* Philips gains license to Gemstar-TV Guide IPG patents
Philips Electronics updated its existing agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide International to use the latter’s interactive program guide (IPG) technology in products sold in Europe. The new agreement gives Philips a wider license to use Gemstar-TV Guide’s intellectual property in TVs, recorders and retail set-top boxes. Specific terms of the multi-year agreement were not disclosed.
* J:COM up to 2.27 million cable subs
Jupiter Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (J:COM), the largest cable MSO in Japan, ended November with 2.27 million subscribing households, up 155,000, or 7.3 percent, from the year earlier.
The company said it had combined revenue-generating units (video, Internet, and telephony) of more than 4.01 million, up 10.7 percent year-over-year.
* Cogeco adds two hi-def nets
Cogeco Cable of Canada has added A&E HD and HDNet to its HDTV lineup for customers in Ontario.
A&E HD will be offered as part of the MSO’s “HD Access” package, which carries a monthly fee of $5.99. Cogeco will offer HDNet in the “HD Premium Pack,” which costs $6 per month and includes nets such as Discovery HD Theater.
* Falcon Broadband to use Verimatrix for IPTV security
Falcon Broadband has selected Verimatrix’s Video Content Authority System (VCAS) to provide digital video content security. Falcon plans on launching IPTV in Q2 2007 when it has completed its dedicated fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) IP network in Colorado. Content security is turning out to be a critical factor in gaining access to the best content. Falcon said it chose VCAS not only for its merits, but also because it has been demonstrated to be interoperable with other IPTV network elements Falcon sourced from Myrio, Tandberg Television, and others.