It was already clear a few years ago that the Internet environment would become an important distribution channel for (not only) international news channels. For example, viewers could access, completely free of charge, broadcasts of thematic programmes not offered by its operator, even in significantly higher picture quality. On YouTube, the UK's Sky News is a case in point. The willingness to distribute foreign news stations in HD is minimal in the case of Czech pay services (with a few exceptions).
However, news channels as part of various video libraries or FAST services have become a certain interesting element in recent months. In the Czech Republic, the media group Nova has long ago discovered this possibility in the case of its online channel TN Live, or Prima in the case of the local version of its news channel CNN Prima News. Both of the two most important commercial players on the Czech market have bet on HbbTV (virtual red button) technology, which easily connects the world of classical television and the Internet.
CNN (not only) part of Max
On Tuesday, August 27, the US headquarters of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced that the international version of news channel CNN is becoming part of the online video library Max. The Czech representative office then announced its inclusion the following day. The news is not surprising. As the operator officially explained, the US presidential election, which will take place on 6 November, is supposed to be the driving force. However, this is not the first presence of CNN International in the Czech Republic on the online platform.
CNN International content, including the archive, has been available through the CNN app, which in the past could be installed for free by owners of Apple TV media centres. CNN's owner, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), has never promoted this option in the Czech Republic. Even then, the content was available in high definition, unlike Czech operators, where the station is distributed (with minor exceptions) only in SD. However, WBD launched the CNN+ streaming service in the US and the original application ceased to work in the Czech Republic. The inclusion of CNN International as part of the Max video library is therefore clearly to be welcomed. Live broadcasts in HD are available on satellite only from the "British Astra" and on YouTube in general.
The new Newsworld brand
In the Czech Republic, the virtually unknown Newsworld brand is beginning to penetrate the foreign platforms available on our market. Following Rakuten TV, whose app is widespread on a range of internet-connected devices including Smart TVs, it has also appeared on Plex in recent days. The Newsworld thematic channel model is an approach to news that consists of a compilation of content from various news TV stations, including France 24 and GB News, among others.
Through this form of broadcasting, Newsworld aims to offer a range of perspectives on topics from politics and economics to culture and science. The broadcasts combine different perspectives and journalistic styles to give viewers a comprehensive view of world events. According to the operator, the selection of stations is literally made "with an emphasis on quality, objectivity and credibility" so that viewers can be sure that the information they receive is accurate and reliable.
France 24 with the English-language FAST channel
The French news channel France 24 operates on the Czech market in two versions - local and international, i.e. French and English-language. In its own category of programmes, however, it is more of a news TV, which remains in the shadow of better known brands such as CNN International, BBC News or Euronews. The latter broadcaster, in fact, has made virtually all of its available versions available to the Plex service's FAST platform, opening up the possibility for viewers in the Czech Republic to watch not only the English-language version, but also, for example, Spanish, German or Italian.
The operator France 24 is smart about it. Like many other operators, the media group has taken advantage of the increased interest in France in the context of the Summer Olympics in Paris. Partnering with international online platform Rakuten TV is thus a logical choice and could not have come at a better time. But France 24 also offers its viewers and all interested parties the opportunity to follow its international channel, for example via YouTube.
source: mediaguru.cz
