SkyCable to earmark P1B for 2013 capex

MANILA, Philippines (October 24, 2012) – Lopez-owned SkyCable Corp. will allot P1 billion in capital expenditure in 2013, the same amount it has earmarked for this year, to be spent on its digitization efforts.

“Around P400 million will be spend for digitization and the rest for maintenance and broadband services,” Carlo Katigbak, managing director of the country’s largest cable television operator, said.

He noted SkyCable’s planned capex also includes spending for its newly acquired firms, namely cable TV operators Destiny Cable and Uni-Cable TV Inc., and broadband service provider Solid Broadband Corp.

Taiwan’s NCC revisits retail price controls

The decision to hold a public hearing comes after several local governments decided to lower fees for cable television service

October 25, 2012 – The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it would hold a public hearing on Tuesday next week on setting more reasonable cable TV service fees.

The Executive Yuan has set the goal of raising the penetration rate of digital cable television service to 100 percent by 2014. This year, the commission has begun implementing a policy that allows cable television service providers to offer nationwide service or branch out into other service areas, on the condition that they offer only digital service.

NCC spokesperson Wei Shyue-wen (魏學文) said it was about time the commission began considering what constitutes a reasonable service fee in the digital service age.

Eutelsat Communications to propose appointment of two new independent Board members

Eutelsat Communications to propose appointment of two new independent Board members at General Assembly of 8 November

Paris, 24 October 2012 – At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) on 8 November 2012, shareholders will be invited to vote on the appointment of two new independent Board members: Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun, a Moroccan national, and Elisabetta Oliveri, an Italian national.

Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun is a Director of the Holmarcom Group and CEO of its largest subsidiary, Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmès, specialised in water and bottling. In May 2012, she became the first woman to head Morocco’s employers’ union, the Confédération Générale des Entreprises du Maroc and the first woman appointed to this position in the MENA region. She is also a board member of the National Central and Reserve Bank of Morocco (Bank Al Maghrib) and Chairwoman of the Euro-Mediterranean Center of Mediation and Arbitration (CEMA).

Elisabetta Oliveri is CEO of Gruppo Fabbri Vignola, an industrial and international leader in machines and films for the food packaging sector. Her previous executive positions have included CEO of the SIRTI group, the Italian leader in network engineering, and Business Development Manager at Marconi. She is also a Board member of Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, Azienda Trasporti Milano and SNAM (ENI Group).

The addition of these two nominees to the Eutelsat Board of Directors would increase its number to ten, of which three women and six independent directors of five different nationalities, thereby confirming the Group’s commitment to gender and cultural diversity.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 29 satellites that provide coverage across Europe, as well as the Middle East, Africa and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world’s three leading satellite operators. As of 30 June 2012 Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 4,250 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat’s broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates high speed Internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve consumers, enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 750 commercial, technical and operational professionals. This culturally diverse staff comprises employees from 30 countries. www.eutelsat.com

For further information

Press

Vanessa O’Connor, Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frédérique Gautier, Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr
Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: + 33 1 53 98 32 45, mecuer@eutelsat.fr

Investors & Analysts
Lisa Finas, Tel: +33 1 53 98 35 30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Léonard Wapler, Tel: +33 1 53 98 31 07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

2012 pay-TV revenues to hit $236bn

October 24, 2012 – The worldwide pay-TV market is growing on all major TV platforms worldwide, including cable, satellite, and IPTV, according to ABI Research’s pay-TV Market Data, which looks at average revenue per user (ARPU) and revenues worldwide.

Pay-TV service revenue is expected to reach $236 billion by the end of 2012, up from $223 billion in 2011, according to the market intelligence company, which also expects the pay-TV market to continue to grow 19 per cent over the next five years, generating $281 billion in 2017. Pay terrestrial TV services, however, are losing steam with a small drop in revenue; ABI Research notes that the French pay-TV platform TV Numeric is in receivership and likely to close at the end of the year.

Jack Neo’s Ah Boys to Men to Feature Dolby Atmos

Singapore production set to become first Asian movie released in groundbreaking Dolby Atmos format

Singapore, October 23, 2012—Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) announced today that acclaimed Singapore director Jack Neo’s upcoming movie Ah Boys to Men will premiere on November 6 in Dolby® Atmos™, the new audio platform that has revolutionized the experience of sound in entertainment. The latest sound technology from Dolby Laboratories, Dolby Atmos delivers a more natural and realistic soundfield that moves sound around and above audiences, transporting them into the onscreen adventure.

“By offering Ah Boys to Men in Dolby Atmos, we will bring our audience immersive cinematic audio on the cutting edge,” said Jack Neo, Film Director. “From the stunning opening scenes showing Singapore under attack to expressing the laughter, sadness, and struggles of the characters, Dolby Atmos is an exciting new tool to deliver my vision to the audience.”

Bringing together mixers, studios, and distributors to create dramatic improvements in the audio experience, the Dolby Atmos platform also provides content creators new creative freedom to tell their stories and deliver to audiences the full impact of their artistic intent, regardless of theatre configuration.

“We are very excited that Jack Neo has selected Dolby Atmos for his latest movie, ‘Ah Boys to Men’. Dolby Atmos is one of our most significant innovations in recent years and represents the future of entertainment. With Dolby Atmos, we are giving the content creators, greater creative control over the definition and placement of sounds, generating audio quality that can match today’s stunning visual productions.” said Mahesh Sundaram, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby is both thrilled and honored to bring the full range of our technology and innovation to support the development of Singapore’s media and motion picture industry.”

To learn more about Dolby Atmos, visit dolby.com/Atmos. To view an educational video about Dolby Atmos, visit https://vimeo.com/40699179.

Follow the production of Ah Boys to Men at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ah-BOYS-to-MEN/302417819826508.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.

Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Dolby Atmos is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. S12/26166 DLB-G

Media Contact:
Keith Kowal
Dolby Laboratories
+65-6248-4554
keith.kowal@dolby.com

NHK World TV now available for Android smartphones in Japan

The mobile app for Android is now available domestically as well.

Tokyo (October 23, 2012) – NHK has launched a LIVE‐streaming application of NHK WORLD TV, NHK’s international English TV channel, for Android smartphones used in Japan.

In February, the channel started providing apps for Android OS overseas. The new service for domestic smartphones will allow a wider number of people living in Japan to enjoy NHK WORLD TV shows LIVE.

Verimatrix: The Future of Cardless Broadcast Security

Latest Research Underscores Growing Opportunities for Cardless Broadcast Security

Farncombe, a leading specialist provider of Digital TV technology consultancy, has developed a white paper that takes an in depth look at the trends in technology and cost models that are driving operator requirements for video security in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Hightlights of the findings include:

The technology of cardless security, when implemented correctly, can rival the performance of traditional smartcard-based solutions.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) for cardless security solutions can, in many cases, provide a distinct advantage for broadcast operators.
Rapid advances in both the technology of set top box System on Chip (SoC) devices and the techniques to secure the software that runs on the SoCs are creating highly credible options for broadcast deployments.

For one-way broadcast operators that are looking to upgrade their networks in order to offer multi screen services, this paper is a must read.

Download your copy of the “Future of Cardless Broadcast Security” white paper

AXN Takes on Legend Fighting Championship

Singapore / Hong Kong, 22 October 2012 – Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia and Hong Kong-based Legend have sealed an agreement to broadcast Legend Fighting Championship (LFC), the Asia-Pacific Championship of Mixed Martial Arts, on AXN in 21 territories across the region.

The deal grants AXN the first and exclusive rights to broadcast all Legend Fighting Championship events from October 2012 through August 2013. In addition, four of the most recently concluded Legend Fighting Championship tournaments will premiere first and exclusively on AXN in the coming months.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Legend to showcase some of the best and most established Asian MMA fighters. Many of these fighters are already household names in Japan, Korea and China, where LFC has a huge following. We have no doubt that our broadcast of these thrilling fights on AXN will further enhance the popularity of LFC, especially amongst our viewers across South East Asia,” said Ricky Ow, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television.

“This partnership with AXN begins an exciting new chapter in the Legend story. Since Legend was established, we have dedicated ourselves to growing the sport of MMA here in the Asia-Pacific and giving fighters from this region the opportunity to compete in a world-class organization. AXN is Asia’s premiere platform for entertainment, and we are excited to bring the best in Asia-Pacific MMA to their audience, particularly since so many of Legend’s elite fighters hail from AXN’s key broadcast markets.” said Chris Pollak, Managing Director, Legend.

Founded in Hong Kong, Legend Fighting Championship invites exclusively the highest-level professional martial artists throughout China and Asia-Pacific to compete in a freestyle tournament using interdisciplinary martial arts skills including boxing, Brazilian jiujitsu, judo, Muay Thai, Sambo, Sanda, Taekwondo and wrestling in supervised matches under a strict set of rules designed to promote athlete safety.

The series focuses on the multi-faceted, tactical nature of mixed martial arts where athletes are armed with a well-rounded skill-set in striking, grappling, and submissions to compete. Since January 2010, 10 Legend Fighting Championship events have been completed. The most recent event included 20 fighters from Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand, competing in six weight classes from Bantamweight through to Light Heavyweight.

-Ends-

About AXN Asia

AXN offers viewers a thrilling ride with an exciting slate of programs designed to exhilarate and help them escape the humdrum of daily routine. The leading English general entertainment destination among upscale, affluent adults aged 18-39, the channel delivers first run, exclusive top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, adventure and competitive reality programs from around the world, as well as made-in-Asia original productions.

Launched first in Asia in 1997, AXN has become an international channel brand that is now seen across 60 countries globally including Latin America and Europe. In Asia, the channel is now watched by 154 million viewers in more than 104 million homes across 21 countries, including close to 50 million households on a time-block basis in China.

AXN has also been available in high-definition (HD) since March 2009.

AXN ASIA is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television’s Networks, Asia, which also operates pay-TV channels beTV, Animax, Sony Entertainment Television and ONE. See www.axn-asia.com for more.

About Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, based in Singapore, was established in 1997 as the Asia headquarters for Sony Pictures Television Networks. It operates five ad-supported 24/7 channel brands in the region which are wholly-owned by Sony Pictures.

AXN is the home of thrilling entertainment; beTV is the place to be for the best of light, engaging and easy-viewing entertainment; Sony Entertainment Television is a female-skewing channel offering ‘wickedly juicy’ shows; Animax offers anime programming for all; and ONE, the gem of Asian general entertainment, is powered by prime and current Korean content.

About Legend Fighting Championship

Legend Fighting Championship (Legend) is the Asia-Pacific Championship of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Legend, based in Hong Kong, invites professional martial artists from throughout China and the Asia-Pacific region to compete in a freestyle tournament using interdisciplinary martial arts skills including sanda, wushu, jiujitsu, muay thai, boxing, and wrestling in supervised matches under a strict set of rules designed to promote athlete safety. Legend produces these events for live international television, in both Mandarin Chinese and English, and each program incorporates and celebrates the region’s unique history, cultures, and thousands of years of martial arts traditions. Legend is committed to promoting the sport of mixed martial arts in the Asia-Pacific, to supporting and cultivating its athletes, and to providing exceptional entertainment to a broad audience. See www.legendfc.com for more.

Media Contacts

Madison Communications Ltd.
Peter Ip
+852 2881 8790
peter@madison.asia

Dennis Kwan
Madison Communications Ltd.
+852 2891 8702
dennis@madison.asia

UK piracy crackdown

UK ISPs pressured on piracy

(October 23, 2012) – The UK’s major internet service providers have been asked to block three more file-sharing websites, the BBC reports. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI), wants ISPs to prevent access to Fenopy, H33t and Kickass Torrents.

The BPI alleges that the sites are illegally distributing music. The ISPs told the BBC they would comply with the new demand, but only if a court order is put in place.

STAR Cricket Channel Grows Footprint in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE (October 23, 2012): ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) has secured new carriage for the STAR Cricket channel in the Philippines and Indonesia.

The channel, which launched in 2007, reaches viewers in markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, the Maldives and now the Philippines. The launch in Indonesia is coming soon. An HD version of the channel rolled out in July last year in key markets in Asia, including India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

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