RTVE's HBBtv application for the Rio Olympics has "run into trouble with some so-called Smart TV's that are unable to process the signals." The Spanish public broadcaster is "offering viewers up to 19 channels of action from Rio 2016." However, according to Engan Chados a la TV some Smart TVs are "producing error messages" along the lines of “Error in Activating the Player” and “Missing Plugin.” The problem "is particularly acute in older TVs" (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 8/15).
O2 GOES TO COURT: O2 has "decided to sue three leading Czech cable and DTH operators for broadcasting foreign radio coverage of the Champions League." If O2's action succeeds, "it could open the door for the blocking of other programmes, especially movies and series." O2 owns the exclusive Czech rights to the Champions League and "does not want to see other providers offer coverage of the competition in the Czech Republic" (BROADBAND TV NEWS, 8/15).
MEDIA BRIEFS ...
Econet Media’s new free-to-air channel Kwesé Free Sports has been "extended beyond Kenya through a partnership with the ZBC." The local broadcaster received through Kwesé Free Sports the sub-licence to "exclusively broadcast on ZTV up to 6 hours of content from the Olympics including live coverage as well as some delayed footage." This deal also "includes the screening of one live English Premier League match every Saturday" (TECHZIM, 8/13).
Ladbrokes’ retail betting division has confirmed that U.K. sports broadcaster BT Sport "will be televised across its betting shop estate network." BT Sport content "will be displayed" across all 2,144 shops in the U.K. and 77 shops in Northern Ireland. The content "includes extensive coverage of Premier League matches," all Champions League games, plus Europa League and FA Cup fixtures (SBC NEWS, 8/15).
Telstra and Australia's National Basketball League announced an "expansion of their current partnership which sees Telstra continue as the NBL's official technology partner." The expansion will "enable basketball fans to watch live NBL through the Telstra TV streaming device and will allow every Telstra mobile customer to enjoy NBL coverage" live for the '17 season starting in October (BANDT, 8/15).
