Foxtel and HBO in Day-and-Date deal

24 Oct 2012 – In a move that will help combat Internet piracy and further differentiates it from free-to-air services, Australian pay-TV provider Foxtel has agreed a new output deal with premium US content producer HBO that will deliver new shows to Australian screens sooner.

The new agreement gives Foxtel exclusive first run of all HBO content as well as access HBO’s past programmes. Although Foxtel currently has the Australian first-run rights to major HBO shows such as True Blood, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones, the fresh deal will allow the screening of certain shows within hours of their US broadcast.

Viacom International launches Comedy Central Asia

VIACOM INTERNATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS LAUNCHES COMEDY CENTRAL ASIA ON NOVEMBER 1 IN SEVEN TERRITORIES
SINGAPORE, PHILIPPINES, CAMBODIA ARE FIRST COUNTRIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO GET ALL-COMEDY CHANNEL

SINGAPORE, 25 OCTOBER 2012 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) is set to launch the first 24-hr all-comedy channel, Comedy Central Asia on Thursday, November 1 at 12pm (SG/PH) in seven territories with nine providers – Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Mongolia. The eighth territory, Thailand, will begin transmission of Comedy Central Asia on December 1 via IPTV operator TOT IPTV.

Comedy Central Asia will kick off with one feed on November 1 reaching subscribers of Singapore’s StarHub, the Philippines’s SkyTel, Cambodia’s PPCTV Co., LTD and One TV, Myanmar’s SkyNet DTH, Papua New Guinea’s Channel 8 and HiTRON, Samoa’s Bluesky Moana TV and Mongolia’s SkyMedia. Singapore’s MediaCorp will launch the channel in the first quarter of 2013 via its Over-The-Top (OTT) interactive service, Toggle. Comedy Central Asia will air 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD). Viewing platforms include cable, IPTV, OTT, MMDS, DVBT, DTH, as well as online and mobile simulcast.

Comedy Central Asia’s programming line-up will feature Primetime Emmy® award-winning political talk show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Peabody® prize-winner South Park and Charlie Sheen’s latest comedy hit Anger Management, which is exclusive to Comedy Central Asia.

The Channel will debut with Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff, part of the Emmy-nominated COMEDY CENTRAL Roast series where a special roastee is hand-picked to sit on the hot seat and take it on the chin for the evening with good-natured ribbing from colleagues and comics. This is followed by the sitcom Happily Divorced and the first run of stand-up special Jo Koy: Lights Out. Localized programming during the weekend includes a two-episode marathon of The Noose, a top-rated, Singapore-produced news spoof comedy.

Classic titles Just for Laughs and Mind Your Language, original sketch-comedy Key & Peele, sitcoms Workaholics and The Sarah Silverman Program, gag show Boiling Points and the celebrity special Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne will also be aired on the Channel.

“Launching the Channel in seven markets at one shot is an amazing feat and is proof of the confidence that operators have in the Channel. With less than a week to go, we are eagerly awaiting the launch of Comedy Central Asia. Viewers will laugh out loud with our hilarious programmes from the U.S., the U.K. and Asia,” said VIMN’s Executive Vice President/Managing Director Asia, Indra Suharjono.

Comedy Central Asia will be the platform to showcase Asian comedy and comedic talent. In addition to subtitling, localisation initiatives in the pipeline include local productions, commissions and more acquisitions.

Comedy Central is VIMN’s third global brand (after MTV and Nickelodeon) and expands VIMN’s current offerings in Asia by moving into the adult-skewed entertainment sphere, targeting viewers aged 18 to 34 years old with comedy content round-the-clock.

Comedy Central is the only 100% global comedy network, currently seen in more than 200 million homes in over 70 countries around the world. Comedy Central Asia joins the portfolio of comedy channels for Viacom International Media Networks, which are seen in various markets such as Latin America, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Holland, New Zealand, Hungary, Poland, Israel, and Austria.

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About Viacom International Media Networks

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

About Comedy Central

Comedy Central, the world’s biggest comedy network, has been making audiences laugh since it first launched in the United States in 1991. Renowned for exclusively featuring a stable of exclusive and tailor-made local and international comedy, the brand has become the ultimate destination for all kinds of humor, from traditional to satire to sketches to popular sitcoms. Outside of the United States, Comedy Central is part of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For information about Comedy Central in Asia, visit www.comedycentralasia.com.

Media Contact:

Viacom International Media Networks
Omar Gepiga, Senior Director
t: (65) 6420 7184 m: (65) 8198 0230
e: omar.gepiga@vimn.com

Eutelsat Communication – Solid first quarter 2012-2013 revenues

Solid Quarterly revenue performance: Revenues up 6.5% to €314.4 million (+3.8% at constant currency)

Video Applications up 9.1%, driven by satellite capacity added in 2011-2012
Data and Value-Added Services up 2.5%, with strong growth of Value-Added Services (+43.7%)
Multi-usage down 5.8%, reflecting limited capacity in regions of highest demand

EUTELSAT 172A (formerly GE-23) acquisition finalised, expanding coverage of high growth regions

Outlook: current and three year organic growth targets confirmed, adjusted to include consolidation of EUTELSAT 172A

The Group’s revenue targets have been adjusted to reflect the consolidation as of 25 September 2012 of EUTELSAT 172A, and now stands at +5-6% for 2012-13, with CAGR of 6-7% to June 2015 (versus +3-4% and 5-6% respectively prior to the acquisition).

Paris, 25 October 2012 – Eutelsat Communications (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world’s leading satellite operators, today reported revenues for the first quarter ended 30 September, 2012.

Verimatrix Explores Advances in Multi-Network Revenue Security at CASBAA 2012

Latest Multi-Network Solutions in the Real World Forum to Feature Discussion on Challenges and Opportunities Surrounding Advanced Video Deployments in Asia

Hong Kong, CASBAA 2012, 24 Oct. 2012 –Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, will be focusing on the security issues that matter most for Asia Pacific pay-TV operators at CASBAA Convention 2012, which is being held in Hong Kong, 29th Oct. – 1st Nov. The company will share its expertise on hybrid and OTT video network deployment best practices throughout the convention.

Verimatrix is bringing its popular Multi-Network Solutions in the Real World Forum series to the CASBAA Convention, in the form of a special breakfast session held on Wednesday, 31 Oct. from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The forum will feature a panel of industry experts from ABS-CBN International, Ericsson AB, now TV (a division of PCCW), and Verimatrix sharing their thoughts on the technology and business trade-offs, and ultimately the implementation decisions, required for successful multi-network service rollouts in Asia. For a full agenda, please visit our Multi-Network Solutions in the Real World Forum – Asia Edition page.

In addition, Steve Oetegenn, chief sales and marketing officer, will participate in the “After Megaupload – Online piracy in Asia and beyond” panel on Wednesday, 31 Oct. from 9:45 a.m. -10:30 a.m. During the session, Oetegenn will explore revenue security strategies for preventing unauthorized access to pay-TV content. Other panelists include experts from A+E Networks, ESPN STAR Sports, TVB, and PCCW.

“The Asian pay-TV landscape is particularly dynamic and intriguing at present, especially with India’s massive digitalization initiative and advanced hybrid deployments across the region now underway,” said Oetegenn. “We anticipate that CASBAA attendees will have many questions on the impact of such initiatives on their revenue security strategies, and we are excited to share what we have learned from the many real-world deployments we have been a part of over the last few years.”

Verimatrix will also be discussing the findings from the latest Farncombe white paper on “The Future of Cardless Broadcast Security.” The full paper can be found at www.verimatrix.com/cardless. If you would like to arrange a briefing to learn more, please click here.

About Verimatrix

Verimatrix specializes in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe. The award-winning and independently audited Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) and ViewRight® solutions offer an innovative approach for cable, satellite, terrestrial and IPTV operators to cost-effectively extend their networks and enable new business models. As the recognized leader in software-based security solutions for premier service providers, Verimatrix has pioneered the 3-Dimensional Security approach that offers flexible layers of protection techniques to address evolving business needs and revenue threats. Maintaining close relationships with major studios, broadcasters, industry organizations, and its unmatched partner ecosystem enables Verimatrix to provide a unique perspective on digital TV business issues beyond content security as operators seek to deliver compelling new services. Verimatrix is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company. For more information, please visit www.verimatrix.com, our Pay TV Views blog and follow us at @verimatrixinc, Facebook and LinkedIn to join the conversation.

China to create national cable operator

19 Oct 2012 – China’s Ministry of Finance will reportedly put up RMB 4 bln (USD641m) over the next two years as registered capital for China Radio and Television Network Co., Ltd., the national cable TV operator. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has committed to offering the new company the same considerations as other telecommunications operators in the areas of infrastructure operations licenses and international internet gateways.

After China Radio and Television Network is officially registered, its key tasks will include completing the integration of provincial broadcasting networks and operators, in addition to continuing to fund upgrades to backbone networks. The initial areas of focus could be ten cash-strapped provincial networks in the country’s central and western regions that have already completed integration efforts, including the Guangxi and Guizhou provincial networks. Listed cable operators in the country’s more developed eastern provinces, including Beijing-based cable and broadband operator Gehua CATV Network (600037.SH), Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary (000917.SZ), and the soon-to-list Jiangsu Broadcasting Cable Information Network and Guangdong Cable, will pose a major challenge to the new company, however, as their assets will be evaluated based on market prices.

J:COM poised to ‘buy rival’?

20 Oct 2012 – Japan’s biggest cable television operator JCOM is eyeing an acquisition of its main domestic rival, Japan Cablenet, which would see it control half of the country’s market, a report said Saturday.

JCOM, also known as Jupiter Telecommunications, had a roughly 39-percent share of the domestic market for cable pay television services in the year to March 2012, while Japan Cablenet held about 11 percent.

The combined firm would be 50-50 owned by trading house Sumitomo and telecom firm KDDI in a bid to challenge Japan’s top telecom operator NTT, the business daily Nikkei said.

Indian digital wars

21 Oct 2012 – Cable TV and direct-to-home, or DTH, operators are engaged in a fierce battle in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. By October 31, the two million or so analog TV households need to upgrade to digital feed or face blackout. Their options are either digital cable or DTH. This is just the first round. The rest of the country has to move to digital TV in three phases by December 31, 2014. The outcome of the first phase, the hits and misses, will pretty much determine the result of the other phases. The stakes are huge: 140 million analog homes will be up for grabs in the next three phases. Behind the placid environs of bedrooms and living rooms, a fierce battle is being fought for television feed with all the weapons in the armory: price wars, freebies et al.

It is a battle that will bleed all in the beginning: DTH companies bear a cost of up to Rs 2,500 to acquire a customer, while the cost for digital cable TV is around Rs 1,000. But these are costs they must incur, losses they must bear, to ensure their survival in the long run. So, both the parties have begun to stock up on hardware — set-top boxes, dish antennae et cetera — and have beefed up their retail network, improved their customer interface and upped their installation capabilities. Anybody who runs out of stock will lose customers, perhaps forever, to rivals. “The nuts and bolts that need to get fixed on ground are the toughest,” says Harit Nagpal, CEO of Tata Sky, the country’s second-largest DTH operator (market share of 19 per cent, the same as Airtel Digital). “When a user who has not digitised for the last six years asks for a connection on October 31 at noon, we have to ensure that we get it to him by 2 pm. When this gets replicated by hundreds of people, you can imagine the scale of infrastructure needed to service that demand.”

Zee, India Today up for NDTV profit?

23 Oct 2012 – Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and TV Today Network Ltd are in the fray to buy New Delhi Television Ltd’s business news channel NDTV Profit, according to three persons with direct knowledge of the matter who didn’t want to be identified.

They add that there is also another buyer in the race for the channel that has been on the blocks for sometime now.

Manisha Natarajan, spokeswoman for NDTV, declined comment.

Emails and phone calls to Zee and India Today groups did not elicit a response.

“If a good deal comes by, NDTV will certainly consider it. If the valuation is attractive, then the group may also consider selling the lifestyle channel as well,” said a senior NDTV official directly involved in the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

I&B digitisation estimates wrong?

23 Oct 2012 – Just a few days after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) presented impressive figures pertaining to the amount of digitisation accomplished ahead of the scheduled deadline, there are reports about the figures being far from reality.

The Cable Operators Digitisation Committee has now come forward in its response to the figures presented by the ministry, claiming that the I&B ministry has showed a reduced number of cable television connections to depict higher penetration. In his statement to PTI, Cable Operators Digitisation Committee convenor Swapan Chowdhury said, “The claim is not true as Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reduced the cable connection estimate in the four metros from 1.33 crore to just 68.40 lakh in three months.”

Just a few days after the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) presented impressive figures pertaining to the amount of digitisation accomplished ahead of the scheduled deadline, there are reports about the figures being far from reality.

The Cable Operators Digitisation Committee has now come forward in its response to the figures presented by the ministry, claiming that the I&B ministry has showed a reduced number of cable television connections to depict higher penetration. In his statement to PTI, Cable Operators Digitisation Committee convenor Swapan Chowdhury said, “The claim is not true as Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has reduced the cable connection estimate in the four metros from 1.33 crore to just 68.40 lakh in three months.”

Agreement with GlobeCast brings ITV Granada HD to MEASAT-3

Kuala Lumpur, 25 October 2012 – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) announced today an agreement with GlobeCast to distribute ITV Granada in HD, via the MEASAT-3 satellite across Asia and the Middle East.

Part of ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment, ITV Granada shows a wide array of contemporary entertainment, award-winning drama, comedy and the latest in reality shows from leading producers in the UK and around the world. The channel in standard definition is available throughout Asia and the Middle East, reaching over 6 million households, in more than 40 countries.

“MEASAT is pleased to partner with GlobeCast to bring ITV Granada in HD to viewers across Asia and the Middle East,” said Jarod Lopez, Senior Director, Sales and Marketing, MEASAT. “The addition of ITV Granada on MEASAT’s HD platform at 91.5°E enhances the bouquet of quality broadcast content for the region.”

The MEASAT-3 satellite co-located with the MEASAT-3a satellite at 91.5°E orbital slot supports MEASAT’s HD video neighbourhood that features an assortment of channels including news, general entertainment, sports and factual programming.

“MEASAT continues to lead HD channels distribution in Asia with 33 channels on MEASAT’s HD video neighbourhood,” added Lopez.

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 neighbourhood, MEASAT-2 at 148.0°E, MEASAT-5 at 119.5°E and AFRICASAT-1 at 46.0°E. The MEASAT fleet will be further strengthened with the addition of AFRICASAT-1a at 46°E in Q1 2013 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 3D, high definition and standard definition video playout, video turnaround, co-location, uplinking, broadband and IP termination services.

For more information, please visit www.measat.com.

Contact:
Tan Shyue Wern
MEASAT
+60 (3) 8213 2152
tswtan@measat.com

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