21/04/04

A new Jcsat (Jcsat 10) has been ordered to replace Jcsat3 at 128E, I hope the Cband transponders are a lot stronger in power compared to the current Jcsat3. Mind you they may not want it to compete with Jcsat2a at 154E

India TV started Pas 10 68.5E 4173 V sr 3000

From my Emails & ICQ

Nothing to report

From the Dish

Optus B3 152E JCTV has moved from 12525 V to 12658 V, clear, PIDs 1861/1824.Abu Dhabi TV Europe has left 12658 V.

Agila 2 146E 12581 H "Dream Video Music Channel" has left , replaced by a Mabuhay promo.

Telkom 1 108E All channels in the TelkomVision mux on 3500 H are encrypted again.

ChinaStar 1 87.5E 4133 H Occasional feeds on , SR 5632, FEC 3/4.

Pas 10 68.5E 4134 V "Feed" Sr 5696

NEWS

Liberty Media eyes News Corp assets

From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/20/1082395853157.html

American media entrepreneur John Malone has hinted he will use his 17 per cent equity interest in Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation to barter for some of his rival's smaller international assets.

In an interview with London's Financial Times earlier this week, Mr Malone - whose US-based Liberty Media already owns subscription television businesses around the world - said that talks between the two parties had been "fairly active".

"There are certain small assets that we feel fit Liberty better than News Corp," he said. "We could exchange small amounts of our News Corp shares back for these assets."

News Corp's DirecTV Latin American business and its National Geographic are rumoured to top Mr Malone's list of targets, because they fit logically with Liberty's growing international cable television platform. Mr Malone plans to spin these assets off into a separate $US4-$US6 billion ($A5.4-$A8 billion) listed entity, Liberty Media International, this year.

But there is also speculation Mr Malone may seek to buy into some of News Corp's other international pay TV platforms, which include ones in Europe, China, India and Australia, through its 25 per cent stake in Foxtel.

Analysts were concerned that Mr Malone might use his substantial chunk of News Corp voting shares - which he raised to nearly 10 per cent in a deal in January - to coax the Murdoch family into selling some of its larger pay TV platforms.

One analyst said yesterday: "Malone knows that Murdoch wants his 10 per cent stake back and he's saying, 'I'll give it back to you, but you're going to have to trade me for it'."

UBS media analyst Tony Wilson said any deal done with Mr Malone's ordinary shares would create a conflict for the Murdoch family. "If Rupert (Murdoch) takes back ordinary shares, which then cements his control, that would be seen very cynically by the investment community."

A News Corp spokesman declined to comment on any possible deal, but would not deny the group had held talks with Mr Malone, who is the biggest individual shareholder aside from the Murdochs themselves.

Meanwhile, Australian Stock Exchange chief executive Richard Humphry said yesterday the market's liquidity would suffer from News Corp's plan to shift offshore. But he expected the impact to be offset by the influx of capital raisings on the Australian market.

News Corp shares closed 19¢ higher at $12.68 yesterday. Non-voting stock rose 25¢ to $11.90.

PanAmSat To Be Acquired by KKR In $4.3 Billion Transaction

From http://www.spacedaily.com/news/satellite-biz-04zzf.html

A fair price underscores growing value for mobile broadband

PanAmSat Corp. and its 80.5 percent stakeholder, The DirecTV Group, Inc., announced Tuesday that they have signed a definitive transaction agreement with affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ("KKR") for the sale of PanAmSat Corp. at $23.50 in cash per share. The aggregate transaction value, including the assumption of approximately $750 million of net debt, is approximately $4.3 billion.

"Today, PanAmSat is the leading distributor of video signals in the world, transmitting more than 2,100 broadcast TV channels globally. With KKR as our partner, we will have the opportunity to enhance our competitive position and significantly expand PanAmSat's capabilities," said Joe Wright, president and chief executive officer of PanAmSat.

"KKR understands our mission of servicing a strong customer base in the entertainment, communications and government sectors, and will support our efforts to grow by developing new products and services, forging strategic alliances and developing new markets. This new alliance puts us on an excellent footing to build for our future."

Wright continued, "While we have thoroughly enjoyed our past association and relationship with Hughes Electronics, we are ready and excited about moving forward on our own, and appreciate the on-going relationship we will have with The DirecTV Group companies as customers, affiliates and friends."

DirecTV Group President and Chief Executive Officer Chase Carey said, "The sale of PanAmSat is a significant step toward the completion of our plan to transform the former Hughes corporate structure to a single business, with a single focus on DirecTV, the nation's leading digital multichannel television service. The KKR offer, with its all-cash structure, provided the best value to the PanAmSat shareholders."

"With a strong operational foundation, broad customer base and significant technological resources, PanAmSat is poised for solid growth into the future," said Alexander Navab, a KKR Member.

"Joe Wright and his management team have developed a strategic plan designed to support prudent growth. We look forward to being their partners as they focus on enhancing PanAmSat's position as a global industry leader in video and data broadcasting services."

As part of the transaction, The DirecTV Group agreed to extend and enhance certain agreements between itself and PanAmSat, at market rates, in order to assure future revenue flows to PanAmSat and continuity of services for its Hughes Network Systems and DirecTV Latin America subsidiaries.

Subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including the Federal Communications Commission, and also subject to approval by the stockholders of PanAmSat, the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2004. The boards of directors of both PanAmSat Corp. and The DirecTV Group voted unanimously in favor of the transaction.

Credit Suisse First Boston served as financial advisor to The DirecTV Group, and Evercore Partners to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of PanAmSat Corporation. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as the legal advisor to The DirecTV Group; Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP represented PanAmSat; and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisor to KKR

DirecTV agrees to sell stake in satellite operator PanAmSat

From http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/business/8479725.htm

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - DirecTV Group has agreed to sell its majority stake in PanAmSat Corp. to buyout firm KKR for $4.3 billion, another step toward paring down DirecTV to its core satellite television service.

DirecTV Group, formerly known as Hughes Electronics, said Tuesday it will sell its 80.5 percent stake in PanAmSat to affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. for $23.50 per share in cash. The transaction includes the assumption of about $750 million of net debt.

PanAmSat operates a fleet of 29 satellites for the delivery of television programming. As part of the deal, DirecTV has agreed to remain a major customer.

It had been expected that DirecTV would sell its PanAmSat stake after News Corp. bought a controlling interest in DirecTV last year from General Motors Corp.

"The sale of PanAmSat is a significant step toward the completion of our plan to transform the former Hughes corporate structure to a single business, with a single focus on DirecTV," Chase Carey, DirecTV chief executive officer said in a statement.

The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and a vote of PanAmSat shareholders. It was expected to close in the second half of this year.

JSAT orders satellite from Lockheed Martin

From Press Release

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by JSAT Corporation of Japan to build its next geostationary telecommunications satellite, designated JCSAT-10, which will provide communications services throughout Japan and Asia following its scheduled launch in 2006. Financial terms were not disclosed.

JCSAT-10 will be a hybrid satellite, equipped with Ku-band high-power transponders and C-band medium-power transponders and will be located at 128 degrees East longitude. The spacecraft is based on the award winning A2100AX platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa.

"We are truly honored to be selected to build JCSAT-10, the second consecutive satellite that JSAT has awarded to the Lockheed Martin team and the first industry-wide competitive award for 2004," said Ted Gavrilis, president, Commercial Space Systems. "We are proud of the A2100's record of performance and reliability, and we are pleased that JSAT has once again selected our solution as the best value for their business plan."

LMCSS is currently building JCSAT-9, also an A2100AX satellite, which will serve Asia and Japan following its planned launch in 2005. Last year, LMCSS received orders for five A2100 spacecraft from customers worldwide, the most of any commercial satellite manufacturer.

Lockheed Martin's series of A2100 geostationary spacecraft are designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from high-power Ka, Ku and C-band fixed satellite and direct broadcast services to high power mobile satellite services using the L- and S-band frequency spectrum. The heritage A2100's modular design features flight-proven equipment, thus simplifying construction, shortening delivery schedule, and increasing on-orbit reliability.

Lockheed Martin has received industry-wide recognition for the A2100 platform, including an award in 2003 for Product of the Year, by Frost & Sullivan. Calling it "the most reliable and efficient of its class," Frost & Sullivan recognized the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for its "outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996."

JSAT is the leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The company owns and operates nine satellites in eight orbital slots. JSAT's communications satellites are opening up new opportunities with applications ranging from SKY Perfect TV! digital broadcasting services to television relays, video transmissions to retail outlet, and nationwide auctions. Implementing its corporate slogan, "JSAT, Creating Satellite Solutions," the company is actively expanding its business throughout the Pacific region. JSAT is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

New Dolby Digital Codec Seen As Complement To Future TV Services

From http://www.twice.com/article/CA411296.html?verticalid=820&industry=Home+Audio&industryid=23100&pubdate=04/19/2004

San Francisco— Dolby Laboratories has developed a more efficient backward-compatible extension to its Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio codec for use by digital-cable and satellite-TV operators who want to compress more TV channels into their existing bandwidth.

The extension, called Dolby Digital Plus, has also been proposed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) as an optional backup to the current Dolby Digital codec for over-air DTV transmissions. In future DTV sets, the lower bit-rate Dolby Digital Plus format would kick in to deliver uninterrupted audio even if the picture freezes or blocks up during temporary dips in signal strength, which can be caused by multipath, rain or other atmospheric conditions.

For their part, cable and DBS operators are looking at high-compression audio and video codecs "to provide more channels, services and functions on demand," said Craig Eggers, Dolby's consumer technology marketing director. Cable and DBS operators, he noted, are considering MPEG-4 and H.264 compression technologies to deliver four to five times more content with the same picture quality as the MPEG-2 standard that they currently use, he explained.

To deliver 5.1-channel audio with new video codecs, operators will look for a more efficient 5.1-channel audio codec, and Dolby Digital Plus fits the bill, Eggers continued.

The existing Dolby Digital codec supports bit rates of 320Kbps to 640Kbps for 5.1-channel audio and 128Kbps to 640Kbps for stereo. Digital broadcasters typically transmit 5.1 audio at 384Kbps, although ATSC supports up to 448Kbps.

Dolby Digital Plus, Eggers said, will enable broadcasters to deliver "a highly credible" 5.1 experience down to 192Kbps, and a stereo experience down to 96Kbps. "I am not a golden ear, and so for me it's difficult to hear the difference between 192 [Dolby Digital Plus] and 384 [Dolby Digital]," he noted.

The new codec, however, also supports lower and higher bit rates, up to 6Mbps, in fact. Dolby Digital Plus could therefore theoretically support high-quality audio in more than 5.1 channels on future prerecorded HD discs, said Dolby senior technical staff member Craig Todd.

"DD+ is convenient for consumers and broadcasters alike," a spokesman added. "It offers an end-to-end solution that brings compatibility to the mix. Because it's a format that is familiar to broadcasters, it will be simpler to implement in the station and in the set-top box."

Future ATSC TVs could also be built with ATSC tuners that up-convert the DD Plus stream to full Dolby Digital, Todd noted.

Backward-compatibility with existing DD decoders was necessary because almost one-third of U.S. households are already equipped with a home theater system, Eggers said.

Dolby also sees possible Dolby Digital Plus applications for DVD players. While playing a movie, for example, an interactive DVD player with a modem could log on to a studio Web site to stream interactive audio content, such as artist commentary, over bandwidth-constricted phone lines, Dolby said.

For future HD disc formats, Dolby has provided a "very flexible proposal" to the DVD Forum, Eggers said. The proposal could deliver more than 5.1 channels while being backward-compatible with existing 5.1-channel home theater systems, he noted. He declined to comment on whether the rival Blu-ray Group has been approached.

For future ATSC DTV sets, ATSC selected Dolby Digital Plus as a "candidate standard" that is now open for public comment and testing before it goes out for balloting. ATSC president Mark Richer expects it to become a formal standard late in the third quarter or early in the fourth.

The new audio codec could also be used by broadcasters with future ancillary video services that could be available under a planned Enhanced-VSB standard, Richer noted. E-VSB, which might be approved late in the fourth quarter, would enable broadcasters to send a secondary lower bit-rate video stream that would be more robust than typical DTV streams in low-signal conditions, he said. In one potential application, broadcasters could send news clips to laptops and PCs equipped with a DTV receiver.

DD may use NSS6 satellite for DTH

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k4/apr/apr151.htm

NEW DELHI: Even as Indian pubcaster Doordarshan is fine-tuning its act to launch its proposed KU-band direct-to-home (DTH) television service via a non-Indian satellite early June, the Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Telefilms is the only private sector broadcaster to have offered at least five of its channels to DD's DTH platform on mutually agreed upon commercial terms.

"We are in the process of giving finishing touches to the DTH service, but it does not look like going on air before end of May or early June as the transponders have not been made available to us yet," Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma told indiantelevision.com, adding though an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation has been signed for transponder space on Insat satellites.

Though Sarma refused to spell out the details of the transponders, Prasar Bharati sources indicated that DD's DTH services is likely to be beamed initially via a New Skies Satellites (NSS)-owned 'bird' for which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is negotiating for transponder capacity.

This has been necessitated as ISRO does not have additional and adequate transponder capacity on its exiting satellites, which are marketed under the brand name Insat. NSS is a Netherlands-headquartered satellite company and in recent times has been targeting the Indian market aggressively.

DD plans to launch its DTH service with a bouquet of 30-odd channels, out which 20 would be DD's own, while the rest private ones. The aim is to make the DD platform attractive enough for viewers by including some mass-based entertainment channels (like Star Plus, Sony, Sahara Manoranjan and Zee TV), even though the DTH service from the pubcaster is primarily targeted at those areas initially where cable and terrestrial TV signals are difficult to receive.

Though Prasar Bharati has sent feelers to private broadcasters like Star India and Sony Entertainment TV India, it is Zee Telefilms that has got back to the pubcaster saying that it is not averse to offering channels on mutually agreeable commercial terms.

"Prasar Bharati wrote to us and we said five free to air channels from the bouquet could be made available for DD's DTH service on commercial terms," a senior executive of Zee Telefilms told indiantelevision.com.

The Zee channels that have been offered --- subject to conclusion of revenue sharing deals --- include two Etc channels, the newly-launched religious channel Jagaran, Zee Music and Smile TV (a channel showcasing comedy-based soaps and films on Zee's own DTH service).

Pointing out that other pay channels like the bouquet flagship Zee TV could not be offered as DD's DTH platform will not be a paid encrypted service, the Zee executive added, "If they insist, we can add Zee News to the offer list."

When asked about Zee's offer, Sarma refused to make any comments, saying no deals have been signed yet. However in the past, he had indicated that Zee's Dish TV DTH service has included DD channels in the package without paying Prasar Bharati any money for the same --- an issue that he said would be taken up with the Zee management.

20/04/04

Live satellite chat tonight 9pm NZ and 8.30pm Syd time onwards

From my Emails & ICQ

From [email protected]

For Sale Satellite/FTA Meter

FOR SALE: Rover DL4-Digiline Dual Screen Combined Digital/Analogue RD-TV
CATV and Satellite Analyser. C/W with QPSK Demodulator Board/MPEG2
Board/DVB Terrestrial COFDM Demodulator Board and CAS Card Reader Board.

Less than 18 Months Old and in excellent Condition A$4500.00

All enquiries to [email protected]

From the Dish

No lyngsat report received

NEWS

INTERVIEW: NZ's Sky TV Says Has 563,559 Subscribers

From http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040420/15/3jlvv.html

WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--Sky Network Television Ltd. (SKY.NZ), New Zealand's main pay TV company, has had a bounce back in subscriber growth following the lull during the Rugby World Cup in the last quarter of 2003, and Tuesday confirmed its full year earnings forecast.

Sky Television has 563,559 total subscribers as of Tuesday, up from the 548,041 at the end of December, chief executive John Fellet told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview.

"We have had real good growth over the last few months," he said.

The growth of 15,518 subscribers in the first three and a half months of 2004 is a huge improvement over the growth of 5,150 during the Sky TV's fiscal first half year to the end of December, which suffered because the Rugby World Cup was shown on free-to-air television.

"The new channels have helped, because we're not getting any more on sport than we have had before," said Fellet.

Over the past 12 months, Sky TV has added UKTV, Disney and History channels to its network.

The company is still on track to meet its net profit forecast for the financial year to June 30, 2004 of NZ$28 million to NZ$35 million, Fellet said.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization is still expected at NZ$175 million to NZ$180 million, he said.

The company made a NZ$12.4 million net profit in the six months to Dec. 31.

Fellet said Sky TV is on track this fiscal year to report its lowest ever churn figure - a measure of how many subscribers disconnect their service.

Sky will increase the cost of subscribing to its digital satellite television service by an average 3.6% from June, Fellet said.

The increase will cover additional costs and keep the company on a sound enough financial footing to meet its goal of paying dividends to shareholders in coming financial years, he said.

Sky has never paid a dividend, but Fellet said he is hoping to announce the company's dividend policy before June 30.

Scientific-Atlanta Launches New PowerVu Digital Receiver

From Presss Release

AFRTS Selects New Receiver for Global Use to Deliver a More Convenient, Versatile Viewing Experience -

LAS VEGAS, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NAB2004 -- American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), one of the earliest adopters of Scientific-Atlanta's PowerVu® digital content distribution system, has begun to deploy a new version of Scientific-Atlanta's satellite receiver (Model D9834)(TM). The enhanced receiver is available for reception of AFRTS- delivered programming by US service men and women on land and aboard Navy ships, Department of Defense civilians, and their families stationed outside the continental United States.

The new receiver offers these expanded, convenient features for AFRTS viewers:

* Smaller footprint - Reduced size (compared to previous model) uses space more efficiently in entertainment centers or atop viewers' televisions.

* Factory presets - The AFRTS satellite tuning parameters are programmed into the receiver to provide quicker and simpler set-up. Additional user configurable pre-sets (up to 64 total) may be stored in the receiver.

* 10 Mbps Ethernet data port - Enables carriage of IP data services for delivery into corporate LAN/WAN networks. The Ethernet data port can be activated via a software download available early summer 2004.

"Scientific-Atlanta's longstanding relationship with AFRTS has produced a wide range of both analog and digital solutions that have helped them expand the availability of programming to American military forces," said Paul Kosac, vice president of market development, Media Networks/Headend, Transmission Network Systems at Scientific-Atlanta.

"As AFRTS has shared its needs with us, our response to meet those needs has delivered the products, such as the new D9834 receiver, that accompany the great technical support and innovation that Scientific-Atlanta has delivered to AFRTS since the 1980s."

In addition to reliable programming delivery and convenience for its viewers, AFRTS must have a secure distribution system that it can depend upon to protect its suppliers' valuable content. This new IRD will help AFRTS offer a state-of-the art, reliable entertainment experience for its military forces throughout the world, while confidently addressing the security concerns of the content owners.

Scientific-Atlanta's relationship with AFRTS spans over 20 years, and has grown from support for a single video program to over 10 video services, more than 11 stereo and several mono radio services, and three data services for content distribution.

"Over the years, AFRTS has pushed the performance limits to the maximum on every platform we have provided for them," Kosac said. "Reliable, high-quality performance is a 'must have' requirement for AFRTS and we're proud of the way our products have delivered for their troops."

The PowerVu D9834 Satellite Receiver, which ships with a hand-held remote control, is currently available for commercial order. This receiver is well- suited for secure delivery of programming to support a corporate communications network containing content such as video, audio and/or data broadcast. The D9834 can be used to deliver programming to hotels, multiple dwelling units (MDUs), homes and commercial establishments such as restaurants, retail stores, etc.

About AFRTS

AFRTS operates one of the world's largest private television networks, distributing programming over its PowerVu digital compression network via seven satellites to PowerVu receivers in 177 countries and US territories, and on board US Navy ships. The service is designed to "bring a touch of home" to the thousands of US military personnel, Department of Defense (DoD) civilians, and their families stationed overseas.

About Scientific-Atlanta

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA - News; http://www.scientificatlanta.com ) is a leading supplier of digital content distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops and subscriber systems designed for video, high-speed Internet and voice over IP (VoIP) networks, and worldwide customer service and support.

"Forward-looking statements," as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may be included in this news release. A variety of factors could cause Scientific-Atlanta's actual results to differ from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to Scientific-Atlanta's Cautionary Statements (Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's most recent Form 10-Q), which statements are incorporated into this news release by reference.

Humax to Export $2 Mil. Set-Top Boxes to Russia

From http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200404/kt2004041917180911780.htm

Humax, the world's fifth largest set-top box maker, signed an agreement on Monday to supply $2 million worth of digital set-top boxes to Russia's largest digital cable TV broadcasting operator, Versatel JSC.

``The payment for the set-top box shipments will be made all in cash. We will supply the ND-1010c model, which has an interactive program guide function to the Russian cable TV broadcaster,'' said Jang Sae-chan, a Humax spokesman.

Jang said Humax was the first to directly supply satellite broadcasting receivers to the Russian channel among Korean set-top box supplier. They are currently the largest satellite broadcasting receiver supplier in Russia with more than a 50 percent market share.

``The deal with Versatel JSC is believed to contribute to our future export deals with cable TV broadcasters in the Eastern European market,'' said Jang.

CodecSys to Provide Full-Motion, Full-Frame Video Including High Definition At Fraction of Bandwidth

From http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/Apr/1032855.htm

LAS VEGAS, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Broadcast International (BULLETIN BOARD: BCST) , a pioneer in video-powered business solutions, today unveiled its Multi-Codec System -- CodecSys -- at The National Association of Broadcasters' NAB2004 tradeshow.

CodecSys employs real-time artificial intelligence systems to dynamically manage libraries of standard and specialized codecs to efficiently process a particular scene, or even frame, of video and then switches on the fly to another codec that is better suited to the next scene or frame. Exploiting the best attributes of multiple codecs enables 50 to 75 percent reductions in bandwidth compared to single codec solutions.

"CodecSys will have a dramatic effect on any application that employ's video broadcast technology," said Rod Tiede, president and CEO of Broadcast International. "Including high definition video, it can deliver full-frame, full-motion video at a fraction of the bandwidth of current technologies."

CodecSys allows video broadcasters to shift from single, generalist codec solutions to multiple and specialist codec systems. And, since CodecSys is a software solution, newly developed codecs can easily be incorporated into the system ending costly hardware obsolescence and re-encoding.

CodecSys cuts bandwidth significantly with full-screen, full-motion video including HD quality under 3 MB, DVD quality at 512 K, and VHS quality at 256 K.

"Soon we will complete our migration to digital, and as we do so we will have a greater need to produce high quality video in real time from the field," said Michael Declue, Clear Channel Television vice president director of engineering. "As a distributor of multi-channel television on the DTV spectrum any technology that allows us to dish out more video in a limited bandwidth environment can solve our remote capabilities immediately."

People today want high-quality video in full-screen, full-motion broadcast video without increasing network bandwidth, IT infrastructure and cost. Delivery platforms that benefit from CodecSys include: satellite, cable, Internet, LAN, and wireless networks. CodecSys will provide multi-codec compression for a variety of different applications including:

* Newsgathering -- CodecSys enables high quality remote broadcasts from virtually any location via an IP satellite network.

* Cable set-top boxes -- CodecSys will enable more channels to be delivered without increasing bandwidth, and provides more efficient video-on-demand.

* Home networking and video-on-demand -- The DSP or chip-based version of CodecSys would enable home networking equipment to deliver video-on-demand.

* Direct-to-home (DTH) satellite receivers -- CodecSys enables more channels without increasing bandwidth and delivers high-definition at much lower bandwidths.

* IP video conferencing -- CodecSys enables high quality videoconferencing at lower bandwidths over IP networks.

* Telemedicine -- Telemedicine applications have always struggled to get adequate quality over available bandwidths. CodecSys allows exceptional video quality over sub T1 networks.

CodecSys also enhances other bandwidth hungry applications including: streaming video and web casts, network TV programming, digital cinema, distance learning, security monitoring, online advertising, and digital signage.

CodecSys Technology is available immediately by contacting Broadcast International.

About Broadcast International

Broadcast International is a leading provider of video-powered business solutions, including IP and digital satellite, Internet streaming, and other types of wired/wireless network distribution. In addition, BI assists clients with video production, rich media development and a full range of network support services. CodecSys is a patent-pending technology that enables BI clients to enhance video quality at current bandwidths or reduce the cost of bandwidth while maintaining quality.

Broadcast International was founded in 1984 and is a public company (BULLETIN BOARD: BCST) headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT. For more information, visit http://www.brin.com/ or call +1-801-562-2252.

Broadcast International, Inc.

CONTACT: A. Cory Maloy, [email protected], or David Hill,[email protected], both of Snapp Norris Group, +1-801-226-3223, for BroadcastInternational
Web site: http://www.brin.com/

Windows Media 9 Series Gains Broadcast Support

From http://www.connectedhomemag.com/HomeTheater/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=42402

Windows Media 9 Series has gained support from a handful of broadcast companies as well as from hardware and software production companies, Microsoft announced at the National Association of Broadcasters 2004 (NAB2004) trade show. Two consumer TV services, VOOM and US Digital Television (USDTV), announced that they will use Windows Media 9 Series to deliver programming, and companies including Adobe Systems, BOXX Technologies, and CineForm announced new Windows XP-based solutions for High-Definition (HD) video production.

VOOM, a satellite service launched late last year by cable- and content-provider Cablevision Systems, plans to use Windows Media 9 Series as a compression technology to offer additional stations to its customers. The service's primary offerings include HD programming and select regular (standard definition--SD) channels, such as Comedy Central, MSNBC, MTV, and TNT. VOOM designed its set-top box with the goal of using a next-generation compression technology to deliver additional programming in the limited amount of available satellite space. The company considered the MPEG-4 format but decided to use Windows Media 9 Series for SD channels later this year and for HD channels early next year. The technology will let the company double its offerings, offer better quality, and save money.

The other TV service, USDTV, will use Windows Media 9 Series later this year in 30 US markets to deliver 12 of the most popular cable channels through "over-the-air" digital terrestrial antennas. USDTV wants to provide an alternative for consumers who are looking for core cable TV programming at an inexpensive price.

Video professionals who want to use XP to edit HD content now have a solution. BOXX and CineForm announced new Adobe Premiere Pro-based hardware and software for enabling real-time editing on the XP platform. "The HD revolution on the Windows XP PC desktop has now begun," Dave Fester, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Digital Media Division, said. "For the first time, real-time multistream HD video editing is now a reality on the Windows XP desktop with new breakthrough solutions from Adobe, BOXX Technologies, and CineForm for professionals in video, film, and broadcast production."

In related news, Microsoft's goal of gaining standard approval for the compression technology used in the Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 codec (VC-9) recently took another step closer to reality. The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) Video Compression Technology (C24) Technical Committee recently elevated the VC-9 technology to Committee Draft status. "The elevation of VC-9 to Committee Draft status represents consensus that the basic structure of the document is correct and that we can now start on the detailed work," Peter Symes, SMPTE vice president of engineering, said. The creation of a standard based on VC-9 will make adopting the technology easier and more appealing for the broadcasting and entertainment industry.

PANAMSAT’S PASPORT TAKES BROADCASTERS ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE AROUND THE GLOBE

From Press Release

Worldwide Hybrid Network Delivers Quick, Easy Global Program Distribution in the Air and on the Ground

LAS VEGAS, NV, April 19, 2004 -- PanAmSat Corporation (NASDAQ: SPOT) today launched PASport, a global, on-the-spot broadcasting service for the transmission of breaking news and live events around the world.

Leveraging the power of PanAmSat’s 24-satellite fleet with its’ 22,000 mile video fiber network this new service gives broadcasters and video content producers access to PanAmSat’s global hybrid network from virtually every corner of the globe.

“PASport enables PanAmSat to combine its fiber service capabilities that stretch from Europe to Singapore, with over 400 satellite paths on 14 global satellites resulting in the world’s largest and most complete broadcast contribution network. With these assets, PanAmSat is even better positioned to provide seamless, high-quality global transmission solutions for our core broadcast customers,” said Mike Antonovich, senior vice president, sales and marketing of PanAmSat. “The fiber network complements and strengthens our world-class satellite fleet, enhancing our ability to offer complete door-to-door services in a single, managed solution. By combining the reach and ubiquity of satellites with the efficiency and economy of terrestrial fiber, PanAmSat provides even more options and alternatives for the transmission of video around the world.”

PanAmSat has interconnected over 24 access points or points of presence (POPs) throughout the world, easing the connectivity to existing satellite uplink facilities. Now locations that previously could not access satellites directly are able to connect to the PanAmSat fleet on a more efficient and cost effective basis. In addition to improving network access in media-intensive markets such as Paris, London, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Singapore, it marks the first time that PanAmSat has owned technical and network facilities in Europe.

About PanAmSat

PanAmSat Corporation (NASDAQ: SPOT) is one of the world’s top three satellite operators managing a global fleet of 29 satellites, 24 of which are wholly-owned by the Company, for the delivery of news, sports and other television programming. In total, this fleet is capable of reaching more than 98 percent of the world’s population through cable television systems, broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. In addition, PanAmSat supports the largest concentration of satellite-based business networks in the U.S., as well as specialized communications services in remote areas throughout the world. PanAmSat is 80.5 percent owned by The DIRECTV Group Inc. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.panamsat.com.

The DIRECTV Group, Inc.

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services, and global video and data broadcasting. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd.

19/04/04

The ABA are investigating the Adult services broadcasting on NSS6 Details in the news section.

B3 Globecast mux Tamil Community radio is new on 12524V Apid 1121 Sid 16

TVNZ has started broadcasting onscreen "bugs" on Tv1 and Tv2 not sure if its a trial the transparency seems ok its not to noticable.

Sky NZ have put up prices AGAIN, and as for Sky Sports 3 I reckon it will be %90 replays of stuff on the other Sky Sports channels and the global world sports news channel they speak of sounds like Eurosports news.

Dear MR .X

At Sky , we work hard to make your service the best value that your entertainment dollar can buy. This involves holding costs as low as we can while at the same time adding additional channels, services and programmes that research tells us our subscribers want.

In the past year we have introduced three new channels, Disney Channel, UKTV and the History Channel. Other than Sky1 these three channels are the most viewed in our "Start-up" package. We will continue to seek additional options for our viewers.

Soon we are launching a new sports channel. SKY Sports 3 will allow us to cary more live sporting events, replays in prime time of key events you may have missed and in between times a sports news service covering the global sports world.

In spite of our best efforts we find that increased costs have now made a small adjustment to our subscription rates unavoidable.

Starting with your June bill your new monthly subscription will be $82.25 (Previously $79.25).

At Sky we'll always keep working to improve our service to you and look forward to continuing to provide you with great entertainment in the future.

From my Emails & ICQ

From Steve

'Bugs' on TVNZ Channels

The TVNZ channels, TV One and Channel 2, now have opaque logos on
the top-right-hand corner of the screen. Both on the Sky satellite
and also the terrestial transmitters (Mt Cargill).

Steve D

From Glenn Gibson

Videoland Sports FTA

Videoland Sports has been FTA on the Pas 8 TAS Mux for the past day or so.
(3860H 28000, 5/6)

Checked it a minute ago and its still there currently showing baseball.
There is an English program guide 'somewhere' on their site if you have the
patience to find it.

Took me ages to find it last time but forgot to bookmark it :o(

Here's the link to the website
http://sport.videoland.com.tw/

Cheers
Glenn

From Hans

TV5 - Asiasat 2 Version française

This message is only for people who have a parabolic antenna pointed towards the Asiasat 2 satellite and a digital receiver.

Changes have recently been made to the broadcasting of TV5 Asia. In fact, some "General Public" receivers now seem to be incompatible following technical modifications (which is not the case for professional receivers installed for Asian cable operators).

We are of course aware of the inconvenience caused and after investigating various technical possibilities we have set up a second broadcasting channel for TV5 on Asiasat 2, which will no longer pose any problem: this is channel 2 of the multi-channel package on Asiasat.

The reception settings remain the same. However, as TV5 is accessible on a MUX as part of the European multi-channel package, 5 channels are available on the same frequency: TV5, RAi, TVE, RTPI and DW. TV5 was initially in the 5th position, it is now in the 2nd position.

In practical terms, when all the settings are entered into the decoder all you have to do is flick from one channel to the next using the decoder remote control (as you would with a television remote) to select the channel that you want to see on the screen.

It is not necessary to modify the equipment or the antenna.

From Jon C Thailand

New Thaicom 2/3 KU Band
Thaicom 2/3 KU BAND
12567 - 25812 (9 T/P's playing test patten - all FTA)
12396 - 26667 = "PDR1" "Channel 11 - News 1" FTA

From the Dish

Intelsat 701 180E 10975 H "La Ferme Celebrites" has started on Mediaguard, PIDs 169/116.

Cakrawarta 1 107.7E 2625 H "Xing Kong" has left .

AsiaSat 3 105.5E 4020 V "Sahara Samay Mumbai" has started regular transmissions on , Fta, PIDs 515/680.
AsiaSat 3 105.5E 3669 VA BlueKiss promo has replaced the Malibu TV promo on , Fta, PIDs 2081/2082.

ST 1 88E All channels in the Space TV mux on 3632 V are Fta.
ST 1 88E 3582 H "TVBS Golden has replaced Azio TV" on , Fta, PIDs 44/35.

Insat 2E 83E 3819 V "DD Bihar and occasional DD Bihar feeds" have started on , Fta,SR 6250, FEC 3/4, PIDs 512/650 and 513/660, zone beam.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3545 V A test card has started on , Fta, PIDs 337/338.

NSS 703 57E 4065 L Occasional feeds on , SR 6600, FEC 1/2, global beam.

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

NSS 703 (57.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0570

==============================

Udaya TV INFO CARD on 3.808 (R): Udaya TV Has Left Replaced by Info Card, Will be available only in Digital Mode

OS download (DCP) on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1120,1160)
OS download (CCP) on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1120,1160)
Ch. 340 Dedicated Channel on 4.055 (V,25994,1460,1420,1460)
Ch. 428 IOR Audios 1-8 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1120,1160)
Ch. 430 IOR Audios 3-4,5-6 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1122,1160)
Ch. 431 IOR Audios 3-4,7-8 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1122,1160)
Ch. 432 IOR Audios 5-6,7-8 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1130,1160)
Ch. 434 IOR Audios 11-12,13-14 on 4.055 (V,25994,1222,1222)
Ch. 435 IOR Audios 13-14,15-16 on 4.055 (V,25994,1230,1230)
Ch. 436 IOR Audios 17-18,19-20 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1320,1160)
Ch. 441 IOR Audios 29-30,31-32 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1430,1160)
Ch. 444 IOR Audios 37-38,39-40 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1530,1160)
Ch. 445 IOR Audios 41-42,43-44 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1620,1160)
Ch. 446 IOR Audios 43-44,45-46 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1622,1160)
Ch. 447 IOR Audios 45-46,47-48 on 4.055 (V,25994,1160,1630,1160)
VOA News Now / Music Mix (Mongolia) (IOR 3 - Left audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started
VOA News Now / Music Mix (E.Timor) (IOR 4 - Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started. Additional programmes in Indonesian
Radio Sawa Sudan (IOR 7 & 8) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started
VOA Music Mix (IOR 9 & 10) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): Replaced VOA / VOA News Now / VOA Music Mix / VOA East Timor
Radio Sawa Iraq (IOR 11 & 12) on 4.055 (R,25994,1222,1222): It has started
VOA News Now/Music Mix (South Iraq) (IOR 13 & 14) on 4.055 (R,25994,1230,1230): It has started
Radio Free Asia (IOR 17 & 18) on 4.055 (R,25994,1320,1160): It has started
Radio Free Asia (IOR 19 & 20) on 4.055 (R,25994,1322,1160): Replaced Voice of America
VOA (IOR 22 - Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1330,1160): Also carries Hindi & Russian services. Replaced Radio Free Europe
VOA News Now/Music Mix (IOR 27 - Left audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): Replaced VOA / Radio Liberty (Kabul)
RTVA (IOR 28 - Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): Replaced VOA (Bangladesh) / VOA News Now
VOA/Radio Liberty (Kabul) (IOR29 - Left audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started
VOA News Now/Music Mix (Bang.Betar) (IOR30 - Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started
Radio Sawa Levant (IOR 31 & 32) on 4.055 (R,25994,1160): It has started
VOA/Radio Liberty (IOR 37) (Left audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1530,1160): It has started
VOA/Radio Liberty (IOR 38) (Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1530,1160): It has started
Radio Liberty (IOR 39) (Left audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1532,1160): It has started
Radio Liberty (IOR 40) (Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1532,1160): It has started. Also carries Cantonese & English programmes
Radio Sawa Egypt (IOR 42) (Right audio) on 4.055 (R,25994,1620,1160): It has started
Radio Sawa Gulf (IOR 43 & 44) on 4.055 (R,25994,1622,1160): It has started
VOA / Music Mix (Djibouti) (IOR 45 & 46) on 4.055 (R,25994,1630,1160): It has started. Also carries French programmes
Feeds (MPEG TEST SERVICE) on 4.066 (L,6601,1160,1120,1160): It has Started
Feeds ( ) on 4.066 (L,6601,1160,1120,1160): It has Started
AL HURRA on 4.066 (L,6601,1160,1120,1160): It has Started
Feeds ( ALHURRA ) on 4.066 (L,6601,1160,1120,1160): It has Started
TVNZ feeds (TVNZ-BBC1IG1 8m/b1 PAL) on 4.161 (R,5632,512,650,8190)
NZ feeds (TVNZ-BBC2IT3 8m/b1 PAL) on 4.195 (V,5632,512,650,8190)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine
For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

INTELSAT 902 (62.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0620

==============================

DATA on 4.180 (V,31530)
Star TV - Sky News on 4.180 (V,31530,512,650,128)
BT 62E OU ch 1 on 4.180 (V,31530,513,660,129)
BT 62E OU ch 2 on 4.180 (V,31530,514,670,130)
Sky News Intl on 4.180 (V,31530,515,680,131)
At the Races on 4.180 (V,31530,516,690,132)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

INTELSAT 906 (64.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0640

==============================

Ciao FM on 11.478 (H,2200,7501): It has started
East Africa FM on 3.644 (R,13330,514): It has started

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

INTELSAT 704 (66.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0660

==============================

TV5 ASIE on 4.055 (R,27500,120,130,120)
CFI ASIE PRO on 4.055 (R,27500,220,230,220)
Route 66 on 4.055 (R,27500,320,330,330)
DASSAULT-IS704 on 4.055 (R,27500)
GCA-TEST on 4.055 (R,27500)
KATELCO-ASTA on 4.055 (R,27500)
KATELCO-ALA on 4.055 (R,27500)
DASSAULT-IS704-2 on 4.055 (R,27500)
RFI Francais on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)
RFI Langues1 on 4.055 (R,27500,1701,1701)
RFI Langues2 on 4.055 (R,27500,1702,1702)
RFI Musique on 4.055 (R,27500,1703,1703)
RFI Palapa on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)
RFI Cambodge on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)
RFI French-Eng on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)
RFI China on 4.055 (R,27500,1702,1702)
RFI Russia on 4.055 (R,27500,1701,1701)
RFI Kaboul on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)
RFI WS Ouest on 4.055 (R,27500,1700,1700)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

PANAMSAT 4 (72.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0720

==============================

NTV feeds on 12.720 (H,6620): It has started

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

LMI 1 (75.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0750

==============================

TFC-ME on 12.610 (H,20000,255,256,255)
C-One on 12.610 (H,20000,767,768,767)
PCTV on 12.610 (H,20000,1023,1024,1023)
TFC-EU on 12.610 (H,20000,1279,1280,1279)
DZM on 12.610 (H,20000,1536,1536)
DWR on 12.610 (H,20000,1792,1792)
DATA on 12.610 (H,20000,51)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

TELSTAR 10/APSTAR IIR (76.5E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0765

==============================

Feeds on 12.270 (H,5207,1160,1120,1160): It has started
TTV on 12.553 (H,22425,2624,2625,2624): It's clear now
PTS on 12.553 (H,22425,2688,2689,2688): It's clear now
TCT World on 12.584 (V,22425,1616,1617,1616): It has replaced PTV-1
NRi on 4.037 (H,2300,33,36,33): New NID

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

THAICOM 2,3 (78.5E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0785

==============================

TGN on 12.480 (H,27500,522,750,8190): It's clear
RS20 on 12.562 (H,25776,524,5634,140)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

EXPRESS 6A (80.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0800

==============================

STS (+7h) on 11.660 (V,5100,2160,2120,2160): It's back

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

INSAT 2E, 3B (83.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0830

==============================

MANA-TV-1 on 11.558 (V,13328,33,34,33): It Has Started
MANA-TV-2 on 11.558 (V,13328,1057,1058,1057): It Has Started
MANA-TV-3 on 11.558 (V,13328,2081,2082,2081): It Has Started
MANA-TV-4 on 11.558 (V,13328,3105,3106,3105): It Has Started
MANA-TV-5 on 11.558 (V,13328,5153,5154,5153): It Has Started
DATA on 11.558 (V,13328): It Has Started
FEEDS on 11.627 (V,2000,4194,4195,4194): It Has Started
FEEDS on 11.642 (V,1900,512,513,512): It Has Started

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

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Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

ST 1 (88.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0880

==============================

Taiwan Music Channel on 3.632 (V,26666,561,545,561): It's clear now
CASA on 3.632 (V,26666,5169,5153,5169): It's clear now
Taiwan Music Channel on 3.632 (V,26666,561,545,561): It's encrypted again
CASA on 3.632 (V,26666,5169,5153,5169): It's encrypted again
Savoir Knowledge Channel on 3.632 (V,26666,49,33,49): It's clear now
Taiwan Music Channel on 3.632 (V,26666,561,545,561): It's clear now
Schoolar Movie Channel on 3.632 (V,26666,1057,1058,1057): It's clear now
Rainbow on 3.632 (V,26666,1585,1569,1585): It's clear now
CTS on 3.632 (V,26666,2097,2081,2097): It's clear now
FTV News on 3.632 (V,26666,2609,2593,2609): It's clear now
Formosa TV on 3.632 (V,26666,3121,3105,3121): It's clear now
BBC World on 3.632 (V,26666,3633,3617,3633): It's clear now
CTV - China TV on 3.632 (V,26666,4145,4129,4145): It's clear now
CASA on 3.632 (V,26666,5169,5153,5169): It's clear now
Public TV Service on 3.632 (V,26666,6193,6177,6193): It's clear now
TTV on 3.632 (V,26666,7217,7201,7217): It's clear now
TTV on 12.642 (H,24000,33,36,33): It's clear now
CTV on 12.642 (H,24000,102,103,102): It's clear now
Formosa TV on 12.642 (H,24000,1163,1131,1163): It's clear now
CTS on 12.642 (H,24000,1164,1141,1164): It's clear now
PTS on 12.642 (H,24000,4194,4195,4194): It's clear now

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

INSAT 3A (93.5E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0935

==============================

ZEE TV on 11.510 (H,27500,160,80,160)
AUDIO 3 on 11.550 (H,27500,1306,1306)
AUDIO 4 on 11.550 (H,27500,1309,1309)
PHILIPS DOWNLOAD 1.1 on 11.550 (H,27500)
ETC 1 on 11.550 (H,27500,160,80,160)
ETC PUNJABI on 11.550 (H,27500,33,710,33)
REALITY TV on 11.550 (H,27500,162,88,162)
NEPAL 1 on 11.550 (H,27500,163,90,163)
CARTOON NETWORK on 11.550 (H,27500,164,96,164)
CNBC on 11.550 (H,27500,165,98,165)
CNN on 11.550 (H,27500,166,104,166)
DD-9 KARNATAKA on 11.550 (H,27500,167,106,167)
DD-5 PODHIGAI on 11.550 (H,27500,168,108,168)
DD NEWS on 11.550 (H,27500,169,110,169)
ETV TELUGU on 11.550 (H,27500,702,703,702)
BBC WORLD on 11.550 (H,27500,706,707,706)
AUDIO 5 on 11.630 (H,27500,1311,1311)
AUDIO 6 on 11.630 (H,27500,1313,1313)
KAIRALI on 11.630 (H,27500,160,80,160)
VISSA on 11.630 (H,27500,161,82,161)
CCTV 9 on 11.630 (H,27500,162,88,162)
DD INDIA on 11.630 (H,27500,163,90,163)
DD ORIYA on 11.630 (H,27500,164,96,164)
NDTV 24X7 on 11.630 (H,27500,165,98,165)
JAYA TV on 11.630 (H,27500,166,104,166)
TV 5 Asia on 11.630 (H,27500,167,106,167)
JAGRAN on 11.630 (H,27500,168,108,168)
MAA TV on 11.630 (H,27500,169,110,169)
GEO PAK on 11.630 (H,27500,159,114,159)
ESPN on 11.630 (H,27500,171,172,171)
AUDIO 7 on 11.670 (H,27500,1316,1316)
AUDIO 8 on 11.670 (H,27500,1319,1319)
SMILE TV on 11.670 (H,27500,160,80,160)
STAR SPORTS on 11.670 (H,27500,161,82,161)
FX MOVIES on 11.670 (H,27500,162,84,162)
ACTION CINEMA on 11.670 (H,27500,163,86,163)
CLASSIC CINEMA on 11.670 (H,27500,164,88,164)
PREMIER CINEMA on 11.670 (H,27500,165,90,165)
POGO on 11.670 (H,27500,166,92,166)
DD SPORTS on 11.670 (H,27500,167,94,167)
AAJ TAK on 11.670 (H,27500,168,96,168)
DD NATIONAL on 11.670 (H,27500,169,98,169)
TCT WORLD on 11.670 (H,27500,170,100,170)
SAB TV on 11.670 (H,27500,171,102,171)
GEO PAK on 11.630 (H,27500,159,114,159): It Has Started

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

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Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

NSS 6 (95.0E)

http://www.satcodx3.com/0950

==============================

NTD TV on 11.544 (V,27500,1025,1026,1025)
Channel 208 on 12.594 (H,8970,640,641,640)
Onnuri1 on 12.728 (H,26400,512,650,128)
Onnuri2 on 12.728 (H,26400,513,660,129)
ENC3 on 12.728 (H,26400,514,670,130)
DD Bharti DD DTH on 12.650 (V,19546,512,650,8190): First Phase of DD DTH Has Started Testing
DD Sports on 12.650 (V,19546,513,660,8190): It Has Started Testing
DD India on 12.650 (V,19546,514,670,8190): It Has Started Testing
DD Feeds on 12.650 (V,19546,515,680,8190): It Has Started Testing
DD News on 12.650 (V,19546,520,730,8190): It Has Started Testing

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

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Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

ASIASAT 2 (100.5E)

http://www.satcodx4.com/1005

==============================

APTN Feeds ()APTN GVW +442074827430) on 3.799 (H,5632,200,280,8190)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

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Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

TELKOM 1 (108.0E)

http://www.satcodx4.com/1080

==============================

Data Service on 3.600 (V,25156): It has started
Data Service on 4.189 (V,2025): It has started

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

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Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

KOREASAT 3 (116.0E)

http://www.satcodx4.com/1160

==============================

Comedy TV on 12.410 (H,27490,1552,1553,1552): TID/NID added
Q Channel on 12.410 (H,27490,1568,1569,1568): TID/NID added
SBS Drama + on 12.410 (H,27490,1584,1585,1584): TID/NID added
Nongsusan TV on 12.410 (H,27490,1600,1601,1600): TID/NID added
CCTV 4 on 12.410 (H,27490,1616,1617,1616): TID/NID added
KBS TV 2 on 12.410 (H,27490,1632,1633,1632): TID/NID added
Midnight Channel on 12.410 (H,27490,1648,1649,1648): TID/NID added
Beauty Channel on 12.410 (H,27490,1664,1665,1664): TID/NID added
LG Homeshopping on 12.410 (H,27490,1680,1681,1680): TID/NID added
SkyChoice on 12.410 (H,27490,1696,1697,1696): TID/NID added
OUN on 12.410 (H,27490,1712,1713,1712): TID/NID added
Citizen TV on 12.410 (H,27490,1728,1729,1728)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1561,1561)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1570,1570)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1571,1571)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1572,1572)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1573,1573)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1574,1574)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1575,1575)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1576,1576)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1577,1577)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1580,1580)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1581,1581)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1582,1582)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1583,1583)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1584,1584)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1585,1585)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1586,1586)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1587,1587)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1588,1588)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1589,1589)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1590,1590)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1591,1591)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1592,1592)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1593,1593)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1594,1594)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1595,1595)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1596,1596)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1597,1597)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1598,1598)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1599,1599)
Radio Service on 12.410 (H,27490,1602,1602)

(C) SatcoDX Inc. (C) TELE-satellite International magazine

For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

APSTAR 1A (134.0E)

http://www.satcodx4.com/1340

==============================

ShenZhen TV Test Card on 4.044 (H,6930,160,80,8190): It has started

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For Private and Personal Use Only - Commercial Use Not Allowed

Weekly SatcoDX News 09 April 2004 - 16 April 2004

OPTUS B3 (152.0E)

http://www.satcodx5.com/1520

==============================

TCT World on 12.501 (H,30000,513,514,513): It has started
The God Channel on 12.501 (H,30000,769,770,769): It has started
SET Asia on 12.501 (H,30000,1260,1220,1260): It has started
ABC TV Northern on 12.689 (H,30000,832,833,832): It has started
WIN TV on 12.689 (H,30000,1536,1537,1536): It has started
Golden West Network on 12.689 (H,30000,2900,2901,2900): It has started
Dig Radio on 12.703 (V,30000,2321): It has started
SBS Western on 12.718 (V,12600,161,81,161): It has started
SBS World News on 12.718 (V,12600,162,83,162): It has started
SBS EPG on 12.718 (V,12600,163,85,163): It has started
WIN TV on 12.736 (V,14300,33,36,33): It has started
Golden West Network on 12.736 (V,14300,2910,2911,2910): It has started

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NEWS

ABA turns sights on satellite porn

From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/19/1082326139544.html

Television pornography channels beamed into Australia via satellite will come under the spotlight after the broadcasting watchdog today announced an inquiry into the services.

The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) will contact overseas broadcasters, satellite providers and their Australian-based marketers to test whether they are breaking local laws.

The subscription channels, some of which show hard-core porn movies, are available to anyone with a satellite dish, decoder and smart card for as little as $4 a week.

The content has not been vetted by Australian censors, but it is illegal to show pornography which involves violence, coercion, demeaning behaviour or minors.

Adult services including Free-XTV, Backroom, Sexz.TV and BlueKiss have started to sign up Australian subscribers and the inquiry will try to establish who the provider is in terms of broadcasting laws.

ABA investigator Jenny Brigg said while an overseas broadcaster might not be subject to Australian laws, local distributors or marketers would be.

"It's a test in that the legislation is clear, this sort of content is prohibited, but the question is, who is providing that content into Australia?" ABA investigator Jenny Brigg said.

"They look like they have got European bases but they are distributed in Australia and people are selling the cards and marketing them."

She said ABA staff would contact the broadcasters, marketers and satellite companies in coming weeks.

Sexz.TV has European content but lists an office in Sydney and distributors around Australia, while Blue Kiss operates out of London but satellite provider New Skies has an office in Sydney.

ABA commences investigation into adult satellite services


From http://www.aba.gov.au/abanews/news_releases/2004/35nr04.htm

NR 35/2004
19 April 2004

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has released terms of reference for an investigation into ‘adult services’ being broadcast into Australia from overseas via satellite. The ABA has received complaints concerning the apparent availability of ‘pornography’ on these adult services.

‘The broadcasting of program material that has been refused classification, or has been classified as ‘X’ by the Office of Film and Literature Classification is prohibited,’ said Professor David Flint, ABA Chairman. ‘A formal investigation will enable the ABA to consider all relevant material and reach a view on whether there has been a breach of the Broadcasting Services Act.’

The ‘adult services’ being investigated include: Free-XTV and Backroom, Sexz.TV and BlueKiss.

The investigation will be conducted into the following matters:

Into which category of broadcasting service, listed in section 11 of the Broadcasting Services Act, do these adult services fall?

What person or persons provide these adult services?

Do these services comply with the Broadcasting Services Act and any applicable licence conditions and codes of practice, or any international cooperative agreements, particularly with regard to program content?

What action, if any, should the ABA take in relation to its findings on the matters listed in paragraphs (a) to (c) above?

The ABA will seek further information from service providers before finalising a report.

The terms of reference are available on the ABA website.

http://www.aba.gov.au/tv/investigations/projects/adult_satellite/index.htm

http://www.aba.gov.au/tv/investigations/projects/adult_satellite/Terms%20of%20Reference_15April04.pdf

Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02 (Number cutoff in press release)

(Craigs comment, Stay tuned things are about to get interesting. I can't see any way they can stop it)

A renewed debate on 'a la carte' TV

From http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/business/2004/04/18areneweddebateo.html

In the dream world of some television viewers, they would pay their cable or satellite companies only for the channels they want. Some might not pay for MTV, because they don't want their 8-year-olds watching it. Others would turn down ESPN Classic, because they've already seen the 1975 World Series. Others would eschew TeleFutura, because they don't speak Spanish.

Reality is far different.

No U.S. cable or satellite company offers what are called "a la carte" plans. In order to get the Discovery Channel from Comcast Corp., for instance, District of Columbia viewers have to pay for an "expanded basic" package that includes MTV, FX, MSNBC and 33 other channels.

That may change, if some lawmakers and consumer groups get their way, as the cable industry finds itself under increasing scrutiny. Lawmakers report that their constituents are angry about cable bills that have risen at three times the rate of inflation since the industry was largely deregulated in 1996. Others want government to do something about the rising incidence of profanity and nudity found on pay-television systems.

One possible solution being proposed is a la carte cable, a way to give consumers more choice over what they watch and how much they pay for it. But cable companies say it would cost too much.

Expensive set-top boxes would be needed to give consumers the pick-and-choose capability, and the upgrade could cost the industry billions of dollars. Companies would inevitably be forced to pass on some or all of the expense to subscribers.

"Frankly, that is where long-term the industry is going to go - to video-on-demand," said James Robbins, president of Cox Communications, whose system has 6.3 million subscribers. "But there's a $30 [billion] to $40 billion bridge to get there." Besides adding to the cost, cable companies say, selling channels individually might make it difficult for lesser-watched, niche channels to survive.

Under an a la carte system, top-rated cable channels such as USA Network would likely thrive because ratings suggest enough people would choose to buy it individually to make it worth a programmer's while. However, less-watched channels that serve distinct but smaller audiences, such as TechTV and BET, may not survive, because not enough viewers would pay for them. Under the current system, consumers effectively subsidize less-popular channels, which cable companies say provides diversity in the cable and satellite universe.

However, some consumer advocates and members of Congress don't buy that logic.

"When I go to the grocery store to buy a quart of milk, I don't have to buy a package of celery and a bunch of broccoli," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. "I don't like broccoli." He argues that it's not an either-or situation for cable companies: They could continue to offer packages for consumers who wanted them and a la carte for other viewers.

McCain is working with Consumers Union, the nonprofit organization that publishes Consumer Reports, to draft an amendment designed to make a la carte available.

The cable industry is urging the government not to return to the days when it regulated rates and demanded public access channels and other programming, arguing such mandates stifle innovation. But recent events have brought the industry unwanted congressional attention. Contract quarrels between cable networks such as ESPN and cable providers such as Cox have gone public, with each side blaming the other for higher cable bills for consumers. As a result, some members of Congress recently mulled setting limits on how much cable channels could charge distributors for each channel.

The industry is also under attack from people upset about content they consider indecent. Government decency rules and fines apply only to channels broadcast over the public airwaves, not to cable and satellite television, because courts have reasoned that subscribers elected to receive them. But McCain, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps and others have proposed extending the FCC's enforcement powers to cable channels because the industry does not give consumers enough options to drop individual channels they find objectionable.

The cable industry opposes the move. As an alternative, the cable industry's major trade group, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, proposes giving consumers - at no cost - the equipment needed to block unwanted cable channels in their homes.

India TV to go on air from Sunday

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/622783.cms

NEW DELHI: Putting all speculations to rest, television presenter Rajat Sharma's maiden 24-hour Hindi news and current affairs channel, India TV, will go on air from Sunday.

Relying on polls to push through his channel in the already crowded news space on tube, India TV will have on prime-time a daily three-hour Election special called ‘Chunaav Ki Baat’.

The programme will be co-hosted by Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka fame. The election special will lead to the formal launch of 24-hour programming on India TV in the third week of May 2004.

India TV has chosen to remain free-to-air and will be beamed from the PAS 10 satellite, which also beams channels such as Sony, Ten Sports, ESPN, HBO, MTV, BBC and CNN.

Sharma is also supported by his wife Ritu Dhawan in his latest venture. Dhawan has been trained in 24-hours news broadcasting at BSkyB, UK and has 16 years of experience in TV production and broadcasting. The channel claims to have deputed a reporter every 100 miles to give viewers a comprehensive coverage of elections.

Rajat Sharma's Hindi news channel ‘India TV' will have a daily three-hour election special which will be launched as a 24-hour channel from the third week of next month.

"Responsible reporting supported by world-class technology, fresh faces and an international look will make India TV different," Sharma said.

Supported by wife Ritu Dhawan, Rajat Sharma's latest endeavour also includes head of news Ramesh Parida, editor news services Hemant Sharma, head of distribution Arun Poddar and advertising and marketing head Sanjay Reddy.

The statement said India TV's broadcast centre at Noida is spread over 80,000 square feet and has fully automated digital newsrooms, four studio floors and computer-controlled lighting specially designed for 24-hour live news broadcast.

It said India TV will have a reporter "every 100 miles" and the channel will use fibre optic links for video transmission. These fibre optic links will connect 110 stations to the broadcast centre.

Sharma said the election special, called 'Chunaav ki Baat' will co-hosted by him and Tehelka chief Tarun Tejpal and the three-hour non-stop programme will carry out in-depth analysis of each day's election events

TELE-satellite News - Number 16/2004 ­ 18 April 2004 -

A weekly roundup of global TV news sponsored by
TELE-satellite International

Editor: Branislav Pekic

Edited Apsattv.com Edition

A S I A & P A C I F I C

AXN TO LAUNCH EAST ASIA FEED

SPE Networks' AXN Asia cable and satellite channel is
set to launch a second dedicated feed in the East Asia
region, specifically for Hong Kong and Thailand on May
3. According Nielsen Media Research data, AXN was the
top non-sports international channel in both full day
and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. primetime among the 15-44
demographic in Hong Kong from January 1 to March 31.

AUSTRALIA

FOXTEL DIGITAL PLANS SUFFER SETBACK

Only a month after Foxtel launched its digital
service, Australia's largest pay-TV operator has
suffered several setbacks that could upset its plans
to increase its customer base. Foxtel - jointly owned
by Telstra, Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch - has been
forced to pull back its $15 million advertising
campaign in the face of problems installing the
service. It also got a slap in the face from the
Federal Government last week when Communications
Minister Daryl Williams failed to make any major
changes to the list of sports shown exclusively on the
free-to-air (FTA) networks. Foxtel's ownership is also
looking more complicated, after opposition
communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner said a Labor
government would force Telstra to sell its 50 per cent
of the pay-TV group. Packer's Publishing &
Broadcasting and Murdoch's News Corp are believed to
be keen to take control of Foxtel. However, it's not
clear News Corp would be allowed to increase its 25
per cent stake now that it plans to incorporate in the
US. On top of all of that, the increasing popularity
of DVDs is taking viewers away from both free-to-air
and pay-TV. According to OzTAM data, in the first
eight weeks of the ratings year, total prime time
viewing of broadcast and pay--TV fell 1.5 per cent
from the same period last year. Pay-TV was one of the
biggest losers with its share falling 8.1 per cent.
Foxtel spokesman Mark Furness said so far, sales of
its digital service had exceeded targets, with more
than 175,000 sales since the March 14 launch and more
than 40,000 homes connected. Foxtel's target of having
the service in 40 per cent of Australian homes by 2008
does not take into account a change in the
Government's anti-siphoning list, which guarantees
viewers will be able to watch most major sporting
events on free-to-air TV until at least 2010. However,
Foxtel was disappointed the Government had only
removed a few events, such as local football,
basketball, the International Grand Prix and Hong Kong
Sevens rugby, from the list.

CHINA ­ HONG KONG

DISCOVERY AND SHANGAI MEDIA GROUP TEAM UP

The Discovery Channel is negotiating with Shanghai's
biggest media conglomerate on a joint venture to
produce television documentaries for Chinese
audiences, the companies said on April 14. "We're in
discussions with Shanghai Media Group," Beijing-based
Discovery Channel spokeswoman Connie Kang, told The
Associated Press. Kang refused to give other details
but said any deal would require approval from the
Shanghai Administration of Radio, Film and Television.
An executive at Shanghai Media Group, speaking on
condition of anonymity, said the Chinese media giant
planned to launch a new digital channel to carry
programmes jointly developed with the Discovery
Channel. Shanghai Media Group has a separate cable TV
documentary channel of its own. But the new, pay-TV
channel, would be aimed at "higher end" audiences, he
said. The deal would involve joint production of
documentaries in China. State-controlled Shanghai
Media Group, China's second largest entertainment
conglomerate, already has an alliance with American
media group Viacom Inc., the owner of the CBS,
Nickelodeon and MTV television networks. According to
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, the company is
also in talks with Time Warner and Disney about
co-producing television shows.

HKBN OPTS FOR CISCO TECHNOLOGY

Cisco Systems on April 15 announced that Hong Kong
Broadband Network Ltd (HKBN), a subsidiary of the City
Telecom Group, has deployed the Cisco Optical Core
Network solution to build a high-availability,
high-bandwidth network for its new digital pay-TV
service. The Cisco solution has provided HKBN with
extensive bandwidth and multi-service capability to
generate additional revenue streams and achieve
substantial cost savings for its continuous business
expansion. In 2002, HKBN established the world's
largest Metro Ethernet broadband network with Cisco's
Metro Ethernet Switching solution, realizing its goal
as a "triple-play operator" in offering voice, data
and video services over a single network. HKBN is one
of the major operators in the fixed telecom network
service market in Hong Kong, extended its network
coverage to 1.2 million homes passed, representing 60%
of the total number of households all over Hong Kong
by the end of 2002.

Internet ­ http://www.hkbn.net

INDIA

INDIAN UNIVERSITY TO LAUNCH TV CHANNEL

UNIVERSITI Teknologi Mara (UiTM) will soon be
operating its own TV channel making it the first
university to have such facilities. This has been made
possible through collaboration with Network Guidance
Sdn Bhd (NGSB). It will be called Fine TV. UiTM
Vice-Chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NGSB
managing director Ida Rahayu Datuk Mohd Noor recently.
In his speech, Prof Ibrahim said that UiTM has 22
faculties spread over 12 branch campuses, three
satellite campuses and six city campuses. It offers
over 200 programmes.

DISH TV ADDS FIVE NEW TV CHANNELS

Dish TV, India's first DTH service from ASC
Enterprises, has signed exclusive deals with five
international channels: Eurosport news, Fashion TV,
English music channel Trace by MCM, nature sports
channel Malibu TV and lifestyle Platinum TV Network.
The service has so far garnered over 100,000
subscribers. Dish TV, which started with 48 channels
last year, added ESPN and STAR Sports recently to take
its bouquet offering to 50. The company recently
indicated its plans of doubling its channel bouquet to
100 by April-end. The service, which offers channels
from various genres, also includes exclusive
international and movie channels such as FX (English
action movies) and Smile TV (comedy) as part of its
'basic plus' package. Other channels include ones from
Zee Turner distribution alliance, state-owned
Doordarshan bouquet and BBC World, CNN, Aaj Tak and
regional channels.

IRAQ

IRANIAN SUPREME COUNCIL TO SET UP TV NETWORK

The political advisor to the head of Iraq's Supreme
Council of the Islamic Revolution (SCIRI) has said
that a satellite news network is to be set up in Iraq.
Speaking to ISNA's international politics
correspondent, Sayyid Muhsin [al-] Hakim, political
advisor to the head of Iraq's Supreme Council of the
Islamic Revolution, added: The council is making
preparations to set up this network. The network may
be called Al-Furat and will broadcast programmes to
the whole of Iraq. Hakim stressed: Presently, local
television stations broadcast the council's programmes
in Basra, Najaf and Kut. During the next few days, a
television network will be set up in Baghdad. In
addition, the council is making preparations to set up
a radio station to broadcast programmes to the whole
of Iraq.

EGYPTIAN BUSINESSMAN TO LAUNCH IRAQI TV CHANNEL

A billionaire Egyptian businessman, whose company
heads a consortium operating a mobile phone service in
central Iraq, and another Egyptian firm plan to start
a private TV station in Iraq, company officials said
April 13. The station, to be initially called "Hawa"
or Arabic for "air," is expected to hit the air waves
in early June and carry content driven by news and
entertainment. Orascom Telecom company heads the
consortium that was awarded the license to operate the
IRAQNA, or "our Iraq," mobile phone network, will fund
70 per cent of the $25 million start-up costs for the
TV station, while Video CairoSat, an independent
Egyptian news provider, will fund 30 per cent of the
project. The channel will operate terrestrially for
the first six months before being transmitted via
satellite to gain a wider Middle Eastern audience.
Advertising will be the station's main revenue source
and the consortium didn't expect to make any profits
in the first five years. The Iraq Communications and
Media Commission, set up on 24 March by US
administrator Paul Bremer, has yet to announce the
result of more than 60 applications which have been
submitted for licences to set up TV and radio stations
in the country. At least two other new satellite
channels aimed at Iraqi viewers - Al-Sharqiya and
Al-Diyar, run by Iraqi media tycoons Sa'd al- Bazzaz
and Faysal al-Yasiri - are due to start transmission
soon.

JAPAN

WOW OPTS FOR CONAX

Conax, a supplier of conditional access technology for
digital TV, is to supply CAS to World On Wireless
(WOW) of Bermuda, which will provide a broad range of
television channels from the US, Canada and Europe
using a UHF Wireless Cable System. WOW owns Bermuda's
exclusive UHF Wireless Cable System licence to provide
TV channels of digital subscription television and the
required capacity for two-way communications for
high-speed Internet, data and telephony to all
residences and businesses. WOW will use the Conax CAS5
conditional access system to encrypt the digital
signals and to control the services that are provided
to each customer's Set-Top-Box. The Conax CAS5 system
will be linked to WOW's Subscriber Management System
that supports billing, customer information systems,
customer invoices and management reports based on
services received.

MALAYSIA

RTM1 GOES INTERNATIONAL

RTM1 will have correspondents in ASEAN countries as
the channel proceeds with its plan for a
round-the-clock international broadcast, Deputy
Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim said on April 9.
Lim said the Ministry officials had visited two
satellite companies in Hong Kong last year, the
established Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company
(AsiaSat) and its competitor Asia Pacific
Telecommunications (APStar), to help with the
international broadcast. He said the Ministry was now
waiting for the Finance Ministry to approve the RM7
million needed to launch the broadcast. He said an
annual sum of RM2 million would be needed to maintain
it. According to Lim, Information Minister Datuk
Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has yet to decide on
the actual date of the broadcast but said that it
could possibly start by the middle of this year.

NEW ZEALAND

MAORI TELEVISION PROVES A HIT

Seven out of 10 Maori have watched the new Maori
Television channel, a survey has found. The AC Nielsen
survey, commissioned by Maori Television, found 69 per
cent of those surveyed had watched the channel in the
10 days after its introduction on March 18. The same
number said they were likely to watch the publicly
funded channel in the coming week, and 84 per cent of
the 400 Maori aged over 15 surveyed said they were
aware of Maori Television. The nationwide survey was
done in the 10 days after the channel went to air. Of
those surveyed, 12 per cent were fluent in Maori, 78
per cent had basic language skills, and 10 per cent
were not Maori speakers. It is the first clue as to
how the channel is faring since its launch 2½ weeks
ago. Its ratings will not be issued for three months.

PAKISTAN

TWELVE SATELLITE TV LICENSES TO BE AWARDED

It has been decided in principle to award licenses to
twelve Pakistani companies for operation of satellite
television channels in the country. The decision to
this effect was taken at a meeting of the Pakistan
electronic media regularity authority held in
Islamabad on April 15. Already ten licenses have been
granted by the authority for operation of satellite
television channels in the country this year. In order
to liberalize and ease restrictions on cross media
ownership of electronic media the Authority decided to
setup a working group to formulate recommendations for
making amendments in the PEMRA ordinance and PEMRA
rules 2002. The PEMRA has awarded licenses for
establishment of FM radio stations and cable TV
operations in the country. It has taken wide ranging
steps to promote electronic media in the private
sector in the country with the objective of giving
greater access to the people of Pakistan to the mass
media and for raising standards of information,
education and entertainment.

SOUTH KOREA

MBC TO INVEST IN MOBILE TV VENTURE

Munwha Broadcasting Corp. (MBC), one of South Korea's
three major television networks, will invest 6.5
billion won (US$5.7 million) in a mobile TV venture
initiated by SK Telecom Co., the country's biggest
cell-phone carrier, according to venture firm TU Media
Corp. on April 12. The investment is equivalent to a 5
per cent stake in TU Media, the company official said.

TAIWAN

SCOPUS GETS CSTV CONTRACT

Tel-Aviv based Scopus, a supplier of digital
compression technology for the broadcasting industry,
announced it has been selected to upgrade Chinese
Satellite Communications' 'C-Skynet' direct-to-home
(DTH) satellite broadcasting system. Taiwan-based CSTV
is utilizing Scopus digital broadcasting platforms to
expand its reach for 'C-Skynet' among Chinese speaking
populations across the Asia-Pacific region to 80
channels from 30 channels previously. At its Taiwan
head-end, CSTV can now transmit over seven
transponders and has an upgraded CAS. The company will
also upgrade MTV Networks Asia's digital broadcast
capabilities in the Asia Pacific region. The regional
broadcaster, based in Singapore, will be utilising
Scopus' digital broadcast platforms to further improve
quality content distribution through its various
satellite uplinks to China, Hong Kong, India, Japan,
Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and
Taiwan.

TURKMENISTAN

CONTRACTORS FOR FOURTH TV CHANNEL APPROVED

President Niyazov signed on April 12 a decree to award
contracts for establishment of fourth channel of
Turkmen TV. He also instructed the minister of culture
and information to improve the standard of TV
programmes. The fourth TV channel is supposed to
broadcast in six foreign languages including Russian,
English, Farsi, Arabic and Chinese. French company
Bouygues would do the civil work for the new channel
and provide studio hardware. The facilities should be
ready for operation by June 30. British company
Eurasia Trans Ltd. would supply studios, mobile TV
studio and related equipment. The delivery should be
made by May 30 and the Ministry of culture and
information would act as the client for the project.

A F R I C A

IVORY COAST

RTI BROADCASTING VIA SATELLITE

Transmissions by Channel One television station and
national radio stations can now be received all over
sub-Saharan Africa. From Libya to Senegal and South
Africa, via Madagascar, the transmissions of the RTI
[Ivorian Radio and TV, government-owned broadcast
media company] will be received on the Intelsat
satellite. This is the first phase of the digital
transmission programme. According to Paul Alfred
Kadio, [RTI] director-general's advisor for
international affairs, this innovation is ongoing and
will cover Europe and the United States, he stated.
But paradoxically, the transmissions are not received
in the north and northwest of the country.

18/04/04

No update Sunday

17/04/04

No update Saturday