— Virgin Media: The telco has confirmed it will unveil its 50Mbps broadband offering next Monday morning. No word on when exactly it will be available to consumers, though some have already trialled the product, which will be the fastest consumer ISP offering by far and open up a new range of online video content possibilities.
— BlinkBox: The long-tail viral clip sharer has got licenses from two new Hollywood studios – 20th Century Fox and SPTI. What’s more, it’s got Warner Bros’ permission to distribute full-length shows like Smallville and Sarah Connor Chronicles from one day after UK TV broadcast. Blinkbox also has Paramount and Universal.
— Premiere: News Corp (NYSE: NWS) may ask German regulators not to force it to make an offer for pay TV operator Premiere if its stake increases further. News Corp has steadily increased its share of the broadcaster this year but must compulsarily bid outright if its stake exceeds 30 percent. Der Spiegel said the company may ask financial regulator BaFin for an exemption. Via Reuters.
— Disney: The mouse is extending his control of kids channel Jetix Europe, buying more shares that take its share from 74 percent to 96 percent. It is then expected to control 100 percent through a compulsory takeover, MediaWeek says.
— Sky: The Competition Appeal Tribunal denied BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) the opportunity to appeal the verdict against its ITV (LSE: ITV) stake in the Court Of Appeal, though Times Online reckons the satcaster will take its case to the higher court anyway. Sky was earlier ordered to reduce its 17.9 percent ITV stake to 7.5 percent or less, a move that will see it lose millions thanks to ITV’s sliding share price.