Media group challenges Zimbabwe broadcasting

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) is concerned about the list of candidates for the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe from among applicants interviewed for seats on the Zimbabwe Media Commission, reports VOA News.com

MISA says nothing published by authorities had indicated those seeking one of nine positions on the Media Commission would be considered at the same time for seats on the three-member broadcasting authority.

On the short list for the broadcasting authority are Vimbai Chivaura, Benson Ntini, Vimbai Jirira, Susan Makore, Kindness Paradza and Douglas Dhliwayo. Zimbabwe Information Minister Webster Shamu will select the three members of the board from among these candidates.

UK television and telephony company Virgin Media revealed its second-quarter net loss narrowed and sales increased at its consumer business, despite fewer customers, says the Wall Street Journal.

Virgin Media, which is listed on Nasdaq but operates solely in the UK, says its net loss narrowed to £49 million (R653 million) from a £449 million (R5.9 billion) net loss a year earlier, when the company took a goodwill impairment charge of £366 million (R4.8 billion) on its mobile assets.

Chief executive Neil Berkett claims the decline in mobile revenue wasn't a big concern because the division ties customers to the company's other three services, namely, TV, broadband and fixed-line telephony.

IP solutions provider Envivio reveals its mobile video encoding platform has been installed by Digita, which is owned by France's TDF, a distributor of radio and television services, states Business Wire.

Pay-TV mobile television will be offered via the platform by mobile operators in Finland's top markets. Plans are in place to expand the platform with additional channels.

The digital mobile TV service provides two TV channels and three visual radio channels. Negotiations are underway to get more content to the DVB-H network.