News
Stay up to date with CommerceGate news through our RSS Newsfeed
You can also follow CommerceGate on Twitter
Dont forget to sign up to our newsletter!
Archived news of: January 2012
2012-01-04
New York Times sparks confusion with subscription emails
High risk payment processing users have been left confused after a mistake by the New York Times.
High risk payment processing users have been left confused after a mistake by the New York Times.
Some eight million customers received emails from the newspaper offering them a special discount if they reconsidered their choice to cancel their online subscriptions.
This offer was only intended to go to around 300 people, however was erroneously sent by an employee to the full email marketing list.
Initially social media users were concerned that that the site had been hacked and the message was a spam email, but The New York Times has since blamed human error and released an apology.
A spokeswoman said: "An email was sent earlier today from The New York Times in error. This email should have been sent to a very small number of subscribers."
The email reportedly offered customers a 50 per cent reduced rate for 16 weeks of content, sparking anger from existing consumers not eligible for the discount.
read more 2012-01-04
New Star Wars game 'competing for fastest-growing subscription title'
The new Star Wars game is already attracting a high number of online billing solutions users as it becomes one of the fastest-growing player communities in the history of subscription-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) titles.
The new Star Wars game is already attracting a high number of online billing solutions users as it becomes one of the fastest-growing player communities in the history of subscription-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) titles.
After being on the market for only a fortnight it has gained numerous positive reviews, earning awards such as MSNBC's Best Multiplayer Game of 2011.
Since its launch on December 20th it has attracted more than a million players who have spent over 60 million hours on the game, PC World reports.
The Old Republic has been developed by Bioware and general manager and co-founder of the company Dr Ray Muzyka has hailed the new game's response from fans.
"Everyone at Bioware, Electronic Arts and Lucas Arts is honoured and humbled by the stellar response from our fans," Dr Muzyka said soon after its launch.
He then went on to claim that the organisation would be working with the gaming community to deliver "compelling new features and content" as it progresses.
read more 2012-01-05
Disney shows to be available through online subscriptions
High risk payment processing services could see a greater demand after Disney reached an agreement to broadcast shows online to subscribers.
High risk payment processing services could see a greater demand after Disney reached an agreement to broadcast shows online to subscribers.
The corporation has signed a long-term agreement with TV signal provider Comcast, which extends their current partnership for another decade.
This will now allow Comcast subscribers to gain greater access to shows on demand over the internet on multiple devices, on major pay channels such as ESPN, ABC Family and all Disney channels.
The online package will now cover 70 channels or services and while terms have yet to be fully disclosed it is believed that the comprehensive deal is in the interest of both organisations.
"It reinforces the value of the multichannel subscription and takes full advantage of new technologies, which serve all of our viewers," ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer said in a statement.
The deal is expected to give improved online content access to 22.4 million subscribers and has seen shares rise significantly.
read more 2012-01-05
Data security expected to be major issue this year
Data security is expected to become a significant issue for internet merchant account holders during 2012, as businesses and consumers beginning transferring more money online.
Data security is expected to become a significant issue for internet merchant account holders during 2012, as businesses and consumers beginning transferring more money online.
Mark Dampster, associate of the Centre for Cyber Security, claimed that as data production and storage increases as does the level of risk.
"Its confidential nature, the location and the context - makes it more attractive to exploit and [provides] a greater opportunity to criminals," Mr Dampster noted.
"Companies and individuals from the board room to the post room need to have data security at the heart of their considerations," he went on to advise.
The Information Commissioner's Office has recently published its strategy for the coming year, explaining that businesses are under pressure to protect consumer data as well as their own organisations from external threats.
It is currently proposing European-wide changes to current legislation regarding the secure storage of online data.
read more 2012-01-05
Verizon Wireless reverses payment processing charge
Verizon Wireless has been forced to reverse its decision to charge a payment processing fee to customers after a consumer backlash.
Verizon Wireless has been forced to reverse its decision to charge a payment processing fee to customers after a consumer backlash.
The US wireless operator retracted its $2 proposed fee for all telephone and online payments, after it received significant criticism from consumers and the Federal Communications Commission.
Verizon's decision to backtrack was made only a day after it announced the fee for one-time payments, a surcharge which was due to come into effect on January 15th.
Payment processing fees have come under mass criticism over the past few months, with the Bank of America recently choosing to make a u-turn on its debit card payment charge of $5 a month.
In the UK, the Office of Fair Trading is currently working with the government to investigate hidden surcharges added on the end of online transactions and looks set to ban this practice by the end of 2012.
read more 2012-01-06
Online payment processing to be made quicker
Online payment processing services are to be made quicker due to new European Union regulations.
Online payment processing services are to be made quicker due to new European Union regulations.
As of January 1st new legal requirements mean that electronic payments must reach the recipients account by the next working day.
The new Faster Payments system is expected to affect around 15 million internet, phone and standing order payments per month in the UK.
All standing orders, one-off internet and phone banking payments will exceed this requirement and are expected to be processed within two hours through the new regulations.
"This is great news for consumers and businesses. More bills are going to be paid more quickly through Faster Payments and the change will mean more certainty if you have been sent money too," commented Adrian Kamellard, chief executive of the Payments Council.
However, Mr Kamellard told Pay Your Way that "not all payments we make will fall under this regulation" and therefore it is important for both internet merchant account holders and consumers to become familiar with the new rules.
read more 2012-01-06
Charter Communications expands online subscription content
Charter Communications may increase its high risk payment processing subscribers after it announced that its customers have a greater amount of online content choice.
Charter Communications may increase its high risk payment processing subscribers after it announced that its customers have a greater amount of online content choice.
The network has upgraded its online and mobile content and apps for no additional cost to consumers, as well as adding hit US TV shows from Turner Broadcasting System and live streaming from CNN.
With the addition of other channels such as Cartoon Network, Charter has increased its entertainment portfolio by more than 500 hours of online and mobile content.
Subscribers can now also access shows within 24 hours of the live programme airing on a partner network.
"We are providing a growing amount of streaming content to bring an array of news, sports and entertainment options to customers on multiple devices through our powerful internet service," commented Rich DiGeronimo, Charter's senior vice president of product and strategy.
read more 2012-01-06
LOVEFiLM partners with BBC for subscription service
LOVEFiLM has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to give its members streaming access to content from the broadcaster's vast archive of shows.
LOVEFiLM has signed a deal with BBC Worldwide to give its members streaming access to content from the broadcaster's vast archive of shows.
High risk payment processing services could be in demand as more consumers look to subscribe to the Amazon company in order to view a greater amount of shows.
The subscription video on-demand deal is to include celebrated TV titles such as Doctor Who, Life On Mars and Planet Earth.
LOVEFiLM Instant is Europe's leading TV and movie subscription service and is now available on a wide range of internet-connected devices, including Sony Playstation 3, Apple iPad, Xbox 360, PCs and web-enabled TV sets.
Lisa Rousseau, head of UK and Ireland sales and distribution at BBC Worldwide, claimed that it is great to see the relationship between the two firms evolve digitally.
"We're delighted to give LOVEFiLM's subscribers the opportunity to instantly watch their favourite British shows," she added.
read more 2012-01-09
Online News Association reveals opposition to SOPA
Despite many media groups choosing to offer full access to their online content only through high risk payment processing providers, the Online News Association (ONA) has revealed that it is in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
Despite many media groups choosing to offer full access to their online content only through high risk payment processing providers, the Online News Association (ONA) has revealed that it is in opposition to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).
Many news sites have been forced to compete with websites copy and pasting their content, forcing them to make their sites exclusive to paid subscribers.
However, the ONA has surprisingly come out in opposition to SOPA, even though they the world's largest membership organisation of digital journalists look set to be one of the main benefactors of stricter rules on online piracy.
In a letter to its members, board president Christine Montgomery asked them to voice their concern over the US bill, which is due to be discussed by a committee later this month.
It read that despite the ONA condemning the infringement of intellectual property and copyright it believes that SOPA "would do little to stem those problems and would actually cause harm to the internet and to the American public".
read more 2012-01-09
Netflix brings content service to UK and Ireland
Netflix will now be available in the UK and Ireland as the leading global internet subscription service looks to increase its online payment processing users.
Netflix will now be available in the UK and Ireland as the leading global internet subscription service looks to increase its online payment processing users.
Subscribers can gain instant and unlimited access to a broad range of entertainment for £5.99 in the UK or €6.99 in Ireland.
Consumers can begin with a one-month free trial, giving them the opportunity to watch a wide array of Hollywood, local and global TV programmes and films on a selection of internet-connected devices.
"Now you can enjoy as many great films and TV programmes as you want, when you want, where you want, for one low monthly price with no contracts or commitments," claimed Reed Hastings, co-founder and chief executive officer of Netflix.
The content streaming site currently has more than 20 million members in 47 countries, offering a range of film and TV programmes from organisations such as the BBC, CBS, Disney, Miramax, Paramount and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
read more Back to top
View all
