Dutch TV time down 5% year-on-year in December
NETHERLANDS 15:40

Dutch TV time down 5% year-on-year in December

TV viewing time in the Netherlands reached a seasonal peak in December, but was still down 5 percent year-on-year, figures from the NMO show. Average daily time watching the main TV in the home was 211 minutes per day, including 130 minutes for linear TV (-6%) and 81 minutes for VOD services (-5%).

UPC Slovakia expands pay-TV lineup with 6 new channels
SLOVAKIA 15:17

UPC Slovakia expands pay-TV lineup with 6 new channels

UPC Slovakia has expanded its pay-TV lineup with six additional channels. The list includes the Ukrainian channel Dim, as well as five Slovak regional and local channels: TV Vega, TV Zemplin, TV Vychod, TV Sirava and TV Michalovce. This follows the end of the channels MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV 00s, MTV Live HD and Club MTV, which were withdrawn from the market. 

Keysight tests NR-NTN link in band n252 using Samsung modem chipset
GLOBAL 13:55

Keysight tests NR-NTN link in band n252 using Samsung modem chipset

Keysight Technologies said it has achieved a new radio non-terrestrial networks (NR-NTN) connection in band n252 using Samsung Electronics' next-generation modem chipset. The demonstration took place at CES 2026 in Las Vegas and included live satellite-to-satellite (SAT-to-SAT) mobility using commercial-grade modem silicon and cross-vendor interoperability. The n252 band is expected to be adopted by next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and this validation follows those for n255 and n256.

Yettel Hungary sets new mobile internet and TV usage records in festive period
HUNGARY 13:21

Yettel Hungary sets new mobile internet and TV usage records in festive period

During the 2025 holiday season, Yettel Hungary customers set new records for mobile internet and TV usage, with significant increases compared to the previous year. Between 24 December and 1 January, mobile internet traffic surged by nearly 30 percent, reaching almost 30 million GB of data consumed – the highest ever recorded. Over a third (34%) of all data traffic in December was carried over the 5G network. TV viewing also saw a boost, with households spending approximately 10 per cent more time watching

Kino Polska Group offers localised version of DocuBox
POLAND 13:01

Kino Polska Group offers localised version of DocuBox

Polish broadcaster Kino Polska Group, part of SPI International is offering new version of the television channel DocuBox tailored for Polish viewers with dedicated programming and voice-over. DocuBox now offers a brand new schedule with a carefully curated selection of content but also the ability to watch every title from its library with Polish narration. 

TikTok inks deal to create dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 hub
GLOBAL 12:46

TikTok inks deal to create dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 hub

FIFA has signed an agreement to convert TikTok into its first-ever "Preferred Platform" to boost global access and fan engagement ahead of this summer's World Cup football tournament. The deal strengthens ties first formed during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and will give TikTok a central role in delivering original content, highlights and interactive experiences to fans during the tournament across North America.

Digi Spain to air Australian Open in 4K at no extra cost
SPAIN 11:19

Digi Spain to air Australian Open in 4K at no extra cost

Digi Spain has announced that all subscribers to its Digi TV service will be able to watch matches from the forthcoming Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament at no extra cost starting 18 January. The most important games will be available in 4K quality on the Eurosport 4K channel (dial no. 10), with remaining matches plus analysis, debates and other competition-related content shown on additional Eurosport channels.

T-Mobile Poland adds Eurosport 3 to TV lineup
POLAND 11:16

T-Mobile Poland adds Eurosport 3 to TV lineup

T-Mobile Poland has added the channel Eurosport 3 from Warner Bros Discovery to the lineup of its pay-TV service Magenta TV. The channel will be available in an open window for all subscribers of the operator until 31 March. The lineup already included Europsort 1 and Eurosport 2.

Virgin Media makes Premier Sports Rugby channel free
UNITED KINGDOM 10:09

Virgin Media makes Premier Sports Rugby channel free

Virgin Media has made the channel Premier Sports Rugby free for its TV subscribers in the UK. The 24/7 rugby channel provides coverage of the Investec Champions Cup, United Rugby Championship, EPCR Challenge Cup, Top14 (France), Major League Rugby and Japan Rugby League One, as well as other programmes.

UCC denies reports of immediate Starlink launch in partnership with Airtel
UGANDA 08:34

UCC denies reports of immediate Starlink launch in partnership with Airtel

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has dismissed reports that Starlink will launch direct-to-consumer services this week, saying that the satellite provider still lacks the legal authority to operate in the country. UCC executive director Nyombi Thembo said recent speculation about an immediate roll-out in partnership with Airtel Uganda is inaccurate. While Airtel Africa and SpaceX have signed a regional agreement to explore satellite integration, Thembo said the deal is subject to regulatory approv

Disney+ plans vertical videos to boost daily audience
UNITED STATES 07:36

Disney+ plans vertical videos to boost daily audience

The Walt Disney Company announced plans to bring vertical videos to Disney+ later this year. The move is expected to attract more people to watching the streaming service on their mobile device, boosting the daily audience of the platform. The announcement was made at a presentation for advertisers at CES in Las Vegas. 'Verts' launched earlier on the ESPN app, and Disney wants to bring the format to its news and entertainment as well. The company said vertical video "delivers a more personalized, dynamic ex

KDDI launches K-Pop YouTube channel "PBLive Produced by au"
GLOBAL 06:39

KDDI launches K-Pop YouTube channel "PBLive Produced by au"

KDDI has launched a new YouTube music channel, PBLive Produced by au, to distribute K-Pop content globally. The channel is built around the concept "One Booth, One Live" and features live-style performances by K-Pop artists filmed in a phone booth–inspired set. Through the format, KDDI aims to deliver Korean music content produced in Korea to audiences worldwide via YouTube. The first release will feature a music clip by Korean three-piece band CNBLUE, scheduled for publication on 12 January. A teaser video

JAPAN 06:26

NTT tests IOWN APN-based remote production for school rugby broadcast

NTT West has completed a technical trial of a remote broadcast production environment using its IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) during coverage of the 105th National High School Rugby Football Tournament. The trial was conducted in collaboration with broadcaster Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS). The demonstration involved centralising advanced production functions, including AI-generated super slow-motion video and on-screen caption production, within a data centre rather than deploying them in an outsid

ASIA 06:22

Viu launches short-form vertical video offering on mobile app

Viu, the video streaming service operated by PCCW, has launched a new short-form video section called Viu Shorts, expanding its content catalogue with vertically formatted micro-dramas designed for mobile viewing. Viu Shorts is available within the Viu mobile app and features episodic content typically running between one and three minutes per episode. The new section sits alongside Viu's existing long-form television series and films and is aimed at viewers seeking shorter viewing sessions on mobile device

AUSTRALIA 06:08

2025/26 Ashes becomes most-watched series on Foxtel's Kayo

The 2025/26 Ashes cricket series in Australia has recorded the highest average audience of any Test series on Kayo Sports, as well as across all Foxtel group platforms. The five-Test series, which Australia won 4–1 over England, also became the most streamed Test series ever on Kayo Sports, with viewers streaming a total of 1.3 billion minutes across the platform and the wider Foxtel Group, including Foxtel, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.

GERMANY 8 JAN

RTL+ to offer new bundle with HBO Max at launch in Germany

RTL+, the streaming service of German private broadcaster RTL, will combine its offering with that of HBO Max for the launch of the streaming service from Warner Bros in Germany on 13 January. RTL+ and HBO Max will offer subscribers two options, one including RTL+ Premium and HBO Max Basic with advertising for EUR 11.99 per month, and a second option including RTL+ Premium Max, its ad-free subscription, and HBO Max Standard for EUR 17.99 per month.

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Nokia strikes first patent licensing deal with Hisense

Nokia has settled its patent dispute with consumer electronics group Hisense, announcing a multi-year licence agreement with Hisense covering the use of Nokia's patented video technologies in TVs. Under the agreement, Hisense will make unspecified royalty payments to Nokia. The agreement resolves all patent-related litigation between the companies, in all jurisdictions, Nokia said, noting this is its first licence agreement with Hisense. No terms were disclosed.

URUGUAY 8 JAN

Antel to air VTV, VTV Plus and FIX TV signals at no extra cost

Uruguayan state-owned operator Antel said it has reached an agreement to air the signals of pay-TV channels VTV, VTV Plus and FIX TV on its Antel TV service at no extra cost. The deal means viewers will be able to watch the games of the Uruguayan Basketball League via the Antel TV app, as well as the Official Carnival Competition during January and February by way of a promotional offer.

GLOBAL 8 JAN

Telit Cinterion and Nokia to launch industrial connectivity bundle with NTN, 5G and Wi-Fi deployment options

Telit Cinterion and Nokia have announced an industrial AIoT product partnership, coupling multi-access 5G, NTN and Wi-Fi connectivity modules with Nokia's Cognitive Digital Mine Platform. The collaboration aims to provide mining, oil and gas, logistics, railways and other industrial clients with AI and digital twins-driven connectivity and compute orchestration, driving more powerful, SLA-grade IoT use cases such as autonomous vehicles, as well as resource planning, asset usage, operational safety and sched

SAUDI ARABIA 8 JAN

Saudi CST seeks comments on space sector regulations and guidelines by 24 March

Saudi Arabia's Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has invited the public to give feedback on the Space Sector Regulations and Guidelines Document by 24 March. It aims to stimulate activities in the sector and ensure their efficient implementation, promote transparency in procedures for granting licences and permits to conduct them, foster an attractive investment environment in the country, and encourage research and innovation.

UNITED KINGDOM 8 JAN

UK music, video and gaming sales top GBP 13 bln on 7% growth in 2025

UK streaming and retail sales of music, video and computer games rose 7.1 percent annually to a record GBP 13.26 billion in 2025, according to the latest estimates from ERA, the national association for entertainment retailers. The growth rate was over double the 3.3 percent reported in ERA's 2024 figures, amid a strong recovery in gaming and continued growth in video and music. The increase was also more than four times faster than the UK's overall GDP economic growth forecast from the Office for Budget Re

PORTUGAL 8 JAN

Vodafone Portugal awarded for 'Best TV Experience'

Portuguese consumers have recognised Vodafone's TV service as having the "Best TV Experience," awarding it the "Consumer Choice" seal for 2026. Vodafone achieved a final score of 90.4 percent in the study, which involved over 12,000 consumers and analysed consumer-identified attributes, recommendations, and emotional brand experience. This success is attributed to Vodafone's ongoing investment in its TV service, including innovative equipment like the Vodafone TV Play box and Surround Speakers with Dolby At

SRI LANKA 8 JAN

Dialog secures ICC cricket rights for Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan pay TV operator Dialog Television has secured the exclusive media rights in Sri Lanka for all International Cricket Council (ICC) events from 2026 to 2028, alongside a free-to-air broadcast collaboration with TV Supreme. This agreement positions Dialog Television as the official Pay-TV broadcaster of ICC events in Sri Lanka, covering all major tournaments across Men's, Women's, and Under-19 formats. The rights include the ICC Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups for both Men and Women, the ICC W

UNITED KINGDOM 7 JAN

Nagravision to help English Football League combat live sports piracy

Nagravision, part of the Kudelski Group, has entered a partnership with the English Football League (EFL) to help the latter combat live sports piracy during the current 2025-26 season. The agreement will deploy Nagra-branded streaming security technology to monitor and address illegal streaming of EFL matches in real time across multiple platforms.

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Commentary

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15 DEC 2025 13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

8 DEC 2025 11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

31 OKT 2025 11:11

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Background

5 JAN 00:52

The week in telecom: Finnish security check, M&A completions and telco job cuts

23 DEC 2025 10:32

Netherlands TV-video market grows 2.6% in Q3 to EUR 759 mln

22 DEC 2025 00:25

The week in telecoms: YouTube, Instagram take on TV market and WBD rejects Paramount

15 DEC 2025 01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation