Samsung in mega TV deal

In an important development in the multi-platform strategies of major cable operators, Samsung has revealed a wide ranging partnership with Comcast and Time Warner Cable at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, writes Broadcasting and Cable.

The alliance will closely integrate Samsung TV, tablets and smartphones into the MSOs cable systems and enable cable subscribers to more easily watch content and to search for content on a variety of devices.

The deal is notable because there has been a great deal of speculation that smart TVs and devices connected to the Internet would undermine the traditional TV business. With this alliance, two of the US' largest operators have embraced connected TV, tablets and smartphones as a way to enhance the value of their subscription products.

The Rwanda Development Bank has taken a decision to facilitate local investors to import and distribute digital TV sets, reveals All Africa.com.

The move is in line with the government's commitment to meet the 2012 deadline for all the East African Community member states, to migrate from analogue to digital system.

That the regional deadline is three years ahead of the global deadline under the International Telecommunications Union, demonstrates this region's determination to take full advantages of the ICT revolution.

Turkish parliament has approved articles that would allow foreigners to own 50% of media companies and would open the ability to broadcast in languages other than Turkish to all radio and television stations in the country, states Daily News.

Both legislative articles are part of a Bill governing the Supreme Board of Radio and Television, or RT"UK, that is currently being debated in Parliament.

The article removing language-related broadcast restrictions was among seven passed on this week, while the raising of the foreign-ownership cap was passed yesterday; the remainder of the bill remains under discussion.