NSS 6 95E 12595 V "Sahara Samay National" is now encrypted.

Consumers Can Watch and Listen to High-Quality Video and Audio via a Personal Mobile Device

FACED with declining audiences the television industry is turning to the 21st century's equivalent of the Tupperware party to market its programs.

Television networks are busy signing up "ambassadors" or "advocates" to create a buzz around new programs culminating in holding "opening night" parties where friends gather to watch the debut.

The pay TV operator Foxtel has become the first network to use a panel of 1300 young women to seed a new American teen drama to their friends. Members are given publicity material, exclusive previews and clips to distribute and are asked for their feedback.

Soft drink manufacturers, electronic goods, cereal brands and household cleaning products are recruiting thousands of consumers to join panels as the marketing medium takes off.

In America 10 per cent of advertising budgets are spent on recruiting advocates to promote brands, according to US industry figures.

Foxtel is pointing to this week's debut of Gossip Girl as the highest rating drama ever on pay TV as evidence it is working.

The agency behind the idea is already talking it up as a revolution in television marketing.

Mat Baxter a partner at Naked Communications said current marketing strategies are due for an overhaul.

"Posters and radio don't allow you to sample the show and on-air promos rely upon people actually watching that station. So you are not bringing any new viewers to the network," he said.

"This a huge revelation to us of how you market media and entertainment. What we can do is build an audience for shows before they've even gone to air."

Mr Baxter expects each ambassador to have recruited at least 10 people for the show, raising the prospect that 10 per cent of the 154,000 people who tuned in on Tuesday were there due to the word of mouth program.

Not everyone is convinced the model is the panacea for the three major commercial networks, all of which saw their peak audiences fall by 4.5 per cent this year if major sporting events such as the Winter Olympics and last year's Commonwealth Games are taken out of the equation.

The media commentator Steve Allen of Fusion Strategy said the commercial networks relied upon mass audiences to sell to advertisers and building up panels would take too long.

"I think it can work as an element or a component of their marketing. But on its own, no way," he said.

"If you didn't get 900,000 as an audience straight away or at the very least 700,000 of a tight demographic then that [program] would be dead in the water."

Jo Pollard, the sales and marketing director at Channel Nine's parent company PBL Media, said in this instance the medium suited the audience of young girls but it was unlikely to work with an older audience.

WORD OF MOUTH

- 50,000 to 100,000 Australians participate on a number of panels, spreading the word about mobile phones, beauty care products and soft drinks.

- Panel members are chosen from people on the company database who fit the demographic, in this case women aged 16-24.

- Those who reply take a test to evaluate how influential they are, whether they are extroverts and how willing they are to spread the word.

- Once on the panel they have to give feedback, vote on the sexiness of the cast, pass information on to their friends and host the parties.

- In return panel members collect points that can be redeemed for prizes, such as mobile phones, jeans and other items of clothing.

Remote Record Foxtel From Your Phone

From http://www.mobilised.com.au/content/view/1200/1/

Digital Services company, Hyro, has provided the technology for FOXTEL to put its electronic program guide onto mobile phones. The software interface requires that a downloadable application is installed on the user's 3G phone to allow them to browse and search upcoming FOXTEL programs.

The sky's the limit

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10481054&pnum=0

Stepping off the ladder, over the parapet on to the weathered corrugated iron opens a vista that's both grungy and high-tech. The roof swarms with satellite dishes big and small, held in assorted brackets, tilting their parabolic reflectors at selected pinholes of sky.

Orcus Media's Tony Dunnett and Farooq Kassibawi explain which is which. One of the big black mesh ones is pointing at Asia Sat 4, this one at NSS5, that at Pas 2, this little dish at Optus D1 ... So many satellites, so many channels. Dunnett says Orcus, a multi-cultural pay-TV company, can get 1800. The sky really is the limit. Welcome to the fragmentation of television. Like it or not, more and more TV is coming at you everyday. This is television's equivalent of the internet - an unstoppable spew of programming we're condemned to sift through for rare gems in the morass.

The quiet revolution in New Zealand skies is not confined to Orcus's Newton Rd rooftop. Free-to-air satellite television is also taking off, now received by dishes in 62,000 homes where, as well as watching 10 New Zealand Freeview channels, some are also enjoying the surprise bonus of a few Australian channels as well.

The growth in satellite-TV signals the start of a fight back against monopoly pay-TV satellite provider Sky, which ironically is paving the way for the revolution thanks to a large number of unused Sky dishes. But while satellite users look to the skies for more free channels coming their way soon, the launch of high-definition digital terrestrial television in April next year is threatening to spoil the party.

Until Freeview launched in May, free-to-air satellite-TV had largely been the domain of enthusiast and niche audiences prepared to go to the trouble of setting up ungainly satellite dishes in their back yards. Freeview changed the picture when it brought together a consortium of three broadcasters to begin the switch over from analogue to digital TV. From the newly orbiting Optus D1 satellite it began beaming five channels - TV One, TV 2, TV 3, C4 and Maori Television - to satellite receivers nationwide.

In six short months Freeview has expanded to 10 channels and is now watched by an estimated 150,000 viewers.

That's double what Freeview was expecting, says general manger Steve Browning. Ten channels - Cue TV is the latest - sounds impressive. But a line-up that includes ancient reruns of Suzy Cato and Selwyn Toogood (TV6), the boring spectacle of Parliament TV, and the less-than-riveting Russia Today and Hare Krishna World (Stratos) is hardly a turn-on.

So what's the attraction? For many, the reason is reception - the ability to get mainstream channels like One and TV3 that previously had been unwatchable.

Poor reception driving uptake is borne out by the research. Most buying Freeview receivers are outside the five main metro areas. Purchasing is generally driven by the male in households, which are mostly middle-income families with parents in the 30-60 age bracket.

The surprise finding is that two-thirds of satellite receiver purchasers already had a dish at their home. That's thanks to a million Sky dishes out there and about 350,000 unused ones which Sky leaves behind to make it easier to reconnect later. Technically, the dish is Sky property. But the network, which has 651,580 subscribers receiving its satellite service, says it's not bothered as long as Freeview installations don't interfere with existing Sky boxes.

Of the third of Freeview receiver buyers who didn't have a dish, just under half installed one themselves.

And two-thirds of all buyers set up their own set-top box, showing they're not intimidated by the technology. The DIY trend has caused a rethink for Freeview which will now include self-installation information on its website. But what Freeview won't tell you is how to tune in other free-to-air satellite channels - especially the Australian ones like SCTV, Imparja and NITV. Or, that if you want to get more through your satellite dish, you shouldn't buy the accredited Zinwell or the rebadged Dick Smith set-top box because they're locked down to receive only Freeview.

But judging by satellite forums on the web, many satellite TV users in New Zealand are one step ahead.

"Quite a lot of slightly more technically savvy Freeview users have worked out how to tune these channels in," says a satellite enthusiast who didn't want to be named.

Many are happily watching SCTV which carries Australian Channel 7 programmes. Until it was affected by the American writers' strike, that included the latest series of Heroes, several episodes ahead of New Zealand, and Bionic Woman which isn't showing here yet. Or, on Imparja, the latest series of Men In Trees and CSI: New York. Plus - thanks to the Australian practice of showing movies on TV closer to their United States release date - a range of box office hits yet to be shown on TV here.

Quite why the Australian channels are available over New Zealand remains something of a mystery. Freeview, TVNZ and TV3 all seemed unaware of the channels.

"To my knowledge they're not on [Optus] D1," says Browning, referring to the satellite Freeview channels are broadcast from.

"No, I haven't heard that. I didn't know there were any Australian broadcasters that had a footprint over New Zealand.," says TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis. "I've only heard it is happening. I'd have to look into it," says Rick Friesen, TV3's chief operating officer.

How long the channels remain available over New Zealand is anyone's guess. Satellite experts suspect the reason for the beams' availability here is because of problems with the Optus D1 satellite which was supposed to have its transponders set to different "polarities" to distinguish between Australia and New Zealand. It was not until the satellite was in orbit, that it was discovered the polarities were all set the same.

The range of free-to-air channels available to New Zealanders doesn't stop there. Satlink, an Auckland company which sells satellite receivers, offers a dual LNB (low-noise block converter) device which fits a standard dish and enables users to get signals off the Optus B3 satellite. That gives another 18 channels to add to the Freeview 10. But the viewing - which includes seven Christian channels and Dutch, Thai, Turkish and Arabic channels - won't be to everyone's taste.

"A lot of people have turned to receivers like ours, which are cheaper and simpler," says Satlink's Peter Esher. His top-selling receiver costs $165 compared with the accredited Freeview boxes, which start at $200.

But wait there's more. The newly orbiting Optus D2 which replaces B3 is already sending bizarre, new age Supreme Master TV including such gems as Between Master And Disciples and A Journey Through Aesthetic Realms. In the new year we can expect more religious and ethnic offerings from broadcasters such as Globecast. And subscription channels are also on the way from UBI World TV.

Closer to home, Orcus has satellite plans too. The company, which has taken over from Mirchee TV, broadcasts 17 Indian, Arabic and other ethnic channels including Zee TV, Star 1 and Kuwait TV from Auckland's Sky Tower to 1200 subscribers.

Next year it plans a nationwide satellite service with increased ethnic offerings including Chinese, Philippine, Korean and South African channels.

A package of ethnic channels costing $35 a month will be received via Orcus' set-top box and aerial which can also pick up Freeview channels. Alongside the ethnic offerings, Orcus plans a more mainstream English package including Al Jazeera English, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, Nasa TV and something called Metro TV. The latter, the brainchild of Dunnett, will be mixed satellite programming sourced from a number of countries, which he believes will offer much more for viewers than what's being shown on TV6.

"There are thousands of channels out there in the world," says Orcus sales and marketing general manager Kassabawi. "We believe there is a general lack of programming that fits the taste of family people. There is way too much sex and violence on TV right now."

While there is clamouring in the ether for more and more channels, on the ground there are rumblings of discontent.

The dispute centres on whether TVNZ's new Freeview channels - TV6, Sports Extra and the upcoming TV7 - should be available via Sky's set-top box. And whether Prime, Sky's so called free-to-air channel should be available on Freeview. At the moment TVNZ isn't budging, saying its advertising-free channels and their $79 million government funding are to promote the Freeview platform and encourage the move from analogue to digital TV.

Sky isn't bothered either, saying if TVNZ doesn't see the value of Sky's 650,000 viewership that's fine. It's also in no hurry to put Prime on Freeview. "When we feel there is a business case to actually be on that network we'd look it," says Sky director of communications Tony O'Brien.

The impasse is a disappointment to Freeview's Browning. "We'd love to have them [Prime]. Unfortunately Sky doesn't want to be there." As Browning sees it, Sky is using Prime to promote subscriptions to its pay-TV service. "From where we sit, that's wrong because it should be a free-to-air channel. Sadly there is nothing more Freeview can do about that - we emphasise that with all the people who write to us and ring us and say, 'Where's Prime?"'

While the argument rages, viewers are left in the lurch. Sky subscribers wanting TVNZ's new digital channels - something that may become more of an issue next year when TVNZ puts surplus coverage of the Beijing Olympics on Sports Extra - have little choice but to buy a Freeview set-top box. And free-to-air viewers wanting Prime, but unable to get UHF reception, have little choice but to buy a Sky Digital dish and decoder.

Sky reckons it has a solution for its subscribers - simply tuning in new Freeview channels into its set-top box - as is the case with Maori TV, Stratos and Cue. But it's a solution both major broadcasters take a dim view of.

"Technically it's possible for Sky's boxes to receive to those channels. The issue is: does Sky have right to do it without the approval of the broadcaster?", says TV 3's Friesen. "It is our signal and we are putting it out there with the intent that it reaches viewers, not that it reaches an intermediary."

Viewers could be forgiven for thinking that's splitting hairs. After all, surely if a channel is free-to-air it should be just that - free to whoever wants to receive it - without having to buy another set-top box. But Sky's stance is also self serving. Tuning in Freeview broadcasts would potentially enable Sky to discontinue its duplicate streams of channels One, TV2, TV3 and C4 and free up valuable satellite transponders. Sky's argument that it can't make Prime available on free-to-air satellite because the signal bleeds into Australia, thereby breeching its broadcasting contracts is also viewed with scepticism. Satellite experts say the signal that reaches Australia is so weak it's almost non-existent.

But while the sky is filling up with satellite signals and companies on the ground are arguing about who should see them, another technological change is about to make TV viewing even more complicated. In April New Zealand begins high definition (HD) broadcasts - not from satellites, but from the land to UHF aerials. Freeview digital terrestrial television (DTT) will deliver superior quality pictures, but with a few catches. Only those in metropolitan areas will be able to receive them. You'll also need a new set- top box that's going to cost at least $500. And a high-definition TV.

Then you need high-definition broadcasts. TVNZ will begin its with the Beijing Olympics and TV3 will broadcast some of its US based shows in high definition. But for some time the majority of broadcasts will still be in standard definition, albeit upscaled to fit the new format. In the third quarter of next year Sky will enter the HD game with a new generation My Sky box able to receive several HD satellite channels and IP (internet protocol) TV, if we ever get the broadband infrastructure to deliver it. The Sky box will also offer the ability to book recordings of your favourite shows by your mobile phone or via a website.

More choices. Satellite or terrestrial? As if there wasn't enough to deal with. But as our living rooms become inundated with TV content, and sorting through 200-plus channels becomes commonplace, it's hard to know whether to be grateful or very afraid.

(Craig's comment, plenty of fun to come in the new year from Dunnett and Co)

Hope TV to air in Fiji

From http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=6405

Hope TV- the worldwide 24/7 Seventh Day Adventist Church television channel goes to air in the greater Suva area by Christmas.

Church president Pastor Aseri Suka said for the first time, the message of hope will be beamed free-to-air direct into homes, schools and offices in Suva.

The re-broadcast equipment was flown in from Australia last week and cleared customs on Wednesday.

A team of engineers from Brisbane will arrive this week to work with riggers, electricians, church media and ICT staff to install and test the equipment.

The installation is expected to be completed by next Monday.

Costing more than $100,000, the bulk of the funding has been provided by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Tran Pacific Region and the South Pacific Division.

Russia launches military satellite

From http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=189145&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21

MOSCOW: Russia successfully launched a military satellite yesterday from the Baikonur cosmodrome, part of a drive to modernise the armed forces’ space infrastructure, Russian news agencies reported.
The Kosmos satellite was launched aboard a Proton-M rocket and was successfully released into the correct orbit, Itar-Tass quoted a spokesman for the military’s space division, Alexei Zolotukhin, as saying.
“We have established stable communications with the satellite. The Kosmos 2434 satellite is functioning normally,” he said.
Russia’s military has just over 60 orbiting satellites, which “encompass all kinds of military functions from communications to reconnaissance,” Itar-Tass quoted the head of the space division, General Vladimir Popovkin, as saying earlier.
The latest generation of military satellites have a minimum lifespan of between seven and 15 years depending on their orbit, he said.
In September a Proton-M rocket crashed upon launching from the Baikonur base in Kazakhstan. This prompted a dispute over environmental compensation between Russia and the Kazakh authorities, which rent the iconic cosmodrome to Moscow.
Designed for military and civilian use, including for firing nuclear warheads, the Proton rocket is powered by a hypergolic fuel that allows instantaneous launching and is also highly toxic, just a few drops being deadly to humans. – AFP

Russia’s defense satellite reaches designated orbit

MOSCOW, December 9 (Itar-Tass) -- A defense satellite launched from the Baikonur spaceport on Sunday has reached the designated orbit, Space Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Alexei Zolotukhin said.

“A Proton-M rocket that took off from the Baikonur spaceport at 3:16 a.m. Moscow time on Sunday successfully delivered a Cosmos defense satellite to the designated orbit at 12:17 p.m. Moscow time,” he said.

The satellite has been named Cosmos-2434. “The telemetric contact is stable. The onboard systems are functioning well,” he said.

Express SatPlat Unifies Thales Alenia Space & NPO-PM

From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/display_story.cgi?number=424134211

Thales Alenia Space and Reshetnev Nauchno-Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie Prikladnoi Mekhaniki (NPO-PM) have strengthened their position as they finalize an industrial cooperation program for the development of a multi-mission satellite platform. Thales Alenia Space, a payload provider for the Russian telecom satellite market, and NPO-PM are working on this joint program to cooperate on the development and building of a new multi-mission satellite platform optimized for a direct injection in the Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) and able of High-Elliptical Orbit (HEO) missions. This platform, named Express-4000, will allow both companies to reinforce their leading position in Russia.

Based on a Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000 technology, Express-4000 will incorporate a large range of Russian equipments and subsystems and will embark a Thales Alenia Space payload. This high-capacity Express-4000 satellite will be commercialized by NPO-PM as prime contractor and will be Proton compatible. Express-4000 satellites will be built and integrated in Russia in NPO-PM’s facilities. Furthermore, Thales Alenia Space and NPO-PM are working on an industrial plan aimed at buying from Russian suppliers common equipments for the Spacebus 4000 and Express-4000 series. This industrial plan will contribute to a significant improvement of the competitiveness of the Spacebus 4000 platform on the worldwide market. This major strategic step forward is fully supported by Roscosmos and the new Information Satellite Systems Company, led by NPO-PM.

Chunghwa Telecom to offer TV content from PCCW

HONG KONG -- Chunghwa Telecom Co., Taiwan's largest telephone company, plans to offer television content from Hong Kong's PCCW Ltd. on its Internet TV network in 2008 to attract subscribers. Chunghwa Telecom will start selling the content "as soon as possible," Chairman Ho-chen Tan said at a conference in Hong Kong Wednesday.

Colombo, 07 December, (Asiantribune.com): A former astronaut from United States is expected to participate on 16th December, in the 90th birthday celebrations of Arthur C. Clarke, one of the grand masters of science fiction.

Asian Tribune learns that Sri Lanka Government is making arrangements to celebrate the 90th Birthday of Aurthur C.Clarke on a grand scale.

It is reported that Ministry of Foreign Affaires is making all the arrangements and the celeberation is expected to be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapakse.

It is expected that either a former astronaut or an official from NASA would participate in the celebrations on behalf of the United States of America.

Also Arthur Clarke’s friends and associates from various countries all over the world will be there participating in the birthday celebrations of outer space Guru.

Arthur Clarke was born in the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, England on December 16, 1917. He was the eldest of four children.
UK writer, resident since 1956 in Sri Lanka. Apart from his literary endeavours, however, Clarke may best be remembered as the inventor of communication satellite, an idea he first expounded in a 1945 article entitled 'Extraterrestial Relays.'

Clarke is fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and recipient of many awards for his science fiction. He was the guest of honour at the 1956 World Science Fiction Convention, when he won a Hugo for his story 'The Star'. Rendezvous with Rama won the Nebula and Hugo Awards, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Clarke has also won the Franklin Gold Medal, and in 1962 the UNESCO-Kalinga Prize for popularizing science. He married Marilyn Mayfield in 1954 (divorced 1964). Clarke's Venus Prime series is franchised to Paul Preuss.

In 1988, he was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome and since has needed to use a wheelchair most of the time. On 10 September 2007, while commenting on the Cassini probe's flyby of Iapetus (which plays an important role in 2001: A Space Odyssey), Clarke mentioned that he now is completely wheelchair-bound by polio, and does not plan to leave Sri Lanka again.

Clarke was the first Chancellor of the International Space University, serving from 1989 to 2004, and also served as Chancellor of Moratuwa University in Sri Lanka from 1979 to 2002.

In early 1998, Clarke was scheduled to be made a knight, with Prince Charles visiting Sri Lanka in order to make the investiture.

Just before the ceremony, a British tabloid, The Sunday Mirror, claimed in a sensationalist story that Clarke was an avowed paedophile, giving supposed quotations from Clarke about the harmlessness of his predilection for boys. Clarke released a statement saying that "the accusations are such nonsense that I have found it difficult to treat them with the contempt that they deserve."

He also said, "I categorically state that The Sunday Mirror's article is grossly defamatory and contains statements which in themselves and by innuendo are quite false, grossly inaccurate and extremely harmful." He later asked that the investiture of his knighthood be delayed "in order to avoid embarrassment to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales during his visit to Sri Lanka." In answer to the newspaper's allegations, Clarke was investigated by Sri Lankan authorities, who eventually dismissed the accusations. The Sunday Mirror later printed a retraction and Clarke was made a Knight Bachelor on May 26, 2000, in a ceremony in Colombo

Illegal dish seized from house

From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/7/nation/20071207155153&sec=nation

JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has seized a parabolic satellite dish illegally installed at a house here. 

An enforcement team raided the house in Redang Villa after a tip-off and removed the dish Friday morning. 

The commission’s southern region director Bukhari Yahya urged those using such dishes illegally to remove them before action was taken.  

Installing the device without approval is an offence under Section 239 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. 

If convicted, a person can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to two years, or both.

'Use satellite link for 50m Net users'

From http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20071207.G03&irec=2

Information and technology experts said satellite high-speed broadband internet connection would provide a cheaper and more reliable service for up to 50 million potential national users.

"The use of wireless wimax and wifi services and cdma (data transfer system) to replace the more expensive GPRS (data transfer system with different technology) and the dial-up system was to decrease access costs," Armein Langi of the Bandung Institute of Technology told a discussion held by The Habibie Center Foundation here Thursday.

"Satellite broadband connection will cost a user less than US$10 per month for 24-hour unlimited access," he said.

Teguh Prasetya from PT Indosat told The Jakarta Post, "It takes around US$100 to start up investment on broadband connections for each house, while some US$1,000 is needed to start up the dial-up system for each house".

The Habibie Center in cooperation with the Information and Communication Ministry and Investor Groups against Digital Divide (IGADD) discussed the obstacles and recommendations around implementing broadband internet connections in Indonesia.

"We (want) to reach 20 percent of the country's population (to) provide affordable high-speed broadband internet access by 2012," Ilham Akbar Habibie, Chairman for the Institute for Democratization and Socialization of Technology-The Habibie Center (IDST-THC) said during his opening speech.

The discussion was called "Democracy 2.0: Enhancing Citizen Participation" and it was held in response to the government's program to expand information access for the entire society.

Associate Director for Research at The Habibie Center Dewi Fortuna Anwar said the use of technology was expected to stimulate the growth of democracy in the country.

"Our education system does not teach us to be outspoken," Dewi said.

"The top-down leadership or authoritarian style of government does not let our voice be heard.

"This is our challenge on how to change the people's mindset."

Palgunadi T. Setiawan, a businessman and financial spokesman for the discussion, said limited infrastructure would be one important obstacle to overcome.

"We are facing a problem of limited availability of cheap (computer) terminals and a lack of infrastructure, especially in rural areas," he said.

"We also need to provide internet technology, e-commerce (online trading) ... which is compatible with people's business scale or the availability of infrastructures in rural areas."

Palgunadi said widespread promotion of online services was needed, especially for the rural population, to show the business advantages technology could provide.

Cisco announces comprehensive IPTV strategy for Asia-Pacific  

From http://www.satellite-evolution.com/Satellite 2007/newsresult.htm

 IPTV WORLD FORUM ASIA 2007, SINGAPORE, Dec. 5, 2007 – Cisco® today announced its strategy to help service providers in Asia Pacific deliver an end-to-end Internet Protocol television (IPTV) solution. The solution, which delivers high quality video with optimal service reliability, will be demonstrated at its booth at the IPTV World Forum Asia 2007. Cisco is the Diamond Sponsor of IPTV World Forum Asia 2007, which runs Dec. 5-7 in Singapore.

 “Cisco is perhaps the only technology vendor today who can provide the products, solutions, applications and expertise to help operators deliver a ‘Connected Life’ experience for consumers. We’ve brought that capability to Asia Pacific and have started to engage with several providers around the region,” said Peter Papaioannou, operations director, Video and Cable Solutions Group, Asia Pacific, Cisco.

 Cisco is seeing strong momentum for its IPTV solutions. Among its recent customers are Deutsche Telecom, FastWeb, Free, SES Americom, T-Com Montenegro, T-HT Croatia and Lithuanian provider TEO.

 Cisco’s IPTV solutions deliver the three key building blocks that providers need to enable enhanced video experiences for consumers: defining the IPTV experience, preserving the IPTV experience, and realizing the IPTV experience.

 Defining the IPTV experience: First, service providers have to define the experience that differentiates them from competitors. The basic video experience encompasses many dimensions, including standard and high-definition content, stunning picture quality in spite of any access-bandwidth limitations, and a choice of compression techniques. The experience is also defined by a variety of next-generation video services like interactivity, time-shifted video, video on demand (VoD), network-based personal video recording (nPVR), and targeted ad insertion. Cisco offers highly scalable headend and content delivery systems to define the IPTV experience.

 Preserve the IPTV experience: The next step is to preserve the video experience as video traffic is transported across the IP infrastructure. Service providers need a carrier-class IP network that can effectively preserve the video content and experience all the way from the headend to the consumer device and deliver it to the subscribers exactly as intended. Cisco’s IP-based Next Generation Network (IP-NGN) infrastructure solution is intelligent and video aware to preserve the consumer IPTV experience. Some of the technologies needed to preserve the experience are deterministic quality of service (QoS), video admission control, video error repair, faster channel change time, enhanced multicast, and fast convergence in case of failure.

 Realize the IPTV experience: An outstanding video experience requires excellent solutions in the customer home to decode, decrypt, share and display the content the way it was intended. The home networks and consumer devices are the consumer’s gateway not only to video content but also to integrated media experiences. Cisco’s IP-STB and connected home products are the foundation to realize the IPTV experience.

Murdoch Stands Down As Chairman of BSkyB

From http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ip95svIxUiHAZj8L-BeVFbF82DGAD8TCG13O1

LONDON (AP) — Rupert Murdoch is retiring as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, and his son James is standing down as chief executive officer to take a new position in the News Corp. media empire, BSkyB announced Friday.

James Murdoch has been appointed to the new position of chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia of News Corp., the announcement said.

Friday's announcement followed a shake-up in News Corp.'s North American operations, with News Corp. veteran Les Hinton succeeding Richard Zannino as chief executive of Dow Jones & Co., publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

Robert Thomson, editor of The Times in London, was appointed publisher of The Wall Street Journal.

At BSkyB, James Murdoch's post as chief executive officer will be taken by Jeremy Darroch, previously the chief financial officer of the satellite broadcaster.

News Corp. holds a 39 percent stake in BSkyB.

New role for Murdoch son

From http://www.inthenews.co.uk/entertainment/tv/new-role-murdoch-son-$1176647.htm

BSkyB defends itself in pay-TV investigation

From http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=1907182007

LONDON (Reuters) - Complaints by industry rivals against pay-TV firm BSkyB are cynically self-serving and should not prompt a Competition Commission investigation, the firm said on Thursday.

Media regulator Ofcom launched an investigation into the pay-TV industry in March after cable group Virgin Media , BT Group , Ireland's broadcaster Setanta and Top Up TV accused BSkyB of trying to suppress competition.

On Thursday, Ofcom made public the submissions from both sides and said it would publish a consultation document "shortly" into competitiveness in the pay television industry.

The four companies said competition was not working properly and that it had resulted in a "vicious circle".

"Competition in pay TV in the UK is not working effectively," they said in a joint statement. "There are a number of features of the pay TV industry which result in competition being prevented, restricted or distorted.

"Absent regulatory intervention to address these features, vicious circle' which leads to reduced competition and therefore higher prices, reduced choice and diminished innovation, will continue to prevail."

The companies said there should be fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access by third-party pay-TV retailers to Sky's premium channels on economically viable terms.

In response, Sky released a statement saying the submissions contained a number of factual inaccuracies and argued that all pay-TV firms faced competition from free-to-air television such as the digital service Freeview.

"The complaint fails to point to any detriment to consumers ... let alone providing evidence to substantiate its allegations," BSkyB, which has Rupert Murdoch as its chairman and his son James as chief executive, said in a statement.

"There is no reason to believe that the complainants' misconceived, exaggerated and cynically self-serving complaint necessitates a Competition Commission investigation."

The investigation from Ofcom followed a very public spat between BSkyB and its largest pay-TV rival Virgin Media over the cost of basic channels, and a separate investigation into Sky's purchase of a stake of almost 18 percent in free-to-air broadcaster ITV .

Ofcom is also examining a proposal by Sky to offer a separate paid-for service over the digital Freeview box and analysts at Credit Suisse questioned on Thursday whether the regulatory risk had been fully priced into BSkyB shares.

"We feel investors may be too complacent on the back of Sky's successful regulatory track record," they said in a note to clients. "This time ... Sky is simultaneously fighting several regulatory battles with many industry players, which collectively are harder to defend."

Shares in Sky were down 1.6 percent at 600.5 pence at 3:35 p.m. ABN AMRO reduced its target price earlier in the day.

Setanta, Sky spar over high def channel

From http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a81234/setanta-sky-spar-over-high-def-channel.html

The weather satellite GOES-12, which provides most of the weather pictures for the United States, became unusable on Tuesday, December 4. The satellite is positioned in geostationary orbit over the Amazon. A normal station-keeping maneuver to adjust its location was not completed as usual and services could not be continued.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates the satellites for its National Weather Service (NWS). NOAA's satellite division intends to attempt Wednesday night to return GOES-12 to normal mode. The satellite is in its "safe" mode, which is used to protect it until problems can be identified and repaired. It is properly oriented toward the Sun so it will have full electrical power for further commands.

The GOES-10 satellite, located slightly further east, has been taken from South American coverage and is providing North American service. GOES-13 is in orbital storage in case it is needed for replacing a failed satellite.

Neo Sports plans to launch in US, Europe next year

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/dec/dec51.php

MUMBAI: Neo Sports is looking to expand its global footprint. It plans to launch in the US and Europe next year.

Neo is evaluating different partners like Echostar, DirecTV, Comcast and Time Warner in the US. There are also IPTV platforms emerging in that country.

As far as the US is concerned, Neo wants the launch to coincide with a series. "South Africa play against India in March-April 2008. England play against us from September - October 2008," says Nimbus senior VP - international and syndication Vikram Das.

Neo will next target Europe with England as the key market. Das says that the channel has also received inquiries from operators in France and Germany.

Das says that the channel is present in half a million homes overseas. It is present in the Middle East on Pehla's Arab Digital Distribution platform, in Hong Kong on I Cable, in Singapore on Starhub, in Japan on the Hum Tum online platform and in New Zealand on One B.

The launch in the US will help Neo double its overseas subscription, says Das. Neo is expecting a 30-40 per cent growth in the coming year from its existing partners.

"About 20-25 per cent of our distribution revenue comes from abroad. We also do ad sales in the Middle East. So this region contributes 50 per cent of our overseas revenue," Das says.

Neo did a contest around the India Pakistan series for Pehla. 12 winners were brought down to watch the Jaipur match.

"This is an important market for Indian channels. We are in 200,000 homes on Pehla. By being aggressive about the Pakistan series we were able to add 50,000 homes. We are now looking to do ad sales for Hong Kong and Singapore. Here the two markets could be combined as one," says Das.

Meanwhile quoting Tam data SEC A,B,C males 15+ the channel says that for the week 11-17 November 2007 it was ahead of the other sports channels in terms of share. On the back of India cricket Neo Sports Plus which offers a language feed, is in third position behind its sibling and Ten Sports. The two Nimbus channels have a share of 72 per cent. Viewers spent an average of 46 minutes on Neo Sports and four minutes on its sibling.

Nimbus also claims that its two channels have reached a subscriber level of close to 100 per cent in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and close to 75 per cent in Mumbai, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Hooked to TV on flight

From http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=179334

New Delhi, Dec. 5: One can enjoy live radio and television transmission inside an Air India aircraft after it gets the new fleet of Boeing 777s next year.
Air India's holding company, National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), has decided to have satellite radio and live TV transmission in 23 B 777-200 (long range) and B 777-300 (extended range) planes and floated global tenders for the purpose, official sources said.
The Satellite Radio System installation is to be integrated with existing flight entertainment (IFE) system so that the reception of satellite radio (audio content) would be available to the passengers on their seats as a set of selectable channels.
Similarly, select audio-visual channels available on satellite television channels would also have to be integrated with the Thales IFE system.
Bids have been invited from international companies for the installation of certified systems capable of operating on aircraft during flight as well as on ground.
Such facilities have not yet been introduced in the fleets of most of the major global airlines. Test flights are also being carried out by aircraft manufacturers to have mobile telephony on board.

Dish TV fund-raising: More in store?

From http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/06/stories/2007120660211700.htm

Dish TV has completed a preferential allotment of shares and warrants amounting to Rs 250 crore to Indivision India Partners, a Mauritius-based Private Equity Fund.

About 1.25-crore shares of Re 1 each have been allotted at a price of Rs 100, while 96-lakh warrants have been issued that can be converted at Rs 130 per share (a 35 per cent premium to current market price) over the next 18 months.

The equity expansion even after factoring in conversion of warrants is modest, at about 5 per cent.

However, the amount raised represents only a portion of Dish TV’s Rs 1,200-crore capital expenditure proposed over the next two years. Dish TV’s customer acquisition cost is already at a steep Rs 2,000 per subscriber.

Dish TV, as of end November, had a registered subscriber base of 2.6 million subscribers, still a decent lead over competitor Tata Sky, which expects to close the year with 1.5 million subscribers.

However, competition is intensifying with Reliance ADAG and Bharti Airtel slated to enter the market in early 2008. In order to maintain its top position, it has to step up promotional spends.

There could be more fund raising in store, either in the form of additional debt or further equity expansion, which investors will have to watch out for.

However, given the nascent stage of the DTH market and high growth potential, market observers are likely to give more importance to the pace of Dish TV’s subscriber additions, especially in the wake of heightened competition.

Dish TV to add 8 m subscribers by FY11

From   http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/dish-tv-to-add-8-m-subscribers-by-fy11/11/45/316155

ANALYSTS have been crunching the numbers on James Packer's new gambling and media companies, publishing stock recommendations on Crown and Consolidated Media Holdings.

The ratings were divided between hold and buy, with the brokerages forecasting solid cash flows from Crown's Australian casinos and acknowledging the growth potential of its gambling investments in North America and Macau. CMH's fortunes will be firmly tied to the success of pay television in Australia, as its minority stakes in Foxtel and Fox Sports are expected to generate most of its profits.

CMH is the nation's fourth-biggest media company after News Corp, Fairfax Media and the Seven Network. It will have one of the "strongest earnings growth profiles" in the industry, driven by the pay TV assets and its investment in the jobs website Seek, said Christian Guerra, of Goldman Sachs JBWere.

The stake in PBL Media, which owns ACP and Channel Nine, makes up less than a fifth of CMH's value.

Rebuilding Nine will take at least three years, said Finola Burke, of Credit Suisse. "We would anticipate that at some future point … CVC Equity might acquire the remaining 25 per cent," she wrote, adding that last week's split of Publishing and Broadcasting "may well be the trigger for this negotiation".

Brokers surveyed saw CMH trading at between $3.80 and $4.80 in a year's time, depending on the discount they put on the shares for the fact that CMH does not own any of its assets outright. The lack of control brought uncertainty about how much in distributions the businesses would pay to CMH, they said.

"Attractive portfolio pity about the structure," wrote Andrew Anagnostellis, of Deutsche Bank, rating the stock a hold. Mr Guerra also advised investors to hang on to it as "corporate interest in CMH will be high, and therefore we expect ongoing speculation" about takeovers bids.

Crown was Credit Suisse's "top pick" in the gambling industry. The broker forecast the stock would rise to $16.75, with income from Macau swinging from a loss to a "solid profit" in the second half of 2008. Adam Alexander of Goldman Sachs JBWere was more muted, citing Crown's "significant degree of development and execution risk". He gave it a hold rating, with a target price of $15.25.

CMH closed 16c higher at $4.18 yesterday, having gained 5.8 per cent since Monday. Crown's stock dropped 57c to $13.70, falling below its nominal listing price of $13.85.

TANDBERG Television MPEG-4 AVC to Power Delivery of New Zealand Digital Terrestrial TV

From http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20071204005640&newsLang=en

Contacts

Platform PR for TANDBERG Television
Corporate/EMEA/APAC
Gay Bell
+44 207 486 4900
[email protected]
or
TANDBERG Television
Corporate/Americas
Dwight Witherspoon
+1 678-812-6319
[email protected]

Euronews beams to China

From http://www.famagusta gazette.com/

The popular EuroNews channel, CCTV China and the European Commission, have signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ for the broadcast in Mandarin of a EuroNews programme about science, space activities and technology, on CCTV.

The CCTV network has a potential audience of 500 million viewers.

It’s the first time EuroNews will be present in the Chinese market.

The show called Furturis, is a co-production between EuroNews and European Commission DG Research and Information Society.

With 16 TV channels, CCTV is China’s leading broadcaster and only national network, reaching audiences of over 500 million viewers for its nightly news.

This initiative coincides with the European Union-China Science & Technology Year, and the reinforcement of EU-China scientific cooperation in 7th Framework Programme for Research.

(Craig's comment, the full Euronews channel is of course available over China and most of Asia on Eutelsat W5 at 70.5E)

New Military Satellite System to Stretch from Australia to Siberia

From http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=020000&biid=2007120571138

ANASIS, a military satellite telecommunications system, consists of the Mugunghwa No. 5 satellite, terrestrial terminal equipment, satellite control equipment and satellite operation equipment. Currently, the Mugunghwa No. 5 satellite is orbiting 35,786km above the equator at 113 degrees east longitude since being launched in August 2006.

The 264 billion won system went though operational tests in August 2007 to qualify for military service. ANASIS is scheduled to enter operation late this month, according to the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) Tuesday.

When ANASIS becomes fully operational, Korea’s military telecommunications will cover from the Malay Peninsula’s Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia to the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. ANASIS will also cover Northern Australia and Northern Siberia.

When Korean naval vessels and military planes deploy in the Pacific, the Korean military will be able to communicate with them in real time without resorting to using other countries’ satellites.

Existing military telecommunications have been vulnerable to natural disasters such as fire and flood, military attacks, and landscape effects. But the new communication system will enable all types of exchanges, including voice, text and video, increasing military effectiveness on the mountainous Korean Peninsula.

Lee Sang-guk, head of the ADD`s development team, said, “The development of ANASIS will create a comprehensive communication network for Korea’s air, naval and ground forces. Significantly, Korean forces will be able to share combat and command information in an integrated way, increasing the effectiveness of military operations.”

Discovery Set to Launch Two New HD Channels in January

From http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/12/discovery_set_to_launch_two_ne.php

Discovery Communications plans to launch two more high definition channels in January.

David Zaslav, CEO of Discovery, said HD was a big part of the company’s future, but he declined to name new channels following remarks at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference in New York Tuesday.

Discovery this year has launched HD versions of Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Science Channel, in addition to its HD Theater service.

Mr. Zaslav said creating the HD channels was a cost but by gaining distribution now, the company was securing “beach front property” from cable operators and satellite providers.

"As more people get HD sets, Discovery will have seven of the 30 to 40 channels people will want to watch on their new equipment," he said. "We look great in HD.”

Al-Jazeera to air in Singapore

From http://www.arabianbusiness.com/505522-al-jazeera-to-broadcast-in-singapore?ln=en

Arab broadcaster Al-Jazeera has won permission to broadcast its English news service in Singapore.

The service will be available to subscribers of Singapore Telcommunications’ (SingTel) pay-TV, AFP reported.

The Media Development Authority of Singapore said in a statement “MDA has approved SingTel’s application to offer the Al-Jazeera English channel on MioTV - its IPTV (Internet Protocol television) service.”

Al-Jazeera, headquartered in Doha, launched in 1996, gaining worldwide attention after the September 11 2001 attacks on the US, when it broadcast video statements by Osama bin Laden.

It’s English language channel launched in 2006 with broadcast centres in Doha, London, Kuala Lumpur and Washington DC.

TrueVisions, Thailand's leading pay-TV Broadcaster, Chooses QuStream Cheetah XR Routing System

From http://www.sys-con.com/read/469999.htm

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/04/07 -- 4 December 2007 - QuStream Corporation (TSX VENTURE: QVC) announces the completion of a major contract for TrueVisions, Thailand's leading pay-TV broadcaster. The project centres on a Cheetah 512XR multi-rate routing system configured with 224 x 224 SD and 32 x 32 HD crosspoints. An RCP-XY rotary control panel and RCP-TP touch control panel were also supplied, integrated with a TCD/RS programming and automation system. TrueVisions' order was received via Advanced Digital Technology Group, QuStream's Thai distributor, which is itself based on Bangkok.

"This is the first QuStream Cheetah installation in Thailand and represents a landmark order in our strategy of international expansion," comments QuStream's President and CEO Fred Godard. "The order is particularly gratifying given the very high reputation TrueVisions enjoys in south-east Asia, both for its technical standards and for the quality of its programme content. "

"The QuStream system is installed at TrueVisions' Bangkok headquarters and forms part of an expanded infrastructure designed to meet increasing demand for HD and SD television content," comments Karlton Burn, QuStream's Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing. "When fully commissioned early in 2008, the Cheetah routing system will replace third-party analog devices and will support new HD and SD channels."

Introduced in 2006, the QuStream Cheetah 512XR is a large-scale router with low power consumption, SDI, ASI, and HD-SDI signal support, optical fiber input and output ports plus a range of optional integral conversion cards. The Cheetah 512XR is available with 128 optional outputs for in-frame signal conversion. Up to 16 channels per option card enable complete signal-path customization. Users requiring down conversion from HD to SDI or from digital to analog can deploy QuStream Viewport software to configure each signal path for processing from HD to SDI or from digital to analog. The HD-to-SDI conversion option card features letterbox or crop mode, 4:3 safe-zone overlay and an autosend feature for sending signals without conversion.

TrueVisions (www.truevisionstv.com) is Thailand's leading pay-TV operator, offering a variety of local and international channels via digital direct-to-home and digital cable platforms to a fast-growing audience. Formed in 1998 by the merger of IBC and UTV, TrueVisions launched South East Asia's first subscriber-based television network in Bangkok in October 1989 using an MMDS transmission platform. TrueVisions began serving viewers in many areas of Thailand in 1994 using the Thaicom 1 satellite. The satellite was used to relay signals to MMDS transmitters in the provinces. In 1995, TrueVisions launched its DStv (digital direct to home satellite) service using Ku-band transmission and MPEG2 video compression. Services are now transmitted on the newer and more powerful Thaicom 5.

About QuStream:

QuStream, embracing the PESA brand and FortelDTV(TM) technology, is a global provider of integrated solutions to the creators and distributors of professional video content including the high-definition television and professional audio/video market segments. QuStream is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For more information, visit QuStream at www.qustream.com

All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
QuStream Investor Contact:
Fred Godard
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(416) 385-2323 x 200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.qustream.com

COMMUNICATIONS company BSA says it is considering a proposal from Hills Industries Ltd to acquire a 50.1 per cent stake in the company.

Hills said in a joint statement to the Australian stock exchange that it is in discussion with BSA regarding a non-binding proposal, by which Hills would merge its Antenna & TV Systems Group with BSA in exchange for shares.

``The board is considering the proposal from Hills and will respond at the earliest possible time, at which stage discussions will beheld with ASX in relation to releasing the company from the trading halt,'' BSA secretary Graham Seppelt said.

A number of approvals are required from BSA shareholders to move ahead with the transaction.

``If the proposed transaction proceeds, BSA will have revenues of around $375 million per annum, with Hills bringing product opportunities in markets that have growth, in particular Fibre to the home infrastructure, satellite delivery of voice, data and telephone and a presence in the audio visual retail market,'' Hills chairman J H Hill-Ling said.

Hills expects negotiations to be complete by December 7.

Hills Moves On BSA?

From http://www.abnnewswire.net/press/en/45641/Australasian-Investment-Review.html

Sydney, Dec 4, 2007 (ABN Newswire) - The explanation for the sharp rise in the price of Hills Industries late last week emerged yesterday when the company asked for its shares to be suspended, pending an announcement by tomorrow of a possible acquisition.

The most logical candidate for the deal is small Sydney-based TV services group, BSA, whose board asked for their shares to be suspended 15 minutes or so after the Hills request was revealed by the ASX just after 10 am yesterday.

BSA issued an expanded statement yesterday afternoon which all but gave the game away.

"The directors of BSA Limited (Company) request a trading halt pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 17.1 in order to consider a proposal in relation to the future of the Company, including a potential acquisition and change in ownership structure," the statement said in part.

Hills shares spiked almost 15% late last week to make it one of the top ten performers on the ASX 200 for the month of November.

The shares ended up 14.93% for all of November by Friday's close at $6.39.

BSA shares have risen from just over 50c in the middle of last month to 68c Monday, just before the request for suspension was issued.

Apart from a fairly dull annual meeting in the first two weeks of the month, nothing happened to justify the sharp spike in Hills shares last week. Likewise, BSA's AGM last month updated shareholders on a couple of new acquisitions being bedded down, but that was about all there was.

BSA describes itself as "a domestic satellite and free to air installation company".

It says it operates in the broadcast equipment and services markets in Australia including masts and towers, radio and TV transmission products, microwave transmission products and manufactured antenna products.

That's where the TV and antennas business of Hills operates as part of its Security and Entertainment division, so there is some logic in any move to merge.

A deal involving Hills buying BSA would probably make the combined group the major installer for Foxtel and Austar in Australia. BSA would bring around 50% of Optus work around the country.

And it has just acquired a company called Triple M which is involved in intelligent buildings and other services, especially environmental issues. That would fit with several of Hills existing operations, especially the Hills Eco division.

BSA did lose a big lump of work with Telstra, although it still supplies services valued at around $35 million a year to a Telstra contractor called Silcar.

At 68c a share BSA is capitalised at around $128 million, but that values the company at less than its revenues, which were around $159 million in 2007. It had pre-tax earnings of around $14 million.

The Hills AGM was told at the start of last month that:

"The results for the Antenna & TV Systems business were slightly down on last year due to the reduction in major telecommunications projects.

"The availability of major project work in the current year is difficult to predict but we remain well placed to win those within our wide capability.

"During the period we installed a 7.3 metre Satellite Dish and a 9 metre Antenna to the Department Of Defence for long range communications.

"We were pleased to be awarded the contract to install a Hills MATV System to over 100 rooms at the Ramada Pelican Waters on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.

"There was sustained demand from the Subscription TV industry and we expect this market to remain buoyant as subscribers become aware of the features and benefits of the digital platforms offered by Austar and Foxtel.

"Last month we continued the expansion of our capabilities by purchasing a 50% interest in Opticomm Co a company which has a leading market position in the provision of fibre infrastructure to deliver high speed voice, data and video to homes and multi-residential developments."

Hills has a business called Access TV Services and it works with regional pay TV group, Austar to install its Pay TV services in regional Australia.

These are all satellite based and that's one of the strengths of BSA.

Hills said at the AGM that the Austar sales campaigns during the 2007 year "saw further increased volumes of work for ATS during the year and the business delivered its best result since becoming part of the Group".

AIR publishes a weekly magazine. Subscriptions are free at http://www.aireview.com.au

About Australasian Investment Review

Australasian Investment Review (AIR) is a free daily news service with a weekly online magazine covering global financial markets with a focus on Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Each morning (Sydney time) AIR's team of experienced journalists present you with a concise digest of expert opinions and analysis on trends and backgrounds that matter in these markets. AIR is available free of charge.

Parliament TV extended to TelstraClear

From Press Release:

Office of the Speaker
Media Statement
Tuesday 4 December 2007

Parliament TV extended to TelstraClear

TelstraClear’s viewers today join FreeView and Sky TV watchers in being able to access Parliament TV.

Like Sky TV, TelstraClear’s digital viewers will be able to view live, the full, unedited proceedings of Parliament on Channel 94. Parliament TV is available on Freeview 22.

Parliament TV is a new service for TelstraClear and its availability has been brought forward due to public demand.

Parliament’s Speaker Hon Margaret Wilson says TelstraClear moved quickly to meet the public interest in the service. “I am pleased to see that there are now three broadcasters who see the importance of Parliament TV and are making it available to viewers.”

TelstraClear is a cable TV service available in Christchurch, Wellington and on the Kapiti Coast. It has 44,000 analogue and digital customers. Only those with digital receivers will be able to view Parliament TV.

ENDS

Voom about to go HD for UK

From http://www.rapidtvnews.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=2498&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1966&hn=rapidtvnews&he=.com


Voom HD Networks has revealed to Rapid TV News that the company is in final contract discussions with BSkyB over plans to launch two HD channels over the UK and Ireland.

Voom is part of Rainbow Media and Glenn Oakley is the comnpany’s SVP/business development. Talking to Rapid TV News, Oakley says: “In Europe as far as satellite is concerned, we are close to about 10 different markets, again all of which are finalising their plans for us. Canal Digital has an available signal, so we are very excited. The beauty of this business is its very scalability, with the signal being able to be drawn down easily. Our cable operators are taking us in MPEG2.”

Voom has linked with Zonemedia (formerly Zone Vision Networks) as its main European distributor. Orbit in the Middle East already has a signal up for the service.

“Internationally we are testing in MPEG2, and in readiness for a switch to 1080i MPEG4 on Measat which covers 110 countries in the Far East and Asian regions,” Oakley adds. “The signal also blankets central Asia and the Middle East and Africa. This is going to be good for us with very many countries getting themselves ready for HD. Taiwan, for example, should be ready to go during Q1 or Q2 next year. The local cable operators are now figuring out pricing and packaging for their HD tiers. Indonesia and Malaysia are also readying but probably a little bit later. Even India, perhaps during Q1.

Which is not to say signal distribution in HD is easy, says Oakley: “The interesting thing is that so many of the actual broadcast elements needed to get a signal to the viewer at home, that are commonplace in SD or even MPEG2, are not yet available in MPEG4. Think about elements like subtitling. It is all catching up, and very quickly, but it doesn’t seem to be there just yet. We would have preferred MPEG4 for the obvious bandwidth savings, but our local affiliates, for the moment, seem happy with the MPEG2 signal. So the workflow seems to be to have the MPEG2 signal, add in elements like subtitles where necessary and then convert to MPEG4.”

“Just at the moment we are supplying MPEG2 to Telehouse North in London’s Docklands; MPEG4 from Telenor’s Thor, MPEG2 in 50fps to Ascent Singapore and MPEG4 from January on Measat,” adds Oakley. “These different flavours allow operators to draw down what they want. For example, from our New York base we’ll convert for Singapore the frame rate from 50fps to 60fps, from which we can feed Taiwan. In other words the region can choose from MPEG2 in 50fps, 60fps in MPEG2, and in MPEG4. It’s a bit of a learning curve for everyone. It’s the same with Virgin in the UK where they have signed for our programming on their IPTV-based service.”

Voom, in essence, is now supplying three potential services to broadcasters: Voom’s own standalone channels, Voom’s programming titles sold on an individual content sales basis, and Voom-branded day-part blocks as nested services. “People are very open and accepting as to what we have on offer. They like our programming. We are now in 35 countries, and created a very scalable service. The demand is increasing and we are backfilling with satellite distribution,” says Oakley.

“But we cannot be complacent,” he adds. “Our clients tell us they want more. There’s a real lack of HD content worldwide, and we have more than anyone else and it’s all rights cleared and we’re ready to go. We had a call on Friday from BSkyB, asking whether we were ready to go, and this will accelerate the process with two channels. We might have liked [the launch] to be later next year when the subs numbers were even better, but we’re on plan with a launch of multiple channels.”

“The next set of challenges is in taking advantage of the scale, boosting the number of channels being distributed. We think there’s a very bright future for HD in 2008 and we want to be part of that,” says Oakley. “It’s the future of television. We are not stopping at one or two international channels. We have 15 here in the US, and that’s what’s on our road map. It’s a matter of time and set-top boxes in the market. Broadcasters now know they cannot launch with just one HD channel. They need two, or four, and far more. We’re ready.”

UTV Software calls off discussions with Malaysia's Astro

From http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock

From http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS15994+29-Nov-2007+PRN20071129

LONDON and NEW YORK, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION(R)service has been named the 2007 International Television Channel of the Yearby The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB).