31/10/03

Sorry no update today to busy with other things. Back on Saturday with a bigger update




30/10/03

Its NBA season, so most probably feeds will appear on Pas 8 or Pas 2.

Hallmark has left Sky NZ, History Channel card is up on channel 53. Uktv promo running on channel 4


From my Emails & ICQ


Nothing to report


From the Dish


PAS 2 169E 12296 H "Occasional ERA" feeds , SR 6200, FEC 3/4. Asia beam

Optus C1 156E 12367 V "Glas Hrvatske" has started , Fta, APID 1922.

JCSAT 2A 154E 3915 V "BYU TV" has left .(can someone check???)

Agila 2 146E Occasional Da Ai TV feeds on 12584 V and 12588 V, SR 4687, FEC 3/4.Occasional SET feeds on 12647 V and 12653 V, SR 4284, FEC 3/4. (All on Asian beams)

AsiaSat 2 100.5E 4091 H Occasional CNA feeds, SR 5632, FEC 3/4.
AsiaSat 2 100.5E 12360 H "CNR 1-3 and CNR 7" have started , Fta, SR 5990, FEC 1/2,APIDs 80-92.

Insat 3A 93.5E 3800 V "DD Jammu & Kashmir" has left .
Insat 3A 93.5E 3947 V "Hockey feed?" Srt 3800

ST 1 88E 3500 H "Nation Channel" has left .

Insat 2E 83E 3961 V "DD Metro" has left (PAL). (Zone beam but viewed in Australia can anyone confirm? I think DDmetro was being scrrapped?)
Insat 2E 83E 4005 V "ETV Telugu" has started on , Fta, PIDs 1860/1820.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3600 H The test card is back on , Fta, PIDs 517/700.

New Websites for Indus Tv channels Asiasat 3

Indus Vision at http://www.industvnetwork.com/iv.htm
Indus Music at http://www.industvnetwork.com/im.htm
Indus News at http://www.industvnetwork.com/in.htm
Indus Plus at http://www.industvnetwork.com/ip.htm


NEWS


Sky upbeat at growth prospects

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz

Despite their company being in the throes of a takeover bid which could force them to sell out of what has been a strong investment, Sky TV shareholders remained ominously silent at the company's annual meeting yesterday.

When chairman Peter Macourt called for questions from the 80-strong audience near the end of the 35-minute meeting in Auckland, none were forthcoming.

"No questions?" Macourt mused. "I guess that's what having a good year does for you."

Earlier chief executive John Fellet had pointed out that Sky Network Television's share price had leapt 50 per cent over the past year, compared to an overall market rise of 10 per cent.

For the year to the end of June the company also reported its first - and long-awaited - profit since shifting the focus of its business to its digital platform.

Almost 40 per cent of households are now Sky customers and Fellet was upbeat about future growth, telling the meeting: "I don't see anything over the next 10 years that will keep us from getting to 70 per cent."

Majority shareholder INL's takeover offer for the 34 per cent of Sky it does not already own rated only a passing mention from Macourt, who simply reminded shareholders that a report on the offer from Sky's independent directors was mailed out yesterday.

Independent directors John Hart and Barrie Downey's opinion is that the INL offer - $3.35 in cash for each Sky TV share, plus three INL shares for every 10 Sky TV shares - is not fair for Sky's minority shareholders.

Second largest shareholder Telecom, however, has accepted the deal and sold its 12 per cent stake in the company.

The move meant that Telecom's representative on the Sky board, Marko Bogoievski, who resigned by rotation at yesterday's meeting, could not be re-elected in that capacity.

He remains on the board, however, after being invited to fill the casual vacancy his departure created.

In August Sky told the market it expected to make a net profit of between $28 million and $35 million this financial year.

Fellet told the meeting that earnings guidance remained in place.


More solar flares warm satellite concerns


From http://www.zdnet.com.au/newstech/communications/story/0,2000048620,20280322,00.htm

The sun erupted in a series of major solar flares for the second time in less than a week, producing geomagnetic storms that could threaten satellites, power grids and communications networks.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce, reported that the sun continues to produce the flares, technically known as coronal mass ejections, with a "spectacular" example that occurred Tuesday. The NOAA identified a similar event last week.

Researchers at the NOAA's Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., said the latest flare produced a radiation event that rated an S3, or strong, designation on the NOAA's five-level space weather scales. The incident also caused an R4, or severe, radio blackout. NOAA forecasters expect the rapidly advancing discharge from the sun to reach the Earth's magnetic field on Wednesday at about midday, producing a serious geomagnetic storm that's expected to continue the next few days at varying levels of intensity.

According to at least one communications industry expert, most solar flares pose no major threat to satellites and other technologies, but an event as large as the one currently unfolding always has the potential to create problems. Joe Laszlo, an analyst at Jupiter Research, pointed to a similar storm that shorted out components on a satellite PanAmSat operated in May 1998, causing problems for several major paging companies.

Satellite operators tend to have plenty of warning regarding these situations, since the flares are seen long before related particle storms arrive, and most put their satellites in safe mode or turn off unnecessary operations as a safeguard, said Laszlo. However, as the 1998 incident highlighted, there is always the possibility of trouble.

"There's no example of cell phone networks being affected, but power systems have been shut down in the past," said Laszlo. "People aren't very conscious of all the systems that depend on satellites to work."

Laszlo drew attention to the fact that television signals and banks' ATMs (automatic teller machines) are often linked to satellite-oriented technologies.

The NOAA warned that an S3 flare like Tuesday's can result in a number of satellite issues, including noise in imaging systems and reductions in solar panel efficiency. Many satellites rely at least partially on solar power for operation. In addition, the resulting geomagnetic storms could compromise satellite and low-frequency radio navigation systems and cause surface changes on satellite components that increase drag on low-Earth-orbit spacecrafts. Some satellites may also experience orientation problems.

Other potential effects included possible interference with high-frequency radios, which could affect some of the world's wireless communications networks. The storms could also trigger false alarms in protection devices that are built into some of the planet's power systems. Any radio blackout would most likely affect the sunlit side of the Earth, the NOAA said.

NOAA forecaster Bill Murtagh said the most recent flare appears to be the second largest during this solar cycle, each of which tends to last about 11 years. Murtagh compared the event to a similar flare and geomagnetic storm that occurred in July 2000 and was dubbed the Bastille Day storm, since it materialised on France's national holiday. That storm produced considerable disruption to both ground- and space-based high-tech systems.

The probability of another major flare occurring is high, NOAA forecasters said, and additional geomagnetic and radiation storms are likely. The storms do not directly affect humans, since the Earth's atmosphere deflects most of the harmful radiation particles, but the NOAA cautioned that people in commercial jets at high latitudes may receive low-level exposure. That radiation would be equivalent to the same amount of heat a typical chest X-ray generates. On a more positive note, the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, may be visible in the northern tier of the United States as a result of the flares.


NZ sits out Suns power


From http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/40038.htm

The massive gas bubble that has hit the Earth's magnetic field seems to be having little impact in New Zealand.
Scientists say the Sun has unleashed a cloud of charged particles moving at around eight million kilometres an hour.

The cloud is known as a coronal mass ejection and has the potential to wreak havoc on power, satellite and navigational systems.

But so far, so good for New Zealand companies.

Electricity grid company Transpower had a few technical glitches last night, including voltage fluctuations and alarms going off.

Both Telecom and Vodafone are monitoring their systems, and satellite TV operator Sky seems to be in the clear.


CASBAA: Asian broadcasters lose $1.3 billion to piracy


From satellite today

The pay television industry in Asia is set to lose around $1.3 billion in potential revenues this year because of pay-TV piracy. Losses are set to grow by more than 10 per cent a year, according to an industry study released at Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA). The study, issued by CASBAA and CLSA Asia Pacific Markets yesterday, highlights the impact of unlicensed operators and pirate cable subscribers on regional economies including those of Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. "This is an alarming cost and it continues to escalate at a rapid pace. There have been too few efforts to regulate the issue," said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA. Under-declaration of pay TV subscribers in India dominates regional piracy numbers, contributing 72 per cent of revenue leakage. The combination of unlicensed operators and pirated analogue set-top boxes in Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines contributes a further 23 per cent of the total. Hong Kong stands out in comparison with other developed regional cities such as Singapore, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur, reporting a gross loss of $28 million from pirated cable and satellite subscribers.

"This analysis underlines the importance that must be placed on efforts to deploy conditional access, by carrot or by stick, in India. Digital infrastructure upgrade provides a clear roadmap for operators in Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong," commented Simon Dewhurst, Head of Media Investment Banking, CLSA.

"Notwithstanding the fact that the regional pay TV industry has an estimated annual turnover of some $13 billion this year, piracy is undermining growth. It almost singularly explains why new capital that should have been allocated to improving services has not been invested as of today," said Twiston Davies.

"Combating piracy has long been the No. 1 priority for CASBAA. We are committed to working with governments, companies and law enforcement agencies around the region to enact laws and develop educational programmes that promote a vibrant, safe and legal broadcasting environment."


HK sees great potential for regional satellite broadcasting market


From http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-10/29/content_1149846.htm

HONG KONG, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology John Tsang said Wednesday that the cable and satellite broadcasting market potential is massive in the AsiaPacific region, which witnesses both expansion of the market placeand the advancement of top-notch technology.

He made the remarks at the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) Convention 2003 here.

He said the cable and satellite TV households in Asia Pacific grew by more than six times, from about 29 million in 1992 to about 188 million in 2002.

Tsang said the estimated total pay TV revenue in the region wasabout 13 billion US dollars in 2002, projected to grow to 31 billion US dollars in 2010.

He added that however, the penetration rate of cable and satellite TV is still only 32 percent of the 570 million TV households in the region.

The Hong Kong official said that the Chinese mainland, India and Japan are the fastest growing markets in the region. Hong Kong,on the other hand, is a small market but "we are also the undisputed gateway to the vast and barely tapped Chinese mainland market."

He said the household broadband penetration in Hong Kong has reached 49 percent in August 2003, the second highest in the worldafter South Korea.

On piracy of pay TV, he said Hong Kong will continue to work with the industry to contain the problem.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government mounted 14 special operations against illegal sale of unauthorized decoders in the past two years and 44 persons were arrested with 12 convicted in court. Enditem


Pay-TV piracy threatens India


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=256503

HONG KONG : Piracy will cost Asia 's pay-TV industry $874 million this year, or about 10 per cent of its estimated net revenues, with India facing the biggest problem, an industry body said on Tuesday.

Presenting a joint study on pay-TV piracy in the Asia-Pacific, the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) and investment bank CLSA called on governments to step up efforts to address a situation they said could have far-reaching economic implications if it is not controlled.

Revenue losses to the industry from piracy were growing by more than 10 per cent annually in the region, CASBAA said.

"Governments must understand that pay-TV piracy forms a direct attack on their efforts to promote a robust approach to governing and protecting intellectual property, considered to be fundamental for continued economic growth and for attracting international inflows of capital," Simon Dewhurst, head of media investment banking at CLSA Equity Capital Markets Ltd, told a news briefing.

Solving the problem demanded heavy investment by governments and the private sector to establish digital infrastructures and provide complex methods of distribution to make it difficult to copy or steal TV signals, Dewhurst said.

India was a particular sore point with more than half of its pay-TV viewers undeclared. Unlicensed operators stealing content from licensed operators were also a factor in India 's runaway piracy.

The problem started during the 1991 Gulf War, which triggered an explosion in pay-TV piracy as unlicensed operators got access to American cable network operator CNN's coverage of the war, which was broadcast in the Middle East but not licensed in India .

Today, CASBAA estimates there are at least 21.7 million undeclared subscribers to cable and satellite channels in India , making it probably the worst market in the world for pay-TV piracy.

The Philippines also had a serious problem as did Thailand , where there was significant piracy of analogue set-top boxes and 120 cable operators operating outside of Bangkok with no license to do so.

The study did not cover China , because it does not yet have a pay-TV industry, or Japan and Australasia .

The problem is not unique to Asia -- Dewhurst cited Italy as another market with a major piracy problem.

CASBAA urged the pay-TV industry to follow the music and movie industries, which have been successful in the past few years in getting governments to take action against piracy.

The issue was particularly critical for Hong Kong , which has a well regulated pay-TV market but is let down by a government that is not investing in curbing piracy.

"In Hong Kong we've been addressing regulators for some time," Simon Twiston-Davies, CASBAA's chief executive officer, told the briefing. "Unfortunately the government is not seeing it as a highest priority."

Technological advances had made set-top boxes and other pay-TV hardware cheaper, making piracy easier, CASBAA said.

On a more positive note, it cited Malaysia as a country that was making efforts to curb piracy. Even India was acting at national level but local governments and cable operators were failing to implement the measures, Twiston-Davies said.


DD News to become must-carry channel after EC Clearance


From http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG3_sub.asp?ccode=ENG3&newscode=28319

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) DD News, the news channel being launched from November three following the green signal from Election Commission this morning, is to become a must-carry channel for cable television operators along with the National Channel DD One and one regional DD Channel.

Until now, DD One, the Metro channel DD two which is being scrapped to make way for DD News, and one regional channel of the relevant state/union territory were the three must-carry channels under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995. The notification will come into effect from November three.

In states where there is no regional language other than Hindi, the cable operators will be required to carry DD's niche channel, DD Bharati, which had been launched after scrapping the then DD News.

DD News will be available terrestrially as well as through satellite like the other DD channels.

A Gazette Notification was issued on October 24 in this connection, making it mandatory for the Cable Operators to carry DD News on the prime non terrestrial channels of their networks in addition to DD-1 and DD(Regional)/DD Bharati. This notification supersedes the earlier notifications of September 13, 2001 and February 4, 2002.




29/10/03

There was new item out about Tarb's adding advertising does anyone have the full item? it listed that they have 50000 subscribers and 250000 viewers. A very low figure if its correct. With that number of subscribers they would be lucky to cover transponder rentals!

Globecast is moving off C1 end of November, early December. There is an urgent need to locate installers in NZ who are capable of doing customer repoints from C1 to B3. Peter C Evans at BSA ([email protected]) is cordinating this and needs to hear from skilled installers who can do this work in their geographic region. So contact him if interested.

Aus vs NZ cricket ummm well......... _insert excuse here_.



From my Emails & ICQ


Nothing for today.


From the Dish


Optus C1 156E 12367 V "RVI 2 "has started, Fta, APID 1323.
Optus C1 156E 12567 V New SR for the Optus Aurora mux : 27800.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3640 H New SR for the TARBS World TV mux : 21000.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H "RVI 2" has replaced RVI 1, Fta, APID 33.

PAS 10 68.5E 4034 V "DD Metro" has started, Fta, PIDs 520/730.


NEWS


'Perfect solar storm' sends massive eruption Earth's way


From http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0310/28flare/

The third most powerful solar flare ever recorded erupted from the Sun earlier today, and scientists say Earth could feel the effects with communications disruptions and loss of power.

At about 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT), satellites watched as the event occurred. The flare was significantly larger than several unleashed since last week.

"This is the real thing," says John Kohl, a solar astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and principal investigator for the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer on board NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.

"The eruption was positioned perfectly. It's headed straight for us like a freight train, so a major geomagnetic storm is bound to happen when it reaches us on October 29th or 30th."

"It was slightly more powerful that the famous March 6, 1989 flare which was related to the disruption of the power grids in Canada," Dr. Paal Brekke, the European Space Agency SOHO deputy project scientist reported.

Today's solar flare was classified as an X18-category explosion, meaning that it can trigger planet-wide radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.

"Last week's (coronal mass ejection) hit the Earth with only a glancing blow," says Kohl, although it was sufficient to disrupt airline communications. "Today's eruption was pointed directly at us, and is expected to have major effects."

"We are waiting for the prediction of the geomagnetic storm level from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)," says Kohl. "What we know at this point is that the flare was nearly perfectly positioned near the center of the Sun, and that a halo coronal mass ejection has left the Sun and is heading toward the Earth. The geomagnetic storm is likely to be a strong one, and will last about 24 hours."

"We may be in for some great aurora," Brekke said.

Such solar storms have the potential for knocking out communications and power grids on Earth, and can be harmful to orbiting satellites and astronauts.

The International Space Station's current resident crew -- commander Michael Foale and flight engineer Alexander Kaleri -- will protect themselves by moving to a portion of the outpost that provides the most shielding from radiation.

NOAA classifies geomagnetic storms on a scale from 1 to 5. Initial indications show that this has the potential to be a G5 storm - the top of the scale. The most benign effect of such a storm would be bright auroras visible from more southern latitudes than usual. However, the geomagnetic storm triggered by the CME also could interfere with satellite communications; disrupt power grids (as occurred in the 1989 Quebec blackout); even short out orbiting satellites, rendering them permanently inoperable.

"We've already had to shut down our SOHO instrument for safety reasons. It's getting blasted by high-energy particles from this solar flare," says Kohl. "Of more concern, geosynchronous communications satellites are likely to be affected." In California, where raging wildfires have damaged many microwave communication antennas on the ground, satellite communications have been crucial to emergency efforts. Emergency personnel should be prepared for potential disruptions and communication interference.

"There's no direct danger to people on the ground," Kohl adds, "and I'm sure that NASA is monitoring the situation for any potential effects on the space station crew, and that they are taking appropriate precautions."

According to NOAA, a G5-class geomagnetic storm can have the following effects:

Power systems: Widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.

Spacecraft operations: May experience extensive surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink and tracking satellites.

Other systems: Pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen as low as Florida and southern Texas (typically 40 degrees geomagnetic lat.).


INL can't pay more for Sky shares


From http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,231563-1-453,00.html

If Sky TV shareholders are holding out for a better deal they're out of luck for 12 months.

Independent Newspapers (INL) chairman Ken Cowley says its offer of $3.35 in cash for each Sky TV share, plus three INL shares for every 10 Sky TV shares, will not be increased for 12 months.

"Part of our agreement with Telecom is a commitment INL has made not to purchase Sky shares at a price higher than the current offer for the next 12 months," Cowley says.

The current offer, which closes on December 5, has been rejected by Sky's independent directors John Hart and Barrie Downey, until such time as they consider a report by Deloitte Corporate Finance, due to go to shareholders on Wednesday.

INL has paid Telecom for its 10% stake after opening its offer last Friday.

After acquiring that stake, the largest outside of its own 66.6%, INL now owns 78.2% of Sky TV.

Both INL and Skly hold their annual meetings on Wednesday.

Sky TV shares were trading at $4.95, down 1c, on the NZX on Tuesday.


Connexion by Boeing Chooses AsiaSat 3S for In-Flight Broadband Services


From Press Release

Hong Kong-28th October, 2003... Asia's leading satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) and Connexion by Boeing, a business division of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), announced today the signing of a lease agreement for the use of Ku-band capacity on AsiaSat 3S to provide in-flight broadband communication services on the Asia-to-Europe flight corridor commencing in the first quarter of 2004.

Under the terms of the agreement, Connexion by Boeing will lease multiple Ku-band transponders on AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat's powerful satellite at 105.5ºE orbital location with high-powered coverage over East Asia and South Asia spanning from Japan to Turkey. The satellite will provide passengers with real-time, high-speed access to Internet and data services including sending and receiving e-mails with attachments, browsing the Internet, accessing company intranets and entertainment services via their personal laptops or Internet-enabled PDAs. The connectivity also allows in-flight crews to communicate efficiently with ground operations for real-time data and information.

"With the addition of this satellite capability, we are effectively positioned to support the introduction of the Connexion by Boeing service to passengers on the popular Asia-to-Europe airline routes," said Jeff Flagel, director of supplier management for Connexion by Boeing. "The Asian region remains a very important market for us and the addition of the AsiaSat 3S satellite will help us deliver the in-flight connectivity that passengers in the region are asking for."

"We are very pleased that AsiaSat 3S has been selected to support this innovative satellite application. This is an excellent example of the increasing use of satellite for broadband services and clearly demonstrates the capability of satellite in delivering services and connectivity anytime, anywhere," said Peter Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.


CASBAA study predicts $874 mn loss in TV industry due to piracy '03 end


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct221.htm

HONG KONG: The cable and satellite TV industry would have lost US$874 million in net revenues by the end of 2003 due to piracy.

This was indicated by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) and CLSA Asia Pacific Markets (CLSA) in its report which studied piracy in the industry in all its forms.

The independent study, conducted by CLSA, CASBAA and its member organizations, highlighted the impact of unlicensed operators and pirate cable subscribers on regional economies including those of Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand, a company release specified.

The gross revenue losses across all sectors of the Asia Pacific pay-TV industry, from platform operators to independent suppliers of programming, are estimated to a total of US$1.29 billion for 2003. The cost of piracy is currently increasing at a rate in excess of 10 per cent.

"This is an alarming cost and it continues to escalate at a rapid pace. However, there have been too few efforts to regulate the issue," the company release quoted CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies as saying.

Twiston Davies explains that it has become essential for the industry, regulators and general community to work together to address a problem that is becoming more pervasive by the month.

The survey also shows that under-declaration of pay TV subscribers in India dominates regional piracy numbers, contributing to 72 per cent of revenue leakage. As for the other cities, Hong Kong stands out in comparison with other developed regional cities such as Singapore, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur, reporting a gross loss of US$28 million from pirated cable and satellite subscribers.

The release of the regional piracy report coincides with the CASBAA Convention 2003, which started today and will continue till 31 October in Hong Kong.

A separate session on the piracy issue titled Stealing It: Chasing the Dragons of Asian Piracy will be held tomorrow (29 October) at 2:30 pm at the Academy for Performing Arts in Hong Kong. The session will have a panel discussion on the technical, operational and legal implications of widespread pay-TV piracy in Asia.


Malaysia's Astro soars on debut


From http://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/10/28/malaysia.astro.reut/

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) -- Shares of Malaysia's only pay-TV operator Astro rose as much as 23 percent in their trading debut Wednesday, after the company raised 2 billion ringgit ($526 million) in Southeast Asia's largest initial public offering this year.

Shares in Astro All Asia Networks are trading at 4.78 ringgit. That compares with an IPO price of 4.06 ringgit per share paid by institutional investors and 3.65 ringgit by retail buyers and company employees.

"The premium is a bit on the high side. Our house has a fair value of 4.20 ringgit. For the moment, I think it's capped at 5.00 ringgit," said Wan Ahmad Satria Wan Hussein, head of dealing for Mayban Securities.

Astro, controlled by one of Malaysia's richest men, Ananda Krishnan, has 1.1 million customers or 20 percent of the Malaysian television viewing market. It has a monopoly until 2017 to provide direct broadcast satellite TV services in the country.

"Based on our fair value of 4.70 ringgit, it's a good premium for retail investors. Its a good time for them to take profit," said OSK Securities senior analyst Pankaj Kumar.

The company, which made a pre-tax loss of 320 million ringgit in fiscal 2003, expects a net profit of up to 10.2 million ringgit, or 0.75 cents a share, for the year to January 31, 2004.

Some analysts expect it to show earnings per share of between 40 to 45 cents in fiscal 2005 -- valuing the company at about 10 times 2005 expected profit.




28/10/03

Livechat tonight 9pm NZ and 8.30pm Syd time in the chatroom, Hopefully a bit busier than last time. I think Eastern Aus has moved to Daylight savings time now?


From my Emails & ICQ


From John McDermot

B1 12348V Sr 6667 Australian Idol feed


From SIAMGLOBAL

Subject: INNOVIA

DEAR MR SUTTON,

THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THE INNOVIA TEST TODAY. SEEMS IT WAS A GOOD THING I EMAILED YOU / MR COOPER ABOUT THIS MODEL AT A TIME YOU ONLY KNEW OF THE COSHIP. I HAD BOUGHT THE BOX IN SINGAPORE FROM WAVELENGTH COMMUNICATIONS , SIM LIM SQUATE FOR A LITTLE OVER A S$100 ! THE MODEL TYPE THEY HAD WAS THE ASIAN ONE AND I RECOMMENDED A SKEW AND 12V CONTROL WHICH NOW SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN ADDED.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY USING THE BOX WHICH IS A BOON FOR US IN ASIA PACIFIC. IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT IN EUROPE SUCH BLIND SEARCH MODELS ARE OF VERY LITTLE INTEREST EXCEPT TO DX'ERS AS THERE ARE MANY MANY THOUSANDS OF CHANNELS AND FINDING A FEW MORE IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE. THAT IS WHY YOU WONT SEE THE INNOVIA OR COSHIP ADVERTISED IN WHAT SAT MAGAZINE. HERE IN ASIA PACIFIC IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY !

SINCERELY, SIAMGLOBAL


From Colin T

Thai TV Channel - Pas8 - UPDATE

It would seem that my ability to read Thai is not what I expected.

The 6 month contract is not in Thai Bhat but in Japanese yen!

So 20000 yen works out to be about $45.00 Australian dollars per month.

As for what is on offer, that is still a mystery.

My wife says that they are offering TGN, with an option for one or all of
the local Thai TV channels, at a cost. What that cost is, we don't know.

The service is aimed at Thai's living in Japan, as Craig surmised.

As for the validity of the venture, I don't know. My wife, Ravatip, said there is something on the signup form, about discounts, if they get enough
subscribers.

Clear as mud I know.

Regards
Col
(aka VK2TRC)


From the Dish


Optus B3 156E 12531 V "Radio Greece" has started , Fta APID 1822.

ST 1 88E 3459 V "The TBL TV" mux has left .


NEWS


Foxtel snares $550m digital war chest


From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/27/1067233095722.html

Foxtel has answered concerns over how it plans to finance its digital television rollout, yesterday announcing a $550 million syndicated facility with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and ABN Amro.

The pay TV operator - which is 50 per cent owned by Telstra and 50 per cent split evenly between News Corp and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd - said the arrangement would put it on track to launch digital cable and satellite services to subscribers before July next year.

That rollout does, however, have one more hurdle to overcome, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yet to decide on what third-party access should be available to the new digital platform.

Foxtel's announcement follows a story in the The Australian newspaper yesterday that said the pay TV group had missed its mid-October deadline to arrange the financing and would have ask its three shareholders to fork out the money.

The story also asserted that Foxtel's digitalisation still needed approval from the ACCC over its content sharing deal with Optus. But a statement from Foxtel yesterday said that the content supply agreement had received approval in November last year.

Foxtel's head of corporate affairs, Mark Furness, said yesterday's deal ensured Australians would be watching digital TV in the first half of next year.

"We're a subscription business. What we're about is offering extra channels and interactivity to our customers," he said.

"The important thing today is that we've got that mandate from these two major banks to be able to do just that."

Foxtel has frequently stated the digital rollout would cost $600 million, a small amount of which has already been invested in new infrastructure.

The bulk of the new financing will be used to replace Foxtel's old analog set-top boxes with new digital ones, which will initially allow viewers to select from nearly 100 new channels. In addition, Foxtel needs to install a "return path" from each of their subscribers' homes to allow it to launch interactive TV services.

Part of the remaining finance will be used to build a digital television centre in Sydney.


Family defy council's satellite dish edict


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=3531023

The Chen family, of Howick, have been told their free-standing satellite dish needs a resource consent or must be taken down.

The Chen family have a cure for homesickness - Chinese TV programmes.

Since moving from China to suburban Howick (Auckland, NZ) 15 months ago they have watched news, sport, entertainment - everything and anything as long as it's in their Mandarin language - beamed in via satellite from Mainland China and Hong Kong.

But their joyous television sessions are numbered. The big black satellite receiving dish in their backyard has landed them in trouble with neighbours and Manukau City Council.

The council is asking the Environment Court to force Keen Chen and his wife, Ye Fang, to get a resource consent for their free-standing dish or take it down.

Mounted on a mast, the dish of steel and mesh is 2.5m in diameter and about 4m high - enough to protrude above boundary walls with neighbouring homes.

It is one of a score that sprout from back lawns in the city's sprawling eastern suburbs.

At $1500 to $3000 each, the dishes are positioned to face west to pick up programmes via the satellites Palapa C2, Asia Two and Asia Three.

Dish installers say clients crave free-to-air screenings from their native China, Malaysia, India, Iraq, Iran and Egypt - and most are news junkies. But the big black dishes are a blot on the landscape to some.

The Chens' dish is raised on a mast to compensate for its level site. Most other dishes lie on an angle, so they are not so conspicuous above 2m-high fences.

Neighbours complained to the council when the Chens' dish appeared last year.

But consultant engineer Leo Sim, of Protocol Services, Pakuranga, said the firm obtained a building consent from the council before work began.

The council had said the dish would be treated as an "accessory building" for a building consent - as long as it was under 4m in height. Therefore, it would not need a resource consent.

Mr Sim said the council changed the rules when its District Plan was introduced in October. The change means big free-standing dishes are a "network utility device" which require a resource consent, the neighbours' blessing and screening of the dish with shrubs or fencing.

In January, the council told the Chens they needed to get a resource consent too - or remove the dish.

The dish remained on the Chens' back lawn, said Mr Sim, because the council was being unreasonable in changing its mind after saying a building consent was all that was needed.

Manukau City Council officer Dhirendra Singh said the need for a resource consent gave the council the opportunity to assess environmental effects and be satisfied accident hazards were properly considered. He confirmed the hearings committee had authorised legal proceedings against the Chens.

Keeping the dish was in breach of the District Plan requirements and did not comply with an abatement notice issued in January.

Mr Singh said the building consent was issued under the Building Act, but should also have met the District Plan resource consent requirement before installation occurred.

The council's lawyers believed enforcement action could be taken if the requirement to obtain a resource consent was not indicated on the building consent plans.

Mr Singh said no other owner of a similar size dish faced legal action.


(Craigs comment, I think the council have no show I bet the whole issue gets quietly resolved as is the usual with this type of thing, hmm I wonder if the Chen family would like my 3.7M ...)


Peter Griffin: One box to rule them all


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=technology&thesubsection=&storyID=3531044

If the IT and telecommunications sectors have learned anything in the last decade it's that open standards and universal access increase the size of the pie for everyone. We've seen it in the PC market, where thousands of manufacturers and developers make thousands of hardware and software products that, by and large, talk the same language.

We've seen it in the mobile phone industry, where the universal backing of open standards for mobile network equipment and the corresponding handsets has seen the mobile phone become one of the most pervasive fashion accessories in the world. It's as simple as popping your Sim card out and buying a new one in your destination country, or taking advantage of international roaming agreements.

Where you go, your phone and PC can go too and a host of network operators, internet providers and application servers will be waiting for you, eager to take your credit card number.

Such universality is still missing from TV sets and DVD players. The TV world is divided into NTSC and PAL (the former an inferior standard backed by the US).

The DVD world is still carved up by zoning, which fulfils the copyright demands of the film industry, but will eventually disappear as the industry shifts increasingly to launching cinema and DVD releases at the same time worldwide to counter piracy.

The lack of open standards is a shame because the set-top box is the key to the future of home entertainment - the gateway to our viewing, browsing and listening pleasure.

In the next few years we'll discover that the set-top box will be the hub through which all of the electronic content we indulge in - television, movies, digital radio stations, high-speed internet, telephony and gaming - is delivered to us.

It will have a built-in hard drive for recording content, an electronic programming guide, a high-speed internet connection and wireless transceiver (possibly wi-fi) for talking to your computer and TV or other appliances in other rooms.

But the key advance is that it will be open to all-comers - so that the same box can be used to receive content from any number of pay TV operators or internet providers who will compete fiercely to win your subscriber dollar. Ditching your pay TV operator will be as easy as switching smart cards and cancelling your old subscription.

This already happens to some extent in Europe and the US. Set-top boxes are fairly standard things these days. After all, they have to communicate with the same set of satellites and terrestrial towers and decode broadcast content in a routine way.

But pay TV services are still characterised by commercial arrangements that lock users into a single-supplier relationship. That's especially true of New Zealand, where we have only one major pay TV provider - Sky.

More than half a million New Zealand homes already boast a TV set-top box provided by Sky. The box receives Sky and Sky only. About 6000 people own a third-party set-top box that, via digital satellite, can pick up TV One, 2 and a promo channel showing World Cup rugby games.

Sky has not yet agreed to have its content received on boxes supplied by third parties. It encrypts its signal to protect that happening. It's a monopoly on supply that Sky jealously guards.

But with New Zealand in the midst of deciding its path to digital television and a range of satellite operators eyeing New Zealand, the time is ripe for an open box to hit the market.

It might be a box you can pick up in Dick Smith or Harvey Norman, and set up yourself - similar to Telecom's "Jetstream-in-a-box" where you install your broadband modem and the phone line filters yourself, or the new self-install wireless modems from Woosh.

The issue with pay TV operators such as Sky TV is that we as customers never gain ownership of the box that receives the content from the satellite. In effect we are merely renting it from Sky.

That arrangement is going to change. As the digital gateway to the home, the set-top box will be coveted like the stereo or the DVD player. Users will want ownership of it and to be able to take their box with them as they switch pay TV operator.

Sign up to Sky if you wish. But also have the choice of sticking to a few free-to-air, publicly digitally broadcast channels instead. Or, through the same box, hook up to Austar or whoever else feels it worthwhile in the future to swing a beam over New Zealand and take on Sky's pay TV monopoly.

Shin Satellite said last week it would offer broadcasters transponder space alongside bandwidth for high-speed internet access, video-conferencing and voice over internet protocol - calls that can by-pass Telecom's network. It will invest $15 million in New Zealand setting up an earth station.

With open set-top boxes capable of picking up Sky content, new Sky converts would have the option of buying a Sky decoder or a universal box ready to receive anyone open for business in the terrestrial or satellite broadcast, or internet space.

There is no shortage of set-top box vendors itching to get into this market. Now the case for an open, universal set-top box has to be pushed and Sky has to come along for the ride - with regulatory prodding if necessary.


Invisible satellite dishes to preserve Athens skyline


From http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/SEMV8S7O0MD_index_0.html

Rooftop satellite receivers can look out of place with the historic surroundings of ancient cities. In the first-time participation with ESA, a Greek company is working to solve this.

The project is to develop a kind of satellite receiver known as a planar array. Unlike more commonly seen parabola-shaped dishes, planar arrays pick up less interference from other satellites. Another feature is their square, flat shape.

Low-visibility is a major concern in Greece; unsightly satellite dishes would sit uncomfortably alongside historical cityscapes and ancient Hellenic architecture. The first step to achieving this was to reduce the size of planar arrays to 36 cm in diameter.

The flat design means the antennas are easier to camouflage. The structure offers users the opportunity to apply colourful covers that help satellite equipment blend in to the surroundings. Designs being considered include house bricks, clouds or even a cat. The final product would be a suitable solution for areas where restrictions exist for satellite installation.

The company behind the new antenna design is Athens-based Attisat. Greece became a cooperating partner of ESA several years ago. The agreement means the country can submit projects and benefit from funding. Though not yet a full member state, the country would definitely benefit from satcom related activities.

Currently, mainly terrestrial networks are in use. This can be problematic as Greece has thousands of islands and a large portion of isolated mountainous areas, making land connections difficult to be implemented and maintained. Furthermore, the mainland is prone to earthquakes, often disrupting or destroying terrestrial networks.

The launch in July 2003 of Hellas-Sat, Greece's first satellite will do much to resolve these issues. Hellas-Sat is a high-powered satellite able to transmit to small antennas such as the one being developed by Attisat.

Though currently with much unused capacity, Hellas-Sat and projects such as Attisat's will help make more content available to Greek end-users. Current programming is geared mainly towards non-Greek speakers and tourists. With the Olympic games beginning in Athens in 2004, this content is going to be very important, but long-term satcom will require it to be Greek.

The design review has taken place this month and specifications for the project are currently under review.


Zee, Star take a lead on DTH


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=254552

NEW DELHI: Zee group, that has invested heavily in its direct to home (DTH) service, and Star, expected to work out its Indian partnership with the Anand Bazar Patrika Group shortly, may get a lead start over Prasar Bharti’s project that is now expected to begin only next March.

This is mainly because the earth stations needed for the purpose are still in the process of being set up. STAR’s partnership deal to fufill foreign investment cap guidelines is expected to be tied up next month.

Sources in I & B ministry said the STAR proposal has been sent to the Union home ministry for security clearance. Pending DTH, Prasar Bharati still has some advantage in that the KU-band project will help it reach remote areas.

Through this mode, 20 Doordarshan and 10 private channels — which are available on the free-to-air mode — can be in operation, unlike private players like Zee — that will have pay channels as well. The government estimates a total capitalcost of Rs 53.80 crore, a revenue non-recurring expenditure of Rs 2.25 crore and a revenue recurring cost of Rs 108.30 crore for the DTH project, which will cover 20 % of remote areas that keep 10% of population outside the TV’s pale.




27/10/03

A Holiday today I wasn't going to do an update but I decided I needed to clear out a few items before they got "stale" As you can see from above I have been playing with adding a search to the site. I don't think its what I am after though as I think it only searches pages from my site that Google has already archived, so not very current! Also new on the left side menu is an Articles section. The first article is Roy Carmans review writeup about the new Innovia Blindsearch receiver. He has reviewed 3 Blindsearch units and called the Innovia the best of the 3. Speaking of Innovia mine should turn up Tuesday or Wednesday.

If you don't see the Articles link on the left, try holding CTRL and click on refresh in your browser.

Tarb's under investigation for Broadcasting the Al-Manar channel? link below.

http://www.aba.gov.au/tv/investigations/projects/al-manar/terms_ref.pdf

Newly updated Coship units coming soon???



From my Emails & ICQ


From Bill Richards 26/10

Asiasat 2

0825 UTC

3946V SR 6110, FEC 3/4, Vpid 308 Apid 256 SID1 "Asian Reuters Feed AFC Asian Cup China 2004"

FTA

Regards
Bill


From Steve Hume

GLOBECAST AUCKLAND Feed

Panamsat 2
3955v
6620KS/s
3/4

Looks like yet another 4.2.2. feed. Lets hope someone comes up with a 4.2.2. STB soon.

NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From Me 26/10

B1, 12367V Sr 6620 Fec 3/4 "NBL Basketball" feed


From Colin T

RE Thai TV Channel - Pas8

Hi Craig...

From my limited Thai, it looks like the Thai TV Channel is going to be a
subscription service, offering TGN, Channels, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, ITV, and The
Nation Channel (English I think).

The price for subscription is pretty high, around $150.00 Australian per
month (6 month contract).

I'll show the flyer to my wife, who is Thai, and see if she can tell us
more.

Regards and Sawadee Krup Khun Craig

Col
(aka VK2TRC)


(Craigs comment, from what I heard of it this will be a Thai channel for Thais living in Japan)


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 12393 H Occasional KTV feeds on , SR 4410, FEC 3/4.

JCSAT 2A 154E 12436 H "A JCSAT 2A test card" has started, Fta, SR 3100, FEC 3/4,PIDs 32/33.
JCSAT 2A 154E Occasional Keirin feeds on 12318 V and 12331 V, SR 4820, FEC 3/4.

JCSAT 1B 150E 12473 H Occasional AGN feeds on , SR 5273, FEC 3/4.

Sinosat 1 110.5E 4106 V "Dragon TV has replaced SBN", Fta, SR 6200, FEC 2/3, PIDs 1110/1211. (Can be received in Australia on good dish,also via Asiasat 2)

AsiaSat 2 100.5E 4020 V A Dubai Al-Quran Al-Kareem info card has started Fta, PIDs 32/33.

NSS 6 95.5E 11543 V A New Skies promo has started, Fta, PIDs 1537/1538.
NSS 6 95.5E 12688 VA New Skies promo has started Fta, PIDs 1537/1538.

Yamal 102 90E NTV (+0h) has left 3532 L, replaced by an Altai test card.

Intelsat 709 85.2E33 Test cards have started on 11486 V, 11542 V and 11610 V, SR 36000,FEC 1/2, mainly Videoguard, PIDs 512/650-524/662, Hong Kong beam. (Craigs comment, this could be a good DX target with a low Fec rate and spot beam that's sure to cover more than Hong Kong.)

Insat 2E 83E 3918 V "Occasional DD feeds" on , PIDs 513/660.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3585 V "SS Music" has left , replaced by a test card.


NEWS


Telecom quits SkyTV


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Independent Newspapers' takeover for Sky TV opened on Friday and Telecom immediately accepted the cash and shares offer for its 10 per cent stake.

But Sky's independent directors, John Hart and Barrie Downey, advised minority shareholders not to sell until they considered the report of independent adviser Deloitte Corporate Finance, which would be mailed on Wednesday.

INL is offering $3.35 in cash for each Sky TV share, plus three INL shares for every 10 Sky TV shares.

INL executive chairman Ken Cowley said the offer would close on December 5.

After buying the Telecom shares, INL owns 78.2 per cent of Sky TV.


Foxtel bank talks falter


From http://finance.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7679717%255E462,00.html

PAY-TV group Foxtel has missed its mid-October deadline to arrange the $600 million financing of its digital rollout, raising the likelihood of its shareholders funding the new technology.

Foxtel, 50 per cent owned by Telstra and 25 per cent each by Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd and News Limited, had told investment bankers it wanted the non-recourse deal closed by mid-October.

The pay-TV company, which has held talks with the Commonwealth Bank and ABN Amro, was hoping to secure the funds which would be used to upgrade its service from analogue to digital pay-TV transmissions.

That was expected to spark a major overhaul of the business, with the channel line-up initially expanding to 120 channels and the provision of new services such as video on demand and greater viewer interactivity.

Apart from haggling over the financing terms, issues being cited for the delay include doubt that digitising Foxtel will ensure its profitability, and the banks' wariness of non-recourse financing after Telstra was accused of bullying syndicate banks over the terms of a refinancing deal on a $US1.5 billion ($2.15 billion) loan to its Asian subsidiary, Reach.

If the non-recourse financing is not agreed - non-recourse means the banking syndicate wears all the liability - Foxtel's shareholders will have to stump up the funds.

That would oblige 50 per cent owner Telstra to spend an extra $300 million over the three-year rollout period, and $150 million each from PBL and News (publisher of The Australian).

A spokesman for Foxtel declined to comment on the issue.

In August, Publishing & Broadcasting chief executive Peter Yates said that negotiations were well advanced.

While the deal had not yet been completed, "within the next few weeks we're likely to make a statement about the progress", Mr Yates said at the time.

Further complicating proceedings in the negotiations is the fact that Foxtel still requires final approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its content-sharing deal with Optus.

Foxtel has said its digitisation is contingent on final approval of that deal, and in particular gaining an exemption to the Trade Practices Act's access pricing regulations.

Earlier this month, the ACCC issued a draft report on the issue, saying some changes were required.

Submissions on that report were due on Friday, but have yet to be made public.

But The Australian has learnt that the ACCC has obtained a second extension of the time required to make a decision.

In July, it warned Foxtel's shareholders that it could not decide the issue in the legislated six-month time frame and sought a three-month extension.

But two days after releasing its draft report earlier this month, it notified shareholders that it had gained another three-month extension.

That could theoretically mean Foxtel will not have a final decision until January.

But ACCC general manager of telecommunications Michael Cosgrave said that the ACCC "hoped to be making a decision before then".

He said the decision was taking longer than expected as it was the first to be made under the act's new access exemption provisions.


China pushes toward digital TV


From http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sci_Tech/story_52702.asp

AP - Pushing digital television, China plans to end traditional analog broadcasts in 33 major cities by the end of 2005 and start delivering 120 digital channels by satellite, a news report said Monday.

China's government has been trying to encourage the development of digital television, driven in part by hopes of creating its own technology that can be sold abroad.

Beijing has already launched three digital cable channels on a trial basis, the China Daily newspaper said, adding that 33 cities have been designated as test sites for digital broadcasts.

The report didn't specify which cities would be affected, or how analog TV users would be accommodated when analog broadcasts end.

Traditional analog television uses radio wave signals, but digital TV uses the language of computers, allowing for sharper pictures and sound.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television plans to create 30 digital pay-TV channels this year, the newspaper said, citing Zhang Haitao, the administration's deputy director.

The agency hopes to sign up 30 million digital subscribers by 2005, the newspaper said.

However, the report said the target date for the end of analog broadcasts might be extended, due to China's slow pace of digital television development.

"The timetable for closing analog television broadcasting is likely to be prolonged," it quoted He Gongming, an official in charge of Beijing's digital cable development, as saying.


T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 41/2003 26 October 2003 -

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


EBU RENEWS LONG-TERM SATELLITE LEASE

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has renewed long-term lease agreements with Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) to use C-band capacity on AsiaSat 2. The EBU uses the AsiaSat 2 capacity to transmit regular and ad hoc live video contribution feeds for its members and customers between Asia, Australasia and Europe through its Eurovision Network.

ARAB SATELLITE TV CHANNELS LOSS MAKING

The Arab world remains mostly tuned to free to air satellite TV channels broadcasting mainly from Egypt, UAE and Lebanon, according to a specialist report published October 23. Satellite pay-TV is still a niche market with no more than 1.5 per cent of Arab households subscribing, said the Arab Advisors Group (AAG), a telecom and media consultancy based in Jordan. Although 50 per cent of the Arab satellite stations are loss making, according to Jawad Abbassi, president of AAG, the four pay-TV operators in the region compete for an estimated $160 million in subscription revenues. "Free to air satellite television has been a boom for the satellite audience because they have a major choice and it has become cheaper, but the profitability of satellite stations is in doubt, especially news-based ones," Abbassi said. The bulk of the market is shared by Showtime and Orbit, with the remainder split between ART and ADD, according to Abbassi. The major audience comes from North Africa, followed by the Gulf, and the Levant, with the majority of advertising focused on the Gulf market. Gross advertising revenue in the region does not exceed $250 million, according to Abbassi, and as a result companies are trying to diversify into telecom-based revenues, mostly mobile short messaging services.

BBC WORLD VIEWERSHIP UP BY 15%

The seventh Pan Asia Cross Media Survey (PAX) has found that BBC World experienced an increase of 15 per cent in its audience within Asia, the fastest growth for any international news or business channel. BBC World claims to be nearly 60 per cent ahead of CNBC in terms of reach among business decision-makers. The channel has enjoyed particularly large growth in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Taipei. Findings show that more than 24,000 'top management' in Asia tune in to BBC World either every day or almost every day, according to an official statement from the BBC. Among the ten largest international channels in Asia-Pacific, BBC World's audience includes the highest proportion of frequent business travellers (34 per cent), business decision-makers (27 per cent) and business opinion formers (35 per cent).

CHINA HONG KONG

NDS TO DELIVER DIGITAL TV NATIONWIDE

NDS Group on October 21 announced that the NDS VideoGuard conditional access system passed the final acceptance test procedure (FATP) of CCTV China Satellite Television Transmission Center (CSTTC), and the system is in operation to deliver digital and encrypted TV broadcasts from CSTTC to China's provincial and regional headends. The successful test proved the NDS conditional access (CA) system met all of the rigorous standards set down by CSTTC. The FATP is a major milestone in the contract between NDS and CSTTC, signed in February 2002. NDS VideoGuard replaces the previous system with a DVB compliant, open standards system. As utilized by CSTTC, NDS VideoGuard CA enables reception and viewing of a bouquet of CCTV channels. Using NDS technology the viewing cards have been authorized and will be distributed to over 95% of China's provincial and regional headends who broadcast to over 200 millions viewers. NDS VideoGuard is uniquely able to support such a large-scale broadcasting network. The CCTV channels included in this encrypted broadcast include CCTV 3, 5, 6 and 8 as well as the CCTV news channel.

Internet - www.cctv.com

http://www.nds.com/

SHANGAI PLANS NEW ENGLISH TV CHANNEL

According to the “South China Morning Post”, Shanghai plans to set up an English-language television station, probably late next year. The move is part of reforms to the city's tightly controlled media sector. The Shanghai Media Group, the city's near-monopoly television broadcaster, is believed to have started seeking more staff in anticipation of the launch, although it has yet to announce a formal plan. Industry officials said on October 23 that moves towards setting up the station had faced some opposition from state broadcaster China Central Television, which operates the mainland's only nationwide English channel, CCTV9. Shanghai's English station could bring more competition for both advertising revenue and viewers, depending on the geographical scope of its broadcasts. The group aims to beam the English channel nationally and even internationally. Shanghai Media Group has just rebranded its satellite channel, Shanghai Broadcasting Network, which previously aired some English-language programming. The group launched the new Dragon TV channel recently. Shanghai started its 24-hour satellite channel in 1998. Dragon TV said on its web site that its programming could now be seen domestically as well as in Japan, Australia and Hong Kong, with plans to expand to North America. Some English programming will still be carried on Dragon TV before the launch of an independent English channel under the group. Shanghai Media Group owns the city's two major broadcasters, Shanghai Television Station and Shanghai Oriental Television.

FASHION TV ON HK BROADBAND

The International fashion-dedicated TV channel, Fashion TV has now begun its operation on Hongkong cable and broadband TV. The channel that broadcasts in over 132 countries will now welcome an additional 300,000 new homes in the strategic fashion and trading center of Asia. FTV will focus further on the development of models and fashion in Asia. With a reach over 500 million viewers, Fashion TV is the first and unique channel dedicated to fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

DIGITAL TV TRIALS LAUNCHED

In line with plans announced a short while ago, a digital television channel featuring fashion, cosmetics and etiquette will start a nationwide trial operation on 11 November in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province. Another seven pay channels based in Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, and in Liaoning and Shangdong provinces will start at the same time. China plans to sign up 30 million digital TV subscribers by 2005 and stop providing analogue signals by 2015. It is also expected that high-definition TV programmes of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics will be transmitted to the world. China now has 370 million TV sets and more than 1.2 billion TV viewers. At present, most Chinese TV stations are only capable of transmitting a maximum of 50 TV channels simultaneously. Digital TV will be able to provide up to 500 channels.

INDIA

DISH TV SIGNS UP 15,000 SUBSCRIBERS

ASC Enterprises, India's first company to launch DTH service Dish TV, has signed on 15,000 subscribers in less than three weeks. The KU-band service is being offered for $87 for the equipment, including a set-top box, and $2.2 a month for a basic bouquet of 48 channels comprising group company's Zee and free-to-air channels. The network recently launched Premier Cinema for new Hindi films, Smile TV - a comedy channel, and Care TV. The company is planning to target viewers in rural and semi-urban Indian households where only state-owned terrestrial network Doordarshan is available on account of the absence of cable television.

IRAN

IRIB BECOMES ABU MEMBER

The Voice and Vision Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran [Islamic Republic Broadcasting, IRIB] has been elected as the deputy chairman of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union at the ABU’s meeting in Istanbul. The meeting also awarded a special prize to IRIB for its good coverage of the developments in Iraq. The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, ABU, has 104 members including various radio and television broadcasting stations.

MALAYSIA

RTM IN DIGITAL FROM MID-2004

Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) has set the middle of next year as the target date for the digital broadcasting of its radio and television networks. Malaysia’s Deputy Information Minister, Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai, said the state broadcaster had appointed a consultancy firm to look into the cost and logistics involved in the project. “We expect to get the result before the end of the year for submission to the cabinet. If the cabinet gives its approval, we hope to start the project in the middle of next year," he said. He also said that in Japan, it would cost US$3 billion to implement digital broadcast and all TV stations would share the cost. "Digitalisation is time-consuming because it involves upgrading of equipment and system. RTM expects its own digitalisation project to take 10 years to complete. But it will be worth it, considering the high quality of broadcast," the minister said.

NEW ZEALAND

SKY TV DIRECTORS REJECT INL TAKEOVER

The independent directors of pay-TV operator Sky Network Television said on October 24 that they have decided a takeover offer from Independent Newspapers isn't fair. Under the offer, Independent Newspapers is offering NZ$3.35 cash for each Sky share and three Independent Newspapers shares for every 10 Sky shares. Independent Newspapers had a 66.25% stake in Sky before the offer opened. Independent directors Barrie Downey and John Hart said in a statement that the offer isn't fair for Sky's minority shareholders. The directors will be sending Sky shareholders a formal response including a report received from the independent advisors, Deloitte Corporate Finance, on offer. Telecom Corp. said on October 24 it has sold its 12% stake in Sky to Independent Newspapers.

TVNZ TO COVER ATHENS SUMMER OLYMPICS

The Asia-Pacific Broadcast Union (ABU) has chosen TVNZ to provide coverage for its members of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. TVNZ will manage the service on behalf of the ABU and participating broadcasters. TVNZ will produce 8 separate channels of coverage of Olympic events for distribution to the ABU, to other broadcasters and to TVNZ itself. The co-operative arrangement will enhance the scope of production and will enable production and distribution costs to be shared. The agreement utilises TVNZ resource as a producer of sports content and provider of satellite services. TVNZ will use the Intelsat satellite 709 at 85ºE for delivery of the Olympic service, primarily because of the reach, which in a single footprint covers Africa to Sydney on Australia’s east coast. The satellite service will also be enhanced by the ability to deliver the signal into smaller receive antennas than was possible for Sydney 2000. In territories where rights are shared by more than one broadcaster the live multi channel-delivery approach allows each organisation to make its own programming choices. The winners are the viewers who rather than having a single coverage option made available, have the opportunity to view a range of Olympic events that may be occurring simultaneously.

SAUDI ARABIA

SATELLITE TV PIRACY WIDESPREAD

Housing compounds, hotels and clubs in Saudi Arabia are said to be illegally distributing satellite pay-TV channels. According to satellite TV broadcasters, managers of housing compounds and hotels pay one subscription and then distribute pay-TV channels illegally to their villas or hotel rooms through their own networks. “What is happening is essentially the theft of pay-TV signals, which is a copyright infringement,” Maj. Gen. Khaled Al-Soleiman, operations director in the Kingdom for Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA), said in Jeddah earlier this week. The new anti-piracy law, enacted on June 9, becomes effective December 9. “It sets out different types of violations and includes stiff penalties of up to six months imprisonment and fines of up to SR25,000 for violators,” Al-Soleiman told Arab News. The director said that those engaged in illegal distribution of pay-TV channels should instead “get a legal license directly from the broadcasters.” But Scott Butler, CEO of the Dubai-based AAA, said it was for the Ministry of Information to conduct raids and arrest criminals. AAA has stepped up its campaign against piracy in coordination with the MOI and has furnished details of violations so that the ministry can take action. He did not name the violators but said “most housing compounds and hotels” were guilty of piracy. Another problem for the organization in the Kingdom was the sale and distribution of MultiChoice Africa smart cards. “This is as illegal as the rebroadcast of all channels on the MultiChoice Africa pay-TV platform, including SuperSport,” Frikkie Jonker, MultiChoice Africa’s anti-piracy enforcement expert, said. “MultiChoice Africa is vigorously pursuing the unauthorized distribution of smart cards because we are obliged to protect our international broadcast licenses, which do not include the Middle East,” he said


A F R I C A


ANIMAL PLANET IN MULTICHOICE AFRICA PACKAGE

Discovery Networks Europe has secured a deal with pay-TV platform Multichoice Africa to launch Animal Planet in 42 countries across the African continent. Multichoice will carry the cable channel on its South African and pan-African feeds beginning this month, and then into Western Africa in 2004. Animal Planet joins sister channel Discovery on Multichoice, which has been in the region since 1996. Multichoice reaches almost 940,000 digital subscribers on the African continent and Indian Ocean islands through the DStv bouquet.

KENYA

STATE BROADCASTER TO BE RESTRUCTURED

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will be restructured to ensure its relevance and viability in the market, the government announced on October 17. Transport and Communication Permanent Secretary Gerishom Ikiria said the amendments shall be made to the KBC Act to re-position the organization as public broadcaster for both radio and television and divest the licensing power hitherto exercised by the broadcaster. Ikiria said as national public broadcasting station, KBC shall be expected to broadcast in English, Kiswahili and other Kenyan languages to ensure realization of broad government social and cultural objectives as part of universal service obligations.

GOVERNMENT TO VETO TRANSFER OF TV OWNERSHIP

The government is to vet the transfer of broadcasting stations from one owner to another. This would minimise complaints about the concentration of licences in particular individuals, said Information and Tourism minister Raphael Tuju. The scrutiny is to be done by the ministry and the Communications Commission of Kenya. There are 40 channels for TV and 22 for radio in Nairobi alone.




26/10/03

No update Sunday




25/10/03

IMPORTANT info for Installers and Viewers

Change in details of Globecast mux on Optus B3 at 0000 GMT Friday 31st October 2003 (=1100 AEDT Friday 31 October 2003 “Sydney Summer time”)

The new parameters for Globecast platform on Optus B3. T5 @ 152E orbital slot shall be:

Downlink frequency shall change from 12532.3 V to 12525.3 V Mhz
Symbol rate shall change from 15000 to 30000
FEC stays unchanged at 2/3

Do any of my site readers in Thailand know anythng about the "Thai Channel" that started on Pas 8 Ku band ? website for it is

http://www.thaitvchannel.com/



From my Emails & ICQ


From Chris Pickstock

Optus B1 12385V Sr 7000 Fec 3/4 "Feed" NTL encrypted probably Rugby


From Jason

B1 12380 H Sr6666 3/4 "V9's Gold Coast" V308 A256 PCR8190 PMT32


From Chris Pickstock 24/10

Optus B1 feeds from Friday Night

12370 H, sr 6670, Encrypted. Could be for the Indy Car Races at the Gold Coast because there was a live cross there yesterday on this frequency.

12379 H, sr 3000. Colour Bars at the moment, and I am hoping it is the Big Pond feed for the V8's at the Gold Coast. (Same freq and sr as used at Bathurst for Big Pond.

Oh and also

12397 V, sr 9340. Colour bars up at the moment, obviously for a Rugby feed

Chris


From Steve Hume

Heard that Star Sports is currently up on INFO CH31.
Believe it's 12535v, 30000, 3/4

Loads as ETV

NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From John McDermot 24/10

Optus B3 12424H Sr 6620

Two scrambled rugby feeds, Rugby 1(VPID 257 APID 258) and Rugby 2 (VPID 513 APID 514)


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 12409 H "Thai Channel" has started regular transmissions, Fta, SR 2350,FEC 3/4, PIDs 4194/4195.

Optus C1 156E 12398 H New SR for the Austar/Foxtel mux 27800.
Optus C1 156E New SR for the Austar/Foxtel muxes on 12558 H and 12598 H: 27800.

Telkom 1 108E 3460 H "Bloomberg Radio" has started on , APID 210.
Telkom 1 108E 3500 H "Delta/FeMale Satelit" has started on , APID 62. RRI Pro 2 FM has left 3500 H.

AsiaSat 2 100.5E 3846 V "Dragon TV" has replaced SBN, Fta, SR 4800, FEC 3/4,PIDs 1110/1211.

NSS 6 95.5E 12729 V A New Skies promo has started, Fta, PIDs 1025/1026.

Insat 3A 93.5E 3917 V "Ahimsaa" has started testing on , Fta, SR 3030, FEC 3/4,PIDs 308/256.

Yamal 102 90E 3582 L "A Chita TV" test card has started, Fta, SR 4275, FEC 3/4,PIDs 308/256.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3585 V "ILearn" has left , replaced by a test card.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3640 H "Radio Greece" has started , Fta, APID 2562.


NEWS


Japan and Korea partner in broadcast satellite


From http://www.advanced-television.com/pages/pagesb/newsdaily.html

Japan's Mobile Broadcasting Corp (MBCO) and Korea's SK Telecom have recently signed a satellite ownership/operation agreement for co-ownership of a broadcast satellite that will enable digital multi-media broadcasting services in Japan and Korea next year.

The development follows the signing of the satellite frequency adjustment agreement by representatives of the Japanese and Korean governments.

SK Telecom, which is South Korea's largest wireless operator, said it will retain 35 per cent ownership of the satellite while Mobile Broadcasting will hold a 65 per cent stake.

Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) is a multimedia mobile information platform that can transmit text, videos, and television images to moving vehicles. SK Telecom's DMB service will allow its subscribers to watch satellite-television broadcasts on their cell phones and in their cars, through a special receiver.

The satellite is scheduled to be launched in January 2004 and test services will begin in March, SK Telecom said. SBSAT signals will cover 80 per cent of Japan. $100 million has been spent on "gap filler" boosters for mountainous areas and tunnels.

Tokyo-based Mobile Broadcasting is majority owned by Toshiba Corp of Japan. Other investors in the company include SK Telecom, Toyota Motor Corp and Sharp Corp.


Indian Pay TV viewers want HBO, STAR Plus


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?artid=248581

NEW DELHI: HBO, STAR Plus, Discovery and ESPN-STAR Sports are among the most popular pay TV channels in Asia, while Hallmark has the unenviable tag of being the "least wanted channel", as per a survey conducted among pay TV operators, over a dozen Asian countries.

According to Asia Pay TV Operators Survey, 2003, instituted by the Singapore-based trade publication, Television Asia, in association with Fusion Consulting, HBO, STAR Plus, Discovery and ESPN-STAR Sports were regarded as the best channels in the region in terms of programme quality. ( Do you agree with the survey?)

In the news and current affairs genre, two Indian channels, Aajtak and STAR News figure among the "best channel" list in Asia that is led by CNN and BBC. Among the other channel genres, STAR Plus leads the charge in the entertainment space, HBO in movies, ESS (sports), MTV (music), Cartoon Network (kids) and Discovery (documentary/travel).

However, both the Indian news channels - Aajtak and STAR News- score over their rivals when one tempers the findings weighted by number of pay-TV subscribers per country.

Of the 57 million pay TV viewers in the 15-odd Asian markets surveyed, over 40 million come from India. STAR Plus, HBO and Zee TV figure as the most popular pay channels in India.

The survey says that HBO scores in the region with its presence in most countries in Asia while STAR Plus commands sizable viewership in Pakistan and Bangladesh, apart from India. STAR Plus and HBO get the most positive viewer response, say the operators surveyed.

As to the channels in need of improvement, pay TV operators - that includes over 40 multi-service operators and cable operators - surveyed say Hallmark and AXN top the list.

CNBC and Zee News figure in the news space, NGC and Adventure One (documentary/travel), STAR World, Zee TV (entertainment), Hallmark, STAR Movies, Zee MGM (movies), Nickelodeon (kids), Ten Sports, DD Sports (sports), Channel V, and MTV, ETC (music).

In case of India, the unenviable list includes Hallmark, MTV, Set Max and Sony. The "least wanted channel" list- that is headed by Hallmark- also includes Nickelodeon, SaB TV, Sahara, STAR World and Zee TV.

HBO, Discovery, STAR Plus, MTV, and Sony score with their on-air promotions, while Hallmark is regarded as the channel most in need of pulling up its socks in this regard.

Over 56 per cent operators surveyed believe that premium channels work or will work in their markets. Operators in Indonesia and Taiwan rate pay per view as highly as premium channels. However, in India operators feel that pay per view sports works especially for cricket. Several operators disapprove of bundling of channels and feel that advertising should not be a feature of pay-TV.

The countries that were surveyed included India, Taiwan, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Brunei, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Guangzhou (China), Macau, and Cambodia.




24/10/03

Various Pay TV Transponders on C1 are FTA at the moment.

Rugby tonight NZ vs Tonga, reminder RWC is on Star Sports FTA Asiasat 3. (Score pick NZ by 60)

France 2 channel on B3 is for duration of RWC only. So expect it to dissapear afterwards.


From my Emails & ICQ


From Steve Johnson (NZ)

I804 @176E - 12513vt (15 dB CNR into Sth Auckland, NZ) using 1.0m offset


From Zapara

Couple of screenshots from Optus B3 Globecast mux, France 2 (not running) and ERT Sat (Greek)


From various

B1 12416v Sr 9334 Fec 3/4 "channel 7 test" Mpg 4:2:2 RWC feed?


From "user128"

C1 FTA

Hey alll
bird : C1
freq: 12478
pol: H
sym: 27800
sid: 3010
tid: 3
nit: 0
pmt: 1109
vid: 1101
pcr: 1101
aud: 1102


From the Dish


Ihugs having an Email outage at the moment so no Lyngsat as yet


NEWS


Space storm coming to Earth


From CFCN.ca

POSTED AT 5:48 PM Thursday, October 23

Scientists are warning about a strong geo-magnetic storm expected to hit the Earth tomorrow.

Forecasters say the storm has the potential to affect everything from cell phones and power grids to other satellite communications.

The disturbance is rated a G-3 storm. The highest is G-5.

NASA scientists are calling it the perfect space storm.

A largest cluster of sunspots caused an explosion on the sun, sending a massive amount of gas and charged particles into space towards Earth.

Scientist say they expect it to be the worst solar flareup to be felt on Earth since a storm in 1859. That storm caused telegraph wires to short out across North America and Europe.


Telecom sells stake in Sky TV to INL


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz

Telecom today accepted Independent Newspapers Ltd's (INL) cash and shares takeover offer for its 10 per cent stake in Sky Television.

Telecom told the New Zealand Exchange it would own 10 per cent of INL and receive about $156 million after selling its shareholding in Sky TV.

INL is offering $3.35 in cash for each Sky TV share, plus three INL shares for every 10 Sky TV shares.

INL executive chairman Ken Cowley said the offer had been sent to all Sky TV shareholders today.

It would close on December 5, he said in a statement.

Sky TV shareholders who accepted the offer would be sent cash have their entitlement to INL shares registered within three working days, Mr Cowley said.

If INL bought more than 90 per cent of Sky TV's shares it could compulsorily acquire the rest.

It would then "amalgamate the two companies and return surplus capital from the sale of INL's publishing business to shareholders", Mr Cowley said.

"We believe the takeover offer and the amalgamation plan are the logical next steps for both companies."

If INL did not achieve total ownership of Sky TV it would not buy outstanding shares at a price higher than the current offer.

"Regardless of the outcome... INL intends to distribute the maximum amount of surplus capital in a tax-efficient manner to INL shareholders, including those INL shareholders who acquire shares as a result of the offer.

INL would also apply for an Australian Stock Exchange listing.

After buying the Telecom shares, INL would own 78.2 per cent of Sky TV, Mr Cowley said.

By midday, INL shares had last traded at $4.60, Sky TV shares were unchanged at $4.90. and Telecom shares were up two cents at $4.94.


Satellite Pay TV still a niche market in Arab world


From http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/031023083148.7tr03j84.html

The Arab world remains mostly tuned to free to air satellite TV channels broadcasting mainly from Egypt, UAE and Lebanon, according to a specialist report published Thursday.

Satellite PayTV is still a niche market with no more than 1.5 percent of Arab households subscribing, said the Arab Advisors Group (AAG), a telecom and media consultancy based in Jordan.

Although 50 percent of the Arab satellite stations are loss making, according to Jawad Abbassi, president of AAG, the four Pay TV operators in the region compete for an estimated 160 million dollars in subscription revenues.

"Free to air satellite television has been a boom for the satellite audience because they have a major choice and it has become cheaper, but the profitability of satellite stations is in doubt, especially news-based ones," Abbassi told AFP in a telephone interview.

The bulk of the market is shared by Showtime and Orbit, with the remainder split between ART and ADD, according to Abbassi.

The major audience comes from North Africa, followed by the Gulf, and the Levant, with the majority of advertising focused on the Gulf market.

Gross advertising revenue in the region does not exceed 250 million dollars, according to Abbassi, and as a result companies are trying to diversify into telecom-based revenues.

"To expand revenues, companies are turning to competitions and mobile short messaging services (sms)," said Abbassi.

The Lebanese based Future TV which ran "Superstar", a talent show version of the Western "Pop Idol", generated four million dollars in revenue from viewers who voted by sms.


First ever pvt TV channel goes on air in Assam


From http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=248611

GUWAHATI: The first ever private satellite channel in the North-East under the name 'North East Television' having uplinking facilities with its own earth station is going on air from next month.

This is the only TV channel, which is being granted uplinking permission by the Central government in the N-E region with licence to set up its own earth station.

Produced by Positive Television, the channel is being set up at Rehabari area of the city alongwith teleport earth station which in the meantime has been completed.

According to Manoranjana Singh, chairman-cum-managing director of the private channel all necessary clearance from the Centre has been received and the channel was ready to take off.

The TV channel would be aired in regional languages of the North-East round-the-clock with entertainment, current affairs and news as its major contents, Singh said.




23/10/03

France 2 was running on B3, Globecast transponder last night. I don't expect it to be a new service there I reckon it's only temp for the French Media covering the RWC. Anyway one episode of Friends dubbed into French was enough to put me off watching it though the adverts were interesting.

It has been suggested that some can't make the chat on Tuesday night, so the idea of an extra Sunday afternoon session has come up which sounds like a good idea. Suggestions for a start time are welcome.

A new Galaxy sat is testing at 144.5W yes its a U.S domestic sat but you never know where the signals may leak to. Those with suitable gear may like to look. A previous sat at this location was received in NZ years ago on 7 meter mesh dish.



From my Emails & ICQ


From Superfly

MQTV on Palapa C2

MQTV has started on Palapa C2, 4080H
Same mux as Global TV (MTV Indo)

Muslim type tv station. Very poor quality.


From Steve Hume

APTN APEC FEED, now only one path

APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 1

Asiasat 2
3705v
sr.5632 (Got it right this time)
fec 3/4

Those who have it loaded, the PID's have changed.

NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From the Dish


JCSAT 1B A JCSAT 1B test card has started on 12453 H, clear, SR 21096, FEC 3/4, PIDs 5378/5379.

Superbird C 144E 12361 V Occasional TAS feeds on , SR 3920, FEC 7/8.

N-Star BMega Wave Pro has started on 12536 V, SR 4444, FEC 3/4.

Palapa C2 113E "Bali TV" has started on 3926 H, clear, SR 4208, FEC 3/4, PIDs 33/36.
Palapa C2 113E "MQTV" has started regular transmissions on 4080 H, clear, PIDs 518/656.

Yamal 102 90E New SR for the NetService mux on 3564 R: 2500.

Insat 3E 52E Test carriers on 3845 H.


NEWS


Thais to put NZ net access in orbit


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Thai firm Shin Satellite is to invest $15 million on an Auckland-based satellite system that promises to provide fast internet access anywhere in New Zealand.

A pilot of Shin's first-generation IPStar service is available now using ground station equipment in Sydney and the Intelstat 804 satellite. But the service will get a significant boost next year when Shin's IPStar-1 next generation satellite is launched.

The new satellite, part of a US$350 million ($581 million) investment by Shin, will have three "spot beams" over New Zealand giving fast internet access for consumers using an 85cm satellite dish of 1 Megabit per second (Mbps) - eight times faster than Telecom's Jetstream Starter service.

It also will provide 45 gigabits per second of bandwidth - about the same as the Southern Cross cable link between Australia and New Zealand after its launch in 2000.

Regional manager, international, Teerask Sawekpun said Shin expected to sign a contract this month for the teleport gateway equipment for the new service.

He confirmed IPStar was a bidder in the satellite-based "region 15" of the Government's Probe project to provide broadband to all New Zealand schools, but said the investment in New Zealand would proceed regardless of whether it was successful in the tender.

Shin was aiming to provide customer satellite dishes and equipment costing US$1000 ($1660).

The New Zealand teleport is one of 18 gateways in 14 territories planned for what IPStar is calling "the largest broadband satellite in the world". IPStar gateways operate now in Australia, Thailand, Myanmar and Taiwan.

Ericsson, which will manage the networks in Australia and New Zealand, demonstrated a clear video conference call from Auckland to Wellington over satellite at 384 kilobits per second.

Ericsson business development manager Ray Mason also showed streaming video over the internet at 700 kilobits per second and handed off good quality satellite voice calls to a mobile and cordless phone.

Shin Satellite's NZ representative, John Humphrey, said the service could provide access speeds of up to 4Mbps downstream and 8Mbps upstream.

Shin has yet to say who will be its retail partners in New Zealand but, Humphrey said, the new service offered the potential to reduce bandwidth costs by between 40 per cent and 80 per cent.

Shin Satellite

* Subsidiary of Shin Corporation, Thailand's largest telecoms group.
* Listed on Thai stock exchange.
* 2002 profit of $58m on revenue of $225m.
* Market value $392m.
* Controlled by the family of the Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra.
* Has three satellites in geostationary orbit covering India, Asia, Australia and NZ.


(Craigs comment, can those in Australia take a look at I804 at 176E perhaps some signal reports? Spotbeam 2 over Australia uses H pol)


Satellite broadband service on the way


From http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2701623a28,00.html

Thai satellite operator Shin Satellite will partner Swedish telco Ericsson to wholesale broadband internet, telephone and video conferencing services to businesses and consumers in remote parts of New Zealand.

The company has allocated three spot beams on the first of its new-generation US$350 million (NZ$580 million) Ipstar satellites to provide services to New Zealand.

It would invest $15 million building a base station in Auckland to connect the satellite to the public phone network and Internet providers, regional manager Teerasak Sawekpun said.

The Ipstar satellite is due to be launched by a European Space Association Arianne rocket from French Guyana in June.

The three spot beams equate to about 3 per cent of the satellite's total capacity - enough to send and receive data at speeds of one gigabit a second.

Ericsson said the three beams would be sufficient to provide broadband Internet to about 100,000 typical consumers.

It believes this will be "easily enough" to service all the New Zealand schools too remote to be served by other technologies such as Telecom's JetStream service or terrestrial wireless Internet links, as well as the estimated 5 to 10 per cent of Fonterra farmers who cannot be connected via JetStream or BCL's AirSpan's wireless data transmission technology.

Customers will need a NZ$1660 transponder and antenna to connect to Ipstar and will be able to plug a phone into the transponder to make internet telephony voice calls.

Ericsson New Zealand general manager of services Maxwell Young said Ericsson and Shin Satellite would wholesale the service and pricing would be up to telco and internet carriers.

But the capacity of the satellite meant data costs should be 40 to 80 per cent cheaper than other satellite-based services.

Mr Sawekpun hopes to finalise the contract for the Auckland base station next month.

Ericsson will manage the gateway and could provide systems integration and managed services, including customer billing for telcos and ISPs that connect to it.


Colonial Sky stake up


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Australian fund manager Colonial First State has boosted its stake in Sky TV from 5 per cent to 6 per cent.

Sky is the subject of a takeover bid by 66 per cent shareholder INL, which has the support of the company's second biggest shareholder, Telecom, with a 10 per cent stake.

The offer is not conditional on INL reaching the 90 per cent ownership threshold required to trigger compulsory acquisition of all outstanding shares.

INL's offer document is due to be mailed to Sky shareholders tomorrow and will remain open until December 5.


Japan to develop internet TV


From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/22/1066631476942.html

The Japanese government and firms will jointly develop a new television set that can receive images from both the Internet and digital broadcasting, an official said Monday.

Participants from the private sector include NTT Communications Corp., the broadband business unit of telecoms giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT), and computer maker NEC Corp.

Among other firms in the project are Toma-Diji Corp., a digital television program production firm affiliated with the television network Tokyo Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS), and Nihon Sun Microsystems KK.

They plan to develop the so-called Internet Protocol television set which will allow users to enjoy digital broadcasting services and images distributed through a high-speed broadband connection without using a personal computer.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, representing the government, will provide 100 million yen (917,000 dollars) for the project to cover development costs.

"With the new television set, those who are not familiar with computers will be able to enjoy Internet broadband services easily," said a spokesman for NTT Communications.

They are scheduled to complete initial experiments by March 2004 with plans to test a billing system and a technique for blocking unauthorized copying.

They hope to begin commercial production by 2010


Rajat Sharma's India TV to launch early 2004


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct184.htm

NEW DELHI: A news channel of their own! It couldn't have been a better Diwali gift for the 120-odd employees of the Rajat Sharma-promoted Independent News Service (INS), a television production house that is converting itself into a broadcaster.

It's official now that Sharma would be launching India TV, a 24-hour Hindi language news and current affairs (N&CA) channel, early next year. The uplink permission was obtained last year in a quiet manner.

According to sources, the whole project, being put together for the last six months with the help of Ernst & Young, would need investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 million, including transponder lease cost.

Initially, approximately Rs 700 million is being pumped into the news channel, to be beamed through `hotbird' PanAmSat 10. The amount will also be utilised for acquiring real estate of about 80,000 sq. ft and building a state-of-the-art infrastructure, specially for transmission of N&CA programming.

To raise the initial funding for the project, promoter Sharma and his wife, Ritu Dhawan, have divested 26 per cent equity stake to two Indian investors who can be considered friends of the promoters, apart from being professionals.

In the future, INS promoters are looking at roping in another strategic partner who can take up to 23 per cent stake in the company. This would mean that the promoters would retain 51 per cent majority control of the company.

The company, however, is not looking at attracting foreign investment in the news channel venture.

INS has reportedly brought in professionals to handle various other related activities like distribution and ad sales, but the marketing aspect would be looked after by Euro-RSCG.

A former general manager with India's long distance telecom carrier Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), has been brought in as the technical head.

Though India TV would like to stand alone like MTV, the likelihood of hitching up with one of the existing bouquets - Star, One Alliance and Zee Turner - for distribution purpose cannot be ruled out in the future.

The good news of turning the TV software house into a broadcasting company was conveyed to the INS employees in a personal letter sent to each of them by Rajat Sharma yesterday. The employee strength of the company goes up to 250 over the next two months.

Sharma's letter sought to impress upon the employees and colleagues that after five years with Zee and almost five years with Star, it was time to move ahead. The obvious road ahead for Sharma was to launch his own news channel - India TV.

Sharma's company, which produces the two editions of Aaj Ki Baat news shows on Star News at the moment, would cease to do so from this month-end. The reason: Star India feels that such news shows can be produced in-house.

Sharma decided to go ahead with a news channel - in a scenario where channels are mushrooming all over in India - after considering a IMRB-conducted survey which showed, there is still scope for a Hindi language news channel and the market can probably sustain it too.

Amongst the Hindi news channels currently on air are market leader Aaj Tak, NDTV India, Zee News, Star News and three Sahara Samay channels.

Doordarshan too proposes relaunch its news channel with predominantly Hindi programming.

The IMRB survey, commissioned by INS to gauge the market response, also highlighted the fact that Sharma's brand equity is high amongst viewers - something that India TV would certainly like to cash in on to translate into advertising revenue.

Meanwhile, INS' studio complex located in Film City, Noida, is being given finishing touches at the moment. The complex has four floors; and one of the studio floors is understood to be the biggest in Asia.


(Craigs comment, more Indian news channels?, I can hardly wait...)




22/10/03

Where was everyone lastnight? chatroom was very very quiet. In fact the whole local scene is rather quiet at the moment.

Pas 2 4090 V Tarbs mux someone in chatroom lastnight said Greek Mega channel is there??

Just a reminder for those that may not have checked it out the Vetrun FTA forums are linked to on the left side of the page.



From my Emails & ICQ


From Siam Global

Free-X tv in Asia THE ANSWER

From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Free-X tv in Asia - Africa - Australia - South America - US
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 16:41:14 +0200

Dear sir, madam,

Because there seems to be a lot of interest in our channel from all over
the world, we are happy to inform you that we will be available in Asia
very soon. At the moment it is not yet possible because we are still
looking for resellers in the areas covered by the NSS6. People in these
regions, please be patient for a little while longer... the modules will
be on the market soon! You can already check out the frequencies on our
site.

In the US we will also be available at the end of 2003 - start of 2004.
Concerning Australia, South America and Africa we are still looking in
to the possibilities.

Please keep on checking out our site <http://www.free-xtv.com/>
www.free-xtv.com because any changes that are made will be mentioned
there first !

With kind regards,
Free-X tv bv
Blekerij 58b
NL-6212XW Maastricht
Nederland

tel 0031 43 39 00 105
fax 0031 43 32 64 842


(Craigs comment, there has been a lot of discussion on various forums about this channel providing some kind of service into Australia. I don't see it happening though without a change to how they operate. Nss6 is the wrong bird to use as well)


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 3900 H "MGM" has started, Videoguard, PIDs 519/720.

Insat 3A 93.5E Maa TV has replaced SET Max on 11630 H, clear, PIDs 169/110.

Insat 2E 83E 3830 V "DD Bangla" has left , replaced by occasional DD feeds.

Insat 3E 52E Reception reports:
Test carriers on 4025 V, 4140 V and 4165 H.
(B Wall in Sweden)

Test carriers on 4025 V, low signal.
Test carriers on 4140 V, good signal.
(D Shimoni in Israel)


(Craigs comment, Zapara in W.A reports nothing received as yet from this bird on his 2.7M)


NEWS


DISH TV claims 15K subscribers in less than three weeks


From satellite today

ASC Enterprises, India's first company to launch DTH service Dish TV, has signed on 15,000 subscribers in less than three weeks. This was confirmed by Ashish Kaul, a vice-president of ASC's parent company Essel group.

The KU-band service is being offered for $87 for the equipment, including a set-top box, and $2.20 a month for a basic bouquet of 48 channels comprising group company's Zee and free-to-air channels. The network recently launched Premier Cinema for new Hindi films, Smile TV - a comedy channel, and Care TV.

"CAS has opened up Indian viewers' eyes to the technology that is available, and what it can do. It has also familiarised audiences with the idea of choice, and issues like addressability and value-added services. Since the signals are sent directly to the dish antenna in the viewer's home, there is no need for a cable operator or a multi-system operator," Kaul said.

The company is planning to target viewers in rural and semi-urban Indian households where only state-owned terrestrial network Doordarshan is available on account of the absence of cable television.

The Indian Government has given a go-ahead for the DTH project for expansion of television coverage in remote areas of rural India. The expansion would be carried out using the KU-Band instead of the usual C-Band. The KU band services project is being implemented, as a pilot project in areas not covered by terrestrial transmission, said a Government official.


(Craigs comment, all prices in U.S $)


NDS system OK'd in China


From satellite today

NDS' VideoGuard conditional access system has passed the final acceptance test procedure (FATP) of CCTV China Satellite Television Transmission Center (CSTTC). The company said "the system is in operation to deliver digital and encrypted TV broadcasts from CSTTC to China's provincial and regional headends."

The FATP was conducted at CSTTC head office in Beijing in the presence of the senior management from CCTV and CSTTC . The successful test proved the NDS conditional access (CA) system met all of the rigorous standards set down by CSTTC.

"Our success in obtaining the FATP of CCTV CSTTC offers great encouragement to NDS China and strengthens our commitment to further dedicate resources to the development of digital TV in China," said Gary Zhou, General Manager, NDS China. "This success is the result of unprecedented cooperation between NDS Beijing, CSTTC and other relevant parties over the past few months. The project will now enter the support stage, and NDS will continue to provide its technology and expertise for the smooth running of the NDS CA system to generate benefits for CSTTC."


Pakistan DTH technology licence bids accepted


From http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en42482&F_catID=&f_type=source

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday awarded two licences for the most advanced and latest technology of Direct To Home (DTH), satellite based television channels to Cross Currents (Pvt) Limited being the highest bidder followed by ARY Communications after matching its bid with the highest bid through an open and transparent bidding process.

Chairman Pemra Mian Muhammad Javed, Member Pemra Saleem Gul and representatives of a number of media channels were present at the opening of bids here at the Pemra Headquarter.

Cross Currents (Pvt) Ltd offered the maximum bid of Rs 250 million while ARY Communications quoted Rs 192.500 million but under the rules, the ARY matched the highest bid of Rs 250 million and qualified for first two DTH channels rights in Pakistan.

Chairman Pemra Mian Muhammad Javed, congratulating the successful bidders, said the DTH would bring a revolution in the country with maximum possible expansion of TV viewers. He said cable network is available for only four million houses while PTV could reach about 85 per cent of the area whereas the DTH will reach every nook and corner of the country.

He said the latest technology of DTH would provide a chance to every individual living even in remote areas of mountainous regions and vast plain fields to enjoy TV transmission without any trouble in accordance with purely national and Islamic ethics and norms. Javed said awarding two licences of modern and high-tech technology of DTH, the Pemra has provided a base to the country to bring communication revolution.

He said these licences are being given in accordance with liberal media policy of the government to encourage the private sector to play their due role to educate and create awareness among the masses while using this latest technology.

The Pemra chairman said the successful bidders would be able to make a bouquet of 50 to 250 channels approved by Pemra under its code of ethics so that the whole family could watch these channels without any hesitation.

Explaining the process of bid, he said, it was open and transparent and Pemra received 11 applications and one was rejected during the process of pre-qualification while out of the remaining 10 four companies participated in the bid which were opened in the presence of all bidders today. The two highest bidders, Cross Currents and ARY Communications would be awarded licences to operate DTH channel after the formal approval by the Pemra with in couple of days and they will be able to start functioning soon.

Crescent Business Management Limited offered the bid of Rs 186.66 million while Sachal Satellite Communication quoted the bid for Rs 70.33 million.

Under this DTH technology, any one can tune in a large number of national and international channel by installation of small dish of one to 1.5 feet. The transmission through DTH technology will be crystal clear and without any interruption due to weather and electricity failure. Unlike the cable transmission that is being provided through wires causing problems sometimes in smooth transmission, the DTH will transmit signals directly to the houses through satellite. The cost of setting up a DTH system will be approximately Rs 3 billion.

Mian Javed said that private sector through the help of DTH would be able to play important role in Pakistan’s economy, development and improvement especially in the field of media.

He said the Pemra which was established last year has successfully awarded licences through open bidding for private TV channels and added that in the next coming weeks, the Pemra would introduce more modern and new technology for the private sector.

The Pemra chairman said DTH has the potential to reach to 145 million population of the country. He said the successful bidders would be major players in promoting good performance as there is no limit in DTH. He said the DTH would also cover many neighbouring countries taking advantage of satellite.

Javed said government is sincere and keen to promote electronic media and to ensure its freedom. He said Pakistan is being placed among those countries where the media especially the electronic media has been enjoying freedom. He hoped that electronic media would be in a position to create awareness among the masses about education, health, development and other subjects.

Mian Javed said Pemra would ensure implementation of code of ethics for all channel operators including DTH.

Referring to the importance of DTH, he said, Pemra has conducted its survey and found that DTH is a feasible project. The chairman said awarding licences of DTH is a milestone in Pakistan’s electronic history and it is a major development in the country.

Representative of Cross Currents (Pvt) Ltd, one of the successful and highest bidders, giving his remarks appreciated the policies of President General Pervez Musharraf to provide liberal policies for media. He also highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to continue these policies for the benefit and promotion of media especially the electronic media.

He also appreciated the role of Pemra in promoting the electronic media and hoped that their cooperation would improve the electronic media. He said DTH service would be available everywhere without any problems and any one living in any city, village, town or area would be able to receive the signals through DTH.

He said through DTH the whole of Pakistan and a number of neighbouring countries will be able to enjoy TV transmission and can watch the channels of their own choice.

Owner of ARY Communications, appreciating the role of Pemra, said DTH will provide quality programmes according to the rules and regulations based on the ethics of Pemra so that all the members of the family could watch these programmes together.

He said it would increase the base of TV viewership and provide a chance to the viewers even in remote areas to watch the programmes of their own choice. The DTH, he said, would bring a revolution in the field of electronic media by providing a chance to every individual to have access to TV. He said it would also increase job opportunities along with the business. He said it was already successfully functioning in Europe and would be a successful technology in Pakistan.


Prasar Bharati gets sports act together


From http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13289692&vsv=157

Prasar Bharati seems to finally get its sports act together. The national broadcaster has managed to make money on the forthcoming Afro-Asian Games to be held in Hyderabad later in the week. It is also finalising acquisition of terrestrial rights for the Olympics and the World Cup soccer.

A Prasar Bharati official said that unlike the previous years, this time it has managed to generate revenues up to Rs 1.50 crore from the Afro-Asian Games. Previously, sporting events like these got very little advertising. "We decided to sell advertising spots for the games along with the ongoing cricket Triangular Series as a package. Therefore, sponsors such as LG, Bajaj, Britannia, HPCL, Gillette, Asian Paints, Hero Honda and TVS are on board," said the official.

However, due to the Triangular Series, Prasar Bharati has decided that on days when the games clash with cricket, matches would be aired on DD Metro. The games would also be aired on All India Radio's national channel live, along with a daily round-up in the evenings.

Sources in Prasar Bharati also added that negotiations for terrestrial rights for the Athens Olympics and World Cup soccer are also on. "The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, an industry association, will acquire the rights for both Olympics and soccer. Through the union, we are also likely to get the rights," said the official.

The national broadcaster had faced major hurdles to acquire the last FIFA World Cup rights. TEN Sports had both the terrestrial and satellite rights for the soccer matches. However, TEN Sports had problems dealing with DD, which is the only terrestrial broadcaster. B4U had to intervene before the deal was finally swung in favour of DD.

Officials said that Prasar Bharati is getting active in acquiring rights and marketing events due to the revenue potential. Also, recently, DD Sports ended its distribution association with Modi Entertainment Network (MEN) and turned a free-to-air channel.




21/10/03

Livechat in the chatroom tonight 9pm NZ onwards

Not a lot of news today, Asisat 2 page updated with video streams of the Dubai Channels.



From my Emails & ICQ


From T.D

Scotland Vs USA seen on Optus B1

Optus B1 12397 V Sr 9343 M/s Fec 3/4


From Steve Hume

Amended details (PATH 3)

Asiasat 2

APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 1
3705v
5632
3/4

APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 2
3714v
5632
3/4

APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 3
3696v
5623
3/4


NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From the Dish


PAS 2 169E Updates in the TARBS World TV mux on 4090 V, Fta:Channel One has replaced Iran TV Network on PIDs 512/640.TV Globo Internacional has left, replaced by a test card.MBC Europe has started on PIDs 518/646.

PAS 8 166E 3860 H "SET International" is Fta again.

PAS 8 166E 12326 H "Channel One" has replaced Iran TV Network on , PIDs 513/641 Video Italia has left 12326 H, replaced by a test card.
PAS 8 166E 12526 H "NTV Mir has replaced RTV International USA" on , PIDs 520/648.
PAS 8 166E 12526 H "RTR Planeta" has replaced RTV International Plus on, PIDs 521/649.
PAS 8 166E 12726 H "EuroSport News" has left , replaced by a test card.

Optus C1 156E 12638 H "The Comedy Channel and Arena" have started , Fta,PIDs 1101/1102 and 1111/1112.

Optus B3 152E 12531 V "ERT Sat" has started, Fta, PIDs 1860/1820.Abu Dhabi TV has left.

N-Star A 132E The NTT Satellite promo has moved from 12478 H to 12478 V, Fta ,SR 21096, FEC 3/4, PIDs 776/777.

Koreasat 3 116E The KSB muxes have left 12270 V and 12321 H.

Insat 3A 93.5E 11547 H "ETC Channel Punjabi and ETC" are now Fta.
Insat 3A 93.5E 11547 H "BBC World India" has started, Fta PIDs 706/707.
Insat 3A 93.5E 11630 H "Kairali Channel" has startedFta, PIDs 160/80.
Insat 3A 93.5E 11630 H "SET Max" has left .
Insat 3A 93.5E 11630 H The God Channel has replaced Maa TV, Fta, PIDs 170/114.
Insat 3A 93.5E 11670 HFX Movies has replaced Zee Music PIDs 162/84.Geo Pakistan has started on PIDs 171/102.New PIDs for Arirang TV World 1: 163/86.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3600 H One of the test cards has left .

PAS 10 68.5E 3897 V New PIDs for the occasional NDTV feeds on : 37/38.


NEWS


Satellite Pay-TV Channel Piracy Widespread


From http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=33959&d=21&m=10&y=2003&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

JEDDAH, 21 October 2003 — Housing compounds, hotels and clubs in Saudi Arabia are said to be illegally distributing satellite pay-TV channels.

According to satellite TV broadcasters, managers of housing compounds and hotels pay one subscription and then distribute pay-TV channels illegally to their villas or hotel rooms through their own networks.

“What is happening is essentially the theft of pay-TV signals, which is a copyright infringement,” Maj. Gen. Khaled Al-Soleiman, operations director in the Kingdom for Arabian Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAA), said here earlier this week.

The new anti-piracy law, enacted on June 9, becomes effective Dec. 9. “It sets out different types of violations and includes stiff penalties of up to six months imprisonment and fines of up to SR25,000 for violators,” Al-Soleiman told Arab News.

The director said that those engaged in illegal distribution of pay-TV channels should instead “get a legal license directly from the broadcasters.”

But Scott Butler, CEO of the Dubai-based AAA, said it was for the Ministry of Information to conduct raids and arrest criminals. AAA has stepped up its campaign against piracy in coordination with the MOI and has furnished details of violations so that the ministry can take action. He did not name the violators but said “most housing compounds and hotels” were guilty of piracy.

Another problem for the organization in the Kingdom was the sale and distribution of MultiChoice Africa smart cards. “This is as illegal as the rebroadcast of all channels on the MultiChoice Africa pay-TV platform, including SuperSport,” Frikkie Jonker, MultiChoice Africa’s anti-piracy enforcement expert, said.

“MultiChoice Africa is vigorously pursuing the unauthorized distribution of smart cards because we are obliged to protect our international broadcast licenses, which do not include the Middle East,” he said.


WorldSpace Aims To Turn The Corner In 3 Years


From http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=44474

NEW DELHI: WorldSpace India, a subsidiary of US-incorporated and privately-owned WorldSpace Corporation, is targeting profitability after around three years of full-scale commercial operations. This is expected to be in sync with its global business. But, its profitability may be offset by significant spending towards new satellites.

Although this satellite-based radio service was launched in India in 2000, WorldSpace’s full-scale commercial operations began only in August 2003, according to the company’s consumer audio business head Bharath Chari. Which means that the India operation of WorldSpace will turn profitable sometime in 2006, as per Mr Chari’s claims.

According to industry estimates, a satellite’s longevity is only around seven to 10 years. Since WorldSpace launched the AfroStar satellite in 1999 and AsiaStar in 2000, the company would need to plan investments to the tune of Rs 800 crore (Rs 400 crore for each satellite) almost at the same time that it hopes to turn profitable.

By Mr Chari’s own admission, the biggest component in a satellite-based business is the cost of the satellite per se. “A satellite covers a large geographical area and various countries. So, we are really looking at profitability on a global basis.” The overall profitability is slated for the year 2006, according to him.

Amid talk that WorldSpace has not managed to take off at all in India and that the company may need to do something drastic soon, Mr Chari told eFE: “There is absolutely no question of our shutting down the India operations.”

He added: “India is a key market for WorldSpace, both in the near and long term.”

With around 51,000 receivers sold in the country so far, WorldSpace has 10,000 subscribers for its pay-channels. Currently, there are 14 subscription channels—11 international and three Indian, split into two bouquets. In all, there are 30 plus channels.

Audio subscription, channel leasing, and data delivery to key verticals in education, meteorology and agriculture are the various revenue stream sources for WorldSpace.

There are very few advertisements on the platform. “While we do recognise that advertising is a potent revenue stream, we are approaching it in a manner that does not dilute the overall listening experience,” Mr Chari said.

WorldSpace plans to add more channels now, through partnerships with independent broadcasters.




20/10/03

Has anyone with a big dish had a look at the Japanese Nstar sats at 132 and 136E? on a Japan beam but you never know? they have cband onboard as well 5x72mhz transponders on each. More info here http://www.jsat.net/en/satellite/list.html


From my Emails & ICQ


From George

Some updates

Agila 2 146E 3894 H "one tv" Sr 4480 Fec 3/4 1260-1120,1121-1260-fta

Pas 10 68.5E 3932 V "Pakistan vs Saf Cricket" Sr 6111 Fec3/4 308-256-8190
Pas 10 68.5E 3941 V "pas2-tv1 feed" Sr 6111 Fec 3/4 2160-2120-2160

-george


From Steve Hume

Asiasat 2
APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 1
3705v Sr 5623 Fec 3/4

APTN BANGKOK
APEC PATH 2
3714v Sr 5623 Fec 3/4

Dual Path Feed form APEC 2003

Apec Feed

Asiasat 2 3965 H sr 6110 3/4

Each day, they change the PIDS.
Australian feeds are around 4pm

Asiasat 2 3686v Sr 6111 Fec 3/4 "Asian News Feeds"


Asiasat 2 unknown feed 3769 h Sr 1500 Possibly 7/8
Strong signal, unable to load? Might be worth a look. Listed on Lyngsat as "feed"

NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From Chris Pickstock

B1, 12357 V

Having seen the signal for the last few days at 12357 V, sr 7000, I thought I would check 12348 V, sr 7000 which has had a data signal for months. Surprise, surprise, it was not there when I checked 10 mins ago. So perhaps it has just done a frequency shift. It might therefore be worth checking 12348 V for feeds.

I also checked 12322V, sr 8000, and that data signal is still there.

Chris


From the Dish


N-Star B 136E The NTT Satellite promo has left 12478 H, moved to N-Star C. Occasional feeds on 12536 H, SR 4444, FEC 3/4.

N-Star A 132E 12478 H An NTT Satellite promo has started, Fta, SR 21096, FEC 3/4,PIDs 776/777.

Palapa C2 113E "SCTV" has left 4048 V, moved to 3726 V.
Palapa C2 113E 4080 H "FeMale Radio" has started fta, SID 1, APID 662.Delta FM has left.

Telkom 1 108E Updates in TekomVision:Radio Sonora FM has left 3580 H. I-Radio has left 3500 H.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3640 H Radio Vaticana has started , Fta, SID 2, APID 516.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H New VPIDs for several channels in the RR Sat mux .

Insat 3C 74E 4165 H "Agriculture TV" has started testing, Fta, PIDs 513/514.


NEWS


Editorial: Digital route too risky for TVNZ


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

It is folly to doubt that digital television is the way of the future. Quite simply, its advantages, such as sharper pictures, clearer sound and extra channels, place it streets ahead of conventional analogue TV. Yet, as the Weekend Herald reported, the initial steps towards digital television in this country have been nothing more than shuffles. The latest initiative has been Television New Zealand's offer of snatches of the World Cup. Yet this appears an exercise in utilising satellite capacity bought for an earlier, aborted foray into digital pay television, not the cusp of a revolution. Hesitation remains the name of the game, and with some cause. Reason enough, in fact, for the Government to re-examine what, if any, role TVNZ should play in digital television.

The previous National administration was wary of the expense of introducing the technology. The cost, put at between $200 million and $300 million, was one of its reasons for advocating the sale of TVNZ. Subsequent experience in Australia suggests this alarm was not misplaced. Australian free-to-air broadcasters have spent more than A$1 billion ($1.16 billion) upgrading their equipment and production suites to deliver digital TV. At the same time, they have carried the commercial risk of a world of many channels and fragmenting audiences.

There is perhaps even more reason for the present Government to give digital TV a wide berth. Essentially, its demand for TVNZ to fulfil the role of a public broadcaster, complete with a charter, is inimical to a highly competitive and commercially driven digital environment. Saddled with charter imperatives, it is easy to see TVNZ suffering declining audiences, diminishing advertising revenue and added programme costs - after spending many millions of dollars on digital technology.

The logical answer is for TVNZ to eschew mainstream digital TV and to meet its public service and charter obligations via a channel (on someone else's system) that would attract a small but appreciative audience. In essence, it would become the local equivalent of Australia's SBS service. The conundrums, and major risks, associated with digital TV would be left to private broadcasters.

If TVNZ were to take this path, there are other potential advantages. Sky, for example, might feel less threatened by the opening up of its set-top box monopoly, probably the easiest path to digital TV. Public broadcasting-style programmes would offer no ratings challenge to Sky's own line-up. At the moment, it is clearly not in the private operator's interest to contemplate open access. Neither is there any reason this should be imposed by legislation, as has been the case in some countries. Sky has built its business from the ground up and has a clear first-mover advantage and an obvious desire to safeguard that from rivals as long as possible. Heavy-handed regulation should not deprive it of the fruit of its endeavours.

One other aspect of the digital revolution need not worry the Government. In a world of global communications, it would be foolish to see the national ownership ensured by a terrestrial network as relevant. Xenophobia should not rule out the cheaper option of receiving signals via a foreign-owned satellite. Recently, however, the Broadcasting Minister has commented on the "relatively modest" cost of establishing a terrestrial network. If that is the Government's preference, it can be based only on the dubious grounds of protecting its transmission business, Broadcast Communications Ltd.

TVNZ expects that feasibility studies for digital TV will take another 18 months. That is time enough for the Government to rethink the implications of its refocusing of the state broadcaster. In Canada and Australia, public broadcasters have struggled to compete and survive in the digital world. TVNZ should not drive down that path.


ISRO announces 40 rocket launches in five years


From http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=240884

MUMBAI: The Indian space programme is poised for a giant leap ahead during the next five years. Chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Madhavan Nair has announced that 40 rocket launches will place remote-sensing satellites in space by 2008.

With these 40 launches, ISRO will accomplish in a span of five years what it had hitherto taken over 25 years to achieve. Mr Nair said the 40 missions will include a flight to the moon in 2008.

In an interview to TNN after the successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on Friday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the ebullient ISRO chief said: “This was one of the best flights in recent times despite the inclement weather.’’

He said the 1,360 kilogram Resourcesat-1 satellite, which was placed in orbit by the PSLV, was performing satisfactorily and would be declared operational in a week. Resourcesat-1 is the most advanced remote-sensing satellite built by ISRO and is the tenth in the remote-sensing series. It has three cameras and its main functions concern agriculture and disaster management.

Outlining some future projects, Mr Nair said that the following year promised to be a busy one for ISRO. The first space mission of the year will be in May-June 2004, when the indigenous Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) will place the Edusat satellite in orbit.

As the name suggests, this will cover the educational field. With this flight, GSLV will be declared formally operational. Earlier GSLV trial flights on April 18, 2002, and May 8, 2003, respectively had been declared successful.

Mr Nair added that during the latter half of 2004 PSLV will launch Cartosat-1, a remote-sensing satellite that will be used for terrain-mapping. This satellite, which is currently under development, will be equipped with highresolution cameras.

Around the same time several thousand miles away from Sriharikota, in the European spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana, the Ariane-5 rocket will launch India’s Insat-4a communication satellite in orbit.

Mr Nair said the Cartosat-1 flight will be followed by an advanced version of the satellite called Cartosat-2, by the end of 2004. In 2006, ISRO will launch the Risat-1 satellite which will carry sophisticated radars, scanners and other scientific instruments. Risat-1, which will have a 10-year mission, will carry out studies in the areas of agriculture and disaster management.

The cost of building this hi-tech satellite is estimated to be Rs 350 crore.

With these 40 launches, ISRO will accomplish in a span of five years what it has hitherto taken over 25 years to achieve


Sahara Samay launched in MP, Chhattisgarh


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=240410

INDORE: The news channel ‘Sahara Samay' has launched the regional news bulletin ‘Sahara Samay Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh' to provide local news in an international packaging.

The channel has separate news bulletins for five cities to cover instant, in-depth and exhaustive news coverage, a release issued by the channel said.

The free-to-air and digital satellite Hindi news channel will give the viewers of the state complete local news and events with regular updates, it said.

Sahara India Television Network president Satish Menon and vice-president and head Sahara Samay News Channel, Prabhat Dabral, were present when the regional bulletin was launched on Friday, the release added.


T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 40/2003 19 October 2003 -

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


ABU COMMITS TO DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), which represents 101 organizations in 52 territories, has adopted a resolution to promote the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting in the region. The resolution was adopted at the 40th General Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey, which ended on October 11. It calls for cooperation with the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) on sharing information on both technology and content. At present, digital terrestrial broadcasts are available in Australia, South Korea and Singapore. Japan is set to begin digital terrestrial broadcasts on December 1, and China is conducting experimental HD broadcasts throughout the country.

AUSTRALIA

MINISTER TO PUSH ON WITH MEDIA BILL

Australia's newly appointed communications minister, Daryl Williams, on October 17 reaffirmed the coalition government's intention of dismantling media ownership limits. Williams said local media companies need to be able to grow if they are to maintain quality product and remain competitive on the world stage. However, Williams conceded that the extent and pace of the government's plan to loosen media ownership laws depends on the Senate, where the Liberal-National government lacks a majority and requires four extra votes to pass legislation. The Senate rejected the legislation for the first time in June after the government stripped out an amendment that would have banned media proprietors from owning a television station and a newspaper in a mainland capital city. Williams has said the media legislation will be reintroduced into parliament but isn't likely to be debated until early next year. Under current rules, newspaper, radio and television companies in the same Australian city are limited to holding 15% stakes in each other. Foreign companies are restricted from controlling more than 15% of an Australian television company, and 25% of a newspaper.

CHINA HONG KONG

HK TV STATIONS STRUGGLE TO BROADCAST IN CABLE

Hong Kong’s two terrestrial stations are forecasting a windfall from the right to have their signals retransmitted on cable stations in southern China. Television Broadcasts (TVB) and Asia Television (ATV) are each said to be close to revealing terms under which they are carried on cable TV systems serving Guangdong Province that shares a southern border with Hong Kong. Both channels have been extensively viewed in Guangdong for more than 15 years under what is known as accidental overspill of terrestrial signals. But in that time, Chinese cable TV operators have taken advantage of the popularity of Hong Kong-made programming and carried TVB and ATV on their systems while stripping out the original advertising in favour of locally-generated advertising which allows them to retain all proceeds. Under the terms of conditions negotiated with the cable operators and the provincial broadcasting authorities, ATV and TVB will get the first 20 per cent of advertising revenue with the rest going to the operator.

INDIA

REVENUES UP AT ZEE

Pay-TV operator Zee Telefilms had revenues of Rs3.2 billion ($71 million) in the three months to September 30, up from Rs2.7 billion a year before. Net profits rose from Rs545 million to Rs700 million, although Zee pointed out that this year's results consolidate Padmalaya Telefilms for the first time.

HISTORY CHANNEL TO LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER

The History Channel is set to make its entry to the Indian market on November 23. A&E Television Networks Senior VP international Maria D Komodikis confirmed the move at programming trade show MIPCOM in Cannes. Besides India, the History Channel is scheduled for a December launch in New Zealand, following deals between AETN International, Fox International and Foxtel for their respective territories. The History Channel parent company, A&E Television Networks, a joint venture of the Hearst Corporation, ABC Inc. and NBC, has earmarked News Corp’s Star India for distribution of its History Channel in the Indian sub-continent. The network will reach a total of 15 million subscribers via cable affiliates in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

ISRAEL

PLAYBOY TV RE-LAUNCHES

Play TV, the Tel Aviv based licensee of Playboy TV International (PTVI), the leading global provider of high-quality, erotic adult entertainment programming, has received government permission to re-launch Playboy TV in Israel as the country's only adult entertainment provider. The highly demanded Playboy branded programming returned to the Israel pay-TV market with welcome anticipation. Playboy TV re-launched with immediate carriage on the DTH platform YES and cable systems Tevel, Matav, and Golden Channels. Available to approximately one million households, Playboy TV airs nightly from 22:00-04:00 and is offered as a subscription and pay-per-night premium service. Playboy TV International, wholly owned by Playboy Entertainment Group (PEGI), a division of Playboy Enterprises, develops and operates quality adult entertainment television networks worldwide under the Playboy TV and Spice brands. PTVI has full ownership of the Playboy network, The Adult Channel, and Spice in the United Kingdom and Europe as well as an equity interest in Playboy TV Japan, Channel Ruby and Playboy TV Latin America & Iberia. Under strategic alliances with leading international partners, PTVI operates branded networks in France, Greece, Hong Kong, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Scandinavia, Taiwan, and Turkey.

MALAYSIA

ASTRO RAISES RESOURCES FROM IPO

Malaysian DTH TV operator Astro has raised M$2 billion (US$526.3 million) from its initial public offering on the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange. Astro, the country’s sole pay-TV operator in a country of 3.4 million TV homes, has just over one million subscribers at last count.

NEW ZEALAND

SKY TV EXTENDS SATELLITE DEAL

Pay-TV operator Sky Network Television said on October 13 it has extended its current satellite deal for another 15 years at a better price than the current deal. Sky's current deal for satellite capacity from Optus Networks expires at the end of 2006. "The new 15-year contract provides satellite capacity for Sky's digital platform for the foreseeable future as well as providing opportunities for further growth in Sky's services," said Sky in a statement to the New Zealand Exchange. "While the commercial terms remain confidential, the new contract will provide Sky with a more secure service at a better price, when compared to the current Optus/Sky contract." That growth may come under full ownership by Independent Newspapers. INL, which holds 66.2% of Sky TV, plans to open its offer for the remainder of the network on October 24.

TVNZ REPORTS HIGHER PROFITS

A buoyant economy and unprecedented advertising revenue have helped Television New Zealand to post a profit 50% bigger than last year. The pubcaster reported on October 15 a net surplus after tax of NZ$29.1 million ($17.5 million) for the 12 months ending June - NZ$9.7 million ($5.8 million) more than in 2001/2002. Ad revenue was up NZ$9 million ($5.4 million) on 2000's record of NZ$296 million ($177.6 million), enabling TVNZ's television business to contribute NZ$17.9 million ($10.7 million) to the group's operating surplus before tax of NZ$43.7 million ($26.2 million). The transmission side of the business operated by Broadcast Communication generated earnings of NZ$11.2 million on revenue of NZ$114.9 million. The broadcasting operations, to be called Transmission Holdings, will be a state-owned enterprise and, in conjunction with TVNZ Australia, will continue to shift from providing analogue services to rolling out a broadband wireless service.

PAKISTAN

PEMRA ANNOUNCES TARIFFS FOR SATELLITE CHANNELS

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on October 13 announced revised tariff for Cable Operators for distribution of satellite TV channels. The tariff was finalised by PEMRA after exhaustive deliberations and in depth analysis of the available data to arrive at an equitable and just tariff rate for channel holders and cable TV operators. The tariff ceiling for a foreign satellite channel has been fixed as Rs.1 per channel per subscriber per month, while the tariff ceiling for foreign sports satellite channel will be Rs.2 per subscriber per month. With a view to encourage the Pakistani channels, the tariff ceiling for encrypted Pakistani Satellite TV channels has also been fixed at Rs.2. The PEMRA clarified that the need to fix a higher ceiling for Pakistani satellite channels as compared with foreign satellite channels arises since the Pakistani channels carry Pakistani content and therefore deserve a larger share in the revenue. Moreover, the Pakistani channels cover a smaller market and therefore need incentives to keep operating. With a view to curb piracy and to ensure that the distributors get paid on the basis of the actual number of subscriber PEMRA would give details to all its licensees to the licensed distributors. The full text of the tariff determination is available on the PEMRA website http://www.pemra.gov.pk

SINGAPORE

HOTELS IN TROUBLE WITH PAY-TV OPERATORS

Singapore hotels Meritus Mandarin Singapore, Le Meridien and River View are said to have infringed copyright rules, because they have been showing their guests programmes from such international channels as Hallmark, Star Sports and China's CCTV without paying. They thought a nod from the regulator, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), which started handing out satellite TV licences in June, would be enough. An MDA spokesman said hotels should still 'ensure that there is no infringement of copyright in any programme received' and advised them to contact content providers directly or through their satellite equipment dealers. Content providers made it plain that the programmes are not free, although they are unencrypted and can be received easily by satellite or are, as the industry says, 'free-to-air'. According to Jannie Poon, Hong Kong Star Group's vice-president for corporate affairs: “consent is still needed from the programme maker - otherwise it is a copyright infringement.”

SOUTH KOREA

KOREA STICKS TO ASTC

South Korea launched its pilot terrestrial digital TV broadcasting services in 2001 and is now preparing to launch its digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) service. Broadcasters, however, have become entangled in a row with government authorities over the effectiveness of the standards for digital TV broadcast transmission and digital video and audio data compression technologies that the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) chose years ago. South Korea was one of the first countries to choose the U.S. Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard for its digital terrestrial broadcasting, adopting it for high definition (HD) TV transmission in 1997. After a series of field tests between 1999 and 2000, which turned out to be unsatisfactory, local terrestrial broadcasters began expressing their preference for the European Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard despite a staunch pro-ATSC lobby within the government. Backers of the European DVB-T, including terrestrial broadcasters, broadcast technology experts and non-governmental organizations, claim the format is superior to the U.S. ATSC standard as it supports mobile and portable devices. Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. (MBC), one of the country’s major terrestrial broadcasters, conducted comparative trials of DVB-T and ATSC systems in the autumn of 2001, with results convincingly in favour of DVB-T. Following the MIC’s decision to adopt the U.S. ATSC system, digital TV sets and set-top boxes based on the ATSC system were distributed throughout the country. The government asserts that if the country shifts its digital TV broadcast transmission technology to the European format, both the direct and indirect financial losses would amount to 22.2 trillion won. The ministry also claims that considering digital TV and digital set-top box exports to the U.S., the world’s single largest electronics market, it would be advantageous for the country to adopt the U.S. ATSC standard as LG Electronics’ U.S. affiliate Zenith owns the core technologies. In contrast, advocators of the European DVB-T standard assert that the country should first consider user convenience, and when looking into the long-term, the costs for altering the television broadcasting transmission standard is not that great at all. They said the European market has more potential than the U.S. when considering the country’s digital TV broadcasting-related exports.

THAILAND

NEW CHANNEL LAUNCHES FOR APEC MEETING

Thai Prime Minister and former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinatwatra has launched a 24-hour bilingual television news channel to cover the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok. Prime Minister Thaksin says the APEC channel will provide 24-hour news coverage from Tuesday, October 14, until after the summit on October 22, when it will be taken off the air. Twenty-one heads of state are expected to attend next week's Asia-Pacific economic meeting in Bangkok, including U.S. President George W. Bush and the leaders of Russia, China and Japan. The APEC news channel is broadcasting in Thai and English.




19/10/03

Sunday no update of course




18/10/03

Mystery signal on B1 12358 V Sr 7000 Fec 7/8 could be data? similar signal on 12320 V which has been there for ages, it might be that the 12320v stuff is moving here?


From my Emails & ICQ


From Me

B1 12398 V Sr 9338 Fec 3/4 "Aus vs Romania Rugby feed"
as at 4.38 P.M NZ, nice 11.6mbitt video quality


From the Dish


Optus C1 156E 12367 V "HRT Satelitski Program" has replaced HRT 1, Fta, PIDs 1960/1920.

Insat 3A 93.5E Maa TV has replaced Arirang TV World 1 on 11630 H, Conax, PIDs 170/114.

ST 1 88E 12642 H "TTV, FTV Entertainment, CTS, CTV and PTS" have started on , Fta, SR 24000, PIDs 33/36, 1163/1131, 1164/1141, 4130/4131 and 4194/4195.

Thaicom 3 78.5E New SR, line-up and PIDs for the TARBS World TV mux on 3640 H, now Fta: 13020, MBC Europe, TelePace, Nile News and Nile Culture, PIDs 258/259, 514/515, 769/770 and 785/786.

Apstar 2R 76.5E 12288 H New PIDs for Macau Jockey Club on : 1110/1213.

PAS 10 68.5E 4115 V "ESPN Singapore" has started , BISS, SR 7441, FEC 7/8, PIDs 308/256.


NEWS


Visions of our viewing future


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Caption1: PILGRIMAGE: Satlink's Peter Escher (right) travelled to Sri Lanka to meet the inspiration for his satellite venture, acclaimed sci-fi novelist Arthur C. Clarke.

It was science fiction that got Peter Escher interested in satellites. Tales of communication from the heavens, of pictures, sounds and data flying around the globe via hunks of metal that float in geo-stationary orbit with the Earth.

They were the stories of the futurist and novelist Arthur C. Clarke who Escher trekked all the way to Sri Lanka to visit a few years ago. A digital pilgrimage of sorts.

The owner of Auckland satellite installer, Satlink, Escher has been run off his feet lately.

"I've been installing heaps of digital satellite gear in pubs and clubs," he says. Some 400 digital set-top boxes in the last month in fact.

That's because Satlink's core market - TV viewers getting into satellite to pick up foreign language TV channels and crystal clear TV One and 2 signals beamed over New Zealand - has been supplemented by a keen group of rugby fans.

Last Friday many of them switched their TV set-top boxes to an additional, free TVNZ digital satellite channel offering replays of the World Cup opener between Australia and Argentina.

It's a less-than-spectacular development given that only about 6000 homes have the set-top boxes required to receive TVNZ's digital satellite signals, and that this third, temporary channel is just a simulcast of TV One's World Cup schedule padded-out with added replays and highlights. Hardly the dawning of a new era in TV.

But for those eagerly awaiting digital TV and advocates of satellite as a means of delivering it, the channel's arrival was a landmark. A satellite channel that you didn't need a Sky TV decoder and subscription to access.

"It's the beginning, hopefully, of seeing New Zealand doing free-to-air digital TV via satellite instead of mucking around with terrestrial feeds," enthuses Escher.

In our belated move towards free-to-air digital TV, a debate has been resurrected. How do we make the technological change? Do we go digital terrestrial, upgrading the analogue transmission towers that scatter the countryside, or opt for a digital satellite service? Either way, Kiwi families are going to have to shell out for new digital set-top boxes, aerials or satellite dishes, at a collective cost to consumers that some in the industry have put at up to $1 billion.

So why do it? There are four key reasons: sharper pictures, especially for content in high definition, clearer sound, widescreen DVD-style formatting of programmes and extra channels, some of them with interactive features such as TV-shopping or internet access.

Satellite (used by Sky's digital network and the TVNZ rugby trial) has the advantage of instant universal coverage but an often lower-quality feed and the requirement for a satellite dish at each home. Digital terrestrial television is the more likely, but also the more expensive option according to Bob Cooper, the owner of small pay TV network Far North Cable and an expert on satellite technology.

A terrestrial network would offer the security of national ownership not available if the country relied on receiving its signals via foreign-owned satellites - a major psychological factor in the technology debate.

But Cooper is a strong advocate of taking the satellite path, a stance that has not won him many friends in the Government.

He sees digital free-to-air satellite and the opening up of Sky's set-top box monopoly as the true path to digital TV, and one which will see New Zealand avoid the expensive mistakes of other countries.

Digital terrestrial by nature, says Cooper, will require a greater density of equipment than exists to run the country's analogue broadcasting infrastructure.

"Digital doesn't fill in as well behind hills and tall buildings. The United Kingdom experience has been that where they had one analogue transmitter before, when they finish they'll have four digital transmitters."

In 2001, TV3 estimated the cost of upgrading to digital terrestrial at just $14 million. Cost is a point the Government is quick to point out in considering the terrestrial option. Other industry sources suggest that it is below $20 million.

"Capital investment required for existing broadcasters to establish [digital terrestrial television] would be relatively modest, as much of the existing distribution system is already digital capable," said Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey last month.

Cooper says the figures bandied about are too low and has his own theory for the Government's interest in digital terrestrial. With a large investment in its transmission business Broadcast Communications Ltd, the Government wants to ensure it has an ongoing stake in the move to digital, he says.

"One way to do that is to force digital terrestrial. That way BCL, which owns these 920 transmitters, gets to go out and buy 920 new ones and maintain them all. That gives BCL a new commercial lease on life."

In public anyway, the Government is keeping its options open and will leave the choice of delivering digital TV to the industry through a working group it is setting up.

It has reserved two nationwide sets of spectrum licences suitable for digital terrestrial TV in the UHF bands - sufficient spectrum for up to 10 or more programmes for simulcasting existing analogue television services in digital format.

If there is sufficient demand, digital spectrum licences will be auctioned off.

Ironically, the rugby channel experiment is only possible because TVNZ is utilising expensive capacity on the Optus B1 satellite it bought for an earlier foray into digital pay television, a venture vetoed by the Government in 2001.

While the Government then opposed the state broadcaster moving into a pay environment that would have seen it competing for subscribers with Sky, today it acknowledges that moving the country's free-to-air platform from analogue to a technically superior digital system is essential. Whether we go satellite or terrestrial, or a mix of both, the real test of whether digital TV will be a success is at the consumer end. Will they invest in the digital set-top boxes and high-definition TV sets needed to received digital signals?

Here observers point out the main stumbling block. Around 540,000 subscribers, 78 per cent of them digital satellite customers, the rest UHF antenna users, pay to receive Sky, which offers free-to-air programming from TVNZ, CanWest and Prime, but requires a monthly subscription starting at around $21. Investing in another device for alternative programming is an unattractive option.

"Sky has chosen to encrypt the signal so that people are forced to use their box. They've shifted the expense of providing the channels from the broadcaster to the viewer. That may make good business but it makes lousy politics," says Cooper.

"The Government should step in and insist the existing free to air analogue channels be available through Sky as free-to-air digital," he said.

Sky chief executive John Fellet does not buy the argument for one set-top box and says Sky's box is relatively open already. With multiple mediums emerging for digital TV - over ADSL phone lines, 3G phones, video over power lines and terrestrial digital - a universal box was unrealistic.

"Our philosophy is that there are going to be all sorts of ways into the home and we want to be on all those sources. There's no-one in the New Zealand market who has failed to get on to Sky's box. We see ourselves as aggregators of content as opposed to a network."

Yes, but at a price. And there's the rub. The argument about opening up Sky's set-top boxes for true free-to-air TV runs like the row over unbundling Telecom's copper phone line network to TelstraClear and other competitors.

The big difference is - Telecom had decades of public investment in the network it inherited upon privatisation in 1990. Sky has built its business from the ground up and has only just become profitable - posting a $671,000 profit in the year to June.

Experience across the Tasman has shown the delay in getting our digital act together may have done us good in the long run. The Australian free-to-air broadcasters have spent more than A$1 billion upgrading their equipment and production suites to deliver digital TV. And the sum result of that is a digital TV user base of 145,000.

The digital TV move has been driven by Government demands designed to hurry up broadcasters make the switch.

But two and a half years down the track, Australia's six million TV watching households have shunned digital.

But Tim O'Keefe, spokesman for industry body Digital Broadcasting Australia, says the comparison is unfair.

A more accurate comparison, according to O'Keefe, is with consumer entertainment devices such as DVD players, now dirt cheap and in many New Zealand homes.

While pay TV penetration in Australia has stalled at around 22 per cent, O'Keefe maintains free to air digital TV via both satellite and terrestrial transmitters, has the potential to become much more pervasive. Politics is holding back its development, he says.

"At the moment the broadcasters have one hand tied behind their backs. The legislation in effect is there to protect the pay TV operators."

That's because commercial networks are not allowed to "multichannel" - send out content simultaneously on several digital channels in a fashion mirroring the services of the pay TV operators Foxtel and Austar. Public broadcasters the ABC and SBS can multichannel but they can't afford to do it on a large scale.

"My catch-cry is that we need some flexibility for the commercial broadcasters and some funding for the national broadcasters," says O'Keefe.

TVNZ's business development manager Marty Behrens says he expects it to take a further 18 months to narrow down the options and carry out initial feasibility studies for New Zealand.

Behrens says the European experience is that it typically takes four to six years to get the bulk of a terrestrial network up and running.

For Satlink, which is one of the larger independent satellite installers, the time is now, with nothing but politics stopping the advent of digital TV. Competition, says Escher, would change everything.

"If Foxtel or Austar were to drop a beam over New Zealand it could really challenge Sky.

"And if 20,000 to 30,000 wanted digital set-top boxes off me, I could still be happy making a reasonable profit selling them for around $200 each."


EBU Renews Long-term Leases on AsiaSat 2


From Satellite today

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has renewed long-term lease agreements with Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) to use C-band capacity on AsiaSat 2. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The EBU uses the AsiaSat 2 capacity to transmit regular and ad hoc live video contribution feeds for its members and customers between Asia, Australasia and Europe through its Eurovision Network. This network carries sports events such as the Olympic Games, European national and international soccer and world news feeds.


DWelle out to up viewership in Islamic countries


From Indiantelevision.com

MUMBAI: "We want to bridge the gap between the Islamic world and the West by reaching out to the countries with a seizable Muslim population, and providing them with an European perspective," says channel Deutsche Welle's (DW) head of distribution (Asia/Australia) Angelika Newel.

Newel's words put the German news and documentary channel's objectives into perspective.

DW's came to India in 1997 when, according to Newel, "there were hardly any digital decoders in the country". The channel tied up with any willing cable network, and provided them with Grundig digital decoders from Germany.

Today, DW has tie-ups with nearly 220 cable networks here and is available in around 8.7 million households, Newel says.

However, as far as eyeballs are concerned DW has a negligible viewership. Till date, DW faces major problems due to lack of proper distribution strategy - it is available in areas like Bihar and the northeast where even English channels don't do too well.

But, Newel says there has been a re-alignment in the company strategy now, and the channel is targeting pockets of viewers which consist of "Germans tourists, IT professionals, intelligentsia and students".

Says Newel, "We have a single signal across the globe and hence the commercial prospects of the channel are pretty dim. Nevertheless, we have some localisation of programming for areas such as Afghanistan where we telecast two hours of news in the local languages - Pushtu and Dari." These news capsules are presented by a local news anchors.

Newel states that the German government is actively involved in rebuilding Afghanistan. "We also have a special capsule in Arabic for the Middle East and north Africa."

Asked whether something similar was on the cards for India, Newel chose to remain neutral saying, "It all depended on the availability of funds."

Even though DW entered India in '97, the link between Indian and German television dates back to the mid-sixties when a lot of content from Transtel (now closely associated with DW) was shown on Doordarshan.


Press Statement by Indian Minister of Space (State) on PSLV-C5 Launch


From http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12807

Press Statement by Mr Satya Brata Mookherjee, Minister of State (Space) on the launch of RESOURCESAT-1 by PSLV-C5 on October 17, 2003

I am very happy to announce that today, we have launched our most sophisticated remote sensing satellite, RESOURCESAT 1, using our own satellite launch vehicle, PSLV-C5.

The successful launch today, the seventh in a row, unequivocally demonstrates the reliability of PSLV as a workhorse launch vehicle for launching our remote sensing satellites. PSLV has also proved its versatility having launched multiple satellites on earlier occasions as well as by launching an exclusive meteorological satellite, KALPANA-1, into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. This vehicle is also proposed to be used for our first mission to moon, Chandrayan-1. I am sure that PSLV, with its reliability well proven, will attract more and more international customers while meeting our own requirements for launching our future remote sensing satellites.

RESOURCESAT-1 reiterates our commitment to continue the remote sensing services to the national and the international users. RESOURCESAT-1 will not only continue the services that are now being rendered by IRS-1C and IRS-1D, but also, it will provide imageries with much better spatial resolution and in additional spectral bands. Thus, once commissioned, RESOURCESAT-1 will vastly enhance the remote sensing applications, especially, in the fields of agriculture, disaster management, land and water resources, etc.

More satellites for remote sensing applications are in the pipeline. CARTOSAT-1 with a high resolution camera for mapping applications is planned for launch in the coming year, which will be followed by an even more advanced version, CARTOSAT-2. Our government has also approved the development of a Radar Imaging Satellite, RISAT-1, which will have the capability to take imageries even under cloudy conditions as well as during day and night.




17/10/03

Not much for today


From my Emails & ICQ


From Dave Nollan

Unknown Bird

Dear Mr Sutton,


I have found a C band satellite parked a quarter degree, 94.75E, to the west of NSS6 at 95E.
There are 6 Transponders visible on my Signal Analyser with 4 of them carrying data. This is with a 2.3m dish.
CNR ranges from 15 down to 8, here, in the NT.
The frequencies are 4100V; 3960V; 3900V; 3780V; 3745V and 3880H.
Would any of your readers, with a good look view, be able to verify this please?


Yours Sincerely,
David Nolan.
Katherine. NT. Australia.


(Craigs comment, hmm anyone have any ideas??? or is it a sidelobe of another satellite nearby?)


From Steve Hume

Asiasat 2

Looks like EBU News feed from Iran 3965 H s/r 6110 Fec 3/4 vid: 308 aud 256 pcr 8190


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 3900 H "MGM" has left , replaced by a test card, Fta.

Koreasat 3 116E Movie Plus, SBS Drama + and Weather News Korea have left 12550 V, replaced by test cards, Fta.

NSS 6 95.5E 11543 V New PIDs for Free-XTV on : 529/531. (No its not beamed at Australia)

Insat 3A 93.5E 11630 H TMG tests, Vissa and Sadhana TV have replaced MTV India, Nickelodeon India and Aastha TV on , clear, PIDs 160/80, 161/81 and 168/108.

(P Piotrowski)

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3545 V New PIDs for the Care TV promo on : 305/306.

Insat 3E 52E Insat 3E is now geostationary at 52 East. (very very low even for those in W.A! worth a try if you have clear line of site)


NEWS


Cult stops viewers from seeing mission


From http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/17/content_272769.htm

Falun Gong cult followers stopped Chinese viewers from watching broadcasts of China's first manned space mission when they blocked Sino Satellite, a Chinese TV satellite.

The cult members illegally transmitted signals from 6 pm to 7:45 pm on Wednesday, while many people were trying to watch the space flight programmes, the Ministry of Information Industry said yesterday.

The blocking signals sent by cult activists interfered with the broadcasting of the Shenzhou V flight and other regular programmes of China Central Television (CCTV) and some local TV stations, said the State monitoring centre of wireless communications under the ministry.

The authorities took decisive measures to foil the cult's plot to prevent the Chinese people from watching the space flight programme, said the Ministry of Information Industry.

The illegal signals originated in Taiwan Province, said the ministry.



(Craigs comment, I expected something like this to happen I even mentioned it on the mailing list!)


Chinese presence increases at SCaT trade show


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct144.htm

MUMBAI: The Chinese influx continues.

At the annual three-day SCaT (Satellite and Cable TV) 2003 trade show that began at the World Trade Center, Mumbai, on Wednesday, the number of stalls taken up by Chinese hardware manufacturers has gone up from eight last year to 12 this time.

Last year was the first time the trade show, that sees a variety of Western and domestic cable and allied hardware
suppliers displaying their latest wares, saw an entry of the Chinese.

With the USP of low prices and average quality, Chinese goods have long been swamping the Indian retail market - now it seems to have extended to the fibre optic market as well.

At the trade show, buyers seem to have taken to the Chinese goods, which are available at nearly 30 per cent of the cost of their Western counterparts.

"They are offering value for money at the prices they offer - a potent combination," says Dinyar Contractor, organiser of the show.

It is the Chinese goods which are triggering massive growth in the sector in India, enabling fibre optic penetration to the smallest of towns - as an entire fibre optic network, complete with transmitters et al can be set up at just Rs 100,000 with Chinese brands, Contractor says. Fibre optic cable available at Rs eight per metre has been instrumental in helping revolutionise the cable scenario in the country in the last couple of years, says Contractor.

Overall, the show in its second day today, has been attracting a fair number of visitors from all over the country - the major attractions being the fibre optics and the digital receivers on display.

Also present at the show are regular broadcasters Sahara, Deutsche Welle and Sanskar TV.

CAS (conditional access system) that turned out to be a non-starter does not seem to have dampened the spirits at the show. Addressability hardware makers too were in full force, with the hope and prayer that conditional access will make its appearance in India sooner than later.


'Social channel' Ahimsaa launched


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct139.htm

MUMBAI: Electronic media company ATN International has launched its 'social channel' Ahimsaa on October 2.

The bi-lingual channel has received support from major cable operators in Kolkata, Delhi, Gaziabad, Indore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Surat and many other parts of India. The channel telecasts shows and talks on religious, social and legal issues in Hindi as well as English.

Ahimsaa is uplinked from India through VSNL. After a long wait, ATN received uplinking permission for the channel from the Information and Broadcasting ministry on 28 September.

Ahimsaa addresses issues like women empowerment, child education and career counselling besides shows on life style, health, cratoons and mythological serials. The channel telecasts programmes on all religions - and has representatives of different religions participating in group discussions on various issues.

Ahimsaa is promoted by Kolkata-based Santosh Kumar Jain, who besides being a partner in Aastha Television and CMM Music has also launched ATN World and ATN Bangla in West Bengal. It is being backed by The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, headquartered in Mount Abu, India.

ATN director Sonal Jain had earlier said in an interview to a newspaper that the channel was named 'Ahimsaa' as it would be launched "on the birthday of Gandhiji (2 October), the greatest proponent of non-violence".


NDS Ramps Up India R&D Centre, Sees Opportunity In CAS


From http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=44208

MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp-owned NDS Ltd has doubled the number of employees in Bangalore to 100 over the last one year, making it the company’s third largest research and development centre.

While in Israel the company has a research team of 400, in UK there are 250 employees.

The Bangalore centre is ahead of both the centre which has a team of 15 and the China centre with 10 people.

“There is scope to further increase staff-strength in Bangalore. The time utilisation in this centre is 100 per cent, the best across NDS sites,” said James Field, director solutions, NDS Asia Pacific.

The research team works for NDS’s global products involving domain areas of embedded systems, interactive TV applications, and the upcoming version of the company’s core Java-based middleware and Java electronic programme guide (EPG).

NDS is a leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV.

The Bangalore facility, which was earlier exclusively a research pool for NDS, has also moved into delivery support. This follows the government’s decision to implement conditional access system (CAS) in the country, which NDS sees as a major market.

NDS is working with Hathway Cable & Datacom to provide CAS solutions.

NDS, Mr Field said, is in talks with Space TV, the outfit through which Mr Murdoch wants to foray into direct-to-home (DTH) TV in India. He, however, declined to reveal further details.

For the DTH venture, STAR is reportedly in advanced talks with the Tata Group for holding 80 per cent stake. NDS technologies are believed to be the natural choice for the DTH venture.

“We provide technology solutions for the two largest DTH providers in the world. In the Asian region, SkyLife in Korea also uses our technologies. Since its launch in March 2002, the DTH provider has grown its subscribers to 800,000 and expects to touch one million soon. We are also eyeing the DTH market in India,” said Mr Field.

In the Asia Pacific region, NDS has two million subscribers using its conditional access systems. Globally, it has 35 million active pay-TV smart cards.

The company spends 25 per cent of its turnover on research and development, Mr Field said, adding that the CAS business has grown since last year as globally there has been a movement from analogue to digital systems




16/10/03

HRT on C1 FTA? I have not had it confirmed as yet but one person has said to me the HRT channel will become a fully FTA channel rather than a Pay service as it is now. ERT greek channel is back on B3.

Cricket NZ vs India is on via Pas 10 DD National and DD Sports also Insat 2E

Did anyone catch the RWC feed on B1 last night WOW talk about QUALITY 11.6 mbitts according to my Nokia. The nicest pic I have ever seen on my tv!


From my Emails & ICQ


From TNC

ERT back on B3...

Reloaded receiver for B3,

Loaded 5 TV channels (12531V, s/r 15000), 85cm offset - dual LNB focused on B1 - 91% qual (B3).

1/ ERT - Greek (FTA)
2/ TGN - Thai (FTA)
3/ Sigaram - Indian/Sri Lankan (Pay TV?)
4/ FR2 - French (Pay TV?)
5/ Adhoc (FTA - nothing playing)

Cheers,
Bryan.


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 3860 H "SET International" is encrypted again.

Optus C1 156E 12367 V "HRT 1" is now fta.

Telkom 1 108E 3580 H "Arirang TV World 1" has started , Irdeto 2, PIDs 656/657.

Yamal 102 90E 3582 L The Chita TV tests have left again.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3600 H The Star Vijay tests have left , replaced by a test card.


NEWS


Real-time H.264/MPEG-4 AVC


From http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/21/0c01ad21.asp

LSI Logic, represented by Insight Electronics, has developed the industry's first real-time standard definition video technology platform for H.264/MPEG-4 advanced video coding (AVC) that is compliant with international coding standards.

The International Telecommunications Union's Telecommunications Committee (ITU-T) formally ratified the international coding standard in May 2003.

The LSI Logic H.264 video technology platform is suitable for trial and small-scale deployments.

The platform consists of a real-time encoder (VLE4000), a real-time decoder (VLD4000) and stream analysis tools (VSA2000).

The VLE4000 decoder and VSA2000 stream analyser are standard compliant to tools specified by main profile level three.

By decoding test bit streams, the solutions pass compliance tests provided by companies participating in the H.264 standardisation process.

The H.264/MPEG-4 AVC delivers twice the MPEG-2/H.262 video compression ratio, improving coding efficiency and quality.

H.264 compliant encoders can deliver sub 1Mbps video at DVD quality. Using this technology, cable and satellite operators could offer more channels in existing systems, and consumers could record high-definition content to DVD and store twice as many programs in personal video recorders.


Zee terms Chernin's comments on its DTH plan 'amateurish'


From Indiantelevision.com

NEW DELHI: The battle between Rupert Murdoch and his one-time-but-now-estranged-ally Subhash Chandra has taken a new turn with Essel Group - the umbrella entity under which he carries out various business ventures - taking umbrage to remarks by News Corp COO Peter Chernin on the direct-to-home (DTH) service recently launched by a Chandra company.

According to Ashish Kaul, vice-president, corporate brand development, Essel, "It is shocking and surprising when senior and respected industry professionals (referring to Chernin) make such amateurish statements."

In an exclusive interview to indiantelevision.com in Cannes during Mipcom, Chernin, to a question on being beaten by Zee as far as launching a DTH service in India was concerned, had said, "Zee TV has not launched as yet. They keep making announcements. It is a soft launch. And you are not going to see a hard launch of Zee TV's DTH."

A Chandra-promoted company, ASC Enterprises, in association with Zee Telefilms, launched India's first KU-band DTH television service on 2 October. While ASC is the DTH license holder, Zee (with Turner International India) is providing and entering into third-party programming contracts for the platform.

Joining issue with Chernin, the number two in News Corp after Murdoch, Essel's Kaul added, "We can understand their (News Corp and its Indian arm Star India) predicament as their high profile DTH project has been a non starter. For us, at least we have made a small beginning."

Chernin had told indiantelevision.com, "The only place in the new markets we see potential for DTH is in India. And we will abide by and live under all regulatory norms, the countries that we operate in, ask us to. You saw that in the Star News case. We see limits on ownership and those are fine by us."

Hammering home his point of a humble beginning that would give them the first mover's advantage, Kaul said that Dish TV, the brand name under which the KU-band service is being marketed, has launched five exclusive channels for DTH including Premier Cinema, which will showcase the latest Hindi blockbusters not more than five years old, and Smile TV, a comedy channel. Another new channel is Care TV.

These channels are being given over and above the basic bouquet that is presently being offered by Dish TV for Rs100 (excluding local taxes) as an introductory incentive.

The other general entertainment channels being offered by Dish TV include Zee TV, Sab TV, Sahara Manoranjan, DD National and DD Metro, apart from the likes of Zee News, Aaj Tak, Sahara Samay, NDTV India, Headlines Today, Trendz, MTV, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, SplashTV and NDTV 24x7.

International news channels like CNN, BBC and CNBC are also on Dish TV. Some non-Zee regional and Punjabi music channels too are on Dish TV, Kaul pointed out, saying that the service also offers, at present, four satellite radio channels.

Explaining the advantages of Dish TV, Kaul says, "ASC's Dish TV will not only have DVD-quality video and CD-quality audio but advanced features like electronic programming guide (EPG) and control on viewing via parental lock are being offered."

Giving impetus to customer care, Kaul says, "Better customer care through a 24/7 call centre is being ensured as we understand that happy and satisfied customers is the key to the success of DTH."

Though the subscriber base is still low, Kaul is optimistic that within a few months the company will corner a sizeable market.

Over the past few years, the DTH satellite industry has emerged with the launch of 55 DTH platforms worldwide. Subscribers to DTH platform or satellite premium services worldwide had skyrocketed to reach 60 million households in 2001, representing 200 million viewers, with an impressive growth in revenue to Rs 1,100 billion in 2001. Another 45 million households receive free-to-air TV channels through DTH.

In recent times, satellite has clearly emerged as the potential leading media for live events and video distribution, both for global and local needs. Major successful platforms are Direct TV of the USA (+10 million subscribers), Echostar of the USA (+8 million subscribers), BskyB of the UK (+5.5 million subscribers) and Canal Satellite of France.

At present, there are approximately 87 million TV households (Source: NRS - 2002) in India, out of which 31 million are CTVs and 56 million B/W.

Last year, a total of seven million TVs were sold, of which approximately seven per cent were of 21-inch size or of the "flat" category. The television market has been growing at a rate of 11-13 per cent and is expected to grow at a similar rate in the years to come. Currently, there are 44 million C&S Homes, which have been growing at a rate of 20-24 per cent in the past and are likely to grow at a rate of 18-20 per cent in the near future.

The concept of multi TVs in one home is also gaining popularity in many urban homes because of varying TV viewing habits of different members of the house. As per a study, 11 per cent of the total C&S homes in Mumbai are multi TV homes. Industry experts forecast a healthy growth of multi TV homes not only in the metros but other A category towns in the country.

There are several geographical regions in India where the distribution of population is very scattered, including villages.

"A large percentage of households in such areas are not serviced by cable operators because of economical non-viability. Substantial number of households in such areas have the paying capacity but do not have access and hence are high potential customers for Dish TV services, this being an untapped market," says Kaul.


Loral selected by PanAmSat to build new satellite


From http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0310/15panamsat/

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (OTCBB: LRLSQ), announced today that PanAmSat Corporation has agreed to issue SS/L an authorization to proceed (ATP) with the design and construction of a new satellite. Revenue for the construction of the satellite will be in excess of $100 million. In addition, PanAmSat has agreed to enter into an option for an in-orbit spare for one of its existing satellites on terms and conditions to be agreed to.

The ATP from PanAmSat is for the Galaxy 16 program, a C- and Ku-band satellite with 48 transponders to be delivered December 31, 2005.

At the same time, Hughes Electronics Corporation, majority owner of PanAmSat and parent of DIRECTV, notified Loral that the ATPs for two satellites previously issued to SS/L by DIRECTV are now fully enforceable and binding. Further, Hughes advised that DIRECTV will make advance payments of $25 million on each of those two satellite orders and PanAmSat will make an advance payment of $25 million on its new satellite order, for a combined total advance of $75 million. Proceeding with the construction of the satellite for PanAmSat and the two satellites for DIRECTV is subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court at a hearing scheduled for October 21, 2003.

In connection with this matter, on October 9, 2003, Loral received a proposal from EchoStar Communications Corporation to acquire the DIRECTV 7S satellite (now under construction) for $100 million and to provide ATPs for two additional satellites. Loral, however, has indicated that it intends to proceed with the DIRECTV and PanAmSat agreements rather than the EchoStar proposal.

Space Systems/Loral is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. Through its Skynet subsidiary, it owns and operates a global fleet of telecommunications satellites used by television and cable networks to broadcast video entertainment programming, and by communication service providers, resellers, corporate and government customers for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other value-added communications services. Loral also is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary.


Cablevision Launches Its HDTV Service


From http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/7023220.htm

NEW YORK - Cablevision Systems Corp. launched a satellite TV service exclusively for high-definition televisions on Wednesday amid questions about the concept's viability, including whether consumers will be willing to fork over $750 for the necessary equipment.

The new service, to be called Voom, is available nationwide, with 21 commercial-free channels created for the service. By next year, it will offer 39 channels of HDTV programming, including AMC, FX and A&E, plus 88 standard-definition channels.

Wall Street has been skeptical about the prospects for the service, especially since large rivals like the Dish Network, DirecTV, and cable TV providers are already offering HDTV programming. Users of Voom can also receive a package of regular cable channels, but local broadcasts will have to come in through a separate antenna.

Charles Dolan, Cablevision's chairman, said the company was pressing ahead with Voom despite Wall Street's doubts. "If it's new, you're going to have skeptics," he said.

Many of Voom's own channels carry movies, and others carry sports, music and animation. A news channel is still being developed, and the company expects to launch it in January. For now, that channel shows weather maps.

The company also faces serious challenges obtaining original programming for the service. Of the channels available now, one is focused on tours of art museums, another on fashion, and another on collectors and their hobbies.

Cablevision plans to waive monthly fees for the service during its initial launch period. which goes through January 2004. After that, the service will cost $39.90 a month.

Cablevision is still building up its high definition programming roster, which for now includes some name-brand channels like Showtime, Starz! and Playboy. HBO is not yet available, but company officials expect that it will be by the end of the preview period.

Craig Moffett and Amelia Wong, analysts for Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., were blunt with investors in assessing the service's prospects. In a note to investors last month, when reports began surfacing about the outlines of the service, they said the business has "little chance of commercial success."

Josh Bernoff, an analyst with Forrester Research in Cambridge Mass., is optimistic about the growth of sales of HDTV sets in the U.S. market, saying the number of sets would likely reach 6 million by the end of this year and 9 million by the end of next year.

But Bernoff was far less hopeful about the Voom service. Citing the high cost of the equipment and difficulty in getting distribution, Bernoff said Cablevision faced "an uphill battle all the way."

Cablevision has been slow to reveal details about the satellite service, and even at its announcement Wednesday many questions remained about how much more investment would be required to get the service going, how that investment would be funded, and how many subscribers would be needed to make the business model work.

Dolan demurred on all these questions, saying the company would offer further guidance about its plans after it had a chance to gauge consumers' responses. The company will have spent about $500 million on Voom by the end of 2003.

"We'll respond to whatever this market tells us it wants," Dolan said. "There are elements that are not yet worked out."

Cablevision is known as a cable TV provider in the New York area as well as the owner of several cable networks, including AMC, IFC and Fuse. It sold its Bravo network to NBC.

Cablevision says it still plans to spin off Voom, but those prospects are unclear given a pending investigation into the accounting practices of the AMC channel.


(Craigs comment, Ok not very local but interesting new service they will use mpg2 to start with then upgrade the decoder firmware to handle mpg 4!)




15/10/03

Free-Xtv transmitting on the South Asia beam? This beam has previously been received in W.A so may be worth a look for those over there.

Thai TV on B3 Globecast mux, to fix the audio set PCR to 8190. Those with Nokias turn off auto PIDs and Auto PMT and change the PCR setting then resave the channel. If you can't manually adjust your receivers PCR setting they will change it nearer November 1st which is when the service officially starts.

Congratulations to Sab and his wife on the birth of little "Brock Lesner junior" last week.

The Chinese made it into space!



From my Emails & ICQ


From Bill Richards

Had a good chat with 2 guys @ Globecast today
regarding there TGN service via B3.

I informed them of the troubles certain
receivers were having re no pics and some
receivers had pics but no sound.

Change the PCR to 8190 should solve the issue .

They are hoping to start the service on Nov1
at which stage the PCR issue should change.

It relates to the way in which the service is brought
into Australia and the Tanburg sytem in use.

Also S/R should change to 30000.

Regards
Bill Richards.


(Craigs comment , problem solved? let me know if anyone is still having trouble )


From Steve Hume

Fiji v USA Rugby

B1, 12399 V Sr 9240 FEC 3/4
VPID: 4194
APID: 4195
PCR: 4194

also

B1 12359 v 6667 3/4 CHANNEL 10 Sydney

NEWS 24x7
Steve Hume


From the Dish


Yamal 102 90E 3532 L "NTV (+0h)" has started , Fta, SR 4275, FEC 3/4, PIDs 308/256.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3600 H "Star Vijay" has started testing, Fta, PIDs 515/680.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H "RVI 1" has started, Fta, SID 1, APID 33.(Dutch, coming to C1 soon?)

Galaxy 10R The TARBS World TV mux is back on 11920 V (Hmm not gone after all?)


NEWS


PanAmSat Reports 3Q


From Sky Report

Despite continuing challenges for the fixed satellite services
(FSS) business, including over-capacity and other issues,
PanAmSat reported a jump in third quarter revenues.

PanAmSat said it generated revenues of $210.1 million for the
three-month period, compared to $199.1 million for third
quarter 2002. The company also reported earnings per share
(EPS) of 14 cents, equaling the same period last year.

PanAmSat CEO Joe Wright said the company's focus on
fundamentals and managing the tough conditions worked in its
favor.

"But we haven't stopped there," he said. "We determined early
this year that two growth markets for the FSS business were
going to be North American high-definition video and the U.S.
government. So, we are building our capacity to service those
opportunities."

With the launch of its Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1 satellite,
PanAmSat has established the initial bird supporting the first
high-def TV neighborhood serving the United States.


News Corp may pay less for rugby


From http://afr.com/articles/2003/10/15/1065917463812.html

News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch on Wednesday flagged that the media company could lower the amount it is willing to pay to renew the TV rights for the tri-nations rugby union competition.

News Corp in 1995 signed a 10-year deal for its Foxtel joint venture to have most of the television rights to the South African, New Zealand and Australian (SANZAR) tri-nations rugby games for about $146 million.

Asked how much News Corp expects to pay to renew the rights when the deal comes up in 2005, Mr Murdoch said: "Probably less."

"I think that when we come to renew it, if we renew it, it will certainly be at a much more economical price," he said.

Mr Murdoch said he believed that if "people's appetite" to watch such programs lessened, the price could be affected.

But he also noted that a new entrant could enter the race for the TV rights, meaning the price could rise.

Mr Murdoch said while he wasn't aware of all the details in the SANZAR re-negotiations, News Corp had three very large sports TV contracts with a few years left to run.

He said revenues from American football screened on its TV networks in America were "wonderful" while its American baseball matches were also attracting strong ratings.

Describing the amounts of money paid by broadcasters for TV sporting rights, Mr Murdoch said: "I wouldn't say (the prices were) crippling, but terrifying."


China Launches First Manned Space Mission


From http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031015_105.html

China Launches First Manned Space Mission, Becoming Third Country in History to Send a Person Into Orbit

GOBI DESERT, China Oct. 15 — China launched its first manned space mission on Wednesday, becoming the third country in history to send a person into orbit four decades after the former Soviet Union and the United States.

With a column of smoke, the Shenzhou 5 craft cut across a bright, azure northwest China sky at exactly 9 a.m. Wednesday (9 p.m. EDT Tuesday) and went into orbit 10 minutes later. The official Xinhua News Agency immediately confirmed the launch and said the astronaut was air force Lt. Col. Yang Liwei, 38.

"China's first manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou 5, blasted off," Xinhua said. China Central Television's Channel One, the government's flagship station, cut into its programming to announce the launch. The station later showed Shenzhou streaking into the sky and disappearing, its tracer billowing behind it.

Minutes after the launch, a CCTV announcer said that Shenzhou 5 and Yang had "entered orbit at 9:10." Xinhua said Yang was "reading a flight manual in the capsule of the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft and looked composed and at ease."

State media say the manned flight is expected to last about 20 hours.

"I feel good," Yang radioed back from space after a half-hour in flight, according to Xinhua. He told his doctor that his blood pressure and other vital signs were "normal."

Then a bit of cool astronaut bravado: "See you tomorrow."

Li Jinai, chief commander of the country's manned space program, was quoted by Xinhua as saying the spacecraft was operating normally in orbit. Xinhua said three rescue ships that were waiting at sea in case the launch went wrong had been summoned home.

It was the culmination of a decade of efforts by China's military-linked manned space program and a patriotism-drenched moment for a communist government more concerned than ever about its profile on the world stage.

The launch makes China the third country to put a human into space on its own. The former Soviet Union sent Yuri Gagarin into orbit in April 1961; the United States launched Alan B. Shepard Jr. less than a month later. John Glenn became the first American in orbit in 1962.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who watched the launch, called it "the glory of our great motherland."

"The party and the people will never forget those who have set up the outstanding merit in the space industry for the motherland, the people and the nation," Hu said.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration applauded the launch.

"This launch is an important achievement in the history of human exploration," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said in a statement. "The Chinese people have a long and distinguished history of exploration. NASA wishes China a continued safe human space flight program."

In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Cheryl Irwin said, "We wish them success and for their astronaut's safe return."

Referring to China's earlier unmanned space launches, an announcer on the English-language government channel CCTV-9 invoked American astronaut Neil Armstrong's words upon first walking on the moon. "If these were small steps," the announcer said, "then now we are taking a giant leap into space."

Security was tight around the remote Gobi Desert base, some 175 miles northeast of Jiuquan.

On Wednesday morning, the only road to the launch site was crowded with traffic, including military vehicles and civilian tour buses. But private cars were turned back and phone calls to the base were blocked.

China kept details of the event secret, saying in advance only that the launch would take place between Wednesday and Friday and that the astronaut would orbit the Earth 14 times.

The Shenzhou 5 launch came after four test launches of unmanned capsules that orbited the Earth for nearly a week before parachuting back to China's northern grasslands.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said earlier that the flight was a key step in the "peaceful development of space" a reflection of China's effort to reassure the world that its military-linked program is benign.

The Shenzhou, or "Divine Vessel," is based on the three-seat Russian Soyuz capsule, though with extensive modifications. China also paid Moscow to train at least two astronauts.

But Beijing insists everything sent into space will be developed and made in China. State media, trying to dispel suggestions that its triumph depends on foreign know-how, refer to Shenzhou as "China's self-designed manned spaceship."

Xinhua released a picture of Yang, a pilot since 1987 and an astronaut since 1998, boarding Shenzhou 5 about 8 a.m. Wednesday.

"I will not disappoint the motherland. I will complete each movement with total concentration. And I will gain honor for the People's Liberation Army and for the Chinese nation," the popular Chinese Web site Sina.com quoted Yang as saying before taking off.

Yang, who is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and comes from a family of teachers, already was being held up to China's population of 1.3 billion as an instant hero.

He has 1,350 hours of flight experience, the government said. Colleagues describe him as "miraculously dedicated," according to Xinhua.

Yang's clothing in flight consisted of 14 layers that took 15 minutes to don with the help of technicians, the general commander of the astronaut program, Su Shuangning, told Phoenix Television, a Hong Kong broadcaster with close ties to the mainland's military. Yang's space suit cost more than $12 million, Su said.

At midday, Xinhua said Yang had a lunch of diced chicken and rice with dates and nuts, then was to take a nap.

Yang was selected Tuesday from a pool of three finalists. The astronauts have been training for years, and the field of candidates was narrowed from 14 in recent days.

Yang was born in Youzhong County in Liaoning province, an industrial area in China's northeast.

Sina quoted his older sister as saying he was an athletic child who enjoyed swimming and ice skating. He works for the Aviation Military Unit of China's People's Liberation Army, Chinese media said.

After months of official silence, the government showed growing confidence over the past week, splashing pictures of the once-secret launch base across newspapers.

But state television scrapped plans for a live broadcast of the launch, suggesting that leaders were unnerved by the thought of the propaganda disaster that an accident could produce.

China used to broadcast satellite launches live, but stopped in 1995 after a rocket blew up moments after liftoff, reportedly killing six people on the ground.

Xinhua quoted space officials Tuesday assuring the public that the astronauts' space suits were safe and the Long March CZ-2 F booster was China's "best rocket."

The Gansu Daily, published in the provincial capital, Lanzhou, welcomed the imminent launch.

"Finally," it said, "the time has come to realize the 1,000-year dream of flying dreamed by the sons and daughters of China."


DD to launch DTH services in 8 states next year


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=233767

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s direct to home (DTH) services are to be launched in eight states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, in the first phase of its rollout early next year. Rollout is also planned in the north-eastern states and Gujarat. (Will DTH have any takers in India’s rural areas?)

Sources close to the development said the rollout would initially involve an expenditure of Rs 160 crore. Thirty channels are proposed to be offered on Ku band in the first phase. Doordarshan may gradually step up the number of channels to 90. DD will have the freedom to extend the service to other areas, provided it can find the required resources.

The government is also planning to provide set-top boxes and dish antenna to public institutions in rural areas free of cost. It plans to install 10,000 set-top boxes in eight states, with each box costing the government Rs 4,000 approximately.

However, the Centre reckons that with increased indigenous production of the boxes, the cost would be driven down to Rs 3,500 a piece, which would enable the government to install more boxes.

The information and broadcasting ministry has placed the proposal before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, scheduled to meet on Wednesday. The DTH service will enable Doordarshan to beam into those areas which are currently not covered by its terrestrial broadcast service.

Doordarshan’s DDI has a reach of 75-80%, though the government claims a higher figure. DD Metro, which is to be converted into a 24-hour news channel, has a reach of 43%. Sources at Prasar Bharti say the current I&B minister is working on a plan to use the official media extensively to drive home the achievements of the NDA government before the general elections.




14/10/03

Livechat tonight 9pm Nz onwards, don't forget we are on daylight savings now so at least a 3 hours time difference.

Not much for todays update.



From my Emails & ICQ


From "Blindsearcher"

Rugby Feed C-Band Link from Dairy Farmers

PAS 8 3951v Sr 13238 Fec 3/4

In 4.2.2.


From George kamal

FIFA WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP 20003 FEED ON.................................
ASIASAT 2 @100.5 4078H,SR-5632-3/4,308-256-8190........................

regards- -george


From the Dish


Yamal 102 90E 3582 L "Chita TV" has started testing, Fta, SR 4275, FEC 3/4, PIDs 308/256.
Yamal 102 90E 3709 L Perviy kanal Vsemirnaya setj has left .

Insat 2E 83E 3929 V "DD Saptagiri" has left (PAL).
Insat 2E 83E "DD Saptagiri" has moved from 3910 V to 3918 V, Fta, SR 17766, FEC 3/4,PIDs 512/650.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 12562 HAn APEC Channel info card has started, Fta, PIDs 524/770.

PAS 10 68.5E 4064 V New PIDs for ESC 1 on : 513/514.
PAS 10 68.5E 4184 VNew SIDs and PIDs for all channels in the TARBS World TV mux .


NEWS


Headache for hotels over satellite TV



From http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/Weekly2003/10.14.2003/Singapore.htm

The freeing of rules for Singapore hotels to offer satellite TV programmes is giving three of them a headache and making another three think again.

Meritus Mandarin Singapore, Le Meridien and River View are said to have infringed copyright, because they have been showing their guests programmes from such international channels as Hallmark, Star Sports and China's CCTV without paying.

They thought a nod from the regulator, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), which started handing out satellite TV licences in June, would be enough.

Said River View general manager Harry Leong yesterday: 'In applying for the licence, we also had to submit the list of channels for MDA to approve.

'If they were not free-to-air, MDA would not have approved them.'

Three others - Phoenix, Broadway and City Bayview - which were planning to introduce satellite TV in two months' time, were under the same impression.

Clearing the air yesterday, an MDA spokesman said hotels should still 'ensure that there is no infringement of copyright in any programme received' and advised them to contact content providers directly or through their satellite equipment dealers.

Content providers made it plain that the programmes are not free, although they are unencrypted and can be received easily by satellite or are, as the industry says, 'free-to-air'.

Said Ms Jannie Poon, Hong Kong Star Group's vice-president for corporate affairs: 'You still need the consent of the programme maker - otherwise it is a copyright infringement.'

The group owns channels such as Channel V Chinese, which shows entertainment programmes, Phoenix Info News and Star Sports, and Ms Poon says no hotel in Singapore has sought permission or paid to broadcast its channels.

The United States' Hallmark was not aware hotels here were screening its channel. Said assistant marketing manager (Asia Pacific) Adela Chen: 'In Singapore, we are exclusively distributed through StarHub Cable Vision. Hotels who want the channel have to go through them.'

The content providers may not take legal action but said they would be contacting hotels to work out the costs of receiving their programmes.

All six hotels interviewed said they did not know the total bill would go beyond the $1,000 annual licence fee to MDA for each satellite they own and the $10,000 for buying and installing each satellite.

So, River View gave its guests an extra 20 satellite channels early this month, including Hallmark, Japan's NHK and Phoenix Info News.

Now, to continue Hallmark, it will have to negotiate with StarHub Cable Vision, or SCV, which has exclusive rights to this channel.

The irony is: River View, thinking that satellite TV is cheaper, has terminated its contract for cable TV with SCV. Hotel Phoenix paid SCV almost $60,000 a year for subscription to channels such as HBO and BBC World.

And it was looking at satellite TV to give guests more for less, said general manager Noel Hawkes. But it may now have to pay just as much.

SCV said content providers could charge hotels up to 35 cents a day for just one channel for each room.

Hotel Phoenix with 400 rooms could end up paying more than $50,000 for one channel.

Such sums are making River View baulk.

'We will have to reconsider if charges are really imposed,' said its public relations manager Michelle Tham.


China pulls plug on live broadcast of manned space launch


From http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/031014031139.zuwr0ktn.html

Chinese authorities will not allow the upcoming launch of the country's first manned space flight to be broadcast live, state television sources and newspapers said Tuesday.

"It won't be broadcast live. The launching unit doesn't want it to be broadcast live," said an official in the manager's office of the state-run China Central Television Station's Channel 9, an English channel.

"It's the same for all the CCTV channels," said the official, who declined to be identified. "It's been decided. This decision won't change."

The official added: "There will still be a broadcast, but it will be delayed. It will be broadcast as soon as possible."

He said he could not comment on the government decision, but said his station had originally expected to show the history-making event live.

Fear of public disappointment and criticism if the mission fails could be the reason behind the decision, analysts say.

With millions potentially watching, failure could mean a publicity disaster for the Chinese Communist Party, which hopes the flight will not only promote patriotism and national cohesion but legitimacy for its rule, analysts say.

CCTV is China's largest TV station and all major news broadcasts and footage first come out of CCTV.

The government mouthpiece People's Daily website also reported the decision.

"China's CCTV has announced its original plan of live broadcast has been dropped," the website said Tuesday.

The Lanzhou Morning Post in northwest China's Gansu province meanwhile reported that the decision to not show the launch live was "to guarantee the success of the first manned space flight."

Another CCTV employee indicated the government's habit of closely guarding the coverage of important events with a high level of secrecy was at play.

"It's for the sake of secrecy," the employee told AFP.

China is expected to launch Shenzhou V from Wednesday to Friday, but it has yet to reveal an exact launch date or identify the astronaut or astronauts chosen in another sign of the government's culture of secrecy.


Murdoch chief threatens to sue BBC


From http://www.advanced-television.com/

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is considering taking legal action against the BBC to stop it showing programmes like The Simpsons and Buffy the Vampire Slayer following the public broadcaster’s change of satellite distribution, reports Kate Bulkley in The Media Guardian. Peter Chernin, chief operating officer News Corp, has condemned the BBC's decision to un-encrypt its channels as "wrong" and said he is considering all potential options. "We don't believe the BBC has the right to provide an unencrypted signal with our programming," he said. "We are not happy and we are also sort of shocked. The BBC is not some renegade company. It's a public trust in a society that does have copyright laws and on top of that it is one of the great content producers. We think that what they are doing is wrong," he added. News Corp is furious with the BBC because its channels are now available to potentially millions of ex-pats in Spain, France, and elsewhere in Europe. Speaking at the Mipcom TV market where he was honoured as Personality of the Year, Chernin said:

"We could stop selling to the BBC, or ask for an injunction - or we could sue them." He continued: "The BBC is one of the greatest content producers in the world and should be as concerned about the protection of content and the legal transmission of content as anyone in the world - and we think they are taking a short-sighted view on this."

Other studios have also expressed concern over the BBC’s decision to go unencrypted. Sony, which owns the Columbia Tristar studio, has insisted on damages if there is any spill-over onto the continent in its new TV deal with the BBC to screen the Stephen King series Kingdom Hospital.

Under the deal with Sony, the BBC must take steps to stop any "unauthorised re-transmission of its signals" and must also pay for any damages Sony might suffer if the BBC's signals make it impossible for Sony to sell its programmes in Europe.

The BBC began transmitting all of its channels unencrypted and in digital from a UK satellite a few months ago as a way of cutting £121 million in costs it was paying to BSkyB to distribute its channels using Murdoch’s encryption technology.

Meanwhile BSkyB has installed James Baker – again - at the head of Sky One after Sara Ramsden parted company with the station on Friday. Mr Baker, who has been at BSkyB for seven years and who ran Sky One for several years in the 1990s, arrives at a time when ratings for the channel, best known for Ibiza Uncovered and The Simpsons, have fallen amid increasing competition from ITV2, E4 and BBC3

In the first three weeks of September, Sky One had its three consecutive lowest weekly audience share figures in nine years.




13/10/03

Sky NZ and Optus have done a deal a 15! year contract. I can't find any info about it as yet. But it must include capacity on whatever replaces B1. Hmm I wonder if the talk of a rumoured NZ SAT hurried the deal along. Perhaps it was thought that it (NZ Sat) wouldn't go up without having Sky NZ onboard as the major user of capacity??

Turkey vs England football was live Globecast B3 Adhoc channel 12531V. Also on RCTI (Palapa C2) and Guandong (Asiasat 2)

GLOBECAST TGN AUDIO IS STILL NOT FIXED, maybe they are waiting for hundreds of angry Thai's to ring them? until its fixed installers won't be moving dishes off the Pas 8 service over to B3. Prosat and Nokia receivers are 2 brands having problems on this service. To me the problem appears to be the 32 khz sample rate for the audio stream, all the rest in the mux are 48 KHZ sample rate.



From my Emails & ICQ


Various feeds reported on the weekend from various people

B1, 12379 H, sr 3000, In car Bathurst feed for "Bigpond" same as yesterday

B1, 12397 V "BTQ Trailer". Sr 9340 very weak signal

B3, 12532 V sr 15000, Some channel 10 Bathurst feed seen on Adhoc channel

Palapa C2, 3935h Sr 5632 3/4 "F1 Race"


From Zapara 12/10

New Zealand V India Test Cricket currently on Pas 10

4034 vert 19865 3/4
DD National Uninterrupted English audio
DD Sport With Commercials. Indian Audio

Also on Insat 2e 83deg E analog and digital on DD National



From Ranime 11/10

B1 12358 V 3/4 6620

NBL NZ vs Wol


From Paul

ST1 3632 VERT 26667

3582 H can be locked on a 1.8m solid in SA.
Pacific Satellite LNB / 6 petal solid / DVB card

Signal quality is marginal but stable lock achieved in clear skys.
Alignment needs to be spot on (used an AZ mount)

Loads a simmilar mux - radio channels were FTA.


From the Dish


Galaxy 10R: "TARBS World TV" has left 11720 V, 11880 V, 11920 V and 12080 V. (Looks like BYE BYE Tarb's U.S.A, they must of wasted millions on this !)

PAS 8 166E 3860 H "SET International" is Fta.

AsiaSat 3 105.5E 3706 H "Channel NewsAsia and Radio Singapore International" are still on ,fta, SR 6000, FEC 3/4, PIDs 1160/1120, 1260/1220 and 1122.

Insat 3A 93.5E 3985 V "Sadhana TV and Maa TV" are now encrypted.
Insat 3A 93.5E 4025 V and 11547 H "ETC Channel Punjabi and ETC" are now encrypted.
Insat 3A 93.5E 11630 H "NDTV 24x7, Headlines Today and Aastha TV" are now encrypted.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H New PIDs for RTS Sat, ERT Sat and MKTV Sat on : 258/259, 274/275 and 290/291.RNW 3 has started on APID 772, Fta.New APIDs for Radio Nederland Wereldomroep Europa and Radio Nederland Wereldomroep International: 771 and 773.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H "RWN 3" has started, Fta, APID 5155.New APIDs for Radio Nederland Wereldomroep Europa and Radio NederlandWereldomroep International: 5156 and 5157.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3695 H "Sky Racing 2" is encrypted again.

PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V New PIDs for Lig TV on : 1073/1075.


NEWS


Sky gets better satellite deal


From http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,228136-1-453,00.html

Sky TV says it has signed a better deal with Optus Networks for its satellite capacity for its digital service.

Sky had a contract up till the end of 2006 with Optus.

It says a new 15-year contract provides a more secure service at a better price and will allow opportunities for further growth.

That growth may come under full ownership by Independent Newspapers.

INL, which holds 66.2% of Sky TV, plans to open its offer for the remainder of the network on October 24.

Chairman Ken Cowley confirmed the $3.35 cash for each Sky share and three INL shares for every 10 Sky shares on Friday.

He says the offer, based on the INL share price the day before the company first announced its intentions, represents a 2.4% premium to the Sky share price on that day.

On August 27 the INL price was $4.27 and Sky scrip was selling for $4.52. The value of the INL offer based on that was $4.63 a share.

Telecom has already agreed to sell its parcel to INL, which will increase that shareholding to 78.2%.

Sky TV shares were selling at $4.85 a share, up 3c, on the NZX on Monday.


Asia Pay-TV company raises $893m


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3528438&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest

Astro All Asia Networks, a pay-television company owned by Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, has raised 2.03 billion ringgit ($893,326,111) by selling shares in South-east Asia's biggest initial public offering this year.

Astro, which began offering satellite services seven years ago, operates 46 channels that compete with five free-to-air broadcasters.

The shares will start trading on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange on October 28.


T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 39/2003 12 October 2003 -

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


BBC WORLD INCREASES VIEWERSHIP

The seventh Pan Asia Cross Media Survey (PAX) has found that BBC World has sustained the audience it gained in 2002. It has also shown an annual growth in some of Asia's biggest urban centres. A company release states that BBC World has experienced an increase of 15 per cent in its viewership within Asia, the fastest growth for any international news or business channel. Across the original seven PAX markets, BBC World claims to be nearly 60 per cent ahead of CNBC in terms of reach among business decision-makers. The channel has enjoyed particularly large growth in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Taipei. In particular, BBC World's investment in regional programming is said to have attracted a loyal audience of senior business people. Findings show that more than 24,000 'top management' in Asia tune in to BBC World either every day or almost every day, according to an official statement from the BBC. BBC World's overall audience profile also remains enviably upscale. Among the ten largest international channels in Asia-Pacific, BBC World's audience includes the highest proportion of frequent business travellers (34 per cent), business decision-makers (27 per cent) and business opinion formers (35 per cent). The PAX 2003 survey was conducted during the 12-month period from July 2002 to June 2003 among 19,222 respondents in markets in Asia-Pacific. The survey was based on nine markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul and India. In India, it covered Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

AUSTRALIA

NETWORK TEN POSTS RECORD RESULTS

Ten Network, Australia's third-ranked terrestrial broadcaster, has moved into the black after posting a A$89 million (US$61.4 million) profit for the year to August 31, compared with a loss of A$108.6 million in the previous 12-month period. Revenues increased 10% to reach A$732.7 million. The company attributed the performance to an improved advertising market and the success of its youth programming, which included Big Brother, Australian Idol and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Ten said the current fiscal year is going well, with TV revenue up 20% in September and October.

FOXTEL CARRIAGE DEAL CLEARED

Foxtel's decision to force free-to-air broadcasters to pay for carriage of their channels on its pay TV service has been cleared by the competition and consumer council, the ACCC. The free-to-air outfits will have to buy satellite capacity from Optus. At the moment the only Foxtel customers that can get the free to air channels are those that subscribe to the cable service. The ACCC also said that it could not approve Foxtel and Telstra's application that no further obligations would be imposed on access to their digital network, which is set to rollout in 2004. The council said that the current obligations would have to be widened before it could give such an undertaking. Telstra has a 50% stake in Foxtel, the leading pay-TV platform in Australia.

SEVEN LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL CHANNELS

Seven Network launched two new Rugby World Cup digital channels on October 10, coinciding with the start of its rugby broadcast. Apart from the wide-screen picture on Seven's usual digital channel, statistics will be shown on digital channel 72, while channel 71 offers foreign language commentaries.

INDIA

DD NEWS TV CHANNEL READY FOR LAUNCH

After the Union Cabinet cleared a proposal for starting DD News by closing DD Metro, national broadcaster Doordarshan is all set to launch its 24-hour news channel from November 3. With a recurring expenditure of 540 million rupees ($11 million), the government will provide budgetary support for the first two years during which it will have to become self-sufficient, the Press Trust of India quoted parliamentary affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as saying. Terrestrial viewers as well as the satellite signal viewers will be able to receive the proposed channel thereby giving it a distinctive edge over private satellite news channels. DD Metro terrestrial channel can be received by about 43 per cent of the population.

UTV TO LAUNCH CHILDRENS CHANNEL

Indian media outfit UTV is seeking partnerships for its latest venture, a dedicated children's channel for South Asia. According to Ronnie Screwvala, UTV CEO, the network should launch in 2004, "between May and September." UTV's planned channel will face competition from English-language animation networks Cartoon Network Middle East, Cartoon Network India and Disney Channel Asia, as well as Disney's planned Indian feed.

ZEE LAUNCHES DTH SERVICES IN KOLKATA

Pay-TV specialist Zee launched DTH services in the major city of Kolkata on October. 9. Subscribers will pay Rs6,950 ($153) for a set-top box and Ku-band dish and a monthly charge of Rs110 for a minimum of 38 channels. A five channel premium tier is available for an extra Rs110. However, the Star bouquet -; which includes National Geographic and Star Plus -; will not be available at launch.

AETN LAUNCHES HISTORY CHANNEL

The History Channel is slated to join India's Star platform in November. The net will reach a total of 15 million subscribers via cable affiliates in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

ISRAEL

TV COUNCIL PROPOSES ADVERTISING CUTS

The Council For Cable And Satellite Broadcasting on October 9 proposed a cut in the advertising targeting Israeli audiences carried on foreign cable and satellite channels to 15% of ad volume, down 10% from the 25% currently allowed under Israel's communications law. The proposed change would primarily affect Russian-language channels, such as ORT and NTV, which target Israel's one million native Russian speakers. These channels compete for advertising revenues and audiences with locally-owned Russian-language pay TV channel, Israel Plus, which is supported by advertising revenues and has been losing money since it launched in 2002.

MALAYSIA

TV3 BACK IN PROFIT

Malaysian broadcaster TV3 expects to return to profitability this year despite poor local economic conditions. TV3 said that Malaysian TV ad revenues fell 3.5% year-on-year in the first right months of 2003, due to the Iraq war and the SARS virus outbreak. However, the company expects ad revenues to grow by 8% if the country's GDP grows by the expected 4%. The company is expected to report a return to profits for the year to end August later this month.

MONGOLIA

PARLIAMENT TO PASS BROADCASTING BILL

According to lawmaker B. Uvgenhuu, who is in the working group drafting the law on radio and television, the draft bill would be ready by November. He also confirmed that the current legislature was determined to pass the law on radio and television before its mandate ended. The working group was open to ideas proposed by domestic and foreign NGOs, and carefully studied the experience of other countries.

NEW ZEALAND

AETN LAUNCHES HISTORY CHANNEL

The History Channel is due to launch in New Zealand, following deals between AETN International, Fox International and Foxtel. Sky New Zealand subscribers will be able to pick up The History Channel's Australian feed from December, after an agreement between Foxtel and AETN.

THAILAND

MCOT TO ANNOUNCE RECORD RESULTS

The Mass Communication of Thailand (MCOT), the operator of television Channel 9, has projected the best financial results in its 26-year history for the year ended last month, with a net profit of 800 million baht on revenue of 1.8 billion. The agency attributed the success to a major change in programming from news to entertainment. For next year, the MCOT will put more effort into turning Thailand into a broadcasting hub in the region.

LEITCH AWARDED UBC CONTRACT

United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), the country’s largest pay-TV operator, has awarded Leitch a multi-million contract to convert its conventional tape facility into a completely digital production and transmission operation. UBC is the first major broadcaster in Southeast Asia to adopt a total tape less solution for its production and operations.


A F R I C A


SOUTH AFRICA

NEW SATELLITE ALLIANCE TO BRING RUGBY WORLD CUP

A new alliance between TVNZ Satellite Services and international satellite service provider, Intelsat, will provide South African rugby fans with live coverage of the Rugby World Cup to be played in Australia from October 10 to November 22. The world feed will be uplinked to Intelsat capacity from the Channel 7 International Broadcast Centre in Sydney using TVNZ mobile transmitting equipment. The alliance is carrying all the games for M-Net's SuperSport, while SABC is a sub-rights holder. Live satellite delivery will also be extended to J-Sport (Japan), Fox Sports International (Los Angeles), ESPN Star Sports (Singapore), Fiji TV and other Pacific island nations. In addition to its global network of ground resources, Intelsat will contribute dedicated capacity on at least eight of its 25 geosynchronous satellites. TVNZ will contribute occasional use service and television broadcast expertise. The alliance will be managed day-to-day by TVNZ. International (24/7) operations centres in Auckland and in Washington DC will provide seamless support for all service requirements including booking, billing and special event planning. TVNZ is an Olympic Games rights-holder and is a contracted producer of Olympic events to the International Olympic Committee.

Internet - http://www.tvsat.net

MULTICHOICE RENEWS CS HOLDINGS OUTSOURCE CONTRACT

MultiChoice Africa has renewed its IT services outsource contract with JSE-listed CS Holdings for another three years, beginning September 1. The new contract is valued at R34 million over the three-year period. MultiChoice Africa is a multi-channel pay-TV platform with channels from Africa, Brazil, Britain and the US. It provides premium television entertainment to over 860 000 subscribers in about 50 countries on the African continent and adjacent islands through its DStv Bouquet. MultiChoice's operations include world class subscriber management services and the management of a digital satellite television platform broadcasting 55 video and 48 audio channels 24 hours a day that include a number of data channels, the first non-return path Interactive television offerings on the continent.




12/10/03

No update Sundays




11/10/03

The Rugby World cup is fta on Star Sports Asiasat 3, English Commentry. At the moment I am flicking between All Blacks vs Italy and NZ vs India on Sky. As for Rugby Last night not much seen. There were a couple of comentators seen on B3 globecast Adhoc channel.

Theres an article at Slashdot about the Dreambox http://slashdot.org/articles/03/10/10/1926202.shtml?tid=129&tid=137&tid=188


From my Emails & ICQ


From Steve Hume

PAS 8
ANG-TV (ABS-CBN)

Loads as APTN TV

3712 VS/R: 3260
VID: 4096
AUD: 4099
PCR: 4096

English Audio on Track 2

NEWS 24x7


From Chris Pickstock

F1 Qualifying
Palapa C2, 3935 H, sr 5632
F1 Qualifying from Suzuka Japan, about to start

Chris


From Shayne

bathurst feed?

B1 12370 H 6997 3/4

ntl encrypted


From Tarek

Arabia news on asiasat2

Arabia news started on 4020 v sr 27500 3/4


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 12408 H "Occasional Thai TV feeds" on , SR 2350, FEC 3/4.

Palapa C2 113E 3727 H New PIDs for TBN on : 34/36.
Palapa C2 113E 4000 H The Satelindo mux has left again.

AsiaSat 3 105.5E 3706 H "Channel NewsAsia and Radio Singapore International" have left .(Can't be right?

AsiaSat 2 100.5E Sun TV, Surya TV and KTV have left 3752 H again.
AsiaSat 2 100.5E 4020 V "Al-Arabiyah" has started , Fta, PIDs 4898/4899.

PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V "Lig TV" is now encrypted.


NEWS


GlobeCast Extends Fiber Reach To Australia


From Satellite today

GlobeCast, satellite service subsidiary of France Telecom [NYSE: FTE], has extended the reach of its global ATM fiber network to Sydney, providing connectivity between Australia and points of presence in media hubs of Europe, the Americas and Asia. The fiber link to Sydney, which routes via the SingTel fiber system, was inaugurated this month with delivery of Rugby World Cup feeds on behalf of European networks France Televisions (France 2) and S4C Wales.

The fiber network interconnects GlobeCast teleports and technical operations centers worldwide for point-to-point video and data delivery between hubs, as well as access to Paris-based GlobeCast's network of direct-to-home and cable satellite platforms.


Star TV hits two million in China


From http://www.advanced-television.com/pages/pagesb/newsdaily.html

Rupert Murdoch's Star TV has obtained further distribution in China for its Mandarin-language entertainment channel Xing Kong Weishi.

The channel has been granted the right for carriage on Shenzhen City Cable and Guangzhou City Cable from October 28, the largest cities in the southern province of Guangdong which borders Hong Kong. The Guangdong provincial cable service has been carrying Xing Kong Weishi since 2002. The new additions will bring the total number of viewers to two million in China.

The announcement was made in Beijing as Murdoch addressed a meeting at the Central Party School - a training academy for the elite of the ruling Communist Party. The invitation to speak at the school was unprecedented for a western media figure.

The News Corp chairman told the cadres: "The unleashing of the potential of the open market does not represent any loss of power. On the contrary, as the Party goes from running the country's media businesses to overseeing their growth, both China's leaders and her people will be greatly empowered by the rewards."

The comments contrasted with his 1992 remarks (when he had just bought Star TV) that satellite TV represented a threat to "totalitarian regimes" – a sentiment that set back Star TV's development for several years in China.


(Craigs comment, Fta on Asiasat 3)




10/10/03

Testing still going on with the B3 Globecast mux, suggest a reload of all services there. New service listed is FR 2 which is testing at times. Looks to be France 2 Details are below. Tv guide for it? http://guidetv.francetv.fr/ I notice its listed to show the Rugby World Cup. Hmm perhaps its here for their media ? Speaking of the Rugby World cup it starts tonight, keep and eye out for feeds.

New Scat India Satellite and cable magazine online edition is out

Pas 10 Feeds page updated



From my Emails & ICQ


From Superfly

Palapa C2

The mux at 4000H has left.


From the Dish


Optus B3 156E 12531 V A Sydney live cam has started, Fta, PIDs 1360/1320.(gone now was Globecast bars earlier)
Optus B3 156E 12531 V "Sigaram" is testing , Fta, PIDs 1160/1120.(just a promo loop at times, rest of times its a slide)
Optus B3 156E 12531 V "Fr2 " started testing, Fta Vpid 1660 Apid 1620 sid 5

Palapa C2 113E 4048 V "SCTV" is back on , Fta, SR 6620, FEC 3/4, PIDs 2201/2202.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H "Alpha International" has started, Fta, PIDs 2561/2562.New PIDs for ERT Sat: 289/290.

PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V "TelePace" has left again.


NEWS


Satellite power, TV broadcast expertise brings Rugby World Cup to SA


From INTELSAT

[Johannesburg, 9 October 2003] - A new alliance between TVNZ Satellite Services Limited and international satellite service provider, Intelsat, will provide South African rugby fans with live coverage of the Rugby World Cup to be played in Australia from 10 October to 22 November.

The world feed will be uplinked to Intelsat capacity from the Channel 7 International Broadcast Centre in Sydney using TVNZ mobile transmitting equipment.

The alliance is carrying all the games for M-Net's SuperSport, while SABC is a sub-rights holder. Live satellite delivery will also be extended to J-Sport (Japan), Fox Sports International (Los Angeles), ESPN Star Sports (Singapore), Fiji TV and other Pacific island nations.

The new alliance is targeted to better serve the news, sport and special event needs of the international television community. In addition to its global network of ground resources, Intelsat will contribute dedicated capacity on at least eight of its 25 geosynchronous satellites. TVNZ will contribute occasional use service and television broadcast expertise.

"As a television broadcaster as well as an occasional use services consumer and supplier, TVNZ has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to deliver the quality and added value required for an event like Rugby World Cup," explained Sam Fairhall, Managing Director of TVNZ Satellite Services Ltd.

The alliance will be managed day-to-day by TVNZ. International (24/7) operations centres in Auckland and in Washington DC will provide seamless support for all service requirements including booking, billing and special event planning. TVNZ is an Olympic Games rights-holder and is a contracted producer of Olympic events to the International Olympic Committee.

Jon Romm, President of Intelsat's Media & Entertainment business unit, said: "This alliance will present customers with the best of both worlds - the knowledge and expertise of a broadcaster combined with the reliable and flexible network assets of a global satellite provider - in one simple end-to-end solution. This alliance will package virtually every value-add and customer benefit and make it easily accessible."


Man gets 30 months for selling TV decryption equipment


From http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/03/10/40631684.shtml?Element_ID=40631684

A Smyrna man was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for manufacturing and selling unauthorized satellite television decryption equipment.

J. Jason Tolleson, 30, also was ordered to pay $2.6 million in restitution to DirecTV and to forfeit property, including a 2001 Porsche Boxster, a 1999 Malibu Response LX boat with trailer and a house in Smyrna.

In February Tolleson pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud and to structuring monetary transactions to avoid reporting them to the U.S. government.

Four of Tolleson's employees also were sentenced in U.S. District Court over the scheme.

Tracy Dwayne Lee, 30, of Smyrna was placed on three years' probation and ordered to serve six months of home confinement and to pay $19,650 to DirecTV.

William Franklin Rice Jr., 37, of Nashville was placed on three years probation, ordered to serve six months of home confinement and to pay $29,450 to DirecTV.

Christopher L. Tanksley, 30, of Smyrna was placed on three years probation, ordered to serve six months of home confinement and required to pay $19,650.

Bryan Wilson, 37, of Murfreesboro was placed on six months probation and required to pay $19,650 to DirecTV.




9/10/03

Cricket India vs NZ is on DD Sports Pas 10 4034 V Sr 19565 FEC 3/4

Lyngsats still in catch up mode so a few items in the dish section may not be uptodate yet.


From my Email & ICQ


From George Kamal

hi,apstters,enjoy this feed 4103h sr-5640 -3/4 308-256-8190 for

"india vs newzealand" cricket on pas 10 @68.5

regards- -george


(Craigs comment, I guess this is fine to post since its FTA anyway on DD Sports)


From Steve Hume

Running on the old GLOBAL TV2 channel.

Palapa C2

4080H "MQTV" SR 28125 VID: 517 AUD: 655 PCR: 8190


From the Dish


Optus B3 156E 12531 V "Sigaram" has left , replaced by a test card.

Superbird C 144E 12300 H A Superbird C test card has started, Fta, SR 5460, FEC 3/4,PIDs 32/37.

Palapa C2 113E 4000 H "TV 5 Asie and RFI" have started, Fta, PIDs 2081/2082 and 2082. TVRI has left again, replaced by a test card.
Palapa C2 113E 4080 H "TV 5 Asie" has started, Fta PIDs 517/655.MQTV has started testing on PIDs 518/656, Fta.

ST 1 88E 3459 V "TBL TV" has started to use , enc., SR 12860, with a copy of 3582 H.

Apstar 2R 76.5E 3705 V Both Channel NewsAsia has left .



NEWS


Bids for Vietnam's first satellite in final lap


From http://www.forbes.com/technology/newswire/2003/10/08/rtr1102604.html

HANOI, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Companies from France, America, Russia and Japan are in the final stages of bidding to build and launch Vietnam's first satellite, but experts say Hanoi must first agree to coordinate its orbit with Tonga and Japan.

Cut down from eight, the race for the $200 million communications satellite is down to consortia led by the U.S.'s Lockheed Martin Corp (nyse: LMT - news - people), EADS Astrium-Alcatel <CGEP.PA> of France, NEC <6701.T>-Toshiba <6502.T>-Sumitomo Corp <8053.T> of Japan with America's Orbital Sciences (nyse: LMT - news - people).

Another Russian firm, the state-run NPO PM, is on the list.

A result will be announced at the earliest, "before the end of this year", Luu Van Luong, senior expert on satellite communications told Reuters on Wednesday on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council conference.

If the contract is signed by year-end, the communications satellite called Vinasat to be used to expand telecoms, radio and television services would be launched and operational by early 2006, the bidders said.

But before Vinasat is shot into its registered orbital slot of 132 degrees east, Vietnam needs to ensure it has agreements from countries with overlapping slots -- Japan and Tonga. Without proper coordination, the project could be derailed, experts say.

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE

The registration, done with Geneva's International Telecommunication Union, "is (satellite) access on a first come, first serve basis", said Jorn Christensen, head of a Canadian consultancy that bears his name.

"They (Vietnam) would have to coordinate with everyone in front of the line," he said. That includes Tonga, which has rights to 130 degrees east and 134 degrees east but has no satellites of its own and leases one from China.

In some of these cases, governments have been willing to sell their rights to the slots.

Hanoi said it is confident the talks would be concluded favourably. "The process needs to continue, but we are optimistic we will be able to finalise (them) on time," Luong said.

Vinasat is scheduled to have up to 28 transponders, each carrying four to six television channels, and have a 15-year lifespan.

It is expected to take over local communications services currently leased from foreign satellites including those from Thailand and Indonesia and expand the reach of TV, radio and Internet networks to more rural locations.

Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest defence company, was one of the four bidders that went through a round of questioning in September by the Vinasat evaluation committee.

If chosen, Lockheed would build the A2100 satellite which would be sent into orbit with a Proton launcher.

Financing is also secure, said Jim Gribbon, Singapore-based director of business development for Lockheed. "We feel confident we can supply up to 100 percent from a combination of the U.S. Exim Bank guarantees and international commercial banks."

Satellite maker Orbital Sciences, which is with the team of the three Japanese bidders, says Vinasat will expand Vietnam's business and economic infrastructure.

Eddie Kato, vice president of marketing and business development at Orbital Sciences, said bidders were now in a wait-and-see mode. "Right now it's quiet and we think the customer is thinking about it."


Satellite: State-Of-The-Art DTH Playout Solution


From http://www.monitor-radiotv.com/phoenix/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=112&newlang=eng

Scientific-Atlanta, a leader in the development, provision and deployment of technology and services to the CATV, broadcast and telecommunications industry has launched its revolutionary DTH playout system at IBC2003. The system, which supports the leading DVB conditional access infrastructures, offers more programming on satellite transponders through high-quality, bandwidth-efficient MPEG-2 encoding.

The new Scientific-Atlanta (S-A) system uses PreSightPlus™ video pre-processing and statistical multiplexing technology on the Continuum DVP™ D9030 MPEG-2 Encoder. This enables operators and broadcasters to deliver more programming on the same transponder and reduces total transponder costs by reducing the number of transponders required. This in turn can create new revenue opportunities for the operators from subscriptions of the additional programming transmitted over the same transponders as they transition to a new digital age.

Scientific-Atlanta has developed its latest DTH playout technology to integrate with the leading third party DVB CA (conditional access) systems including Conax, CryptoWorks, Irdeto Access, NagraVision, NDS, and Viaccess. This integration is achieved by the Scientific-Atlanta Krypton™ DVB Scrambler, which is compliant with the full DVB-SimulCrypt specification. This interoperability offers increased flexibility for operators upgrading their existing digital infrastructure, or entering the digital age for the first time enabling S-A’s latest system to be completed alongside existing CA systems, until a full upgrade can be completed.

In order to obtain better video quality and higher flexibility and reliability, the German broadcaster and uplink operator ARD Sternpunkte, located at HESSISCHER RUNDFUNK, has chosen the next generation of digital technology from Scientific-Atlanta to replace the existing MPEG-2 compression system. It will use the new system to digitally deliver ARD "Das Erste" and other popular services to viewers all over Europe.

“The new MPEG-2 uplink system gives us more room to operate our densely packaged transponder”, says Manfred Petersen, project manager of HESSICHER RUNDFUNK. “Transponder space is money, and the PreSightPlus™ technology from Scientific-Atlanta combined with the reliability advantages and committed support is a condition for success in our industry.”

Dean Rockwell, Vice President and General Manager of S-A’s Transmission Networks Europe explains, “All of Scientific-Atlanta’s DTH playout technology is built around open standards and interoperability with other vendors’ technology. In addition to enabling customers to integrate S-A’s cutting edge systems with existing network infrastructure, our latest DTH technology delivers optional statistical rate compression of pre-encoded programs with IntelliRate™ technology, which allows for more programming on the same transponder and thus creating additional revenue opportunities from subscriptions.

“Drawing on S-A’s decades of experience developing, deploying and supporting cutting edge technologies and systems for broadcasters, cable operators and telecommunications companies our new DTH solution is designed for maximum uptime and unrivalled reliability.”

S-A’s new DTH system can be fully controlled through the ROSA™ Management System, which allows cable operators to control and monitor the whole up-link and transmission system through easy integration of 3rd party devices with SNMP, serial protocols or contact closures. By providing a central management system, it is possible to reduce operational costs significantly.


BBC World's Asian viewership up by 15 per cent, channel quotes Pax


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct55.htm

NEW DELHI: The seventh Pan Asia Cross Media Survey (PAX) has found that BBC World has sustained the audience it gained in 2002. It has also shown an annual growth in some of Asia's biggest urban centres.

A company release states that BBC World has experienced an increase of 15 per cent in its viewership within Asia - the fastest growth for any international news or business channel.

Across the original seven PAX markets, BBC World claims to be nearly 60 per cent ahead of CNBC in terms of reach among business decision-makers. The channel has enjoyed particularly large growth in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Taipei.

In particular, BBC World's investment in regional programming is said to have attracted a loyal audience of senior business people. Findings show that more than 24,000 'top management' in Asia tune in to BBC World either every day or almost every day, according to an official statement from the BBC.

BBC World's overall audience profile also remains enviably upscale. Among the ten largest international channels in Asia-Pacific, BBC World's audience includes the highest proportion of frequent business travellers (34 per cent), business decision-makers (27 per cent) and business opinion formers (35 per cent).

The release quotes BBC World's head of research and planning Jeremy Nye, as saying, "BBC World continues to maintain its position in Asia-Pacific, attracting upmarket audiences, and cost-effective delivery to advertisers. Across the main nine PAX markets, we are pulling further away from its main competitors, and now reaching more business decision-makers in certain day parts than CNN."

The PAX 2003 survey was conducted during the 12-month period from July 2002 to June 2003 among 19,222 respondents in markets in Asia-Pacific. The survey was based on nine markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul and India. In India, it covered Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.


BBC strikes Disney film deal


From http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1058615,00.html

The BBC has signed a multimillion pound deal with Hollywood studio Disney to show hit movies including Calendar Girls, Chicago and Pirates of the Caribbean.

It is the first major rights deal the BBC has struck with any of the studios since a row blew up earlier this year about the corporation abandoning BSkyB's encryption system and putting all of its services "in the clear" on digital satellite.

The US studios, including Disney, Friends producer Warner Bros and Fox, which makes shows including The Simpsons, were concerned the BBC's digital satellite move in July could allow viewers in neighbouring countries to watch programmes broadcast by the corporation.

Broadcasting "in the clear" on digital satellite means that BBC channels are no longer encrypted - a kind of electronic firewall that prevented the signal being received overseas.

The studios were concerned that if their films and TV shows broadcast on BBC channels could be seen in other countries, it could affect their rights deals with foreign broadcasters.

Warners Bros, Universal and Fox brought in lawyers at one stage and it looked as if BBC deals for US TV shows and films - including the first Harry Potter movie - could be under threat.

The BBC is still in negotiation with Fox about securing rights to the third series of BBC2 hit 24.

But the Disney deal, which gives the BBC exclusive UK terrestrial rights to more than 100 films from the end of 2004, suggests the corporation may have found a way of dealing with the studios' concerns about the digital satellite rights issue.

"These concerns have been addressed as part of the deal. We are not re-encrypting [BBC services on digital satellite]," a BBC spokeswoman said.

She added that there had been no financial settlement to compensate Disney for possible loss of revenue in other countries.

The Disney deal includes British comedy hit Calendar Girls, which stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters and is based on the true story of a group of Women's Institute members in Yorkshire who posed nude for a fundraising calendar.

BBC viewers will also get the chance to see Oscar-winning musical Chicago, starring Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere, and swashbuckling action hit Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl, featuring Johnny Depp.

Other titles in the Disney deal include two movies starring Nicole Kidman - critically acclaimed literary adaptation The Hours and the yet to be released Cold Mountain, in which she features alongside Jude Law.

The BBC has also bought library titles including the English Patient and Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca.




8/10/03

Not much to say today. I am watching the cricket NZ vs India, it should be on Pas 10 DDsports?


From my Emails & ICQ


From Bill Richards

Optus B3

12531 V Sr15000 FEC 2/3

Vpid1160 Apid1120 SID1 Tamil TV Test Card
Vpid1360 Apid1320 SID2 Adhoc Live Camera
Vpid1861 Apid1824 SID3 Test of Abu Dhabi TV Europe
Vpid1460 Apid1420 SID4 TGN Thai TV5 (Has no sound).


Regards
Bill Richards


From Fishing fishing

Hi all

For those interested, RCTI on palap2 is showing the euro soccer qualifier
turkey vs england live from 1am local time (which i believe is 3am eastern
oz).

Fishinggg


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 3706 V "Occasional Reuters TV feeds" on , SR 3260, FEC 7/8.
PAS 8 166E 3718 V "Pinoy Central TV" has left .

Optus C1 156E Austar/Foxtel has started to use 12358 H, 12478 H and 12638 H, Irdeto 2.For channel line-ups, SIDs and PIDs, see the Austar/Foxtel charts.

Palapa C2 113E 4048 V "SCTV" has left .
Palapa C2 113E 3727 V "SCTV" has started , Fta, SR 6620, FEC 3/4, PIDs 2201/2202.
Palapa C2 113E 4000 H "MTV Indonesia, Metro TV, a test card, TVRI and RRI Pro 2 FM" have started on , Fta SR 28125, FEC 3/4, PIDs 33/34, 1057/1058, 2081/2082,3105/3106 and 1059.

AsiaSat 2 100.5E 3752 V "Sun TV, Surya TV and KTV" have started, Fta, SR 5640, FEC 3/4,SIDs 1-3, PIDs 1001/1002, 1006/1007 and 1011/1012.

NSS 6 95E 12688 V New PIDs for Free-XTV on : 529/531.

Insat 3A 93.5E Several updates in the mux on 11670 H.
Insat 3A 93.5E Updates in Zee Telefilms on 11630 H.DD Bharati is now in Fta.SET Max is now encrypted.

Yamal 102 90E 3564 R "Echo of Moscow has replaced Novosti Online FM" on , Fta, SID 29,APID 4168.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H "Antenna Pacific and Ant 1 97.2" have started Fta,PIDs 2305/2306 and 2306.RNW 3 has left.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3640 H "Ant 1 97.2"bhas left , moved to 3520 H.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H "RNW 3" has left .

PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V Lig TV, Nile Drama and Leonardo have started, Fta,PIDs 1057/1058, 4177/4178 and 4193/4194.New PIDs for Kanal D Fun: 33/34.
PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V "TelePace" has started , Fta, PIDs 4209/4210.

Intelsat 906 64E 3668 R The TV Africa mux has left .


NEWS


Thai satellite operator banks on India


From http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2003/103100719.asp

India being a major client, the company fears that with the launch of INSAT 3E, India would shift to its own satellite and that competition would be intensified.

BANGKOK - Shin Satellite PCL, Asia's second-biggest satellite operator, said on Tuesday that India, its largest foreign client, would decide later this month whether to renew a transponder lease contract.

Shares of Shin Sat, Thailand's largest telecoms conglomerate, fell to a three-month low on Tuesday after some brokers downgraded the stock due to the company's poor earnings outlook on expectations that the Indian government might terminate the contract expiring on October 20.

"The final decision should be announced by October 20," a company official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters. Shin Sat, founded by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before he entered politics, told investors in an email it had always said it was likely that the Indian government would move to another satellite "one day".

India's Department of Space (DOS) contributed about 11 percent of Shin Sat's revenues from satellite transponders. DOS had leased 10 transponders from Shin Sat since 1998, but decided not to renew a contract for three transponders that expired in May because it wanted to use it own satellite.

Last month, India launched its latest communications satellite, INSAT 3E, which raised concerns that DOS would shift to its own satellite and the launch could intensify competition in an oversupplied market.

On Tuesday, Shin Sat shares fell 5.6 percent to end at 18.50 baht ($0.47), their lowest since June. The overall Thai stock market rose 0.01 percent.

LIMITED IMPACT

Shin Sat said the potential loss of a main client and the launch of India's new satellite would have only a limited immediate impact because of the strong demand in India.

"Indian demand should still outstrip supply for a while longer," the company said in the email.

Shin Sat said the seven transponders accounted for only 5.5 percent of consolidated revenues, but analysts said this could have impact on the company's outlook.

"Although the net impact is not significant, this may create negative sentiment towards Shin Sat," DBS Vickers Securities said in a note.

Most of 10 analysts polled by Reuters Research rated Shin Sat "sell" or "hold" with a 2003 net profit consensus estimate of 1.22 billion baht ($30.79 million), down 13 percent from a year ago. Shin Sat, 51 percent-owned by Shin Corp, the flagship of a telecoms group founded by Thaksin, operates three satellites covering Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe. It plans to launch a new high-speed broadband satellite in 2004.

Its major rivals include Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co Ltd. The sluggish global economy and the oversupply of satellite transponders has raised doubts about the viability of the new broadband satellite, which Shin Sat plans to launch into full commercial service in the second half of 2004.




7/10/03

Livechat tonight, 9pm NZ onwards be aware NZ is on Daylight savings time, so we are 3 hours ahead of Syd time at the moment. Might be a bit quiet until later in the evening.

Globecast has labeld their B3 mux services. I still don't get sound on Thai Tv 5 though. If anyone else is having problems on that channel email Globecast at [email protected].

Lyngsat update are back, might take a few days of updates until he has caught up he must have a hell of a lot of emails to go through.

The October issue of Satmagazine is online http://www.satmagazine.com



From my Emails & ICQ


From Judong Wu

88E out of footprint reception

Hi Craig,

Your DX page has not been updated for a long time!
This time I give you an interesting new DX report.
I am in east suburb of Melbourne.
Yesterday, I could load 3582H SR12860 off 88E ST-1,
6TV and 16 radio channels by a 2.3M Comstar mesh dish
and a 15K Zinwell C-band LNBF, just above threshold.

Absolutely amazing!

BTW, according Asian information, this mux will switch
from Horizontal to Vertical on the first of November,
may be hard to receive in the future!

Here is the official ST-1 C-band coverage map.

http://business.singtel.com/satellite_services/products/fixed/vsat_st1__user_guide.asp

Cheers,
Jundong Wu


(Craigs comment, They are known to change the signal levels on this bird at times. I wouldn't worry to much about what the "Official" coverage map says)


From Peter Berret

Hi all

Last few days Tv5 has been on the Satelindo mux (Palapa C2) on two separate channels.
The new channel has the audio reversed from the first one. It can be found
at 4000H 28125 3/4

cheers Peter


From Superfly

Palapa c2 Loads TV5, Metro TV, Global, AhRahman (no pics on this channel although pics on this channel on 4080V)

TV5 now loading 3 times on Palapa.

Satlindo on 4080V promo of MQTV (maybe a new Muslim channel).


From the Dish


PAS 8 166E 3860 H "Super TV" is now encrypted.

Optus B3 156E 12531 V "Abu Dhabi TV Europe" has replaced BVN TV , Fta, PIDs 1861/1824.

Palapa C2 113E The test cards, occasional feeds and Radio Singapore International have left 4000 H.
Palapa C2 113E 4080 H It's Delta FM on , Fta, APID 660.

AsiaSat 3 105.5E 4020 V "Sahara Samay Maharashtra" is testing on , Fta, PIDs 515/680.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H "RTR Planeta" has started, Fta, PIDs 4129/4130.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3545 V "A Titan test card" has started, Fta, PIDs 321/322.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3686 H "Indiavision" has started testing, Fta, SR 3333, FEC 3/4,PIDs 1160/1120.

PAS 10 68.5E 4184 V "Kanal D Fun and Tele Liban" have started , Fta, PIDs 49/50 and 4161/4162. ESC 2 has replaced ERT Sat on PIDs 4145/4146, Fta.

Apstar 5 is scheduled to launch with Zenit/Sea Launch late in November.


NEWS


Alan Bollard live to survive the Sky TV knife


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

Sky TV's decision to scrap the low-rating CNBC financial channel has met some feisty resistance - unidentified supporters have set up a "Save CNBC" website (savecnbc.tk).

One of the biggest fears voiced by the site's creators is that the demise of the channel will mean the end of live broadcasts on Sky of Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard's quarterly monetary policy statements.

But Sky was yesterday able to offer some good news: Dr Bollard's announcements will still be beamed live, but via the Sky News Australia channel.


SKYLink by ARINC Direct Enters Production; First Satellite Broadband for Business Aircraft


From http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20031006005172&newsLang=en

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 2003--ARINC Incorporated today announced that SKYLink(SM) by ARINC Direct, the world's first satellite broadband data system for business aircraft, is in production following successful flight trials and final conformance testing. The company demonstrated its two-way broadband system this week at the 56th annual convention of the National Business Aircraft Association.

ARINC developed the SKYLink system with investment and technology support from its team member SES AMERICOM, a leading provider of global satellite communications. The SKYLink system is based on unique Ku-band satellite communications technology developed by ViaSat, Inc. who provides the aircraft transceiver and antenna as well as the ground earth station equipment. The first two production SKYLink units will be delivered to Gulfstream Aerospace in mid-October.

"SKYLink is the world's first production broadband data system for business aviation," stated Bob Thompson, Senior Director, ARINC Satellite Services. "We expect to complete our first customer installations later this month, and we'll launch full SKYLink service coverage of the continental United States at that time. The next regions to receive SKYLink service will be the North Atlantic flight tracks, Europe, and the Middle East. The SKYLink system will provide users with blazingly fast connections to the Internet, virtual private networks, and corporate Intranets. The SKYLink off-aircraft data rate is 128 kbps, and the data rate to the aircraft is up to 3.5 Mbps. This performance is even more remarkable considering the entire SKYLink system weighs just 35 pounds, including the 12-inch mechanically steered dish antenna."

SKYLink Broadband Service and SKYLink hardware will be offered by manufacturers as a factory option on new aircraft. In addition, ARINC Direct will work with aircraft owners, manufacturers and completion centers to retrofit SKYLink on in-service aircraft.

Unlike slower satellite services, SKYLink uses Ku-band satellite technology to achieve true broadband speeds. The system provides data to the aircraft up to five times faster than a land-based digital subscriber line. Once SKYLink service is installed on an aircraft it can be distributed to one or many onboard users via the aircraft's wired or wireless LAN. SKYLink changes today's corporate jet into a convenient, productive office in the sky, by providing a seamless, high-speed extension of company networks.

SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and leading provider of global satellite communications services, currently providing capacity on 16 spacecraft serving the Americas, Europe, the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and Asia. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family, AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world, through a combined fleet of 42 satellites. For more information, visit the SES AMERICOM web site at www.ses-americom.com.

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit the ARINC web site at www.arinc.com.

Contacts
ARINC Incorporated
Stephen E. Means, 410-266-4652
[email protected]


Orbit and ESPN International renew programming distribution agreement


From http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/29104.html

The Orbit Satellite and Radio Television Network, the world's first fully digital, multi-lingual, pay-television service, and ESPN International, the largest provider of sports television programming in the world, have jointly announced a five-year renewal agreement for the Orbit-ESPN sports channel as part of the Orbit service.

This mutual accord once again proves the long-term commitment on the part of Orbit and ESPN International and to the future of sports television in the Middle East. The fresh five-year agreement also solidifies a mutually beneficial and amicable relationship between Orbit and ESPN International that has been ongoing since the launch of Orbit in 1994.

Under terms of the agreement, Orbit-ESPN will continue to broadcast top quality sports programming in Arabic and English to more than 20 countries throughout the Middle East. In 2004, programming highlights will include NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, and major golf and tennis tournaments, in addition to soccer, college sports, horse racing, motor sports, and the premier action sports franchise in the world, ESPN's X Games.

"We are very excited about the continuation of the co-operation with ESPN International that this renewal agreement provides. The association between Orbit and ESPN International is of great benefit to our viewers," said a delighted Michael Anthony, Vice President of Sports Programming at Orbit. "The combination of Orbit-ESPN's current programming with ESPN International's content will enable us to offer by far the most complete and dynamic 24-hour sports channel in the region."

'We value our relationship with Orbit and we are pleased that we have renewed our distribution agreement,' said Timo Lumme, ESPN International's vice president of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. 'As the leading broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa, Orbit provides the ideal platform for ESPN programming to reach sports fans in the region.'

Orbit-ESPN is a 24-hour sports service committed to providing coverage of the world's premier sporting events as well as those with strong local appeal. Orbit-ESPN Sports is the premier sports channel in the Middle East and North Africa, providing programming never seen before in the region to an upscale, highly educated audience while continually adding innovative programming and technology to reflect the tastes of genuine sports fans of all ages.

Commenting at the signing ceremony, Ali Ajouz – Orbit's Vice President Marketing said: 'This agreement, following the heals of our exclusive broadcasting rights of the Saudi League for the upcoming two years, reiterates our commitment to providing our viewers with the best in sporting programs.'

Orbit offers viewers 7 movie channels, 2 sports channels, 7 general entertainment channels, 5 news channels, 3 children's channels, 2 documentary channels, a music channel and 20 radio channels in addition to 4 pay-per-view channels offering the latest Arabic & Western blockbuster movies.


DD bags Rs 92 cr for New Zealand series


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=219037

NEW DELHI: Cutting through the lethargy usually associated with government bodies, Prasar Bharti has created history of sorts by selling advertising time worth Rs 92 crore for the India-Australia-New Zealand cricket series starting October 8.

According to media buyers and Prasar Bharti, this is by far the highest revenue grossed by a channel for any cricket series. Prasar Bharti has the exclusive terrestrial rights for the series which will be telecast live on DD1 and DD Sports simultaneously.

“We have definitely created a record, thanks to our non-negotiable rate card,’’ says Prasar Bharti CEO K S Sharma. Unlike other satellite channels, Prasar Bharti made no distinction between large and small spenders while selling airtime.

DD gave no discounts to volume buyers. Since everybody was offered the same rate, Rs 65,000/10 secs for DD1 and Rs 75,000/10 secs for DD Sports, there was no heartburn and advertisers bought spots without any misgiving, says Mr Sharma. Prasar Bharti mopped up Rs 92 crore by selling 1.2 lakh secs of commercial time. The series has 10 one day internationals and 2 test matches.

Fortunately for Prasar Bharti, the series coincides with the festival season, during which the ad market gets a taste of high throttle spend.

Automakers, consumer durables, FMCGs, two wheelers, food and beverage companies up their respective ad budgets by 20-30% during this time of the year. “Not surprisingly, there are no inventories left,’’ adds Mr Sharma.

Industry sources are surprised that Prasar Bharti managed to pull it off without HLL’s support - so far the single largest spender on DD. Lever has stayed away from the entire cricket series due to a clash with Prasar Bharti on the issue of 8% service tax. The tax was slapped after the commercial deals were sealed.

“This only shows that the clout which Lever enjoyed on account of being the largest adspender - Rs 700-800 crore - is gradually diminishing. Now, other large spenders have surfaced who buy spots without any hard bargaining,’’ say industry sources.

This is also the first time that Prasar Bharti has jointly packaged airtime on its two arms - Doordarshan and AIR.

Not just that, in order to shore up its revenues, it has removed middlemen like Nimbus and Buddha Films, and has directly marketed the commercial time to the advertisers.

The direct airtime marketing decision follows DD’s success with ad sales for the India-West Indies series last October during which the broadcaster collected revenues worth Rs 52 crore.




6/10/03

The Audio on Thai TV on B3 is still causing problems for many. From one person "I can get audio only with my zinwell 9111E no pic but with Strong 4870i can get audio & pic". Bill Richards reports those with Nokias and Dvb2000 software go into Audio menu and hit (0 hidden menu) to reset it to get audio UNTILL they fix it. It's obviously in test mode at the moment as they have not even labeld it yet.

3 Indian channels appeared on Asiasat 2 for a short time on the weekend maybe a test of some kind.


From my Emails & ICQ


From Zapara

Asiasat 2 100.5 deg E

3752 V Sr 5640 Fec 3/4

"Sun TV" Vpid 1001 Aud 1002 PCR 1001 SID 1 PMT 1000
"Surya TV" Vpid 1006 AUD 1007 PCR 1006 SID 2 PMT 1005
"KTV" Vpid 1011 AUD 1012 PCR 1011 SID 3 PMT 1010

Tests?

KTV , Sun TV and Surya TV, new channels seen testing on Asiasat 2


From Chris Pickstock 5/10

B1 feeds seen

12356 V, Sr 6666 has Australian Idol on
12430 V, Sr 6666 has a Country Music thing on

Chris


From Ian Peters

Does anyone know of any NFL feeds that might pop up on PAS2 or
PAS8. Anyone ever noticed such a thing? The games are on late
Sunday night/early Monday morning (3/4am AEST -> 2pm or so the same day).

I don't have access to ESPN on Foxtel which shows a few games.

Ian


(Craigs comment,

NFL BROADCASTS ATTRACT A GLOBAL AUDIENCE

For the 6th consecutive season, the NFL has chosen BT Broadcast Services to transmit the season's games and highlights to millions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. BT Broadcast Services is providing the international distribution services for the NFL's Sunday afternoon and evening games, Monday night football games, and the NFL highlight shows -- NFL Blast and NFL Gameday. Broadcasters such as Channel 5 UK, Canal+ France, BSkyB, TV2 Denmark and Gaora Sports (Japan) have already signed up to carry NFL Films magnification of the season. Distribution of the games to Europe and the Middle East encompasses the use of satellite capacity on New Skies to transmit the signals from BT's teleport in Washington DC. For distribution to Asia, the signal will travel via fiber from the various game venues to PanAmSat's earth station in Napa Valley, CA for satellite transmission to Asia via PAS2. At the Napa Valley Teleport the signal will also be encrypted and encoded to guard against piracy.)


From Applesat 4/10

B1 Feed

Sky NZ
Kings Vs Parramatta
Freq 12357 V
SR 6617
Audio PID 0256
Video PID 0308
PCR PID 8190


From The Dish


Lyngsat still on a break


NEWS


DD News set for 3 November launch after cabinet okay


From http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/oct/oct34.htm

MUMBAI: With the Union Cabinet on Friday clearing a proposal for starting DD News by closing DD Metro, national broadcaster Doordarshan is all set to launch its 24-hour news channel from 3 November.

With a recurring expenditure of Rs 540 million, the government will provide budgetary support for the first two years during which it will have to become self-sufficient, the Press Trust of India quoted parliamentary affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as saying, after Friday's cabinet meeting.

"We have taken up the challenge of generating revenue from DD News so that self sufficiency can be achieved at the end of the third year," Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma had told journalists last Wednesday on the sidelines of announcing an initiative to start voice training (for radio) culture through the Staff Training Institute of AIR.

According to Sarma, the revenue target for the remaining period of the current financial year, ending 31 March, 2004, is Rs 20 million. For the year 2004-05, the target would be Rs 200 million and for the next year the goal is to try mop up Rs 540 million.

Terrestrial viewers as well as the satellite signal viewers will be able to receive the proposed channel thereby giving it a distinctive edge over private satellite news channels. DD Metro terrestrial channel can be received by about 43 per cent of the population.

The decision to close DD Metro is not without its opponenets though. A public interest litigation (PIL) petition challenging the government’s decision to convert DD Metro into a news channel has been filed in the Delhi High Court, PTI has reported.

After a brief hearing on 2 October, a bench comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice AK Sikri, deferred the hearing to 22 October.

PTI reported that the PIL, filed by one Vinod Jain through senior advocate Rajiv Nayar and Kamal Mehta, alleged that the decision to convert the free-to-air entertainment channel into a news channel was because of extraneous considerations.

The petitioner pointed out that the DD News "experiment" had already been tried earlier with disastrous results. DD news was first launched in 1999 at a cost of Rs 930 million. It was eventually shut down on 25 January 2002 due to heavy losses.

Meanwhile, the project report prepared by Prasar Bharati had initially envisaged an investment of Rs 1310 million, including the cost of additional manpower that would be needed for the news channel. The project report had said that since there are very few people with DD metro channel (that is being closed down to make way for DD News), more staffers would be needed and permission had been sought to go in for direct recruitment, an exercise that has been frozen for quite some time now, considering the size of Prasar Bharati, which has on its payroll over 40,000 employees.

When the finance ministry raised objections, this figure was subsequently pruned to Rs 960 million. The finance ministry ultimately gave its okay for additional aid of Rs 560 million for DD News.

At present, DD telecasts news bulletins from Delhi Kendra for a total of three and a half hours every day and the regional News Units put out news bulletins for a total time of approximately twelve and a half hours daily.


(Craigs comment, I guess this means no more English F1 G.P race via DD Metro channel.)


T S I C H A N N E L N E W S - Number 38/2003 5 October 2003 -

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


AUSTRALIA

DIGITAL TV RUSH EXPECTED

As many as a quarter of a million Australian households could have digital free-to-air television by Christmas, following a surge in popularity that has left suppliers and retailers struggling to keep up with demand, the TV industry says. With digital TV tuners now available for less than $200, Digital Broadcasting Australia (DBA), an industry group that tracks sales of digital televisions and set-top boxes, said during the week that the number of Australian homes with digital television receivers had doubled since March, from about 70,000 to reach 145,000 at the end of August. It estimates that 200,000 households should have digital television by the end of the year - a figure that would be higher were it not for delays in supply of set-top boxes coming out of Europe and Asia, said DBA spokesman Tim O'Keefe. But Sony, a major supplier of the technology, said it had experienced an even bigger surge in demand for digital television. It estimated that a quarter of a million households would have switched to digital TV by Christmas.

ABC GETS DATACASTING LICENSE

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has licensed public broadcaster ABC to provide a datacasting (digital video and text services) service spanning the whole of the country. The Australian government had to ditch a commercial auction for datacasting licenses in 2002 because of lack of interest. Second public broadcaster SBS has already won a license to provide these services.

SBS FAVOURITE TO WIN FOOTBALL RIGHTS

Free-to-air broadcaster Network Seven is relinquishing its existing TV football rights. Seven had rights to the matches of the national team as well as those played in the National Soccer League. This comes after the disbanding of Australian football's governing body Soccer Australia. Its replacement the Australian Soccer Association wants to renegotiate all TV rights and Seven has agreed to this. Seven has taken flak for only airing a few of the games it had rights for. Public broadcaster SBS is considered the favorite to win the rights.

ACCC BOOST FOR FOXTEL’S DIGITAL TV PLANS

Foxtel came closer to launching digital pay-TV in Australia next year after the corporate regulator on October 3 endorsed proposed terms for competitors to access Foxtel's analogue and digital networks. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the proposal would be approved "relatively quickly" if Foxtel agreed to certain changes. Foxtel said it was confident it could resolve the issues with the ACCC. The ACCC also backed away from intervening in the dispute between the free-to-air networks and Foxtel over its arrangements for retransmitting their signals on its digital satellite service. Foxtel requires rival broadcasters that want their channels retransmitted over its satellite service to pay fees to the satellite operator, Optus. Optus and Foxtel last year concluded a landmark content-sharing deal to rationalise the pay-TV industry. The free-to-air networks said the proposal disadvantaged their negotiations with Optus. But the ACCC dismissed their concerns, saying there were significant public benefits in the deal.

CHINA HONG KONG

DVN AND HISENSE SIGN DIGITAL TV DEAL

Hong Kong-based digital television technology provider DVN (Holdings) Limited has entered into an agreement with Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer Hisense Electric Company Limited to form a strategic alliance to develop nationwide digital TV broadcasting business in mainland China. Set-top boxes produced under the new arrangement will be initially sold in the northern Chinese Province of Shandong. Hisense will pay DVN a specified licensing fee per unit produced. DVN will provide Hisense with the technology to manufacture the set-top boxes, for Hisense to produce and sell. DVN confirmed that not only would Hisense be the key producer and sales force, it would also support the finance for all production cost. The Chinese government previously announced its plans to actively build a digital TV infrastructure in China under the supervision of the State Administration for Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT). By 2005, 30 million subscribers are scheduled to have digital TV access. The Chinese market is estimated to reach 30 million by 2005.

Internet - http://www.dvnholdings.com

GUANDONG BROADCASTERS UNITE

Five state-owned television and radio stations in China's southern Guandong province are to consolidate their operations into a single entity by February 1 in order to help counter the increasing popularity of foreign and Hong Kong-based broadcasters in the region. The Guandong Radio, Film and Television Group will comprise Guandong Television, Nanfrang Television, Guandong Radio, Guandong Cable Network and a new DTH satellite company. China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television will control GRFT as it seeks to expand it share of Guandong's $4 billion TV advertising market.

INDIA

MID-DAY SEEKS TV NEWS CHANNEL PARTNER

Mid-Day Multimedia is looking at roping in a strategic financial partner to co-fund the new television channel it plans to launch by early 2004. The cost of the channel is pegged at around Rs 50 crore. The channel will focus on local news, besides having some entertainment programmes.

STAR GRANTED FIFTH EXTENSION TO UPLINK PLANS

Star News, 24-hour Hindi news channel and a News Corp.’s venture, has been granted a fifth extension to uplink its channel from India. The decision was withheld on October 1. The channel managed to remain on air as it had obtained a stay order from the Mumbai High Court. The Information and Broadcasting ministry's decision was delayed as it needed more time to evaluate the clarifications given by the channel on issues such as company structure and arrangement with companies for infrastructure support and news gathering equipment. The government is still considering the critical issues such as company structure of Star News’ licensing company Media Content and Communications Services and arrangement with Hughes, Rent Works and Touch Telecontent, according to information available.

AXN TO INTRODUCE HINDI DUBBED PROGRAMMES

AXN India, the action and adventure channel from the One Alliance stable, is looking to introduce dubbed programmes in Hindi in about six months. The move, from being a 100 per cent English channel to one that speaks Hindi too, will provide - an entry point (for AXN) into fully Hindi-viewing households.

ZEE TO UPLINK TWO CHANNELS FROM INDIA

Zee Telefilms, the country's largest private broadcasting network, has obtained government permission to uplink its entertainment channel Zee TV and movie channel Zee Cinema from India. “Shifting of broadcast of these channels would help garner advertising revenue from domestic advertisers, save foreign exchange costs and help bring about operational efficiency in the wake of introduction of CAS and DTH technologies for distribution”, said Rajiv Garg, CEO, Essel Group, of which Zee Telefilms is a group company. The company has contracted Essel Shyam Communications to uplink these channels. The channels would continue to be broadcast using the same transponder from the Asiasat satellite. Meanwhile, Zee Telefilms (ZTL) is investing $88 million over the next three years to upgrade its SitiCable cable network to the new conditional access (CAS) regime and for launching direct-to-home (DTH) operations.

JAPAN

TV5 TO LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER

Paris-based public satellite broadcaster TV5 Monde will begin full-scale broadcasting in Japan on November 1. TV5, in which France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada have stakes, signed a contract with Nippon BS Broadcasting Corp. the same day, marking the launch of French-language TV broadcasts in Japan for the first time. TV5 will broadcast programs via a communications satellite (CS) digital broadcast channel. TV5 has been broadcasting programs on a trial basis from 9 p.m. through 3 a.m. in Japan since April, but will broadcast programs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. from November. From April 1 next year, broadcasts will run from 6 p.m. through 2 a.m. TV5 broadcasts programs produced in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada as well as movies, news and other programs in 165 countries and has 140 million viewers worldwide.

MALAYSIA

RTM TO LAUNCH TV1 GLOBALLY

RTM, Malaysia's state-owned broadcaster, will make it TV1 channel available internationally via satellite during 2004, according to a government statement. RTM, which has been earmarked for privatization, is currently engaged in feasibility studies and has contacted two DTH providers -; AsiaSat and APT Satellite -; to assess costs. Asia, the Middle East and Africa will likely be RTM's initial target footprints.

NEW ZEALAND

INL TO DETAIL SKY BID

New Zealand's News Corp.-owned Independent Newspapers will file details of its takeover bid for domestic pay-TV platform Sky Television with the Takeover Panel and Stock Exchange on Oct. 10. INL will formally present its offer -; NZ$3.35 (US$1.99) cash for each Sky share and three INL shares for every 10 Sky shares -; to Sky on October 24, with broadcaster given a December 5 deadline to respond.

SAUDI ARABIA

SATELLITE TV AUDIENCE SURVEY PUBLISHED

A study has estimated the growth rate of the Saudi audience for satellite channels at 4.6 per cent. The advent of satellite television has greatly affected both the terrestrial Saudi channels, which have been experiencing a steep decline in viewers. Many Saudis say they tune in to Saudi Channel 1 mainly for local news. Three cable TV providers dominate the Saudi market. Awael (First Net) is the market leader, followed by Showtime and Orbit. The networks include in addition to premium channels more than 100 free channels. Taking into account the millions of non-Arab expatriates in the Gulf region, several Arab channels have launched separate English-language channels. Saudi TV itself has a separate English channel, as do almost all the GCC states. Commercial networks have also set up many new English-language channels in the last two years. The most popular among them is MBC's Channel 2. In addition, ART, Nile TV and others also have separate English channels. Most of these channels are free and therefore have large audiences.

SINGAPORE

NO BIDS FOR SECOND PAY-TV LICENSE

Singapore's Media Development Authority received no bids for a licence to operate a second pay-TV service in the country. StarHub Cable Vision will remain as the sole provider of the service in Singapore. Poor business sentiment was cited as the main reason behind the no-show from the potential bidders. Four firms were previously reported to be interested - Singapore Telecom, Singapore Press Holdings and MediaCorp and Pacific Internet. The invitation to run Singapore's second subscription TV service was issued in June this year.

TAIWAN

DIGITAL TV TO BE LAUNCHED BY 2006

The Taiwanese government is pushing for 85% of cable homes to have switched to digital by 2006 but the local digital cable market remains beset by problems. To date, the deployment of digital set-top boxes has been slow and the cable operators are rallying against a plethora of restrictive regulation at both local and national levels. These include being made to offer all channels on an a la carte basis and a $100 maximum price restriction on digital boxes (significantly less than they cost the operators).




A F R I C A


TVAFRICA TAKEN OFF AIR

Africa Media Group, the major shareholders of free-to-air African broadcaster TVAfrica, pulled the plug on TVAfrica this week after deciding not to provide further funding because it does not expect a turnaround at the broadcaster any time soon. Africa Media Group, whose three shareholders are ZM Africa Investment Fund, AIG Africa Infrastructure Fund and the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank, put an additional 22,5 million into TVAfrica last year. A spokesman for Africa Media Group said that TVAfrica has liabilities of about R23 million and assets of about R16 million. Most of the funds are owed to satellite transponder service providers and other suppliers. TVAfrica was broadcasting to 40 African countries outside South Africa for special events and to 23 countries on a regular basis. It provided programme content to broadcasters around Africa, mainly for free, and recovered its costs by selling regional and local advertising.

KENYA

NO TV COVERAGE OF ALL AFRICA GAMES

Television viewers in Kenya will not watch live action of the All Africa Games in Abuja. None of the eight free terrestrial television channels in the country have announced plans to broadcast the event live. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) said no arrangements had been made for live transmission. The programme schedule of Supersport, a pay-TV channel offered by DStv of South Africa, does not show any slots for the All Africa Games.

BROADCASTING BILL ON THE WAY

The Government will soon table a Bill in Parliament seeking to regulate broadcasting. It will also release a national policy on information and communication technology as part of a reform aimed at enhancing competition and growth. Tourism and Information minister Raphael Tuju said all radio and television stations would from January be required to allocate 20 per cent of prime time to local programmes. The growth of the sector, he said, had been inhibited by lack of clear-cut policies guidelines.

UGANDA

TOUGH LAWS FOR TV SET OWNERS

The Media Broadcasting Council will soon carry out a major crackdown on unlicensed television sets. "Whoever is watching TV at home and has not registered his/her TV set is breaking the law," council chairman Godfrey Mutabazi said at the inauguration of the body in Kampala. "This time we shall be very tough." He said a framework will soon be put in place to impose a tax on the TV sets. TV stations operating in Kampala will pay Shs 10 million annually, while cinema halls will pay Shs 500,000 (within Kampala) and Shs 300,000 for rural areas.




5/10/03

No update Sunday




4/10/03

I have not had audio on Thai 5 since it started on B3, while others have. I think there is something not right with the actual mpg stream. I have managed to get audio working on my Nokia ( I run Dr Jamal 2003 software version) by doing the following.

Go to expert menu, select Video MPEG press 0 (which is a hidden menu) select 5 which is NORMAL, change it to Async then exit. Now I am not sure why this channel should need this process as I have never had this problem before. I can only suspect that the Globecast mux needs some fine tuning by their engineers. I will email them later.

Cricket!!

NZ vs India A 3 dayer seen on Pas 10 DD Sports, today is the final days play meanwhile last night Pakistan vs South Africa ODI was also seen on Pas 10!


From my Emails & ICQ


From Ranime 4/10/03 5.45 Pm Syd

Blues Festival Narooma ? B1 12429 V 3/4 6667


From Zapara

Pas 10 DD Sports 4034 vert 19850 3/4 English audio is carrying the India "A" v New Zealand Cricket match.


From Dukat Gul

Pas 10 68.5E 4184 V Sr 21000 Fec 3/4

Tried this arvo in Perth to get this.... got reasonble amount of
reported signals on the dreambox, but no lock...

tried the humax, got signal also no lock....


From Mathew

Craig

4184v is a very weak signal that locks and only plays at night, it is right
on threshold or below on a KTI 3m.

Weakest signal on PAS-10

Pakistan v South Africa

This game is currently live on a channel called The Musik (listed as ARYDigital4)

PAS-10 3864H Sr 19850 Fec 7/8

Good signal here in Perth on a 3m

Cheers
Matthew

Matthew


From the Dish


Nothing to report


NEWS


ACCC knocks Foxtel deal


From http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7453911%5E462,00.html

PAY-TV group Foxtel's $600 million digital upgrade is in jeopardy unless it agrees to significant changes to its business plan after the competition regulator yesterday raised new concerns.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has said the price that Foxtel intends charging new pay-TV channels to access its network is too high, and other non-price issues, such as dispute resolution, required strengthening.

Foxtel gained approval from the ACCC for its content-sharing deal with rival Optus last November, but the approval was always subject to the ACCC also agreeing to undertakings, on issues such as pricing, given by Foxtel and its 50 per cent owner Telstra.

The ACCC yesterday released its draft decision on those undertakings, and said the exemptions relating to Foxtel's digital pay-TV system, "should be granted but with important limitations and conditions".

But it knocked back similar undertakings relating to Foxtel's existing analog system although they "would be acceptable if certain changes ... are made".

Apart from the undertakings, Foxtel (which is 25 per cent owned and managed by News Limited, publisher of The Australian) also sought an exemption from the access obligations imposed by the Trade Practices Act.

But before the ACCC will grant the exemption it must approve in advance the access terms and conditions Foxtel will apply to new pay-TV channels using its network.

Foxtel has said it will only proceed with its $600 million upgrade - planned for next year - if it gains the exemption because it wants to avoid the costly access disputes of the past.

But the ACCC yesterday said the price that Foxtel intended charging those channels to access its set-top boxes "appears to overstate the business risks and should provide for a lower return on capital".

An ACCC spokesman said the price should be "lower than what Foxtel has proposed but still well above what the commission has previously allowed".

The ACCC also said the price Telstra wanted to charge to access its digital cable "may not adequately reflect the contribution to costs from other uses of the cable network (such as broadband internet) and should be reduced over time".

A Telstra spokesperson was optimistic that the ACCC would approve the exemption "on terms that allow Telstra and Foxtel to make a commercial return on the significant investment required to create a digital TV platform in Australia".

ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said he hoped Telstra and Foxtel would agree to amend their undertakings.

A Foxtel spokesperson said it would consider the issues over the next three weeks and respond to the ACCC.

"Foxtel is confident that it will be able to resolve the matters raised by the ACCC," he said.

Meantime, as flagged in The Australian, the ACCC has decided against intervening in the debate on the retransmission of channels Ten and Seven on Foxtel's digital service.


ACCC Draft Decision Requires Foxtel and Telstra to Refine Terms for Access to Pay TV Services


From

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced it requires modifications to the regime proposed by Telstra and Foxtel for access to their analogue and digital pay TV networks before it approves the arrangements.

The decision relates to four applications lodged by Telstra and Foxtel resulting from the ACCC’s approval of the Foxtel/Optus/Telstra content supply arrangements in November 2002.

The first two applications are for approval of access undertakings containing the price and non-price terms and conditions under which third parties can access Telstra’s existing analogue pay TV cable network and Foxtel’s analogue set-top units (STUs).

The third and fourth applications seek an order from the ACCC for an exemption from any future access obligations relating to Telstra and Foxtel’s proposed digital pay TV network, which is expected to be in operation next year. Telstra and Foxtel have already provided undertakings for third party access to the digital pay TV network and set-top units, once digital services are provided.

ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said the ACCC's draft view on the analogue undertakings is that the proposals cannot be supported in their current form.

"However, the ACCC believes the proposed arrangements would be acceptable if certain changes to the undertakings are made by the parties", he said. "Subject to the ACCC's final view, if these changes are made, the analogue undertaking arrangements can be approved relatively quickly".

The ACCC's draft view on the digital exemptions is that these should be granted, but with important limitations and conditions. These limitations and conditions will require alterations to the digital undertakings already provided.

The ACCC's concerns relate principally to:

- that the cost of access to Foxtel’s analogue and digital STUs appears to overstate the relevant business risks, and should provide for a lower return on capital;

- that the cost of access to Telstra’s digital cable may not adequately reflect the contribution to costs from other uses of the cable network (particularly broadband internet) in the future, and therefore should be reduced over time, if Telstra receives greater revenues from alternative uses; and

- that some of the non-price elements of the access undertakings should be further strengthened to promote effective and timely terms and conditions of access – including dispute resolution processes.

"The ACCC has discussed many of its concerns with Telstra and Foxtel. The ACCC hopes they will agree to amend their undertakings to address these concerns".

The reports detailing the ACCC's preliminary views on the analogue and digital arrangements proposed by Telstra and Foxtel have been issued for public comment.

The ACCC will make a final decision following the consideration of comments by interested parties.

This is the ACCC's first application assessment under the new anticipatory exemption provisions, which have been specifically designed to facilitate efficient investment in new telecommunications services and infrastructure by addressing regulatory uncertainty in advance of the investment being made.

Foxtel Draft Decision - Anticipatory Exemption Application (PDF 409KB)

http://www.accc.gov.au/telco/152ATA/Foxtel_DD_Anti_Exe_App.pdf

PUBLIC - Draft Decision Telstra Anticipatory Exemption Application (PDF 428KB)

http://www.accc.gov.au/telco/152ATA/DD_Telstra_Anti_Exe_App.pdf


Arguments begin as soon as new music channel does


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyID=3527041

New Zealand's latest television channel - the all-music C4 - went to air last night amid a dispute over who actually owns the idea for the new station.

Owner CanWest, which also runs TV3, was served legal papers yesterday.

The action is being taken by a former musician who claims the company ripped off the format he had come up with.

Deane Sutherland, founder of 1980s band Satellite Spies, says he met CanWest management to discuss a free-to-air music channel.

After the meeting, in March this year, Mr Sutherland says he was told a music channel was "not the future of TV4".

Mr Sutherland, who says he had been asked to meet TV4 management and discuss the plans with his company Satellite Music TV Ltd, said watching the launch last night had confirmed his fears.

"We supplied an extremely detailed plan and forecast, but they said TV4 was not interested in a music channel," Mr Sutherland said.

"Seeing the show and the commercials gives us a very strong case.

As the channel was launched at 6.30pm last night, C4 bosses insisted they would fight the case.

Station manager Suzanne Wilson said: "We were served papers yesterday and we've instructed our legal counsel. We will defend it vigorously."

CanWest chief executive Brent Impey added that there would be no interruption to the programmes.

"It will not affect the station at all or the channel launch and we're going ahead as planned," he said.

"We've read the papers, we're taking legal advice and we will defend them."

The channel, which originally went under the title of 4Music, is aimed at 15-to-29-year-olds.

It will be a youth music channel, but will continue to screen TV4's popular cartoon comedy South Park and is launching Jackass, a top- rating MTV comedy stunt series.

CanWest hope the channel will turn around the fortunes of the loss-making TV4 by increasing its appeal to viewers and advertisers.


France's TV5 to broadcast in Japan


From http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/Weekly2003/09.30.2003/Japan4.htm

Paris-based public satellite broadcaster TV5 Monde will begin full-scale broadcasting in Japan on Nov. 1, TV5 President Serge Adda said Thursday.

TV5, in which France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada have stakes, signed a contract with Nippon BS Broadcasting Corp. to prepare for the first launch of French-language TV broadcasts in Japan.


INSAT-3E Placed in near Geostationary Orbit in final on-orbit configuration


From http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12715

In the third and final stage of orbit-raising operation conducted on 1st October at 1:38 PM IST from Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan, INSAT-3E was placed in near Geostationary Orbit (GSO). The manoeuvre was completed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor on board the satellite for a duration of 3 mn, 6 secs. With this, the satellite has achieved an orbital period of 23 hours and 46 minutes and is continuously visible to MCF, Hassan. INSAT-3E is now moving towards its geostationary orbital slot with the planned drift rate of 2.3° per day. It is expected to reach its orbital slot of 55° East Longitude in the next ten days.

The 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM), which was used to conduct INSAT-3E orbit raising manoeuvres, has performed well. It enabled taking the satellite from its Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of 649 km perigee and 36,000 km apogee with an orbital inclination of 7° with respect to the equatorial plane to its present near GSO orbit with zero degree inclination. The LAM was fired for a total duration of 121 minutes in three phases on September 29, September 30 and 1st October. A total velocity of 1460 m/sec was added by LAM at the Apogee point of the orbit to take the satellite from GTO to GSO.

INSAT-3E had 1592 kg propellant at the time of its injection into GTO by Ariane-5 launch vehicle on September 28. After orbit raising operations, it has 510 kg of propellant remaining that is sufficient to arrest the drift and park it at its orbital slot as well as maintain the satellite in its orbit and controlling its orientation during its design life of more than 12 years.

After the completion of the third apogee motor firing, the Solar Arrays and Antennae of INSAT-3E were deployed by commanding from Master Control Facility, Hassan.

In the first operation, the Solar Array on the south side of the satellite was deployed at 15:01 pm IST. Then, the antenna reflector on the west side of the satellite was deployed at 15:59 pm IST. This was followed by the deployment of the Solar Array on the north side at 17:26 pm and finally the antenna reflector on the east side was deployed at 18:03 pm IST.

The Sun tracking solar array of INSAT-3E has a total area of 29.6 sq m and it is designed to generate 2.9 kW (BoL) of power in orbit. The satellite has two deployable antennas and one fixed antenna to carry out various transmit and receive functions.

The three axis stabilization of INSAT-3E is successfully carried out today between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.. In this configuration spacecraft will be locked to Earth continuously through the optical sensors and will maintain the correct attitude to look at the Earth in a stable manner. The Momentum Wheels onboard the satellite are switched ON, and stabilized to nominal speed of 4500 revolutions per minute to provide gyroscopic stiffness and provide three axis stabilization.

Currently, the spacecraft is at 38° East longitude, and drifting towards its orbital slot of 55° E, at a rate of 2.3° per day. The communication payloads will be switched ON after reaching the orbital slot, and in-orbit testing of the payloads will be carried out for a duration of three weeks. The satellite INSAT-3E is expected to be ready for service by 1st week of November 2003.




3/10/03

There is a guy trying to save CNBC being dumped from Sky NZ, Good luck with that one Jason website for the save CNBC group http://www.savecnbc.tk/

I wonder how many business customers Sky is going to lose through this decision?

NZ vs India "A" cricket is on DD Sports Pas 10



From my Emails & ICQ


From Me 5.40pm Syd

B1 12358 V Sr 6666 Fec 3/4 "Fight feed"


From Superfly

TARBS MUX 4090V 21000 SR PAS 2

"MBC (Middle East)" has started on V-PID 518 A-PID 646 P-PID 134

Told this to Lyngsat last week but has failed to act.
So now it's exclusive knowledge to Apsattv.


From Satellite Info

SET International is currently FTA on Pas 8.

SET International "Channel_08" is currently FTA on 3860H 28000 5/6 on Pas 8.
VPID = 480
APID = 481


From Jundong Wu

Lyngsat has a break, so send this report to your site.

PAS 2 has a new signal, 3808V SR13240 FTA test cards.

B1 the third SBS mux has started, 12456H SR12600 FTA,
the channels lineup are same as the second and the
first, but the programms seem in a different timezone,
I am not sure it is in SA or WA.

Palapa C2 4000H mux has left.

Cheers,
Jundong Wu


From the Dish


Pas 8 166E 3860 H "Set International" is FTA on Vpid 480 Apid 481, Sr 28000 Fec 5/6

I 709 85.2E "TVBJ" Sr 36030 Fec 1/2

Pas 10 68.5E 4184 V Sr 21000 Fec 3/4 Changes in services on this transponder, Can anyone in Australia get this one?



NEWS


JSAT and SEI to Release Satellite Antenna that Reaches Several Sattellites Simultaneously


From http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=5730

Tokyo (JCNN) - JSAT (TSE: 9442) and Sumitomo Electic Industries-SEI (TSE: 5802), the partners in satellite antenna development, have announced that they have developed and will commercialize the Lune-Q lineup of satellite antennas in 2004.

JSAT and SEI applied the Luneberg lens technology to enable a satellite antenna to reach several satellites simultaneously. Lune-Q brand antennas come in three sizes, large, medium and small. Large antennas are for professional uses, and medium and small size antennas are for homes and condominiums.

Typically, a large Lune-QMobile will be mounted on ships and car vehicles. JSAT and SEI will work with Korea's High Gain Antenna to market this product.

The medium sized Lune-Q120 will be for CATV stations, and Lune-Q80 is designed for condominiums and large stores to capture broadcasting programs launched from several satellites. The Lune-Q40 will be for the homes. Beginning in October, JSAT and SEI will offer prototypes of the Lune-Q40 antennas to the general public for a trial use. The sales of LuneQ-80 will begin in March 2004.


Over to Ku-band: DTH makes its India debut


From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?msid=213474

NEW DELHI: Direct to home (DTH) delivery of television channels has been kicked off in the country, albeit in a token form, by Zee for Rs 100 per month plus taxes for 38 channels.

For the first time in the country, transmission of television channels over Ku-band crept in today with ASC Enterprises of Essel group keeping its date with direct-to-home services, DISH TV.

Beginning in a modest way the DTH provider started transmission of about 38 channels. This includes the Zee bouquet, Alpha and free-to-air channels, including those that are not being offered commonly now, at the rate of Rs 100 plus tax. (Are you planning to give your neighbourhood cable-wallah the go-by now?)

This basic tier is being beamed into 800-odd homes across Jammu & Kashmir, Coimbatore, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. A few households in pockets like Vasant Kunj in Delhi, some colonies in Noida and Ghaziabad have also been given a taste of DTH. The price is Rs 3,990 plus tax for the customer premise equipment (dish antenna, set top box, noise breaker).

“It is a humble beginning, but a significant one in the history of Indian entertainment distribution business. Though this is a soft launch an aggressive marketing blitzkrieg will follow later this year,” said Ashish Kaul, vice-president, corporate brand development, Essel group.

A touch of exclusivity was also introduced with the launch of two niche channels last night, soon after the operating licence was received. One is a comedy channel, SMILE, which will air comedy serials in Hindi and another is a movie channel, PREMIER, which will broadcast new Hindi films.

The channels are part of the premium tier, meaning customers have to pay Rs 10 extra for each of them. Jawahar Goel, vice chairman, Zee Telefilms said ten such premium content streams will be offered as new channels on the Dish TV platform, taking the DTH offer up to 48 channels in the coming days.

With Dish TV offering to take only Star Plus onto its platform, Star has opted to stay out just as Sony and ESPN. “Negotiations are on however,” Mr Goel said.

With the DTH promise to the viewer being he will get only what he wants to see, the service provider sees no rationale in taking on whole bouquets.

If all channels of a broadcaster are to be added, he has to share the satellite hiring charges too, argues Mr Goel.

“We are taking entertainment and not a TV channel to the real India. Our revenue model is independent of a success that any channel enjoys, but a successful combination is an advantage in metros,” adds Mr Kaul.

ASC’s business model for DTH is primarily focused on expanding the reach of cable and satellite TV channels to a potential 90 crore people who live in remote areas which lack ground infrastructure and cable. “We are not proactively marketing DTH in metros. We are looking at far off areas, villages, towns who know only DD. After all cable TV is viewed by only 4.4 crore people in India at present,” Mr Kaul says.

In other words, ASC is offering competition to Prasar Bharati which is embracing Ku-Band technology for the same reason.

At the same time, ASC is not blind to the fact that multi-TV homes are becoming the norm in urban areas. A recent study says 11% of the C&S homes in Mumbai have more than one TV, with the percentage said to be higher in Delhi and other metros.

This is also one of the reasons behind the soft launch, claims ASC Enterprises. Apparently, there has been “stupendous response” and this has left the company amazed. It wishes to “harness the market in a planned way and not just rush into the whole thing.”


INSAT 3E to be operational by October end: Madhavan Nair


From http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG3_sub.asp?ccode=ENG3&newscode=25037

Hassan, Karnataka, Oct 2 (UNI) India's latest Communication satellite INSAT 3E, offering 36 transponders, will be ready for commercial use by the first week of November, Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman G Madhavan Nair said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said despite some anxious moments immediately after launch, INSAT 3E which was currently in near geostationary orbit, was on course to achieve operational status by the end of October and ready for service in the first week of November.

''There were certain moments of anxiety just after launch in the early hours of September 28 from French Guyana when there was some loss of signal because of a link failure. However, the signals were picked up by the MCF 30 minutes after the launch.'' After third and final orbit raising manoevures yesterday, the satellite had been placed in near geostationary orbit and was slowly drifting to its parking slot of 55 degress east longitude. At present, the satellite was positioned at 38 degress and during the next ten days it would drift at the rate of 2.3 degress before it was finally positioned at its space home, he added.


India plans to launch three satellites next year


From http://www.spacedaily.com/2003/031002092001.3u5ezc6u.html

India plans to launch three satellites next year to boost the country's telecommunications business and improve rural education, the space program said Thursday.

India will in early 2004 launch the GSAT-3 satellite which will bring educational programs to isolated schools, said P.S. Goel, director of the Indian Space Research Organisation's satellite center in the southern town of Hassan.

He said India will also put into orbit the satellite IRSP-5, which will use 2.5 millimeter cameras for cartography.

"There is no equivalent of such a satellite in the world," Goel told reporters.

Late next year the space program will launch a new communications satellite, INSAT4-A, which will allow more media firms to broadcast directly to homes.

"The satellite ... will cover the entire Indian region and there will be additional transponders for Indian companies. It will be the most powerful satellite in India," Goel said.

India's latest satellite, INSAT3-E, was launched over the weekend in French Guiana through a European mission to the moon.

The satellite is expected to reach its final orbit October 10 and be fully operational by the end of the month. The launch cost 6.2 billion rupeesmillion dollars).

"It will really enchance the communication capacity by about one-third as 36 more transponders have been added with this launch," said Madhavan Nair, chief of India's space agency.

"The demand for transponders for communication is growing by about 10 percent every year," Nair said.

Of the 135 transponders India now has in space, 11 are leased to the US-based firm Intelsat, bringing in 10 million dollars for the five-year period, Nair said.

Another 24 of the transponders are used by India's state-run television, with the rest mostly leased by private operators.

Nair also said that three countries, which he did not name, had approached India about the possibility of designing and building satellites and launch vehicles.

India has been eyeing the lucrative launch market. In September, the cabinet approved an ambitious plan to send an unmanned mission to the moon by 2008, budgeting 83 million dollars for the project.




2/10/03

Sorry not much of an update today not a lot going on.


From my Emails & ICQ


From George (Thailand)

Pas 10 4184V SR 21000 PAS 10

FutureTV
TeleLiban
ESC2
KanalD

Loading there all fta now


(Craigs comment, Some in Australia report not being able to receive this one?)


From the Dish


Lyngsat is on a break , so send in those reports! (accurate ones!)


NEWS


INL offer for Sky TV opens October 24


From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3526682&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest

Independent Newspapers Ltd has confirmed the terms of its takeover offer for the third of Sky TV it does not already own.

The offer of $3.35 cash for each Sky share and three INL shares for every 10 Sky shares will open on Friday, October 24 and close on Friday, December 5.

Telecom, which owns 12 per cent of Sky, had already accepted the terms of the offer when INL proposed it in late August.

Telecom also owns 10 per cent of INL, which is just under half owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation.

INL will file the offer with Sky TV, the Takeovers Panel and the New Zealand Exchange on October 10.

INL currently holds about 66.2 per cent of Sky, and with Telecom's stake will hold about 78.2 per cent.

However, Sky directors have not recommended the offer, calling it too cheap, and institutions which have criticised the offer hold enough Sky shares to prevent INL reaching 90 per cent.

INL has not put conditions on the offer, but can compulsorily acquire the remaining shares if it reaches 90 per cent.

Sky, whose shares brokers have valued above $5, is expected to announce an annual profit of between $28 million and $35 million for the current financial year.

That has contributed to a rise in Sky's shares to $5.00, from $4.52 the day before the offer.

INL's shares have also risen, to $4.55 from $4.31.

At today's prices, INL's offer values Sky at $4.72 per share, or $1.83 billion, compared with its current market capitalisation of $1.95 billion.

In July INL sold its New Zealand newspaper assets to Australian publisher John Fairfax Holdings for $1.2 billion, receiving around $754 million in net proceeds.


Oktobor Interactive marks iTV advertising first


From http://www.advanced-television.com/pages/pagesb/newsdaily.html

New Zealand-based iTV creative company Oktobor Interactive has pioneered the country's first ever interactive advertising campaign for Panasonic's new range of DVD-RAM recorders. A series of cryptic adverts referring to a "revolution", but never mentioning the product directly, direct customers to Sky Digital's channel 222, where Oktobor Interactive created what appears to be a hijacked channel manned by ordinary people fed up with the inflexibility and poor quality of normal home video recording. The channel then lets the customer work their way through information on the new Panasonic DVD Ram line-up and learn all the advantages of DVD based recording.

Oktobor Interactive head Terry Larose suggested that interactive TV has, for a long time, had incredible potential in New Zealand, "but has been slow to take off. It is a great vote of confidence to see a major company like Panasonic base a whole campaign around iTV." He added that agencies were becoming "more and more adaptive to new technologies and the opportunities they offer."


(Craigs comment, this is the Sky "revolution" mentioned last week as for it being interactive you can flick through the whole thing by holding down the ok button, how exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)


TV1 to go international via satellite next year


From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2003&dt=1002&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=Entertainment&pg=en_03.htm

Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will telecast TV1 programmes internationally via satellite next year, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim said Wednesday.

He said preparations were currently being made, including conducting feasibility studies and sourcing the most suitable satellite, for the purpose.

"We have visited two satellite companies in China, AsiaSat and APT Satellite ... they have given us the quotations. We are also looking at Measat 3.

"We hope we can start next year, subject to the final decision by the Cabinet," he told reporters after meeting representatives from the Federation of Newspaper Vendors Association of Malaysia at his Ministry here.

He said RTM would assemble a team of experts in the broadcasting field to look into making TV1 more attractive internationally.

He said the local and international experts would help RTM in aspects such as packaging the programmes, including news, to be aired 24 hours to the international market such as Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

"This is in line with the government's policy of South-South co-operation and exchange of information within the developing countries," he said.

He declined to elaborate as the proposal needed to be endorsed by the Cabinet.

However, Lim said the details would be announced by the Information Minister once it was ready for implementation.

On protests by some quarters in the Chinese community over the Ministry's proposal to dub Cantonese programmes aired by RTM into Mandarin, Lim said the Ministry had to consider the interests of the entire Chinese community.

"We have to take into consideration the other Chinese dialect groups, the Chinese in Sabah and Sarawak, and we think using Mandarin is best for everybody," he said.

Lim said RTM was currently looking into the technology adopted by Japanese broadcasting stations that used a specially-designed software allowing a programme to be carried in several languages.

He said this would give viewers the option of watching the programme in its original language or through a different audio channel that provided a language they could understand.

"We are going to set up a special team to look into this software," he said. - Bernama


RTM to set up dubbing department


From http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/10/2/nation/6400284&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: A dubbing department will be established under Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to introduce a system in which viewers will have dual-language options when viewing programmes, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Donald Lim said yesterday.

He said that RTM was studying the use of software to translate Japanese into Mandarin and English and would look into developing similar software locally for dubbing purposes.

He said the options could be Malay-English, Malay-Mandarin or Mandarin-English.

“If we are going regional and international, dubbing is important,” he said, adding that Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob would announce the details later.

He was speaking to reporters yesterday after a dialogue with newspaper vendors at Wisma TV in Angkasapuri here.

On his recent visit to China, Lim said he had visited Asia Sat and APT Satellite companies to look into the possibility of using China’s satellite-broadcasting network to air RTM programmes to other countries.


PTV signs MOU for cooperation with China Central Television


From http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=39610

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) and China Central Television (CCTV) signed here on Friday a Memorandum of understanding to enhance mutual cooperation.

Managing Director PTV Akhtar Viqar Azim and President CCTV Zhao Huayong signed the document.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Beijing, Riaz Muhammad Khan and Senior Officials of both television networks attended the signing ceremony.

Earlier according to Memorandum, both the sides had agreement on exchange of TV anchors to hold TV weeks, exchange of programmes, productions and training of PTV officials by CCTV experts in the field of engineering, programming, stage designing and lighting techniques.

Both the TV networks also agreed to telecast each others programmes by receiving them from Satellite.


(Craigs comment, Chinese programs on the Pakistan channel? arghhhhhhhhh)




1/10/03

Chatroom was pretty quiet last night, but a good chat later in the night about pay tv.

BVN on B3 seems to have been replaced by Abu Dhabi. Sigaram last night was testing with video.

Intelsat 709 at 85.2E has some ku signal operating. I don't know what beams they are using might be worth a look for those in W.A?



From my Emails & ICQ


Nothing to report


From the Dish


Agila 2 146E 12541 V "SET News" has started , Fta, PIDs 44/45.

Palapa C2 113E 4000 H "Channel NewsAsia" has left , replaced by a test card.
Palapa C2 113E 4080 H "BBC World Service" has started, Fta, APID 663.

AsiaSat 3 105.5E 4020 V "Sahara Samay Maharashtra" has left again, replaced by a test card.

Measat 1 91.5E RTM TV 1-2 and TV 3 (Malaysia) on Astro ch 1-3 are now encrypted.

Intelsat 709 85.2E 11486 V Sr 36030, Fec 1/2
Intelsat 709 85.2E 11542 V Sr 36030, Fec 1/2
Intelsat 709 85.2E 11610 V Sr 36030, Fec 1/2

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3545 V New PIDs for SS Music on : 289/290.
Thaicom 3 78.5E 3671 H Radio Nederland Wereldomroep Europa and Radio Nederland Wereldomroep International have started , Fta, SID 6, APID 5155.

Thaicom 3 78.5E 3520 H "ERT Sat" has started, Fta, PIDs 65/66.Kanal D Fun has left.

Insat 3C 74E 4170 V A test card has started, PAL.

Intelsat 702 55E Intelsat 702 has replaced Insat 2DT at 55 East. Insat 2DT is moving east.

DD Oriya is still on 4014 R, PAL.
DD Madhya Pradesh is on 4014 L, PAL.
DD Shimla has started on 3978 L, PAL.


NEWS


Telstra given go-ahead to bundle Austar services


From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/30/1064819901812.html

Telstra has been given the green light to bundle Austar's pay TV service with its telecommunications services, a media release from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says.

"The decision means the Telstra Corporation-owned Telstra Pay TV can provide Austar pay TV services at a discount to retail residential customers who also get telecommunications services from Telstra Corporation", ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel, said yesterday.

"The conduct is limited to the areas that Austar currently supplies - rural and regional Australia, Hobart and Darwin. The ACCC found the public benefits of allowing Telstra to bundle the services were likely to outweigh the public detriment.

Samuel said the decision was consistent with the ACCC's November 2002 decision to allow Telstra to bundle Foxtel's pay TV services in the areas that Foxtel supplies.

"The ACCC expects the proposed bundling will enhance competition by providing consumers with an alternative supplier of Austar's pay TV service and by facilitating price competition," he said.

"The public is also served as the increased competition from Telstra bundling should increase the penetration rates of pay TV and thus improve the long-term viability of the industry".


Telstra unveils Austar bush bundle


From http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/01/1064988253478.html

Telstra Corp Ltd has unveiled its bundling packages with regional pay-tv operator Austar, with customers now able to save up to 10 per cent on a basic subscription.

The announcement came after Telstra was this week given the go ahead by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to bundle its services in the bush.

The agreement covers rural and regional Australia - in addition to Hobart and Darwin - and is consistent with the ACCC's November 2002 judgment to allow Telstra to bundle Foxtel pay-TV services.

Those deals are now responsible for about 10 per cent of Foxtel's revenue, with Austar chief executive officer John Porter saying recently he hoped for a similar result given a green light by the ACCC.

Telstra Country Wide group managing director Doug Campbell said the packages meant customers in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia would have access to discounted telecommunications packages.

"We want Telstra customers in rural and regional Australia to enjoy the kinds of benefits we've been able to deliver in the city thanks to our Foxtel from Telstra package deals," Mr Campbell said.

"By combining their eligible home phone, pay TV and other services on a single bill, customers can receive a discount on the whole package of eligible included services."

Mr Campbell said residential customers could save up to 10 per cent on Telstra's basic monthly charges if they had an eligible Telstra full-service home phone, "Austar from Telstra" and either an eligible Telstra mobile or internet service on a single bill.

A five per cent option is available if customers combine "Austar from Telstra" with their Telstra full-service home phone.

The successful launch of Optus's digital C1 Satellite in June this year has significantly increased Austar's service footprint.

Areas to benefit included north and central Queensland, central Australia and the Northern Territory, western New South Wales and parts of Tasmania.

Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, owns 50 per cent of Foxtel alongside a quarter share by both News Corp Ltd and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd.

At 1144 AEST, Telstra shares were up one cent at $4.75, while Austar United Communications Ltd was up 0.5 cents at 35.5 cents.


RTX Telecom signs an ODM supply contract with Australian subscription television provider FOXTEL


From http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2003/Sep/1020357.htm

RTX Telecom has signed an agreement with Australian subscription television provider FOXTEL (http://www.foxtel.com.au) for the development, production and supply of a wireless telephone line extenders. The wireless telephone line extenders (TLEs) will simplify the installation of PSTN return paths that enable digital interactivity such as “Pay-Per-View” and promote the use of additional interactive services available to users of digital satellite and cable services.

The agreement is worth a double figure million sum in Danish crowns and is based on an ODM supply agreement that will run for several years. Under the agreement, RTX Telecom has been made responsible for development and production, while FOXTEL will itself manage sales, distribution and after sales services. RTX Telecom’s production responsibilities will be outsourced to subcontractors.

The product uses RTX Telecom’s DECT technology in a special configuration, which enables the transmission of modem signals at speeds of up to 56 kbps.

In a slightly modified version the product will be offered to other subscription television providers who might have similar needs.

RTX Telecom’s management has previously announced that the company has identified attractive opportunities in the ODM area that will complement and form a natural extension to the Group’s present development assignments.

The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on RTX Telecom’s net turnover and earnings for the 2003/04 and 2004/05 financial years. The management will present its forecast for the 2003/04 financial year in conjunction with the publication of RTX Telecom’s annual report in December 2003.

The contract has not resulted in the need for an adjustment of previously announced forecasts for the 2002/03 financial year, which ends now at the end of September 2003.


Telstra hit by $200m writedowns


From http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,7400817%5E15346%5E%5Enbv%5E15306-15320,00.html

TELSTRA'S offshore investment strategy has further deteriorated, with the company losing more than $200 million on two major investments in the past two years.

Telstra has written off the entire value of its 40 per cent share in the once-hyped $600 million Australia-Japan cable.
After previous writedowns, the share was carried at $34 million but Telstra is understood to have tipped more than $100 million into the project.

Banks are also believed to be out of pocket on the project.

Telstra has also taken $24 million in fresh losses on its 35 per cent holding in the Xantic satellite joint venture with Dutch telco KPN. These have now mounted to $60 million in the past three years.

Telstra has written down the value of the investment in Xantic it once valued at $170 million by a further $30 million to $74 million.

At the time of the investment, Telstra said the tangible asset it put into Xantic - then called Station 12 - was $75 million.

Almost 200 Telstra staff were shifted into the venture.

Details of the investments were revealed in Telstra annual reports, officially released last week, and follow January's writedown of its 50 per cent share in the Reach submarine cable company.

The telecommunications giant has thrown its usual veil of silence over the investments, refusing to comment on either investment.

Insiders have described the Xantic alliance as a disaster.

"They took a perfectly good profit-making business and turned it into a loss-maker," one person familiar with the situation said.

According to press reports, Telstra also previously spurned an offer from a group of wealthy investors, including Malcolm Turnbull and Trevor Kennedy, to buy its global satellite business.

Xantic is in the process of looking for a new chief executive after the sudden departure of former chief Knut Reed last month. In its 2001-02 annual accounts Telstra said that on May 15 it had sold its global satellite business with assets worth $75 million, including its shares in global satellite giant Inmarsat, into Xantic.

AJC was a Telstra initiative built, in part, as an answer to the Australia-New Zealand-US link Southern Cross owned by Telecom New Zealand, SingTel and WorldCom. Started in 2000, other shareholders in Xantic include Japanese telco giant NTT, BT and AT&T.

While never part of Reach, AJC was owed $US149 ($219 million) by the alliance with Hong Kong's PCCW, according to newspaper reports. And in February 2000, Telstra executive John Hibbard said of the AJC cable: "We're on track to deliver more high-quality, competitively priced bandwidth in the Asia-Pacific region to continue to meet the relentless and exponential growth in demand.

"This is a world-class project that will result in vital international bandwidth being available to potential purchasers at very attractive rates."

Those rates are now so attractive that no submarine cable company in the world can make a profit.


Moving To New Heights


From http://www.asiatele.com/ViewArt.cfm?Magid=4&Artid=21538&Catid=2&subcat=40

Thailand's Shin Satellite took a major step forward to realising its goal to become a regional communications force when it unveiled its iPSTAR platform in Australia and New Zealand in August.

Shin Sat executive chairman Dumrong Kasemset says about 30 corporate and institutional participants from the two countries are in the advanced stages of trialling their broadband satellite platform. Its commercial operations will kick off first in Australia in October, then in New Zealand.

Richard Alston, Australia's Minister for Communications, lauded the investments. He noted: "These major investments by iPSTAR, a subsidiary of Thai satellite operator Shin Satellite, demonstrate that the regional and remote [areas of] Australia present an attractive commercial opportunity for infrastructure investment."

The Australian government is pushing universal access to broadband services for the country through a A$142.8 million (US$94 million) National Broadband Strategy to attract investments in regional and remote communications infrastructure and services.

Dumrong says the government's push and its liberalised telecommunication regime made Australia an attractive test bed for its next-generation broadband satellite services.

"Australia is a developed market but geographically, satellite can play an important role," he says, adding that the current trials were needed to prove that the services are available and robust.

Until the first iPSTAR satellite is launched in the Q2'04, the iPSTAR platform in Australia will use an Intelsat satellite in conjunction with Shin's ground equipment. The service is being offered in conjunction with wholesale services provider REACH, a joint-venture between Australia's Telstra and PCCW of Hong Kong.

Ericsson has stepped in as a major partner, and was contracted in July to be the managed services provider for the project.

"The way technology is moving, telcos are now more comfortable with the vendor taking care of system integration and maintenance," says Dumrong.

Tony Malligeorgos, director, marketing and business development, Ericsson Australia, highlights Shin Sat?s regional ambitions as a key factor in its decision to outsource network management.

"As they expand, they are less likely to want to grow their resources in all markets," he notes, adding that Ericsson?s regional presence meant that it would be in a good position to offer similar services for Shin Sat in other Asian markets.

Malligeorgos reveals that Ericsson had "sought out" iPSTAR, seeing the potential of the broadband platform. He claims that the initial trials had proved problem-free and that the platform outperformed existing available satellite services.

The gateway is initially located in REACH's facilities in Oxford Falls, Sydney. Work on two next-generation iPSTAR gateways will commence soon in Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie. Contracts for the work were expected to be finalised in August, says Teerasak Sawekpun, regional manager, Shin Sat.

Aside from Australia, New Zealand and its home market in Thailand, Shin Sat has also been rolling out iPSTAR gateways and services in Myanmar, where it is used for national VoIP telephony, and in Taiwan.

Its next target market will be India, which it plans to enter by year-end.

The overall plan is to have 18 gateways in 14 territories, but Dumrong says getting the various operating approvals for each market will be a major challenge.

"We worry less now about capacity bookings; the key is gateways and regulatory approval. It turns out that [securing] regulatory approval is more of a hurdle than bookings," he laments.

Meanwhile, a Northern Sky Research report, titled "Asia-Pacific Broadband Satellite Services Markets 2003", released recently brought good news to the satellite industry in the region.

The report suggests that growth for broadband satellite services will be "moderate but steady" and driven by the Internet, particularly in markets such as China, India and Indonesia, while government policies to bridge the digital divide would also spur demand.

"South Korea has provided the blueprint in which ICT can become an effective engine of economic growth. Since establishing broadband links is necessary for any ICT strategy, satellite technology will be increasingly used in efforts to bridge the digital divide," says Jose del Rosario, senior analyst, Northern Sky Research and author of the report.

According to the report, ISPs have leased satellite capacity for trunking needs and are expected to dominate revenue streams within the forecast period ending in 2007. It notes that although fibre continues to encroach on satellite-based services, the need for cost-effective, wireless WAN connections will always be present in the Asia-Pacific region.

Del Rosario has also noted that iPSTAR could be a catalyst for change in the satellite sector when it is launched.

"It will be interesting to see in the next few years how iPSTAR services perform in the marketplace. We have forecasted the market to reach US$966 million by 2007, which represents a conservative CAGR of 14.5%. However, iPSTAR?s success and the ensuing offering of iPSTAR-like services from competing operators can quickly change the market to grow at more robust rates," he concludes.


(Craigs comment, Intelsat 804 I think H pol on Spotbeam 2 on Australia and V pol on Spotbeam one on NZ)


Korea gets in touch with science satellite


From http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200310/01/200310010255062739900090509051.html

Scientists have at last succeeded in communicating with Korea’s first satellite launched for scientific purposes. The Satellite Technology Research Center under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, or KAIST, said that it contacted Kosmos-3M at around 11:30 p.m. Monday on the 11th try. It was 56 hours after Russia launched the satellite.

Scientists said they also successfully communicated with the satellite one more time at 8:44 a.m. yesterday, so they now expect no problems in its operations.

The satellite, built for the study of the structure and the evolution of the galaxy, is carrying Korea’s first space telescope. It will start scanning the skies in four to six weeks. The telescope was developed jointly with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and University of California at Berkeley.


Sea Launch Rocket Launches from Ocean Platform


From http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/093003_nw_sea_launch.html

LONG BEACH A spokeswoman for Long Beach-based Sea Launch says "All reports are indicating a smooth ride."

Sea Launch's Zenit-3-SL rocket blasted off toward orbit with the Galaxy 13/Horizons-one satellite shortly after a 39-minute launch window opened tonight at 9:03 p-m. The rocket was launched from an oceangoing platform floating in the equatorial Pacific.

The satellite is designed to provide digital video, Internet and data services for PanAmSat of Wilton, Connecticut, and J-SAT of Tokyo.

Sea Launch uses a self-propelled launch platform and a command ship that sail from their home port in California to the equator, where the physics of Earth's rotation allows rockets to carry heavier payloads than they could from other locations.

The satellite was built by Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo.


Insat 3E to free ISRO from leased transponders


From http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/10/01/stories/2003100102210400.htm

INSAT-3E, the latest Indian satellite in space since Sunday, is expected to make the national space agency self-sufficient in transponder capacity.

Once it is put to work, it will free ISRO from the lease of 23 transponders on two foreign satellites and save it an outgo of $20-23 million in the process, according to official sources. They expect Insat-3E to become operational around October 10.

ISRO has been leasing capacity on Thaicom-3 almost at a stretch since 1998, after it lost Insat-2D in orbit. This lease alone has been costing it some $9 million a year.

When 3A entered service around May this year, ISRO returned three of the 10 transponders to the operator, Shin Satellite.

Likewise, the space agency would also be shortly reviewing the temporary Intelsat back-up that it went in for in February this year.

It leased 16 C-band transponders on Intelsat's IS 702 and may soon feel comfortable enough to return them by November "if everything goes well".

The new bird with 36 transponders will primarily replace 2DT, which was bought in-orbit from Arabsat in 1998. It would take the transponder tally to 120. This excludes the 11 leased to Intelsat for 10 years on Insat-2E, its 1999 satellite.

Meanwhile, 3E will only raise the C-band capacity; it has no Ku band payload.

The more powerful Ku band will still be wanting until the fourth-generation Insats take off next year. Currently, ISRO has six Ku band transponders on 3A and three on 3B, all fully booked. The demand by broadband users grew so much that in 2001 ISRO had to lease three Ku band transponders for three years on the US satellite, GE-1A. The story is different as the users are paying for the lease of GE-1A, according to officials.

There is a growing demand for the Ku band from broadband users, mainly VSATs and DTH broadcasters. Major operators like Agrani, Doordarshan and STAR are getting ready to launch big DTH activities.

The domestic Ku scene will change dramatically with Insat-4A and 4B, slated for late 2004 and 2005. Each of these will have 12 Ku transponders that can provide good DTH quality service.

For now, 3E is undergoing orbit manoeuvres.