Global IPTV subscriptions pass 12m at end 2007

The total number of IPTV subscribers grew by 117 per cent in 2007 to reach 12.34 million, up from 5.71 million at the end of 2006, according to research by Informa. The biggest world region remains Western Europe, which passed 6.9 million IPTV subscribers in 2007 to account for 57 per cent of the global total. The bulk of subscriptions were in France, where incumbent France Telecom and alternative operators Free, Neuf and Telecom Italia's Alice, had attracted more than 5 million IPTV customers by bundling the service free with broadband. (Advanced-Television)

Warner signs 7digital MP3 deal in Europe

Warner Music has signed a deal with digital media site 7digital.com to provide its catalogue in the MP3 format, which can be played on nearly all music devices. Its catalogue -- with hits from James Blunt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers -- would be available to 7digital.com customers in the UK, Ireland, Spain, France and Germany. The site is the first major European download store to offer Warner's tracks in the DRM-free MP3 format. (Reuters)

VoD surges in Europe

There were 258 video on demand (VoD) services operating in Europe at the end of 2007, research has revealed. A survey by the European Audiovisual Observatory and the French Government’s Media Development Department (DDM) found that the number of services jumped from 142 a year previously. Some 74pc of the services surveyed are delivered via internet, 26pc are available as part of IPTV packages and 10pc come with cable packages. As in 2006, France – with 32 services – remains the country with the highest level of VoD provision. (Silicon Republic)

Microsoft in MTV and Sony BMG deals

Microsoft has struck pan-European deals with MTV International and Sony BMG to provide programme clips and music videos across its MSN Video service. The deal will see clips of shows such as South Park and music videos from artists as diverse as Elvis and Britney Spears made available via MSN Video across European countries including the UK, France and Germany.

French plan e-mail warnings for illegal downloads

Legislation allowing the French government to send e-mail warnings to anyone downloading music tracks without paying for them should be passed by the summer, said Jean Berbinau, general secretary of Armt, the regulatory authority for digital copyright, at the Midem international music market. He is charged with implementing the measures announced last year by French president Nicolas Sarkozy. They include a “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” policy for people downloading illegally. (Financial Times)

French Physical Sales Slump

The French physical recording business generated €1,176 million ($1,722 million) at retail in 2007, down 17.1% from 2006, according to figures unveiled by Gfk and French Observatoire de la Musique. In volume, the market dropped 18.3% to 83.1 million units sold. Universal lead distribution market share with 31.4% (up 2.5% year on year), followed by Sony BMG at 18.8% (down 1.7%). Warner moved ahead of EMI with 14.3% (down 0.2%) against 13.5% (down 2.5%). Altogether, independent distribution represented 22% of the market, up 1.9%. (Billboard)

Warner Music acquires French tour company Camus

The French division of Warner Music Group has acquired one of the country's leading tour production and promotion companies, Jean-Claude Camus Productions, for an undisclosed fee. The deal will combine Camus Productions' experience of staging live events with Warner Music's roster of local and international artists, and the promoter will work closely with each of the labels in the Warner Music France group, the two companies said in a statement on Saturday. (Reuters)

UK is largest European music download market, Germany 2nd

TiVo has paired up with Jaman.com, an online distrib of indie and international films, in a content deal that will increase the number of pics available to subscribers of its digital video recording service. The UK is responsible for 54 percent of all European music downloads, followed by Germany with 20 percent, according to a survey in 15 European countries by Nielsen SoundScan cited by the German music industry organisation. Number three is France with 7 percent, followed by Belgium and Italy both with four percent. (Telecom Paper)

Broadcasters align to expand French mobile TV

French broadcasters Canal Plus Group, TF1 and M6 have entered into an alliance with a number of other French TV firms in an attempt to expand the country’s mobile TV market. The trio have signed a mobile TV charter along with AB Group, Bollore, Lagardere Active, NextRadioTV and NRJ Group. The alliance’s remit calls for the expansion of mobile TV networks in France and ‘the opening up of access to networks to commercial distributors.’ (Advanced Television)

Orange and Lagardère Active launch Musiline

France Telecom's unit Orange is launching today a free service with Lagardere SCA division Lagardere Active to allow broadband subscribers to listen to music online. The service, called MusiLine, gives Orange broadband Internet subscribers (more than 7 million customers on September 30, 2007) the free and unlimited opportunity to listen to personalised music programs amongst the biggest French and international hits. (PR)

French consider effects of Sarkozy TV revolution

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, on Tuesday proposed scrapping advertising on France’s public television stations and financing them through a levy on the advertising revenues of private stations and a tax on internet and mobile phone operators’ turnover. The plan, still in its early stages, was the opening move in a much broader liberalisation of France’s broadcasting industry, including changes to ownership rules and advertising restrictions, analysts said. (Financial Times)