The competition watchdog has given the green light to Foxtel's $2 billion takeover of Austar, but slapped strict controls on the suitor to help protect emerging internet TV services.

Cisco this week said it will acquire NDS Group Ltd., a provider of video software and content security systems for service providers and media companies, for $5 billion.

Optus launches MeTV with fetch

Analyst Frost & Sullivan claims the Australian Internet TV advertising industry will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 42 per cent from 2011 to 2016, increasing in value from $54 million to $311 million.

Compare Broadband claims 38.5 per cent of Australian broadband users should consider upgrading their plan, according to a survey conducted by the company.

IPTV is slowly gaining momentum in Australia and it has the potential to completely change the way the broadcast industry operates in Australia, according to Intel general manager, Philip Cronin.

Apple is reportedly in talks with Fox, CBS, NBC and The Walt Disney Co. to offer 99-cent TV episode rentals through iTunes. It's unclear if each network would offer all their content for rental on iTunes or just select series. Episodes would be available for rental within 24 hours after their initial airing and expire after 48 hours, according to Bloomberg.

Yahoo has signed up new partners for its Connected TV effort but also faces new competition from other companies looking to bring movies and applications from the Internet to the TV.

After reading Ditch Cable and Satellite for Free Internet TV, Warren Kernaghan asked where on the Internet he can find television programs comparable to what's on cable.