29/02/04
No update Sunday
28/02/04
No update Saturday
27/02/04
New radio service found on Optus B3 globecast mux on 12658V "Vietnamese radio" Fta on Apid 1223 PCR 1223 Sid 35
Since things are so quiet there might not be a weekend update, it does give me time to catch up on other matters.
Feeds Hunter plugin for the Dreambox.
http://www.procomservice.it/--OFFERTE--offertasoftware.php3
From my Emails & ICQ
Nothing to report
From the Dish
Palapa C2 113E 3733 H New VPID for RTB International on : 1200.
NSS 6 95E 12688 H TV Polonia has started, Fta PIDs 401/402.Mazzika and Al Mehwer TV have left.
Insat 3A 93.5E 3902 V Sr 2000 fec? (note the low SR, may need manually loading on some receivers)
Yamal 102 90E 3719 L "Rambler TeleSet (+2h)" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3830 V New SR for the DD Bangla mux: 6250.
SatcoDX Update #16/2004
0765 APSTAR 2R (76.5E)
======================
Feeds on 3.473 (V, 4000):
Feeds on 3.680 (H, 27096):
Feeds on 3.933 (V, 9304):
0830 INSAT 2E, 3B (83.0E)
=========================
DD Calcutta on 3.830 (V, 6250, 512, 650, 8190): New SR
Kolkata Feed on 3.830 (V, 6250, 513, 660, 8190): New SR
Data service on 3.830 (V, 6250): New SR
0880 ST 1 (88.0E)
=================
CTS on 3.632 (V, 26666, 2097, 2081, 2097): It's clear now
Formosa TV on 3.632 (V, 26666, 3121, 3105, 3121): It's clear now
CTV - China TV on 3.632 (V, 26666, 4145, 4129, 4145): It's clear now
TTV on 3.632 (V, 26666, 7217, 7201, 7217): It's clear now
Data Service on 3.657 (H, 2400):
Data Service on 3.657 (H, 2400):
Data Service on 3.657 (H, 2400):
Data Service on 3.657 (H, 2400):
1005 ASIASAT 2 (100.5E)
=======================
Henan Radio1 on 3.707 (H, 4420, 160, 81, 160):
Henan Radio2 on 3.707 (H, 4420, 160, 82, 160):
Henan Radio3 on 3.707 (H, 4420, 160, 160): Language correction
Henan Radio4 on 3.707 (H, 4420, 160, 84, 160): Language correction
Henan Radio5 on 3.707 (H, 4420, 160, 160): Language correction
Hubei TV1 on 3.713 (H, 4420, 160, 80, 160): Language correction
Hubei TV2 on 3.713 (H, 4420, 160, 81, 160): Language correction
Fujian TV on 3.720 (H, 4420, 160, 80, 160): New PIDs
Fujian TV2 on 3.720 (H, 4420, 160, 81, 160): Language correction
Jiangxi TV on 3.727 (H, 4420, 160, 80, 160): New PIDs
Jiangxi TV2 on 3.727 (H, 4420, 160, 81, 160): Language correction
Jiangxi TV3 on 3.727 (H, 4420, 160, 82, 160): Language correction
Jiangxi TV4 on 3.727 (H, 4420, 160, 83, 160): Language correction
Liaoning TV on 3.734 (H, 4420, 255, 256, 255): New PIDs
TVSN on 3.764 (V, 4300, 1160, 1120, 1160): New PID
Guangxi TV on 3.806 (V, 4420, 308, 256, 8189): New PID
Hunan TV on 3.847 (H, 4420, 160, 80, 8190): New PIDs
1055 ASIASAT 3S (105.5E)
========================
Boomerang on 3.960 (H, 27500, 1860, 1780, 1860): It has started
1080 TELKOM 1 (108.0E)
======================
Indosiar on 3.500 (H, 28000, 80, 81, 80): It's encrypted now
Metro TV on 3.500 (H, 28000, 100, 101, 100): It's encrypted now
Hallmark on 3.500 (H, 28000, 528, 529, 528): It's encrypted now
CNBC on 3.500 (H, 28000, 592, 593, 592): It's encrypted now
RCTI on 3.500 (H, 28000, 633, 632, 633): It's encrypted now
TPI on 3.500 (H, 28000, 649, 636, 649): It's encrypted now
Ar-Rahman on 3.500 (H, 28000, 659, 568, 659): It's encrypted now
SCTV on 3.500 (H, 28000, 661, 660, 661): It's encrypted now
antv on 3.500 (H, 28000, 672, 671, 672): It's encrypted now
BBC World on 3.500 (H, 28000, 720, 721, 720): It's encrypted now
Sky 101.6 FM on 3.500 (H, 28000, 62, 61): It's encrypted now
1130 PALAPA C2 (113.0E)
=======================
Feeds on 3.977 (H, 2539): New NID
1160 KOREASAT 3 (116.0E)
========================
TV Service on 12.530 (H, 27490, 2320, 2321, 2320):
TV Service on 12.530 (H, 27490, 2336, 2337, 2336):
TV Servive on 12.530 (H, 27490, 2384, 2385, 2384):
TV Service on 12.530 (H, 27490, 2432, 2433, 2432):
1220 ASIASAT 4 (122.0E)
=======================
CBN on 3.880 (H, 26500, 560, 563, 560): It has started
1520 OPTUS B3 (152.0E)
======================
Sigaram on 12.525 (V, 30000, 1160, 1120, 1160): Occasional Feeds
NEWS
SingTel Extends Broadband IP Backbone Via Satellite to Bangladesh
From http://www.hardwarezone.com/news/view.php?cid=2&id=14385
This is part of SingTel’s efforts in building a broadband IP backbone via satellite in the region. In Bangladesh, SingTel is working with Advance Technology Computers Limited (ATCL) to market this broadband IP service.
Known as Digital Video Broadcasting-Internet Protocol (DVB-IP), the network packages IP traffic (including voice, video, Internet-based applications and other online content) into a DVB stream before transmission via satellite to multiple sites in the Asia Pacific simultaneously. It supports broadband Internet connectivity, videoconferences, multimedia video streaming, high-speed file transfer, interactive distance learning and content distribution.
DVB-IP combines the best of Internet technology with the simultaneous global reach of satellites to deliver instant access to an Internet backbone. Service providers enjoy significant cost savings on satellite bandwidth compared to the traditional point-to-point technology via terrestrial network where links have to be dedicated and repeated for each remote site.
SingTel’s Broadband DVB-IP network operates via the ST-1 and APSTAR satellites with a footprint covering the Asia Pacific region, supporting all its broadband users especially in South Asia. It connects to SingTel Internet Exchange, SingTel’s Internet hubbing business which provides Internet systems and network management solutions to web-centric companies looking to outsource the hosting of their Internet operations.
Mr Tay Chek Khoon, SingTel’s Vice President (Regional Satellite Business), said: “Broadband DVB-IP opens up a whole new horizon for traditional broadcasters to deliver more than just television signals and programming. The service provides an opportunity for broadcasters, ISPs and corporations to collaborate and deliver premium Internet content and applications such as interactive streaming media, long distance e-learning, online banking and even e-mail, to audiences in the region that do not have easy access to the Internet.”
He added: “SingTel sees a huge growth potential in the Bangladeshi telecommunications market and is well-positioned to tap this new development.”
SingTel offers a wide range of satellite-based services in the Asia Pacific region, such as VSAT, broadcast uplink/downlink as well as satellite bandwidth leasing services.
Tandberg Scores Exclusive Deal With GlobeCast For 2004 Olympic Games
From Satellite Today
Southampton, U.K.-based GlobeCast, a satellite services company, has chosen Tandberg Television as its broadcast equipment provider of choice for this summer's Olympic games in Athens.
Tandberg, a provider of open solutions for digital broadcasting and broadband, will deploy multiplexers, MPEG-2 encoders, modulators and network adapters. The equipment will be at the heart of GlobeCast's compression and satellite/fiber distribution services for the duration of the games.
GlobeCast, a subsidiary of France Telecom, operates a global network of satellite distribution platforms for broadcast and advanced content delivery.
Thai Shin Satellite Public Offer To Take Place Early June
From http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040226/15/3ibwi.html
BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thailand's Shin Satellite PCL (SATTEL.TH) is expected to launch its public offering of up to 208 million new shares in early June, according to the company's financial adviser SCB Securities Ltd. Thursday.
"Bookbuilding will take place around end-May followed by the subscription in early June. The new shares should be able to trade on the bourse in mid-June," said Kittikorn Danpoonkij, vice president for investment banking at SCB Securities.
Shin Satellite Wednesday announced its recapitalization plan to raise around $90 million via a public offering.
The satellite operator said it would boost its capital by 1.07 billion baht ($1=THB39.265) to THB5.57 billion by issuing new shares.
Shin will issue a total of 213.9 million new shares, with 208 million shares to be sold via the public offering. The remainder will be reserved for the exercise of its warrants.
However, the amount of shares to be sold to the public may be less than 208 million if the pricing is favorable.
DD keen to hit six with Indo-Pak series
From http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13414143
With just a couple of weeks left for the Indian cricket team to tour Pakistan, the national broadcaster Prasar Bharati, on behalf of Doordarshan, has stepped up efforts to acquire terrestrial broadcasting rights for the series.
The Prasar Bharati CEO, K S Sarma, on Thursday met Pradip Baijal, the Chairman of the broadcast regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and said the broadcaster was willing to pay $4 million for the rights to the three test and five one-day international matches.
Prasar Bharati sources said Sarma made a case for Doordarshan by stating that while Ten Sports has given the terrestrial rights to PTV free (as mandated under the Pakistan law), the Indian national broadcaster was willing to pay for the rights. Ten Sports is believed to have paid about $10 million for the exclusive cable-and-satellite rights for the series.
TRAI is likely to meet officials of Ten Sports and Prasar Bharati shortly to sort out the issue.
Earlier, Prasar Bharati had written to TRAI stating that in several Western countries, such as the UK, specified sporting events are to be made available on free terrestrial mode. "In the absence of a definitive broadcasting law, Prasar Bharati feels that TRAI has the responsibility and the powers to frame guidelines to ensure that public interest is upheld," said the sources.
The national broadcaster has already acquired the live radio rights from Ten Sports for $40,000 while it has negotiated for a one-hour daily highlights package of the cricket matches for $200,000. Prasar Bharati is expecting to generate ad revenues of at least Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore for the live cricket aired on All India Radio.
The total revenue at stake for the series is estimated to be at over Rs 200 crore. Some of the top corporates such as Samsung, which is the title sponsor, is believed to have paid Rs 15 crore, while others such as LG and Hero Honda, the associate sponsors, have spent Rs 8 crore each. The ad rates also zoomed to a whopping $10,000 (Rs 4.5 lakh) for a 10-second spot.
26/02/04
Vetruns FTA forum is back up and running! with a few glitches.
If you wish to help with creating Tutorials for anything relating to satellite tv (except piracy) send me an email or head over to Vetruns Forum. Tw turoials being worked on at the moment are the F.A.Q (Frequently asked questions abou satellite tv in our region) and a guide as to setting up a Moteck/Motor mount setup.
Things still quiet not sure where the last 2 days worth of Lyngsat have go to his sites not been updated.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Steve Hume
NSS 5 @ 177W has a few carriers on it. 2 large, and 2 to 3 smaller ones. One is definatly data, the other larger one does not seem to lock on the Coship.
On RHC pol (vertical if you don't have a circ pol capable feed) The 2 smaller ones are to low to lock from North QLD.
From Siamglobal
RE: NEW BOUQUET
Thai 7 and CNN, BOTH CHANNELS NOW GONE, AS IS ANY SIGNAL FROM THE TRANSPONDER (Thaicom) ( 1800HRS GMT 25/2 )
From the Dish
No Lyngsat received
NEWS
New Arts Channel(Sky NZ) gives viewers some mental viagra
From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Hmmm. What's on the box tonight? A "documentary" on auctions? A house makeover show? A person makeover show? A reality series where bores compete to run a resort? Or what about DoC staff trying to catch nitwits with too many shellfish?
No? Have you had your fill of these wastes of space? Perhaps you might be more interested in real documentaries tracing the lives of Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet. Or you might like to see the magnificent Jessye Norman singing Carmen, the Berliner Philharmoniker playing Beethoven symphonies or marvel at jazz genius Miles Davis' career in Europe. Add in the Bolshoi Ballet, Martin Amis, James Brown, BB King, Cecilia Bartoli, Cassandra Wilson, Placido Domingo, a bit of architecture, some poetry, a touch of ballet...
And, if you listen carefully, you might hear a sound -- the poor old brain creaking back into action after years of less-than-sophisticated standards on our mainstream channels.
Mental viagra is on the way in the form of the Arts Channel, a digital service rented from Sky but not administered or programmed by Sky. Launching on March 1, it is dedicated to the arts in the broadest sense: from opera to jazz, ballet to contemporary dance, blues to literature -- and some programmes which simply defy genre-definition.
Director and programmer Nick Samitz, who has previously purchased programming for TV One and has considerable international experience, says understatedly, "We looked at the bouquet of programming in this market and we identified the Arts Channel as one area that's not been serviced for the past 15 years or so."
Fifteen years? Outrageous. But neither Samitz nor John Green (both directors of Niche Media Ltd, which has set up the Arts Channel) want to lob criticism at other channels. Says Green, "They programme how they see their audience and I wouldn't like to speculate on how they see their audience.
"Our view is that there is demand for this kind of programming in New Zealand, we have been very focused in what we see as our audience and servicing those needs."
The Arts Channel team -- its directors also include former Auckland Philharmonia director Lloyd Williams, arts philanthropist James Wallace and Rialto cinema chain co-founder David Ross -- has been working towards opening day on March 1 for the past four years.
First, they had to secure access to an audience through a deal with Sky. They had to get investors, and they had to get access to programmes, a path smoothed by Samitz's previous work with TVNZ, Bloomberg International Television in New York, BSkyB in London, and Sky when it was first set up here.
Most of the programmes will come from Britain (Granada, Reiner Moritz, Poor House, the BBC), Berlin (Euro Arts), Arte in Paris, REI in Rome, and from the PBS channel and CS Associates in the United States.
"There is a huge amount available, especially for us because not much has been broadcast for some time," says Samitz, who agrees that his job -- viewing the material before buying -- is akin to being a kid in a candy store. "But there's a lot of material that is not that great either. You have to sift through."
With a subscription rate of $12 a month, the Arts Channel is probably not going to make much from viewer-numbers. But there is a cunning plan. "Through Sky's co-operation, we will use the daytime part of the transponder [the channel] for another business we will roll out which will help to subsidise the Arts Channel," says Green, who adds the content of the second channel will be announced "shortly".
Initially, Samitz is scheduling one new title a day, with major works screening in 8.30pm primetime, then rolling over to other timeslots so viewers won't miss out if they don't catch it first time around.
"Initially, we will follow formats which have been used offshore," he explains. "Once it goes to air one night, we will rotate it. As we go down the track we will mix them up more, and then we'll get thematic and start things like a Vivaldi month. We will also get responses from our viewers and ask them what they'd like to see."
The pair say the intent is to offer "high-quality programmes with good production values with as much variety as possible". There will be no presenter linking the shows, and only limited advertising.
Refreshingly, there will be no "artificial" breaks, or ads every 12 minutes no matter how inappropriate -- although some operas may be broken into halves because of length.
"The key thing is if something starts as an hour-long programme, it runs as an hour-long programme," says Green.
Although most of the scheduling will be international, the channel will be driven by the New Zealand audience unlike, say, Sky channels such as Discovery.
"Because it's a New Zealand company putting the channel together, we have the ability to reflect audience tastes by researching it," says Green. "We can be flexible and respond to our audience requirement."
Upcoming highlights on the Arts Channel
BACH AROUND THE WORLD
A documentary celebrating the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's death, featuring performances from around the globe by Yehudi Menuhin, Bobby McFerrin, Ton Koopman and many more.
JESSYE NORMAN SINGS CARMEN
A behind-the-scenes look at the Orchestre National de France recording of the Bizet opera, with interviews with the renowned (and beautiful) soprano.
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONIES 1-3
With the Berliner Philharmoniker under the baton of renowned Italian conductor Claudio Abbado.
ECHOES OF A GENIUS: MILES DAVIS IN EUROPE
A montage of archival footage and rare interviews showing the charismatic trumpeter in the context of his European career; also featuring John McLaughlin, Mitch Mitchell, Marilyn Mazur.
CHAGALL: THE POET OF PAINTING
Made just before the great French artist's death in 1985, this film looks at Chagall through the curious eyes of a young English painter.
JAMES BROWN: THE GODFATHER OF SOUL
Canny timing, given the singer's visit late next month. All the highs, many of the lows, stunning concert footage, and interviews with BB King and Stevie Wonder. Family members also offer insights into why he's got into so much trouble through the years.
ALL THE RUSSIAS
A stunning sweep through Russia's musical history, from the ancient chants and peasant music to composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky and Shostakovich.
DEGENERATE ART
A fascinating production about Hitler's campaign against so-called degenerate avant-garde artists and the Nazis' campaign to ridicule and destroy them. Later, there will also be a feature on Hitler's chief architect, Albert Speer.
WRITERS' PROFILES
Now this is something we don't see anywhere else: well-made, thought-provoking documentaries on the likes of Paul Coelho, Norman Mailer, Elie Wiesel and Martin Amis.
COSI FAN TUTTE
The divine Cecilia Bartoli in Mozart's highly ironic opera about codes of conduct and tests of morality. Aside from looking gorgeous, the production's music is dazzling.
PICASSO
A winner at the Montreal International Festival of Films on Art, this reappraisal of his life was made at the time of the opening of the Musee Picasso in Paris. With French and English versions, this one is narrated by British actor Bob Peck.
(Craigs comment, I wonder what the daytime service will be? Sky's lacking a comedy channel...)
Optus fights for Territory
From http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8790254%255E15306,00.html
OPTUS is facing a challenge as the Northern Territory Government's main telecommunications supplier.
The Territory is preparing to renew supply arrangements for services worth $25 million a year.
The five-year fixed, mobile and data service outsourcing agreement the NT Government signed with Optus in 2000 expires in June next year.
The Territory's Department of Corporate and Information Services has begun the process of renewing its service supply arrangements, issuing a request for information (RFI).
The RFI covers services including the Territory's 18,255 fixed-line telephones, worth $13.4 million a year, its 2700 handset mobile fleet, worth about $1.83 million a year, as well as $9.6 million of data services across the government's wide area network.
The RFI includes about $1 million a year of interactive learning and internet services to the Territory's schools, provided to most sites by one-way 5.5Mbps satellite downlinks and fixed and dial-up uplinks.
All services are provided by Optus, apart from some mobile services provided by Telstra.
According to the RFI, the territory's voice communication requirements are not expected to grow greatly over the next five years.
However, demand for data services is expected to grow substantially.
New channel fuels action
From http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8794369%255E23218,00.html
THE enormous popularity of extreme sports and the world-beating exploits of Australian motocross riders is an enormous turn-on for young sports fans.
Now they can turn on any time they like for all the adrenalin they can handle.
Such is the enthusiasm extreme sports fans have for everything high, fast and fearless that Foxtel Digital has zoomed in to exploit the mushrooming market among males 12-29.
From March 14 the telecaster will offer the Fuel Channel, dedicated to skateboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle motocross, snowboarding and wakeboarding.
"Australia finally has a dedicated channel to satisfy the most obsessed freestyle fan - 24/7 action sports television," said Angela Wade, channel manager for Fuel.
"The channel is really going to strike a chord in the youth lifestyle market through an alternative outlook. People have been screaming out for this channel for years."
Fuel was one of two new sports channels unveiled by Foxtel yesterday. The other is the Eurosportnews, providing 24-hour sports highlights from around the globe.
The launch of Fuel comes in the same week as Round 6 of the Supercross Nationals at Central Coast Express Advocate Stadium on Saturday, followed by subsequent rounds at Wollongong on March 6 and Newcastle on March 13.
Brothers Jay and Ryan Marmont from the Motorex KTM team are dominating the competition.
Jay, 20, is set to follow long-time Aussie rival Chad Reed as Australia's next major supercross export.
He has been a professional moto- cross rider since he was in Year 10 at Corrimal High and last year took out the Australian Supercross Masters, winning 10 out of the possible 12 rounds over the season.
He survived a crash two years ago in which he suffered a broken arm, leg and hip and has also undergone an operation to cut the sheath surrounding his muscles to minimise lactic acid build-up in his forearms.
CASBAA applauds progress in Thailand
From http://www.advanced-television.com/pages/pagesb/newsdaily.html
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) today gave a limited endorsement of a new commitment made by the Thai authorities to reduce pay-TV piracy within Thailand.
Last week, during a public briefing in Bangkok, the Royal Thai Police, with the Public Relations Department and other bodies, outlined ten points to improve the pay-TV piracy environment within Thailand. Among the ten points were commitments that must be undertaken by all cable operators to respect the Intellectual Property Rights of pay television networks, including those of local broadcasters and international channels such as HBO Asia, STAR TV, ESPN STAR Sports, MTV Asia, Discovery Asia, CNN International and BBC World.
After the briefing Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA, said: "This is a step in the right direction. We are encouraged by the announcement stating that cable operators of any kind must supply, in advance, proof of a right to broadcast pay-TV services. We also applaud the concept of a focused official monitoring body and the requirement for detailed accountability on the number of subscribers. "But what we now need is a genuine commitment to enforce this new regime. The new guidelines for pay-TV service providers must be introduced quickly and they must be adhered to." CASBAA noted that Thailand is currently on the United States Government's Intellectual Property Rights USTR 301 Watch List (which is now under review) but because of the pay-TV piracy issue, Thailand could be placed on the Priority Watch List, a more severe status that will damage Thailand's reputation and potentially expose it to retaliatory measures.
CASBAA estimates there were US$370 million in gross losses to pay-TV piracy within Thailand in 2003. CASBAA and its member companies also conservatively estimate that there are in excess of 1 million unauthorised subscribers to pay-TV services in Thailand. It is estimated that Baht 1.5 billion (US$38.5 million) was lost tothe Royal Thai Government in 2003 from foregone tax revenues such aspay-TV licensing fees, corporate taxes and VAT.
Stock market: ShinSat’s share-sale plan spooks investors
From http://nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=7&id=108927&usrsess=1
Shares of Shin Satellite Plc plunged 13.91 per cent yesterday as investors fretted about the dilution effect of its surprise announcement of a plan to sell new shares to raise at least Bt3.5 billion.
ShinSat closed at Bt32.50, down Bt5.25 from Tuesday, after it had reached a four-year high of Bt44.5 last month.
Asia’s second-largest satellite operator said it would issue 213.89 million new shares with a par value of Bt5 each to raise its registered capital to Bt5.57 billion from Bt4.49 billion.
Some 208 million shares will be offered next quarter to the public and the rest reserved for the exercise of warrants. Prices have not been decided, it said in a statement.
Par value is now Bt10 but would be cut to Bt5, doubling shares to 899.8 million from 449.9 million.
The offering proceeds would be used to expand its iPSTAR multimedia satellite services in key markets such as Australia, New Zealand and China, and to repay some debts.
The company planned to pay a dividend of Bt0.25 per share on May 20, its first since 1997.
The plans were subject to approval from shareholders at their meeting on April 22.
ShinSat is preparing to launch its fourth broadband satellite, iPSTAR, this year to compete against major rivals such as Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co Ltd.
But a telecom analyst at a foreign brokerage said doubts about iPSTAR’s future success have helped drag down ShinSat.
“Why doesn’t ShinSat wait until it sends the satellite into orbit before raising funds so it can offer a higher public offering price? People suspect that ShinSat knows that iPSTAR may not have good prospects like it has been saying,” he said.
The SET index also closed down 2.17 per cent to 704.65.
ShinSat, 51-per-cent-owned by Shin Corp, the flagship of the telecoms empire built up by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, already has three satellites covering Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe.
Shin Corp also reported a 84-per-cent rise in net profit last year, chiefly from mobile affiliate Advanced Info Service.
Shin posted a net profit of Bt9.72 billion, or Bt3.31 per share, slightly better than market expectations of Bt9.6 billion.
Profit at AIS, Shin’s top earnings contributor, rose 62 per cent to Bt7.97 billion last year, Shin said in a statement.
Shin, a holding company realising proportional earnings from its subsidiaries and affiliates, has more than 20 companies under its umbrella in the wireless, satellite, Internet and media industries.
It owns 43 per cent of AIS and has an interest in iTV, which operates the country’s third most popular television channel.
Singapore Telecommunica-tions Ltd owns 5 per cent of Shin and 19.35 per cent of AIS, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of Shin’s profits.
Analysts are largely bullish on Shin’s outlook after the company diversified into the budget airline and consumer finance businesses late last year.
The transportation, consumer finance and entertainment ventures will be new engines for earnings growth this year and make Shin less dependent on its mobile business as growth in the domestic cellular market slows, they said.
KTF to offer digital TV service for cell phones
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FB26Dg03.html
SEOUL - KTF Co, the second largest of South Korea's three mobile phone operators, said on Tuesday that it will provide a digital television service for its high-speed cell phone subscribers.
Under an alliance with Skylife Co, the nation's satellite-based digital broadcast provider, the new digital TV service will be available starting in April and will cost a flat fee, KTF said in a statement.
KTF, the mobile unit of fixed-line giant KT Corp, is now offering a wide range of flat-fee services to promote the use of wireless data and applications. For example, a user can download an unlimited amount of data for five months at 24,000 won (US$20) a month.
The satellite-based digital broadcasting service will be the first of its kind in South Korea, which has 34 million mobile phone users - equivalent to about 70 percent of its population.
Subscribers to KTF's high-speed cell phone service, First in Mobile Multimedia, or FIMM, will be able to access some 40 digital TV channels at no additional cost, KTF spokesman Park Sang-ho said. As of last December, about 1.2 million of KTF's 10.5 million customers had signed up for its FIMM service.
Albeit somewhat choppy, the digital TV service for cell phones is expected to bring a new experience to high-speed mobile network users, Park said.
As part of the alliance, KTF and Skylife have agreed to jointly promote each other's services.
Skylife is the country's first foray into the realm of interactive digital information exchange, providing satellite broadcasting services via 74 video, 10 pay-per-view and 60 audio channels across the nation.
KT, the former state telephone monopoly, is the largest shareholder in Skylife with a 15 percent stake.
Sony permitted to acquire SET Satellite Singapore
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/FB26Ae02.html
NEW DELHI - Sony Entertainment Television has been permitted by the Singaporean government to acquire SET Satellite Singapore and consequently will hike its total foreign shareholding to about 90 percent.
SET India, in which Sony Entertainment Pictures holds a 64.5-percent stake, plans to acquire 100 percent of SET Satellite Singapore through a share swap deal, sources said. The acquisition will not involve outflow of foreign exchange from India, they added.
On its part, Singapore's Information and Broadcasting Ministry raised no objections to SET India's plan except asking it to adhere to broadcasting laws, not undertake broadcasting from Indian soil unless specifically permitted and observing equity limits as prescribed for electronic media.
"The company wants to develop into an international center for entertainment and media designed to popularize Indian culture, language and traditions to the Indian diaspora located around the world. To achieve this objective the company has sought approval for an internal restructuring," sources said.
It’s Murdoch+Tata v/s Zee Now
From http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=53454
NEW DELHI: Rupert Murdoch’s direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting venture with the Tatas is beginning to shape up. That’s just when the controversial cable TV distribution system—CAS—is all set to fade out. Space TV Pvt Ltd (Tata-STAR joint venture) has filed its DTH application with the government. This coincides with the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to put the conditional access system (CAS) on hold.
In Mr Murdoch’s application, which was submitted on Tuesday, Tata Sons holds 80 per cent. STAR officials Jagdish Kumar and Ajay Sharma have the remaining 20 per cent in the Space TV DTH venture. In an earlier avataar of Space TV, Mr Kumar and Sharma had controlling stake. That plan didn’t get past regulatory norms. STAR announced a revamped version last month.
Space TV has paid the entry fee of Rs 10 crore, said sources. Also, the application has mentioned that there would be four directors—three from Tata Sons, besides Mr Jagdish Kumar of STAR. The initial investment for the project is estimated to be around Rs 400 crore.
When contacted, officials in the information and broadcasting ministry did not divulge the financial details about the applicant company or the project. “We’re still looking at the application,” said a senior I&B official.
Government would now examine the equity structure of the company, before granting other clearances including those for frequency allocation and satellite platform.
Rival Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises soft-launched its DTH project last year. It is claiming brisk offtake of DTH dishes in Punjab hinterland, but remains weak on content. Sony and the bulk of Star channels remain out of bounds though ESPN and Star Sports have finally joined in. Reacting to Star’s entry into DTH at this point, Zee group vice-chairman Jawahar Goel said: “I salute Mr Peter Mukerjea (Star India CEO) for his foresightedness. At a broadcasters’ meeting way back in June 2003, he was of the opinion that CAS should be introduced in July 2004, instead of July 2003. And it has actually come true!”
State broadcaster Prasar Bharati is also expected to enter the DTH market soon.
STAR has always been wary of CAS rollout in India, and keen on DTH. Former STAR CEO James Murdoch had said that “CAS is not a magic bullet....” According to industry insiders, if CAS had been a success in India, there may have been very few takers for STAR DTH. This is more so because CAS was mandated only for the four metros to begin with, and Murdoch’s DTH is eyeing a similar market. In contrast, ASC’s Dish TV is targeting remote areas of the country. However, now, with CAS out of the way, DTH is a different game altogether.
Post-Trai recommendation, government is gearing up to put CAS on hold, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. Law minister Arun Jaitley met I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday to discuss CAS.
Mr Jaitley, sources said, has okayed putting CAS on hold. But I&B officials said that consultation with the law ministry is still on.
25/02/04
Pretty quiet today not much news
To all those asking about it, Vetruns FTA forum has been down a few days he hopes to have it working again soon, possibly tonight.
Aurora FTA? 12527 v30k boquet seen FTA last night
ABCWA, GWN,WLK,WIN,ABC NT, IMP etc
A very strong signal seen testing on cband Asiasat 4 Vertical last night, sorry no freq available. Keep blindsearching something may be testing.
From my Emails & ICQ
From SiamGLOBAL
NEW BOUQUET
GOOD NEWS FOR BOTH THAI AND ENGLISH SPEAKERS IN S E.ASIA AND BEYOND.
A NEW TWO CHANNEL "BOUQUET" HAS APPEARED ON THAICOM 2/3 (NOT SURE WHICH BEAM ) AT 3764 Hz sr 4700 .
IT HAS THAI TV CH 7 (ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CHANNELS IN THAILAND) WHICH HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE FTA IN DIGITAL UP TO NOW AND .....WAIT FOR IT , CNN..
PLSE NOTE CNN HAS NO SOUND CHANNEL. HOWEVER APSATTERS WITH TWO RECEIVERS CAN FIND CNN TV FTA AUDIO ONLY ON ASIASAT 3 AT 3960H sr 27500 AND CAN WATCH AND LISTEN SIMULTANEOUSLY !
SIAMGLOBAL BKK
From Jon Clarke
New eMetabox software
There is another new 3.16 [version 4] release today [2 releases in one week] for eMetaBox 1
If you own a metabox this is a must UPGRADE.. After the upgrade its like a whole brand new box.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/emetabox/files/eMETABOX1_040116.zip
What a great upgrade, I am totally impressed.
Everyone who has a metabox upgrade to this version.
Now supports OTA as well ..
All the old bugs like;
1. EPG freezing
2. low signal problems
3. freezing
all gone - like buying a brand new box ... Well done to the programmers in France!
From the Dish
Lyngsat hasn't arrived my mail
NEWS
exTV: immediate price cuts?
From http://www.advanced-television.com/
Hong Kong's newest pay TV provider, Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting, has hinted that it is prepared to drop the price of its exTV service to sign up customers, the week after it went on air.
Galaxy, a joint venture between dominant Hong Kong broadcaster Television Broadcasts (TVB) and Intelsat, currently charges $22 a month for 23 channels. This compares to market leader i-Cable that offers 38 channels for $38 a month and niche service provider Hong Kong Broadband Network which offers 17 channels for $11 a month.
Galaxy chief executive Jackey Chan said it was "Too early" say if the price of his service would be adjusted, however, the company would closely monitor how many customers it was signing up and re-assess its pricing after three months. He added that exTV could be seen by 250,000 of Hong Kong's 1.8 million households and that coverage would expand to 400,000 homes mid-way through the year of whom up to 40,000 would sign up as customers.
Chan added that Galaxy was in talks with the government's Housing Authority and several private developers about installing receiving equipment for the satellite-delivered platform in homes in order to kickstart customer sign ups.
24/02/04
Live satellite related chat tonight 9pm NZ and 8.30pm Syd onwards in the chatroom. Those moaning about card being switched off will be shot or fed to the dog.
Pretty much all the Foxtel pirate cards have been turned off, there would be very few still running after todays switch off.
New channel on Asiasat 3 "Bangladesh World TV", you might recall a previous Bangladeshi channel there called Ekushey tv that was shut down due to licensing issues.
From my Emails & ICQ
From T.D
RE:Fiji TV via I701 (unconfirmed)
Craig,
This footprint is full 72Mhz full power saturated , I would say that they after saying 6 channels would be taking a 36MHZ 1/2 tpr the bore site Eirp would drop by Approx 4 DB , meaning large dishes in the areas they said they would cover . the over spill is my work . should'nt be to far off but dropping by 4 DB OUCH!!!!
Tony
From the Dish
PAS 2 169E 3850 H The test cards have left .
Optus C1 156E 12638 H "EuroSport News" has started on enc., PIDs 1041/1042.
Optus B3 152E 12525 V "EWTN Asia" has left.
Optus B3 152E 12501 H "TRT International, Thai TV Global Network, TCT World, The God Channel,SET Asia, 3ABN, BVN TV and Daystar TV have started Fta, SR 30800. (Might only be temp)
Optus B3 152E 12720 V "ABC TV Northern and Win TV" have started, Fta, SR 30000,PIDs 832/833 and 1536/1537.(might only be temp)
NEWS
Austar to launch new digital service
From http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/23/1077497501946.html
Regional pay TV operator Austar United Communications Ltd has issued an updated list of content and pricing for its new digital service, which will launch on March 14.
The company said its new Austar Digital package, to be known as "Essentials", would cost $44.95 per month, one dollar more than its existing basic digital price.
New channel options would give the viewer greater choice within more clearly defined tiers, Austar said, while subscribers would be able to engage its near video-on-demand service sometime later this year.
Essentials will showcase a comprehensive range of entertainment, music, sport, documentary, news and childrens channels, as well as access to pay-per-view and the Main Event channel, Austar said.
Extra channels will include W and Fashion TV, along with new offerings Eurosportnews, Fox Classics and Fox News.
The 24-hour-a-day AFL channel, the Fox Footy Channel, was added to Austar's current basic package from February in preparation for the 2004 football season and will stay in the Essentials package.
Austar will also launch a new range of options channels, including the Laughter & Living, Fun & Entertainment, and Quest & Adventure tiers.
Foxtel recently launched its digital package, with the basic deal for cable and satellite costing $48.95 a month, plus installation.
At 1349 AEDT, Austar shares were steady at 80 cents
BTV World Joins AsiaSat 3S
From Press Release
Hong Kong - 23rd February, 2004... Asia's leading satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) and the People's Republic of Bangladesh's national broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) announced today the signing of a lease agreement for the use of C-band capacity on AsiaSat 3S to broadcast BTV World, a television channel for overseas service across the Asia Pacific region.
This Bangla-language satellite channel will commence broadcasting on AsiaSat 3S from early March, providing daily broadcasts of news and current affairs, drama, entertainment, cultural and educational programs from Bangladesh that serve overseas audiences in the region.
"We are excited to announce the launch of our overseas television services on AsiaSat 3S. We chose AsiaSat 3S because of its excellent channel neighbourhood and strong audience penetration. AsiaSat 3S offers the region's most attractive platform for South Asian channels, as well as numerous other regional and international channels. In addition, the region-wide coverage of AsiaSat 3S enables us to extend our reach to whole of Asia and Australasia with the latest news from our country, to introduce our culture and economy, trade and tourism to the rest of the world," said Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of BTV.
"We welcome BTV World onboard AsiaSat 3S. The introduction of this Bangla-language channel on AsiaSat 3S further strengthens our television bouquet for South Asia. We are pleased that the variety of television services on AsiaSat satellites continues to grow, allowing audience within our extensive C-band footprint to enjoy a wider choice of programming," said Peter Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.
BTV World is available on AsiaSat 3S in C-band with the following reception parameters:
Transponder: 3V
Frequency: 3725 MHz
Polarisation: Vertical
Modulation: QPSK
Symbol Rate: 4.45 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4
About AsiaSat 3S
AsiaSat 3S is a Boeing 601HP satellite launched in 1999, with 28 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders. The C-band footprint of AsiaSat 3S covers over 50 countries and regions in Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Ku-band coverage consists of two high powered fixed beams serving East Asia and South Asia, as well as an in-orbit steerable beam now positioned over Australia. AsiaSat 3S currently broadcasts over 70 television channels, including those from Arirang TV, Asia Plus, Bloomberg TV, Cartoon Network, CCTV, CETV, Channel NewsAsia, CNBC, CNN International, ESPN, Fox News, Indus Vision, Muslim TV Ahmadiyya, National Geographic, NOW, Pakistan TV, Phoenix Satellite TV, MATV, SAB TV, Sahara TV, Sky News, Smile TV, Star, Sun TV, TCM, Tech TV, TVB and ZEE.
About AsiaSat
AsiaSat, the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its satellites. The AsiaSat satellite system provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 120 analogue and digital television channels and 90 radio channels are now delivered by the Company's satellites, reaching over 80 million households, with more than 300 million viewers across the Asia Pacific region. Many telecommunications customers use AsiaSat for services such as public telephone networks, private VSAT networks and high speed Internet and multimedia services. AsiaSat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, listed on both the Hong Kong (SEHK: 1135HK) and New York (NYSE: SAT) stock exchanges. For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com
IPSTAR: ShinSat lands China terminal deal
From http://nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=6&id=108844&usrsess=1
Satellite firm to sell 12,000 broadband units to national operator
Shin Satellite Plc (ShinSat) has bagged a deal with China’s national satellite operator to supply iPSTAR broadband satellite terminals.
ShinSat will supply around 12,000 terminals, each worth between US$1,200 and $1,500 (Bt48,000-Bt60,000) to China Satellite Communications Corp (ChinaSat), which will use them with its own satellites to provide broadband Internet access in China.
ShinSat will supply 2,000 terminals this year and another 10,000 next year.
ShinSat’s executive vice president Yongsit Rojsrivichaikul said recently that the company was projecting revenue of about Bt1 billion for the iPSTAR service this year. Most of this would be from the sale of terminals and relevant equipment.
But revenue is expected to surge within the next two years following the launch of its state-of-the-art broadband satellite iPSTAR.
ShinSat has already rescheduled the launch of iPSTAR to the next quarter from late last year, but Yongsit declined to specify the exact date.
To date, ShinSat has provided iPSTAR service from its less advanced Thaicom 3 satellite.
Yongsit added that the iPSTAR satellite was completely built and tested.
China and India are the two largest markets for the satellite, whose footprint covers the Asia-Pacific region.
Currently in China alone there are around 80 million Internet users and 8 million broadband Internet users.
Yongsit said that iPSTAR satellite could make Bt20 billion in revenue from the Chinese market and Bt10 billion in India if its capacities allocated for the two countries were fully subscribed.
Today only 20 per cent of the iPSTAR satellite’s total capacity is booked, but Yongsit said that full subscription was expected within three years, given the huge demand in the region.
ShinSat’s deal with China is hot on the heels of the contract-signing with Internet service provider Broadband Pacenet (India) to supply 1,000 iPSTAR terminals for the latter to provide high-speed broadband Internet service across India.
Yongsit added that iPSTAR was soon expected to secure a deal to supply terminals to Burma, but he declined to elaborate.
He said that if the first iPSTAR satellite is successful, ShinSat was likely to launch a second satellite to capture the European market.
A local telecom industry observer said it was too early to say if the first iPSTAR satellite would easily secure its market as most potential customers are still cautious of its unproven technology.
“Don’t forget that it is the first of its kind and uses the newest technology in the world,” the observer said.
Yongsit also said ShinSat would soon also list its British Virgin Island-based iPSTAR Co, which operates the iPSTAR satellite, on a foreign stock market.
Thai Shin Satellite Expects Modest Rev From iPSTAR In '04
From http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040223/15/3i8fw.html
BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Thailand's Shin Satellite PCL (SATTEL.TH) expects its upcoming broadband satellite iPSTAR to generate modest revenue of less than 1 billion baht ($1=THB39.153) this year, the company's top executive said Monday.
"We don't expect much revenue from iPSTAR this year. Most of it would come from terminals (satellite dishes) and other equipment to support the launch of iPSTAR," Yongsit Rojsrivichaikul, Shin Satellite's executive vice president told reporters.
However, Yongsit didn't commit on the specific timing of the iPSTAR's launch, which has been rescheduled for the second quarter. The launch was previously targeted for late last year.
"Our other satellites saw some delays before they were launched. If (iPSTAR) hit some delays, I think it's normal, and that won't effect the company's outlook," Yongsit said.
"We have overcome major hurdles on iPSTAR. The rest of the glitches are just technical. We will be able to sort them out," he said.
The delay since late last year was due mainly to financial woes at Loral Space & Communications Ltd., a developer of iPSTAR, Yongsit said.
Yongsit said Shin Satellite, which currently operates three satellites, will likely start collecting leasing fees on services from iPSTAR this year.
Going forward, the satellite's contribution to the company's revenues is expected to rise sharply.
"We will see a strong jump in contributions from iPSTAR in 2005 and 2006," Yongsit said.
He said iPSTAR could reap around THB20 billion in the China market and more than THB10 billion in India in the future, given their huge populations.
To build up its customer base before the launch of iPSTAR, Shin Satellite currently offers broadband satellite services in India, Australia, and Taiwan, besides Thailand.
The preliminary broadband services are offered from the company's less advanced satellites and through competitors' satellites partly leased by Shin Satellite.
The company also sells ground satellite equipment to China and Myanmar, he said.
Shin Satellite aims to sell 10,000 satellite terminals this year, which cost around $1,200-$1,500 each. The terminals can be used to receive signals from the company's satellites as well as from its competitors', Yongsit.
He said around 20% of iPSTAR's capacity is being booked by potential customers.
Yongsit said subscription growth will likely jump after iPSTAR is launched, noting chances of an unsuccessful launch are less than 10%.
"After the launch, we need around three years of marketing campaigns to have the satellite fully occupied," Yongsit said.
He said iPSTAR currently has 14 potential customer countries, eight of which haven't been fully equipped with ground stations and other facilities.
"We prefer to run ground facilities and marketing operations with partners in those countries in order to save our investment costs," Yongsit said.
In 2002, the company reported revenue of THB5 billion and a net profit of THB1.41 billion.
23/02/04
Daystar on Globecast B3 , is trialing for 1 month. If you would like to encourage them to stay (I think you will agree the more channels the better) send an email to them via Janice.Smith@Daystar.com
Speaking of Globecast there is a job available
JOB available / Technical Operator
GlobeCast Australia is a leader in professional broadcast services and enterprise television. The broadcast centre located in the Sydney CBD is seeking the services of a freelance Technical Operator on a part time basis. You will be responsible for the day-to-day transmission operations and related services. You will ideally have a background in satellite and/or terrestrial television broadcasting with experience gained in either Broadcast Control or Outside Broadcasting coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of television operations disciplines. Master Control Room experience and relevant qualifications essential.
To apply please submit your application by fax or email to the Engineering and Operations Manager- Broadcast Centre.
Fax: 8258 7994
Email: resumes@globecast.com.au
From my Emails & ICQ
From Steve Hume
Team McLaren Mercedes Pre-Australian Grand Prix - Free access for all broadcasters
APTN Corporate Services will be distributing the following video news release on behalf of BHP on Monday, 23 February 2004 - the material is free for all broadcasters.
The footage is free of charge and available as listed below:
Monday, 23 February 2004:
1230 - 1245 GMT:
APTN's Global Video Wire and Local Ends to BT Tower: OWTV3 S3 A and B
For non-APTN clients:
Europe: Satellite: Eutelsat W1 F6 Ch2, downlink frequency: 12740.3 vertical, FEC rate: 3/4, symbol rate: 5632
Asia: Satellite: Asiasat 2 TXP 2 A Ch2, downlink frequency: 3696 MHz vertical, FEC rate: 3/4, symbol rate: 5632
1830 - 1845 GMT (Replay):
APTN's Global Video Wire and Local Ends to BT Tower: OWTV3 S3 A and B
From Steve Hume
Panamsat 2 Feed seen, 3901H SR30800 Fec 3/4 "Basketball Feed MD v Duke"
From David Knight
PAS 2 Feed seen
Screen Actors Guild Awards.
PAS2 3901H 30800 Adhoc 2.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Vk4bkp 21/02
B1, 12380H 6625 3/4 golf feed
From Bill Richards
NSS6
0140 UTC
11078 H Sr 5010, FEC 2/3
Vpid 49 Apid 50 SID3 Blue Kiss
Vpid 65 Apid 66 SID4 Blue Kiss Express
Both Encrypted in Viaccess
Regards
Bill Richards
From the Dish
Optus B3 156E 12438 H,Occasional Foxtel feeds on SR 21600, FEC 5/6.(Maybe that's where the Footy feed was?)
Optus B3 152E 12525 V "Daystar TV" has started on , Fta, PIDs 5169/5170.
AsiaSat 4 122E 3880 H "CBN" has started, Fta, SR 26500, FEC 3/4, PIDs 560/563.
Telkom 1 108E 3500 H All channels in the TelkomVision mux are encrypted again.
Telkom 1 108E 3580 H KTV has left .
NSS 6 95E 11078 H "BlueKiss and BlueKiss Express" have started on , Viaccess, SR 5010,FEC 2/3, PIDs 49/50 and 65/66, Australian beam.
NSS 6 95E 11543 V "MAC TV" has left .
NSS 6 95E 12594 H "Onnuri TV and CM TV" have started , fTA SR 8970, FEC 3/4,PIDs 640/641 and 720/721, NE Asian beam.
Insat 3A 93.5e Red 93.5 FM has moved from 11670 H to 11510 H, Fta, APID 1304. (India beam)
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3545 V The test card has left .
SatcoDX Update #14/2004
0740 INSAT 3C (74.0E)
=====================
DDK RANCHI on 4.174 (V, 5000, 308, 256, 8190): New Timings 6-8PM IST
0765 APSTAR 2R (76.5E)
======================
MTA International on 4.098 (V, 3100, 3001, 3011, 130): It Has Left
0785 THAICOM 2,3 (78.5E)
========================
MKTV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 512, 640, 1024): TARB NEW LINE UP WITH CHANGE OF NID
KDTV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 513, 529, 513): Language Added
BKTV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 514, 642, 514):
TGRT on 3.520 (H, 28059, 515, 643, 515): Has Started
Show TV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 516, 644, 516):
Nile TV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 517, 645, 517):
ALMW on 3.520 (H, 28059, 520, 648, 520):
PINK PLUS on 3.520 (H, 28059, 518, 646, 518):
RTS on 3.520 (H, 28059, 519, 647, 519):
BVN on 3.520 (H, 28059, 521, 649, 521):
ATV on 3.520 (H, 28059, 522, 650, 522): Has Started
CH25 on 3.520 (H, 28059, 523, 651, 522):
RTS on 3.520 (H, 28059, 520, 648, 1032):
AJK TV on 3.520 (V, 3333, 308, 256, 8190): It Has Started
)PTV THAICOM 3 QUETTA on 3.614 (V, 3333, 308, 256, 8190):
ATN Bangla on 4.107 (V, 6664, 101, 102, 101): It Has Started
Feeds on 4.107 (V, 6664, 201, 202, 201): It Has Started
DATA on 4.107 (V, 6664):
DATA on 4.107 (V, 6664):
DATA on 4.107 (V, 6664):
0800 EXPRESS 6A (80.0E)
=======================
TV Centr Ural (+2h) on 4.125 (R, 27500, 165, 100, 165): It has started regular programmes, clear now
Radio 2 (test) on 4.125 (V, 27500, 102, 102): It has started
CTV Plus on 4.125 (V, 27500, 103, 103): It has started
Radio 4 (test) on 4.125 (V, 27500, 104, 104): It has started
Radio 5 (test) on 4.125 (V, 27500, 105, 105): It has started
0950 NSS 6 (95.0E)
==================
Mazzika on 12.688 (H, 21000, 337, 338, 337): It has started
Telepace on 12.688 (H, 21000, 417, 418, 417): It has started
1080 TELKOM 1 (108.0E)
======================
News Feeds on 3.990 (H, 6000, 308, 256, 8190): It has started
1105 SINOSAT 1 (110.5E)
=======================
CNR 1 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 80, 80): New NID
CNR 2 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 84, 84): New NID
CNR 3 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 88, 88): New NID
CNR 7 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 92, 92): New NID
SW 1 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 96, 96): New NID
SW 2 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 100, 100): New NID
CNR7 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 108, 108): New NID
GW 5(L) / 6(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 112, 112): New NID
GW 8 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 116, 116): New NID
GW 11 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 120, 120): New NID
GW 13(L) / 14(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 124, 124): New NID
GW 15(L) / 16(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 128, 128): New NID
GW 17(L) / 18(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 132, 132): New NID
GW 19(L) / 20(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 136, 136): New NID
GW 21(L) / 22(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 140, 140): New NID
GW 23(L) / 24(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 144, 144): New NID
GW 25(L) / 26(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 148, 148): New NID
GW 27(L) / 28(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 152, 152): New NID
GW 29(L) / 30(R) on 4.067 (V, 5990, 156, 156): New NID
GW L29R30 on 4.067 (V, 5990, 156, 156):
1520 OPTUS B3 (152.0E)
======================
Optus Business TV3 on 12.407 (V, 30000, 34, 33): It's encrypted now
Test Card on 12.525 (V, 30000, 1160, 1120, 1160): It has replaced Sigaram TV
Test Card on 12.525 (V, 30000, 1660, 1620, 1660): It has replaced EWTN Asia
1560 OPTUS C1 (156.0E)
======================
Expo on 12.305 (H, 30000, 1091, 1092, 1091): It has started
Foxtel Box Office on 12.438 (H, 27800, 1021, 1022, 1021): It's clear now
How To on 12.689 (H, 27800, 1031, 1032, 1031): It has started
Fuel on 12.689 (H, 27800, 1041, 1042, 1041): It has started
VH1 on 12.689 (H, 27800, 1051, 1052, 1051): It has started
Lifestyle on 12.689 (H, 27800, 1061, 1062, 1061): It has started
1660 PANAMSAT 8 (166.0E)
========================
TVBS on 3.836 (V, 22000, 160, 80, 160): It's encrypted now
TVBS Newsnet on 3.836 (V, 22000, 161, 84, 161): It's encrypted now
TVBS Golden on 3.836 (V, 22000, 162, 88, 162): It's endrypted now
Much TV on 3.836 (V, 22000, 163, 92, 163): It's encrypted now
ERA News on 3.836 (V, 22000, 164, 96, 164): It's encrypted now
TVBS Asia on 3.836 (V, 22000, 165, 100, 165): It's encrypted now
Asia Plus on 3.836 (V, 22000, 167, 108, 167): It's encrypted now
SatcoDX Update #15/2004
0685 PANAMSAT 7, 10 (68.5E)
===========================
DATA on 11.554 (V, 27500): Has Started on India Ku Beam
0720 PANAMSAT 4 (72.0E)
=======================
Parliamentary Service on 3.709 (V, 6000, 309, 258, 8189): It has replaced Feeds
0740 INSAT 3C (74.0E)
=====================
DDK HISSAR on 4.150 (V, 5000, 512, 650, 128): New Timings 6-8PM IST
0935 INSAT 3A (93.5E)
=====================
CINE WORLD on 3.912 (V, 5898, 308, 256, 8190): Cine World Replaced Channel Guide
0950 NSS 6 (95.0E)
==================
TV Moda on 12.688 (H, 21000, 257, 258, 257): It has started
Playlist on 12.688 (H, 21000, 273, 274, 273): It has started
Nojoom on 12.688 (H, 21000, 289, 290, 289): It has started
Public TV on 12.688 (H, 21000, 305, 306, 305): It has started
AL-Arabiyah on 12.688 (H, 21000, 401, 402, 401): It has started
SIC on 12.688 (H, 21000, 770, 771, 770): It has started
Nile TV on 12.688 (H, 21000, 849, 850, 849): It has started
Radio Italia Anni '60 on 12.688 (H, 21000, 353, 354): It has started
Radio Italia on 12.688 (H, 21000, 369, 370): It has started
Kanal Melodia on 12.688 (H, 21000, 385, 386): It has started
NTD TV on 12.729 (V, 27500, 257, 258, 257): It has started
FreeX TV on 12.729 (V, 27500, 513, 514, 513): It has started
New Skies Promo on 12.729 (V, 27500, 1025, 1026, 1025): It has started
Sexz TV Promo on 12.729 (V, 27500, 1281, 1282, 1281): It has started
Back Room Promo on 12.729 (V, 27500, 1537, 1538, 1537): It has started
1055 ASIASAT 3S (105.5E)
========================
PTV News Feeds on 4.111 (V, 3333, 308, 256, 8190): It's clear now
1660 PANAMSAT 8 (166.0E)
========================
Thai TV Channel on 12.391 (H, 5000, 4194, 4195, 4194): It has started
Feeds on 3.860 (H, 28000, 430, 431, 430): It has replaced Hallmark
OS Download Channel on 3.880 (V, 28700, 1160, 1222, 1160): It has started
TFC for Baguio on 3.880 (V, 28700, 1560, 1520, 1560): It has started
NEWS
Sky Television Reports Continued Growth In 2004 Half Year Results
From Press Release: Sky Television
SKY Television announced today a significant improvement in financial performance with a net profit after tax of $12.4 million for the six months to 31 December 2003, an increase of $16.8 million on the previous half year period.
Total revenue increased by 13.9% to $212.1 million compared to the same period last year. The average monthly revenue per subscriber increased by 7.4% and advertising revenue continued to grow, up 34.8% to $11.6 million over the same period.
Operating costs increased by 8.6% to $122.1 million and earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) increased by $16.3 million to $90.0 million.
Free cash flow, the difference between operating and investing cash flows, was $70.1 million during this period, a $59.0 million increase on the comparative period’s result.
SKY’s subscriber base continued to grow, with an increase of 5,150 subscribers since 30 June 2003. This is a reduction on the 13,482 net gain reported in the same period last year. However, it is important to note that in the latest period, SKY’s performance was tested with the Rugby World Cup being shown on a competitive network.
Churn, a measure of subscribers who disconnect their service, remained low with gross churn remaining at the same level as in the previous interim period, at 18.4%.
There were a number of new programming initiatives launched in the interim period, including a daily sports news show, Sport 365, coverage of the New Zealand Breakers basketball, and introduction of the UKTV, History and Disney channels on the basic satellite service. Programming costs as a percentage of revenue fell to an all time low of 39.4%, down from 42.4% in the last period.
Foxtel "Digital" launches March 14th
From MEDIA RELEASE
FOXTEL today announced that its revolutionary new FOXTEL Digital service
will officially launch on Sunday, March 14.
New subscribers can arrange to connect to FOXTEL Digital by calling FOXTEL
on 131 787 from Monday, March 1, while existing FOXTEL subscribers can
arrange to upgrade to the new service by calling 1300 721 977.
FOXTEL Digital is set to change Australian television forever, offering
subscribers a totally new experience and giving them unparalleled choice,
convenience and control over their viewing.
“Consumers have shown enormous and growing interest in FOXTEL Digital since
we unveiled the revolutionary content and features that we will deliver –
and the great value and choice for subscribers that our pricing and
packaging offers,” FOXTEL Chief Executive Kim Williams said.
“From March 14, consumers will be able to experience liberating choice and
a completely new way to watch television when they switch on FOXTEL
Digital. “With key features never seen before in Australia, FOXTEL Digital
will deliver cable and satellite subscribers enhanced viewing through an
exciting range of more than 130 channels, interactive services and expanded
viewing options, all with DVD quality pictures and CD quality sound.”
To view FOXTEL Digital, consumers do not need to purchase a new TV. FOXTEL
will supply the necessary in-home receiving technology which will include a
new digital set-top-unit and remote control as part of the service.
FOXTEL has already confirmed that the basic FOXTEL Digital package will
cost $48.95, the same price as the existing satellite basic service, and
will feature 66 channels including access to Sports Active on FOX Sports
and FOX Footy Channels, Sky News Active’s eight-screen interactive news
service, the FOXTEL Digital Guide and 30 audio channels.
FOXTEL has committed to maintain this price cap on the basic digital
service until at least the end of 2005 (subject only to Consumer Price
Index adjustments).
From the fundamental 66 channel basic service, FOXTEL Digital opens up into
a vast new landscape of more than 130 channels, catering to diverse viewing
tastes with more than 20 different purchasing options for consumers.
Subscribers who choose the top FOXTEL Digital package will see an even
greater increase in value and savings. For just $3.12 a day ($94.95 per
month) – FOXTEL Digital subscribers will receive 99 channels presenting all
premium movie channels and sports channels, plus the inclusion of two
FOXTEL Box Office pay-per-view movies (valued at $5.95 each), and the
FOXTEL Digital Magazine.
Existing FOXTEL subscribers will be able to upgrade to FOXTEL Digital for a
one-off fee from $49.95 which relates to the cost of installing the new
digital set-top-unit, a return path (and satellite receiving equipment
where required) in subscribers’ homes.
New subscribers will also pay from as little as $55.00 for installation,
depending upon the package and contract length.
“This is only the start of the FOXTEL Digital revolution. We will build the
packaging options, channel services, interactive features and choices
dramatically over the coming years,” Mr Williams said.
FOXTEL Digital’s channel line-up will give subscribers:
• Ten movie services (including FOXTEL Box Office)
• Twenty Seven FOXTEL Box Office channels
• Eight sports channels (including the Main Event channel featuring pay-perview boxing, wrestling and special events)
• Five kids channels
• Seven news channels
• Six music video channels and 30 audio music channels
• Eleven documentary channels
• Eight lifestyle channels
• Fourteen general entertainment channels
• Three adult services including pay-per-view channels
• Two foreign language channels with more to follow very soon
• Two games channels (with 10 separate and regularly changing games) and
• One Digital Help Channel
• One FOXTEL Box Office pre-view channel
Also new to FOXTEL Digital will be FOXTEL Air with 30 digital-quality
stereo audio channels that cater to all music tastes and moods – from Light
Classical, New Age and Top 100 to old fashioned Rock, and signature
channels such as Café, Rock, Groove, Dance, Blues, Home Grown, Today’s
Country, Soul, New Wave and Easy. FOXTEL Digital will also feature ten
TimeShift channels that have been selected based on their popularity with
subscribers. TimeShifts broadcast a single service on two different
channels with a two-hour time difference doubling subscribers’ viewing
choices and providing further opportunities to view favourite programs.
These channels are highly popular with subscribers in other more
established digital television markets such as the UK.
The key features of the new FOXTEL Digital service include:
• Dramatically expanded programming choice, more than 130 channels and services.
• The FOXTEL Digital Guide, an electronic program guide that allows subscribers to intuitively and easily navigate and plan viewing through
FOXTEL Digital’s expanded range of choice. The simple comprehensive on
screen guide (current day and the next seven days) details all programs and
allied synopsis information according to time, genre or channel. It even
has a memory/reminder function to recall and indicate what you have
selected in advance to watch (up to seven days in advance).
• FOXTEL Box Office, a 24-hour-day near-video-on-demand service screening a
range of blockbuster movie titles each starting every 15-30 minutes.
• Sky News Active, an interactive service allowing viewers to control and
choose the news they want to view from eight live video and five live text
screens.
• Sports Active, an interactive sports application which enables viewers to
select multiple camera angles and match replays together with game
statistics, player profiles and even different audio feeds on special
selected sports broadcasts.
• FOXTEL Gamesworld, offering subscribers two games channels and 10
different games with easy to play titles and games that test the mind.
• Digital quality pictures and CD quality sound are a given with FOXTEL
digital on each and every service.
• Widescreen and AC3 Surround Sound: FOXTEL Digital will include more than
45 channels that will broadcast in 16:9 widescreen at launch and 13
channels with enhanced surround sound.
Further information:
Brendon Moo
Publicity and PR Manager – FOXTEL Digital
(02) 9200 1057
or
Mark Furness
FOXTEL Director of Corporate Affairs
(02) 9200 1733
Ten Sports says 'no' to DD
From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/509586.cms
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2004 02:16:15 AM ]
NEW DELHI: Will Doordarshan get the terrestrial rights for the India-Pakistan cricket series? If one goes purely by commercial considerations and business practices, the decision is entirely in the hands of the Dubai-based Ten Sports, which holds exclusive satellite TV rights for the event and it’s answer is NO.
But, if one goes by the prevailing law in other countries, including that of Pakistan, it is but natural to wonder if India has been left with a duck in its hands.
Our own neighbour and series rival, Pakistan has adequate safeguards in its law to ensure that its people are not deprived of watching the historic sporting event.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has not only empowered the government or itself to notify certain events, including cricket matches to be carried on national broadcasters’ networks and on free-to-air channels. It also stipulates that if a broadcaster or pay channel acquires rights to telecast the event, it would be “obliged” to part with the distribution rights to the national broadcaster who could in turn re-telecast the event in free-to-air mode.
In Australia, the Broadcasting Services Act of 1992 empowers the government (minister) to “protect the free availability of certain types of programmes”.
The government can not only notify events that it thinks should be accessible to the general public by publishing it in the gazette, but can also notify such events, if it is convinced a commercial or national broadcaster has not adequate opportunity “to acquire the rights”.
In fact the country has gone a step further and introduced an anti-siphoning provision in amendments to the Act to prevent pay channels from acquiring exclusive rights to sporting events that have been traditionally available on free-to-air mode.
TELE SATELLITE NEWS - Number 08/2004 22 February 2004 -
A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by TELE-satellite International
Editor: Branislav Pekic
Edited Apsattv.com Edition
A S I A & P A C I F I C
MTV FORECASTS INCREASE IN AD SALES
MTV Networks, which is owned by the third-largest US media company, will probably have a 20 per cent increase in Asian advertising sales this year, MTV Networks Chief Executive Officer Tom Freston said. MTV advertising sales in Asia last year rose 24 per cent, twice the pace of the rest of the world for the company, which is owned by the cable-network unit of Viacom Inc. About 150 million homes in Asia have MTV channels, which include Nickelodeon. Advertising expenditure will rise 5.1 per cent in the Asia-Pacific region this year to US$68.41 billion, the fastest growth of the world's regions, according to ZenithOptimedia, a U.S.-based media services company. MTV plans to dub about half of Nickelodeon's programming into Hindi this year and may set up a south Indian music channel, Freston said.
ASIASAT TO OFFER BACKUP SERVICES FOR STAR
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) announced on February 16 that it is providing back up facilities and services to Star at AsiaSat’s new Tai Po Earth Station in Hong Kong. Under the terms of agreement, AsiaSat will provide facilities to house Star’s back up broadcast and RF equipment for downlinking and emergency uplinking to AsiaSat 3S and other related services. AsiaSat’s Tai Po Earth Station is designed for tracking and monitoring AsiaSat’s satellites as well as for providing additional value-added services to AsiaSat’s customers such as C-band and Ku-band traffic uplinking and back up services.
Internet http://www.asiasat.com
AUSTRALIA
BIOGRAPHY JOINS FOXTEL PAY-TV OFFER
The Telstra/New Corp/P&B joint-venture Foxtel has added a widescreen factual channel from AETN International to its new digital TV bouquet. The new Australian feed of The Biography Channel will be broadcast in 16:9 aspect ratio, a first for the channel, when Foxtel Digital launches in the first half of 2004. It will sit alongside the Aussie feed of AETN's flagship network, The History Channel. The signal for The Biography Channel in Australia will draw upon AETN's programme library, but will be operated and programmed locally by the Australian pay-TV broadcaster. Foxtel has over 1 million subscribers through Australia.
AZERBAIJAN
ARMENIAN TV CHANNELS OCCUPY TV AIRSPACE
Six Armenian television channels have expanded occupying Azerbaijani broadcasting space, said Olaylar News Agency on February 17. The TV channels that have been broadcasting in Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia have now begun stepping far from the space of Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijanis have expressed their concern about the issue, as they said, they do not want to watch and hear anti- Azerbaijani information on the Armenian televisions.
FIJI
FIJI TV TO EXTEND SATELLITE COVERAGE
Fiji Television plans to invest F$6 million in extending satellite coverage to the outer islands of the archipelago and to nearby countries, according to a report by Pacific Media Watch. Speaking at the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) conference in Nadi, Fiji TV chief executive officer Ken Clark said the new service was expected to begin from July 1. The satellite transmission will beam the free-to-air channel Fiji One and six pay-TV channels. For the first time, Fiji's outer islands and other countries within the region will receive Fiji Television broadcasts. The pay-TV service will be increased to six or more channels, said Clark. The satellite broadcast will cover Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Niue and parts of New Zealand and Australia. However, Fiji TV expects some transmission problems, particularly during poor weather. "Using KU Band (satellite feed) there's always something called Œrain-fade' and while we expect to be 99.6 per cent efficient, during some periods of the year, the signal will disappear for a little while," Clark said. Fiji TV expects to recover the set-up costs through revenue from the existing TV service, the expanded pay-TV service and an expected modest return on the rent and sale of the satellite receivers and set-ups to customers. The satellite dishes customers will need for receiving the new signal are expected to cost around F$1000.
IRAQ
AL-HURRA TV STARTS BROADCASTING
Alhurra ("The Free One" in Arabic), the US government-funded Arabic-language television network, started broadcasting across the Middle East on February 14. The channel will compete with Al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya, which broadcast out of Qatar and Dubai respectively. Both are accused by Washington of inflaming tensions in the region. Alhurra, available to viewers on the region's two major satellite systems: Arabsat and Nilesat, is on air with 14 hours of programming a day and is to expand to 24 hours within weeks. Critics say the station will find it hard to establish independent credibility as it is being set up with funding from the US Congress, which has given al-Hurra a $62 million budget for its first year.
ISRAEL
FOUR BIDDERS FOR KNESSET TV CHANNEL
Four groups are expected to submit bids today for a license to broadcast from the Knesset. The news companies of Channel Two, the news company of Channel 10, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), and the Hadashot Hayom company that produces regional news broadcasts for the cable firms are all vying for the tender. Legislation to establish the new Knesset channel was passed just two months ago. A selection committee will choose the licensee from among the bidders. The Knesset channel will be modeled on the C-SPAN networks in the United States and will replace Channel 33, which currently operates from the Knesset under the auspices of the IBA. The recipient of the license for the Knesset channel will receive an annual budget of about NIS 13 million, as well as a NIS 2 million allocation during its initial year. The channel will not broadcast commercials or sponsorship messages; it will be solely financed by the Knesset. It is scheduled to broadcast from 7 A.M. through to midnight. The licensee will be required to broadcast live from the Knesset plenum and from one of the committees, provide taped footage of another committee and present a morning program. The bidders will also propose other programming and these proposals are expected to play an important role in the selection process. The bidders will make presentations to the selection panel during the coming days. The winner is expected to be announced within two weeks, with broadcasts slated to commence within two months.
PAKISTAN
INDIAN TV CHANNELS TO RETURN TO PAKISTAN
Pakistan might permit cable operators to resume showing Indian satellite channels as a goodwill gesture to mark the resumption of their dialogue process. The Daily Times on February 19 quoted officials in Islamabad as saying that the Pakistani government had no objection to initially permitting the relay of entertainment channels. In the second phase, cable operators could even relay Indian news channels. "The growing ties between the two neighbours have convinced the government that the Indian news channels will not be hurling propaganda against Pakistan, as they did a couple of years ago," the official said. "The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority will be announcing fresh guidelines for the cable operators pretty soon. "Pakistan and India have restored their traditional communication links and the two want to go even further in this direction," the official added. The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP) confirmed the move. More than 20 channels were affected, including the Star, Zee and Sony networks. Cable operators say TV subscriptions have fallen almost 40 per cent during the 26-month ban. Pakistan had 972 cable TV operators in December 2001. The number fell to 110 because of the ban.
SOUTH KOREA
EDUCATION CHANNEL PLANNED
Seoul has unveiled a package of measures, including a 24-hour education channel, to try to curb soaring spending by parents on private after-school education, according to the South China Morning Post. Under the proposals, the state-run satellite channel EBS will be transformed into a round-the-clock video classroom.
SRI LANKA
ABC LICENCE CANCELLED
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Information and Daily Communication, which is controlled by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, on February 16 cancelled the TV operating licence of Asian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a successful private media group that runs five FM radio stations. According to Radio Netherlands, no official reason was given for the sudden move to stop ABC from starting its TV channel. ABC will challenge the decision in courts, sources said. ABC obtained a licence for starting a TV station in November 1995. Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the Sri Lankan Information and Communication Minister's decision to cancel the TV broadcast licence. Reporters Without Borders said it feared that the decision could be a prelude to further tough measures against the privately-owned media by President Chandrika Kumaratunga's administration during the parliamentary election campaign that starts in a few days. Sri Lanka currently has three privately-owned broadcast television channels and one cable television channel, in addition to the state TV broadcaster.
THAILAND
ITV TO REVAMP PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
Television station iTV will move ahead with a major programming restructuring plan despite warnings from authorities that doing so would violate its concession contract, according to the Bangkok Post. Executives of the station announced that starting in April, iTV would introduce a new programme schedule with an increased focus on entertainment-related content during prime-time hours. While the station would continue to offer a ratio of news and documentaries to entertainment of around 70:30, as required under its 30-year concession, the shift of entertainment programmes into more favourable slots could be seen as a potential violation of its contract. iTV is 43% owned by Shin Corp, the telecom giant founded by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. iTV, which ranks fourth in viewership after channels 7, 3, and 5, has posted regular losses since opening in 1995. Analysts say the station's programme restrictions and high concession fees are the main factors behind its losses. The company posted a loss of 178 million baht for the third quarter of 2003, with nine-month losses of 570.2 million.
UBC REPORTS FIRST PROFITS
United Broadcasting Corporation Group (UBC), the country's largest pay-TV operator, saw its balance sheet in the black for the first time last year, reporting a net profit of 131.05 million baht. The accumulated losses for the company amount to 12.8 billion. UBC, which posted a net loss of 258.91 million baht in 2002, said that its 2003 revenue grow by 5.9% year-on-year to 7.17 billion baht. The increased revenue came partly from last year's 160-baht increase in monthly subscription fees, as well as from the stronger baht, which helped reduce the cost of foreign programmes. The subscription fee for UBC's Gold package, which includes 29 channels, stands at 1,412 baht per month. This year, the company projects sales revenue will grow about 9%, driven by rising subscriptions. The company, which has 434,815 subscribers, expects to hook up about 35,000 new customers by the end of the year. UBC will spend between US$2 million and $4 million on acquiring programming, mainly foreign shows. A new focus will be on the low-end market as UBC joins forces with local cable operators in the provinces, offering 10 channels for 150 baht a month. More new channels will be launched in conjunction with local producers if the government gives UBC permission to carry advertising on them, he said. At the same time, the company will assist the government in its crackdown on illegal cable operators.
22/02/04
Sunday no updates
21/02/04
No update this weekend, I'm going to have another crack at finding NSS6
20/02/04
Fiji TV coming via satellite July 1st. I have emailed them to get the info as to which satellite they will use and as to if Fiji 1 will be fta there or not. Interesting the coverage mentions Australia and parts of NZ. Might Be I701 same beam as canal+ ? A lot of NZ installers might like to plan winter Holidays in that region.
Changes on Sky NZ (B1)
12608 V "Eng 9" (sky test channel?) Vpid 517 Apid 655 Sid 1060
12644 V "New Supreme" Apid 666 Sid 1069 (Radio/Audio EPG says Love Songs)
See through satellite dish, http://www.fmelettronica.it/
UCAS Software for Strong receivers, use at your own risk.(Let me know if it works?)
http://www.geocities.com/smartpatch03/
From my Emails & ICQ
From Herb Gardiner
Daystar TV just started on Globecast mux, B3 12525 s/r30000.
Herb.
From Jason
B1 Feeds
12397 H 7203 - Seven Network
12370 H 6671 - Channel V
Jason
From vk4bkp
B3 12500H
Kenny from Vetrun's forum has found on Optus B3 12500H sr 30812 3/4.
Daystar, TRT, SET, TCT, GOD Channel, 3ABN, TGN, BVN.
From Jason
Blue Kiss on NSS6!
Just noticed Blue Kiss have started on NSS6 with 2 channels...details are:
11078 V 5011 S/R? (Coz the Powtek doesnt tell me)VPID: 49 APID: 50 PCRPID: 49
11078 V 5011 S/R? VPID: 65 APID: 66 PCRPID: 65
From the Dish
PAS 8 166E 3860 H "Videoland WMovie Channel" has left , replaced by occasional feeds.
(T Kameda)
Cakrawarta 1 107.7E 2535 H "KBS World has replaced TVBS Asia" on , Videoguard, PIDs 514/642.
NSS 6 95E 12688 H "Al Mehwar TV" has started, Fta, PIDs 417/418.Al-Arabiyah has left.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3551 H New PIDs for Daystar TV on : 5169/5170.
Thaicom 2 78.5E 4086 H New PIDs for TVT Channel 11 on : 308/256.
PAS 10 68.5E 3744 V "TV 5 Afrique" has left , moved to 3836 V.
PAS 10 68.5E 3836 V "TV 5 Afrique and an Activation promo" have started on , Fta, PIDs 1636/1635 and 1639/1638.
(N Schlammer)
NEWS
Fiji TV spends $6m to extend satellite coverage
From http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=7891
Fiji Television Ltd plans to invest F$6 million in extending satellite coverage to the outer islands of the archipelago and to nearby countries
NADI (Wansolwara Online/Pacific Media Watch): Fiji Television Ltd plans to invest F$6 million in extending satellite coverage to the outer islands of the archipelago and to nearby countries.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) conference in Nadi, Fiji TV chief executive officer Ken Clark said the new service was expected to begin from July 1.
The satellite transmission will beam the free-to-air channel Fiji One and six pay-TV channels.
For the first time, Fiji¹s outer islands and other countries within the region will receive Fiji Television broadcasts.
"The main objective is to make sure that people who have never had television in this country have it," Clark said.
"Secondly there are people, particularly in Vanua Levu, who have never had pay-TV and we are aware that they want it so this will solve that problem."
The pay-TV service will be increased to six or more channels, said Clark.
The satellite broadcast will cover Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Niue and parts of New Zealand and Australia.
However, Fiji TV expects some transmission problems, particularly during poor weather.
"Using KU Band (satellite feed) there¹s always something called ‘rain-fade’ and while we expect to be 99.6 per cent efficient, during some periods of the year, the signal will disappear for a little while," Clark said.
Fiji TV expects to recover the set-up costs through revenue from the existing TV service, the expanded pay-TV service and an expected modest return on the rent and sale of the satellite receivers and set-ups to customers.
The satellite dishes customers will need for receiving the new signal are expected to cost around F$1000.
The new service will provide an avenue for locally produced programming to be beamed further afield.
Fiji TV also distributes and dubs overseas content and viewing rights to smaller countries within the region.
(Craigs comment, I would assume an Intelsat spotbeam? or perhaps Nss5 @177W. Asiasat 4 could be another possibilty.)
Thai Ipstar Signs Deal With India's STPI
From Press Release
Following is a press release from Shin Satellite PCL (SATTEL.TH)
Nonthaburi, Thailand, Feb. 18, 2004--Ipstar Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Shin Satellite PCL, has signed an Ipstar bandwidth agreement with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).
Under the agreement signed with STPI in February 2004, STPI will be Ipstar's strategic partner by means of the purchase of up to 400 mbps of bandwidth on the Ipstar satellite. This bandwidth will be used to provide a broad range of broadband applications and services such as high speed internet access for business and consumers, rural telephony, e-government, and e-education.
Mr. S.N. Zindal Director General of STPI said, "STPI has been handling several projects which require very high-speed data transmission that can be rolled out anywhere in India. We believe that Ipstar technology is the best solution, that allows us not only to deploy high-speed broadband services cost effectively, but it is also possible to provide various kinds of broadband applications on a national scale. Given the commercial and technological advantages of the Ipstar technology, we are confident to participate as a gateway operator, for which we signed an agreement a few months back. This capacity will be fully deployed along with thousands of user terminals within the first 12 months of the launch of the satellite. This is a very important selling point in deploying a comprehensive broadband service and we believe that Ipstar will help STPI increase the gamut of services offered by it tremendously."
Mr. Pradeep Unni, vice president of Ipstar Co. Ltd. added, "The Indian market has enormous potential so we are honored to work with such a very capable partner like STPI to deploy the first Ipstar gateway and service for the Indian market. India is one of the biggest markets in Asia-pacific for broadband services and for Ipstar, given the size of country and population, and its leadership as the world's largest it and software developer. This Ipstar service deployment in India is a major step forward in the progress of our Ipstar program." STPI is an organization under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India and was set up in 1991, with the objective of encouraging, promoting and boosting software exports from India. There are more than 6,000 software developer units registered with STPI and these have been playing a crucial and significant role in placing India prominently on the world it map.
The Ipstar system provides high-speed satellite based broadband services at a better cost-structure than any other alternative solutions. It supplies massive capacity that allows its partners to build a very large application platform to serve hundreds of thousands of users in each country, while still enjoying the advantages unique to satellites, such as nationwide coverage and deployment flexibility.
The Ipstar broadband satellite project is one of the world's earliest satellite broadband systems to commence its commercial service with its first generation deployment since 2002. When launched in 2004, ipstar will be capable of providing broadband access service to millions of users in some 20 countries throughout Asia pacific, complementing other terrestrial broadband solutions such as DSL and cable modem.
HK consumers welcome Galaxy's exTV
From satellite today
A new survey carried out by market information group TNS show that 25 per cent of Hong Kong consumers are already expressing interest in signing up for exTV, the new pay-TV service launched today by Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting, a joint venture between Intelsat and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB).
exTV's access to TVB programming will be a key attraction of the new service. The survey found one in every three survey respondents (35 per cent) reporting that the availability of TVB programmes would be "quite" or "extremely" attractive to them when selecting a pay-TV provider.
Stephen Yap, Associate Director at TNS Hong Kong, commented: "With 7 per cent of consumers already expressing strong interest in exTV, these survey findings make encouraging reading for Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting especially given that the full-scale marketing push for exTV has still yet to commence. In terms of number of households, 7 per cent represents almost double the 80,000 targeted by Galaxy for the first year of operations, although of course not all geographical areas will have access to the service right away.
"As expected, exTV's secret weapon will be its exclusive access to TVB's extensive archive of programming. We will continue to observe with interest how the market develops and how existing pay-TV operators respond to the entrance of this formidable new competitor."
19/02/04
WinTV and ABC NT are on B3 12720V sr 30000 fec 2/3 (only expected to be there temp, remember these showed up on C1 a few weeks back could be something wrong with old Optus A3?)
More Porno? Bluekiss adult channels supposedly testing on Nss6? 11078 V sr 5006
Videoland movies channel on Pas 8 gone??
If your looking for a good forum for FTA satellite don't forget to checkout Vetruns FTA satellite forum. Link on the left "message forum"
From my Emails & ICQ
From Me
B3 12552V Horse racing feed seen yesterday
If your B3 12525V signals down in strength its a good indicator that there is a feed on 12552V
From Vk4bkp
Win TV and ABC NT, Temp signals on B3 12720V sr 30000 Fec 2/3 (AUS beam)
From "MRX"
Some shots of the new Foxtel "Digital" service sorry about the quality of the images they are taken off a TV screen with digital camera
From the Dish
Optus C1 156E 12438 H The Foxtel Box Office Preview is now encrypted.
Agila 2 146E 4164 V New SR and FEC for Familyland TV Network on : 3735 and 7/8.
NSS 6 95E 12688 H "Al-Arabiyah and Nile TV International" have started , Fta,PIDs 401/402 and 849/850. Several PID updates. TGRT FNSS 6 95E 12729 V "Free-XTV and Back Room" have started regular transmissions
M has left.
Yamal 102 90E 3588 L "Nord TV and Nord FM" are back on , Fta, SR 4285, FEC 3/4,PIDs 308/256 and 257.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H A Satmedia promo has started, Fta, PIDs 6177/6195.
NEWS
NZ Sky TV To Post Modest 1H Profit; Small Chance Of Div
From http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040219/15/3i51d.html
WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--Sky Network Television Ltd. (SKY.NZ), New Zealand's only pay TV operator, will return a small first half profit Monday, helped by more people subscribing to the service and fewer people canceling their subscriptions.
Sky will report a net profit in the six months to Dec. 30 of NZ$12.7 million, according to a Dow Jones Newswires poll of five analysts. Estimates ranged from NZ$11.2 million to NZ$14.6 million.
The result will better the previous first half's loss of NZ$4.4 million and continues Sky's recent return to profit with a full year profit last year of NZ$671,000 - the first since Sky launched its digital satellite network in 1998.
Expectations for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ranged from NZ$86.2 million to NZ$88.6 million with a median of NZ$88.2 million.
Citigroup is forecasting Sky to pay a maiden dividend of 2 cents NZ a share, according to a research note, but that isn't a widely held view. There is also the chance that Sky might comment on when it expects to start paying dividends.
Analysts said the return to profit has been driven primarily by solid subscriber growth, especially to the digital service and lower programming costs as a proportion of revenue.
Also, churn - a measure of subscribers who disconnect - is down, meaning that Sky TV is holding onto more viewers, which is attributed to better marketing and programming.
"If you look at the programming content they had three years ago and what they've got now, it's quite a bit better," said one analyst who didn't want to be named.
At the last full year results release in August, Sky chief executive John Fellet said the company will continue to return profits and predicted a net profit in the financial year ending June 30 of NZ$28 million to NZ$35 million.
Sky TV is 78.3% owned by Independent Newspapers Ltd. (INL.NZ) after a takeover bid that closed in December with the publisher failing to get the 90% shareholding it needed to compulsorily acquire the whole company.
INL sold all of its publishing assets last year and used part of the NZ$818 million net proceeds for the Sky takeover. It plans to return the remaining NZ$340 million to shareholders.
Another analyst, who also asked not to be named, said Sky TV's first half result might surpass analysts' expectations.
Depreciation from buying and installing set-top boxes into subscribers' homes might be less than expected because of lower costs in U.S. dollars being even lower when converted into New Zealand dollars.
Interest payments might also be lower if Sky has repaid more debt that expected, said the analyst.
"In general I'm feeling like there's plenty of scope for them to beat our number," he said.
Hughes examines sale of Panamsat
From http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4301329/
Sale by Murdoch unit would free up cash for DirecTV
Updated: 8:40 a.m. ET Feb. 18, 2004Hughes Electronics, the broadcasting group controlled by Rupert Murdoch, is exploring a sale of Panamsat, its US-listed satellite subsidiary.
According to bankers and lawyers familiar with the situation, Hughes Electronics has hired Credit Suisse First Boston to advise it on the strategic options for its 81 per cent stake in Panamsat.
Although the discussions are still at an early stage, the most likely outcome is expected to be a sale of Panamsat, possibly to a private equity buyer.
The decision follows the acquisition late last year of a 34 per cent stake in Hughes by News Corporation, Mr Murdoch's global media group. News Corp's main interest in pursuing Hughes was to get its hands on DirecTV, the largest US satellite broadcaster.
Panamsat, which operates a fleet of 22 satellites around the world, is not seen as central to Mr Murdoch's ambitions and a sale could release cash which Hughes could reinvest in building up DirecTV's subscriber base.
Panamsat, which is separately listed on the Nasdaq stock market, has seen its market value almost double to $3.3bn over the past year as investors reassessed the prospects for the global satellite industry.
People familiar with the matter said strategic players such as Intelsat and SES were unlikely purchasers because of the regulatory concerns they would face in acquiring a rival satellite operator.
But private equity groups are increasingly interested in satellite businesses. In the past 12 months, two satellite companies - Eutelsat and Inmarsat - have fallen into the hands of private equity consortia. In an apparent attempt to boost Panamsat's value, News Corp earlier this month awarded the group a 15-year contract to transmit all the programming for its Fox television unit.
Panamsat and CSFB declined to comment. But last week Chase Carey, Hughes' president and chief executive, said on a conference call that the company had "begun to evaluate" how Panamsat fit into a "DirecTV-driven strategic vision
Kosmos 2405 military payload launched by Russia
From http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0402/18molniya/
With President Vladimir Putin looking on, Russia's largest military exercise in over two decades took to the high frontier Wednesday with the launch of a clandestine payload from the nation's northern space base near the Arctic Circle.
The Molniya booster took flight at approximately 0705 GMT (2:05 a.m. EST) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in far northern Russia. It marked the first launch from that site this year and Russia's first orbital military mission of 2004.
As part of the Soyuz rocket family, the Molniya flight was the second of 10 Soyuz missions expected this year.
Putin arrived at Plesetsk and was to have toured the Molniya launch pad prior to liftoff, various news reports said. After observing the blastoff, Putin was to have observed another launch via television -- this time of a ballistic missile with a dummy warhead from the faraway Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The payload was identified by the RIA Novosti news organization as a Kosmos military communications satellite likely bound for an elliptical orbit with a high inclination.
The four-stage Molniya rocket has the capability to place payloads of up to about 4,500 pounds into such orbits, reports indicate.
Under the official Russian military satellite identification matrix, the newly launched craft will assume the name Kosmos 2405.
The mission was part of a high profile military training drill underway this week that includes thousands of soldiers, sailors, and other forces in a number of tests of equipment such as space vehicles, missiles, aircraft, and naval vessels.
The exercise has been deemed the largest and most extensive since the former Soviet Union startled the world with an immense series of tests in 1982.
Indian channels may be back soon
From http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-2-2004_pg7_7
KARACHI: Pakistan may soon permit cable operators to show Indian satellite channels again as a goodwill gesture marking the current secretary-level talks between the two South Asian nuclear neighbours.
“We have indications from some official channels and are still waiting for a formal announcement on the ban being lifted,” said Tahir Khan, vice president of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (COAP), on Wednesday. He said Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had not told them when it was going to lift the ban.
The Indian satellite channels were banned in Pakistan after the two countries closed their diplomatic offices and cut rail, road and air links after an attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001. More than 20 channels were affected, including Star, Zee and Sony networks. Some officials in Islamabad, who asked not to be named, told Daily Times the government had no objection to lifting the ban on Indian channels dedicated to family entertainment. In the second phase, they added, the cable operators could even relay Indian news channels.
“The growing ties between the two neighbours have convinced the government that the Indian news channels will not be hurling propaganda against Pakistan, as they did a couple of years ago,” the official said. “PEMRA will be announcing fresh guidelines for the cable operators pretty soon,” another official said. “Pakistan and India have restored their traditional communication links and the two want to go even further in this direction,” the official said.
Cable operators say they suffered badly during the 26-month ban. “We won’t broadcast Indian news and propaganda channels but the government should lift the ban on entertainment channels. They are popular with Pakistanis and can help the cable operators continue their business,” Mr Khan said.
“Most of our clients do not understand English and other foreign languages,” he said. Subscriptions to cable TV was falling rapidly for lack of Indian channels, he complained. According to Mr Khan, the cable operators’ business had dropped 40 percent. Since the ban was imposed on December 30, 2001, cable operators had been pleading for permis