ITV

Tag: DTH

  • DAS: Even official figures show cable TV digitisation is incomplete

    DAS: Even official figures show cable TV digitisation is incomplete

    NEW DELHI: Almost two weeks after the formal switch-off of analogue in all parts of the country except Tamil Nadu, a majority of multi-system (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) claimed that the seeding of set-top boxes in Phase III is just over 40 per cent, and likely to be less in Phase IV areas where people cannot afford the boxes.

    In sharp contrast, the minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament in mid-March that around 67 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had been achieved in Phase III and IV combined, while it was absolute in the first two phases (minus Tamil Nadu).

    All India Digital Cable Federation Secretary General Saharsh Damani told indiantelevision.com that reports of Phase III received from MSOs indicated that around 43 million STBs had been seeded even as the government had said that the total affected population in Phase III was just over 33 million.

    Furthermore, he said many MSOs said they had ample boxes lying with them, and so were stopping import of more boxes.

    With no clear picture emerging yet even as the country formally completes full digitisation of cable television, an information and broadcasting ministry official claimed told indiantelevision.com that the figure had already crossed 75 per cent in the final two phases. However, he admitted that some extensions had been allowed in some areas, and analogue was continuing in these areas though time limits had been set.

    Meanwhile an MSO who did not want to be named said people in rural areas could not afford boxes and monthly payments, and so they may opt for direct-to-home TV. Adding that MSOs were not doing ‘charity’ but involved in business, he said the chances were that they would take Doordarshan’s FreeDish as a cheaper option.

    Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation office-bearer Arvind Prabhoo told indiantelevision.com that the estimates received by him from Phase IV areas in his state showed just over 20 per cent cable TV homes had gone digital. He also said that, while the situation in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with regard to Phase IV was very bad, his understanding was that these two states had achieved 60 per cent seeding of which most was in Phase III. Both states have already sought extensions from the centre.

    He added that, though he had no figures, the position in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh was very bad – particularly in Phase IV.

    Interestingly, forseeing the DD FreeDish challenge, some DTH platforms have assured subscribers that, at a minimum sum fixed by them, it will be ensured that there is no stoppage of signals to them since DTH is in any case digital.

    About plans to help the poor acquire STBs, the ministry official said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had already announced schemes of payments in installments.

    Meanwhile a meeting of the Task Force for the final two phases held two weeks before total switch-off was told by the advisor (DAS) Yogendra Pal that registered operators in Phase III and Phase-IV areas had reported 64.4 million STBs, excluding Tamil Nadu, which came to 67% of the total requirement.

    While giving region-wise figures, he said that there was need to sit together and chalk out a plan for successful implementation of Cable TV digitisation across the country.

    It was decided that a meeting would be held in the office of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and an action plan would be worked out in the presence of representatives of MSOs.

    Additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee asked the members to outline the problems being faced by them in Phase IV areas and also their preparedness.

    A representative from SITI Cable stated that they have been facing some problems with regard to carrying of signals as the telecom bandwidth available in remote areas of Phase-IV is poorly served and can only be utilized by one or two MSOs and quality of service is affected. He again raised the issue of infrastructure sharing and wanted to know progress made in this regard.

    The ministry wanted to know if the MSOs had any proposal, noting that no such proposal had been received so far.

    A representative from GTPL Hathway stated they have no problem in Implementing digitization in Phase-IV areas. He further stated that some push-up from the State Government is also required.

    Mukherjee asked the DTH representative what initiatives have been taken by them to cover those areas where cable connectivity is not available. The representative stated that they are in the process of addressing the problems commercially as well.

    Representatives of national MSOs raised the issue of continuance of analogue signals in some areas, particularly in Telangana State and suggested that all broadcasters are required to undergo for total discontinuation of analogue signals.

    The IBF asked the MSOs for specific complaints in this regard so that immediate necessary action can be taken. He mentioned IBF has already issued Circulars/Notices to all their members to switch off analog signals in Phase III areas.

    The representatives from the State Governments outlined their readiness and action being taken by them with regard to successful implement of Digitization. They mentioned that they are holding meetings with stakeholders.

    All the stakeholders also said they have enough inventories of STBs to be seeded in Phase IV areas. No major issue is pending with regard to Cable TV Digitisation in Phase IV areas to be addressed.

    Also Read :

    DAS: MSOs, LCOs give low figure of STB seeding, official sources admit it’s under 80%

    Final phase STB seeding is 35% even as deadline nears

    DAS deadline extension ruled out, govt claims 66% seeding done

     

  • NICK & Motu-Patlu films most watched kids channel & programme in BARC week 13

    BENGALURU: Five channels have been consistently present in the top 5 Kids channels list All India (U+R) : NCCS All : 2 – 14 years Individuals during all the first 12 weeks of 2017. They are NICK, Cartoon Network, Pogo TV, Hungama and Disney Channel.

    Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data for week 13 of 2017 (Saturday, 25 March 2017 to Friday, 31 March 2017) reveals that the same channels were also present in the top five list in terms of Impressions (Sums)in that week.

    As in the preceding weeks, Viacom’s children’s 24-hour pay channel in Hindi, with the option of English, Tamil and Telugu audio feed on DTH, NICK (Nickelodeon) topped the charts in week 13 with 1,22,702 Impressions (000s) Sums. Turner’s Pogo moved up one place to second place with 88,178 Impressions (000s) Sums from the previous week’s third place.

    Disney’s Disney channel moved up to third place in the current week (week 13) with 84,737 Impressions (000s) Sums from fifth place in week 12. Disney’s Hungama TV moved down in week 13 to fourth place with 81,855 Impressions (000s) Sums from second place in week 12. Turner’s Cartoon Network moved down one place in week 13 to fifth place with 79,433 Impressions (000s) Sums.

    In the case of the top five programmes during week 13, Motu Patlu films on NICK ruled the roost with four of the top five positions – Hindi Feature Film (HFF)-Motu Patlu Kung Fu King Returns was the most watched programme in the week with 1116 Impressions (000s), followed by HFF-Motu Patlu Kung Fu Kings with 1,023 Impressions (000s) at second place.

    HFF-Motu Patlu 36 Ghantey Race Against Time with 886 Impressions (000s) was at third place followed by HFF-Motu Patlu In Double Trouble with 758 Impressions (000s). The fifth place in the top five programmes for the kids genre in week 13 was held by HFF-Doraemon The Movie Ye Bhi Tha Nobit with 752 Impressions (000s) on Hungama.

  • Jio DTH & Airtel ‘hybrid’ reports gain currency

    MUMBAI: Although there is no confirmation, Reliance Jio seems to be gearing up to enter the DTH space in India this month after disrupting the telecom landscape.

    Jio it seems may not be alone in the new business as Airtel too is reportedly looking to take on Jio’s IPTV based DTH with its hybrid DTH STB service. The impact however will depend on the STB features.

    After much speculation over a few weeks, this time some images of Jio set-top-box have surfaced — exposing the box design. Some reports stated that Jio STB, powered through Jio broadband with up to 1 Gbps speed, would have a rounded design and an upgraded version of the available DTH boxes.

    The leaked pictures the Jio STBs show a USB port at rear and front side. This presumably will help consumers to connect a pen drive and may be watch stored movies and videos directly — without an internet connection.

    This feature exists in smart TVs, but the earlier TV sets do not have it — the market for Jio DTH.

    The leaked images also show an RJ45 port that helps connect to Net and have movies, live streaming and listen to music online. The Jio box also seems to have an AV port, HDMI port, a 12-volt power port, and a cable port at the rear.

    The Jio STB is expected to be based on Android and Jio will help outdoor customer premise equipment (CPE) connected to a Jio tower and attached to the STB. Jio is also preparing to give wiring via optical fibre cable, instead of CPE, in some areas.

    Airtel’s high-tech hybrid too reportedly works on the same principle. Airtel will use the fibre to home (FTTH) service to connect the STBs, allowing viewers to stream content online.

  • DAS: MSOs, LCOs give low figure of STB seeding, official sources admit it’s under 80%

    DAS: MSOs, LCOs give low figure of STB seeding, official sources admit it’s under 80%

    NEW DELHI / MUMBAI: Even as the nation has stepped into an era of full cable television digitisation, there are mixed reports coming in from around the country about the situation on the ground.

    While the government had issued a warning to all broadcasters, multi-system and local cable operators about action if they fail to switch off analogue, there are reports from almost every region that Phase IV covering rural India has still a long way to go before full implementation of digital addressable system happens.

    The Government had, in mid-January, told the Task Force that while the seeding of set-top boxes in Phase III was almost complete, the figure for Phase IV was 32 per cent. Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament in mid-March that around 67 per cent seeding of set-top boxes had been achieved in Phase III and IV while it was total in the first two phases, minus Tamil Nadu.

    A ministry source told indiantelevision.com that the figure had already crossed around 75 per cent in the final two phases. Not wanting to be named, the source ruled out any more grace period, and said that several MSOs and LCOs act only after a final warning, and therefore the chances were that the figure may be higher than those given by him.

    However, since there is no plan to help the poor acquire STBs, it is unlikely that the figure would be much higher.

    In Tamil Nadu, where there is a court stay in operation since Phase I, the state government run Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) warned MSOs and LCOs against switching off analogue signals anywhere in the state after 31 March 2017.

    Pointing out that the centre had refused to grant DAS licence to TACTV because recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India do not permit state-owned TV or distribution networks, an MSO told indiantelevision.com that the case had been gong on for so many years primarily because the Central Government was not clearabout its stand and keeps taking adjournments.

    Meanwhile, in neighbouring Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, MSOs and LCOs said that around 40 per cent of Phase III had still to be fully seeded and the figure was bound to be higher in Phase IV areas. One MSO not wanting to be named said that there was an area in Hyderabad dominated by a particular community where even law had limited reach where analogue signals continued unchecked. “Whatever had been fixed a long time ago, remains,” the MSO said.

    Interestingly, a consumer body Citizens Welfare Society had moved the High Court for the twin states saying that, while the government had made it mandatory that DAS signals should be implemented, there was nothing in law to say that analogue has to be switched off and pleading that the two should be allowed to co-exist till people take to DAS voluntarily. Though the case was not admitted, the bench of the Court heard the viewpoints of several MSOs, LCOs, and consumer bodies over twenty hours for the few days and reserved its orders on 20 February 2017. This order is still awaited keenly by consumers as well as MSOs and LCOs.

    Siti Network Limited (Essel Group) executive director & CEO V D Wadhwa said that analogue signals had been switched off in the East Zone. Network 18/Viacom18 Group distributor Indiacast Media Group CEO (and Jio Media head – content acquisition/ alliances) Anuj Gandhi also said that analogue had been switched off in compliance with the deadline set by the Government. However, sources said that completely shutting off analogue signals in other zones may be a challenge.

    Meanwhile, an MSO in Assam said that while digitisation was complete in Guwahati, it had not even covered fifty per cent of rural Assam. In Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, MSOs and LCOs interviewed said around 40 per cent seeding had taken place in Phase IV but pointed out that the confusion because of the tariff orders had resulted in direct-go-home players targeting consumers.

    Reports from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand said that while the broadcasters had switched off digital signals in most areas of Phase IV, tthis may trigger some protests over the next few days from consumers as the figure of seeding of set top boxes was very low. The DTH players were also active in these areas.

    Maharashtra Cable Operators Federation sources told www.indiantelevision.com that the broadcasters had switched off analogue signals, but rural Maharashtra which faced extreme poverty was still largely uncovered by DAS STBs. However, he said he would have a more tangible report over the next two days.

    Cable Operators Association of Gujarat president Pramod Pandya said that 80-90 per cent of the state had gone digital, but some broadcasters were still supplying analogue signals in certain areas. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Reliance Jio is planning to bring in cheaper STBs soon, though these may not have many fancy features.

    Phase I covering the Metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai was originally slated for 30 June 2012 and modified to 31 October 2012. The second phase covering 38 cities (with population more than one million) was slated for 31 March 2013.

    The third Phase was to cover all other urban areas (Municipal Corporations/ Municipalities) and was originally slated for 30 September 2014 and modified to 31 December 2015 which was extended to 31 January 2017 and the final phase to 31 March 2017.

  • NTV MIR expansion in Europe via Globecast’s Eutelsat HOTBIRD

    PARIS: Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, has been selected by NTV Broadcasting Company to broadcast NTV MIR TV, the international version of NTV, to cable and DTH homes across Europe. Globecast is providing fibre connectivity via its Globecast Backbone Network for the channel to be delivered from Moscow to its Paris location, where the signals are then uplinked to Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD position at 13° East (transponder 126).

    NTV MIR TV joins an unrivalled neighbourhood of 38 Russian-speaking channels at the popular HOTBIRD position, of which 28 are available free-to-air. Broadcasting in MPEG-2 SD, the channel offers a mix of news and documentaries, as well as entertainment content and sports.

    The agreement with NTV positions Globecast as the preferred choice for Russian broadcasters to extend their international footprint. Globecast already broadcasts Channel One and RTR PLANETA (Group VGTRK) and broadcasts NTV MIR across Asia via AsiaSat 5.

    Biliana Pumpalovic, General Director of Globecast in Moscow, commented, “We’re delighted that NTV Group has once again called on us to distribute its content, this time across Europe. Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD neighbourhood, with its strong Russian line-up, was the obvious choice for us and makes it easy for NTV MIR to increase its cable and DTH audience across a vast footprint. This deal also illustrates what Globecast does best, which is deliver content to a new audience cost-effectively.”

    Eutelsat’s cluster of three high-power HOTBIRD satellites at 13° East deliver an unrivalled line-up of more than 1,000 channels. Over 135 million homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa watch channels broadcast by the HOTBIRD constellation through Direct-to-Home reception, cable, IP and DTT networks. Part of the Orange Group, Globecast provides agile and seamless content acquisition, management and distribution services globally.

  • Smart STB: Videocon d2h partners SonyLiv

    MUMBAI: Videocon d2h, one of the fastest growing DTH service provider in India, has signed a deal with SonyLIV for its HD Smart Connect Set Top Box. This partnership will enable Videocon d2h’s HD Smart Connect Set Top Box customers to access a seamless broad selection of content available on SonyLIV app.

    SonyLIV, which is the first premium Video On Demand (VOD) service by Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN), will enrich Videocon d2h’s customers with an array of movies, strong line-up of events across all sports, shows, music, TV Shows and much more.

    SonyLIV can be accessed through all Web Apps button on Videocon d2h’s HD Smart Connect Set Top Box. The Smart Connect Set Top Box works on connectivity management platform to deliver a variety of connected services that leaves the customer with wide choice for entertainment.

    HD SMART Set top Box (Connected Set top box) converts any existing TV into a Smart TV besides showing you 650 Channels & services in High Definition and Standard Definition. The DTH service allows one to watch their favourite channels in SD and HD, the Connected set top box allows one to browse content from applications residing on STB. These Applications will enhance the pleasure of accessing content on a bigger screen thus making it a family event rather than solo watching on a smaller screen. HD Smart Set Top Box will work as a tool for personalization, engagement and new customer experiences and with internet connectivity, one can convert one’s TV into a smart TV using it.

    Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “This collaboration would strengthen the entertainment apps available on our HD Smart Connect and provide our customers with a large range of entertainment.’’

    Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera said, “Our partnership with Sony LIV is yet another step towards creating the highest-quality consumer experience. Innovative products like HD Smart Connect and rich entertainment content available delights next generation users. Our focused approach strives for delivering exceptional content and customer delight.’’

    Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and Head – Digital Business Uday Sodhi said, “Through this synergistic association, we will be entertaining and engaging the audience with the rich content portfolio that SonyLIV showcases. The partnership allows us to deliver a superior entertainment experience to Indian audiences across genres and multiple screens, and live up to our brand promise of ‘We LIV to Entertain’.”

  • TV5 launches devotional channel in AP & Telangana, DTH dist plan under way

    MUMBAI: South India’s one of the leading news network Shreya Broadcasting on 29 March launched its devotional and spiritual channel ‘Hindu Dharmam’ on the occasion of Ugadi – Telugu new year.

    The test signal of the new devotional channel is on. Channel’s distribution work is in full swing. Apart from Hyderabad the channel is seen across both the Telugu-speaking states – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

    At present under Shreya Broadcasting – TV5 news in Telugu is the market leader followed by TV5 USA (exclusive for U.S.-based Telugu audience) and TV5 Money (business and travel news channel on digital platform) channels are available. And now the new devotional channel is added to the bouquet.

    Shreya Broadcasting managing director Ravindranath Bolineni, who is also the editor-in-chief for TV5 news network, said that the team for the new channel is in place and test signal is on. He informed that the channel is available in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in all the districts through all the multi-system operators (MSOs). It will also be available on direct-to-home (DTH) platforms soon. “We are also targeting the audience in this genre through digital platforms also.

    The new channel is the brainchild of the group chairman B R Naidu. He said that, at the time when there a heap of devotional channels, the new Hindu Dharmam channel of TV5 news network will bring freshness and carter to the need of the audience who were looking for something more than discourses. “Our content will not only focus on discourses of reputed scholars and religious leaders but also special programs of the Hindu culture and documentaries of temples will be showcased,” he added.

    Naidu informed that the concept of the Hindu Dharmam channel is to bring awareness among the viewers about Hinduism, Hindu traditions, Hindu culture and Hindu dharma. There will be live coverage of early morning and evening Pooja from the major well-known temples across India.

    The parent channel TV5 Telugu news, promoted by Shreya Broadcasting, has around 300 reporters covering the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and delivering hourly news bulletins and 30 special bulletins. It has gained a reputation for its incisive business reportage and programming.

  • AsiaSat: 3S rev blunts numbers for fiscal 2016

    BENGALURU: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (AsiaSat) revenue of HK$ 1,272.39 million for the year ended 31 December 2016 (FY-16), down 2.9 per cent compared to HK$ 1,310.99 million for 2015 primarily due to reduced short-term revenue from AsiaSat 3S says the company. If excluding the short-term non-recurring AsiaSat 3S revenue, revenue grew by about three per cent it adds in an earnings release.

    The company’s operating profit at HK$ 511.33 declined 16 per cent in FY-16 as compared to HK$ 608.69 million reported for the previous year. Profit before tax declined 14.1 per cent for FY-16 to HK$ 456.98 million from HK$ 532 million in FY-15. However, FY-16 profit attributable to owners was maintained at HK$ 430 million (2015: HK$ 440 million), as a result of lower income tax charges following the reversal of a provision made in previous years. The AsiaSat board has proposed dividend of HK$0.20 per share for the year.

    The satellite communications company says that combined new and renewed contracts during the year were valued at HK$ 1,870 million (2015: HK $1,310 million). As at 31 December 2016, the value of contracts on hand increased by 16 per cent to HK$ 4,067 million (2015: HK$ 3,517 million).

    On the operational front, the company says that utilisation of AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 7 as of 31 December 2016 stood at 67 per cent (99 transponders utilised), with AsiaSat 8’s entire Ku-band payload fully leased at 4 degrees West and AsiaSat 3S operating in inclined orbit to provide service in Asia.

    AsiaSat 9, a replacement for AsiaSat 4 and planned for launch in late 2017, will offer additional capacity serving new markets for Direct-to-Home (DTH), regional video distribution, private networks and broadband services

    The company claims that it continued to lead the industry in advanced technology through advocating Ultra HD (UHD) broadcasting in Asia with its free-to-air UHD channel ‘4K-SAT’ on AsiaSat 4, and evaluating opportunities to develop its High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ka-band capabilities.

    Company speak

    AsiaSat’s Chairman, JU Wei Min, said, “In the coming year, the Board of Directors is cautiously optimistic on the economic prospects for the region, which, despite relatively flat indicators for some markets continues to invest in new telecommunications and media infrastructure, as well as renewing and updating existing facilities. New DTH platforms focused on smaller emerging markets remain attractive, especially given the need for relevant local-language services.”

    “In order to address the ever-increasing, long-term demand for new data transmission capacity AsiaSat will continue to evaluate opportunities to develop its HTS Ka-band capabilities, carefully monitoring and benefiting from the technical and commercial progress of deployments of IoT, UHD and other consumer driven services,” JU added.

  • MIB favours switching to DTH if consumers have problems with MSOs or LCOs

    NEW DELHI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has said that HITS (Head-end In The Sky), private DTH and DD FreeDish are the options in remote rural areas while discussing the issue of the concerns expressed by operators that over 20 per cent of rural and remote areas were not financially and technically viable.

    DTH operators were advised by MIB to pay special attention to such area enabling customers in these areas to readily adopt these services given by them and to explore the possibility of cost effective packages especially for these remote and inaccessible areas.

    About the issue of sharing infrastructure cost with MSOs & Local Cable Operators (LCOs) keeping in mind high cost of providing signals in remote areas, the Ministry said it felt consumers have the option to take services from DTH operators and/or DD Free Dish and it may not be administratively feasible by the Ministry to share cost for infrastructure as a large number of MSOs and LCOs are operating in these areas.

    MeITY to solve problems relating to STB manufacturers

    A Parliamentary Committee was told that the Electronics and IT (MeitY) Ministry was attempting to address the entire value-chain holistically and was in active consultation with the concerned Ministries in view of the demands by the Association of domestic STBs manufacturers of long term financing to the MSOs and 0% import duty with effect from 1 January 2016 under India-ASEAN FTA which has also adversely affected the production of domestic STBs.

    The Committee noted that though there was no stay now after all cases relating to Phase III were transferred to the Delhi High Court, the cut-off date was extended “due to poor seeding of STBs because of the uncertainty caused due to the court cases.”

    Under-utilisation of funds due to market uncertainty

    It was also noted that Rs 50 million was allocated at budget estimate stage 2016-17 which was reduced to Rs 30 million at Revised estimates 2016-17 due to the large number of court cases filed in various High Courts and “total uncertainty in the market” about the implementation of cut-off date of 31 December 2015 & 31 December 2016 for Phase III and Phase IV of digitisation respectively.

    As a result, workshops with the nodal officers could not be conducted, which resulted in the underutilisation of funds from the projections made at BE stage.

  • AsiaSat sees positive outlook in India’s 7.3% growth forecast

    MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited yesterday announced its 2016 annual results for the year ended 31 December 2016.

    AsiaSat 9, a replacement for AsiaSat 4 and planned for launch in late 2017, will offer additional capacity serving new markets for Direct-to-Home (DTH), regional video distribution, private networks and broadband services.

    AsiaSat 9 is expected to launch in late 2017. “We believe this satellite, which carries 28 C-band and 32 Ku-band transponders, along with a Ka-band payload is ideally positioned to exploit the growth in both HD and Ultra HD (UHD) video content and advanced broadband networks. AsiaSat 9 will be a replacement for AsiaSat 4 at 122 degrees East with additional capacity delivering enhanced power and greater coverage for Direct-to-Home (DTH), regional video distribution, private networks and broadband services within our footprint running from New Zealand to the Middle East,” AsiaSat stated in its annual results statement.

    “With regional economic prospects as estimated by the [International Monetary Fund], World Bank and [Economist Intelligence Unit] that range from 6.8% [gross domestic product] growth for China in 2017, 7.3% for India and forecasts that hover around 6% for the majority of South and Southeast Asia (with Myanmar outstanding at 8.5%), as an innovative service provider AsiaSat has a positive commercial outlook despite the short-term negatives such as the current capacity over-supply.”

    Financial Highlights:

    2016 revenue of HK$1,272 million, down 3% compared to 2015 primarily due to reduced short-term revenue from AsiaSat 3S. If excluding the short-term non-recurring AsiaSat 3S revenue, revenue grew by about 3% 2016 profit attributable to owners maintained at HK$430 million (2015: HK$440 million), as a result of lower income tax charges following the reversal of a provision made in previous years Combined new and renewed contracts during the year valued at HK$1,870 million (2015: HK$1,310 million). As at 31 December 2016, the value of contracts on hand increased by 16% to HK$4,067 million (2015: HK$3,517 million). Proposed final dividend of HK$0.20 per share

    Operational Highlights:
    Utilisation of AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 7 as of 31 December 2016 stood at 67% (99 transponders utilised), with AsiaSat 8’s entire Ku-band payload fully leased at 4 degrees West and AsiaSat 3S operating in inclined orbit to provide service in Asia.

    The acquisition of new customer Shanghai Interactive Television (SiTV) on AsiaSat 6 marked AsiaSat’s re-entry into the China video market through establishing a high value platform to support the development of High Definition (HD) broadcasting in China.

    Continued to lead the industry in advanced technology through advocating Ultra HD (UHD) broadcasting in Asia with its free-to-air UHD channel ‘4K-SAT’ on AsiaSat 4, and evaluating opportunities to develop its High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ka-band capabilities.

    AsiaSat’s Chairman, JU Wei Min, said, “In the coming year, the Board of Directors is cautiously optimistic on the economic prospects for the region, which, despite relatively flat indicators for some markets continues to invest in new telecommunications and media infrastructure, as well as renewing and updating existing facilities. New DTH platforms focused on smaller emerging markets remain attractive, especially given the need for relevant local-language services.”

    “In order to address the ever-increasing, long-term demand for new data transmission capacity AsiaSat will continue to evaluate opportunities to develop its HTS Ka-band capabilities, carefully monitoring and benefiting from the technical and commercial progress of deployments of IoT, UHD and other consumer driven services,” JU added.

    JU Wei Min stated: “In 2016, AsiaSat laid the groundwork for the prospect of improved revenues in 2017 as we move into a period of more efficient use of satellite bandwidth and increasing demand for media and data services across Asia. Although disappointing, this year’s outcome should be viewed against a backdrop of globally unstable market conditions and the impact of disruptive new technologies.”

    “The market instability resulted from a global oversupply of satellite capacity of all kinds and generally uncertain economic conditions. We recognise the need to continue to manage closely the pricing pressures on data services as well as compression improvements for video distribution which to some extent neutralise the benefits of the increased demand generated by mobility applications and video format upgrades.”