IS5 FREQ: 3760 POL: H SR: 25009 VDO: free to view Feed - the switch on band NAME: MCPC Ch.1
IS5 FREQ: 3907 POL: H SR: 6110 VDO: free to view TENNIS: Live feed now playing CHN vrs UBZ womens singles
AS5 FREQ: 3736 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view - daily sports show Sportsbrand feed
AS5 FREQ: 3755 POL: V SR: 7000 HD: 1920x1080i VDO: free to view BELL77 CA feed on - remote medicine
AS5 FREQ: 3821 POL: V SR: 27496 VDO: free to view Libiya TV has gone dark, with no programme playout on their transponder while all the others are OK.
AS5 FREQ: 3928 POL: V SR: 6620 VDO: free to view KDDI Japan FIN. News feed on
From the Dish
SES 7 108.2E 2565 H "MTV Southeast Asia" has left.
Telkom 1 108E 3832 H "Inhouse 1-7" have started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3741 V "RK News" has started on , Fta.
From Asiatvro site
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Khabrein Abhi Tak、Subharti（印度）频道消失，设置3741 V 7000参数无效接收。[02-03]
东经108度轨道位置的电信1号卫星C频段，Inhouse 1、Inhouse 7（MPEG-4）等7个频道新增，设置3832 H 15000参数免费接收。[02-03]
东经120度轨道位置的亚洲2号卫星C频段，亚洲卫星信息（测试）频道新增，设置4080 V 6110参数免费接收。[02-02]
东经91.5度轨道位置的马星3a号卫星C频段，Astro Boxoffice（华丽电影）频道消失，设置4120 H 30000参数无效接收。[02-02]
NEWS
NewSat close to funding new satellites
From http://www.smh.com.au/business/newsat-close-to-funding-new-satellites-20120203-1qwu3.html
Listed satellite company NewSat is likely to finalise the funding needed to launch two new satellites after signing a deal which takes its pre-launch contracts to $US526 million.
NewSat announced today it had signed a 15-year $US180 million contract with MEASAT to supply capacity on its Jabiru-1 satellite. MEASAT supplies communication services across the eastern hemisphere. NewSat already has contracts with TrustComm, 3A Technologies and Quicklink.
‘‘Clearly this deal now takes us well above the amount that we need to have to satisfy even the most stringent requiremnets for financing,’’ NewSat chief executive and founder Adrian Ballintine said.
NewSat had sold about a third of the capacity for Jabiru-1 and Jabiru-2 satellites and would now focus on building more satellites for the other orbital slots.
NewSat is looking to secure low-interest funding from French government-backed COFACE and the Export-Import bank of the United States.
Mr Ballintine said the banks will invest because construction of the Jabiru satellite by Lockheed Martin will create about 750 jobs in the US and a similar number of jobs for French-owned Arianespace, which has a contract to launch the satellite.
The Jabiru satellite will be the only Australian-owned commercial satellite in orbit after it is launched and will focus on providing secure communications for government, defence and companies around the world.
Shares in NewSat were trading down 1 cent at 61 cents early afternoon. It has 242 million shares on issue with a market capitalisation of $150 million.
‘‘It is an extremely exciting story as far as we are concerned,’’ E.L & C Baillieu head of institutional equities and research Ben Grodski said.
‘‘NewSat is going through a transformation period - from a satellite reseller to an owner operator model. Historically they have resold capacity on other satellites, now they are progressing towards launching their own fleet.’’
Mr Grodski said NewSat had finalised most of the work needed to get a commercial satellite up and running - buying orbital slots, securing sales contracts, launch contracts and construction contracts - but still needed to finalise its debt financing.
Delay for Foxtel takeover bid
From http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/delay-for-foxtel-takeover-bid/story-e6frg996-1226262084056
REGIONAL pay-TV operator Austar United Communications is seeking court approval to delay the shareholder meeting on its proposed acquisition by Foxtel until the end of March in yet another setback for the $1.9 billion deal.
The proposed postponement is to give competition regulator the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission more time to finish its review of the transaction.
Austar shareholders had been due to vote on the Foxtel bid on February 17. To stick to that timetable, the company had to have secured ACCC approval by today.
Austar said further details of the postponement would be released to the market after the court hearing, which was expected to be held next week.
"Austar remains committed to, and confident of, bringing the transaction with Foxtel to a successful close," said chief executive John Porter.
Austar's share price closed 1c higher yesterday at $1.17, 22 per cent below Foxtel's offer of $1.52 a share in cash.
The ACCC began investigating the deal in May and in July gave a preliminary view that the merger would result in a "substantial lessening" of competition in the pay TV, television content and telecommunications sectors.
In November, the ACCC suspended its timeline for the decision after Foxtel sought more time to offer further evidence in support of the proposal.
Foxtel and Austar, which are working with the regulator on undertakings that would allow the deal to proceed, argue it would not substantially lessen competition because they only compete head-to-head on the Gold Coast.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said last month that its assessment of the takeover bid was at an "advanced stage".
(NZ) Freeview surges as digital switch over looms
From Media release
Freeview sales hit record highs in 2011, with a total of more than 80,000 Freeview enabled
devices sold in December alone.
The latest figures show the number of MyFreeview digital television recorders grew by 180%
in 2011 compared to the previous year and sales of other Freeview receivers grew by 75%
over the same period.
Sales of Freeview enabled televisions, with a built in Freeview digital receiver also increased
significantly in 2011, up 48% from 307,789 in 2010 to 455,296 in 2011.
Freeview General Manager Sam Irvine says the results show New Zealanders have a strong
attachment to free television.
“A third of all Kiwi homes are now Freeview homes. That’s well over half a million households
and the number continues to grow.”
Mr Irvine says free television remains preferred viewing in the vast majority of New Zealand
households, with 75% of all audiences watching free content between 6:30pm and 10:30pm
every night.
“Free television has the content that matters to New Zealanders. With the first two regions
going digital only in September, people are getting the message that Freeview is the only way
that they can keep watching their favourite programmes for free after the digital switch over,”
he says.
Ends
Contact Peter Graczer, Sputnik 027 450 4506
NEW NZ Freeview CHANNEL
From news item.
More new digital TV channels are on the way, with a Freeview
"lifestyle" channel the most advanced.
It will be a welcome addition to the free-to-air digital platform,
which has been abandoned by the Government and TVNZ, which are now
focused on pay TV.
It is understood the channel will be run by a production company and
it will be interesting to see how it is funded.
As a free-to-air channel you'd expect there has to be advertising
revenue so presumably there would be a link with another media
company here or overseas.
Meanwhile, rumours persist on the future of a public service channel.
One suggestion is that Sky TV has toyed with the idea of running a
TVNZ 7 style channel on its platform. It would make a lot of sense
for Sky. It would be a relatively cost-efficient way of undermining
the dissent about its growing dominance of television and meeting
demands for a public service channel.
Sky TV could be a new home for shows like Media7, which has a
contract to run on TVNZ 7 until June this year.
Media7 producer Phil Wallington said production company Top Shelf was
working on a proposal for the show to continue next year but could
not say where.
The other proposal advanced last year was for Maori TV to operate a
public service TV channel, with money taken away from handouts to
commercial TV channels. TVNZ and MediaWorks want that money and will
be opposing that idea.
BBC Launches Four Channels On TrueVisions
From http://www.mediaresearchasia.com/view.php?type=press&id=2181
(Singapore)… BBC Worldwide Channels Asia today officially launched BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Entertainment and CBeebies on TrueVisions, Thailand’s largest and leading cable and satellite television operator.
The four channels are part of BBC Worldwide’s portfolio of channels that showcase an award-winning and premium mix of British TV across factual, entertainment, children's and lifestyle programming.
“We are extremely pleased to have our entire suite of channels available in Thailand. This deal reflects our ongoing commitment to the region - delivering to our audiences a wide range of high-quality, award-winning programming - from factual, lifestyle, pre-school entertainment to comedy and drama. Viewers in Thailand recognise and appreciate quality content; we are confident that our channels will appeal to the viewers there and are very pleased to be working with TrueVisions to deliver this proposition.” said Mark Whitehead, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BBC Worldwide Channels Asia.
Mr Thiti Nuntapatsiri, Managing Director of TrueVisions commented:
“To affirm our commitment to delivering the best content, we have added four premium channels from the BBC. In addition to the existing BBC World News channel, there are now five BBC channels on TrueVisions. The new channels - BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, BBC Entertainment and CBeebies, are ready to entertain you this year, and they will be great choices for your viewing pleasure.”
The four channels on TrueVisions
BBC Knowledge showcases high-quality factual entertainment from the world’s foremost producers of non-fiction and documentary programming.
In February, premiering just two weeks after the UK telecast, viewers will be privy to the first and exclusive premiere of the world’s biggest car show, Top Gear (series 18). The latest series sees irreverent presenters, Jeremy Clarkson. Richard Hammond and James May visit Sweden to partake in a series of ice racing. The ‘three wise men’ then travel to China to explore the local Chinese motoring industry through even quirkier and crazier stunts. The presenters also drive across Italy in yet to be released supercars including the new 2013 Porsche 911. Top Gear (series 18) premieres first and exclusively on Sunday, 12 February 2012 at 9.00pm (Thailand time).
The epic eight-part blockbuster, Human Planet premieres on 4 February at 8.05pm (Thailand time). An incredible record of man's survival in the most extreme environments, each episode focuses on one environment and how the peoples and tribes who live there adapt to their surroundings- oceans, deserts, arctic, jungles, mountains, grasslands, rivers and cities. It weaves together 80 inspiring stories, many never told before on television, set to an original soundtrack by award-winning composer Nitin Sawhney.
BBC Lifestyle offers inspiration for home, family and life. The channel offers programmes on home and design, food, fashion and style, to entertain, engage and inspire viewers.
February sees the first and exclusive premiere of Extreme Makeover Home Edition(series seven). In this series, well-deserving families are packed off to holidays while the Extreme Makeover Home Edition team, led by model-presenter, Ty Pennington fights against time to rebuild a dream home for these families. This heart-warming series premieres on Sunday, 26 February 2012 at 6.30pm (Thailand time).
BBC Lifestyle is also home to Gordon Ramsay’s latest series. All through February, catch The F Word - where each episode revolves around Ramsay preparing a three-course meal for 50 guests at The F Word restaurant. Diners in the restaurant include celebrities who participate in conversations, challenges, and cook-offs with Ramsay. Other segments include food-related topics, such as alternative foods and healthy eating. Watch The F Word every Monday at 7.25pm (Thailand time). throughout February.
BBC Entertainment showcases the best comedy, drama and light entertainment from the BBC and other UK production houses.
Silent Witness (series 14) premieres first and exclusively on Tuesday February 21 at 9pm (Thailand time). One of the BBC’s most successful crime dramas, Silent Witness follows the team of Professor Leo Dalton, Dr Harry Cunningham and Dr Nikki Alexander as they solve emotional and harrowing crimes with the clinical, objective help of forensic science. Viewers are also in for a treat in February with The Graham Norton Show (series 10). On BBC Entertainment just two weeks after the UK telecast, award winning chat show host and comedian, Graham Norton entertains with his trademark comedy monologues, interesting celebrity chats, eccentric stories and characters. Guests from previous series include Kate Winslet, James McAvoy, Johnny Depp, Snow Patrol and Ricky Gervais. Watch it every Saturday starting Feb 21 at 9.30pm (Thailand time).
CBeebies is UK’s number one children’s channel, loved by kids under six, and by their parents and carers. The channel is inspired by preschoolers’ natural curiosity and zest for play. Programming on the channel is customised to appeal to and suit the developmental needs of distinct age groups. Parents and carers trust CBeebies to deliver a safe, non-violent, interactive experience designed by developmental experts, and delivered by the trusted BBC brand, to promote imaginative play, social interaction, language skills and educational values.
The little ‘sister’ to Human Planet, which also premieres on BBC Knowledge on 4 February, each episode of Little Human Planet is seen through the eyes of young children around the world. From languages and food to houses and celebrations, Little Human Planet looks at everyday lives of amazing children in exotic locations around the world.
The four channels are available to TrueVisions’ digital subscribers. BBC Knowledge on channel 22 is part of TrueVisions’ gold and platinum packages. BBC Lifestyle (channel 58) is on the silver and platinum plans while BBC Entertainment (channel 149) and CBeebies (Channel 150) are available as ala carte offerings.
The four channels join BBC World News on TrueVisions.
For more information on BBC Worldwide’s channels, please visit
Satellite phone encryption cracked
From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9058529/Satellite-phone-encryption-cracked.html
Security researchers have warned that the satellite phones relied on by businesses, charities and government agencies in trouble spots and emergencies worldwide can be easily intercepted and deciphered.
Security experts have warned that satellite phones can be monitored.
German academics said they had cracked two encryption systems used to protect satellite phone signals and that anyone with cheap computer equipment and radio could eavesdrop on calls over an entire continent. Hundreds of thousands of satellite phone users are thought to be affected.
“We were able to completely reverse engineer the encryption algorithms employed,” said Benedikt Driessen and Ralf Hund of Ruhr University Bochum as they announced their report, "Don't Trust Satellite Phones".
The encryption algorithms are known as GMR-1 and GMR-2, and are standards used across satellite phone operators, including Inmarsat and Thuraya, the leading providers. Their technology is widely used in the Middle East and Africa, including in some military applications.
Mr Driessen told The Telegraph that the equipment and software needed to intercept and decrypt satellite phone calls from hundreds of thousands of users would cost as little as $2,000. His demonstration system takes up to half an hour to decipher a call, but a more powerful computer would allow eavesdropping in real time, he said.
By publishing details of how to break the encryption, the researchers hope to prompt ETSI, the organization that sets the standards, to create stronger algorithms. A major problem with GMR-1 and GMR-2, Mr Driessen said, was that their details were kept secret so security experts cannot test them.
“This is actually already happening for mobile phones after their encryption was shown to be weak,” said Mr Driessen.
“They are now disclosing the encryption algorithms rather than keeping them secret, so they can be tested. This did not happen with satellite phones.”
As a result, sensitive organisations deploy extra layers of cipher software in their satellite phones. Experts have long suspected that government eavesdropping agencies and other clandestine attackers are able to monitor satellite phone networks on a large scale, so using additional encryption software is quite common, but not standard.
"Many government agencies, including the military, make many of their communications through their own technology," said Bjoern Rupp, chief executive of GSMK Crytophone, an encryption software firm.
"However, they often still rely on satellite phones to communicate with locals, back to HQ or people at home.
"With this announcement, it has been shown that the satellite handsets’ built-in encryption on these calls is no longer secure, which could pose a considerable threat to the armed forces and civilians alike."
Inmarsat and Thuraya could not be immediately reached for comment.
Iran reports launch of small satellite into orbit
From http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j3VKUy7nCzX8GkNrAWo5XyjJHssg?docId=95948d75d9e34467a891acfd6957ce40
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran successfully launched a new small satellite into orbit early Friday, state media reported, the latest in the country's ambitious space program that has raised concerns because if its possible military applications.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called in to the launch site, saying he was "hopeful this act will send a signal of more friendship among all human beings," the state IRNA news agency reported.
IRNA said the home-made satellite, Navid, or Gospel, was designed to collect data on weather conditions and monitor for natural disasters.
It said the satellite weighs about 110 pounds (50 kilograms) and would orbit the earth at an altitude of up to 234 miles (375 kilometers), circling the planet 15 times a day. It's of a type known as miniaturized or microsatellites, which are cheaper to produce and allow for less costly launch vehicles.
Navid, produced at an Iranian engineering university, is the third small satellite that Iran launched over the past years. The earlier ones — Omid, launched in 2009, and Rasad, sent into orbit in June 2011 — lasted more than a month each. IRNA said Navid has advanced control technology, a higher resolution camera and photocells to generate power.
Iran's decade-old space program has raised alarms in the West, because the same technology that allows missiles to launch satellites can be used to fire warheads.
Israel, the U.S. and others charge that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear enrichment program is geared only for peaceful purposes, such as energy production.
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and the country's minister of science and technology, Kamran Daneshjoo, were present at the launch, IRNA said. There was no independent confirmation or details about where the launch took place.
Iran has made a series of claims in recent years about advances in its space program, which have not been verified by others. In 2010, Tehran announced it had successfully launched a rocket carrying a mouse, turtle and worms into space.
Also, Iran has set a goal of putting a man in orbit within 10 years, despite the expense and technological challenges involved.
The authorities are intent on showcasing the nation's technological successes as signs Iran can advance despite the West's sanctions over its controversial nuclear program. Iran is also pressing ahead with its military missile program, frequently testing missiles capable of reaching Israel, U.S. bases in the Gulf and parts of southeast Europe.
Abu Dhabi's Yahsat mulls third satellite for region
From http://www.thenational.ae/business/technology/abu-dhabis-yahsat-mulls-third-satellite-for-region
The Abu Dhabi-owned satellite company Yahsat is evaluating the launch of a third spacecraft.
Y1A, the company's first satellite, blasted into orbit last April from Kourou, French Guiana, in what was Abu Dhabi's first venture in the satellite industry.
A second communications spacecraft is slated to be launched later this year, as part of Yahsat's total investment of Dh7 billion (US$1.9bn).
Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, the chief executive of Yahsat, said a third satellite was under consideration.
"We think there is always the option of launching a third satellite.
"We want to grow organically. And this might be achieved by launching a third satellite. We are really evaluating this opportunity right now."
Abu Dhabi's satellite programme began out of a need to provide the UAE military with communications. However, the scope of the project was later broadened to include commercial opportunities.
Yahsat's first satellite provides communications to the UAE Army, as well as commercial links to corporate customers and TV broadcasters.
The second satellite will also provide broadband internet. Dubbed Y1B, it is due to lift off on a rocket operated by Yahsat's launch partner, the International Launch Services (ILS), based in the US.
Mr Al Hosani said, due to technical issues faced in one of ILS's previous launches, the second satellite had been delayed.
"Initially, we were supposed to launch in the first quarter. Now they are pushing us to early second quarter.
"And we want to maintain it either to the end of the first [quarter], or very early in the second," he said.
"Y1B is ready to be shipped for launch. Due to a mechanical failure [faced by ILS] during their last launch, our slots have been rescheduled. We are still trying to push to get an earlier launch."
The launch of Y1B is currently Yahsat's top priority, according to Mr Al Hosani.
"Until we launch our second satellite, we will not engage in the third one," he said.
"The contract we signed with the manufacturers to build two satellites, with the ground-control system and some terminals, was $1.66bn," Mr Al Hosani said.
"That doesn't take into account the buildings, the staffing, the project management and everything. So we are around Dh7bn."
Despite the hefty investment, Mr Al Hosani said Yahsat was meeting its financial targets.
"We want to have sustainable growth, with good revenues. We are a very profit-driven organisation: we worry about every penny," he said.
"We are in line with our initial business plan. Financially we are very stable, and we are meeting all of our initial financial targets."
Another of Yahsat's priorities is Emiratisation at its Abu Dhabi control centre.
Mr Al Hosani said 45 per cent of Yahsat's employees were UAE nationals and that the company aimed to boost this to between 60 and 65 per cent in five years.
"I think Yahsat will always have this international mix within it. Eventually we want to reach 60 to 65 per cent of nationals," he said.
"But we will always have international expats that will help give us the latest technologies and help develop the company."
DubaiSat-2 design finalised
From http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120202041408/DubaiSat2_design_finalised
DUBAI - Engineers from the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) announced that the DubaiSat-2 project has completed a crucial stage in the design phase, with the qualification model (QM) passing a series of rigorous tests.
The qualification model is the third and final design model, and represents the last test of all components on DubaiSat-2, the UAE's second remote sensing satellite which is due to be launched into the orbit by the end of 2012. The model is very close to the final satellite, but has been made with less space-worthy components.
Ahmed Al Mansoori, Director-General of EIAST, said: "I am delighted that the EIAST engineers have passed this significant milestone, which reflects the dedication, expertise and commitment of our team of highly skilled UAE engineers. They strive to bring to reality the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which is to propel our youth towards the cutting edge of advanced scientific research and development."
The DubaiSat-2 Qualification Model has been put through a series of tests to ensure that the final satellite can withstand the harsh environment of the launch and its long mission in space. It underwent vibration, acoustic, thermal, thermal vacuum, shock and mass measurement tests.
"These tests are designed to put the satellite through the same or similar conditions that it will face on its journey to space. From liftoff to separation of the satellite from the launcher, it takes 15 minutes, but the amount of pressure, shock and vibration is very high and we need to put the model through those same conditions to make sure our satellite will eventually survive this event," said Salem Al Marri, Head of projects and space missions at the EIAST.
"We also need to make sure our satellite will survive in space. Because it orbits the earth every 90 minutes, it will be in front of the sun for about 60 minutes and behind the earth for the rest of the time, and will therefore be subjected to huge changes in temperature. This testing phase ensures that the final satellite will cope with these."
All of these tests were completed in early October. The next step for the engineers is one last verification of the data from the electronic components before a meeting is held at the end of February to review the data and confirm that the project is ready to enter the manufacturing stage.
The satellite will orbit 600km above the earth's surface compared to the 690km orbit of DubaiSat-1. The orbit has also been changed from an ascending orbit (South to North) to a descending orbit (North to South), which will allow both satellites to work well in constellation as well as give better coverage of the UAE area. Among other significant improvements, the UAE team along with their South Korean partners (Satrec Initiative) has designed the satellite to produce higher quality images at 1-metre resolution which can serve various applications including environmental projects, urban planning, infrastructure, telecommunications and electricity projects.
Dish TV banks on digitisation, customer acquisition for growth
From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/media/entertainment-/media/dish-tv-banks-on-digitisation-customer-acquisition-for-growth/articleshow/11727352.cms
NEW DELHI: Direct to home (DTH) service provider Dish TV India Ltd is focusing on new customer acquisition, high definition technology and digitisation to strengthen its position in the highly competitive DTH market.
"In the next one year, our agenda for growth is to acquire new customers and take the benefit of digitisation," Dish TV Managing Director Jawahar Goel told PTI.
On the product and services side, the focus will be on high definition, he added.
In 2010-2011, the company added 3.5 million new subscribers.
"In the current fiscal the number of new subscribers will be less as there were no major sports events and even the overall consumer sentiment is not too positive. However, once digitisation kicks off, the rate of growth will be really fast," Goel said.
In December last year a bill has been passed that mandates complete digitisation of cable TV across the country by December 2014.
As a part of its product portfolio expansion, the company today launched a new high definition (HD) digital video recorder -- The Dish truHD+ -- that will be sold to consumers at Rs 2,690.
Dish TV is also offering a free upgrade to its consumers who already own an HD set-to-box.
"Out of the total number of 12.5 million subscribers, around 2 per cent are on HD. We expect all of them to upgrade to the newly launched HD DVR," Dish TV Chief Executive Officer R C Venkateish said.
The idea of this launch is to expand the (digital video recorder) DVR market by making it accessible at price of a normal HD box, he said.
"It will give us dominance in the HD domain," he added. In an attempt to reach out to on-the-go customers Dish TV has also installed connection on Shatabdi Express Trains.
"We have already done one train on a trial basis. By June this year, Dish TV will be available on nine Shatabdi Express trains," Goel added.
The company has recently launched a new advertising and marketing campaign featuring Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, who is Dish TV's brand ambassador.
"We are spending Rs 25 crore on the new 'Dish Sawaar Hai' campaign," Dish TV COO Salil Kapoor said.
As per government estimates, the total number of DTH subscribers in India is around 45 million split between players like Dish TV, Tata Sky, Sun TV, airtel digital TV, Videocon DTH and Reliance Big TV.
Dish TV launches HD video recorder
From http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/article2853820.ece
Riding aggressively on the wave of digitisation, Dish TV, the direct-to-home service provider, on Thursday announced the launch of Dish truHD+, a high-definition digital video recorder compatible with a USB device and priced at Rs 2,690.
“Our focus hereon is going to be HD. With digitisation kicking in, our growth rate should improve,” said Mr Salil Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer, Dish TV India.
In December last year a bill was passed that mandates complete digitisation of cable TV across the country by December 2014.
According to Mr Kapoor, 50,000 HD set top boxes are sold every month, of which he claimed Dish TV had roughly 30 per cent share. In 2010-2011, the company added 3.5 million new subscribers, he added.
Dish TV is also offering a free upgrade to its consumers who already own an HD set top box.
“Out of the total number of 12.5 million subscribers, around 2 per cent are on HD. We expect all of them to upgrade to Dish truHD+,” Dish TV Chief Executive Officer Mr R. C. Venkateish said.
The idea of this launch is to expand the digital video recorder (DVR) market by making it accessible at the price of a normal HD box, he said.
Mr Kapoor said the company would be spending Rs 25 crore on its new ‘Dish Sawaar Hai' campaign, and it would ride on social media and television.
02/02/12
TV Polonia currently FTA on D2 12394 H 22500 3/4 (UBI Transponder)
From my Email
From jonC (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3905 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view WSG - Football Asia Feed
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3736 POL: V SR: 7000 HD: 1920x1080i VDO: free to view BELL77 CA feed
Asiasat 5 FREQ:3931 POL: V SR: 13239 HD: 1920x1080i VDO: free to view SOCCER: BOL vr ASNL HD
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3905 POL: V SR: 6618 HD: 1920 x1080i VDO: free to view SOCCER: FLA vrs REAL PO in HD
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3945 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: Free to view Hong Kong IFB feed
ABS 1 FREQ: 3680 POL: V SR: 29000 HD: 1920x1080i VDO: free to view MotorWorld HD has started testing on ABS1 C Band
ABS 1 FREQ: 12579 POL: H SR: 22000 VDO: free to view GLC has started on ABS1 Ku
Apstar 6 FREQ: 3540 POL: H SR: 1480 ABI feed
IS8 FREQ: 3704 POL: V SR: 3000 VDO: free to view in NTSC ABN full channel playout
From Saldav1 (Via vetrun.com)
Indian News Feed
Asiasat 5 3735 V SR 6100 NDS - DSNG Codec Indian Test News Feed.
From the Dish
Optus D2 152E 12425 H "Al Malakoot Sat and CYC" have started on , Fta.
Optus D2 152E Andisheh TV has replaced Pars TV on 12644 H, Irdeto.
JCSAT 3A 128E 4000 V "CTI TV Asia" has left .
NSS 6 95E 12729 H "YTN World" has started on , Fta. Hanryu TV has left.
Insat 4B 93.5E 11150 V "Mh 1 Music" has left .
Insat 4B 93.5E 11490 V "SVBC" has left .
ABS 1 75E 12579 H "God's Learning Channel" has started on , Fta.
Telkom 1 108E 3832 H "Aceh TV, Sriwijaya TV, Bandung TV, Bali TV, Jak TV, Cakra Semarang TV, Surabaya TV, Jogja TV and Australia Network Asia" have started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经93.5度轨道位置的印星4B号卫星Ku频段，SVBC（印度）频道消失，设置11490 V 27500参数无效接收。[02-02]
东经93.5度轨道位置的印星4B号卫星Ku频段，Mh 1 Music（印度）频道消失，设置11150 V 27500参数无效接收。[02-02]
东经128度轨道位置的日本通信3号卫星C频段，恒生财经、中华财经、运通（台亚卫星）频道解密，设置4000 V 30000参数免费接收。[02-02]
东经134度轨道位置的亚太6号卫星C频段，新闻综合（上海文广）传送频道加密，设置3774 H 5632参数有条件接收。[02-02]
东经95度轨道位置的新天6号卫星Ku频段，韩流电视、YK TV（韩国）频道消失，设置12729 H 26400参数无效接收。[02-01]
东经122度轨道位置的亚洲4号卫星Ku频段，HBO Hits（Dish-HD）频道改高清格式，设置11957 R 25000参数有条件接收。[02-01]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Europa Plus TV（俄罗斯）频道解密，设置12707 V 12400参数免费接收。[02-01]
东经108度轨道位置的电信1号卫星C频段，Aceh TV、Bali TV（MPEG-4）等9个频道新增，设置3832 H 15000参数免费接收。[02-01]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Kiss TV替换KTN（肯尼亚）频道，设置3940 V 7415参数免费接收。[02-01]
NEWS
Sydney pirate pay TV outfit offering 1000 channels for $50 a month raided: police
From http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/sydney-pirate-pay-tv-outfit-offering-1000-channels-for-50-a-month-raided-police-20120202-1qu35.html
Police raid alleged Ashfield pirate pay TV outfit
Police raided the Ashfield premises Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Supplied
Police have raided the Sydney arm of an alleged global piracy outfit which they say was selling unlicensed pay TV subscription packages offering more than 1000 channels for $50 a month.
Police allege an Ashfield shop, trading as QMC Mart, is part of a global piracy operation which private investigators say is worth $70 million a year with 150,000 customers.
The raid, conducted shortly after noon yesterday, was sparked by TVB Group, a Chinese language content giant that hired a private investigation firm to investigate the alleged piracy operation.
Detective Inspector Eric Coffen, of Ashfield police, said a 42-year-old man was charged and granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on February 22.
He was charged with "possessing a device with the intent to be used to make infringing copy" and "distributing infringing copy of a work with intent to trade/profit".
Police seized computer equipment, nine USB network access keys and records "pertaining to the distribution and sale of those", Inspector Coffen said.
The raid follows a similar one conducted on December 14 in Hurstville, in which a man was arrested for allegedly selling $500 set-top boxes and unlicensed pay TV subscription packages offering 1000 channels for $90 a month.
Michael Speck, former head of Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI), was contracted to lead both investigations.
He has so far identified 100 Australian customers from records seized in yesterday's raid, who were allegedly using the service and said they would be pursued as they were "receivers of stolen property".
He said they most likely found out about the service through Asian newspapers, which were advertising it in Sydney.
"This international operation and the Australian representatives have shown absolutely no fear of detection or prosecution and have openly advertised on a range of online [websites] and local newspapers," he said.
While some of the channels on offer were Asian language, the police brief and forensics report allege that many of the 1000 channels offered Western content from providers including MTV, Discovery, ESPN, CNN, HBO, Fox, BBC and NBC.
Television programs on offer, they said, included Heroes, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Superman and Family Guy, while movies included Tin Tin, The Tower Heist, Hangover II, Mr Popper's Penguins and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The brief and report also said the service offered a 3D movie channel offering predominantly Western titles and provided "several infringing adult entertainment channels offering over 600 current or recent adult movies".
The USB network access keys had the Apple logo and text "iPad TV6" on them, according to the brief, although Apple had not shown any interest in pursuing the alleged pirates for trademark infringement, Mr Speck said.
Mr Speck said the international operation had been in existence for more than a year and that the Australian representative had been operating for about eight months.
The raid was the result of a sting conducted by the private investigators who relied on undercover, surveillance and forensic investigations to establish the case.
"This is $70 million that is never going to be spent on legal businesses or services," William Bush, one of the investigators, said.
"This is a concerted attack on the legitimate operators and their customers by people interested in profiting from the work of others and it needs to be stopped."
Police raid Sydney piracy outfit and warn customers - 'We're coming for you"
From http://www.news.com.au/technology/police-raid-sydney-piracy-outfit-and-warn-customers-were-coming-for-you/story-e6frfro0-1226260655488
Western Sydney store raided for piracy
Police estimate it is worth $70m a year
Man charged, 100 customers revealed
Police seized USB keys along with computers and documents that contained evidence of piracy from a west Sydney store.
POLICE have raided a second store in Sydney as part of a worldwide $70 million pirate television outfit.
And customers who subscribe to these pirate stations have been warned they will be pursued by police and treated as “receivers of stolen property".
Computers, USB keys and documents seized from the QMC Mart store in Ashfield, in Sydney’s west, were allegedly used to sell pay TV subscriptions offering more than 1000 channels for $50 a month.
A 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with copyright offences.
Police allege the man was part of a global pirating organisation based in China.
The man from Lane Cove, in Sydney’s north, was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on February 22.
The police raid was the second in as many months.
Police arrested a man in December for selling set-top boxes for $500 and unlicensed pay TV subscriptions for $90 a month, alleging the south Sydney store was part of a $150 million pirating outfit that served more than 100 000 customers.
Detective Inspector Enrico Coffen said the sting was the result of an extensive investigation, which began after a private investigator working for Chinese language content company TVB discovered evidence of the company’s pirating activities.
“Persons identified with any involvement in this trade need to realise it is an offence which is punishable by criminal sanctions like large fines or jail,” he said.
“Anyone who is accessing pay TV illegally is advised to immediately cease the subscription or risk legal consequences. It’s the same as stealing,” Detective Inspector Coffen said.
The investigation was lead by former head of Music Industry Piracy Investigation (MIPI) Michael Speck who says 100 Australian customers were identified in records seized in yesterday’s raid.
Mr Speck said police would be pursuing the customers as they were “receivers of stolen property".
Channels offered by the alleged pirating outfit included MTV, Fox, CNN and HBO as well as Asian language channels. It also offered television programs including How I Met Your Mother and Family Guy and films such as The Tower Heist, Tin Tin and Hangover II.
According to police reports 3D movies were also on offer as well as "several infringing adult entertainment channels offering over 600 current or recent adult movies".
Optus wins TV-recording case
From http://www.zdnet.com.au/optus-wins-tv-recording-case-339330811.htm
Optus has emerged victorious in its battle against the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL) sporting codes over its TV Now digital TV-recording app.
Optus TV Now, first announced in July last year, allows customers to use Optus' storage cloud to schedule, record and playback free-to-air digital TV on 15 channels from a 3G mobile or a PC. All subscribers get a basic 45 minutes of free storage per month, while customers can buy five hours for $6.99 or 20 hours for $9.99 per month.
It is understood that the recording is delayed by two minutes from the live broadcast.
The AFL and the NRL were not too pleased about the program, as it brought into question a five-year $153 million deal that the AFL had in place with Telstra to provide streaming video of live matches to mobiles, and it also limited the NRL's ability to sign a similar deal. Optus made a pre-emptive strike in September, starting a case that tried to prove that the two sporting bodies can't sue for breach of copyright because of a clause in the Copyright Act 1968. The football organisations have made counterclaims, and Telstra also joined the case.
After two days of hearings late last year, and a lengthy deliberation over the Christmas break, Justice Steven Rares ruled today that Optus had not infringed on the copyright of the sporting codes.
He broke his judgment into three categories:
Whether it was Optus or the user making the recording when the user clicked the "record" button on his or her compatible device
If the user made the recordings, whether it would fall under section 111 of the Copyright Act that allows users to make recordings for personal viewing at a time more convenient
When the user clicked "play" on a recording, whether it was Optus or the user making the transmission of that recording, and whether it was copyright infringed.
Rares ruled that the user makes the recording.
"I consider that this result was substantially similar to the position where a person used a video-cassette recorder, digital-video recorder or similar device to copy a television broadcast," he said.
"Even though Optus provided all the significant technology for making, keeping or playing the recording [it is] no different to a person using equipment or technology in his or her home or elsewhere to copy or record a broadcast"
When the user made this recording, Rares found that it did not infringe on copyright, because it was being recorded for a time more convenient to the user, even if it was only delayed by two minutes.
"I found that such a recording or film was made by the user to watch it at a time he or she considered to be more convenient than the time broadcast, even if by only minutes," he said.
Similarly, a user is responsible for transmitting the recording when they click play, Rares ruled.
There are still a number of issues to be resolved, Rares noted, including whether Optus' streaming service for iPhones infringes on copyright, since the company creates and stores six temporary files of 10 seconds each at all times, regardless of whether anyone is watching.
The case has been adjourned until Friday 3 February, for the parties to agree to formal orders. The AFL and the NRL have been ordered to pay costs.
Rares allowed leave to appeal during the first hearing; however, the sporting codes have yet to announce whether they intend to challenge the ruling.
Optus general manager of Government and Corporate Affairs Clare Gill welcomed the ruling today.
"Optus is extremely pleased with today's decision. Optus is about choice and convenience, and this product is a personal recording device. The 2006 amendment [to the Copyright Act] had intended for this type of innovation. Optus is about innovation," she said.
Telstra said it was considering the judgment at this stage.
"We believe protecting content rights is in the interest of Telstra, the sporting bodies and sports fans who benefit from the investments that flow from broadcast rights," he said. "We now intend to go away, review today's judgement and consider all options."
NRL CEO David Gallop said that an appeal of the ruling is likely.
"The decision is very likely to be appealed. It is a major concern as it clearly has the capacity to devalue the ability of the sports to sell exclusive rights," Gallop said in a statement.
Optus's copycat capers threaten TV rights
From http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/optuss-copycat-capers-threaten-tv-rights/story-e6frg9io-1226260021205
Optus's Now technology allows you to watch AFL games virtually live Source: Herald Sun
THE Federal Court has trashed the notion of value in rights ownership by backing Optus's TV Now technology, which threatens the rights of all copyright holders.
The ramifications of this decision extend far and wide, including the transmission fees paid to free-to-air broadcasters by Foxtel and most obviously the financial wellbeing of the AFL and other sporting bodies
The sports owners from the AFL down are most immediately affected, but so are two free-to-air television stations and distributors such as Telstra and Foxtel.
The law provides an exemption where people make a copy of a program for their own personal use through, say, a video recorder, to watch the show some time later.
But Optus's technology allows you to watch AFL games virtually live, albeit through making a personal recording for your own use.
Judge Steven Rares' decision is logical. Once more technology has proven it is far smarter than any lawmaker.
That said, the case is certain to be appealed to the full Federal Court. If Optus wins again, there will be calls to make some changes to the law.
The argument against the decision is that the technology was designed to pervert the law, a contrivance with wide-ranging and potentially damaging consequences.
Telstra paid $153 million for the internet rights to AFL games and the latest AFL broadcast revenues totalled $1.3 billion, all of which is now to varying degrees negated.
The internet rights gave Telstra exclusivity over content and generated revenue for the AFL to develop its product.
If rival Optus can promise near-live coverage on a smart phone, then Telstra will first seek to recover lost money from the AFL, and certainly won't be offering to pay $153m for the rights any time soon.
Exclusive content is the key drawcard for pay and free-to-air television and this will now be compromised.
Consider also the retransmission fees paid to free-to-air broadcasters and the people who supply them with programs.
The value of those contractual fees would be slashed.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's convergence review could not have been better timed. Here is yet one more example of the inadequacy of statutes in the face of technological change.
Assuming Justice Rares' decision stands, changing the law by, say, simply removing the personal use exemption may be a temporary solution but longer-term commercial solutions must be found.
Decision renders TV deals worthless
From http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news/local/sport/other/decision-renders-tv-deals-worthless/2441355.aspx?storypage=0
IN the long-running football broadcasting rights opera, the fat lady has merely cleared her throat.
Telstra is likely to appeal yesterday's Federal Court decision that allows Optus customers to take the signal of a free-to-air AFL or NRL game and play it on their home computers or mobile phones.
Optus's victory hinges on the argument they are not charging customers for football matches but charging for the service of downloading games
The decision renders worthless exclusive deals between telcos and football codes to channel free-to-air games over the internet.
It will have little impact on the NRL this year, the final year of its disgracefully under-valued broadcasting $100 million-a-year rights deal, which includes a miserable $3 million to $4 million from Telstra for online rights. However, it will significantly temper the NRL's expectation of a billion dollar broadcasting deal from next year.
Part of the AFL's record-breaking $1.5 billion five-year rights deal with Channel Seven, Foxtel and Telstra signed last season was a $153 million payment from the telco for the online rights to games. The NRL expected a similar proportion of its next deal to come from internet rights.
Telstra is also the naming rights sponsor of the NRL and pays a total of $10 million a year for both the privilege of having the premiership trophy named after it and also the online rights.
The AFL's $30 million a year deal for online rights alone demonstrates yet again how the 13-a-side code has undersold itself.
Looking ahead to the final curtain, however, it's not all Wagnerian tragedy for the NRL. Yesterday's Federal Court ruling does not apply to pay TV games.
The federal government's anti-siphoning laws allow the NRL to show only three games a week on free-to-air TV, meaning five are shown on Fox Sports. These pay TV games can be sold exclusively online.
However, the AFL must schedule four games a week via its free-to-air rights holder, Channel Seven, meaning it has one more game than the NRL with an internet value that is inherently worthless.
Furthermore, the AFL splits the signal of games between Seven and Foxtel to allow fans in Perth and Adelaide to see their home teams for free.
This means even more free-to-air coverage for which the AFL cannot charge an internet fee. But the AFL is a far-sighted business.
It has been preparing for the day it produces its own match-day broadcasts, hiring staff for a rapidly expanding media unit that is approaching 150 employees.
It has already aggressively challenged mainstream media via a more edgy website and will have its own AFL Films network. By the end of the AFL's current broadcasting deal, the National Broadband Network will be in most Australian homes and the AFL will be in a position to sell its own games direct to online subscribers via AFL.com.au.
It must abide by the federal government's anti-siphoning laws, quarantining some games for free-to-air TV, but it will be potentially in a position to cut Foxtel and Telstra out.
However, to continue its expansionist policies, it needs the $153 million from Telstra.
The AFL recently reached a five-year payment agreement with the AFL Players Association but preserved a sum of about $150 million for its media unit.
Should Telstra renege on paying the AFL because yesterday's decision rendered their rights worthless, the AFL could be expected to pursue court action. The AFL is entitled to argue Telstra went into the deal aware of the inadequacies of copyright laws in an age of rapid technological advance.
Expect a few more arias from shrill lawyers over the coming months. Anxiously watching in the opera boxes will be the politicians.
They framed the copyright laws to protect the average punter from being sued for taping a TV show, including a football match on his home recorder. Now, their legislation is being used by Optus to sell a service, ultimately diminishing the commercial value of the football codes and the matches they provide the punter.
The pollies can't hide forever behind the curtains, waiting for the fat lady to appear. Their laws are as out-dated as the fat lady at the opera, with all today's female leads trim.
We will fight Optus, AFL boss says
From http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/we-will-fight-optus-afl-boss-says-20120202-1qujt.html
A big legal win for Optus on Wednesday means customers can record and watch free-to-air sports on their mobile phones, says business reporter Lucy Battersby.
The AFL has vowed to do "everything within our power" to protect the league's copyright after a Federal Court ruling that has threatened to undermine Telstra's multi-million-dollar investment in online footy rights.
As sporting bodies and lawyers come to terms with a landmark copyright case that has given Optus protection from the AFL, the National Rugby League and Telstra to transmit free-to-air TV shows to consumers via the internet, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said the league would "exploit all of our avenues to appeal".
Justice Steven Rares in the Federal Court in Sydney yesterday found that the Optus TV Now service did not breach copyright because individuals were responsible for requesting each recording and that Optus kept separate recordings for each customer.
The technology allows Optus to transmit shows - such as live football matches - on short delays of one to two minutes to Apple mobile phones and tablet devices.
Demetriou vowed that the AFL would protect its content and do everything to protect its $153 million, five-year deal with Telstra.
"We produce our own content. We've spent millions and millions of dollars of behalf of our supporters, our stakeholders, our sponsors, our clubs on a product called football. And we take great pride in that for providing great enjoyment for millions for people," Demetriou told ABC radio today.
"But we are absolutely entitled to protect our content and exploit our content ... What we do as a not-for-profit organisation is reinvest it (the revenue) back into our code.
"But we will do everything within our power - everything - to make sure that we protect our content, because that's what it is - it's ours."
The AFL and NRL are certain to renew lobbying of the federal government to pass legislation that would protect their online broadcast rights. Telstra chief executive David Thodey has previously said the Optus TV Now service "throws everything up in the air".
It is unclear exactly what path Telstra would take should the appeal process fall short and Optus was free to offer near-to-live AFL matches when the season begins on 24 March.
But Demetriou said he was confident Telstra would not seek to void its contract on the basis that the content it had purchased was no longer - in practice - exclusive.
"We have an agreement with Telstra and they've indicated to us they'll honour that agreement," Demetriou said.
"We've got a situation where Optus have come along now to seek to try and use our content without ever undertaking (broadcast) discussions with the AFL, then that is where we say it's a breach of our copyright. We will take very opportunity to protect our content.
"We'll go through the proper legal process and exploit all of our avenues to appeal ... this has a long way to play out."
Amid continuing debate about whether Optus would be protected to continue offering its service to consumers, one barrister said he believed Justice Rares's decision was "incorrect" and the AFL and Telstra have a strong case to appeal.
“It's a straight statutory interpretation question, there are no facts in dispute, the whole case was conducted in two days on an agreed set of facts. You'd probably get a very quick appeal and I think there are good prospects for the appeal being upheld," barrister Paul Ehrlich told SEN radio.
Mr Ehrlich's opinion is that the judgment is wrongly based on the existing copyright exemption for private users recording free-to-air television programs on videotape.
“There's a big difference between you pressing a button on your videotape machine at home to record a free-to-air program on your videotape and pressing a button on your phone which in effect is asking Optus, for a fee, to make a copy of a the program for you and then to stream it to you on your telephone or iPad.
"I don't think… that the end-user is making a program for private use at all. I think Optus are making it for you for a fee and I don't think the exemption applies.”
“Justice Rares took a different view on the statutory interpretation and three judges on appeal may take a different view.”
Mr Ehrlich said that if the judgment stands, it will be a “disaster commercially” for the NRL, which is negotiating its media rights.
“If this judgment's correct and the videotape exemption applies to this sort of media streaming fee of service then in fact you've got nothing really to sell by way of exclusive internet rights.”
GMM 1SKY to bid for Broadcast rights of top sports events
From http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/GMM-1SKY-to-bid-for-Broadcast-rights-of-top-sports-30174967.html
GMM Grammy, the leading music and entertainment house, has set up a subsidiary called GMM 1Sky to manage its satellite broadcasting, sports content, animation production and home-shopping interests.
With Bt1 billion in registered capital, the unit is seeking overseas strategic partners with media and sports businesses in the United States, mainland China and Japan, chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham said yesterday.
This will strengthen the company's capability to bid for broadcast rights of world-class sports tournaments like the British Premier League.
Thana Thienachariya, a senior adviser to the president, took over as CEO of GMM 1Sky yesterday. He had left McJean late last year.
Thana said that this year he would focus on selling 1Sky set-top boxes in the mass market. The company targets sales of at least 1.5 million boxes this year. Some 300,000-400,000 of the boxes would be for the live airing of Euro 2012 soccer championship starting in June, and Germany's Bundesliga 2012-15 seasons starting in August.
The company's revenue will be generated from set-top box sales, advertisements, and pay-TV and pay-per-view subscriptions. It will also launch entertainment and sports packages for its satellite-TV channels in March, priced at Bt300 and Bt350 respectively.
The company is entering the home-shopping business with South Korean firm CJ O Shopping.
GMM-CJ O Shopping, a joint venture, was established in November with registered capital of Bt540 million and is on track to begin operations by midyear.
By the end of the year, 1 Sky and GMM-CJ O Shopping are expected to contribute at least 13 per cent of total revenue, chief financial officer Premon Pinsku told The Nation early this month.
Last year, GMM Grammy saw its revenue soar 30 per cent, but because of the massive flood, its profit increased by only 15 per cent, instead of 30 per cent as had been projected.
Paiboon said GMM Grammy expects to hit Bt10 billion in revenue this year from new businesses and existing core businesses, namely music and media.
GMM Grammy gets Bundesliga
From http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/277901/gmm-grammy-gets-bundesliga
GMM Grammy has secured the broadcast right of Germany's Bundesliga for three seasons.
The three-year deal will begin this year and matches will be shown on its GMM Sport satellite channel, GMM Grammy chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham announced yesterday.
The channel will show live five Bundesliga matches a week and the contract also covers Bundesliga II, he said.
Under the deal, top clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will come to play friendly matches her and train at Thai Premier League club Chonburi FC.
"We believe that this kind of cooperation will not only increase the popularity of German football here but also help in the development of Thai football," Paiboon said.
Casbaa pushes Pay TV credentials with media agency research
From http://www.campaignasia.com/Article/288990,casbaa-pushes-pay-tv-credentials-with-media-agency-research.aspx
HONG KONG - The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association for Asia (Casbaa) has partnered with UM to release a study showing that advertisers who allocate 50 per cent of their budget to both free-to-air and Pay-TV channels can potentially double their reach.
The study is the first of a potential series of four research papers investigating the same hypothesis, said Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies in an interview with Campaign. The next paper, crafted in partnership with GroupM will be released in a few months, he added.
"Data is in constant need of updating and we're aiming to build a campaign around this piece of information. While it may seem like an obvious statement, the aim is to reprove it, test it and reaffirm its reality," explained Davies, adding that each media agency Casbaa worked with would apply its own proprietary method to investigating the statement.
In the study conducted by UM, a theoretical budget of US$1.75 million was used to "buy" spots on free-to-air and Pay-TV channels in Australia, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore and analysed using data on the first quarter of 2011 from OZ Tam, Nielsen, TAM India, CSM, Kantar and UM.
The analysis found that in the seven markets measured, a 100 per cent allocation of the budget to FTA resulted in a campaign viewed by one third of the TV population, whereas a 50-50 budget allocation between free-to-air and Pay-TV saw total impressions multiply by 2.5. The report concluded that this method also lowered costs up to 60 per cent. These findings held true when the demographics data was analysed to reflect key age, gender and socio-economic groups.
"These findings apply solely to a pan-regional buy and not local campaigns," clarified Casbaa advertising consultant, Jane Buckthought. "If your target audience is only in one country it makes sense to spend the majority of your budget on terrestial TV," she said.
While there is a trend towards a higher budget allocation to multichannel TV, the Pay-TV broadcasters are still "not getting the sales they should", said Davies. "The markets where this is most apparant are Indonesia and even Singapore where there's a lot of work to be done, to inform the buying community that there is more to life than Mediacorp."
"The truth is Pay-TV remains a relatively hard sell for a lot of clients," said M&C Saatchi Asia CEO Chris Jaques. "The reality is, the easiest solution to everything is to advertise viafree-to-air - it's mass and there's easy access to data which proves to clients and bosses that you're not doing anything wrong."
Despite Pay-TV's strong performance in Asia, it still isn't carving out a fair share of the ad spend, continued Jaques. "When advertising on Pay-TV, you tend to get more upmarket audiences who are digitally inclined and younger, so you have to clarify that these are additional niche audiences you can't live without. Then there's how you can engage, relate and acess data about this additional reach - it's proving a problem to sell."
Casbaa's push to prove and reprove the effectiveness of Pay-TV advertising is therefore, understandable, concluded Jaques.
"The truth is, Pay-TV does have huge potential for incremental reach - depending on the segment targeted and it can play an important role in the TV mix. The true competition for Pay-TV is notfree-to-air but actually digital mediums. But initially, their growth will come from fere-to-air," commented president of IPG Mediabrands - World Markets, Prashant Kumar.
"For targeted segments, Pay-TV allows for higher choice, which in turns gains attention, relavance and engagement with the viewer — which makes it worth a premium," he said.
To support this research-driven campaign, Casbaa will be holding a series of TV Upfront Screenings across Asia-Pacific this year, similar to the one held last year in Singapore. On Feb 21, the association will be holding a screening for seven or eight networks in Hong Kong's IFC Cinema. Next on the agenda is Bangkok and, tentatively, Manila.
Russian communications satellite crash caused by engine failure: space agency
From http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&news_cat_id=1&id=159577
The crash of Russia's communications satellite "Meridian" was caused by the malfunction of one of the satellite carrier rocket's engines, Russia's Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said Tuesday.
The dual-purpose satellite was launched by a Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket from Russia's Plesetsk space center on Dec. 23 and crashed in Siberia region only minutes after the launch.
"An inter-agency commission has concluded that the reason was an early opening of the combustion section of the rocket's third stage," Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin said, adding that the combustion section had "virtually burned through."
However, he didn't specify what triggered the problem.
Russia suffered a string of space mission failures in 2011. On Feb. 1, a Rokot carrier rocket failed to send a military satellite to the designed orbit.
On Aug. 18, a Proton-M rocket carrying a high-power Express-AM4 communications satellite failed to reach the planned orbit and, only one week later, a Progress M-12M cargo ship failed to reach the International Space Station due to a rocket malfunction.
Russia's Phobos-Grunt mission to Mars, carrying China's micro-satellite Yinghuo-1, was launched on Nov. 9 but also failed to reach the intended orbit.
German satellite 'minutes from crashing into Beijing'
From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/9052242/German-satellite-minutes-from-crashing-into-Beijing.html
A two-and-a-half ton German satellite came within minutes of crashing into Beijing the European Space Agency has disclosed.
The re-entry date for ROSAT can only be calculated to within a day
New calculations by the agency show that if the Rosat satellite had remained aloft for just seven more minutes after re-entering the earth's atmosphere in October it would have plunged into the Chinese capital of 20 million people.
"Our calculations showed that, if Rosat had crashed to the ground just seven to 10 minutes later, it would have hit Beijing," Heiner Klinkrad, head of the agency's space debris team, told German magazine Der Spiegel, adding that an impact on the city "was very much within the realm of possibility." The satellite eventually landed, as hoped, in the Indian Ocean.
Although most space debris burns up on entering the earth's atmosphere Rosat, a defunct satellite launched 20 years ago, was made of durable material. Experts said that as much as 60 per cent of its bulk survived re-entry so if it had crashed into a highly populated like Beijing it could have caused the worst disaster in the history of space exploration.
The satellite's remnants, travelling at speeds of 280mph, would have destroyed buildings, left craters and would have almost certainly caused causalities.
Calculating just where space debris will fall to earth remains an imprecise science. The European Space Agency had been tracking Rosat's gradual decent to earth after it had ceased functioning in 1999 but experts were unsure as to just where it would land.
DISH Launches NDTV 24x7 and NDTV Good Times
From http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/dish-launches-ndtv-24x7-and-ndtv-good-times-nasdaq-dish-1613857.htm
Leading Indian News and Lifestyle Channels Now Available Nationwide on DISH
ENGLEWOOD, CO--(Marketwire - Feb 1, 2012) - DISH Network L.L.C. (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider, today announced the launch of NDTV 24x7 and NDTV Good Times, expanding DISH's South Asian programming options to more than 80 channels. As the U.S. leader in international programming with 240 ethnic channels in 29 languages, DISH is the only pay-TV platform with nationwide coverage to offer these NDTV channels.
"We are pleased to add a premiere South Asian news channel like NDTV 24x7 and the new entertainment channel NDTV Good Times for our customers interested in Indian programming," said Chris Kuelling, vice president of International Programming at DISH. "DISH is a leader in delivering TV channels from across India to those in the U.S. seeking news, sports and entertainment from their home country. The addition of these channels shows our continued commitment to serve the South Asian community."
With presence in more than 75 countries and 18 million households outside of India, NDTV's Executive Director Vikram Chandra said this partnership allowed the company to further expand its reach in the international market.
"DISH dominates the South Asian market in the U.S.," Chandra said. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring NDTV content to an even wider audience."
NDTV Good Times is available in DISH's Hindi Mega and Masti packs, and NDTV 24x7 is offered in the Hindi Mega Pack, English News Pack and DISH International Basic Package.
NDTV channel descriptions are listed below.
NDTV 24x7: The flagship English news channel from NDTV Limited, NDTV 24x7 is a 24-hour news and infotainment channel with news from India, entertainment and sports. The channel is a market leader with a reputation for excellence, featuring many award-winning programs and anchors. Popular programming includes "We the People," "The Big Fight" and "Walk the Talk."
NDTV Good Times: NDTV Good Times is India's first travel and lifestyle channel designed to explore the Indian/South Asian lifestyle, be it food, travel, wellness, shopping or just plain indulgence. NDTV Good Times is India's everyday lifestyle expert -- all in style and with a single purpose -- to inspire people to discover and savour every moment of life. Popular programming includes "The Big Fat Indian Wedding," "Highway On My Plate" and "Band Baajaa Bride."
About DISH Network
DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), through its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., provides approximately 13.945 million satellite TV customers, as of Sept. 30, 2011, with the highest quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value, including HD Free for Life. Subscribers enjoy the largest high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels, and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network's subsidiary, Blockbuster L.L.C., delivers family entertainment to millions of customers around the world. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company. Visit http://www.dish.com/.
About NDTV
New Delhi Television is a pioneer in India's news television. It is today the most watched and most respected news network in India. From the path-breaking "The World This Week" to the first private news on Doordarshan "The News Tonight" and India's first 24-hour news channel "Star News," NDTV has been at the forefront of every news revolution. NDTV has 23 offices and studios across the country that house India's most modern and sophisticated production, newsgathering and archiving facilities with award-winning production and creative teams.
Contact Information
Media Contacts
DISH:
Danielle Johnson
720-514-5351
Email Contact
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/BSkyB_posts_higher_profits_to_create_1300_jobs_999.html
British pay-TV giant BSkyB on Tuesday posted higher net profits thanks to rising subscribers and announced plans to create 1,300 jobs over the next two years.
BSkyB, which was at the centre of a failed takeover bid by its largest shareholder News Corp. last year, added that it would launch Internet-based television services in 2012 to attract more customers.
It said that earnings after tax rose 8.4 percent to 441 million pounds ($694 million, 527 million euros) in its first half or six months to the end of December from 407 million pounds a year earlier.
Revenue climbed 6.0 percent to 3.36 billion pounds, the London-listed company added in a results statement.
BSkyB, which broadcasts the 24-hour Sky News channel, English Premier League football and blockbuster movies, said it now has almost 10.5 million household subscribers, including some who pay for its Internet and telephone services.
"It has been a strong first half with progress on all fronts," BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch said in the earnings release.
"While these are tough times for many consumers, our customers are staying loyal and more households continue to join us."
BSkyB also said it would create 1,300 jobs in Britain and Ireland as it brings more of its customer service and installation work in-house and opens a new service centre in Dublin.
The group also announced plans for an Internet TV service, allowing customers to download films, and eventually sport and entertainment programmes, without a contract or satellite dish.
Investors welcomed Tuesday's announcements, sending BSkyB shares surging 2.93 percent to 685 pence on London's benchmark FTSE 100 index, which was up 0.97 percent at 5,725.89 points in midday deals.
"The launch of its online offering further complements its existing technical reach alongside the potential for new customers," said Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers.
BSkyB is seeking change six months after Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation abandoned its bid to win full control of BSkyB in the wake of a phone-hacking scandal that forced it to shut British tabloid newspaper News of the World.
News Corp. had in June 2010 bid 7.8 billion pounds for the 60.9 percent of BSkyB it did not already own. BSkyB had rejected the 700-pence-per-share offer even before the bid collapsed.
France 24 connected TV app
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/02/01/france-24-connected-tv-app/
France 24 is launching a new application for connected television sets. The application will enable users to watch the France 24 news channel live in its three language versions and also tune into its global on-demand programmes.
The application will be “multi-screen” (mobile, tablets, etc.). It is part of a wider multimedia strategy that enables users to create their own “basket” of programmes, regardless of the type of terminal and operating system they are using. Users will also be able to share all the content made available to them on the social networks using the Twitter and Facebook buttons located on the right hand side of the main screen.
A first version of this application is already being deployed by several eminent manufacturers (Philips, Toshiba, Sharp, TechniSat, Boxee) and is available on one HBB TV interactive portal in France (MesServicesTV). France 24 has also signed several agreements with television manufacturers which will integrate the
01/02/12
Astro Box Office HD is/was FTA Measat 3 91.5 E 4120 H Sr 30000. Goal TV1/2 still fta
Feeds
D1 12430 V Sr 6111 "Aus vs India" T20 Cricket. FTA
D1 12430 V Sr 6111 "Women's Twenty20" international between Australia and New Zealand at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.
From my Email
..
From the Dish
No Lyngsat
From Asiatvro site
东经91.5度轨道位置的马星3a号卫星C频段，Astro Box Office HD（华丽电影）高清频道新增，设置4120 H 30000参数免费接收。[02-01]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，God's Learning Channel（宗教）频道新增，设置12579 H 22000参数免费接收。[02-01]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Europa Plus TV（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置12707 V 12400参数有条件接收。[02-01]
东经140度轨道位置的快车AM3号卫星Ku频段，Cnopt-1、Cnopt-2替换Eurosport（体育）等频道，设置10981 V 44948参数有条件接收。[02-01]
东经115.5度轨道位置的中星6B号卫星C频段，央视台球替换城市建设（中数传媒）频道，设置3980 V 27500参数有条件接收。[02-01]
NEWS
Fox Footy preview programming begins
From http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2012/02/01/fox-footy-preview-programming-begins/
The brand new 24-hour AFL channel, Fox Footy, switched on overnight on Foxtel channel 504, with previews screening between now and the station's official launch on 17 February.
The previews, most of which are hosted by Eddie McGuire, feature a mix of highlights of what the channel's coverage will contain, as well as previews of the Fox Footy personalities.
Following last week's news, the previews confirm the weekly lineup for the 2012 season.
As expected, After the Bounce, AFL 360, AFL Insider, AFL Teams, Open Mike, and On the Couch will return, however, AFL Teams appears to have been renamed to League Teams.
The previews also confirm that AFL 360 will turn from a once a week show on Wednesdays to airing every night between Mondays and Thursdays.
The show, hosted by Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson, was the most popular of Foxtel's AFL shows last year, justifying the upgrade this season. The previews also confirm that the show will continue to broadcast live, allowing interaction with viewers.
Interestingly, the preview for light-hearted Sunday night show After the Bounce featured only three of its four hosts from 2011 - Danny Frawley, Jason Dunstall, and Damien Fleming all appeared, but Whateley was absent.
It is possible that Whateley has left After the Bounce due to his increased commitment with AFL 360, but this is not confirmed.
Also, vague details on McGuire's new show are revealed in the previews.
It would appear that the show will be called EMT, with the only hint at what it could be about coming from McGuire's comments during the preview.
"Incredible people who just love footy. I'll get 'em talking'," McGuire says.
With the show touted as "the guest list", details on exactly what it will feature are still to be seen.
Fox Footy's shows will begin airing not long after the channel's launch, with After the Bounce returning to Sunday nights on 19 February, and the rest of the shows due to begin in the same week.
SES Relocates Satellite to Meet Growing Customer Demand
From http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ses-relocates-satellite-to-meet-growing-customer-demand-2012-01-31
LUXEMBOURG, Jan 31, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SES S.A. /quotes/zigman/223331 FR:SESG +0.25% (luxx:SESG) today announced that the SES-3 satellite is being relocated from its former location over North America to Asia, an area experiencing great demand for state-of-the-art, reliable satellite capacity.
The SES-3 satellite is being relocated to 108.2 deg East to provide coverage of the Middle East and South Asia regions, where SES experiences growing customer demand. The drift began in mid-December 2011 and the satellite is expected to arrive at its new orbital location on February 6, 2012.
SES-3 is a young satellite as it was just launched in July of 2011. Once reaching 108.2 deg East, the planned coverage is capable of supporting such applications as video, voice, data, and end-to-end communications networks. With MAC-1 compliance and encrypted tracking, telemetry and control, the satellite is also well positioned to meet the secure communications needs of government customers.
Romain Bausch, President and CEO of SES, stated: "With a fleet of 49 spacecraft in orbit around the globe, SES has the operational flexibility to swiftly respond to shifting customer demand by re-deploying in-orbit capacity without affecting existing services."
Tip Osterthaler, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions added, ""The relocation of the SES-3 satellite is a result of continued engagement and dialogue with our customers and in response to the growing demand for bandwidth to support critical communications capabilities. This move is a confirmation of our commitment to provide affordable and vital capability for our government customers."
About SES
SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 49 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES /quotes/zigman/223331 FR:SESG +0.25% (luxx:SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com .
About SES Government Solutions www.ses-gs.com
SES Government Solutions, a subsidiary of global satellite operator SES, is exclusively focused on meeting the satellite communications needs of the U.S. Government. Leveraging more than three decades of experience in the government SATCOM market, SES Government Solutions offers robust and secure satellite-based communications solutions. Supported by SES's fleet of 49 satellites offering comprehensive global coverage, SES Government Solutions offers highly reliable fixed and on-the-move capacity.
SOURCE: SES
ESPN shows first ever free Premier League match
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/31/espn-shows-first-ever-free-premier-league-match/
Subscription sports channel ESPN will broadcast the UK’s first ever live, free-to-air Premier League football match this weekend.
The clash between Manchester City and Fulham will air at 5:30pm on Saturday 4th February as part of a promotion that will see the channel available for free throughout the weekend.
ESPN is broadcasting free from 6am on Friday 3rd February to 6am on Monday 6th February. UK viewers on Sky Digital, BT Vision, Top Up TV and Freeview will be able to benefit from the promotion.
Other highlights from the weekend line-up include Serie A football matches AC Milan vs Napoli and Roma vs Inter Milan, live action from the NBA and a UFC special from Las Vegas headlined by Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit.
Sky Sports takes cricket for 4 more years
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/31/sky-sports-takes-cricket-for-4-more-years/
Sky Sports has been awarded four more years of live international and county cricket under a new deal with the ECB. The England & Wales Cricket Board announced a new agreement with Sky for coverage across TV, mobile and online. With the existing deal concluding at the end of 2013, the new deal begins in 2014 and continues until the end of the summer in 2017.
The deal will take Sky’s partnership with the ECB for exclusive live cricket in England and Wales into its 12th year. There is also an option for Sky to extend the deal for an additional two years to cover tours by India in 2018 and Australia in 2019.
Airtel Digital TV launches iKidsworld
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan233.php
MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV, the DTH service from Bharti Airtel, has launched a new interactive educational service for kids, iKidsworld.
The service expands the interactive bouquet offering of Airtel Digital TV and engages kids at every step.
The user interface is designed to make learning enjoyable for the kids, the company said.
The video content of iKidsworld offers activities like stories, hobbies, songs, rhymes, math puzzles, science facts and quizzes.
Powered by Fundoodaa, the content of iKidsworld is designed to enhance a child’s knowledge, pique their curiosity, challenge their thinking and at the same time have an entertainment quotient.
Bharti Airtel CEO DTH/Media Shashi Arora said, “Our objective was to blend the best of television with interactivity and engagement that children seek from the internet. In line with this, we are delighted to launch –iKidsworld, an interactive educational service. We aim to enhance the learning experience of the kids by converting passive television viewing experience to a more active and participative viewing. The interactive user interface has been specifically designed to appeal to today’s kids – who are exposed to multiple cartoon channels content.”
Existing Airtel digital TV subscribers can subscribe for iKidsworld at Rs 30 per month + taxes.
With iKidsworld, Airtel Digital TV now has seven interactive applications as part of its interactive services portfolio- iRadio, iLearn, iDarshan, iGoodlife, iAstro and Parsifal
Comedy Central now available on Tata Sky
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan243.php
MUMBAI: Direct-to-home (DTH) services provider Tata Sky has added English comedy channel, Comedy Central, on its platform.
Comedy Central, the latest channel from the Viacom18 stable, will be available on channel no 218 on Tata Sky platform in its English Entertainment pack.
Priced at Rs 50 per month, the English Entertainment pack has nine more channels- AXN, BBC Entertainment, Discovery Turbo, Fox Crime, FX, NDTV Good Times, Star World, TLC and Zee Café.
Comedy Central, has a mix of various comedy genres such as sitcoms, stand-up and gags, British comedy, sketch comedy, etc.
The channel's programming line-up includes shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and South Park along with other global hits such as Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, The Office, Seinfeld, The Wonder Years and That 70s Show.
Tata Sky claims a subscriber base of over 8 million connections.
31/01/12
Live chat 9.pm NZ and 8.30pm Syd time onwards. In the Chatroom
D2: Zoom TV India FTA
D2 12546 (V) 22500 PID 6109/6209/6109
Zoom TV currently Free to Air.
Indian language Bollywood channel - http://www.zoomtv.in/
Feeds
Hi Guys currently on
D2 12265 V s/r 6670. "NZRB NZL 00022" New Zealand Blood Stock Sales
D2 12538 H s/r 6980. AFI Awards Tag shows : "Astralinks SNG"
From my Email
From jonC (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
IS5 FREQ: 3810 POL: V SR: 4285 VDO: NTSC free to view Name: Service 2 Philippino News Feed free to view in NTSC
IS5 FREQ: 4054 POL: H SR: 4000 VDO: free to view TVNZ Breakfast on the normal TVNZ News transponder
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3905 POL: V SR: 6118 VDO: Free to view KDDI Japan News feed
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3755 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view AD HOC Feed (daily feed)
Telkom 1 FREQ: 3799 POL: H SR: 3905 VDO: free to view "TVRI Papua" has started on
Insat 2/4 FREQ: 4100 POL: H SR: 4750 VDO: HD 576i free to view "BBS TV2" has started in HD
Insat 2/4 FREQ: 3875 POL: H SR: 3402 VDO: HD 576i free to view "Kamyab TV" has started in HD
Insat 2/4 FREQ: 3875 POL: H SR: 3402 VDO: HD 576i free to view "Naxatra KAMYAB" has started in HD
Insat 3a/4b Major MUX update on the main DD Channels on FREQ: 3925 POL: H SR: 27362 VDO: free to view as normal Symbol Rate change overnight from 27500 to 27362
From the Dish
Express AM3 140E 4184 "R5 Kanal" has left.
Intelsat 15 85.2E 11504 H "Al Masar TV" has started on , Fta
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3640 H "I-Channel" has started on , Fta
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3814 V "TBC 1" has left .
Intelsat 902 62E 3841 L "Citizen TV" has started on , Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经88度轨道位置的中新2号卫星Ku频段，台视、台视财经、台视综合（台湾）频道加密，设置11668 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-31]
东经140度轨道位置的快车AM3号卫星C频段，5 Kanal(+3h)（俄罗斯）频道消失，设置4184 R 4340参数无效接收。[01-31]
NEWS
News Limited appoints group marketing director
From http://www.marketingmag.com.au/news/news-limited-appoints-group-marketing-director-10164/
Corin Dimopoulos has been named News Limited’s new group marketing director and will begin in April.
Reporting to chief executive Kim Williams, Dimopoulos replaces Ed Smith who has been appointed executive director of sales and marketing for Foxtel.
Born in Darwin and raised in New Zealand, Dimopoulos returns to Australia after five years in the UK in a number of senior marketing roles for News Corp stablemate, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).
“Corin is one of News Corporation’s finest marketing executives and his work at Sky, particularly across sports, has been exemplary. His experience of growing large and highly profitable audiences in a subscription environment will prove invaluable as we continue the rollout of digital subscription products across our mastheads,” says Williams.
Dimopoulos says, “Having heard some of Kim’s plans for the company, I am thrilled to be joining his management team. News Limited’s news, lifestyle, and entertainment brands are second to none, reaching over 13 million readers across print and digital platforms every week.
“The challenge of expanding the reach and relevance of these brands across existing and yet to be launched digital platforms, while ensuring we service the millions and millions of loyal print readers, was one I could not pass up.”
SPT Networks’ One heads to Australia with FetchTV
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan213.php
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia has inked a distribution deal with FetchTV, an Australian wholesale subscription TV provider and has launched One in Australia.
Under the agreement, the Asian general entertainment network becomes the first wholly-owned Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia channel to secure carriage in Australia.
As the destination of programmes produced by Seoul-based content supplier and broadcaster SBS through an output deal, One offers prime South Korean entertainment. The channel airs the latest Korean drama series, with selected titles premiering three to five weeks after debut in Korea. In addition, the hippest K-pop variety and music programmes complement One’s drama lineup.
One is available via FetchTV ISP partnersiiNet, Internode, Westnet, Netspace, MyTelecom and Adam Internet.
Broadcasting in standard definition, One will be included in FetchTV’s Korean Pack, and will also be part of the Singapore/Taiwan Pack, airing with Chinese subtitling and selected titles with Mandarin dubbing.
One is the latest addition to the broad range of English and local language content that FetchTV offers through its service. Launched in 2010, FetchTV is available to a rapidly growing customer base, with almost 90 per cent of the population in Australian metropolitan areas able to access the service, of which half have broadband connections with FetchTV partners.
FetchTV. CEO Scott Lorson said, “Multicultural programming is an important part of the FetchTV strategy catering to Australia’s diverse range of cultural backgrounds. We hope the addition of ONE to our language packages, alongside international news channels, will continue to strengthen the appeal of FetchTV to Australia’s Korean and Chinese populations.”
Next month One subscribers can look forward to Yes, Captain, a drama following the lives of aircrew starring Goo Hye Sun 'Boys Over Flowers'; along with romance dramas While You Were Sleeping featuring Lee Chang Hoon 'Daring Women' and Oh Yoon Ah 'Athena: Goddess of War' as well as 'Stay With Me, My Love' starring Lee So Yun 'Temptation of An Angel' and Lee Jae Yoon 'Just Like Today'.
Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia senior VP, GM Ricky Ow said, “There is great demand for fresh Korean content of high quality – especially amongst Asians – including many Koreans who call Australia home. Complete with new drama, variety and music shows, and some titles debuting just weeks after Korean premieres, ONE will offer the best and latest of Korean entertainment Down Under. We look forward to working with FetchTV to make One a success”.
One was first launched in October 2010 in Malaysia and is also seen in Singapore,Cambodia and Indonesia.
Sky launches closed captions on 13 channels
From http://au.news.yahoo.com/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/12766762/sky-launches-closed-captions-on-13-channels/
It's a giant step forward for the deaf and hearing impaired communities on February 1st 2012, when SKY Television launches closed captioning on 13 popular channels.
SKY has been working on the launch of captioning for several months; the project required considerable technical design as well as investment in hardware and software to enable closed captions on the following 13 channels: Animal Planet, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, TCM, TV1, TV2, TV3, Cartoon Network, Crime & Investigation, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, UKTV and National Geographic. It's a service SKY is pleased to offer, Chief Executive Officer John Fellet commented:
"This is a service we've long wanted to offer to SKY customers but have held off offering until now while we tried to gain funding from New Zealand On Air, as TVNZ and TV3 currently do. I know this new service will be very valuable to the deaf and hearing impaired - while it is a niche audience, it's a step towards more equal access and we are delighted to offer it".
Closed captioning information will be displayed on the on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG). Viewers can elect to enable closed captions for a single programme, or make a global setting to show closed captions whenever they are available. Viewers can even search for content screened with closed captions.
Last year a Captioning Working Group was formed, with members from the National Foundation for the Deaf (NFD) and Deaf Aotearoa. Louise Carroll, NFD's Chief Executive Officer and Captioning Working Group Chairperson welcomed this initiative, saying;
"We are absolutely delighted with SKY's decision to provide captioned programmes on 13 channels. This is a huge step in improving access to over 700,000 hearing impaired and deaf people in New Zealand.
The limited number of captioned television programmes and movies, made internationally and in New Zealand, is an on-going access issue for people who are deaf and hearing impaired. We congratulate SKY Television in removing this barrier to access for many Kiwis and we strongly encourage broadcasters to consider the needs of all viewers equally."
SKY will continue to evaluate the viability of providing further captions on additional content and channels as the information becomes accessible.
Closed Captions are available on MY SKY decoders. SKY Digital decoders can display closed captions through Teletext if the television supports Teletext.
StarHub TV launches Channel [V] India, Eros Bollywood On Demand
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan221.php
MUMBAI: Singaporean pay TV platform StarHub is expanding its line-p of Hindi content to include Channel [V] India and Eros Bollywood On Demand.
Both channels will be launched on 31 January 2012, giving StarHub viewers a total of eight Hindi entertainment channels to choose from.
Channel [V] India will be packed together with Star Gold to form a new pack called the Star Hindi Movies and Music Pack. The pack will be available to StarHub TV subscribers at a monthly subscription of $8.56 (w/GST); existing Star Gold subscribers will enjoy Channel [V] India at no additional charge.
To give customers a chance to sample the new pack, StarHub is offering all its TV customers a two-week free preview of Star Gold and Channel [V] India from 31 January to 14 February 2012.
StarHub VP home solutions, content Iris Wee said, “Hindi content has become increasingly popular among our viewers as seen by the massive reception at last year’s Zee Cine Awards in Singapore. With that in mind, Channel [V] India and Eros Bollywood On Demand will provide endless hours of entertainment for fans of all ages. Following the addition of the two channels to our burgeoning stable of content, we
can truly say that we have the best and latest that Hindi
entertainment has to offer."
Channel [V] India features chart-topping music videos, reality shows, blockbuster movie previews and reviews, celebrity interviews, concert specials and lifestyle programmes.
The Eros Bollywood On Demand channel boasts the latest standout movies such as 2011’s big-budget science fiction flick Ra.One starring Shah Rukh Khan, as well as the sleeper hit comedy drama Yamla Pagla Deewana which grossed
over Rs 865 million despite costing only Rs. 200 million to produce.
Eros Bollywood On Demand also includes timeless classics like the love story Saajan which stars Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan. Released in 1991, the movie was a box office hit and went on to win multiple Filmfare Awards.
Eros Bollywood On Demand will be offered to StarHub TV subscribers at a monthly subscription of $8.56 (w/GST). A HubStation, HubStation HD or HD Interactive set-top box is required to access the On Demand Channel.
AMC/Sundance Channel Global launches in new markets
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan226.php
MUMBAI: AMC/Sundance Channel Global, which is AMC Networks’ international division, has signed agreements with premier Pay TV platforms across multiple key markets in Europe and Asia for new launches of its international television networks and video-on-demand (VOD) services.
Demonstrating both expansion and the growing demand for its unique brand and programming, Sundance Channel has recently secured additional carriage and is launching for the first time in Portugal while gaining increased distribution through new deals with key cable and broadband systems in Belgium, Poland, France and Taiwan.
Sundance Channel founder Robert Redford said, “It has long been a hope of mine that audiences internationally could experience the creativity and great filmmaking that comes out of Sundance, so I am happy to see the expansion of Sundance Channel Global. Our programming is designed to be inspiring and broaden people's perspectives and I'm looking forward to the channel’s continued international growth over the coming year.”
As announced by AMC/Sundance Channel Global president Bruce Tuchman, Sundance Channel ended the year with a first time ever launch in Portugal with Zon Multimédia, Portugal’s biggest pay TV operator, and is being broadcast in HD and versioned into Portuguese.
It was also announced that Sundance Channel in Belgium is now available on the country’s leading IPTV service, Belgacom TV, which is owned by the country’s largest telecommunications company, Belgacom Group.
The Belgian Sundance Channel is subtitled into versions for both the country’s Flemish and French speakers, and has been made available since 2010 to cable subscribers through the country’s biggest cable TV provider, Liberty Global backed Telenet.
In Poland, the Channel launched on 1 January on IPTV service, SGT S.A., with a 24/7 HD linear broadcast complete with Polish subtitles.
Virgin in France plans to add Sundance Channel to its Virgin Box. Customers will be able to watch a French versioned 24/7 HD channel. Other French consumers already have access to Sundance Channel via Free, Numericable and SFR, among other outlets.
In Asia, the channel is launching on Veetime in Taiwan as a 24/7 linear offering with Mandarin subtitles which represents the third key local platform to carry the channel following deals in the second half of 2011 with the country’s leading IPTV provider, Chunghwa Telecom, as well as Dish TV’s DTH system in Taiwan.
In a follow up to a major deal secured with Telefonica of Spain in 2011, Tuchman also announced that an HD version of its localised Sundance Channel will launch in Spain in mid-January which will be available in addition to the standard definition of the Channel which launched across the country in the fall of last year.
Tuchman said, “These new distribution partnerships reflect the strong appetite for high quality, globally renowned entertainment from audiences and content distributors alike. We are thrilled to offer the outstanding programming of Sundance Channel and WE tv on a wide variety of cutting edge multimedia platforms all over the world and have been especially proud of the performance of the key films that we have offered to our Pay TV subscribers on an on-demand basis during these films’ theatrical exhibition windows.”
Established by Robert Redford, Sundance Channel offers audiences independent films, documentaries and original programmes. It is available to Pay TV operators as a standard and high definition linear television channel, VOD service and via mobile and online authenticated streaming. Additionally, select VOD program offerings are available during theatrical windows so audiences can watch films in the comfort of their own home while films are still in theatres.
AMC/Sundance Channel Global also offers WE tv in Asia, a women’s lifestyle network.
China’s state TV making huge global expansion
From http://asiancorrespondent.com/74952/chinas-state-tv-making-huge-global-expansion-2/
BEIJING (AP) — The killing of a South Korean coast guard officer by a Chinese fisherman should have been tailor-made for China’s CCTV News as it embarks on an ambitious plan to become a global network with assertive international coverage.
Instead, according to CCTV employees, the story languished for hours as editors awaited political guidance from above, while would-be competitors such as Qatar’s Al-Jazeera reported extensively on December’s attack.
In charting its growth, CCTV is closely studying other models, especially Al-Jazeera, which rolled out a global English language 24-hour news network five years ago and quickly made a name for itself.
Qatar’s government bankrolled the station as part of its ambitions to parley its massive energy wealth into international influence, much as China is seeking global media stature behooving its booming economy, which now ranks second largest in the world behind the U.S.
But while Al-Jazeera’s access and deep knowledge of the Middle East — and a hands-off approach by its masters — have been its greatest assets, state-run CCTV’s emphatic allegiance to the authoritarian communist state and the party seem to be its biggest liability.
This greatly challenges CCTV’s credibility and agenda to influence and channel global public opinion, said David Bandurski, editor of the China Media Project website at the University of Hong Kong.
“The role of the media as defined by the (Communist) Party is to serve the party’s interests,” Bandurski said.
A longtime CCTV program producer who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the topic said virtually everything in the news report is decided based on political considerations. The issues are discussed at meetings, but the decision always lies with the top bosses while the journalists have no say in the outcome, she said.
Still, CCTV is gearing up to supersize its global footprint this year in pursuit of swaying a foreign audience to China’s views and confronting what Beijing considers the Western media’s inate anti-China bias.
The network is opening studios in Washington and Nairobi, Kenya, each employing as many as 200 staffers. Worldwide, it will increase numbers of foreign correspondents from 66 to 80 by the end of 2012, with more to come, according to people familiar with the plans.
In Africa, CCTV has linked up with major satellite TV operator MIH Group and plans to operate upward of a dozen offices, according to Martyn J. Davies, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in South Africa who has discussed the expansion with CCTV officials.
“China is a major player in Africa but its media has been very low key,” said Davies, who in 2004 helped set up Africa’s first Beijing-sponsored Confucius Institute for Chinese language studies.
Yin Fan, spokeswoman for CCTV’s international department, said the station was withholding comment until a formal launch of the expanded service. Individual employees said they had been told not to speak to the media about the expansion plans.
Many of the reporters, cameramen and technical staff are being lured away from other news organizations with the offer of high salaries and attractive perks. One freelance reporter in east Africa said CCTV recruited him aggressively and agreed to almost doubled his fee from $350 to $600 dollars per report. It also offered him the chance to present his reports in front of the camera instead of just passing the footage on to others. The reporter asked not to be identified by name.
Veteran U.S. foreign correspondent Jim Laurie, hired to help in Washington, said on his website he was looking for experienced news professionals and that plans call for the U.S. operation to produce four hours of programming daily by June. Laurie declined to comment for this article.
At a time when budgets are tightening in news rooms, China’s government appears willing to pour billions of dollars into expanding its international media footprint. Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post newspaper has reported the total budget to be as high as 45 billion yuan ($7.1 billion), although no official announcement has been made.
Expansion plans found support after 2008, a year in which China’s image was walloped by protests among Tibetans and chaotic scenes accompanying the Beijing Olympic Torch on its journey around the globe, said Zhong Xin, a professor of mass media at Beijing’s elite Renmin University.
Many Chinese opinion makers also felt let down by much of the coverage of the Olympics that praised China’s organization but also shed a spotlight on political repression and stifling security, Zhong said.
CCTV was already broadening its overseas offerings to include programing in Russian, Arabic, Spanish and French, along with Chinese and English, claiming to reach 219 million households in 156 countries and regions. Programming is distributed on cable and satellite carriers in the U.S. as well as over the Internet. The Associated Press distributes a selection of CCTV news content to broadcast subscribers and also provides content and other services to the Chinese state broadcaster.
Many of the biggest stories emerging from China in 2011 are off-limits, including arrests of lawyers and dissidents and the detention of internationally famed artist Ai Weiwei. Reports on the much-criticized response to a deadly high-speed rail crash hewed to the official line, while unflattering stories such as December’s stabbing in the Yellow Sea that sparked anti-Chinese protests in Seoul can be downplayed or ignored entirely.
Still, even that marks an improvement from years past, says Renmin University’s Zhong.
“CCTV is basically trying to follow the model of CNN and BBC in delivering balanced information and reporting swiftly and from all angles,” she said. “We’ve seen major changes in the reports over the past few years, both in their content and the way they’re presented.”
Slick production values have been embraced, along with varied reports on sports, the economy, travel and culture.
Notwithstanding the cosmetic changes, the fact is that CCTV is controlled by the state.
Its head is appointed by the party and the latest pick, longtime Communist Party newspaper editor Hu Zhanfan, seems intent to cement its control. Shortly before his appointment in November, Hu upbraided journalists who placed the truth above loyalty to the party, saying news must always reflect “our party and country’s political stance.”
“It takes a lot more than very smart looking programs to overcome perceptions about China and the Chinese government,” said Anne-Marie Brady, who teaches at New Zealand’s University of Canterbury.
Kazakhstan... Full Operational Status (Satellite)
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1909519348
The Kazakh KazSat-2 satellite is reportedly operating in...
....normal mode, the Republican center of Space communication for Kazakhstan said on Saturday. The second Kazakh communications and broadcasting satellite, which was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, has been passing air-design tests and has now been commissioned for full operation.
"At the moment, 'KazSat-2' is working in normal mode in geostationary orbit at 86.5 degree east longitude. All systems are working in normal mode," the statement said. Actual commercial use of the satellite started on December 10, 2011. More than 130 ground stations are working with KazSat-2. (Source: TREND News Agency)
No ‘adult TV’ for South Africans
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/30/no-adult-tv-for-south-africans/
Plans by South Africa’s TopTV to add three Playboy channels as the nations’ first adult pay-TV networks have been stymied by the regulator.
South Africa’s Independent Communications Authority (ICASA) has ruled against the scheme. ICASA spokesman Jubie Matlou said it was decided that women’s right to dignity outweighed TopTV’s right to freedom of expression, and the rights of viewers to receive pornography on television. “The authority will produce a reasons document within 30 days,” he said.
Religious and children’s groups welcomed the move.
“We advise that the council of the authority … decided, after careful consideration, to refuse On Digital Media’s application for the authorisation of (the proposed) video channels,” ICASA said in a letter to TopTV, which is owned by On Digital Media.
Last year, Multichoice’s DStv pay-TV service also dropped its adult plans.
TopTV officials say they will wait for the official notification before commenting further.
TV5MONDE launches US French-language kids channel
From http://kidscreen.com/2012/01/27/tv5monde-launches-us-french-language-kid-channel/
Global, 24-hour, French-language digital network TV5MONDE, which reaches more than 220 million households in 200 countries, has inked a deal with DISH Network to launch Tivi5MONDE, the first US French-language channel focused completely on children’s programming.
The channel launched in the US yesterday to DISH subscribers as part of its French suite of channels which includes TV5MONDE USA, a 24/7 French-language entertainment channel.
Tivi5MONDE programming will target kids ages four to 14 and feature animation, education and dramatic series.
Shows in the initial program lineup include The Daltons, Galactic Soccer, Marsupilami – Houba Houba Hop! and Dragon Hunters.
SES-4 delayed again
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/30/ses-4-delayed-again/
The planned launch last Friday evening (January 29) has again been delayed because of problems on the Proton/Breeze-M rocket. The satellite was originally scheduled for a launch back on December 26, when it was delayed for technical reasons.
This latest delay looks more worrying. Russian federal space agency Roscosmos admits the delay is “indefinite” and that the satellite and its launch assembly are being dismantled and removed from the launch pad into the safety of the integration building.
“The date and time of the launch will be established after all registered problems are fixed and additional tests are held,” the statement read.
SES-4 is the largest-ever SES satellite, built by SpaceSystems/Loral and designed to orbit for the Middle East, African, European and Latin American markets.
BSkyB to take on Netflix and YouView with internet TV service
From http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jan/31/bskyb-netflix-internet-tv-service
Broadcaster to roll out service in first half of this year, targeting 13m UK households who do not subscribe to pay-TV
BSkyB's new internet TV service could offer movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
BSkyB is to launch an internet television service to take on rivals such as Netflix, LoveFilm and YouView.
The service will launch in the first half of this year, around the time when YouView is due to hit the market, and will give customers the chance to pay for downloading films without a contract or satellite dish.
Sport and entertainment are due to be added to the offering soon afterwards.
Sky has been facing increased competition in the home entertainment sector following the successful UK launch of Netflix, which allows consumers to pay to download films, and rental and download rival LoveFilm.
The service will be aimed at the 13m UK households who do not subscribe to pay-TV.
Also on the horizon is the much-delayed YouView, which gives viewers catchup and on-demand programmes and recording facilities via an internet-connected set-top box and is backed by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BT, Talk Talk and Arqiva.
The BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch denied that the business was threatened by the growth of online businesses such as Netflix and LoveFilm.
He added: "I don't see it threatening our business at all. It's further evidence that this is an exciting market and lots of people see opportunities in it.
"We have competed in the last few decades against all competitors."
Sky said the new service will allow customers to pay to watch its content on devices connected to the internet, including PCs, laptops, smartphones, games consoles and TVs.
It will allow customers to choose whether to pay monthly, or rent a movie on a pay-as-you-go basis, it added.
BSkyB announced yesterday that the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player TV catchup services are to be available to its subscribers for the first time via the Sky Anytime+ video-on-demand offering.
Sky's new venture comes as it announced a slowdown in the number of subscribers signing up to its television services in the three months to 31 December.
The figure was 40,000 , down from 140,000 during the same period the previous year.
But it existing customers bought more broadband and telephone packages and underlying profits grew 15% to a record £601m in the six months to 31 December.
Revenues were up to £3.4bn, a rise of 6%, and Sky also announced it is creating 1,300 jobs over the next two years in the UK and Ireland.
Net profit was 8% higher in the first half of the company's financial year despite a drop in advertising revenue.
For the six months ending 31 December 2011, BSkyB reported a net profit of £441m, up from £407m a year earlier. Gains in total customers and efficiency made up for a 6% decrease in advertising revenue.
BSkyB raised its customer total by 321,000 in the period, while subscriptions to various products, notably broadband and telephone, increased by 772,000.
Directors authorised a dividend of 9.2p per share for the period, up 5% from the previous year.
30/01/12
Sorry no NEWS section, was just getting into it and a water pipe in the wall of my Computer room started to leak. I have a bit of a mess to cleanup!.
Saturday Feeds
D1 12680 V Sr 7200 7BCM D1/ T7SLOT6 "John Key v Julia Gillard" News Conference
D1 12661 V Sr 7200 "Ericsson Service Australian Athletics"
From my Email
From Jon C (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
16 new HD channels testing on Telkom 1 108E c band with the following details
FREQ: 3832 POL: H SR: 14999 VDO: HD 576i free to view
Channel names:
1. Aceh TV
2. Sriwijaya TV
3. Bandung TV
4. Balai TV
5. Jakarta TV
6. Cakra TV
7. Surabaya TV
8. Jogja TV
9. Australian Network
10. Inhouse1
11. Inhouse2
12. Inhouse3
13. Inhouse4
14. Inhouse5
15. Inhouse6
16. Inhouse7
Asiasat 5 FREQ:4086 POL: H SR: 7498 VDO: HD 1920x1080i free to view US Figure Skating live HD feed on
Asiasat 5 FREQ:3746 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view Athletics : Harris event and free to view
Asiasat 5 FREQ:3922 POL: H SR: 3221 VDO: SD Free to view "Kanak TV" has started (Indian channel)
Telstar 18 FREQ: 3733 POL: H SR: 2222 VDO: free to view in NTSC FLYAWAY - GMA Feed
Thaicom 7 / Asiasat is testing at 120e - new transponder details FREQ: 4081 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3454 POL: V SR: 3331 VDO: free to view Avenues TV has started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3936 POL: H SR: 28065 VDO: Free to view i-channel has started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3568 POL: H SR: 1851 VDO: HD 576i free to view Himalaya Channel started in HD
Intelsat 5 FREQ: 4147 POL: V SR: 7399 VDO: 1920x1080i HD free to view (Star Sport feed) TENNIS: Australian Open live in HD
From the dish
Express AM3 140E "Karusel" on 3467 R and 3484 R is now encrypted.
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E PTV Sports has started on 4091 V and 4106 V, FTA?? some say BISS....
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 4106 V "PTV Global UK & Europe" has left .
Express A2 103E 4084 R "Karusel" is now encrypted.
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3920 H "Kanak TV" has started on , Fta.
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3678 H "Bloomberg UTV" has started on , Irdeto.
Express AM33 96.5E 3817 R "GTRK Altai" has left , moved to Yamal 201.
Horizons 2 Horizons 2 has arrived at 85 East.
Insat 2E 83E 3789 V "Kanak TV" has left , moved to AsiaSat 5.
Insat 2E 83E 3794 V,"Bloomberg UTV" has left moved to AsiaSat 5.
Insat 2E 83E 4081 V "Smaran TV and Sadhna TV" have left .
Express AM2 80E Karusel on 3575 R is now encrypted.
ABS 1 75E 12511 H "Khabar, CaspioNet and El Arna" have started on , Fta.
Intelsat 17 66E 3845 V "Maa Gold has replaced Maa Juniors" on , MPEG-4, Irdeto.
Yamal 202 49E 4114 R "Perviy kanal, Rossiya 1, Rossiya 2 and Karusel" are now encrypted.
From asiatvro site
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Khabar（哈萨克斯坦）等全组频道改符号率，设置12511 H 9765参数免费接收。[01-30]
东经138度轨道位置的亚太5号卫星Ku频段，凤凰资讯、龙祥电影（数码低端）等全组频道加密，设置12278 V 15000参数有条件接收。[01-30]
东经100.5度轨道位置的亚洲5号卫星C频段，Bloomberg UTV（印度）频道新增，设置3678 H 4444参数有条件接收。[01-29]
东经96.5度轨道位置的快车AM33号卫星C频段，GTRK Altai（俄罗斯）频道消失，设置3817 R 4270参数无效接收。[01-29]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，You Channel、Sabaidee TV（泰国）等频道重现，设置12355 H 30000参数免费接收。[01-29]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，Green Channel、ACTS Channel（泰国）频道新增，设置12355 H 30000参数免费接收。[01-29]
东经138度轨道位置的亚太5号卫星Ku频段，宏观卫视替换行动电视（数码天空）频道，设置12646 V 22425参数免费接收。[01-29]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，FOX Family Movies（福克斯家庭电影）频道新增，设置12720 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-29]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Grand Prix Channel、Live TV（测试）频道重现，设置3480 H 30000参数免费接收。[01-29]
东经103度轨道位置的快车A2号卫星C频段，Karusel（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置4084 R 16200参数有条件接收。[01-28]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Eurosport、ASN（体育）频道加密，设置3480 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-28]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，AXN Sci-Fi（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置12610 V 22000参数有条件接收。[01-26]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Design TV（泰国）频道新增，设置3440 H 26666参数免费接收。[01-26]
NEWS
Sorry delayed
29/01/12
Sunday, no update
28/01/12
Saturday, no update
27/01/12
No update
26/01/12
Feed (Unconfirmed)
D2 12343H 21500 4:2:2 Test Cricket NZ v Zim
From my Email
From Jacko (Via vetrun.com)
Rocket launch
Asiasat 5 3706 H Sr 4166 Nasa Feed
Asiasat 5 3961 H Sr 27494 Reuters WNS Nasa Feed
From Jon C (Thailand) (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3445 POL: V SR: 1750 VDO: HD 576i free to view "e24 (NBC)" has started in HD
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3442 POL: V SR: 1555 VDO: HD 576i free to view "News24" started in HD on Thaicom
ABS 1 FREQ: 12511 POL: H SR: 10714 VDO: free to view "Khabar TV" has started
ABS 1 FREQ: 12511 POL: H SR: 10714 VDO: Free to view - dual Audio "Caspio Net TV" has started in English
ABS 1 FREQ: 12511 POL: H SR: 10714 VDO: Free to view "El-Arna" has started with Russian sub-titles too
ABS 1 FREQ: 12511 POL: H SR: 10714 VDO: Free to view NAME: TEST-1 (MNP) Russian Tv started in test mode
ABS 1 FREQ: 12511 POL: H SR: 10714 VDO: Free to view - test pattern NAME: TEST-2 Russian Tv started in test mode
AM3 FREQ: 10981 POL: V SR: 44948 VDO: Free to view Red Star free to view
AM3 FREQ: 11666 POL: V SR: 39500 VDO: free to view "Expert TV" free to view Comment: great sports news
Vinasat FREQ: 11119 POL: H SR: 13333 VDO: HD 576i Free to view "CA NHAC" has started free to view
Vinasat FREQ: 11119 POL: H SR: 13333 VDO: HS 576i Free to view, "The Thao" has started in HD
From the Dish
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3640 H "Club Channel" has started on , Fta.
ABS 1 75E 3894 V "People's TV" is back on , Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Club Channel（RRSat）频道新增，设置3640 H 28066参数免费接收。[01-26]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星C频段，People's TV替换NBN（菲律宾）频道，设置3894 V 3000参数免费接收。[01-26]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Khabar、Caspionet（俄罗斯）等5个频道新增，设置12510 H 10713参数免费接收。[01-26]
NEWS
TV recorders not making us skip the ads, survey suggests
From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10781179
A new television ratings survey makes happy reading for TV bosses, suggesting personal programme recorders such as MySky and MyFreeview have not changed New Zealanders' viewing habits.
For the first time the Nielsen Television Audience survey incorporates a representative sample of homes that can "time-shift" their viewing.
It suggests 95 per cent of all television is still watched live. In homes with recorders, a full 80 per cent is watched live or on the same night.
And there's good news for TV advertisers - only about 50 per cent fast-forwarded through the ad breaks in recorded shows.
The new survey incorporating time-shifting - where people can set up live recordings of their favourite shows and watch them later - has been running for only a few days.
Ratings research company Nielsen said it was too early to reach conclusions, but there were "no surprises" and initial results reflected overseas viewing behaviour.
So far it seems recorders like MySky - which Sky charges out at a premium price and is a key part of its revenue growth projections - are underused.
John Fellet, chief executive of Sky TV (which owns free-to-air channel Prime), says people use MySky in different ways. Some will just watch programmes they have recorded.
But a significant portion of viewing is also "as live" - not watched as it is broadcast, but on the same night. Homes with recorders tend to watch more television.
There has long been speculation among advertising agencies about how accurately the standard TV ratings - which register total viewing time for programmes in 15-minute segments using people meters - reflect the audience for commercials.
They don't account for people ignoring the screen or leaving the room during commercial breaks. And recorders - which fast-forward through ads - exacerbate the problem.
Rick Friesen of the free-to-air television promotion group ThinkTV, representing TVNZ and TV3, acknowledged recorders could become an issue. "Its something we need to keep an eye on."
Advertising consultant Martin Gillman said the limited impact of time-shifted viewing reflected that it was still relatively new to the New Zealand market and would grow.
"It's naive to think that ad avoidance has been an issue and that it will be in the future." Gillman said.
One industry source was sceptical about the findings, given the claims of recorder owners that they never watched live TV and routinely fast-forwarded through breaks.
Meanwhile, television advertising revenue rose a healthy 1.9 per cent last year, up $11.4 million to $618.1 million compared with $606.7 million in 2010 and $569.2 million in 2009. Friesen said increased marketing investment by banks, retailers and car manufacturers was a major factor in the growth.
Revenue figures were sourced from returns prepared by TVNZ, MediaWorks TV and Sky Network Television (including Prime).
Ultra-HDTV on WRC agenda
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/25/ultra-hdtv-on-wrc-agenda/
The World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-12) has opened in Geneva, gathering 3,000 experts together from more than 150 nations to debate a wide range of treaty-level topics. It meets for the next three weeks until February 17th. Tarek Al Awadhi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was appointed chairman of the conference.
High on the agenda is finding spectrum and frequencies for new services including mobile and other benefits that flow from the digital dividend. This especially concerns Ultra HDTV, which is being pushed by Japanese delegates as representing the next move for broadcasters. Japan intends starting test transmissions around 2020, and will be using Ka-band frequencies for its satellite transmissions.
Proton-M, Dutch Satellite Taken to Launch Pad
From http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Proton_M_Dutch_Satellite_Taken_to_Launch_Pad_999.html
The Proton-M carrier rocket with the Dutch SES-4 (NSS-14) satellite was installed on a launch pad at the Baikonur space center, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Wednesday.
The launch, initially scheduled for December 26, was postponed until January 28 to fix malfunctions in the rocket's upper stage.
"After the carrier rocket was installed at the launch pad, specialists of Russia's aerospace industry have begun preparations under the first day of launch schedule," Roscosmos press service said in a statement.
SES-4 will be the biggest and most powerful spacecraft of the SES satellite grouping created by U.S. company Space Systems/Loral for Dutch operator SES World Skies. The life span of the 5.8-tonne satellite is 15 years.
SES-4 is equipped with 52 C-band transponders and 72 Ku-band transformers and will provide communication services in Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, and Northern and Central America.
South Asian broadcasters call for a hike in advertising rates
From http://gulfnews.com/business/media-marketing/south-asian-broadcasters-call-for-a-hike-in-advertising-rates-1.971304
Zee Network official says prices do not match viewer base
Dubai: Mukund Cairae is no longer willing to hold back on his punches.
"Pay TV penetration among South Asian viewers has reached between 55 to 64 per cent — that's six times the penetration of the Arab viewership," Cairae, the territory head for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan at Zee Network, said. Zee Network operates a bouquet of Indian language entertainment and film channels, and one Arabic channel showing dubbed Bollywood movies.
"Yet the ad industry in the region chooses to overlook the entire South Asian viewership base. Their perception is that the South Asian viewership base predominantly comprises blue-collar workers.
"That's why the ad rates given to the South Asian satellite channels — which are pay TV — are at an all-time low. If you see the total spend on TV advertising, it's barely 3 per cent of that for Arab channels, nearly all of which are free-to-air."
500 per cent increase
So what should the ideal share of Hindi language broadcasters be? "Being pay TV channels and the fact that in a market such as the UAE, 20 per cent and more of the population represent the target audience for them, we should be 15 per cent of the total ad market for TV, not 3 per cent. I am talking about at least a 500 per cent increase."
But, shouldn't the blame be directed at the channels concerned for airing commercials at heavily discounted rates?
Cairae has a riposte to that as well. "The biggest FMCG spender on ads in this region has not been on Zee TV for four years," he added. "If you cannot pay the rates that are due to a South Asian satellite TV leader, then we can't do business with them." Matters have now reached a point that Cairae is working to get Zee TV and two of the other leading Indian satellite channel broadcasters, Star and Sony Entertainment Channel, to come together to create a united front on ad rates.
Combined efforts
"The contacts have been initiated with my counterparts; I would be making a serious effort to join ranks with two of the other three Hindi language broadcasters based here," he said. "If between the two, it would be great if we can have a tie-up with at least one.
"Collective pressure would be the only way to bring about an ad rate card that is commensurate with what we should be paid."
But any mention of united action comes with the spectre of a cartel creation. Cairae is not unduly concerned about that.
"I would love to create a cartel with Star, Zee and Sony sitting together and saying advertisers need to pay the expected rates," he added. "We tried to do the same three years ago, but that effort did not go anywhere. This time, we need to make it click.
"Zee has 40 per cent of the total ad space for Hindi language channels; the problem with being the leader is that others may want to strike a deal, but may not end up holding their promise.
"I will be happy to sit and explain anything. What we are trying to achieve is not against the other channels, it's against the ad industry to get what is rightfully due to us.
Awareness needed
"Education is what we need to do and it will work if all the Hindi language channels sit together. In principle, we would be satisfied as long as there's an increase in ad rates from the current lows."
As to whether he would end up being unpopular with advertisers, Cairae said: "My job is not to be popular with them. But I have always been an optimist that matters will work out... eventually."
Arabic channel platform
Even as it works to get improved ad rates on its Hindi channel, the Zee Network is keeping an eye out to launch new channels in Arabic. It currently has one in Zee Aflam, which airs Hindi movies either dubbed in Arabic or with sub-titles.
"An Arabic language platform is what we are looking at," Mukund Cairae said. "When you are only selling one Arabic channel, there are barriers. But if we have more, the park opens up for ad revenues."
It was just recently that Zee Aflam, launched in June 2008 as a free-to-air, started recording a profit. "Saudi Arabia is our target market and we are there in 9 million households," Cairae said.
"We created Zee Aflam around movies because as a genre it has the second-highest ad buy here after general entertainment channels. And being free-to-air, it has a higher ad dollar rate."
ISRO: A great institution's fall from grace
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ISRO_A_great_institution_fall_from_grace_999.html
From humble beginnings of ferrying rocket parts on a bicycle to launching satellites of other countries and landing a
craft on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has occupied a pride of place among Indians. However, this now seems to be taking a knock.
Boosting the feel good factor was that ISRO had not landed in a row in over 50 years of its existence, a rare feat indeed when almost every other aspect of life in the country was mired in controversies.
The first rocket was launched in 1963, a proud moment for Indians. The good image seemed to crash Wednesday, on the eve of the country's 63rd Republic Day, with ISRO's former chairman G. Madhavan Nair launching a blistering attack on his successor K. Radhakrishnan and saying the agency 'has gone to the dogs'.
Nair's blast is bound to send shockwaves in space agencies around the world as most of them - from the famed NASA of the US to the fledgling space establishments in West Asian countries - were doing business with ISRO's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd.
It is Antrix's deal with a private firm Devas Multimedia, finalised during Nair's term as ISRO chairman, that has set off events culminating in his fusillade against his former organisation as well as the central government.
Antrix came into being in 1992 to commercially exploit India's expertise in space science - satellite launching to mission support services. It became a mini-ratna company in 2008.
The Antrix-Devas deal for providing S-band airwave was cancelled by the central government last February after a controversy that the pact will cause a huge loss to the country. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has estimated the loss to the exchequer at Rs.2 lakh crore from the deal, under which Antrix was to provide 70 MHz S-Band spectrum to Devas.
In Nair's view, the CAG had gone wrong in its estimation of the probable loss of revenue in the Antrix-Devas deal. 'Satellite spectrum cannot be equated with land-based spectrum as its usage is restricted. The CAG has extrapolated the land-based spectrum usage to space-based one,' Nair maintained.
But, as often happens in such cases, everyone forgot about the controversy and it was business as usual at ISRO.
But it has re-surfaced after the central government banned Nair and three others from taking up any government assignment in future.
It is not clear when the government took the decision and why it became public now; particularly after Nair was appointed after he retired from ISRO to head a committee to design a civilian aircraft for Indian needs that can be built in the country.
Nair, who headed the ISRO when it launched the moon mission Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008, has set off an ugly spat with the central government, his successor K. Radhakrishnan and his former colleagues at the space agency.
The reverberations will be heard in the coming days as the central government and Radhakrishnan will have to defend themselves and the ISRO.
The war of words will only scar the pristine image ISRO and Indian space scientists hitherto enjoyed, though the battle may not mean loss of business to Antrix.
25/01/12
..
From my Email
From jonc (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 4158 POL: V SR: 1831 VDO: Free to view "Gang Cartoon Channel - Rose" has started
Thacom 5 FREQ: 3835 POL: V SR: 1444 VDO: Free to view "Luangtabua" has started
IS 7/10 FREQ: 3873 POL: H SR: 7199 VDO: HD 576i free to view NAME TEST SIGNAL"Riri Channel" started on IS 7/10 in HD
IS 7/10 FREQ: 3856 POL: H SR: 7199 VDO: HD 1920x1080i free to view - NAME: TEST1 , TEST 2, TEST 3 test pattern3 x HD Test channels started
IS 7/10 FREQ: 4066 POL: V SR: 4400 VDO: free to view Sanskar TV has started
IS 7/10 FREQ: 4066 POL: V SR: 4400 VDO: Free to view "SATSTANG TV" has started
Insat 4aFREQ: 3725 POL: H SR: 2667 "P7 Gujarati5" Has started testing
From the Dish
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 3760 H "Bloomberg TV Asia" is encrypted again.
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 4114 H "APTN Global Video Wire" has started on , Betacrypt.
Insat 4A 83E 3725 H "Sea News" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta. Bharat Samachar has left.
Insat 4A 83E 3756 H "Sarthak TV" is now encrypted.Prarthana Bhawan TV and News Time TV have left.
Insat 4A 83E 3958 H "Mahuaa Newsline" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta. Mahuaa Bangla has left.
Insat 4A 83E 4054 H "Blessing TV, Blessing Kids and Daily News Network" have started, MPEG-4, Fta. Cuisine TV and Win TV have left.
Insat 4A 83E 4134 H "Darshan 24" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3444 V "E24" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
From asiatvro site
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东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，Darshan 24替换Darshan TV（MPEG-4）频道，设置4134 H 11887参数免费接收。[01-25]
东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，Blessing Kids等替换Win TV（MPEG-4）等频道，设置4054 H 13230参数免费接收。[01-25]
东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，Jinvani TV（MPEG-4）频道消失，设置4040 H 7500参数无效接收。[01-25]
东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，Prarthana Bhawan TV、News Time TV（印度）频道消失，设置3756 H 13333参数无效接收。[01-25]
NEWS
Solar flare unlikely to affect NZ aviation
From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781133
The massive solar storm bombarding Earth with radiation is unlikely to have much of an impact on aviation in New Zealand, the Civil Aviation Authority says.
Experts have warned radiation from the solar flares, the biggest flares in six years, could disrupt satellites and cause communication problems for aircraft flying in polar regions.
But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today (Wed) said the solar flares this week would, at most, cause intermittent radio noise or outages in the high-frequency range.
However, that was an expected part of normal operations and aircraft had other communications systems, such as VHF radio and satellite communications.
The CAA said solar flares were unlikely to affect any other systems on aircraft.
Satellite outages would also be unlikely to affect airliners.
Aircraft use GPS systems for navigation but also rely on other systems such as ground-based navigation aids in domestic airspace.
While flying over oceans, transport aircraft would be able to use the inertial navigation systems they were all fitted with.
The CAA said if an unprecedented problem occurred, pilots would be warned via the usual notification system.
Old satellite teaching new lessons
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Old_satellite_teaching_new_lessons_999.html
More than 50 personnel, including 2nd SOPS and 19th Space Operations Squadron operators and orbital analysts, will coordinate with Boeing and Aerospace contractors to test the satellite before its disposal later this month.
Since Jan. 13, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here has been busy disposing of an old and trusted satellite. Squadron members could soon refer to the vehicle, known as SVN-30, as the satellite that keeps on giving because crews continues to garner invaluable information concerning how Global Positioning System Block IIA satellites behave as they degrade.
"We still have 12 GPS Block IIA vehicles on orbit," said Lt. Col. Dean Holthaus, the 2nd SOPS director of operations. "In addition to the normal end-of-life test and disposal procedures, we're conducting some tests (that) will help characterize how the other Block IIAs will behave with regard to their sensors, attitude control, etc., during future disposal operations."
The Air Force launched SVN-30 during September 1996 and the vehicle began providing position, navigation and timing data for GPS users worldwide the very next month. Designers placed four atomic frequency standards, or clocks, on the satellite during construction and it took nearly 16 years for all four to degrade beyond their usefulness.
Operations crews began noticing that SVN-30's final clock was experiencing trouble during May 2011, so 2nd SOPS crews resurrected a residual satellite, SVN-35, to replace it in the GPS architecture.
That's when the satellite that keeps on giving leapt back into service.
"We've known for some time that SVN-30 was going to present itself as the perfect test bed," said Capt. Jayson Andersen, the 2nd SOPS assistant flight commander, GPS Mission Analysis.
"Its navigation payload has degraded to the point where it can't support position, navigation and timing missions anymore, but its bus components are still operating on the primary side and there is plenty of fuel onboard. We have an incredible opportunity to gain some understanding and knowledge about how Block IIAs behave at the end of their operational lives."
More than 50 personnel, including 2nd SOPS and 19th Space Operations Squadron operators and orbital analysts, will coordinate with Boeing and Aerospace contractors to test the satellite before its disposal later this month.
"The major benefit for us is that the information we gain from testing will drive down risk in future disposal operations," Holthaus said. "We know if anything falls outside the norm during future operations, we'll have quantifiable data from SVN-30's disposal for use in a scenario where we can't dispose of a vehicle in the standard fashion."
Andersen contends that the 2nd SOPS is showing forward thinking by trying to protect high-value GPS slots, which could be compromised if a satellite were to become inoperable in place.
"We may not dispose of another vehicle for several years," he said. "But, when we are forced to dispose of it, we want to go into it with high confidence so that we have the lowest risk disposal possible. We want to be able to vacate that slot and bring in a new vehicle."
Final shutdown of SVN-30 will occur at the later stages of the operation, when crews will command the vehicle to fire its thrusters, pushing it out and up to a higher orbit, deplete the vehicle of its remaining fuel, discharge all batteries and open all valves. Telemetry shutdown and final contact with earth is planned for Jan. 27.
In addition to taking safety precautions to ensure a mishap free transition, the 2nd SOPS will also coordinate with external organizations, such as the Joint Space Operations Center, to provide predicted burn vectors and post-burn vectors so crews can conduct collision avoidance operations with other vehicles on orbit.
"I am proud of our team for their innovation and forward thinking in this regard," said Lt. Col. Jennifer Grant, the 2nd SOPS commander. "We are constantly trying to find ways to utilize every satellite on orbit to the best of our ability. This end-of-life testing will pay dividends in planning for future disposal, or contingency operations for future disposal operations."
100m hybrid STBs in 2015
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/24/100m-hybrid-stbs-in-2015/
Hybrid STBs are a fast-growing segment of the worldwide STB market says NPD In-Stat. The boxes include a TV tuner and an Internet connection. Hybrid STBs are appearing in all service categories and new usage models and applications have provided momentum. As television services begin employing applications that are Internet-connected, hybrid STBs are emerging as a key growth driver for the global STB industry. In-Stat research forecasts that 100 million hybrid STBs will ship in 2015.
“As the STB industry continues its forward march, the next logical iteration is for the set top box to enhance and expand traditional TV-related services by permitting access to content from the Internet, or from Internet-like web services that provide a ‘walled garden’ of authorized content,” says Gerry Kaufhold, Research Director. “By combining traditional TV services with ‘enhancements’ that come in via broadband, content owners and service providers think they can successfully compete with all the emerging over-the-top approaches.”
Research findings include:
- Over 23 million hybrid STBs will ship in North America in 2012.
- The Asia Pacific annual revenue will approach $1.5 billion in 2015.
- Satellite hybrid STBs will represent 58 per cent of the hybrid STB market in 2013.
More opposition to TopTV porn channels
From http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/television/1149881-More-opposition-to-TopTV-porn-channels
that Kopano ke Matla Investment Company, the investment arm of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), plans to pull its 20% stake in satellite pay-TV operator On Digital Media (ODM) if it persists in launching three porn channels on its TopTV platform.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has announced that it will rule on TopTV’s application to launch the channels at the end of this month. TopTV had planned to go ahead without ICASA’s permission but last week's granting by a high court of an ICASA interdict against the broadcaster prevented this.
Am I worse than terrorist, asks 'banned' ex-ISRO chief Nair
From http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/am-i-worse-than-terrorists-asks-banned-former-isro-chief-170200
Bangalore: One of India's best-known scientists, G Madhavan Nair, who also headed the Indian Space Research Organization or ISRO, has been blacklisted for government jobs. The government's decision is based on Mr Nair's alleged role in allotting valuable and scarce S-band spectrum to a private company named Devas. The contract with Devas was signed during Mr Nair's term as ISRO chief, a tenure highlighted by India's maiden moon mission, Chandrayaan-1.
"Am I worse than terrorists?" asked Mr Nair, according to the Press Trust of India. He was referring to the fact that he's been banned from government positions along with three other scientists though an official enquiry into the Devas deal has not been completed. No chargesheet has been filed against Mr Nair and his three former colleagues: K Bhaskaranarayana who was Scientific Secretary at ISRO; K N Shankara, former Director of the ISRO satellite centre; and K R Sridharamurthi, who was the Managing Director of ISRO's commercial arm, named Antrix.
Terming the action as "unjustified", Mr Nair told NDTV that he will challenge the order in court once he is officially served a notice.
Mr Nair blames the current ISRO Chairman, K Radhakrishnan who replaced him after he retired in October 2009. "He (Radhakrishnan) has misled the Government on the whole issue (the controversial Devas deal). He is the key person who worked behind this; he misled and miscommunicated to the Government and he has taken action", alleged Mr Nair.
In May last year, the Prime Minister set up a three-member committee to examine the agreement between Antrix and Devas after media reports suggested the deal, signed in 2005, was skewed heavily in favour of Devas. Two custom-built satellites and a whopping 70 MHz of S-Band spectrum, to be used for multi-media broadband services, were being given to Devas for Rs. 1000 crore - a sweetheart deal that, according to some estimates, meant the government would incur losses worth two lakh crore rupees. The controversy was worrying for the government as ISRO reports directly to the Prime Minister's Office.
In 2005, Antrix had agreed to build two satellites on which Devas would lease transponders in India. Bundled into the deal was a whopping 70 MHz of S-Band spectrum priced at Rs. 1000 crore - a sweetheart deal. The deal was officially called off in February last year.
The committee set up by the Prime Minister was meant to determine if ISRO officials had deliberately misled the cabinet into sanctioning the deal without sharing its actual terms.
24/01/12
Live chat 9p.m NZ and 8.30 pm Syd time onwards in the chatroom
Going digital assitance package announce for New Zealand
Who is eligible for the Targeted Assistance Package?
Those who have a TV and who do not yet have Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear, and who are either:
- aged 75 and over with a Community Services Card; or
- recipients of a Veteran’s Pension or Invalids’ Benefit; or
- former Veteran’s Pension and Invalid’s Benefit recipients who transferred to NZ Superannuation at age 65 or over.
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3838 POL: V SR: 4099 VDO: free to viewThai Station TV started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3838 POL: V SR: 4099 VDO: free to view Home Channel started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3424 POL: V SR: 2222 VDO: free to view Lao PSTV has started
Apstar 2r FREQ: 3839 POL: H SR: 27511 VDO: Free to view "Channel 16 (Bangladesh)" has started
Apstar 2r FREQ: 3993 POL: V SR: 1480 VDO: HD 576i free to view "Mountain TV" (Bangladesh) has started
From the Dish
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 3760 H "Bloomberg TV Asia" is Fta.
ST 2 88E 3591 H "GTV 1, GTV Entertainment, GTV Drama, GTV K Channel and Da Ai TV" have left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3926 H "Lights Asia" is back on , Fta.
From asiatvro site
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东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，BBC Lifetyle（英语）频道新增，设置12521 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-23]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，BBC Knowledge（英语）频道新增，设置12479 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-23]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星Ku频段，BBC Entertainment、CBeebles（英语）频道新增，设置12396 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-23]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Du promo替换Lights（DVB-S2）频道，设置3926 H 27480参数免费接收。[01-22]
NEWS
Sky TV/TVNZ’s igloo left out of govt’s digital TV targeted assistance package
From http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sky-tvtvnz’s-igloo-left-out-govt’s-digital-tv-targeted-assistance-package-ck-108287
The government will spend $12 million to $18 million over the next three years helping around 58,000 households deal with the analogue TV switch-off, new broadcasting minister Craig Foss revealed today.
That equates to an average $206 to $310 per assisted household, if 58,000 are assisted.
Industry whispers suggested that set-top boxes for igloo, the pending low-cost Sky TV-TVNZ low-cost pay TV joint venture, would be eligible for targeted assistance funding under the scheme.
However, the scheme revealed today explicitly excludes pay TV providers Sky TV, TelstraClear (though its cable TV service) and the yet-to-launch igloo - essentially leaving Freeview as the only eligible digital TV platform.
Would have loved opportunity
"No surprises from my point of view," igloo chief executive Chaz Savage told NBR this afternoon. "[We] would have loved to have been given the opportunity to be involved. We think our product is superior to any DTT [digital terrestrial television] broadcaster, with more future-proof options around UFB [Ultrafast Broadband] but we expecting to receive a call in a hurry."
The targeted assistance package does not include a digital TV, but does include:
supplying, delivering and installing a set-top box if required;
supplying, delivering and installing an aerial or satellite dish, and cabling, if required;
training viewers in how to use the new equipment; and
an aftercare helpline to provide ongoing technical support for 12 months
Mr Foss said around 80% of New Zealanders were on digital TV today. The figure was expected to rise to 90% by May next year.
“However, the Government recognises that a small group of people could need financial, physical or technical help to switch over,” Mr Foss said in a statement.
“Our targeted assistance package is focused on those most likely to be in genuine need, and will directly help elderly people on fixed incomes and people with disabilities make the transition to digital television.”
To be eligible, people must be watching only analogue television and be either: ·
75 or over with a community services card; or
Receiving an Invalid’s Benefit or a Veteran’s Pension; or
Former recipients of an Invalid’s Benefit or Veteran’s Pension who have converted to New Zealand Superannuation.
The relatively tight eligibility criteria put paid to the theory that it's better to hold off buying a MySky, MyFreeview or TelstraClear T-box on the grounds that the government would chip in to help any last minute buyers.
A Q&A is online here.
The digital TV switchover will be phased, starting with Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast in September this year. The rest of the country will switch over in three stages between April 2013 and November 2013 - by which point every household will have to be on Freeview, Sky TV, or another digital TV provider if it wants to receive a TV signal.
The government hopes to raise around $200 million by auctioning off free-up analogue spectrum (which is in the 700MHz band attractive for next-generation mobile phone networks)
Many of the tens of thousands of people whose televisions will stop picking up a signal when the country goes digital next year seem unlikely to qualify for government assistance.
Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss announced today the government would help some people affected by the switch over from analogue to digital in May next year - including providing them with a set-top box, aerial or satellite dish if necessary to keep receiving a signal.
But the assistance would be limited to people who are either over 75 and have a community services card, or those receiving an invalid's benefit, veteran's pension or former recipients of an invalid's benefit or veteran's pension who have converted to New Zealand superannuation.
Foss said assistance would also be provided with installation, training and access to a technical support line.
People would only qualify if they did not already receive digital television.
From May next year, all television viewers will need either Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear to keep receiving their favourite programmes.
Foss said the change to digital TV would bring "big benefits to New Zealand".
"It will allow the use of 4G technologies which could have economic benefits worth over $2 billion in the next 20 years."
Nearly 80 per cent of new Zealanders had already switched to digital TV, and by May next year the Government was expecting that number to reach nearly 90 per cent.
The assistance would be rolled out region by region. The first letters would go out to residents in Hawke's Bay and the West Coast next month.
Earth hit by biggest solar storm in six years
From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10780741
The sun is bombarding Earth with radiation from the biggest solar storm in more than six years with more to come from the fast-moving eruption.
The solar flare occurred at about 11 p.m. EST Sunday (5pm Monday NZT) and will hit Earth with three different effects at three different times.
The biggest issue is radiation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado.
The radiation is mostly a concern for satellite disruptions and astronauts in space. It can cause communication problems for polar-traveling airplanes, said space weather center physicist Doug Biesecker.
Radiation from Sunday's flare arrived at Earth an hour later and will likely continue through to Thursday (NZ time). Levels are considered strong but other storms have been more severe. There are two higher levels of radiation on NOAA's storm scale severe and extreme Biesecker said. Still, this storm is the strongest for radiation since May 2005.
The radiation in the form of protons came flying out of the sun at 150 million kilometres per hour.
"The whole volume of space between here and Jupiter is just filled with protons and you just don't get rid of them like that," Biesecker said. That's why the effects will stick around for a couple days.
Nasa's flight surgeons and solar experts examined the solar flare's expected effects and decided that the six astronauts on the International Space Station do not have to do anything to protect themselves from the radiation, spokesman Rob Navias said.
A solar eruption is followed by a one-two-three punch, said Antti Pulkkinen, a physicist at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and Catholic University.
First comes electromagnetic radiation, followed by radiation in the form of protons.
Then, finally the coronal mass ejection that's the plasma from the sun itself hits. Usually that travels at about 1.6 or 3.2 million kph but this storm is particularly speedy and is shooting out at 6.4 million kilometres per hour, Biesecker said.
It's the plasma that causes much of the noticeable problems on Earth, such as electrical grid outages. In 1989, a solar storm caused a massive blackout in Quebec. It can also pull the northern lights farther south.
But this coronal mass ejection seems likely to be only moderate, with a chance for becoming strong, Biesecker said. The worst of the storm is likely to go north of Earth.
And unlike last October, when a freak solar storm caused auroras to be seen as far south as could see an aurora but not until Tuesday evening, he said.
For the past several years the sun had been quiet, almost too quiet. Part of that was the normal calm part of the sun's 11-year cycle of activity. Last year, scientists started to speculate that the sun was going into an unusually quiet cycle that seems to happen maybe once a century or so.
Now that super-quiet cycle does not seem as likely, Biesecker said.
Scientists watching the sun with a new Nasa satellite launched in 2010 during the sun's quiet period are excited.
"We haven't had anything like this for a number of years," Pulkkinen said. "It's kind of special."
China's satellite ind set to emerge as major IT growth sector
From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/chinas-satellite-ind-set-to-emerge-as-major-it-growth-sector/articleshow/11614899.cms
BEIJING: With major expansion plans, China's satellite navigation industry will emerge as the third IT economic growth sector by 2015 next only to mobile communication and Internet with an output value of over $ 35 billion, a think tank report said.
Among others, China's satellite navigation industry set to launch 30 satellites this year and expand the foot prints of its own navigation system to compete with US Global Position System, (GPS).
The annual output value of China's satellite navigation industry is estimated to reach more than 225 billion yuan ($35.64 billion) in 2015, a research report by a think-tank under the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation said.
The industry would become the country's third new IT economic growth point, after mobile communication and Internet, it said.
More than 5,000 Chinese firms and organisations were now involved in the application and services of satellite navigation and the industry generated more than 50 billion yuan of output value in 2010, according to the report, published by the Social Sciences Academic Press.
China aims to increase the total number of satellite navigation terminals used by the public across the country to 340 million by 2015, state run Xinhua reported.
China began to build its Beidou Navigation Satellite System in 2000 with a goal of breaking its dependence on the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and creating its own global positioning system by 2020.
The homegrown Beidou system began providing initial positioning, navigation and timing operational services to China and its surrounding areas from late last month.
Six more satellites will be launched in 2012 to further expand its service area to cover most parts of the Asia-Pacific region, according to the management office of the China Satellite Navigation System.
China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC) it plans to launch 21 rockets with 30 satellites in 2012.
Last year, China launched 20 rockets with 25 satellites to become the world's second country after Russia in terms of the amount of space launches.
Supreme Court win for NDS
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/23/supreme-court-win-for-nds/
Digital TV technology specialist NDS is claiming victory in a long-running dispute with US satellite operator EchoStar and associated companies, following a US Supreme Court ruling.
The Supreme Court of the United States of America has denied a petition to hear the challenge by EchoStar Satellite Corporation, now known as Dish Network LLC, EchoStar Communications Corporation, EchoStar Technologies Corporation and NagraStar L.L.C., a joint venture company between the EchoStar parties and Kudelski Group (collectively, ‘EchoStar’), to a Ninth Circuit decision in which NDS was stated to be the sole prevailing party in a lawsuit between EchoStar and NDS.
The Supreme Court’s denial ends the challenge to the Ninth Circuit’s award against EchoStar in August 2010, which awarded NDS $18 million and the release of a further $4.3 million of NDS’s funds held in escrow pending the appeals. NDS is seeking a further $1.7 million in attorney’s fees, costs and interest.
In August 2010, the Ninth Circuit stated in its decision that “EchoStar did not succeed ‘on any significant issue’ or ‘achieve any of the benefit it sought in bringing suit’ under the Communications Act.” In February 2011, the Ninth Circuit further stated, “As we discussed in the memorandum decision, EchoStar’s characterisation of itself as a prevailing party defies both the legal standard and common sense.”
In 2003, EchoStar filed a $2 billion claim against NDS, alleging that NDS was responsible for the compromise of EchoStar’s satellite television programming platform. NDS vigorously defended the allegations made against it, establishing that NDS played no part in the compromise of EchoStar’s security system.
Dr. Abe Peled, Executive Chairman, NDS Group Limited, noted that in May 2008, NDS was “overwhelmingly exonerated” by the jury following trial, and said the company was gratified that the Supreme Court denial could now be recognised as conclusive validation that NDS was not involved in compromising the EchoStar platform, putting firmly to rest the unsavoury insinuations made during this court case which it believe were designed to malign NDS’s reputation.
“As the industry’s leading provider of pay-TV security solutions, NDS has a known reputation for successfully protecting billions of dollars worth of content for its customers and being at the forefront of the battle against piracy which is so injurious to the industry,” claimed Peled. “From the outset of the allegations made by EchoStar, we have maintained that the claims were baseless and an effort to thwart competition and deflect attention from a fundamentally flawed technology and strategy pursued by EchoStar and NagraStar. NDS today stands proud of its position as a leading global provider of end-to-end software solutions to the pay-television industry, achieved not through the underhanded schemes alleged by EchoStar, but through the sheer hard work and investment in its 5200 global employees who we believe include some of the brightest and most talented engineers in the industry, with a patent portfolio of over 475 granted patents and over 500 patents pending. This decision is an endorsement to the hard work of our valued employees,” he declared.
“In bringing a $2 billion dollar lawsuit against a company much smaller than themselves, we believe that EchoStar looked to remove a formidable competitor, in NDS, from the market,” he asserted.
“Their claims were overwhelmingly rejected and today NDS saw the release of $4.3 million and expects to receive a further $18 million from EchoStar. There can rarely be a more satisfactory outcome for a defendant. The court case has been a nine-year road for NDS,but at no time did we lose faith in ourselves or in the US legal system. We will continue to pursue our claim for additional attorney’s fees, costs and interest,” he concluded.
23/01/12
AsiaSat 2 on-air at 120.0 East (Note, this is a temporary bird in this location until a new Thaicom bird replaces it. The Cband footprint will be shifted some 20 degrees from when it was at when parked at 100.5E.
4153V "AsiaSat Info Card" Test signal, DVB-S, MPEG-2, Fta, SR 6111, FEC 3/4 *Test signal reported via indika perera vetrun.com
Tennis: Feed Australian Open - womens live in HD
Asiasat 5 C Band Freq: 3736 POL: V SR: 7399 FTA
Weekend feed
Intelsat 8 12561 V Sr 6670 V's from NZ (NZ/islands beam)
From my Email
From Eddie Olsen
120E Good solid signal in Auckland
Quality 80% on my Ultraplus 900HD using 3m Mesh Dish
(Craigs, comment, reported OFF on Sunday morning)
From Jon C (jsat.tv Thailand)
New Channels
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3929 POL: V SR: 5258 VDO: Free to view "Work Point TV"has started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3829 POL: V SR: 5258 VDO: Free to view "Rakluke Family TV" has started
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3829 POL: V SR: 5258 VDO: free to view "Hot TV" has started
Asiasat 3S FREQ: 4154 POL: H SR: 5630 VDO: free to view "Aplus" has started
Asiasat 3S FREQ: 4154 POL: H SR: 5630 VDO: free to view "Alite" has started free to view on Asiasat 3s
Saturday feeds
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 4067 POL: H SR: 6110 VDO: Free to view "Soccer: KOR vrs NOR live"
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3897 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view Asia League Basketball - live feed
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 4084 POL: H SR: 5633 VDO: Free to view Golf : rain delayed still live feed
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3695 POL: V SR: 6110 VDO: free to view Chinese New Year Concert - live feed pre-concert
also on same details Volvo Golf Open - South Africa
From the Dish
Telkom 1 108E 3813 H "TVRI Aceh" has left .
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3760 H "Al Jazeera Mubasher" has started on , Fta.
Insat 4B 93.5E 11150 V "DD Sports" has started on , Fta.
ABS 1 75E 3894 V "People's TV" has left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3926 H "Lights Asia" has left again.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4090 H "STV Rajasthan" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
From Asiatvro site
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Du promo替换Lights（DVB-S2）频道，设置3926 H 27480参数免费接收。[01-22]
东经93.5度轨道位置的印星4B号卫星Ku频段，DD Sports（印地语）频道新增，设置11150 V 27500参数免费接收。[01-22]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星C频段，NBN（菲律宾）频道消失，设置3894 V 3000参数无效接收。[01-22]
东经108度轨道位置的电信1号卫星C频段，TVRI Aceh（印尼）频道消失，设置3813 H 3000参数无效接收。[01-22]
东经113度轨道位置的帕拉帕D号卫星C频段，SCTV Jawa Timur（印尼）频道消失，设置3745 H 5632参数无效接收。[01-22]
东经105.5度轨道位置的亚洲3S号卫星C频段，BTV National（孟加拉）频道加密，设置3710 V 11395参数有条件接收。[01-22]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Sea News（MPEG-4）频道新增，设置4075 V 3600参数免费接收。[01-21]
东经88度轨道位置的中新2号卫星Ku频段，华视教育（台湾）频道改符号率，设置12721 V 1600参数免费接收。[01-21]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Retro、Draiv（俄罗斯）等频道加密，设置12579 V 22000参数有条件接收。[01-21]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Eurosport、Eurosport-2（欧洲体育）频道加密，设置12670 V 22000参数有条件接收。[01-20]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Xtra TV（MPEG-4）频道新增，设置3733 V 7200参数免费接收。[01-20]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Network 10（测试）频道新增，设置4075 V 3600参数免费接收。[01-20]
东经138度轨道位置的亚太5号卫星Ku频段，凤凰资讯、龙祥电影（数码低端）等全组频道解密，设置12278 V 15000参数免费接收。[01-20]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Filmazia、Film World（测试）频道消失，设置4057 V 5000参数无效接收。[01-20]
NEWS
Digital TV switchover in Northern NSW
From http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Technology/2012/01/23/Digital_TV_switchover_in_Northern_NSW_710491.html
Northern NSW households will have improved digital free-to-air television services with the digital switch.
Households in Northern NSW will have improved digital free-to-air television services as the region switches off its analogue signal by the end of 2012.
Areas of the North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Rivers, Richmond/Tweed and Hunter districts are set to turn off the analogue television signal by year-end.
The digital switchover, the sixth area in Australia, will provide improved free-to-air television broadcasts for more than 540,000 households across the region to digital-only services.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said he thanked broadcasters for their work with local communities across the region ahead of the upcoming switchover.
'The partnership between government and broadcasters will mean that for the first time all households in Northern NSW will be able to watch the same number of digital TV channels as people in Newcastle or Sydney,' Senator Conroy said in a statement on Monday.
He said broadcasters in Northern NSW were making infrastructure investments across the area, including the establishment of new digital television services.
Those households unable to receive terrestrial reception would be eligible to access the government's viewer access satellite television (VAST) service.
The satellite subsidy scheme was available to households where towers were not being upgraded to digital by broadcasters.
'The Australian government is committed to ensuring all Australians have access to digital TV and by the end of 2012 will have assisted five regions and over 1.9 million households across Australia in transitioning to a new era of digital-only TV,' Senator Conroy said.
The federal government started turning off analogue television in 2010, with the switchover to digital signals progressively across Australia to be completed by the end of 2013.
Fourth WGS Satellite Sends First Signals from Space
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Fourth_WGS_Satellite_Sends_First_Signals_from_Space_999.html
Together, the four WGS satellites will provide assured access to high-data-rate, jam-resistant communications for U.S. forces and allies around the world.
Boeing has received the first on-orbit signals from the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite it is delivering to the U.S. Air Force. The signals indicate that WGS-4, the first in the Block II series, is healthy and ready to begin orbital maneuvers and operational testing.
WGS-4 launched on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle Thursday evening at 7:38 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Controllers confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft 58 minutes later at 8:36 p.m. Eastern time at a ground station in Dongara, Australia. Boeing's Mission Control Center in El Segundo, Calif., confirmed that the satellite is functioning normally.
"WGS-4 continues Boeing's commitment of supporting the Air Force's mission of delivering critical communications to warfighters," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.
"The company will remain focused, committed and dedicated to this mission as we continue to build the WGS series of satellites."
Following a sequence of orbital maneuvers and on-orbit tests, WGS-4 will be placed into geosynchronous Earth orbit.
The satellite joins WGS-1, which entered service over the Pacific Ocean in April 2008; WGS-2, which began operations over the Middle East in August 2009; and WGS-3, which entered service over the Atlantic Ocean in June 2010.
Together, the four WGS satellites will provide assured access to high-data-rate, jam-resistant communications for U.S. forces and allies around the world.
The Block II series includes additional capabilities, such as a new radio frequency bypass that supports the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than those currently available on Block I satellites.
All WGS satellites are built on the proven Boeing 702HP platform, which features highly efficient xenon-ion propulsion, deployable thermal radiators and advanced triple-junction gallium-arsenide solar arrays that enable high-capacity, flexible payloads.
The WGS communications payload has unique flexibility that is important to the military, as well as the ability to interconnect terminals that operate in different frequency bands and to reposition coverage beams based on evolving mission needs.
WGS supports missions including tactical communications to and between ground forces, and relaying data and imagery from airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.
World Broadcasting Union (WBU)... Interoperability Investigations
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=808988517
[SatNews] WBU-ISOG (World Broadcasting Unions International Satellite Operations Group) has released the results of interoperability tests
...of HD video equipment that is required for the transmission of HD video around the world. The tests of MPEG-4 (H.264) HD encoders and decoders from six vendors (ADTEC Digital, ATEME, Ericsson, Television Inc., Harris Broadcast, International Datacasting and NTT Electronics) recorded a 98 percent pass rate for video and a somewhat lower pass rate for audio – a significant improvement from earlier tests. Formal tests were conducted at Telesat in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from October 3- 7, 2011, and the results of these tests are now available on the WBU-ISOG website at: http://www.nabanet.com/wbuarea/library/documents.asp#sub_interoperability.
The MPEG-4 HD Codec Interoperability Program was sponsored by WBU-ISOG, an organization of international broadcasters whose goal is to examine and resolve technical issues concerning international video transmissions. Each participating vendor created 22 HD transport streams based on parameters set by WBU-ISOG. The transport streams were uploaded to a server and made available for downloading to all participants for internal vendor testing. Vendors then took their equipment to Telesat of Canada, which conducted formal tests. A total of 588 video tests and 112 audio tests were conducted. The tests were overseen by Thomas Gibbon, long time consultant/attorney to Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, on behalf of WBU-ISOG.
“One of the reasons the tests turned out so well is because of the hard work the vendors did before the tests,” he told a WBU-ISOG Forum in Zagreb. “The WBU-ISOG MPEG-4 interoperability program is critical for the global broadcasting industry because it gives assurance to broadcasters and satellite and fiber carriers that MPEG-4 HD video may be seamlessly transmitted around the world regardless of the particular HD encoder or decoder that is used.” The recent test results followed first round testing in 2009, also sponsored by WBUISOG with Telesat acting as test contractor.
Ofcom revokes Press TV licence
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/20/ofcom-revokes-press-tv-licence/
Ofcom has revoked the licence held by Press TV Limited with immediate effect. Through the course of 2011, Ofcom was engaged in a sanctions case with Press TV regarding an interview obtained under duress from the Newsweek and Channel 4 journalist Maziar Bahari while in an Iranian prison which Ofcom had held to be a serious breach of the Broadcasting Code. This resulted in the imposition of a £100,000 (€119,000) fine on Press TV Limited.
During the course of the sanctions hearing the licensee (Press TV Limited based in London) made representations that suggested to Ofcom that editorial control of the channel rested with Press TV International (based in Tehran). Broadcasting rules require that a licence is held by the person who is in general control of the TV service: that is, the person that chooses the programmes to be shown in the service and organises the programme schedule.
Ofcom gave Press TV Limited the opportunity to apply to have its operations in Tehran correctly licensed by Ofcom and Ofcom offered to assist it to do so. Press TV Limited was given the opportunity to make representations on Ofcom’s “minded to revoke” letter. Press TV Limited has failed to make the necessary application and Ofcom has therefore revoked Press TV’s licence to broadcast in the UK.
Press TV is expected to be removed from the Sky TV platform by the end of 20 January 2012.
In addition, Press TV Limited has indicated it is unwilling and unable to pay the £100,000 fine and Ofcom is pursuing this as a separate matter.
ZEE Q3 results reflect pressure on ad revenues
From http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2012/01/zee-q3-results-reflect-pressure-on-ad-revenues/
The company reported consolidated revenue of Rs 7,548 million and PBT of Rs 2,243 million. Ad revenues showed a de-growth of 10.1 per cent y-o-y
For the third quarter of fiscal 2012 (ended December 31, 2011), Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) has reported consolidated revenue of Rs 7,548 million. The consolidated operating profit (EBITDA) for the quarter stood at Rs 2,160 million and PBT was Rs 2,243 million.
The EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 28.6 per net and the PBT margin was 29.7 per cent.
Advertising revenue for the quarter stood at Rs 3,955 million, a de-growth of 10.1 per cent y-o-y. Advertising revenue has remained flat on q-o-q basis.
ZEE’s sports business revenue during the quarter was Rs 901 million, while the operating losses were at Rs 100 million.
Addressing the board at Macau on Friday last, Subhash Chandra, Chairman, ZEE, said, “While the world economy goes through another round of upheaval, the Indian economy continues to grow, though at a slower pace. Advertising trend continues to be slower than expected. However, the television economy continues to grow on the back of higher subscriber growth and increasing digitisation.”
Chandra added, “So far in fiscal 2012, 8.5 million subscribers have adopted satellite based television services via DTH. With the implementation of Digital Addressable System, as per the announced timelines, there would be accelerated conversion from analog to digital subscribers. A good part of the subscriber base could also come from adoption of digital cable. With Digital Addressable System being implemented, the Cable and DTH industry has a great opportunity to consolidate the distribution business. I believe that over the next four to five years, the television distribution business can evolve to a more transparent, organised and service oriented industry, if the digitisation process is implemented well.”
Punit Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, ZEE, said, “Zee Entertainment’s wide portfolio of television channels had some gains and some losses in market shares during the quarter. We are confident that we would regain the market share losses through our planned content lineup and continue to grow our business profitability in a sustained manner. During the quarter, we have been able to maintain healthy operating margins, partly due to lower sports losses and partly due to better cost efficiency measures. Advertising spends are flat sequentially, and the overall trends also remain subdued. Our strategy during the last few years has been to create a formidable entertainment enterprise and invest in the business in a focused disciplined way.”
India’s Dish TV 3Q revenues rise 31%
From http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/rtvn-india/news/indias-dish-tv-3q-revenues-rise-31.html
Dish TV, India's first direct to home (DTH) satellite television provider, has posted a 31.4% rise in operating revenues for the three months to 31 December 2011.
The largest of India's DTH operators in terms of subscriber numbers earned INR 490.5 crore in the period, compared to INR373.16 crore in the corresponding quarter in 2010.
It also added 740,000 subscribers during the third quarter of the current financial year.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) grew 81.5% to INR 120.1 crore year on year, with a margin of 24.5%.
Dish registered a net loss of INR 43 crore in the third quarter due to foreign exchange losses of INR 15.6 crore.
"Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment and resultant price sensitivity, subscriber additions across the DTH industry have been encouraging," said Subhash Chandra, chairman, Dish TV.
"With digitalisation expected to boost subscriber additions, Dish TV is well entrenched to further build on its supremacy while also targeting larger uptake of Arpu-accretive HD subscribers."
He added that the company is expecting a good fourth quarter in terms of subscriber additions, due to mandatory digitisation being "just round the corner".
22/01/12
Sunday, no update
21/01/12
Saturday, no update
20/01/12
Sorry no update
19/01/12
..
From my Email
From Jon C (Jasat.tv via vetrun.com)
Tennis: Australian Open in HD and Live and FTA on AsiaSat 5 cband
FREQ: 3715 POL: V SR: 7399 VDO: 1920x1080i free to view
KDDI News Feed Live on Asiasat 5
FREQ: 3905 POL: V SR: 6620 VDO: free to view
Guangxi TV - tourist feed, great video on Asiasat 5
FREQ: 3913 POL: V SR: 6498 VDO: free to view
Tennis: Australian Open in HD and Live and FTA in Intelsat 5 C band
FREQ: 4166 POL: V SR: 7399 VDO: 1920x1080i HD free to view "Name: Circuit C"
From the Dish
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3440 H "Parliament TV" has started on , Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3480 H "GMM Sport One" has started on BISS. Good Channel and Grand Prix Channel have left.
From asiatvro site
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Thai Teachers TV替换TCBN（泰国）频道，设置3520 H 28125参数免费接收。[01-19]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Grand Prix Channel（泰国）频道消失，设置3480 H 30000参数无效接收。[01-19]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Retro、Draiv（俄罗斯）等全组频道解密，设置12579 V 22000参数免费接收。[01-19]
东经132度轨道位置的越南1号卫星Ku频段，CCTV-HD（央视高清）频道消失，设置10968 H 28800参数无效接收。[01-19]
东经132度轨道位置的越南1号卫星Ku频段，AXN替换VTC HD 9（高清）频道，设置10968 H 28800参数有条件接收。[01-19]
东经88度轨道位置的中新2号卫星Ku频段，台视财经（台湾）等全组频道加密，设置11668 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-18]
NEWS
Prison riot caused by Foxtel 'threat'
From http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8405448
Last night's 12-hour rooftop riot that brought Victoria's Fulham Prison to a standstill was sparked by anger amongst inmates over threats to cancel the prison's Foxtel subscription, new flexible toothbrushes and an order to keep their shirts on.
The 11 inmates, aged 19-23, took to the roof with blankets and pillows and refused to come down, only surrendering at 3.20 am (AEST) after authorities fired tear gas at them.
The riot started at 3.45pm (AEST) when about 30 inmates, armed with gym equipment and gardening tools, began destroying property and starting fires.
The prisoners were upset that the prison was considering not renewing its Foxtel subscription, which is due to run out at the end of January, Corrections Commissioner Bob Hastings said this morning.
"There was also some other discussion up around Fulham around a pay TV deal that was about to finish and move to a more digital free-to-air process," Mr Hastings told ABC radio this morning.
Another sore point for the inmates was the prison’s move away from an older style toothbrush to a newer more flexible style of brush, over fears that the older brushes could be turned into knives or sheaths.
"This is really a safety issue because unfortunately some of the prisoners with the conventional toothbrushes used those to become weapons, Mr Hastings said. Prisoners also objected to a new order for them to keep their shirts on while on the sports oval.
The 11 inmates have been transferred to Port Phillip and Barwon prisons and could face charges as police continue to investigate the riot.
The riot comes after a union that represents the guards wrote to the jail's general manager Troy Ittensohn last November alarmed at the reduction in staff and increase in inmates.
Community and Public Sector Union branch secretary Karen Batt said in the letter, also sent to Mr Hastings, that prisoners appear to have easy access to untethered knives and weights within the facility run by Australasian Correctional Management (ACM).
She said there was a fatal bashing at the jail last April while three prisoners were assaulted and stabbed recently.
Australia joins race to defend space
From http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/australia-joins-race-to-defend-space-20120118-1q6k2.html
"There are believed to be as many as 500,000 pieces of debris orbiting the Earth". Photo: NASA
AUSTRALIA has announced it is backing a European Union push for a new international code of conduct for behaviour in space, following a rise in space junk and the clandestine development of satellite-destroying weapons.
The Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, made the announcement yesterday, on the same day the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, declared humankind's involvement in space was at risk from ''irresponsible actors''.
While neither Australia nor the US named those actors, secret US diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks reveal a half-decade war of words between Beijing and Washington over what the US describes as China's ''anti-satellite weapons testing program''.
In a statement, Mr Rudd said everything from defence systems to climate monitoring relied on satellites.
''The situation is made more urgent by the fact several countries are developing weapons systems to destroy satellites,'' the statement said.
The International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities was first submitted to a 2009 EU disarmament conference, days after a US communications satellite was damaged when it collided with an abandoned Russian satellite.
There are believed to be as many as 500,000 pieces of debris orbiting the Earth that are large enough to cause damage to or even destroy satellites and spacecraft.
A large portion of that debris, according to a 2008 US diplomatic cable from the then Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, is down to Chinese anti-satellite weapons tests. According to the US cables, China is believed to have undertaken anti-satellite weapons tests from 2005 to 2007 and in 2010.
The US has also conducted similar weapons tests during the Cold War, though the last known test was in 1985.
Another cable from Washington to the US embassy in Beijing reveals the US delivered ''demarches'' - a diplomatic term for an urgent expression of an often critical view - in 2007, 2008 and 2010 to the Chinese government over ballistic missile launches it perceived to be anti-satellite in nature.
A spokeswoman for the Chinese embassy in Canberra said the Chinese government adhered to the use of space for ''peaceful purposes''. ''China will work together with the international community to maintain a peaceful and clean outer space.''
Govt sells shares in Fiji TV
From http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=42995
The government has sold its 14 per cent shares with Fiji TV at a price of $3.36 million.
The shares have been bought by Hari Punja and Sons Limited.
The sale is part of government's programme to diversify its portfolio and liquidate its assets.
Hari Punja and Sons Ltd will now have 26.16 per cent shareholding in Fiji TV.
Earlier this month - Hari Punja and Sons sold its 27.82 per cent shares in Communications Fiji Limited to comply with the Media Decree - which prohibits cross media ownership.
Cartoon Network HD set to launch in South East Asia
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan144.php
Cartoon Network will launch the first high-definition kids’ entertainment channel in South East Asia on 20 January.
The first market to switch to HD is the Philippines, with Cartoon Network HD broadcast on the leading platform, SKYcable. The launch marks the first time an HD kids’ channel will be included in a premium HD subscriber pack in the region.
Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific senior vice president and GM Sunny Saha said, “HD is the future of television, and with the launch of Cartoon Network HD, kids across South East Asia can now enjoy cinema-quality entertainment from the comfort of their own homes. Cartoon Network HD is just one more way that we animate kids’ lives, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with SKYcable, an industry trailblazer in the Philippines, to deliver such an awesome HD destination.”
Cartoon Network HD’s programming line-up will feature shows such as The Amazing World of Gumball, Tom & Jerry, The Looney Tunes Show and Chowder. It will also premiere TV specials including the first CG-animated movie from the popular Ben 10 series, Ben 10: Destroy All Aliens, in March.
Skycable Corporation head - program packaging and merchandising Claudia G Suarez said, “Cartoon Network is a big part of many Filipino families. Its brand of humor and fun can only get better with the addition of its new, ground-breaking HD channel, Cartoon Network HD.”
Cartoon Network HD will be broadcast on SKYcable’s channel 178.
Reuters YouTube channel
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/18/reuters-youtube-channel/
Reuters has launched a YouTube channel featuring ten news, commentary and analysis programmes. Reuters TV will also appear on reuters.com and marks the company’s entry into online video programming.
The channel will feature reports and commentary from Reuters journalists around the world and will include investigative channel Reuters Investigates, The Trail – which will cover presidential candidates on the campaign trail – and Media Bite, which will examine changes taking place within media.
Reuters head of programming, Dan Colarusso, said the deal allowed Reuters to showcase content from across the globe and added the channel would “offer unique insights and images that other media companies simply can’t match.”
Meanwhile two more new entrants have been added to YouTube’s $100 million on-line TV project. The Young Hollywood Network (YHN) and Entertainment News Television (ENTV) have both been added to the mix. Both enterprises have – perhaps – a better than average chance of breaking through given that they are backed by the same organisation behind Deadline.com and HollywoodLife.com, two extremely active web-sites.
Los Angeles-based YHN says it is “the definitive pop-culture destination”, while ENTV will have an hourly news-wrap as well as breaking news plus entertainment lifestyle shows.
Other channels already available include the Onion News Network, Hearst’s Car & Driver TV, the Madonna-backed DanceOn channel and two Clevver Media services, ClevverTele and ClevverStyle.
Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite - 4 ready for liftoff
From http://brahmand.com/news/Wideband-Global-SATCOM-Satellite-4-ready-for-liftoff/8853/3/13.html
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA (BNS): Boeing said the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite the company is delivering to the US Air Force has successfully completed prelaunch testing and is ready for launch.
WGS-4, the first spacecraft in the program's upgraded Block II series, is scheduled to launch at 7:38 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Block II satellites (WGS 4-6) add a switchable radio frequency bypass that supports the transmission of airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery at data rates approximately three times greater than those currently available on Block I satellites.
"This launch will be another important step in advancing communications capabilities for US warfighters and allies around the world," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems.
"When it enters service, WGS-4 will join three other WGS satellites that deliver critical communications to help warfighters execute missions with greater safety and efficiency."
Boeing built and tested the WGS-4 spacecraft at its manufacturing facility in El Segundo. Upon arrival at Cape Canaveral on November 15, the satellite was moved into a processing facility to complete a series of prelaunch tests that validated the satellite's operational readiness, including its ability to communicate with the ground control segment and launch site.
Boeing has delivered three WGS satellites and is under contract for six more, including WGS-4.
ISRO has great plans for 2012
From http://www.dnaindia.com/scitech/report_isro-has-great-plans-for-2012_1639507
Radar Image Satellite Microwave 1, (RI Sat 1), the first Indian satellite equipped with a radar system (microwave system), will be launched this year, announced K Radhakrishnan, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Wednesday.
At the national seminar on geospatial solutions for resource conservation and management, held at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Radhakrishnan spoke about the ISRO’s projects that would be launched in the calendar year. The radar/microwave system, slated to be launched around March 15, will enable the country to create images during different weather conditions and also will map the terrain of India as opposed to earlier remote-sensing missions, which relied primarily on optical instruments.
Apart from RI Sat 1, Radhakrishnan said the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSVL) Mk-III flight will reach the cryogenic state around June, 2012.
“First and foremost (priority) is the GSLV. We are preparing the cryogenic stage and going through advanced stages of ground testing. Once we are through with that, the stages will be ready by June and we should be able to have the first flight,” he said of GSLV, which has failed two times in the past.
Dr K Kasturirangan, member, planning commission of India and former chairman of ISRO, who also spoke at the seminar, suggested that there should be a Geographic Information System (GIS) at the national level.
“There should be a standardised GIS system at the national level, which will provide information on geography, socio-economic conditions and more and should be widely accessible to various users at different levels,” he said.
18/01/12
Late update due to internet problems
From my Email
From Jon C (Jsat.tv via vetrun.com)
Intelsat 8 FREQ: 4167 POL: H SR: 6110 VDO: free to view "I am a Celb".. - feed
Telkom 108E Freq: 3803 POL: H SR: 3000 VDO: Free to view "Nasional TV" has started
Intelsat 5 FREQ: 4027 POL: H SR: 6110 VDO: Free to view OFC - live soccer feed
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 3565 POL: H SR: 4444 VDO SD free to view VTV has started (not Vietnam tv)
Thaicom 5 FREQ: 4130 POL: V SR: 2528 VDO: free to viewThai Buddhist Channel has started
Asiasat 5 FREQ: 3736 POL: V SR: 7399 VDO: HD 1920x1080i Free to view TENNIS:: Australian Open - FTA
From the Dish
Express MD1 80E 3875 R "Oruzhie" is now encrypted.
From Asiatvro site
东经105.5度轨道位置的亚洲3S号卫星C频段，BTV National（孟加拉）频道解密，设置3710 V 11395参数免费接收。[01-18]
NEWS
Improved satellite communications for NZ Defence Force
From Press Release: New Zealand Government
Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Defence
18 January 2012
Improved satellite communications for NZDF
The NZ Defence Force is joining an international partnership to give it guaranteed satellite communications for the next 20 years, Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman announced today.
“This gives a significant boost to our forces’ capacity both at home and overseas,” said Dr Coleman.
“It will increase our access to satellite broadband more than twenty-fold, with guaranteed access and at a fixed price, ensuring better value for money.”
Deployed New Zealand forces around the world use satellites to communicate with New Zealand. The NZDF currently purchases bandwidth on commercial satellites at spot prices, which can involve a premium of up to 100 percent depending on demand, and which can also limit availability of bandwidth.
The Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) programme is a network of nine military satellites built by Boeing and operated by the US Department of Defence.
New Zealand joins Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in a joint agreement for access to the network in return for partially funding the ninth satellite. Australia has been involved in a similar agreement since 2007.
“The Government is delivering on the priorities outlined in the 2010 Defence White Paper, which identified improving offshore communications as a priority to ensure deployed personnel are better supported,” said Dr Coleman.
Any unused capacity can be made available to other government agencies.
The NZDF will invest $83.2 million over 20 years in WGS, which comes from baseline funding already allocated in the Defence Capital Plan. Current annual spending on satellite communications is $NZ 4.3m, growing at some 10 percent per year.
Hari Punja and Sons Ltd acquires Govt’s shares in Fiji TV
From http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=180112a7db4d712ea4948a4c9fa8bf
Fiji Television Limited Group company secretary Tanya Waqanika confirmed that Hari Punja and Sons Limited acquired Government of Fiji’s 14% shares held with Fiji TV.
The South Pacific Stock Exchange approved the special crossing of 1,442,000 Fiji TV shares from government of Fiji to Hari Punja & Sons LTD at $2.40 per share.
The transaction will not affect the current market price of Fiji TV shares, which currently stands at $2.50 per share.
The sale of Fiji TV shares is to allow the government of Fiji to diversify their portfolio and liquidate their assets.
Hari Punja and Sons LTD will now have 26.16% shareholding in Fiji TV.
Nations join to deal with dangerous space debris
From http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/nations-join-deal-dangerous-space-debris-4692186
The United States will join with Europe and other nations to hammer out a code of conduct for space activities, including how to deal with the growing problem of debris circling Earth, the Obama administration said.
"Unless the international community addresses these challenges, the environment around our planet will become increasingly hazardous to human spaceflight and satellite systems, which would create damaging consequences for all of us," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.
The announcement followed reports last week the United States would not sign a European Union draft of an "International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities" because it impinged on the military's use of space.
"It's been clear from the very beginning that we're not going along with the code of conduct," Ellen Tauscher, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told reporters at a breakfast meeting in Washington, the industry trade journal Space News reported.
Asked why the US government would not sign the document, Tauscher said, "It's too restrictive," the paper reported.
Clinton said the United States would not enter into an agreement that "in any way constrains our national security-related activities in space or our ability to protect the United States and our allies".
"We are, however, committed to working together to reverse the troubling trends that are damaging our space environment and to preserve the limitless benefits and promise of space for future generations," Clinton added.
Among the most pressing problem in space is orbital debris, an issue that gained considerable attention after China launched a missile to destroy one of its defunct weather satellites in 2007.
The breakup added hundreds of pieces of potentially hazardous debris around Earth. Currently, there are more than 10,000 pieces of junk orbiting Earth, including spent rocket bodies, discarded satellites and thousands of spacecraft fragments.
Whizzing around the planet at thousands of kilometres per hour, even small pieces of debris pose a threat to working spacecraft, as well as the International Space Station, a US$100 billion research laboratory that flies about 385 km above Earth.
U.S.A.F. — Next WGS Is Waiting In The Wings (Satellite)
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1945767523
<>[SatNews] A Wideband Global SATCOM satellite is scheduled to launch on a Delta IV launch vehicle.
....January 19th from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. This is the fourth launch for the WGS constellation and the second WGS launch on the Delta IV launch vehicle. The WGS-4 satellite will provide the warfighter with enhanced communication capabilities while extending global coverage. WGS-4 was procured from The Boeing Company by the MILSATCOM Systems Directorate, part of the Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. WGS-4 is the first satellite to be delivered under the Block II contract awarded in 2006. WGS is the nation’s next-generation wideband satellite communications system. It is augmenting and replacing the Defense Satellite Communication System, the Department of Defense’s backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades.
“The launch of WGS-4 is the culmination of five years of dedicated work by the combined Boeing and government team,” said Luke Schaub, Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate’s WGS government program manager. “This satellite represents the first of a new block of WGS vehicles, enhancing the Wideband MILSATCOM compatibility currently available to thousands of users around the globe and adding high-bandwidth capacity for high-priority users. We eagerly anticipate its operational availability to our warfighters this summer.”
Vietnam to launch earth-monitoring satellites
From http://www.un-spider.org/about-us/news/2012-01-17t103500/vietnam-launch-earth-monitoring-satellites
Japanese experts are to help Vietnam build its first earth-observation satellites in an effort to help the South-East Asian country plan for the effects of climate change and natural disasters. Last November, Japan announced that it will provide a 40-year loan of about US$93 million (7.2 billion Japanese Yen) to Vietnam for equipment and capacity development connected to the bilateral satellite initiative. The first two satellites are due to be launched in 2017 and 2020, according to Shohei Matsuura, senior advisor with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Hanoi.
Matsuura said the satellites will track data that will provide background information for future industrial development and land-use planning, as well as support Vietnam's national efforts to prepare for climate change and natural disasters. "Climate change is one of the biggest obstacles to development in South-East Asia," Matsuura told SciDev.Net. "We want to assist Vietnam to take measures against climate change and natural disasters, and this will also be helpful to the surrounding countries."
Last year, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand were ravaged by heavy flooding that claimed hundreds of lives and caused millions of dollars in damages. Vietnam is believed to be one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It experiences heavy rainfall and has a low-lying coastline. Nearly four in five Vietnamese people live within 100 kilometres of the coast, and natural disasters kill more than 450 people each year, the UN says.
The satellites are just one component of Vietnam's preparation to become a regional leader in space technology. State media reported in November that a National Space Centre will be built outside Hanoi, at a cost of more than US$600 million, with the goal of providing a research facility for communications, weather forecasting and search and rescue activities. Reached by phone last week, officials at the state-run Space Technology Institute in Vietnam declined SciDev.Net's request for comment.
The United States has also expressed an interest in helping Vietnam to develop its space programme. In December, Michael O'Brien, associate administrator for international and interagency relations for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the first senior NASA official to have done so. During his visit, O'Brien signed a statement of intent with Vietnamese officials affirming "strong bilateral interest in cooperation on space-based research, including Earth science, weather research, remote sensing, and educational activities", according to the US Embassy in Vietnam.
China to launch 21 rockets, 30 satellites in 2012
From http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/01/18/china-launch-21-rockets-30-satellites-2012.html
China will launch more rockets and satellites into space in 2012, chinanews.com reported Tuesday citing the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The main contractor for the Chinese space program said during its annual meeting that they will blast off 21 rockets and 30 satellites in the coming year.
Shenzhou 9 is also expected to rendezvous and dock with Tiangong 1, and China will export its first remote sensing satellite to Venezuela among many other aerospace tasks in 2012. (mtq)
SNTV Launches in HD
From http://www.multichannel.com/article/479202-SNTV_Launches_in_HD.php
High-def Launch of Sports News Service Part of AP's Move to Transform Operations
Sports News Television, a joint-venture between Associated Press and IMG Worldwide, has launched its high -definition sports news service.
The launch will help AP capitalize on year of major sporting events, including the London Olympics, and is part of a massive upgrade of the the new organization's facilities and operations to the enhanced format, which will see all news content available in the form by the second quarter of 2012.
SNTV managing director Martin Kay noted in a statement that "we are very excited to be the first sports news agency to offer high definition in time for a huge year in sport. We start with the Australian Open, then the African Cup of Nations, Euro 2012, the London Olympics, the Ryder Cup and the T20 Cricket World Cup. This is in addition to our ongoing coverage of football, tennis, golf, U.S. sports and more - it's set to be a glorious year for sport in HD."
The move to HD, which began last year, is also part of a much bigger transformation of AP's video business that is designed to change the way the news agency gathers, produces and distributes news to its customers.
As part of that effort, it has deployed more than 200 HD cameras, upgraded mobile satellite trucks and enhanced backhaul capabilities to handle the HD signal.
In London, a new HD production system will be installed that will allow journalist to create HD content at their desktops.
Video news bureaus around the globe have also been upgraded to the latest generation of video editing, compression and transmission technologies. High-def master control rooms are being constructed in more than 20 locations including London, New York and Washington, D.C.
Finally, the AP's extensive video archive is also being upgraded so that customers able to download broadcast quality and HD footage from its Website.
Comedy Central to launch in India on 23 January
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan133.php
MUMBAI: Viacom18 will launch Comedy Central, the sixth channel from the stable, on 23 January.
With the launch of the channel, Viacom18 will mark its presence in another under-served genre –English comedy. "Given its rich library of world class shows and distinct positioning, we are confident of Comedy Central establishing itself as one of the dominant players in the English entertainment space in Indian television," said Viacom18 group CEO Haresh Chawla.
The channel’s brand philosophy, developed internally, is ‘Laugh It Off’. The TG is 15+ SEC, A,B Metros.
Comedy Central expects to be available in 20 million homes, across analogue and digital cable and DTH platforms. On DTH, it will be available on Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV initially, but within two months the aim is to be on all the direct-to-home (DTH) platforms.
Viacom International Media Networks president, CEO Bob Bakish said, “Comedy Central is one of Viacom’s most distinct and successful franchises globally. We feel that the time is now right for Viacom18 to introduce Comedy Central in India, given the growth curve in the Indian television entertainment market.”
Viacom was planning to get Comedy Central to India for quite a while now. Said Viacom18 Media senior VP, GM English entertainment Ferzad Palia, “The time is right partly due to the spread of digitisation and also because people at this time are stressed. They are open to comedy and to laughing at themselves. Exposure to international content is growing as people increasingly travel.”
The programming will be a mix of sitcoms, sketch comedy, British comedy, stand ups and gags. Some of the shows the channel will air include Daily Show with John Stewart, South Park, Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, The Office and Seinfeld. Movies will eventually air during the weekends.
Local shows will form part of the content strategy. “There will be something for everyone. Among other things, we will develop our own talent which we would take overseas to give them a wider platform.”
For the youth, South Park will air a block called Cinderella Hour at midnight. Shows like Fawlty Towers, Allo Allo will air on the weekend where people have more time on their hands. “Unlike other channels that mainly run marathons to allow viewers to catch up on the weekend, Comedy Central will also have premieres. In terms of the channel’s overall content, around half of it will be fresh,” said Palia.
Comedy Central has no plans to introduce a dubbed language feed as the nuances of comedy are difficult to translate. “The channel will, however, have subtitles,” said Palia.
The business model for the channel will be led by advertising, followed by subscription. “Many advertisers today want to own humour as a platform. We will ask advertisers how they want to use us. We will create packages and interaction mechanisms. Our relationship with advertisers will take the form of activities and doing on-ground events with them among other things,” said Palia.
In India, Viacom18 is planning to take the brand beyond the television screens and is planning to have live events and merchandising.
The launch will be backed later by an extensive marketing campaign. “Besides television, print, outdoor, other touchpoints will be created including gyms, salons, cafes, cinema halls. 500-600 touch points will be there including in places where one might not expect it like hospitals and chemists through things like prescription pads. We have tied up with Religare Wellness,” averred Palia.
New media will be used as a brand extension. “We will be present on YouTube, Twitter, etc. We will also have a dial in service on the mobile. The success will rest on how much people interact with the channel. It is not about how it fares in eight weeks. This is a long term commitment,” said Palia.
BBH is the creative agency while Vizeum is the media agency for the channel.
“We are confident that Comedy Central will carve out its own space within no time. All Viacom18 channels are doing extremely well,” said Bakish.
Viacom18 already airs Hindi general entertainment channel Colors, youth channel MTV, kids channel Nick, English entertainment channel Vh1 and has recently launched action channel for young audience – Sonic.
Initially launched in the US in 1991, Comedy Central started global expansion late 2006. At present, Comedy Central has localised channels in Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Sweden, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Israel and Spain.
17/01/12
Live chat 9.pm NZ and 8.30pm in the chatroom
From my Email
From JonC (Jsat.tv via Vetrun.com)
Feed & Channel log
Intelsat 5 FREQ: 3885 POL: V SR: 4285 VDO: NTSC Free to view (Court Feed)
Intelsat 5 FREQ: 3810 POL: V SR: 4285 VDO: NSTC free to view (Court Feed)
Asiasat 3S FREQ: 4177 POL: H SR: 2443 VDO: SD free to view Shamshad TV has started Free to view
Measat 3 FREQ: 4122 POL H SR: 30000 VDO: HD 576i free to view "Goal TV1 & TV2" have started
From the Dish
JCSAT 3A 128E 4120 V "K-Asia has replaced Taiwan TV" on , Irdeto.
Koreasat 5 113E 12530 H "Eco TV has replaced CTN TV" on , BISS.
Koreasat 5 113E 12575 H "YoonSat" has left .
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 4084 H "Kashish, KTN News and KTN" have left , moved to Paksat 1R.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 12602 V "Nollywood Movies" is now encrypted.
From asiatvro site
东经108.2度轨道位置的新天11号卫星Ku频段，国泰人寿、火辣（台亚卫星）频道解密，设置12731 V 30000参数免费接收。[01-17]
东经113度轨道位置的韩星5号卫星Ku频段，YoonSat（韩国）频道消失，设置12575 H 5228参数无效接收。[01-17]
东经113度轨道位置的韩星5号卫星Ku频段，Eco TV替换CTN（韩国）频道，设置12530 H 26000参数有条件接收。[01-17]
东经169度轨道位置的国际5号卫星C频段，Fiji TV、CNN（英语）等全组频道消失，设置3910 H 14648参数无效接收。[01-17]
东经91.5度轨道位置的马星3a号卫星C频段，Goal TV 1、Goal TV 2（MPEG-4）频道解密，设置4120 H 30000参数免费接收。[01-17]
NEWS
Optus appoints chief operator
From http://www.itnews.com.au/News/287246,optus-appoints-chief-operator.aspx
Separates division managers from O'Sullivan.
Optus has appointed former Hutchison 3 Australia CEO Kevin Russell as its second-in-command.
Russell has been named Optus' inaugural chief operating officer, charged with overseeing the consumer, small/medium business, and wholesale and satellite divisions.
He will also take charge of Optus subsidiary Virgin Mobile.
Scotland-born Russell, who lead Hutchison's burgeoning Australian operations between 2003 and 2006, most recently led the telco's British operations, including forging its first steps towards Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile technology.
He returned to Australia for a "six-month sabbatical" after quitting the British telco in June last year.
His appointment as COO at Optus effectively places the three current managers in each of the respective divisions - Michael Smith, Rohan Ganeson and Vicki Brady - a reporting step away from company chief, Paul O'Sullivan.
"Kevin's experience and this appointment will strengthen our ability to take full advantage of the opportunities emerging in our market. His track record in the industry speaks for itself," O'Sullivan said.
Russell's appointment comes as the company continues an internal restructure which saw 180 senior and middle managers axed.
The company has also appointed a new head of networks and director of consumer fixed-line networks over the past year.
Google denies Murdoch’s piracy accusation
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/16/google-denies-murdochs-piracy-accusation/
Google has hit back at Rupert Murdoch after he branded the search giant a “piracy leader” stating that it fought pirates and counterfeiters “every day”.
Google told the BBC: “Google respects copyright – and we’ve worked hard to help rights holders deal with piracy. Last year we took down five million infringing web pages from our search results and invested more than $60 million in the fight against bad ads.”
Google, an opponent of Sopa, said it believed there are better methods of protecting against copyright infringement. The company suggested “targeted legislation that would require ad networks and payment processors – like ours – to cut off sites dedicated to piracy or counterfeiting”.
A step closer to mapping the Earth in 3D
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/A_step_closer_to_mapping_the_Earth_in_3D_999.html
A year after the initial operational phase, TanDEM-X has mapped all land surfaces on earth except Antarctica completely. Elevation models have been generated with the data. According to the color scale, green tinted areas already comply with a the requirement of a two-metre accuracy. Yellow-coloured areas must be recorded a second time, reddish surfaces also require recording from a different angle. Gray-shaded strips have been recorded, but have yet to be processed. Full size image here
After a year in service, the German Earth observation satellite TanDEM-X, together with its twin satellite, TerraSAR-X, have completely mapped the entire land surface of Earth for the first time. The data is being used to create the world's first single-source, high-precision, 3D digital elevation model of Earth. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) controls both radar satellites, generates the elevation model and is responsible for the scientific use of TanDEM-X data.
It is reminiscent of ballet on ice; throughout the last year, Germany's radar satellites, TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X, have been moving through space in close formation, at times just a few hundred metres apart. Strip by strip, they have recorded Earth from different angles and transmitted high-resolution radar data from their orbit at an altitude of 514 kilometres down to the three ground stations - Kiruna (Sweden), Inuvik (Canada) and O'Higgins (Antarctica).
"The mission is running better than expected and there have been no unscheduled interruptions in the programmed formation flight of the two satellites. All safety mechanisms are functioning robustly and in a stable manner," enthuses Manfred Zink, project manager for the TanDEM-X ground segment at DLR. Over the course of 2011, the distance between the satellites was progressively reduced down to the minimum permitted value of 150 metres.
'Radar eyes' working with millimetric accuracy
This satellite mission is the first of its kind; it remains unique and is highly complex, even for experienced engineers. "Following the launch of TanDEM-X on 21 June 2010, there was a six-month test phase, during which we subjected the satellite and its behaviour in near-Earth orbit to intense scrutiny and carried out our calibration work," Zink recalls.
During this time, TanDEM-X commenced formation flying with its identical partner satellite, TerraSAR-X, which was launched in 2007. On 14 December 2010, the operational part of its mission began, collecting data for the high-precision elevation model.
The radar system views the ground from two different points in space, achieving 'depth perception' in a manner similar to binocular vision in humans. "The generation of accurate elevation data calls for precise coordination of data from and between both satellites," explains Gerhard Krieger, systems engineer for the TanDEM-X mission.
Differences, for example in the cable lengths on the two radar instruments, as well as the distance between the two satellites, need to be calibrated very precisely. "This is a truly enormous challenge when you consider that a millimetre of variation can cause up to one metre of elevation error," says Krieger.
The strips of terrain recorded by the satellites are processed into elevation models measuring 50 by 30 kilometres. Due to the ultra-precise calibration, when this 'basic data' is compiled at the end of the process to generate a global 3D map, it is already of very high quality.
By mid-2013, TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X will have imaged the complete land surface area of Earth - roughly 150 million square kilometres - several times. The intention is to create an exceptionally accurate, global and homogeneous 3D elevation model that promises to be of equal interest for commercial and scientific purposes.
Data quality depends on ground reflectance
Initially, at least two complete coverage cycles of Earth's land surface were planned. Some parts, one example being the vast majority of Australia's landmass, were recorded by the satellite duo with sufficient quality during the first overflight.
"The level of precision depends on how well the ground reflects the radar pulses transmitted - and subsequently received - by the satellites," states Manfred Zink. For example, the Sahara is more difficult to image because the signal literally 'sinks into the sand' and is lost. For regions of dense vegetation, such as rain forests, additional imagery and careful adjustment of the distance between the satellites are necessary.
"We are going to be left with a few blank areas on the map, but we do of course seek to minimise these gaps," states Zink as he thinks about the coming months.
Better understanding Earth as a system
"We want to gain a better understanding of Earth as a system and to employ the data for climate and traffic research, for example," says Irena Hajnsek, scientific coordinator for the TanDEM-X mission. In 2011, she gave the 'green light' for 166 of the research applications submitted to DLR. "Most of these originated in the USA and Germany.
The TanDEM-X capabilities are to be used to address questions of land usage and vegetation, hydrology, geology and glaciology," explains Hajnsek. The two Earth observation satellites can also generate information about the height of the snowline or the change in ice masses of the two polar regions, as well as provide geological maps of regions subject to volcanic and/or earthquake activity. The speed of ships or road vehicles can be measured, as can changes in the natural world.
The work performed by these two radar satellites is also valuable for agriculture. "Based on the height and structure of a plant - such as rapeseed, for example - it is possible to draw conclusions about its quality and biomass," states Hajnsek.
News Corp takes stake in Dubai media group
From http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hnE1cu3my0HlVRT4niZms5o58b3A?docId=CNG.c4ef4ab9d9709e54e706308248f6c9ba.8c1
NEW YORK — US media giant News Corp. announced plans on Monday to take a stake in Dubai-based Moby, which has broadcasting operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
In a statement, News Corporation and Moby said the group led by media mogul Rupert Murdoch will become a minority investor in Moby.
News Corporation will contribute its 50 percent shareholding in Broadcast Middle East, its Farsi-language TV joint venture with Moby, for a minority shareholding in Moby and will also provide capital to Moby for its expansion plans.
Through BME, News Corporation and MOBY have launched two Farsi-language channels, FARSI1 and Zemzemeh.
The agreement "will enable Moby to strengthen its leadership position across the regions in which it currently operates whilst working to expand its presence in new and emerging markets," said a joint statement.
Moby will continue to be chaired by Saad Mohseni while Zaid Mohseni will continue to serve as chief executive of BME, which will become a subsidiary of Moby.
"Merging our Farsi joint venture into Moby allows us to expand our activities with what is surely one of the most dynamic and exciting media businesses in emerging markets anywhere," said News Corp. deputy chief operating officer and chairman James Murdoch.
"The Mohsenis are true pioneers and we are pleased to be able to invest alongside them in these challenging, yet very promising markets."
Saad Mohseni said in the statement, "We are delighted to have in News Corporation both a partner with a long track record of growing entrepreneurial, innovative businesses and an investor that sees value in entering parts of the world which many media organizations have not traditionally looked to."
Moby hopes to develop its activities in Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Based in New York, News Corp. operates the Fox film and television properties, satellite unit SKY Italia, the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, various publishing assets, and news properties in Britain and Australia. It owns 39 percent of British pay-TV giant BSkyB.
Top TV's porn bid blocked
From http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/2012/01/17/top-tv-s-porn-bid-blocked
South Africans eager to watch pornography on television at home from Friday are likely to be bitterly disappointed.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa's public hearings into the licence application by On-Digital Media, owner of Top TV, began yesterday in Sandton, Johannesburg, where the year-old operator was not represented despite being invited to respond and make presentations.
The day began with the South Gauteng High Court granting the authority an urgent interdict to stop the satellite TV operator from going ahead with the proposed standalone pornography package, including the channels Adult XXX, Private Spice and Playboy Europe.
The Freedom of Expression Institute, African Christian Democratic Party and the Film and Publication Board opposed the launch.
"Freedom of expression is not a pre-eminent right, and especially not when it infringes on children's rights to be protected from harm," said Pearl Kupe, on behalf of the Christian Action Network.
She said: "Putting in pin-blocking functions presents very little challenge to the increasingly techno-savvy generation, and I know this being a mother."
The African Christian Democratic Party said it was impossible to build a strong nation with "dysfunctional families", and producers and distributors of pornography had shown "contempt for family values".
Freedom of Expression Institute's executive director, Elston Seppie, said the right to freedom of expression was about balance, but "the right of children, women and family values should take precedence".
He said Top TV's failure to pitch for the hearings was "disappointing".
Top TV's r egulatory a ffairs s enior m anager, Thato Mahapa, said they were still awaiting "detailed reasons" for the interdict.
But in a press release late yesterday, Top TV said people opposing the proposed new channels were "in the minority".
It said its research showed that 71% of urban South African adults "agreed that people had the right to view material of their choice in the privacy of their homes".
"Top TV is satisfied it has more than sufficient mechanisms in place to protect those who are either too young to be exposed to adult television content, or those who take exception to such content. However, Top TV does not apologis e for giving access to those who do wish to view adult content on television."
Satellite broadband for South Africa rural areas
From http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=162706
Vox aiming to introduce "low cost" broadband service in South Africa with Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat agreement that will improve access in rural areas
VOX Telecom plans to launch a "low-cost satellite internet broadband" service in June and the company expects to sign up about 40000 subscribers in the first three years of operation.
Vox has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat, which next month will launch its YahClick satellite called Y1B, to sell capacity and market the satellite in SA. The satellite will cover 26 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Vox product manager Jacques Visser said yesterday the satellite would provide connectivity to rural and remote areas that were not covered by traditional telecommunications infrastructure.
"YahClick is a perfect broadband option for those who can’t get ADSL service, or who need a backup service in case of outages," Mr Visser said. Although the use of satellite telecommunications has been in practice for years in Africa, high costs have prohibited take-up.
"Satellite has traditionally been seen as an expensive option that’s only suitable for remote sites of large enterprises," he said. "But the technology has changed so much in recent years that it’s a real option as a primary broadband connection."
YahClick is based on the high performance Ka-band spot-beam technology, making it possible to offer efficient and low-cost service.
Vox will target farms, clinics, game lodges and schools in remote areas. It will sell the service through existing resellers and also subsidiaries such as @lantic and Vox Telepreneur. Vox’s primary focus is on internet data but it will test the viability of a voice service later.
Bennett, Coleman in race to buy Neo Cricket, Neo Sports
From http://www.rediff.com/business/report/bennett-coleman-in-race-to-buy-neo-cricket-neo-sports/20120117.htm
India's largest diversified media conglomerate Bennett, Coleman and Co Ltd (BCCL), popularly known as the Times Group, has joined the race to pick up a majority stake in the two sports channels of Nimbus [ Get Quote ] Communications.
The two channels -- Neo Cricket and Neo Sports -- are housed under Neo Sports Broadcast Ltd, a subsidiary of Nimbus.
Even though Nimbus is the principal shareholder in the entity, it has some other financial institutions and investors like PE giant 3i as well. Neo had actually formalised the process of roping in a partner -- financial or strategic -- and had mandated two investment banks, Barclays Capital and Avendus, to help in the exercise.
Interestingly, sources familiar with the developments say the Times Group has also shown preliminary interest in buying out the Hyderabad-based Associated Broadcasting Company Limited (ABCL), which owns several regional language satellite television channels under the TV9 brand.
A New Ball Game
Neo Sports Broadcast, a subsidiary of Nimbus, has two channels: Neo Cricket and Neo Sports Nimbus is BCCI's local broadcasting partner since 2005-06, but BCCI contract under legal dispute. Neo also has rights to televise UEFA [ Images ] Euro Cup, French Open [ Images ] tennis, Davis Cup, Asia Cup, MotoGP and golf properties, among others.
Neo is beamed to 34 countries with over 1,200 advertisers on board and the channels have tie-ups with leading cable operators globally. In 2010-11, Neo posted revenues worth Rs 425 crore (approx), Ebitda of Rs 15 crore (Rs 150 million), but a net loss of around Rs 6 crore (Rs 60 million).
The financial investors of ABCL, led by venture capitalist Srini Raju's iLabs Venture Capital Fund, had put the TV9 channels on the block and appointed Edelweiss investment bank to find a buyer.
"The process is still on. We have not closed the deal yet. The i-banker is talking to multiple interested partners. It will be inaccurate to quote one name at this stage," a spokesperson for iLabs Venture Capital Fund said.
Times Group has been looking at several high-growth opportunities to diversify its existing portfolio of newspaper, internet, radio, broadcasting and OOH properties. According to media analysts, sports and regional broadcasting space have been areas of high interest with the Times management.
Sources added Times Group was contemplating bidding for the BCCI contract, if the deal with Nimbus fell through. The Times move is significant as it comes right after the deal between Reliance Industries [ Get Quote ] and Network18 to buy out a part of Eeandu's portfolio.
When contacted, Ravi Dhariwal, CEO, BCCL, said, "I cannot talk specifics. But, we will diversify into segments where we think there are growth opportunities, which are also relevant to advertisers and viewers."
Sunil Lulla, CEO and MD of Times Global Broadcasting, the TV arm of the group, said, "We have grown and consolidated our TV operations. Now we will add new offerings in the next 12-24 months. Some of that we shall roll out on our own. Some we won't. But, the mantra for any new venture has to be profitability and growth."
When asked specifically about Times Group's showing interest in buying out the two Neo channels and TV9, both Dhariwal and Lulla said, "This is all speculation and we would not like to comment."
According to sources aware of the ongoing discussions, despite the initial hiccups, the sell-off process in Neo is now gathering momentum as sections within the Board of Control for Cricket in India's [ Images ] (BCCI) are keen on an out-of-court settlement with the broadcaster. Last week, some BCCI officials even reached out to Nimbus's management with an initial "verbal offer of settlement", which the company's board is expected to go through shortly.
Last December, BCCI decided to call off its broadcasting contract with Nimbus for international cricketing matches in India after Nimbus defaulted on payments to the tune of Rs 80-100 crore. The matter has been in the Bombay High Court after banks did not allow BCCI to encash the guarantees provided by the broadcaster, citing contractual violations.
This decision by the banks, sources say, is one of the key factors behind the apparent change of heart within sections of BCCI. They say, according to the terms, if the apex cricketing body cancels the contract on its own, they will not be allowed to encash the bank guarantees.
"Moreover, BCCI and Nimbus have several contracts among themselves. Most are still running. So, perhaps it would be better to settle just one outstanding issue where the financial sum under dispute is also not very large," added an official on condition of anonymity.
However, when contacted, Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer, BCCI, said he was unaware of any such development, while president N Srinivasan declined to comment.
The Nimbus spokesperson and Harish Thawani, founder and CEO of Nimbus, could not be reached. Nimbus has been BCCI's local broadcasting partner since it first signed a four-year deal in 2005-06 and renewed the contract in 2009-10 by paying an additional Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion), after being offered the first right of refusal. Most media industry officials say the BCCI contract is the principal source of revenue for Nimbus.
So, without settling the BCCI dispute, any deal even at the Neo Sports level will get impacted and will subdue the valuations. Neo's promoters were looking at a $400-450 million (Rs 2,080-2,580 crore) valuation for the two channels before the controversy broke out.
The Times Group and Nimbus have been existing business partners. According to Nimbus's red herring prospectus, filed in 2010, Times Brand Equity Treaties had 0.44 per cent stake in the company. It is believed Times may have exited that investment, but it could not be independently verified.
Nimbus and Times Internet Limited, another arm of Bennett Coleman, also have the global internet, mobile, audio and television rights for IPL matches in specific territories outside India till 2014. The consortium had bagged the rights in 2011 for Rs 261.6 crore (Rs 2.61 billion) after World Sport Group's contract was terminated. This deal is still operational, despite Nimbus's legal issues with BCCI.
Media industry officials say after TheOneAlliance distribution platform pulled the plug on Nimbus last week, the company is parallelly negotiating with another rival platform, Media Network & Distribution (India) Ltd (MNDIL). MNDIL happens to be a joint venture between Bennett, Coleman & Co and Yogesh Radhakrishnan for distribution of these two channels.
Investment banking sources say Neo's bankers have already sounded out a few rival broadcasters like Multi Screen Media, which owns Sony and Set Max, the rights holder for the IPL. It is believed four-five initial term sheets have been submitted by strategic players and PE funds.
But, BCCL's entry is bound to make them a strong favourite. However, some of the sources feel it is unlikely that Times will simultaneously conclude two large media transactions back to back. The TV9 deal is also expected to be for nearly Rs 600 crore (Rs 6 billion).
In the last financial year, Neo Sports Broadcast had posted a net loss of around Rs 6 crore (Rs 60 million). BCCL is believed to have made around Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion) in turnover and close to Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) in profits last fiscal year.
16/01/12
Weekend feeds
Saturday
IS8 12562 V Sr 6670 "waicomm 12." NZ tier 1 championship round 3 from Teretonga Invercargill live feed. NZV8s and support categories
Sunday
Intelsat 8 4167 V Sr 6110 "IBES6 Path 2" feed from the forrest (Jacko vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 3687 V Sr 6110 "Globecast UK / Boxing" (Jacko vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 3750 V Sr 14238 "Globecast UK HD $$" (Jacko vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 3892 V Sr 14238 "Val VS RSOC HD $$" (Jacko vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 3914 V Sr 6110 "Tandberg / New York Skyline" (Jacko vetrun.com)
Asiasat 5 3932 V Sr 12889 "D-381 OFFENBURG HD / Boxing" (Jacko vetrun.com)
C1 12299 V Sr 6111 3/4 Labeled ''NNN906'' - showing ''TSNG Wcam'' test card (Beehivelimo via vetrun.com)
D2 12680 H Sr 6670 "GCAST 8 ENC" 1Santos Tour Down under cycling.(ajmf1 via vetrun.com)
From my Email
From Jonc (Jsat.tv Thailand)
Asiasat 5 Feeds
Feed 1:
Tennis: Australian Open feed 1 in HD
Freq: 4052 POL: V SR: 9878 VDO: HD 1080i Free to view
Feed 2:
Tennis: Australian Open feed HD
Freq: 4068 POL: V SR: 9878 VDO: HD 1080i Free to view
More at: http://www.thaisatellite.tv/home/latest.html
Also the Mens final is up on the normal Is5 feed for the Kiwi Heineken Cup at Stanley street in Auckland
From the Dish
Superbird C2 144E 12688 V "Da Ai TV and MAC TV" have left .
Telstar 18 138E 4033 V "SET One" has left .
Koreasat 5 113E 12731 H "TV Chosun and National Assembly TV have replaced Mountain TV and STB" on , BISS.
NSS 6 95E 12688 V "Zee Kannada" is now encrypted.
Insat 4B 93.5E 11150 V "9XM" has left .
Insat 4B 93.5E 11490 V "DD News" has started on , Fta.
Express AM2 80E 3575 R "Rossiya 2, NTV, Rossiya 24 and Karusel" have started on , MPEG-4, Roscrypt.
Thaicom 5 78.5E "Filmazia and TV Shop" have left 3960 V and 4057 V again.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 4170 V "Nat Geo Wild Asia" has started on , Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 12722 H "True Movies 1" has started on , Conax.
Paksat 1R 38E 4087 V "Samaa TV" is now encrypted.
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Parliament TV（泰国）频道新增，设置3440 H 26666参数免费接收。[01-16]
东经80度轨道位置的快车AM2号卫星C频段，Rossiya K(+7h)（俄罗斯）频道重现，设置3575 R 33483参数免费接收。[01-16]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，RK News、Subharti（MPEG-4）等频道新增，设置3741 V 7000参数免费接收。[01-15]
东经100.5度轨道位置的亚洲5号卫星C频段，半岛电视（国际）频道重现，设置3760 H 27500参数免费接收。[01-15]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，GMM Sport One替换Good Channel（泰国）频道，设置3480 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-15]
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，Nat Geo Wild（国家地理野生）频道新增，设置4170 V 13333参数免费接收。[01-15]
东经113度轨道位置的韩星5号卫星Ku频段，GMA 7、ETC（梦幻卫视）等频道加密，设置12390 V 25600参数有条件接收。[01-14]
东经113度轨道位置的帕拉帕D号卫星C频段，民视新闻替换TaIk TV（Skynindo）频道，设置4140 V 30000参数免费接收。[01-14]
东经132度轨道位置的越南1号卫星Ku频段，LaoCai（越南）频道新增，设置11121 H 13333参数免费接收。[01-13]
东经113度轨道位置的韩星5号卫星Ku频段，GMA 7、ETC（梦幻卫视）等全组频道解密，设置12390 V 25600参数免费接收。[01-13]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Sarafan（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置12707 V 12400参数有条件接收。[01-13]
东经169度轨道位置的国际5号卫星C频段，探索频道、ESPN（英语）等全组频道改频率，设置3910 H 14648参数有条件接收。[01-13]
NEWS
DW Asia+ will have a new name & don a new look from 6 February
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan118.php
MUMBAI: DW Asia+, the channel from the German television network Deutsche Welle, will have a new name and look from 6 February.
The channel will be called DWTV and be positioned as a lifestyle, news and current affairs channel. It will undergo a complete revamp in its content and appearance, along with the logo.
DWTV head India office Sudeep Malhotra said, “DWTV will be positioned as a lifestyle, news and current affairs channel. It is a new genre we expect to explore and intend to pioneer. It is a new approach to disseminating news and other content to the audiences.”
Targeted at the 18+ age group of the country’s English speaking population, the channel will now have 24 hours of English language content as opposed to 16 hours of English and eight hours of German language content.
The philosophy behind the programme lineup is to provide news and current affairs in a more eye-catching and casual way so as to make it palatable for the TG.
DWTV will earn revenue through programme sales and syndication while ads will make up for less than 10 per cent of the earnings pie.
DW Asia+ has already been on Doordarshan's DTH platform, DD Direct PLus, for the past four years. DW TV will also be available on DTH and will continue to be a free-to-air channel.
Russia Mars probe 'crashes into Pacific': military
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_Mars_probe_crashes_into_Pacific_military_999.html
Russia believes fragments of its Phobos-Grunt probe which spiralled back to Earth after failing to head on a mission to Mars crashed Sunday into the Pacific Ocean, a spokesman for its space forces said.
The splashdown marks an inglorious if spectacular end for the Phobos-Grunt probe which Russia launched in November and hoped would scoop up a sample from Mars' largest moon Phobos and bring it back to Earth.
"According to information from mission control of the space forces, the fragments of Phobos Grunt should have fallen into the Pacific Ocean at 1745 GMT," spokesman Alexei Zolotukhin told the Interfax news agency.
There was no immediate comment from Russia's space agency Roscosmos, which throughout the day, as the probe approached Earth, had given wildly different predictions about where it could land.
Zolotukhin said that the space forces had closely followed the probe's course. "This has allowed us to ascertain the place and time of the fall of the craft with a great degree of accuracy," he told Interfax.
According to the ITAR-TASS news agency, the probe should have splashed down 1,250 kilometres (800 miles) west of the island of Wellington off the coast of Chile.
A landing in the ocean would be a huge relief for Russia after earlier reports suggested it could crash into the territory of South America, possibly Argentina.
However in a sign that the final crash site had yet to be confirmed, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian ballistics experts as saying Phobos-Grunt had splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast of Brazil.
Rather than heading out on the expedition to Mars, Phobos-Grunt after its November 9 launch instead became stuck in an Earth orbit that became lower and lower as it becomes increasingly tugged by the Earth's gravity.
The unmanned $165 million vessel is one of the largest objects to re-enter the atmosphere since Russia brought down the Soviet-era Mir space station in 2001.
Sky gazers reported the gold-coloured vessel emitting a bright orange glow as it traversed the globe in an eastward direction between London to the north and New Zealand to the south.
The craft is loaded with 11,000 tonnes of toxic fuel -- enough to take it to Phobos -- and a Chinese satellite it had been due to put in orbit around the Red Planet under a landmark deal with Beijing.
Roscosmos predicted that only 20 or 30 segments weighing no more than 200 kilogrammes (440 pounds) in total will survive the explosive re-entry and actually hit the Earth's surface.
Russian and NASA scientists have downplayed the risks posed by the fuel, predicting that it should burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the Earth's surface.
The fuel is stored in tanks of light aluminium -- not the sturdy titanium used by the now-retired US space shuttle -- with a relatively low melting point.
The ignominious ending for the probe provides a bitter reminder for Russia of the prowess it has lost in the half-century since Yuri Gagarin's historic first space flight in 1961.
The ambitious project had initially aimed to revive Russia's interplanetary programme and prepare the way for a manned mission to Mars.
The accident represents one of the more high-profile mishaps in a year littered with unprecedented setbacks for the once-vaunted Russian space programme.
It struck less than three months after an unmanned Progress supply ship bound for the International Space Station crashed into Siberia.
Russia also lost three navigation satellites as well as an advanced military satellite and a telecommunications satellite in the past year.
MEASAT + SkyVision... Extending The Relationship (SATCOM)
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=2049550393
[SatNews] MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) has signed an agreement with SkyVision Global Networks Ltd.(“SkyVision”) for capacity....
....on the AFRICASAT-1 satellite across the African region. The multi-transponder agreement enables SkyVision to continue providing its existing cost effective, reliable, tier-one Internet connectivity solutions to ISPs, enterprises, telcos and mobile operators in the region. SkyVision offers a wide variety of connectivity options and provides direct access to the internet backbone via tier-one Internet providers. SkyVision was selected as the Satellite Service Provider of the Year 2011 at the recent AfricaCom exhibition and conference in Cape Town.
The AFRICASAT-1 satellite is located at the 46 degrees East orbital slot and provides C-band coverage across the African region as well as the Middle East and parts of East Europe. The slot will be enhanced with the AFRICASAT-1a satellite which is expected to launch during Q4 of 2012.
StarHub To Launch Sky News HD
From http://www.mediaresearchasia.com/view.php?type=press&id=2137
Sky News HD will be available on StarHub TV Channel 757
SINGAPORE – Sky News and StarHub TV announced plans to launch Singapore’s first High Definition (HD) news channel, Sky News HD. The channel will commence airing on StarHub TV Channel 757 on 17 January 2012, 6am.
Viewers will find Sky News HD on StarHub TV’s Channel 757. Here they will be able to access all the benefits of HD; live video feeds from developing stories, rich graphics that enhance Sky News coverage, and real-time text analysis from Sky News specialist correspondents during live speeches and events.
“We are proud to be the first in Singapore to debut a dedicated news channel in High Definition. As the country’s leading pay TV operator, we delight in exceeding our customers’ ever-increasing expectations for quality programming,” said Ms Sandie Lee, StarHub’s Vice President of Content. “To mark the occasion, we will be offering a free preview of the channel to our World News Basic Upsize Group customers until 30 June 2012.”
As part of a premium service, the new HD channel brings together Sky News’ world class journalism with sharp picture quality using a widescreen format to show more details about the key stories of the day. Sky News HD is supported by HD studios and field resources, while HD graphics create a striking on-air look to deliver a clear, crisp and compelling television experience for the Singaporean audience.
Mr John Ryley, Head of Sky News said, “Sky News HD has been a huge success and we are proud to be leading the way once more by launching Singapore’s first ever HD news channel. It is fantastic more and more viewers globally can experience the sharper picture and enhanced services Sky News HD provides.”
Ms Yvonne Tay, Vice President and Territory Head of FOX International Channels Singapore said, “FIC is a leader in the HD space in Singapore and we are proud to once again, set new benchmarks for the News channels with the launch of Sky News HD. We are pleased that Singaporeans will now be able to enjoy world-class news with better picture quality.”
Sky News HD’s addition to StarHub TV’s platform is available as part of Basic HD Upsize for just $8.56 (w/GST). World News Basic Upsize Group customers using HubStation HD, HD or HD Interactive set-top box can enjoy the free preview of Sky News HD till 30 June 2012. To subscribe, call 1630 or visit www.starhub.com/tv.
China Central TV launches African broadcast centre
From http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2012011518790/china-central-tv-launches-african-broadcast-centre.html
A new broadcast news production centre, operated by China Central Television (CCTV), has become operational in Kenya's capital Nairobi.
A daily, hour-long African news report from China's state broadcaster is now being produced at the state-of-the-art, high definition (HD) capable studios.
The Nairobi operation is the first of its kind for CCTV outside China, and employs about 100 people. Its daily broadcast product is available to viewers across sub-Saharan Africa on the CCTV English language channel via the Multichoice operated satellite pay-TV platform DStv.
The reports produced will reportedly cover the political, economic, social and cultural aspects across the African continent.
Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Permanent Secretary of Information and Communication Ministry Dr Bitanga Ndemoand, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan, and CCTV Vice President Sun Yusheng were among the guests at the launch of the CCTV Africa News Production Centre on 11 January.
Musyoka called on CCTV to "cast a new image of the continent" because Africa "is often shown as the continent of endless calamities."
The CCTV Africa News Production Centre is considered crucial to expand CCTV's global newsgathering capabilities and to enhance the network's competitiveness.
CCTV Africa will also provide a platform for its Chinese audience to better understand Africa and promote the 'China-Africa friendship' - so that the real China can be introduced to Africa, and the real Africa can be presented to the world, said Sun Yusheng, vice president, CCTV.
CCTV has also unveiled a local mobile TV application, called 'I love Africa'.
Nairobi is already home to a bureau of the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
Iran to launch satellite into space early February
From http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1931491&Lang=E
TEHRAN (ISNA)-Iran plans to launch satellite into space and inaugurate military projects early February, said Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi.
The projects on are to be inaugurated during the "ten-day dawn ceremony" on February (1-11), marking victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
On November 12, Vahidi announced that three domestically manufactured satellites dubbed Fajr (Dawn), Navid (Promise), and Tolou (Sunrise) will be launched during the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 19.
Iran launched the first domestically-built research satellite "Omid" in 2008 which has successfully orbited the earth 23 times since it was launched into space.
Omid is a research satellite that has been designed for gathering information and testing equipment.
Omid is the third Iranian-made satellite to be sent into space. Russia launched Iran's first satellite in 2005. Three years later, another satellite, which had been jointly designed by Iran, China and Thailand, was also sent into orbit.
The Iranian aerospace achievement comes as the country has been subject to sanctions for nearly 30 years. The sanctions have cut Iran's access to many goods, including spare parts for passenger planes.
End Item
South Africa's TopTV Fights to Broadcast Porn
From http://newswire.xbiz.com/view.php?id=143193
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South African satellite TV provider, TopTV is fighting for its right to broadcast porn.
According to reports, TopTV’s parent company On-Digital Media (Pty) Ltd (ODM) is facing a block by regulator Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in its effort to launch softcore Playboy Europe and hardcore Adult XXX and Private Spice programming on its newest bouquet.
The channel is defending its right to move forward with its ICASA application today in the South Gauteng High Court that will decide whether South African viewers will be able to subscribe to porn channels for the first time ever.
This is the second ICASA challenge against TopTV — the first was launched on Dec. 20 after ODM indicated it would launch its channels despite ICASA’s green light.
At that time ICASA backed down after ODM pushed back its launch date from Dec. 20 to Jan. 20.
TopTV is claiming that it’s complying with ICASA Subscription Broadcasting Services Regulations, which have been in effect since 2006. It states that the regulator has to issue a certificate authorizing or refusing to authorize applications for additional channels within 60 days from the date of application.
South Africa’s BusinessDay reported that in its affidavit, ODM argues that it had made its application on Sept. 13 last year and that the regulatory 60 days had lapsed on Nov. 13.
But ICASA is disputing TopTV’s claim and said the broadcaster has no right to launch the new channels until it has finalized its process, which is still under way.
ICASA is holding public hearing next week and hopes to make a decision by the end of the month.
Regardless, ODM said it will launch the porn channels, citing cost factors and contractual time stipulations between it and its U.K. adult content provider, Playboy TV UK/Benelux Limited.
The three adult channels will reportedly have a six-to-eight hour schedules that will be repeated to complete a 24-hour cycle.
ODM’s plan has also drawn fire from religious groups, some viewers and the film and publications board.
EC points way to European broadcast rights
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/13/ec-mulls-pan-european-broadcast-rights/
The European Commission is likely to propose collective copyright legislation that could lead to BSkyB and other digital TV operators being forced to make their programmes available to viewers across the EU.
In a January 11th communication to government ministers and the European Parliament on ‘A coherent framework for building trust in the Digital Single Market for e-commerce and online services’, the Commission has suggested there is a need to review the existing copyright law and the implications of the so-called ‘Premier League’ ruling.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled October 4th that there must be a free market in the provision of programme services. The case came about because a UK pub landlady was fined £8,000 after being charged with using a Greek decoder to allow her customers to watch Sky football on Nova for about one-third of what Sky charges for public house subscriptions.
The ECJ – which followed the advice of its Advocate – deemed that national laws which prohibit the import, sale or use of foreign decoder cards are contrary to the freedom to provide services. It said national legislation, which banned the use of overseas decoders, could not “be justified either in light of the objective of protecting intellectual property rights or by the objective of encouraging the public to attend football stadiums”.
“It should be possible for the collective management of copyright to become more European structured, thereby facilitating the issues of licences covering a number of regions,” the Commission said, adding that “European citizens who have moved to another member state should be able to continue to watch their favourite programmes.”
The communication suggested that “Ambitious implementation of the European Strategy for Intellectual Property Rights will foster the development of a richer and more appropriate offer on a European scale. In 2012, the Commission will submit proposals to create a legal framework for the collective management of copyright, with a view to enabling multi-territory and pan-European licensing.”
Selling rights on a pan-European rather than a country-by-country basis would reduce their value and could lead to rights-holders requiring their TV partners to include more copyrighted elements in broadcasts.
The plans are part of a move toward the collective management of copyright in the EU, with the Commission expressing concern that the availability of online music varies from country to country.
15/01/12
Sunday, no update
14/01/12
Saturday, no update
13/01/12
A small update to end the week with.
From my Email
..
From the Dish
BSAT 3C/JCSAT 110R & N-Sat 110 110.5E Almost all channels in Sky PerfecTV! e2 are encrypted again.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4075 V "Pheno TV" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Sarafan（俄罗斯）频道加密，设置12707 V 12400参数有条件接收。[01-13]
东经169度轨道位置的国际5号卫星C频段，探索频道、ESPN（英语）等全组频道改频率，设置3910 H 14648参数有条件接收。[01-13]
东经68.5度轨道位置的国际10号卫星C频段，Smaran TV、My TV（MPEG-4）频道新增，设置3752 V 9300参数免费接收。[01-12]
东经83度轨道位置的印星4A号卫星C频段，BBS 2（不丹）频道新增，设置4100 H 4750参数免费接收。[01-12]
东经83度轨道位置的印星2E号卫星C频段，Smaran TV替换Dharm TV（MPEG-4）频道，设置4081 V 3100参数免费接收。[01-12]
东经144度轨道位置的超鸟C号卫星Ku频段，慈济大爱（宗教）频道新增，设置12718 V 21096参数免费接收。[01-12]
NEWS
NZ river wins best satellite photo award
From http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/nz-river-wins-satellite-photo-award-4685438
A satellite image of a Canterbury Plains river has been dubbed the picture of the year.
DigitalGlobe, the company which captures 270 million square miles of imagery per year, asked its fans to vote for their favourite satellite picture.
Facebook fans of the company, which shoots images are used for Google Maps, chose from 20 of DigitalGlobe's favourite images.
The Rakaia River in the Canterbury Plains won the vote.
'It is one of the largest braided rivers in New Zealand,' says DigitalGlobe.
It rises in the Southern Alps, travelling 150 kilometres in a generally easterly or southeasterly direction before entering the Pacific Ocean 50km south of Christchurch.
The picture of the twisting river beat images of flooding in Australia, Palm Island in Dubai, Ground Zero in New York and protests in Egypt.
The images by DigitalGlobe also includes memorable shots that captured the devastation after last year's tsunami in Japan.
DigitalGlobe's hi-tech satellite network provides imagery for some Nasa projects.
Ken Clark leaves Fiji TV
From http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=1301120353f56522d388ad3663be45
Fiji Television Limited has announced that General Manager International and Chief Executive, MNL Ken Clark has ended his long term service with the company.
Clark joined the company in 1999 as the CEO of Fiji TV until 2005.
During his term as CEO, Fiji TV saw the launch of its Pay TV service - Sky, later Sky Pacific and the acquisition of MNL.
Fiji TV Chairman Isoa Kaloumaira said Clark’s contribution to Fiji TV has been immense and that they are greatly indebted to him for his valuable contribution.
Meanwhile Group CEO Tarun Patel added Ken Clark’s contribution and leadership has been significant.
Measat NEW APPOINTMENTS
From Press Release
Kuala Lumpur, 11 January 2012 – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) is pleased to announce the following two appointments:
Zainudin bin Abdul: Vice President – Satellite Engineering and Operations
In his new role, Zainudin will be responsible for overseeing the management of the fleet of MEASAT satellites.
Zainudin has been with MEASAT since 1993. Since joining the company, he has taken on a number of roles related to the design, implementation and operation of the MEASAT fleet. Prior to his new appointment, Zainudin was MEASAT’s Director for Fleet Planning and Special Projects.
Zainudin holds Bachelor of Science Degrees from St. Louis University, Missouri, U.S.A, in Aerospace Engineering; and in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.
Yau Chyong Lim: Vice President – Business Development and Strategic Planning
In his new role, Yau will be responsible for identifying and developing opportunities for the growth of the business.
Yau has been with MEASAT since 1996. With more than 15 years experience in the satellite communication industry, Yau brings experience in both space and ground segments; video broadcasting and DTH; VSAT and mobile trunking services. Prior to assuming this role, Yau was MEASAT’s Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.
Yau holds an MBA (finance) from Keele University, Staffordshire, UK and a BSc from Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina, USA in Microelectronics & Physics.
MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd.
MEASAT Teleport & Broadcast Centre, 63000 Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Tel: +60 (3) 8213 2188 Fax: +60 (3) 8213 2120
www.measat.com
Contact:
Chan Ming Yang
MEASAT
+60 (3) 8213 2154
mingyang@measat.com
About MEASAT
MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to leading international broadcasters, DTH platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across a fleet of five communications satellites, MEASAT is able to provide satellite services to over 145 countries representing 80% of the world’s population across Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.
The MEASAT fleet includes the state of art MEASAT-3/3a satellites at 91.5°E which support Asia’s premium DTH and video distribution neighborhood. The MEASAT fleet will be further strengthened with the addition of AFRICASAT-1a at 46°E in Q4 2012 and MEASAT-3b at 91.5°E in Q4 2013.
Leveraging facilities at the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre, and working with a select group of world-class partners, MEASAT also provides a complete range of broadcast and telecommunications solutions. Services include standard definition, high definition and 3D video playout, video turnaround, co-location, uplinking, broadband and IP termination services.
For more information, please visit www.measat.com
China Launches Meteorological Satellite Fengyun-II 07
From http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/01/13/53s676052.htm
China successfully launched a meteorological satellite, Fengyun-II 07, with a Chinese Long March 3 carrier rocket Friday morning, January 13, 2012 from southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center. [Photo: Xinhua]
China successfully launched meteorological satellite Fengyun-II 07 at 8:56 a.m. Friday from its southwestern Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
Capable of providing continuous meteorological monitoring and sending maritime and water resource data, the satellite is expected to play an important role in weather forecasting and disaster reduction.
Developed and produced by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the orbiter will collect data for the China Meteorological Administration.
The Long March 3A rocket that was used to carry the satellite into space is a product of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, another CASC subsidiary. Friday's launch marked the 157th Long March rocket launch.
Ziyuan III satellite sends back hi-res images
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Ziyuan_III_satellite_sends_back_hi_res_images_999.html
The Ziyuan III satellite has sent back its first set of visual data days after the orbiter was successfully launched on Jan. 9 to produce high-resolution imagery for civilian use.
According to a statement released Thursday by the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, the administration has made hi-res imagery based on analysis of the data and posted it on tianditu.cn, a map website made by the administration with independent intellectual property rights.
The visual data covered an area of 210,000 square kilometers that included the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian, said the statement.
The image quality produced from this data is even higher than that achieved by overseas satellites with the same resolution, said the statement, adding that ongoing tests on the satellite might further improve its image quality.
The satellite is expected to compete with its foreign counterparts that currently dominate the country's hi-res remote-sensing and mapping market.
According to the center, the satellite is tasked with offering services to aid the country's land-resources surveys, natural-disaster prevention, agriculture development, water-resources management, and urban planning.
The orbiter was developed and produced by the China Academy of Space Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Toxic Russian space probe to crash to Earth
From http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/6251872/Toxic-Russian-space-probe-to-crash-to-Earth
A Russian space probe designed to burnish the nation's faded space glory in a mission to one of Mars' moons has turned into one of the heaviest, most toxic pieces of space junk ever.
It will come crashing down to Earth in just a few days.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos' latest forecast has the unmanned Phobos-Ground probe falling out of Earth's orbit Sunday or Monday, with the median time placing it over the Indian Ocean just north of Madagascar. It said the precise time and place of its uncontrolled plunge can only be determined later, and unless someone actually spots fiery streaks in the sky, no one may ever know where any surviving pieces end up.
Space experts agree it's unlikely to pose big risks.
At 13.2 metric tons (14.6 tons), the Phobos-Ground is one of the largest spacecraft ever to plummet to Earth, considerably larger than the two defunct satellites that fell to Earth last fall and landed in the water.
Roscosmos predicted that only between 20 and 30 fragments of the Phobos probe with a total weight of up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) will survive the re-entry and plummet to Earth.
It's the third satellite to crash out of the sky in under five months: An old NASA 6-ton atmospheric research satellite came tumbling down in September, and a 3-ton German science satellite followed suit in October. But both were well past their prime.
Russia's Phobos-Ground probe is still a mere babe. It was launched in November, and a glitch left it stranded in orbit around Earth instead of bound for Mars to collect soil samples.
"What's different about this re-entry is that it's not a re-entry of an old, inert satellite that just was expected for years. It's something that is coming down because of an accident ... for me, that puts it in a different category," said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass.
Another striking difference is the 11 metric tons (12 tons) of highly toxic rocket fuel aboard Phobos-Ground, accounting for the bulk of its weight for the long journey to the Martian moon of Phobos. This makes it potentially the most toxic spacecraft to fall ever.
Roscosmos insists all the fuel will burn in the atmosphere and pose no danger, and some experts in Russia and the West share that forecast.
And if it's any consolation, both of the two previous uncontrolled satellites harmlessly showered fragments over water.
"The fuel indeed poses lethal danger in case of close contact, but I haven't heard of a single case of any civilians poisoned by rocket fuel from all the derelict satellites and failed rockets throughout the space era," said Igor Lissov, an independent Moscow-based space observer. "The objective reality is that it burns on re-entry. There is no reason to panic."
Some experts theorized, however, that part of the fuel might have frozen in the cold of space and could survive the fiery descent, posing a strong threat if it spills over populated areas. Such fears prompted the United States to shoot down its USA-193 spy satellite with a Navy missile in 2008.
Some botched Russian rocket launches in the past have showered fragments over populated areas in Siberia and neighboring Kazakhstan.
In the latest such mishap, fragments of a Russian satellite that failed to enter a designated orbit after its launch last month came down around Novosibirsk, the third-largest Russian city with a population of about 1.5 million, damaging some houses but hurting no one. The fragments of the Meridian satellite, however, fell from a lower altitude at a far slower speed than the Phobos-Ground debris will have on re-entry.
Engineers from the Moscow-based company NPO Lavochkin, which built the Mars probe, said in an article giving a detailed description of the design that its fuel tanks are made of aluminum alloy. That means they should melt early on re-entry, backing up official assurances that the fuel would burn up on its way down.
McDowell said the probability is low that a large lump of toxic stuff will prove hazardous.
He noted that some of the probe's equipment is dense and could survive re-entry, but added the odds are that any surviving pieces will wind up in the ocean.
"All the best rules in the world" put in place to prevent uncontrolled satellites from crashing down do little if any good in the event of a launch failure, McDowell said. "This is always going to be the risk that something breaks, and you end up with a situation like this. You can minimize it, but you can't prevent it entirely."
The $170-million Phobos-Ground mission was Russia's most expensive and the most ambitious space endeavor since Soviet times. The spacecraft was intended to land on the crater-dented, potato-shaped Martian moon, collect soil samples and fly them back to Earth, giving scientists precious materials that could shed more light on the genesis of the solar system.
The probe was successfully launched Nov. 9 and entered a preliminary orbit where its engines were supposed to fire to set it on its path to Mars. They never did, and attempts to fix the glitch by Russian and European Space Agency experts failed.
Russia's space chief has acknowledged the Phobos-Ground mission was ill-prepared and risks of its failure were high, but said that Roscosmos had to give it the go-ahead so as not to miss the limited Earth-to-Mars launch window.
Phobos-Ground marked Russia's first planned foray beyond Earth's orbit since a botched 1996 robotic mission to Mars. That probe, designed by the same Lavochkin company, crashed shortly after launch due to an engine failure. The firm also built two other Phobos-bound probes that failed in 1988.
The crash of Mars-96 generated strong international fears because of some 200 grams of plutonium onboard. The craft eventually showered its fragments over the Chile-Bolivia border in the Andes Mountains, and the pieces were never recovered.
Russian officials continue to insist the craft plunged into the Pacific, their way of deflecting criticism for not warning the inhabitants of the impact area and for failing to search for plutonium and other debris.
Fears of radiation also were sparked by the fall of a nuclear-powered Soviet spy satellite that crashed over northwestern Canada in January 1978. The Soviets claimed the craft completely burned on re-entry, but a massive recovery effort by Canadian authorities recovered a dozen fragments, most of which were radioactive.
The Phobos-Ground contains a tiny quantity of the radioactive metal Cobalt-57 in one of its instruments, but Roscosmos said it poses no threat of radioactive contamination.
Pay-TV under pressure in Europe
From http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/PayTV_under_pressure_in_Europe.news?ID=29315
LONDON: Pay-TV operators in Europe are due to come under increasing pressure from rivals based in other markets and sectors, while also facing a difficult financial and regulatory climate.
The European pay-TV industry is valued at $36bn per year, and in many cases operators have built a strong position thanks to securing rights to show sports such as football, and high-profile movies.
BSkyB, the British satellite service, has delivered a robust performance despite the downturn, and is the region's largest pay-TV platform. Canal+, in France, also saw revenues rise last year.
In Italy, however, the rivalry between Sky Italia and Mediaset slowed growth for both firms, while Sky Deustchland, in Germany, has found the going hard as cable fees are often included in the rent or service charges paid by apartment block residents.
Al Jazeera, headquartered in Qatar, also spent over €280m to bag the rights for France's top football league and Champions League, and is thought to be competing with RTL's M6 and Bouygue's TF1 to show the UEFA Euro 2012 international tournament.
Claudio Aspesi, an analyst at Bernstein Research, suggested Apple's set-top box might benefit from the trends of consumer loyalty and greater scrutiny on the part of lawmakers.
"Its popularity and potential attractiveness as a distribution channel could drive the owners of rights towards it," he told the Financial Times.
"Moreover, European regulators are increasingly hostile to exclusive contracts and pay-TV companies may find it impossible to keep their most valuable content out of Apple's hands."
Informa, the insights provider, reported that pay-TV's penetration rates stand at 55% in Europe, measured against 90% in the US.
This total reached just 31% in Spain, where Discovery Networks is set to launch a free-to-air station, Discovery Max. It has already successfully followed such an approach with Real Time Italy.
"Where we see opportunities in markets where pay-TV may not be growing, and we can operate without undermining the traditional business, we will look to take advantage of it," Mark Hollinger, Discovery Networks International's president, said.
"There are plenty of forecasts for the year which show ad sales slowing down. A lot will depend on what the resolution is within the Eurozone. We understand the nature of an ad sales model is going to be more cyclical than the dual revenue stream. We're long-term investors in all of this."
Satellite locators to be legal in UK
From http://www.farmersguardian.com/satellite-locators-to-be-legal-in-uk/44107.article
THE news that personal locater beacons (PLBs) can now be legally used throughout the UK has been welcomed by NFU Scotland as a ‘potentially lifesaving tool’ for farmers.
PLBs (known as EPIRBs for sea travel and ELTs for air travel) are already available for use in the aviation and maritime industries as part of the existing licensing and registration regime, regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Department for Transport.
With the change in the law they are expected to be used on land, primarily by those engaged in recreational/outdoor pursuits, but may also be used by lone workers in a variety of different occupations taking them into rural areas.
It is anticipated they will potentially speed up the ability to get help to those in distress in remote or isolated locations, by transmitting unique identification information, providing positional data and sending out a continuous homing transmission.
This will help emergency services to locate casualties and has the potential to remove the need for lengthy arduous and expensive search activity.
An NFUS spokesman said: “The number of farmers working by themselves has undoubtedly increased over the years, and with lone working comes increased safety concerns.
“Farmers and their staff who do work alone, particularly in remote areas with few landmarks, will find PLBs useful both for peace of mind on the average day, and as a potentially lifesaving tool in an emergency.
“Farming is a dangerous industry to work within, with a poor Health and Safety record to date and so we welcome this change in the law which will allow farmers to make use of this existing safety technology.”
The police across the UK are the co-ordinating authority for all land-based search and rescue incidents and they have welcomed the change in the law.
In a joint statement, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Cowie on behalf of Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in Scotland and DCC Ian Shannon on behalf of the ACPO in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said it could potentially help saves lives in the hills across the UK, as well as reducing the risk to rescuers and mountain rescue teams.
“If we can take advantage of today’s technology to help manage and minimise the risk to rescuers and help speed up the whole rescue process, in an emergency, there is no doubt we can save lives that might otherwise be lost.
“It will also help reduce the burden on volunteer rescue teams and searchers across the UK. Satellite coverage is much wider than mobile coverage and we have to take advantage of that.”
PTA plans to rationalise spectrum charging mechanism
From http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C01%5C13%5Cstory_13-1-2012_pg5_6
KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has set $1,300 annual charges for channels on the account of free to air satellite TV communications.
The authority has set annual rates of $1,300 for channels under satellite TV communication Down Link Head, whereas it fixed Rs 10 charges for subscribed satellite TV communication (DTH) for each subscriber of a channel.
In the proposed draft of regulations shall be called “Spectrum Charging Rationali-sation Regulations, 2011,” it intended to rationalise frequency spectrum fees and pricing with the objective of establishing a fair and transparent pricing structure in order to promote uniformity, consistency and efficiency in spectrum management. These regulations will cover services rendered through various modes including Private Land Mobile Wireless Service, Point-to-point Fixed Links in UHF,VHF,HF, Fixed point to point microwave, AM and FM Broadcasting Radio Service, Aeronautical and Maritime Service, Earth Station and TV/MMDS Satellite Communication Services.
PTA explained that Satellite TV service is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an external set-top box or a satellite tuner module built into a TV set.
Broadcasting service means a radio communication service in which live transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public.
12/01/12
Just a small update today
From my Email
..
From the Dish
Intelsat 8 166E 4087 H "BBC World News South Asia" is still on , Fta
Superbird C2 144E 12718 V "Da Ai TV" has started on , Fta
Insat 2E 83E 4081 V "India News Bihar-Jharkhand" has left .
Insat 4A 83E 4100 H "BBS 2" has started on , Fta.
Insat 4CR 74E Minor updates in Airtel.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3752 V "Smaran TV and My TV" have started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3926 H Lights Asia is Fta.
Paksat 1 Paksat 1 has left 38 East, moving west.
Paksat 1R 38E 3992 H "VSH News" has started on , Fta.
From asiatvro site
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NEWS
Foxtel coming to Samsung smart TVs in April
From http://www.techguide.com.au/menu-news-by-categories/televisions/845-foxtel-coming-to-samsung-smart-tvs-in-april
Samsung smart TV owners will be able to watch a package of Foxtel channels streamed directly to their screens from April, it was revealed to Tech Guide today.
There will be no need for a set top box or console to view the Foxtel channels which will be accessed directly from the Samsung smart TV.
Samsung also said it would welcome the rumoured Apple smart TV into the marketplace and sees it "as a very positive thing."
Samsung Australia director of audio visual Phil Newton said the addition of Foxtel will only strengthen the company’s content offerings which contributes a big part of the smart TV picture.
Samsung’s smart TVs will have a unified application that will give viewers access to a range of programs and services.
“The unified application will have your free to air TV, your Bigpond TV channels which are currently only available on T-Box, your VOD (video on demand) services – both our own 3D plus the others like Bigpond movies or Quikflix,” Newton said.
“And in April we’ll be adding selected Foxtel channels as well down the pipe and into our TV.”
The Foxtel channels will be streamed directly to the Samsung TV using the home’s internet connection.
Newton said the number of channels offered to Samsung smart TV users has yet to be finalised.
It is unknown whether viewers will be able to record the signal.
Foxtel channel packages are already available on other devices besides Foxtel’s own set top boxes through Telstra’s T-Box users as well as Xbox 360 console owners. These are both streaming packages which do not allow recording.
Turning the subject to the prospect of competing against Apple in the TV market, Newton said he wasn’t fazed by it.
“I don’t think they’ve made up their mind whether they (Apple) are or they aren’t – if they have we don’t know - but irrespective whether they release or not doesn't really bother us,” he said.
There is been a bitter rivalry in recent months between Apple and Samsung following a court battle between the two companies over Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 and its alleged patent infringements.
Apple court bid to ban the product in Australia failed when a judge overturned a temporary injunction in December.
“If they do go to market we see it as a very positive thing that will drive the awareness to that particular market space to learn and be educated more on what smart TVs are all about,” Newton said.
“It provides a tremendous opportunity for us as leaders in the space with the technology today and the leading edge technology today and will continue to develop way ahead of any other brand.”
Apple changed the smartphone and tablet landscape when they introduced the iPhone and iPad respectively.
But Newton said it would be a completely different story if Apple introduced a smart TV.
“They had a headstart (with the iPhone and iPad) but it is completely opposite in this case,” he said.
“The technology that we bring to market in our TVs, particularly the smart TVs is all manufactured, all the components is made by ourselves.
“We don’t outsource that – it’s all in-house technology.
“If a major brand, whoever it is, comes along in the smart TV and wants to spruik it so much the better for us.”
Apple TV rumours have been gaining momentum in recent weeks and was even referred to as a dream product by late CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs in his biography written by Walter Isaacson.
Jobs said he dreamed of creating an "integrated television set that is completely easy to use”.
The Samsung Super OLED TV being unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show this week
“It would be seamlessly synched with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it,” Jobs said in his biography.
Samsung released a range new smart TVs at the Consumer Electronics Show including a LED TV powered by a dual processor and micro-dimming technology and a 55-inch Super OLED TV which is just millimetres thick.
The 55-inch Super OLED TV – expected to be 40 to 50 per cent more expensive than a similar sized LED TV – will arrive in Australia in September.
Chinese TV launches English-language Africa broadcast
From http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2012/01/chinese-tv-launches-english-language-africa-broadcast/
NAIROBI, Jan 12 – China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday started broadcasting English-language African news produced at a centre in Kenya’s capital.
It is the first time state-run CCTV News has set up a production centre outside of China and about 100 people are employed there.
The channel’s first daily, hour-long African broadcast was transmitted at 1700 GMT. It included reports from around Africa as well as content from outside partners, including AFP.
Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and various ministers attended a launch ceremony.
Musyoka called on CCTV to “cast a new image of the continent” because Africa “is often shown as the continent of endless calamities.”
CCTV-News, an international part of the China Central Television group, is mainly broadcast on DStv, Africa’s main satellite provider.
Nairobi also is home to the African office for China’s state news agency Xinhua.
Celestial Tiger Entertainment Taps Todd Miller as President, COO
From http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/celestial-tiger-entertainment-taps-todd-miller-president-coo-34302
Todd Miller has been tapped to lead Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE), the Asian media company launched last month by Celestial Pictures Limited, Saban Capital Group and Lionsgate.
Miller will serve as president and chief operating officer, the joint venture's backers announced Wednesday.
“Todd's experience, achievements and relationships in Asia and beyond is exactly the leadership we are looking for to help realize our goals for Celestial Tiger Entertainment,” Adam Chesnoff, president and chief operating officer of Saban Capital Group and chairman of CTE's board, said in a statement.
The company, which boasts a $30 million investment from Saban, also announced the members of its Board of Directors, a group that includes Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate's co-chairman and chief executive officer, and Saban Capital Group director Sumeet Jaisinghani.
The new entity will operate as an independent Asian media company, expanding into production and multi-platform distribution in the coming months. Lionsgate and Celestial will provide much of the content.
In Miller, CTE has found an executive with extensive experience in the burgeoning Asian market. He joins CTE on the heels of a 17-year stint in Asia at Sony Pictures Television where he served most recently as executive vice president, networks, Asia-Pacific.
At Sony, Miller oversaw and managed Sony’s television networks and channel investments across the region and handled the licensing and local production businesses.
In addition to Miller, CTE rolled out the members of the company's senior management. Ed Stansfield will serve as chief financial officer and senior vice president, business development. He previously created and operated two video on demand TV networks.
Ofanny Choi has been promoted to executive vice president, TV networks, and will lead CTE’s programming, acquisitions, marketing, operations and distribution. Choi has previously managed and operated Chinese channels at both Celestial Pictures and Star TV.
Wendy Reeds has been tapped as executive vice president, content sales and distribution. Reeds joins CTE from Lionsgate’s international home entertainment sales division.
CTE also announced the appointment of its board of directors with representatives from Saban Capital Group, Celestial Pictures and Lionsgate. In addition to Feltheimer and Jaisinghani, the board will consist of Ralph Marshall, executive deputy chairman and group chief executive officer of Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd; Ross Pollack, chief executive officer of Celestial Pictures Limited; and Niveen Tadros, executive vice president and general counsel of Saban Capital Group.
In addition, the company announced today that founding partner and chief executive officer of Tiger Gate Entertainment William Pfeiffer will assume a senior advisory role to the management team of CTE.
JAXA's ocean-observing satellite 'Shizuku' unveiled to media
From http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120111p2a00m0na014000c.html
A satellite developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to observe ocean temperatures and water distribution in soil from orbit was unveiled to the media on Jan. 10 at a space technology facility in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Currently, compared to water on land, observations of the ocean are less thorough. Furthermore, observations of water vapor in the atmosphere are considered important for understanding global warming. JAXA also holds that the new satellite, called "Shizuku," will help in preparing against torrential rain and drought.
The Shizuku, as shown to the media, is around 4.7 meters tall and covered with a gold macromolecule sheet to prevent damage from solar energy. The satellite will orbit the Earth 14 times a day at around 700 kilometers above ground level, detecting microwaves emitted by water with its antenna. It will collect eight types of data, including amounts of water vapor, rainfall and snowfall.
The Shizuku is scheduled to be launched by a H2A Rocket in April or later.
Arirang Radio to Go On Air in U.S.
From http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/01/11/2012011101582.html
Korean English-language radio station Arirang Radio, operated by Arirang TV, will start airing programs through SiriusXM Radio in the U.S. on Thursday. SiriusXM is a subscription satellite radio station with over 200 channels and 22.5 million subscribers.
Seven Arirang Radio programs will be aired on channel 144 for 11 hours a day.
Arirang TV CEO Sohn Jie-ae (49) said it is the first Asian channel on an American radio station. "As soon as I heard that SiriusXM will launch a service called 'Korea Today,' I tried to get Arirang Radio's programs broadcast there," she said.
She said when she was the Seoul bureau chief for CNN, she felt it was a pity that Americans knew so little about the country. "Americans didn't know much about Korea. When they thought of Korea, the first thing that came to mind was North Korea, and when the North was quiet, we didn't have much to write about. I thought that was a pity since the country boasts advanced technology and there is a lot of noteworthy culture."
Arirang Radio makes programs about anything from Korean classical music to travel and K-pop. Sohn wants to focus on introducing Korean classical music, popular culture and good places to visit and improving the image of Korean products.
"At first I wasn't sure it would succeed. But we are seeing encouraging potential since we are already getting many requests to play a lot of K-pop," she said. "We will work hard to make the channel popular."
Arirang Radio will also make the most of popular websites like YouTube and Facebook to promote its programs as a window on Korea and bring out a smartphone app "so everyone can easily watch and listen to Arirang's programs overseas," she added.
Multi-choice blocks Magic Box
From http://www.gazettebw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12154:multi-choice-blocks-magic-box&catid=13:business&Itemid=2
Pirating decoders been selling fast in Chinese shops
A new free to air satellite decoder that pirates and broadcasts Multichoice’s DSTV channels hit the local market late in 2011. But by last Saturday, the pay channel had made true its threat to block this new decoder known as Magic Box.
The Magic Box, which has been availed by several Chinese stores at the Oriental Plaza and in other parts of Gaborone, is said to intercept the satellite signal provided to genuine Multi Choice subscribers. “We use two dishes to get (intercept) the signal through to this decoder and you can watch all the channels (DSTV) for free no more subscribing” said an excited Chinese store keeper selling the decoder. He further said the decoders are varied and have a lot of features that will revolutionise television viewing. “You can get internet for free,” he said of another feature within the Magic Box.
The storekeeper was adamant that they are not breaking any laws or crossing any boundaries. “This is just like Philibao (a similar popular decoder pirating SABC channels),” he justified.
However, an irate Billy Sekgororoane, General Manager for Multichoice Botswana was neither impressed nor amused by this new development threatening the company’s core business.
“We are very much aware of these new decoders, we have actually been following it for sometime now, just that recently there has been a lot of hype about it on radio and social media but it has been around for sometime,” Sekgororoane lamented. The Multichoice GM said the problem is not just in Botswana, but rather an African problem as the decoders have been paddle in other parts of Africa.
“What these people are doing is simply using what is known as ‘Codeword Sharing’, using two dishes to intercept our signal,” he explained, adding that, “I can however reassure you we have good anti piracy measures in place as we cannot sit back and let these things pirate our service, so they will go off air very soon, ” he stated.
True to his word, according to the Chinese shopkeeper the decoders were off line by Saturday afternoon.
Before they acted, Sekgoroane told Gazette Business on Friday that, “it is regrettable for the government to be turning a blind eye to blatant criminality taking place in the country.
Even with the Philibao which have been around for some time, this is not right and government officials should act on them as it is bad for our economy, we cannot let Botswana become a broadcast piracy hub.”
According to a government official who preferred anonymity, should Multichoice have been registered with the National Broadcasting Board (NBB), they would have been protected from such piracy by the law. However, Multichoice fought and won against the NBB’s intention to regulate the pay channel, arguing that they were a service provider not a broadcaster.
However, Sekgororoane rebuffed this assertion, saying “we did not agree with the terms of the licensing that is why we rejected it.”
Multichoice is pinning its hope on the Communications Regulatory Authority Bill of 2011 which is before Parliament. If passed, the law will bring telecommunications broadcasting and postal services under one regulator.
Sekgororoane’s hope in the draft law is that it will protect service providers against pirating.
History TV18 launches in Gujarati
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan77.php
MUMBAI: Factual entertainment channel History TV18 has announced the launch of its Gujarati feed.
History TV18 is the first international channel to launch in Gujarati. With this launch, it is also the only factual entertainment channel to be available in an unprecedented seven languages – Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi and English.
All the programmes and the fixed programme chart (FPC) schedule will remain identical in all the language feeds.
Viewers using digital platforms will be able to choose their preferred language through the remote control.
A+E Networks TV18 president Ajay Chacko said, “Our objective is to grow the genre and make it a relatively main stream alternative for viewers in the near future. With this objective in mind, we intend to make the channel available in every Indian language possible and entertain audiences all across India.”
A+E Networks | TV18 JV VP. programming Sudheer KG said, “As Indian audiences mature and seek out more international content in their own languages, there is no better a time than now to launch our Gujarati feed. The incredible level of aspirations of people speaking that language and a large youth population make it all the more appealing and lucrative. We have taken care to ensure that the translation retains a certain local flavor, making the channel more accessible and relatable."
Gujarat is an important market for factual entertainment after Mumbai and Delhi contributing as much as seven per cent to the genre in 1 Mn+ towns, according to estimates.
History TV18 said it has been a strong player here with the highest viewership in 0.1-1Mn market cluster and also highest time spent per viewer in 1Mn+ market cluster. Through this initiative, the channel hopes to strengthen its position.
DD ups carriage fee, earns Rs 736 mn from e-auction of 29 slots
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan88.php
NEW DELHI: Doordarshan has earned revenue of Rs 736.1 million from the e-auction of 29 slots to private broadcasters on the country’s only free-to-air direct-to-home (DTH) platform, DD Direct Plus.
This is over three times per slot DD charged broadcasters for being carried on DD Direct Plus, going up from Rs 8 million last time to Rs 25.35 million. The amount generated before migrating to the e-auction mechanism six months earlier had stood at Rs 168 million from 21 television channels.
The public broadcaster is now expected to put on auction another 87 slots within the next few months as it increases its capacity from 59 to 150 channels.
DD sources told indiantelevision.com that the pubcaster hoped to make around Rs three billion before 31 March 2012.
Prasar Bharati has conducted the e-auctions in two batches with participation from over 45 private media companies.
In the first leg of auctions, the minimum reserve price per slot was Rs 15 million which was raised to Rs 21.7 million, the lowest successful bid in the first e-auction. Even after the substantial hike in the minimum reserve price in the second-leg of e-auctions, as many as eight broadcasters showed up, of which five become successful.
The highest slot price in the second set of auctions stood at Rs 35 million, 55 per cent higher than the previous highest of Rs 22.5 million that the first auction had fetched in July-end.
In both the e-auctions, the lowest successful bids were 42-44 per cent more than the minimum reserve price while the highest bids on both occasions were 50-55 per cent above the minimum reserve price.
The e-auction was adopted after some private channels challenged the decision of Prasar Bharati last year to remove them without assigning valid and acceptable reasons. The Court then asked the public broadcaster to adopt a transparent system for allocation of slots.
This is the second time that e-auction has worked to the advantage of the national exchequer, the first being 3G and BWA auctions which brought in record revenue. It has now been decided to consider adoption of the e-auction model for programming of slots on Doordarshan as well.
The e-auctions were conducted by NCDEX Spot, Mumbai, an online trading firm. All channels, which had applied for slots or whose agreements were expiring on 30 June 2011, had been asked to participate in the e-auction by depositing a bank guarantee of Rs 15 million.
11/01/12
Intelsat 5 4053 H Sr 4000 "ATP Tennis"
Palapa D SkyNindo channels are FTA
From my Email
From Jonc (Jsat.tv Thailand)
Tennis: Stanley Street - Auckland - ATP World Tour (IS5)
11 new Ku band channels have started (IS8)
LCUP iCA - feed (IS8)
MBN HD has started (IS8)
BBC South Asia 62 has started (IS8)
16 new "G" channels have started in MP4(Telstar 18)
EBC has started (Telstar 18)
2012 AAMI Classic (Tennis) (AS5)
examples
Telstar 18 138E FREQ: 3607 POL: V SR: 17500 VDO: HD / MP4 free to view AUD: DTS and MP1
16 new "G" channels have started in MP4 - shopping channels
Telstar 18 138E FREQ: 3733 POL: H SR: 2222 VDO: NTSC free to view
"GMA DAVAO"
Telstar 18 138E FREQ: 4155 POL: V SR: 5828 VDO: Free to view NTSC
"EBC"
Intelsat 8 166E FREQ: 3967 POL: H SR: 2959 VDO: Free to view
MBN HD (Korean)
Intelsat 8 166E FREQ: 3704 POL: V SR: 3000 VDO: Free to view
LCUP iCA - feed
See all the details and more at;
http://www.thaisatellite.tv/home/latest.html
Or on our Toolbar;
https://s3.amazonaws.com/com.alexa.toolbar/atbp/ET4jZ1/download/index.htm
Or on our Facebook pages:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000322923548
Or on our Twitter page;
http://www.twitter.com/jsattv
Happy feed hunting
From the Dish
Intelsat 18 180E 11155 H "Polynésie 1ère" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Amos 5i Amos 5i has arrived at 120 East.
Apstar 2R 76.5E 3747 V "Mad World" has left .
From asiatvro site
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东经115.5度轨道位置的中星6B号卫星C频段，快乐购物（鼎视传媒）频道加密，设置3640 V 27500参数有条件接收。[01-10]
东经115.5度轨道位置的中星6B号卫星C频段，优购物、时尚购（鼎视传媒）等频道加密，设置3680 V 27500参数有条件接收。[01-10]
NEWS
Regional TV channels may be next to face axe
From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10777896
Regional channels could be the next victims of the Government's increasingly commercially focused broadcasting policy that favours pay TV.
Campaigners for public service television say the extra transmission charges due when local TV goes digital will force some regional channels off air.
On December 23 state-owned transmission company Kordia pulled the plug on public TV channel Stratos, ending four years on air and a long-running negotiation about its charges.
TVNZ canned 6 in March last year and from June TVNZ 7 is being turned into a shopping channel run by ad agency Ogilvy.
The Government is refusing to back public television beyond Maori TV and New Zealand On Air.
Unlike TVNZ 6 and 7, Stratos was privately owned.
Closure means the loss of some quality news programmes from the English-language service of Al Jazeera and the PBS News Hour, though some content will continue on Triangle, a sister channel to Stratos covering the Auckland region.
Beyond the transmission costs with Kordia, other commercial factors were at play in the demise of Stratos.
Part-owner and chief executive Jim Blackman said it had never made a profit.
He said advertiser support lagged behind growing viewership because the advertising industry had never got its head around cumulative ratings figures.
In the end he and the other directors of the privately owned public channel could not make ends meet .
But the transmission charges from Kordia were the biggest cost.
Kordia says it is in talks with other channels to take over the digital frequencies, and Stratos is looking at ways it can return.
But it is unlikely Stratos or other non-commercial channels will be able to afford it.
Blackman and public television promoter David Beatson, who has worked with regional channels to develop Stratos as the foundation for regional services, both warned there were troubled times ahead for regional television.
Auckland regional channel Triangle also faces a battle to afford extra transmission charges after the digital switchover.
Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss said the Government was not responsible for Stratos going off air and had no obligations to keep up TVNZ 6 and TVNZ 7 after five years of funding ends in June.
Stratos going off air was over a commercial relationship with Kordia, not because of government policy, Foss said.
As part of the digital switchover, regional channels will lose access to free frequencies and have to pay Kordia for digital ones.
Foss rejected a suggestion the Government was leaving 18 regional channels high and dry over the digital switchover, saying it had given about $70,000 to each of them to deal with the transition.
But regional TV promoters say this is nowhere near enough for a sector that already runs on a shoestring.
Blackman said that Stratos had an operational budget of just $1.25 million - a small proportion of the amount taxpayers paid for commercial series such as Outrageous Fortune.
OFF AIR
*TVNZ 6 was scrapped last year and TVNZ 7 will go in June.
*Stratos TV was axed because state transmission company Kordia charged so much.
*More community TV channels face closure to meet growing transmission charges
AXN ranked India's top English general entertainment channel in 2011 news
From http://www.domain-b.com/brand_dossier/media/20120110_entertainment.html
24 hour cable and satellite TV channel AXN has topped viewership charts in India to emerge the top English general entertainment (GE) channel of 2011.
AXN, powered by Sony Pictures Television, took the top spot in both ratings and reach among CS (cable & satellite) 4+, the advertisers' core target audience of CS SEC (socio-economic class) AB 4+, and India's elite CS SEC A 4+ audiences across India.
On the national level, AXN reached a total of 115 million viewers in India last year, of which, 21 million were CS SEC A viewers, which is 23 per cent more than the next English GE channel (Source: TAM Media Research, 1 January – 31 December 2011).
''We are proud to be the top rated English GE channel in 2011 within an increasingly competitive marketplace. We thank Indian audiences for making AXN their favorite once more. We are already working on delivering an even better viewing experience to create a more thrilling AXN in 2012,'' said Ricky Ow, senior vice president and general manager, Networks, Asia Sony Pictures Television.
Launched in 1998 in India, AXN is is targetted among upscale, affluent adults aged 18-44. The channel delivers four distinctive types of programming which includes the latest global hit series, action movie blockbusters, latest seasons of adventure-reality and lifestyle sports programs and innovative AXN original productions.
Dish intros ‘hopper’
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/10/dish-intros-hopper/
EchoStar-backed Dish Network used the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show to issue a slew of press releases for new products. First up, and an indication of the broadcaster’s future, it has dropped the ‘Network’ bit from its name. It is now just ‘Dish’.
So, Dish has boosted the size, capacity and functionality of its latest set-top boxes. Rural users who want to sign up to its satellite-delivered broadband service can now get “up to” a 12 Mbps downlink, and upload speed of 3Mbps all for $80 per month
The ‘Hopper’ portion of the package supplies a new PVR which can record or view six shows at once. Dish CEO Joe Clayton carried a young kangaroo onto the CES stage to tie in with the products name, which has the ability to serve a matching number of ‘Joey’ devices in individual rooms with their own channels.
Iran accused of jamming Al-Jazeera broadcasts
From http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20120111115411
DUBAI — Iran is jamming broadcasts by Qatar-based news channel Al-Jazeera, satellite operator Arabsat said in a statement Tuesday.
“Al-Jazeera is affected... from two different locations in Iran,” near Tehran and near the northwestern city of Maragheh, it said, adding that the cause was located at the request of the pan-Arab news channel.
The satellite television on Sunday announced a new frequency for Arabsat viewers due to “continued interference.”
“Over the past few months, Al-Jazeera has faced sustained interference to our satellite transmissions,” it said in a statement. “These occurrences will only strengthen our commitment to continue providing our award-winning coverage across the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said the broadcaster.
The influential channel has been criticised by many Arab governments for its coverage of the anti-regime uprisings which have swept the region since the start of 2011.
PTV to start Sports Channel from Wednesday
From http://app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=174321&Itemid=2
ISLAMABAD, Jan 14 (APP): Pakistan Television will add another feather to its cap on Wednesday when it will launch its Sports Channel to provide sports news and international events for Pakistani viewers.The PTV which started its journey from Lahore on November 26 in 1964 has grown to a number of channels that include its terrestrial channel PTV Home, PTV News, PTV Bolan,, PTV National, PTV Global and AJK TV for viewers of Kashmir. Sports Channel being started on January 11, 2011 will be the latest development in this success story.
Managing Director Pakistan Television Yousuf Baig Mirza while giving details on Tuesday said the launch of sports channel will assist Pakistan to promote regional sports and provide latest news and live coverage of international sports competitions to the Pakistani viewers.
Yousuf Baig Mirza said the Sports Channel will also encourage Pakistani youth towards healthy activities.He said all international and national tournaments, matches of cricket, hockey and other sports would be telecast on the channel which will be through satellite and its signals will also be available to a large number of viewers through PTV terrestrial channels.
Mirza said, “PTV sports channel already has the broadcasting rights of many sporting events.”
Recently Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while addressing ceremony for the regularization of about 500 temporary employees of the PTV congratulated PTV management for facing the challenges despite global recession and showing a positive fiscal performance and meeting all its expenditures from its resources.
Isro ex-chief ‘Devas’tated
From http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/isro-ex-chief-‘devas’tated-642
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s efforts to get to the bottom of the controversial contract between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Pvt Ltd on allocation of S-band spectrum has run into fresh controversy after those reportedly held guilty of wrong-doing by a committee headed by former CVC Pratyush Sinha picked holes in the report and complained the probe was conducted in haste.
The most prominent among them, Gopalan Madhavan Nair, former chairman of Isro, regarded as India’s ‘Moon-man’ said in his letter to the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth that no-one was given an opportunity to face the committee and present their case.
Senior bureaucrat and additional secretary of department of space (DOS), Dr Raghunandan Nadadur, who exited the service, distraught at being named by the committee was a member of the probe team.
But he discovered that he was being held responsible for forwarding a report on the contract during his previous posting as joint secretary, DOS.
Dr K.N. Shankara, former director of Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, who led a group constituted by Isro to evaluate the contract, has also been reportedly named.
Antrix: No space for justice
Technocrats and bureaucrats reportedly named by the Pratyush Sinha Committee, which probed the controversial Antrix-Devas contract on allotment of S-band spectrum, are shocked that basic principles of natural justice were not followed by the high-level team (HLT) during its inquiry.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, they said that the committee reportedly drew up its conclusions on the basis of written replies from them and notes made on files connected with the contract.
Though they made frantic efforts to meet the committee and present facts and figures in person, none got an opportunity to do so.
“We were told to answer a set of questions and return them to the high-level team. We were never called to depose before the committee. The previous committee (B.K. Chaturvedi and Prof. Roddam Narasimha) not only gave us a chance to explain the whole issue in person but also sent us copies of our statements for verification,” they said.
They said Dr Raghunandan Nadadur, additional secretary, department of space (DOS), had every reason to be miffed and therefore opted for voluntary retirement. Though he was a member of the high-level team he was treated shabbily.
A letter seeking his explanation about procedures followed by during his previous tenure as joint secretary, DOS, was handed over to at the airport when he returned from an overseas visit.
The committee reportedly demanded an explanation and subsequently nailed him for forwarding a report submitted by a panel constituted to evaluate the contract.
“The panel headed by Dr K.N. Shankara met 18 times, but Dr Nadadur did not attend a single session. The committee has reportedly named him in its report. He took the decision to exit when he found no support forthcoming from the top-brass at Isro,” they added.
They said the Union government has acted on complaints against the Sinha committee by seeking clarifications from the department of space.
“Almost all of us (named by the probe committee) are retired, so we don’t know the likely course of action by the government,” they added.
Though Antrix Corporation signed the $ 300 million contract with Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. for S-band spectrum in GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A, both the satellites are on the assembly-line at Isro’s Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru.
10/01/12
Live chat 9 p.m NZ and 8.30pm Syd time onwards in the chatroom
Mac TV (Taiwan) has confirmed for NZ viewers that they have shifted from Intelsat 8 KU to Asiasat 4 KU. For Viewers in Asia they have moved from Superbird to Jcsat3a (128E)
From my Email
From Chris
D2 12407 V 30000 all unencrypted Sky 1-10: All are Australian TAB racing channels with Sky 10 explaining the purpose is to allow (commercial) users to establish if their current equipment will receive the upgraded digital MPEG4 signal.
Viewing location: Auckland
Dish size: 90cm
Chris
(Craig's comment, now encrypted again)
From the Dish
BSAT 3C/JCSAT 110R & N-Sat 110 Almost all channels in Sky PerfecTV! e2 are Fta.
Measat 3 91.5E 4120 V "Travel Channel HD Asia" has started on , MPEG-4, HD, Irdeto.
Insat 2E 83E 3800 V "Polimer" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3803 V "Captain TV" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3974 V "TV 1, TV 9 Gujarat, TV 9 Maharashtra and News 9" have left .
Insat 2E 83E 4070 V "DD National" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 4091 V "Munsif TV, HMTV, INews, Lakshyya TV and Sarthak TV" have left .
Insat 2E 83E 4100 V "News Live, Rang and Ramdhenu" have left .
Thaicom 5 78.5E "Filmazia and TV Shop have replaced Punjab TV and Filmax" on 3960 V and 4057 V, Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 4170 V "Warner TV Asia and Nick Jr Asia" have started on , BISS. Japan Korea Network has left.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3926 H "Lights Asia" has started on , Director.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4012 H "News Time Assam" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
From asiatvro site
东经78.5度轨道位置的泰星5号卫星C频段，E24（MPEG-4）频道新增，设置3444 V 1748参数免费接收。[01-10]
东经132度轨道位置的越南1号卫星Ku频段，HTVC Thuan Viet（越南）等全组频道改频率，设置11121 H 13333参数免费接收。[01-10]
东经88度轨道位置的中新2号卫星Ku频段，公视、行动电视（台湾）等频道新增，设置11633 H 30000参数有条件接收。[01-10]
东经88度轨道位置的中新2号卫星Ku频段，台视财经、台视综合（台湾）频道新增，设置11668 H 30000参数免费接收。[01-10]
东经75度轨道位置的ABS-1号卫星Ku频段，Mat i Ditya（俄罗斯）频道解密，设置12670 V 22000参数免费接收。[01-09]
东经108.2度轨道位置的新天11号卫星Ku频段，非凡新闻（传送）频道消失，设置12653 V 3190参数扌Ы邮铡?/a>[01-09]
NEWS
Freudenstein to speak at ASTRA Conference
From http://www.encoremagazine.com.au/freudenstein-to-speak-at-astra-conference-12182
Richard Freudenstein will deliver his first address to the subscription TV industry as Foxtel CEO at the ASTRA (Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association) 2012 Conference, it was announced today.
The newly appointed CEO will deliver the Foxtel platform update and share his perspective on the media landscape in relation to the conference theme, ‘driving change’ which will look at the changes in the media environment and convergence.
Petra Buchanan, CEO of ASTRA said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Richard Freudenstein to the ASTRA 2012 Conference line up which also includes keynote speaker Jeff Shell, President of NBCUniversal International. There is dramatic change occurring in the media landscape, presenting both complexities and opportunities for sector participants, and the calibre of both local and global speakers at the conference will inspire discussion and debate around this topic.”
The ASTRA conference will be held on 22 March at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Freudenstein replaced Kim Williams in November last year.
Town on wheels is going digital
From http://au.news.yahoo.com/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/12549182/town-on-wheels-is-going-digital/
"Population drift" is fast becoming an enviable lifestyle especially for members of what is the equivalent of a New Zealand town on wheels.
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association has over 40,000 plus individual members equivalent in population numbers to the Kapiti Coast or Whanganui.While enjoying the motor caravanner lifestyle members are also increasingly benefiting from on board mobile technology such as digital television.
For West Coast NZMCA members the Pugh family; Sharon, young Harry, Michael and their dog Coco, Going Digital has meant they are now enjoying better pictures; more channels and new services such as electronic program guides virtually anywhere in New Zealand by using a satellite dish and set top box.
While some areas offer a terrestrial or satellite service, satellite reception is available virtually anywhere in NZ.
"Going Digital does not mean changing the current TV in your motorhome. Virtually any older TV can go digital with the addition of a set top box and the appropriate aerial for the area you are travelling through or staying in for a while," said Going Digital General Manager Greg Harford.
"But getting away from it all should now include plans to go digital as for example it is now less than nine months before the West Coast and Hawkes Bay cease analogue TV transmission.
"These two regions will lead the country as they go digital first on Sunday 30 September 2012, with the rest of New Zealand progressively digital by December 2013. The New Year is a perfect time to go digital in your motorhome or caravan before the phased roll out of digital television gets underway."
For more information about going digital at home or on the road go online at http://www.goingdigital.co.nz/ or phone the Going Digital freephone on 0800 838 800.
Raj TV Network’s 11 Channels Join AsiaSat 5
From Press Release
Hong Kong, 9 January 2012 – Asia's leading satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is pleased to announce that Raj Television Network of India has signed a lease agreement for C-band capacity on AsiaSat 5 to broadcast a TV bouquet of 11 satellite channels in the Asia-Pacific region.
Raj Television Network's comprehensive channel offerings on AsiaSat 5 include its flagship Tamil entertainment channel Raj TV Tamil movie channelRaj Digital Plus; Telugu entertainment channel „Vissa Hindi entertainment channel Raj Pariwar; music channels in South Indian languages Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu; and news channels in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. Raj has plans to launch a Kannada-language news channel and HD channels in the future.
“AsiaSat has an excellent reputation for quality service and superior penetration. Our new partnership with AsiaSat will further consolidate our market leadership position in South India entertainment and enable us to grow our business regionally. AsiaSat 5 offers unprecedented access to all major cable headends and DTH platforms in India and numerous pay TV operators across the region, it is the right choice for us to expand our audience base in southern India and nationally as well as in international markets,” said Dr. Ravindran M, Director of Raj Television Network.
“Raj Television Network is a leading brand in southern India. We are pleased that Raj's exciting range of TV programming has commenced broadcasting on AsiaSat 5. Raj's diverse offerings in news, music and entertainment content have further enhanced AsiaSat 5's capability in delivering high quality programming to audiences in India and to the South Asian community across the region,” said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.
Raj TV Network's 11 channels are now available on AsiaSat 5 in C-band with the following reception parameters:
Orbital Location : 100.5 degrees East
Transponder : C1H
Frequency : 3643 MHz
Polarisation : Horizontal
Modulation : QPSK
Symbol Rate : 18.8085 Msym/sec
FEC : 3/4
# # #
About Raj Television Network
The Raj Television Network was started in 1994 in Chennai, India with the launch of its first Indian 24 hours entertainment channel. Positioned itself as The People's Channel, the Network presents to its viewers a broad range of programming content on entertainment, news and music in multilingual Indian languages that appeal to people of all age, and of all backgrounds. Raj group of channels are one of the leading channels among competitive channels in India. Rajtv presents best of the program in south regional ahead. For more information, please visit www.rajtvnet.in
About AsiaSat 5
AsiaSat 5 is a Space Systems/Loral's 1300 satellite launched in August 2009 and replaced AsiaSat 2 at the orbital location of 100.5 degrees East. AsiaSat 5 carries 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders, and has a design life of 15 years. Its powerful C-band footprint covers over 50 countries and regions spanning from Russia to New Zealand and from Japan to the Middle East and parts of Africa. The Ku-band coverage consists of two high powered fixed beams serving East Asia and South Asia, as well as a steerable beam currently positioned over Indochina.
About AsiaSat
AsiaSat, the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world's population with its four satellites, AsiaSat 3S at 105.5ºE, AsiaSat 4 at 122ºE, AsiaSat 5 at 100.5ºE and AsiaSat 7. The AsiaSat satellite fleet provides services to both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. Over 500 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company's satellites offering access to over 620 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat also provides telecommunications operators and end users services such as voice networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia. AsiaSat has ordered two more satellites, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8, planned to be launched by early 2014. 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:
Raj TV
Dr. Ravindran M, Director
Tel: (91 44) 2436 3766, (91 44) 2436 4690
Email: paychannel@rajtvnet.in, transmission@rajtvnet.in, ravindran@rajtvnet.in
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited
Sabrina Cubbon, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Winnie Pang, Manager, Corporate Affairs
Tel : (852) 2500 0899 Tel : (852) 2500 0880
Mobile : (852) 9097 1210 Email : wpang@asiasat.com
Email : scubbon@asiasat.com
Investors in Murdoch’s News Corp forgive hacking
From http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/investors-in-murdochs-news-corp-forgive-hacking
NEW YORK, Jan 9 — After six months of scandal and crisis management in the wake of the phone-hacking affair at its UK tabloid papers, shares of News Corp have touched new heights as investors say the so-called ‘Murdoch discount’ has shrunk but cautioned that it won’t completely go away.
In the year’s first week of trading, News Corp shares rose to a 52-week record, surpassing the highs it hit just before the July 4 story broke of its News of the World tabloid hacking a murdered British schoolgirl’s voice mail. That story seemingly turned the world against founder Rupert Murdoch and his family. The media conglomerate lost nearly a quarter of its market capitalisation, some US$11 billion (RM34.6 billion), in just four weeks.
The fact that all of News Corp’s papers account for less than 3 per cent of its operating profits did little to allay investors fears at the time.
That attitude has changed now said analysts as News Corp shares are up nearly 30 per cent since the lows of last summer.
“The market is reacting to strong fundamentals in this business, they reported pretty strong numbers in their September quarter, and the Murdoch discount is declining,” said Collins Stewart analyst Thomas Eagan.
Richard Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG, agrees saying no one owns News Corp for its newspapers, which most on Wall Street see as more trouble than they’re worth.
“Investor reaction has been overwhelmed by the how well their core cable networks and TV business are doing.”
Indeed the hacking affair, and the manner in which Murdoch initially handled it by sticking by loyal lieutenants who had ultimate responsibility for the issue, appeared to support the idea of a ‘Murdoch discount’. The idea is that Murdoch is seen by some to treat the public company which he controls according to his own shareholder-unfriendly whims. Last summer, that growing scepticism led to the widening of the discount, which has always seen News Corp trade at a valuation below peers like Time Warner Inc and Viacom Inc.
“If you can divorce the emotionalism over the hacking thing, this is one hell of a cheap stock,” said Lawrence Haverty, fund manager of Gabelli Multimedia Funds, which holds News Corp shares.
News Corp currently trades at around 6.8 times calendar 2012 earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), while its media peers trade between 7.3 to 8.1 times, according to analysts at Collins Stewart. Without the Murdoch discount, News Corp should be trading around 8 times earnings given that it has faster cash flow growth prospects than its peers, said Thomas Eagan at Collins Stewart.
“People are in the process of forgive and forget and saying oh my, here’s a wonderful business that’s significantly undervalued,” said Haverty.
Perhaps one of biggest immediate concerns for News Corp investors at the peak of the hacking scandal last summer was whether the Murdochs would lose control of the company, particularly as Murdoch’s younger son James is the top executive at the troubled UK unit.
Ironically, one of the outcomes in the fallout of the scandal is a perception that Murdoch might be voluntarily loosening his grip slightly to allow the rise of his well-respected number two, Chase Carey, something Wall Street and investors have also favored.
The other key concern was whether the scandal would spread to News Corp’s US businesses. So far nothing concerning its US companies has come to light.
“It seems the hacking scandal should be compartmentalized, although the Feds were looking into potential infractions on US soil and the possibility that this could fall under the Foreign Corrupt Practices act,” said Miller Tabak analyst David Joyce. “I haven’t heard anything new on those fronts for months.”
However, the key turning point in the wake of the scandal has been News Corp’s decision to stand down from its US$12 billion (RM37.75 billion) bid to buy the 61 per cent of the UK satellite TV operator BSkyB which it didn’t already own.
That politically expedient decision, in the face of growing UK government opposition, freed up billions of dollars of cash which have now been plowed back into an aggressive US$5 billion share buyback program. Since August it has bought back around US$2.5 billion of its stock, according to analysts at Miller Tabak.
Investors are already expecting that program to be expanded in fiscal 2013 giving further support to the comeback stock.
Shares closed at US$18.30 Friday on the Nasdaq. — Reuters
Fourth Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Set to Launch
From http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=35684
The Air Force scheduled the launch of the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite aboard a Delta IV launch vehicle January 19 from Pad 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. This is the fourth launch for the WGS constellation and the second WGS launch on the Delta IV launch vehicle. The WGS-4 satellite will provide the warfighter with enhanced communication capabilities while extending global coverage.
According to Luke Schaub, Government Program Manager for WGS, "The Launch of WGS-4 is the culmination of five years of dedicated work by the combined Boeing and Government team. This satellite represents the first of a new block of WGS vehicles, enhancing the Wideband MILSATCOM capacity currently available to thousands of users around the globe and adding high bandwidth support for a few high-priority users. We eagerly anticipate its operational availability to our warfighters this summer."
WGS-4 is the first satellite to be delivered under the Block II contract. The WGS Block II contract for WGS-4 and WGS-5 was awarded in 2006. In December 2008, MILSATCOM Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, authorized Boeing to begin production of the sixth WGS satellite which is funded by the Australian government. In return, the Australian government received a percentage of the WGS constellation bandwidth.
WGS procurement is through contracts with The Boeing Company by the Wideband SATCOM Division, part of MILSATCOM Systems Directorate. The MILSATCOM System Directorate's purpose is to plan for, acquire and sustain space-enabled global communications to support the President, Secretary of Defense and combat forces. WGS is the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications system. It is augmenting and replacing the Defense Satellite Communication System, the Department of Defense's backbone for satellite communications over the last two decades.
The Space and Missile Systems Center is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems including Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control network, space based infrared systems, intercontinental ballistic missile systems and space situational awareness capabilities.
Sun TV to launch 3 more pay channels
From http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/article2787494.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home
The appetite for launching new channels does not seem to have diminished for Sun TV Network Ltd which has announced the launch of three more pay channels on January 9, taking the total number of channels in its bouquet to 32.
It would launch Sun Life and Sun TV Rest of India in Tamil and Gemini Life in Telugu, the company informed the stock exchanges.
Sun Life and Gemini Life would focus on lifestyle, religion, health, education etc. Sun TV Rest of India would transmit the contents of Sun TV but specialised for the Rest of India i.e. all states other than Tamil Nadu, enabling advertisers to focus on specific geographical areas. The launch would add one more genre (Life) to the existing ones, Sun TV said.
It was only on January 4 that the company launched 24-hour ad-free Action Movie pay channels in the four South Indian languages, taking the total number of channels to 29 then.
Reliance Broadcast, CBS JV to launch Punjabi TV channel
From http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/reliance-broadcast-cbs-jv-to-launch-punjabi-tv-channel_647990.html
Big CBS, the joint venture between Anil Ambani owned Reliance Broadcast Network and US-based CBS Studios International, which runs three English language TV channels in India, is expanding in the regional space with the planned launch of a Punjabi TV channel.
The channel, Spark Punjabi, will be the joint venture's fourth TV channel India, following the launch of Big CBS Prime, Big CBS Love and Big CBS Spark.
"Spark Punjabi is a category creator, positioned as the first international Punjabi channel and will launch on January 14, 2012. Targeting the 15+ audience, the channel will feature the best of CBS content all dubbed in Punjabi," the company said on Tuesday.
Spark Punjabi will be distributed across digital and analog platforms and will be available across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.
Apart from 78% TV penetration, 88% cable and satellite penetration, Big CBS feels it is the potential Rs 1,200 crore advertising pie, which creates an exciting opportunity for this platform.
"India's booming regional TV industry with limited regional entertainment options is an opportunity that we are leveraging," said Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network.
Shares of Reliance Broadcast Network were up 2.3% at Rs 49.70 on NSE in morning trade on Tuesday.
One Alliance terminates distribution deal with Neo Sports Broadcast
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan67.php
MUMBAI: For founder-promoter Harish Thawani, fresh trouble is brewing. TheOneAlliance, the brand of the joint venture company between Multi Screen Media (MSM) and Discovery, has terminated the distribution contract of Neo Sports Broadcast's two sports channels.
Already weakened by the scrapping of BCCI's rights to India cricket, Neo Sports Broadcast will suffer a huge revenue loss. Sources familiar with the deal said Sony Entertainment Television India (now called MSM) had agreed to pay a minimum guarantee of Rs 2.7 billion net for the three-year distribution of Neo Cricket and Neo Sports.
In 2009, Nimbus had renewed through to 2014 its contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for Rs 20 billion. After the exit of Colors and the other Viacome18 channels MTV, Vh1 and Nick in mid-2010, Sony found an opportunity and signed up Neo Sports Broadcast's channels.
For Neo Sports Broadcast, which was tossed out by Star India on review of the high price it had agreed to pay for distribution of the two channels, TheOneAlliance's decision to end the contract has come as a huge setback. Neo had set up its own distribution team but could not kick in substantial pay revenues. TheOneAlliance came as a blessing as the MG (minimum guarantee) price was high and Neo also kept the digital part of the distribution business.
"We terminated the contract with Neo Broadcast on 3 January. We had specifically mentioned in the contract that the deal would be valid if Neo had the BCCI rights. We have communicated to them about the scrapping of the contract," MSM Discovery president Rajesh Kaul told Indiantelevision.com, without disclosing the size of the contract.
Neo Sports Broadcast COO Prasanna Krishnan declined to comment on the issue.
The BCCI cancelled the deal after Nimbus repeatedly defaulted on payments. India's cricket board, which has time till mid this year when India plays a home series, is expected to come out with fresh tenders for the remaining tenure of the contract. Nimbus, however, is saved by the courts so far as the BCCI has not been able to encash the Rs 20 billion bank guarantee.
The termination of the contracts with BCCI and TheOneAlliance means that Neo will find bargaining hard if it wants to sell its broadcasting buiness. Indication is that Sony wouldn't weigh the option of buying out Neo.
"After deciding to end the distribution contract, it is highly unlikely that Sony will look at buying Neo. The Times of India Group may be a contender. Or even Mukesh Ambani via Network18. These are entities who could be looking at entering the sports broadcasting market. But the big debate could be valuation," said a media analyst.
Nimbus Communications had filed, late 2010, the draft offer document with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to raise Rs 3.50 billion via an initial public offering (IPO). Out of the issue proceedings, the company intended to use Rs 1.29 billion for launching of new channels (Neo Cinema and Neo Zindagi) and Rs 132.45 million towards the geographic expansion of Neo Cricket. It also stated that it would use Rs 1.16 billion to obtain bank guarantee and provide security deposit for sports rights. It further intended to use Rs 349.87 million and Rs 500 million of the net issue proceedings for upgradation of Neo infrastructure and acquisition of new broadcasting rights respectively.
For the fiscal ended 31 March 2010, Nimbus Communications had posted an income of Rs 7.33 billion from sales and services, while net loss stood at Rs 1.42 billion. As of March 2010, Nimbus had accumulated loss of Rs 4.98 billion.
"Nimbus is in a tight corner so far as its proposed IPO goes. The stock market has tumbled and it is no season for fresh IPOs," said an analyst at a local broking firm.
So how will the exit of Neo impact MSM? MSM's gameplan could be to bid aggressively for the BCCI rights and launch a sports channel with the lucrative Indian Premium League (IPL) forming the fulcrum. They already have rights to New Zealand Cricket, FA Cup and NBA.
Some multi-system operators (MSOs) said on condition of anonymity that the payout to TheOneAlliance would fall a bit as they would be left without the sports channels. "But they would be better off as the MG they were paying to Neo was on the higher side. Without the BCCI rights, it doesn't make sense for them to continue. They will save on the payout while incurring a smaller loss in revenues," said the chief executive of a leading MSO.
Counters Kaul. "All our channels are doing exceedingly well. And with the impending IPL in April-May, the strength of our bouquet will not be impacted with the Neo exit."
MSM will have time to stitch together a strategy with or without a sports channel as the IPL telecast rights will be a big driver for subscription revenues till May-end. "They can get the BCCI rights and launch a sports channel. Alternately, they can add more channels and strengthen their third bouquet," said a media analyst.
9/01/12
Monday Feed
D1 12680 V Sr 7200 "Australian Tennis 4:2:2 format
Saturday Feed
D1 12680 V Sr 7199 live tennis Brisbane
Sunday feed
D2 12661 V Sr 6669 Globecast horse racing
From my Email
From David Ross
TV Plus on IS8 FTA
12557 H 13845 FTA this morning 9/1/2012
From the Dish
Intelsat 8 166E 4024 V "MTV India" has left again.
Intelsat 8 166E 4087 H "BBC World News South Asia" has left.
JCSAT 3A 128E 4000 V "CTI TV News" has left .
SES 7 108.2 2565 H "Zee Cinema Asia" is now encrypted.
SES 7 108.2 2595 V "Setanta Sports Asia" has left .
SES 7 108.2 2655 V "Nick Jr Asia" has left .
Measat 3 91.5E 3920 V "Cartoon Network South East Asia" has started on , MPEG-4, HD, PowerVu.
ST 2 88E 3637 H "GTV 1, GTV Entertainment, GTV Drama and GTV K Channel" are now encrypted.
ST 2 88E 12702 H "Life TV" is back on , Fta.
Insat 2E 83E 3696 V "Studio N News" has left .
Insat 4A 83E 3756 H "News Time TV" has started on , Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 3874 H "Kamyab TV" is back on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3480 H "The Living Show" has left .
Thaicom 5 78.5E "Filmax" has again replaced Star Asia on 3960 V and 4057 V, Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4158 H "Express Music and Express HTV" have started on , MPEG-4, Conax.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 12562 H "Iqraa Africa & Europe" has started on , Fta.
Intelsat 17 66E 3876 H "Darshana" has started on , Fta.
Intelsat 17 66E 4024 H "Goodness TV" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Paksat 1R 38E 3819 V "SBN TV" has left .
Paksat 1R 38E 3986 V "Sun TV Network" has left .
Paksat 1R 38E "VSH News" has moved from 3950 V to 4087 V, Fta.
Paksat 1R 38E 4020 H "Indus News Network" has left again.
Paksat 1R 38E 4087 V "Samaa TV" has left .
From asiatvro site
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NEWS
China opens 2012 with ZiYuan-3 launch via Long March 4B
From http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/01/china-opens-2012-ziyuan-3-launch-long-march-4b/China
launched a new high-resolution remote sensing satellite on Monday at 03:17 UTC using the Long March 4B (Chang Zheng-4B -Y26) launch vehicle from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. According to the official Xinhua News Agency, the ZiYuan-3 its first high-resolution geological mapping satellite, to be used for civil purposes.
Chinese Launch:
The ZiYuan-3 (ZY-3) is the first of a new series of high-resolution civilian remote sensing satellites, grown from a project that was initiated in March 2008.
The new satellite carries three high-resolution panchromatic cameras and an infrared multispectral scanner (IRMSS). The cameras are positioned at the front-facing, ground-facing and rear-facing positions.
Two cameras (front-facing and rear-facing) have a spectral resolution of 3.5m and 52.3km ground swath while the ground-facing camera has a spectral resolution of 2.1m and 51.1km ground swath. The IRMSS has a spectral resolution of 6.0m and 51.0km ground swath.
At launch the satellite had a mass of 2,630 kg. The satellite is equipped with two 3 meters solar arrays for power generation and will orbit a 505.984 km sun-synchronous solar orbit with 97.421 degree inclination. This orbit will have a re-visit cycle of 5 days.
Operational period will be four years with a possible life extension to five years.
The new satellite will conduct surveys on land resources, help with natural disaster-reduction and prevention and lend assistance to farming, water conservation, urban planning and other sectors, surveying the area between 84 degrees north and 84 degrees south latitude.
The ZiYuan program seems to cover different civil and military earth observation as well as remote sensing programs. The ZiYuan-1 program is focused on Earth resources and looks to have two distinct military and civil branches (this one being operated together with Brazil).
The satellites are operated jointly by the Center for Earth Operation and Digital Earth (CEODE) and the Brazilian INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - National Institute of Space Research).
The ZiYuan-2 program is probably used for aerial surveillance being operated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) while the new ZiYuan-3 series will be used for stereo mapping (like the TH-1 TianHui-1 mapping satellite that is operated by the PLA). ZiYuan-3 will be operated by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping.
Together with ZY-3, China also launched the VesselSat-2 microsatellite built by LuxSpace Sarl, an affiliate of OHB AG.
Vesselsat-2 weighs 28 kg and will be integrated into ORBCOMM’s Next Generation (OG2) constellation of 18 AIS-enabled satellites after an in-orbit test and checkout phase. The specific orbit of the VesselSat satellites will allow ship monitoring and surveillance in the equatorial regions with a much higher revisit frequency than platforms in polar orbit.
The exclusive rights to use the data of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload belong to ORBCOMM Inc., a global supplier of satellite-based communication and data services.
Launch Vehicle:
The first orbital space launch of 2012 was the 156th successful Chinese orbital launch, the 156th successful launch of the Chang Zheng launch vehicle family and the 37th orbital launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
The CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B launch vehicle.
The feasibility study of the CZ-4 Chang Zheng-4 began in 1982 based on the FB-1 Feng Bao-1 launch vehicle. Engineering development was initiated in the following year. Initially, the Chang Zheng-4 served as a back-up launch vehicle for Chang Zheng-3 to launch China’s communications satellites.
After the successful launch of China’s first DFH-2 communications satellites by Chang Zheng-3, the main mission of the Chang Zheng-4 was shifted to launch sun-synchronous orbit meteorological satellites. In other hand The CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B launch vehicle was first introduced in May 1999 and also developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST), based on the CZ-4 Chang Zheng-4.
The rocket is capable of launching a 2,800 kg satellite into low Earth orbit, developing 2,971 kN at launch. With a mass of 249,000 kg, the CZ-4B is 45.80 meters long and has a diameter of 3.35 meters.
SAST began to develop the Chang Zheng-4B in February 1989. Originally it was scheduled to be commissioned in 1997, but the first launch didn’t take place until late 1999. The modifications introduce on the CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B included a larger satellite fairing and the replacement of the original mechanical-electrical control on the Chang Zheng-4 with an electronic control.
Other modifications were an improved telemetry, tracking, control, and self-destruction systems with smaller size and lighter weight; a revised nuzzle design in the second stage for better high-altitude performance; a propellant management system for the second stage to reduce the spare propellant amount, thus increasing the vehicle’s payload capability and a propellant jettison system on the third-stage.
The Chang Zheng-4B uses UDMH/N2O4 for all three stages. The first stage uses a YF-21B motor consisting of four 75,000kg thrust YF-20B thrust chambers motors with swinging nozzles. The second stage is similar to that of the CZ-3A, with a YF-24F rocket motor consisting of one 75,000kg thrust YF-22B main motor with fixed nozzles, and a YF-23F swivelling venire motor with four chambers motors (4,700kg thrust in total).
The third stage is a specially designed unit powered by a 98kN YF-40 rocket motor.
The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center:
Situated in the Kelan County on the northwest part of the Shanxi Province, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) is also known by the Wuzhai designation. It is used mainly for polar launches (meteorological, Earth resources and scientific satellites).
The center is at a height of 1400-1900m above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains to the east, south and north, with the Yellow River to its west. The annual average temperature is 4-10 C, with maximum of 28 C in summer and minimum of -39 C in winter.
TSLC is suitable for launching a range of satellites, especially for low earth and sun-synchronous orbit missions. The center has state-of-the-art facilities for launch vehicle and spacecraft testing, preparation, launch and in-flight tracking and safety control, as well as for orbit predictions.
The launch center has two launch complexes with a launch pad each (LC7 and LC9), a technical area for rocket and spacecraft preparations, a communications complex, mission command and control complex, and a space tracking complex.
The stages of the launchers are transported by railway, and offloaded at a transit station south of the launch complex. They are then transported by road to the technical area for checkout and testing.
The launchers are assembled at the launch pad using a crane at the top of the umbilical tower to hoist each stage in place. Satellites are airlifted to the Taiyuan Wusu Airport 300 km away, and then transported to the center by road.
China to launch Bolivian satellite in 2013: Chinese Ambassador
From http://www.space-travel.com/reports/China_to_launch_Bolivian_satellite_in_2013_Chinese_Ambassador_999.html
Named after a Bolivian indigenous hero who led an uprising against the Spanish conquistadors, the Tupac Katari satellite will be launched from the southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.
China would put Bolivia's first telecommunications satellite into orbit in December 2013, China's Ambassador to Bolivia Shen Zhiliang announced Thursday.
The manufacturing process of the satellite had been completed in China, Shen said, and technicians from both countries were working on the final design, which was expected to be finished by March 2013.
If there were no divergences among the parts, the project will be completed before next December.
Named after a Bolivian indigenous hero who led an uprising against the Spanish conquistadors, the Tupac Katari satellite will be launched from the southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.
The satellite agreement was signed between the Bolivian Space Agency and the Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, a subsidiary of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation of China in December 2010.
It would benefit Bolivia in areas such as education, medicine and communication, Bolivia's deputy science and technology minister Pedro Crespo has previously said.
According to the agreement, China will provide technology and guarantee the quality of the satellite.
Space science training will be provided to 74 Bolivian members of the project's administrative team, in China next March, Bolivian Space Agency said Thursday.
The project is costing the South American country nearly 300 million U.S. dollars, of which 45 million will come from the General Treasury of Bolivia and the other 250 million as a loan from the Development Bank of China.
Vietnam... Number Two Soon
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=1158064517
Vinasat-1, the first Vietnamese satellite, was placed in the orbit in April 2008.
....Vinasat-2 during the third week of April, 2012, as scheduled, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The ministry said Vinasat-2 would be launched together with a Japanese satellite, both manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Also according to the ministry, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, has delayed the transfer of some parts from Japan to Lockheed Martin. Until now, the possibilities for any delay in the launch are “very low”, according to partners in the project. The Vinasat-2 project costs nearly US$300 million, with the Vietnam Post and Telecoms Corporation (VNPT) being the owner. Arianespace will supply the launch service using their Ariane 5 launch vehicle.
Arianespace Set To Ride The Power of Three In 2012
From http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Arianespace_Set_To_Ride_The_Power_of_Three_In_2012_999.html
The next Soyuz fight from French Guiana is targeted for this summer, carrying two more Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites. It will be preceded by a Baikonur Cosmodrome Soyuz mission on May 23 that is to orbit Europe's MetOp-B meteorological satellite.
Arianespace is preparing for the busiest year of flight activity ever in 2012, building on an industry leadership position that benefits from the operational synergy, availability and commercial advantages of its Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launcher family in side-by-side service from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
Speaking to international journalists at the company's New Year's kickoff press conference in Paris, Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said Arianespace's 2012 planning is for seven Ariane 5 heavy-lift missions and three medium-lift Soyuz flights from the Spaceport, along with two Soyuz launches at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome - to be complemented by the lightweight Vega's introduction at French Guiana.
This comes after a highly successful 2011 in which Arianespace lofted 29 payloads - including eight of the total 16 geostationary orbit satellites launched worldwide, while also winning 10 of the 21 commercial spacecraft contracts signed by all players in the launch services market.
As a result, Arianespace logged total revenues estimated at 985 million euros for another anticipated break-even year, with the company's order backlog reaching a new record of 4.5 billion euros.
Arianespace's first Ariane 5 mission of 2012 from the Spaceport will carry the no. 3 Automated Transfer Vehicle entrusted to the company by the European Space Agency.
Le Gall said the go-ahead for fueling of this large resupply vessel was given yesterday, and preparations for the heavy-lift launch to service the International Space Station are now in full swing for a liftoff on March 9.
The next Soyuz fight from French Guiana is targeted for this summer, carrying two more Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites. It will be preceded by a Baikonur Cosmodrome Soyuz mission on May 23 that is to orbit Europe's MetOp-B meteorological satellite.
During the 2011 activity, Arianespace "earned its stripes" as the industry's most operational launch services provider, Le Gall stated.
The company took full advantage of its growing launcher family and the capabilities of Arianespace mission teams to perform five Ariane 5 flights from the Spaceport, along with the two history-making inaugural missions of Soyuz from French Guiana - which were complemented by two Soyuz launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome conducted by its Starsem affiliate.
The pace will continue in 2012, as Arianespace draws further advantages from the synergy of Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega missions at the Spaceport, as reflected at Le Gall's press briefing by a backdrop with the Power3 - or "Power of Three" - theme.
"Each launcher will benefit from the side-by-side operations of the other, which are backed by the reliability, availability, flexibility and responsiveness of Arianespace's launch services offering," Le Gall added.
"Added to the capabilities of these truly world-changing launchers are Arianespace's remarkable technical and operational teams that can develop - and carry out - the most sophisticated and complex missions."
Le Gall said Ariane 5 has earned its reputation as the "king of launchers," with 46 consecutive successes during the past nine years - including the five launches performed in 2011.
In commercial activities related to the Ariane 5 last year, Arianespace signed contracts for new 10 GTO satellite payloads, along with an order for one deep space planetary probe.
"Arianespace currently has an order backlog to fill 21 Ariane 5 launches - the largest ever for this vehicle," he explained.
Soyuz continues its track record as the medium-lift launcher of reference, highlighted by the vehicle's historic introduction at the Spaceport last year with two on-target flights performed in October and December, building on the 24 successful commercial missions performed from Baikonur Cosmodrome by the Starsem affiliate - including the two achieved in 2011.
Arianespace signed one new contract for Soyuz in 2011, bringing its backlog to 15 missions for this vehicle: 13 in operations at the Spaceport, plus two from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
With Vega being readied for its maiden flight at the Spaceport, Arianespace signed two commercial contracts in 2011 for this new lightweight vehicle. They are in addition to the five VERTA (Vega research and technology accompaniment) missions to be performed by Arianespace for the European Space Agency.
'Bangladeshi TV channels on way to India'
From http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=215577&cid=2
Dhaka, Jan 8 (bdnews24.com) – The information minister has announced that the government is working to take Bangladeshi television channels to Kolkata's air.
Abul Kalam Azad was speaking at a discussion at Sonargaon Hotel on Sunday. The discussion, organised by SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industries, was attended by senior British journalist Simon Dring.
During a question answer round, the minister was asked why Bangladeshi channels have no access to Indian audience, "although our satellite is thriving with their channels?"
Azad answered by saying that the Indian channels had to pay certain fees to enter Bangladesh.
"Our TV channels have been told to do the same," he said.
India has been practising an unofficial ban on Bangladeshi television channels from entering their domestic cable network.
On the other hand, most of the Indian channels are earning significant amount of revenue, both by selling advertisements as well as subscriptions to Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and households, thanks to a very liberal government policy facilitating entry of foreign television channels.
However, of late there has been some progress in removing the barrier for Bangladeshi television channels.
After a meeting with Pashchimbanga chief minister Mamata Banarjee in September last year, Indian information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni reportedly said that Indian government would look into the issue.
Kolkata, the capital of neighbouring Indian state of Pashchimbanga, has a 14.2 million Bangla-speaking population.
Pakistan regulator acts against illegal services
From http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/01/07/pakistan-regulator-acts-against-illegal-services/
PEMRA – the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority – has revealed that enforcement teams raided numbers of cable TV networks in various parts of country on January 5, 2012 in a bid to stop illegal satellite and CD channels shown by the cable operators, despite repeated warnings to stop them. According to PEMRA, excessive CD channels on cable networks are not only a peril to social fabric but also a main source of content piracy and plagiarism which PEMRA was addressing seriously.
PEMRA also suspended transmission of seven TV channels showing unethical and misleading documentaries related to health and other products in deviation to PEMRA and Ministry of Health laws and the scope of their given licences.
The cable operators faced PEMRA action included: M/s. Dharyal Cable Network, M/s. L.R. Cable Network, Jhelum, M/s. Leo Biz Cable Network, M/s. Perfect Cable Network, Murree, M/s. Sky Video Cable Network Haripur. 10 satellite receivers and equipment being used to run illegal CD channels was impounded.
Similarly in Lahore PEMRA cracked down on M/s. British Cable Network, M/s. LCN M/s. Max Media cable Network, M/s. New Tech Cable Network, M/s. Sony Cable Network, confiscating 23 satellite TV receivers, illegal decoders, set-top-boxes and equipment used to run illegal CD channels. Moreover, in Pasroor and Sialkot, M/s. Butt Friends Cable Network and M/s. Orient Cable Network, M/s. Neuvo Albab Cable Network and M/s. Choudhry Cable Network, were raided and 36 receivers, decoders and CPUs were confiscated.
In Sindh, enforcement teams raided cable TV networks operating in the cities of Karachi, Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Khadro, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matli, Badin, Tando Jan Muhammad, Talhar, Digri, Tando Ghulam Ali & Matiari. Cable Networks raided are M/s. Star Cable Network, M/s. Highway Communication, M/s. Sindhri Cable Network, M/s. Sky Cable Network, M/s. Star Cable Network, M/s. Perfect Cable Network, M/s. Shahzeb Cable Network, Kerio Cable Network. In total 54 devices such as receivers, decoders, computers were seized by PEMRA inspection teams.
PEMRA initiated the action following a large number of public complaints were received against these cable TV operators and content of the channels on PEMRA’s recently-installed toll free Call Centre.
8/01/12
Sunday, no update
7/01/12
Saturday, no update
6/01/12
Supreme Master Television, has shutdown. (Gone from D2 and Asiasat and other satellites) Did anyone actually watch it???
An announcement to Supreme Master Television's cherished global viewers
We now would like to present an announcement to Supreme Master Television's cherished global viewers.
[Alternatively, you can watch it here: http://www.suprememastertv.com/bbs/tb.php/news/79]
January 2, 2012
For the past five years, we at Supreme Master Television have had the honor and pleasure to accompany you and your beloved family daily and around the clock, anywhere in the world, offering free-to-air constructive and wholesome programming. Graced with the loving guidance of Supreme Master Ching Hai and Heaven’s blessings, we had the precious opportunity to reach global viewers via satellite, cable TV, internet and various modern-day communication methods. With earnest hopes of helping to bring long-lasting peace, joy and upliftment for Earth’s citizens, including our animal co-inhabitants, Supreme Master Television has faithfully been among the voices of conscience and consciousness to advocate for a greener and more compassionate planet. Together with the kind cooperation and assistance of government officials, dignitaries, celebrities, international artists, and experts in diverse disciplines, as well as the dedication of our vegan Association members, our collective efforts have borne some positive fruits, both visible and invisible.
We thank Supreme Master Ching Hai and all noble-minded friends for the privilege to serve the world by working to share the constructive information presented on the channel.
Today is the final day Supreme Master Television is broadcasting and we bid you fond farewell in profound appreciation for all your love and support. Thank you, everyone, for watching during the past years. May we all continue to each strive in our own ways to contributing to World Vegan, World Peace. The very best of wishes to you and yours for many happy vegan New Years.
Supreme Master Ching Hai wants to convey her gratitude to all media agencies; satellite, cable, and IPTV companies; government departments; groups; and individuals who have been of support all these years, and wishing you the best and Heaven's blessing in all noble endeavours.
Supreme Master Television’s archived programs will continue to be available online at www.SupremeMasterTV.com for all to view and download free of charge.
(Craig's comment, lets cut to the chase, they are OUT OF BEANS!)
From my Email
From Chris
D1 Feed: SNV PATH-1
D1 12670 V 7199
PID 33/34/41
Provider: Astra 3
Viewing Location: Auckland
Dish size: 90cm
Programme: Setting up stage for a memorial service
Chris
From the Dish
Optus D1 160E 12398 V "Channel Nine, GEM and Go!" have left
Optus D2 152E 12519 V "Supreme Master TV" has left .
JCSAT 3A 128E 4000 V "CTI TV Variety and CTI TV Entertainment" have left .
NSS 11 108.2E 12581 V "CTI TV News" has left .
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 3760 H "Supreme Master TV" has left .
AsiaSat 3S 105.5E 4071 H "Lights Asia" has left .
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3760 H "Azhari TV 2" has started on , Fta
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3960 H "Supreme Master TV" has left .
NSS 6 95E All channels in the AVG muxes on 11542 V and 11680 V are now encrypted.
Measat 3 91.5E 3920 V "The MGM Channel Asia" channel is now encrypted.
Insat 4B 93.5E 11490 V "Kairali" Channel has left .
Insat 4B 93.5E 11570 V "Mega TV" has left .
Yamal 201 90E 3645 L "Raz TV" is Fta.
ST 2 88E 3591 H "MTV Taiwan" has left .
ST 2 88E 3637 H "GTV 1, GTV Entertainment, GTV Drama and GTV K Channel" have started on , Fta.
ST 2 88E 3671 H "Universal Culture TV" has left .
ST 2 88E 12702 H "Life TV" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3678 V "Amrita TV" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3845 V "Kaumudy TV" has left .
Insat 2E 83E 3923 V "Manorama News International"has left again.
Insat 2E 83E 4050 V "Reporter" has left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4003 H "WAQT News" has left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 4158 H "Express Entertainment" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Intelsat 10 68.5E 12575 V "ManáSat Europa and Kurios-TV" have left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 12602 V "Evangel TV and UCTV Shotone" have started on , Fta. Edenlife Network has left.
Express MD1 80E 3875 R Telekanal Domashniy has started on , Irdeto.
ABS 1 75E 12579 H "Supreme Master TV" has left .
Intelsat 10 68.5E 3806 V and 12562 H "Supreme Master TV" has left .
Paksat 1R 38E 3945 H "Play" has left again.
Paksat 1R 38E 3970 H "Value TV" has left again.
NEWS
PacTV Center Announces Upgraded Services For TV New Zealand, Special Broadcasting Service Australia And TV Games Network
From http://hardware.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/PacTV-Center-Announces-Upgraded-Services-For-TV-New-Zealand-Special-Broadcasting-Service-Australia-And-TV-Games-Network-1823255
New Connections Expand Content Delivery Options for Clients
Los Angeles, CA, January 4, 2012 - Pacific Television Center (PacTV), a Los Angeles-based independent global transmission and production company, has recently completed major service upgrades for TV New Zealand (TVNZ), Special Broadcasting Service Australia (SBS) and TV Games Network (TVG) in Los Angeles. The enhanced service capabilities allow for increased international content to be delivered and disseminated through PacTV's extensive, global fiber network.
"As our aggregation capabilities continue to grow, we are making it easier for our clients to access global content eloquently," says Richard Neri, President, Pacific Television Center. "From a news program produced in England, then broadcast in Australia and New Zealand, to horse racing in Japan that is delivered to TVG Studios in Los Angeles, the PacTV fiber network also enables broadcasters from around the world to instantly share content in a cost-effective manner."
TVNZ upgraded its service from a shared line to a dedicated HD-capable line. While the network currently transports SD programming at 8Mb, the infrastructure is now in place to migrate over to HD in the future. The new pathway starts in TVNZ's Millbank bureau in London and connects to Auckland through Los Angeles then Sydney, with injection points at PacTV London and Los Angeles. The primary use will be for news and sports programming.
"PacTV has been extremely helpful in establishing our own dedicated circuit," says Matt Gyde, traffic manager, TVNZ Newsgathering, TV New Zealand. "The transition has been seamless and, having been a past broadcast service provider ourselves, it is impressive and assuring to still see this commitment to customer service. Operationally, the company is extremely dynamic in terms of meeting a client's needs and accessing media off the many different platforms offered today. Our working relationship with PacTV has been invaluable."
SBS is Australia's multicultural and multilingual broadcaster, delivering a wide range of programming from around the world to its diverse audience in Australia. SBS upgraded its service with PacTV to now include an HD 40-Mbps circuit from London to Los Angeles to Sydney. Local insertion at both PacTV London and Los Angeles is encoded at 38.8 Mbps using an Adtec EN-81 HD encoder. The service is capable of both SD-SDI and HD-SDI content, employing MPEG-2 data compression with full-time MCR monitoring of the circuit in all three locations. SBS can now receive a wide assortment of international HD programming such as Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. (RAI), ITN Late News and UEFA Champions League Football, among others.
TVG, a specialty content channel, is one of the largest horse racing networks in the United States, delivering programming and information from over 150 tracks worldwide via Dish Network, DirecTV and select cable companies. Additionally, TVG provides an off-track betting service. Through a new colocation presence and multiple cross connections, PacTV now provides TVG with the capability to access racing content more efficiently. Examples include Sky Racing programming from Australia and Japanese horse racing delivered via Nexion. Both Sky Racing and Nexion also have a presence at PacTV's colocation space in Los Angeles.
ABOUT PACIFIC TELEVISION CENTER
For more than 30 years, Los Angeles-based Pacific Television Center has been a leading transmission and live production provider to the global broadcast industry offering its clients around-the-clock support and services in fiber connectivity, satellite coordination, receive and records, multi-format tape play outs, live shots, satellite media tours and voiceovers. On a local level, its broadcast facility in Los Angeles connects to the ATT/PacBell Hollywood Hub and The Switch Los Angeles; in New York, it connects to Ascent Media Waterfront, The Switch New York and Azzurro; and in London, its facility has multiple circuits to and from BT Tower. Additional services include the PacTV Pools in Los Angeles and New York, remote location production via Western Pacific Mobile Microwave in Los Angeles, and a fiber network to several countries including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and France. The company's solid reputation has led to successful relationships with major networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, CNN, BSkyB and BBC in the UK, Network TEN in Australia and Sky in New Zealand as well as top carriers including Level 3/Vyvx, SingTel, Intelsat, SES World Skies, BT, Nexion and XO Communications. For more information regarding Pacific Television Center, visit http://hardware.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/www.pactv.com.
MAI TV To Stream Champions League
From Press Release: Mai TV
Friday January 6 2012
MAI TV To Stream Champions League
Fijians living outside Fiji will be able to watch Fiji FA’s first tournament of 2012, the Champions League, which will be streamed on the Internet LIVE next weekend.
In making the announcement Mai TV’s General Manager David Hotchin said Fiji Football and Mai TV had again agreed to provide a LIVE Pay Per View (PPV) stream to customers outside Fiji, many whom have contacted the TV station for coverage.
“With the success of LIVE soccer online in 2011, Mai TV will continue to provide this type of content to Fijians living in countries where Internet is fast and relatively cheap”, Mr. Hotchin said.
Mai TV says its relationship with Fiji Football continues to provide a platform for its own growth but more importantly the growth of football in Fiji and support for Fijian football globally.
“We feel that we can contribute to the development of the sport and of course we want to see our team qualify for a major world event”, Hotchin said.
Potential customers have been advised that Mai TV’s payment gateway is now open on www.tv.com.fj with all six matches available for USD$14.95
Ends.
Vietnam to launch 2nd satellite in April
From http://www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn/Science_Technology/2012/1/99247/
Vietnam will launch its second satellite, Vinasat-2, in the third week of April 2012 as scheduled, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.Vinasat-1, the first Vietnamese satellite, was placed in the orbit in April 2008.
The ministry said Vinasat-2 would be launched together with a Japanese satellite, and both are manufactured by Lockheed Martin of the US.
Also according to the ministry, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011 has delayed the transfer of some parts from Japan to Lockheed Martin. Till now, the possibilities for any delay in the launch are “very low”, according to partners in the project.
The Vinasat-2 project costs almost US$300 million, with the Vietnam Post and Telecoms Corporation (VNPT) being the owner. Arianespace will supply the launch service using Arian rocket, the most reliable launch system currently.
China to Launch Bolivian Satellite in 2013
From http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/01/06/1461s674969.htm
China would put Bolivia's first telecommunications satellite into orbit in December 2013, China's Ambassador to Bolivia Shen Zhiliang announced Thursday.
The manufacturing process of the satellite had been completed in China, Shen said, and technicians from both countries were working on the final design, which was expected to be finished by March 2013.
If there were no divergences among the parts, the project will be completed before next December.
Named after a Bolivian indigenous hero who led an uprising against the Spanish conquistadors, the Tupac Katari satellite will be launched from the southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.
The satellite agreement was signed between the Bolivian Space Agency and the Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, a subsidiary of the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation of China in December 2010.
It would benefit Bolivia in areas such as education, medicine and communication, Bolivia's deputy science and technology minister Pedro Crespo has previously said.
According to the agreement, China will provide technology and guarantee the quality of the satellite.
Space science training will be provided to 74 Bolivian members of the project's administrative team, in China next March, Bolivian Space Agency said Thursday.
The project is costing the South American country nearly 300 million U.S. dollars, of which 45 million will come from the General Treasury of Bolivia and the other 250 million as a loan from the Development Bank of China.
Arianespace... Three Vehicles Ready To Go
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=671762253
[SatNews] Arianespace is preparing for the busiest year of flight activity ever in 2012
....building on an industry leadership position that benefits from the operational synergy, availability and commercial advantages of its Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launcher family in side-by-side service from the Spaceport in French Guiana. Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said Arianespace’s 2012 planning is for seven Ariane 5 heavy-lift missions and three medium-lift Soyuz flights from the Spaceport, along with two Soyuz launches at Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome – to be complemented by the lightweight Vega’s introduction at French Guiana. This comes after a highly successful 2011 in which Arianespace lofted 29 payloads – including eight of the total 16 geostationary orbit satellites launched worldwide, while also winning 10 of the 21 commercial spacecraft contracts signed by all players in the launch services market. As a result, Arianespace logged total revenues estimated at 985 million euros for another anticipated break-even year, with the company’s order backlog reaching a new record of 4.5 billion euros.
Arianespace’s first Ariane 5 mission of 2012 from the Spaceport will carry the no. 3 Automated Transfer Vehicle entrusted to the company by the European Space Agency. Le Gall said the go-ahead for fueling of this large resupply vessel was given yesterday, and preparations for the heavy-lift launch to service the International Space Station are now in full swing for a liftoff on March 9.
The next Soyuz fight from French Guiana is targeted for this summer, carrying two more Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites. It will be preceded by a Baikonur Cosmodrome Soyuz mission on May 23 that is to orbit Europe’s MetOp-B meteorological satellite.
During the 2011 activity, Arianespace “earned its stripes” as the industry’s most operational launch services provider, Le Gall stated. The company took full advantage of its growing launcher family and the capabilities of Arianespace mission teams to perform five Ariane 5 flights from the Spaceport, along with the two history-making inaugural missions of Soyuz from French Guiana – which were complemented by two Soyuz launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome conducted by its Starsem affiliate. The pace will continue in 2012, as Arianespace draws further advantages from the synergy of Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega missions at the Spaceport, as reflected at Le Gall’s press briefing today by a backdrop with the Power3 – or “Power of Three” – theme. “Each launcher will benefit from the side-by-side operations of the other, which are backed by the reliability, availability, flexibility and responsiveness of Arianespace’s launch services offering,” Le Gall added. “Added to the capabilities of these truly world-changing launchers are Arianespace’s remarkable technical and operational teams that can develop – and carry out – the most sophisticated and complex missions.” Le Gall said Ariane 5 has earned its reputation as the “king of launchers,” with 46 consecutive successes during the past nine years – including the five launches performed in 2011. In commercial activities related to the Ariane 5 last year, Arianespace signed contracts for new 10 GTO satellite payloads, along with an order for one deep space planetary probe. “Arianespace today has an order backlog to fill 21 Ariane 5 launches – the largest ever for this vehicle,” he explained.
Soyuz continues its track record as the medium-lift launcher of reference, highlighted by the vehicle’s historic introduction at the Spaceport last year with two on-target flights performed in October and December, building on the 24 successful commercial missions performed from Baikonur Cosmodrome by the Starsem affiliate – including the two achieved in 2011.
Arianespace signed one new contract for Soyuz in 2011, bringing its backlog to 15 missions for this vehicle: 13 in operations at the Spaceport, plus two from Baikonur Cosmodrome. With Vega being readied for its maiden flight at the Spaceport, Arianespace signed two commercial contracts in 2011 for this new lightweight vehicle. They are in addition to the five VERTA (Vega research and technology accompaniment) missions to be performed by Arianespace for the European Space Agency.
Successful Compatibility Testing of UHF Hosted Payload on Intelsat-22
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Successful_Compatibility_Testing_of_UHF_Hosted_Payload_on_Intelsat_22_999.html
It's pretty cool to think about the power of satellite communications (SATCOM), and the advantages it provides for our military customers. What's definitely not cool is the fact that interoperability issues between different generations of UHF equipment can prevent those advantages from reaching the warfighter in the field.
Recently we tried to reduce the likelihood of interoperability issues arising. During the month of November, an industry team led by Intelsat General conducted a UHF legacy terminal compatibility test to verify interoperability between legacy UHF radios and the UHF hosted payload onboard the Intelsat 22 spacecraft (IS-22). IS-22 is scheduled to go into space in a few months.
The IS-22 spacecraft carries three payloads: commercial C and Ku, and UHF for the Australian Defence Force. The UHF payload is an example of a "hosted payload", whereby a dedicated government mission shares the commercial satellite platform. For IS-22, the customers are the Australian Defence Force and the U.S. Department of Defense, both of which need expanded UHF capabilities over the Indian Ocean, Africa, Europe, Asia and, of course, Australia.
Any time new payload designs are developed, questions arise regarding the payload's compatibility with existing equipment being used in the field. Even though the hosted payload on the IS-22 is functionally equivalent to other UHF payloads, the engineering team created a test to verify that the payload would be compatible with legacy equipment.
The plan was to run voice scripts and transfer data from one radioto the satellite and back to another antenna and a separate radio. We conducted the tests in the facility where the satellite has completed its final environmental testing and is undergoing its final flight configuration.
The team used two commonly available UHF radios to transcribe voice tests, checking for clarity, and ran data transfers through bit error rate test equipment. We conducted data tests for all available radio options and compared the bit error results against the standard for all military UHF communications, MIL-STD-188-181C.
Conducting this test presented several risks that required the team to create sub-tests to eliminate any possible damage to the flight-ready spacecraft. Due to the close proximity between the antennas and the satellite, the signal strength coming from the radio and antenna would normally be so strong that it would damage the satellite's sensitive receivers.
In order to mitigate this risk, we used large attenuators and conducted sub-tests, first using a test loop translator and second using the UHF payload from IS-27, currently under construction, as substitutes for the spacecraft in order to properly set attenuation values. Because the IS-27 UHF payload is identical to the one on the IS-22, this sub-test provided additional data points that can be used to show compatibility.
The team established the test set-up outside of the chamber and ran through equipment checks before the green light was given to test on the actual spacecraft. Once the process started, the team set up the equipment in the anechoic chamber, configured the UHF payload and set up the radios. This occurred intermittently over multiple shifts so as to fit in with other tests being run on the satellite, and required the team to be on standby for five days to finish all testing.
Through the hard work of all parties involved, the test was a great success. We found that both sets of radios tested could transfer high-quality voice and data streams at error rates that either met or exceeded the military standard. With these test results, IGC has lowered the risk of interoperability issues between the hosted UHF payload and legacy UHF equipment.
South Africa’s Super 5 Media requests pay-TV launch delay
From http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2012010518521/sas-super-5-media-requests-pay-tv-launch-extension.html
Super 5 Media has requested another extension to launch a new pay-TV service in South Africa, three years after being awarded a license from the country's communications regulator.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) says it has received applications from Super 5 Media, formerly known as Telkom Media, to delay the launch date of its "individual subscription television broadcasting service operations."
The Centurion-based company has requested a further six month extension to launch its service, with a 12 month extension to its network license to enable it to build infrastructure.
After its conception, the company's original controlling shareholder Telkom sold the business to the Shenzhen Media SA consortium, controlled by Imbani Media. The organisational changes at the have already led to the request of four launch date extensions.
Of four companies awarded broadcast licenses in competition with MultiChoice DStv, only On Digital Media has since launched a satellite subscription service, called TopTV. Walking on Water Television (Wow TV) is still reportedly planning to launch a service, while the e.tv-owned e.sat is now providing a 24-hour news service on the DStv platform instead.
Interested parties have been given until 28 January to give written responses to Icasa regarding Super 5 Media's application, according to the Government Gazette.
Oui! Arqiva Channels France 24 News Channel
From http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?number=2047136061
<>[SatNews] News is critical, and a contract was signed today to ensure such is distributed...
Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media services company, has won the contract to distribute the France 24 news channel in the UK. The five year contract sees Arqiva providing multiplexing, uplinking and satellite services that deliver the channel’s English language feed to the BSkyB and Freesat platforms as well as to an extensive network of hotels.
Following its launch five years ago France 24 has built a 30 million strong weekly following for its 24/7 news content which brings a French perspective to world events. With global distribution reaching 160 million homes worldwide its programming is produced in Paris in French, English and Arabic.
Arqiva uses its facilities in France and its global terrestrial fiber network to bring the channel’s feeds to the UK. The English language feed is then uplinked onto Arqiva’s Eurobird 1 satellite capacity through one of its international teleports. Exclusive delivery of the service began on November 1st.
David Couret from France 24 said, “France 24 broadcasts extensive live prime-time content so it is crucial that our broadcast chain is as robust and reliable as possible. Arqiva is widely recognized as the UK broadcast specialist so we are pleased to be able to utilize their expertise in distributing our content into this essential market.”
John Bozza, Sales Director, Broadcast & Media at Arqiva, added, “Arqiva’s core expertise in the UK broadcast market extends to an international presence which makes it simple for us to provide global distribution services to major broadcasters all around the world. We are delighted to win this contract with France 24 and look forward to building our relationship with this leading international news broadcaster.”
MEN-FTV dispute lands in Supreme Court
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan29.php
NEW DELHI: Lalit Modi and his outfit Modi Entertainment Network (MEN) have not had the best of journeys in recent times. MEN has had a string of losses including ESPN and Walt Disney.
The decade-long ding-dong relationship between international fashion channel FTV and its Indian licensee owned principally by MEN has once again surfaced in the Supreme Court, with the Indian licensee seeking to restrain the foreign channel from taking on any other business ventures in India till their dispute is resolved.
The matter in the apex court – now listed for hearing on 20 January – relates to a decision in March 2010 by Fashion Television BVI, the global broadcaster of FTV, to terminate its contract with the Indian partner Fashion Television India Pvt. Ltd following differences over sharing revenue and outstanding payments.
The Delhi High Court on 24 May last year restrained FTV from terminating the agreement. This injunction was later removed by an arbitral tribunal.
Austria-based FTV Programmgesellschaft mbH is the parent company of the FTV brand, owned by Michel Adam Lisowski.
FTV and its Indian partner had concluded a five-year agreement in August 2001which included broadcasting rights in India and franchising fBars, the channel’s branded night clubs. This could be automatically extended by another seven years if a joint venture company was not formed between the two parties.
Initially, FTV India was to pay its foreign partner a minimum guarantee of $720,000 per annum and the channel was encrypted for Indian viewers.
However in 2003, FTV Paris went free-to-air via satellite Asiasat 2, leading to a dispute between the two sides over revenue sharing and outstanding payments.
In June 2003, FTV had prepared a civil-criminal charge against Lalit Modi and the Modi Group in France and in India.
FTV had alleged that the Modi Group had been entering into agreements selling the Fashion Bars concept to third parties and collecting substantial advance payment. It said the Modis should have sought written permission to engage Fashion TV in long-term partnerships or franchising agreements.
The Delhi High Court in June 2003 had issued a show cause notice for contempt of court against Fashion TV Paris for not complying with its order of 19 May 2003 directing FTV to re-encrypt the signal of its channel, preventing it from being free-to-air. It also restrained Fashion TV Paris from entering into any third party agreements for distribution, advertising, merchandising and licensing rights.
The order made it clear that no Indian company or group of companies could get into any business arrangement with FTV directly for business purposes in India and the SAARC region without the written consent of the Modi Group, and FTV could not get into any business arrangement in India and the Saarc Region without a consent from the Modi Group. Any such business arrangement was to be in direct violation of the Delhi High Court Order.
But in May 2004, FTV said it had resolved all differences with MEN after a year's battle in the Delhi High Court, and an agreement was reached between Lalit Modi and the FTV boss Michel Adam. MEN continued to control FTV India.
FTV India with its India-specific beam agreed to step up its Indian content by developing new shows and vignettes and showcasing Indian fashion, lifestyle and music.
FTV – which had been launched in 1997 as the world’s first television network entirely dedicated to fashion, beauty and style - had agreed to return to the pay mode once the reworked distribution arrangement set in by the end of 2004.
It is present in over 130 countries on 5 continents through 31 satellites and over 1000 cable systems. Broadcast by leading global media groups such as Eutelsat, BSkyB and Astra C, Fashion TV has a confirmed reach of over 130 million households.
Sun TV launches 4 ad-free action movie channels
From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/jan/jan23.php
MUMBAI: The action movie genre has suddenly started to heat up with big media players eyeing the rapidly expanding market.
The latest to join the bandwagon is South Indian media major Sun TV network. The Kalanithi Maran-owned media conglomerate has launched four action movie channels in the four southern states starting today.
Interestingly, all the channels - Sun Action in Tamil, Gemini Action in Telugu, Suriyan TV in Kannada and Surya Action in Malayalam – are ad free.
“With this launch, we are entering into the ‘ad free’ pay channel world and also the new genre of ‘action movie’ is added to the existing genres of general entertainment, movies, music, news, kids and comedy,” the company said.
Earlier, UTV had launched UTV Action in Hindi and UTV Action Telugu. Star India is also launching a Hindi and an English action movie channel within two months
However, Sun TV’s channels will be the first of its kind complete ad free action movie channels in India. HBO has a similar pay-revenue model in the mature markets.
The Sun TV bouquet has now grown to 29 channels of which there are 10 in Tamil, eight in Telugu, seven in Kannada and four in Malayalam languages.
5/01/12
Sorry no update
4/01/12
Intelsat 8 12405 V Sr 14999 Visionasia Indian mux is testing (NZ / Islands beam)
D1 12680 V Sr 7200 "Tennis" Feed
Intelsat 5 4054 H SR 4000 "Tennis"
Feed Sunday Jan 1ST
New years day Horse racing
D2 12671 V Sr 6670 "GCAST_2_ENC_1" D2 12662 V Sr 6670 "Tandberg Service" D2 12680 V Sr 6670 "GLOBECAST7" D2 12468 H Sr 6670 "NZRB NZL-00022"
From my Email
..
From the Dish
Intelsat 8 166E 3707 V "GEM TV" has left again.
Intelsat 8 166E 4180 H CNN International Asia Pacific, HLN East, CNN International South Asia and CNN J have left .
Telkom 1 108E 3580 H "Kompas, NHK World Premium, KBS World and Eurosport Asia" have started on , MPEG-4, Irdeto.
MNC TV, Crime & Investigation Network Asia, EuroNews, The Style Network Emea, Channel NewsAsia, Screen Red, Life Inspired, KidsCo Asia, Discovery Home & Health SE Asia, Warner TV Asia, ITV Granada, Tru TV Asia, MTV China and Lifestyle HD have left 3580 H.
Telkom 1 108E 3620 H "Bali TV" has left .
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3643 H "Vissa" is now encrypted.
AsiaSat 5 100.5E 3801 H "Din News TV" has started on , Fta.
Measat 3a 91.5E 4040 H "Fashion Wild has replaced Bigfoot TV" on , MPEG-4, HD, Fta.
Yamal 201 90E 3553 L "Ashgabat TV" has started on , Fta.
Yamal 201 90E 3600 L "urkmen Sport" has started on , Fta.
ST 2 88E 3591 H "CSTV Finance, Express Finance Satellite TV, Global Financial Net, Heng Seng Financial News and SBN" have left .
Insat 2E 83E 3845 V "Kaumudy TV" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 3756 H "Prarthana Bhawan TV" has started on , Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 3874 H "Kamyab TV" has left .
Insat 4A 83E 3925 H "Aryan News" is still on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 3936 H "9X Jhakaas and Max Vision" have started on , MPEG-4, Irdeto.
Insat 4A 83E 4134 H "Voice of Nation" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Insat 4A 83E 4134 H "Darshan TV" has left .
Express MD1 80E 3875 R."7 TV" has left, Oruzhie is Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3440 H "Super Hit" has started on , Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3480 H "Good Channel" is now encrypted.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 3960 V and 4057 V "Punjab TV and Star Asia have replaced Filmazia and Filmax" on , Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 4057 V "Apna Channel" is still on , Fta.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 12396 H "BBC Entertainment Asia and CBeebies Asia" have started on , encrypted.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 12479 H "BBC Knowledge Asia" has started on encrypted.
Thaicom 5 78.5E 12720 H "Fox Family Movies" has started on , HD, encrypted.
Intelsat 17 66E 3876 H "RTV" has started on , Fta.
Intelsat 17 66E 3894 H "Tollywood" has started on , MPEG-4, Fta.
Paksat 1R 38E 3945 H "Play" has started on , Fta.
Paksat 1R 38E 3970 H "Value TV" has started on , Fta.
Paksat 1R 38E 4020 H "Dharti TV Network has replaced Sohni Dharti TV" on .
NEWS
A&E set for February launch on Foxtel
From http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2012/01/04/ae-set-for-february-launch-on-foxtel/
Foxtel Channels Group today announced that its newest channel A&E will launch on 16 February at 6:30pm.
The channel will focus on entertainment and reality programming and will target the younger male demographic.
Foxtel's executive director of television, Brian Walsh, said: "A&E will be the one stop destination for heart stopping unscripted, authentic and real entertainment series' combined to create an intense, immediate and inspiring environment that is relevant to its audience."
"This channel further strengthens our relationship with global media company, A&E Networks, producer and distributor of some of the world's leading television channels and content. Through a commercial partnership, Foxtel operates A&E Networks' brands in Australia. A&E now joins stable mates, History, Crime & Investigation Network and Bio, on Foxtel. We are delighted to welcome A&E to the Foxtel platform."
Key programmes on A&E will include Storage Wars, Storage Wars Texas, Dog The Bounty Hunter, Billy The Exterminator, Pawn Stars and American Pickers.
Jim Buchan, head of factual at Foxtel, said: "There's no denying that character driven factual entertainment is now hugely popular the world over. We're thrilled to be showcasing the best of it all on our new exciting channel brand A&E along with our own 'home grown' content."
"We are thrilled to be teaming up with our long time partners, Foxtel, to bring the A&E brand to Australia," added Sean Cohan, Senior Vice President, International, A+E Networks.
"A&E is a leading television brand in the US, Canada and Latin America, and I am confident the channel will meet with great success in Australia."
A&E will be seen in high definition on D607 and in standard definition on D230. It launches a day before the much-anticipated Fox Footy channel.
China test-launches 3D TV channel
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_test-launches_3D_TV_channel_999.html
China's state broadcaster has test-launched a 3D television channel, state media said, in a bid to draw viewers anddrive consumption by encouraging people to upgrade to 3D-capable sets.
Viewers in the world's largest TV audience now can watch the China 3D TV Trial Channel with a 3D TV, special glasses and a set-top box, Xinhua news agency said.
The 3D channel broadcasts three daily rotations of four-and-a-half hours of 3D content such as performing arts, cartoons, movies and sports, and promises programming from the upcoming London Summer Olympics.
State-run China Central Television launched the service Sunday, initially free of charge, with partners Beijing TV, Shanghai Media Group, Jiangsu TV, Tianjin TV and Shenzhen TV -- reaching China's biggest viewing and advertising markets.
To make up for current slim pickings in 3D programming available in China, or elsewhere, each partner broadcaster has established specialist 3D production units, Xinhua said.
The channel is due to have its full official launch on January 23 to mark the start of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, when Chinese traditionally travel home and watch special variety TV programmes together.
In a year when the central government in Beijing has warned about a slowdown in China's economic growth, its head broadcast regulator told Xinhua the 3D channel can create demand for 3D TV sets "worth hundreds of billions of yuan."
"The launch of the 3D trial channel is a significant step in the development of China's television," Cai Fuchao, head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, told Xinhua.
CCTV has in recent years fought fiercely not to lose viewers to more progressive programming at BTV, SMG and satellite channels such as that from central China's Hunan province.
China has roughly 500 million TV sets, according to Xinhua, and now also is home to more than 500 million Internet users and the fastest growing movie box office in the world, up more than 60 percent last year to $1.5 billion.
With their eyes fixed on the 3D channel test, some retailers of Chinese-made 3D TVs slashed the prices of a typical 42-inch model, often in half, to around 5,000 yuan ($790), the Made-in-China tech gadget blog reported in November.
China's first 3D TV channel makes debut in Xiamen
From http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/news23066.html
A ceremony was held to mark the launch of China's first 3D TV channel on 1st January
China launched trial operations of its first 3D TV channel at 7:30 pm on 1st January, and Xiamen is among the first batch of trial cities of the 3D TV channel, reports Xiamen Daily.
"China 3D TV pilot channel" is available at channel134. To watch the 3D programs, you will need a 3D TV set, install Capable TV's high-definition set-top-box and D glasses.
The channel will charge no viewing fees during its early phase of running, according to the Xiamen Radio and Television Network.
The channel will offer 3D programs that will include animation, sports, documentaries, TV dramas, entertainment and live broadcasts of big events such as the 2012 CCTV New Year's Gala and the London 2012 Olympic Games..
Six TV stations, China Central Television (CCTV), and those in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu province, Shenzhen and Tianjin, will make 3D programs for the channel operated by CCTV.
After the test-run stage, the channel will be officially put into operation during the 2012 Spring Festival which falls in late January this year.
Eye experts suggest viewers limit their 3D experience to one hour at a time because too much may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches and myopia.
According to a plan announced by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, China will have 100 HD TV channels and 10 3D TV channels by the end of 2015.
Chinese satellites turn ‘dumb’ bombs into ‘smart’ bombs
From http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2012/01/03/2003522296
Fears surrounding the commercial debut of the China’s Beidou satellite navigation system last week have centered on the development by the Chinese military in recent years of a bomb kit that can transform “dumb” bombs into “smart” ones.
Chief among them is the Lei Shi-6 (LS-6) “Thunder Stone” precision-guided glide bomb first unveiled by the Luoyang Optoelectro Technology Development Center in late 2006. The guidance “fit,” which is attached to conventional bombs and has deployable wings, can support a number of bomb weights, from 50kg to 500kg, Jane’s Defence Weekly reported last year.
Once installed, a “dumb” bomb becomes a “standoff” maneuverable precision-guided bomb similar to the US-developed Joint Attack Direct Munition (JDAM), which relies on US satellites for guidance. Unlike laser-guided weapons, projectiles using satellites for guidance can be used in any weather conditions.
According to Chinese media, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force conducted a series of tests of the LS-6 on the Shenyang J-8B starting in 2006.
Relying on the navigation capabilities provided by the Beidou satellites, aircraft pilots could limit their exposure to an enemy’s aircraft and air defense system by releasing their smart bomb from a distance. The LS-6 has a range of 40km when dropped at an altitude of 8,000m and 60km at 10,000m, bringing its ordnance at a speed of Mach 1 to within 15m of a target.
Military experts have said that while Taiwan spends more than US$300 million per Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) fire unit and missiles, the production of guided bombs like as the LS-6 is substantially cheaper. The cost difference means that a far greater number of smart bombs can be built than Taiwan’s Patriot missile units can intercept, although this view does not take the other, less expensive, layers of Taiwan’s air defense architecture into account.
LS-6 bombs could also be mounted on carrier-based aircraft, which China has been developing, giving the People’s Liberation Army Navy a much wider angle from which to direct bombs and missiles against Taiwan. This would severely undermine the PAC-3’s ability to intercept them, given the limitations posed by the Patriot radar’s 90-degree sector coverage.
The Taiwan Affairs Office last week denied the Beidou system would be used by the Chinese military and played down reports in Taiwan that the satellites posed a threat to the region.
IKIM TO LAUNCH TV CHANNEL
From http://my.news.yahoo.com/ikim-launch-tv-channel-170737142.html
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) will launch a television channel, TV IKIM in February, said its director-general Datuk Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan. Speaking to reporters after attending a stage performance at the Federal Territory Mosque here tonight, he said the broadcasting station would not only propagate Islam but also enhance understanding of the religion.
At present, IKIM runs a 24-hour Islamic-oriented radio station, IKIM.fm.
Hackers aim to launch Internet satellite network, moon mission
From http://www.zdnet.com/news/hackers-aim-to-launch-internet-satellite-network-moon-mission/6335491
A group of hackers wants to use satellites launched with balloons to set up an Internet network that that can't be censored by governments.
Hackers have announced work on a ground station scheme that would make amateur satellites more viable, as part of an aerospace scheme that ultimately aims for the moon.
The Hackerspace Global Grid (HGG) project hopes to make it possible for amateurs to more accurately track the home-brewed satellites. As these devices tend to be launched by balloon, they are not placed at a precise point in orbit as professional satellites deployed by rocket usually are.
Armin Bauer, one of the three German hobbyists involved in the HGG, said at the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin that the system involved a reversal of the standard GPS technique. The scheme was announced at the event, which is Europe's largest hacker conference.
"GPS uses satellites to calculate where we are, and this tells us where the satellites are," Bauer said on Friday, according to the BBC. "We would use GPS co-ordinates but also improve on them by using fixed sites in precisely-known locations."
According to the HGG website, enthusiasts would site the ground stations using coordinates not only from the US's GPS system, but also those from the EU's Galileo, Russia's GLONASS and ground surveys.
A major aim of the wider 'Hacker Space Program' is to create a satellite system for internet communication that is uncensorable by any country. The hackers also want to put someone on the moon by 2034 — something that has not been done since the Apollo 17 mission 39 years ago.
Bauer described the moon mission as "very ambitious". As for the anti-censorship aspects of the scheme, the HGG team said on their site that they are "not yet in a technical position to discuss details".
They also noted that the modular ground stations, which are intended to work out at a non-profit sales price of €100 (£84) each, would be able to work without the internet.
"Then you will have to deploy four receiver stations and connect them to your laptop(s) or collect all storage media added to them, where all received data is stored on," the team wrote. "Then you have to manage the data handling and processing by your own."
However, internet connectivity is the plan for most of the HGG's usage. The team is working on the project alongside Constellation, an German aerospace research platform for academics that would use the distributed network to derive crucial data.
According to Bauer and his colleagues, the internet connectivity would be of "bare minimum" bandwidth that would be enough to keep basic communications going if needed.
"The first step is establishing a means of accurate synchronisation for the distributed network," the team explained. "Next up are building various receiver modules (ADS-B, amateur satellites, etc) and data processing of received signals. A communication/control channel (read: sending data) is a future possibility but there are no fixed plans on how this could be implemented yet."
The HGG team hopes to have working prototypes in the first half of the year, with production units ready for distribution by the end of 2012. These would be sold, but people would be able to build their own as well.
If the Hacker Space Program really does take off, the satellites would be out of any country's legal jurisdiction, but this would also leave any country that is capable of doing so free to disable them in some way.
The HGG team admitted on their site that there would nothing they could do to stop this happening.
"Since we don't have actual satellites yet, this falls in the category of problems we're going to solve once they occur," they wrote. "We're doing this because we want to and because it's fun. We're trying to concentrate on reasons why this will work, not why it won't."
Russia plans 36 rockets launches in 2012
From http://www.barentsobserver.com/russia-plans-36-rockets-launches-in-2012.5003642-58932.html
Russia plans to launch 4 more rockets in 2012 than last year. The launch program for 2011 ended with a crash.
31 launches will be conducted from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan while 5 will be launched from the Plesetsk space center in Arkhangelsk Oblast. In 2011 Russia launched a total of 32 rockets from the two space centers, Argumenty writes.
The last rocket to be launched from Plesetsk was a Soyuz-2 rocket carrying a Meridian satellite. It was lauched on December 23 but crashed in Siberia only minutes after liftoff. Fragments of the satellite have been found in the Novosibirsk region, RIA Novosti writes.
Plesetsk space center is now part of Russia’s newly created Aerospace Defense Forces (VKO), that officially went on duty on December 1 2011.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed the creation of the VKO, an analog of the European missile defense system, to replace the Russian Space Forces, in 2010. The VKO brings together the air defense and missile defense systems, as well as the early missile warning and space control systems, under a unified command, RIA Novosti writes.
Meridian-series communication satellites are used for both civilian and military purposes. They are designed to provide communication between vessels, airplanes and coastal stations on the ground, as well as to expand a network of satellite communications in the northern regions of Siberia and the Russian Far East. These satellites are designed to replace the older Molniya-series.
DARPA wants to give dead, in-orbit satellites new life
From http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/79482
DARPA says squadron of tiny “satlets” could retrofit bigger satellites in graveyard orbits
Scientists at DARPA say there are some 1,300 satellites worth over $300B sitting out in Earth's geostationary orbit (GEO) that could be retrofitted or harvested for new communications roles.
And it is now looking for a way to do just that herculean task.
Late in December the agency said it expected to award about $36M worth of contracts to companies interested in building system components for its Phoenix program which would use a squadron of what DARPA calls "satlets" and a larger tender craft to retrofit or retrieve old satellites and parts for reuse.
The idea is that retrofitting and reusing old satellites could be cheaper than developing, building and launching new spacecraft.
DARPA's description of the Phoenix system goes like this: "A new class of small 'satlets', or nano satellites, which could be sent to the GEO region as a "ride along" on a commercial satellite launch, and then attach to the antenna of a non-operational cooperating satellite robotically, essentially creating a new space system. A payload orbital delivery system, or PODS, will also be designed to safely house the Satlets for transport aboard a commercial satellite launch as a hosted payload. A separate on-orbit 'tender,' or satellite servicing spacecraft is also expected to be built and launched into GEO. Once the tender arrives on-orbit, the PODS would then be released from its ride-along host and link up with the tender to become part of the satellite servicer's 'tool belt.' The tender plans to be equipped with grasping mechanical arms for removing the Satlets and components from the PODS using unique robotic tools to be developed in the program."
When DARPA first talked about the Phoenix program in October, it acknowledged the difficulties facing any Phoenix developers.
"Satellites in GEO are not designed to be disassembled or repaired, so it's not a matter of simply removing some nuts and bolts," said David Barnhart, DARPA program manager in a release. "This requires new remote imaging and robotics technology and special tools to grip, cut, and modify complex systems, since existing joints are usually molded or welded. Another challenge is developing new remote operating procedures to hold two parts together so a third robotic 'hand' can join them with a third part, such as a fastener, all in zero gravity. For a person operating such robotics, the complexity is similar to trying to assemble via remote control multiple Legos at the same time while looking through a telescope."
Today's ground-based robotics systems let surgeons perform telesurgery on a patient thousands of miles away, and advanced remote imaging systems used for offshore drilling view the ocean floor thousands of feet underwater. These types of capabilities, if re-engineered for zero gravity, high-vacuum and harsh radiation, could be used in space to allow the repurposing of valuable antennas from retired GEO satellites, DARPA stated.
DARPA says it expects to have an on-orbit demonstration in 2015-2016 of at least one successful aperture repurposing demonstrations using a robotic GEO spacecraft. The on-orbit demonstration will take place in both the GEO and super-GEO or graveyard orbit, with precise orbit parameters and selection of candidate retired satellites to be determined, and will be approximately six months duration, with a potential subsequent residual capability of up to 48 months.
Etisalat to provide satellite uplink for YahLive broadcasters
