p02 Ed Note NovDec08v3 7/11/08 14:25 Page 2
This month > Editor’s note Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Issue no 281
The premier league
Published By:
Informa Telecoms & Media
Mortimer House
37-41 Mortimer Street
London W1T 3JH
Welcome
to the seventh edition of Digital TV Europe’s Euro
50, our annual survey of the views of 50 of
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7017 4953
Europe’s leaders in broadband and pay-TV.
Website: www.digitaltveurope.net
Our list bridges the world of cable, DTH and IPTV network operators,
broadcasters, new media executives and technologists. Some are highly tal-
Editor Stuart Thomson
ented managers. Others are highly-skilled specialists. A few could be
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 5314
described as industry visionaries. One thing they clearly share is passion,
Email: stuart.thomson@informa.com
commitment and determination. Those qualities are likely to be tested in the
Assistant Editor Graham Pomphrey
months ahead as the global economy enters a period of uncertainty. Most of our 2008 leaders
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7017 5293 remain cautiously optimistic about the industry’s prospects, but they acknowledge that some of
Email: graham.pomphrey@informa.com
their endeavours could fall victim to circumstances beyond their control.
It’s probably fitting that this year’s list reflects to some extent the merits of tried and tested
Contributing Editors
Stewart Clarke, Chris Dziadul, Chris Wynn
business models: fixed-line and DTH pay-TV businesses with solid recurring subscription-
based revenue streams are strongly represented. But innovation remains key to success even in
Contributors times of such high uncertainty. Many of our Euro 50 network operators have been recognised
Kate Bulkley, Megan Edwards, Nick Flaherty,
for innovative marketing and bundling strategies as well as for forays into new premium serv-
Andy Fry, Farah Jifri, John Moulding, Anna
ices such as HDTV and ultra high-speed broadband. Among our Euro 50 broadcasters, HDTV
Tobin
is also, in several cases, high among the reasons for their recognition this year.
Correspondents
Inevitably, a number of the names in this year’s list will be familiar to readers of previous edi-
France: Julien Alliot; Germany: Dieter tions. But a large proportion are new to the Euro 50, reflecting changes at the top of a number
Brockmeyer; Italy: Branislav Pekic; Portugal:
of well-established organisations as well as the emergence of new success stories in emerging
Nuno Cintra Torres; Spain: David Del Valle
triple-play markets in central and eastern Europe and recognition of technological innovation
Advertisement Director Katrina Coyne
from a number of industry suppliers.
Email: katrina.coyne@informa.com
This year’s Euro 50 were drawn from nominations for eight basic categories: outstanding
executives from cable operators; outstanding executives from DTH and satellite providers; out-
International Sales Manager
standing executives from IPTV operators; outstanding executives from mobile TV; outstanding
Patricia Arescy
executives from new media and online TV; outstanding executives from broadcasters and chan-
Email: patricia.arescy@informa.com
nel providers; outstanding technologists and outstanding marketeers.
Art Director Matthew Humberstone
For the first time we have also introduced an additional category attached to a special award:
recognition of lifetime achievement in the broadband and pay-TV arena. We recognised two
Publisher Lydia Blackwood
individuals in this category in the 2008 Euro 50. The runner-up is Robin Crossley, strategic advi-
sor to BSkyB on technology, who has been a driving force behind almost every major innova-
Managing Director Ian Hemming
tion in the modern TV landscape. But the 2008 winner, recognised for his services to broad-
Printing Wyndeham Grange, West Sussex casting over a long career, is Marty Pompadur, the former executive-vice president of News Corp
and chairman of News Corp Europe – and now an independent consultant. ●
SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE
Tel: +44 (0)20 8606 7539
Fax: +44 (0)20 8606 7301
Email: Sigs@wdis.co.uk
© Informa UK Ltd 2008
All rights reserved
Reproduction without permission
Stuart Thomson, Editor
is prohibited
stuart.thomson@informa.com
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
2
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52