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Tag: AsiaSat

  • AsiaSat appoints Woolston & Cubbon

    AsiaSat appoints Woolston & Cubbon

    MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) has strengthened commercial and strategy teams with appointments of Barrie Woolston as the chief commercial officer and Sabrina Cubbon in the role of vice-president, business development & strategy.

    On 1 February 2017, Woolston will integrate and lead all sales, marketing and commercial activities of the company. Woolston will lead a strong team that will search to understand and meet customers’ needs, and continue to develop new businesses worldwide.

    “I am confident that with an experienced and integrated sales team, Barrie (Woolston) will take AsiaSat’s commercial and customer activities to the next level,” said AsiaSat president and CEO Andrew Jordan said.

    “I’m delighted to take up this new commercial role and work closely with our customers and partners to provide enhanced service portfolio that meets customers’ changing needs. I join at an exciting time with the upcoming launch of our new satellite AsiaSat 9 and other new services later this year,” said Woolston.

    Woolston has 30 years of experience in the Technology，Media，Telecom sectors, with a wealth of solid experience in managing sales teams and driving new business, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer with Encompass Digital Media based in Atlanta, GA, 13 years as Commercial Director of Arqiva’s satellite and media business, and various global sales, marketing, product management and operations positions with leading brands globally.

    In the new role, Cubbon will be responsible for developing strategic initiatives to drive company’s business growth.

  • Andrew Jordan announced successor of AsiaSat’s William Wade

    Andrew Jordan announced successor of AsiaSat’s William Wade

    MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications has announced the retirement of its executive director, president and CEO William Wade. He will serve his last day in the company on 1 November 2016 but will stay back as the senior advisor of AsiaSat until 31 March 2017.

    Andrew Jordan will be appointed by the board to succeed Wade with effect from 1 November 2016. Jordan 56 has over 25 years of experience in the satellite industry. He was the general manager in the marketing department of AsiaSat from 1991 to 1993.

    “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Wade for his years of dedicated and exceptional service. AsiaSat’s solid reputation in the industry and its strong commitment to quality and reliability are a credit to his leadership. We look forward to his contributions as the senior advisor to assist in the leadership transition,” said AsiaSat chairman JU Wei Min.

    He further added, “I would like to welcome back Jordan, who is an industry veteran with extensive experience, knowledge and contacts across the satellite communications, broadcast and telecom industries. We are confident that he has the strategic vision and experience to drive AsiaSat’s next phase of growth.”

    Jordan has held executive positions with several satellite operators, and has led complex deal negotiations in China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

  • Andrew Jordan announced successor of AsiaSat’s William Wade

    Andrew Jordan announced successor of AsiaSat’s William Wade

    MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications has announced the retirement of its executive director, president and CEO William Wade. He will serve his last day in the company on 1 November 2016 but will stay back as the senior advisor of AsiaSat until 31 March 2017.

    Andrew Jordan will be appointed by the board to succeed Wade with effect from 1 November 2016. Jordan 56 has over 25 years of experience in the satellite industry. He was the general manager in the marketing department of AsiaSat from 1991 to 1993.

    “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Wade for his years of dedicated and exceptional service. AsiaSat’s solid reputation in the industry and its strong commitment to quality and reliability are a credit to his leadership. We look forward to his contributions as the senior advisor to assist in the leadership transition,” said AsiaSat chairman JU Wei Min.

    He further added, “I would like to welcome back Jordan, who is an industry veteran with extensive experience, knowledge and contacts across the satellite communications, broadcast and telecom industries. We are confident that he has the strategic vision and experience to drive AsiaSat’s next phase of growth.”

    Jordan has held executive positions with several satellite operators, and has led complex deal negotiations in China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

  • XTreme-AsiaSat to provide 4K premium UHD content

    XTreme-AsiaSat to provide 4K premium UHD content

    MUMBAI: 4K-SAT, the Ultra-HD channel operated by Asia’s premier satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat), will be broadcasting premium extreme and outdoor content from XTreme Video on AsiaSat 4.

    XTreme Video is producing the best 4K content for extreme sports fans worldwide. Its UHD content on 4K-SAT will include some of the most stunning extreme and outdoor content, such as the successful mountain biking series ‘MTB Insights’ and the world’s wildest freestyle motocross show ‘Masters of Dirt’.

    “The brilliance of 4K definition truly comes into its own when the subject matter is as visually captivating as extreme and outdoor programming. We’re committed to bringing the highest quality programming to audiences around the globe, via partnerships with platforms, broadcasters and partners like AsiaSat,” said Joe Nilsson, senior director of business

    “XTreme Video offers exciting, adrenaline pumping programs that are very popular amongst viewers of all ages that are interested in extreme sports. We want to bring an immersive quality viewing experience to viewers via our platform on AsiaSat 4,” said Sabrina Cubbon, vice president, marketing and global accounts of AsiaSat.

    ‘4K-SAT’ continues to impress major TV operators and viewers across the region with unique and compelling UHD content in fashion, lifestyle, nature, movies, TV series, documentaries, extreme sports and technology.

    Since 1994, XTreme has been the home of independent creators capturing and documenting the culture, locations and stories of extreme activities. Asia Satellite Telecommunications, the leading satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world’s population with its six satellites.

  • XTreme-AsiaSat to provide 4K premium UHD content

    XTreme-AsiaSat to provide 4K premium UHD content

    MUMBAI: 4K-SAT, the Ultra-HD channel operated by Asia’s premier satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat), will be broadcasting premium extreme and outdoor content from XTreme Video on AsiaSat 4.

    XTreme Video is producing the best 4K content for extreme sports fans worldwide. Its UHD content on 4K-SAT will include some of the most stunning extreme and outdoor content, such as the successful mountain biking series ‘MTB Insights’ and the world’s wildest freestyle motocross show ‘Masters of Dirt’.

    “The brilliance of 4K definition truly comes into its own when the subject matter is as visually captivating as extreme and outdoor programming. We’re committed to bringing the highest quality programming to audiences around the globe, via partnerships with platforms, broadcasters and partners like AsiaSat,” said Joe Nilsson, senior director of business

    “XTreme Video offers exciting, adrenaline pumping programs that are very popular amongst viewers of all ages that are interested in extreme sports. We want to bring an immersive quality viewing experience to viewers via our platform on AsiaSat 4,” said Sabrina Cubbon, vice president, marketing and global accounts of AsiaSat.

    ‘4K-SAT’ continues to impress major TV operators and viewers across the region with unique and compelling UHD content in fashion, lifestyle, nature, movies, TV series, documentaries, extreme sports and technology.

    Since 1994, XTreme has been the home of independent creators capturing and documenting the culture, locations and stories of extreme activities. Asia Satellite Telecommunications, the leading satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world’s population with its six satellites.

  • AsiaSat and Digital Magic join hands to create original UHD content for ‘4K-SAT’

    AsiaSat and Digital Magic join hands to create original UHD content for ‘4K-SAT’

    MUMBAI: Asia’s premier satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is collaborating with Digital Magic, an industry-leading provider of advanced imaging solutions to co-produce UltraHD (UHD) content for AsiaSat’s UHD channel ‘4K-SAT’, on AsiaSat 4 at 122°E.

    The co-production includes a knowledge-based UHD mini-series on satellite communications to provide an easy-to-understand introduction to topics such as how a satellite works, how it serves people and how it is used in broadcasting high quality content.

    “Compelling content is the key to drive UHD viewership. Creating original content is the first step of our collaboration with Digital Magic. Digital Magic is an industry renowned content producer in UHD and VR. We look forward to developing more together for our audience in Asia,” said Sabrina Cubbon, Vice President, Marketing and Global Accounts of AsiaSat.

    “We are delighted to partner with AsiaSat, Asia’s UHD satellite broadcasting pioneer to create original, insightful content to educate and inform our viewers in the region. Initial content viewing among youth has suggested that this is a meaningful attempt to broaden public interest and knowledge in space and communications,” said Percy Fung, Production Director of Digital Magic.

    AsiaSat’s ‘4K-SAT’ channel is currently broadcasting a variety of full UHD content. Major TV

    operators in the Asia-Pacific have access to it via AsiaSat 4.

    ‘4K-SAT’ is available free-to-air on AsiaSat 4 with the following reception parameters: Orbital Location: 122°E
    Transponder: A4-C13H Downlink Frequency: 4120 MHz Downlink Polarisation: Horizontal Transmission Standard: DVB-S2
    Compression Standard: HEVC Modulation: 8PSK
    Symbol Rate: 29.72 Msym/sec

    FEC: 5/6

  • AsiaSat and Digital Magic join hands to create original UHD content for ‘4K-SAT’

    AsiaSat and Digital Magic join hands to create original UHD content for ‘4K-SAT’

    MUMBAI: Asia’s premier satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. (AsiaSat) is collaborating with Digital Magic, an industry-leading provider of advanced imaging solutions to co-produce UltraHD (UHD) content for AsiaSat’s UHD channel ‘4K-SAT’, on AsiaSat 4 at 122°E.

    The co-production includes a knowledge-based UHD mini-series on satellite communications to provide an easy-to-understand introduction to topics such as how a satellite works, how it serves people and how it is used in broadcasting high quality content.

    “Compelling content is the key to drive UHD viewership. Creating original content is the first step of our collaboration with Digital Magic. Digital Magic is an industry renowned content producer in UHD and VR. We look forward to developing more together for our audience in Asia,” said Sabrina Cubbon, Vice President, Marketing and Global Accounts of AsiaSat.

    “We are delighted to partner with AsiaSat, Asia’s UHD satellite broadcasting pioneer to create original, insightful content to educate and inform our viewers in the region. Initial content viewing among youth has suggested that this is a meaningful attempt to broaden public interest and knowledge in space and communications,” said Percy Fung, Production Director of Digital Magic.

    AsiaSat’s ‘4K-SAT’ channel is currently broadcasting a variety of full UHD content. Major TV

    operators in the Asia-Pacific have access to it via AsiaSat 4.

    ‘4K-SAT’ is available free-to-air on AsiaSat 4 with the following reception parameters: Orbital Location: 122°E
    Transponder: A4-C13H Downlink Frequency: 4120 MHz Downlink Polarisation: Horizontal Transmission Standard: DVB-S2
    Compression Standard: HEVC Modulation: 8PSK
    Symbol Rate: 29.72 Msym/sec

    FEC: 5/6

  • Indian govt warns against re-transmission of Peace TV illegally

    Indian govt warns against re-transmission of Peace TV illegally

    NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Even as reports came that the Government is initiating a probe into how Peace TV is being beamed into the country, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued an advisory today asking all MSOs, cable operators  and DTH platforms against transmitting any un-authorized TV channels on their networks.

    Drawing attention to reports of “security threats due to TV content aimed at inciting communal and terrorist violence”, the government advisory said, “Reports are being received of such content being broadcast through private satellite TV channels, such as Peace TV channel, which are not permitted by this Ministry for downlinking into the country. It is, therefore, essential that broadcast or transmission of such non-permitted channels is stopped immediately by the cable operators and DTH operators.”

    Peace TV, twice denied landing rights in India earlier, airs sermons of Mumbai-based tele-evangelist Dr. Zakir Naik.

    The government warned that necessary action would be taken for any violations against defaulters.

    A Press Trust of India (PTI) report, separately, quoted home minister Rajnath Singh as saying that reports regarding Mumbai-based Zakir Naik, his sermons on Peace TV and the Islamic institution run by him have been taken note of and action will be taken as per law.

    Meanwhile, MIB sources said that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau would be asked to probe how the channel is beaming into the country.

    The sources, who said that the channel had been denied permission twice to beam into India, added that the MIB would take the help of the External Affairs Ministry to approach the countries in west Asia from where the channel was being beamed.

    The government advisory to Indian media pointed out that non-permitted TV channels are in violation of the sub-rule 6(6) of the Cable TV Rules under programme code and “need to acted upon immediately”.

    Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, amended in 1997,  states no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the programme code. In the Cable Television Network (CTN) Rules 1994, framed under the Cable TV Act, the nature of the contents prohibited to be transmitted or re-transmitted are given in the in the programme code under Rule 6 of these Rules.

    Sub Rule 6(6) of the Cable TV Rules specifies that no cable operator shall carry or include in his cable service any television broadcast or channel, which has not been registered by the Central Government for being viewed within the territory of India.

    The advisory said that a list of the private satellite TV channels permitted by the government was available on the website of MIB at www.mib.nic.in.

    Transmission or re-transmission of any TV channel in violation of the Section 5 of the Cable TV Act, read with Rule 6(6), by any cable operator is an offence which attracts action against the operators by authorized officers.

    The Central government advisory has been sent to various State governments too.

    Naik and his Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) came into limelight after a Bangladeshi newspaper, quoting local government officials, alleged that his sermons influenced the people who killed 20 people, comprising mostly foreigners, in Dhaka few days before Eid.

    According to Peace TV’s website, peacetv.in, on which its schedule is available, the channel is beamed off at least a dozen satellite transponders to reach viewers  in more than 200 countries.

    Its English HD feed is available off AsiaSat7 at 105.5 degrees East and off Arabsat BADR 4 at 26.0 degrees East. AsiaSat 7’s C-band transponders have coverage over South East Asia, West Asia, Asia and Australasia, while Arabsat BADR 4 allows it to reach out in Africa, West Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Europe.

    The channel also has an India region targeted specific transponder on Intelsat12 at 45 degrees east. Indian government officials think that some cable operators and MSOs, probably, are latching on to this beam and (illegally) retransmitting Peace TV following requests from subscribers.

  • Indian govt warns against re-transmission of Peace TV illegally

    Indian govt warns against re-transmission of Peace TV illegally

    NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Even as reports came that the Government is initiating a probe into how Peace TV is being beamed into the country, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued an advisory today asking all MSOs, cable operators  and DTH platforms against transmitting any un-authorized TV channels on their networks.

    Drawing attention to reports of “security threats due to TV content aimed at inciting communal and terrorist violence”, the government advisory said, “Reports are being received of such content being broadcast through private satellite TV channels, such as Peace TV channel, which are not permitted by this Ministry for downlinking into the country. It is, therefore, essential that broadcast or transmission of such non-permitted channels is stopped immediately by the cable operators and DTH operators.”

    Peace TV, twice denied landing rights in India earlier, airs sermons of Mumbai-based tele-evangelist Dr. Zakir Naik.

    The government warned that necessary action would be taken for any violations against defaulters.

    A Press Trust of India (PTI) report, separately, quoted home minister Rajnath Singh as saying that reports regarding Mumbai-based Zakir Naik, his sermons on Peace TV and the Islamic institution run by him have been taken note of and action will be taken as per law.

    Meanwhile, MIB sources said that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau would be asked to probe how the channel is beaming into the country.

    The sources, who said that the channel had been denied permission twice to beam into India, added that the MIB would take the help of the External Affairs Ministry to approach the countries in west Asia from where the channel was being beamed.

    The government advisory to Indian media pointed out that non-permitted TV channels are in violation of the sub-rule 6(6) of the Cable TV Rules under programme code and “need to acted upon immediately”.

    Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, amended in 1997,  states no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the programme code. In the Cable Television Network (CTN) Rules 1994, framed under the Cable TV Act, the nature of the contents prohibited to be transmitted or re-transmitted are given in the in the programme code under Rule 6 of these Rules.

    Sub Rule 6(6) of the Cable TV Rules specifies that no cable operator shall carry or include in his cable service any television broadcast or channel, which has not been registered by the Central Government for being viewed within the territory of India.

    The advisory said that a list of the private satellite TV channels permitted by the government was available on the website of MIB at www.mib.nic.in.

    Transmission or re-transmission of any TV channel in violation of the Section 5 of the Cable TV Act, read with Rule 6(6), by any cable operator is an offence which attracts action against the operators by authorized officers.

    The Central government advisory has been sent to various State governments too.

    Naik and his Mumbai-based Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) came into limelight after a Bangladeshi newspaper, quoting local government officials, alleged that his sermons influenced the people who killed 20 people, comprising mostly foreigners, in Dhaka few days before Eid.

    According to Peace TV’s website, peacetv.in, on which its schedule is available, the channel is beamed off at least a dozen satellite transponders to reach viewers  in more than 200 countries.

    Its English HD feed is available off AsiaSat7 at 105.5 degrees East and off Arabsat BADR 4 at 26.0 degrees East. AsiaSat 7’s C-band transponders have coverage over South East Asia, West Asia, Asia and Australasia, while Arabsat BADR 4 allows it to reach out in Africa, West Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Europe.

    The channel also has an India region targeted specific transponder on Intelsat12 at 45 degrees east. Indian government officials think that some cable operators and MSOs, probably, are latching on to this beam and (illegally) retransmitting Peace TV following requests from subscribers.

  • Digital India is CASBAA India Forum 2016’s theme

    Digital India is CASBAA India Forum 2016’s theme

    MUMBAI: On March 22 CASBAA will host local and international speakers at the India Forum 2016, its annual discussion panel. The speakers will focus on the fast-evolving Indian broadcasting industry in the advent of the Digital India initiative.

    “The Government of India’s Digital India initiative has brought about a revolution in the country’s economy and has ushered in a plethora of opportunities for sectors to drive the overall digital revolution in India,” said  CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter. “We see that digital content in India is at an inflection point and the nation is at the top of digital and high-definition (HD) adoption. Further, we have observed that the content creators and broadcasters are increasingly evaluating new media and content delivery alternatives and are planning significant capital expenditure to upgrade their infrastructure in the coming years.”

    This year, corporate partners for the CASBAA India Forum 2016 include SES (Supporting Sponsor), AsiaSat, Diagnal, Eutelsat, MEASAT, Verimatrix, Videocon d2h and WWE Network (Sponsors).

    “Digital India – The Four Phases of Cable Enlightenment” is this year’s theme for the CASBAA India Forum 2016. A diverse roster of expert speakers will discuss India’s continued growth, including such topics as digitization challenges, security aspects, Indian OTT industry, advertising trends in Digital India, impact of digital advertising on traditional media, satellite industry in India among others.

    Several industry experts are expected to attend this event.   Trai chairman R.S. Sharma is expected to deliver the opening keynote address.  The inaugural address will be made by MIB Special Secretary J S Mathur and the industry keynote address will be delivered by  Tata Sky MD and CEO Harit Nagpal (Industry Keynote). Others attending the event include TRAi’s  Principal Advisor, Broadcast & Cable S K Gupta,  MIB Joint Secretary -Broadcasting R. Jaya, APT Satellite sales director for Indian and Middle East Thomas Antony ,   AsiaSat CEO William Wade,  BBC Global News COO Naveen Jhunjhunwala,  Disney India Media Networks vice president Nikhil Gandhi, Eutelsat UK MD  Nicholas Daly,  Google India Industry director   Nitin Bawankule,  Hathway CEO Jagdish Kumar, Media, Hinduja Group CEO Anthony D’Silva, Intelsat India country manager Gaurav Kharod, MEASAT CEO Paul Brown-Kenyon, MEC South Asia managing director T. Gangadhar and  Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi.