CASBAA News

Digital Transformation: How is OTT Redefining Media

Singapore, February 23rd 2017– CASBAA, the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery in Asia, is pleased to announce its 4th OTT Summit, Asia’s OTT industry marquee annual event. A series of panels comprised of some of the region’s leading experts will explore in detail how traditional media is responding to the digital challenges of OTT.

“We are delighted to be returning to Singapore for the fourth edition of CASBAA’s OTT Summit,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “While traditional media incumbents remain dominant, there’s no denying the growing impact of over-the-top (OTT) video services, and how they are transforming viewing habits throughout the region. We have been saying it for years, but it’s now increasingly apparent that OTT is truly a big part of pay TV’s future.”

The spectacular success, both critical and commercial, of such diverse video platforms as Netflix, Hooq and Spuul have established OTT services as real competitors to mainstream broadcasters. According to a survey by BCG, OTT services are growing by more than 20% annually and winning share over traditional TV.1 Traditional media must respond fast to this existential crisis.

The real challenge for incumbents is how to rethink their business strategies in light of such drastic industry transformation. Are legacy business models holding traditional media back as they contemplate the OTT challenge?

CASBAA has convened a select field of industry thought leaders, senior executives and market practitioners, including:

 

Ajit Mohan, CEO Hotstar

Aravind Venugopal, VP – Media Partners Asia

Winradit Kolasastraseni, SVP Innovation – Discovery Networks Asia Pacific

Simon Vella, Head of Asia, MPP Global

Oliver Wilkinson, MD, PwC

Alan Soon, Founder & CEO, Splice Newsroom

Shad Hashmi, VP – Digital Development, Global Markets & Operations Asia, BBC Worldwide

Lam Swee Kim, CMO, Dimsum & Star Online Malaysia

Prem Kamath, Deputy MD, A+E Networks Asia

Alexandre Muller, MD APAC, TV5MONDE

Jonas Engwall, CEO, RTL CBS Asia

Virat Patel, MD, Pioneer Consulting

Monica Bhatia, Regional Digital Director, APAC, Maxus

Genny Yang, Group Account Director, Kantar Milward Brown

David Schonfeld, Director Technical Operations, A+E Networks Asia

Alex Merwin, VP International, SpotX

Luke Gaydon, VP of OTT Solutions, Brightcove

Yu-Chuang Kuek, Managing Director APAC, Netflix

Ravi Vora, CMO, Hooq

S Mohan, Co-Founder & COO, Spuul

Lindsay Servian, Head of ONTAPtv.com, PCCW Global

Maya Hari, MD –SEA & India, Twitter

Tim Martin, CEO RugbyPass

Michael Greco, VP APAC, Vindicia

CK Lee, VP, Sports Business – Content Group, ASTRO

Unmish Parthasarathi, Head of Digital Sales, International Cricket Council & Founder, Picture Board

Craig Johnson, MD Media, SEA & India, Nielsen

Priya Khatri, GM Sales & Business Development, SEA Eyeota

Jay Shah, CEO, OpenDNA

James Miner, CEO, Miner Labs

Roger Harvey, Regional Director, Irdeto

Mike Kerr, MD Asia, BEIN

Joe Welch, SVP Government Relations APAC, 21st Century Fox

Hian Goh, Partner, NSI Ventures

Yinglan Tan, Venture Partner, Sequoia

Marcel Fenez, President, Fenez Media

 

The industry’s essential platform to explore how OTT is transforming the broadcasting landscape, the CASBAA OTT Summit 2017 will take a deep dive on a range of topics, including trends in Asian viewership, whether OTT is a game changer in sports, how traditional media is adapting, the synergy between OTT and multiscreen, and how to use data as metrics for success.

The CASBAA OTT Summit 2017 is a must for all those involved at the senior level in media and broadcasting, from content providers and broadcasters to investors and regulators.

CASBAA OTT Summit 2017 is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Brightcove, and Sponsors including Adobe, Diagnal, Irdeto, Mediamorph, MPP Global, PCCW Global and Vindicia.

For more information about the CASBAA OTT Summit 2017 and to register for tickets, please visit http://casbaaevent.com/events/casbaa-ott-summit-2017/.

 

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About CASBAA:

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members, please visit here.

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong

Director of Member Relations & Marketing

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

+852 3929 1711

CASBAA Warns Indian TV Regulations Threaten Investment

India, 16 Jan 2017– CASBAA, the Association of Asia’s pay-TV Industry, today warmly applauded the judicial review now underway in India of proposed extension and tightening of India’s pay-TV rate regulations.

The Madras High Court is currently reviewing the clash between the rights of copyright owners around the world and new tariff regulations proposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The court has ordered the TRAI not to give effect to the rules until the underlying issues are considered, with a hearing now set for January 19th.

CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter observed that the new rules would be a major negative factor for the business environment in the $17 billion Indian media industry. “India’s pay-TV regulations have long been among the strictest in the world”, he said. “The proposed new rules are highly intrusive and would make the environment much worse. Such a heavy-handed regulatory regime will inevitably hit foreign companies’ interest in investing in India.”

Indian law gives copyright owners the ability to price and sell their creative works. In filing the Madras suit, the petitioner broadcasting organizations denounced the TRAI regulation as contrary to these principles as enshrined in the law, and in international treaties to which India is a signatory. (The TRAI rules would establish a controlled price regime by mandating a la carte channel supply, setting the ceiling, by specific genres, that broadcasting organizations can charge to multichannel program distributors, limiting discounts, prescribing carriage fees, and stipulating a compulsory distribution fee to be paid by Broadcasting Organizations to multichannel program distributors.

CASBAA has long expressed concern about India’s previous rate regulations, which included a cable retail price freeze imposed in 2004 “until the market became more competitive” and never revoked.

“Today, India’s television content market is among the most competitive in the world,” said Slaughter. “Modern cable MSOs, six different DTH platforms and now online OTT television are all giving Indian consumers a wide range of viewing options.”

CASBAA’s Chief Policy Officer John Medeiros observed that “As convergence and greater competition sweep the TV economy, other governments around the world are eliminating rate controls, to give more scope to competition among traditional and new online providers. In the last few years, Korea and Taiwan have both undertaken to liberalize their pay-TV price controls, leaving India as the last market economy in Asia with a hyper-regulatory regime. The proposed new rules would take India in the opposite direction from the rest of the world.”
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About CASBAA

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry. Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. For more information, visit www.casbaa.com

—For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong
Member Relations & Marketing Director
CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929 1711
Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

Jonathan Spink heads CASBAA Board 2017 as Regulatory, Content Development, Tech & Influence top CASBAA agenda

HBO Asia - Jonathan SpinkHong Kong, 06 Dec 2016 — Following its first meeting on 06 December, the CASBAA Board of Directors announced that Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the next 12 months.

With almost three decades of experience in the pay television industry, Jonathan Spink is responsible for the overall management of HBO in South East and South Asia. Under Spink’s leadership, HBO Asia has built a growing network of standard-definition and high-definition channels and services, as well as developing several groundbreaking original local productions.

Spink succeeds Sompan Charumilinda, Vice Chairman of TrueVisions, as Chairman of the CASBAA Board.  “Khun Sompan has been a Board member for more than a decade, and most recently, served diligently in his term as Chairman of the Board,” said Spink. “On behalf of my fellow Directors and the broader membership, we thank him for his guidance and insights over the years and we look forward to his continued contribution on the Association’s Board.”

Spink also welcomed new Directors elected during the Association’s 2016 AGM held 10 Nov in Macau; namely, Rohit D’Silva (FOX Networks Group Asia), Jonas Engwall (RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network), Marcel Fenez (Fenez Media), Todd Miller (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Alexandre Muller (TV5MONDE), and Andrew Stott (Olswang Asia).  They join returning Directors Sompan Charumilinda (TrueVisions), Andrew Jordan (AsiaSat), Amit Malhotra (The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia), Ricky Ow (Turner International Asia Pacific), Mark Patterson (GroupM), Joe Welch (21st Century Fox), and Christopher Slaughter (CASBAA) to make up CASBAA’s  Board.

“With the multichannel TV industry in all its forms facing unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in 2017,” Spink added, “the coming year promises to be busier than ever for CASBAA. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the CASBAA Executive Office to ensure that the work of the Association is relevant to all its Member companies, as they adapt to a rapidly developing operating environment.”

Following the announcement of the Chairman and Board of Directors 2017, CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter highlighted the increasingly broad Membership of the Association.  He noted that during 2016 several new members joined, including the Premier League, Rewind Networks, Nielsen, Strategic IP Information, Metrasat, Trilegal, and Kantar Media. Also during the year, TV5MONDE, Intelsat, RTL/CBS and INVIDI all upgraded to Patron status. “It is a delight to welcome these new additions across all our membership categories,” Slaughter said. “We are confident they will prove to be valuable additions to the CASBAA community, and we look forward to their participation in our activities and on our Committees.”

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About CASBAA 

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices.  For more information, visit www.casbaa.com

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong
Member Relations & Marketing Director, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929 1711
Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

CASBAA Emerging Southeast Asian Markets conference with new CASBAA Report: Myanmar in View

Singapore, December 5th, 2016 – Asia Pacific multichannel TV association CASBAA today released its exclusive, members only “Myanmar in View” report on the fast-evolving multichannel market in Myanmar, one of the world’s most dynamic media and telecoms economies.

The “Myanmar in View 2017” report was released at the opening of CASBAA’s “Essential Building Blocks for Multichannel TV in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos” spotlight conference in Singapore on 5 December.

“Even as Myanmar experiences roller coaster political events, the multichannel TV and digital video markets continue to grow exponentially,” said Christopher Slaughter, CASBAA CEO. “According to our analysis and that of many economists and infrastructure specialists, Myanmar continues to experience high economic growth with the continued liberalization of the economy, moving towards becoming a free market and welcoming foreign direct investment as well as foreign firms.” Nevertheless, the CASBAA Report also notes that “Myanmar continues to suffer from inadequate infrastructure such as the lack of electricity and proper roads, although it has begun upgrading its infrastructure.” “Although Myanmar’s TV market stats reflect continued under-development within the broader economy they only highlight great medium-term opportunity for our sector,” said Slaughter.

Just 12 months ago TV household penetration touched 5.8 million homes, or 55%. Nationally pay-TV connections amounted to 12% of total households. Within the traditional TV market there are signs of rapid expansion. In
the free-to-air sector, the number of channels increased fivefold from four networks in 2009 to 20 channels at the end of 2015.
Meanwhile, multichannel-TV investment continues apace, including plans by several pay-TV providers to localize and improve and programming, expanding their reach through more extensive distribution investment supporting less complexity during the subscription and renewal processes.
According to CASBAA, competition in the pay-TV sector will intensify as existing operators improve their service propositions and new players enter the market. However, while TV adspend has grown rapidly (US$120 million in 2015, up 31% since 2009) widespread piracy from “overspill” satellite dishes may dampen growth in the pay-TV industry.
Through unregistered satellite services, viewers are able access more channels at significantly lower prices than that charged by Myanmar pay-TV players. Pirated DVDs of international movies and drama, which are widely available in urban areas, also dampen growth of the pay-TV market. “Unfortunately, there is a lack of concerted effort to tackle piracy issues in the country,” said Slaughter
CASBAA Members can access the exclusive “Myanmar in View 2017” via www.casbaa.com or request a hard copy from Tammy Choy (tammy@casbaa.com) at the CASBAA Executive Office.

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com
CASBAA is the association for multichannel TV in Asia. Established in 1991 CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery. Covering Asia and encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

Media contacts

Cynthia Wong
Member Relations & Marketing Director
CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929 1711
Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

Second Day Of CASBAA Convention 2016 Focuses On Content, Advertising As Well As Evolving Business Models

Macau, 9th November – Day two of the CASBAA began with nerves on edge as the world awaited the outcome of the US Election. The focus soon turned to the issues at hand for the cable and satellite industry from the new reality for TV on the advertising landscape, the challenges for operators across the region and also content, whether global or home grown.

First order of the day was the topic of advertising. Dave Downey, CEO of INVIDI Technologies, illustrated how ‘addressable’ advertising could be used to predict viewing behaviors. Basil Chua, CEO from AsiaMX, talked about the need to understand viewer habits, flagging that they are watching content not devices. Both believed that the advertising formats would result in big wins for operators. Intrinsically linked to the advertising discussion is the subject of measurement and Craig Johnson, MD Media, South East Asia, Pacific and India, Nielsen highlighted some of the current challenges OTT has presented with measurement, suggesting that viewership on other devices could represent an additional 15% – 20% of media usage that is not accurately measured yet. The introduction of smart-meters could help more accurately chart multi-device viewership and content sources.

Content from Japan took the spotlight with Eriya Kawachi, Director Sales and Promotions, Club TV Japan, showcasing some platforms that have been winning in popularity outside of Japan with Club TV. Richard Woo, Consultant for WAKUWAKU JAPAN, discussed how Japanese content is well known for its creativity, uniqueness and a certain wackiness. Korean content also featured on the agenda with Miles Ki Young Choi, Founder & CEO of Bethel Group Media Contents, talking about how interactive content was key to the future, flagging interactive drama as something they were championing. Byeong-Joon Song, CEO Group 8, saw simultaneous distribution as important for Korean content, highlighting difficulties with penetrating the Chinese market and Tom Taehyun Kim, CEO & Executive Producer, K Production, confirmed that superb storytelling was of course essential for content to have wider appeal.

Creating content that consumers are passionate about was paramount for Jo Parkinson, Managing Director, Love Nature International. The production of stunning, beautiful programming that consumers care about helps Love Nature achieve global reach. Caroline Cochaux, MD France and International, Lagardère Active TV, highlighted how multi-platform synchronized content with big name brands helped them appeal to a multi-market demographic while Rian Bester, CEO of INsight, flagged how the core essence to global appeal was having the scale to expand into new markets and increase viewership.

On the flip side, Ang Hui Keng, SVP & GM, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, discussed the localization of global content and what the company was doing to make global formats more relevant. Where there was a sizeable audience, resources are being ploughed into local original productions. In addition, social media production crews would film in parallel to the main show to create a wealth of social content for local audiences.

Sports content and licensing rights are always hotly debated subjects in the pay-TV arena. Neil Smythe, Head of Sport at Shotglass Media, FMUK Interactive, illustrated how its Football Republic platform steered away from rights issues in the provision of football content that focused on conversations and debate from fans and influencers on the games that complement existing sports broadcasts. Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship talked about how local heroes were helping to drive relevancy in Asia markets. Athletes serving as pillars of the local community helped to support this.

Another interesting slant on the content front came from Zaid Mohseni, COO, MOBY Group, who discussed the challenges of bringing news and entertainment programming to emerging markets such as Afghanistan. Social and cultural issues have a real bearing both the creation and accessibility of content. For example, foreign programming needs to be dubbed as the literacy rate is so low in Afghanistan.

The challenges facing operators were raised in two panels featuring operators including Jeremy Kung, CEO of TMNet Malaysia, Jeon Yong-Ju, CEO of D’Live Korea and Ralph Siebenaler, Digicel in one, and Meena Adnani, Content & Marketing Director, First Media (Indonesia) and Jagdish Kumar, MD & Chief Executive, Hathway Cable (India) in the other. These included figuring out what consumers wanted and providing accessibility, the need for more viewership statistics and working with operators in the OTT landscape. Once the basics in terms of stability and speed had been covered, the next step would be to offer value-added services while building a strong relationship with the customer. The operators agreed that working with their channel providers was key to building a good offering, particularly in the new normal of OTT.

Janice Lee, MD PCCW Media Group, took to the stage to discuss evolving business models in the current landscape. Whilst free TV is the engine of original production, PCCW has to balance revenues primarily with a subscription revenue model but supported by advertising. Monetization across regional markets continues to be a challenge. Taking the opposite approach, ITV, said Katherine Wen, Director of Pay TV, ITV plc & Channel Director, ITV Choice, said subscriptions only accounted for a small fraction of revenues, relying instead on advertising and revenues from original content. Both agreed that OTT presented a challenge but great opportunity for their brands.

The agenda returned to piracy with Ron Wheeler, SVP Content Protection at Fox Entertainment Group, discussing how the issue remains a pertinent threat. He flagged some initiatives such as session-based forensic watermarks that are making some headway in the fight against the pirates. The watermarks allow uploaders of illegal content to be identified and their details given to the local authorities. Enforcement support from local authorities is of course key to success here.

With CASBAA celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, the closing panel looked at what the industry has achieved over the last quarter century, with a look to what the next five years might bring. Khush Kundi, Head of TV Solutions, APAC Ericsson, Mark Patterson, CEO APAC, GroupM, Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia, Ang Hui Keng, SVP & GM, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia and David Butorac raised the need to recruit younger talent to the industry and understand the millennial mindset as well as what consumers will pay for content and how to work with advances in data. Future threats to the industry such as Google and Facebook going into content production were also highlighted.

“We are delighted that our delegates found the sessions useful and informative today. We continued to debate key issues facing our members today such as evolving business models, audience measurement and piracy. Content in all its glory and formats was widely discussed today and we hope that the best-practice sharing here will inspire our members. Content still is king in our industry after all.” says Christopher Slaughter, CEO of CASBAA.

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The CASBAA Convention 2016 is generously supported by sponsors including: ABS, APT Satellite, AsiaSat, Australia Channel, BBC Worldwide, Brightcove, Celestial Tiger Entertainment, Cisco, CLUB TV, Conax, Deutsche Welle, Diagnal, Disney, Eutelsat, FashionTV, Fenez Media, Fox Networks Group, France 24, Haldanes, Ideal Group, INsight, InvestHK, Irdeto, Kantar Media, Leyard, Lightning International, Love Nature, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macau Cable TV, MEASAT, MX1, Olswang, ONE Championship, PCCW Media, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, Scripps Networks Interactive Asia Pacific, SES, Sony Pictures Television, Telstra, Time Warner, TrueVisions, Turner Asia Pacific, TV5MONDE, Verimatrix, Viaccess-Orca, VICELAND and World Teleport Association.

Patrons for the CASBAA Convention 2016 include: A+E Networks, Astro, Bloomberg Television, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Encompass Digital Media, HBO, INVIDI Technologies, NBCUniversal International Networks, PwC and STAR India.

For further information about the CASBAA Convention 2016, please visit www.casbaaconvention.com.

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

CASBAA is the association for multichannel TV in Asia.  Established in 1991 CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery. Covering Asia and encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

Media contacts

Cynthia Wong

Member Relations & Marketing Director

CASBAA

Tel: +852 3929 1711

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

Daphne Li / Rouhui Wong

Ogilvy Public Relations

Tel: +852 2884 8227 / +852 2884 8908

Email: daphne.li@ogilvy.com / rouhui.wong@ogilvy.com

Marcel Fenez receives CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016

Marcel Fenez receives CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016 at the CASBAA Convention
Marcel Fenez receives CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016 at the CASBAA Convention

Macau, November 09, 2016 – Leading pay-TV and digital media industry Association CASBAA today announced the winner of the prestigious annual CASBAA Chairman’s Award for the “outstanding contribution to the Asia Pacific multi-channel pay-TV industry over the past 12 months”.

The CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016 went to Marcel Fenez, President of industry advisory group Fenez Media and previously Global Leader of PwC’s Entertainment & Media Practice.

“But, of course, this year our Chairman’s Award is for much more than Marcel’s performance during the past 12 months,” said CASBAA Chairman Sompan Charumilinda. “Marcel Fenez has steadfastly served our industry for more than half of the Association’s 25-year history as a Board Director for 16 years including 14 years as Chairman.”

The CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016 was presented to Marcel Fenez by Sompan Charumilinda, the Chairman of CASBAA, on the final day of the CASBAA Convention 2016 in Macau.

The formal citation for the CASBAA Chairman’s Award 2016 reads: “In recognition of Marcel Fenez’s unparalleled professionalism, integrity and enthusiasm in promoting the growth of our industry and his years as Chairman of the Association (2001-2015).”

“Beyond that,” said Mr. Charumilinda, “Marcel’s contributions to CASBAA in terms of strategy, governance and finance have steered our organization through many structural changes as well as the dramatic evolution of our industry.

“As a Board Member he has helped enormously to create the credible industry voice that we are today. He is also greatly respected by his peers, by government officials and by a client base drawn from around the world.”

Mr. Fenez said, “I am greatly honoured to receive this award. But I would like to share this honour with a long list of current and former CASBAA Directors and Executives as an endorsement of the many achievements that CASBAA has been involved over the years”

About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across 17 geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach over 500 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong

Director, Member Relations & Marketing

Tel: 852 2854 9913

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

CASBAA Convention Kicks Off First Conference In Macau with A Focus on Deals, Revenue and Content

CASBAA Chairman, Sompan Charumilinda, kicks off at the CASBAA Convention 2016 and congratulates the 25th anniversary of CASBAAMacau, 8th November – The CASBAA Convention annual conference got underway today at its exciting new venue, Studio City, Macau. This year marks the 25th anniversary of CASBAA which is dedicated to representing key players from the cable and satellite broadcasting industry under the motto ‘represent, inform, connect’. Today’s sessions looked at the deals being made in the industry today, as well as the tools to aggregate and measure audiences. As ever, content was hotly discussed, with a focus on how content is evolving in the digital age.

Following opening remarks by Sompan Charumilinda, Chairman for CASBAA, Irwin Gotlieb, the Global Chairman for GroupM, was first to take to that stage to discuss the changing nature, and measurement of viewing behaviors. He also touched upon how the way to reach audiences via the marketing funnel is the same but a granularity of data can now inform decisions for each stage of the funnel. He underscored how media will continue to play a role becoming more targetable, addressable and eventually part of the transaction process. Also on the subject of measurement, Ben Reneker of S&P Global Market Intelligence highlighted how machine-driven predictive measurement models are now able to inform strategic decisions on marketing and investment.

Oliver Wilkinson, managing director for PricewaterhouseCoopers, provided statistics to illustrate that pay-TV is not dead, despite what the headlines say, and that it remains a primary form of entertainment. Yet, with digital players increasingly on their turf, content and channel providers should look to diverse and digitalize their offer. Doing deals in China was the topic for Bennett Pozil, EVP of East West Bank, who discussed the migration of content both ways as well as some of the pros and cons of doing business in China. Vivek Couto, Executive Director at Media Partners Asia, flagged the rise of digital players with the forecast that pay-TV growth would slow to about 3% as content providers looking to establish more direct to consumer offerings.

Reaching a vast audience through tailored video and gaming content was the topic for Chad Gutstein, CEO of Machinima who highlighted that their most valued content was when viewers felt they had a connection to the creation of it. On a video note, Ricky Ow from Turner International predicted that Machinima’s e-Sports will be as successful as the English Premier League.

James Schwab, Co-President of VICE announced the opening of the company’s first full-service office in Asia, in Jakarta, Indonesia.  He discussed how their local content policy over digital channels has helped the company grow exponentially over the last few years. The recent move into TV has been important for VICE as it gives them the ability to invest more in content.

Localized and Asian content was flagged by Henry Tan, COO of Astro, for being one of the main drivers that has seen the provider defy the trend of decline in time spent on TV, reporting healthy growth in this respect. A true understanding of the complexities of the Malaysia audience demographic is key to content that works for Astro’s market. Tan also discussed the effectiveness of current measurement models with Nick Burfitt, MD, APAC, Kantar Media.  On the global stage, compelling content that tells a great story is the wining formula for Thom Beers of BoBCat whose male-oriented programmes like “Deadliest Catch” and “Monster Garage” have achieved success the world over. Norman Lao, VP International of Leyard showcased how MR – mixed reality comprising a kind of virtual reality that reacts with real physical events – will shape the content of the future.

Piracy cropped up in conversation throughout the day with opinions polarized on whether this would continue to be an issue. In a session devoted to the subject, Avigail Gutman, Programme Director, Operational Security, CISCO, advised that the industry needed to ‘follow the money’ in combating piracy. Lucia Rangel, VP Latin America, Asia Pacific & Worldwide Game Strategy and Operations Warner Bros. agreed the problem was worldwide and that ISD boxes formed a critical part of the problem as many consumers were not even aware of the illegality of these and other streaming mechanics. A global effort was needed to fight the pirates, she commented. Desmond Chan, Deputy GM, Legal and International Operations, TVB highlighted the tangible impact piracy had already made to their business. Nickhil Jakatdar of Vuclip talked about how the content provider’s strategy was to provide a better experience than that available from pirate outfits.

Different models of OTT content streaming were also a hot topic. Jakatdar illustrated how Vuclip’s Viu platform was a direct to consumer offering while David Weiland, EVP Asia, BBC Worldwide discussed how the ‘Beeb’ had instead opted to stream their new OTT app via their operator, Starhub. With all the different streaming options available, it was concluded that consumers could hardly keep up and would want a ‘one-stop’ shop when seeking out their viewing content.

“Today’s Convention was a hot bed of debate on key issues facing our members today,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO of CASBAA. “With issues on deals, revenue, appealing content, measurement, piracy and OTT streaming models all on the agenda, we hope our delegates found the sessions useful and informative, and that the information shared will be of help as they shape their business models for the fast-changing landscape in which they operate.”

The CASBAA Convention 2016 is generously supported by sponsors including: ABS, APT Satellite, AsiaSat, Australia Channel, BBC Worldwide, Brightcove, Celestial Tiger Entertainment, Cisco, CLUB TV, Conax, Deutsche Welle, Diagnal, Disney, Eutelsat, FashionTV, Fenez Media, Fox Networks Group, France 24, Haldanes, Ideal Group, INsight, InvestHK, Irdeto, Kantar Media, Leyard, Lightning International, Love Nature, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Macau Cable TV, MEASAT, MX1, Olswang, ONE Championship, PCCW Media, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, Scripps Networks Interactive Asia Pacific, SES, Sony Pictures Television, Telstra, Time Warner, TrueVisions, Turner Asia Pacific, TV5MONDE, Verimatrix, Viaccess-Orca, VICELAND and World Teleport Association.

Patrons for the CASBAA Convention 2016 include: A+E Networks, Astro, Bloomberg Television, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Encompass Digital Media, HBO, INVIDI Technologies, NBCUniversal International Networks, PwC and STAR India.

For further information about the CASBAA Convention 2016, please visit www.casbaaconvention.com.

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

CASBAA is the association for multichannel TV in Asia.  Established in 1991 CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery. Covering Asia and encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

Media contacts

Cynthia Wong

Member Relations & Marketing Director

CASBAA

Tel: +852 3929 1711

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

Daphne Li / Rouhui Wong

Ogilvy Public Relations

Tel: +852 2884 8227 / +852 2884 8908

Email: daphne.li@ogilvy.com / rouhui.wong@ogilvy.com

Thailand in View Conference:  Headwinds can be overcome in Thai subscription TV market

Bangkok, September 1st 2016 – CASBAA will return to Thailand to host its third Thailand in View, an in depth forum examining the multichannel TV industry in the country, on 6 September at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

In conjunction with the forum, CASBAA will also release a member exclusive Thailand in View 2016 market research report with the most up-to-date information on Thailand’s exciting pay-TV market and containing important TV industry data and regulatory information. Guests at the Thailand in View forum would receive complimentary copies of Thailand in View 2016 executive summary.

“We’re very excited for our third Thailand in View forum in Bangkok. The last two forums brought together a diverse mix of industry leaders from various disciplines and provided a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges in the Pay TV market of Thailand.” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA.

The new CASBAA “Thailand in View 2016” report on the local subscription TV market reflects the video sector’s resilience in the face of economic, regulatory and economic headwinds.

With a population of almost 70 million with a median age of 39 years-old and an average GDP per person of US$5,800, just over half of the Thai population lives in urban areas. With 23 million TV households, cable and satellite TV penetration stands at 76 percent along with 38 million internet users. Currently, there are a reported 83 million mobile phones with 40 million smartphone subscriptions.

Nevertheless, according to CASBAA, the ripple effect of 2014’s political turmoil continues to be felt by an industry which last year was reported to have generated around US$465 million in revenues, slightly less than in 2014.

Meanwhile, despite of the increasing popularity of multi-screen video in Thailand there is no specific licensing scheme for mobile 3G and 4G Mobile TV services or for OTT platforms. “As ever, regulatory uncertainties lead to slower growth than might be expected.” said Slaughter.

Thailand in View 2016 is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor TrueVisions and Sponsors Akamai and SES.  For more information about the event, please visit http://www.casbaa.com

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About CASBAA:

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members, please visit here.

 

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong

Director of Member Relations & Marketing

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

+852 3929 1711

CASBAA Thailand in View 2016: Coexistence in a Crowded Market

BANGKOK, 06 SEPT 2016 – The emergence of new broadcasting platforms such as Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Over-The-Top (OTT) and mobile TV, in addition to traditional players such as analogue terrestrial TV, cable, and satellite TV, makes it a challenging time for the television industry in Thailand. Under these conditions, the question arises of how content can be properly monetized in a fragmented market; and with all this potential chaos in the television industry, where do the real opportunities lie?

These were the key discussion points at CASBAA Thailand in View 2016.  High-level panelists discussed a wide range of topics: the challenges faced by broadcast operators in a radically changing market landscape; business models and strategies for overcoming these challenges; and how to move forward with robust audience measurement, among other subjects.

 

Market Overview – Where’s the Money?

Vivek Couto, Executive Director at Media Partners Asia, started off the conference with a market overview of Thailand. With all the rapid changes that are taking place within the industry, he concluded with three key points: Slow economic growth is negatively affecting industry revenues; there are probably too many TV operators in the market and consolidation is underway as weaker operators leave, and at the same time, the larger provincial cable operators are accelerating digitization, which provides some new opportunities.

 

In Conversation with Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya

When asked by CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter about managing the rapid change in the local industry, True Corporation’s Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Chief Content and Media Officer, said “We are constantly thinking of what’s next, what’s next, what’s next.”

Among True’s tactics has been using its newly-acquired rights to the English Premier League, making a portion of the football matches available on mobile for THB 29 (US$1) per match. This mass market platform and low price point mean that, as Birathon said, “True is bringing the greatest of content to the greatest of masses, while at the same time, creating an opportunity for upselling of the premium linear EPL package.”

On the subject of new platforms, Birathon highlighted the challenge from the proliferation of OTT services in Thailand, particularly pirate services.  “People will use the platform that contains the best content, he said, “regardless of whether that content is provided through a legitimate or illegitimate service provider.  Piracy is probably the biggest problem facing the industry today.”

 

Falling from Orbit? Will Satellite TV Channels remain a mainstay of Thai Viewing?

Regulations requiring DTH operators to carry all DTT channels mean that satellite TV viewers in Thailand are currently able to view 300 different channels, including the legacy analogue stations. Since viewers buying a DTT set-top box can only access the 22 DTT channels, panelists questioned why viewers would bother.

A bigger regulatory obstacle cited by the panelists is the law restricting satellite channels to half the ad minutes allowed to DTT channels.  “Probably the biggest force for change has been the regulatory environment, and as a consequence, satellite’s share of market has suffered somewhat; however, the underlying economic advantages of satellite have not changed,” said Glen Tindall, Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific, SES.

Of a greater worry to DTH operators was the generational shift in viewing patterns over the medium term.  Vorasit Lee, CEO of freesat platform PSI said, “The next generation — will they even watch TV any more?  Over the next three years, yes; and over the next five years, probably yes.  But ten years from now?  I’m not sure.”

Thaicom Chief Commercial Officer Patompob Suwansiri acknowledged that the competitive environment had led to something of a crisis in the satellite industry. However, he said, “The key to getting through these challenges is through partnerships, by working together to create innovative ways to serve our customers.”

 

Cable Problems – Is Broadband the Great Hope?

One of the most controversial issue Thai cable operators face is the “must-carry” rule implemented by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, which mandates all cable and satellite TV operators to reserve their first 36 channels for commercial and public digital TV Channels. This is a huge burden for small cable operators as, in many cases, their analogue platforms can only carry up to 60-80 channels. In addition, smaller operators do not have the financing required to upgrade their technology.

To focus on this challenge, Viriya Thamruengthong, President of the Thai Cable TV Association suggested that consolidation of local cable operators was needed. “Sharing of costs and resources are the key factors of success.  We have to consolidate to get out of this crisis,” he said.

 

In-Conversation with Akamai – Surviving in the OTT Business in Thailand

Asked by Vincent Low, Akamai’s Product Marketing Director for Media, about the challenges of running an OTT business in Thailand, Patompong Sirachairat, COO& VP of Mono Technology, repeated the earlier assertion that the main threat to the industry came from piracy. “In this country, people can get content anywhere and anytime for free,” he said, “and the pirate sites’ ability to provide content quickly is a real obstacle for OTT service providers.” A major challenge for OTT operators was how to educate customers on the legitimate content their services can provide.

 

In Conversation with Kevin Clarke

Group M’s CEO for Thailand and Myanmar, Kevin Clarke, pointed to the stagnant economy as the biggest factor in the recent decline in advertisement spending. “Ad spend tends to follow the trend of GDP,” he said.

In addition, Clarke acknowledged that the proliferation of platforms in Thailand complicated matters. “With the must-carry rule and the increasing popularity of viewing content through social media and online video platforms such as YouTube,” Clarke said, “ad-spend is being shifted out of the pay-TV environment.”

For the pay-TV industry to get a higher allocation of advertising dollars, Clarke said, “It needs to demonstrate economic value, premium programme quality, up-to-date content, and overall, this should – and will – provide a pleasurable viewing experience.”

 

OTT Captures Eyeballs – Who’s Making Headway and Who’s Profiting?

With so many different OTT services on the rise in Thailand, how do different service providers set themselves apart from one another? Tony Zameczkowski, Vice President, Business Development Asia, Netflix stated that there needs to be an ongoing development of exclusive local content. “Netflix is working closely with our partners in Thailand,” said Zameczkowski, “We’re learning from them about the best sort of content to develop to serve local audiences.”

Joe Suteestarpon, CEO, Mediaplex International agreed that local content was vital to keeping subscribers happy, but stressed that the user experience was also critical. “By releasing new features and improving the payment process, we ensure that transactions are easier and more efficient,” he said.

 

Kantar Media – 10 Golden rules to Deliver Accurate, Independent TV Ratings

Nick Burfitt, Managing Director of APAC, Kantar Media introduced the Media Research Development Association (Thailand) initiative. MRDA is a joint industry committee, whose objectives are to provide the industry with accurate data across TV viewing platforms at a reasonable cost.  Viewer panels will be more comprehensive, he said, and a massive countrywide establishment survey is being geared up.

Turner Asia Pacific’s David Webb acknowledged the strong industry support that MRDA has received, and asked how it planned to deal with online video viewership. “Online video will have the same measurement protocols as are currently in place for TV,” Burfitt explained, “thereby ensuring better comparability between the two platforms.”

Webb also asked about return-path data from pay TV operators, and whether RPD could be incorporated into the MRDA system. “Kantar has been a pioneer in developing RPD measurement systems,” said Burfitt, “and we would certainly be open to exploring the integration of RPD data to the MRDA dataset.”

 

Winning Those Eyeballs – Programming that Thais want to Watch

Panelists discussed different strategies for winning viewers in such a competitive market, and various methods of continuing to engage them beyond the traditional linear broadcast window. Soonthorn Areerak, COO, MCOT, stated “Companies “need to figure out what they are good at and deliver that content on the right platform at the right time. In MCOT’s case, quality news is a differentiator.”

Torboon Puangmaha, Head of True Media Solutions at True Visions Group outlined their strategy of “Screen to Store”, using a mobile app to deliver coupons to viewers during popular programmes.  “This engages viewers and gives them something they want while they watch their programme; but it also gives brands an accountable result for their campaign,” he said.

Zee Entertainment’s CEO for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Mukund Cairae, echoed the opportunity for such in-programming activations, saying “Campaigns like this should command a significant premium because of their measureable effectiveness, but often it is difficult to convey that to marketers who are focused on cheap and easy ad campaigns.”  He also pointed to Zee’s success with multi-platform content strategy in other markets, and emphasised their strategy of both fully re-editing content from Zee’s 120-thousand-hour library while also commissioning and acquiring local content as critical to their success internationally.

As a producer also running a major channel, Chalakorn Panyashom of Workpoint Entertainment discussed his company’s use of simultaneous linear broadcasting and streaming programming on Facebook Live. “You might think that watching on Facebook would lower the TV audience numbers,” he said, “but what we found is that Facebook Live actually drove viewers to the linear channel.”  He further asserted that this intersection between social media and broadcast TV was a trend that could not be ignored.

 

Nielsen – Total Audience Measurement

Sinthu Peatrarut, Managing Director, Media Client Leadership, Nielsen Thailand presented an overview of the Thai TV landscape, based upon their research into audience metrics and viewing behaviour.  The most popular programme genres include sports, serial dramas, kids talent shows, news, and surprisingly, government announcements.  And while internet consumption in Thailand has certainly increased, TV remains the main form of media consumption.

Turner’s David Webb asked about Nielsen’s partnership with Facebook to provide data for its total audience rating service, and whether there might be data bias by relying on the social media giant to supplement its people-meter panels.  “The panel-matching is done anonymously, in a double-blind, to ensure data privacy,” Khun Sinthu said, “and there is no risk of Facebook using Nielsen data to gain a competitive advantage over existing broadcasters.”

Finally, with regard to competition in the audience measurement space, Nielsen has no intentions of folding service up, is improving its coverage to meet the demands of the industry, and is confident its service offering going forward will continue to be robust.

 

Not All Bytes Are Created Equal

A panel of legal experts discussed the piracy problem, beginning with the observation by Michael Schlesinger, VP and Regional Counsel of the Motion Picture Association, that page views of pirate sites in Thailand are 20 times higher than those of legitimate sites – a much higher ratio than in other markets.

Suebsiri Taweepon, Partner at Tilleke & Gibbins observed that some initiatives have been taken by the government to amend Thai IP laws, but the changes so far have not been enough.  Schlesinger and Matthew Kurlanzik from 21st Century Fox urged that Thailand join other countries in the region and in Europe which have introduced site blocking initiatives to reduce the number of people accessing infringing websites.

Kurlanzik pointed out that many new sources of legal online content have come online in the past two years. “This needs to continue, and people need to understand that legitimate local operators are now competing with unscrupulous pirate offshore businesses,” Kurlanzik said. “Such a message should be conveyed to the government in order to begin making changes in policies.”

 

Using Social Media to Increase Stickiness

With the increasing use of social media nowadays, it is not a surprise that broadcasting operators are also integrating social media to reach out and bring in new subscribers. Alexandre Muller, Managing Director APAC, TV5MONDE, said, “Social media is the first step for people to get comfortable and become familiar with your programs.”

In Thailand, Line, Facebook and YouTube are the top social media platforms in which broadcasters use to engage their customers. Kirana Cheewachuen, Business Development for Content & Media, talked about how True, with its 100-staff social media team, uses these platforms to make program announcements, create further engagement with their subscribers and monetize their own and other’s products.

Jef Lim, Vice President Production, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia described how social media now plays a role in every aspect of Sony’s new productions. “From content conception, production and airing, social media is an integral part of every program,” Lim said.  He also gave examples of how, in the Amazing Race, Sony uses social media to recruit the cast, follow them on set and record their life after they have been voted off the show.  Fans can now extend their engagement of the show and contestants outside of the airing on the pay-TV channel.

The panel’s final conclusion: while it is hard to determine which social media platform will be dominant in the future, it is critical for operators to fully embrace whichever social media platform – or multiple platforms – their customers are using, in order to maintain audience engagement and promote their linear channels.

 

Closing Keynote: The NBTC’s View of the Market

In his closing Keynote Presentation, Natee Sukonrat, Vice Chairman, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) discussed how far the broadcast industry has come over the past 5 years – prior to the NBTC’s formation.  In those days, the industry was characterised by unlicensed television and radio operators which broadcast various kinds of illegal content and advertising, a very sloppy market indeed. The support of one another by different operators is something Natee believed to be a good step forward in order to coexist in a crowded market.

 

=== END ===

About CASBAA

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members, please visit here.

 

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong

Director of Member Relations & Marketing

Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

+852 3929 1711

CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2016: Seizing New Growth Opportunities Amidst Technological and Economic Changes

SINGAPORE, 31 MAY 2016 – The emergence of new technologies in the satellite industry, including the arrival of HTS GSO and NGSO systems, is prompting the industry to embrace a substantial shift – from offering one-size-fits-all capacity to creating value propositions better tailored to customers’ fast-growing, diverse demand and the price pressures in dynamic economic circumstances.

 

This was a key focus at CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2016, attended by close to 200 industry leaders yesterday at Pan Pacific Singapore. Nine high-level panels discussed a wide range of topics – from the latest strategies in the challenging market landscape, the rise in NGSO systems, to developments in the launch market and perspectives on airline communications, broadband and enterprise solutions.

 

Demand for superior value proposition

In the Asia Pacific Satellite Leadership Roundtable, key industry leaders agreed that despite cyclical downturns in industries like oil and gas, there is still immense market potential in Asia. “These are cyclical forces that don’t fundamentally lead to long-term decline in demand,” said Mr. Jean-François Fenech, CEO of Eutelsat Asia. “Usage in data is continuing to pick up.”

 

Panellists highlighted long-term fundamentals for sustained growth in video and broadband data connectivity, which lead to continued investments in growth across the region. These are manifested in initiatives to enhance satellite efficiency and launch new ones to expand capacity.

 

Amidst intense competition in the industry, the second panel “Is the NGSO Revolution Coming?” discusses the arrival of the NGSO systems as a new alternative for delivering the optimal experience in the most cost-effective manner. Mr. Mark Rigolle, CEO of LeoSat Enterprises, said: “Satellites are now better than terrestrial solutions. Our focus is to be the fastest, most secure network, do it better than fibre and do it better than what satellites have so far been able to do.”

 

However, beyond debates on seemingly competing technologies – between NGSO and GSO, Ku and Ka bands, terrestrial and satellite – the discussion called for the industry to take a more customer-focused approach. “You want to offer end-to-end services; you don’t want to merely sell bandwidth and MHz. Ultimately, what your customers care about are the end benefits,” said Mr. Stéphane Chenard, Senior Associate Consultant, Euroconsult.

 

Featuring updates from leaders in the launch market, the third panel underlined the need to focus on the economic calculus of satellite launches and not just the technology. Mr. Jacques Breton, Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development, Arianespace, said half of the company’s backlog comprises NGSO, but also added: “We are agnostic on any orbit; for us, it’s about providing the appropriate vehicles and solutions at the appropriate cost.”

 

The discussion on cost is especially pertinent with the advent of new innovations that claim to offer greater efficiency and lower costs, unlocking industry-disrupting possibilities that make space more accessible.

 

“We have been successful in changing the cost paradigm,” said Mr. Jonathan Hofeller, Vice President of Commercial Sales, SpaceX. “We will continue to see smaller satellites and newer constellations come online that couldn’t afford to previously. For small satellites, we have tapped on third party ride-share missions.”

 

In addition, the panel cited reusability and automation as measures that are being adopted for enhancing efficiency.

 

Aeronautical applications in ongoing evolution

The fourth panel featured an exciting discussion on whether satellite applications in aeronautics and in-flight connectivity are merely a flash in the pan, especially given the challenges in monetising this service proposition. Panellists agreed that there is no singular model, as airlines integrate connectivity in different ways – from ‘freemium’ offering to pay-as-you-go amongst low-cost carriers.

 

The panel also highlighted the fact that besides passenger and consumer connectivity, the aeronautics sector generates demand for satellite applications in aircraft operations. Even as antenna and satellite technology evolves, airlines are demanding options that are readily available to support their capabilities.

 

Towards World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) ’19

In a rallying call, Mr. Gonzalo de Dios, Associate General Counsel, Intelsat emphasised that in the aftermath of WRC ’15, the industry needs to advocate for a vision of the critical role that satellite will play in an ever-connected world through close coordination between service providers, end users, and customers at domestic and regional levels. “This is about connectivity on a global level and the imperative to serve underrepresented areas."

 

Continued optimism amidst price pressures

While demand for satellite capacity is rapidly increasing, pricing remains low. Panellists in the “The Customer is Always Right – Sometimes” discussion tackled growing customer expectations by advocating for more aggressive business models to attract and retain customers. They also identified video as an emerging opportunity for huge growth potential.  

 

Mr. Vaibhav Magow, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific, Hughes Network Systems, LLC, said: “The industry is opening up many market segments that were not available to us in the past. With new technological developments, we are now starting to gain back a space in the traditional telecommunications world and fight back through innovation. That’s a really strong reason to be optimistic."

 

Meanwhile, panellists on the “CEO Panel – The Sharp End” responded to falling transponder prices by stressing the need for businesses to increase flexibility and quality of their services to remain competitive in the market. Mr Steve Collar, CEO of O3b Networks, said falling prices offer opportunities for the industry to innovate and deliver solutions that are more relevant to customers, and urged the satellite business to transform from a scarce, niche industry into a more accessible one.

 

Indonesia as a growth market

At the session “Focus on Indonesia”, panellists said weak economic fundamentals and the gap between rising operational costs and consumers’ ability to pay are key challenges for the satellite industry in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the fragmented archipelago heavily relies on satellite services, and demand for bandwidth in Indonesia has quadrupled in the last five years, said Mr. Henry Mulya, Sales Director, Asia Pacific, SES.

 

The way forward for the satellite industry

To close, CEOs of leading satellite businesses discussed the way forward for the satellite industry and the challenges it currently faces. Acknowledging the harsh stock market perceptions of the industry, the key business leaders emphasized that the business realities point towards long-term growth that can be accomplished through continuous innovation.

 

Summing up the day’s discussions, Mr. Paul Brown-Kenyon, Chairman, CASBAA Satellite Industry Committee and CEO of MEASAT said: “We are at an important transformational place, and the world is changing dramatically. The amount of money we pay for data today is the same as five years ago, but the data we consume is ten times more. I think our business would change, and the role we play in the communications sector would change."

 

=== END ===

 

 

 

 

About CASBAA

 

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices.  For more information, visit www.casbaa.com

 

 

Media Contacts

 

Cynthia Wong

Director, Member Relations & Marketing, CASBAA

Cynthia@casbaa.com

+852 3929 1711