Facebook and Twitter are fighting for key roles in the worldwide television market, particularly TV advertising and pay-TV, as Internet-connected television makes TV into a social medium, says a report by research company Futurescape.

Futurescape publishes strategy reports on the business of social television. It is launching its latest title, Social TV: How Facebook, Twitter and connected television transform global TV advertising, pay-TV, EPGs and broadcasting.

This is the first critical appraisal of how the battle between the two major social networks over social TV is shaping twenty-first century television and challenging the TV industry.

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Facebook and Twitter’s Battle Over Social TV will Transform the Global Television Market

The Open IPTV Forum announces the successful completion of its second Interoperability Event. The event, which took place from 31st May to 4th June in Stockholm, culminated in compelling demonstrations of end-to-end IPTV delivery across interoperable equipment and services from OIPF members.

The OIPF specifications segregate the IPTV delivery chain into three key areas: terminal, gateway and head-end. The terminal function was represented in the interoperability event by both set-top-boxes and television sets. These terminal devices notably included protected content delivery and a range of basic TV services, combined with rich interactive applications. The gateways provided crucial intermediary protocol translation, mediation and login capabilities. Head-end provision covered the delivery of VOD and linear television, protected video content and multiple service provider “bouquets” of services and applications.

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Open IPTV Forum Interoperability Event Successfully Demonstrates End-to-end IPTV Delivery

DISH Network and EchoStar issued the following statement regarding recent developments in TiVo vs. EchoStar Communications Corporation:

“DISH Network and EchoStar are pleased that the full Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has granted their petition for rehearing en banc.

We believe the issues that will be considered by the full court on rehearing will have a profound impact on innovation in the United States for years to come.”

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DISH Network and EchoStar Statement Regarding Granting of En Banc Hearing

Axis Network Technology Ltd of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, has been purchased by South Korean companies Ace Technologies Corp and Ace & Partners for USD 35 million.

Ace Technologies has acquired 55% of Axis, while Ace & Partners purchased 45%.

The deal will expand Ace’s wireless network business with the addition of Remote Radio Heads.

The will strengthen the company’s platform for compact base stations and integrated and active antennas.

Simon Mellor, CEO of Axis, said, “This is an exciting strategic acquisition that provides both companies with greatly enhanced business opportunities.

“The combination of Axis Network Technology’s market leading knowledge and expertise in remote radio head products together with Ace Technologies Corp.’s advanced antenna systems and RF components create a global powerhouse in the 4G LTE and WiMAX infrastructure markets.”

KIT digital has expanded its partnership with Sports Network Television to provide full coverage of this year’s 19th FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 11, 2010 to fans across the globe over the three screens: computer, mobile and TV.

SNTV provides television broadcasters with top quality footage of the sports news of the day. SNTV is the only non-linear broadcast accredited agency that will be reporting on all World Cup matches between 32 teams in 9 cities across South Africa. SNTV will have dedicated, on-site crews covering breaking news and reactions, interviews with players and coaches, training coverage, and press conferences.

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SNTV Partners with KIT digital to Bring Exclusive World Cup Video Coverage