Channel 4’s video-on-demand service 4oD will now allow users to download shows up to 30 days after transmission, an increase from the seven-day cut-off point. Users will be able to store episodes on a PC for a further 30 days.

From David Del Valle in Madrid The Spanish cabinet has approved a digital migration plan to progressively carry out the analogue switch-off from next year to April 2010. The analogue switch-off in Spain will be progressively implemented in four phases. In 2008 the analogue switch-off will cover one per cent of the population (switching off […]

Xbox Live users could soon be watching BBC programmes via their console after Microsoft revealed it is in discussions with the broadcaster. Senior director for media at Microsoft Ross Honey confirmed the firm has spoken with the BBC and several other European media companies. “We are working diligently on multiple fronts to make it happen,” […]

From Colin Mann in Amsterdam Triple play operator UPC Broadband has selected solutions from Motorola and Tandberg Television, to power its Video on Demand (VOD) services in The Netherlands. Already deployed in several locations across The Netherlands, the Motorola and Tandberg Television solutions power the delivery of on-demand content that is expected to reach over […]

From Colin Mann in Amsterdam The Digital TV Group, the industry association for digital television in the UK, has moved a step closer to helping deliver a common test specification for Freesat, the subscription-free digital service from ITV and the BBC. Freesat will offer more than 200 channels and services including high definition television to […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid Spain is to make interactive MHP-based DTT tests in two towns in San Juan de Aznalfarache and Castilleja de la Cuesta, in the province of Seville, in the south of Spain. Aljarafe Television will be launching next week its digital TV channel covering all the Seville demarcation with around […]

MultiChoice Africa, the leading pay-TV operator in sub-Saharan Africa, has boosted its capacity leases with Eutelsat Communications to support further expansion of its pay television and Internet services in sub-Saharan Africa. With the lease of four new Ku-band transponders on Eutelsat’s SESAT 1 satellite, MultiChoice Africa will be able to extend the range of digital […]

UK supermarket chain Tesco has launched what it claims is the UK’s cheapest digital set-top box with a £10 (E14.7) price tag. Manufactured by Techwood, the digital TV box offers the standard 40 Freeview digital terrestrial TV channels and numerous radio stations.

SES Astra will officially launch its new digital platform entavio at the international consumer show IFA in Berlin on 1st September. The service to digital satellite households in Germany comprises about 500 digital TV and radio channels, which continue to be distributed for free, and the technical access to pay-TV for a monthly flat rate […]

The Portuguese government has approved a draft bill to launch a tender for terrestrial digital TV, an official at the public works ministry said. They official said the government will now launch two tenders by the end of the year, one to manage digital free-to-air channels and one to manage digital pay-TV stations.