Undersea cables have long been flash points in geopolitical disputes. The Hindu

A group representing Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel has said their businesses will suffer if India prices satellite spectrum at “unjustifiably low” rates that benefit satellite internet services such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.

India’s telecom regulator in May proposed satellite service providers pay 4% of their annual revenue to the government for offering services. Starlink had lobbied India not to auction spectrum but just assign licences in line with a global trend, saying it is a natural resource that should be shared by companies.

The Cellular Operators Association of India in a May 29 letter to the Telecoms Ministry sought a review of those pricing proposals, saying traditional players pay higher upfront auction charges for telecoms spectrum which make their payments to the government for spectrum roughly 21% higher, when compared to what satellite players would pay.

“Price per MHz should be equivalent or at least comparable for both, especially when used to reach the same consumers for identical services,” said the letter, seen by Reuters.

“Satellite services can offer competitive and affordable alternatives to terrestrial broadband,” it added.

Reliance, led by Asia’s richest man Ambani, and Airtel didn’t respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Starlink was not immediately available for comment.

A senior Indian government source told Reuters on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) the Telecoms Ministry is still reviewing the pricing recommendations made by the regulator, adding such industry concerns have been raised in the past.

Telecom players like Reliance Jio are concerned they will be offering similar wireless broadband services as satellite providers but paying much more, said an industry source with direct knowledge of the situation.

Reliance and others have spent nearly $20 billion in recent years to get 5G spectrum via auctions to offer telecom, data and broadband services.

Mr Ambani’s company unsuccessfully lobbied New Delhi for months to auction satellite spectrum and not allot it administratively as Mr Musk’s Starlink wanted.

Though Reliance and Airtel have signed distribution deals in March for Starlink equipment, they will continue to compete with Mr Musk’s offerings to customers once launched.

The process of Starlink getting a license is “nearly complete”, Telecoms Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The Hindu

A judge in Los Angeles on Wednesday denied Walt Disney’s request for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order aimed at preventing long-time executive Justin Connolly from joining Alphabet’s YouTube.

Disney (DIS) filed a lawsuit against YouTube in a state court in Los Angeles last month to stop the appointment, alleging breach of contract, unfair competition and interference with a contractual relationship.

It sought a preliminary and permanent injunction to halt Connolly’s from further breaching the contract.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant denied Disney’s request to stop Connolly’s move.

“We are disappointed in today’s ruling, but will continue to pursue our legal remedies,” a Disney spokesperson told Reuters, while YouTube had no comment.

Connolly is set to join YouTube as its global head of media and sports to manage the platform’s relationships with major media companies as well as take charge of the company’s growing live-sports portfolio, Reuters had reported in May. Reuters

European satellite company SES is set to win unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $3.1-billion bid for rival Intelsat, people familiar with the matter said, creating a major European player to rival Elon Musk’s Space X-owned Starlink.

Together with other European satellite companies, Luxembourg-headquartered SES is looking for greater scale to compete more effectively with Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

The European Commission, which is scheduled to decide on the deal by June 10, and SES declined to comment.

The acquisition comes as the European Union ramps up its drive for strategic autonomy in this area to reduce its dependence on U.S. companies.

The merged company would have a fleet of more than 100 geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and 26 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites compared with Starlink’s 5,800 satellites.

The deal, which secured unconditional clearance from the UK competition authority last week, is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice. Reuters

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the 26th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, and 17 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions. SatNews

Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders voted on Tuesday to reject the pay packages for several of the company’s executives, including CEO David Zaslav’s compensation package of more than $50 million.

Nearly 60% of the symbolic vote was against the 2024 executive payouts at Warner Bros. Discovery’s annual meeting, according to a regulatory filing. The vote is non-binding.

Last year, shareholders narrowly approved executive pay, with 53% voting in favor.

Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of CNN.

“The Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors appreciates the views of all its shareholders and takes the results of the annual advisory vote on executive compensation seriously,” the company’s board said in a statement. “The Compensation Committee of the Board looks forward to continuing its regular practice of engaging in constructive dialogue with our shareholders.”

Zaslav, who has been CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery since 2022, when the company was created by the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., was paid a total of $51.9 million last year, including equity awards and other compensation.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock (WBD) declined 7% in 2024, while media competitor Netflix (NFLX) saw its stock gain more than 80% in 2024 and Disney’s stock (DIS) rose 24%.

Netflix’s co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, were paid $61.9 million and $60.3 million last year, respectively, while Disney’s Bob Iger was paid $41.1 million.

The broader S&P 500 gained over 23% last year. CNN

In a move that blindsided many staffers, Paramount has fired its longtime media agency of record in a cost-saving move as its merger with Skydance Media continues to gestate.

WPP Media, formerly known as GroupM before a recent rebrand, had worked with the company for more than two decades. Three sources familiar with the situation told Deadline the agency was fired and replaced by Publicis, another of the large agency players. The switch, which was not preceded by the customary review period (when an incumbent has a chance to retain the business), is going to result in significant cost savings and has been characterized as a business decision. Executives relayed the news at Paramount and externally last Friday.

Total annual billings from Paramount, for international ads for Paramount+ (Horizon Media handles the streamer domestically) as well as global campaigns for films like the latest Mission: Impossible, are in the range of $600 million, one source said. It wasn’t immediately clear how much of a savings would be created, and sources indicated other factors were also considered in terms of workflow and strategy.

Publicis did not respond to a request for comment. Reps from Paramount, Skydance and WPP Media declined to comment.

The $8 billion merger of Skydance and Paramount, which seemed a sure bet at the start of the year, has entered murkier territory thanks in large part to President Donald Trump’s animus toward CBS News.

Reaction on the Paramount lot was less about the agonizingly slow crawl more to come. MSN

Much like the wave that took over Bollywood around the early 2010s, when movie plotlines shifted to small towns, original shows on video-streaming platforms too are being set in tier-two and tier-three locations.

The trend may have started with shows such as Panchayat in April 2020. Now, it has spread as makers take shows to small, remote parts of the country, whether it is Punjab in Kohrra or the northeast in the latest season of Paatal Lok, cashing in on local dialects and talent.

While the common perception is that OTT is an upmarmetro phenomenon with limited viewership in smaller towns, executives said that in the effort to widen audience reach, writers and makers are setting stories in the hinterland, which makes it cost-effective to put together and allows for new faces and real locations. Even metro audiences increasingly seek rooted stories from beyond the cities.

“Culturally relevant storytelling helps audiences connect with their roots and see their lived realities on screen, which fosters deeper engagement,” said Raghavendra Hunsur, chief content officer of ZEEL.

While the metros account for a significant portion of OTT consumption, there’s been a notable and steady rise in viewership in tier-two and tier-three cities, with a major portion of ZEE5’s audience from these regions, Hunsur added, noting that such stories increasingly resonate with urban audiences as well.

“The emotional depth, sociocultural nuance, and grounded storytelling offer a refreshing break from the gloss of typical urban narratives,” he pointed out.

Titles such as Aindham Vedham, Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Ayyana Mane, Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri and Bhaiyyaji are prime examples of stories set in small-town India streaming on ZEE5.

In the fastpaced urban life, stories set in small towns or rural settings bring a sense of nostalgia and depth, agreed Nitin Gupta, chief content officer at Chaupal, a platform specialising in Punjabi, Haryanvi and Bhojpuri content. The service’s titles such as Shikaari and Zila Sangrur have drawn viewers with their raw portrayal of village life and culket, ture. The upcoming Sarpanchi 2 and Shahi Majra 2 are built on the success of their first seasons.

The early adopters for any medium, including OTT platforms, tend to come from larger cities, according to Arpit Mankar, head of non-Bollywood category at Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. However, as these platforms expand, smaller towns catch up.

“We have seen this trend across Pay TV, FM radio and even YouTube. This shift naturally drives a demand for more authentic, culturally resonant narratives that cater to a broader audience base,”

The trend may have started in April 2020, but has spread as makers take shows to small, remote parts

Mankar said.

He added that as a result, small-town stories have become a critical part of content strategy. They offer a chance to connect with diverse audiences by capturing the humour, aspirations, and unique struggles of everyday India. These stories resonate with audiences by reflecting local traditions and the universal experiences of small-town life.

While metro-centric content is getting increasingly repetitive, looking and sounding the same, regional tales find more draw from the fact that many viewers who live in big cities come from smaller towns, producer and director Hemal A. Thakkar said. PressReader

Paramount Global nominated three new directors on Monday, seeking to boost its board strength to seven as it awaits regulatory approval for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.

Paramount nominated Mary Boies, counsel to Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, Charles Ryan, co-founder and general partner of Almaz Capital, and Roanne Sragow Licht, former justice and adjunct professor at Boston University and Roger Williams University.

U.S. President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Paramount-owned CBS News in October, alleging that the network deceptively edited an interview with then-vice president and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, to “tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party” in the election.

Trump’s lawsuit is seen as a major roadblock to the Paramount-Skydance merger, according to some analysts.

The merger requires approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, which has authority over the transaction because it needs to approve the transfer of the broadcast television licenses held by CBS.

Paramount, chaired by Shari Redstone, reportedly offered $15 million to settle the suit.

Trump raised his claim for damages to $20 billion in February.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the company wanted to ensure it had a full board in place in case its negotiations with Trump to settle his lawsuit fell through.

Paramount is scheduled to hold its annual stockholder meeting on July 2. MSN

beIN Media Group has extended its longstanding content agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), securing exclusive multi-year rights to a broad portfolio of acclaimed television series and films which will come to beIN’s audiences across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Turkey.

As part of the renewed deal, beIN will continue to hold first and second window rights to several film titles from SPE’s diverse library.

In the Middle East, content will be available in both Arabic and English across beIN’s entertainment channels, beIN ON DEMAND, and on its OTT platforms, TOD and beIN CONNECT. In Turkey, content will be available in English and Turkish via Digiturk’s entertainment channels, as well as TOD and beIN CONNECT.

“We are proud to extend our valued relationship with Sony Pictures Entertainment — a creative powerhouse that continues to captivate global audiences,” said Esra Özaral Altop, Chief Entertainment Content Officer, beIN Media Group. “This renewed agreement not only reflects our dedication to curating premium entertainment for viewers across MENA and Türkiye, but also marks a new chapter in strengthening our entertainment portfolio.”

SPE’s upcoming slate includes highly anticipated titles such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, 28 Years Later, Until Dawn, and Karate Kid: Legends.

The agreement could also allow audiences to watch recent hits like Venom: The Last Dance, Kraven the Hunter, Saturday Night, the Oscar-winning I’m Still Here, and Paddington in Peru coming to beIN’s audiences.

For television series, the agreement covers fan-favourites including Outlander (Seasons 1-8), The Good Doctor (Seasons 1-7), Twisted Metal (Season 1-2), and anime hits from Crunchyroll: Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia (Seasons 1-2).

“Our passion at Sony Pictures is to bring great stories to great audiences, and our friends and partners at beIN remain the perfect home to bring this plethora of amazing content to audiences across MENA and Turkey,” said Mark Young, EVP, Distribution & Networks, EMEA, Sony Pictures Television. “We are thrilled that their wide audiences will continue to enjoy the wealth of content from SPE’s future slate as well as our vast library of beloved classics, and we join them in being incredibly pleased to make this announcement today”

First signed in 2021, the renewed agreement aims to build on the longstanding collaboration between beIN and SPE, while underscoring beIN’s position as a global entertainment network. Campaign