Standards bodies and regulators quietly decide what becomes mandatory long before it reaches a press release. This category follows DRM and anti-piracy enforcement, codec licensing and patent pools, AI training-data copyright, and net neutrality and privacy rules shaping the industry.
The UK is planning to implement tougher penalties, including prison sentences, for negligent damage to subsea cables. This initiative aims to protect essential infrastructure that supports over $1.88 trillion in daily transactions and 99% of web traffic. The new measures are being introduced due to increasing security concerns regarding critical subsea communication lines.
The article discusses the divergence in age assurance regulations between the US and other regions, specifically highlighting the advanced governmental debate in the EU and UK regarding social media. It notes that discussions in these regions are increasingly favoring age assurance measures.
The Delhi High Court has upheld the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) advertisement time limit for broadcasters, concluding a 13-year legal dispute. This verdict is expected to significantly impact news broadcasters and their advertising inventory.
The Delhi High Court has upheld a regulation by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that limits advertising time to 12 minutes per hour on television channels. Broadcasters had challenged this rule, arguing it interfered with their primary revenue source. This ruling reinforces the existing regulatory framework for ad duration.
EchoStar has reached a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding debt claims from spectrum auction defaults. The agreement addresses up to $2.9 billion in outstanding debt. The article provides no further details on the nature of the spectrum in question.
The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Media Bureau has issued a Public Notice requesting public comments. The comments will help determine if ABC's daytime talk show, "The View," qualifies as a bona fide news interview program. This ruling could impact content classification and regulatory oversight for similar programming.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has requested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expand its regulatory fees to include big tech companies and internet service providers (ISPs). NAB argues that these entities currently benefit from FCC oversight without bearing the associated costs, unlike broadcasters.
Digital G7 ministers met in Paris and reached a limited agreement on online child protection. The joint declaration also acknowledged the energy consumption of artificial intelligence, though specific measures were not detailed.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken action based on a complaint that a documentary web series on an OTT platform is perceived to be glorifying an individual accused of illegal betting. The NHRC has issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting secretary and the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification.
Avateq Corp. is developing a prototype ATSC 3.0 MIMO receiver. The company specializes in innovative solutions for various industries including Broadcast and Telecom. This project is part of their broader work in advanced communication technologies.
This article, published by SMPTE, posits that "immersive sound" has transitioned from being a differentiating feature to becoming a fundamental expectation within the media and entertainment industry.
This article from SMPTE emphasizes the industry's role in protecting creative work in the context of Artificial Intelligence, especially where current legislation is insufficient or lacks global jurisdiction. It highlights the need for collective action within the media landscape to navigate changes brought by AI. The piece stresses that the industry must build together to establish safeguards for intellectual property in the AI era.
SMPTE has announced its honorees for 2025. This brief article indicates a recognition event by a leading standards organization in the media technology industry.
SMPTE has released the initial Catena documents, marking the official launch of standardization efforts for the control plane in media devices and services. Catena is designed as an open-source, vendor- and platform-agnostic solution for a single, secure protocol governing media device control. This initiative aims to streamline operations and enhance interoperability within the streaming media ecosystem.
The article provides an overview of time code in video production, explaining its fundamental role in synchronizing audio and video, identifying specific frames, and facilitating editing workflows. It details the various standards developed by SMPTE, including linear time code (LTC), vertical interval time code (VITC), and ancillary time code (ATC), and their applications in both analog and digital environments. The piece highlights how time code standards are crucial for content creation and distribution, supporting both traditional broadcast and modern streaming practices.
The article from Parks Associates discusses how sports fans are encountering increasing fees and fragmented access to watch their preferred teams across various platforms. This situation has led to calls for government intervention to address the challenges in sports broadcasting and streaming. The potential regulatory actions aim to ensure better accessibility and affordability for consumers.
Nokia is collaborating with Dolby and the 3GPP standards group to integrate spatial audio capabilities directly into smartphones. This initiative aims to establish a new standard for audio delivery on mobile devices.
Elecard has actively joined several SVTA (Streaming Video Technology Alliance) working groups following the merger of DASH-IF into SVTA over the past year. The company is contributing its technical expertise and software solutions, CodecWorks and Boro, to support low-latency delivery and real-time stream monitoring. This collaboration aims to strengthen industry standards for streaming video.
Elecard has joined the Audio and Video Coding Standard Workgroup of China (AVS Workgroup), a standards body. This membership coincides with the upcoming release of AVS3 codec support in Elecard's StreamEye Studio product.
Elecard has joined the DASH Industry Forum (DASH-IF), a global organization focused on the advancement and adoption of MPEG-DASH. This membership indicates Elecard's intent to collaborate on the usage and development of DASH technology.
The Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) published an article titled "Gender Expression in Localization." The article discusses considerations related to gender expression in content localization within the streaming video industry.
RDK President and GM, Jason Briggs, provided an update on the Reference Design Kit (RDK) at ANGA COM 2026. The update covered developments in RDK-B and RDK-V, ecosystem evolution, and how members like Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone are adopting Wi-Fi 7 & 8, as well as AI.
DTVKit provides royalty-free, open-source middleware solutions for DVB, ATSC, HbbTV, and CI+ standards, aiming to accelerate innovation and reduce costs in the global TV industry. Their software components are platform-agnostic and support various platforms like Android TV and RDK, serving chipset vendors, OEMs, broadcasters, and operators. The organization highlights its collaborative shared-source model and its role in enabling various digital TV deployments.
Partners Against Piracy (PAP), in collaboration with MultiChoice Talent Factory, launched a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) to educate audiences on anti-piracy solutions and the impact of illegal content consumption. The PSA, produced entirely by the MTF South African academy cohort, focuses on protecting African storytelling and encouraging legal content consumption, highlighting the impact of piracy on creatives and the wider ecosystem. The campaign also warns of cybercrime and data theft risks associated with illegal streaming platforms.
Ofcom, the UK regulator, stated that TikTok and YouTube's content feeds are "not safe enough" for children in a new report, criticizing their failure to commit to significant changes regarding harmful content. While Meta, Snap, and Roblox agreed to stronger anti-grooming measures, Ofcom plans to share concerns about minimum age rule enforcement with the government, which is consulting on a potential ban of social media for under-16s.
SMPTE has opened its call for technical papers for the 2026 Media Technology Summit, which will take place from November 16-19 at the Pasadena Convention Center. The summit seeks submissions on innovative processes, tools, workflows, interoperability solutions, and standards in media technology, with specific topics including color science, AI, immersive media, IP-based systems, advanced codecs, and sustainable production.
The article discusses the challenges of implementing reliable geo-restrictions for digital platforms, including a case where a streaming-adjacent product was blocked in a European market due to inadequate geo-blocking. It advocates for a layered approach using multiple independent signals, rather than simple IP checks, to address issues like VPN bypassing and mobile carrier routing oddities. The piece provides technical guidance on signal collection, decision logic, and properly extracting client IP addresses for robust compliance.
Ofcom published an article detailing its 2026-27 priorities for online safety under the Online Safety Act 2023, along with an update on its implementation approach and guidance on issuing Technology Notices. The priorities include protecting children, countering terrorism and illegal hate, and improving women's and girls' safety online, with specific actions and deadlines outlined for each area. Ofcom also set out key milestones for the implementation of the Online Safety Act, including consultation publications and statutory reports extending into 2027.
100ms published an article comparing various video call APIs, including Agora, Twilio, Jitsi, Zoom, and 100ms, based on their compliance standards and security features. The comparison focuses on how these platforms navigate regulatory requirements in the video communication landscape. This article serves as an informational resource regarding API compliance.
This article, part of an EMEA regional roundup, reports that Starlink and Amazon may receive European spectrum allocations next year. Additionally, O2's satellite direct-to-device service is now available to iPhone users.
Professor Fernando Pereira, Senior Researcher at Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) and Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, received the “Técnico’s Distinguished Professor” title for his contributions to multimedia signal processing. His work is noted for pioneering leadership in international multimedia standardization bodies, specifically within the MPEG and JPEG frameworks. This recognition highlights his impact on the institution's academic, scientific, and educational mission, as well as his expertise in multimedia information processing.
Germany's TV audience measurement body, AGF Videoforschung, is extending its trial to incorporate HbbTV return-path data into the official TV ratings, aiming to combine traditional panel data with usage details from HbbTV-compliant CTVs and Sky set-top boxes. This initiative marks a significant methodological change in German national TV ratings, with testing continuing through 2026 and potential integration into the existing panel structure. The project addresses the need for more stable and representative measurement, particularly in small, fragmented viewing structures.
Germany's national DVB-I Round Table has adopted the DVB-I Book Germany, a document outlining the key parameters for implementing the DVB-I standard in the German market. This initiative aims to ensure consistent user experience and an interoperable ecosystem for traditional broadcast content delivered via streaming, securing discoverability and reach beyond individual gatekeepers. The document establishes technical, regulatory, and organizational frameworks for content providers and device manufacturers.
CNN has filed a lawsuit against AI company Perplexity, alleging copyright infringement for using AI to "scoop up and repackage" its reporting, thereby undermining its economic model. CNN claims Perplexity's actions erode the need for subscriptions and lead to inaccurate information being presented as original CNN content. This legal action follows similar lawsuits against Perplexity by other news organizations including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal's parent company.
HDR10+ Technologies LLC has been selected to administer the new Eclipsa Video program, an open-source video standard developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). Eclipsa Video is a royalty-free alternative for HDR video optimization, with initial product releases targeting smartphones expected later this year. This follows HDR10+ Technologies' previous engagement administering the Eclipsa Audio certification program, aiming to deliver a more seamless audio/video environment.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated swift action to implement legal age restrictions on social media platforms following the recent conclusion of a consultation process. This move targets social media platforms with new regulations regarding user age verification and access. The specific details of the imminent law are not yet public.
The German Federal Cabinet has decided that streaming platforms will be obligated to invest a portion of their revenue in European and German productions. This mandates a "German cultural imprint" through financial contributions to local content. The decision aims to support domestic and regional content creation.
Ofcom has issued a fine of £500,000 to pornography provider Youngtek Solutions Ltd for failing to implement adequate age verification checks on its platform. This regulatory action addresses non-compliance with standards regarding online content access for minors.
The article introduces the concept of data sovereignty as a critical component in infrastructure strategies. It posits that durable infrastructure models require a clear separation between infrastructure operations and data authority.
The European Union is set to intensify its efforts to support European alternatives to software and services currently dominated by US companies. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving 'tech sovereignty' within the EU.
NCTA, a trade association for the cable television industry, has joined other organizations in voicing support for the current children's television ratings system. This stance indicates a preference for self-regulation over potential government intervention in content classification for children's programming.
Disney's ABC network has submitted early broadcast license renewal applications for its eight owned-and-operated television stations to the FCC under protest. The network cited concerns over the accelerated timeline mandated by regulators and potential implications for free speech and regulatory fairness. This action was taken "amid regulatory and political tensions."
The FCC has issued a public notice to broadcasters, reminding them of their public interest obligations. The notice asserted the government's power to revoke licenses for practices like "engaging in news distortion." It also suggested that the government could generate "billions" by auctioning broadcast spectrum.
Big Blue Marble announced its Nakolos platform supports the full 3GPP Release 19 feature set, claiming it to be the world's first solution to do so. This development advances 5G Broadcast technology.
Electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre advocates for a new copyright model for AI, proposing that artists should be considered commercial partners rather than merely data suppliers in the generative AI economy. This suggestion aims to redefine the relationship between artists and AI, focusing on equitable compensation and collaboration. Jarre's statement directly addresses the evolving challenges of intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence.
Former BBC and Channel 4 boss Michael Grade stated that UK broadcasters are risking producing "below the gutter" reality TV formats. His comments highlight concerns about content standards regarding reality television. This appears to be a statement regarding the potential need for stricter regulatory oversight or self-regulation within the industry.
Big Blue Marble announced a "world first" end-to-end 5G Broadcast solution. This development is attributed to 3GPP Release 19, which is described as a significant step for commercial 5G Broadcast.
A new podcast industry taskforce has been formed with the goal of establishing a standardized definition for podcasts. Additionally, the taskforce intends to develop common tools for ad measurement across the industry.
Germany has introduced a mandatory quota requiring all streaming platforms and broadcasters operating in the country with an annual turnover exceeding €10 million to invest a fixed share of their earnings into domestic productions. This new regulation impacts both traditional broadcasters and streaming services within the German market. The specific share percentage or implementation details are not provided in this excerpt.
Nebraska is reopening its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) bidding portal after some providers reportedly withdrew from the program. This action indicates a revised opportunity for companies to participate in the state's broadband deployment initiatives.
