Digital radio gains support

While HD radio has received a boost from regulators in the US, Digital Radio Mondiale's DRM30 system has gained significant support in Russia and India, reports Radio World.

In addition, the Eureka-147 family of DAB standards is seeing good growth in Australia, as well as continued acceptance in Europe and new projects in Asia.

This is not to say that any digital radio system is in danger of completely replacing traditional analogue broadcasting in the near future, but some broadcasters and regulators are reaching the point where talk of planning for a digital switchover is reasonable.

Qatar's dream of launching its first satellite got under way recently, with ictQatar and its Paris-based partner in the venture, Eutelsat Communications, selecting Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) to build the high-performance satellite, says Zawya.

SS/L has a long history of delivering satellites and spacecraft systems to commercial and government customers around the world.

The selection of the contractor marks a step forward for ictQatar in the partnership signed in May by Eutelsat to invest in and operate a satellite at 25.5 degrees east.

Quebecor Media has hit a snag in its effort to have its new 24-hour news network as a must-carry channel on cable and satellite, the Business Journal writes.

The broadcasting regulator has told Quebecor its proposed Sun TV news channel, dubbed Fox News North by rivals, won't be considered for a must-carry Category 1 licence.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says in a letter obtained by The Canadian Press that it announced back in March it won't consider new Category 1 licences until October 2011, after the switchover of all TV signals to digital.