News Broadcasting
WBU-TC demands rethinking on MPEG-4 AVC licensing
MUMBAI: World Broadcasting Unions Technical Committee (WBU-TC), the technical arm of the Canada based World Broadcasting Union, has expressed extreme concern about the licensing of MPEG-4 AVC, says an official press release.
MPEG-4 AVC is the latest version of video-compression standard which will replace the earlier version called MPEG-2 introduced in 1990.
The MPEG-2 video-compression standard has enjoyed exclusive dominance in the broadcasting world since its launch. But the system now reaching its practical limits and the demand for compression still growing high, the new version of compression standard is introduced to pick up where MPEG-2 leaves off.
The World Broadcasting Unions Technical Committee (WBU-TC) is the collective technical body for the world’s eight broadcasting unions and is responsible for technical broadcasting issues of importance to the members of the Unions. It reflects the opinions of the world’s national broadcasters.
The committee expressed its concern in a press release dated 21 May 2003. The release says that the WBU- TC has commented on the licensing arrangements for MPEG-4 Visual and strongly objected to the concept of fees based on usage. The committee also expressed the hope that the licensing structure for MPEG-4 AVC would not be a barrier to massive global adoption.
Again on 17 November 2003, MPEG LA issued a news release entitled “MPEG LA Announces Terms of Joint H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Patent License” (http://www.mpegla.com/news/n_03-11-17_avc.html) which indicated that free-to-air broadcasters would be required to pay “Participation Fees” amounting to US $10,000 per year for markets of greater than 100,000 households.
Of late, on 18 May 2004, MPEG LA has announced (http://www.mpegla.com/news/n_04-05-18_avc.pdf)) that the terms of this license will be modified to include the option of paying a one-time fee of US $2,500 for each encoder used in transmitting MPEG-4 AVC video for free broadcast television.
Despite this concession, the WBU-TC has unanimously concluded that the MPEG-4 AVC licensing terms remain extremely onerous for free-to-air broadcasters. The WBU-TC suggests that free-to-air broadcasters should be exempted from charges for use of MPEG-4 AVC. In the absence of such an exemption, the WBU-TC may recommend that the world’s major broadcasters should not use MPEG-4 AVC, says the release.
News Broadcasting
CNBC India unveils new logo, rolls out refreshed identity across network
Debuted at IBLA, the redesign signals a sharper, digital-first future
MUMBAI: CNBC has unveiled a refreshed brand identity across its India network, introducing a new logo and visual system that reflects a more modern, digital-first direction.
The rebrand was officially revealed at the India Business Leader Awards held in Mumbai on March 14, marking the first public showcase of the updated design at one of the network’s most prominent platforms.
The overhaul is among the most visible brand updates for CNBC in recent years, aimed at aligning its look and feel with evolving audience habits and a growing multi-platform presence.
At the centre of the refresh is a redesigned logo that moves away from the network’s long-standing multi-coloured peacock motif, opting instead for a cleaner and more minimalist aesthetic. A key visual cue is a blue upward-pointing arrow embedded within the letter ‘N’, symbolising forward momentum, growth and a focus on the future.
The new identity is being rolled out across the entire CNBC cluster in India, including CNBC-TV18, CNBC-TV18 Prime, CNBCTV18.com, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar. The move brings a more cohesive and contemporary design language across television and digital platforms alike.
The rollout began on March 30, with the network aiming to create a unified viewer experience regardless of how audiences access its content, be it on broadcast, online or connected devices.
With this refresh, CNBC is signalling its next phase of growth in India, blending legacy credibility with a sharper, forward-looking identity designed for an increasingly digital news ecosystem.
