Charter is reportedly close to buying Time Warner Cable

Charter’s interest in buying Time Warner Cable appears to be more than just a passing fancy. Bloomberg sources claim that the cable company is on the cusp of reaching a deal to buy TWC for $195 per share. The finer details of the buyout aren’t available, but Charter would fold both its new acquisition and Bright House into a single mega-entity. Reportedly, Charter could announce the purchase as early as Tuesday — if so, it’s not wasting much time following Comcast’s failed TWC deal.

Neither side is commenting on the rumor. However, a hasty buyout suggests that Charter is determined to challenge the biggest US telecom giants. The real question is whether or not regulators will be any more favorable to this attempt at snapping up TWC. Charter isn’t as big as Comcast, but an acquisition would still reduce the number of big competitors and give the remaining rivals more sway when negotiating TV and internet deals.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Source: Bloomberg

UK government torn over plans to censor ‘extremist’ TV shows

The Home Secretary Theresa May wants to give Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, the ability to block shows with extremist content before they’re shown on TV. The Queen’s Speech will detail some of the Conservative government’s legislative plans next week, and it’s already been confirmed that Ofcom will be given “a strengthened role” to tackle broadcasters perceived to be showing extremist content. The new powers will be part of a new Counter-Extremism Bill which includes immigration restrictions for extremists and the power to close premises where extremists are thought to be influencing others.

Yet even within the Conservative party, some of the plans are being met with fierce opposition. A letter obtained by the Guardian shows that Business Secretary Sajid Javid has been urging the Prime Minister David Cameron to reconsider May’s proposals. Sent on March 12, when Javid was still Culture Secretary, he writes: “Ofcom does not have the powers to approve programmes before they are broadcast and nor do we consider that it should have these powers as has been proposed.” Javid later argues that the proposals would threaten freedom of expression and could be used “otherwise than intended.”

The letter was written weeks ago, so it’s not clear how the Prime Minister reacted and whether the plans are still part of the bill expected to feature next week. Should these specific powers be included, it’s possible they’ll pave the way for other counter-extremism measures such as the Snooper’s Charter, which the Liberal Democrats blocked when they were part of the coalition. May has hinted that the bill could be revived now that the Conservatives have been re-elected, forcing mobile networks and internet service providers to store online activity, including emails and website visits, for up to 12 months. Police and intelligence agencies could then request access to this information.

The Snooper’s Charter has always been controversial, but this letter proves that even within Cameron’s new cabinet, there is concern and ongoing debate about the extent of such measures and whether they threaten some of the UK’s greatest civil liberties.

[Image Credit: John Snelling/Getty Images]

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Source: The Guardian

Sky’s new Kids section is a direct shot at Netflix

When the little ones are having a temper tantrum, kids TV is often your best line of defence. In the UK, that used to mean switching on CBBC or CITV, but in the internet age Netflix and YouTube rule supreme. After all, it means you can find the exact show or movie that’s likely to put a smile back on the little tikes’ faces. That could spell trouble for Sky, so the broadcaster is revamping its child-centric on-demand offerings. A software update rolling out to all Sky+HD boxes this week will put a new “Kids” tile on the homepage, providing instant access to on-demand shows and movies, kids TV recordings and live channels such as Cbeebies and Nick Jr. In addition, Sky is expanding its library of on-demand episodes from 700 to 4,000 over the coming months. It’ll include new morsels of SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer and Ben 10, as well as cult favourite Adventure Time. YouTube appeals because it’s (mostly) free, but if you’ve been stressed out before trying to find a decent clip online, you might want to try grabbing your Sky remote next time.

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Source: Sky

TiVo wants to become the legal version of Aereo

Turns out TiVo snapped up Aereo’s trademarks and customer lists for a reason: it’s planning to make its own version that won’t have broadcasters lining up to sue. According to Multichannel, the company wants to offer their customers low-cost bundle subscriptions to streaming services and specific channels. In an interview in Chicago, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers said he believes the answer to make that happen is the “Aereo model, done legally and better.” Unfortunately, Rogers didn’t discuss how his company will create a legal version of Aereo’s technology, and if it entails paying fees to broadcasters. A spokesperson told Multichannel, though, that TiVo will hold an event in July to officially unveil the new service.

Aereo used to rent out tiny antennae no bigger than a thumb, along with DVRs that can record any show they want. Customers can then access the service on their mobile devices or computers and stream their saved content anytime. Unlike cable companies, though, it didn’t pay broadcasters to “re-broadcast” their shows, and that eventually led to a drawn-out legal battle. Despite Aereo’s efforts to fight the case, the Supreme Court decided its service violated copyright laws, and the company ended up having to sell its assets at a bankruptcy auction.

[Image credit: AP]

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Via: PCWorld

Source: Multichannel

Charlie Brooker’s ‘Black Mirror’ could become a Netflix exclusive

Only seven episodes of Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror have been made, but their dark and unsettling depictions of the future have garnered a sizeable cult following. Now, Radio Times is reporting that the show has attracted the attention of Netflix, and that the streaming service is keen to pull the show away from British broadcaster Channel 4. The show debuted in the UK in 2011, but it wasn’t until last December that it landed on Netflix in the US. The last six months will have exposed the series to a massive audience — at the same time, the streaming service is looking for popular shows to add to its growing “Originals” initiative. Charlie Brooker has previously confirmed that a third series is in the works, but so far we’ve only been treated to a Christmas special. If Netflix can persuade Brooker to switch allegiances, it would be another critically acclaimed show to slip in between seasons of Daredevil, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.

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Source: Radio Times

‘The X-Files’ six-episode series premieres January 24th

Back in March, Fox confirmed that FBI agents Mulder and Scully would return to television, and now we know when. The network announced that The X-Files six-episode run will begin on January 24th at 10 PM ET, following the NFL’s NFC Championship Game. There’s sure to be a load of interested viewers already marking down the date, but Fox is looking to rope in a few more by debuting the miniseries right after a big playoff game. The show’s premiere is a two-night event with the second episode following on Monday, January 25th at 8 PM ET in what will be the regular time slot. If you’ll recall, show creator Chris Carter will handle director and executive producer duties while David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles as the Bureau’s paranormal investigating duo.

[Image credit: Moviestore collection Ltd / Alamy]

Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, Science, HD

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Source: Fox