ITV

Category: Satellites

  • MEASAT & Sun TV partner for global multi-language channels distribution

    MEASAT & Sun TV partner for global multi-language channels distribution

    Mumbai: MEASAT Global Berhad (“MEASAT”) – Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider, has signed an agreement with Sun TV Network Ltd (“Sun TV”), one of India’s largest media conglomerates, to support the distribution of 37 TV channels via the MEASAT-3d satellite. These channels broadcast in seven languages, will reach over 140 million households in India and extend to audiences in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa.

    “MEASAT is honoured to be selected by Sun TV to distribute their channels across multiple regions reinforcing our position as Asia’s preferred broadcast partner. With the state-of-the-art MEASAT-3d satellite at the 91.5°E hotslot, we are ready to deliver high- quality, reliable transmission services for one of India’s top broadcasters. This collaboration strengthens MEASAT’s industry presence and recognition in India, enabling us to expand our services to meet customer demands,” commented MEASAT chief commercial officer Ganendra Selvaraj.

    Sun TV chief technology officer S Kannan added: “We are pleased to partner with MEASAT for satellite distribution to reach our audiences globally, including the most remote locations. MEASAT’s flexibility, broad portfolio of solutions, and extensive reach make them an ideal partner for ensuring our content delivery. We look forward to exploring further opportunities with MEASAT to enhance our offerings.”

  • Avia’s Satellite Industry Forum demystifies trends and the future

    Avia’s Satellite Industry Forum demystifies trends and the future

    Mumbai: Industry lobby group the Asian Video Industry Association’s (Avia’s) Satellite Industry Forum held in Singapore took a deep dive into the world of satellites for video, data and mobility with executives from Asia and overseas voicing their opinions around current trends and the future on 28 May.

    The consensus was that while the market for the satellite ecosystem has been tough with some launch failures, hard macroeconomic forces, and caution amongst financiers and insurers about this segment, there is optimism on the horizon.

    The bright star on the horizon has been the success of Elon Musk-owned Space Link’s direct-to-consumer StarLink low earth orbit (Leo) or non-geosynchronous orbit (NGSO) constellation which has notched up $1.4 billion in revenues by signing up millions of users. This, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, led to a frenzy of consolidation amongst the geosynchronous orbit (GSOs) players, following questioning by financiers and board members on what play they have in the multi-orbital business.

    Intelsat acquired Go-Go and followed up with an announcement that it itself was being acquired by big boy SES for a cash consideration of $3.1 billion. The marriage would create a giant with over 120 satellites in both the MEO and GEO legs of the business. Viasat meanwhile merged with Inmarsat, while Eutelsat fused with OneWeb.

    Speakers expected the wave of digestion and consolidation of the industry to continue, and possibly intensify, even as players such as Rivada Space Networks, promising the outernet through Leos get ready to provide their services. Also, HummingSat, which is Swiss company SWISSto12 small GEO satellite has thrown its hat into the ring.  Speakers at SIF  opined that video will continue to be delivered increasingly via IP, thanks to streaming services, through fibre, terrestrially as well as through high throughput satellites.

    SIF featured speakers such as Thaicom CEO Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, ABS CEO Mark Rigolle, Asiasat chief commercial officer Raymond Chow, Measat Satellite Systems COO  Yau Chyong Lim, Sky Perfect Jsat GM Asia regional headquarters &  Singapore branch regional director  Kenichi Shimotsuma, Milbank partner Dara Panahy, Global Satellite Operators Association VP policy & regulatory Peng Zhao, Amazon Web Services head of global satcom (A&S), APT Satellite EVP  Huang Baozhong, Encompass VP, engineering & operations Mark Wardle, Lynk Global VP, Asia Pacific James Alderdice, Northern Telecom CTIO  Mahdi Nazari Mehrabi,  Wireless Nation operations adviser  Martin Arias,  GapSat CEO Gregg Daffner, Hughes Network Systems India president Pranav Roach, Curvalux & Saturn executive chairman Thomas Choi, Gilat Satellite VP regional sales  Yossi Gal, VP Regional Sales, Hughes VP International Operations Kartik Sheshadri,  Integrasys CEO Alvaro Sanchez, ST Engineering iDirect VP market development & strategy  Jo De Loor, Acesat Satellite VP business development & engineering Adrian Potter, Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow principal Ken Chia, Bird & Bird partner  Thomas Jones, Partner,  Marsh Speciality managing director Stephen Monks Office for Space Technology & Industry, Singapore (OSTIn) deputy director  Jacinth Lau, Comsys partner Jeremy Rose,  Arianespace Asia Pacific managing director Vivian Quenet,  Boeing Satellite Systems VP business development Joe Bogosian, Space Machines chief commercial officer  Mark Ramsey,  HummingSat, SWISSto12 CTO Michael Kaliski, SpaceIntelReport co-founder & chief editor  Peter de Selding, Eutelsat OneWeb regional VP-APAC  Neha Idnani,  Kacific Broadband Satellites Group EVP corporate development Jacques-Samuel Prolon, Planetcast CEO Sanjay Duda,  Rivada Space VP of sales APAC Donald Chew, Rivers Advisers CEO Katherine Gizinski &  chief consulting officer Alexis Martin and  Avia CEO Louis Boswell.

  • Singapore readies for Broadcast Asia, SIF

    Singapore readies for Broadcast Asia, SIF

    Mumbai: Many a flight path will be leading to Singapore’s Changi airport come 28 June 2024. Executives from all over Asia – and the world – will be winging their way into the city-state for the broadcast, streaming, satellite, and communications industries’ Satellite Industry Forum (SIF), Broadcast Asia 2024 and CommunicAsia. Even the fear of rising Covid cases in Singapore, will not dampen the enthusiasm of those interested in knowing the latest in tech. Covid, this time, while it is causing some discomfort amongst seniors, is mild in its symptoms. The super seniors are however getting hit relatively hard and masking has been recommended to prevent Covid’s spread.

    The hot topics to be discussed at the annual confab will be varying from virtual production to generative AI to FAST channels to programmatic advertising to innovation in acquisition and contribution to the cloud.

    “Broadcast Asia is the third most important tech event in the calendar after NAB Show and IBC,” said an executive. “And since it takes place two months after NAB Show and two months before IBC it provides a good window to new tech that has been introduced and a peep into new tech that’s going to be launched at IBC.”

    To be held over three days from 29-31 May 2024 at the Singapore Expo, Broadcast Asia is preceded by the SIF  on 28 May, where the current status of satellites as a distribution platform for video, data, telephony, the internet and their future where increasingly IP delivery is being resorted to by one and all.

    Indiantelevision.com will be at Broadcast Asia and Satellite Industry Forum giving you the most important and relevant updates for  you –  its readers!

  • MEASAT to distribute Starlink services

    MEASAT to distribute Starlink services

    Mumbai: MEASAT Global Berhad (“MEASAT”) – Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider has officially signed with Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) to become the official authorised reseller for Starlink Hardware and Services in the markets that MEASAT serves. The agreement was formalised in December 2023.

    The official authorised reseller status enables MEASAT to solidify its position as a one-stop provider for customers in pursuit of the most suitable satellite services and solutions that address their needs. Meanwhile, Starlink will be able to benefit from  MEASAT’s established market presence and strong on-ground customer service and technical support, including a 24×7 helpdesk operated by in-country personnel and onsite support and maintenance. MEASAT’s customers have long benefited from end-to-end inclusive packages for last-mile logistics and installation services, as well as repair and maintenance, which will now extend to Starlink products offered by MEASAT.

    “MEASAT is delighted to work with Starlink as the official authorised reseller in our markets. As the leading Malaysian satellite solutions provider, we have always been open to working with other entities to deliver the benefits of satellite technology to our customers which include government agencies, commercial enterprises and rural  residents via a diverse portfolio of solutions to meet evolving needs. For example, by infusing Starlink’s capabilities into MEASAT’s CONNECTme NOW satellite broadband service, we are able to further enhance high-speed Internet services for the last three per cent of Malaysians lacking terrestrial connections. In addition, our capacity to offer fit-for-purpose, high-availability services for MEASAT’s client base in the oil & gas, maritime, and enterprise sectors will be expanded,” said MEASAT chief commercial officer Ganendra Selvaraj.

    “Our new status as an official authorised reseller for Starlink marks a milestone in our ongoing growth journey, being the first non-geostationary orbit (“NGSO”) satellite products offered through our on-ground network, as we continue exploring other potential NGSO solutions for our suite of services,” he elaborated.

  • Dish TV Crisis: Shockingly four independent Directors were rejected by shareholders

    Dish TV Crisis: Shockingly four independent Directors were rejected by shareholders

    Mumbai – At extraordinary meetings of Dish TV shareholders, shockingly shareholders rejected the candidature of four independent candidates during the meeting. In recent developments, Dish TV India approved Sunil Khanna as an independent director and Ravi Bhushan Puri as an executive director.

    According to the mint report, due to the rejection of 4 independent directors, an Extraordinary General Meeting ( EGM) was called out on 3 March, and the resignation of Independent director Zohra Chatterjee effective from 2 June. The appointment of new directors Sunil Khanna, and Ravi Bhushan Puri became effective after Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) approval.

    According to Dish TV’s statement, Ravi Bhushan Puri will not be entitled to additional remuneration for an aforementioned appointment. He will continue with the designation of ‘ Corporate Head of Broadcasting’ in the company.

    Dish TV faced a board strength shortfall that is not aligned with the mandatory requirements of SEBI ( Security Exchange Board of India) for six directors. Now in contingency by the disapproval of four independent directors, the company stated to have taken compliance measures with listing regulations.

    According to exchange filings, the appointment of Rajesh Sahni, Virender Tagra, Aanchal David, and Shankar Agrawal was rejected by minority shareholders. Before this EGM meeting development of Dish TV 13 Directors was rejected by shareholders in 2021.

    Internal financial stability problems will be addressed by shareholders of the company in the upcoming days.
     

  • Cignal to launch Rewind Networks’ HITS NOW in the Philippines

    Cignal to launch Rewind Networks’ HITS NOW in the Philippines

    Mumbai: Rewind has launched HITS NOW on Cignal, the leading pay TV operator in the Philippines. The channel will be available on the Cignal platform starting 1 October, marking a pivotal step in the partnership journey for both companies. HITS NOW will be available on Channel 122 as part of Cignal’s postpaid and prepaid packs.

    This partnership represents a merging of mutual interest and a dedication to delivering unparalleled entertainment to Filipino audiences with HITS NOW, which has quickly proven to be a favorite among viewers for its diverse programming and innovative content and will now be accessible to Cignal subscribers across the country.

    HITS NOW is the latest effort in Rewind Networks’ mission to bring the most sought-after entertainment experience to the Asian market. The company has an impressive track record of success with its beloved HITS and HITS MOVIES channels, which showcase the greatest hit shows and movies of all time, available in 13 countries and to more than 24 million households. As a new addition to Rewind Networks’ portfolio, HITS NOW will continue its reputation of offering quality and captivating series, handpicked for Asian audiences.

    “We are so pleased to bring HITS NOW to our viewers on Cignal. HITS NOW offers a chance for our viewers to watch powerful, entertaining, and innovative shows that are creating waves in the US and around the world,” said Cignal TV and MediaQuest president and CEO Jane Basas.

    “At Cignal, we pride ourselves on delivering premium channels and content that generate buzz, increase audience engagement, and ultimately provide the best experience for our viewers.”, she added.

    “We are delighted to introduce our really exciting, people-pleaser channel, HITS NOW, to viewers on Cignal,” said Rewind Networks CEO Avi Himatsinghani. “At Rewind Networks, we are laser focused on identifying significant consumer need gaps and curating the best-in-class entertainment from some of the world’s best storytellers, studios and franchises that viewers love. From Emmy award winning talent and reality shows to newly created game shows, HITS NOW will cater to today’s savvy audience in the Philippines and we sincerely believe it will become their favourite playlist and default entertainment channel.”

    The HITS NOW lineup, Express from the US, will feature the ultimate in breathtaking entertainment with edge-of-your-seat, branded reality and talent shows like American Idol, Survivor, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, The Traitors, America’s Got Talent, Shark Tank and Hell’s Kitchen; stunning dramatic series like the successful Fire Country, Sullivan’s Crossing and So Help Me, Todd as well as Alert: Missing Persons Unit. Game show junkies can play along with Password, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, and Celebrity Family Feud. Those craving for some light-hearted fare can kick back with heartwarming comedies Lopez vs Lopez and Ghosts. The network has got viewers covered for everything Hollywood with the long running news show – Entertainment Tonight and true crime aficionados can scare themselves with Fear Thy Neighbor and Murder for Hire.

  • MEASAT recognised as Regional Satcom Operator of the Year 2023

    MEASAT recognised as Regional Satcom Operator of the Year 2023

    Mumbai: MEASAT, Malaysia’s premier satellite operator was recognised with the Regional Satcom Operator of the Year 2023 award at the 26th Annual Awards for Excellence in Satellite Business. The awards ceremony took place in Paris on 13 September as part of the World Satellite Business Week conference. The prestigious event was organised by Euroconsult Group, the leading global strategy consulting and market intelligence firm specialising in the space sector and satellite-enabled verticals.

    The Annual Awards for Excellence in Satellite Business recognises the most forwardthinking businesses and innovators shaping the future of the global space sector. In each year, accomplishments by space and satellite companies that have distinguished themselves are celebrated, while people and entities that contribute positively to the space and satellite sectors are recognised.

    “MEASAT is deeply honoured to receive the Regional Satcom Operator of the Year 2023 award by Euroconsult at the industry-leading World Satellite Business Week conference. This recognises our team’s hard work that has benefited clients, communities, schools, frontline security forces, and the countries in which we operate. As Malaysia’s homegrown Satellite Solutions Provider and Rural Broadband Service Provider, we focus on bridging communications gaps across Asia-Pacific. We’ll continue leveraging the latest technologies to bring solutions for enterprise clients, expand mobility services, and ensure digital inclusion for underserved communities,” commented MEASAT chief operating officer Yau Chyong Lim.

    This is the third recognition for MEASAT by Euroconsult. In 2016, MEASAT received the Regional Operator of the Year award at the 13th Annual Awards for Excellence in Satellite Communications, while in 2008, the company received the Regional Satellite Operator of the Year award at the Excellence in Satellite Management Awards held in conjunction with the 12th World Summit for Satellite Financing.

  • Indonesia remains a market to watch as local players focus on growth, localisation and expansion beyond its shores

    Indonesia remains a market to watch as local players focus on growth, localisation and expansion beyond its shores

    Mumbai: The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) hosted over 200 delegates at its recent Indonesia in View conference that took place in Jakarta on 31 August.  

    The conference opened with industry leaders from across the TV and streaming space sharing their views on the state of TV and video in Indonesia, where total video industry revenues are expected to rise from US$2.5 billion in 2023 to reach US$3.7 billion by 2028, according to the latest research by Media Partners Asia (MPA).

    Netflix senior manager of business development, (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia) Tizar Patria was optimistic about the market as it continued to grow for Netflix, with a focus on content that works for  the market coupled with a quality experience for consumers. Vision+ managing director Clarissa Tanoesoedibjo added that an ecosystem was needed that reinforced all other parts, from pay TV to free to air and streaming, and that finding strategic partners in the market to maximise opportunities  was key. WeTV and iflix Indonesia country head Lesley Simpson, also concurred that growth in OTT  is here and can be achieved through strategic partnerships.

    With Indonesia representing Southeast Asia’s largest video content market, the battle for content  remains fierce. MNC Pictures president director Titan Hermawan saw the need to create original IP  and original stories as a big opportunity for new scriptwriters. For Visinema Group founder Angga Dwimas Sasongko, what was most important was to focus on a pipeline of talent to be able to  scale content production. However, the panellists agreed with Stew founder & CEO Abid Hussain that business models needed to change for the betterment of the producers. Netflix director- public policy Southeast Asia Ruben Hattari said that the industry needed to work on broadening its  skills base. Indonesia was also the only country without a production incentive scheme so more  needed to be done there to support the growth of the industry.

    However, piracy was still a major issue in Indonesia, with AVIA’s Coalition Against Piracy’s most recent  annual consumer surveys showing that 54 per cent of consumers in Indonesia access pirate services, the  fourth highest incidence of piracy in the region. In a major collaborative effort towards the fight against  piracy, CAP and the Video Streaming Association of Indonesia (AVISI) signed a Memorandum of  Understanding (MOU) in Jakarta on 30 August at CAP’s State of Piracy Summit which ran alongside  Indonesia in View. The MOU represented a significant step forward for AVIA and AVISI in combining  their resources to combat online piracy in Indonesia and protect Indonesia’s creative and media  industries.

    Indonesia in View shifted focus to the monetisation of premium video in the afternoon. Publica commercial director APAC Chris Mottershead said that with advertisers not planning as far ahead  these days, programmatic was likely to play a bigger role in monetization. Sharing insights from other  markets, Mottershead also added that FAST was a good way of bringing back consumers who dropped out of the pay ecosystem, as they could churn from OTT, go to FAST and then come back to OTT when  they could afford the subscription. PubMatic director of customer success SEAK Khin Mu Yar Soe also said that the programmatic space will continue to grow and evolve, with a more integrated  approach on both the buy side and sell side, as well as at a technology level.

    The conference closed off with a keynote conversation with MNC Group executive chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo who outlined the next phase of his ambitious plans to shift focus to becoming primarily a content and entertainment company. He shared his plan to combine RCTI+ and Vision+ into a super  app where a two-tiered service will be offered under one brand combining FTA content which will  continue to be monetised through advertising as well as a premium subscription service. The plan was  also to create a bigger ecosystem and grow the service to target all of Asia by investing in more quality  content.

    When asked about rumours of the sale of MNC Play, Tanoesoedibjo shared that they will come to an arrangement to sell the data infrastructure part of the business while keeping the IPTV business and  continuing to bundle the services for both existing and future subscribers.

    Indonesia in View is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Vidio and Vision+ and Silver Sponsors A+E  Networks Asia, Akamai, INVIDI, MEASAT, NAGRA VISION, Publica and PubMatic  

  • Tata Play bolsters 18 years of partnership with DOS (Department of Space)

    Tata Play bolsters 18 years of partnership with DOS (Department of Space)

    Mumbai: Tata Play (formerly known as Tata Sky) collaborated with NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd) and launched GSAT-24 satellite in June 2022, aligned to the Government’s Make in India vision. Tata Play will commence the use of this satellite, now in its orbital position, starting today. The increased bandwidth will enable Tata Play to provide its users with an even sharper picture and sound quality, and an ability to carry 50 per cent more channels while becoming the largest satellite bandwidth provider among all DTH platforms.

    The inauguration ceremony was held at Tata Play’s Broadcast Centre in Chhatarpur, New Delhi. On the occasion, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting secretary Apurva Chandra expressed his happiness and said, “Congratulations to DoS and Tata Play for successfully commissioning GSAT-24.  This event unlocks one more step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and self-reliance in the field of space and communication.”

    Present at the event, ISRO chairman S. Somanath said, “GSAT-24 a 4-tonne class communication satellite built by ISRO for providing DTH services, is fully operational at its maximum satellite capacity, following exhaustive in-orbit testing. This momentous achievement signifies a revolution in India’s telecommunications space, driven by cutting-edge indigenous technology. It serves as a tribute to our nation’s aerospace prowess and heralds India’s successful entry into the Demand Driven Mission segment.” 

    NSIL chairman & managing director Radhakrishnan Durairaj added, “GSAT-24 has been the first Demand Driven communication satellite mission undertaken by NSIL post space sector reforms. GSAT-24 satellite is ready to usher in a new era of satellite television for India. As a testament to the success of the Make In India initiative, this satellite would support domestic broadcasting services with advanced digital TV transmission capabilities. Congratulations to the teams of NSIL, ISRO and Tata Play who have collaborated on this successful project.”

    Commenting on the momentous occasion, Tata Play’s MD & CEO, Harit Nagpal said, “Viewing experience has been Tata Play’s key priority. This collaboration with NSIL will provide our DTH subscribers with an even better video and audio quality and many more channels and services. It also strengthens our commitment to Linear TV in a country where approximately ~140 Mn homes are yet to buy their first TV. We have always delivered all our services on indigenously produced satellites by DOS and this capacity enhancement is a reaffirmation of our commitment to Make in India.”

    GSAT-24 is a 24-Ku band communication satellite launched by the Government of India only to cater to the requirement of Tata Play’s DTH application needs. NSIL, incorporated in March 2019, is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space (DOS) and is the commercial arm of DOS. The entire satellite capacity on-board GSAT-24 is leased to its committed customer Tata Play.

  • Satellite & media veteran Vishaal Mathur returns to hometown – The Pink City

    Satellite & media veteran Vishaal Mathur returns to hometown – The Pink City

    Mumbai: Vishaal Mathur, who hails from Jaipur, has been an NRI for over two decades. Last, he was settled in Singapore, where he worked with some of the leading companies, which are into satellite operations – SES, MESAT, Kacific Broadband Satellites. Not to forget well known channels like ESPN, TEN Sports, ZEE Telefilms, Bharat 24, etc.

    And then struck the covid-19 pandemic. While the globe was going through a trying time,  Mathur decided to move, bag and baggage, to his hometown.

    Imbued with unbridled enthusiasm, Mathur was not the one to sit quietly. Setting up a charitable trust in the name of his iconic grandfather, Mathuradas Mathur, he immersed himself into lending assistance. During the most challenging times, the newly formed trust provided food, medical supplies, even oxygen concentrates to local gurudwaras, government hospitals, doctors and paramedics.

    Mathur always had a passion to proactively promote the royal sport, polo, in the memory of his grandfather. A well known political figure, Late Mathuradas Mathur is a revered persona. The last three annual exhibition polo cup matches have witnessed the participation of celebrities like the present chief minister Ashok Gehlot, India TV chairman and editor in chief Rajat Sharma, HH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Marwar, HH Maharaja Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, chef Sanjeev Kapoor, actor and producer Sohail Khan and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

    And now Mathur has launched his own consultancy venture. He has already started advising PT Telkomsat Satellite of Indonesia. Furthermore, he has also been appointed as Member Sales Representative at Asia Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC).

    It would also be appropriate to add that Mathur has tremendous interest in books and authors and has organised book sessions for well known personas like Vir Sanghvi, Kabir Bedi, Divya Dutta, Tusshar Kapoor, etc. in Jaipur.