31/05/03
Something Imparja could do to improve the Commercial miss-use of their signal situation?
Not being able to see Imparja over here in NZ, I don't know if they are already doing this or not. But before live games they should put up something like.
"This broadcast is for Viewers inside the coverage area of Imparja TV. It is not available to commercial establishments such as bars and clubs or other viewers outside our coverage area" (screen cuts to coverage area map) map shows for 30 seconds, then cuts to another message. "Please call 12345678 or email X@imparja.com.au to report possible breaches of our broadcast
copyright"
Comments?
There may not be a site update on Monday as its a holiday here.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Bill Richards ( South Aus)
2.4M mesh dish
Measat 1 91.5E I am getting p2/p3 reception of Rtm tv1 on 3880h weak but there
Phoniex333 Receiver
Zinwell D21A LNBF
From Tacnal
RE: Imparja Email
Thanks Tim & Craig for this information. I live in Melbourne and work in an industry that takes me to Hotels & Clubs. As I have an interest in satellite TV and take note of what hotel & clubs have what satellite dishes on their roofs. I often ask what they receive with their C band dishes and you they have them.
One Hotel manager was telling me that each Friday afternoon they receive an email form some guy that installed there satellite
equipment any new details PIDS / Frequency ect. He some time emails details that have been changed over the weekend. My understanding this person also supplies a weekly TV guide from the different services.
I was shown a TV guide and the instructions on how to change the details on their set top box. I asked the hotel manager how they get away with showing Imparja and Seven Central in the public bar without getting into trouble and he informed me that there is some type of legal loophole they can get throw. He said that they could have the video from Imparja or Seven Central showing of the big screen with out sound and use the audio sound from one of the local radio station.
It did not seem right to me that a large hotel could do this legally. This hotel and many others that I visit are from the same hotel
group. This entire hotel in the group all appears to have the AFL live on their big screens and no it is not Fox Sport showing.
What I'm trying to say is that the people that install this nequipment into hotels & clubs appear to be very well organized and must have some type of legal right (if not right) to continue to show unencrypted video from satellite services on their hotel big screens.
I do personal find it funny to hear stories about we just started to watch the match and the bastards stopped transmitting the football.
I don't mind if Imparja or others keep changing PIDs its only a search on the Nokia and I'm up and going again. I do feel for the guys that don't have this luxury.
The point of having a mailing list for new details is pointless as well. I can see the merit in a secret PID mails list but again
I'm sure that the people that install and supply satellite gear to hotels & clubs are some of the silent users in this forum and how would you know who is who and who is passing in the information to others. These guys would more than likely have the equipment to find the new details.
Only my say if anyone can make sense of it :)
From the Dish
PAS 8 166E 3860 H "PTS and CTI TV" are now encrypted.
PAS 8 166E 3880 V New SID and APID for WRR 101.9 For Life on : 38 and 1822.
PAS 8 166E 4122 V It's Iglesia ni Cristo TV here Fta, PIDs 258/259.
NEWS
Austar packs up its troubles
From http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/30/1054177725328.html
Austar United Communications, which has racked up more than $800 million in losses in the past two years, said its outlook was the best it had ever been, both operationally and financially, and the company was preparing to grow again.
"Service levels are very high and our subscriber growth is very positive month-to-month," said the regional pay-TV provider's chief executive, John Porter, at yesterday's annual general meeting.
The declaration marks a major turnaround for the firm, which still has a $200 million-plus deficiency in equity after recent losses, but earlier this month reported a profit after abnormal items of $17 million for its first quarter of 2003.
With a new major shareholder, renegotiated covenants on its $400 million debt facility and massive cost-cutting, Mr Porter said the financial position was very healthy.
"On a free cash flow basis we have got plenty of cash and many of the overhangs that were on our business . . . are now gone," he said.
Targets for this year included lowering subscriber churn, returning to subscriber growth after dropping customers last year, and substantially improving operating cash performance.
"The company is very focused on taking advantage in key growth areas, such as the launch of the new C1 satellite next month and the digital launch in 2004," Mr Porter said.
The C1 is expected give Austar access to 200,000 new households in remote Australia, from far north Queensland to Tasmania, from September.
Mr Porter said every 1c gain by the dollar added $1 million to Austar's bottom line.
Shareholders voted for Bill Ferris to take over as chairman from Michael Fries. Mr Ferris heads private equity buyout specialist Castle Harlan Australian Mezzanine Partners (CHAMP), which shares 80.3 per cent of Austar with media group UnitedGlobalCom. CHAMP is offering to mop up Austar's remaining shares at 16c each, but the bid has been rejected.
PanAmSat Expanding Use of Fiber With Satellite Networks
From Satellite Today
PanAmSat [Nasdaq: SPOT] CFO Joseph Wright said Thursday that the company plans to expand the use of fiber in its satellite-based global network.
Wright said the fixed satellite services (FSS) company is "coupling our satellites with fiber, state-of-the-art routing equipment and ground stations. This will result in increased capacity and reliability to both our private sector and government customers. We've already initiated this with Level 3 Communications [Nasdaq: LVLT] and will expand this approach going forward, as we believe that customers will require the redundancy and reliability of a hybrid network and are looking for solutions that use the combined strengths of both satellite multi-point distribution and fiber point-to-point transmission."
INSAT 3E launch likely in August
From http://sify.com/news/scienceandmedicine/fullstory.php?id=13160173
Bangalore: Indian Communication Satellite INSAT 3E is likely to be launched from Kourou in French Guyana in August.
According to the provisional flight mission programme of Arianespace, the satellite would be launched with two other passengers -- E-Bird and Smart -- by a generic Ariane five during the 162nd mission of Arianespace.
The satellite, consisting of 24 C Band Transponders and 12 Extended C Band transponders, had been configured and was awaiting green signal from the Arianespace for the exact launch date.
The launch date is likely to be finalised after the 161st flight of Arianespace, scheduled for June 11, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sources said.
This would be the second INSAT satellite to be launched by Arianespace this year after the launch of INSAT 3A on April 10.
After the launch of INSAT 3E, only one in the third generation series -- INSAT 3D -- remained to be launched.
The Satellite carrying advanced meteorological payloads of six channel imagers and 19 channel sounders was under development and likely to be launched by a future flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Spaceport at Sriharikota.
India reduces duty on STBs to boost CA
From http://www.advanced-television.com/
The Indian Government has announced a drastic cut in import duty on set-top boxes, reducing it from 45 to five per cent, in order to grow wider acceptance among the consumes for the launch of conditional access system (CAS) on July 14. The basic customs duty on STB is being reduced from 25 to five per cent plus there will be also exemption from countervailing duty of 15 per, reducing the cost of one digital STB from US$85 to $55. The analogue STB will be available for US$42. However, these concessions will be available up to July 31 only. The decision to reduce import duty on STBs was made after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee directed the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to make CAS consumer friendly
The decision is significant as the CAS controversy has assumed political overtones with opposition from other political parties.
As a result of the price cuts leading cable MSOs say they will have to make changes in their plans. The company will have rework its marketing strategies, said the spokesperson of India’s leading MSO IndusInd Media & Communications, which is sourcing its STB from Germanys Technotrend and Wistron of Taiwan (see separate story).
According to the Consumer Electronics and TV Manufacturers Association, The government has created a situation where low-quality boxes from China will be dumped. Users will face problems as importers will not bother about after-sales service.
30/05/03
There seems to be theme in todays site update, Copyright and Piracy issues.
No sign of Digital Pakistan TV on Asiasat 3 yet.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Tim Mason (Chief Engineer of Imparja)
Dear All,
Firstly can I say how happy I am to be referred to as that "nice" Mr Mason.
It makes a change from some of the other epithets. (And contrary to opinion I don't have horns and a "pointy tail")
From the emails and web page comments there is clearly a large awareness amongst the satellite enthusiast community of what we are doing to what you call our "FTA service on B1"
And this is I suspect one of the problems. Like most of the other so called FTA services on B1 Imparja's signal is nothing of the sort. It is in fact a private point to point link which in our case delivers Imparja's "raw" content to the main Aurora uplink site. It is NOT designed or intended for direct reception. Imparja's broadcast service is on Optus B3, and is scrambled to prevent un-authorised reception. This is why for example (as commented by one of your correspondents) we don't include any
DVB tables, just the basic content. All of the navigation tables for all of the services etc are collated and inserted at the (B3) at the uplink point. All we deliver is the raw content. Now as you know satellite operators charge for capacity and since any tables we send are simply stripped out before uplinking there's little point in our buying capacity to carry them.
In addition when we buy rights to programme content we only buy them for delivery within our licence area. Because we are a remote area service we are often able to broadcast "live" events which are delayed in the capitals and/or which are only on Pay TV in these locations.
Now you may not all be aware but Australian Broadcasting Authority regulations prevent Imparja from delivering its broadcast signal to locations outside its licence area. There are steps we can take with reference to our broadcast service, including but not limited to injunctions and court actions for damages, as well as more technical measures. The B1 signal however is not (as outlined above) our broadcast service. (This however opens up options for us taking action under the Radcomms act for interception of a private telecommunications link)
Early to mid last year we were informed by the rights holders to some of our sports events that a number of hotels, pubs and clubs in capital city and regional locations were displaying and making commercial use of our programmes (particularly sports).
It turned out that certain unscrupulous suppliers had installed so called FTA receivers to enable reception of various C band feeds plus the so called FTA services on B1. The technical details to enable this were freely available and published on various web pages, and via mail groups such as yours.
The first thing we did was to contact the web pages and ask them to remove all references to the Imparja B1 service as FTA and remove any technical information (PIDS frequencies etc) and to publish some information about the B1 service and in particular that :-
"The organisations providing the equipment and those responsible for the technical information on how to intercept our signal have no rights to make any representations about the reception or use of Imparja's signals for any purpose whatsoever."
We are of course particularly concerned about those who are displaying Imparja broadcasts of sports events and the like which are otherwise not available on the "local" free to air TV channels by intercepting this backhaul signal.
We said that
"Imparja has, and will continue to adopt measures against unauthorised reception of its private communications signal, for specific programme content (particularly sports)."
We advised that
"Any organisation outside our licence area who has purchased, for the commercial use of Imparja broadcasts is strongly advised to return it to the suppliers and seek a full refund of any money paid"
So you see the PID changes are not aimed at individual enthusiasts who are watching our programmes, rather at commercial exploitation of signals intercepted from a private point to point communications link. Frankly if any individual particularly wants to watch Imparja there's a number of smartcard based options that they can take. Similarly if Pubs and Clubs install a B3 receiver with a hacked or out of area smartcard we can work with the rights holders/incumbent broadcaster and CA operator to deal with this under copyright and broadcast law.
To be honest I had hoped that the PID changes would be a low cost solution that the enthusiasts could quietly deal with, while for the "commercial exploiters" , finding the new PID and going into the menus and changing PID numbers would be just too hard. I still have (but decreased) hopes that this might be the case.
The alternative is of course full scrambling which will black out all (enthusiasts and commercial) viewers.
I guess one of the questions this raises is why not just scramble anyway. Well there's a few difficulties Without going into details, integrating a scrambler into our uplink is a non trivial task due to the somewhat proprietary nature of the interfacing used There's also a difficulty with where and how the descrambler is located, Once the signal has left us (on it's way to B1) it's part of the Aurora system and is incorporated into the B3 service by Optus . They and we have to be absolutely sure anything
we do won't affect other services in the mux; Scramblers generally don't like none standard DVB signals, (remember we have no tables in our feed) and also add extra content of their own (that we have to pay for to have carried). Then there's the hardware costs.
Finally I'd like to pass on a bit of information about Imparja. You may find it useful (or it might confirm your worst suspicions I don't know)..As well as being a commercial broadcaster Imparja also has a constitution to deliver social and cultural (specifically indigenous) benefits. For example we support 8 channels of indigenous radio, broadcast specially commissioned indigenous programming in prime time, recruit and train young (and mainly indigenous) young people to be editors, VTR operators, newsreaders etc, as well as making and broadcasting a half hour programme aimed at remote and indigenous kids every day. Every dollar we have to spend on protecting our rights from commercial exploitation by "pirates" is diverted from these cultural, and indigenous programming and support initiatives. Like I say it may not touch anyone's heart but believe me I get a positive kick out of being associated with an organisation that both operates in a competitive commercial environment and
also has active social and cultural imperatives, and I will do all I can to ensure that both of these are maximised.
I hope that's at least made everyone aware of what we are trying to do and why. The changes are not aimed at individual enthusiasts such as yourselves, but at those commercially exploiting our signal. If we can stop this in a relatively simple way, we can probably settle back into a fairly fixed configuration and keep everyone happy. By continually publishing and promoting what we are doing, you are probably only advancing the day when it will be blacked out for everyone. On the other hand if it all went quiet for a few weeks, maybe we could then settle back to a fairly fixed configuration?????
Can I ask that I don't get a multiplicity of replies to this mail, but maybe if queries and questions are posted on the website I can do another "update" or response in a few days .
Thanks for your time
Kind Regards
Tim Mason
Chief Engineer
Imparja Television Pty. Ltd. ABN. 78009 630120
Address: 14 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs NT 0870
PO Box 52, Alice Springs NT 0871
Phone: 08 8950 1450 Fax: 08 8953 0322
(Craigs comment, Well there you have it Folks send me your comments and please NOTE if you do or do not want them to be published on the site or if you wish to be published under a pen name or as ANON. I will leave my comments perhaps until tomorow after I have read the email a few times.)
From OZviewer
Hi Craig,
I am subscribed to Imparja on B3, and have been with them from the old BMac days. Tim and his crew were extremely helpful to me in the old days when I first got permission from my local broadcasters, to receive Imparja's services. Imparja liased with everyone of them to ensure I was in a null area, and got me permission to view.
Yes, I look at their signal on B1, but don't have to.....like others, I enjoy the aspect of viewing these services, in another room, with no card being used via B1.
All Tim has said ,will ring true, if the PIDS are kept in open display. Bluntly, Imparja would be forced by the ABA to fix it, or possibly be threatened with license loss for not complying with their licence restrictions as well.
I feel that Tim is trying to help us in his own way now, before he has to do something we will all regret.PIDS could be shared within the group via personal email where necessary, without using this apsattv forum or auto email process we use now.
All we are doing is fostering C7, SBS and the like to do the same, and we will be left with nothing. We already have encryption by broadcasters off of B1...ie 10 car racing, BB etc.....why force more upon ourselves.?
So, my 2 cents worth is to leave the PIDS off the group, and share the knowledge privately.
Thanks Tim for trying to explain your side of things...and..thanks for the warning.
I'll now put on my flame- proof suit for all those that disagree, to tell me how wrong I am!!
ozviewer
From ANON
Hi Craig
>>>"To be honest I had hoped that the PID changes would be a low cost solution that the enthusiasts could quietly deal with, >>>while for the "commercial exploiters" , finding the new PID and going into the menus and changing PID numbers would be >>>just too hard. I still have (but decreased) hopes that this might be the case."
What a joke - it's the "enthusiasts" doing the installs for the "commercial exploiters".
>>>By continually publishing and
>>>promoting what we are doing, you are probably only advancing the day when
>>>for a few weeks, maybe we could then settle back to a fairly fixed
:>>>configuration?????
Another joke - OK guy's lets be quiet & when all is back to normal won't the "enthusiasts" & the "commercial exploiters", still be watching the service. Maybe they should do a PID mail-out (slow mail I'm talking). Frankly, I think Tim Mason is in between a rock & a rock and has to be seen to be doing something by the rights holders to alleviate their concerns about improper use of the signal. Bugger, I can't even watch it cause I'm in NZ. The Aussies always have all the fun!
From the Dish
PAS 8 166E 4122 V "Inc Channel and Net 25" are back,Fta, SR 4773, FEC 3/4,PIDs 258/259 and 513/514.
NSS 6 95E 12595 V The TARBS promo has left .
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 HAn RR Sat promo has started, Fta, SR 13333, FEC 3/4,PIDs 2081/2082.
NEWS
$60,000 and a jail term
From http://www.austarunited.com.au/press.asp?action=show&record=1
A SUNSHINE Coast man has been charged over his part in a scam which is costing the Australian pay television industry $50 million a year.
The Warana man's arrest was the latest to come from police operations both here and interstate as pay television operators get tough on the flourishing black market in pirated "smart cards''.
Maroochydore CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Schmidt said police who raided the 29-year-old man's home last week found four pirated Austar cards used to gain all-access to pay television channels and pay-for-view events.
Foxtel, Austar and Optus have created company-based fraud squads and are employing private detectives for investigations across Australia, including the Sunshine Coast.
Industry-wide procedures to detect illegal smart cards via satellite have also been created.
After the joint operation between Coast police and Austar, the Warana man was charged with fraud, possession of tainted property, and unlawfully distributing a decoding device, an offence under the Federal Copyright Act.
Det Snr Sgt Schmidt said the wide-spread illegal scam had grown by "word of mouth''.
Det Snr Sgt Schmidt warned that anyone caught with an illegal smart card could face criminal charges.
The Warana arrest followed the conviction of Victorian-based antenna installer Roger Rivo, who was fined $20,000 on January 29 for making and distributing pirated Foxtel smart cards.
Debra Richards, executive director of the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), said people could be fined up to $60,000 under the Federal Copyright Act and face up to five years' jail.
Austar corporate affairs manager Emma Foster said the most common theft of services involved "bumping up'' the basic channel allocation with an illegal smart card.
She said the industry had started to "fight back'' against pirates and those subscribers who thought "they were doing nothing really illegal''.
"A lot of people don't know this act has civil and criminal penalties against it and many people just don't think they can be caught for it.'' But Ms Foster stressed that viewers using illegal smart cards would be eligible for "a second chance''.
"We're not trying to get people arrested, we're just trying to get to the source of the piracy,'' Ms Foster said.
An ASTRA anti-piracy hotline is available for concerned subscribers and people wanting to "dob in'' a pirate on 1800 428 888.
(Craigs comment, bigger crackdowns coming soon)
FTV plans new pay channel
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/mnd/y2k3/may/30maygm3.htm
FRENCH television channel Fashion TV said it will develop another channel on a pay basis called FashionX TV for the conditional access system (CAS) regime. Fashion TV said it will have more "exclusive and glamorous content" in this pay channel.
However, it will continue to offer a `light' version of Fashion TV on the non-encrypted basis to all subscribers while the original version will be offer on pay per view basis.
Fashion TV, which was a pay channel, has become free-to-air. The channel unencrypted its signal on AsiaSat 2 satellite. The channel said it has instructed its signal on Pamansat 10 to be stopped. "Currently, the only signal available in India for FTV is on Asiasat 2 and eutelsat hotbird 13 degrees," FTV said. The channel said its agreement with Modi Entertainment Network has been terminated over legal differences.
In the new free-to-air set up, FTV's revenues will be mostly generated by advertisement, event management, merchandising (Fashionbar), and licence fee. The channel said its response from advertisers has been good.
DStv Blocks SABC And E.tv
From http://allafrica.com/stories/200305290478.html
DStv subscribers beyond South Africa's borders are up in arms following a decision to block viewer access to SABC 1, 2, 3 and e.tv, but Multichoice stresses that it had no choice.
"The bottom line is that these channels do not form part of the DStv bouquet," says Multichoice spokesperson, Caroline Creasy. "They do not have broadcasting rights outside of South Africa and, according to MultiChoice Africa's channel carriage agreements, they should only be available to South African subscribers."
In the past, however, the channels have been available to all subscribers who receive their signal from the Pas 7 satellite - this includes subscribers based in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and (to a lesser extent) Malawi.
According to an official statement from MultiChoice, the ability to see these channels in these countries was caused by a "system mismatch between MultiChoice's central business system and its encryption system". The 'overspill' error was uncovered when the company ran an audit check, and a decision has since been taken to overhaul the systems to correct the error.
This will prevent subscribers from outside of South Africa from receiving South African free-to-air channels.
"MultiChoice Africa is obliged to do this in terms of its channel carriage contracts," the statement concludes.
Stealing The Show
From http://www.forbes.com/2003/05/29/cz_dp_0529directv.html
NEW YORK - On April 30, DirecTV scored what should have been a decisive victory in the company's ongoing war with satellite pirates. An Orlando, Fla., judge granted DirecTV a temporary restraining order (and later a permanent injunction) shutting down 63 hacker Web sites with names like dssbadboys.com and piratesatelitte.net that provided files to break DirecTV's encryption and allow viewers to steal satellite service.
But the company blew it. Instead of quickly sending out a signal to disable priated access cards, DirecTV management waited for the company's weekly disabling blast. When the scramble finally happened, hackers had fixer files available for satellite thieves within 15 minutes.
Given dumb moves like that, Rupert Murdoch might want to reconsider his commitment to keeping most DirecTV's execs in place once his $6.6 billion purchase of a controlling stake in the satellite television company from General Motors closes next year. Industry experts say piracy is costing DirecTV $1.2 billion per year--a nice chunk of its $7.2 billion in revenue--and hackers are laughing at the company's attempts to get the problem under control. Murdoch has shown he has the tools and the will to do so, but forcing DirecTV pirates to walk the plank in America won't be as easy as shutting down their counterparts in Europe.
Part of the problem is DirecTV itself. "The fact that they didn't act more quickly is mind-boggling," says Bob L. Scherman, publisher of Satellite Business News. "Even the hackers were stunned that nothing happened."
The Carmel Group, a satellite-consulting firm, says 2.2 million Americans will steal satellite service this year from DirecTV compared with 720,000 from DirecTV rival EchoStar Communications. The DirecTV-pirate population could jump to 3.3 million by 2006. Piracy is so much worse at DirecTV because its system is easier to break into and there are many more DirecTV boxes available on the open market. Until recently, DirecTV did not require customers to sign a contract when they bought systems. That meant pirates could buy cheap boxes and so-called smart cards that were being subsidized by the company, hack into the system and get free service.
DirecTV boxes come with a removable card that contains a program to decode the signal coming from the satellite. The card tells the box whether you can get HBO and NFL Sunday Ticket games or just the basics like CNN and MTV. Hackers sell devices that let ordinary folks reprogram their cards. Periodically, DirecTV will send down a signal that changes the codes on the cards. Hackers just figure out the new code, paste it on a Web site and let their customers download it to their cards. DirecTV cards are not hard to come by: People legally resell their used boxes and cards on eBay for as little as $35.
Murdoch's not saying exactly how he plans to tackle the piracy problem, but his solution will most likely involve NDS, a British company that makes encrypted cards for Murdoch's satellite holdings in Europe, and is 80%-owned by News Corp.
Until recently, NDS also provided all of DirecTV's cards. But since last September, the two companies have been involved in a bitter spate of lawsuits. DirecTV accuses NDS of misappropriating trade secrets and fraud. NDS filed counterclaims accusing DirecTV of conspiracy to infringe NDS' patents and collusion to unfairly compete and breach agreements. At the heart of the matter is DirecTV's desire to bring the management and encryption of its security cards in-house. But NDS alleges DirecTV is conspiring to create a knock-off of its latest smart card; DirecTV does plan to introduce its own card this summer
"NDS operates on 32 pay-television platforms around the world," says Abraham Peled, NDS' chief executive. "At this point only one is experiencing piracy: DirecTV." Hyperbole, to be sure, but the problem is still worse at DirecTV than at the majority of Murdoch's other satellite companies around the world.
Many of the claims and counterclaims have been dismissed but the case is still slowly working its way through the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Most analysts believe Murdoch will force both companies to drop the cases and work together once he takes over DirecTV. That's what happened in Italy last month when Murdoch bought the Telepiù satellite service from Vivendi Universal for $1 billion and merged it with his own Italian pay-television company, Stream. As part of the merger, Vivendi agreed to drop a lawsuit filed by its Canal Plus division accusing NDS of hacking Canal Plus' security codes and distributing them in Italy. NDS will take over smart-card work for the merged company.
Murdoch will likely try the same trick to get DirecTV and NDS working together again but it won't be easy. In addition to all the bad blood generated by the lawsuits, it will likely take Murdoch a year to get the merger approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. That means DirecTV will have 12 months to make cards complicating things for the merged company.
Is card piracy a big enough problem that Murdoch should have scrapped his plans? Probably not. Murdoch knew he was getting a fixer-upper when he bought DirecTV. But piracy is something that Murdoch may have to learn to live with.
"The best you can do is try to contain piracy," says Sean Badding of the Carmel Group. "You can't stop it."
29/05/03
A rather quiet news day today. Has anyone check for Pakistan TV in digital on Asiasat 3 4108 V? sr 6666 fec 3/4
The other Frequency for SBS on B1 is 12456H, 12600, FEC 5/6 but nothing loading as yet. The start date for transmissions is supposed to be June 1st.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Dave Ross
AsiaSat 2
3935V Sr 6110 Fec 3/4 "Tennis Feed" Vpid 308 Apid 256
Starts approx 0830z
From Glenn Gibson
The 2 filipino channels on Pas 8 Inc and Net25 seem to have returned with a lot more power than before.
Same freq etc as before . 4121V 4773 3/4
Glenn
From John Vandeven
SBS on B1!
12437mhz 85% signal 73% Quality
12420mhz 85% signal 79% Quality
1.5m prime focus dish
eMtech eM 300 Receiver
Best Regards
John Vandeven
Albury NSW Australia
From Joe
Optus B1 SBS From Melbourne
12437H 66% Signal 46% Quality
12420H 65% Signal 55% Quality
90cm Toroidal
Strong 4710 Receiver
regards
joe
From the Dish
Optus B1 160E 12420 H and 12437 H "SBS Radio" has started, Fta, APIDs 201 and 202.
Yamal 102 90E 3612 L "Europa Plus" has started , Fta, APID 257.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3454 V "Raj Music" has started testing Fta, PIDs 514/670.New SR: 9427.
Apstar 2R 76.5E 4007 H A test card has started, Fta, SR 6111, FEC 3/4, PIDs 33/34.
PAS 10 68.5E 4064 V The radio channels in the TARBS World TV mux on are now Fta.
NEWS
New Sony console revealed
From http://www.khabal.com/fullnews.php?id=2212
At a media briefing in Tokyo earlier today, Sony announced that it will release a new game console named PSX in Japan before the end of the year. Scheduled for release in North America and Europe sometime in 2004, the sleek-looking PSX console is essentially a redesigned PlayStation 2--albeit with plenty of additional features.
With the exception of the console's 120Gb hard drive and built-in Ethernet support, the PSX console's new features won't offer any benefits as far as gaming is concerned but--thanks to the inclusion of a TV and broadcast satellite tuner, and a DVD recorder--will instead transform the PlayStation 2 into a set-top box capable of delivering online play, music, and movies straight out of the box.
When playing games, the controllers will plug into the rear of the PSX console where the hard drive and Sony Memory Stick compatibility have clearly rendered the standard PS2 memory cards obsolete. No pricing information for the PSX has been announced at this time, but the box will be marketed as a high end electronics product rather than as a game console and, as such, will be handled by Sony's Home Electronics Division as opposed to Sony Computer Entertainment.
(Craigs comment, Hope it has a C.A slot!)
28/05/03
Some changes on B1, SBS is now here. ABC might not need so many transponders if they are dumping FLY and KIDS so perhaps they will make some changes as well.
French Tennis feed anyone located it?
Measat 2 page updated with new info.
Rumours
ERT/NET Greek channel going FTA worldwide? supposedly reported in the Greek Australian Newspapers? can anyone confirm?
From my Emails & ICQ
From Jundong Wu
Dear Craig,
SBS network (http://www.sbs.com.au) has started on
B1, 12420 H, SR 12600, FEC 5/6, contains three TV and two radio services.
Pids 102/103 "SBS EPG" (http://www.theworldnews.com.au or http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/) is an English text only guide showing the world news headline ,the weather of Australia capital cities and "SBS TV" program guide.
Pids 161/81 "SBS TV" using multi-languages(http://www.sbs.com.au/whatson/index.php3?tvsch=1)
Pids 162/83 "SBS World News Digital TV" using multi-languages (http://www.sbs.com.au/WNC-Schedule.html)
Audio Pid 201 "SBS radio 1" and Pid 202 "SBS radio 2" (http://www.sbs.com.au/radio_new/index.html)
All of them are FTA services.
There is a same as above five-service line-up on
12437 H, SR 12600, FEC 5/6
(Craigs comment, some are reporting 12452 H as well but nothing loading)
From Doug
hi all
(B1 SBS) its signal of 85% quality 60% in ballarat
on a 1.6metre ground mount and a humax 5400
doug
From Vk7kt
SBS on B1!
Receiving here in NW Tassie on 1.2m signal 95% on a Humax...
I like the EPG channel.. very interesting..
From Dave Knight
G'day,
Optus B1, SBS muxes 95% signal /49-53% Quality
Twinhan PCI sat Card.
1.2 Offset
5 Channels
SBS DIGITAL 1
SBS DIGITAL 2
SBS EPG
SBS RADIO 1
SBS RADIO 2
SBS EPG, SBS Eastern and SBS World News
Albury , NSW
From MR Humax
Getting 4F-55 on Nokia with 90cm dish in Brisbane
From Amar Mahfooz (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
PAKISTAN TELEVISION (PTV) IS GOING TO BE DIGITAL ALONG THAT THEY ARE GOING TO START ONE MORE CHANNEL ON 29TH MAY 2003. FOLLOWING ARE THE TECH. INFORMATION FOR THAT
Satellite = Asiasat 3s
Frequency = 4108 (I assume H? pol not mentioned)
Channel name = PTV-WORLD CHANNEL
Transmission standard = DVB Encryption = CLEAR Symbol Rate = 6.666 Fec = 3/4
and they will also start a new channel, which must be on the same transponder.
Channel name = PTV CHANNEL- 4 Transmission standard = DVB Encryption = CLEAR Symbol Rate = 6.666 Fec = 3/4
(Craigs comment, another Analog gone.)
From the Dish
Optus B1 160E 12420 H and 12437 H "SBS and SBS World News Channel" have started, FTA, SR 12600, FEC 5/6, PIDs 161/80 and 162/83.
Optus B1 160E 12483 V The TVNZ mux is still on , enc., SR 22500, FEC 3/4.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H All channels in the TARBS World TV mux are encrypted again.
PAS 10 68.5E 4064 V All channels in the TARBS World TV mux are encrypted again,except EuroSport News.
PAS 10 68.5E 4154 H "Fashion TV" has left .
NEWS
China completes satellite system
From http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sci_Tech/story_49004.asp
AFP - China's hopes of becoming a space superpower edged closer to reality with the launch of a satellite which completes a home-grown navigation and positioning system.
The Beidou satellite, which western observers have said may also have military uses, lifted off from the Xichang launching site in southwestern Sichuan province 34 minutes after midnight, according to Chinese state media reports.
It was transported on board a Long March 3-A carrier rocket, just like the two previous satellites in the system, which were launched in late 2000.
With the three satellites in orbit, China now has a complete system for all-weather navigation and positioning information, serving as a "radio beacon in outer space," Xinhua news agency said.
The system will play a key economic role, providing services in fields such as transportation, telecommunications and meteorology and helping in preventing forest fires as well as in police work, it said.
However, the Beidou navigation system is also expected to have military uses capable of improving the accuracy of Chinese missiles, according to Western military sources.
China has been seeking to build a satellite navigation system accurate enough to be incorporated into precision munitions, similar to the smart weaponry that has helped the United States to victory in recent wars.
As part of its effort to enter the space age, China has said repeatedly it plans to send its first human into space on board a craft called Shenzhou V some time this fall.
China has so far launched four unmanned spaceflights, the last of which, Shenzhou IV, returned to earth in January after 162 hours in orbit seen as the final dress rehearsal before a manned mission.
With a successful manned space flight, China would become only the third country to send a human into orbit following the former Soviet Union and the United States.
Iraqi channel surfing flourishes
From http://www.statesman.com/news/content/coxnet/iraq/story/0527_SATELLITE.html
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Ra'ed Hameed secretly bought a satellite dish on the black market four years ago and kept it well hidden in his house.
He waited patiently for the day when television stations beamed in from other parts of the world would not be forbidden.
Hameed got his wish when U.S. troops marched into Baghdad, driving dictator Saddam Hussein from power. He fished out his unused dish and connected his TV set, ready to watch Fox News and "those racy German movies I had heard about."
But freedom to channel surf came with a price in Iraq.
"I finally was able to use my satellite but now I have no electricity," Hameed said. "Can you imagine how I feel?"
Baghdad remains without electricity for a majority of the day, but those who can afford to buy satellite dishes are scooping them up.
In the weeks since Saddam's collapse, dishes of all sizes and varieties have sprung up in reputable electrical appliance shops as well as makeshift vending stands across the city. Satellite telephones, also banned during Saddam's days, are selling like hotcakes, too, in Iraq, where most of the telephone system is still down.
The Capital Flower Shop dumped its floral arrangements for a few good imported dishes. Supermarkets, shoe stores and even produce stalls cleared inventory to make way for the hottest item in town.
Wisam Saadi, 22, parked his white hatchback on a busy street and plopped a Korean-manufactured Panorama dish on the street. "$150," his handwritten sign read.
He said he has 700 dishes stored at home and sells as many as seven a day for a profit of $7 to $10 on each.
"It's a good business right now," Saadi said. "Hard to sell anything else to people."
Shipped in from the Kurdish-controlled regions in the North, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the dishes sell from $125 to $300, more than an average Iraqi's annual salary. But shopkeeper Wathel Kamel said yesterday's "forbidden fruit" sells fast. The satellite dishes are, perhaps, a small but tangible proof of a new Iraq.
Sidewalks crammed with hundreds of the giant saucer-like instruments give some parts of Baghdad a Space Age look.
Curious passers-by checked out the once-unfamiliar dishes, running their fingers on the smooth surfaces. Others stopped to catch a glimpse of Lebanese singer Haifa gyrate in a black tube top and skin-tight pants.
"Before we saw only darkness," said Kamel, 37, who cleared out space in his electrical appliances shop to make way for hundreds of dishes. "Iraqis want to see how the outside world lives, how it thinks. This was forbidden under Saddam."
The Iraqi dictator had anyone caught with satellite TV put behind bars for as much as two years.
Still, some folks went to great lengths to get their MTV.
Kamel made a Styrofoam cage for his dish and kept it out of sight behind his house. "I knew the fine was steep but I took the chance anyway," he said.
But most Iraqis were privy to just four state-run channels that broadcast turgid news about the glories of Saddam and his Baath Party. Pro-Saddam slogans would appear even between reruns of American shows such as "Dallas" or "Charlie's Angels."
Satellite phones were banned, too. Baghdad had its share of Internet cafes but as Rafah Goria, 30, said: "Every page we tried to open said 'access denied.' They blocked everything."
Goria said now Iraqis have the freedom to flip through hundreds of channels of movies, entertainment and most of all, "real news" about their own country.
"Satellite TV is a great way to shape Iraqi minds," she said. "We don't know the truth about our own land. Iraqis can now learn about our past. I want every Iraqi to have satellite."
Goria bought her dish a month ago and stays glued to her 19-inch Toshiba TV set whenever she has power. She admitted to enjoying "romantic films." Her favorite, she said, was "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
"If there is electricity, I stay up till 4 in the morning watching TV," she said. "I used to love to listen to music. But now I just want to watch political discussions. It's so new for us."
27/05/03
Livechat tonight 9pm NZ and 8.30 Syd time onwards
New Sky Channel 95 mentioned yesterday is called "Property TV" website is www.propertytv.co.nz
Is this what they put the subs up for?? an advertising channel???? unbelievable .. and the previously mentioned "Rural TV" channel I heard is dead and buried.
Feedback for Globecast, if you wish for JCTV to remain after the trial period is up.
Email your support to ***dth@globecast.com.au
Please note remove the *** at the front of their email address I have done this to upset the spam collectors that scan sites collecting email addresses.
Remember the more support they get the more chance they have to bring us more FTA channels.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Jeff
Re: Star sports audio
Hello sports fans just been watching Star sports on Asiasat 3 .
Sounds like the English soundtrack is back.
First was the Spanish soccer followed by PGA golf in english from CBS
America.
Im tuned to the 6.2 Mhz audio carrier.If only Mr Murdoch could switch it to PAL.
Jeff in Perth
From MR Humax
Hey Craig.. I reckon you should add this to your webpage to help save fly and abc kids
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/kidsfly/
I know alot of people dont watch these channels but what next? they might sell the ABC or triplej or something stupid..
anyway its a good cause and needs apsattv's members support
Thanks
From the Dish
Yamal 102 90E 3588 L Nord FM has started Fta, APID 257.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H "Kairali Channel, TCT World and Daystar TV" have started on ,Fta, SR 13333, FEC 3/4, PIDs 3105/3106, 7202/7203 and 7204/7205, global beam.
Thaicom 3 78.5E Tarb's is still operating on 3520 and 3640 H
Apstar 2R 76.5E 12730 V "Hi-Play Channel and Happy Channel" have started on , Viaccess 1,SIDs 2807 and 2808, PIDs 2160/2161 and 2176/2177. (Asia only)
PAS 10 68.5E 3863 V Big Brother Africa has started, Irdeto 2, PIDs 2036/2035. The Big Brother Africa promo has left this mux.
Intelsat 906 64E 3721 R "Uganda TV, Radio Uganda and Star FM" are back on , Fta, SR 4882,FEC 2/3, PIDs 33/34 and 35, West hemi beam.
NEWS
ABC pulls plug on digital channels
From http://afr.com/australia/2003/05/27/FFXUNBTC5GD.html
Digital television suffered a setback yesterday when the ABC announced it was closing its digital channels because of a lack of federal funding.
ABC managing director Russell Balding blamed the federal government for rejecting the broadcaster's plea for an extra $250 million in the budget, "in the full knowledge that it would affect our programming".
Angered by the broadcaster's announcement it will shut its two children's channels, ABC Kids and Fly, within five weeks, Communications Minister Richard Alston said there was "absolutely no justification for the ABC blaming the federal government for its own decision to cease its two digital multichannels at the end of the financial year".
Although he had supported the ABC's decision to set up a digital channel two years ago, yesterday Senator Alston placed responsibility for the extra cost incurred by providing the new service squarely on the public broadcaster. He noted that the government had ensured that the ABC's funding had kept pace with inflation in the budget.
But the ABC's move is a blow to Senator Alston's plans for promoting digital television to a sceptical Australian audience - he believes that offering multiple TV channels is crucial to seducing audiences into buying digital television equipment - and to his attempt to push through his controversial media ownership rules.
Once ABC Kids and Fly are turned off, just two multichannel broadcasters will remain: SBS, with its digital world news channel, and Foxtel pay TV.
SBS managing director Nigel Milan said yesterday SBS would continue operating its digital channel, noting it was "a priority".
Commercial free-to-air TV stations are banned from using the digital spectrum to provide more than one channel - known as multichannelling - but from July they will need to use new digital spectrum to transmit high-definition pictures 20 hours a week.
However, Senator Alston argued that the ABC and SBS should be exempt as they had a "special role to play in the national take-up of digital broadcasting by consumers".
Asked if the ABC's decision would slow the switch to digital, Mr Balding said: "It will certainly have an impact ... We believe that by providing content on those services we will provide incentive for people to switch over to those services."
The ABC funded its digital channels through a series of "one-off" cuts to other services, but Mr Balding said there were no more "one-off" savings to be made.
"Without additional funding for content we are unable to sustain our current level of output. We regret having to make this decision, but we are left with no other choice," he said.
The ABC's announcement prompted independent Senator Meg Lees, who is negotiating with Senator Alston over his media ownership plan, to say ABC funding "is absolutely still on the negotiating table".
FTV becomes fully FTA, shuts off PAS 10 signal
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/may/may193.htm
MUMBAI: Court cases notwithstanding, French channel Fashion TV today became a fully free to air (FTA) feed beaming off the Asiasat 2 satellite. It has stopped its encrypted signal that till now was beaming as a "dual feed" off PAS 10.
With this move, it becomes the first private pay channel to become FTA in the lead-up to the CAS rollout deadline of 14 July for the four metros of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
FTV announced that "as of today..., FTV is now broadcast in the clear on Asiasat 2 satellite." It remains to be seen how its former distribution partner turned foe Modi Entertainment Network (MEN) responds to this fait accompli.
According to a statement issued by MEN, FTV has continued to keep its signal FTA since 17 April despite clear directions of a Delhi High Court order of 19 May. The Modis have now filed a further petition in the Delhi High Court, which will be heard next week.
Modi Entertainment's legal council, claims its dispute has arisen "on their agreement (with FTV) for distribution, marketing, ad sales, advertising, merchandising and licensing for which Modi has a sole and exclusive agreement for India and the SAARC region." The dispute came about due to FTV transmitting the channel free to air on the Asiasat 2 satellite and entering into an ad sales and marketing partnership with Worldwide Channel.
Modi now claims that due to FTV not abiding by the fundamental premise of the agreement - that the signal must be encrypted, not free-to-air, Modi has approached the High Court which has granted an interim order on 19 May directing FTV Paris to abide by the existing agreement. Which means FTV Paris has to re-encrypt the signal immediately, and has been restrained from entering into any distribution, ad sales, marketing, merchandising and licensing agreements with anyone else for the entire region.
Worldwide Channel, a part of the Worldwide Group, had issued a statement last week claiming that FTV had gone FTA and that several new programming initiatives would be launched shortly.
The problems between the Modi's and Fashion TV came to a head during a meeting in Paris on 5 May between MEN president Lalit Modi and FTV president Michel Adam. According to an FTV statement issued on 5 May, the meeting was a heated one and "both parties agreed to disagree on further cooperation."
"This dispute will be settled in a court of England. Meantime, Fashion TV is unencrypting its signal on AsiaSat 2 satellite by going Free to Air. Fashion TV is now developing a new strategy and reviewing its options for the Indian market," the FTV statement had said.
Whether Indian court or UK court, lawyers from both sides have a pretty busy time ahead.
FTV's technical specifications for its FTA feed:
Satellite: Asiasat 2
Signal: MPEG-2/DVB
Mod: QPSK
Symbol rate: 2.6259 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4
D/L Freq: 3796MHz
Polarisation: V
26/05/03
Not good news for Abc Fly / KIDS channel viewers. They are being dropped due to lack of funding. This will be a step backwards for Terrestrial Digital television in Australia. Should mean a few changes on Optus B1 as well.
SKY NZ channel 95 to be "The property channel" ? waiting for my SKY Magazine to confirm the details.
The new Tamil Channel that will be starting on Globecast, Optus B3 will be a pay channel but I expect they will run it in FTA mode for a while so people can see what its like.
More Thaicom 3 power problems? Not good for Tarbs perhaps they will re-locate to PAS 10?
From my Emails & ICQ
From "ANON Installer"
(Austar)
Commercial Delta V4 smart card and Titan decoder 'marriages' will commence
when we roll out the first 3000 Titan with V4 card in June as Project
Alexander starts. This is planned to result in substantial piracy
reductions.
Titan and later Atlas decoders will be delivered to contractors from MXR
with the new Delta V4 card pre-married and installed in the decoder. Later
in the year, ICSS will automatically configure an ADB , G3 or SMS decoder
to 'marry' itself to it's V4 smart card.
All contractors and commercial customers will need to be educated on this
over the coming months, and a letter drop to all customers is planned.
From Bill Richards
Thaicom 3
0450 UTC
3551H Sr 13330. FEC 3/4, Apid 7217 SID35
Somali Radio has started here.
Apid7233 SID36
RR Radio has started here.
Regards
Bill
From SiamGlobal
Subject: MPEG 4:2:2
Several items have appeared on this website over the past months concerning how to receive MPEG 4:2:2 , the most recent one saying it could be recorded but not watched live on a Nokia with suitable software. Well good news for those interested appears in the June edition of What Satellite TV., a UK mag
With a Sky Star 2 PCI card from Technisat (www.technisat.com) and software from www.progdvb.com., viewing is a piece of cake .
The card costs only about a hundred Aussie dollars and one can view on practically any recent computer.
Siam Global, Bangkok
From the Dish
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3551 H An STN Radio promo has started Fta, SID 35, APID 7217.
PAS 10 68.5E 3836 H "ARY Digital Asia" has left , replaced by an test card.
PAS 10 68.5E 3897 V "NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India" are Fta. (expected to stay that way)
Intelsat 906 64E 3721 R Uganda TV, Radio Uganda and Star FM have left .
NEWS
ABC to end digital TV shows
From http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6494604%255E1702,00.html
THE national broadcaster will end its digital multichannelling programs, Fly TV and ABC Kids, citing a lack of funding.
ABC managing director Russell Balding told a Senate estimates committee the programs would end.
"This morning the ABC will be issuing a media statement advising that we've decided to close our digital multichannels," Mr Balding told the committee.
"That's Fly TV and ABC Kids.
"Senator, we regret in having to make this decision but we were left with mostly no other option."
An estimated 35-38 staff would be impacted by the decision, he said.
But he could not say how many people would lose their jobs.
Mr Balding said consultations with the union would begin today.
The Federal Government rejected the ABC's call for more money for multichannelling in its triannual funding submission.
Mr Balding said there was no further option other than to withdraw from multichannelling but he did not indicate when they would end.
"We haven't got the source of funding to keep those channels going," he said.
He also flagged more ABC cutbacks in coming months.
"I'm still working through, with my executive, and we'll be working through those decisions with the board over the next two-month period," Mr Balding said.
Communications Minister Richard Alston said the ABC had discretion as to how it spent its funds.
He said if the ABC was serious about digital TV it had the option to pursue it further.
He said the ABC did not consult the Government or seek funding or commitments when they decided to introduce digital TV.
"That is their decision (to cut digital TV)," Senator Alston said.
"But as I say if they haven't examined other options then it would seem strange that there is no other area in which they could have sought additional funding if digital is in fact a priority."
Further details were expected in a statement to be issued later this morning.
(Craigs comment, looks like another nail in the coffin for Terrestrial Digital TV in Australia)
iPSTAR Set to Enter Australia and New Zealand
From http://www.thaicom.net/eng-press/news-press.html
Thailand's Shin Satellite to cooperate with REACH
Nonthaburi, Thailand, May 21, 2003 - Shin Satellite Public Company Limited of Thailand ("SATTEL") has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reach Global Services Limited (a member of the REACH Group) to deploy its iPSTAR broadband satellite program in Australia and New Zealand. This cooperation brings together the services of Shin Satellite's iPSTAR technology and REACH's state-of-the-art global network and teleport infrastructure. The program is due to begin its first implementation period from June 2003 until October 2003. The introductory period is open for a select number of potential iPSTAR carrier customers and government organizations and will be available later for a larger group of participants such as Internet Service Providers.
The system will employ Intelsat Ku band satellite capacity with coverage of Australia and New Zealand that is being supplied by REACH. Shin Satellite will introduce its advanced iPSTAR Gateway in conjunction with high performance iPSTAR Professional Series user terminals capable of providing up to 4 Mbps download capacity and 2 Mbps of upload capacity. This performance is ideal to run applications that require high return speeds, such as Video Conferencing, Telemedicine and Long-distance Learning. The service will be provided using iPSTAR Gateway located at REACH's teleport in Sydney and will be available on Intelsat 804 for services covering Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Dumrong Kasemset, Executive Chairman of Shin Satellite noted, "SATTEL's strategy at this phase is to introduce its iPSTAR technology to the Australian and New Zealand markets prior to the launch of its iPSTAR 1 satellite in 2004. Australia is an ideal market for the broadband business because users there are sophisticated, and the large distances dividing the continent make it perfect for satellites. Australia has a population of more than twenty-two million with most able to afford high-end broadband service such as iPSTAR. Supply of efficient broadband access service today is far below demand, which should be an attractive market.
About Shin Satellite Plc:
Shin Satellite is one of the leading satellite operators in Asia with 3 satellites in operation, Thaicom-1A (120oE), Thaicom-2 and Thaicom-3 (both co-locate at 78.5oE), totaling 20 Ku-band and 49 C-band transponders. It also has extensive experience of end-to-end turnkey satellite service solutions, value-added services and other infrastructure, i.e., teleport facilities for satellite TV uplink, DTH services, global broadcast services, and Internet backbone and broadband services. Thaicom has an extensive customer base ranging across Asia, Africa, Europe and Australasia. With over 100 satellite television channels on its 3 satellites, it is considered one of the satellite TV hotbirds for Thailand, Indochina, India and the subcontinent, and Europe-Australia. Shin Satellite is a listed subsidiary of Shin Corporation, Thailand's leading telecom group with business interests in cellular mobile phones, Internet, satellite, data communications, etc.
About REACH
REACH is a joint venture between Australia's Telstra Corporation Limited and Hong Kong's PCCW Limited. It is Asia's largest international carrier of combined voice, private line and IP data services and one of the world's top ten carriers of international voice traffic. REACH's products and services include an extensive portfolio of voice, data, IP and satellite connectivity. It has interests in more than 40 submarine cable and satellite systems (including Asia's largest teleport), and operating licences and landing rights in most major markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, North America and Europe. REACH is headquartered in Hong Kong, with a significant presence in Australia and substantial businesses across Asia, North America and Europe. For further information, please visit www.reach.co
Contact: Marketing Communications, Shin Satellite Plc, 41/103 Rattanathibet Rd. Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand. Tel. (66 2) 591-0736 to 49 Ext. 426, 427 Fax. (66 2) 591-0714, mc@thaicom.net
(Craigs comment, Ku signal from I804 mystery solved??)
BSAT-2c arrives at the Spaceport for Flight 161
From http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=9223
Preparations for Arianespace's upcoming Flight 161 have moved into full swing following the BSAT-2c satellite payload's arrival at the Spaceport.
The spacecraft was flown into Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport May 13 aboard a cargo airliner.
Protective covering on the satellite's shipping container included signatures of workers at spacecraft manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corp., along with a drawing of an Ariane 5 and a good luck message for the launch.
The production of BSAT-2c, which began at Orbital's Virginia facility, is part of a series for Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) to provide direct-to-home digital high-definition television throughout Japan.
After its arrival at the Spaceport, BSAT-2c was moved into the massive S5 satellite preparation facility, where final checkout began with electrical tests.
BSAT-2c is designed for an operational lifetime of 10 years, and it will be positioned 110 degrees East over Borneo with coverage over all of Japan.
The satellite is based on Orbital Sciences' Star-1 platform, and will have a mass at launch of 1,300 kg.
Liftoff of Flight 161 with BSAT-2c and Australia's Optus and Defence C1 remains on schedule for early June from the Spaceport's ELA-3 launch complex.
STAR to launch 2nd entertainment channel
From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=47301929
MUMBAI: STAR is launching a new entertainment channel, ‘STAR Classic’, in the free-to-air mode aimed at rural and small-town audiences.
The object is to provide an alternative to advertisers of mass brands and to compete with channels like Doordarshan and regional channels offering a high reach at cheap prices. Business plans for the broadcaster also include the launch of two more news channels for Tamil and English-speaking audiences. Currently on the drawing board stage, these news channels are expected to be launched towards the end of this year.
There would be economies of scale if several news channels make use of the large newsgathering structure STAR is setting up for its Hindi channel, Peter Mukerjea, Star TV’s CEO in India, told ET.
STAR Plus, the broadcaster’s premier entertainment channel, currently charges an average advertising rate of Rs 3.5 lakh for 30 second spots during prime time. Despite the channel having an undisputed grip over the popularity charts — close to 45 of the Top 50 all-India programmes are on the STAR Plus platform — it has recently experienced a plateauing of ad revenue. Resistance from advertisers to repeated hikes in ad rates and cheaper alternatives like DD have stymied further growth of ad revenue.
To stem the drift of media planners to other broadcasters, STAR is pitching a free-to-air entertainment channel which will offer competitive airtime rates to advertisers as well as provide a reach to markets in small towns and the hinterland.
Programming costs for the channel will be kept rock bottom by putting on air re-packaged versions of old shows like ‘Saans’ and ‘KBC’. “An entire generation may not have seen many of these good shows in the STAR library, when the channel was first launched,” Mr Mukerjea said.
For instance, the average cost of advertising on prime time shows of DD averages around Rs 75,000 for 30 seconds. STAR also faces the problem of escalating programming costs to stay in the lead, while the advertising air time inventory is limited to 12.5 minutes per hour.
(Craigs comment, Hopefully on Asiasat 3?)
T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 21/2003 25 May 2003 -
A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by TELE-satellite International
Editor: Branislav Pekic
Edited Apsattv.com Edition
A S I A
AUSTRALIA
FOXTEL SEEKS TO MAKE DIGITAL TV PAY
Australia's largest pay-TV operator, Foxtel, is very confident with the launch of its digital services early next year and has invested $600 million in the project. The launch date has already been pushed back from October this year, with Foxtel laying the blame on the delayed launch of Optus's C1 satellite. But the pay-TV provider has the right shareholders to back up its strategy. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Kerry Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd each has a 25 per cent stake in the privately held company. Telstra owns the remaining 50 per cent, and provides the digitised cable network which allows Foxtel to deliver more channels, interactive services or a higher quality broadcast over the same bandwidth as the old cable network. In a recent announcement by OpenTV, it was confirmed that FOXTEL will use the ‘latest version’ of OpenTV’s middleware, ‘Core 1.1.’ Plus in a separate agreement, FOXTEL announced that they will source their set-top-boxes from UK manufacturer PACE in addition to one, as yet unannounced, manufacturer. NDS will also be providing FOXTEL with a wide range of solutions and will act as the lead systems integrator on the project. Security of both the cable and satellite networks will be enhanced by the deployment of NDS’ digital VideoGuard CA system in Simulcrypt with the existing IRDETO CA, whilst for interactivity, FOXTEL and their partners will be able to deploy interactive TV and applications using NDS’ Value@TV solutions. Australian pay-TV industry has invested an estimated $8 billion into the local market since its inception, yet the three operators - Foxtel, Optus and Austar - are still struggling for financial viability.
Internet - http://www.foxtel.com.au
CAMBODIA
FTA CHANNEL LAUNCHES
A new free-to-air terrestrial television channel Cambodian Television Network (CTN), a joint venture between local conglomerate Royal Group of Companies and Stockholm-based Modern Time Group, has been recently launched in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The launch initially covers the Capital city but CTN will go nationwide by the end of 2003. CTN is offering viewers a wide variety of entertainment and educational programs. Over US$1 million dollars will be spent on programming in 2003 alone. Cambodia currently has six TV stations and the most popular ones include sports and entertainment channels TV3 and TV5, respectively. CTN is aiming to attract a daily viewership of five million, which is approximately half of country’s population, by the end of next year. CTN is already producing some of its own television programs such as documentaries, computer learning programs and sit-comes at its facility at Srok Ta Khmao. In addition to this, the channel has bought the rights to Sunday English Premier League football matches as well as European comedies and Asian and South American dramas. International news is delivered to CTN's broadcast facility at Srok Ta Khmao via satellite from London enabling the channel to offer up-to-the-minute international and Asian news.
CHINA - HONG KONG
CCTV NEWS AND PHOENIX TO COEXIST
China Central Television’s (CCTV) newly-launched 24 hour, satellite-delivered news channel will not be a threat to Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television’s InfoNews channel, according to the latter’s CEO. Liu Changle likened the relationship between his InfoNews and the new CCTV service to that of Fox and CNN in the United States saying “There is room for both of us.” Liu said he expects that InfoNews’ audience will grow from six millions at present, to eight to 10 million by the end of 2003. Observers noted that the planned total is considerably less than the 20 million forecast at the start of the year. InfoNews posted a €3.29 million loss for the third quarter ended December 31, compared to a €4.13 million loss 12 months earlier.
INDIA
NEW CABLE TV SYSTEM FOR 4 CITIES
India’s Information & Broadcasting Ministry has set July 14 to introduce new conditions for cable TV in four major cities, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata, the Hindu newspaper has reported. In the new Conditional Access System (CAS), there will be clearer segregation of the pay channels and the free-to-air channels. Indian broadcasting companies will decide which channels would be free-to-air and which need to be paid for. The newspaper quoted a senior ministry official as saying it would push local cable operators to provide better customer service and make pay-TV broadcasters more accountable and aware of customer preferences. The government is also likely to ask the broadcasting companies to come out with prices of individual channels by June 15. The pricing guidelines will prevent broadcasters from pricing one or a few premium pay channels in a bouquet at a higher cost.
TV18 AND CNBC ASIA-PACIFIC RESTRUCTURE INDIAN VENTURE
CNBC India on May 22 announced that it has become the first foreign channel to comply with the Indian government's recent guidelines limiting foreign equity to 26% for channels intending to uplink from India. Currently uplinked from Singapore, CNBC India is a joint venture of Delhi-based TV18 and Singapore-headquartered CNBC Asia Pacific, which is registered as a Mauritius-based broadcaster with TV18 holding 51% and CNBC 49% equity. Though the revised equity structuring was not announced, TV18 managing director Raghav Bahl said, "We were given a three-month deadline that expires June 26 to comply with the new guidelines and we have informed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry about our decision to reduce CNBC Asia Pacific's equity."
FASHION TV SWITCHES SATELLITES
Fashion TV India has moved from Panamsat 10 to Asiasat 2 and is now available free to air. The official Fashion TV site exhorts cable operators to collect their new smart cards from FTV, as the channel has switched satellites. Modi Entertainment Network's Amit Nag meanwhile maintains that the Asiasat 2 feed is merely a parallel feed to overcome technical glitches in transmission and that the MEN distribution agreement with FTV India stands as previously.
JAPAN
TV ASAHI PROFITS PLUNGE
Asahi National Broadcasting Co. (TV Asahi) said on May 23 its group net profit for fiscal 2002, which ended March 31, plunged 67.9 per cent from the previous year to 1.91 billion yen. In its consolidated earnings report, TV Asahi posted a pretax profit of 6.93 billion yen for the just-ended year, down 45.6 per cent, with overall revenues down 5.0 per cent to 209.04 billion yen. Net profit per share was 1,780.39 yen, down from 5,903.72 yen the year before. For the current fiscal year to next March, TV Asahi forecasts a net profit of 800 million yen and pretax profit of 3.75 billion yen on revenues of 212 billon yen.
LOSSES WIDEN AT SKY PERFECT
Digital satellite pay-TV operator Sky Perfect Communications has announced its net losses increased by Yen6.4 billion to reach Yen18.4 billion in the year to March 31. However, revenues for the period increased by 16.8% to reach Yen68.2 billion, with 641,000 total new subscribers to the Sky Perfect platform (including cable distribution) for a 384,000 net increase after 8% annualized churn. Total Sky Perfect subscribers were at 3.43 million for the year and have since risen to 3.44 million at end-April. The company is forecasting revenues of Yen72.5 billion for 2004 and a return to the black with profit of Yen3 billion.
RETURN TO THE BLACK FOR WOWOW
Satellite pay-TV operator WOWOW has posted net profit of Yen538 million for its fiscal year to March 31, compared to a loss of Yen2.1 billion the previous year. The company attributed the gains to a reduction in marketing costs and completion of digital upgrades, although it also reported a fall in total subscribers. The number of subscribers to WOWOW's services declined 6.3% in the year to 2.45 million. The company is forecasting a group net profit of Yen550 million for 2004, with a pretax profit of Yen650 million and revenues of Yen63 billion. It is hoping to take total subscribers up to 2.55 million.
PROFITS DOWN AT FUJI TV
Net profits at Japan's Fuji Television Network fell 14.4% to Yen14.8 billion in the year to March 31. Fuji TV's pretax profit also fell, by 15.6% to Yen37.7 billion, with revenues down 1.8% to Yen429 billion. For the fiscal year to March 31, 2004, Fuji TV is forecasting a net profit of Yen17 billion and a pretax profit of Yen34.5 billion on revenues of Yen430.5 billion.
TBS PROFITS SLIDE
Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS) said on May 23 its group net profit fell 27.7 per cent for the year ended March 31 due to lower television commercial revenues. The radio and TV network reported a group net profit of 10.60 billion yen, against a year-earlier net profit of 14.65 billion yen. Group pretax profit fell 21.5 per cent to 23.04 billion yen and operating profit dropped 22.1 per cent to 24.33 billion yen. TBS said its core broadcasting business posted a 28.6 per cent fall in operating profit to 18.33 billion yen. For the current year ending in March 2004, TBS expects group net profit to fall sharply to 2.5 billion yen because of start-up costs for digital broadcasting services. Group pretax profit is estimated at 21 billion yen and sales at 292 billion yen, TBS said.
PROFITS DOWN ALSO AT NIPPON TV
Nippon Television Network Corp., better known as NTV, said on May 22 its group net profit dropped 41.4 per cent to 20.30 billion yen for the business year ended March 31 due to a plunge in advertising revenues amid the weak economy. Group pretax profit fell 26.1 per cent to 46.33 billion yen on a 6.2 per cent decline in consolidated operating revenues to 336.30 billion yen. For the year to March 31, 2004, the company projects a group net profit of 6.5 billion yen and a group pretax profit of 14.5 billion yen on operating revenues of 329 billion yen.
MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA TO LAUNCH OWN NEWS CHANNEL
Malaysia is planning its own version of the Al-Jazeera satellite television network to counter what it perceives as biased reporting by the Western media. Information minister Khalil Yaacob told the press that the government has long felt the need for such a setup similar to the Arabic network. "It is time we had one, considering Malaysia's status as a leading developing country," he said. Talks are being held with television station operators in the region to establish satellite links. Also in the cards is a permanent news team for reporting on international conflicts, to ensure Malaysians a "true picture" of the hot spots.
NEW ZEALAND
SKY TV FORSEES BETTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Leading pay-TV operator Sky Network Television on May 21 said it expects a full year result between break-even and a NZ$2.5 million loss, better than previously expected. The company previously forecast a full year loss between NZ$8.5 million and NZ$11 million but "better" programming arrangements and an increase in revenue from wholesale customers resulted in the revision. Sky has 537,217 subscribers while churn, which is the percentage of subscribers who disconnect, is on track to reach an all time low. Sky TV says it could breakeven in the current financial year.
SINGAPORE
CONAX SIGNS DEAL WITH MEDIACORP
Conax, a supplier of conditional access technology for digital TV, has entered into a contract with MediaCorp Technologies. The Conax CAstream will enable MediaCorp Technologies to broadcast IPTV with conditional access. MediaCorp Technologies provides broadcast transmission infrastructure for digital and analogue broadcasting services in Singapore. The company will use Conax CAstream USB tokens as the hardware security feature for this pioneer project.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CNBC ARABIYA TO LAUNCH
CNBC Arabiya, a regional Arabic-language satellite economic channel, will launch operations from Dubai next month. News editor Walid Kurdi told a news conference that the channel, which will operate from Dubai Media City, would provide in-depth coverage of the economic and business implications of local and international affairs. CNBC Arabiya, owned and run by Middle East Business News (MEBN) under a licensing and affiliation agreement with CNBC, will invest up to US$45 million in the service over the next three years. CNBC Arabiya will have bureaux in Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain. The transmission footprint covers all 19 Arabic-speaking countries in the region. The new venture will spend $30 million over three years to establish a network of bureaus. Officials expect to win five to seven per cent of a market for TV news advertising that they estimate to be worth $200 million.
A F R I C A
ERITREA
STATE TV AVAILABLE VIA SATELLITE
Good new for Eritrean residents around the world - they are now able to watch programmes of Eritrean television [state-owned EriTV] via satellite. Eritrean television programmes are broadcast via the Arabsat satellite located at 26 degrees East, on transponder frequency 11623 [MHz]. The Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea [state-owned radio] will also be on satellite in the coming few weeks.
SOUTH AFRICA
TAMIL TV CHANNEL FROM SEPTEMBER
South Africa will have its first-ever Tamil TV channel from September 1. The content would be sourced from Chennai-based Jaya TV. The channel would be beamed nationwide and would include neighbouring countries, reports PTI. The 24-hour subscription-based channel will beam movies, movie-based programmes, songs, serials, live shows, cartoons, and programmes of religious and educational nature. The predominant language would be Tamil. The company will provide the satellite dish free of charge to initial subscribers. The Tamil speaking South Africans have been complaining for some time that Indian TV channels - Zee, Sony and Star - that operate in the country only show North Indian movies and serials, and neglect Tamil programmes.
25/05/03
No update Sundays
24/05/03
Mystery KU update
Both signals mentioned yesterday appeard to have come from I804 at 176E. A mystery as to who and why though! Both signals were turned off around 6 a.m NZ. That was after changing to what appeard to be Mpg 4.2.2. Channel labels were LAX_MNCD001 and NYC_MNCD002
Does anyone have any info about these mystery signals?
From my Email & ICQ
From SiamGlobal
Subject: THAICOM 1
With regard to the report of a test signal apearing on Thaicom 1 120 degrees East , may we hazard an informed guess of what is the likely reason ? The Nation tv news channel was recently removed from the UBC bouquet and placed on a local Bangkok MMDS service. Since then promises have been made it would be available on satellite but the Co. refused to disclose details. Only yesterday we spoke to the Co and they mentioned Thaicom 1 as the possible satellite which the channel would appear on next month . Clearly there is a strong possibility now of the Nation channel being shown FTA on this frequency. By the way this is not the best choice as hardly any dishes here are pointed at Thaicom 1 but clearly the Nation Group were offered a good deal and provincial cable services can get their feed from here as they do now for ITV.
Siamglobal Bangkok
From Various people
Imparja B1, The Vpid changed from 1186 to 1207 at around 4:00pm EST.
From Various people
B1 12430 ver s/r 06110 fec 3/4 "V8 feed"
From the Dish
PAS 2 169E 4087 V The test card is back on , Fta, PIDs 518/646.
PAS 8 166E 4121 V "Net 25 and the IncTV" tests have left (unconfirmed).
Agila 2 146E 12541 V "Karaoke Channel (clear) and IBC 13 (enc.)" have started on ,SR 26600, FEC 5/6, PIDs 42/43 and 44/45.
AsiaSat 3 105.5E 3880 HAll channels have left the STAR TV mux , replaced by test cards on PIDs 512/640 and 513/644.
Thaicom 3 78.5E Sout Al-Arab, Radio Dimensione Suono, Radio Pink, Radio Italia and Radio Italia Anni '60 have started on 3520 H, Fta, APIDs 660-664. All channels in this TARBS World TV mux are Fta.
PAS 10 68.5E 3836 V A Big Brother mosaic (Fta) and BBC Prime (enc.) have started on ,PIDs 1635/1634 and 1638/1637.
PAS 10 68.5E 4064 V Armenia Radio has started, Fta, APID 667.All channels in this TARBS World TV mux are Fta
Intelsat 906 64E 3754 RTBN has left , moved to 3963 R.
G-Sat 2 48E G-Sat 2 has arrived at 48 East.
NEWS
Fashion TV India shifts satellite, gets new ad sales partner
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/may/may175.htm
MUMBAI: Fashion TV India has moved from Panamsat 10 to Asiasat 2 and is now available free to air, according to its new ad sales and marketing partner, the Worldwide Group.
The official Fashion TV site exhorts cable operators to collect their new smart cards from FTV, as the channel has switched satellites. Modi Entertainment Network's Amit Nag meanwhile maintains that the Asiasat 2 feed is merely a parallel feed to overcome technical glitches in transmission and that the MEN distribution agreement with FTV India stands as previously. MEN has been distributing the pay channel thus far in India.
Worldwide Channel, a part of the Worldwide Group, meanwhile has taken over the marketing and ad sales functions for FTV India from 5 May. According to Worldwide Channel MD Ratnakar Kumar, a new show called Fashion in Films has been launched on Fashion TV, on the occasion of the Cannes film festival 2003, as a precursor to changing programming that will be evident on FTV in the coming days.
Fashion In Films, a daily programme showing the main fashion trends as they appear in the latest movies will have clips devoted to one movie, and highlights the fashion of that movie. For example, in The Gangs of New York, Fashion TV shows all the men's fashion of the period. In Charlie's Angels, FTV shows the style of hair, the dresses, bikinis the stars are wearing. FTV edits the films into three-minute fashion clips, honouring the costume designer who was responsible for the creative look of the film.
Fashion In Films is a 15-minute daily programme, and will be broadcasted four times a day at 11.30 am, 9.30 pm, 2.30 am and 5.30 am India time.
JSAT to lease satellite to NTT DoCoMo
From http://www.advanced-television.com/pages/pagesb/newsdaily.html
JSAT Corporation and NTT DoCoMo concluded an agreement whereby NTT DoCoMo will partially lease transponder capacity on the JCSAT-9 satellite from JSAT for the duration of the satellite's design life. JSAT will purchase the JCSAT-9 satellite to succeed the N-STARa satellite, which is jointly owned with NTT DoCoMo. N-STARa is currently positioned in a 132 degrees east orbit.
NTT DoCoMo also announced that, together with its eight regional subsidiaries, it will launch an on-line payments service, named ÔDoCommerce,' at 9:00 am on May 26, 2003, enabling both 2G and 3G SSL-compatible handset users to enjoy mobile shopping and pay online with their VISA, or JCB credit cards.
An account aggregation feature enables DoCommerce users to check simultaneously, and on one single screen, the balances of their various accounts with banks, credit card companies, etc. Initially, 15 financial institutions will participate.
EDD Wins Another Contract C-Band Amplifiers For Orbital
From http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-03za.html
Boeing has been awarded a contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation to provide Linearized C-Band Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (LTWTAs) for the TELKOM-2 Satellite for Indonesia.
Orbital awarded the contract to Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices, Inc. (EDD) located in Torrance, Calif. EDD is a leading provider of high reliability products for space and defense customers and is a business unit of The Boeing Company.
"We are extremely pleased to continue our successful relationship with Orbital on the TELKOM-2 program," said Chris Stephens, vice president and general manager of EDD. EDD recently completed delivery of 96 linearized C-Band TWTAs for three satellites Orbital is building for PanAmSat. Galaxy 12, the first of the three satellites was successfully launched on April 9.
In communication satellites, TWTAs are used to amplify and transmit radio frequency signals back to Earth for a variety of applications including voice, video and data.
On satellites that carry a large number of signals, a linearizer is often added to the TWT to cancel the amplifier distortion. This results in clearer communications that benefits the customers of the satellite operator. The final assembly is referred to as an LTWTA.
A typical TWTA consists of a traveling wave tube (TWT) and an electronic power conditioner (EPC). The TELKOM-2 C-Band TWTAs will be comprised of a 41 watt Model 8560HT TWT, a Model 2000HAB EPC and a linearizer from L3 Narda Microwave West in Folsom, California. The C-Band TWTAs will be integrated into Orbital's STAR-2 Spacecraft and will be launched into geosynchronous orbit in 2004.
GSAT-2 Reaches Home At 48 East
From http://www.spacedaily.com/news/india-03c.html
ISRO's experimental satellite, GSAT-2, which was launched by GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003 from Satish Dhawan Space Center, SHAR, has been successfully placed in its final geo-stationary orbital slot at 48 deg East longitude.
It may be recalled that, after the injection of GSAT-2 into geostationary transfer orbit by India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, (GSLV), orbit-raising manoeuvres were carried out from ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan, by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor on board the satellite to place it in the geo-stationary orbit.
At the end of these manoeuvres on May 11, 2003, the satellite was allowed to drift slowly towards its designated orbital slot. In this drift orbit, deployment of antenna and solar arrays was carried out on May 12, 2003.
Station acquisition manoeuvres were conducted from MCF, Hassan, from May 14 to 19, by firing the 10 Newton Reaction Control Thrusters on board to position GSAT-2 precisely at 48 deg East longitude.
The last of these manoeuvers was successfully completed yesterday (May 19, 2003) by 10 pm [1630 UTC] positioning the satellite in its orbital slot.
In the coming weeks, the payloads comprising four C-band transponders, two Ku-band transponders and a Mobile Satellite Service Payload will be tested out and data on the four scientific experiments on board GSAT-2 will be collected.
It may be noted that GSAT-2 carries four experimental payloads -- Total Radiation Dose Monitor (TRDM), Surface Charge Monitor (SCM), Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS) and Coherent Radio Beacon Experiment (CRABEX).
ISRO poised to rake in big money
From http://www.siliconindia.com/shownewsdata.asp?newsno=19581
KOLKATA: With a $100 million contract already under its belt, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to rake in many more millions offering its commercial services to other countries.
Telecommunication, building and launching of commercial satellites and resource hiring are some of the services that ISRO has been offering, its chairman K. Kasturirangan told reporters here Thursday.
"We have already launched four satellites for South Korea, Germany and Belgium. Countries like Canada are also interested in utilising our resources. We have entered into a contract with a couple of other countries," Kasturirangan, in the city to receive an award, said.
He said ISRO would together receive $100 million from these countries in the next 10 years for developing their telecommunication system.
"We are also working with quite a few Indian entrepreneurs so that we can fulfil our basic objective of developing India's space programme. A few SAARC countries have also approached us to build and launch satellites for them."
Kasturirangan said ISRO was also aiming to work on developing civilian space programme. "The launch of an education satellite has already been approved by the government. We hope to launch it within the next 18 months."
He said 2003-2004 would see ISRO launch INSAT 3E, a satellite to be primarily used in resource sensing. The CARTOSAT 1 and 2 will be launched by August.
"These would be used for mapping and surface imaging," the ISRO chief said.
"The launch of INSAT-3A has improved our telecommunication, meteorology and disaster management systems. So, now we plan to launch heavier satellites from Kourou in French Guyana.
"Amongst them are the INSAT 4A and 4B and the GSLV (Mark 3). These will redefine our space technology," added Kasturirangan.
Essel group's HITS model to have additional 3rd party TV, radio channels
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/may/may176.htm
NEW DELHI: The Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel group is looking at having over 20 third party television channels and 12 satellite radio channels as part of the headend in the sky (HITS) project and KU-band direct-to-home television service.
The HITS and DTH project is being implemented by Zee Telefilms' cable arm Siti Cable, while the licence holder for uplinking and turning around TV channels (in case of HITS) is another Chandra company, ASC Enterprises, which is also separately implementing India's first private sector satellite project called Agrani. Zee Telefilms is an Essel Group enterprise.
Zee Telefilms additional VC and head of Siticable Jawahar Goel
"We are looking at giving about 12 satellite radio channels as an add-on service for the HITS and DTH projects," Zee Telefilms additional vice-chairman and head of Siti Cable Jawahar Goel told indiantelevision.com.
HITS is the project through which Siti Cable is introducing conditional access system with the help of imported set top boxes that are claimed to be costing about $ 48, apparently cheaper than the cost of box being bandied around by some other broadcasters.
Though at the moment, the Zee Turner bouquet has 19 channels, including the newly launched Trendz, additional third party channels would be brought in as part of the HITS and DTH offering to the subscriber.
"We have to bring in more channels to increase the depth of the offerings in the DTH package and, for that, we are looking at more niche channels that are available globally," Goel, a younger brother of Chandra, said, adding that he has not been able to find some time because of the fast developments taking place on the conditional access front in India at the moment, otherwise he would have closed more third-party channel deals.
For the DTH package, the Essel-Zee combine is looking at introducing 48 television channels in the first phase that would be increased to 60 in the second phase and after a year the number of channels would be further enhanced.
Dwelling on the satellite radio channels that are to be offered by Zee, Goel said that the company has already received a letter from India's pubcaster Prasar Bharati to include some All India Radio channels as part of the sat radio offering.
Goel is also hopeful that some of the private FM radio players would like to hop on to the sat radio bandwagon being offered as part of HITS and DTH and where the service would be as good and cheaper than that of World Space, which offers over 100 radio channels delivered through satellite, including the likes of CNN, BBC, DD and music channels.
"How many people have World Space receivers in the country that are fairly costly ?," Puneet Goenka, chief executive of ASC Enterprise asked, pointing out that their service comes at no extra cost to the consumer and the radio channels can be played through the television sets only without having to buy a separate radio set. Goenka is the eldest son of Chandra.
And, if to give the icing on the cake, Goel added that Zee's DTH service, slated to be launched later this year (15 August looks like a good date, it seems), would only be about $ 12 costlier than the HITS offering for the customer.
The battle to get the boxes into the homes of Indian cable consumers, it seems, has begun in all earnest.
23/05/03
Website for the new Tamil Channel starting on B3 Globecast service soon. Looks like its called Tamil Vision.
http://www.hannaitsolutions.net/TVN/default.htm
New mystery KU signal over NZ appears to be from an Intelsat? fine on 76cm dish at my place.
12610H Sr 25220 Fec 2/3
12646H Sr 25220 Fec 2/3
Have skewed my feed right around SO ASSUME its H not v
2 services loading on each Transponder (same)
"Intelsat SA LAX 3" label with SBC Broadcast Operations Hollywood Toc over Color Bars (PAL)
"Lax-MNCD001" label with Colour bars (NTSC)
anyone have any ideas about these signals?
From my Emails & ICQ
From Mr Humax
B1, 12397 H 7200 3/4
football warm ups tape feeds
From ANON
Imparja Vpid 1198
From the Dish
Agila 2 146E 12566 V "Global TV (Taiwan)" has left .
Thaicom 1A 120E 3746 H A test card has started , Fta, SR 5758, PIDs 308/256.
ST 1 88E 3582 H "MATV has replaced Phoenix Channel", enc., PIDs 32/33.
NEWS
Shin Satellite signs deal in Australia
From http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/23May2003_biz64.html
Shin Satellite says it has signed a deal with Reach Global Services to use Shin's iPSTAR broadband satellite in Australia and New Zealand. The first stage of implementation will take place from June to October.
In the introductory period, services will be offered to a select number of potential iPSTAR carrier customers and government organisations, after which more participants including Internet service providers will be approached. The iPSTAR satellite, Shin's fourth, is scheduled to be launched next year.
Reach is a joint venture between Telstra Corp of Australia and PCCW Ltd of Hong Kong.
Shin Satellite shares closed yesterday at 12.80 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 24.2 million baht.
It's GalaxZee for Zee's HITS project
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/may/may152.htm
NEW DELHI: After Trendz, it's GalaxZee that is soon coming to a television set near you. Trust Zee to come
up with a catchy brand name for its headend in the sky (HITS) project that would also serve as a back office
company for the venture.
Having decided on the brand name for the HITS project, to be implemented by the company's cable arm Siti Cable, the Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms has started wooing prospective franchisees and partners for HITS and has begun distributing a colourful brochure amongst cable operators in cities like Delhi and Kolkata.
The brochure also tantalisingly says that HITS is an opportunity for cable ops to earn up to 40 percent in distribution margins.
Under the HITS concept for conditional access, Zee is proposing to offer dealers (cable ops) up to 40 per cent of the distribution margin, the distributor getting 10 per cent, the company managing the subscriber management system (in Zee's case it is Cyquator, according to company sources) for CAS cornering 10 per cent, the CAS software provider (Zee has tied up with Conax for CAS software) getting 10 per cent, while Galaxzee would keep 30 per cent of the pie.
However, it has been made clear that the margins for the dealers "may vary in accordance to the distribution margins provided by the broadcasters." In the government-piloted task force on CAS, Siti Cable representatives have opined several times that multi system operators (MSOs) like it would prefer getting between 60-70 per cent of the distribution margin from broadcasters.
According to the GalaxZee brochure, interested dealers for HITS would have to apply through a form, filling in various financial and business details, which would have to be accompanied with a cheque/demand draft of Rs 10,000 in favour of Siti Cable towards refundable security. This has been done to weed out non-serious players as the whole of Zee Telefilms, which is part of the Essel Group, has pinned lots of hope on HITS as something that would usher in a new era in cable television in India.
GalaxZee has been touted as a cost-effective and transparent solution. It has also been explained to cable ops, via text and diagrams, the way the whole system would work.
Amongst the benefits accruing to cable ops it has been said that operators need not install CAS/SMS at the head-end level and they need to invest in trans modulators (costing Rs 1,200 per channel), which would significantly reduce investments for the cable ops.
What is HITS ? In short, it is an end to end digital system involving downloading of television channels (that are interested in being part of HITS) at a single location. These channels are then encrypted with a single CAS and uplinked to a satellite (in this case it's likely to be an INSAT satellite).
Signals from the satellite are received by cable ops who have to use a trans-modulator to redistribute the same (may be after mixing the signals of the FTA channels) to their subscribers who, with the help of a digital set-top box, can receive the channels that they wish to subscribe to. All the boxes can be addressed from a single CAS/SMS.
STAR, Zee & ESPN to remain pay
From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=47103293
NEW DELHI: Belying hopes of policy-makers that pay channels would choose to go free-to-air once CAS comes into force, STAR, ESPN and Zee made it clear they will remain pay channels after July 14.
This was revealed at a meeting of the implementation taskforce held amidst talk of putting off the proposal under political pressure.
It was also agreed that these pay channel broadcasters would make public the individual prices of channels four weeks from now. This, according to other stake-holders like cable operators and MSOs, will help the industry gauge demand for set-top boxes (STBs). Sources said the broadcasting lobby was harping over availability (or lack of it) of STBs, while “demand” would depend on the price of pay channels. “This talk of need for more than 6m STBs from day-one is a fallacy and is needlessly spreading panic,” government sources said. The I&B ministry has made it clear that CAS will be rolled out on July 14, “no matter what the media speculates”.
Cable operators and MSOs, who are putting in place equipment and are placing orders for STBs, assured Star’s Peter Mukherjee, who reportedly said the channel reached one million homes across the four metros, that if that’s true, one million STBs would also be available. Jawahar Goel of Zee TV and Manu Sawhney of ESPN were also present at the meeting.
While the government has been talking of some intervention to stop bundling of channels and ensure individual pricing, which would give “real choice” to consumers, indications are that the authorities may choose to wait for the broadcasters to reveal their plans first. Since the pay channels can neither afford to lose viewers nor advertisers, so goes the official line of reasoning, the pricing they opt for may not require any intervention.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat’s representative Varsha told ET the consumer organisation will start a campaign, advising consumers not to purchase STBs. “If pricing is to be left to market forces, a regulatory authority should be in place to redress consumer grievances, be it technical, legal, economical or social issues,” she said.
The cable industry has requested the government to educate the public on CAS and explain to them that it is a “worldwide norm.”
for access to pay TV. There is no other method to administer it.”
As for consumer resistance, cable operators reason that it will only pressurise pay channels to turn FTA.
On the subject of the cost of digital STBs considering that Tulsi of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi often appears on Star Plus to inform the viewers that an STB could cost “up to Rs 7000” government sources say that according to information given by the MSOs who have placed orders, it would be in the range of Rs 4,000-Rs 4,500.
22/05/03
Very quiet, so quiet that I decided no update for today! Back Friday
21/05/03
Latest date for Optus C1 launch is June 11th. Has anyone heard anything about live coverage of the launch on B1 or B3? perhaps someone from Optus might like to provide details?
Good to see more people are using the FTA forums, see the link on the left. The more people that post the quicker it will take off and become worth the daily visit.
Sky NZ have added "Coming soon" on channel 95
Very Quiet, not much news to report.
From my Emails & ICQ
Nothing to report
From the Dish
Palapa C2 113E 3760 H All test cards have left .
Insat 3A 93.5E 3825 VA test card has started, PAL.
New launch date and window for BSAT 2C & Optus C1 with Ariane:
22:36-00:01 UTC on 11/12 June.
NEWS
Sky TV's shares climb after improved forecast for year's end
From http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2490502a13,00.html
Sky Television's shares have climbed a couple of notches after the company today predicted a rosier end of year outcome than first expected.
Sky chief executive John Fellet said the company now projected a result between a net loss after tax of $2.5 million and break even when reporting on June 30.
It had earlier estimated a net loss in a range between $8.5 million and $11 million for the 12-month period.
The announcement buoyed Sky's shares, which closed at today up 10c at $4.10.
Sky's main shareholders - Telecom which owns 66 per cent and INL which owns 12 per cent - also showed rises in their stocks.
Telecom shares rose 14c to close at $5.04, their highest level since November last year, and INL shares were up 4c at $4.10.
Mr Fellet said Sky's better programming arrangements with movie suppliers and an increase in average revenue per unit from wholesale customers were behind the improvements.
The improved result did not build in benefits from the appreciating New Zealand dollar, as Sky had hedged 95 per cent of its forecast foreign currency exposures for the 12 months.
It expected the average payment rate for US currency commitments in the 2002-03 year to be about US45c to the kiwi, which is currently trading near five-year highs around US58.60c.
For the 2003-04 year, Sky had hedged its exposure to US currency fluctuations at US53.7c, Mr Fellet said in a statement.
Other factors behind the change in fortunes included fewer service disconnections among its 537,217 customers.
"This has allowed Sky to lower its acquisition costs and improve free cash flow, which decreases interest costs," he said.
Because the America's Cup coverage was broadcast by another network, Sky was able to lower its acquisition costs and improve free cash flow, decreasing interest costs.
Mr Fellet said the improved forecast was based on the best assessment of the information available.
CCTV news channel and Phoenix to coexist
From satellite today
China Central Television’s (CCTV) newly-launched 24 hour, satellite-delivered news channel will not be a threat to Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television’s InfoNews channel, according to the latter’s CEO.
Liu Changle likened the relationship between his InfoNews and the new CCTV service to that of Fox and CNN in the United States saying “There is room for both of us.” Liu said he expects that InfoNews’ audience will grow from six millions at present, to eight to 10 million by the end of 2003. Observers noted that the planned total is considerably less than the 20 million forecast at the start of the year.
InfoNews posted a E3.29 million loss for the third quarter ended December 31. This compared to a E4.13 million loss 12 months earlier and the it prompted Liu to predict that he could reach breakeven by the end of year, despite the impact of SARS.
Liu said increased revenue from advertisers of health and hygiene products as well as medicines, will boost the advertising take, despite the sharp fall in income from travel and tourism sources.
20/05/03
Live satellite related chat tonight 9pm NZ and 8.30pm Syd onwards in the chatroom.
Optus C1 Brochure has been removed by request due to Copyright.
Imparja Vpid 1214 ?
Not much news today.
From my Emails & ICQ
From Channel 8 (P.N.G)
NBN-Pinoy Central on PAS-8
According to the Engineering Department at NBN, Manila,
their transmission at 3716V will remain FTA until Sep/Oct
2003. And yes, TARBS have purchased the global rights.
(Craigs comment, not really a surprise is it? Lyngsat isn't reporting this one yet)
From Zapara W.A
Screenshots of DX reception of Palapa C2 KU band
TV5, Ar-Rahman, Global/MTV and Metro
From the Dish
PAS 2 169E 12336 V Occasional Fuji TV feeds, SR 6620, FEC 3/4.
Palapa C2 113E 11132 V "MATV has replaced Sun TV", Viaccess 2, PIDs 66/67.
AsiaSat 2 100.5E 3946 H "Sichuan TV" has left , replaced by occasional feeds.
NEWS
Two-way satellite broadband streaks across Australia
From http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/communications/story/0,2000048620,20274638,00.htm
Multiemedia has announced two-way satellite broadband will be available at a number of commercial sites across Australia this week.
The satellite technology will allow 60 Mbps download speed and 1.15 Mbps upload speed, according to Multiemedia. The service is being offered by a syndicate of companies including New Skies Satellites, Viasat (who will provide the hardware), IP Access International (backbone and consulting) and Kavera Software (billing and subscriber management).
The US$650 million NSS-6 satellite used to provide the service "covers more than 60 percent of the world's population," said Adrian Ballintine, the group managing director and CEO of Multiemedia.
The initial sites that will receive commercial access include Austrade, ISPs Norfolk Island Internet Services and Internet Whitsundays, and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which is planning a virtual private network for its 155 Australian and Pacific Island schools.
FTA channels may ride on DD’s DTH
From http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/printedition/200503/detECO07.shtml
National television broadcaster Doordarshan is positioning itself to become the first direct-to-home (DTH) television operator in the country. And unlike plans by Zee TV and Star TV, DD will be a free-to-air DTH operator. The launch will take place early next year.
Information and broadcasting secretary Pawan Chopra told the Hindustan Times that, "it is a part of DD's charter to cover the enter geographical space of India. As of today, DD covers only 90 per cent of the country and the signal is strong only in about 75 per cent of the nation."
The logic behind DD's move is that instead of spending upwards of Rs 4,000 crore building and staffing low-power and very-low power transmission towers to service these areas, it makes more sense to build a DTH infrastructure for a similar amount of money.
"We will transmit open signals (uncoded) in the Ku-band and all that consumers will have to do is to buy a converter. That may cost Rs 5,000 initially. However, with time, these converters will cost much lesser," Chopra said.
"We are trying to get the clearances as quickly as possible. ISRO has already promised us a transponder and hopefully we should be able to go on air by early 2004," Chopra said.
Chopra said the DTH infrastructure built by DD could also be a source of revenue. "We are more than willing to carry the signals of other free-to-air channels for a marginal telecast fee. This will help these channels reach parts of the country that they currently do not reach," he said.