ITV

Tag: Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia

  • ‘UK’s Ofcom model difficult to export to Asia’

    ‘UK’s Ofcom model difficult to export to Asia’

    HONG KONG: Do any industry players love their regulators? The answer, probably, is a big NO.

    And, in return, a regulator should not expect love, but should have a relationship with a regulatee that is based on transparency and integrity, amongst other things. Ditto for a vice versa relationship.

    This was the message that Kip Meek, senior partner for competition and content at Ofcom in the UK and chairman of the European Regulators’ Group said here today at the ongoing annual convention of Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa).

    Speaking at session, aptly titled `How to love your regulator’, Meek also said that the Ofcom model of regulation is difficult to transport to other places; especially Asia. Reason? Ground realities may differ from market to market.

    “Is the Ofcom model exportable (to Asia)?” Meek posed a question and answered in the negative.

    Detailed regulation should follow on-ground realities, he explained, adding that content regulation in all countries cannot be the same.

    For instance, he said, Ofcom is quite liberal in comparison to some other regulators in developed countries as far as content goes.

    On cue, a majority of over 70 per cent in the audience voted against common regulatory standards in Asian countries, when asked to after Meek had finished speaking.

    According to Meek, the phrase ‘light touch of regulation’ may also sound an absurdity though Ofcom in the UK regulates on three principles, which include unbiased and least intrusive regulation.

    Meek also opined that a converged regulator is better placed to regulate in the present environment, provided it’s “truly independent and truly unbiased.”

    “A fully converged regulatory model does work… but don’t go for harsh measures,” he said.

    However, Meek felt there is a possibility of a converged regulator being considered too powerful.

    Moral of Meekspeak: a regulator-regulate is not the usual run of the mill tale.

  • Videocon mulls entry into DTH market

    Videocon mulls entry into DTH market

    HONG KONG: After aborted attempts to start a television channel, Indian consumer electronics major Videocon Industries Ltd now is trying to cobble together a DTH dream.

    And, what’s more, the Dhoot-promoted company thinks the DTH project can be commissioned in a year’s time, which would make it some time in 2007.

    “We have undertaken a project report (on DTH) and feel that the venture can be started as it has a lot of synergy with some our existing businesses,” an executive of Videocon Industries told Indiantelevision.com here on the sidelines of the three-day annual convention of Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa).

    According to the company executive, if undertaken prudently, a DTH project can be put together at a cheaper cost than what has been touted till now by Tata Sky and the Subhash Chandra-controlled Dish TV, the two private sector DTH service providers in the country at present.

    “The cost should not be over $ 100 million,” the executive said, pointing out that it could even be done at almost three-fourth of that cost ($ 75 million).

    The synergies that Videocon Industries, manufacturers of TV sets and other consumer durables, sees in starting a DTH operation is that it already makes analog set-top boxes and has a widespread distribution network in India, which can be exploited for sale of DTH hardware.

    However, industry observers are sceptical about Videocon’s claims as in the media sector the company’s track record hasn’t been much to right home about. “That is exactly the perception we would like to change,” the Videocon executive asserted.

    Videocon has twice announced plans — the first being in the late 1990s — to start a television channel, which have never seen the light of the day and later were taken as abandoned.