digital tv

Mobile TV is more popular in Brazil than in other Latin American countries

2012-02-16T10:30:00.002-02:00

According to a global study that included 9.000 consumers from 16 different markets and was carried out by Motorola Mobility in 2011, mobile TV is more popular in Brazil than in the rest of Latin America. Specifically, the 34% of the population keeps that habit in Brazil, a percentage that is very close to that recorded worldwide – 37%.

Brazil is followed by Argentina (25% of interviewees) and Mexico (19%). The study analyzed mobile TV through smartphones, tablets, PCs or laptops. In Brazil, laptops are the most widely utilized devices to watch remote TV; but smartphones have been growing rapidly and already come second. In the United States, for example, the habit of watching TV through smartphones has quintupled over the 2010-2011 period, with a 23% of consumers who currently watch TV through such devices.

In turn, according to Teletime portal, the research work has also disclosed that Brazilian people spend six daily hours in social networks, a figure similar to the global average and other Latin American countries. The 43% of them have already used social media to recommend a program to some other person and the 82% of interviewees confirmed having used social TV in 2011.

NexTV LATAM

February 14, 2012 Fox Sports Brazil turns to users to increase distribution

2012-02-15T12:32:00.002-02:00

Last February 5, in Brazil, Fox Sports was released. Its main letter of introduction includes Pay-TV rights of Soccer Libertadores Cup, a tournament that generates great interest in such country as a result of its well-known soccer tradition. The company has already announced the execution of distribution agreements with Telefónica, TVA and Oi TV, among others. However, there is controversy because big operators – Net and Sky, among others- have not added the channel and users are exerting pressure. In face of the aforementioned, the channel is urging users to “talk with his or her operator” to request Fox Sports.

In its web page, Fox Sports has disclosed operators’ (Net, Sky, Via Embratel and GVT) telephone numbers so that users call and ask for the channel. “Talk with your Pay-TV operator and ask for Fox Sports”, the company points out in its site. In face of users’ comments, Fox Sports has announced that it has already been made available in CTBC, Nossa TV, Telefónica TV Digital, TVA, Oi TV, RCA and in 28 associates of NEO TV, thus reaching about 1.3 million users. In the meantime, negotiations with big systems are still being held.

Controversy arouse as a result of the fact that the first tournament games were broadcasted in Brazil by Speed and FX, which also belong to Fox Group. However, the company announced later that such strategy would not be kept; therefore, in order to see games in Pay-TV, users will need to rely on Fox Sports or wait for new agreements to be entered into with operators. As for free-to-air TV, some games (only Wednesdays’) are being broadcasted by Globo – group the main Pay-TV operator Globosat belongs to. In the past, soccer cup games were broadcasted through Pay-TV by SporTV (Globosat’s channel), but Fox Sports has kept the rights (previously sold to such Brazilian channel) to compete strongly in the market.

Sky stated that it was holding negotiations, but differences arouse from cost issues. Through its Twitter account, the DTH stated that it was “willing to agree on conditions to favor our clients”. “We will not accept unsuitable offers that may result in high subscription costs”. Moreover, users were informed the following: “The programming company (Grupo Fox) is responsible for the channel as well as for Speed and FX, which are included in its package, ask them to broadcast Libertadores games through such channels “.

NexTV LATAM

Sercomtel may launch its DTH in Brazil next August

2012-01-31T09:45:00.001-02:00

According to what Sercomtel President Roberto Coutinho has confirmed, the Brazilian telephony and ADSL operator, located in the municipality of Londrina, now wants to launch its DTH service next August. In September 2011, Sercomtel had executed an agreement with Media Networks, which will be the service provider.

“We are just waiting that the Telecommunications Agency passes our license”, Coutinho told Bnamericas portal. According to the executive, the National Telecommunications Agency may evaluate such issue over the course of a meeting to be held with the board in February or March. Coutinho considers that the license approbal will happen “naturally”. Last September, Sercomtel and Media Networks had announced that the service would start by 2011 end.

At present, Sercomtel renders fixed and mobile telephony services in addition to broadband Internet. The company operates in the state of Paraná, in the southern area of Brazil. Sercomtel records 190,000 fixed telephony clients and 50,000 ADSL subscribers. It is the smallest and only state-owned incumbent operator in Brazil. About the 45% of its stock belongs to Panamá state electricity company Copel and the remaining 55% is in hands of Londrina city.

In Brazil, operators Oi and CTBC, in addition to Telefónica itself, utilize Media Networks’ platform with headend in Peru for their DTH services.

nexTV LATAM

Brazil recorded 12,7 million TV subscribers and DTH surpassed cable in 2011

2012-01-26T10:56:00.001-02:00

According to the Brazilian Telecommunications regulator, Brazil recorded a 30.4% growth in 2011 and reached 12.7 million Pay-TV subscribers from the 9.8 million users recorded by 2010 end. DTH was the growth star (56.1%) and reached 7 million households; whereas, cable TV grew just a 10.8% which accounted for 5.5 million subscribers.

According to the aforementioned agency, MMDS fell a 23% and is currently restricted to just 240,562 subscribers and UHF fell slightly until reaching just 526 subscribers as a result of the outstanding growth in DTH, which is reaching all regions in the country.

In 2011, Brazil recorded almost 3 million new net subscribers, whereas, in 2010, 2.3 million net users had been recorded and in 2009 just 1.1 million clients. Only in December, more than 300,000 new subscribers were recorded, which accounts for the market’s acceleration.

There are almost 60 million households that rely on TV sets in Brazil, which shows that Pay-TV records just a 21% penetration rate in such country, far from the almost 59% recorded by its neighbor country Argentina, thus the whole growth room in the giant South American country. This week, a research work carried out by the consulting company Datafolha showed that Brazilian medium class has grown until reaching 90 million people, that is, the 60% of inhabitants in such country, and the poorest class, Class E, has shrunk to the 1% of the population.

NexTV LATAM

Brazil draws up measures aimed at increasing DTT deployment

2012-01-12T11:02:00.001-02:00

The Brazilian Government is drawing up a set of measures aimed at both increasing digital TV and complying with the schedule set for 2016 analog blackout. Some of such measures include the inclusion of Ginga middleware in TV sets manufactured in the country. Moreover, the subsidy policy for STBs will be analyzed again and the Digital TV Development Committee will be re-launched.

According to what the special Casa Civil advisor, André Barbosa, has explained, the Digital TV Development Committee -in charge of taking important decision in such area- is expected to deliberate permanently -since it has not held any meeting for the last three years- so as to ensure Digital TV success in the Confederations Cup, and the Soccer World Cup 2014, informed Tele.Síntese portal.

In addition to the aforementioned, the mandatory inclusion of Ginga in the Basic Productive Process of TV sets manufactured in the country is expected to be implemented. By 2013, the 100% of devices are expected to be fitted with the middleware for DTT.

Moreover, Barbosa explained that Argentine Government’s second bidding process for the acquisition of a million STBs will be closely followed with the purpose of re discussing the policy to be implemented in Brazil, due to the fact that such device prices are still too high for lower income sectors. However, DTT STBs are not expected to be distributed for free as it does happen in Argentina.

NexTV LATAM

Sky Brazil acquires MMDS operator to increase its LTE offer

2012-01-09T10:12:00.005-02:00

The DTH Sky Brazil has announced its intentions of purchasing Acom Comunicações, main MMDS Pay-TV operator in such country with presence in more than 50 municipalities. This acquisition will enable Sky to rely on 2.5 GHz spectrum, thus enabling it to widen its 4G (TD-LTE) broadband offer, which, so far, has been launched in the capital city of Brasilia – last year end – utilizing the frequencies of the MMDS acquired from ITSA in 2009.

According to the local media, with the acquisition of Acom – which works with the brand Jet TV – Sky will gain 2.5 GHz spectrum in more than 50 municipalities, distributed in 10 states, where Acom holds MMDS licensees. Such municipalities record about 13 million inhabitants. Such cities include the following: the metropolitan regions of Manaus, Natal, João Pessoa, Maceió, Aracaju, Cuiabá, Campo Grande, Ipatinga, Juiz de Fora, Campos and Santos, among others.

Sky has not disclosed the operation value, which is still pending of previous approval by the National Telecommunications Agency and the Economy Defense Administrating Council. Acom renders Pay-TV, broadband and VoIP services.

During the last months, MMDS systems have been losing market share in Brazil. As of November 2011 closing, such systems accounted for a 2% market share, according to information disclosed by the aforementioned agency. In November, Brazil recorded a total of 12,4 million households relying on Pay-TV services.

NexyTV LATAM

Apple TV has already started selling in Brazil

2012-01-04T11:13:00.001-02:00

The video streaming player Apple TV is already commercialized at USD 213 -through the company’s online store- in Brazil. The device enables users to rent movies through iTunes, which was launched in the country on the same day as Apple TV, last December. Neflix service is also available through the device. Apple TV is expected to reach other Latin American countries soon.

Additionally, the device enables access YouTube and Vimeo content. Moreover, it is possible to play video, music and photographs stored in other devices fitted with iOS system, wirelessly through AirPlay -the protocol owned by Apple. Apple TV’s first signs of its arrival to Brazil took place last November, when the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency homologated the device, as already disclosed by several local media.

Apple TV started its commercialization in the United States in 2007, but in October 2010, its Second Generation was released with modifications. Since its launching and until the second quarter of 2011, the Second Generation had already reached 2 million units; only in such quarter, 820,000 units had been sold thanks to its more competitive price and the fact that the product was offered in promotional packages.

In the meantime, in the United States, Apple is expected to launch its own-brand TV set over the course of this year, according to industry rumors. Two models might be offered: a 37-inch and a 32-inch device.

NexTV LATAM

AZBox sale has been banned in Brazil

2012-01-03T10:40:00.003-02:00

The Brazilian Federal Justice has decided to ban the sale, import and advertising of the STBs that enabled illegal Pay-TV channel access, known as AZBox. The process against such devices was led by the Brazilian Pay-TV Association, among other entities.

According to the aforementioned association, between 500,000 and 700,000 devices of this kind are commercialized in the country, thus producing industry monthly losses of about USD 53 million. In addition to such agency, the Brazilian National Pay-TV Operator Trade Union (SETA, according to its Portuguese acronym) and the National Pay-TV System and Special System Workers’ Trade Union (SINCAB, according to its Portuguese acronym) have also promoted processes against the illegal utilization of such devices.

The judge who took the decision -Marcelo Mesquita Saraiva- banned the commercialization of AZBox, Azamerica and Lexusbox STBs, on the grounds of disloyal competition and their attempting against the General Telecommunications Law, according to what G1 portal has confirmed.

In Latin America, many agencies have expressed their concerns about such devices’ growth, such as the Paraguayan Cable Operators’ Chamber and the Uruguayan TV-Subscribers Chamber. In Chile, the Sub-Secretary of Telecommunications has already stated that “the utilization of such devices to gain access to encrypted Pay-TV channels that require the authorization of their broadcasters pursuant to Copyright is banned”. In such country, last October, a procedure where 2,800 AZboxes was carried out as a result of a denounce filed by Movistar internationally.

NexTV LATAM

Brazilian OTT NetMovies has reached Apple devices

2011-12-22T10:43:00.000-02:00

The Brazilian OTT NetMovies has released an application for iPads, iPhones and iPod touch, which offers access to its wide streaming movie and series catalog. The download of the application has already been made available in App Store. Therefore, the service increases its presence in new mobile devices.

According to what TelaViva disclosed, NetMovies relies on an application for Android tablets and smartphones. Users can also gain access to the service through Connected TV sets and blu-ray players of important brands such as LG and Samsung as well as through STBs FnacBox of Fnac Brasil. The company stated that the new application for Apple devices enables users to see eight thousand movies and series of its catalog.

NetMovies’monthly streaming movie subscription amounts to USD 8. The OTT has recently increased its catalog through agreements with Miramax and Disney, thus nebaling the company to gain positioning in the Brazilian market, where it competes with Netflix and Terra TV Video Store, among other video streaming offers. NetMovies also relies on its DVD home delivery service and is present in the main cities of the country.

NexTV LATAM

Algar Brazil digitalizes with Network Broadcast

2011-12-20T11:23:00.001-02:00

Algar Telecom Brazil has started the digitalization process of its cable TV operation with the Argentine integrator Network Broadcast, which will provide Algar with an end-to-end solution with Harmonic headend, Verimatrix CAS, Tecsys encoders and SMT STBs, according to what Javier Lorenzo, Network Broadcast Commercial Director, has confirmed NexTV Latam.

The company is specifically in charge of “the whole MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 digitalization, both in SD and HD, for the complete analog subscriber base”, Lorenzo stated. Before being chosen by the Brazilian operator, the company had to participate in a RFP and a contest “where each provider took their equipment and carried out trials” was held. “The one presenting the solution and being able to show it from the user’s point of view with the best quality and at the lowest price was granted the project”, the executive pointed out.

Therefore, Network added another important client in Brazil. Over the course of a meeting held with journalists, the company’s president Alejandro Cubino stated that this year a 53% growth has been recorded, in part thanks to the good performance of the Brazilian market, and in the Andean region, where Network is also developing several projects.

Algar Telecom renders fixed, and mobile telephony, Internet and Pay-TV services in the residential and corporate markets in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. As of 3Q11 closing, the operator recorded 93,000 Pay-TV clients (under CTBC brand), 60,000 of whom belonged to its DTH (which utilizes Media Networks’ platform) and the remaining 33,000 belonged to its cable TV operation, currently present in the municipalities of Araguari and Uberlândia (Minas Gerais). Moreover, the company recorded 856,000 fixed telephony users and 633,000 mobile telephony clients, according to what the company has disclosed in its report.

NextTV Latam

Sky Brazil strengthens its operations with the launching of LTE

2011-12-16T10:40:00.001-02:00

The main DTH in Brazil, Sky, has launched its fixed TD-LTE broadband service in the capital city of Brasilia, thus turning into the first Pay-TV operator in utilizing 4G technology in the country. Nokia Siemens is the infrastructure provider for this initiative. The company is planning to extend its service over new cities where it holds license to operate in 2.5 GHz.

Sky offers two speeds: 2 MB and 4 MB, at USD 43,3 and USD 54 monthly fees respectively. The service can be acquired by those who are not subscribed to Pay-TV services. Moreover, the DTH offers several TV packages. The most economical combo includes 2 MB broadband and 87 channels at USD 70. Such price may reach USD 302, depending on the speed and especially the SD or HD channel offer.

Over the course of its presentation, the company made it very clear that its main objective was the quality service as a differential value as compared with other options. Sky President Luis Eduardo Baptista stated that there are offers that sell 10 MB but only 1 MB is actually delivered, and that “does not work”. “We want to deliver what we are selling”, he pointed out.

The service is offered through a 4G modem that captures the Internet channels and redistributes it. Sky has got licenses in 2.5 GHz with the acquisition of the MMDS ITSA in 2008. Later, the National Telecommunications Agency authorized the company to render Multimedia Communications Services, thus enabling the company to render broadband services. Sky Brazil is owned by DirecTV (93%) and Globo (7%).

NexTV LATAM

TIM closes an agreement with Sky to offer Pay-TV services in Brazil

2011-12-15T10:49:00.004-02:00

TIM has announced that it is negotiating a commercial joint service offer agreement with the DTH Sky, which will enable the mobile operator, the only one that does not rely on Pay-TV services, to step in such market. The agreement would be executed over the next weeks and the joint commercialization of the service would start over the first semester of 2012.

The announcement was made by Rogério Takanayagi, president of TIM Fiber, the company that will render fixed broadband services through the network of AES Atimus, a company acquired by TIM this year. According to what Takanayagi has stated, the commercial partnership between TIM and Sky is “absolutely natural”. In the past, both companies had closed a similar alliance.

The executive explained that TIM decided not to launch TV services, and instead, joined an operator that relies on experience in such market. Therefore, the telecommunications company will be able to focus its investments on fiber deployment.

Takanayagi also stated that those agreements Sky held with other operators have already terminated. The DTH -owned by DirecTV and Globo- had previously partnered Oi and GVT, but, at present, both companies rely on their own Pay-Tv systems.

This agreement will enable TIM to reposition itself with a new offer, especially in a market where its competitors already offer convergent packages. Last September, América Móvil’s companies in Brazil -Net, Embratel and Claro- launched a joint 4Play offer.

NexTV LATAM

Telefónica Brazil is launching its OTT platform in 2012

2011-12-15T10:30:00.001-02:00

Telefónica is developing an OTT platform, which is being tested in 600 users and will be launched in 2012 in Brazil, at the beginning with non-lineal content and DTT. The service will be offered at a monthly subscription fee and under a transactional model.
According to what Teletime has disclosed, Henrique Moraes, Telefónica Fixed Marketing Director and project leader, stated that the new proposal will not necessarily need a hybrid STB, since the company is also working “on the development of the platform for connected TV set applications”. Moraes pointed out that the non-lineal content providers have already got involved in the project, though he did not disclose their names. Eventually, lineal channels will be included.
The platform stems from the development carried out by the Brazilian firm LabOne, which has recently partnered Microsoft. Therefore, the American company has become Telefónica’s main IP platform provider. The Brazilian media informed that Telefónica is planning to offer this new service to not only its broadband subscribers. In Argentina, for example, the Spanish company offers its VOD-through-streaming service ‘On Video’ only to Speedy clients. In Brazil, ‘On Video’ was launched commercially in October 2010, but at present, the product is promoted in its web page

NexTV LATAM

Turner takes its TV Everywhere platform to Latin America in 2012

2011-12-06T13:06:00.001-02:00

According to what Román Guasch, Business Development Manager of Tuner Broadcasting System, confirmed NexTV Latam, Turner will launch its TV Everywhere platform -currently under implementation in the United States- in Latin America in 2012.

To such ends, the company will work jointly with operators of the region, since in order to gain access to the platform, it will be necessary to be client of some Pay-TV system. “The offer will be based on our channels and users will gain access to it through authentication”, stated Guasch. He also added: “It has not been defined yet, the access is likely to happen through the channels’ web sites”. Initially, it will be available through PCs, and later will be extended over devices fitted with Android and iOS operating system.

The access to TV Everywhere platform will be free-of-charge for subscribers. According to Guasch, in order to compete it is necessary to offer an increasing amount of content to users, who already pay operators for such material. At present, Turner channels web sites rely on some available videos, but most of the material is not Free VOD.

In addition to its own initiative, Turner is also planning to participate in other TV Everywhere projects of Latin American operators. For example, at present, the company is part of VTR GO – the Chilean MSO – platform.

Some of Turner Group channels are: Cartoon Network, TNT, TCM, I.Sat and CNN in Spanish. Turner will include those contents over which the company holds rights, such as original productions.

NexTVLatam

NetMovies adds Miramax content

2011-11-30T11:22:00.001-02:00

The Brazilian OTT NetMovies has closed a license agreement with Miramax, thus enabling the OTT to include in its catalog a good part of the American companies’ titles bookstore to be seen through streaming. In September, NetMovies had executed a similar agreement with Disney.

Therefore, the OTT enlarges its catalog in Brazil, where it competes with Netflix and Terra TV Video Store, among other VOD-through-Streaming options. NetMovies also relies on a DVD home delivery service, which is available in all cities of the country with more than 500,000 inhabitants, in 16 States.

By means of this new agreement, as from December, users will be able to watch movies such as: “Pulp Fiction”, “The English patient “, “City of God” and “Kill Bill”. Users can gain access to the Brazilian OTT from any PC, tablets, smartphones and Samsung and LG connected TV sets. NetMovies’ streaming service is offered at a USD 7,9 monthly fee.

Jacson Segundo - Observatório do Direito à Comunicação
14.06.2011

digital tv

Mobile TV is more popular in Brazil than in other Latin American countries

February 14, 2012 Fox Sports Brazil turns to users to increase distribution

Sercomtel may launch its DTH in Brazil next August

Brazil recorded 12,7 million TV subscribers and DTH surpassed cable in 2011

Brazil draws up measures aimed at increasing DTT deployment

Sky Brazil acquires MMDS operator to increase its LTE offer

Apple TV has already started selling in Brazil

AZBox sale has been banned in Brazil

Brazilian OTT NetMovies has reached Apple devices

Algar Brazil digitalizes with Network Broadcast

Sky Brazil strengthens its operations with the launching of LTE

TIM closes an agreement with Sky to offer Pay-TV services in Brazil

Telefónica Brazil is launching its OTT platform in 2012

Turner takes its TV Everywhere platform to Latin America in 2012

NetMovies adds Miramax content

Echostar is looking for a partner in Brazil for DTH

Brazil wants to reach 2015 with the 100% of TV set fitted with Ginga

Pacification enables DTH to expand over Brazilian favelas

VOD applications are the most popular among Connected TV set users

October 31, 2011 The DTH Via Embratel has already recorded over two million subscribers in Brazil

Brazil closed the third quarter with 11,88 million Pay-TV subscribers

October 27, 2011 DTHi operates again in Brazil jointly with Internet providers

October 19, 2011 Brazil, Colombia and Chile lead 3D VOD in Samsung Connected TV sets

Oi informs that its IPTV provider has not been chosen yet

Net, Claro and Embratel will offer quadruple play packages in Brazil

Telefónica increases its share in TVA

Globosat launches Muu applications for Apple devices

Microsoft manufactures its Xbox 360 console in Brazil

Brazilian TV set manufacturers analyze the lack of interactive offer for Ginga

Sercomtel will offer DTH in Brazil with Media Networks

GVT launches Pay-TV in Brazil thus betting strongly on HD

Oi Brazil about to choose its IPTV project provider

Brazil passed Bill 116, thus opening Pay-TV for telephone companies

ESPN and Net Brazil broadcast live 3D US Open

The Brazilian OTT NetMovies strengthens its platforms to compete with Netflix

Netflix started its Latin American arrival with Brazil

Hughes and StarOne are granted satellite positions in Brazil

TIM Brazil is planning to offer Pay-TV services in 2012

Brazilian Pay-TV grew a 15.6% in seven months

SBT Brazil launched free-to-air interactive TV

Alarm in Latin America produced by AZBox pirate use

Latin American operators are looking forward to IBC 2011

The Brazilian Senate passed new Pay-TV rules

Google will lead cable STB business in Latin America

Telefónica reached 25,000 FTTH clients in Sao Paulo

Net wants OTTs to pay for the network use

Brazilian SimTV will digitalize with Conax CAS

Vía Embratel launches DVR for SD subscribers

TVA extends its triple play offer in Brazil

Net launches TV Everywhere with Globosat in Brazil

Net's VOD recorded 750,000 streamings in July

Sony connected TV sets add Band content

DirecTV recorded its highest growth rates in Latin America

Brazilian Pay-TV recorded 11,1 million subscribers

Telefónica recorded more than two million Pay-TV subscribers

Net might utilize open STBs in Brazil

Geek rage in Brazil by GVT's and Telefónica's hybrid STB

GVT will launch Pay-TV in 14 Brazilian cities during the last quarter of the year

Brazil will bid four satellite stations next August

Fnac launched OTT box in Brazil

Samsung launches 3D VOD in Connected TV sets in Brazil

Ibope will measure OneSeg mobile TV viewers in Brazil

Net prepares its TV Everywhere service

Sky Brazil launches TV Everywhere with Verimatrix

Brazil returns to its plan aimed at taking ISDB-T to Africa

Boxee Box is launched in Brazil while waiting for Netflix

GVT moves forward with Pay-TV programmers

Ex-presidente da Telebrás diz que governo está cedendo ao interesse das teles

Banda Larga é um DIREITO seu !

Samsung is looking for apps developers for its Smart TV sets in Brazil

Telefónica expands its FTTH network in Brazil

Brazil analyzes the ISDB-T alert system

DirecTV reached 10 million subscribers in Latin America

OTT NetMovies started in Samsung TV sets in Brazil

DTH has already defeated cable in Brazil

Brazil executes a DTT cooperation agreement with Chile

Ginga will be mandatory in Brazilian digital receivers

Globo bets on free to-air TV because Internet remains too far away

Netflix is dealing with Televisa, TV Azteca and Globo