After plenty of delays, Spotify has finally, officially launched in Australia with 16 million tracks streaming. The internationally acclaimed music streaming service is now set to compete with other music streaming services in Australia like JB Hi-Fi Now and Rdio in what looks like the next big way to listen to music. I hope Apple is paying attention.
SBS gets Budget boost, set to launch new FTA channel for Indigenous Australians
BUDGET 2012: SBS is about to get $158.1 million over five years in funding – something long overdue after only getting a measly $20 million three years ago – which also includes plans to launch a brand new digital channel for Indigenous Australians,
Convergence Review: the call for regulation will be unpopular with established media
Image: dailyinvention/Flickr (Creative Commons)
I’m looking forward to the next few days.
The Convergence Review’s key recommendation to introduce a new body to “regulate” the activities of our major 15 media operators – including newspapers – is significant.
Convergence Review: ‘Sixth multiplex’ should be used to launch new FTA channels
Image: espensorvik/Flickr (Creative Commons)
Buried in the Convergence Report is a plan that could enable Australian television to be more crowded than the 18 channels already available on digital. While ruling out the possibility of a fourth commercial network, the review wants to use the ‘sixth multiplex’ to be used to launch a number of new channels.
FULL TEXT: Convergence Review Final Report
Image: Luc De Leeuw/Flickr (Creative Commons)
The Australian Government has released the full report of its Convergence Review – and for those who did not know what that was, it was to evaluate the future of Australia’s media and communications laws. Some of the key findings include a new regulatory framework for spectrum, media ownership and – as noted by a leak by The Australian – news standards.
Telstra, footy codes win appeal against Optus TV Now decision
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The Federal Court has today overturned a previous decision that found Optus’ TV Now service not in breach of copyright by showing the matches on free-to-air on a short delay of two minutes. It now means that it will most likely go to the High Court for a final decision.
iiNet wins copyright case against Hollywood – is not liable for users’ piracy
Image: steakpinball/Flickr (Creative Commons)
So, if you have been living under a rock, iiNet has won its three year long case against the movie industry, sparing itself being liable for any copyright infringement of movies and music by users on its network.
500px pulls out the big guns with new $19.95 ‘Plus’ account option
Flickr competitor 500px has finally announced a upgrade option that can compete with Flickr Pro. Previously, users who had wanted to store more than 10 photos a week, plus not hit a number of other limits, had to upgrade to an ‘Awesome’ account for a whopping US$49.95, compared to Flickr Pro, which is US$24.95.
MPAA chief hints of SOPA/PIPA revival
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The controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act could find themselves back in the spotlight again, with the chief of the Motion Picture Association of America hinting at a possible revival of the bills.
BBC to broadcast (and stream) 24 channels in HD during Olympics
Talk about choice. The BBC has announced on Tuesday (and yes, we sort of missed it, but we didn’t realised it until now) that it will be launching 24 new channels for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
EMI terminates contract with Grooveshark
Grooveshark’s luck is running out, with their last major record label partner, EMI, terminating its contract with the company. Without any major record label support, the streaming music service’s future is now even more uncertain than it was ever before.
Harry Potter now available on eBook, audiobook formats (and powered by Sony)
It has taken a while, but the Harry Potter books are now available in a digital format – eBook or as a digital audio book. And surprisingly, despite partnering up with Sony – known for installing some restrictive practices on their content, Rowling’s books will be made available not only as an EPUB format, but it will also be available on the Amazon Kindle, Google Play and on Barnes and Noble’s NOOK stores.
Australia listed as “under surveillance” in new Internet Enemies list after Finkelstein report
Reporters Without Borders have released their list of countries that they consider to be “Internet Enemies” as part of its World Day Against Cyber-Censorship on March 12. However, while some countries – like China – are expected to be on the list; France and Australia have made the list under “Countries under Surveillance”.
REACTIONS: Day One of the Herald Sun paywall, will it succeed?
Day one is done and dusted, and the reaction from the Twittersphere has been largely negative of the attempts to install a paywall. However, it’s still early days to convert its strong readership into paying customers – but will it succeed is another question altogether. You can read the collated tweets below, after the jump.
Hollywood, Try and Keep Up
Image: photographerglen/Flickr (Creative Commons)
Internet content piracy has been an issue for a fair while, but only lately has it really begun to hit its peak with the introduction, and subsequent failure of SOPA and PIPA, as well as the shutting down of many popular downloading sites such as BTJunkie and Megaupload.