ERT World on UBI Optus D2 - Frequency Change Sept 4-5
To Everyone who watches ERT World on Optus D2 and see the scrolling message ERT is moving Frequencies so you will need to rescan your boxes to the new frequency :
12608 H 22500 3/4
The September issue of satmagazine is out download it at
www.satmagazine.com
From my Email
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From the Dish
Intelsat 8 166E 12646 H "Syria Drama" has started on , Fta.
Optus D2 152E 12546 V "VA Sports" has left . BRT and NTV Avrupa on are now encrypted.
Optus D2 152E 12608 H "Ishtar TV" has left .
Optus D2 152E 12706 H "ERT World" is Fta
Insat 4A 83E 3725 H "Sadhna News Bihar" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 3958 H "Mahuaa Khobor" has started on , Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 4054 H "Arihant TV" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 12604 H "TAN Network" has started on , Irdeto.
Apstar 2R 76.5E 3641 H "Channel I" has started on , Fta, SR 3214.
ABS 1 75E 3559 V "T Sports Channel" is now encrypted.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3802 H "ET Now and Zoom" are now encrypted.
Intelsat 12 45E 11550 V "DW-TV Europe" has started on , MPEG-4, Videoguard.
Express AM1 40E 4107 R "KRT" has left .
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东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，TAN Network（英语）频道新增，设置12604 H 30000参数有条件接收。[09-01]
东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，Sadhna News Bihar（印度）频道新增，设置3725 H 26665参数免费接收。[09-01]
NEWS
GE Satcom Reveals Triple-Play Service For Merchant Vessels
From http://www.seekingmedia.com.au/news.php?newsid=1154&g=-1
Launch follows successful pilot testing of high-end satellite-based phone, Internet and TV service
STUTTGART, Germany (BUSINESS WIRE): GE Satcom has unveiled the commercial launch of a satellite-based communications service designed to support a range of value-added services for merchant vessel operators.
The project was originally developed and co-piloted in close collaboration with a Hamburg-based German fleet operator whose insight into the needs of commercial shipping and its crew were critical to the solution design. A six month pilot was first carried out on board a large container vessel operating between ports in Asia, Africa and Europe, and following successful acceptance the service has now been scheduled for commercial roll out to 14 more ships.
The ‘Satlynx Maritime' solution from GE Satcom provides a sophisticated platform for delivering an innovative triple-play service The solution provides telephone, Internet access and a range of TV content including daily news, sports reports and magazine shows that can be multiplexed into any cabin, technical or recreation room. The cost effective, flat-rate service operates on the iDirect Evolution platform. Using Ku-band as the primary link, the service can automatically switch to an L-Band link via Inmarsat or Iridium as a back-up solution.
A maritime customer of GE Satcom, Captain G. Falk Bethke, Chief Superintendant of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, commented, "GE Satcom have been extremely flexible in overcoming their customers' primary challenges and adapting to their specific needs. GE Satcom's simple retrofit solution provides a scalable platform on which cutting-edge fleet management applications can be built, such as location tracking, eco-routing, and performance monitoring to reduce operational costs - for both new builds and existing ships alike."
Ronny Svang, President and CEO of GE Satcom said, "The always-on connectivity we provide means the service will be available 24/7 over most commercial shipping lanes around the world, enabling the fleet owners and crew to constantly optimise the cost of communications for both ship operation and extended plug & play Internet, voice and TV services."
"The maritime sector is extremely competitive and it's vital to have the best crew for our fleet. The better we're able to look after our crew, the easier it is to attract and retain the top people. What GE Satcom has done is bring affordability to first-class crew welfare services," added Captain Bethke.
About GE Satcom
GE Satcom provides advanced satellite communication solutions on a multi-regional scale. With access to over 30 satellites, GE Satcom owns two state-of-the-art teleport centres in Germany and Switzerland. Today, GE Satcom has successfully deployed around 10,000 VSAT sites in over 130 countries, providing turnkey satellite network solutions directly to enterprises, maritime operators, NGOs and government entities which require reliable access to the Internet, telephony, large data transmission and TV content applications from dispersed locations.
Contacts
GE Satcom
Viviana Kennedy, +49 7191 971 3728
press@gesatcom.com
Food Network Asia launches in Taiwan
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k10/sep/sep1.php
MUMBAI: Continuing its expansion strategy in Asia, Food Network Asia has launched in Taiwan to DishHD customers.
This follows its launch in Singapore early this year. The channel includes the popular Food Network series from the United States, as well as new content catered to local market tastes in food programming.
“In launching Food Network Asia in Taiwan, we hope to satisfy the surging interest in both high-definition television and in lifestyle entertainment around the world,” said Greg Moyer, president of Scripps Networks International, global development arm of Scripps Networks Interactive.
DishHD is a new satellite pay-TV service that provides the widest variety of high-definition video channels in Taiwan in an all-digital format.
Said DishHD COO Steve Skalski, “Food Network Asia is a perfect fit for DishHD. We are excited to be the first platform to bring this high-definition channel to Taiwan.”
Food Network Asia offers a multiplatform experience on television, online and through an iPhone application.
Viewers will see highly-rated series from all over the world. From the popular U.S. production Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, to the culinary journeys of Chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam, to the adventurous Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, there is something to satisfy all food lovers. In addition, original commissioned programming such as Eat Like a Local, Home Cooking, and Food Fun At 3am feature stories shot throughout Southeast Asia. Hosts include Janet Hseih, Oli Pettigrew and Linda Black.
Scripps Networks International continues to execute expansion plans globally, and currently offers Food Network in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
DishHD has the most HD channels in Taiwan; its channel lineup features news, sports, entertainment, education, and children’s, among other niche channels.
More excitement beyond
From http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=51368
Astro B.yond subscribers now have a new channel which promises lots of thrilling shows
IF YOU believe that the future of television lies in HD, then you’ll love how Astro is giving you more reasons to stay at home.
Astro has just introduced a new channel called AXN Beyond HD, which comes from SPE Networks – Asia (SPENA), the same group that operates popular action and anime channels AXN and Animax.
Subscribers can catch the new AXN Beyond HD on Channel 720. This hip-and-happening TV destination offers viewers exclusive looks at first-run US shows, serving two new programmes each month to discerning viewers.
In addition, AXN Beyond HD also offers some alternative programming, including British entertainment, to add even more variety to an already wide-ranging entertainment choice.
Ricky Ow, senior vice-president and general manager of SPENA, is confident that AXN Beyond HD will appeal to Malaysian viewers. He said: "AXN has been the leading channel in Malaysia, well loved and supported by our loyal fans all these years.
"With AXN Beyond HD, we’re once again introducing our flagship style of quality entertainment to Malaysia, where viewers will be able to get top quality, extensive and appealing content.
"We believe that the AXN Beyond HD programming will appeal to a wide range of demographics, and with it being offered in HD, it will be especially popular with the younger, tech-savvy core audience of 18- to 35-year-olds."
Headlining AXN Beyond HD’s debut is the highly-anticipated final season of the global blockbuster hit drama series Lost, with viewers finally discovering the ultimate destinies of the crash survivors on the enigmatic island.
From the paranormal-action genre comes the fifth and latest season of drama series Supernatural, which has the demon-hunting Winchester brothers stopping the Devil from bringing apocalypse to Earth.
Foodies will also be able to enjoy the latest season of the exciting, mouth-watering reality culinary contest series, Top Chef, hosted by supermodel Padma Lakshmi.
Top Chef
was named best reality show at this year’s Emmy Awards ceremony last Sunday, toppling long-time winner The Amazing Race.
Across the other end of the genre spectrum, AXN Beyond HD will also debut romance drama The Ex List, dramedy Drop Dead Diva, fashion reality show The Rachel Zoe Project, reality competition Top Design, and mystery drama Melrose Place, a remake of the original hit series.
Those who love a dose of British flavour can watch legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen in the new show The Prisoner, a remake of the 60s cult show.
With so many hit shows, AXN Beyond HD will redefine the entertainment experience of Malaysian viewers.
Besides AXN Beyond HD, Astro is also introducing another channel, Nat Geo WILD (Channel 550) and two new radio channels, Radio Bayu (Channel 869) and Radio Kenyalang (Channel 870).
Henry Tan, chief operating officer of Astro, said in a statement that these channels, except AXN Beyond HD, is available to all Astro customers under the Family package.
AXN Beyond HD is available to all Astro B.yond customers as a preview channel.
The Radio Bayu and Radio Kenyalang channels cater to the diverse cultural segments in Sabah and Sarawak.
Exclusive pay-TV content for all
From http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/DigitalOne/Story/A1Story20100902-235118.html
FROM the middle of next year, pay-TV subscribers here need not have to pay extra fees, fuss around with multiple set-top boxes or switch pay-TV retailers to watch newly acquired shows not available from their current providers, said the Media Development Authority (MDA) yesterday.
This is thanks to a cross-carriage measure which will take effect then. The MDA reiterated its March announcement that exclusive pay-TV content acquired by a retailer must be made available on the platforms of other retailers.
Mr Michael Yap, MDA's deputy chief executive, said the new regulations would lead to pay-TV diversity by drawing new players into the market.
"The measure will build a more vibrant industry. Retailers will start...looking at more innovative ways to service consumers," he said, adding that consumers would benefit from lower costs and less hassle.
Last October, SingTel wrested the broadcast rights to the Barclays Premier League (BPL) from StarHub, raising concerns among many viewers. Viewers feared they had to pay more - like renting an additional set-top box for SingTel's mio TV service, aside from their existing StarHub TV set-top box - to watch the football league.
Industry players said the new measure could alleviate these fears but noted that the cross-carriage measure does not apply to content like the BPL because the regulations are for content acquired on or after March 12.
The MDA said that following a round of consultation with industry players, it had refined its cross-carriage measure.
Industry members consulted comprise consumer representatives like the Consumers Association of Singapore, content owners like HBO and pay-TV retailers like StarHub.
The MDA clarified that under the new measure, a StarHub subscriber who wants to watch an exclusive channel on Sing- Tel's mio TV service can simply use his StarHub set-top box to watch the show.
He would simply pay mio TV for the channel's monthly subscription fees without any extra costs, unlike the situation today.
On mio TV's end, SingTel would have to pay a fee to buy bandwidth on StarHub's cable infrastructure to make its channel available on StarHub TV.
This means that even though StarHub can deliver the mio TV channel, it does not profit. Sing- Tel would, instead.
MDA said that during its consultation, consumer representatives and retailers had welcomed the measure but some content providers were worried that their copyrights would be infringed.
In May, the Hong Kong-based Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa), which represents many of the world's biggest content companies, including HBO and Discovery Networks, criticised the measure for violating international trade and intellectual- property treaties.
MDA refuted these two concerns.
When contacted by my paper yesterday, a Casbaa spokesman said the MDA had "clarified a number of points that will seriously affect the pay-TV business in Singapore" but said it needed more time to think about the measure before taking a formal position on it.
Four content owners approached declined to comment on the MDA's update.
Mr Adeel Najam, a senior industry analyst with Frost & Sullivan, said an outright ban on exclusive content would benefit consumers more.
Both StarHub and SingTel welcome the measure. However, a SingTel spokesman said: "To be successful in delivering the intended benefits to the pay-TV market and pay-TV consumers, the MDA will need to carefully consider the implementation details."
Three GLONASS satellites put successfully on designated orbit
From http://www.satprnews.com/2010/09/02/three-glonass-satellites-put-successfully-on-designated-orbit/
Three satellites of the GLONASS global navigation system were put successfully on the designated orbit.
“The launch vehicle Proton-M, which was blasted off at 4.53 am Moscow time on Thursday from the Baikonur spaceport by the upper stage rocket DM within a period between 8.26 am and 9.12 am Moscow time put three satellites GLONASS-M on the designated orbit,” spokesman for the Space Troops Lieut. Col. Alexei Zolotukhin told Itar-Tass. “The separation of satellites was made as scheduled. The stable communication with the satellites was established and is being maintained. The satellite onboard systems are operating well,” he noted.
“The placement of each of three satellites in the designated point of the orbit will be made thanks to the engine switch-on,” a source in the Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) said. “New satellites should be made operational fully for 45 days since the launch moment,” the source said. The satellites will operate on the circular orbits at an altitude of 19,100 kilometers and with the inclination angle of 64.8 degrees.
The Thursday launch is seeking to build up the GLONASS orbital grouping. According to the Machine Building Central Research Institute, “The orbital grouping included 23 satellites, 21 of which on the designated mission and two in the orbital reserve” as of September 1, 2010.
At least 18 operational satellites, 24 satellites on the global scale, are needed for the constant GLONASS signal on all the territory of Russia.
The launch was specific, because the GLONASS orbital grouping includes 26 satellites for the first time in the last few years. However, the target level of 24 operational satellites has not been reached yet. “Two satellites are planned to be made operational and one satellite will be added to the orbital reserve group” 45 days after the launch, the Roskosmos source said. Thus, 23 satellites will be used on their designated mission and three satellites will make up the orbital reserve by October 17.
The GLONASS satellites will be placed on the orbits in three projections taken apart in 120 degrees from each other, at least eight satellites in each projection. The payload of the satellite GLONASS-M is 1,415 kilograms. Its service life is seven years.
The civil GLONASS satellites are designed to provide the constant navigation signal, which can detect the highly accurate coordinates and the speed of any moving object equipped with GLONASS receivers. The GLONASS orbital grouping resolves the missions for Russian security.
The GLONASS system was initially put into operation in the interest of the Defence Ministry in September 1993 with the limited orbital grouping of 12 satellites. In December 1995 the orbital grouping was deployed to the scheduled strength of 24 satellites, however it was cut again due to underfinancing. On February 18, 1999, the Russian president decreed the GLONASS system as a dual-purpose system. In December 2005 Vladimir Putin instructed Roskosmos and the Defence Ministry to speed up the restoration of the GLONASS orbital grouping.
Before the end of 2010 Roskosmos is planning to orbit four more navigation satellites GLONASS-M and one new-generation satellite GLONASS-K.
45th anniversary from launching the first Russian communications satellite Molniya-1 is celebrated
From http://www.satprnews.com/2010/09/02/45th-anniversary-from-launching-the-first-russian-communications-satellite-molniya-1-is-celebrated/
In 1961, the Korolev prototype design bureau started research & development of the satellite Molniya-1, which had to transmit one TV program and to provide multi-channel telegraphic and telephonic communications. The General designer of the satellite was M.P. Kappanov. On April 23, 1961 the third in succession and the first successful launch of the soviet communications satellite Molniya-1 took place.
The next day after delivering the satellite into orbit, the communication session via space between Moscow and Vladivostok was performed in the Soviet Union for the first time. B.E. Chertok, one of the immediate participants of developing the satellite, recalls in his book “Rockets and people. Hot days of the cold war”. “W
e checked the operation of the whole communications complex on the Moscow – Vladivostok line with the passion of gamblers that were lucky after a streak of bad luck. We so much wanted to show the 1st May demonstration and the parade on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Great victory in World War 2 to the Far East and the marine parade of the Pacific navy in Vladivostok to Moscow. And we made it!”
Since 1967 the TV signal translations via Orbita system using the domestic spacecraft of Molniya-1 series became regular. To meet the tasks of establishing communications channels and distributing the state TV&Radio programs through the satellite communications satellite systems, the Union’s TV&Radio Communications Center No.9 was founded in February 1968. With the time it became the main state operator of the space constellation of communications satellites – the Russian Satellite Communications Company.
BSkyB signs up 3 millionth subscriber to high-definition television service
From http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/02/bskyb-high-definition-subscribers
More than 30% of Sky's total subscriber base, which stood at 9.86 million at the end of June, now watching in high definition
BSkyB has signed up the 3 millionth subscriber to its high definition (HD) television service just over four years after it was launched in the UK.
Nearly 50 channels are available in high definition on the Sky digital satellite service, including BBC HD, ITV1 HD and five high-definition Sky Sports networks. Living became the latest broadcaster to join the HD platform today , with several more ITV channels due to join it before the end of the year.
More than 30% of Sky's total subscriber base, which stood at 9.86 million at the end of June, is now watching in high definition, a key driver in boosting the satellite broadcaster's average revenue per user.
Sophie Turner Laing, Sky's managing director of entertainment, news and broadcast operations, said the broadcaster had "recognised the potential of HD early", adding that the superior quality broadcasts had now "grown into something which our customers utterly love and now demand as standard".
However, the latest milestone also suggests that the growth rate of HD has slowed after a bumper second quarter boosted by the football World Cup. An extra 429,000 customers were signed up in the three months to the end of June, taking total HD subscribers to 2.94 million.
A slowdown was predicted by the BSkyB chief executive, Jeremy Darroch, who said in July that he expected to see a "pause for breath" in take-up of the new technology. The next set of subscriber figures, for the third quarter of 2010, will be announced at the end of October.
Sky's high-definition service launched in May 2006. High-definition channels are also available on Virgin Media, Freeview, the BBC and ITV's free-to-air satellite joint venture, Freesat.
Living HD, which broadcasts programmes including Britain's Next Top Model presented by Elle Macpherson, became the 46th high-definition channel on the Sky platform, following the launch of Good Food HD earlier this week.
Jonathan Webb, managing director of the Living TV Group, said: "Living is home to some of the glossiest UK and US programmes on television and they deserve to be seen in their pin-sharp HD glory."
Eden HD, ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD will all launch before the end of the year, taking Sky's total number of HD channels to more than 50. BBC1 will also be simulcast in high definition in its entirety for the first time this autumn.
Sky Sports' biggest HD audience to date was Manchester United's 3-0 win over Newcastle in their opening Premier League fixture of the season last month, which was watched in more than 800,000 homes.
Sky's next big marketing push will be 3D television, with the broadcaster set to launch Europe's first dedicated 3D channel on 1 October.
NDTV expands reach in Africa, hops on to DStv base pack
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k10/sep/sep5.php
MUMBAI: In a bid to reach out to more international audiences in Africa, NDTV has extended its partnership with pay TV services provider MultiChoice Africa (MCA).
As a part of the new deal, English news channel NDTV 24X7 will now have a much wider reach. Earlier, the channel was available only on the Indian pack, reaching out to 70,000 homes.
"We're pleased to have expanded our existing partnership with MCA, wherein NDTV 24x7 will now be available to viewers all across Sub-Saharan Africa. Our reach will grow tremendously to over 3.5 million homes than 70,000 homes at present," NDTV head network distribution and affiliate sales Rahul Sood said.
"With the world having set its eyes upon Africa, we're proud to be the only news channel out of India reaching out to millions of viewers across the continent," he added.
In South Africa, NDTV is available to all subscribers on DStv channel 407. In the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, it is available to DStv Premium, Compact, Family and Access subscribers (including all Asian packages) on DStv channel 407.
MultiChoice Africa president Collins Khumalo said, "We are pleased to be making this channel available across a wide range of our DStv products. News is an important television genre and we are committed to providing a diversified range of news programming for subscribers across the continent. MultiChoice is constantly driven to ensure that all subscribers are satisfied with the total offering and we are always looking to offer innovative and unique ways to deliver value to subscribers."
1//09/10
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Asiasat 5 3765 H Sr 6111 "BDO FIH Hockey World Cup for Women" from Rosario Argentina
Asiasat 5 3687 V Sr 5632 Fec 3/4 Sportaccord Combat Games 2010 Beijing Wrestling
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NEWS
Foxtel for Xbox 360 offers 30 channels
From http://www.cnet.com.au/foxtel-for-xbox-360-offers-30-channels-339305708.htm
Foxtel has announced it will enable Xbox 360 users to stream over 30 of its pay TV channels through their consoles when the service is launched.
The Foxtel interface shares the appearance of the Xbox 360 dashboard (Credit:CBS Interactive)
Under the agreement, Foxtel will appear as a tile under the Video Market Place in the Xbox Dashboard, and users will have access to more than 30 channels and Movies on Demand at launch.
Foxtel executive director Patrick Delany acknowledged the challenges of file sizes and download caps during his presentation. Previously, Microsoft has said that it is in talks with Australian internet service providers to offer Foxtel on Xbox 360 unmetered, but no new information on potential ISP partnerships was given at today's event.
Microsoft Australia announced the partnership with local pay-TV provider Foxtel in May, but is yet to detail any pricing or availability. However, users will need an Xbox Gold subscription to access the service, which currently costs AU$8 per month.
Like the current video streaming experience on the Xbox 360, users will be able to enter into party mode, allowing them to watch content with friends over Xbox Live.
Foxtel marketing boss David Morgan exits
From http://www.adnews.com.au/news/foxtel-marketing-boss-david-morgan-exits
Foxtel chief marketing officer David Morgan has parted company with the Pay-TV network after five months in the role, AdNews can exclusively reveal.
Morgan left his role last Friday and Foxtel is currently recruiting for a replacement. It is not known if Morgan has a new position lined up elsewhere. At the time of writing, AdNews was unable to contact Morgan.
Director of policy and corporate affairs at Foxtel, Adam Suckling, confirmed Morgan's departure and issued a brief statement to AdNews.
"Foxtel can confirm that David Morgan has left the role of Chief Marketing Officer. David resigned from the role and Foxtel is currently recruiting a replacement".
Morgan joined Foxtel from News Limited following a brief spell at the Australian newspaper group. His time at News Limited lasted three months; on his first day Morgan found out the role no longer existed amid a restructure. Morgan left in March of this year to join Foxtel, in which News Limited-owner News Corporation owns a 25% stake.
Morgan is better known as the architect of Bankwest’s “Happy Banking” repositioning, which he launched as chief marketing officer for the retail division.
Morgan also oversaw a significant increase in the HBOS-owned bank's marketing spend as it opened 160 new branches in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
AFL and rugby league finals to be shown in 3D
From http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/afl-and-rugby-league-finals-to-be-shown-in-3d/story-e6frg996-1225912825937
SEVEN has joined the rush to screen 3D television with a decision by the communications watchdog to allocate it and Nine a trial 3D TV licence.
The licence will enable Seven to broadcast the Australian rules grand final and Nine to show the rugby league grand final in 3D.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority today announced the licences would run from September 18 to October 8 in five capital cities, allowing Seven to show the AFL grand final on September 25, and Nine to show the NRL grand final on October 3.
The regulator confirmed it had received reports from both Nine and SBS on their joint 3D TV trial that ran from May to July, allowing them to show the State of Origin rugby league and 2010 FIFA World Cup, respectively, in 3D. Last week Nine was rebuked by ACMA for not handing in its report on the first trial.
ACMA has also released a discussion paper on 3D TV and similar technologies to review "spectrum, licensing and consumer policy issues associated with 3D TV'', with submissions due by October 15.
The regulator said it would not grant new licences for further 3D TV trials pending the review.
Seven appears to have had a late conversion to the benefits of 3D, announcing its plans for the one-off broadcast in conjunction with Panasonic and the AFL today.
But on Monday, in response to questions from The Australian on the topic, spokesman Simon Francis said the network would "leave it to Nine and ACMA at the moment''.
The match will be shown in high-definition 3D on digital channel 40 and will also be broadcast on Seven's new digital channel, 7mate, which will be on channel 73.
"We are looking forward to meeting the challenge of producing the first live 3D television coverage of an AFL match and it being the biggest game of the year and one of the great moments in sports,'' Seven chief executive David Leckie said.
Viewers will need a 3D television and compatible eyewear to view the 3D broadcast.
Foxtel beat the free-to-air networks to launch the first Australian television broadcast using the new 3D technology when it screened a Socceroos football match in 3D earlier this year.
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=206108863
[SatNews] Pactel International has just partnered with TSKL, a local telecommunications carrier in the Republic of Kiribati, to supply its residents with internet links via RICS (Rural Internet Connectivity System).
This partnership means that Internet services will now be made available to the most remote areas of the country. The RICS (Rural Internet Connectivity System) is designed to provide two-way Internet connectivity to all of the Pacific Island countries, with Internet download speeds between 256kbits/second and 2,048kbits/second, using a 1.2m Ku-band antenna in 1:4 and 1:10 ratio. RICS is directly connected to Pactel’s US Tier 1 backbone via GE-23 at 172 degrees East. It is based on the SHIRON DVB-S2 ACM Intersky platform, using the latest modulation techniques to ensure reliability, availability, and throughput. Self-installation is the key component in RICS service as it allows end users to perform the commissioning of the satellite dish independently. Such saves costly professional installation fees. RICS runs on 110V/220V or 24 volts and consumes only 35 watts of power, resulting in compatibility with solar equipment. To date, Pactel International has already supplied a number of internet links via RICS into local schools, hospitals and small businesses into the remote locations of the country, where internet connection was previously unavailable.
Globecomm Wins $4.3 Million DTH Infrastructure Contract
From http://www.satellitetoday.com/st/headlines/Globecomm-Wins-$4-3-Million-DTH-Infrastructure-Contract_34947.html
[Satellite TODAY 09-01-10] Globecomm Systems, a provider of satellite-based communications infrastructure solutions and services, has received a $4.3 million contract from an unnamed media and entertainment company, Globecomm announced Aug. 30.
Under the contract, Globecomm will design and install a DTH satellite uplink and upgrade an existing uplink facility for the media and entertainment customer. Globecomm anticipates the completion of this contract in its fiscal year 2011 fourth quarter, ending June 2011.
“We are pleased and honored to be selected by the customer for this challenging project. Our proven record in the DTH television business and in both RF and broadcast systems is viewed very favorably by the industry, establishing Globecomm as a major player in that field,” Globecomm Vice President of Asia Pacific Dov Cydulkin said in a statement.
Living vicariously through TLC
From http://www.mmail.com.my/content/48210-living-vicariously-through-tlc
Get the inside track on all the things you love to do and make everything you experience more interesting. Astro's new channel TLC goes on air today and will be available on Astro 707.
TLC celebrates everyday life and special occasions by offering both new perspectives and shared experiences from real-life people in remarkable circumstances.
The programming on TLC will include content focused on lifestyle, travel, the environment, home improvement and gripping human interest stories.
Fans of Discovery Travel & Living are getting a brand new channel that is even bigger, better and bolder, featuring new faces, new genres and new places.
Some of the interesting programmes include Cake Boss 2, What Not to Wear, Stager Invasion, Sea Nation, LA Ink 3, Invite Mr. Wright, Sarah Palin's Alaska, Globe Trekker 14, Best Food Ever, Marco Pierre White: The Chopping Board, Jamie's Food Escapes and many more.
Today, TLC gives viewers a sneak peek of the exciting new series premiering later this year on the channel. From 6pm to 11pm, viewers will be able to preview compelling new series that will keep you glued to your seats.
To make things interesting, TLC will be giving subscribers a chance to win a 'TLC Experience of a Lifetime'. Fans will get to pick one of five TLC experiences and a lucky winner will be selected for one of these trips - either to New Jersey to sample Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro's delicious creations at his bakery; visit the LA Ink studio and meet Kat Von D in the flesh; enjoy a home-cooked feast with Surreal Gourmet's Bob Blumer at his home in Hollywood; sip a spot of tea with Bobby Chinn in the Middle East or go on a tour with Fun Taiwan host Janet Hsieh.
Tune into TLC for more details on the contest.
TLC SNEAK PEEK PROGRAMMES ON AIR TODAY
MARCO PIERRE WHITE: THE CHOPPING BOARD, 6pm
Series premieres on Sept 4 at 9pm
Legendary British chef Marco Pierre White made headlines when he earned a trio of Michelin stars by the tender age of 33, but he is perhaps more famous for making Gordon Ramsey cry! Eight couples have volunteered to potentially face the same fate as they compete in culinary competition series Marco Pierre White: The Chopping Board. The winner will take home US$250,000 (RM786,000) to fund their own restaurant.
BEST FOOD EVER, 7pm
Series premieres on Nov 4 at 10pm
Each episode of Best Food Ever will count down America's top 10 food destinations in a specific category, highlighting what makes them the best and exactly who is behind these delectable dishes, while also hearing from the foodies that help propel these establishments into the rankings.
KING OF THE CROWN, 8pm
Series premieres on Oct 2 at 10pm
KING of the Crown is a series featuring Cyrus Frakes and his staff at Gowns and Crowns as they navigate through the hilarious and heartwarming world of pageant coaching. Every week Cyrus and his staff take a newbie client through a local pageant as well as showcase previous titleholders as they perfect their winning techniques. From walking to talking, to dressing to stretching, Cyrus and his staff set personal goals for each individual client.
GLOBE TREKKER 14, 9pm
Series premieres on Sept 3 at 10pm
GLOBE Trekker is back with a brand new season and an inspirational destination guide to the planet.
Synonymous with carefree, out-of-the-ordinary travel, Globe Trekker explores some of the world's most unique sites and cities, and delves beneath the surface to discover time-honoured traditions.
Destinations in the new season include Antarctica, Syria, Nigeria and Turkey.
WORLD CAFÉ: MIDDLE EAST, 10pm
Series premieres on Oct 4 at 10pm
WORLD Café: Middle East takes citizen of the world Bobby to eight destinations across the Middle East, a land of spellbinding landscapes and ancient ruins. There, Bobby learns more about what the Middle East has to offer by visiting the local markets, hanging out at the hippest nightspots, and whipping up some delicious and sometimes, downright strange street food.
To get the full programme list, visit astro.com.my
The Sun Will Not Fry Satellites
From http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Sun-Will-Not-Fry-Satellites-154559.shtml
While it may be true that the Sun is a giant unshielded fusion reactor, and that it can manifest itself violently, experts at the European Space Agency (ESA) say that the recent craze about the star's increased activity jeopardizing Earth is unfounded.
ESA is taking a keen interest in the issue because it is scheduled to launch a new series of satellites by 2013, when the current solar cycle is bound to reach its maximum.
For the past couple of years, the Sun has missed its cue, in the sense that it failed to recover from a period of solar minimum. This was supposed to conclude in 2008 but it's only now that solar activity is beginning to increase in intensity.
Studying how the Sun behaves is very important, given that solar storms can emit waves of radiation that can disrupt power grids, satellites communications, and threaten the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Satellite-based navigation systems are also prone to experiencing interferences from solar storm, and ESA is scheduled to launch the first components of such a system within a couple of years.
The first four operational satellites of the Galileo navigation system will be launched by 2013, setting the stage for the main competitor of the American-built Global Positioning System (GPS).
“These Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites will indeed go up during a period of enhanced solar activity. But the solar max is hardly a surprise event,” says Bertram Arbesser-Rastburg.
“Astronomers counting sunspots have tracked the solar cycle for more than 250 years. All the indications are this solar max will not be especially energetic – the last solar minimum has been unusually long and deep,” adds the expert who is the head of the Electromagnetics and Space Environment division at ESA.
Recently, a series of media reports have been making the rounds, suggesting that the increased solar activity that is expected for 2013 could have devastating consequences on the Earth.
There is a special group of scientists, called solar physicists, who spend their times peering through data sent back by telescopes trained on the Sun, looking for indications that something severe may take place.
It is highly unlikely that the Sun will affect life on Earth to a considerable extent during the coming solar maximum. ESA officials are also convinced that nothing bad will happen to their satellites.
“In the worst case – perhaps during a geomagnetic storm, when an incoming coronal mass ejection completely churns up the ionosphere – the system might tell the user not to rely on it at all,” ESA experts say in a press release.
“But that would not be a total shutdown, just local unavailability on a scale of hundreds of kilometers, like getting caught up in an incident of bad weather – except this would be space weather,” they conclude.
Monsoon Multimedia Launches Vulkano for Mac
From http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2010/08/31/4984255.htm
SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug 31, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Monsoon Multimedia, a leading provider of video convergence products, today announced availability of the free Mac client for all Vulkano devices direct from Monsoon at http://www.myvulkano.com/. The new software allows Mac owners to enjoy all the Vulkano features including integrated DVR, web video, place shifting, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) streaming and Mobile Video Recording providing a true universal video platform throughout the home and when Vulkano owners are on the go.
Vulkano's Mac client lets users watch and control any home TV channel through a wired or Wi-Fi connection from anywhere in the world simply by installing a Vulkano and downloading the free Mac software application. They can also schedule a recording through an included EPG (electronic program guide), transfer and watch the recordings at any time on their Mac.
Mac owners can also utilize the Vulkano's tightly integrated hardware and software UPnP-enabled platform with a powerful video processor to view content residing on the Mac from their living room TV, giving them an elegant solution to view photos and video wherever and whenever they want without having to hassle with messy cables.
Vulkano, in addition to replacing multiple boxes such as TiVo, Slingbox and Roku, provides significant other benefits and energy savings, giving consumers tremendous performance at a low cost.
"Vulkano is setting the standard for putting entertainment control in the hands of consumers," said Colin Stiles, EVP Sales and Marketing at Monsoon. "Whether on an iPhone, iPad, Android, PC, home TV or now Mac the same powerful entertainment experience is consistent and universal. We believe consumers should have access to all their video content regardless of where they are or what television, computer or smartphone they prefer. The Mac client takes us one step further in that direction." Summary of Vulkano Features for Mac: Transforms Macs into Mobile Video Recorders Recorded programs play back on Macs Direct record mode allows for Pause, Fast Forward/Rewind Schedule TV recording by show, channel or date and time Browse EPG for shows and episode descriptions Mark channels as Favorite for quick access Watch and control your live TV on the go via any Internet connection Watch at home on Macs in near HD resolution Change channels just like at home Enjoy photos, video and music on home TV stored on Macs Multiple users can have recordings on Vulkano hard-drive and access independently Control Vulkano features and settings through intuitive television menu Connect to all major TV sources - cable, DVD, satellite, DVR, TiVo Stream video at H.264 and MPEG-4 standards at rates as low as 150kbps Includes 8GB or 16GB of SD card storage or e-SATA hard drives up to 1TB Connects wirelessly through Vulkano's on board .11n WiFi to home router TV content is passed from the set-top box's analog output (component, composite) to Vulkano; using resolutions up to 1080i Pricing and Availability The Mac client for the Vulkano is available for download at http://www.myvulkano.com/. Both Vulkano Deluxe and Vulkano Deluxe Pro are available immediately at www.myvulkano.com. Vulkano Deluxe comes with 16GB of SD storage costing $279 and Vulkano Deluxe Pro comes with 1 Terabyte e-SATA hard disk and costs $379. Select retailers such as www.amazon.com are shipping Vulkano which comes with 8GB SD storage and costs $259 and the Vulkano Pro at $349 which includes a 500GB e-SATA hard disk.
About Monsoon Multimedia Monsoon Multimedia provides advanced, standards-based multimedia products and convergence technologies for the PC, Mac, iPad and major smartphones. Founded by the founders of Dazzle and Emuzed, the company has offices in California, India, Russia and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.monsoonmultimedia.com.
For regular Vulkano updates follow us at www.Twitter.com/MyVulkano Become a Fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyVulkano All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.
Reliance BIG TV adds 13 new channels
From http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/19311501.htm
MUMBAI: DTH operator Reliance BIG TV has said that it has added 13 new channels to its bouquet to take the total number of to 245.
The Anil Ambani-led firm has added channels like Star Plus HD (high definition feed of the general entertainment channel), NGC Wild, NGC Adventure, NGC Music, UFX, HM TV, Mahaa TV, ETV Bihar and Polimer TV.
“We have added 13 new channels on the platform and going forward, we plan to add significant momentum through relevant and differentiated content on Reliance BIG TV,” the company Senior Vice-President, Mr Umesh Rao, said in a statement. — PTI
31/08/10
Live chat 9.p.m NZ and 8.30p.m Syd time onwards
Very quiet today.
Has anyone found a feed of the World Basketball Champs?
From my Email
..
From the Dish
Telstar 18 138E 3571 VAn I-Sky-Net mux has started on , Viaccess, SR 13200. Several updates in I-Sky-Net.
Vinasat 1 132E Several updates in the VTC Digital mux on 11008 H.
Express AM33 96.5E GTRK Kuzbass has moved from 11022 H to 11000 H, Fta, SR 5700.
Insat 4A 83E 3874 H "Naxatra News" is Fta again. Kamyab TV is encrypted again.
From asiatvro site
东经96.5度轨道位置的快车AM33号卫星Ku频段，GTRK Kuzbass（俄罗斯）频道改频率，设置11000 H 5700参数免费接收。[08-31]
东经113度轨道位置的帕拉帕D号卫星C频段，Daanmogot（印尼）频道新增，设置3745 H 5630参数免费接收。[08-31]
东经138度轨道位置的亚太5号卫星C频段，Beyond My（高清）频道新增，设置4033 V 8888参数有条件接收。[08-31]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1B号卫星Ku频段，Astana（俄罗斯）频道新增，设置12207 H 27500参数免费接收。[08-30]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，MTV 2（印度）频道新增，设置4034 H 20500参数有条件接收。[08-30]
NEWS
Second ISP launches Oz's FetchTV
From http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/201008317599/second-isp-launches-ozs-fetchtv.html
Internode has become the second internet service provider to announce a commercial trial of Australian IPTV operator Fetch TV’s platform, due for end-September.
FetchTV, which is backed by Malaysia’s Astro All Asia Networks, has already launched commercially on the networks of iiNet.
A select group of Internode “early adopter” customers will be offered access to a Fetch TV service offering 20 pay-TV channels including six on-demand, 30 included on-demand movies, access to new-release pay-per-view movies, five specialty subscription channels, interactive applications and games.
Linear channels include CNBC Australia; BBC World News; Nat Geo & Nat Geo Adventure; Discovery Turbo, Home & Health, Travel & Living, Science and Animal Planet; E! Entertainment; and MTV. Users will also have access to free-to-air channels through the service’s set-top box’s digital-terrestrial tuner.
To quality for the trial, Internode subscribers must be on the ISP's Extreme or NakedExtreme ADSL2+ packages. The high-definition set-top box provided includes a one terabyte hard drive, three digital tuners, 3D compatibility and the usual host of PVR functionalities.
A ‘Lite’ version of the service, offering a subset of programming at a lower cost and with wider geographic availability, will be on offer around a month into the Early Adopter access period.
Internode managing director Simon Hackett said: "The FetchTV Early Access trial will let keen customers help Internode to 'road test' the service and our support for it, ahead of the doors being opened to all eligible Internode customers later in the year.
"We've had a lot of interest since we announced our intention to work with FetchTV earlier this year, so we expect this early adopter program to attract strong participation from our customers who are as keen as we are to make this service a wonderful addition to their Internode broadband services."
FetchTV CEO Scott Lorson said Internode's commitment to great value and innovative services for customers positioned it as an ideal partner for FetchTV. "We're delighted to partner with Internode on this early adopter program and look forward to a full commercial deployment later this year," he said.
Internode should not expect a roaring start, however. iiNet reportedly sold just 300 FetchTV subscriptions in its first month of operation
Premier League to take action against illegal broadcasts
From http://www.eufootball.biz/Television/8581-premier_league_take_action_illegal_broadcasts.html
The English Premier League and MP & Silva, a leading international sports media company, jointly announced that they will work together with the Ministry of Information & Communications in Vietnam to ensure that the intellectual property rights of the Barclays Premier League (BPL) are respected in the territory.
The situation regarding the live broadcast of BPL matches in Vietnam has become confusing for consumers, with several unauthorised cable operators re-broadcasting the Premier League content via channels that reside outside of the country. MP & Silva – who were awarded exclusive distribution rights for the BPL competition in Vietnam by the Premier League in October last year – met with government officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to clarify the legitimacy of MP & Silva’s position and to list the official sub-licensees and their respective rights for BPL matches.
Following the meeting, Mr. Luu Vu Hai, General Director of Department of Radio – Television and Electronic Information Management, MIC, outlined the ministry’s support for MP & Silva and the Premier League and agreed that it would take the necessary action in order to protect the rights of the league and its officially licensed broadcast partners in the Vietnamese market.
The ministry’s prompt action was welcomed by the Premier League. Paul Molnar, Head of International Broadcasting and Media Operations, Premier League said: “Broadcasters in Vietnam that are redistributing channels from TrueVisions [The Premier League’s official broadcast partner in Thailand] and playing them out across their network in Vietnam are doing so absolutely against the Premier League’s contractual framework both in Vietnam and in Thailand. Any cable operators or broadcasters showing the BPL matches via TrueVisions output in Vietnam are doing so illegally. From the Premier League’s perspective, we are absolutely determined to protect the exclusivity that has been granted to MP & Silva in Vietnam and the best interests of all their approved sub-licensees.”
Andrea Radrizzani, Group Chief Executive Officer, MP & Silva also welcomed the ministry’s intervention. “Since concluding the deal with The Premier League in October, we have held extensive meetings with various potential broadcasters, advertisers and companies in the Vietnamese market about their requirements and interest in acquiring the Barclays Premier League’s media rights. After careful deliberation, we concluded that it would be in the best interests of all local broadcasters if all parties were to jointly share the costs of airing the BPL matches, splitting the packages of rights according their desired broadcasting platform. During this process we have always been mindful of the best interests of the consumers in Vietnam, and for this reason some 80 per cent of BPL matches are being shown across free-to-air platforms. We are delighted to have the MIC’s support in this important matter and we will continue to seek a workable solution for all interested parties.”
TrueVisions, the Premier League’s official broadcast partner in Thailand, also sought to clarify its position in this matter. “We wish to categorically and emphatically state that TrueSport channels should not be distributed in Vietnam by any person or entity on any basis whatsoever,” said Sompan Charumilinda, Executive Vice Chairman, TrueVisions Group. “TrueVisions acquired the rights for the BPL competition for the purpose of transmission of TrueSport channels to its subscribers within Thailand only, not for transmission in other territories, including Vietnam.”
Earlier this month, MP & Silva signed six separate deals with Vietnam Satellite Digital Television (VSTV); Vietnam Saigon Tourist Cable Television (SCTV); Vietnam Television Corporation (VTC – also known as Vietnam Multimedia Corporation); Vietnam Software and Media Company (VASC); Q.net Entertainment and Communication Company (Q.net); and a joint acquisition between Vietnam Cable Television (VCTV) and Vietnam Football Media (VFM).
VSTV’s K+ Channel acquired the exclusive rights across all platforms for Sunday BPL matches, while Saturday BPL matches will be telecasted by a number of broadcast partners – VSTV (Pay Satellite TV), SCTV (Pay Cable TV), VTC (Pay Satellite High Definition TV), VCTV/VFM (Pay Cable TV), and VASC (Pay Internet Protocol Television, Internet and Mobile). The MP & Silva agency has also licensed Q.net a package of Saturday BPL matches for Free-to-Air (FTA), digital and analogue terrestrial television platforms, who have subsequently sub-licensed the rights non-exclusively to Ho Chi Minh City TV (HTV), and Hanoi Radio Television (Hanoi TV) respectively.
Satellite-watchers worry about China
From http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/30/5003915-satellite-watchers-worry-about-china
Alan Boyle writes: Strange maneuvers involving two Chinese satellites have some space-watchers worried — not just because the orbital maneuvers apparently resulted in a close encounter and perhaps even contact between the satellites, but also because the Chinese have said so little about the matter.
The worriers are concerned that the orbital shifts involving two Shijian ("Practice") research satellites were aimed at practicing techniques for disrupting other governments' satellites in the event of an international crisis. The nightmare scenario would involve a fleet of spacecraft that went after America's telecom and Earth-watching satellites, cutting off military communications and orbital surveillance capabilities.
There could be a far more benign explanation for the maneuvers, however: On-orbit rendezvous is a basic skill that would have to be mastered by any country seeking to build up infrastructure in orbit, as China is aiming to do. Such a skill would come into play not only for docking with a space station, but also for refueling or servicing satellites in need of help. For years, NASA and the Pentagon have been working on robotic procedures for on-orbit inspection and servicing of satellites.
Over the past couple of weeks, reports about the Shijian satellite maneuvers — and the worries about them — have shown up on a smattering of news websites over the past couple of weeks. One report, based on Russian commentary, even made its way onto the website of China's Xinhua news service. But to date, Chinese officials have made no official statement explaining what's going on.
Brian Weeden, technical adviser for the Secure World Foundation, lays out virtually everything that satellite-watchers have been able to glean about the maneuvers today in a report published online by The Space Review. He says the Shijian 12 research satellite, which was launched from China's Jiuquan space complex in June, was observed going through six sets of orbital maneuvers between June 20 and Aug. 16. The final maneuver put it in nearly the same orbit and location as an older satellite in the series, known as Shijian 06F, or SJ-06F.
At some point on Aug. 19, SJ-06F's orbit appeared to undergo a relatively slight change due to an anomalous perturbation, Weeden said. It's hard to say whether the satellites touched, or whether the appearance of a shift in SJ-06F's orbit was due to other factors — ranging from the effects of space storms to inaccuracies in satellite tracking data.
"It appears as though the anomaly on August 19 does reflect an actual change in the orbit of SJ-06F, although only time will tell for certain," Weeden said. "Analysis of its orbital position over the coming weeks and months will provide further evidence as to whether its orbit was changed or whether it was simply an anomaly in the data."
In the meantime, experts on military space operations are left to wonder why Shijian 12 was put through such a complex series of moves. One of the wonderers is NBC News space analyst James Oberg, a veteran of NASA's Mission Control and the author of "Space Power Theory." In an e-mail, Oberg said he found Weeden's article "technically sound, and fairly persuasive."
"But if the article is accurate, the secrecy implies an ominous and probably military intent on the part of China," Oberg wrote. "There are potential innocuous justifications for developing the technology — but in those cases, I would have expected China to brag openly about having done it."
Chinese and U.S. space operations sparked a debate over the potential for space warfare over the past few years, beginning with a Chinese satellite knockdown in 2007 and a similar operation conducted by the Pentagon in 2008. This latest satellite story could be a cause for serious concern about international space security. It could also be a misreading of innocuous rendezvous tests, or a phantom whipped up from faulty observations.
My view is that it's way too early to start rattling the sabers — but what's your view? Feel free to weigh in with your comments below.
Update for 2:15 a.m. ET Aug. 31: Oberg sent questions about the Chinese satellite maneuvers to the U.S. Strategic Command and received this e-mailed response from a Defense Department spokesperson:
"As reflected in the United States' new National Space Policy, the DoD [Department of Defense] believes it is in the shared interest of all nations to act responsibly in space to help prevent mishaps, misperceptions and mistrust.
"Based on your questions, our analysts determined there are two Chinese satellites in close proximity of each other.
"We do not know if they have made physical contact. The Chinese have not contacted us regarding these satellites."
ICESat takes a plunge to conclude successful mission
From http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1008/30icesat/
The ICESat spacecraft fell back into Earth's atmosphere Monday after a seven-year mission to measure the thickness of the planet's land and sea ice, according to NASA.
After ICESat's laser instrument stopped working last year, officials intentionally lowered the craft's altitude this summer to avoid polluting low Earth orbit with more space junk.
The satellite fired its thrusters in June and July to reduce the lowest point of its orbit to an altitude of 125 miles, enough for Earth's atmosphere to gradually drag the craft even further down.
The 2,000-pound satellite re-entered the atmosphere around 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT) Monday over the Barents Sea, according to NASA's orbital debris program office.
NASA expected about 200 pounds of ICESat's mass to survive re-entry and reach the surface, according to an agency statement.
"The ICESat team has done a marvelous job to ensure that the spacecraft is removed as a hazard to other spacecraft and as a potential source of future orbital debris," said Nicholas Johnson, NASA's chief scientist for space debris.
ICESat's primary science instrument, called the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System, stopped producing data in October 2009, when the last of the sensor's three lasers ceased emitting light.
Produced at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, GLAS monitored ice by firing laser pulses during observation campaigns lasting several weeks about three times per year. Since launch, the instrument completed 15 campaigns and its three lasers executed more than 1.9 billion laser pulses. GLAS accumulated about 15 months worth of data during the mission, according to NASA.
The Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite launched aboard a Delta 2 rocket on Jan. 12, 2003, on a planned three-year mission to gauge changes in the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and measure the thickness of sea ice.
ICESat also studied vegetation, clouds and atmospheric aerosols.
Jay Zwally, ICESat's project scientist at Goddard, said the mission showed the thinning of the Arctic polar ice cap, measured diminishing land ice in Greenland, and proved that Antarctica is not losing as much ice as other studies indicated.
"ICESat has been a tremendous scientific success," Zwally said. "It has provided detailed information on how the Earth's polar ice masses are changing with climate warming, as needed for government policy decisions."
NASA declared ICESat's mission over in February after several attempts to restore the lost laser system.
The agency is developing the follow-on ICESat 2 mission for launch in 2015.
In the meantime, NASA researchers are mounting an airborne science campaign called Operation Ice Bridge to fill the gap in data between the loss of ICESat and the launch of the new satellite.
Lockheed Satellite May Be at Least Four Months Behind Plan to Reach Orbit
From http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-30/lockheed-satellite-may-be-four-months-late-to-orbit-after-engine-shutdown.html
Lockheed Martin Corp.’s new military communications satellite will take at least four months longer than scheduled to reach its proper orbit after an engine slated to run about an hour shut down before burning a full minute, the Air Force said today.
The first of six new satellites in the $12.4 billion Advanced Extremely High Frequency program was planned to reach its orbit of 22,236 miles by Nov. 12, about three months after its August launch from an Atlas V booster rocket, also built by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center formed four teams to implement alternate methods of boosting the satellite into so-called geosynchronous orbit and to determine why the engine shut down after nine seconds of operation, a service official told reporters today. The engine had been scheduled to burn for 66 minutes, Bruce Bender, a center spokesman, said in an e-mailed statement.
Reaching the correct orbit, while taking longer than planned, shouldn’t require using extra fuel that would shorten the satellite’s 14-year life span, said Dave Madden, the satellite programs director at the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles.
“The problem could range all the way from the propulsion system to a flaw in the engine,” Madden said. “We could have a bad valve in the system all the way to the propellant wasn’t heated or cooled properly, or we had a bad engine. We just know it’s not performing the way it is supposed to.”
Pre-launch tests didn’t indicate any problems in the propulsion system, and the Air Force analysis should be completed within three to four weeks, Madden said.
He declined to comment on whether Lockheed Martin faces financial penalties for the delay.
‘Focused on Recovery’
“When you are in the middle of a crisis, the last thing I want to be doing is speculating on punishment when I want the team focused on recovery,” he said.
Lockheed Martin fell $1.28 to $70.36 at 3:19 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares dropped 4.1 percent this year before today.
The Advanced-EHF satellite program would create a constellation of satellites capable of withstanding shocks from a nuclear attack to allow secure communications among top commanders including the president. It also would provide transmission of tactical communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data.
The constellation, when it begins operating in 2013, will have twice as many data links as the current Milstar network and be able to transmit data five times faster, according to Lockheed.
Lockheed and its top subcontractor, Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman Corp., are under contract for the first three Advanced-EHF satellites and may be awarded contracts for a fourth that the Air Force budgeted for next year and two additional ones scheduled to be launched by 2014.
30/08/10
Saturday feeds
D2 12545 V Sr 22500 6104/6304/6104 "G'day Punjabi" feed?
D2 12545 H Sr 6980 3/4 "Burleigh Bears V Northern Pride"
D1 12679 V Sr 7200 1465/1425/1465 GCAST7 Fox Sports AFL
Asiasat 5 3687 V Sr 5632 3/4 "Sumo Wrestling"
Asiasat 5 3905 V Sr 6619 "J - League Vissel Kobe v FC Tokyo"
Intelsat 8 3846 H Sr 6700 "Teleport Darwin Darwin Horsies"
Sunday Feeds
Asiasat 5 3687 V Sr 5632 3/4 "2010 Combat Games"
Asiasat 5 3748 V Sr 13332 "CAT_THAILADOPEN_1A" Golf
Asiasat 5 3770 H Sr 14249 "Football Spanish League Levante v Sevilla"
Asiasat 5 3753 V Sr 6111 3/4 "MLS - American Soccer Colorado Rapids V Houston Dynamo"
Asiasat 5 3754 V Sr 5632 "MLS Columbus Crew v FC Dallas"
Asiasat 5 3892 V Sr 13234 "Arsenal TV"
Asiasat 5 4075 V Sr 5631 "REACH PVU PLUS2" Johnny Walker classic, Gleneagles Scottland
From my Email
..
From the Dish
NSS 11 108.2E 12471 H "TVN Asia has again replaced Balls" on , Conax.
NSS 11 108.2E 12471 H "Neo Cricket" is now encrypted.
NSS 11 108.2E 12431 H "Turbo SE Asia has replaced Discovery Channel Philippines" on , Conax.
Telkom 1 108E 3640 V "TVN Asia has replaced TVB Xing He" on , Irdeto.
Insat 2E 83E 3774 V "Raj TV and Raj Digital Plus" are Fta again.
Insat 4A 83E 3874 H "Kamyab TV" is Fta.Naxatra News is now encrypted.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3520 H "TV Shop (Thailand) has replaced Cartoon Club Channel" on , Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3922 V "India TV and India TV Wiz" have started on, DVB-S2, MPEG-4, Irdeto, SR 7000.
Intelsat 12 45E 11591 V "Turbo SE Asia" has started on , Irdeto.Discovery Science Channel SE Asia has replaced Zing Asia, Irdeto.
From asiatvro site
东经85.2度轨道位置的国际15号卫星Ku频段，Gulli、TiJi（俄罗斯）频道消失，设置12523 V 9950参数无效接收。[08-30]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，India TV Wiz（英语）频道新增，设置3922 V 7000参数有条件接收。[08-29]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Miti 4替换Miracle Channel（泰国）频道，设置3520 H 20000参数免费接收。[08-29]
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东经140度轨道位置的快车AM3号卫星Ku频段，Telekanal Zvezda(+7h)（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置10981 V 44948参数有条件接收。[08-28]
东经83度轨道位置的印星2E号卫星C频段，Raj TV、Raj Digital（印度）频道解密，设置3774 V 13021参数免费接收。[08-27]
NEWS
SelecTV runs out of patience
From http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/auucf_selectv-runs-out-of-patience-1138711.html
Aug 29, 2010 (The Australian Financial Review - ABIX via COMTEX) --
SelecTV CEO owner Bruce Gordon has agreed to transfer the group's English-language channel subscribers to Austar United Communications and Foxtel. SelecTV sold its Italian-language channel to World Media International and is expected to divest its Greek and Spanish channels to UBI World TV. Around 20 SelecTV workers will lose their jobs in response to the deal.
Publication Date: 30 August 2010
SELECTV BROADCASTING LIMITED
FOXTEL
AUSTAR UNITED COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED - ASX AUN
KPMG AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
WIN CORPORATION PTY LTD
UBI WORLD TV
Nostalgia rules as box grows
From http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/nostalgia-rules-as-box-grows-20100828-13wvi.html
TiVo has arrived. Simple to use & now just as simple to pay for!
Viewers can watch more than 50 episodes of their favourite shows in just one week as TV networks struggle to fill timeslots on the growing list of new channels.
Free-to-air channels and pay TV are broadcasting dozens of old episodes of popular overseas series, as well as repeats of Australian shows, as a cheap alternative to producing new local content.
Fans of The Simpsons can watch 53 episodes of the animated series in seven days on Channel Ten and Foxtel's Fox8.
A study by The Sun-Herald reveals Two and a Half Men devotees can tune into 33 episodes of the comedy series on Channel Nine and Arena in the period August 26 to September 1. Followers of M*A*S*H can watch the show 28 times on Channel Seven and Fox Classics. Fans can see Friends 27 times in seven days on Foxtel's channel 111Hits.
The networks are also dipping into their archives for repeats of old Australian soap operas. Channel Seven is showing the first series of Home and Away on its digital channel 7Two, which is also showing Sons and Daughters, which first went to air in 1982.
Critics have slammed the networks for dragging out old programs to feed the growth in channels. Official content rules require commercial free-to-air TV licensees to broadcast an annual minimum quota of 55 per cent Australian programs between 6am and midnight, but there is no obligation to screen local content on multi-channels.
The Screen Producers Association of Australia executive director Geoff Brown said commercial channels were given a $200 million-plus rebate on licence fees to channel more money into local content, but were not forced to boost Australian production on the multi-channels.
''The networks were not given that extra spectrum to impose re-runs of F Troop on viewers,'' Mr Brown said.
Sydney-based actor and producer Warwick Moss has become so frustrated at the lack of local content that he placed an ad in industry magazine Encore pointing out the ABC was not spending enough on local drama.
''The ABC has received extra funding for adult drama but in the year 2008-09 only aired 14 hours of first-run adult drama,'' Mr Moss said.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority's 2008-09 report found network spending on Australian commercial television production rose 2.4 per cent to $950.6 million while spending on overseas programs was up 7.9 per cent to $430.3 million.
A spokeswoman for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the government would re- view content quotas for multi-channels before the end of the digital rollout in metropolitan markets at the end of 2013.
FetchTV trial proves a big hit at iiNet
From http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/fetchtv-trial-proves-a-big-hit-at-iinet/story-e6frg996-1225911583806
INTERNET service provider iiNet's trial of internet-delivered pay-TV service FetchTV has been a resounding success, according to iiNet.
The company says about 95 of the 100 participating households signed up as paying customers at the conclusion of the trial.
Greg Bader, chief technology officer of iiNet, which is the only ISP so far to confirm it will on-sell FetchTV to its broadband customers, said films were a popular part of the service, and foreign-language channels were expected to be key selling points in many non-English-speaking homes.
However, sport remained a gap. Last week, FetchTV announced a deal to offer Fox Sports News, part of the Premier Media Group, as part of its basic subscriber package from next month. Premier Media Group is owned by Consolidated Media Holdings and News Limited (publisher of The Australian), which are also shareholders with Telstra in rival pay-TV company Foxtel.
Telstra has its own internet TV play, the T-Box, which includes internet sports channels offering rugby league, Australian rules football, motor racing and horse racing.
Media understands FetchTV is bidding for other sports rights, including English and European soccer club TV rights, similar to the Liverpool TV and Arsenal TV rights snapped up by Ten's One HD earlier this month.
"The one hole in our line-up is sport," Mr Bader said. "Fox Sports News is arguably the best sports news channel in the country. We've got some more stuff that will be coming through over the next few weeks."
Soccer clubs have carved out a content window for exclusive club content and delayed match replays from broad competition broadcast and internet rights deals, such as the English Premier League rights, which were won by Foxtel.
Anti-piracy efforts, too confronting: IPAF
From http://www.encoremagazine.com.au/anti-piracy-efforts-too-confronting-ipaf-4460
The Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation has changed its approach to copyright infringement, after identifying previous efforts as ‘confronting’.
“The tone for all anti-piracy advertisements has been very confronting. We need to find a tone of engagement, to use humour to portray the way people see themselves in regards to piracy,” IPAF CEO Gail Grant told Encore.
“That’s the beauty of our new research – 34 percent of the Australian public pirate regularly, and they don’t’ agree with it morally, but they don’t make the connection between their actions and their consequences.
“People don’t see themselves as being pirates or participating in piracy; they don’t respond to an aggressive or accusatory tone,” she added.
IPAF has started a new campaign – including a TV/cinema spot and an online quiz – targeting what the foundation has identified as ‘accidental pirates’, to educate them about the consequences of their actions. According to Grant, people clearly perceive a level of respect and responsibility when it comes to physical property, but there isn’t a widespread understanding of intellectual property and why it must also be respected.
The campaign will be supported by Hoyts-owned cinema advertising company Val Morgan (“they recognise that the health of the industry is part of their market, so they support it wholeheartedly”) and pay TV platforms Foxtel and Austar.
IPAF does not count the free-to-air broadcasters in its membership, but it does have a relationship with the Media Federation of Australia. “They’ll help us to put in submissions to FTA to get the spots on the air; they are just as affected by content theft as any other organization in this arena,” said Grant.
Grant believes that digital technologies are partly to blame, not just because they facilitate distribution of content, but most importantly, because of the perception of free content that they have created.
“I started in this business in 1983, when home entertainment was emerging. Before, you went to the movies and that was the only way you could see them; rental and then retail came along and that meant you could take home your favourite movie or show.
“But in the last 10 years technology has spread so rapidly that it has blurred the lines, because it moved so fast and made so many different options available. It has probably contributed [to the situation] because so much content is available at so many different levels that it has confused the issue and blurred the lines of what’s acceptable and what isn’t,” explained Grant.
Microsoft open to talks with Sky TV re content alliance
From http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/microsoft-in-talks-with-sky-tv-re-content-alliance
Premium Sky content on MS devices on display for Tech Ed audience
Microsoft NZ has 'opened the conversation' with Sky TV on forming a commercial alliance with the broadcaster on delivering premium content over Microsoft’s devices in New Zealand.
Microsoft web development advisor Nigel Parker used footage of All Black rugby matches during a live demonstration of multiple Microsoft platforms at the opening keynote session a Microsoft’s Tech.Ed conference today. Attended by 2,500 developers, vendors, partners and users, this is the fifteenth year the conference has been held in New Zealand.
Parker demonstrated the use of Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing solution to retrieve Sky TV rugby footage and display it on Microsoft’s Surface — a kind of interactive tabletop. The video clips were then transferred onto a Windows 7 mobile device (to be released later this year). Parker had witnessed a similar demonstration in Australia using FOXTEL footage and approached Sky TV to participate in the demo for this year’s Auckland keynote.
He says there is no commercial deal between the two companies but that it “opens the door for conversations”.
Microsoft NZ managing director Paul Muckleston says it was the first time he had seen the demonstration. He says that opening up digital content while protecting intellectual property rights is a key challenge, especially as consumers now expect free, available content following the popularity of ubiquitous websites such as YouTube. He says that the Microsoft Surface device, which has a price tag of around $20,000, will be in New Zealand in the next month with deals currently being negotiated. He wouldn’t say what companies are interested locally, but says in Australia Microsoft Surface has been bought by casinos and airline lounges.
Earlier Muckleston hosted a breakfast panel discussion led by journalists Fran O’Sullivan and Rod Oram, with NZICT Brett O’Riley and head of NZ Global Women Jenny Shipley on how New Zealand can lift itself out of the recession.
Two New Urdu Channels Join AsiaSat 3S
From press release
Hong Kong, 30 August 2010 – Asia’s leading satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is pleased to announce that Sports Star International Private Limited (SSI) of Pakistan has signed a new agreement to deliver two new Urdu-language satellite channels, A-Lite and A-Plus on AsiaSat 3S.
A-Lite is Pakistan's first female-oriented channel, offering a blend of infotainment including cooking programmes, make-up tips, exclusive interviews, music and talk shows that highlight women’s issues in the society. A-Plus is an entertainment channel for upmarket audiences, focusing on drama, soaps, reality shows, magazine and musical programmes. These new services are targeting different audience segments in Pakistan and across Asia.
SSI also operates Pakistan's first and largest private terrestrial television network ATV on AsiaSat 3S. It provides quality television entertainment to audiences in Pakistan terrestrially and in more than 50 countries across AsiaSat 3S's extensive C-band footprint.
"AsiaSat has provided excellent service to our terrestrial television network since 2005. Over the years, we have achieved very strong market penetration in Pakistan through AsiaSat 3S. AsiaSat 3S continues to be our top choice for our expansion into the satellite TV market in Pakistan and the South Asian communities throughout the Asia Pacific. We believe AsiaSat 3S’s wide coverage and powerful market access ensures our further success both locally and internationally,” said Abdul Jabbar, Chief Executive Officer of Sports Star International Private Limited.
“Over the past two decades, we have established a strong reputation for quality service and audience access in Pakistan and South Asia. Our satellite fleet now carries the most comprehensive range of Urdu-language programming, serving millions of South Asian viewers in Pakistan and other parts of Asia. Sports Star International's decision to expand its services on AsiaSat 3S will undoubtedly enhance AsiaSat 3S's South Asian channel offering, providing more quality content to audiences in the region,” said William Wade, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.
A-Plus and A-Lite are now available free to air on AsiaSat 3S in C-band with the following reception parameters:
Transponder: 14H
Frequency: 4154 MHz
Polarisation: Horizontal
Modulation: QPSK
Symbol Rate: 5.632 Msym/sec
FEC: 3/4
# # #
About SSI
Sports Star International Private Limited (SSI) launched Pakistan’s first privately operated terrestrial television network, ATV in 2005. Through its nationwide terrestrial free-to-air TV stations, ATV provides round-the-clock transmission of family-based entertainment programmes in Pakistan and across 50 countries via AsiaSat 3S. Following the success of ATV Network, SSI is making its impact on the media industry by launching new satellite channels A-Lite and A-Plus.
About AsiaSat 3S
AsiaSat 3S is a Boeing 601HP satellite launched in 1999, with 28 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders. Its C-band footprint covers over 50 countries and regions in Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Ku-band coverage consists of two high powered fixed beams serving East Asia and South Asia, as well as an in-orbit steerable beam currently positioned over Australia.
About AsiaSat
AsiaSat, the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its three satellites, AsiaSat 3S at 105.5ºE, AsiaSat 4 at 122ºE and AsiaSat 5 at 100.5ºE. The AsiaSat satellite fleet provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 400 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company's satellites, reaching over 96 million households, with more than 360 million viewers across the Asia-Pacific region. Many telecommunications customers use AsiaSat for services such as public telephone networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia services. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1135). For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com
Media inquiries:
Sports Star International Private Limited
Tajammul M. Shaiftah, Director Marketing
Tel: (92 21) 35876869
Email: tajammul.shaiftah@atv.com.pk
Japanese spy satellite over North Korea breaks down
From http://world.globaltimes.cn/asia-pacific/2010-08/568217.html
One of Japan's four spy satellites orbiting Earth, in part to monitor activities in North Korea, has broken down, Japanese media quoted government sources as saying Saturday.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, Japan's Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center said it detected a glitch in the satellite's radar system Monday and began remote operations to restart the system.
However, an official of the center said the outlook for recovery was "extremely grim," the newspaper said.
The No. 2 radar satellite, which was put into orbit in February 2007, appeared to have run into trouble related to its electrical power supply, the center said. The satellite was designed to work in space for five years and should have completed its mission in 2012.
The remaining three satellites, all optical ones, are working to minimize the effect of the radar satellite's malfunction, the Kyodo News Agency quoted a defense ministry source as saying.
Japan decided to deploy spy satellites to keep an eye on developments in North Korea after Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile in 1998, part of which flew over the Japanese archipelago and fell into the Pacific Ocean.
A set of four satellites - two radar orbiters and two optical orbiters - can gather imagery of any place in the world within a 24-hour period while in their polar orbit at an altitude of 400- 600 kilometers, the paper said.
Intelligence-gathering satellites are a precious source of information for Japan and "serve as a deterrent by monitoring any kind of activity," one high-ranking defense official told the paper.
The paper also noted that the breakdown has occurred at the most inopportune time, as North Korea continues to develop missile and nuclear programs and as China expands its military capabilities.
Pakistan cable operators stop beaming Indian channels
From http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/28/stories/2010082861041800.htm
Islamabad/Lahore: The people of Pakistan have been left without their daily fix of Indian soap operas and Bollywood movies after cable operators in the country stopped beaming Indian entertainment channels on the orders of a media regulatory body.
Leading entertainment channels of the Star and Sony networks have disappeared from cable television, while several international news channels like the BBC and CNN are no longer being beamed in some parts of Pakistan for the past few days.
A message displayed on the Nayatal cable network in Islamabad said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had “suspended some channels.”
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Chairman, Malik Mushtaq, told reporters that the decision had been taken on the directions of the Supreme Court.
“Cable operators have been directed to immediately stop broadcasting all those channels which have no landing rights,” he said.
Media reports said the Supreme Court blacked out Indian channels on the recommendation of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on August 25. A Pakistan Cable Operators Association official, Muhammad Sadiq, said: “Cable operators have been directed to stop airing at least 30 channels.”
Some popular Islamic channels, broadcast from abroad, including the India-based Peace TV, and several sports channels too have also been affected by the directive from PEMRA.
Public outrage
There has been widespread public outrage against PEMRA's order to remove these channels which are watched by millions of people. Rights activist Hina Abbas said, “Since we are already a fun-starved nation, such an action will deprive everyone the luxury of watching entertainment channels.” — PTI
DTH targets 10 million subscriber base by March 2011 news
From http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Entertainment/20100827_subscriber.html
DTH major Dish TV aims to add 3 million subscribers this fiscal to take its subscriber base to 10 million by March 2011. The company said today that its subscriber base had crossed the 8 million mark
Dish TV chief executive officer R C Venkateish said the 8 million mark had helped it reassess its targets and the company now looked forward to exit the current fiscal with a 3 million strong subscriber addition.
He said this would take the total subscriber base to 10 million by end-fiscal.
The company had closed the last fiscal with 6.9 million subscribers after adding 1.8 million users during the year.
For the quarter ended 30 June, 2010, the Essel Group company had added 0.64 million new subscribers to take the subscriber base to 7.5 million.
Dish TV is one of the seven players in the DTH market in India the others being Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Airtel Digital, Reliance Big TV, DD Direct and Videocon d2h.
Analysts say the DTH platform is set to grow rapidly with players expected to cater to around 10 million new customers every year.
Dish TV, has ever since it launched operations in 2004- 2005 maintained it leadership position in the fiercely competitive Indian DTH industry.
Kerala to have five more TV channels
From http://sify.com/news/kerala-to-have-five-more-tv-channels-news-national-ki3rkvebcii.html
Five new channels will beam into Kerala homes soon, providing viewers more choices but crowding the television business in the state.
Currently, there are nine TV channels broadcasting in the state. Of these, Asianet, India Vision, People (Kairali) and Malayala Manorama are news channels.
The Indian Union Muslim League, an ally of the Congress- led United Democratic Front, announced the launch of its channel Thursday. 'A full-fledged satellite channel and a media city are expected to be ready in phases and it would be known as Channel IBC,' said IUML general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, a former industries minister.
Janapriya Communications, promoted by K. Muraleedharan, son of former chief minister K. Karunakaran, is also launching a channel.
Among other TV channels in the pipeline are the ones promoted by media organizations Kerala Kaumudi and Mathrubhumi and one headed by M.V. Nikesh Kumar, who was till recently with India Vision TV.
'All the papers are ready for us and we are just waiting for the opportune time to launch ours and we will certainly be live next year,' said an official attached to the Kerala Kaumudi TV, who did not wish to be identified.
Another big name doing the rounds in industry circles for some time is that of Capt Krishnan Nair of Leela Hotels, who is said to be interested in entering the broadcasting business.
Manorama TV, promoted by the Malayala Manorama newspaper, is coming out with a general entertainment channel next year.
Chennai-based Surya TV is expected to launch a news channel here next year.
'Let a thousand flowers bloom,' M.M. Hassan, senior Congress leader and managing director of the Jai Hind TV told IANS, reacting to the arrival of more channels.
'Look, we have now completed three years and we have surpassed the teething problems faced by start-up companies. In another two years we will break even and our next expansion plans is not going to be there till 2012, when a full fledged news channel would be launched,' said Hassan.
Others tell a different tale. Industry watchers say a relatively homogeneous, non-fragmented audience, lower costs of software production and socially relevant serials have so far translated into advantages. But that could change with more players in the fray with reveues dropping, triggering an eventual consolidation in the market.
'It is certainly a problem of plenty. The advertisement revenue for us is too little, unlike other big states,' Surya TV chief editor Roy Mathew told IANS.
'Distribution is soon going to be a problem and it remains to be seen how the cable operators would deal with this. And very soon it would be the age-old story of survival of the fittest.'
29/08/10
Sunday, no update
28/08/10
Saturday, no update
27/08/10
Only a short update
From my Email
..
From the Dish
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 4172 H "Awaz TV Network" has left again.
Insat 2E 83E 3960 V "Raj News Malayalam and Raj Musix Telugu" have started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Express MD1 80E 3615 R "Chechenskaya GTRK" is now encrypted.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3802 H "Times Now" is encrypted again.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3808 V "Rai Italia 3 Asia" has left .
From asiatvro site
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Times Now（印度）频道加密，设置3802 H 10000参数有条件接收。[08-27]
东经80度轨道位置的快车MD1号卫星C频段，Chechenskaya GTRK（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置3615 R 2480参数有条件接收。[08-27]
东经83度轨道位置的印星2E号卫星C频段，Raj Musix、Raj News（马拉亚拉姆语）频道新增，设置3960 V 6656参数免费接收。[08-27]
东经140度轨道位置的快车AM3号卫星Ku频段，Telekanal Zvezda(+7h)（俄罗斯）频道解密，设置10981 V 44948参数免费接收。[08-27]
NEWS
Optus Satellite... A Very Special Day!
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=590619392
[SatNews] August 27th is quite a remarkable day for Optus Satellite.
August the 27th is celebrated by the company as this is the 25th anniversary of Optus Satellite. Then known as Aussat, Optus launched the first fully Australian owned and operated satellite, A1, on Tuesday, 27 August 1985, on the Space Shuttle 3. This satellite was the first of nine successful satellite launches, which have truly revolutionized the delivery of vital communications services across Australia, including subscription and free-to-air (FTA) television, voice (mobile and fixed), data, Internet and radio services.
Orbiting tens of thousands of kilometres above the Earth, communications satellites have altered the way everyone communicates with one another and have made a real difference to people’s lives, particularly those living and working in regional and remote areas of Australia. The geographical size of Australia and the vast distance between some of our remote and regional communities means that satellite has — and always will — continue to make sense for Australia. Optus is very proud of its Aussat heritage and with 25 years of experience, we continue to be the leading provider of satellite services across Australia and New Zealand. Upcoming is the launch of Optus Premium Satellite, a satellite Internet service that will bring ADSL-like speeds to customers in remote and regional areas. Additionally, Optus has been awarded four multi-million dollar contracts by Australian broadcasters — Southern Cross Media Group, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), and Imparja Television, to deliver nexgen, digital, FTA services via Optus Satellite across Australia. Plus, there was the successful launch of Optus D3 in August 2009, enabling FOXTEL to deliver digital payTV, offering viewers additional channels and more interactive and on-demand features.
TV rights delayed by poll
From http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tv-rights-delayed-by-poll/story-e6frf9jf-1225910689486
THE AFL's TV-rights deal hangs in limbo, and there is no guarantee the Conroy report into anti-siphoning will see the light of day.
The league put negotiations on hold before what it believed would be the report's imminent release after the federal election. The report was to include whether Foxtel could bid directly for the right to deliver games.
No decision on how the rights can be carved up is possible until a decision is made on anti-siphoning of sporting events.
With the federal election result still unknown, a Coalition government could scrap the report.
The AFL has until the end of next year to agree to a TV-rights deal that is expected to be worth $1 billion for five years, starting in 2012.
The league hoped to have the rights deal done by the end of this season, but it has been slowed by the poll result.
The saving grace for the league is that a decision on anti-siphoning must be made by the end of the year.
A spokesman for Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's office confirmed that timing yesterday.
The spokesman said if no report was released by then, the government of the day could simply roll over the existing list of events protected for free-to-air TV.
A loosening of the anti-siphoning list would give Foxtel more room to move in the bidding war and give the AFL more options to attract more money.
The AFL's position is that a Coalition government would not be a disaster, given the 2012 season is still some time away.
Further complicating matters is speculation that in a Coalition government, former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull is seen as a chance to replace shadow communications minister Tony Smith.
TVNZ boosts dividend
From http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4068110/TVNZ-boosts-dividend
Television New Zealand (TVNZ) has increased its dividend to the Government in the middle of what it calls the media industry's greatest international downturn and says it is adapting to the digital era better than most.
The state-owned media company today reported a 28 percent rise in underlying earnings to $12.9 million in the year to June 30. It had an after-tax loss of $26m after two non-recurring accounting adjustments.
TVNZ cut costs by 8.6 percent in response to a 4.7 percent decline in advertising revenue.
"The company has come through the recession well and is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead," said chief executive Rick Ellis.
The company will pay the Government a $4.87m dividend, up from $1.47m last year.
"The hard work of management and staff to respond rapidly to the downturn in advertising revenue, to reduce costs and maintain advertising market share have produced this great result," Mr Ellis said.
"Despite the challenging year, the company continued the implementation of a new sales go-to-market approach, committed to key strategic digital infrastructure capital investments and progressed transformational projects focused on delivering ongoing efficiency gains to the company's operations," Mr Ellis.
During the year the company launched its first digital pay TV channel, TVNZ Heartland, on the Sky TV platform, extended the TVNZ Ondemand service to the Sony PlayStation Three and launched a successful iPhone news application.
"While TVNZ has adapted to the new digital era better than most, the economic recovery remains patchy. The company needs to continue to be mindful of costs but also not be afraid to continue with its strategy of transformation and diversification," he said.
Last week pay television operator Sky Network Television Ltd said it was developing a new service for the internet it hoped to launch by the end of the year.
The pay television operator reported a 16.9 percent rise in annual profit on a 7.2 percent rise in revenue and 3 percent rise in subscriber numbers. It is now in 47.9 percent of New Zealand homes.
High definition coverage for Commonwealth Games
From http://www.bombaynews.net/story/676957
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) Wednesday said that it has finalised deals with rights holding broadcasters from 13 countries across six continents.
Prasar Bharati is the host broadcast partner for Delhi 2010.
'The international broadcast exposure will beat all records set. The Games are to be viewed across Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States, with additional daily news coverage reaching across 160 countries,' said CGOC treasurer A.K. Mattoo.
The total contracted value for the 13 international rights holding broadcasters is $46,342,601 out of which CWGOC has already realised a sum of $34,224,000. The U.S. Canada and Tanzania are paying for the first time for Commonwealth Games broadcasts from overseas.
For the first time in the history of Commonwealth Games, all 17 sports disciplines and opening and closing ceremonies will be covered on High Definition Digital Format (HDTV). National rights holding broadcasters Doordarshan will telecast live opening and closing ceremonies besides all sporting events round the clock.
'The International Broadcast Centre (IBC) being set up at the Pragati Maidan is almost ready. This will be the nerve centre for all the broadcast activities. MTNL is providing Optical Fiber Connectivity (OFC) from all venues to the IBC to ensure the best possible images,' Mattoo said.
'British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will be sending a crew of 250 while Australian broadcasting team will comprise 280 people,' he said.
Prasar Bharati has appointed Satellite Information Services (SIS) Live of UK for production and coverage services. SIS Live will deploy over 1300 experts across all venues. Approximately 345 HD cameras, including 38 Super Slow Motion cameras, 55 Robotic cameras, 40 RF cameras and 100 Slow Motion Servers are going to be part of the technical infrastructure.
A range of 'Speciality Cameras' will include 'Fly Cam' for overhead tracking shots at the ceremonies, athletics and swimming, 'Crawl Cam', 'Pole Cam' and 'Turn Cam for underwater shots at the swimming venues. 'Dive Cams' will follow divers from the diving board into the water.
The 'Track Cams' will run alongside the track for events like the 100 meters. Helicopters with specially mounted cameras will cover the entire route. Special motorbikes equipped with RF cameras will follow the athletes for the coverage during the whole course of route.
'There is no delay as far as broadcasting is concerned. The work is in progress. The IBC is the best I have seen in my career,' said Govardhan Sharma, DD Additional Director General.
The leading international Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) of Delhi 2010 include:
Australia: Channel Network Ten/Foxtel/ABC Radio
New Zealand: Sky TV and PRIME
United Kingdom: British Broadcasting Corporation
South Africa and Africa: SABC and SuperSport
Asia: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Nigeria: Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria
Canada: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Cyprus: Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
Namibia: Namibia Broadcasting Corporation
Seychelles: Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation
Caribbean: Caribbean Media Corporation
United States of America: Video Sound Inc.
Tanzania: Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation
More Indian varsities want to launch student satellites
From http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/More_Indian_varsities_want_to_launch_student_satellites-nid-71030.html
Bangalore: After the successful launch of India's first Pico-satellite (StudSat) designed by students, around 25 universities are reportedly aspiring to launch satellites built by their students. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is yet to give the green light to them as it has to launch four more student satellites by the end of next year. The first Pico-satellite was built by about 40 under-graduates from four engineering colleges from Karnataka and three from Andhra Pradesh.
"We have received around 25 proposals requesting us to guide, support and launch the satellites made by the students. Some of them have begun working on the proposals," the Project Director of Small Satellites at ISRO's Satellite Centre (ISAC) Raghav Murthy told reporters on the margins of the second space exhibition and conference here. However, he declined to name the universities.
ISRO appears to be in no mood to take up new launches anytime soon. "We want to launch the four more student satellites which are already in the making. We expect that all the launches will be completed by the end of 2011," Murthy said.
The four satellites are being made by students of Indian Institutes of Technology Kanpur and Bombay (one each) and Tamil Nadu-based Satyabhama University and SRM University (two jointly).
The IIT-K satellite, called Jugnu, weighs three kg and carries a camera to study the near infrared region while IIT-B students have named their 3.5 kg product Pratham to measure the total electron content in the ionosphere. The Satyabhama and SRM students are building two satellites weighing up to seven kilograms each to measure the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere of the lower earth orbit. The four satellites are being built by the B. Tech students.
The 40-kg Anusat readied by the students of Anna University in Chennai was the first student satellite launched in April 2009. It carried an amateur radio store and advanced communications system. The StudSat launched in July this year is said to be 80 percent successful in achieving its objectives.
"Building a satellite is educating students on space technology. It is also an inter-disciplinary study of physics, mechanics, control engineering, communications, computer science," Murthy said.
ISRO provides guidance, consultancy, support, training and free launch services to the students. Putting together a satellite costs up to Rs.1 crore which is funded by the respective universities/institutions.
Small satellites to play major role in future space business
From http://www.brahmand.com/news/Small-satellites-to-play-major-role-in-future-space-business/4773/3/13.html
BANGALORE (PTI): Small satellites can play a big role in the future given the low cost advantage, quicker turn-around-period and easy launch, a senior ISRO official has said.
Small satellites had the potential to transform space business as they are not complex in nature, more reliable and also ideal for production, Laboratory for Electro Optics System, ISRO, Director V Koteshwar Rao said at the ongoing Bengaluru Space Expo 2010, a four-day exhibition on space, satellites and technologies.
Rao said for small satellites to play a big role in the future it would have to be "faster, cheaper and better".
These satellites were well suited for specific applications and could hope to compete with bigger satellites, he said citing the example of Clementine, a small satellite.
Smaller satellites could also play an important role in planetary missions, in atmospheric science, space biology and study of weather and climate.
Its utility was evident in telemedicine, he said citing the example of Healthnet in Africa. Its potential could be also be utilised optimally during disaster management and rehabilitation as well.
In earth observation, small satellites could be used to increase the revisit capabilities and ensuring mapping of the same area with more details. A train of satellites with diversity of instruments had the potential of serving various objectives.
It could also play an effective role in military surveillance by ensuring secured communication and quick launches.
In India, ISRO has launched many small satellites mainly for experimental purposes like remote sensing, atmospheric studies, payload development, orbit controls and recovery technology.
Recently a student satellite Studsat was also launched.
Elaborating on the challenges, he said "there was a need to develop a robust commercial market" for small satellites, making them capable to compete with other satellites and raise customer satisfaction by tweaking it to meet the end needs of customer.
Dr Susmita Mohanty, CEO, Earth2Orbit, a private start up, highlighted the growing popularity of India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle to launch smaller satellites.
Quoting a report, she said the nano satellite market was expected to grow by 40 percent over the next five years and 416 nano satellites are expected to be placed in Lower Earth orbit by 2014.
IUML to launch TV channel, revive Chandrika
From http://expressbuzz.com/states/kerala/iuml-to-launch-tv-channel-revive-chandrika/201523.html
KOZHIKODE: THE television channel under the control of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will come into being soon, party state general secretary P K Kunhalikutty told reporters here on Thursday. In the first phase, the channel will be available for the cable TV customers in MPEG 4 format. A full-fledged satellite channel will be launched in the third phase and a complete media city is on the cards in the last phase.
Titled as Channel IBC, the channel will be led by a team of professionals, Kunhalikutty said. Kozhikode-based company Keds Communication will coordinate the activities of the channel and the production unit. The channel will champion the cause of the backward and minority communities, while working towards the benefit of the entire community.
Meanwhile, a get-together of writers and artists was organised here to discuss ways to improve the party's mouthpiece Chandrika daily.
Addressing the gathering, Kunhalikutty said efforts are on to make the daily a professionally-run organisation. There is a feeling that the IUML is not completely utilising its capacity to make Chandrika a better product. Publication of Chandrika weekly, which was stopped some time ago, will be resumed soon. Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, T Padmanabhan, M T Vasudevan Nair, M G S Narayanan, Fabi Basheer, N P Hafiz Muhammad, Akbar Kakkattil, Kalpetta Narayanan, K P Sudheera, Arya Gopi, artist Kabita Mukhopadhyay, P A Lalitha, IUML leaders Dr M K Muneer, and others were present at the function.
26/08/10
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NewSat moves to convince gang of three independents on satellite
From http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/358377/newsat_moves_convince_gang_three_independents_satellite/?fp=4&fpid=18
Satellite telco takes out half page ad to voice concerns and ingratiate itself with the independent MPs negotiating to form a minority government
Satellite telecommunications company NewSat (ASX: NWT) has made the unusual move of taking out a half-page advertisement in the Australian Financial Review to voice its opinion on the National Broadband Network (NBN).
In the advertisement, NewSat CEO, Adrian Ballintine, seeks to inform the gang of three independent MPs that are negotiating to form a minority government with the Liberal and Labor parties on the NBN.
“The battle underway to lead Australia has striking similarities to the battle for broadband in our country. Telstra and Optus are the two major opponents and organisations such as NewSat are the independents,” Ballintine wrote.
“The current National Broadband Network (NBN) has been given licence to dictate on all things broadband but treats independents and their constituents like second class citizens.”
The thinly veiled attack on NBN Co is not the first emanating from the company with Ballintine recently criticising NBN Co’s tender process, which rejected two proposals made by NewSat for the inclusion of its satellite and services for use in the NBN.
The CEO has frequently voiced his views on the NBN, telling Computerworld Australia that the company would be able to deliver broadband speeds of “better than” 100 Mbps to the seven per cent of Australia not covered by the NBN’s fibre network and for an equivalent cost.
In the advertisement Ballintine again makes the case for the company’s Jabiru satellite, which is expected to be online in the last quarter of 2012, and calls on elected representatives to focus on the benefits of a national broadband solution, including possibility of subsidisation for “intellect, applications, solutions, content and speed”.
The advertisement comes just after NBN wholesaler, NBN Co, revealed it is readying the release of interim satellite solutions for rural Australian communities ahead of launching two permanent, Ka-band satellites for the network.
The interim services from NBN Co are unlikely to deliver the 12 megabits per second (Mbps) committed speeds promised under the proposed network, but will improve on the satellite services currently available under the Government’s Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program, which subsidises satellite internet access at speeds between 256 kilobits per second (Kbps) or 1Mbps.
In other satellite news, Optus recently confirmed it will soon launch a premium satellite service, delivering downstream speeds of up to 6 megabits per second (Mbps) and upstream speeds of 1Mbps.
The new service, dubbed Optus Premium Satellite, will boost the telco’s existing broadband services in remote and regional areas to six times the speed available under current offerings subsidised by the ABG.
Meanwhile, Inmarsat will use a constellation of three new 702HP Ka-band satellites to provide mobile broadband data services up to 50Mbps to the energy, government and maritime industries.
However, the company will not be targeting its Inmarsat-5 constellation, which can get the 50Mbps to customer terminals that are 20-60cm in size, at the NBN.
Network Ten cranks it to Eleven
From http://digihub.brisbanetimes.com.au/node/1817
Hot on the heels of 7mate, Network Ten has unveiled its new digital TV channel - Eleven.
Bucking the recent trend, Eleven won't come at the expense of high-def content. Instead Ten intends to scrap One SD (Channel 12) when Eleven is launched next year. So you'll now need a high-def TV tuner - either in your TV, set top box or PVR - in order to watch One, as the 24 hour sports channel will only be available in HD on Channel 1.
Also bucking the trend, it seems Eleven isn't primarily a repeats channel for recycling sitcoms and dramas - unlike Seven's 7TWO, Nine's GO! and the ABC's ABC2. Eleven intends to offer a lot of first-run programming - for example new episodes of Futurama, The Cleveland Show, Supernatural, Stargate, Dexter, Smallville, The Office, Nurse Jackie and 90210. There'll be a mix of repeats in there as well, from the likes of Everybody Loves Raymond, Sex and the City, JAG, Frasier, Judging Amy, Happy Days and MacGyver.
What's most interesting is that Ten intends to shift two of its flagship programs across to Eleven - The Simpsons and Neighbours. That's a huge milestone in digital TV broadcasting for Australia and should help get the remaining 25 percent of household across the line before analogue TV is killed off at the end of 2013.
It will be interesting to see what becomes of Channel Ten once so much first-run content is shifted across to Eleven. Will Ten retain its youth focus, or will Eleven take carry the youth torch and leave Ten to chase other viewers? Will Ten fill the holes in its schedule with repeats, or find new programming? There's already talk of Ten expanding its news and current affairs offerings, so maybe it wants to take the fight to Nine and Seven.
Nine is reportedly working on a new channel called Gem, which will be a crime-based channel. It will be interesting to see if GEM's first crime is to kill off Nine's HD channel. It will also be interesting to see if Nine shifts first-run programs over to GEM or just crams it full of CSI repeats.
Eleven is really the big test to see if an Australian commercial network can actually support two general entertainment channels, rather than one main channel, a second churning out repeats and a third specialist channel. The big winners here are Australian free-to-air viewers, who will now have more choice than ever. The biggest loser could be Foxtel, as every new free-to-air channel makes it that bit harder to justify paying for Pay TV every month.
Telstra launches HD movies on demand
From http://www.goodgearguide.com.au/article/358380/telstra_launches_hd_movies_demand/
The news comes as the market for internet video services in Australia is continuing to heat up
The nation’s biggest telco has thrown a spanner in the works for rivals hoping to compete with its BigPond Movies video on demand service, announcing yesterday it had switched on high definition downloads on some platforms for some content.
Previously, Telstra’s online library — available through its T-Box internet video set-top box as well as through direct download and selected television sets — had been “DVD-quality”, as are the libraries of most players in the IPTV market — although some sites such as YouTube are already capable of delivering HD-quality video online.
However today Telstra’s quality got upsized.
“We are adding more and more HD titles to our catalogue and down the track customers will be able to select at purchase whether they want to watch a movie in DVD-like quality or in high definition,” said Telstra’s head of IPTV Ben Kinealy in a statement.
The catch is that so far, the high definition movies are only be available through selected LG television sets and LG Blu-ray devices with internet connections, although the T-Box will receive the HD content “in the month ahead”.
In addition, customers will pay more for the extra fidelity – normal films cost $3.99, but the HD movies will go for $6.99, with the same seven day rental period, which allows customers to watch the film as many times as they want inside 48 hours after they watch it for the first time.
The news comes as the market for internet video services in Australia is continuing to heat up, with companies like fetchtv providing services that broadband providers like iiNet have started to sell to their users, and content owners such as Foxtel giving consumers more options to view the content — such as through Microsoft’s XBox or Sony’s PlayStation platforms.
APT Satellite sees profits rise 85% in H1
From http://www.telecompaper.com/news/article.aspx?cid=753095
Apstar satellite operator APT Satellite Holdings posted higher turnover and profits for the six months ended 30 June. Turnover rose to HKD 363.16 million from HKD 229.52 million a year earlier. Profit jumped 85 percent to HKD 97.51 million from HKD 52.81 million, and diluted earnings per share were HKD 0.2356, up from HKD 0.1278 per share. In view of the need of capital for new satellite development, the board of directors has resolved not to declare any payment of interim dividend.
Outdoor Channel's Aim: International Expansion
From http://www.multichannel.com/article/456386-Outdoor_Channel_s_Aim_International_Expansion.php
Programmer Inks Distribution Deals That Will Establish Branded Services In Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia
Outdoor Channel is poised to take its programming and name outside of America.
The hunting, fishing and adventure programmer has reached deals with a pair of international distributors that will establish Outdoor Channel high-definition and standard-format services throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Africa and Australia.
The Temecula, Calif.-headquartered company -- which over the past year has added 5.2 million homes to lift its subscriber base to 35.6 million in the U.S., making it the second-fastest-growing network, according to Nielsen -- reached an exclusive agreement with Chello Zone, a subsidiary of Liberty Global Inc.'s international division Chellomedia that will extend Outdoor Channel to Europe, Africa and build on its toehold in the Middle East.
Chello Zone is a London-based international broadcaster and distributor of thematic television channels, which operates a portfolio of 11 fully-owned and joint venture channel brands across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region, reaching more than 160 million homes worldwide in more than 100 countries.
Under the deal, Outdoor will supply its library of HD programming and scheduling expertise to Chello Zone, which in turn will provide sales and marketing services, language versioning and satellite uplinking as it launches Outdoor Channel networks in EMEA, according to Randy Brown, executive vice president of affiliate sales and Marketing at Outdoor Channel. Initial launches in the region next month are expected to reach some 300,000 homes.
Similarly, Outdoor Channel has inked an exclusive multiyear agreement with Multi Channels Asia, the Singapore-based distributor of TV networks in Asia and the Pacific. Under the partnership, MCA will have exclusive access to distribute and market Outdoor Channel HD, in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and India, starting in October. The initial deployments are expected to be available to over 1.5 million households in Korea, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Brown said MCA is expected to announce specific launch dates in those nations at The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) show from Oct. 25-28 in Hong
Brown said the pacts with Chello Zone and MCA are part of Outdoor Channel's global strategy, whose goal is to expand its revenue base, develop the service's brand worldwide and ultimately reach some 15 million international homes -- including launches in Latin America in 2011 -- within five years.
"This has been some two-and-a-half years in the making," said Brown. "We're very excited about the growth opportunities abroad."
Outdoor Channel last spring crossed to Middle Eastern shores via Orbit Showtime Networks as part of a package of programming services from Food Network, Discovery, Nat Geo Wild and Fox Sports. Brown said Outdoor reaches some 50,000 homes there with a six-hour programming loop that will become a fully scheduled service under the Chello relationship.
In Asia, Outdoor was part of a seven-month business-to-business test in the offices of cable operators. "They got to see our product. It validated that it was high-quality and would resonate with viewers," said Brown.
He noted that with some 180 million TV homes in Europe and over 250 million in Asia, Outdoor Channel has a real chance to gain an upper hand in those continents as "a first mover."
He said none of the network's competitors in North America -- Versus, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network -- has an international presence across the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Sporting a plethora of high-definition programming -- Outdoor is the only full-time service in the category broadcasting 100% in HD, while Outdoor HD counts some 7.3 million homes in the States -- affords the programmer opportunities to fortify its presence abroad.
"Europe and Asia are a couple of years behind the U.S. in the adoption of HD. Distributors are very interested in increasing their advanced set-top penetration and offering HD packages to their subscribers," said Brown. "Having an extensive HD library is one of our main assets as we look to grow globally."
By relying on Chello Zone and MCA's infrastructure and contacts in their respective market territories, Brown said the partnership arrangements minimize Outdoor's cash outlays and keeps the company's balance sheet clean. Moreover, it "effectively manages risk, while building network assets. We realized we could not build a significant global business by meeting with customers we didn't know in markets we didn't necessarily understand.
Brown also noted that these arrangements could also put Outdoor in position to make equity investments or outright acquisitions should its partners being inclined to sell down the road.
In the interim, Outdoor will not only build a new revenue base via the annual license fees it will collect for furnishing its programming, but burnish its moniker around the globe via the use of its name on international networks, as well as through its branding and promotional materials.
Outdoor will work with Chello Zone and MCA in selecting appropriate programming from its library for the attendant markets. "Asia is much more interested in fishing and motor sports, while European viewers are more attuned to hunting. Australia and New Zealand are more outdoor lifestyle-oriented," said Brown.
With some of its programming already shot in locations where its partners do business, Brown said it was too early to say whether Outdoor "might increase its programming by X to produce more international" fare.
At the same time, he said Chello Zone and MCA could wind up producing or commissioning shows that could be imported to Outdoor Channel in the U.S.
OC seals Rs 36L broadcast deal with SA, NZ and Australia
From http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-deluge-continues-rail-and-road-traffic-hit/articleshow/6430935.cms
NEW DELHI: The organising committee (OC) has sealed a deal with broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa under which vignettes of India's heritage and culture will be beamed into TVs in these countries as part of the coverage of Commonwealth Games.
AK Mattoo of the OC said: ''We have secured a value in kind (VIK) agreement worth US $3,600,000 with broadcasters from these three countries. The airtime available under the VIK will be shared with Indian Railways and tourism ministry to promote tourism in Delhi and the country.''
The OC has also tied up with the Archaeological Society of India (ASI) to waive off entry fees as well as filming charges in monuments in the city for right-holding broadcasters. Broadcasters from 13 countries have signed on with the OC to cover the Games. Mattoo said: ''The total contracted value for the broadcasters is US $46,342,601 out of which OC has already realised US $34,224,000. The US, Canada and Tanzania are paying for the first time for Commonwealth Games broadcast from overseas.''
The OC said additional daily news coverage reaching 160 countries would be telecast as well. Prasar Bharati is the host broadcast partner for Delhi 2010. It will, in partnership with Satellite Information Services (SIS) Live of UK, beam the Games events in high definition digital format (HDTV) for the first time. Both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the 17 sports events will be telecast in HDTV. The OC said SIS Live will deploy over 1,300 experts across all venues. Approximately 345 HD cameras, including 38 super slow motion cameras, 55 robotic cameras, 40 RF cameras and 100 slow motion servers, will be part of the infrastructure. SIS Live also plans to use innovative camera work to track the Games, said OC's international consultant, Patrick Furlong.
Mattoo said: ''The International Broadcast Centre (being set up at Pragati Maidan is almost ready. This will be the nerve centre for all broadcast activities. ''
Testing of connectivity between venues and the IBC starts from September 15.
AIBA Signs TV Distribution Deal withTotal Sports Asia
From http://www.thesportscampus.com/201008256939/news-bytes/aiba-signs-tv-distribution-deal-withtotal-sports-asia
AIBA has signed an agreement with TotalSports Asia (TSA), Asia's leading integrated sports marketing agency, for the distribution of its flagship Olympic boxing events worldwide. These rights include television, broadband and mobile rights.TSA will offer the AIBA World Championships 2011, which be held in Baku,Azerbaijan next year, with coverage from the semi-finals and finals. Other events onthe AIBA calendar are the President's Cup, the European Elite Championship and the continental Olympic qualifying events.
Speaking at a press conference in Singapore today which also coincides with thefinal day of the Youth Olympics Boxing competition, TSA Group CEO, Marcus Luersaid, "TSA has been involved in the distribution of boxing rights for a considerablenumber of years and a huge plus point for Olympic boxing is that it has transparencybecause of the open scoring system. This means fans can really appreciate watchingthe sport be it a home or at the ring side as there's plenty of action in the quest to finda true champion in each weight category.
"AIBA President Ching-Kuo stressed the increasing appeal of Olympic boxing: "Weare seeing record numbers of boxers in all our major tournaments and recentimprovements to the competition format, rules and scoring system are making AIBAtournaments an even more appealing television proposition. Thanks to this newagreement with Total Sports Asia, I am confident that we can reach an even biggeraudience."
"With the new World Series Boxing, an AIBA property, being heavily promotedaround the globe ahead of its debut in November this year, AIBA boxers will becomehousehold names. Since AIBA is the world governing body for boxing recognized bythe International Olympic Committee, this will also add a new dimension to Olympicboxing," Wu concluded
Prime Minister launches VNA’s television channel
From http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Prime-Minister-launches-VNAs-television-channel/20108/118952.vov
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) should continue its leadership in reflecting the national and international current events and issues quickly and accurately.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized this at the launch of VNA television channel on August 25,in celebration of the agency’s 65th founding anniversary (September 15). .
Following a two-month test run, the channel made its debut with its official name “VNEWS”, marking an important milestone in VNA’s road map to operate as a communications consortium.
“This is a significant event in the nation’s press and communications activities as it affirms VNA’s role in the new circumstance and in serving the Party’s leadership and instruction and the State’s management and execution, and meeting the people’s needs for information,” Mr. Dung said.
The government leader affirmed that the Party and the State will continue to support VNA in accomplishing its assigned tasks successfully.
He asked relevant ministries, central agencies, provinces, cities, economic groups and enterprises to provide VNA with official information promptly and accurately as required so that the newswire agency can inform the local and foreign public officially and quickly.
VNA Director-General Tran Mai Huong said VNEWS will broadcast throughout the day with constantly updated current events and latest news in all fields, political, economic, cultural and social.
VNEWS broadcasts will be on the VCTV, HTV-BTS, HCTV, SCTV, Nacencom, and IPTV on the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation’s MyTV.
The channel will be present on Kplus (K+) – a satellite digital television network under the logo “TTXVN”, on cable TV systems run by different provinces and cities, and on digital TV service packages.
Broadcasts will also be launched directly and kept online at http://vnews.vnanet.vn/
ISRO to launch GSLV-F06 this year
From http://www.brahmand.com/news/ISRO-to-launch-GSLV-F06-this-year/4767/3/13.html
BANGALORE (BNS): Indian Space Research Organisation plans to launch GSLV-F06 this year and said preparation for the unmanned moon mission in 2013 was in full swing with the setting up of one more launch pad.
The premier space agency is all geared up to launch Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06), which will carry GSAT-5 or INSAT-4D, a communication satellite into the space.
The launch campaign for GSLV-F06 has already started and the vehicle will lift-off somewhere during end of September or first week of October.
GSAT-5 is a fully communication satellite, which would have C-band and external C-band transponders, useful for television broadcasting and business communication. This satellite will be positioned at 83º East longitude with a mission life of 12 years. It will also replace some of the ageing vehicles that are currently in orbit.
Airtel digital TV voted favourite DTH service in key metros
From http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Airtel-digital-TV-voted-favourite-DTH-service-in-key-metros/4915818369
India Infoline News Service / 07:51 , Aug 26, 2010
The HT-MaRS survey interviewed 2011 respondents across Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Airtel digital TV – the DTH service from Bharti Airtel - has been voted the favourite DTH service by customers in key metros in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey by MaRS on India’s Favourite DTH Operator. Conducted across 8 cities, Airtel digital TV emerged on top in 4 of the 8 parameters of the survey, namely- Availability of other payment options, Innovative Services and more crucially Uninterrupted Services and Complaint Redressal.
Coming in as the 5th operator, Airtel digital TV for the past 18 months has been leading monthly customer additions and today has 3.5 million customers. The fact was validated in the survey that showed it to be gaining ground in Hyderabad, Chennai as well as Delhi. With over 10,000 certified engineers and a world class call centre, Airtel digital TV has set the new benchmarks of first time installation and fault repair at 4 hours. Overall, Airtel digital TV was ranked as the 2nd Most Favorite DTH operator across India. The HT-MaRS survey interviewed 2011 respondents across Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
According to Mr. Ajai Puri, Director& CEO-DTH services, Bharti Airtel, “We would like to thank all our customers for reposing their faith in brand Airtel. This is vindication of our belief that our investments in technology, content, distribution and customer service will help us take a faster, disproportionate of customer mindshare in the category. We are committed to providing the services that help consumers make the most out of their DTH and ensure a superior viewing experience that mirrors the latest world standards.”
To ensure uninterrupted quality of services, Airtel digital TV uses an ALC (Automatic Level Control) satellite to boost signal strength by over 17% for better service during adverse weather conditions. This is further complemented by Airtel’s investment in a Disaster Recovery Site at Bangalore to serve as a back up to its main uplinking facility at Manesar. In addition to this the heavy rain fall areas like Mumbai, Kerala are well serviced through a 20% larger size dish to ensure better transmission. Airtel's DTH service comes via ISRO's powerful INSAT 4 C-R satellite.
Airtel digital TV – the DTH service from Bharti Airtel – is one of the leading national level DTH service in the country which offers its customers MPEG 4 with DVBS 2 – currently the most advanced digital broadcasting technologies available in the world after HD broadcasting. Additionally, Airtel digital TV was the first to bring many firsts to the DTH segment in India including a Universal Remote which operates both the Set Top Box and TV set as well as several unique Interactive Applications. Airtel scaled another feat by introducing for the first time in India, its digital TV recorder that offered the capability to record live television, anytime, anywhere and recently added HD services to its portfolio. Users can also update themselves on the latest stock news. All this is backed by 24x7 customer care. Airtel digital TV launched its services in October 2008.
Videocon d2h widens offering to 266 channels
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k10/aug/aug207.php
MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, the last entrant in the fiercely competitive six-player Indian direct-to-home (DTH) market, has claimed that it is offering the maximum number of channels provided by any DTH operator in India.
Videocon d2h is offering 266 channels, including regional language channels in Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil.
Videocon Group director Saurabh Dhoot said, “We are currently having 266 channels and services on our platform which is the highest in the DTH industry as we believe in delivering the best for our customers. Regional viewing preferences are very important for us and we ensure every effort to provide more content for customers from different regions with entertainment suiting their needs.”
Videocon d2h is providing 10 channels in Marathi, 19 channels in Tamil, 18 in Telugu, 14 in Malayalam, 13 in Kannada, 13 in Bengali, six in Oriya and seven in Punjabi.
“We are the only platform which is providing such a large variety of channels to choose from. We also have five channels for our customers from North East,” added Dhoot.
Videocon d2h has also launched Planet M Music Space. It also has 22 exclusive channels (including two video channels), designed to target customers’ needs for music.
The DTH player has also introduced a new Active Bhakti music video channel and two regional devotional audio channels in Marathi and Bengali under its Active Music Space platform.
25/08/10
Youth Olympics? has anyone seen feeds? Hint DVB S2 Fec 3/4 8psk Fec 3/4...
Feeds Wednesday
D2 12670 V Sr 6670 "Gcast3 Feed1 Horse racing"
From my Email
..
From the Dish
Vinasat 1 132E K+1 and K+ Nhip song have started on 11669 H, DVB-S2, MPEG-4, HD, Nagravision, SR 28800.
ChinaSat 5C 125E 3845 H "Jia Jia Cartoon" Channel has started on , Fta.
ChinaSat 5C 125E 4120 H "Xinjiang TV 12" has started on , Fta.
ChinaSat 5C 125E "Xinjiang TV 9 has replaced Xinjiang TV 10", Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3551 H "DM Digital Global" has started on , Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Myanmar替换MRTV 3（缅甸）频道，设置3574 H 7492参数免费接收。[08-25]
东经124度轨道位置的日本通信4A号卫星Ku频段，TV Asahi Channel（日本）频道解密，设置12523 H 21096参数免费接收。[08-24]
NEWS
Seven posts net profit of $719 million
From http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7951016
Seven Group Holdings Ltd (SGH) has re-affirmed pro forma earnings guidance issued in February, after reporting good trading conditions at the start of 2010/11 for its media and earthmoving equipment arms.
The company was formed in April, after court and shareholder approval of owner Kerry Stokes' plan to bring together his mining and television interests under the one roof in a $3 billion merger.
The all-scrip merger brought together Seven Network Ltd and WesTrac, the Caterpillar dealership that was held by Mr Stokes' private company Australian Capital Equity Pty Ltd.
Seven reported statutory net profit for the two months to June 30, 2010, of $718 million, on revenues of $537.58 million.
Given the merger, there was no comparable figure.
Seven also provided pro forma earnings figures for the merged company for the 12 months to June 30, 2010.
Those figures showed total revenue of $2.41 billion, up 1.1 per cent on pro forma guidance detailed in the scheme of arrangement booklets.
Profit before tax was $141 million, Seven said, up 10.5 per cent from the scheme booklet guidance.
Seven managing director Peter Gammell said trading conditions so far in the current year had exceeded expectations, but he added it was too soon to change earnings guidance.
"Realistically, we are only two months into the next financial year, so I think it will be a little bit presumptuous to say anything other than we are confident about the year," Mr Gammell said at Seven's results presentation on Wednesday.
"It is too early to make any changes to our forecasts."
WesTrac chief executive Jim Walker said the Caterpillar dealership business had exceeded pro forma earnings guidance, with strong sales in Australia offsetting some softer sales in China due to supply shortages.
Mr Walker said the strong finish to 2009/10 had continued in the current year and he was "confident we are in line" with 2010/11 pro forma earnings guidance.
Apart from WesTrac, Seven owns 47 per cent of Seven Media Group, the joint venture with private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts housing the broadcast TV stations, Pacific Magazines stable and 50 per cent of online venture Yahoo!7.
Seven Media Group chief executive David Leckie said the broadcaster had been "hit a bit" by Network Ten's MasterChef but was returning to levels reached prior to the cooking show hitting the screen.
"We are coming back like a raging train at the moment and we intend to catch up on where we were before," Mr Leckie said, adding that trading for the first three months of 2010/11 was ahead of budget.
Seven's other media assets include about 23 per cent of pay-TV investment vehicle Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (which owns half of Fox Sports and 25 per cent of Foxtel) and 23 per cent of West Australian Newspapers Holdings Ltd.
Seven is not allowed to purchase any more shares in ConsMedia until a standstill agreement struck 12 months ago expires on September 10.
Mr Gammell said Seven would not seek a new agreement once it lapsed.
Fat Prophets senior analyst Greg Fraser said it was difficult to glean too much about the company's performance from the financial statements.
"They are hiding behind some complicated formal accounting that doesn't provide a clear picture of what is going on," he said.
The company declared a final dividend of 18 cents, fully franked.
Seven stock closed down six cents at $6.10 and continues to sit well below the independent expert's valuation of the merged entity, either on a minority or control basis.
"I'm sad that the market has not done the calculations, as it were, as to the relative worth of the company," Mr Gammell said.
Why is HD disappearing from our TV?
From http://www.tv.com/story/23768.html
While Freeview tells us to upgrade to HD TV, networks are dumping the shows.
When the newest channel 7mate arrives in late September it will signal the end of 7HD. That means no more high-definition broadcast of shows such as Packed to the Rafters, City Homicide, Home and Away and Sunrise. Unless shows happen to be simulcast on 7mate they will be available only in standard definition on Seven.
This follows the recent loss of ABC HD when ABC News 24 launched in July.
Anyone who remembers TEN HD will recall how it too vanished once ONE arrived. Now there are rumours that Nine is eyeing a new channel -- and Nine HD would be the next likely casualty.
Commercial free-to-air networks are only allowed three channels under government regulation, so while most HD channels have mirrored the content on primary channels networks have become creative about ways to increase revenue.
But while that's all well and good for the network bottom line it's bad news for viewers.
Freeview campaigns have waxed lyrical about upgrading to new joys of HD television sets without acknowledging that channels are diluting the HD content.
Similarly, the government has been singing the praises of digital uptake (now 75 per cent) and the successes of the first switch-off from analog to digital in the Mildura region.
Networks are required to broadcast at least 1040 hours of high-definition television (HDTV) programs each year. Admittedly, TEN has no problem in reaching that target with ONE, but if you're not a sports fan that's little consolation.
On 7mate, an HD-only channel, there will be high-definition broadcasts of some of its new titles, which is expected to include titles such as Caprica and Warehouse 13. But there will be plenty more shows than there are in standard definition.
Similarly, only a small amount of news on ABC News 24 is in high definition.
Nine, which is tipped to launch a new channel soon, could see the end of HD broadcasts of shows such as Top Gear and Underbelly if it follows the same path. Meanwhile, TEN is rumoured to be dropping ONE SD to make way for its third channel.
The rule of thumb among networks appears to be that until the entire country has switched off from analog in 2013 they aren't interested in offering their premium titles in HD.
In contrast, Foxtel has been adding more HD channels but slugging viewers in the process. If you pay for one channel, expect to pay more just to see it in HD, even when you're already paying another fee for the iQ2.
Extra HD channels are expected to be announced by Foxtel soon.
Foxtel makes it easy to be lazy
From http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/home-it/41396-foxtel-makes-it-easy-to-be-lazy-
Today is a historic day for couch potatoes everywhere, at least ones with Foxtel and a Windows desktop computer.
Never miss your favourite TV shows again thanks to the new Foxtel TV Guide Gadget launching today.
The software, developed jointly by Foxtel and Microsoft, makes the Foxtel TV Guide available directly from your PC desktop.
The seemingly simple-to-use application allows you to search for shows by keyword, view program summaries, and create a list of your favourite channels, ensuring you are always up-to-date with your Foxtel shows. Foxtel iQ and iQ2 subscribers have the added benefit of being able to set Reminders and Remote Record programs up to 14 Days in advance, from anywhere in the world.
The Foxtel TV Guide Gadget is available as a desktop application or as a ‘Web Slice’ through Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) web browser. As a Web Slice within IE8, the Foxtel TV Guide simply sits on your IE8 Favourites Bar and allows you to keep track of that “slice” of the web throughout your day.
Foxtel Executive Director of Product and Sales, Patrick Delany said, “With so many people now online for a significant period of time every day, the Foxtel TV Guide Gadget removes the need to search for the Foxtel TV Guide or even type in a URL. The Foxtel TV Guide Gadget is great for quickly searching for a program and recording it – if you’re logged on you can search for your favourite show and send a Remote Record request all in a few seconds.”
“The new Foxtel TV Guide Gadget means you are always connected to Foxtel’s 14 Day Online Guide and Remote Record functionality, letting you search for your favourite TV shows, program the Foxtel iQ or iQ2, set Reminder Alerts, and many more handy functions,” he said.
For Mac users, a Mac compatible version of the Foxtel TV Guide Gadget is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
The Foxtel TV Guide Gadget is available on any Windows PC running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 as a Desktop Application. For those using Internet Explorer 8 the ability to install the application as a web
To install the Foxtel TV Guide Gadget:
1. Visit http://foxtel.com.au/gadget and click on the appropriate link provided to either install the Gadget as a Web Slice or as a Desktop Application.
2. If you’re a Foxtel subscriber and would like to Remote Record to an iQ or iQ2 visit the Foxtel registration page (www.foxtel.com.au/register) to get a username and password if you do not already have one.
Measat Global could actually go global
From http://www.advanced-television.com/2010/aug23_aug27.html#w4
Measat Global is in ‘play’ and the formal offer document for its assets have revealed some interesting insights on the local satellite industry. Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan is the one trying to woo existing shareholders with his new vision – which includes taking Measat Global truly global!
‘The satellite industry is dominated by a small number of large global operators with the scale to support the needs of global customers. These operators are able to leverage on their strong capital structures and large satellite fleets to continue to develop new markets,’ the document stated straightforwardly. The offer document added that Measat, with a valuable portfolio of global orbital slots, is well-positioned to develop a global footprint, serving customers across different continents.
But to take advantage of this, Measat needs to implement an appropriate capital structure which would facilitate rapid expansion of its satellite fleet, the document said, adding that Measat’s loan covenants currently restrict its ability to raise further substantial capital funding. Hence the vehicle Krishnan is using to make the take-over bid, and is taking the offer to shareholders, namely Measat Global Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MGNS) reckons that private ownership at this stage of Measat’s development will facilitate this.
To recap, tycoon Ananda Krishnan, via MGNS, has offered to buy all the shares in Measat that it does not own at RM4.20 per share. The offer values the company at RM1.64bil. As of Aug 11, which was the last practicable date before the posting of the offer document, MGNS owned 59.56 per cent of Measat. It is understood that the independent advice for shareholder will be issued in the next few days.
Meanwhile analysts are generally positive on the deal and are advising shareholders to take up the offer. "Previously the stock had such a thin shareholding spread. It was illiquid and there was hardly any interest. That was why, it was always trading below its book value," said one analyst who used to track Measat. As at March 31, Measat’s book value was RM5.08. "Measat’s fortunes may be turning with its new satellites," he added.
"Still, without this deal, the share price would continue to be underwater," added another fund manager who was involved in the original placement of Measat shares during its reverse takeover in 2002. For investors who had picked up Measat shares that were hovering around RM1.80 to RM2 from late 2007 to February this year, they stand to at least double their returns from this takeover offer. The offer document reveals that the offer price of RM4.20 represents a price earnings multiple of 9.22 times based on the audited earnings per share of 45.53 sen for Measat for its year ended Dec 31, 2009.
Measat has an enterprise value over ebitda (earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amotisation) multiple of 15.54 times, based on 2009 figures. On a price to book ratio, Measat was trading at 3.82 times based on its 2009 figures. Over the last five years, no dividends have been paid. Measat operates a network of four satellites with footprints over Asia and Africa serving customers in the broadcasting and telecommunications sector. Based on its 2009 annual report, 63 per cent of its revenue was derived from the broadcasting sector while the remainder from telecommunications.
Approximately 60 per cent of Measat’s revenue came from Malaysia. The history of Measat traces back to 1992 when Binariang Sdn Bhd – now Maxis Communications Bhd – brought together a team of experts to develop and launch Malaysia’s first communications satellite system. Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Binariang, was granted a licence in 1993 to develop the Malaysia East Asia Satellite (Measat) system. In 1996, the Measat-1 and Measat-2 communications satellites were launched, providing satellite service across Southeast Asia. The third and fourth satellites Measat3 and Measat-3a were launched in 2006 and 2009, respectively, both serving the African continent and parts of Europe and the Middle East.
SingTel appoints new CEO International
From http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1076709/1/.html
SINGAPORE : SingTel has announced the appointment of Mr Hui Weng Cheong as CEO International designate effective 1st October.
However, he will formally assume the role on December 1, succeeding Mr Lim Chuan Poh who is retiring from the Group.
SingTel said Mr Hui's appointment is the culmination of an extensive search, both within the Group and externally.
Mr Hui, 55 years of age, joined SingTel in 1980 and has more than 30 years experience with the SingTel Group.
He is currently the Chief Operating Officer with the Group's Thai associate, Advanced Info Service.
Among his achievements are the successful launch of 3G services, broadband and other products that have created significant differentiation and success for the SingTel Group in Singapore. - CNA/ch
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Sino execs launch Xiamen satellite TV
From http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/enterprise/view/20100825-288686/Sino-execs-launch-Xiamen-satellite-TV
Chinese officials from the city of Xiamen met with their counterparts in Cebu yesterday to promote Xiamen satellite television which could enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation between the sister cities Xiamen and Cebu City.
Alfred Go, a member of the Cebu Business Club and a representative of the Cebu Chinese community group in the Cebu City, said that the satellite television could improve the understanding between the people of both cities.
Go, who is also the general manager of LH Prime Medical Clinic, said during the launching of the satellite TV that he hoped it would build stronger ties between the two governments and the business community as a whole.
The two cities have had sister-cities ties since Oct. 26, 1984.
Hong Biling, director general of the Publicity Department of CPC Xiamen Municipal committee and executive vice president of Xiamen International Cultural Exchange Association, who headed the Xiamen delegation, said they were there not only to launch the satellite TV but also to visit relatives in Cebu City.
Biling said they might tap a local TV network where they could exchange cultural programs./Reporter Fe Marie D. Dumaboc
Latens Chosen To Secure The Top Of The World (Satellite Services)
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1828035763
[SatNews] Latens,a software security solutions provider for Pay-TV across all networks, announced that Satellite Channel Pvt. Ltd Nepal, a Pay-TV provider in the South Asia region, has chosen Latens DTH software CAS for its DTH system in Nepal.
Satellite Channel has chosen the Latens and Media Nucleus solutions, which comprise of Latens DTH software CAS and will operate on set-top boxes initially from Arion, providing Satellite Channel with a highly flexible and secure DTH delivery system.
“Latens’ CAS was the most attractive solution for our requirements as it offers a high level of protection and security,” said Rameh Paudiyal, CEO at Satellite Channel Pvt. Ltd. “Of all the solutions that were considered the Latens offering was selected because it’s a secure, cost effective solution that will enable Satellite Channel to provide secure, quality, cost-effective DTH service to the businesses and homes of Nepal.”
Satellite Channel was awarded a DTH operating license at the start of the year and will launch with a minimum of 80 national and international HD/SD channels. Satellite Channel targets bringing DTH services to 300,000 to 400,000 subscribers within the first 3 years of operations. The company said that with the launch of the first DTH platform in Nepal, using the latest and most advanced digital technology available would be a step changing TV experience for consumers in the region and dramatically reduce the government incurred losses through the illegal import of DTH services.
“This deployment is the latest in the growing number of Asian Telcos selecting Latens CA solutions and is further evidence of our high reputation for dependability and ease of operation and deployment,” said Rahul Nehra, Asia Regional Director, Latens.
GlobeCast ‘shuttles’ BWF Badminton World Championships for Total Sports Asia
From http://press-releases.techwhack.com/102723-bwf-badminton-world-championships
GlobeCast is onsite delivering the BWF Badminton World Championships in Paris this week from 23-29 August 2010 for Total Sports Asia.
GlobeCast is providing an SNG and two delivery paths – the first for a World Feed and the second for ad-hoc tape playout and live standups.
For the World Feed, GlobeCast sends the signal directly from the stadium to Intelsat-905 for pickup by European clients. At the same time, GlobeCast downlinks the signal at its Paris facilities and delivers the signal via the GlobeCast Backbone Network to Singapore where it is then uplinked to GlobeCast’s capacity on Asiasat5 for Asian clients.
In addition, GlobeCast is providing live web streaming from the stadium for Total Sports Asia.
For more information, please contact:
GlobeCast: Vanessa Ching vanessa.ching {at} globecast(.)com +65 6325 4222
GlobeCast (www.globecast.com): A subsidiary of France Telecom/Orange, GlobeCast is a leading provider of media management and global content delivery services for broadcasters and content creators. With a secure fiber and satellite network connected to dozens of teleports, technical operations centers and points-of-presence worldwide, GlobeCast manages and transports millions of hours of video and other rich media each year. An integrator of audiovisual technology and a full service provider, GlobeCast works with all the actors in the audiovisual chain from production companies to broadcasters, retail organizations, cinema chains and more. The company provides on-site service from major news and sporting events for coverage in SD, HD or even 3D. Present in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia, GlobeCast is also an expert in international television markets, and works with new and established broadcasters to reach and secure distribution with leading pay TV operators around the world.
Vanessa Ching
Senior Manager
Marketing Communications and Research, Asia
GlobeCast
600 North Bridge Road #13-02 Parkview Square
188778 Singapore
Conference to address status of satellite interference, remedies
From http://broadcastengineering.com/eng/conference-address-status-satellite-interference-remedies-20100825/
Finding the source of satellite interference, the latest in how WiMAX transmissions are impacting C-band satellite transmission and the newest tools aimed at combating interference are among the topics those gathering for the Seventh Annual Satellite Interference Conference, in San Francisco Sept. 28-30, will explore.
Organized by the Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG), the event will particularly cover satellite interference and ways to mitigate it.
The program includes sessions on dealing with various aspects of satellite interference, a review of interference case studies, sharing interference identification and ways to mitigate interference. SUIRG tools to identify and fight interference, like the interference signal characteristics tool, as well as other resources, including monitoring and interference location systems, and regulatory issues also will be discussed.
The event will be held at the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf. SUIRG members and employees can attend for free; non-members must pay a registration fee.
24/08/10
Live chat 9p.m NZ and 8.30p.m Syd time onwards
From my Email
..
From the Dish
Vinasat 1 132E 11008 H "VTC 2" is now encrypted.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 12355 H "SAG Channel" is back on , Irdeto.
Thaicom 2 Thaicom 2 has left 78.5 East, moving west.
Insat 4CR 83E Zee 24 Ghantalu, Zee Classic, Saam TV and PTC Chak De have started on 11510 V,
MPEG-4, Videoguard, new SR: 28800.
From asiatvro site
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NEWS
Vietnam's FPT Telecom adds V+ channels
From http://www.iptv-news.com/iptv_news/august_2010_3/vietnams_fpt_telecom_adds_v_channels
Vietnamese telco FPT Telecom has signed a contract with Vietnam Satellite Digital Television (VSTV) under which the telco will carry the latter's K+ channels on its IPTV service 'iTV'.
The channels K+ and K+1 carry games from some of the largest football competitions in the world, including the English Premiership, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, the Champion's League and the Europa League, as well as Hollywood movies and Canal+ content. Trang Lan Anh Phuong, Director of the IPTV service for FPT Telecom, said that the contract will be implemented after it has been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communication.
FPT Telecom launched its IPTV service commercially in late 2007, based on Optibase technology, making it available initially in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Thu Dau Mot and Bien Hoa. The service offers around 60 channels for a monthly fee of VND 68,000 (US$3.50), with premium channels also available.
After relaunching the service in major cities in April 2009, the telco had reached 20,000 customers by the end of the first quarter of this year, and was targeting 1mn by 2011.
China launches Tian Hui-1 satellite via Long March 2D
From http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/08/china-launches-tian-hui-1-long-march-2d/
China has launched another new satellite – the TH-1 Tian Hui-1 – on August 24, using a CZ-2D Chang Zheng-2D (Long March 2D) launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Launch took place at 07:10 UTC. The new satellite will be used for mapping using stereo-topographic techniques from orbit.
Chinese Launch:
The launch of Tian Hui-1 has been pre-empted since the end of 2008, with indications that the development of Tian Hui-1 was merged with the Zi Yuan-3 project – planned for launch in 2011.
The Tian Hui-1 is equipped with a three-dimensional survey camera – along with and a CCD camera capable of a ground resolution of 5 meters and a spectral region of 0.51μm to 0.69μm, with a camera angle of 25 degrees.
Also aboard is a multi-spectrum camera with a ground resolution of 10 meters, and a spectral region of 0.43μm to 0.52μm, 0.52μm to 0.61μm, 0.61μm to 0.69μm, and 0.76μm to 0.90μm. The cameras cover an image are 60 kilometres wide, as Tian Hui operates in a 500 km high orbit.
The satellite was made by the DongFangHong company, which was established by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
The CZ-2D Long March 2D launch vehicle is a two-stage rocket developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. With storable propellants, it is mainly used to launch a variety of low earth orbit satellites, launching a 3,500kg cargo in a 200 km circular orbit.
The vehicle’s first stage is the same of the CZ-4 Chang Zheng-4. The second stage is based on CZ-4 second stage with an improved equipment bay. The first launch of the CZ-2D was on August 9th, 1992 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center orbiting the Fanhui Shei Weixing FSW-2-1 (22072 1992-051A) recoverable satellite.
This launch was the 129th Chinese orbital launch, the 45th orbital launch from the Jiuquan satellite launch Center, the 3rd orbital launch from Jiuquan this year and the 7th Chinese orbital launch in 2010. This was the 128th launch of a Chang Zheng launch vehicle.
Also known as the Shuang Cheng Tze launch center, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center – situated on the Gansu Province – was the first Chinese satellite launch center.
The site includes a Technical Centre, two Launch Complexes, Mission Command and Control Centre, Launch Control Centre, propellant fuelling systems, tracking and communication systems, gas supply systems, weather forecast systems, and logistic support systems. Jiuquan was originally used to launch scientific and recoverable satellites into medium or low earth orbits at high inclinations.
It is also the location for all the Chinese manned missions. Presently, only the LA4 launch complex (with two launch pads – SLS-1 and SLS-2) is in use.
The first orbital launch took place on April 24, 1970 when the CZ-1 Chang Zheng-1 (CZ1-1) rocket launched the first Chinese satellite, the Dong Fang Hong-1 (04382 1970-034A).
Inspection On Orbit:
On June 15th, China launched the SJ-12 Shi Jian-12 (36596 2010-027A) satellite to carry out a scientific research and technological experiments. After a few days in orbit, and according to China Space Specialist Igor Lissov, the satellite made a series of orbital manoeuvres approaching the SJ-6F Shi Jian-6F (33409 2008-053B) satellite, launched on October 25th 2008.
This operation – which was not announced by the Chinese officials – was probably the first orbital inspection of a satellite to be carried out by the Chinese, with the closest approach took place on August 13. The purpose of this manoeuvre may be related to the manned space program – but it also gives the indication that China now has the capability to inspect satellites in Earth orbit.
Forward Path for China:
China is gearing up towards the launch of the first Chinese space laboratory, TG-1 Tiangong-1. Recently Xinhua announced that China had finished construction of its first unmanned space module and that it was now testing the module’s electronic, mechanical and thermal properties.
The module will be launched at the begging of 2011 by a modified CZ-2F Chang Zheng-2F launch vehicle.
Tiangong-1 will carry out China’s first space docking, with the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft, which will be launched in the second half of 2011. Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-8 will be launched from the Jiuquan satellite launch Center. Chinese astronauts, including two females, are undergoing training for the space docking
Other missions in the pipeline include the launch of the Chang’e-2 lunar probe, which will start Phase II of China lunar exploration, orbiting the Moon at a 100 km altitude in order to collect data for the soft-landing of Chang’e-3.
Also upcoming will be the launch of the second Tian Lian satellite for tracking and communications with manned orbital vehicles; the launch of Xinnuo-6 (SinoSat-6) communications satellite; the launch of FY-3B Feng Yun-3B, the second of the the new-generation polar orbit meteorological satellites, and the launch of some commercial communications and scientific satellites for other countries and agencies – such as the Eutelsat-W3C, the NigComSat-2 or the CBERS-3.
China will also continue to upgrade its global positioning system with the launch of other BeiDou-2 satellites for the Compass system.
China's satellite is its answer to America's GPS
From http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/special-to-the-china-post/2010/08/24/269867/Chinas-satellite.htm
SINGAPORE -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been chugging forward with developments on land, at sea and in the air. But it will be a space-based program now under way that binds these together to forge a more formidable force.
Compass is less well-known than Beijing's highly touted aircraft carrier program though it is arguably more significant. A planned satellite network aimed to rival America's Global Positioning System (GPS), it should provide the PLA with a vastly improved operational capability across nearly the full spectrum of military activity.
China earlier this month launched the fifth of a 35-satellite constellation initiated in 2000 and due for completion by 2020. In noting this event, the state news agency Xinhua stated: “(Compass) is a crucial part of the country's space infrastructure for providing navigation and positioning services in transportation, meteorology, petroleum prospecting, forest fire monitoring, disaster forecast, telecommunications and public security among others.”
The statement loosely acknowledges but significantly underplays the system's military implication.
“Our understanding is that Compass (like the Pentagon-controlled GPS) is primarily a military system,” said a knowledgeable American official, contacted in Washington, although later acknowledging that both are properly dual-use systems. “They already have access to GPS and are very happy with that, but they want to have something they can control.”
Simply put, China doesn't need its own costly satellite system to help taxis find a street address. But in the event of war, it aims to ensure that PLA navigational and positioning capabilities cannot be easily jammed to render them catastrophically ineffective.
Compass currently involves five satellites providing a core capability over China. Within two years, it should have a regional reach with five geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, five inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) satellites and four medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites. By 2020 the full constellation should provide global coverage with five GEO, three IGSO and 27 MEO satellites.
A GEO satellite remains in fixed orbit in relation to the earth, in this case staying over China to reinforce the system. An IGSO satellite provides improved reception in difficult terrain, such as mountainous regions and urban canyons. An MEO satellite is the basic component of any global navigational and positioning system, with some included to provide a backup redundancy.
Ivan Oelrich, a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists, said in a telephone interview that the “(military) advantage of having access to a navigation and positioning system is huge”. Applications include the navigation of military platforms, targeting of fire and surveillance/reconnaissance. The system is also critical to network-centric warfare — the military doctrine based on networking geographically dispersed forces, particularly to better fight jointly.
But Oelrich points out that there are limitations. Such systems will improve the use of artillery and counter-battery fire, can sharpen the aim of gravity bombs and ensure the pinpoint accuracy of cruise missiles launched against fixed targets. But ballistic missiles can't normally process information from a GPS-type satellite network quickly enough, and the system can't handle moving targets without including a terminal guidance system.
This means there is currently limited utility in linking Compass with the carrier-killer ballistic missile China is thought to be developing, with anti-ship cruise missiles or with the ballistic missiles targeting Taiwan.
There has meanwhile appeared a fairly new activity known as navigational warfare (navwar). The United States Department of Defense has a Joint Navigational Warfare Centre with a mission to protect the positioning, navigation and timing of American systems; prevent an enemy's use of such systems; and integrate capability with other U.S. government agencies and coalition or allied partners.
The GPS system — and Compass, too — involves the dual use of satellites to provide open frequencies for civilian use and heavily encrypted frequencies for military use. Washington initially shielded GPS with a system called selective availability (SA), which dithered the civil GPS signal on a worldwide basis. The military signal was left unaffected but the civil signal was very poor.
SA was eventually found to be ineffective, and on May 1, 2000, the U.S. permanently turned off this scrambling feature. The GPS civil signal improved at least ten-fold and navwar was born.
“Navwar involves local jamming on the battlefield of all navigational signals. Not just GPS but everything except the encrypted military GPS frequency,” the U.S. government source explained. “This gives us an asymmetric advantage.”
And is China following a similar model for offensive and defensive purposes? “They've never said anything about this publicly,” the official responded. “But I'm sure they're fully aware of our navwar strategy and it would be intelligent of them to copy it.”
This suggests that the PLA likely has a critical new element supplementing Compass about wwhich nothing is openly known
TechniSat to show 3-D DVB-PC reception products
From http://broadcastengineering.com/products/technisat-show-3-d-dvb-pc-reception-products-20100824/
TechniSat Digital is launching two new PC products for the transmission of 3-D content: the SkyStar USB HD and the SkyStar 2 eXpress HD. Both products are designed for the reception of free-to-air satellite SD and HD programs for viewing, recording and editing on a PC.
Supplied with DVBViewer TE2, the SkyStar products can be used to view a variety of 3-D services, such as the Astra 3-D promo channel on Astra 23.5 degrees east. A plug-in for DVBViewer TE2 processes the 3-D transmission and presents 3-D video that can be experienced using red/cyan anaglyph glasses.
See TechniSat Digital at IBC Stand 1.A44
Air Force takes steps to build more WGS satellites
From http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1008/23wgs/
The U.S. Air Force is paying Boeing $182 million to lay the groundwork for a seventh wideband military communications satellite to route video, voice and data messages to deployed troops, the company announced Monday.
The new spacecraft would join the Block 2 series of Wideband Global SATCOM satellites, an upgraded fleet of communications birds to follow up on three first-generation platforms launched between 2007 and 2009.
WGS 7 is part of a fresh follow-on contract for Block 2 satellites that could bring the total WGS constellation to 12 members.
"In a time of budgetary pressures, the award of this contract signifies the high-priority need of U.S. warfighters around the world for responsive and robust wideband communications," said Air Force Col. Don Robbins, WGS group commander.
The three WGS satellites already in space operate over the Pacific, Middle East and Atlantic regions, sending maps and data to troops on the battlefield, relaying video from unmanned aerial reconnaissance drones, and broadcasting television and Internet services to ships at sea.
"(The contract) also recognizes the outstanding service being provided to our warfighters every day by the three on-orbit WGS Block 1 satellites already fielded by the Air Force and Boeing team," Robbins said in a statement.
Boeing has already received approval to build three second-generation WGS satellites for launch in 2012 and 2013. The Australian government is financing one of the new satellites.
The $182 million award unveiled Monday covers one-time start-up activities and the procurement of long-lead spacecraft parts, according to Boeing.
The Block 2 follow-on contract includes options for five more spacecraft, ultimately bringing the total constellation to 12 satellites if all the options are exercised, according to Robert Pickard, a Boeing spokesperson.
The total contract value for the six approved WGS satellites is $1.8 billion, Pickard told Spaceflight Now.
"It is imperative that we address the warfighter's continuing need for high-capacity communications in a timely, cost-effective manner," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.
Each WGS spacecraft has 10 times the capacity of a single predecessor satellite, part of a network called the Defense Satellite Communications System, or DSCS.
The WGS satellites are based on the high-power Boeing 702 platform to provide X-band and Ka-band communications services from a perch 22,300 miles above Earth.
Computer glitch silences satellite
From http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/08/23/Computer-glitch-silences-satellite/UPI-35201282610981/
PARIS, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A European Space Agency observation satellite has suffered a computer glitch -- its second -- and can't transmit its data to the ground, agency officials say.
The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer spacecraft -- launched in March 2009 --is orbiting Earth on a mission to make the most precise maps of minute variations in gravity on the continents and oceans across the globe, the BBC reported Monday.
A problem with the processor in the satellite's main computer forced operators to switch over to its backup computer system in February. Now that unit has developed a fault, and engineers are struggling to return the spacecraft to full operation.
"There's no doubt about it: we're in a difficult situation, but we are not without ideas," GOCE mission manager Rune Floberghagen said. "If we have just two half-computers, we can stitch them together and get GOCE working again"
Other systems on the satellite continue to work normally, including the gradiometer that senses subtle differences in the pull of gravity from place to place on Earth's surface.
The second computer developed a fault in July affecting a communication link between the computer and a module that prepares telemetry for transmission to the ground. As a result, data are not being sent back to Earth.
Even if the fault cannot be fixed, GOCE has collected almost two-thirds of the gravity data the mission was expected to produce, the agency said.
Daystar Television Upgrades to HD
From http://www.churchproduction.com/go.php/news/12217
Daystar Television Network is transitioning to full HD production capabilities. Daystar has added 13 new Ikegami HDTV cameras to their Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex production hub.
All original programming for the Daystar network will now be shot using six Ikegami HDK-79EXIII full digital portable HD cameras and four Ikegami HDK-790EXIII full digital studio HD cameras. Three additional Ikegami HDL-45A multi-purpose compact HD “POV” (point-of-view) “box” cameras and four Ikegami HLM-1750 WR 17-inch HD/SD multi-format color LCD monitors also ensure superior HD picture quality of all programming.
“We wanted the best, and after a thorough analysis we saw that Ikegami made the best picture overall,” says Lane Trammell, Production Manager for Daystar. “Christian TV sometimes has the reputation of not being up to top standards. A big reason for going with Ikegami was so that we could be sure that we were producing world-class imagery. Ikegami is the first step: We’re starting with the signal acquisition and preserving that high-quality HD look straight through to broadcast.”
Original shows such as Joni, Celebration, and Check the Sound are in constant production at Daystar’s approximately 10,000 sq. ft. Studio A and 3,000 sq. ft. Studio B. Prior to their recent Ikegami equipment purchase Trammell and his team tested a number of other camera brands and came away highly impressed with Ikegami’s performance.
“We did side-by-side comparisons and ultimately picked Ikegami after a battery of tests because we saw it made the best picture overall,” Trammell says. “Ikegami had the best color, best signal-to-noise ratio, and best low-light-level sensitivity.”
“They were also one of the only manufacturers offering a fully studio-configured camera,” he continues. “Our main studio cameras needed to power a teleprompter, see program return, allow operators to crop images in their viewfinders, and utilize functions in the HD lenses. Ikegami cameras offer all of those options.”
The HDK-790EXIII is Ikegami’s top-of-the-line full digital HD studio camera system, which is engineered for industry-leading picture quality, exceptional functionality, and highly reliable performance. The HDK-790EXIII incorporates 2/3-inch 2,300,000-pixel 1080i AIT CCD image sensors that achieve a horizontal resolution of 1,000 lines and a S/N ratio of 60dB at f 10. Ikegami’s advanced DSP (digital signal processing) technology ensures that the HDK-790EXIII provides sophisticated, accurate color reproduction and detail correction that renders beautiful HD images in all situations.
Designed as Companion Camera systems, the Ikegami HDK-790EXIII uses the same sensor block, identical video path, and DSP technology as Ikegami’s HDK-79EXIII full digital portable HD field camera. Both provide perfectly matching pictures and the same operating functions. An optional Ikegami SE-H700 System Expander can also be used to convert the HDK-79EXIII into an HDK-790EXIII-style studio camera, on which can be mounted a seven-inch CRT or nine-inch LCD color viewfinder and a full “box-style” studio lens.
Adding to Daystar’s creative options are its three Ikegami HDL-45A multi-purpose compact HD POV cameras. Small and weighing less than four pounds, these cameras can be mounted in locations where a camera operator isn’t practical or possible, such as high above the studio on a beam or catwalk. (The HDL-45A is also well-suited for use in aircraft, traffic and weather monitoring locations, and other specialized applications.)
“We do a lot of shows with live music,” Trammel explains. “In those segments, we’ll be using the HDL-45A’s as POV cameras to get unique bird’s-eye-view or low-angle shots that can be remotely operated from the control room.”
The Ikegami HDL-45A is outfitted with three 2,300,000-pixel AIT CCDs for outstanding HD image capture in native 1080i (a 720p CCD version is also available). Also built into the camera is Ikegami’s advanced 14-bit A/D conversion and up to 38-bit digital image processing for delivery of precise HD video. Ikegami DSP (digital signal processing) technology also enables the HDL-45A to achieve advanced color reproduction and detail-enhancement features (including Skin Detail).
All three camera models in use at Daystar share the same critical technology including the CCD sensor type and DSP, so there is excellent camera matching. Also the same 200-series control panels can be assigned to any of the cameras with full remote control of all camera functions.
Daystar is able to monitor its highly precise HD video imagery using its four Ikegami HLM-1750 WR 17-Inch HD/SD multi-format color LCD monitors. “They look great,” Trammel notes. “It’s extremely valuable to have a monitor that provides a completely accurate representation of what you’re trying to capture.”
The Ikegami HLM-1750WR employs a 17-inch full-HD LCD panel (1920x1080) with wide critical viewing angle, excellent brightness and contrast, fast response time, and faithful color reproduction. Supporting multi-format SDI input, the HLM-1750WR also includes DVI-D and VBS inputs as a standard feature. A 3G-SDI input is available as an option (3G-SDI 1080/60p HD is increasingly popular as a high-quality “future-proof” HD format). Best of all the HLM-1750WR is lightweight, consumes less power than traditional monitors, and saves space through its flat-panel LCD design.
At Daystar, superior HD image capture and HD monitoring are essential components in the network’s drive to expand its audience. “When people find our programming, we want them to have a great first impression,” Trammell confides. “It’s important for cable/satellite carriers to be comfortable with having us in their HD lineup, and for viewers to see something equally pleasing. The look of Ikegami is a cornerstone to making that happen.
Bangalore to host space, satellite exhibition from Wednesday
From http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-to-host-space-satellite-exhibition-from-wednesday-46850
Bangalore: The second Bengaluru Space Expo, promoted as Asias first focused exhibition on space, satellites and related technologies, takes off here tomorrow.
The four-day international exhibition and conference on space technologies, equipment and products is organised by CII in association with Indian Space Research Organisation and Antirx Corporation, ISROs marketing arm and supported by Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES) with participation from BrahMos and DRDO.
Over the last four decades, India has achieved a notable progress in the design, development and operations of space systems as well as using them for vital services such as defence, navigation,security, surveillance, telecommunication, broadcasting, entertainment, meteorology and disaster warning besides natural resources survey and management, officials said.
The event would showcase latest technological advances, equipment, software solutions, related products and technical services in the areas and related sectors.
It would focus on solutions for disaster management, transport infrastructure guidance, space security, logistics management, tele-education, tele-medicine, agricultural guidance, identification of potential fishing zones and commercialisation of satellites, while projecting India as a launching pad for satellites of various countries.
A concurrent three-day international conference "World Space-Biz" would also be held to deliberate on topics such as commercialisation of space, remote sensing and navigation, where speakers from global space agencies and industry would put forth their views and discuss solutions and agendas for future.
Major exhibitors at the Expo include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Larsen & Toubro, EADS Astrium, Glonass-Russia,Dish TV, Godrej & Boyce, BrahMos, MEASAT, SES World Skies, Asia Broadcast Satellite and Devas Media.
The highlights of the event include a visit by Nigerias Minister of Science & Technology, overseas delegations from Kazakhstan, France, Thailand, Denmark, Nigeria, Israel, Japan, Korea,the UK, the USA, Indonesia and Nepal, integration of technologies facilitated by the Indian Space Agency and products developed by units under MoES and providing a platform for SMEs for working with ISRO.
After Colors, Viacom's rainbow
From http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/after-colors-viacom/s-rainbow/405600/
Rajesh Kamat can’t quite sit still. His mind is on several things at the same time, and it shows. The success of Colors, his first channel as COO of Viacom18 Group — a 50:50 joint venture between Raghav Bahl’s Network18 and Sumner Redstone’s Viacom — has done very well.
Within two years of launch, the channel notched up estimated ad revenues of about Rs 600 crore, or about 20-odd per cent of the total revenues that Hindi general entertainment channels garnered in the year. Extrapolating from the reported numbers for holding company IBN18, Colors will break even by March 2011 on the back of shows such as Balika Vadhu, Tu Na Aana Is Des Meri Laado and Uttaran, among many others.
None of the $14.63-billion Viacom’s earlier attempts in India — MTV, VH1, Nick or even Paramount Pictures — have seen this kind of success.
Kamat however reckons that the “battle is not at brand or channel level, it is at a network level.” It is one thing to have a successful channel, quite another to build a network, a necessity for survival in the Rs 30,000-crore, hyper-competitive, structurally flawed world of Indian broadcasting. A network means better ad rates, more distribution muscle and a larger audience share. That is the reason Star, Zee and Sun have spent a lot of time in the last 15 years building theirs.
To go from the estimated Rs 650-odd crore to a size that matches older rivals, Viacom18 needs to scale up fast — across geographies, genres and distribution platforms. While Kamat doesn’t share specifics, he does reveal there are five pieces to the building-revenue puzzle: mass entertainment channels, niche channels, domestic distribution (read: pay), international (again, pay) revenues and films.
While he doesn’t put a number to it, together these businesses should bring in an estimated Rs 2,000 crore in topline over the next two to three years if Viacom18 wants to be considered in the same league as Zee or Star.
It is building each of these simultaneously over the next three years that is keeping Kamat on edge. The first of several new channels — from movies to other Indian languages — is expected by next year, according to buzz in the trade.
So what is the gameplan? This is where the guesswork begins. Some of the strategy is evident in Viacom18’s recent moves and some is plain common sense.
Take the first two pieces: languages and domestic pay revenues. The rush to break off existing contracts with Sony and Star and form a strategic alliance for distribution with Kalanithi Maran’s Sun Network — Sun 18 — is evidence of Viacom18’s plans to launch channels in other Indian languages.
The most lucrative ones, going by revenue numbers, are Marathi, Bengali and, of course, Tamil. Almost every major network has a presence in each of these languages, plus there are several local players in the fray.
Maran has a virtual monopoly over the South; he owns the leading channels (Sun TV, Gemini, Surya et al), cable operations (Sumangali) and a DTH platform (Sun Direct). An alliance with Sun will ensure smooth distribution in the South for any channels that Viacom18 launches. Revenues from the alliance, however, do not form part of Viacom18, except for its share of the pay revenues from its own channels (Colors, MTV, etc).
On the languages that it will get into, “We are exploring other options,” is all Kamat says. How does he choose them? He reckons that the size of other media in a market is a good indicator. For instance, advertising revenues for Marathi newspapers are estimated at Rs 800 crore. So, that suggests there is enough for a TV channel to nibble on.
The third piece, films, shows up in the company’s reported bid for The Indian Film Company. TIFC, majority-owned by Bahl, was set up as a specialist film investment entity in 2007 and listed on London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market . It has funded, among other films, It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, Road and Luck.
PLAYING CATCH UP
Network Channels Network Share (%)
(Apr-Jun ‘10) Revenue FY10
(Rs crore)
Zee 31 13.51 2,197
Star (News Corp) 20 16.71 2,200*
Sun 24 13.95 1,395
Turner 4 1.98 NA
Sony 7 NA 819#
Viacom18 4 7.61 650^
*FY2009, # FY2007 ^ Estimated
Strangely enough, it has also distributed films such as Welcome and Jab We Met. Though it hasn’t had a great run in the last year or so, the acquisition will strengthen the content pipeline for Colors and for any movie channel (an inevitability) that Viacom18 launches in the future.
The fourth part of the revenue puzzle is international subscriptions. Colors has already launched in three major markets: the US, UK and Middle East. The Viacom connection has proved very useful in getting good deals, especially in the US market. The international bit should bring in about Rs 50 crore, maybe more, all of which goes to the bottomline, since the content has already recovered its cost in the India airing. Going by the Zee experience, this one has a tremendous upside. Zee currently gets Rs 400-odd crore, or about 20 per cent of its topline, from international subscriptions.
The fifth somewhat distant part is getting some of the other niche channels in the Viacom bouquet — Comedy Central or TeenNick — to India, on the lines of what News Corp is doing with its Fox bouquet. In a market where DTH is spreading (20 million homes and counting) there is always potential for pay revenues from these channels.
Does Viacom18 have the bandwidth to handle the issues that scaling up with more channels and geographies will bring? For instance, how will it deal with the paucity of programming talent? Getting Ashwini Yardi as programming head for Colors is what finally made the channel, but can Kamat find more such people in Marathi or Bengali or any of the languages the network may attempt? Kamat agrees that “it is a challenge. But we do a lot of research and that has stood us in good stead.”
That is the stuff that should keep him restless for the next few years.
