Category: Broadcast

Poland, which pays for Ukraine’s Starlink internet services, may seek an alternative if Elon Musk’s company proves to be “unreliable”, the foreign minister said on Sunday after the billionaire speculated about turning off access to the system.

Starlink provides crucial internet connectivity to Ukraine and its military. US negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine’s critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country’s access to the service, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters in February.

Musk, a high-profile figure in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, said in a post on his X social media platform on Sunday, that Ukraine’s “entire front line would collapse if I turned it off”.

He said he was “sickened by … years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose”.

The US government has already revoked some access to satellite imagery for Ukraine and paused intelligence sharing, piling pressure on Kyiv as Trump seeks a swift end to the war, now in its fourth year after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“Starlinks for Ukraine are paid for by the Polish Digitization Ministry at the cost of about $50 million per year,” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski wrote on X.

“The ethics of threatening the victim of aggression apart, if SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider we will be forced to look for other suppliers.”

Starlink’s parent company SpaceX did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment outside normal business hours.

Shares in Franco-British satellite operator Eutelsat soared as much as 650% during the week ending March 7, due to speculation the company could replace Starlink in providing internet access to Ukraine.

The shares pulled back on Friday to end the week up around 380%.

Poland said in February that it would continue to cover Ukraine’s Starlink subscription despite sources saying the U.S. could consider cutting it. Reuters

Sky News will continue to provide news, sport, business and showbusiness content to UK commercial radio following a new deal agreed with IRN.

Effective from today, the renewal features an expanded agreement allowing IRN radio stations to use Sky News video content on their digital platforms.

Video content includes access to Sky News’ live television news channel for social clips, as well as the use of judges’ sentencing remarks from the ‘cameras in courts’ feed which Sky News campaigned for.

David Rhodes, Executive Chairman of Sky News Group, said: “We’re delighted to continue our collaboration with IRN, and expand our service to commercial radio stations across the UK with video access.

“Sky News’ reputation for breaking news, and video-first journalism provides our partners with an unparalleled service of accurate and fast reporting that gives audiences the full story, first.” RadioToday

JioStar, the exclusive broadcast and digital streaming partner for the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, recorded an astounding 20.6 crore TV viewers during the India vs Pakistan clash on February 23, 2025.

The thrilling match in Dubai went on to become the second most-watched cricket game in BARC history (excluding World Cup matches). The match outperformed the previous 50-over India vs Pakistan encounter in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023. The TVR ratings for the Dubai match were around 11% higher than the Ahmedabad encounter during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The recent match saw Virat Kohli become the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, ultimately drawing a stunning 2609 crore minutes of TV time.

On this achievement, a JioStar – Sports, spokesperson commented, “JioStar is scaling new heights as far as India’s experience of marquee sporting events is concerned. Combining the power of deep consumer focus, immersive storytelling, universalised access and incisive marketing, Star Sports has galvanised the interest in this age-old rivalry. We remain committed to serving fans, deepening fandom and recruiting new cohorts.”

Star Sports also organised a schedule that included special shows such as “Thank You Pakistan…Jeetega Hindustan,” which featured legends from both countries such as Navjot Singh Sidhu, Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi, and Inzamam-Ul-Haq, and “Follow the Blues,” which followed the Indian team’s preparations before the big day. Live coverage on Star Sports began at 8 AM on match day, with “Dil Se India” displaying preparations and anticipation for the summit showdown. In addition, 2.2 crore viewers saw Star Sports’ live before, mid, and post-match shows, which were part of the live broadcast.

There is no stopping Indian fans’ enthusiasm as the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to conclude with the unbeaten Men In Blue facing New Zealand in the championship showdown on March 9. This might be another moment of triumph for Team India, assuming they get crowned winners again following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. SportsMint

Australia’s beleaguered casino operator Star Entertainment (SGR.AX), opens new tab has received an offer of A$250 million ($158 million) from U.S. casino group Bally’s (BALY.N), opens new tab for just over half of its shares, as the debt-laden casino operator reviews options to stay afloat.

Years of regulatory scrutiny and penalties following money laundering accusations, management exodus, and border closures due to COVID-19 have pushed Star, the country’s second-largest casino operator to the brink of bankruptcy.

Here is a timeline of the firm’s struggle to keep the lights running at its casinos over the past four years.

Late 2021
Media outlets reported that Star’s own internal review accused the company of failing to rein in money laundering and fraud at its two resorts.

The state of New South Wales began a public inquiry and Australia’s financial crime regulator (AUSTRAC) initiated a probe into possible breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) laws at Star’s largest casino in Sydney.

January 2022
AUSTRAC broadened its investigation into Star over possible breaches of AML and counter-terrorism laws at the company’s casinos.

March 2022
Star’s CEO Matt Bekier resigned due to AUSTRAC’s probe.

June 2022
Queensland state launched its own investigation into Star. The company also has casinos in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

September 2022
New South Wales inquiry found Star unfit to hold a casino licence in the state.

December 2022
Star handed an A$100 million penalty by the Queensland government.

Early 2024
Star faced a second inquiry in NSW after the casino regulator accused the company of failing to improve its governance to a satisfactory degree. Star’s new CEO and CFO quit.

June 2024
Star appointed Steve McCann, a former CEO of Crown Resorts and property giant Lendlease, as its new CEO to lead it through another regulator inquiry in New South Wales.

August-September 2024
Star was again found unfit to hold the licence in Sydney and filed its annual results a month past the regulatory deadline. The company said its corporate lenders agreed to provide a debt facility of up to A$200 million.

October 2024
Star fined A$15 million by the New South Wales’ gaming regulator.

January 2025
Star said its available cash was A$78 million at the end of December 2024.

February 2025
U.S.-based Oaktree offered to refinance A$650 million of Star’s debt in what could be a major lifeline for the cash-strapped firm. Star failed to post its interim results by the February-end deadline and again spoke to financiers about a bailout.

March 2025
Star received a bailout offer in the form of a refinancing proposal with potential to provide debt funding of up to A$940 million and an A$250 million bridging facility. The company also said it would sell 50% stake in its Queen’s Wharf project in Brisbane to Far East Consortium International (0035.HK), opens new tab and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.

Star also received a proposal from U.S.-based casino operator Bally’s Corp (BALY.N), opens new tab to inject A$250 million of funding, in the form of a capital raise leading to Star issuing convertible notes to its existing senior lenders. Reuters

The Karnataka government has announced a cap of ₹200 on movie ticket prices across all theatres, including multiplexes. The decision, revealed in the state budget on Friday, is aimed at making cinema more affordable. “The cost of the ticket of each show in all theatres of the state, including multiplexes, will be capped at ₹200,” said Siddaramaiah in his budget.

The demand for price regulation had been longstanding within the Kannada film industry, which has been asking the government to curb high ticket prices, particularly in cities like Bengaluru where rates can be exorbitant. Other states, including Tamil Nadu, have implemented similar measures, with Tamil Nadu capping ticket prices at ₹120, making it one of the most affordable places to watch movies.

On Thursday, home minister G Parameshwara had told the legislative council that the government will look into regulations on ticket pricing. Replying to JD(S) member Govindraju’s query during the Question Hour, Parameshwara said that at present the state follows the system of theatre owners fixing ticket prices.

“I have no clue why the state government has not interfered till now, although chief minister Siddaramaiah had intervened, capped the ticket rate in multiplexes at ₹200 in 2017 and an order was issued during his previous tenure as the CM,” the home minister said.

In the budget, further recognising the challenges faced by Kannada filmmakers in securing space on mainstream OTT platforms, the government has proposed the creation of a state-run OTT platform dedicated to promoting Kannada movies.

In 2024, leading actor-producers like Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty voiced concerns about the difficulties in getting major platforms to acquire Kannada content. In response to these challenges, Rakshit Shetty’s production house, Paramvah Studio, launched its own platform in July last year to stream its Kannada web series, Ekam.

Additionally, the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy has been allocated 2.5 acres of land where a multiplex complex will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. “A multiplex movie theatre complex will be developed under public private partnership (PPP) in 2.5-acre land owned by the Karnataka Film Academy in Nandini Layout, Bengaluru,” Siddaramaiah added.

As part of its broader push for the development of cinema, the government also announced that the film sector will be granted industry status, making it eligible for benefits under the state’s industrial policy.

To preserve Kannada cinema, the government has allocated ₹3 crore for the establishment of a digital and non-digital film repository. This initiative aims to document the social, historical, and cultural aspects of Kannada films.

The budget also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a film city in Mysuru. “For developing an international-level film city in Mysuru at the cost of ₹500 crore in the PPP model, 150-acre land has been transferred to the department of information and public relations. The government is committed to establishing this film city in the next years,” Siddaramaiah said. Hindustan Times

India’s pay-TV industry, which consists of cable and DTH services, is set to shrink by 1-3% in revenue for FY2026, as more viewers move away from traditional cable and DTH services in favour of over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms and free dish services, according to a forecast by rating agency ICRA. This ongoing shift is expected to impact the industry’s profit margins, with operating earnings likely to decline by 175-225 basis points year-on-year, settling at around 23-25% overall. The DTH segment is expected to fare better with margins of 33-35%, while multi-system operators (MSOs) may see lower profitability at 6-8%. However, leading players with strong financial backing are likely to maintain stability through continued access to capital and liquidity.

Growth in premium content could offset subscriber losses
Despite the decline in subscribers, the industry is expected to partially offset losses through an increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), estimated to grow by 1-3% annually. The adoption of bundled services that combine traditional TV with OTT platforms and broadband, as well as premium offerings such as HD, 4K, and live events, could support revenue generation. However, rising costs for acquiring premium content—such as sports broadcasting rights and international programming—along with ongoing investments in network maintenance, are expected to further squeeze profit margins.

Why are consumers shifting to OTT?
Ritu Goswami, sector head for Corporate Ratings, ICRA, highlights the growing appeal of streaming services, driven by the demand for personalised, on-demand content, ad-free experiences, and a variety of regional programming. The affordability of smartphones, widespread internet access, and the rise of smart TVs have further accelerated this transition. Regulatory changes, including pricing caps on TV channels and new rules on content packaging, have also played a role in reshaping consumer preferences.

India remains the second-largest television market after China, with nearly 190 million TV households in 2024. While overall TV penetration is expected to grow, the industry is undergoing a structural shift. Wealthier urban consumers are increasingly switching to digital alternatives such as smart TVs and streaming services, while lower-income and rural households are gravitating toward free dish services.

Despite its large subscriber base, India’s pay-TV industry lags behind markets like the U.S. and Europe, where ARPU is significantly higher due to a greater willingness to pay for premium content. In contrast, India’s highly price-sensitive audience has slowed the pace of “cord-cutting,” especially in rural areas where TV remains the primary source of entertainment. Factors such as affordability, hybrid service offerings, and internet infrastructure limitations will likely prevent a sharp decline in pay-TV subscriptions in the near future, according to ICRA. Financial Express

Anti-piracy coalition the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has filed two separate federal lawsuits against individuals in California and Pennsylvania, each accused of operating illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) services.

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the world’s leading anti-piracy coalition, has filed two separate federal lawsuits today against individuals in California and Pennsylvania, each accused of operating illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) services.

The first lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, targets Zachary DeBarr of Murrieta, California, the alleged operator of Outer Limits IPTV. The second lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is against Brandon Weibley of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, who is alleged to have operated multiple illegal IPTV services, including Beast Mode Live, GreenWing Media, Viking Media, BTV, Shrugs, and Zing.

The two unrelated lawsuits allege that DeBarr and Weibley’s services facilitate mass copyright infringement by offering unauthorized access to thousands of pirated television channels, movies, and television shows.

“These lawsuits demonstrate ACE’s unwavering commitment to protecting the creative industry from digital piracy from coast to coast and around the world,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association. “Illegal IPTV services not only harm creators and legitimate streaming platforms but also expose consumers to potential security and fraud risks. We will continue to take decisive legal action to shut down these operations and hold infringers accountable.” Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment

The global Broadband Network Gateway market was valued approximately USD 1.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 2.9 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% during the forecast period.

Broadband Network Gateway Market Overview
Broadband Network Gateways (BNGs) are critical components in modern telecommunications infrastructure, serving as the point of convergence for user traffic, enabling efficient management and delivery of broadband services. The market’s growth is driven by the proliferation of internet-connected devices, the rise in remote work, and the increasing consumption of streaming media, all of which demand robust and scalable network solutions.

Report Drivers & Trends Analysis:
The report also discusses the factors driving and restraining market growth, as well as their specific impact on demand over the forecast period. Also highlighted in this report are growth factors, developments, trends, challenges, limitations, and growth opportunities. This section highlights emerging Broadband Network Gateway Market trends and changing dynamics. Furthermore, the study provides a forward-looking perspective on various factors that are expected to boost the market’s overall growth.

Competitive Landscape Analysis:
In any market research analysis, the main field is competition. This section of the report provides a competitive scenario and portfolio of the Broadband Network Gateway Market’s key players. Major and emerging market players are closely examined in terms of market share, gross margin, product portfolio, production, revenue, sales growth, and other significant factors. Furthermore, this information will assist players in studying critical strategies employed by market leaders in order to plan counter strategies to gain a competitive advantage in the market. openPR

DAZN, the global sports streaming platform, has today announced a multi-faceted partnership with media giant Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in the United States covering soccer’s 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) club competition.

Through a sub-licensing agreement, WBD’s TNT Sports, TBS, and truTV networks will televise 24 of the tournament’s 63 matches across the US.

The collaboration will see the networks provide live coverage of action from the group stage, knockout stages, and the final.

In addition, DAZN and TNT Sports will offer English-language studio programming plus additional ancillary programming throughout the tournament. TNT Sports’ Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, and B/R Football digital platforms will also produce and share content across their social channels.

WBD and DAZN will additionally collaborate on cross-promotion, marketing, and advertising sales.

DAZN secured exclusive global rights to the CWC – to be held in the US across June and July – last December, for around $1 billion.

The TNT tie-up represents the second sub-licensing deal secured by the OTT giant for the CWC in the US, following an agreement with Spanish language media group TelevisaUnivision to show 18 matches across Univision, UniMás, and TUDN.

Last month, meanwhile, an Egyptian sub-licensing deal for the tournament was agreed with MBC Group, the Saudi-owned FTA broadcaster.

In late February, the Iris Sport Media agency secured distribution rights across sub-Saharan Africa for broadcast coverage of the tournament.

The CWC, which kicks off on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, features the top 32 clubs in the world, playing 63 matches over 29 days.

The competition will feature two US sides – Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami.

Luis Silberwasser, chairman and CEO of TNT Sports, said: “Partnering with DAZN to present the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 further bolsters our sports portfolio this summer and brings another world-class event to our TNT Sports portfolio.

“We’re looking forward to this new partnership with DAZN as we collectively deliver this exciting new global soccer club competition in the US this summer.”

Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, added: “With our new partners at Warner Brothers. Discovery, DAZN will enhance and expand production, marketing, and ad sales for the tournament, to maximize engagement and reach and ensure that fans receive the very best viewing experience.”

Before DAZN stepped in, FIFA had struggled to secure a broadcast partner, with many traditional media giants unwilling to pick up the rights as the competition has proved extremely controversial with many of soccer’s major stakeholders.

Clubs and players are unhappy about the extra games and workload, and a formal complaint and legal action by the players’ union FIFPRO was filed around this issue last year.

The revamped CWC will feature a new format in which continental governing bodies, apart from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), receive multiple team slots.

Europe’s UEFA, with 12, will have the most teams. The lineup will include Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Red Bull Salzburg. Sportcal

The Fox Sports Mexico (FSM) broadcaster has launched legal proceedings against a pair of sides from the country’s Liga MX soccer top flight over a media rights distribution dispute.

Fox Sports Mexico, which is not owned by the Fox Corporation media giant but instead by Grupo Multimedia Lauman, holds the rights to the Liga MX home games of Club Leon, and Pachuca CF, two sides controlled by the Grupo Pachuca ownership group.

In December 2024, however, it was announced Grupo Pachuca had come to an agreement with Fox Corporation to air Leon and Pachuca games for free on the Tubi streaming service.

In addition to the lawsuits, filed against both Grupo Pachuca and Fox Corp, the judge ruling over the proceedings granted FSM’s request for an injunction barring Grupo Pachuca from providing Fox Corp and Tubi with broadcasts.

Speaking on Fox Sport Mexico’s La Ultima Palabra show, the broadcaster’s external legal counsel Paulo Diez commented: “We consider [this] a very violent, arbitrary, and illegal attack by Fox Corporation, in collaboration with Grupo Pachuca.”

He explained, of the logic behind the suit: “Since [rights contracts] are such important assets, they contain protection clauses, one of which was this right of preference established in the contracts with Grupo Pachuca that expired last year. These clauses obliged Grupo Pachuca to give Fox Sports Mexico this right of preference so that, under equal circumstances, it could keep the contracts if it matched the offer that Pachuca and León would have received …

“It seems to me that there is very bad faith conduct on the part of the Pachuca Group and Fox Corporation, which has forced us to go to court to try to defend our rights.”

Grupo Pachuca and Fox Corporation have yet to respond, at the time of writing

In mid-2024 it was reported that Fox Corporation had received assent to proceed with a takeover of Fox Sports Mexico, however, that never advanced.

Then, in December it was rumored that Grupo Pachuca could be set to explore the sale of Club Leon in order to comply with ownership rules put in place by global soccer governing body FIFA.

Both Pachuca and Leon are set to compete in the upcoming revamped FIFA Club World Cup, despite soccer’s global governing body FIFA having said in November that teams owned by the same owner will not be allowed to compete in the tournament, which led to Costa Rican side Alajuelense lodging a complaint about the Grupo Pachuca clubs’ inclusion.

Martinez said he is confident both teams will be allowed to compete, and that FIFA will take the pending sale into account. Sportcal