28/2/01

Not much for today, Aus vs Ind has been seen on DD 1 National on Insat 2E, they are showing the first and last hour of play. The Cricket is also on some of the analogs on Insat 2E. Can someone with a Nokia check Pas 4 for the FTA feed that is supposed to be there. Also be on the look out for a feed of NZ vs Pakistan that should be heading in the direction of Pakistan, possibly on Asiasat 2?

I still need screenshots of the 2 new channels on Asiasat 3, Alive and Bharathi

The expected Pas 2 analog test did not eventuate try again same time Thursday hopefully, it could be any time between 6 a.m and 10 a.m Syd time.

Dureing the Chat last night in the chatroom Aurora was reported to be FTA on B3 12720 V

A few other minor items of interest, the Aussie Mosc mailing list has been exterminated by Yahoo groups, one more reason to keep that kind of chat out of the Apsattv mailing list. The dealer is promising my cable for the Nokia will be here tommorow fingers crossed its the correct one. At least they have made up for the delay by supplying it at cost price.

From the Dish

Optus B3 156E 12720 V This transponder reported FTA for some time on the 27/2/01

NEWS

Sorry nothing to report today.

27/2/01

Livechat tonight 8.30pm Syd time onwards in the chatroom. There is cricket on today Australia vs India starts 2pm Syd time, I am getting a lot of requests for this let me know if you locate a feed or channel screening it.The best place to check would be Insat 2E the Dordashan channels there in analog and digital, check also Apstar 2R "Channel I". A source tells me its supposed to be fta on Pas 4 check the feeds page and check previous reported freqs. The Rove show was live on Mediasat last Tuesday night while the chat was on perhaps it will be there again tonight.

Panamsat 2 Analog test, one of the users of this site has arranged for Panamsat to put up an analog test for us. We don't have a time or freq yet other than approx 15-17 hours from now. So sometime between 9 a.m NZT and 12pm NZT, 7a.m Syd -10a.m Wednesday 28/2/01. Send a message on the mailing list if you see it or better still a screenshot. Especially if it says APSATTV on it :-)

A few feeds from the weekend added to Optus B3 Page.

Alive TV added to Asiasat 3 page

From the Dish

Nothing to report, watch out for the Panamsat 2 analog test see above for details.

NEWS

Nine's digital push

From http://www.bandt.com.au/article_view.asp?id=4624

IN a bid to position itself as a key player in the digital TV arena, the Nine Network has embarked on a visual identity upgrade.
Sydney-based Nova Design was called in to work on the project, in time for this month's launch of digital TV in Australia.
While Channel Nine demonstrated some forward planning, the introduction of digital TV to Australia has been a rocky ride.
Set top box decoders, which allow analog TVs to receive digital signals, were still on their way to Australia when viewers caught their first glimpse of Nine's visual upgrade.
Nova Design business director Ashley Durrans said the project, built on the back of the January 1 introduction of digital TV, was all encompassing.
The project covers everything from a new logo and TVC to brochures, business cards and letterheads.
"Digital TV will have a major impact on the future of viewing in Australia," Durrans said.
"Channel Nine wants to be right up there with it all."

His comments come just weeks after industry critics labeled the introduction of digital TV a "non event". A lack of available set top boxes and interference problems were among some of the areas of concern.

Telecom NZ buys 12% of Sky

From www.satnewsasia.com

Telecom Corporation of New Zealand has bought 12.1 percent of Sky Network Television, New Zealand's first pay TV service, for US$82.5 million.

Telecom acquired 46.7 million Sky Network shares owned by Tappenden Holdings, an investment group that also owns 10 percent of iHug, one of New Zealand’s leading ISPs. Tappenden was also part of a consortium that bought the airline, Ansett New Zealand, from media tycoon Rupert Murdoch last year.

Telecoms already owns 49 percent of Sky Networks. It also owns 10 percent of Independent Newspapers Ltd, (INL) New Zealand's largest publisher, which is 49 percent owned by Rupert Murdoch.

Telecom provides a range of telecommunication services including local, national and international telephone services, cellular and other mobile services, enhanced network services and equipment sales.

Telecom and Sky Network have been offering joint telephone, Internet and television services for the past year and have announced plans to extend this partnership for another two years.

New Zealand's antitrust regulator, however, is going to look into the implications on the telecommunications market by Telecom’s 12.1 percent ownership, which would add to the company’s existing 49 percent ownership in Sky Network.

Telecoms analysts are keen on seeing how Telecom’s stake in Shy Network will play out. Telecom now markets products combining telephone and Internet services and is expected to combine these with Sky's television services to compete against Telstra Saturn, New Zealand subsidiary of Telstra Corporation, Australia's largest phone company.

Analysts speculate that Telecom’s purchase of the stake in Sky Network is a defensive strategy that will allow it to block any full takeover of Sky Network.

Telecom Chief Executive Theresa Gattung said her company’s shareholding would support ongoing development of the business relationship between Telecom and Sky Network.

"Our investment in Sky supports Telecom's transformation into an online and communications group at the forefront of convergence in Australasia,” said Gattung.

Sky Network operates five channels on its UHF network and provides sports, movies, news, general entertainment and documentary programming.

HK's Sun TV Eyes Strong Q1 Revenue Rise

From www.satnewsasia.com

Satellite television operator Sun Television Cybernetworks Holdings Ltd said on Sunday it expects to obtain a 300 percent quarter-on-quarter growth in media revenue in the first three months of 2001.

Crediting this growth to strong advertising revenues, Sun Television said its media revenues for the first two months of this year equalled those of the last quarter of 2000. "The revenue trend will likely lead to a financial improvement for Sun TV Satellite Channel," a company statement said.

Although the report did not quantify in dollar terms what the revenues were for the first months of 2001 or for the last quarter of 2000,

But on December 14 the company posted a net loss of HK$63.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2000. That compares with a HK$8.0 million net loss for the same period in 1999.

The Sun TV Satellite Channel is a 24-hour service transmitted via the AsiaSat 3S satellite. It also distributes blocks of programmes to cable and terrestrial television operators in China.

PCCW Buys Hutchison Satellite Firm for US$103 Million

From www.satnewsasia.com

Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW), a company owned by 34-year old Richard Li, has bought a satellite communications business from Li's father, billionaire Li Ka-shing.

PCCW bought Hutchison Telecommunications Technology Investments, a company that includes satellite firm Hutchison Corporate Access (HCA), for US$103 million in stock or a 0.8 percent stake. HCA’s former owner was Hutchison Whampoa, which bought HCA from Li for US$74.5 million in 1995.

HCA claims to have about 70 percent of VSAT rooftop satellite communication market in Asia, as well as some 200 multinational customers in more than 40 countries. It operates rates on 15 different satellites. HCA earned a net income of about US$1.79 million.in its last fiscal year on revenues of about US$39.5 million.

PCCW, which provides satellite-based network communications services in Asia,
said the acquisition will help expand its presence outside Hong Kong. Linus Cheung, deputy chairman of PCCW, said that adding the HCA business will accelerate the company’s platform rollout, “not just in Hong Kong, but in the region.''

PCCW also took pains to explain that the acquisition of HCA was made “at arm's length'' to counter speculations of a conflict of interest if Hutchison, whose businesses include telecommunications, were to take a stake in PCCW. PCCW said the valuation of the HCA business by made by PCCW's advisers, N.M. Rothschild & Sons.

PCCW said it will pay for the acquisition with newly issued shares, which will give Hutchison a 0.83 percent stake. Hutchison Whampoa said PCCW would issue it 183.63 million new shares at HK$4.375 per share as payment in the deal.

Hutchison Whampoa has been selling its satellite-based businesses for the past few years. The company now focuses on developing its 3G (third generation) networks in Hong Kong and Europe.

PCCW was the worst-performing stock in Hong Kong's key index in 2000. Market analysts said that it would take much more to get investors excited before they start to buy PCCW again.

26/2/01

Lots of news today. I still havn't got my cable for the Nokia think they must of sent to China for it :-(

From my Emails & ICQ

Hans Spitaler supplies the press release for Alive TV (Asiasat 3) (See news section)

This From Luke McKimmie

I have had a good look at the new Digital channel "ALIVE" on AS3. (freq-
3900 Pol- V SR- 27900 FEC- 7/8).
This channel is 100% English and is very interesting. Covering many subjects
with a focus on tourism and travelling/adventure etc.
The production and content is of Premium Quality. I think it will stay FTA
for some time. As it doesn't seem to have any advertising partners yet. And
only seems to advertise itself, The website www.alive.com
says that they are going to partner with Pay-TV
operators in Australia late 2001.

From the Dish

Insat 2E 83E Kairali Channel has moved from 3692 V to 3699 V,Dig, Sr 3184 Fec 3/4 Vpid 1160 Apid 1120.

ST 1 88E 3550 V "Open TV" is now encrypted. All radio channels in this mux have left.

Asiasat 2 100.5E 3980 V "RTP Internacional" left in analog

Asiasat 3 105.5E 3900 V "Alive" Vpid 1210 Apid 1211.
Asiasat 3 105.5E 3900 V "Alive" Vpid 1220 Apid 1221
Asiasat 3 105.5E 3900 V "PCM Test Card" Vpid 1230 Apid 1231
Asiasat 3 105.5E 3900 V "PCM Test Card" Vpid 1240 Apid 1241.

Asiasat 3 105.5E 4135 V "Bharathi" is testing on here, Vpid 34 Apid 37.New FEC for this mux: 1/2.

Apstar 1A 134E 3840 H "CCTV 1,2,7" have new pids and 3 testcard have started here on other pids.

NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

Pacific Century Matrix Adds Alive Networks to Satellite Platform

From http://www.alive.com/

Alive Networks brings travel and learning information and services to consumers through Pacific Century Matrix's Broadband Satellite Services

Hong Kong SAR, China - February 24, 2001 - Pacific Century Matrix today enhanced its broadband satellite services with the addition of Alive Networks - the first international travel and learning company, using a unique combination of media channels - including TV, Internet, mobile devices and printed travel guides - to provide consumers with comprehensive and trusted information, ideas and services, when, where and how they are required.

PCM's broadband infrastructure accelerates the march towards the convergence of television and telecommunications. Through PCM's reliable and efficient integration of television broadcast, high-speed Internet access and content distribution network, Alive's television channel is multiplexed onto PCM's powerful DVB/IP satellite platform. The service joins the bouquet of other PCM television and data services being transmitted from Hong Kong, via PCM's C-Band transponders on the AsiaSat 3S satellite. Currently four transponders are used to support PCM's services to television broadcasters, Internet Services Providers, multinational corporations and content providers, across the Asia-Pacific region from the Russian Federation to Australia and from the Pacific Ocean to the Middle East, covering more than 66% of the world's population. PCM will undergo further dramatic expansion with the launch of its own broadband satellites, specifically designed for the burgeoning converged multimedia, IP data and Internet markets. The first satellite is scheduled for operation in mid 2003.

"The complete satellite and broadband solution that we are able to offer, will allow Alive to provide unparalleled depth and breadth of travel and learning services through its unique integrated media network, reaching out to consumers across the region," said Guenter Kring, Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Century Matrix.

Alive's television content is delivered in two distinct but complementary streams: travel and leisure - including holidays and special activity options, destinations, food, adventure, shopping, fashion and style; and learning and self-improvement - focusing on subjects such as cooking, photography, languages, and health and fitness.

"PCM offers Alive the best possible technology platform to deliver the first of our planned channels to viewers across Asia. As a key driver in our business model, television services will lead the charge in introducing consumers to Alive's unique travel and learning products", said Ian Henry, Alive Networks Chairman and Chief Executive.

In addition to its television service, Alive plans to release its Internet sites shortly, followed by mobile device products and printed travel guides later in the year.

About Alive Networks Limited

Alive Networks is a privately owned company, registered in Hong Kong. Alive Networks was launched in Hong Kong in November 2000. For more information go to www.alive-networks.com

About Pacific Century Matrix Limited

Pacific Century Matrix Limited (PCM) was founded in April 1999 as a service provider for end-to-end broadband connectivity and network services. PCM is a joint venture between Pacific Century Group (PCG) and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). PCM is a facility-based telecommunications service provider offering DVB/IP broadcasting services for TV broadcasters, plus a range of one-way and interactive broadband services for multimedia businesses, major corporations and content providers. In February, 2000 PCM was granted the satellite-based External Fixed Telecommunications Network Services Licence in Hong Kong and in February, 2001, the PNETS licence for providing international value added services (IVANS) and ISP services. website: www.pc-matrix.com

For more information, please contact:
Ann Tsang, Alive Networks Limited +852 2876 3315 +852 2520 6303 (Fax), ann.tsang@alive-networks.com
Wendy Lui, Pacific Century Matrix Limited +852 2514 8699 +852 2509 9917 (Fax), wendy@pc-matrix.com

ABA determines remote licence areas for digital television

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has determined eight commercial television licence areas to be remote licence areas for the purposes of conversion to digital broadcasting.

These are the licence areas of ITQ Mt Isa, IMP and QQQ Remote Central and Eastern Australia, WOW Regional and Remote Western Australia, WAW Remote Western Australia, VEW Kalgoorlie, GTW Geraldton and SSW South West and Great Southern Western Australia.

The Broadcasting Services Act deems all non-metropolitan licence areas to be regional, unless the ABA determines them to be remote.

A new provision of the Act (section 38B) allows existing commercial television broadcasters in two-station regional markets to apply for one additional licence in their market (unless a remote licence area overlaps their licence area). The broadcasters can compete for the licence or apply jointly.

These new third services can only be provided using digital transmissions. This means that during the digital conversion process the two existing analog services must be simulcast in digital mode while any new third service will be available in digital mode only.

All the two station regional markets (Tasmania, Darwin and Mildura), have overlaps with a remote licence area (Remote Central and Eastern Australia). The ABA is proposing to vary the television licence area plans for Remote Central and Eastern Australia to remove the overlap between the Remote Central and Eastern Australia television licence areas and the Tasmanian commercial television licence areas. This will enable the Tasmanian licensees to notify the ABA of their intention to apply for an additional licence (see backgrounder).

The time when these licence applications can be made is tied to whether a licence area is remote or regional. Eligible regional broadcasters must notify the ABA within a sunset period of 90 days from 1 January 2001. For the remote area broadcasters, and regional areas with overlaps with remote areas, the timing is 90 days from a date to be determined by the ABA..

BACKGROUNDER

A number of new provisions in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to do with the digital conversion of television services came into force on 1 January 2001.

The Act empowers the ABA to determine remote licence areas for the purposes of the conversion of commercial television broadcasting services to the digital mode of transmission. Conversion is governed by the Commercial and National Television Conversion Schemes (the schemes).

The schemes empower the ABA to determine the policies, methods and procedures it will use to achieve conversion of commercial and national television transmissions from analog mode to digital mode over time, while meeting the Government's policy objectives.

Broadcasters in regional licence areas are bound under Part A of the schemes. The Act provides however that the schemes must have a Part B to cater for the special circumstances of remote areas. Remote coverage areas in relation to National services are deemed to be the same as remote licence areas.

The legislation is prescriptive about the contents of Part A of the Schemes, including the requirement to start up digital transmissions no later than 1 January 2004. In Part B issues such as whether remote broadcasters will be required to match their existing analog coverage and provide specified minimum amounts of high definition television (HDTV) are left to the ABA's discretion. The ABA is yet to develop these policies.

Nevertheless, the ABA has determined which licence areas are 'remote' for the purposes of Part B because the timing provisions of section 38B of the Act apply differently to affected licensees, depending on whether they are licensed to serve remote or regional licence areas.

Section 38B provides for the allocation of a third commercial television licence in two-station markets. Section 38B commenced on 1 January 2001, from which time affected licensees in regional licence areas have 90 days to act if they wish to seek the additional licence (unless their licence areas are overlapped by a remote licence area, in which case the timing is tied to that of the remote licence area). Licensees in remote licence areas will have 90 days from a time to be determined by the ABA in which to act.

The licensing mechanism is for eligible licensees to notify their intention to pursue one of three options to secure the one additional licence that is available. They can form a joint venture licensee company, one or the other may apply alone or both may apply separately, in which case they must compete at auction for the licence.

By formally determining the remote licence areas now the ABA prevents inappropriate treatment of remote area broadcasters under s.38B. If the ABA had not determined these areas to be 'remote', the 90-day period would commence to run in all markets from 1 January 2001.

The determination will also provide certainty to industry as to which commercial television licensees and national broadcasting services are to be bound by Part B of the Schemes.

The determination can be found at http://www.aba.gov.au/what/digital/policy/remote.htm

APSC: From Australia to Brazil

From [sat-nd] 26.02.2001

Asia Pacific Space Centre (APSC) and other firms are behind
efforts to replace the current service provider for Brazil's
Alcantara launch site, Infraero, with a newly formed company.
APSC was originally interested in offering commercial satellite
launches on Russian rockets from Australia's Christmas Island.

The investment recently announced by the Brazilian government
for 2001, R$27 million (US$13 million,) is not sufficient: APSC
estimates that refurbishing the facilities needs R$100 million
(US$49 million.) An agreement is still under negotiation.

Ultra Short-Duration Balloon

From [sat-nd] 26.02.2001

"If successful, balloons could replace expensive satellite
technology for future science experiments," according to NASA
spokesman Louis Barber. Not this one, however: NASA's "Ultra
Long-Duration Balloon" made an emergency landing a few hours
after being launched from Alice Springs, Australia. The balloon
developed a leak for unknown reasons.

A team had been sent to recover the giant balloon, which is 64
m in diameter and 38 m high, and return it to Alice Springs for
examination. It is thought that the scientific instruments
aboard, which are worth US$1 million, were not damaged. The
mission was to examine cosmic radiation from a cruising altitude
of 35 km and should have lasted two weeks.

The launch of the balloon had been delayed for weeks because
of inclement weather. NASA said it would possibly try again with
a replacement balloon in a week's time.

T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 08/2001 - February 25 2001 -

A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by Tele Satellite International

Editor: Branislav Pekic

Edited Apsattv.com Edition

A S I A



ESPN STAR SPORTS TO SHOW PREMIER LEAGUE

News Corporation’s ESPN Star Sports channel on February 23 won exclusive Asian
terrestrial, cable and satellite rights to English Premier League football for
the next three seasons. The rights, acquired for an undisclosed amount,
encompass a total of 165 games per season, broadcast throughout ESPN’s
footprint of 250 million viewers in 25 countries in Asia. The Premier League
joins an impressive ESPN sporting stable including NBA basketball,
international cricket, golf majors, Major League baseball, the US national
Football League, the Wimbledon and US Open Tennis, as well as the UEFA
Champions League, Spanish Primera Liga, the Chinese National Football League
and the Italian Serie A football in some areas.

CHINA - HONG KONG

SUN TELEVISION SET FOR MAJOR GROWTH

Hong Kong-based satellite operator Sun Television CyberNetworks has reported
that it expects to make 300 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth in media
revenues for the first three months of 2001. Sun Television said that its media
revenues for the first two months of this year were equal to that corresponding
period in 2000. The company posted a net loss of HK$63.1 million for the second
and third quarters of 2000.

TVBI TO UNSCRAMBLE PAY-TV CHANNELS

Hong Kong broadcaster Television Broadcasts International (TVBI) on February 23
announced plans to convert its encrypted pay-TV channels into free-to-air
channels. The move will allow cable operators in China to re-distribute TVBI’s
TVB-8 and TVB Xing channels to a far greater viewer base. Presently the
channels are available to about 40 million cable users, but converting them
will add many millions of new viewers. The move is also expected to reduce
TVBI’s losses for its Chinese service from HK$87 million in 2000 to about HK$50
million in 2001.

INDIA

TAMIL TV LAUNCHED

Yet another 24-hour Tamil Television channel, Bharathi, launched on February 23
to cater to the cultural and entertainment expectations of the people of the
southern state Tamil nadu. To be uplinked from Singapore, the new channel would
try to capture the number two slot in the state. Dakshin Media Limited (DML), a
subsidiary of leading Indian Zee TV, has launched this channel in ‘strategic
alliance’ with Asianet. Named after Tamil poet, Bharathi, the channel would
offer a mix of TV series, films, game shows, talk shows, health, and other
programming catering to all segments of the society.

NEWS TV INDIA BECOMES STAR INDIA

Rupert Murdoch’s News TV India has changed its name according to a report in
the Business Standard. According to the news journal, News TV India, the Indian
Arm of News Corporation’s Star Group, will now be known as Star India, Ltd. as
part of Star’s upcoming push into the country’s direct to home (DTH) satellite
broadcast market. It said Star, in association with local company Hathaway
Cable, also planned to launch an interactive TV service in India before the
middle of 2001.

JAPAN

JAPAN COULD EASE RULES LIMITING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN TV SECTOR

Japan said on February 23 it may scrap rules that limit foreign investment in
its cable and digital commercial satellite (CS) TV companies to under 20 per
cent. The Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and
Telecommunications is drawing up bills to allow foreign companies to invest in
Japanese broadcasters in a bid to help them run costly operations and attract
more content providers. The ministry also said it is planning to ease the
process of entering cable and digital CS broadcasting businesses, allowing
newcomers to freely venture into the market as long as they register with the
government. The bills are expected to be approved early next month and to take
effect in 2002.

NCB TO SELL FUJI TV STAKE

Nippon Cultural Broadcasting Inc. (NCB), a major shareholder in Japan’s Fuji
Television Network, announced on February 22 that it plans to sell 110,000 of
its shares in the TV network in March. NCB plans to use the proceeds to buy
back its own shares from Obunsha Co., which had 47.1 per cent of its
outstanding shares as of October 2000, and become independent. After selling
the shares on the market to domestic and foreign investors, the company’s stake
in Fuji TV will shrink from the current 13.9 per cent to 3.5 per cent. In July
2000, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting sold Fuji TV shares held by a subsidiary and
bought back shares from Obunsha.

NEW ZEALAND

TELECOM NZ BUYS PAY-TV STAKE

Telecom Corp of New Zealand on February 21 paid NZ$192.6 million for a 12,2 per
cent stake in Rupert Murdoch’s New Zealand pay-TV firm Sky Network Television.
Telecom purchased 46.74 million Sky shares at NZ$4.12 a share from Tappenden
Holdings, the investment vehicle of New Zealand businessmen Alan Gibbs and
Trevor Farmer. Sky is controlled by Rupert Murdoch’s media interests. It is 48
per cent owned by publisher Independent Newspapers Ltd, which is in turn 49.3
per cent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Telecom also holds a 10 per cent
stake in INL, which it bought for NZ$160 million early last year.

SKY RELEASES SUBSCRIBER FIGURES

Sky Network Television Ltd., New Zealand's main pay-TV operator, on February 22
said its subscriber numbers had passed the 400,000 mark, an increase of about
17.5 per cent from a year ago. Digital satellite television subscribers now
number 224,000 or about 55 per cent of total subscribers.

25/2/01

NO site update for today takeing a break.

24/2/01

I mentiond a couple of days ago about the NIT on Mediasat B3 (12336v) loading 12359v. This from a user."They must be viewing your site... the NIT now loads 12363!!". Well the more people reading the site the better, that way I feel I am not wasteing my time.I also have some news in the news section about the new Bharathi channel on Asiasat 3.

Possible Feed on I701? "WWF No Way out" PPV , Listed for 8 pm ET Sunday 25th Feb, I think thats Monday afternoon in Aus /NZ? send me an email if your good on the time/day conversions.

Page to be trimmed tommorow

From my Emails & ICQ

This from Victor via the mailing list

The "Alive" channel is FTA on Asiasat3 (freq 3900 pol V SR 27900 FEC 7/8).
Also seen on this satellite is" Bharathi" channel on 4135 pol V SR 15000 FEC 2/3

This from Bill Richards

0200UTC 24/2/00

Optus B1 12424 Horz S/R 19800 FEC 3/4

Vpid 308 Apid 257 Text 256 SID1 PMT32 "TEN MAIN1"Video is blocky and broken Audio in the clear assume 4:42 ?
Vpid 309 Apid 258 Text 259 SID2 PMT33 "TEN D2" Golf different shots
Vpid 310 Apid 260 Text 261 SID6 PMT37 "TEN D3" Golf score card

Regards
Bill

This via the mailing list from Abdul

Hi how are you going. At home ive got a Pas-2 satellite and Coship 2000BA reciever. Anyway ive got a problem with the Vision. ive got channels which are perfect and ive got other channels which come in no colour. for example take the Californian Bouquet. The channel MTA is perfect but the rest of the channels have no colour. do you know why this has happened and could i fix it up, or is there a part i could connect to fix it and make all channels in colour.


And also what happens when you subscribe to the mailing list?

thank you Abdul

Craigs Reply,

Yes if these are in Black and white its because they are useing NTSC format (american signal format) you need a new tv or to adjust the coship receiver to force output to PAL format. I do not have one so cannot give detailed instruction some receivers just pass the NTSC signal straight to your tv without converting ( A modern new tv will display the ntsc in colour) other receivers have built in converter. Also try useing AV-connection leads and not RF modulator output.

When you subscribe to the mailing list you should get a message back confirming you have subscribed then you will receive messages everyday usually about what is happening or general chat or feeds being reported.

From the Dish

Thaicom 3 78.5E "Sky Raceing 1" reported FTA

Asiasat 3 105.5E 3900 V "Alive tv" reported FTA here, Sr 27900 Fec 7/8, more details needed
Asiasat 3 105.5E 4135 V "Bharathi" channel testing here, Sr 15000 Fec 2/3

NEWS

Zee launches Tamil channel Bharathi Friday

From indiantelevision.com

Zee Telefilms, in continuance of its efforts to have a presence in south India, is launching on Friday a 24-hour Tamil television channel, Bharathi.

To be uplinked from Singapore on the Asiasat 3s satellite, the new channel hopes to capture the number two slot in the state. Sun TV is at present the numero uno channel in Tamil Nadu by a long ways with a host of others trailing far behind in terms of viewership and revenue.

Bharati is the second south Indian channel that Zee is launching after the Kannada language channel Kaveri, which was launched in June 2000. Zee Telefilms and Malayalam language channel Asianet each have a 50 per cent stake in Kaveri. Kaveri is still struggling to get recognition and efforts are on to try and revive it. So with another new channel to be nurtured it looks like the Zee team will have a plateful on its hands.

Dakshin Media Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zee Telefilms, is launching this channel in "strategic alliance" with Asianet, Arvind Kumar, senior vice-president and business head (southern channels), told reporters in Chennai on Wednesday night, the Press Trust of India reported.

A Telugu channel will be launched very soon, PTI quoted Kumar as saying. By middle of next month, one news bulletin would be introduced and gradually the number of news bulletins would be increased, he added.

Named after the Tamil poet, Bharathi, the channel will offer a mix of mega serials, weekly serials, films, film-based programmes, game shows, talk shows, health, and many more to cater to all segments of society.

Leading content developers like Tamizhmani and Citadel Video are producing various programmes to be aired on the channel, Financial Express quoted Kumar as saying. News and news-based programmes would be aired from next month on a phased manner, he added.

TV complaints not just digital's fault: ABA

From http://news.ninemsn.com.au/sci_tech/story_5653.asp

A dramatic rise in household complaints about blurry television screens was not necessarily the fault of digital TV, the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) said.

Tens of thousands of callers flooded the help lines of the Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations (FACTS) when digital technology was introduced in January.

The FACTS call centre received 28,884 calls in January, with just under 9,000 of those calls in December, the ABA said.

Calls from January 3-4, in the first few days of digital TV's introduction, leapt from almost 1,000 a day to more than 4,000 on one day.

The problems to the existing analogue network could have been caused by temporary outages due to tower work or technical reasons, ABA general manager Giles Tanner said.

"I would suggest that in a very large measure, those much larger figures for January reflect those other problems and viewers not being certain whether or not what they were experiencing was digital ... interference when in fact they were suffering temporary outages due to tower work or technical phenomena," Mr Tanner told a Senate estimates committee.

The calls tapered off once people realised the problems may not be the result of digital TV's introduction, he said.

"I think in general I would make the point that both in connection with digitalisation and for other reasons it is sometimes necessary for technicians to work on the towers which the transmitters are mounted on," Mr Tanner said.

"And for other occupation, health and safety reasons the power going into transmitters may at certain times have to be cut or even cancelled."

Mr Tanner said while there were some teething problems, the ABA was promoting talks between government and industry on how to improve the response to digital problems.

"We have experienced some teething problems with the service and we're feeding that into the negotiation," Mr Tanner said.

"But the ABA's aim in this is that government and industry negotiate a single common satisfactory approach to managing these problems."

23/2/01

Golf continues on B3 as predicted yesterday, its also being fed on B1 12424 H could be 16:9 looking at the screenshot Bill Richards supplied. The feed on B3 12363 V is 4:3. There is a lot of League and Super 12 on this weekend, reports needed asap if you see any up as FTA feeds.

Screenshot thanks to Bill Richards


From my Emails & ICQ

Latest Football games and times on FTA satellite supplied by "Sungadi"

Spanish League

Feb 26, 2001 - 03:00 Jakarta Time - Star Sport - Analog - Asiasat 3

Spanish Football League 2000/01 Spanish Football League La Coruna, SPAIN
Real Madrid @ Deportivo La Coruna (Live)

Seri A and B Italian League

Rai International on Pas 2 - digital - time: local time (Italian time)

Thursday 22 Feb. - Time: 20:55 (reply time next day: 6:21) Uefa Cup:

INTER - ALAVES (Live)


Sunday 25 Feb - Time: 14:15 Serie A: LECCE - REGGINA (Live)
Sunday 25 Feb. - Time: 22.30 Serie A: JUVENTUS - MILAN (Live)
Monday 26 Feb. - Time: 20.45 Serie B: SALERNITANA - GENOA (Live)

French League

TV5 - European Bouquet - Asiasat 2 - digital
TV5 - analog - Palapa 2C


UEFA Cup Reply - Nantes vs. Porto - 16:15 - Jakarta Time Feb 23, 2001
French league Cup: Amiens vs Lyon - 2:30 - Jakarta Time Feb 25, 2001 (Live)

Also check on Asiasat 2

Guang-Dong Channel - Ussually English soccer ever Saturday or Sunday will be
transmitting live here on matches that can be seen in china in 22:00 pm
night.

Adi.

From the Dish

Asiasat 3 105.5E 4135 V "3rd service seen here?"Zee_13"??"

NEWS

From [sat-nd] 23.02.2001

Fibre optic cable better than satellite

Asia Global Crossing and its affiliate Global Access Ltd. have
successfully transmitted uncompressed HDTV (high definition) and
SDTV (standard definition) video between Japan and the U.S.
using an STM-4C (622Mbps) on Pacific Crossing, the only
independent ring-configured fibre optic system connecting the U.
S. and Japan. The company said in a statement that the test
demonstrated for the first time that fibre optic cable is a
"less expensive, more reliable, higher quality alternative to
satellites for real-time video transmission."

For the video transmission tests, uncompressed and low
compressed HDTV and SDTV video content--including pre-recorded
Olympic opening ceremony footage, a baseball game, and b-roll of
scenic views--were transmitted more than 20,000 kilometres
between Tokyo to Seattle with insignificant delays resulting in
outstanding broadcast quality.

Asia Global Crossing stated that in the future, "the one-to-
many benefit of satellite transmission will be negated by the
quality loss inherent in satellite technology" and caused by
compression of the signal.

The company expects to begin offering commercial video
transmission services 1 March 2001

22/2/01

Sites a bit late today due to Cricket being on FTA. While the cricket was on I was flicking over to B3 12363 v and watching the Macworld Tokyo Steve Jobs presentation from Apple. Another user in NZ has confirmed the freq as 12363v the Mediasat Nit that loads on 12336v reports it as 12359v sr 6111. On the other Mediasat feeds freq on 12336v was the ANZ Golf Open I expect it will swap to the other freq tommorow.

From my Emails & ICQ

This reported via the mailing list last night

From Andy

If anybody is interested Boomerang Tv on Pas 8 Ku
is FTA at the moment 9.00pm sydney time.(Reported Wednesday)

From Robert Anthony

Look for the Grammies today on PAS-2 3901MHz (H) SR 30800 FEC 3/4 Adhoc
I at/after 0100Z (Noon Sydney time).


For at least the last two weeks CBS (US) has carried their Tuesday
evening programming there from 0100Z until 0400Z. This is in addition
to the CBS Evening news found there at 2330Z-0030Z and the David
Letterman Show at 0435Z-0538Z and at least the first few minutes of The
Late Late Show at 0538Z-0638Z (this show is usual cut after anywhere
from 3-30 minutes but the entire show was aired last night).

Besides Survivor II (which is aired around 0600Z-0700Z on Friday) has
anyone noted other US network programming?

John Kahler supplies the missing Boomerang TV screenshot from Pas 8

From the Dish

Intelsat 804 64E 3754 R New NID/TID and SID for TBN : 4/3840 and 3.

Optus B3 156E 12376 H "Phoenix Chinese" has left ,replaced by a test card.

NEWS

Telecom NZ buys into Sky

From http://www.heraldsun.com.au/common/story_page/0,4511,1734351%5E664,00.html

TELECOM New Zealand yesterday bought a 12.1 per cent stake in Sky Network Television in a bid to flex its corporate muscle in the online sector.

Telecom paid $157.9 million for a stake held by Tappenden Holdings – an investment vehicle for New Zealand businessmen Alan Gibbs and Trevor Farmer.

The deal values Sky at about $1.3 billion.

This is not the first venture between the comLpanies, with Telecom NZ having previously developed products that combined telephone and Internet services with Sky's operation.

"We are forming strong relationships with other key players in dynamic markets for communications, information and entertainment services," Telecom chief executive Theresa Gattung said.

"Our investment in Sky supports Telecom's transformation into an online and communications group, at the forefront of convergence in Australasia."

Sky is almost half-owned by media outfit Independent Newspapers, which in turn is just under half-owned by News Corp.

Telecom and Sky revealed plans last week to extend their partnership by offering joint telephone, Internet and TV services.

The pair said they would offer the services nationally for at least another three years.

New Zealand's antitrust regulator said it would look into the proposal and its implications for the telecommunications market.

Analysts said yesterday the price paid by Telecom was reasonable given the strategic nature of the parcel and Sky's expanding subscriber base.

Telecom's Sky strategy cloudy

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=173343&thesection=business&thesubsection=

Telecom has bought itself a seat on the Sky Television board for just under $200 million - a move that has puzzled some analysts.

Less than a week after it failed to secure a slice of the country's largest pay-TV operator, Telecom succeeded in persuading Tappenden Holdings to sell its 12.1 per cent stake in Sky for $192.6 million yesterday.

Telecom is believed to have initially offered about $4 a share, and agreed yesterday to pay $4.12.

Analysts and industry players said they believed the move was a defensive ploy to fend off a full takeover.

The Tappenden stake is said to have been on the market for some time and may also have been offered to INL, which is controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Telecom may have wanted the stake to prevent Australian pay-TV operator Foxtel from buying in. Foxtel is jointly controlled by Telecom's Australian rival, Telstra, and News Corp.

Sky chief executive John Fellett said the purchase would not result in Sky doing anything to favour one shareholder at the expense of another.

Mr Fellett noted that Sky already had distribution arrangements with Telecom, TelstraSaturn, Meridian and Holden.

It would continue to make deals with Telecom, "but we will not do deals if they don't make sense, short of them buying 100 per cent," he said.

Nevertheless, the transaction will give Telecom a greater measure of influence than it receives through its 10 per cent stake in Sky's 47 per cent shareholder, INL.

It is likely to take over the board representation of Tappenden Holdings, which is controlled by businessmen Alan Gibbs and Trevor Farmer.

The move will also harden battle lines in the converging telecommunications and media industries.

TelstraSaturn chief executive Jack Matthews said: "To the extent that Telecom influences Sky, it just adds more impetus to our strategy that we have to get more aggressive in acquiring programming."

Telecom explained the move by saying it wanted to be a leader in the convergence of online entertainment and telephony.

Spokesman Martin Freeth said: "I would have to say it's in the context of getting the right relationship in place with some of the key players in terms of the convergence we all understand is coming."

Last week, Telecom and Sky announced plans to extend a partnership that has been offering joint telephone, internet and television services for the past year. The pair will offer the services nationally for at least two years.

UBS Warburg analyst Paul Richardson said the equity markets would not like the move.

"But most people in business around the board table say these are things you have to do to cement relationships," he said.

Paul Robertshawe, New Zealand equities manager for Tower Asset Management, said it would take some "serious logic" to justify Telecom buying more shares in the near future.

"I'm looking forward to hearing how they expect to leverage this stake," he said.

Analysts were also concerned that Telecom might need to spend billions of dollars if it was successful in bidding for Australia's second-largest telecommunications company, C&W Optus.

Sky shares fell 10c to $3.75 before the announcement, which was made after the market closed. Telecom fell 12c to $5.22.

The Commerce Commission said it would look at the implications of the acquisition for the telecommunications market, though it would not conduct a formal investigation.

In 1995, the commission cleared a proposal for Telecom to buy an indirect stake in Sky that was vigorously opposed by rival telecommunications companies. The objections were rejected after a long court battle but by then Telecom had decided not to proceed.

Analysts said the price paid by Telecom was acceptable given the strategic nature of the parcel, Sky's expanding subscriber base and the strength of the New Zealand dollar, which reduces the US-dollar-denominated cost of its programme purchases. Although Sky fell to a low of $2.60 in November, it placed 20 million shares in August at $3.99 a share.

Budget day will see a new look Zee News

From Indiantelevision.com

There's a positive buzz around Zee News these days. The place is a hive of activity as budget day draws near and the channel is savouring a lot of positive feedback for its excellent coverage of the Gujarat earthquake.

With new entrant Aaj Tak from the India Today stable in direct competition for the Hindi viewership, 2001 Budget coverage may well set the tone as to who will ultimately rule the Hindi news segment.

Zee News head Satish Menon said on Monday that the channel was being repackaged and come budget day the viewer will see and feel the difference. Zee News turning digital from 1 February was just one part of that effort, Menon said. They had roped in Novacom to improve graphics and there were other features being added which would make the channel a must see for the Hindi news buff, he added.

Zee News has the largest share amongst news channels in the country and commands more than 55 per cent relative shares of this market (as per INTAM, ORG-MARG, data for a 10 city average). Menon is pulling out all the stops to make sure it remains that way.

FTV to stay after agreeing to change programming content

From Indiantelevision.com

Fashion Television has adopted the adage if you can't beat them join them and agreed to "change its programming to suit Indian sensibilities".

FTV director-general Francois Thiellet, who was in New Delhi on a two-day trip till Tuesday, had an extended meeting with information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj. The meeting ended with an assurance from Thiellet that the contents of the channel would be suitably changed.

Thiellet also had discussions with other Indian broadcasters to work on how FTV could be "Indianised". 'Financial Express', quoting sources, said FTV may get into a strategic alliance with an Indian broadcaster for an India-specific fashion channel.

It was earlier reported that FTV Director Michel Adam would be coming down but it was Thiellet who landed up instead.

Accompanying Thiellet as part of a high-powered FTV delegation were Manivel Malone, managing director for Asia, and Marie-Paule Jensen, executive producer. The team met senior government officials on Monday and discussed the cassette prepared by the "monitoring cell" set up by Swaraj.

Thiellet's visit came after a parliamentary panel led Swaraj decided last Thursday to convey to the FTV bosses that they drop some of their "objectionable" programmes.

21/2/01

Thanks to all that turned up in the chatroom even if discussion did get a bit weird at times. There is very little to report today.

For those that were having trouble with those B3 feeds, the NIT on Mediasat loads them as 12359 v sr 6111 try there first the Nokia will latch onto the signal and the tuner reports it on my machine as 12363 V in Australia it may need a bigger than 90cm dish to get the signal. What was there last night that I was watching while the chat was on, on the main mediasat channel they had the Channel 10 show "Rove" live on the feed channel they were doing a live feed they were about to gatecrash the Channel 7 Popstars house with a singing telegram. The whole thing was a disaster as nobody in the Popstars house would answer the door (probably watching it on tv).

From my Emails & ICQ

From Denny in Indonesia

Hi Craig,

Denny Hutchison from Indonesia here, can you help me, I have not
been able to locate the World of satellite TV as yet in country and may have
it sent up from Aussie also with a satellite finder from
www.johnselectronics.com.au for $75. There seems to be no one in Indonesia
that I can pay to help me set up my Echostar AD 2000 IP analog/digital unit
and dish to my satisfaction or even give me some tips on what I want. I
would really appreciate some basic help if you can

1/ My main question is, if I set up my dish to follow the direct path
of the sun from the horizon in the morning to midday and then set my offset
to suit my latitude of 6.10 in Jakarta, would this be OK? The Jakarta
longitude is 106.49. I have a lot of tall trees next door to the east but I
can view the suns path from morning to mid day through a gap,if I move the
dish to another location, the trees are about 20 metres away and the gap is
about 10m, is this sufficient?

2/ When I view AsiaSat2(100.5deg) my dish is about 20 Deg tilt to the
north. AsiaSat3S(105.5deg) tilt 10 Deg north. PalapaC2 tilt about 20 Deg
south, these sats are all viewed very clear but I would like to pick up
Pas2(169deg) & Pas8(166deg)and any others between 169deg to 100.5deg. In the
past the trees have obscured the direct vision to these Sat's, as I have had
Agila2(146deg) but very bad reception.

3/ How do I view or set up for KU Band? I pick up C Band OK.
4/ I have played with the dish settings myself and understand what has
to be done (I think) but setting up the feed horn? I have not attempted,
should I rotate, raise or lower it also for better reception.

5/ LBN SETTINGS How I have it set is Highlighted in Red the other
options to the right

Satellite Palapa C2

Other Sat's

Antenna Input A B

LBN freq.low 5150 Universal 8000
10750 9750 10000 10600 11475

LBN freq.high 5150 Universal 8000
10750 9750 10000 10600 11475

DISEqC Disable Mini A Mini B DiseqC1 DiseqC2 DiseqC3 DiseqC4

Polarity control Skew 0/12v 0/22Khz DiseqC 13/18v

LNB Freq. Band 0/22Khz 13/18v 0/12v

22KHz Tone Off

Cannot set otherwise
12v On Off

LBN Power On Off

Loop Through A B
Off

Should this be set up different for KU Band where available?

In the Lyngemark Satellite Chart it lists

Freq.TP
Channel Name
Analog or Digital
Video Encryption
SR-FEC / SID-VPID
NID-TID Audio
Beam
Source Update

Is this all the info I need to search for the sat? If the sat lists no

Analog FTA I go to Digital and what I get to feed info into is

Sat Pas8

Index Channel No.

Transponder Freq (This I must input with what
from the Lygnemark data?)
LBN Polarization Understood
Symbol Rate (This must also bet set with what?)

FEC ( I have AUTO is this enough or manual 1/2 - 2/3 - 3/4 - 5/6 - 7/8)

Longitude 166 deg E

I'm sorry to bother you with this request Craig, as I know you are a busy
man with other things to do but I'm getting desperate and have no where to
turn here in Indonesia for a bit of help. I contacted the manufacturer of
Echostar in Holland and they referred me to their local distributor in
Jakarta, who when contacted said they have no technicians to help as they
are only interested in sales. I e-mailed back to explain this to Holland and
the guy said he has forwarded my request to the next nearest distributor (In
Dubai) and see if they can help, but he hasn't come knocking on the door as
yet HA HA.

Anxiously awaiting your reply
Denny Hutchison Indonesia

Craigs reply, I have sent Denny a big long reply via email perhaps one of our readers in Indonesia would be able to help him with some more localized help. The formatting of his settings got a bit messed up when I pasted them in so ignore if they look a bit wrong. His email is ozzy@indo.net.id

From the Dish

Optus B3 156E 12336 V Access 1 (internet service) is on , MPEG-2, SID 112. (Note this has been here a while)

JCSAT 3 128E 3960 V "CTS" has started here on Vpid 105 Apid 106, in addition to Vpid 1184 Apid 1185.

Palapa C2 113E 4089 H "Australia TV" tests have been replaced by a test card.

NEWS

PanAmSat updates launch schedule (again)

From [sat-nd] 21.02.2001

PanAmSat updated its launch schedule by announcing that the
PAS 10 Indian Ocean Region satellite will be launched in the
second quarter 2001 aboard an ILS Proton, and the Galaxy IIIC
spacecraft will be launched in the third quarter 2001 aboard a
Sea Launch Zenit 3SL.

20/2/01

Livechat tonight 8.30pm Syd time onwards in the chatroom. Last night B3 "Mediasat" on 12363 V, vpid 4096 apid 4097 had the Australian Super Middleweight Boxxing feed for Sky (Australia). Those on the mailing list had nearly 2 hours prewarning before the event started. A good reason to be on the mailing list get notified of feeds before or while they are on rather than see what you missed when its reported the next day. Sky NZ is still playing with FTA signals today, the mosaic screen was up fta same place as last weeks test SI 1026 "Channel"

From the Dish

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3695 H "Sky Racing Channel 1" is FTA at the moment

Measat 1 91.5E The Astro package has encrypted in Mediaguard.(See above)

JCSAT 3 128E 3960 V "FTV" has encrypted, "CSMTV" is fta currently

Measat 2 148E The Astro package has changed from Cryptoworks to Mediaguard. (This service was widely hacked in Asia for the HBO service)

NEWS

New pay TV licences allocated

From http://www.aba.gov.au/about/public_relations/newrel_01/6nr01.htm

TV allocates pay TV licences to Primestar Communications Australia Pty Ltd

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated seventy subscription television broadcasting licences to Primestar Communications Australia Pty Ltd (Primestar).

Primestar has indicated that it proposes to deliver a range of programs including subjects such as sports, movies, entertainment, documentaries, information, news (international and domestic), cartoons, education, music and youth culture.

Unlike apparatus licences or other service delivery permits, these licences do not have geographical limitations. Therefore, a service licence is valid throughout Australia as long as the programming on that service is the same in all areas of reception. Where the service differs in a location, a separate service licence is required.

Before allocating the licences the ABA examined the foreign holdings in Primestar to establish that allocation of the licences would not lead to a breach of the foreign ownership restrictions on pay TV broadcasting licences. A foreign person may not have company interests of more than twenty per cent in a pay TV broadcasting licence, nor may two or more foreign persons hold more than thirty five per cent in aggregate.

The ABA also considered a report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on whether allocation of the licences would be anti-competitive. The ACCC said it was not of the opinion that allocation of the licences would constitute a contravention of section 50 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.

Primestar contact: Mr Robert Porter, on (02) 9908 8861.

19/2/01

Has anyone with a Nokia tryed to find the KU signal on I802 (174E) there should be loads of internet data there, anyone have the frequency they are useing? not much else happening today either ABS channel 2/3 reported encrypted on Pas 8 3880?

A current look at CNBC line-up on Pas 8

Pas 8 166E 3900 H "CNBC Asia Bouquet " SR 27500 Fec 3/4

CNBC Asia
CNBC Australia
CNBC TEST CARD
CNBC India
CNBC TEST CARD
CNBC Hong Kong
CNBC Feeds

From the Dish

Nothing to report can someone scan I802 for KU?

NEWS

Intelsat 802 replaces defunct cable

From [sat-nd] 19.02.2001

Intelsat is providing a full duplex Ku-band OC-3 (155 Mbit/s)
link to China over its satellite at 174 degrees East to restore
service to millions of Internet users on the mainland following
the failure of a major cable between Shanghai and the west coast
of the U.S. The satellite link is operating between the Verestar
Satellite Network Access Point in Brewster, Washington and China
Telecom's Beijing Earth station.

T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 07/2001 - February 18 2001 -

A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by Tele Satellite International

Editor: Branislav Pekic

(EDITED APSATTV.com Edition)

UNITED KINGDOM

GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE FREE DIGITAL TV CONVERSION

Thousands of UK homes are to be given free conversion to digital television as
the Government tries to boost the spread of the new Internet technology and
enable older people to send e-mails to their families. Along with television
and telecommunications bodies and businesses, the Government is to launch pilot
projects this year to give people the chance to shape the future of digital
television. Because digital can give people access to worldwide Internet
shopping, banking and learning, as well as e-mail, ministers have decided that
developing it is a central part of plans to help Britain prosper in the
?knowledge economy”. The experimental projects will start by offering
conversion to a small number of households, but will build up rapidly to
convert 1,000 or more. The Government will pick a number of areas which might
wish to benefit and then, in cooperation with the Independent Television
Commission and the digital industry, provide desktop access boxes and
adjustment of aerials and video recorders.

AUSTRALIA

AUTHORITY TO REVIEW SPORTS LIST

Australian Communications Minister Richard Alston on February 15 announced that
he has directed industry watchdog the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)
to review the country’s anti-siphoning list. Under the anti-siphoning rules,
free-to-air (FTA) networks have a priority over pay-TV licensees to acquire the
rights to listed sporting events. If no FTA network has acquired the rights to
an event, pay-TV licensees may request it be de-listed so they can broadcast it
live. As it stands, the anti-siphoning list includes 37 events such as
Australian Football League and National Rugby League matches, rugby union
tests, Australian international cricket matches, and Grand Slam tennis games.
The ABA will hand its report to the Minister by June 30. Existing arrangements
on the list remain in effect until December 31, 2004.

AUSTAR BETS ON INTERACTIVE TV

Austar United Communications announced a deal with Oracle on February 12 aimed
at attracting new subscribers to its regional pay-TV service. Last week Austar
told the market it had lost more than 5000 pay-TV subscribers in the last three
months of 2000. Under the agreement, Austar will use Oracle’s interactive
television platform software. The pay-TV company presently offers just one-way
interactive services such as weather, games and a program guide to 250,000 of
its 427,000 subscribers. The new platform will allow two-way interactivity with
services such as email, home shopping, banking and tiered games.

CHINA

CCTV AND ENCORE EXTEND COOPERATION DEAL

China Central Television and U.S.-based Encore International signed a contract
on February 12 to extend their co-operation for another five years, allowing
CCTV to continue to air Encore’s international blockbusters and popular family
dramas every night to an estimated 50 million households in China. In return,
Encore International will go on broadcasting CCTV International’s programs on
its International Channel, claiming 10 million households in the United States.
These programs include CCTV’s English news coverage of China and other parts of
the world, as well as some sports and Chinese dramas dubbed in English.
Meanwhile, through its multi-ethnic digital platform, Encore International will
also go on to distribute the entire CCTV 24-hour channel among its 2 million
U.S. subscribers.

DVN TO UPGRADE SHANGAI’S BROADCAST NETWORK

Hong Kong-based digital video broadcast system developer DVN will supply its
platform to the Shanghai Broadcasting Bureau’s Technical Centre (SBBTC). DVN
said the deal will allow SBBTC to upgrade Shanghai’s broadcast network from
analogue to digital, improving broadcast quality and maximising cable
bandwidth. The province’s three main broadcasters, Shanghai TV Station,
Oriental TV Station and Shanghai Cable TV Station, will use the DVN platform to
broadcast over Shanghai Cable TV Network.

INDIA

ZEE TV TO ENCRYPT SIGNAL

Leading Indian commercial broadcaster Zee Telefilms plans to encrypt its main
Hindi-language channel Zee TV. Zee Telefilms wants to boost its revenues from
Zee TV. The company would not give its planned fee for Zee TV, but confirmed it
will encrypt the channel in the next financial year, which begins in April.

JAPAN

LOSSES UP AT SKY PERFECT

Sky Perfect Communications, the joint venture involving Rupert Murdoch’s News
Corp that runs one of Japan’s largest satellite broadcasters, suffered a rise
in accumulated losses to ¥91.25 billion in the nine months to December, up from
¥69.4 billion last April. Sky Perfect, a joint venture between News
Corporation, Sony, Itochu, Fuji TV, Softbank and Hughes Corporation, is the
last surviving satellite broadcast operator that uses a communication satellite
rather than a broadcasting satellite. It was formed in 1998 when JSkyB, a joint
venture between News Corporation and Softbank, merged with PerfecTV, the first
of Japan’s communications satellite broadcasters to establish itself in the
market. The difficulty multi-channel broadcasters faced in Japan’s market was
underlined when DirecTV, the Japanese subsidiary of the US broadcast operator,
agreed to merge with Sky Perfect last year. Sky Perfect said that its net loss
for the first three quarters stood at ¥21.8 billion, while revenues for the
period reached ¥34.94 billion. Sky Perfect, which over the past 4 years, has
signed up just 2.1 million paying subscribers, aims to reach the 3-3.5 million
needed to break even, within the next 2 years.

NEW ZEALAND

SKY ANNOUNCES INCREASED REVENUES

New Zealand pay-TV operator Sky Network Television (SKY) on February 15
announced a 20 per cent rise in subscriber revenue to more than NZ$119 million
for the first quarter of 2000/2001. The increase contributed to an overall
operating revenue for the six months to December 31 of almost NZ$145 million.
SKY also ended the period with an increase of more than 20,000 subscribers,
bringing its total customer base to 397,095. SKY now expects to be able to
offer a suite of interactive services over the next eight weeks using the Open
TV interactive platform.

SINGAPORE

SPH TO RUN CHANNEL OOH!

SPH MediaWorks (MW), the broadcast affiliate of media conglomerate Singapore
Press Holdings has announced a joint venture to own and operate Channel OOH!
(Channel Out of Home). OOH! would be an integrated island-wide out-of-home TV
channel to be screened on buses, in shopping malls, chain stores, supermarkets,
banks, departmental stores and other out-of-home points with mobile and
stationery screens. Viewers will be offered 10-15 minute packages of customised
entertainment programs, news, weather and travel updates. The joint venture
will be called CaptiveVision (CV), 36.4 per cent held by MW, digital
transmission specialist Advent TV (36.4 per cent) and IT/broadband multimedia
company Net.Wxs International (27.2 per cent). CV plans to launch OOH! by May
this year.

MEDIACORP LAUNCHES TVMOBILE

Singapore broadcaster MediaCorp on February 15 launched its TVMobile service,
offering digital TV to the country’s public bus commuters. The service will be
available on all air-conditioned public busses, reaching a potential regular
audience of about 1.5 million people. TVMobile will feature specially produced
10-15 minute news and entertainment programs in both English and Mandarin. The
service is designed to promote the quality of digital television to potential
home users.

18/2/01

Very small edition, Election feeds were on Mediasat last night and also the feed channel where the golf is today (12363 v B3 sr 6111 fec 3/4). Has anyone seen the NRL anywhere? Sorry about the lack of info today but I like spend a bit of time away from doing the site on the weekend

From my Emails & ICQ

This from Bill Richards

2200 to 2230UTC

The BBC News Feed Service on Pas2 3942V S/R 7500 FEC 2/3 is rebroadcast via
Optus B1 ABC Interchange Service "DV1" on 12326H S/R 6980 FEC 3/4 Vpid1160 Apid1120 SID1.

XFL Football 3901 H 0100 UTC Sunday

Regards
Bill

Craigs reply, I can't get get anything off that B1 Freq I tryed when the cricket was there..

From the Dish

Apstar 2R 76.5E 3800 H "mystery signal" could be Greek and encrypted Sr 12000 fec 3/4 (reports needed)

NEWS

Sorry no news section today

17/2/01

Not much happening today pretty quiet, look on B1/B3 tonight for a possible feed of tonights NRL matches

From my Emails & ICQ

From Bill Richards, these Colour bars off Pas 2 4026 H from "KBS Korea"

From the Dish

NSS 703 57E 3890 R "Surya TV" this channel has left

NEWS

FTV in India living on borrowed time if it doesn't dress up

From Indiantelevision.com

Looks like the "butts and cleavage" on Fashion Television will be around a while longer.

For how long remains to be seen because the parliamentary panel led by information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj decided on Thursday to convey to the FTV bosses that they drop some of their "objectionable" programmes.

Essentially that their should be less of clothes dropping and more of dressing up in line with "Indian cultural ethos", an all-embracingly vague term if there ever was one.

In other words the guys at FTV will have to tear their hair out finding ways on how to keep the clothes on. A bit of self-censorship should make the channel pass muster seems to be the general sentiment among the committee members.

Swaraj is expected to convey the panel's decision to FTV Director Michael Adam when he calls on her in New Delhi next week.

16/2/01

No time for the usual bit up the top have been to busy today.

From my Emails & ICQ

From Bill Richards

0745 UTC 15/2/01
Pas 2 169E 3873 H "WNBA Basketball Feed" NTSC, Sr 6620 Fec 2/3 Vpid 4160 Apid 4120

Regards
Bill

From ME :-)

12.00pm Syd 16/2/01

Optus B3 12365 V "C7 Feed-Ericsson Australian Golf Masters" Sr 6110 Fec 3/4 Vpid 1160 Apid 1120

Reported in NZ on 60cm and Perth on 90cm, no luck? others with Nokias report 12363/12362, Sr 6108

I am not to happy with the quality of the screenshots, I am useing a parallel port digitizer at the moment things should improve a lot once I get the cable and can run dvbedit on the Nokia.

From the Dish

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3682 H "Mediasat" tests have finished

PAS 8 166E 12686 H "TVBS Asia and TVBS Newsnet" TVB BQ have encrypted
PAS 8 166E 12726 H "CNN Financial Network" is FTA at the moment (Boomerang service) CNN here also FTA

NEWS

NZ Sky TV posts $19.6 million loss

Pay television operator Sky TV has chalked up another whopper half-year loss, but says the result is simply a reflection of the company's healthy growth.

Sky TV lost $19.6 million in the six months to December 31 - a four-fold increase on the $4.7 million deficit it recorded for the same period in 1999.

The result was in line with analysts' expectations.

The company gained more than 20,000 subscribers during the period, taking its total UHF and satellite subscriber base to over 397,000.

That growth, during what Sky said was traditionally its slower half-year, pushed subscriber revenue up 20 percent.

Total operating revenue was up from $130 million to $144.5 million.

Chief financial officer Paul Smart said a significant factor in the loss was the fall in the New Zealand dollar, which added $8 million to the cost of buying overseas programmes.

Another factor was an increase in depreciation - up to $45 million from $36.8 million last year - most of which involved writing down the value of set-top boxes as subscriber numbers grew.

"So ironically, the greater the loss, to some extent, the better we're doing," Mr Smart said.

Asked when Sky might become profitable he said: "Within the next couple of years we should get close to making a profit if the growth continues."

When told that the "within the next couple of years" phrase was one that Sky executives had been using for several years now, Mr Smart said forecasts were prone to change as expectations for growth changed.

"You could make the business profitable relatively quickly by just stopping growth, but strategically that wouldn't be the right thing."

Analysts expect Sky's loss will contribute to a fall in profit for parent company Independent Newspapers Ltd, which is due to announce its half-year result on Friday.

Sky TV closed down 5c at $3.75 on Thursday.

Sky Adds Another Australian News Channel

By : Abe Orchard
From http://www.spectrum.net.nz/index.html

Sky TV has replaced Sky News UK with Sky News Australia, a version produced specifically for the Australian market.

Sky already broadcasts CNBC Australia, a tailored version of CNBC Asia with itelf is a joint venture between NBC and Dow Jones of the US.

Sky News Australia will replace the British version from March 1. The channel will continue to include material from Sky News UK as well as content from CBS from the United States and 3 News which is inserted by Sky TV as part of an agreement the broadcaster has with the CanWest operated channel in New Zealand.

Massey media studies senior lecturer Graeme Bassett told the Dominion that the service is unlikely to include much content from New Zealand but because New Zealand and Australia's cultures were similar it would provide a more relevant service to New Zealand viewers. Sky News UK was developed by the News Corp owned BSkyB in competition to BBC and ITV operated news services and is aimed at BSkyB's viewers.

Intelsat Announces New Satellite at 85 Degrees E; Establishes Strategic Relationship with SINOSAT for Use of Capacity

From www.satnewsasia.com

The INTELSAT IX Series has the largest capacity in the INTELSAT system
with expanded beam coverage to provide growth and enhancement of services for key markets.

Intelsat today announced that it has finalized an agreement to purchase an all Ku-band satellite that will be used to create a new orbital role at 85 Degrees E. SINOSAT, the Chinese satellite operator, has acquired rights to use six transponders on this satellite during the entire orbital maneuver life of the satellite, which will be manufactured by Astrium SAS of Toulouse, France.

China Great Wall Industry Corp. is scheduled to launch the spacecraft, which will be known as the Intelsat APR-3 satellite, in the Spring of 2002. As part of this arrangement, SINOSAT also has acquired rights to use two C-band transponders on the Intelsat satellite at the 178 Degrees E location, scheduled to be operational by October 2003.

Cheng Guangren, SINOSAT's President, stated, "We are very pleased to establish this strategic relationship with Intelsat. Intelsat was quick to understand the growing demands of our market, and demonstrated great support in customizing coverage of the satellite beam to meet our requirements. This additional high quality capacity will help us meet the growing needs of our customers."

"This relationship represents the type of innovative solution that helps build success for our customers," said Conny Kullman, Intelsat CEO. "The new orbital role at 85 Degrees E will provide SINOSAT with coverage to meet its increasing demands for domestic service. It will also give Intelsat strategic landmass coverage of China, Russia, India and the Middle East. Further, with launch scheduled by Spring of 2002, this deal represents an extremely quick time to market for the design, manufacture and delivery of a new spacecraft, demonstrating Intelsat's flexibility and responsiveness to customer needs," Kullman continued.

The primary applications for the new satellite will include corporate VSAT networks, video distribution to cable head-ends, and Internet connections to ISPs. Intelsat currently has ten satellites on order (seven Intelsat IXs, two Xs and the Intelsat APR-3) which it plans to launch over the next three years.

Intelsat is an international communications provider that offers Internet, broadcast, telephony and corporate network solutions around the globe through its fleet of 19 satellites. For nearly four decades, many of the world's leading telecommunications companies, multinational corporations and broadcasters in more than 200 countries and territories have relied on Intelsat satellites and staff for quality connections, global reach and unrivaled reliability.

Japan Sets Date for Switch to Digital TV

From www.satnewsasia.com

Japan intends to shift to digital TV by 2011 in response to a continuing strong demand for the service throughout Japan.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications expects the Japanese Cabinet to approve its recommendation to shift Japan to digital transmissions for television broadcasts and end terrestrial analog broadcasting by 2011. The Cabinet will meet next week.

The ministry said that frequencies allocated for analog broadcasts will stop 10 years after frequencies are allocated for digital terrestrial broadcasts. Telecoms analysts said this could happen by this summer.

Digital terrestrial broadcasts are to start in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya by 2003, and nationwide by 2006.

Australia this January 1 launched its nationwide free to air digital TV service. Viewer response was mostly positive although there were complaints abut “snowy connections” or poor connections in several areas.

Japanese telecoms industry sources say Japan’s demand for digital TV and set top boxes should exceed two million in 2002 from 700,000 units this year. Demand for TV sets is estimated at 10 million units per year.

Satellite-based digital TV sets were introduced in 2001 while satellite-based digital broadcasts began December 1. NHK and five Tokyo-based stations intend to build a giant digital transmission in central Tokyo.

Public broadcaster NHK and five Tokyo-based commercial stations are teaming up in a project to build a 1,968-foot television transmission tower in central Tokyo.

The Akihabara district, famous for its dozens of electronics discount stores, is the favorite candidate site for the tower.

Digital TV offers higher quality pictures and more channels than analog broadcasts. It will also enable viewers to do online shopping, banking and Internet surfing.

Digitization of broadcasting transmission breaks down the barriers between the Internet, traditionally a telecommunications domain, and the traditional media-oriented television sector.

Consumers will be able to send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, buy goods and services, and play games on their digital TV sets, while increased bandwidth to homes via telecom networks will enrich Internet services with broadcast quality video and audio, bringing television to the PC.

India's TV Channel Wars Heat Up

From www.satnewsasia.com

Players in India’s overcrowded broadcasting industry are fighting to survive and are looking at strategies ranging from the inspired to the, well, unoriginal.

India’s close to 100 broadcasters are fragmented by region, language and technology. The market is equally diverse and the question facing broadcasters is universal: how do I increase ratings and revenues?

The answer for the moment appears to be game shows, specifically game shows offering lots and lots of money. The “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” phenomenon has swept India thanks to the introduction of the Indian equivalent by Star, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.

Star signed up durable film icon Amitabh Bachchan, to host the show in July 2000. Known by its Hindi name, "Kaun Banega Crorepat,” the show has become a huge success and has spawned copycat programs such as an offering from Zee Networks that offers twice the cash prize. Zee, India’s largest private broadcasting network, is owned by rice trader turned media magnate Subhash Chandra.

Bachchan and his game show are so popular that analysts say they will enable Star to break even earlier than their 2002 target. The game show’s success has given Star a leg up in India’s fierce broadcasting wars.

Among other industry heavy hitters are Sony Entertainment Television (a subsidiary of the Japanese electronics giant) that launched its own game show hosted by a younger host to contrast with the veteran Bachchan. Others stations are planning their own game shows.

These game shows will compete for eyeballs in a market crowded with specialized entertainment, news, business, music and other channels like BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and MTV. Then there is a plethora of regional channels.

Despite the huge market potential, Indian broadcasters are losing money. Blame is on the ferocious competition and the market’s penchant for price cuts.

But there is some good news. TV revenues are growing some 20 percent annually and are projected to bring in revenues for broadcasters. Another silver lining is the high growth expected of cable TV. Analysts expect high growth for cable, whose penetration rate reaches a high 43 percent in some of India’s urban areas.

A number of broadcasters are attempting to introduce a “bouquet of channels” to offer broader program packages to advertisers.

JSAT Up After Healthy 3Q Earnings

From www.satnewsasia.com

JSAT Corporation, Japan’s largest satellite operator, said profits for October-December 2000 rose 38.8 percent year-on-year to 2.4 billion yen.

The company’s stock rose 46,000 yen or 6.43 percent to 761,000. The stock, however, was about half of its peak of 1.52 million yen in August 2000.

JSAT currently has one of the largest number of satellites in orbit. Its satellite constellation consists of nine satellites, two of which are co-owned with NTT Corporation operator of the NStar satellites.

JSAT has ordered a 10th satellite, JCSAT-8, whose launch date has not been announced.

This satellite will replace JCSAT-2, and will carry 16 Ku-band amplifiers and 16 C-band amplifiers and will provide coverage to Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.

15/2/01

Not a good start to the day, my Eudora Email inbox decided to corrupt itself loseing all my kept email going back since 98. So I have a fresh clean inbox now so I took the chance to use the update patch and updated to Eudora 5.02. If you sent me email in the last day it may have been lost there is not much happening satellite stuff happening today. I have scrounged a 90CM with lnbf ex Ihug Ultra dish, its mine for just postage cost from Auckland down to Nelson, shouldnt be more than $35 or so this will make my ABC signal more reliable though its good for %90 of the time on the 60cm.

From Bill Richards RE: Tower Broadcast feed

From the info below I fail to find any TV or Radio service other than Tower Broadcast
Center feeds reguardless of the transmitted channel info.
Pids transmitted on 3942 are
0
1
16 = 00: 47 40 10 13 00 40 f0 5f 13 8a f1 00 00 f0 19 40 G@...@._.......@
10: 0b 50 41 53 35 4c 4f 4e 4d 43 50 43 0f 04 53 41 .PAS5LONMCPC..SA
20: 50 53 5f 04 53 41 50 53 f0 39 00 00 13 8a f0 33 PS_.SAPS.9.....3
30: 43 0b 00 40 00 00 00 00 01 02 76 90 15 41 24 00 C..@......v..A$.
40: 01 01 00 02 01 00 03 01 00 04 01 00 05 01 00 06 ................
50: 02 00 07 02 00 08 02 00 0b 01 00 0c 02 00 0d 02 ................
60: 00 0e 02 d1 0a 0d ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
70: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
80: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
90: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
a0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
b0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ............

17 = 00: 47 40 11 1f 00 42 f1 b3 00 00 c5 00 00 13 8a ff G@...B..........
10: 00 01 fd 90 28 48 22 01 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 ....(H"..DEFAULT
20: 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 0f 42 42 43 20 2d 20 PROVIDER.BBC -
30: 43 68 61 6e 6e 65 6c 20 31 53 02 0e 00 00 02 fd Channel 1S......
40: 90 26 48 20 01 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 .&H ..DEFAULT PR
50: 4f 56 49 44 45 52 0d 42 42 43 20 43 68 61 6e 6e OVIDER.BBC Chann
60: 65 6c 20 32 53 02 0e 00 00 03 fd 80 22 48 20 01 el 2S......."H .
70: 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 .DEFAULT PROVIDE
80: 52 0d 43 68 61 6e 6e 65 6c 20 54 68 72 65 65 00 R.Channel Three.
90: 04 fd 80 21 48 1f 01 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 ...!H...DEFAULT
a0: 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 0c 43 68 61 6e 6e 65 6c PROVIDER.Channel
b0: 20 46 6f 75 72 00 05 fd 80 1a 48 18 Four.....H.

00: 47 00 11 10 01 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 G.....DEFAULT PR
10: 4f 56 49 44 45 52 05 44 57 2d 74 76 00 06 fd 80 OVIDER.DW-tv....
20: 18 48 16 02 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 4f .H...DEFAULT PRO
30: 56 49 44 45 52 03 44 57 31 00 07 fd 80 18 48 16 VIDER.DW1.....H.
40: 02 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 ..DEFAULT PROVID
50: 45 52 03 44 57 32 00 08 fd 80 18 48 16 02 10 44 ER.DW2.....H...D
60: 45 46 41 55 4c 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 03 EFAULT PROVIDER.
70: 44 57 37 00 0b fd 80 18 48 16 01 10 44 45 46 41 DW7.....H...DEFA
80: 55 4c 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 03 52 54 50 ULT PROVIDER.RTP
90: 00 0c fd 80 18 48 16 02 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 54 .....H...DEFAULT
a0: 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 03 52 54 50 00 0d fd PROVIDER.RTP...
b0: 80 27 48 25 02 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c .'H%..DEFAUL

00: 47 00 11 11 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 12 52 G...T PROVIDER.R
10: 65 6e 61 73 63 65 6e 63 61 20 43 61 6e 61 6c 20 enascenca Canal
20: 31 00 0e fd 80 21 48 1f 02 10 44 45 46 41 55 4c 1....!H...DEFAUL
30: 54 20 50 52 4f 56 49 44 45 52 0c 52 44 50 20 41 T PROVIDER.RDP A
40: 6e 74 65 6e 61 20 31 63 0a 5f 92 ff ff ff ff ff ntena 1c._......
50: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
60: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
70: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
80: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
90: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
a0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
b0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ............

500 Nil Data

1420 Apid Ch4
1422
1460 Vpid Ch4

5004 = 00: 47 53 8c 1e 00 02 b0 27 00 04 cb 00 00 e5 b4 f0 GS.....'........
10: 06 0f 04 53 41 50 53 02 e5 b4 f0 00 04 e5 8c f0 ...SAPS.........
20: 00 04 e5 8e f0 00 80 e5 97 f0 00 30 db 68 a7 ff ...........0.h..
30: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
40: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
50: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
60: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
70: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
80: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
90: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
a0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ................
b0: ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ............

Craigs reply, Ahh thanks for that Bill though most wont understand it its a raw data dump from the Nokia showing info on those streams.

Hi Craig,

I'm an Aussie living in Indonesia and would like to pick up all the free to
air available. I have an Echcostar AD 2000 IP digital/analog receiver and
run a mesh 10ft dish. I look at Satchart (Ugar Tani) web site and see many
FTA but can not find when I channel search. I would also like to buy the new
small 20inch dish and use if possible. Do you recommend a book to teach me
the basics of programming or setting up to receive what I want.

Best regards Denny Hutchison Indonesia

Craigs reply, I hope you have some sort of motorisesd positioner? The Satchart site is very out of date the best one to use is

http://www.lyngsat.com/asia.shtml

You should be able to get nearly all the cband channels up there that are shown on my page. The Lyngsat site has all the setting you need provideing your dish is correctly aligned. The Echostar AD2000 IP is a good receiver for where you are.

The small 20 inch dish I presume is for KU band I am not quite sure what you will get but i think a number of beams cover Indonesia look at the Lyngsat footprints for more details. I think there are some South Asian beams that cover where you are. I don't know of any books that teach you how to program your sat receiver other than the manual you get with it. A good book all satellite owners should have is Mark Longs World of satellite TV book (Be sure to get the asia pacific edition)

Let me know how things go.

From the Dish

Agila 2 146E 3736 H "A-TV (South Korea)" is new here, Sr 3000, Vpid 1160 Apid 1120 (South Asia Beam)

NEWS

Telecom and Sky to Launch National Offers

From Telecom NZ

Telecom and SKY Television have agreed to launch soon a range of innovative offers for residential customers throughout New Zealand.

Based on a successful trial of telephone, Internet and home entertainment packages among some customers since last June, Telecom and SKY have agreed to extend their initial one-year agreement by a further two years and to introduce packages nationally within the next few months.

?We are driving integration between the telephone, the Internet and television with major benefits for our customers,” Telecom Chief Executive Theresa Gattung said today.

Details of new packages will be announced soon, Ms Gattung said.

?Telecom and SKY look forward to providing a range of exciting services for New Zealanders to be entertained and informed, and to communicate and transact business,” she said. “Our customers like packages because of their simplicity, and the choice and value they offer.”

Around 6,500 residential customers, mostly in Wellington and Christchurch, are on the current trial. Alternative packages have included:
- Monthly telephone access and SKY digital basic; or
- Monthly telephone access, SKY digital basic and 10 hours Xtra Internet; or
- Monthly telephone access, SKY digital basic and unlimited Xtra Internet.

SKY Chief Executive John Fellet noted that Telecom could reach around 1.4 million residential customers while SKY provided an unparalleled choice of home television entertainment to about 400,000 homes.

?SKY is one of the fastest growing pay television companies in the world and through its digital satellite service reaches every New Zealand household,” Mr Fellet said

Asianet looking to relaunch struggling Kaveri

From Indiantelevision.com

Leading Malayalam language channel Asianet is putting together plans to provide a fresh of life to its Kannada language channel Kaveri, which has been struggling to stay afloat ever since its launch in June 2000.

"We still have faith in Kaveri's potential but we have a lot of work on our hands," Asianet COO Mohan Nair said on Tuesday. "In the immediate term, we are trying to increase the programming content," Nair said.

Asianet and Zee telefilms each have a 50 per cent stake in Kaveri which has faced viewer recognition problems from the outset. A reason given is the fallout from the 108-day kidnapping drama of popular Kannada film star Rajkumar who was released on 15 November. During the kidnap period there was a virtual shutdown of the Kannada film industry, which led to a severe shortfall vis-a-vis fresh programming.

"Kaveri needs some dedicated nurturing because the market out there is till untapped and I see it as a challenge," Nair said. "We are planning a virtual relaunch. Just wait and watch," he added.

14/2/01

Thanks to those that turned up for the Tuesday chat it seems they are becoming more popular. Some more happenings on Sky NZ's FTA testing today they are testing with looping video footage perhaps we will see some programming on there by the weekend. A friend with Sky notes his receiver will not tune in this fta broadcast yet. It will require Sky to upgrade the software to enable it to show up. Video clips screened were a 5 second loop of soccer and a shot of someone zooming in on a man by some boats. They are also using slightly different card to the one used yesterday. No audio has been heard yet. NO the screenshot is not faulty some video information? appears at the top of the screen as seen below. There is a new Scat India online edition out click the picture above for it.

From My Emails & ICQ

These From Bill Richards, the usual fantastic quality screenshots

0820UTC

Pas 2 4026 H "KBS Korea" SR 5062 Fec 3/4 Vpid 3601 Apid 3604 SID 1
Pas 2 4026 H "KBS News Feed" SR 5062 Fec 3/4 Vpid 33 Apid 38 SID 2

Regards
Bill

This From Robert Anthony

Preview screen is up Tuesday night (FTA at least right now) for an 8:00 PM (Sydney
time) transmission of Shell (Oil Company) Business Television Broadcast
on PAS-2 Adhoc I on 3901 MHz (H) SR 30800. Maybe they won't encrypt

(and maybe it won't be boring...)

(Picture suppllied by Bill Richards)

***FOR SALE***

Unused Viaccess CAM,( no card ) swap with Iredeto CAM with no card.

amobasheri@xtra.co.nz

From the Dish

Pas 2 169E 3901 H "Shell Business TV feed" adhoc 1 Sr 30800 Fec 3/4
Pas 2 169E 4026 H "KBS Korea" SR 5062 Fec 3/4 Vpid 3601 Apid 3604 SID 1
Pas 2 169E 4026 H "KBS News Feed" SR 5062 Fec 3/4 Vpid 33 Apid 38 SID 2

NEWS

Austar & Oracle sign and Interactive TV Agreement

The agrement will see the first implementation of OMI at significant scale as a true end-to-end interactive platform.

Austar United Broadband announced today that it has signed an agreement with Oracle Corporation Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, for the provision of Oracle’s interactive TV platform software, Oracle Media Interactive (OMI). This agreement will see the first implementation of OMI at significant scale as a true end-to-end interactive platform.

Oracle is the world’s largest provider of software for e-business and Austar is the leading provider of advanced communications and entertainment services in regional Australia.

The OMI platform will provide the basis for true two-way interactivity for Austar’s customers. Austar currently has a number of one-way interactive TV services (weather, games and the Electronic Programme Guide) available to 250,000 of its 427,000 customers. New services will include t-mail, home shopping, interactive advertising, interactive channel enhancements with impulse retail shopping, banking and tiered games.

*ustar is the first and only company to create an interactive platform in Australia and in the Asia Pacific region that can support multiple interactive television operating systems as well as content delivery system across multiple platforms including internet and mobile services,” said Dana Strong, Managing Director, Austar United Broadband.

?The beauty of Oracle OMI is that, as a total solution, it gives maximum flexibility to develop new services with minimal ongoing capital outlay. Unlike other operators, who have launched interactive television with customised development we will deploy a fully-supported off-the-shelf Oracle product which enables a fully integrated service with no need for expensive customisation and upgrades.

?We see interactive television as a major point of differentiation for our service which will fuel additional growth in our Pay-TV subscriber take up,” said Ms Strong. “Oracle’s strategic approach to this initiative enabled us to manage deployment costs effectively. This was achieved through the development of a scalable business model designed to benefit both organisations as the Austar subscriber base grows.”

Brian Mitchell, Managing Director, Oracle Corporation Australia said, “We are delighted to work with Austar who are at the forefront of innovation and are fully committed to the delivery of a major suite of services to enhance the viewing experience of the Australian public.”

Zee News goes in for major overhaul

From Indiantelevision.com

Zee Telefilms' best bet against new entrants in the Hindi news arena, Zee News, is working towards adopting major restructuring strategies to improve the channel's programme quality.

Satish Menon, who recently took the reins of Zee News, confirmed that a major revamp was under way. "We are working toward getting good people and improving the existing functioning of the channel and it is a continous process. We'll be working towards improving the content from all aspects," Menon says.

Zee has allied with American company Novocom to completely overhaul the graphics and design to make it more attractive. Menon was, however, tightlipped about the additional investment involved in sprucing up the channel. "I wouldn't want to talk in terms of investments. It is too early to talk about these," he said.

Zee is at present facing a stiff test from Aaj Tak, the 24-hour news channel launched on 31 December 2000 by media group India Today. Earlier, being the only major Hindi news channel, Zee News had a vice like grip on the TRP charts.

As per some recent news reports, a month after Aaj Tak's launch, the channel's viewer growth shot up nearly five times. The reports were based on a survey conducted by AC Nielsen. At the same time, the viewership of Zee and Star remained unchanged, the reports said.

With all the major players in the television industry about to turn fully pay channels, the viewership stakes can only get higher. Everyone will have to fight that much harder just to stand still.

13/2/01

Its Tuesday so of course the usual livechats on in the chatroom from 8.30pm Sydney time onwards. Lets hope it dosn't kick everyone out when it gets busy if it does, just try again to get back in you may need to use a different username untill it kicks out your other one. Sky NZ has a new FTA card up its possible they are testing some FTA services looks like TVNZ/Telstra could have some fta competition. Sorry for the lack of other news.

ABC Northern has been added to Optus B1 Gallery page

Click for Fullsize

From My Emails & ICQ

I am among the thousands other LEGAL TVRO Satellite TV users in Malaysia,
would like to iyou that the free receptions of satellite TV
were not COMPLETELY BANNED by the Malaysian government.


It's always been regulated and in order to use such system
one has to get appropriate licenses from the Telecommunication Dept.

A FTA TVRO system would be of no use for general public viewing who would
rather subscribe to local DTH services and receive premier programming
such as HBO, DISNEY, ESPN etc through it.

But for hobbyist and Satellite purist who prefers to watch satellite feeds
and foreign programming, they can always apply for a license.

Despite these easy to follow government policies,
we will always have Illegal TVRO users in Malaysia who would rather
not apply for any licenses and take things for granted!

Cheers.

Malaysian DXer

From the Dish

Apstar 2R 76.5E 4020 V "something" reported here Sr 27890 Fec 7/8

Palapa C2 113E 4048 V "SCTV - Surya Citra TV" IS NOT encrypted ( I didn't think the report looked right!)

PAS 8 166E 3900 H "CNBC Hong Kong" has started here Vpid 517 Apid 700.

NEWS

No news today

12/2/01

Not a lot happening today, Mediasat card on 12359 (B3) all day something may be happening there.

Page to be trimmed tommorow

From my Emails & ICQ

RE:Satellite Tests 2001 Magazine

"Satellite magazine tests 2001-the ultimate buyers guide"-
satellite magazine can be ordered from any newspaper shop-most shops have a magazine list-
it is clearly listed-!-it properly is located in sydney-any problems-let us know-i have ordered
6 copys with no problems-

h_strecker@gig pond.com (oak flats nsw)

Craigs reply, Thanks for that I am getting 2 or 3 emails a day from people trying to find it still. Its still here in the Shops in NZ.

From the Dish

(NyenLC)

Insat 2E 83E 3989 V "ETV Kannada" test card has left

Palapa C2 113E 4048 V "SCTV - Surya Citra TV" reported to have encrypted?? this will annoy a lot of viewers who enjoy the soccer on this channel. Reports needed if you have any furthur info on this.

Jcsat 3 128E 3960 V "CTV" and "TTV" are FTA again, Hot Channel has left this MUX

NEWS

* Intelsat orders APR-3

From [sat-nd] 12.02.2001

Intelsat finalised an agreement to purchase an all Ku-band satellite that
will be used to fill a new orbital slot at 85 degrees East. Chinese satellite
operator Sinosat has acquired rights to use six transponders on this satellite
during the its entire orbital manoeuvre life. The spacecraft will be
manufactured by Astrium SAS of Toulouse, France.

China Great Wall Industry Corp. is scheduled to launch the spacecraft, which
will be known as the Intelsat APR-3 satellite, in the Spring of 2002. As part
of this arrangement, Sinosat also has acquired rights to use two C-band
transponders on the Intelsat satellite at the 178 degrees East location,
scheduled to be operational by October 2003.

The primary applications for the new satellite will include corporate VSAT
networks, video distribution to cable head-ends, and Internet connections to
ISPs.

Intelsat currently has ten satellites on order (seven Intelsat IXs, two Xs
and the Intelsat APR-3) which it plans to launch over the next three years.

T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 06/2001 - February 11 2001 -

A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by Tele Satellite International
Editor: Branislav Pekic(Edited Apsattv.com Edition)

AUSTRALIA

NTL WINS ABC SATELLITE CONTRACT

NTL Australia (NTL Incorporated) has secured a 10-year contract with Cable & Wireless Optus to provide satellite downlink services for the distribution of Australian Broadcasting Corporation digital television in regional and rural Australia. The value of the contract is A$65 million. This follows NTL Australia winning the largest digital terrestrial television broadcast contract in Australia from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in December 2000. The 10-year satellite contract for digital distribution services will begin on 1st July 2001.

CHINA - HONG KONG

BIDDING PROCESS FOR GALAXY

Television Broadcasts Ltd must auction its television programmes via an open bidding process involving all local pay-TV operators under an agreement reached with the Hong Kong government on February 8. The agreement, announced by the Broadcasting Authority, resolves uncertainty surrounding the pay-TV licence for Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Ltd, a unit of TVB, Hong Kong’s dominant free-to-air broadcaster and biggest producer of TV programming. Galaxy last year was granted a pay-TV licence on the condition that TVB would have to offer to sell content to all of the territory’s other pay-TV licencees, including i-Cable, Hong Kong Network TV Ltd, Yes Television (Hong Kong) Ltd and Pacific Digital Media. The Broadcasting Authority said TVB group could not supply Galaxy with any programme or service channel without conducting an open bidding process approved by the authority.

JAPAN

DTH OPERATORS REPORT JANUARY SUBSCRIBER FIGURES

January proved to be a strong month for DTH operators Sky Perfect Communications (SPC) and Japan Broadcasting Corp. (WOWOW). SPC reported that it added 23,449 subscribers to its digital platform in January, bringing its total to 2,52 million. Rival WOWOW said subscribers to its digital and analogue satellite broadcast services grew 17,479 to 2,62 million. Subscribers to its digital service increased by 15,029 in January, while the analogue service added 2,450 customers.

JAPAN TO COMPLETE DIGITAL SWITCH BY 2011

Japan’s telecoms ministry wants to shift to digital transmissions for television broadcasts, ending terrestrial analogue broadcasting by 2011. Frequencies allocated for analogue broadcasts will cease to be used within 10 years after allocations for digital terrestrial broadcasts are made, which could begin this summer. Digital terrestrial broadcasts are scheduled to start in the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya areas by 2003, and nationwide by 2006.

THE PHILLIPINES

PLDT TO BUY GMA NETWORK

Leading telecom operator Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) on February 7 bought a two-thirds stake in local TV network GMA. According to the Financial Times, the US$177 million acquisition was made via PLDT’s wholly owned subsidiary Mediaquest, which already owns pay-TV operator Home Cable. Mediaquest has already revealed plans to attract foreign investment into GMA via an offer of special shares in the company. GMA is the Philippines’ second-largest TV network, with a share of 29 per cent compared to leader ABS-CBN with 47 per cent.

THAILAND

NTL BEGINS DTT TRIALS

UK-based transmission company NTL has begun trials with digital broadcasts in Thailand and hopes to offer its services to local broadcasters, according to a report in The Nation. Hugh Brammer, general manager of NTL (Thailand), said the company, which entered Thailand less than two years ago, had begun running the trials for several local TV channels including Channel 9 of the Mass Communication Organisation of Thailand (MCOT), Channel 11 of the Public Relations Department and iTV. The official launch of the digital TV service depends on the broadcasters, however, who tend to prefer to invest in their own infrastructure. Also NTL cannot move ahead with the service until Thailand’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) begins its operations and takes over control of the broadcasting frequencies.

11/2/01

Not much happening today. Except NZ won the cricket (VERY RARE). I spent some time today at a guys place watching satellite tv he has the same dish as me. I just wish I had the 42inch Fujitsu widescreen plasma tv that he has! it was next to a 52 inch projection tv which I thought had a very dark washed out image.

From my Emails & ICQ

From Bill Richards

hi craig..

can you help me ive tried to get the above mag in west aust and have had no luck can you help me get a copy im prepared to send money if you can post me one or maybe you might know someone in east aust that can help...

regards jeff bannister

Craigs reply, Can anyone in Australia find distributer of this magazine or help?

From the Dish

Nothing to report

NEWS

Cable operators launch shopping and comedy channel

From indiantelevision.com

A satellite television channel with a difference was launched on Thursday. The difference is the channel was launched by an Indian cable TV consortium led by Mumbai-based Live Satellite Media promoter Atul Saraf. Branded SN (Shopping Network) TV, it is positioned as a shopping and comedy channel and is in beta testing stage off a transponder on Thaicom-3.

For starters, it will have a four hour block of programming repeated through the day. This will go up to eight hours of original content over time and the ultimate aim is to become a 24-hour free-to-air channel.

Says Saraf: "We will have home shopping programming shorts but we will also offer advertisers the facilities of going beyond just a TV commercial, we will air infomercials. For instance, Phillips can explain clearly what a Flat Square Tube is in its commercial, instead of just airing attractive ads."

Saraf expects the channel to do well. "Live Satellite is a company that gets advertising to the tune of Rs 100,000 for almost 1,200 cable TV operators all over India," he says. "These cable TV operators will support us and we are not really interested in going in for funding at this stage."

The channel is targeted at the eastern, western and northern Indian markets.

Leading Kiwi sports presenter joins ESPN STAR Sports team

From Indiantelevision.com

Award-winning sports journalist Eric Young has joined Sportsline, ESPN STAR Sports' (ESS) daily sports news programme.

Sportsline, which was launched in September 2000, is broadcast on the STAR Sports India network.

The New Zealand-born journalist is a veteran of sports reporting, with more than 20 years experience in radio, print and television. He has been both the New Zealand Sports Writer of the Year and the New Zealand Sports Broadcaster of the Year, according to a press relea