31/7/01

Chatroom at the usual time 8.30 Syd time onwards tonight I am in there from 9.30 pm NZT. It was good to have some more from NZ in there last week. Not much to report today.

From my Emails & ICQ

B3 12363 V Sr 6108 Fec 3/4 Vpid 1160 Apid 1120 "Mystery big white star" seen 1.15pm Syd time

From Steve Johnson

Optus B1, 12456Vt - Snell & Wilcox card replaced with TV1 video/audio. 8.55 A.M NZ

Craigs comment, this had gone when I checked this afternoon

From the Dish

Optus B3 156E 12336 V Test cards have started, Vpid 1360/1320, 1660/1620 and 1760/1720.

Asiasat 3 105.5E 3749 V "Ekushey TV World" Vpid 1260 Apid 1220, is now encrypted.

Asiasat 2 100.5E 3660 V "Kuwait Space Channel" has left
Asiasat 2 100.5E 4000 H Radio Suomi has started on , Apid 2320.

NEWS

Austar says raising cash is not a problem

From http://www.auspaytv.com/news/

Austar says it is confident it can negotiate a new financing facility with its bankers as the group looks to secure an additional $150 million to fund its New Zealand business plan.

Its chief executive, Mr John Porter, told The Australian Financial Review the banking consortium fronted by Citibank and JP Morgan was now in alignment with Austar over its future funding requirements.

"A bank deal is going to get done. We are not that far away, and in the context of the amount of equity that has been put into this business and the assets that we have in the business, raising another $150 million is nothing," he said. "As opposed to discussing if it's going to happen, we are now discussing how it is going to happen."

While he declined to give a definite date, Mr Porter said an announcement on the refinancing could be expected soon after the release of the group's annual results next month.

The failure to resolve the group's new financial platform has weighed down Austar's stock price, which has nearly halved since the beginning of June. The shares fell another 4¢ yesterday to 49¢. Austar's negotiations with its bankers have been complicated by the group's New Zealand business, where it is a joint venture partner with Telstra in Telstra Saturn.

The venture's network rollout requires an additional investment of at least $150 million from Austar.

This has prompted speculation that the group might look to sell its interest in the joint venture to Telstra in an attempt to consolidate its trans-Tasman operations.

Mr Porter yesterday denied a sale was on the agenda, saying the New Zealand business was worth "$1 to the Austar stock price". It is understood Austar was keen to acquire the British Telecom-controlled Clear Communications' assets. However, it is believed that a financial consortium involving Jump Capital and Berkshire Partners is now the frontrunner.

It is understood Austar had about $250 million cash in the bank at June 30, and cash used in operating and investing activities was about $66 million in the second quarter, in line with spending in the previous quarter.

"The likelihood of this company having a liquidity crisis is zero. That's the bottom line," Mr Porter said.

Maa TV goes on air on Oct 26

From http://www.financialexpress.com/fe20010731/con6.html

MAA TV, a Telugu satellite entertainment channel, will go on air on October 26. This was disclosed by the channel’s promoter Rajendhira Prasadh to The Financial Express.

The private placement for the Rs 10-crore project in progress, according to Mr Prasadh. “The total investment will consist of a Rs 3-crore promoter quota and a Rs 4-crore private placement,” said Mr Prasadh. The balance Rs 3 crore will come in the form of unsecured placement. The uplinking for Maa TV will be on Thaicom’s satellite based out of Bangkok.

?Maa TV will be an 18-hour Telugu channel comprising soaps and films,” said Mr Prasadh. The channel will be aired from 6 am to midnight everyday. While Maa TV will initially be free to air, Mr. Prasadh said the plan was to go pay. “We are looking to make it a pay channel sometime in December this year,” he added.

While Maa TV will be visible across India, plans are on the anvil to increase the audience base. “By March next year, we are looking to enter the markets in Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka,” said Mr Prasadh. While the soaps on the channel will initially be commissioned, Mr Prasadh said the strategy for films was still being worked on. “Overall, it will be a combination of film-based programmes, game shows and interactive shows, besides films,” he explained. On the issue of distribution and ad sales, Mr Prasadh said, “We will be handling it and do not plan to hand it over to anybody else.”

30/7/01

All is quiet with Armageddon I expect they may wait until the Monday night Aussiemosc chatroom is running so they can sit in and monitor the action, No action as yet 4pm Syd time. Anyway a plenty of news today and hopefully Mediasat channels will be back soon?

From my Emails & ICQ

From George in Thailand

Dear Apsattv'ers

Sat News from up in the far east

-DD Hyderabad and DD Calcutta Zone Beam still on ocassionally on Insat at 83.0 east

-CNNI to encrypt on Palapa C2 August 15

-Cannot recieve BBC World and DD News on the vertical beams from PAS 4 at the new frequencies can anyone tell me why? The only vertical transponder I can recieve from the PAS 4 satellite is the old BBC frequency and the Maharishi Open University

-CCTV is also not recievable on PAS4 at the new frequency

-MCM on Asiasat 2 has been replaced by colour bars news that BVN Netherlands could be replaced here or the ITN News Channel

-Australia Radio International on Palapa C2

From the birdwatcher in the far east
George
THAILAND

From Salah

Dear Craig.

At 9.00 am this Monday Sydney time, color bars have appeared on B3 Freq 12336 V Sr 30000 Fec 3/4, and still displaying RTPI, TV5 and DW.

Just before they "interrupt" those 3 services I noticed a lot of pixelisation saturday morning,compared with other services on this transponder , MOU, TRT, Thai TV, MSAT occ had good video and audio.

Regards.
Salah.

From John Kahler

DW, TV5 & RTP showing colour bars now. Thai TV, TRT, MOU and Feeds channel all up.

See email attached below for outage reason.

> Our AsiaSat 2 antenna has been put out of action due to the high winds and bad weather here is Sydney.
> We hope to have it repaired soon.
>
> Sorry!
> Kate
> ------------------------------

> Kate Lansley
> Account Manager, Broadcast Services
> MEDIASAT Pty Ltd

Regards,
John.

From Steve Sharp 30/7/01 10.30 a.m

Optus B1 12397 H "ATN 7" Sr 7200 Fec 3/4 "NBC show "Fear Factor" complete with commercials

From the Dish

Pas 8 12326 H "TCM Australia" is back , FTA,Vpid 512 Apid 640.

Palapa C2 113E 3760 H "CASA, Taiwan Entertainment TV and STV-MTV" are currently FTA

Asiasat 2 100.5E 4000 H "A test card has started here" Vpid 512 Apid 640.(This may be BVN..)

Intelsat 804 64E 3754 R TBN has a new SID 3.
Intelsat 804 64E 3669 R "Channel Swazi" has left, replaced by a test card.

NEWS

Home-grown ABC children's channel will stem US tide

From http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2460880%255E11610,00.html

What it will cost to watch

Through Optus: If you accept an extra phone line from Optus installed free and with no line rental fees, the basic pay-TV package is $22.95 for 12 channels or $44.95 for all 26 channels. Both include ABC Kids. Pay-TV installation is $39.95. If you don't want the Optus phone line then installation is $329. If you already have Optus there is no extra charge for ABC Kids.

Through Austar: For satellite connection in regional areas, 22 channels costs $42.80 a month and the full package of 33 channels is $76.90. Installation is free if payments are made by direct debit or credit card. With a digital set-top box: The set-top box will cost $700. You will need to check whether your aerial is digital compatible.

THE nation's inaugural digital channel, which goes live on Wednesday, will be the first wholly Australian-owned children's television network.

ABC Kids will be available from 6am to 6pm, seven days a week, on either Optus pay-TV, regional pay-TV provider Austar or through a set-top box that receives digital TV.

Regular children's programming on the ABC will remain.

"What this is ultimately all about is fending off the US influence. If we are depending entirely on American children's channels, Australia has a problem," ABC's head of multi-channel television Ian Carroll said.

He was referring to pay-TV channels such as Nickelodeon, Fox Kids, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network.

"This is a children's channel that has all the values of the ABC - commercial-free and violence-free," Mr Carroll said.

ABC Kids will run a mix of Australian and overseas programming including popular staples such as Playschool, Sesame Street and Bananas in Pyjamas.

There will be premieres too - George Shrinks and The Worst Witch first up. However, there will be no new Australian productions unless the ABC receives more money.

"We would love to make whole new programs but they require funding and we haven't been given any extra money to start up digital," Mr Carroll said.

Australian children will star on the new service, and auditions will be called soon for budding reporters to cover issues important to them.

Launching simultaneously is the ABC's broadband service for children, offering video on demand for people with cable or ADSL internet connections.

Among its innovations is well-loved presenter Mixy the Rabbit hosting her own videos that change each week, explaining how to use the site. It will also feature videos from Sesame Street and Bananas in Pyjamas.

A second digital channel is preparing to launch later in the year called Fly, aimed at teenagers and the early 20s. It will air from 6pm until 6am on the same channel.

New content is being made for Fly such as Twitch, which looks at the human side of technology.

"Fly is a different concept to Kids," said Mr Carroll.

"It's not scheduled, but will run more like a radio station.

"We're making a lot of material for it, so that's why it's taking longer to get up."

There are hopes Foxtel will carry the new digital channels.

However, a Foxtel spokesman said it would not be running ABC Kids as an analogue service because there was no room.

Foxtel has an agreement to carry ABC digital channels once Foxtel goes digital, but it has the discretion to choose which channels.

Industry sources said the decision was in part due to one of Foxtel's children's channels, Nickelodeon, which might have objections to competition. Foxtel denied this.

Mr Carroll said the ABC would roll out more channels in the future.

Sky TV aims for email revenue

From http://www.idg.net.nz

Huge market opportunity in email service

Sky Television expects to rake in significant extra revenue by offering email through its digital TV service.

Those who take up the email service, to be on offer by the end of the year, will be charged on a per-use basis and with more than 250,000 digital subscribers the service will provide a substantial extra revenue source for Sky, says communications director Tony O'Brien.

In February Sky announced that it lost $19.6 million for the half year ended December 31, compared with a net loss of $4.7 million in the prior half year.

An interactive programming guide, weather and games are scheduled to be available in the third quarter of the year, with sports statistics and email coming in the fourth, says O'Brien. "Sky is planning a progressive rollout of an interactive programming guide, weather, games and sports statistics, with email the final step."

Software enabling the email service is being developed in partnership with Australian interactive TV application developer Massive TV. Users will be able to access existing email accounts, create new ones and send email from their TV to a PC or to another TV with the service connected and to send text messages.

"The only thing you won't be able to do is open attachments." To do that, forwarding the email to a PC will be necessary, cutting out subscribers who don't have one.

Those who sign up will be able to key in their emails either by an infrared wireless keyboard, for which there will be an extra charge, or using their remote control in the same way as telephones with numbers matching letters.

O'Brien wouldn't comment on the cost of setting up the service but says "there's a huge market, a huge opportunity out there – it's very appropriate for people who don't have a PC."

Field trials have been conducted and the software used for the email and other interactive applications is being fine tuned, O'Brien says.

Craigs Comment, Sky would do better to give away its boxes and drop its price than to bother with some half baked email system.

Sky Announces Free-To-Air Broadcast Partner

Source : Sky Network Television Limited

Sky Television and TV3 announced today that the agreement has been renewed confirming TV3 as the exclusive free-to-air broadcaster for Rugby Union and Cricket for the upcoming 2001/2002 season.

As with the current arrangement, the new agreement will cover all appropriate domestic and international New Zealand Rugby and Cricket fixtures.

?Having a free-to-air broadcast partner is an important part of our on-going involvement in televised sport in New Zealand, and we are pleased to be continuing our strong relationship with TV3,” said Sky Television Chief Executive, John Fellet.

?We are very happy to be working once again with Sky Television as their free-to-air partner for Rugby and Cricket coverage in New Zealand. We enjoy a positive working relationship with Sky, and today’s announcement strengthens that relationship even further,” said TV3 Managing Director Rick Friesen.

?Our plan is to maximise the coverage we can provide to New Zealanders of their favourite sports, and continue to build the strong audiences our free-to-air coverage has been attracting,” Mr Friesen said.

The multi-million dollar deal was signed between the two parties in Auckland on Friday.

Press Release - The Wolf Radio Network


Source : The Wolf Radio Network

Test transmissions have commenced from “The Wolf Radio Network” on FM frequencies around the Mainland.

?The Wolf Radio Network” will Broadcast 24 hours a day from our “Heartland” based studios in “The Mainland” via FM frequencies and Sky Digital on Channel 73.

Full Programming commences on 30th July 2001 at mid-day.

The station will be available to all Sky Digital subscribers from Monday 30th July 2001

The Directors from “The Wolf Radio Network” said today:

?New Zealand Radio has lost touch with its rural culture. Without rural New Zealand having a voice, how can we continue to sell and promote the kiwi way of life?

The Wolf Radio Network gives Rural listeners and Advertisers that voice and coverage by merging together rural and urban New Zealand with a professional “Adult Contempary Alternative” style of music programming in digital cd quality audio, Nationwide.

The Wolf Radio Network is a new radio concept.

You can listen to digital, cd quality radio programming in any part of the country.

From Cape to Bluff, we are there with an “Adult Contempary Alternative”, music you’ll love, music you know, music for grown ups.

?The Wolf Radio Network” supplies a rural music angle on programming which is almost untouched in New Zealand. From Shania Twain to The Eagles, Garth Brooks to Faith Hill, The Doobie Brothers to Leann Rimes. This is the world’s finest music for the 25 to 54 Demographic.

We can target a rural audience that advertisers are crying out to reach, while at the same time not alienating urban kiwi’s. All of this in cd quality digital stereo, and don’t forget, we cover ALL of New Zealand.

We have been working together with Sky Digital for nearly 2 years to launch this project. Everyone involved has worked very hard, both at Sky and at The Wolf. Our thanks and gratitude goes out to everyone for all the hard work that has been done.”

The Wolf Radio Network will be re-broadcast on FM frequencies around New Zealand. The website will carry the details within the next few days at www.thewolf.co.nz

All contact to the station can be made via their web site at this time

China to Place Foreign Satellite Channels Under Unified Management

From satnewsasia.com

China will put foreign satellite TV channels under centralized administration.

China’s State Administration of Radio, Film & Television (SARFT) wants to place foreign satellite TV channels under centralized administration for unified release by one central platform.

Du Baichuan, SARFT vice chief engineer, said that the central platform would set up passwords to eliminate illegal ground reception. This change could help cut costs and improve economic benefits, according to SARFT.

Under the plan, licensed foreign satellite channels will transmit signals to the ground for unified reception and encryption by the platform before the signals are transmitted to designated luxury hotels and foreign communities via satellites.

Foreign satellite channels that violate the rules can be punished immediately. If signals are sent to undesignated areas, the broadcast can be discontinued and the license cancelled.

A reasonable fee will be charged for the unified management and encryption by the platform. China has 22 foreign-encrypted channels with limited ground transmission licenses. This number should increase to about 30 by 2002.

Aaj Tak, Discovery close to joining SET bouquet

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/today/30tech04.htm

IT is merely a matter of time before the stand-alone channels join the Sony Entertainment Television bouquet.

The India Today group’s Aaj Tak news channel and SET are in the final stages of inking a deal for the distribution of the Hindi news channel in the UK and MiddleEast.

Aaj Tak will provide SET the live 10-11 pm late night feed which will be broadcast during prime time to SET’s subscribers in the UK.

G Krishnan, executive director and MD of TV Today Network, told ET that Aaj Tak expected to collect Rs 40-50 lakh as a flat fee for the 40,000 subscribers of SET’s terrestrial service in the UK.

The alliance with SET would be replicated in the Middle East, he added.

In the domestic market, till Aaj Tak remained free-to-air, it would be a stand-alone channel. But if the pay market caught up with it, and if DTH started, Aaj Tak would work for an alliance with SET, he added.

The natural history channel, Discovery, is currently feeling the heat of the National Geographic channel being sold as part of the Star family.

Discovery, along with Animal Planet, had so far operated as stand-alone channels with an independent distribution network.

However, with advertisers cutting air time budgets in recent time, niche channels like Discovery have found that they have to take the brunt of reducing ad revenues.

For distribution too, selling niche channels as part of a package is always easier, industry observers said.

Both Deepak Shourie, CEO of Discovery India, and Kunal Dasgupta, CEO of SET, admitted that talks were on, but refused to give details.

Industry sources, however, said that a distribution alliance between the two was at a fairly advanced stage.

Expanding its platform is crucial for SET. With just three channels of its own, it is keen to expand its offerings to leverage the pay-subscription market and prepare for the coming battle for the DTH market.

,onsolidation has to happen in future,” said Shourie. Concurring with the Discovery chief, Dasgupta said of the prospects of coming alliances: “We are looking at everything.”

The consolidation process in the broadcasting industry is expected to gather pace as the market turns increasingly towards subscription revenues.

As long as channels are free-to-air and easily accessible to audiences, the leveraging of distribution alliances and channel bouquets does not arise.

29/7/01

Have been out all day so just a small update today. SKY NZ Snell Willcox Card is back on FTA channel labled "ENG26" Boxing Promo video seen FTA there last night. I just supplied a load of Sky NZ updates to the Lyngsat site.

German F1 G.P is on tonight, live on Star Sports and on RCTI and also the FTA French Channel on I701 Canal+

From my Emails & ICQ

From Chris Pickstock 29/7/01 Saturday Afternoon

B3, Mediasat at 12363 has AFL football, Hawthorn v Carlton
B1, V8's where they were yesterday, 12385 V (got it right today) Sr 6111, Vpid 308, Apid 256

From the Dish

Pas 8 166E 12326 H "TCM Australia" has left, replaced by a test card.(Maybe not was having techincal problems last night)

Optus B1 160E SIDs and PIDs added for all channels in Sky TV, plus some other updates.

Optus B3 156E 12336 V "RTP Internacional, TV 5 Asie and Deutsche Welle TV" have left

Agila 2 146E 3711 H "ABC 5" has started on , SR 4000, Fec 3/4, Vpid 1160 Apid 1120 PowerVu Encrypted.

JCSAT 3 128E 3960 V "HaiHua Satellite TV" FTA, SID 402, Vpid 1088 Apid 1089.

NEWS

T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 30/2001 - July 29 2001 -

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

Editor: Branislav Pekic

Edited apsattv.com Edition

FRANCE

CANAL SATELLITE INCREASES MEASURES AGAINST PIRATES

Canal Satellite has increased the frequency of its electronic measures against
pirate cards which are becoming increasingly widespread in France. It has also
increased the security of the distribution of the digital terminals which are
rented to subscribers. These terminals have been available on supermarket
shelves in exchange for a deposit of FF500 in an aim to stimulate impulse buy
subscriptions. The terminals are locked and are inoperable without a valid
subscription card, but pirate cards are able to overcome this. Distributors are
now required to take full bank and identity details from anyone taking one of
these terminals. If the customer does not initiate a subscription within one
month, the full cost of the terminal (FF2400) will be debited from the
customer's bank account.

UNITED STATES

DISNEY BUYS FOX FAMILY

In a deal that will give The Walt Disney Co. valuable distribution and News
Corp. cash to finance an acquisition of its own, Disney is buying Fox Family
Worldwide Inc. for $3 billion in cash and assuming $2.3 billion in debt. The
deal announced July 23 adds the children's cable network to Disney's portfolio,
which already includes ESPN, the Disney Channel and stakes in A&E and Lifetime.
The Fox Family Channel, which Disney plans to rename ABC Family, reaches about
81 million cable subscribers in the United States. Disney bought Fox Family
from News Corp. and Saban Entertainment Inc., which each owned 49.5 per cent of
the company. The sale came about after Saban, a major children's programmer,
exercised its right to have News Corp. buy out its share. The deal expands
Disney's programming reach worldwide with a 76 per cent ownership in Fox Kids
Europe, a children's programming channel that reaches 24 million homes, and a
10-million subscriber channel in Latin America called Fox Kids. Disney is also
getting Saban's programming library, which contains more than 6,500 episodes of
shows.

BLOOMBERG ADDS ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS

Bloomberg Television, the fastest growing 24-hour business and financial news
channel in the U.S., is growing over one million subscribers per month - a pace
that has it on track to reach the 40 million subscriber milestone by the end of
next year. Combined with current distribution and major launch commitments,
Bloomberg Television is projected to reach over 40 million subscribers in the
U.S. by year-end 2002, far outperforming its competitors in terms of subscriber
growth. Bloomberg Television is broadcast internationally in seven languages
through ten networks distributing 24-hour news and information emphasising
business and the financial markets. It reaches a worldwide audience of almost
200 million people.

SATELLITE TV TO EXCLUDE MAJORITY OF US TV STATIONS

According to a study released on July 24, the satellite television industry
plans to leave behind at least 1,100 television stations - over 2/3 of all
local television signals in the United States - when new spot beam satellites
are launched. ``These satellite giants make their decisions on the television
stations they must carry based on pure profit and politics -- without a thought
given to the public interest,'' said Peter Pitts, executive director of EARN --
Equal Airwaves Right Now, a grass roots watchdog organisation. When satellite
services were first launched they were sold as a service for rural and
underserved Americans. EARN's study shows that the satellite television
industry has done a full about face and satellite television is focused only on
the top markets, leaving behind over 160 television markets, out of 210 total
markets in the United States. `Satellite companies are touting the spot beams
as a solution, but they're not. Our study shows that the spot beams are aimed
at markets that are already served, and will leave behind the vast majority of
all communities. The satellite industry takes advantage of free spectrum, but
they ignore the needs of American communities,'' said Pitts.

A S I A

DISNEY CHANNEL JOINS SHOWTIME PACKAGE

Disney Channel Middle East is now available on the Showtime digital satellite
pay-TV network. Disney Channel is available to all Showtime subscribers free
of charge until the end of August as an introductory offer. From September the
subscription fee starts from approximately $4 per month depending on the
Showtime subscriber's choice of plus package. Developed specifically for
families in the Middle East and North Africa, Disney Channel Middle East is
available on Showtime with a choice of English or Arabic audio. Showtime now
offers 25 channels of Western entertainment including three children's
channels, and four channels each in the categories of movies, entertainment and
sports, and three each providing music, documentaries and news.

AUSTRALIA

DIGITAL TV START DATES ANNOUNCED

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has released the starting dates for
digital television in 2003 for certain areas including Darwin, regional
Queensland, Tasmania and parts of Victoria and New South Wales, as reported by
Asia Pulse. The authority on July 24 announced the latest stage in the phase-in
of digital television broadcasts with a start date for seven regions. Most
capital cities started digital broadcasting in January and all stations must
broadcast both digital and analogue signals by January 2004. The ABA said
digital television would start on March 31, 2003, in Darwin; Tasmania; eastern,
western and regional Victoria and northern and southern NSW. The
Mildura/Sunraysia area in Victoria’s north would come on line in December 2003.

PAKISTAN

MEGA MAGIC TO DISTRIBUTE ZEE TV CARDS

Mega Magic, a group company of the WorldCall Telecommunications Group, and Zee
Telefilms Arabia, are co-operating to provide legal distribution of the channel
in Pakistan. Mega Magic becomes sole distributor and seller of decoders and
cards for the Zee TV broadcast, which has now been encrypted and is no longer
free to air. Decoders would cost Rs 19,000 with a charge of Rs 24 per house for
the whole package of seven channels from the operator. Zee TV would also spend
a portion of revenue collected from Pakistan to purchase and develop local
programmes. Zee Television says it currently has a viewership of over 140
million in Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and Australia. Its package
comprises some 14 channels marketed internationally.

SINGAPORE

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ON ESPN STAR SPORTS

ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has concluded a five-year deal to carry English Premier
League football exclusively on Singapore Cable Vision (SCV). SCV's 280,000
Singaporean subscribers will see expanded coverage of the game through the deal
with ESS which has held exclusive Asian broadcast rights to Premier League
coverage since February. SCV's Max TV platform will carry 165 live games during
the 2001/2002 season, some 1,000 plus hours of coverage as part of a seven day
a week presentation. ESS is launching a dedicated Southeast Asian feed for Star
Sports, customised for Singapore.

B4U Entertainment set to morph into movie channel; targets November encryption

From indiantelevision.com

Just under 11 months after the channel was launched on 3 September 2000, B4U Entertainment is all set for a major makeover. The final touches are being put in place that well metamorphose it into a movie channel.

Official sources within the channel say viewers will be served a diet of four to five movies a day with the remainder being given over to film-based programming. What is getting the go-bye is the band on the channel devoted to soaps and serials.

CEO Ravi Gupta and his team are now looking to focus on leveraging what is the B4U's main strength - its library of movies (over 2,000 films) that it holds the rights to.

The B4U management has also set a November target to fully encrypt the channel. However, sister channel B4U Music will remain free-to-air a la MTV, the sources have confirmed.

The B4U Network is promoted by steel magnate L M Mittal, Kishore Lulla and Gokul Binani, all based in the UK. Lulla is also the promoter of Eros International Ltd, the largest overseas film distributor and the first to take Hindi movies to the UK and the US.

Will the channel's name also change? What exactly does the transformation of B4U Entertainment into a movie channel entail? Watch this space.

Craigs Comment, B4u is currently on Pas 4, It will be available as soon as Pas 10 switches on

Indian subscribers will not accept a Rs 1,000 a month tag for DTH services'

From indiantelevision.com

Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea could be forgiven for feeling smug about the position his company is in at the moment. Mukerjea and his team have in the last one year engineered the turnaround of a once struggling channel into a leadership position so overwhelming that the term monopolistic wouldn't be too much of an exaggeration. And soon after Star Plus completed a year as a 24-hour Hindi channel confirmation of its numero uno position was made doubly clear. Star took home most of the awards at stake at indiantelevision.com's Indian Telly awards 2001 held on 6 July at south Mumbai's Oberoi Hotel. Nine to be exact. While receiving his award for best Television CEO of the Year 2000, Mukerjea drove the point home stating that Star's stellar performance at the Indian Telly Awards was only a dress rehearsal for an even better performance at next year's awards show.

Indiantelevision.com's Thomas Abraham culled this interview from snatches of conversation with Mukerjea on his plans for the future.

What about your plans for direct-to-home operations? Nothing seems to be moving on that front though your team has been in place for some time now.

We are certainly interested in going ahead with DTH but there are still a number of issues pending. There is the regulation issue, the 10-year licence fee. And the government's demand that the system should be based on an open architecture is inoperable. There is no manufacturer anywhere in the world who makes open access DTH set tops so even if we wanted to implement the government directive we would not be able to.

We have identified partners as well as worked out the economics of it all but it will certainly take some time.

What are the costs you are looking at?

Two-fifty crores to 450 crores (Rs 2,500 million to Rs 4,500 million). It's a massive investment no doubt, bigger than any media project in the country so far.

But is it worth it? After all, none of Rupert Murdoch's DTH ventures anywhere in the world are profitable. And if anything, in India the chances of DTH being a success are even less.

We are taking a long-term view of things and we are convinced that there is a future for DTH, which is why we are keen to go ahead with it. We have identified partners for this venture and we will go forward once we are convinced that the whole thing is viable in the long term.

VSNL (the government-owned internet gateway provider) has announced it will be providing DTH-come Internet for a monthly subscription rate of Rs 1,000 before the end of the year. Would Star be able offer DTH services for such a low price?

In fact a Rs 1,000 a month price tag for DTH will not be acceptable to Indian subscribers. If we offer DTH services, it will be for much less. Otherwise we simply will not be able to pull in enough subscribers.

Talking of subscribers, this is an issue that is a continuous source of friction between broadcasters and cable operators. How do you see the whole thing panning out?

The friction will remain as long as declared connectivity remains so low. In fact broadcasters are willing to live with connectivity figures of 30 per cent. It is when declared connectivity goes below this that we resort to switching off feeds.

But cable operators complain that broadcasters are arbitrarily hiking rates which they are forced to absorb because subscribers resist increases in subscription fees.

Addressability is the issue here. I would like to reduce rates but that's not possible till declared connectivity goes up. But that will happen with time The cable business will grow well above the current subscriber base of around 30 million over the next few years. And as the industry matures, addressability will become a given.

How long do you thing this process will take?

Between seven to 10 years. Our revenue break-up is also linked to the issue of addressability. Currently 80 per cent of our revenues are from advertising and only 20 per cent from subscriptions. Ideally the break-up should be 60:40.

On the revenue front, reports are that Star expects to finally turn profitable this year. When do you see this happening?

We should reach breakeven within the next few months. (Industry sources say the Indian operations raked in around Rs 5,500 million in revenues this fiscal - the highest since Star channels started beaming into India in 1991-92. Star has a July-June financial).

Star has a stake in Hathway Cables. The reports are that it has increased its stake. What is the stake that Star currently holds in Hathway?

We have not increased our stake above the 26 per cent we held earlier.

Coming back to the channels on the Star bouquet, are you thinking of adding any more channels?

We have enough on our plate as it is. Anyway, it is less cost efficient if more channels are brought in. Our focus at present is to push all our seven channels and for that we are looking at a strategy for advertising the network as a whole. This will help advertisers to leverage the Star network and our sales team has also been reorganised for this purpose.

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network in talks with International Players

From http://www.capitalmarket.com

We are currently talking to four international players for a stake in SABe TV'

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network (SABTNL) is an integrated television content production house and a broadcaster. The company commenced operations over 13 years ago as a television software production house producing programming for India's national broadcaster - Doordarshan. The era of liberalization ushered during the early 1990s resulted in the growth of cable and satellite television channels leading to the revolution of new entertainment companies.

SABTNL continues to produce content for Doordarshan and markets airtime for these programmes on its own. The company launched its own television channel - SABe TV on 23 April 2000. It is a 24-hour Hindi language general entertainment channel transmitted digitally through the Asiasat 3S Satellite. The channel is currently available as a free-to-air service across India.

Prasar Bharati had recently invited fresh bids for its prime time slot on DD Metro after failing to attract any bids during the first time. It had decided to invite fresh bids for a three-year period after the one-year contract given to HFCL-Nine Broadcasting India was not renewed. However, there is still a lot of ambiguity on the issue. To know the exact status and about company's expectations during the current year Capital Market's Amod Gore spoke to Markand Adhikari, vice-chairman and managing director, SABTNL. Excerpts.

What is the latest status of the bid for DD-Metro?

SABTNL is the highest bidder for DD Metro's prime time slot (8 pm -10 pm). We had offered an amount of Rs 18 crore for the prime time slot.

However, the current status is that the deal is in abeyance. Although a lot of news reports have come, there has been no official communication from Doordarshan till date. We will wait for that to come through after which we will take a decision.

SABTNL has been one of the leading television content providers for DD in the past. We started our association with DD in the 1980's. Till date, we have produced 2,000 hours of programmes for DD. In fact, SABTNL was the first to offer programmes for the DD Metro channel.

The company had been finding difficult to sell time on DD even for its existing programmes. why then you went ahead in bidding for Metro slots?

We have never found it difficult to sell time on DD. What we have mentioned in our result is about the DD policy of imposing additional spot buys on various programmes.

As a prudent accounting policy, we have charged all unutilized commercial time in our accounting as on 31 March 2001. But, at the same time, it is a tremendous opportunity to earn in this year. Hence, it is very clear why we have bid for the DD Metro slot. I think we are the lone survivors on DD Network.

What about the fact that you were not able to sell the air time as your results indicate?

Although it is true that we were not able to sell the airtime last year, it should be viewed from a different perspective. Doordarshan has a policy related to additional spot buys on various programmes. However, there is no fixed criterion for these additional spot buys and it is more or less on random basis. This had actually put a lot of pressure on us during the last year.

However, we have put forth our case with Doordarshan for rationalisation of commercial terms and for the withdrawal of additional spot buys from time to time.

Currently, how many hours of programming are you providing to Doordarshan - main channel as well as regional channels?

Currently, we are providing two and half-hours of programming per week to Doordarshan’s National channel. Also, we provide content for regional language channels of Doordarshan. This is currently around five hours per week.

Recently, there have been a lot of programmes going off the air on Doordarshan due to their policy. Has SABTNL taken off any of your programme from Doordarshan? What will be the impact of this policy on SABTNL?

SABTNL has not taken off any of its programmes from Doordarshan. We also do not have any such plans in future as well. Although the policy of higher rates and lower airtime for programmes was announced initially, the same is under review.

In fact, our programmes have been commanding good ratings on Doordarshan for a long time. At present, SABTNL's Suraag, Damini, Suspense Every Week, Gharkul are amongst the top programmes.

What sort of rates do you command on Doordarshan?

The advertisement rates differ depending on the programmes, timing of telecast, etc. We have been commanding good rates for our programmes in the past.

Currently, we command around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per 10 seconds for our programmes on the regional channels. On the National channel, we command much higher rates. The rates range from Rs 25,000 per 10 seconds to as high as Rs 80,000 per 10 seconds. Our ‘Surag’ commands Rs 60 lakh per 720 seconds on an average.

Are you providing programmes to channels other than Doordarshan and SABe TV?

No, we are not providing any programme to any other channels. This is because we want to keep the intellectual property rights (IPRs) for these programmes with us.

Will you consider your decision if the option of keeping the IPR is given to you? Do you expect such a scenario in near future?

We will consider this option when the situation really comes to that stage. As of now, we do not foresee any major shift in the broadcaster's mindset on this issue except, perhaps, on a case to case basis.

What is the size of your software library?

We have a library of close to 3,500 hours of software. This includes all types of programmes like mythological, sit-coms, game shows, children's programmes, film-based programmes, talk shows, thrillers, true life stories, variety entertainment, etc.

SABe TV has been operating for more than a year now. However, the response to the channel has not been up to the mark. How do you see this channel performing in the coming years?

As far as the response to the channel is concerned, I would like to clear some facts. SABe TV has performed extremely well in its first year of operations as compared to other channels, which began their operations during the last year. In fact, we are the fourth channel after the three top channels.

SABe TV now reaches 23 million homes across India. We have achieved around 5 million reach in south India during this period.

During the past year, we achieved good television rating points (TRPs). Around 7-8 slots (not programmes) consistently gave TRPs of around one or more. These programmes include ‘Alif Laila’, ‘Brahma Vishnu Mahesh’, ‘Office Office’, etc. Other programmes achieved TRPs of around 0.7 to 0.8.

When will SABe TV break even?

After our decent performance during the first year, we are targeting 2-3 slots this year, which should go beyond TRPs of 2. These can also reach 3 if the response gets better. If we are able to achieve our targets, SABe TV can posts revenues of around Rs 25-40 crore during the financial year ended March 2002. We did reasonably well during the year ended March 2001.

If we can maintain the same momentum during the year ended March 2003, SABe Tv will break even at the end of March 2003.

When do you plan to make it a pay channel? What sort of revenues are you looking at from subscription in the years to come?

Broadcasters today have realised that the advertisement alone cannot sustain the growth in future. So, the top channels are moving towards pay channels and subscription revenues. This is a good indication for us as well. Calendar 2002 can see the pay package in the cable channel industry.

We also plan to make our channel pay, but the plans are not yet finalised on this issue.

What happened to the strategic partner taking a 30% stake in SABe TV?

Well, the induction of a strategic partner is a long process. We are currently talking to four international players for this.

How is your venture in Sri Lanka doing?

Our venture in Sri Lanka is not doing as per our expectations. As you are aware, the situation in the island country is not very encouraging and we are keeping a close watch on that. We will perhaps review the situation after six months.

A lot of people have left SABe TV/ SABTNL as per reports. What is the actual situation? How many total employees do you have in SABe TV and SABTNL?

Entertainment industry is a high turnover industry. However, last year's market fall has changed the perspective for everybody now. The news of a lot of people leaving SABTNL is not correct.

We have around 150 employees in SABTNL. SABe TV does not have any employees of its own.

With the economy in distress, FMCG majors like HLL and P&G have been cutting on their advertisement budgets. What will be the impact of this on the advertisement rates? How do you see this impacting your company in the future?

The euphoria on advertisement rates going upwards seems to have fallen. The current situation is that compounded annual growth rates (CAGR) for advertisement rates may not grow at 23% as earlier projected. But it may grow at even less than 10% during the year.

At the same time, it should be noted that advertisement expenditure will come down across all the possible forms of media meaning it will go down in print, television and others as well. Print media accounts for the maximum advertisement spends. So, we expect the impact on the electronic medium to be much lesser.

As far as SABTNL is concerned, we are concentrating on getting the maximum by our strategy of ‘ratings, reach and retention.’ Some of our advertisers have been with us for the past decade. So, we want to concentrate on retaining them in future as well. This can be achieved by better reach and increasing ratings in the coming year.

What is the present equity capital and shareholding pattern? Any plans for further dilution in near future?

The current equity capital of the company remains the same as on 31 March 2001, i.e. Rs 8.41 crore. Out of this, 48% is with the promoters, around 17% is with mutual funds and financial institutions, 12% is with private corporate bodies and the balance is with public.

28/7/01

DW, TV5 Asie and RTP International gone from Mediasat? the transponder still lists them but no video. Lets hope they are back soon. Try the contact details below

MEDIASAT phone on +61 2 9221 6999, fax on +61 2 9221 6988 Email them on enquiries@mediasat.com.au

Cricket India vs Sri Lanka on Dordashan from 2pm Syd, on I701 as well

From my Emails & ICQ

Chris Pickstock reports 2.30 Syd time

B3 12363 V "West Harbour v Sydney University", Rugby Union

B1 12385 V "Astralinks" Channel Ten feed of V8's. Practice and Qualifying at the moment.Vpid 308 Apid 256,Sr 6111

Where has DW, TV 5 asie and RTP International gone. Have they reached the end of the trial period?

Craigs comment, according to a post on the mailing list the trial has ended.

From the Dish

Optus B1 160E All Saturn channels on 12483 V, 12706 V and 12733 V are now Irdeto and encrypted.

Sky Selects New Television Outside Broadcast Service Provider

Source : Sky Network Television Limited

SKY Television confirmed today that On Site Broadcasting (NZ) Ltd have won the contract to provide television outside broadcast coverage of all SKY’s major sporting events for the next five years commencing January 2002.

Murray Roberts, co-founder of the well known film and television production company, Communicado, will become the New Zealand Director of On Site Broadcasting (NZ) Ltd, (OSB) a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia’s Becker Group Ltd.

OSB, will engage a formidable team of outside broadcasting specialists led by Geoff Evans of Images Post Ltd, including a significant number of full time and contract staff here in New Zealand. OSB has commissioned four new digital outside broadcast vehicles, scheduled for delivery from December 2001, to service the contract.

John Fellet, SKY Television Chief Executive, said “Choosing the outside broadcast service provider was a difficult decision however we are confident that Murray Roberts and his team’s experience combined with the “state of the art” digital technology that will be used will allow SKY to produce an exceptionally high standard of sports programming.”

Tim Keen, Becker Group Chief Operating Officer said “We are delighted with this development and see it as an extension of our existing activities in New Zealand.”

?Our extensive experience of production and broadcast of live sport telecasts for the Australian market and our willingness to commit to the latest digital technology were significant factors in helping OSB win this contract” said Keen.

Becker Group, one of Australia’s best known film and television companies is a publicly listed entertainment company, currently trading on the ASX, with a turnover of around AUS$50 million per year.

27/7/01

Armageddon is attracting a lot of attention on the various "hacker type" message forums. My thoughts are that if they are going big with this "event" they will be looking at busting a few people at the same time to attract publicity. Some nervous people out there may like to take Monday off and pack up the car and go camping this weekend ;-) Note these comments are my opinion only and I have not recieved any furthur information since what was posted yesterday.

In the news section Star Sports is launching a dedicated South Asia feed in August. So I think that means goodbye to the Analogue service. Enjoy the Analogue Asiasat 3 service while you can it might be gone in less than a week.

Pas 8 "Boomerang removed"

Friday Feeds Bit

(Stuff to look for feeds of on the weekend)

World Swimming Champs from Japan (Fri , Sat, Sun) Optus B1, anyone find the international feed?

Golf (LPGA & Senior PGA, U.S PGA, European Tour Dutch Open) try Pas 8, 2, Sure to be hogging transponder there

Rugby (Australia vs South Africa, 1 a.m Syd) usually B1 Newsforce 12367 V, maybe live on Starsports

Cricket ODI Sri Lanka vs India  (Saturday 1.35pm Syd (Via Dordashan, Insat 2E and I701)

NRL (Several matches) Try B1 and yes check Analogue

AFL (Sunday match C7, 2pm Syd) usually B3 12363V or Mediasat feed

From my Emails & ICQ

From Chris Pickstock

Animal Planet appears to have disappeared from 12726 H on Pas 8, the last of Boomerang.
Also Just noticed that 7 are back in Epal on B1 at 12386H

Chris

From Robert Anthony

Boomerang TV is hasta la vista on PAS-8 Ku 12726 MHz. carrier is still
there but no more signal. the carrier will drop by 31 AUG 01.

Their web site says it all. Hasta la vista, Boomerang. Hello TARBS for my ESPN Pac Rim.

From Hashishm

ART (on PAS2 3836 V 13330) has been advertising to be soon encrypted along with LBC. The advert was on (twice daily) couple of days ago. They advice to contact Optus.

JSC (Al-Jazeerah on PAS2 3901 H 30800) has done the same more frequently. As the advert says, it will be encrypted on 1/8 to USA and soon to Australia. They advice to contact (from Australia - 1800 700 506 or +61 2 970...I cannot remember).

A contact was made with the 1800 number, and they said you will get all these channels through Optus. If there is no Optus coverage, they can give a CA card (and a HUMAX receiver for more than AUD $600) and the fee is AUD $30 for the card per month provided a 12 month contract at first.

No contact was made with Optus, yet.

Regards

From the Dish

Pas 8 166E 12726 H "Animal Planet Australia & New Zealand" have left (As the song goes My Boomerang won't come back.).

Optus B1 160E Three Telstra Saturn muxes have started on 12483 V, 12706 V and 12733 V, Sr 22500, FEC 3/4, line-up: Saturn Weather Channel, Saturn Choose, TVSN and test cards. For more details, see Lyngsat.

NEWS

ESPN Star Sports launching South-East Asia feed; renews carriage deal with SCV in Singapore

From indiantelevision.com

ESPN Star Sports (ESS) will be launching a dedicated Southeast Asia feed for Star Sports from August. The feed, which is based on viewing habits and preferences of viewers from the region, is customised in both programming and presentation to deliver sports popular with Singaporean audiences, a company release states.

This includes the best of European football (English Premier League, UEFA Champions' League, Serie A and Spanish Liga), Formula One motor racing, golf and tennis. ESS will also launch SportsCenter, the region's only live daily sports news service, the release says.

The news came in the wake of an announcement that ESS and Singapore Cable Vision (SCV), its Singapore pay TV partner, have reached an agreement to renew the carriage of ESPN and STAR Sports channels in Singapore. The contract will run for five years, effective 1 July.

It has also been confirmed that the English Premier League (EPL) will be available in Singapore on only ESPN and Star Sports channels 23 and 24 on SCV MaxTV. (In February this year, ESS won the exclusive Asian broadcast rights for the Premier League.)

Announcing the conclusion of the broadcast contract with SCV, ESS managing director Rik Dovey said: "This multi-year agreement between SCV and ESPN Star Sports signifies two things - commitment and confidence. Both companies are committed to bringing viewers in Singapore the best sports television sporting action and, working closely together, both companies are confident of further developing the pay TV market in Singapore."

Dovey added that ESS' English Premier League programming, together with the company's UEFA Champions' League, Spanish Primera Liga, Chinese National Football League, Korean Football League, major Asian internationals and the Italian Serie A coverage, "completes what is the strongest football programming line-up of any sports broadcaster in the world."

Craigs Comment, I have a feeling this will replace Star Sports Asia on Asiasat 3 :-( Digital and encrypted probably on Stars Sports frequency as well.

Pentamedia declares good Q1 performance, targets children's channel launch in Q2

From indiantelevision.com

Animation major Pentamedia Graphics has announced positive results for the quarter ended 30 June 2001. The company posted a 38 per cent rise in net profit to Rs 417.2 million compared to RS 308.3 million the previous year, an official release states. Sales increased to RS 1580.9 million from RS 1144.9 million in June 2000.

The growth in turnover, operating profit and profit after tax is 38 per cent, 54 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, the release states. Revenue contributed by animation, special effects, web entertainment and other multimedia services were 55 per cent, 15 per cent, 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

The company is planning to launch a new children's entertainment television channel "Splash" on the Asiasat satellite. Pentamedia subsidiary Intelivision Ltd is responsible for the channel launch and is looking at an investment of about RS 120 million with revenues of RS 140 million from advertising and other rights in the first year.

Intelivision has secured permission from the information and broadcasting ministry for uplinking the channel through VSNL (the government-owned internet gateway provider). A teleport at Kelambakkam in Chennai is envisaged in the near future.

Test transmission is scheduled to begin by 1 August via ST teleport, Singapore. Intelivision has decided to uplink through Singapore as it is cheaper. Once the teleport at Kelambakkam becomes operational, the uplink service will be shifted to Chennai. The programme grid for the initial two months of on air presentation has been finalised, the release says.

The future projects of Intelivision include a bouquet of Indian satellite channels to be broadcast through KU Band from an Indian platform to ethnic Indian populations in US, Europe, Middle East and South Africa.

Craigs comment, Most likely to be on Asiasat 3 (India's Hotbird) would be great if it was FTA

Sahara TV revving up for major push

From indiantelevision.com

The television industry has dismissed Sahara TV as a lost cause. Eyes have mainly been on Star, Zee and Sony Entertainment. However, if the aggressive stance that is emerging from Sahara is anything to go by, the industry may well be wrong in taking their sights off the ethnic channel.

While Sahara has dropped its plans to launch a clutch of channels to build up a network, it is moving ahead on all four cylinders on its mother channel. Sahara TV promoter Subroto Roy has brought in external help to help it get that extra edge. A committee consisting of Modi Entertainment Group's Buena Vista Television CEO Pratik Basu, programming head Basaav Raj, its advertising agency Percept Advertising's promoters Harindra and Shailendra Singh, and other senior managers from within the company. While Buena Vista is handling the ad sales, the Percept duo along with the Sahara team are looking after programming and marketing of the channel.

And the result of their inputs is already beginning to show. Better and more focused outdoor promotions, and slicker on-air promos - translating into a jazzier Sahara TV. An industry Source indicates that the current initiative is part of a larger gameplan to relaunch the channel. The effort will culminate in a big bang in the coming festival season.

"The FPC is going to change considerably, and there will be sustained marketing activity," she says. "Currently, three properties are being developed: "Haqeeqat", "Daman" and "Draupadi". Additionally, the Sunday Hindi movie block will also see some activity."

Some RS 100-120 million has been set aside for this. If one adds the fact that the Sahara group has bagged the sponsorship for the Indian cricket team, one can be sure the Sahara group will be ubiquitous in most media.

Who has cause to worry? People say that Sabe TV and Sony Entertainment are likely to be hit courtesy the Sahara march. Reason: they have yet to get their act together on the programming front.

26/7/01

Telstra Saturn testing FTA on B1 again, if you can get the signal load 12733 V Sr 22500 Fec 3/4, Perhaps they will lable the channels soon. Cricket tonight from 2.00pm Syd time onwards, NZ vs India via Dordashan on Insat 2E also via I701 3769 RHC Sr 20000

Quite a bit of stuff from my Email today thanks to those who are emailing info of interest. Speaking of Emails,

The following is supplied to me from a very trustable source who wishes to remain ANON

"Hot off the line with Sydney, advised all pay-TV providers will on Monday
July 30th launch a major offensive against piracy cards. They will be
checking all card signatures and switching off non-compliant cards, and
once that is done, escalate the piracy battle to a new level by readdressing
the total universe of legitimate cards. This is code-named Armageddon and it
is being done totally by MINDPORT, not the pay-TV providers. The recent FTA
status of some pay TV services for brief periods of time has been a shake
down of the software technology they will be employing."

From my Emails & ICQ

From Steve Johnson 26/7/01

Some channels now active FTA (12483Vt, 12706Vt & 12733Vt).

S01, 02, 05, 11, 16, 17,19, 23, 25, 65, 70 - Saturn Weather

S03, 04, 20, 97 - Saturn Choose

S07 & 09 - Colour Bars

S21 - TVSN

S41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 98 - Blank (Unmodulated)


Steve Johnson
Pukekohe, NZ

Something received by Email but not by Me

"It is with regret that TPG announce the closure of Boomerang TV.
For customers wishing to return the decoder box, smart card and remote
control, please reply to this e-mail. A prepaid post pack will then be sent
to your address in order for you to return these items. Once these items
have been received, TPG will process a refund."

Craigs comment, of course those units can be used as cband and ku band FTA receivers. Who would want to send them back?

From Bill Richards 25/7/01

0220 UTC
Pas 2 3906 V Sr 6620 Fec 2/3 "TBN Tests"

Pids in use 0,1,16,17,1220,1222,1260 and 5002.

TBN Channel 1
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4

PMT not found..
No Video or Audio found, perhaps they are getting setup for service ??

Regards
Bill

From Hans 25/7/01

Hi Craig

I came across a new (occasional?) feed today 4:45pm Canberra time. They closed down at 4:55pm
American Forces Network (feeds)

Pas 2 3802 V Sr 6620

cheers
Hans

From the Dish

Optus B1 160E "Various Telstra Saturn services are testing FTA, Saturn Weather,Saturn Choose, TVSN"

Agila 2 146E 4134 H "Solar Channel" is encrypted again.

Asiasat 2 100.5E 4000 H "Colour bars on MCM's old settings"

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3551 H "New NID/TID for the RR Satellite Communications mux" 1111/1.
SID for Voice of Vietnam: 33.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3666 H "MR Radio" has left .

Intelsat 804 64E 3669 R SID for Channel Swazi is 10.

NEWS

Sorry nothing for today

25/7/01

Great to see a few more from NZ joining in the chat, some interesting discussion last night. Seems to be more people comming into the chatroom earlier which is good. Thanks to those that confirmed the "Tamil TV" on Zee's B3 mux is Asianet Bharathi off Asiasat 3. Not a lot else happening today

From my Emails & ICQ

From Chris Pickstock 25/7/01

B3, 12376 H is FTA at the moment. (9.50 am SA time)
Channels are Disney, CNNF, C7 Sport, C7 Sport 2, NRL and Turner Classic Movies.

(Switched off at 11.30 am SA time)

and reported , last night during the Chat

B1, 12317 H Sr 6980 (usually an ABC feed)
and B1, 12397 H sr 7200 (ATN Digital) both have Network Nine feed of swimming from Japan.

B3, 12336, Mediasat has a card up with Network Ten on it, and also B3, 12363 has something for the "Rove" show on now.

Chris

From the Dish

Optus B3 156E 12658 V "Asianet Bharathi has replaced Alpha TV Gujurati and Alpha TV Bangla" Vpid 2640 Apid 2641.

Palapa C2 113E "CBS 4 radio" has started on 11008 V and 11132 V, Apid 46.

Sinosat 1 110.5E CCTV 11 and CCTV 10 have replaced CCTV 7 and CCTV 4 on 12380 V,
Sinosat 1 110.5E 12622 V "CCTV 1" is encrypted in Viaccess.

Sinosat 1 110.5E 12320 V "CBSAT HDTV Beijing" has started testing , Sr 41530, Fec 1/2,Vpid 33 Apid 36, A bit more info for those that can get it, 31.1976MB/s 1920x1080 res in 16x9

Intelsat 804 64E 3669 R "Channel Swazi" has started , Vpid 515 Apid 680 (Western hemisphere beam I think)

NEWS

No news for today

24/7/01

Livechat in the chatroom tonight usual time 8.30pm Syd time onwards, I will be in there 9.30pm NZ time onwards.(7.30pm Syd). There is a roumer going around that this weekend from Friday to Monday Austar and Foxtel will be having a maintenance shutdown and all channels will be FTA, just have to wait and see I guess.

Lots of news in the news section as well today.

Changes in Zee TV mux on B3, Zee TV 6 has gone replaced by Tamil TV can someone let me know if Tamil TV is actually transmitting programming and if Tamil TV is there official name. The EPG info says "Prakasham Tamil TV service Tamil Media Group 02 97472792" Lyngsat site is quite strict on these things and won't list it untill someone confirms the programming is there. Has Alpha Gurjarti and TV Bangla left?

If you hadn't found it already MATV on Apstar 2r 76.5E is a movie channel I found some info on it "American Asia movie entertainment channel" as its known. Mostly screening Chinese action films with English subtitles. The translated from Chinese document appears below in the news section it's been translated useing Bablefish so don't expect it to make a huge amount of sense.

From my Emails & ICQ

From Me 3 cards seen on B3 12363 V 2.30pm Syd time, possibly for a Rove Show outside feed for Channel 10

From Chris Pickstock reported via the mailing list 24/7/01 9.52 a.m

B1, 12326 H, Sr 6980 "Tour de France"
Looks like a highlights package of the whole event so far, rather than just the latest stage.

SBS logo is in the corner of the screen.

Chris

Reported last night on the mailing list by Steve Sharp

B1 12397 H Sr 7200 Fec 3/4 Loading as ATN Digital 2 at the moment (17:30 Eastern)

Bill Richards follows this up with the Screenshots of what turned out to be Channel 7 Sydney News

From the Dish

Optus B3 156E 12658 V "Tamil TV" has replaced Zee 6 (need a subscriber to confirm programming is running)

Agila 2 146E 4134 H "Solar Channel" Digicipher 2) is now in clear.

Sinosat 1 110.5E 4088 V "Macau East Life TV" has started regular transmissions on ,Vpid 652 Apid 653.

Apstar 2R 76.5E 3976 V "I-Cable promo" has started on , Sr 5000, Fec 3/4,Vpid 4130 Apid 4131.(Yesterdays mystery signal!)

LMI 1 75E 3403 H "TV Lanka and Radio Lanka tests" have left

NEWS

Aussie Broadcaster Airs Serious Concerns on SingTel Satellite Bid

From satnewsasia.com

Australian broadcaster Seven Network Ltd continues to attack Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) and its bid for Cable & Wireless Optus Ltd (CWO).

This time, however, Seven took aim at the Singaporean government, which owns 78 percent of SingTel. In unusually frank language, Seven described Singapore as an “extremely intrusive and repressive authoritarian state” whose ownership of CWO would raise serious national security concerns.

Seven’s letter to Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), the agency responsible for approving SingTel’s US$8.5 billion takeover bid, said the “practices and governance of SingTel and the Singapore government, in particular that government's flagrant and systemic use of technology to collect data for its own purposes, at the very least, raise many serious concerns about its control of a vital Australian telecommunications asset."

Seven was referring to three in-orbit satellites owned and controlled by CWO. Two of these satellites are in orbit while a third, Optus C3, will be launched next year. This satellite will transmit and receive secret Australian military communications.

Seven claimed it had acquired further information on the “nature and governance strategies” of SingTel, adding that it had information about alleged phone-tapping by SingTel.

Industry sources, however, said Seven's obstinate opposition to the SingTel takeover of Australia’s second largest telco was connected to its pay-TV arm, C7, which is negotiating to extend its contract with CWO’s pay-TV network. The contract expires at the end of 2001.

FIRB will make a recommendation on the SingTel bid to the Australian government through Treasurer Peter Costello. It has received an extension period and is expected to issue a ruling in September.

SingTel's offer for CWO ends on August 3 but can be extended.

India's Rohini Satellite Re-enters Atmosphere After Seven Years

From satnewsasia.com

An Indian science satellite launched in 1994 burned-up re-entering earth’s atmosphere July 12 after exceeding its design life by six years.

The Stretched Rohini Satellite Series (SROSS-C2) launched in May 1994 had completed over 40,000 orbits before losing contact with ground stations prior to re-entry, according to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

ISRO’s Telemetry/Tracking and Command Network station in Mauritius received the last signals from SROSS-C2 when the satellite was at a height of 139 kilometers. ISRO said the satellite exceeded all its goals in its seven years mission and had provided valuable scientific data.

SROSS-C2 was launched on board an Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV-D4) from the Sriharikota island launch facility. The satellite studied gamma and solar radiation phenomenon gathered by its Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) Detector and Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA).

GRB detected gamma ray bursts occurring several million light years away. Emitting very high-energy electromagnetic radiation, these bursts, have been the subject of intense research in the last few decades.

SROSS-C2 was part of an international effort to determine the sky distribution of these emissions and to obtain as many independent gamma ray detections as possible.

The RPA collected data over the Indian subcontinent and provided insight into the characteristics and structure of the equatorial low latitude ionosphere. Scientists from eight Indian universities are carrying out detailed analysis of the data.

The life of SROSS-C2 almost ended in June 2000 but was extended by another year by raising its orbit using on board residual fuel.

SpeedCast Partners with CNN for BizTV

From Satnewsasia.com

Hong Kong-based SpeedCast Ltd., a broadband enabler of satellite based services, has partnered with CNN to stream live CNN and CNNfn content directly to subscribers in Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea.

CNN content will be streamed using BizTV, SpeedCast's latest broadband multimedia service. Under the terms of the agreement, CNN's leading news and financial programming will also be streamed via SpeedCast's satellite multicast platform directly to desktop PCs 24 hours a day on a subscription basis.

SpeedCast CEO Tom Choi said CNN marks a key addition to the company’s BizTV service offering.

?We are very proud to partner with them for this exciting new product,” said Choi. “BizTV marks the beginning of a new era in the delivery of IP-based audio and video content, as satellite enabled content distribution services provide the only viable solution for the guaranteed delivery of flicker-free, interactive multimedia streams."

Ian Macintosh, Senior Vice President of CNN International Asia Pacific, said theare proud to partner with SpeedCast for the launch of this multimedia service in the leading financial centers of Asia.

"Through SpeedCast's extensive satellite-based content delivery network the corporate market sector will now have direct access to CNN and our financial network, CNNfn, throughout the business day," Macintosh noted.

BizTV will initially launch in Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea and has plans for an Asia-wide expansion later on. BizTV is available using the AsiaSat 3S satellite whose footprint covers the entire Asia-Pacific region.

The coverage area extends from Russia in the north, down to New Zealand in the south, east to Japan and as far west as Egypt, covering more than two-thirds of the world's population. The streaming media content is delivered directly via satellite to the corporate LAN or via last mile leased line distribution for customers who are cannot receive content via satellite.

CNN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is one of the world's leading sources for news and information. Its reach extends to 15 cable and satellite television networks, including CNN International and CNNfn; three private place-based networks; two radio networks; 12 Web sites and CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service.

Founded in September 1999, SpeedCast is focused on becoming a leading broadband Internet and multimedia service provider. It has three satellite-enabled broadband services: SpeedCast Broadband; SpeedCast Multimedia and SpeedCast Broadcast .

Craigs comment, This sounds interesting! wonder if we can tap into the stream using a satellite card in the pc?

Zee to buy UTN to grow Alpha

From http://www.financialexpress.com/fe20010724/efetop2.html

Zee Telefilms is acquiring Urdu Television Network (UTN), as part of a broad plan to bring language channels under the Alpha brand.

The two companies are in final stages of negotiation and the financial details are being worked out. “UTN will wind down. It will make way for Alpha Urdu to be launched,” said Sandeep Goyal, group broadcasting chief executive officer, Zee Telefilms. He, however, declined to comment on whether Zee would buy out UTN entirely or have a majority stake. Zee currently markets the channel.

Zee Telefilms will, through UTN, have a regional channel spread across several states where Urdu speaking population is concentrated. “It will be the only regional channel in our bouquet, which will have a wider reach across the northern, southern and western regions,” said Mr Goyal.

While UTN will migrate to Alpha Urdu, Zee will convert Krishna, from a Telugu cable to a satellite channel. This will give the network a presence in the state of Andhra Pradesh, after already launching Bharathi in Tamil Nadu and Kaveri in Karnataka. Kerala will be the only state where Zee Telefilms will not have a language channel foothold.

?We are getting the southern language channels also under the Alpha brand name. All this will happen in September. The strategy is to have two brands spread across the network. Under Zee, we will have Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Music, News, MGM, English and Zee Education. Alpha will have all the language channels,” said Mr Goyal.

SitiCable will continue to run its cable channels. But the vernacular channels will be satellite channels under the Alpha umbrella. SitiCable was running the Krishna cable channel.

Alpha, Mr Goyal said, would earn Rs 100 crore in the first full year of operations through its eight channels. Zee Network’s broadcasting business will have Zee and Alpha brands, movies and international business. The movie division will be split into films and music sub-divisions.

Zee Telefilms is also planning to get into vernacular language movie production, after the success of Gadar. This will also provide content for the network’s regional language channels. “We see it as a new opportunity area even for our television business, particularly in the south,” said Mr Goyal.

The network has several common properties which can be used in local language deliveries before taking it to the national channel, Zee TV. This will enhance its connectivity with advertisers and viewers. “They will act as feeders for the same programme to be launched on the national platform. We can work out such cross-channel platforms with Saregama, Antakshari, new dance programme and quiz shows. Even our cookery show Khanaa Khazaana has potential,” said Mr Goyal.

ZED content will also be taken to the regional channels. This will include vocational courses, career choices and the examinations market. Zee is also planning to expand vernacular language exploitation of its Disney programming.

NOTE This document translated from Chinese.

MATV operates FTA on Apstar 2R 76.5E 3846 H Sr 10200 Fec 3/4

The American Asia television on March 28th opens broadcasts

The American Asia entertainment information group (391) the attached company - America Asia television limited company today held the being established ceremony and the cocktail party in Hong Kong. Under the American Asia television flag the American Asia movie entertainment frequency channel also simultaneously holds begins broadcasting the ceremony.

Zhonglian managed Assistant Director Wang Feng Chao, the Hong Kong government broadcasts business administrative bureau President Liang Nai Peng, Zhonglian manages propaganda literary style department Minister Zhao broadly moves by the host ritual honored guest's status attends the cocktail party.

Together attends also has: Zhonglian manages literary style department Vice-minister even strength Wei, Zhonglian manages literary style department Assistant Deputy Office Chief the Liu new atmosphere, the Hong Kong film and television and entertainment business management everywhere long Chen Yu De and so on.

American Asia entertainment information group President Li Guo Xing delivers a speech at the ceremony when indicates, the American Asia television limited company's establishment and the movie exclusive frequency channel opens broadcasts, is the American Asia entertainment information group displays own superiority, grasps the entertainment economy major tendency and the global integration mainly captures.

American Asia television limited company administration President the area Chinese clearly analyzes the company develops when the prospect proposes American Asia television MOVIE the PLUS idea and the movie and the media conformity idea. He disclose, the American Asia movie entertainment frequency channel cannot be the single wheel puts the movie movie; But is penetrates the innovation the interaction type program manufactures, the city promotion activity, the cross media coordination and so on establishes one cross region the movie society area. Area Chinese Ming Huan specially points out, in view of the fact that the Chinese movie recognizes in the whole world the sex is grown day by day, he have the confidence America Asia movie entertainment frequency channel can become outside the global Chinese people first choice, but also can succeed develops the non- Chinese society group the market. He also disclosed planned in the American Asia group unites each place movie specialized association prepares [ global Chinese movie oscar ]. This news immediately causes in the field honored guest, the intermediary friends strong interest.

The after ceremony, should journalistic circles friend's inquire, the area Chinese bright further show the related preparation [ global Chinese movie oscar ] conception: He emphasize, the oscar is the cross region field grand occasion, proper field pooled sharing. From the outset conception stage, the American Asia namely broadly invites each place movie specialized association, the main Chinese movie to appraise the sponsor, industry inside the public figure and the cultural worker participates, the American Asia is proposes this one grand occasion based on the mission feeling. He deeply believe, the oscar will be helpful to promote the different region Chinese movie worker's exchange. Penetration appraisal, can gradually establish the Chinese people viewpoint the movie value main body, besides is helpful to condense the global Chinese people audience focal point, can the nationality promulgation grand meeting and the film festival activity attraction international industry lies between the attention, further develops the foreign language market.

The cocktail party ceremony by golden horse shade emperor Mr. Wu Zhen Yu, red singer Miss Zhang Jia Jia holds the post of the management. The attendance same day activity also includes the multi- positions entertainment works as red entertainer; Hong Kong, overseas each big media high level manager; Business circle cultural circle celebrity and so on.

The American Asia group supplies the manuscript

The American Asia television limited company had been established the ceremony and
The American Asia movie entertainment frequency channel opens broadcasts the ceremony
American Asia group President Li Guo Xing speaks the word

Respect Zhonglian manages Assistant Director Mr. Wang Feng Chao,

Respect broad administrative bureau President Mr. Liang Nai Peng,

Respect Zhonglian manages propaganda literary style department Minister Mr. Zhao Guang Ting,

Fellow distinguished guests, fellow friends, ladies, gentlemen. Hello!

First I cherish the incomparably excited mood, officially announces in here to each: The American Asia television limited company officially had been established with the American Asia movie entertainment frequency channel officially opens broadcasts.

Heartfeltly thank fellow guests, fellow friends and our together testimony this important time.

The American Asia entertainment group establishes from 17 years ago until now, has grown into the Asian entertainment information profession mainstay. Its service scale the big domain is broad, may say is in the world so long as has Chinese people's place has the American Asia video and music product. Now the movie industry, is experiencing two huge changes.

First is the movie manufactures penetrates the many Yuan media and the carrier the audience surface expansion to is broadest and the deepest level global market. This is precisely the American Asia's field of vision and the goal.

The second tendency is the movie industry and the television media big scale conformity, causes the movie thoroughly to seep each family. The American Asia television establishment, the American Asia movie frequency channel opens broadcasts, is precisely the group displays own superiority, grasps the entertainment economy major tendency and the global integration foresightedness captures.

Finally, I wish in advance: The American Asia television service progresses day by day, the American Asia movie entertainment frequency channel will become the global Chinese people first choice in the very quick future the movie frequency channel. Thanks each!

23/7/01

Quite a lot in the news section today hopefully something of interest to all. Its quite hard to find strictly satellite related stuff. I don't like to publish to much pay tv related stuff as there are other sites specializing in that.

From my Emails & ICQ

From Chris Pickstock via the mailing list last night

Network Nine feed of Swimming from Japan is currently on at

B1, 12326 H, Sr 6980, Vpid 1160, Apid 1120. (Usually an ABC feed freq)

Chris

Craigs comment, Has anyone found the source feed yet? possibly Pas 8?

From Thomas 'b@cco007' Baxter

New auspaytv Website

http://www.auspaytv-information.cjb.net/

From the Dish

Optus B1 160E 12386 H "7 Network" has left.
Optus B1 160E 12397 H "Occasional feeds" Sr 7200, Fec 3/4.

Yamal 102 90E 3601 "Loblastnoje TV" has started regular transmissions, Sr 4285, Fec 3/4, Vpid 308 Apid 256.
Yamal 102 90E 3548 L "Radio Mayak" has started on, SID 4, Apid 1122.

Yamal 102 90E 3588 L "Nord TV" has left

Insat 2E 83E 4005 V "ETV Urdu" is only testing
Insat 2E 83E 3809 V "DD 5 - Podhigai" has left.
Insat 2E 83E 3979 V "DD 8 - Andhra Pradesh" has left
Insat 2E 83E 4070 V "DD 7 - West Bengal" has left

Apstar 2R 76.5E 3976 ? "mystery could be SZTV?" Sr 5000 Fec 3/4, somebody check this one

NEWS

Austar sells 3G to Unwired

From http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2411535%255E462,00.html

REGIONAL pay television group Austar United Communications today said it has agreed to sell 3.4 gigahertz band spectrum to Unwired Australia for $14.07 million.

The spectrum was owned by Austar's licence-holding subsidiary in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and was acquired by Austar in an auction conducted by the Australian Communications Authority in October 2000.

In the same auction Unwired acquired nationwide spectrum in the 3.4 gigahertz band. Austar said it has not yet made any use of the spectrum, for which it paid $14.07 million.

"Our decision to sell this spectrum is part of Austar's ongoing assessment of its strategy," said Austar chief executive John Porter.

"Austar remains convinced that wireless broadband will prove to be a valuable technology. However, in the short to medium term we have decided to focus our efforts and our capital on our core pay TV and data businesses in regional Australia," he said in a statement.

Mr Porter said Austar has all the spectrum it needs to be a major player in the wireless broadband market, having acquired nationwide spectrum in the 2.3-2.4 gigahertz bands.

Austar shares have been under pressure and generally trailing downwards since a peak of $9.90 in March 2000. They traded at a low of 45.5 cents a share in April.

AAP

Free to air but not free to view

From http://finance.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2406748%255E462,00.html

AUSTRALIA'S free-to-air TV industry is attempting a feat which has yet to be achieved anywhere else in the world.

It is developing an interactive digital TV system to provide it with the infrastructure it needs to battle the pay TV industry for the hearts and minds of viewers.

Elsewhere in the world, interactivity is delivered traditionally through pay TV, as those companies have the subscriber bases needed to be able to afford the subsidised set-top boxes delivered to consumer's homes.

In the UK, a company called ITV Digital, owned by Granada Media and Carlton Communications, has rolled out a terrestrial interactive TV system but has had limited success, despite subsidising the set-top boxes.

A terrestrial interactive TV system has yet to be delivered in a horizontal TV market (without the TV companies paying for the set-top box) but that is what the Australian free-to-air industry is attempting.

And so far, the result has been abysmal, with only about 2000 digital set-top boxes sold.

The networks therefore need to give people a reason to buy the boxes, and the most enticing reason will be interactive services. But to do that and also to ensure they can grab a share of future interactive TV advertising revenues away from the pay TV industry they must jointly agree on the structure of a box and the systems that run those boxes.

Some within the pay industry believe such an intense level of co-operation among the free-to-airs is virtually impossible.

Even the networks would admit they have probably never before worked so closely together.

But there is now a greater urgency as Foxtel's major shareholder, Telstra, seems to be preparing to offer interactive services after admitting that is the key to driving Foxtel's next growth phase.

And the Optus interactive TV trial is apparently continuing in North Sydney.

The free-to-air industry's peak body, the Federation of Australian Commercial TV Stations (FACTS), has formed a digital TV (DTV) strategy group and appointed a project manager, Chris Williamson, to lead the task.

The group comprises all the commercial, national and regional broadcasters, and oversees a raft of committees working on a range of policy-related and technical issues.

FACTS chief executive Julie Flynn also says that if the local pay TV industry went digital tomorrow, it would still reach into only about 20 per cent of homes.

"What we're trying to do is go digital for everybody," she says.

The pay TV industry would argue that digital services would dramatically lift its penetration, but Flynn says there will always be someone who won't pay for TV.

The free-to-airs are hoping to use a digital TV standard known as Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) to drive the interactive components of the box, aspects of which are still to be finalised.

The official adoption of that standard is not expected until it is trialled at one of the world's largest consumer electronics shows in Berlin in August. But from the TV networks' point of view, MHP is the best thing going as it's an open standard.

"There's a degree of content from the internet world that's easier to deploy (on interactive TV) because they share a common base with MHP, and they are the HTML, Java-based and XML applications," Williamson says. "So it'll be much easier as you don't have to take the raw content and repurpose it."

Williamson also says the main issues facing the TV networks are not technical, but organisational.

"You have to go through these same processes whether you do this in a vertical market or a horizontal market," he says.

Flynn says that once the framework has been decided, the individual broadcasters will be able to develop their own applications with which to entice viewers.

She also says the DTV group is receiving support from the set-top box manufacturers who fear pay TV penetration worldwide may be about to plateau, while digital terrestrial presents them with a new market.

Williamson says Finland will conduct a "soft launch" of what is expected to be the first terrestrial interactive TV system later this month, while the Australian project is expected to take up to a year.

Is Saturn Groovin’ to Movie Magic?

From http://www.spectrum.net.nz/index.html

TelstraSaturn has been running a staff competition to find a suitable name its new movie channel and it looks like it might be a toss up between ‘Groovy Movies’ and ‘Movie Magic’.

Staff at TelstraSaturn did not respond to inquiries on the issue. It is not known when the new movie channel will go to air, but it Spectrum.net understands the movie channel will carry movies from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Saturn TV's New 24/7 Saturn Sport Spectacle

From: TelstraSaturn Ltd
Press Release

Saturn TV customers can now view top sporting action featuring premium international and national events around the clock on TelstraSaturn's Saturn TV cable service.

"Saturn Sports brings a whole new perspective to sports viewing with exciting and extensive coverage of the world's premier sporting events. Content will focus on five major sports - golf, tennis, motorsport, rugby and soccer. In addition to these sports, we will also screen extreme sports, national college sport competitions and a variety of other local sports. This unique mix offers Saturn TV customers a quality selection of sports programmes," said TelstraSaturn's Sports Liaison Manager, Ken Laban.

"With exclusive rights to the All Blacks tests in November, Six Nations and the Heineken Cup Rugby in 2001/2002, Saturn TV is providing a key line-up of sports action. And of course, we are always on the look out to acquire more sports content," said Mr Laban.

"New Zealanders are passionate about sport and it's ingrained in our lives. Creating this sports channel provides our customers with more choice, more entertainment and 24 hours of premium sports viewing," said Mr Laban.

"Saturn Sport is a great addition to our television service and provides a unique mix of local, national and international sports coverage appealing to both armchair and active sport enthusiasts," said Mr Laban.

A snap shot of the Saturn TV Sport offering is below.

About TelstraSaturn Limited

As New Zealand's leading convergent company, TelstraSaturn Ltd offers voice, data, mobile, Internet and cable television services to a mix of business and residential customers in the New Zealand market. The company is currently planning and/or building residential and business networks in Christchurch and Auckland to complement its Wellington network. TelstraSaturn is a company merging the New Zealand operations of Telstra Corporation and Austar United Communications, each of whom have 50 percent share holding.

A snap shot of the Saturn TV Sport offering includes:

Live Wimbledon
The British Open
European Tour
Ryder Cup
Amsterdam Tournament
Exclusive All Black Tests against Argentina, Scotland and Ireland, Six Nations and Heineken Cup Rugby for 2001/2002
Life Charity Shield (Soccer)
Live MotoGP
Nascar
British Touring Cars
Coca Cola Cup Netball (18 games)
Women's NBA
ASP Surfing World Cup
Mountain Bike World Championships 2001
FINA Diving
International Softball
Mens and Womens NPC Softball
Wellington Tennis Open
Allfields International Tennis Open
New Zealand Dragon Boating Championships
Secondary School Rugby (18 games)
New Zealand Motor Racing
National League Soccer
Metro Cup Hockey
Under 21 Rugby (Provincial)
International Karate
National Basketball League (12 games)
Bartercard Cup Rugby League
National and International Yachting

Several TV channels may not be free anymore with satellite switch

From http://www.agencyfaqs.com/www1/news/stories/2001/07/13/2922.html

Several television channels beaming programmes over the Indian sub-continent may no longer be free as they are switching over to the PAS-10 satellite.

Channels like B4U, Cartoon Network, CNN India, HBO, MTV India, Sony Entertainment Network (SET), BBC World, Doordarshan and Maharishi currently ride on PAS-4, which is being phased out.

The switch necessitates that the channels encrypt signals over India in order to protect their 'pay' markets overseas. The transition is already on and will be over by August 4.

The new satellite, PAS-10, has a wider footprint than the PAS-4 satellite. This will make several channels overlap over Australia, South East Asia and Africa, in addition to the Indian sub-continent. Though this does not affect digitally encrypted pay channels like the Turner bouquet, it would create problems for free-to-air channels like Sony and MTV India.

These channels will therefore have to be encrypted to block spillover of the signal into overseas pay markets.

Some channels are already taking remedial measures. For instance, SET, which is free-to-air in analog mode at the moment, plans to digitally encrypt its feed next month.

BBC World is also encrypting shortly. Confirming that the new frequency on PAS-10 would be functional from July 13, 2001, BBC World's head of marketing communications, Jane Gorard said, "There is a digitalisation programme that will be implemented by year end."

BBC World is available as a pay channel in the African continent on the bouquet of multi-service operator (MSO), multichoice as well as in the Far East on the likes of Singapore Cable Vision.

Similarly, B4U, both Music and Entertainment channels, are pay channels in Africa and Australia. This transition has hastened the process of B4U encrypting by September and pay by December in India, according to its chief distribution officer, Debashish Dey.

MTV is another channel which is analog and free-to-air in India and is likely to be impacted since it is widely available as a pay channel in the satellite footprint area, of course, as a different feed.

Zee Tele seeks WIPO help to protect "Zee" brand

From http://www.economictimes.com/today/23tech02.htm

ZEE Telefilms has secured a restrain order against use of the domain name "ZeeTV" similar to its own "ZeeTV.Com" after it found that former had been hacked and bombarded with anti-India messages.

With no options left, the entertainment major approached the World Intellectual Property Rights Organisation to protect its popular mark "Zee" complaining that the domain name "ZeeTV" registered by an Indian was causing embarrassment to the company with public believing that official Web site of Zee Telefilms had been cracked.

Coming to the relief of Zee Telefilms, Wipo, an apex body of arbitration and mediation for the protection of IPR, said "hackers have posted anti-India messages on the Web site of the said domain name and such activity may affect the business interests of Zee Telefilms."

Restraining Rahul Dholakia from using the domain name "ZeeTV" and any other domain names with the brand name "Zee", WIPO transferred the said domain name to Zee Telefilms which was confusingly similar to "ZeeTV.Com" registered by it.

Wipo's decision that any domain names with the mark "Zee" constitutes the exclusive right of Zee Telefilms and its subsidiary, was communicated to advocate Pratibha M Singh who represented the entertainment major at the apex body.

Hariram Jayaram, serving as a sole panelist in the dispute, held that Dholakia had got registered domain name "ZeeTV" identical to that of Zee Telfilms' "ZeeTV.Com" with US agency Network Solutions in 1998.

The panel has compared the said domain name with the marks "Zee" and "Zee TV" upon which singh had relied and finds that the "ZeeTV" is confusingly similar to "Zee" and identical to "ZeeTV," the finding said.

"For all the various reasons discussed, the panel finds that the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith," Jayaram said.

Wipo said it finds force in contentions of Zee Telefilms that respondent (Dholakia) "is not, either as an individual, businesses or other organisation, commonly known by the name Zee TV."

"Hyperlinking the said domain name with a non-related home page of another, cannot in any sense constitute a legitimate non-commercial or fair use of the said domain name," the order said.

"The Web sites serves merely to link to another site and disruptive use has been made of it by hackers much to the embarrassment of the complainants (Zee Telefilms)," it said.

Stating that Zee Telefilms have several subsidiaries, associates and group companies with the word "Zee," the panel said "on account of long and substantial use in the fields of education, entertainment and publishing, this word 'Zee' has acquired the status of a common law trade mark."

Singh had contended that Dholakia, being of Indian origin was aware of the fame, reputation and goodwill associated with Zee TV and the users would be led to believe that the said domain name was the official Web site of the Zee group of companies. (PTI)

T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 29/2001 - July 22 2001 -

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

Editor: Branislav Pekic

Edited Apsattv.com Edition

CANADA

CANWEST GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR OVERSEAS DIGITAL CARRIAGE

Canada’s broadcast regulator approved a request on July 16 by Canadian
broadcaster CanWest Global Communications Corp. to secure digital carriage in
this country for TV networks it operates in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland,
despite concerns raised by rival national network CTV Inc. over rights to U.S.
programming. CanWest Global’s Network Ten in Australia, TV3 in the Republic of
Ireland and TV3 and TV4 television networks in New Zealand were among 19 of 29
non-Canadian TV channels approved for eligible digital carriage in Canada. The
non-Canadian stations cannot be carried here until September, when as many as
50 new Canadian digital channels are set to launch.

WWF HITS OUT AGAINST PIRATES

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Canada, Inc. on July 17 filed a claim
for a permanent injunction and damages in the Federal Court of Canada against
more than 30 sports bars and commercial establishments across Canada who are
infringing upon WWFE’s intellectual property through their illegal and
unauthorised distribution of its monthly live pay-per-view telecasts. The claim
seeks to immediately prohibit the defendants from distributing any further
World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view programs and seeks more than $1.7
million (Canadian) in damages. This lawsuit is part of the company’s global
effort to prevent piracy and bootlegging of its intellectual properties. World
Wrestling Federation Entertainment produces and broadcasts monthly pay-per-view
speciality live events throughout the world. World Wrestling Federation makes
these speciality events available to sports bars and for private in-home
viewing upon payment of a subscription fee.

CRTC SAYS NO TO PORN CHANNELS

Canada’s federal broadcast regulator has rejected a trio of U.S. porn channels
that would have been available digitally through local cable providers. Two
industry associations and a handful of cable companies, including Rogers
Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., had sponsored the
adult-themed channels to entice customers to sign up for their digital
services. Currently, only about 7 per cent of the country’s 7.4 million cable
subscribers have purchased digital boxes to access the service. But in a ruling
issued July 13, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
vetoed the proposed channels, saying it would have no jurisdiction over such
hard-core offerings as Spice Platinum Live, a reality-based sex station, and
Spice Platinum 2, which specialises in ethnically diverse adult movies. Cable
companies, which must carry at least 16 new Canadian digital channels slated to
debut in September, backed about 30 foreign stations in March for inclusion on
a list of satellite services eligible for digital carriage. The CRTC rejected
10 of these, including Family Net, National Iranian Television (NITV), and
Sundance Channel, a station devoted to films and documentaries, because they
competed with scheduled or proposed Canadian digital channels. In addition to
the 16 stations launching this fall, another 250 category two digital
licenceswhich are not guaranteed distribution by cable companies have been
granted by the regulator. Among the 20 stations approved by the CRTC were
Eternal World Television Network, a Catholic channel; RTV Palma, a general
interest station broadcast in Yugoslavia; and The Scandinavian Channel,
featuring news and current affairs programming from Denmark, Finland, Norway
and Sweden.

UNITED STATES

PGA TOUR ANNOUNCES NEW TV DEALS

The PGA Tour agreed to new TV packages that increase its take by hundreds of
millions of dollars. The contracts with ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, USA and The Golf
Channel, announced July 16, run from 2003-06. There aren’t major changes in the
golf schedules for ABC, CBS and NBC, although each network does lose and gain
tournaments. The Players Championship will remain part of the Florida Swing and
will be played in late March from 2003-2006. NBC keeps The Players
Championship, while ESPN gets back early round coverage after a four-year
hiatus. Under the new set-up, ABC will average 18 events each year, CBS 17 and
NBC five. On cable, the biggest mover was USA, which more than doubled its golf
coverage by jumping from 15 tournaments this year to 33 per year over the
length of the deal. ESPN drops from 18 to 14 events but adds quality by gaining
The Players Championship and Memorial. The Golf Channel, which is airing a
dozen tournaments in 2001, won’t have any PGA Tour events but does get
exclusive rights to the Buy.com Tour.

MURDOCH COULD LAUNCH FINANCIAL NEWS CHANNEL

Rupert Murdoch is reported to want his own financial news network to be run by
his Fox News Channel, competing with CNBC, CNNfn, and Bloomberg Television.
Reports say that talks are still in an early stage, with plans largely
dependent on Murdoch's ability to complete his deal to acquire satellite
television service DirecTV from General Motors as the network would primarily
be distributed to DirecTV's 10 million potential audience. Distribution could
then be sought on US cable systems.

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER COULD BE DELAYED

The U.S. analogue switch-off target of 2006 is looking less likely after the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) postponed the auction of licenses in
the 747-762 MHz to 777-792 MHz bands. No date has been set for their
re-auction.

AUSTRALIA

AUSTAR UNLIKELY TO REACH SUBSCRIBER GOAL

According to press reports, Australian pay-TV platform Austar will struggle to
reach its target of 40,000 new subscribers by year-end. Sources close to the
company are quoted as saying subscriber growth has been slow in this quarter.
Austar added 5,500 new subscribers in the first quarter of 2001 and unofficial
figures estimate a further 5,000 were added in April. Austar has about 427,000
subscribers in total.

SEVEN NETWORK STARTS PROCEEDINGS AGAINST RIVALS

Australian terrestrial broadcaster Seven Network has initiated proceedings to
force a group of competitors, including News Corp.-backed pay-TV operator
Foxtel, to reveal information on their negotiations for premium TV sports
rights. Seven claims the Trade Practice Act may have been breached when TV
rights for the National Rugby League and Australian Football League, held by
Seven’s non-terrestrial channel C7 until September 2001, were awarded to its
rivals. It says a group of broadcasters are trying monopolise sports
broadcasting and kill off C7. Nine and Ten Networks have the rights to the
football until 2006, and Foxtel has the rugby rights.

CHINA - HONG KONG

YES TV CHANGES OWNERSHIP

The Broadcasting Authority has approved a change in ownership structure of
pay-TV operator Yes Television. The Authority has agreed that the company will
become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new joint venture owned 75 per cent by
CLP Telecommunications and 25 per cent by Yes Television Asia. The formal
approval of the ownership change comes as Yes Television’s interactive TV
service prepares for launch later this year under CLP TeleCom’s Oxygen brand.
Oxygen’s interactive TV service is offered with Yes Television’s ‘Total
Television’ approach, providing subscribers with a blend of broadcast
television and true VOD. Internet based content and email from the television
set will be offered as part of a fully convergent communications and
entertainment service for Hong Kong households. Oxygen’s interactive TV service
will cater for both Chinese and English audiences through a specially developed
dual-language interface with localised content and services.

TVB TO GIVE AWAY FREE DISHES

Hong Kong terrestrial leader Television Broadcasts Ltd is expected to spend
part of the $50 million allocated to buying set top boxes and other subscriber
equipment on giving away 1,000 satellite receivers in mainland China. Johnny
Yau, General Manager of TVB Satellite Broadcasting, was quoted in a
Chinese-language newspaper in Hong Kong this week saying the dish give away was
designed to boost the audience share of its TVB8 channel by a third to 1.3
million, with a commensurate increase in advertising revenue. TVB is very
popular in southern China where more than 100 million people speak Cantonese as
their mother tongue - which is also Hong Kong's main language. Despite the
popularity of the service, the Hong Kong originated signals are deemed to be
'accidental overspill' and TVB will have to tread carefully in terms of who it
gives away the satellite receivers to. It is illegal to receive foreign TV
channels in China, even though Hong Kong has been part of China since 1997
because broadcasters in the Special Administrative Region, as the former
British colony is known, are classified as 'overseas.'

INDIA

SAB PLANS TO EXPAND INTO UK AND US

SAB TV, the Indian terrestrial TV network that recently lodged the highest bid
for national broadcaster Doordarshan’s Metro channel, says it will forge an
alliance with an international media company to allow SAB to air in the UK and
U.S. No details of the new partner were given, but SAB TV says it will be
announced within a month.

CNBC INDIA TO BREAK-EVEN IN 2002

Indian business news channel CNBC India will breakeven in the first quarter of
2002 according to Raghav Bahl, CEO of Television Eighteen, which has a 49 per
cent stake in the channel. Bahl told press that, while other Indian operators
have news services, there is not another dedicated business news channel
broadcast in English. Meanwhile, local reports say Sony Entertainment
Television has dropped its interest in acquiring a stake in the channel, which
is 51 per cent owned by CNBC.

JAPAN

DTT TO LAUNCH IN THREE CITIES

DTT broadcasting will launch in the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka
the government has announced. The country’s authorities have unveiled a plan to
promote digital broadcasting that requires broadcasters to prepare the
necessary infrastructure for national DTT broadcasts starting in 2006. Full
analogue switch off is scheduled for July 24 2011.

NEW ZEALAND

CANWEST CONSIDERS MAORI CHANNEL

Canadian media company CanWest Global Communications is considering a
Maori-language TV channel on TV4. CanWest is in talks with the New Zealand
government, which is keen to promote the Maori channel. Commercial terrestrial
TV4 reaches 1 million of the country’s 1.2 million TV households.

22/7/01

Well the Rugby was a very dull battle, no trys scored very good defense by both sides but it turned into a dull old kick up the field kick it back down sort of match since the conditions were so wet, lots of errors by both sides as well. Oh well at least it was FTA on the dish. Cricket tonight India vs Sri Lanka ODI, probably on Dordashan (Insat2E) from 6.30 Syd time onwards.

From my Emails & ICQ

Seen by Me 1 a.m Syd 22/7/01

B1 160E 12367 V "All Blacks vs South Africa rugby" Newsforce feed, Sr 5630, Fec 3/4, Vpid 308 Apid 256

Seen earlier

B1 160E 12357 V "NRL, Penrith vs Roosters" Newsforce feed, Sr 5630, Fec 3/4, Vpid 308 Apid 256

From the Dish

Pas 8 166E 12726 H "ESPN" has left Boomerang TV Service, (R.I.P Boomerang)

Apstar 1A 134E 3907 H "Yunnan People's Radio" has started on , Apid 34.
Apstar 1A 134E 3907 H "Yunnan TV" FEC and SID is 1/2 and 1.

Insat 2E 83E 4005 V "ETV Urdu" has started on , SID 5, Vpid 1560 Apid 1520.(Wide beam)

Insat 2E 83E 3525 V "Vijay TV and Asianet Global" have left (Zone beam).
Insat 2E 83E 3525 V "Jaya TV" has started testing on Vpid 273 Apid 274. (Zone beam)

LMI 1 3980 V "Radio Malagasy" has started in Analogue.

NEWS

No news for today

21/7/01

Cricket last night NZ vs India (A odi tournament over in Sri Lanka involving NZ, and India and Sri Lanka) was seen on Insat 2E Dordashan channels, should be another game on Sunday night 6.30 pm Syd time. Tri-Nations Rugby, NZ vs South Africa live on Star Sports 1 a.m Syd time I think. Possibly via Newsforce feed on B1 12367 V as well. I will put out a mailing list message if it shows.

The Latest on Boomerang TV several reports that ESPN has been switched off. A post in the Newsgroups claims the following "I have just heard that Boomerang TV will be switched off PERMANENTLY on August 31st"

The latest DVB 2000 info, Some very nice work being done with the teletext modes check the DVB site for the pictures.

Not much international news today mostly Indian stuff they seem to publish a lot more info about their channels.

Page trim tommorow

From my Emails & ICQ

From Bill Richards

Optus B1 12397 H Sr 7200 Fec 3/4 Tennis Feed "ASTRALINKS-SEVEN"

David Nolan Reports 21/7/01 3.20 pm Syd

Optus B1 12428 H "Club Rugby" Analogue

Reported by Me on the Mailing list 20/7/01 8.30pm Syd

B3, 12363 V "ABC Feed, netball, Ravens vs Sand" Vpid 4160 Apid 4120 Sr 6108
Seems to be on High power....

From the Dish

Apstar 1A 134E 3907 H "Yunnan Satellite TV" has started , Sr 6980, Vpid 32 Apid 33.

Asiasat 3 105.5E 3980 V "Two test cards have started" on , Vpid 512 Apid 640 and Vpid 513 Apid 644.

NEWS

TV3 and TV4 produce a $9m loss for CanWest

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=201347&thesection=business&thesubsection=media

TV3 and TV4 notched up an operating loss of more than $9 million in the 9 months to May - a result the channels' owners blame on soft advertising and the weak kiwi dollar.

The poor performance of its New Zealand television operations was a black spot on a positive third-quarter result for Canada-based CanWest Global Communications.

The company, Can