Tag: HDTV

  • International Datacasting Corporation wins contract from Shin Broadband for New Asia IPTV service

    International Datacasting Corporation wins contract from Shin Broadband for New Asia IPTV service

    MUMBAI: Shin Broadband Internet in Thailand has awarded a contract for a next generation Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) push video on demand service in Asia to International Datacasting Corporation to provide IDC’s Datacast XD Content Management and Distribution software.

    The contract calls for the initial roll-out phase of the system with options for expansion as the service reaches full deployment.

    Shin Broadband Internet pushes High Definition (HD) movies over the Shin Satellite Ipstar system across Asia to low cost consumer Set-Top-Boxes (STBs) located in user’s homes. IDC’s Datacast XD software will be used to manage the delivery of this content on this network.

    IDC is also responsible for the project management and system integration of the project which also utilizes Irdeto encryption for content security inside the STBs which are manufactured by Homecast of Korea.

    Ipstar is a new satellite network that provides business and residential Internet service throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The total number of satellite user terminals provided by Shin Satellite is currently over 70,000 and growing.

    The new PUSH-VOD service uses excess Ipstar satellite bandwidth when available to push HDTV movies onto the local hard disk drive of the Homecast STB, storing digitized movies for later use. The new PUSH-VOD subscription service ensures that users receive new movies daily and operation of the STB is similar to the way a consumer plays back movies from a PVR/DVR at any time.

    The STB utilizes the most modern MPEG AVC/ H.264 video compression technology available to provide the highest quality video possible along with multi-channel sound. The STB inside of the customer’s house is connected to the TV and to the Shin’s Ipstar terminal.

    Ron Clifton the President and CEO of International Datacasting Corporation said “Shin Satellite is one of the most advanced service providers in Asia and we are delighted that they selected our technology and recognized our skills and experience in integrating IPTV systems of this type.

    Our Datacast XD technology was originally developed to meet the needs of satellite, cable and IPTV customers for a broad range of multimedia file transfer and streaming applications. The inclusion of Datacast XD in a consumer set-top-box has opened new doors for this product line in a rapidly growing market and hopefully this opportunity will be the first of many such consumer applications.”

    Teerayuth Boonchote, Vice President of Ipstar, said that “Shin Satellite and our sister company Shin Broadband Internet are excited by the potential of this new service offering to our Ipstar customers which we will initially roll-out in Thailand. A success in Thailand means we’ll expand the service throught our Asian footprint.

    IDC was chosen because they have demonstrated commitment and performance in terms of their proven Datacast XD content delivery technology which is easily integrated into set-top-boxes and because they have an excellent history of successful systems integration projects.”

  • Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    Sony Electronics focusses on transformation this year

    MUMBAI: Sony Electronics says that it is continuing its transformation into an entertainment powerhouse.

    At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas it has a 100,000 square-foot exhibit that brings together all of the company’s strengths from electronics, music and gaming to movies, television and online entertainment.

    In a press conference kicked off by Sony BMG Music Grammy award-winning musician Joshua Bell, several of the company’s US business leaders announced products and technologies related to four strategic growth areas — gaming, high definition, digital imaging and mobile products.

    Sony Electronics president and COO Stan Glasgow unveilled the company’s first Internet video system. He announced that in 2007 the majority of new Sony televisions — starting
    with several Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs this year– will accept an attachable module that can stream broadband high-definition and other Internet video content with the press of a remote control button. The module will be available this summer.

    Glasgow said, “While other companies struggle with standard definition, Sony has developed a scalable Internet HDTV solution with some notable partners providing content”. Those partners include AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, now part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as Sony Pictures itself and Sony BMG.

    Sony’s Xross Media Bar (XMB), an icon-based user interface similar to what is already found on Playstation 3 (PS3), PlayStation Portable
    and a recently introduced Sony A/V receiver, made its debut in conjunction with the Internet video demo.

    Glasgow also reported that Sony Electronics enjoyed strong holiday sales in the US, which have put the company on track for a year of double-digit growth.

    PlayStation: Sony claims to have shipped one million units of PS3, equipped with high-definition, Blu-ray disc drives, in the US by the end of December.

    More High Definition: Acknowledging its position in what the company calls ‘Full HD’ across practically every product category in both consumer and professional
    arenas Sony Electronics’ home products division senior VP Randy Waynick highlighted a continuum of HD technology from the lens
    to the living room.

    Waynick previewed a prototype 55-inch SXRD Grand Wega rear projection micro-display television with a new laser light engine
    technology that enhances color uniformity and brightness, while maintaining a slim profile.

    He also recounted the success of Sony’s Bravia flat-panel LCD line, which comprises 16 models ranging in size from 23- to 52-inch screens,
    before announcing the newest member of the family, a 70-inch 1080p HD television.

    The model features a new backlighting system and contrast ratio enhancements, as well as three HDMI inputs for full 1080p connectivity to
    the latest Blu-ray Disc players. It is also distinguished by its high refresh rate and x.v.Colour technology, which is Sony’s name for xvYCC, a new international standard in colour technology for personal video applications.

  • HDTV a threat to Canadian culture: Book

    HDTV a threat to Canadian culture: Book

    MUMBAI: Two university professors in Canada say that the country’s push for HDTV programming could ultimately threaten its cultural identity.

    Bart Beaty and Rebecca Sullivan have come out with a book Canadian Television Today. Media reports state that they argue that while HDTV is offered as part of an expanded choice for consumers, the selection of programming using digital over analogue technologies is almost exclusively American.

    They say that Canada’s integration of HDTV would limit the amount of traditional programming. This is because smaller local programme providers will be passed over for US offerings.

    Traditionally television is transmitted in analog format and while HDTV is transmitted in digital. The US wants to end analogue by 2009, but Canada’s media regulatory body The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has not set a date. The authors in reports have also questioned The CRTC attempt to rush to catch up with the American demand for HDTV even though Canadian consumers and broadcasters are lukewarm about the technology.

    The CRTC will begin hearings in Quebec, today 27 November 2006 and, among other things, will “examine options for the most effective means of delivering Canadian digital/HD television to Canadians,” according to a CRTC notice.

    While HDTV offers a better quality picture the monitors are pricey and there are still a limited number of channels and programmes available. The authors point out that while with HDTV you can see exactly how thick the makeup is at the Oscar Awards the question is whether or not it is worth the price.

  • BSkyB’s Q1 revenues up 11 %

    BSkyB’s Q1 revenues up 11 %

    MUMBAI: UK pay TV platform BSkyB has announced results for the first quarter ended 30 September 2006.

    Revenues increased by 11 per cent to £1071 million.

    DTH subscribers increased to 8.258 million, net growth of 82,000 in the quarter. Sky+ households increased by 139,000 in the quarter to 1,692,000, represtning a 20 per cent penetration of total DTH subscribers.

    Multiroom households increased by 46,000 in the quarter to 1,093,000, a 13 per cent penetration of total DTH subscribers. HD households increased to 96,000, net growth of 58,000 in the quarter.

    BSkyB CEO James Murdoch said, “This has been an important period for the company. We are building on our leadership in pay television and are becoming an increasingly well positioned challenger in the £20 billion combined industry for pay television, broadband and telephone services. Sky has delivered the highest first quarter subscriber growth for three years and is seeing high demand across our range of services.

    “One in three families in the UK and Republic of Ireland are choosing Sky for the widest choice in television and now almost a quarter of those families take at least one additional product from us as well. While it is still early, we are pleased with the progress since the launch of Sky Broadband and in just 15 weeks, we’ve seen a great response from Sky customers. Our preparations, pace of provisioning and investments in service and systems to manage demand are performing well. Our strategy is leading to an increase in revenue growth with overall revenues up 11 per cent in the quarter.

    “Our expansion into new areas is supported by continued growth and strong financial performance with pay television EBITDA up eight per cent in the quarter. A wide choice of quality programmes, innovative services like HDTV, Sky+, and broadband are not only attracting new customers, but also offering new services to existing customers. There’s never been a better time to join in.”

    The total number of DTH digital satellite subscribers in the UK and Ireland was 8,258,000, representing a net increase of 82,000 in the quarter and the highest first quarter net subscriber growth since 2003. Strong demand for Sky’s broad range of products led to an increase in gross additions of 14 per cent on the comparable period to 325,000; gross additions were 34 per cent higher than those recorded in the three months to September 2004.

    Sky+ the firm says continues to exceed expectations, with over 20 per cent of all Sky households now taking the product. At 30 September 2006, the number of households subscribing to Sky+ was 1,692,000, an increase of 139,000. During the quarter, the Group reduced the price of Sky+ for existing customers, removing the necessity to take a Multiroom subscription, and thereby allowing them to upgrade at the same attractive rates as new joiners.

    Sky HD subscribers more than doubled during the quarter to 96,000, the fastest ever customer take-up of an additional Sky product, and already representing three times the sales levels achieved by Sky+ in its first year.

  • Global cable TV infrastructure market driven by three-screen quest, fixed mobile convergence

    Global cable TV infrastructure market driven by three-screen quest, fixed mobile convergence

    MUMBAI: The worldwide cable TV industry is in a race to provision a ‘three-screen’service that starts with HDTV sets, maps over to broadband-connected PCs, and follows subscribers around during the day on cell phones or other portable devices.

    A report by In-Stat notes that as a result, the high-tech market research firm expects strong, continued growth in cable TV infrastructure equipment with sales rising from about $925.4 million during 2006 to more than $2.1 billion in 2010.

    In-Stat analyst Gerry Kaufhold says, “The cable TV industry is working diligently to connect all the infrastructure dots in the race to provision a three-screen telecommunications service. System operators are building out Super Headends and upgrading Local Headends to provide the economies of scale needed to provide the greatest number of services, over the greatest geographical reach, at the lowest possible cost. Fixed Mobile Convergence, or FMC, will become a fast-growing market for cable operators, and they will disrupt the cell phone industry.”

    Recent research by In-Stat found the following

    High Definition TV services and Video-on-Demand are expanding, driving plant upgrades for improved Gigabit Ethernet video switches, Switched Digital Video (SDV), more QAM channels, and widening deployments of 1 GHz Final Mile equipment.

    Modular Cable Modem Termination Systems (Modular CMTS) and wide band cable modems are being brought into play to upgrade High Speed Data services to compete against telephone companies’ ADSL, VDSL, and Fiber-to-the-Home.

    Comcast, Cox, Time-Warner and Advance/Newhouse have a joint venture with Sprint Nextel that will begin offering cable-branded cellular phone services later this year in the US. Later on, Fixed Mobile Convergence will add innovative video services and wireless extensions to the Cable TV infrastructure, and disrupt the cell phone market.

    The cable TV industry is rapidly deploying Voice-over-IP services.

  • Microsoft, Cisco, Motorola announce next generation STB

    Microsoft, Cisco, Motorola announce next generation STB

    MUMBAI: Software major Microsoft and set-top box manufacturers Cisco Systems, Motorola, Philips and Tatung have announced that advanced system-on-a-chip (SoC) set-tops are available.

    This product will the companies state enhance the Internet Protocol television (IPTV) user experience and is now available to support Microsoft IPTV Edition software platform deployments with leading telecommunications carriers worldwide.

    An integral part of the IPTV ecosystem, SoC set-tops will enable service providers to begin delivering high-definition TV (HDTV), digital video recording (DVR) and picture-in-picture functionalities as well as other advanced features in the future, enhancing consumers’ television-viewing experience.

    This new generation of SoC-based, HD-capable, IPTV-ready receivers makes it easier for service providers to deploy IPTV Edition more broadly, quickly and cost-efficiently while supporting exciting new TV services. The availability of these devices illustrates the continued innovation of Microsoft and its IPTV Edition ecosystem partners in the telecommunications and digital television industries.

    Microsoft TV division GM marketing Christine Heckart says, “The advent of system-on-a-chip set-tops is a key milestone for the IPTV industry. As our service provider customers are beginning worldwide deployments of IPTV Edition, and set-top partners are unveiling these advanced devices, consumers will be able to experience television in a new, exciting way. This milestone is a testament to the remarkable progress our IPTV ecosystem has made in just a few years, and it will pave the way for service providers to deliver richer TV services at a lower cost.”

    Cisco says that its proven history of IP innovation gives it IP expertise and successful IPTV deployments, which it is able to share with its service provider partners. Cisco IP set-top models, which will be deployed by customers including AT&T, support experience-enhancing features such as high-definition TV, DVR, integrated home networking over coax and user-friendly displays. Models are available with appropriate connectors and features for markets around the globe. Cisco offers models that include silicon from both Sigma Designs Inc. and STMicroelectronics.

    Motorola says that its heritage of invention for the connected home has resulted in over 48 million video entertainment devices being shipped to service providers worldwide. The company’s VIP series of SoC-based set-tops are engineered to meet the needs of service providers deploying the Microsoft IPTV Edition system. These solutions seamlessly bring the advanced IP services into any room in the house, including on-demand services, DVR and support for HDTV codecs, as well as forthcoming IPTV Edition features such as multiroom streaming and home media networking. Motorola VIP series set-tops are currently shipping in volume to leading providers worldwide, and the company has announced that AT&T will be the first service provider to commercially deploy these products.

    Philips has introduced a hybrid IPTV-DTT set-top box supporting Microsoft IPTV Edition with HDTV and DVR functionality based on the Sigma Designs 8634 chipset. This product will be launched by British Telecom later this year. Tatung meanwhile will introduce its STB2000 series SoC-enabled set-top boxes based on the Sigma Designs 8634 chipset later this year.

    The new STB2300 model is an entry-level IP set-top box that not only supports two high-definition decoding engines for MPEG2, H.264 and VC-1, providing decoding flexibility, but also supports advanced features including HDTV, video on demand (VOD) and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI).

  • OpenTV previews its vision for the future at IBC 2006

    MUMBAI: OpenTV, which provides enabling technologies for advanced digital television services, will showcase its latest technologies under the banner of “television is changing … open it up!” at the IBC show in Amsterdam.

    The event takes place from 8-12 September 2006.

    The theme, grounded by the premise that today’s television viewers are demanding greater choice, flexibility, and access, encompasses the entire range of OpenTV’s products on display. By ‘opening up’ the technologies that serve as a foundation for set-top boxes and digital television, OpenTV says that it is taking a leadership position by enabling the adoption of flexible business models and compelling viewer experiences in the television industry.

    OpenTV chairman and CEO James A. (Jim) Chiddix says, “Today, the central technologies for building and maintaining social networks around the world are the phone and the internet.

    “OpenTV believes that TV is next, and that the way to survive in this changing world is to embrace explore, and enable that change. When we say we are ‘opening up’ television, we are extending our tradition of pioneering middleware and related solutions to new content sources, new navigation models, new forms of television advertising, and new experiences in participation with television.”

    Featured products at IBC will include solutions for advanced digital
    television; advanced advertising; and participation television.
    — OpenTV Vision: Supporting its theme for IBC, OpenTV will debut a supermodal, zoomable user interface (ZUI) that fundamentally changes the way viewers navigate and make viewing choices from the massive amounts of available content, by providing navigation tools that create relevance and match interests.

    — Advanced Digital Television:– OpenTV will showcase a number of live HDTV services from OpenTV customers as well as a wide array of HD set-top boxes from ADB, Pace, Philips, Scientific Atlanta, and Thomson.

    — OpenTV will demonstrate the power of its popular Core2/PVR2
    set-top software through the demonstration of a HD guide
    developed by Nagravision. The guide features key elements such
    as time-shifting, scheduling, and series linking, as well as
    push VOD.

    — OpenTV will demonstrate IPTV, highlighting a solution for
    hybrid IPTV deployments by cable and satellite operators.

    — OpenTV Core2/PVR2 supports multiple application execution
    environments including HTML and Flash(R). OpenTV will showcase
    its Flash solution, based on the award-winning MachBlue(TM)
    from Bluestreak Network, supporting rapid authoring of enhanced
    programming using standard Adobe(R) Flash authoring tools.
    OpenTV will also demonstrate its industry -leading HTML
    solution with home networking applications.

    — OpenTV has also integrated technologies with ICTV(TM) and will
    be demonstrating a personalized mosaic that delivers
    alternative navigation and Internet-type programming and
    advertising capabilities to OpenTV-enabled set-top boxes.

    As far as advanced advertising:solutions are concerned the company will conduct demonstrations that will feature an end-to-end production system for enhanced advertising that engages audiences by enabling compelling, interactive advertising applications to be created, validated, scheduled, and launched more quickly and less
    expensively.

    — Also shown will be OpenTV’s advertising sales and inventory
    management solutions with a demonstration of OpenTV’s ad
    decision engine for dynamic insertion of targetted ads.

  • DVRs, HDTV to boost TV viewership, advertising in the US: PricewaterhouseCoopers

    DVRs, HDTV to boost TV viewership, advertising in the US: PricewaterhouseCoopers

    MUMBAI: PricewaterhouseCoopers has released its Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2006-2010 stating that digital video recorders (DVRs), digital television, and high-definition television (HDTV) will enhance the appeal of television, leading to increased viewership and advertising in the United States.

    The UK and Germany are the two largest markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa region at $10.7 billion and $10.1 billion respectively, in 2005. Italy ranks third, at $7.8 billion, and PwC expects it will reach the $10-billion threshold in 2010.

    Japan is the dominant country in the Asia Pacific in terms of value, at $19.7 billion in 2005, equivalent to 54 percent of total spending. Japan is slowly emerging from its long-term economic slump, and its television network market will expand at a 3.9 per cent annual rate through 2010. This marks a significant improvement compared with the 0.2 per cent growth compounded annually during the past few years.

    Venezuela will be the fastest-growing market in Latin America, at 14 per cent compounded annually. However growth will be artificially augmented by continued high inflation, a factor no longer present to a significant degree in the rest of the region.

    The television network market in Canada will expand at a relatively steady 4.3 per cent compound annual rate to $4.5 billion in 2010 from $3.7 billion in 2005.

    As far as distribution of television content is concerned in the US, video on demand will be the fastest-growing category, at 22 per cent compounded annually, and will grow to $3.9 billion in 2010.

    Italy will be the fastest-growing country in Europe, Middle East and Africa, with a 22.9 per cent compound annual growth, fuelled by a rapidly expanding satellite market and growing IPTV.

    In the Asia Pacific region, Hong Kong has been the fastest-growing market during the past two years, more than doubling as a result of the introduction of new channels and a developing IPTV market. Although Hong Kong constituted less than 1 percent of all subscription households in Asia Pacific in 2005, it accounted for 57 percent of the region’s IPTV households.

    The TV distribution market in Latin America, regardless of distribution platform, has been gaining momentum during the past three years and will post double-digit increases beginning in 2006 that will extend through 2009 before dropping to a high-single digit gain in 2010.

    In Canada, buoyed by the revitalization of cable, video on demand is taking off and by 2009 will generate more revenue than pay-per-view will.

    Sports: As far as sporting events are concerned in the US, gate revenues will total an estimated $20.7 billion in 2010, up 6.6 per cent compounded annually from $15.1 billion in 2005. In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region sponsorships, merchandising, and other revenue will rise to $10.1 billion in 2010, an 8.9 per cent compound annual gain from $6.6 billion in 2005.

    In the Asia Pacific region, large increases in TV advertising and subscription revenue will propel TV rights fees. In Latin America, an emerging broadband market and sustained economic growth will expand the sponsorship and merchandising market. The return of the NHL will propel all components of the sports market in Canada in 2006.

    Cinema: The American box office growth will average 4.3 per cent compounded annually during the next five years from a weak 2005, taking total box office spending from $9.0 billion in 2005 to $11.1 billion in 2010. However, admissions in 2010 will remain below the levels achieved during 2002-04.

    In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region online subscription services and video streaming services are entering the market. Together, they will reach $2.2 billion by 2010 from only $216 million in 2005, averaging 59.1 per cent growth compounded annually.

    In the Asia Pacific, high-definition video and reduced piracy will stimulate the sell-through market. PwC projects sell-through spending to grow at a 6.2 per cent compound annual rate to $6.2 billion in 2010 from $4.6 billion in 2005.

    Countries in Latin America are supporting local production through various subsidy programmes. As the experience of 2004-05 indicates, the success of local films can have a dramatic impact on the overall market.
    In Canada, sell-through growth will average 4.9 percent compounded annually to $3.8 billion, and rentals will be flat at $1.3 billion.

    Music: Licensed digital distribution in the US will rise from $653 million in 2005 to $4.9 billion in 2010, a 49.5 per cent compound annual increase. From a five per cent share in 2005, digital distribution will constitute 33 per cent of recorded music spending in 2010.

    The launch of new digital distribution services and growth in the number of broadband Internet subscribers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region will fuel digital download spending. In the Asia Pacific, piracy will continue to cut into sales. On a more positive note improved enforcement, combined with an increasingly more sophisticated and enabled economy, will lessen its incremental impact as antipiracy efforts begin to yield results.

    In Latin America, anti piracy initiatives are beginning to yield results, and although still a major problem, piracy will have less of an adverse incremental impact on unit sales. New services and an expanding broadband market in Canada will boost licensed digital distribution services.

    Radio and Out-of-Home Advertising: In the US, satellite radio will increase from $1 billion in 2005 to $5.4 billion in 2010, a 39.5 per cent compound annual increase.

    PwC projects the radio and out-of-home market in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region will expand from $23.1 billion in 2005 to $29.2 billion in 2010,growing at a 4.8 percent compound annual rate.
    In the Asia Pacific, region the radio and out-of home market will increase from $11.0 billion in 2005 to $14.1 billion in 2010, growing at a 5.0 percent compound annual rate. Excluding Japan, growth for the remainder of the region will average 8.2 per cent compounded annually.

    In Latin America, rising employment will boost commuting and lead to increased exposure to out-of-home media. In Canada, the digital broadcasting market will boost the number of stations and expand the potential market, but increased audience fragmentation will dampen ad rates.

    Video Games: In the US, wireless games will experience the fastest rate of growth, increasing from $646 million in 2005 to $2.3 billion in 2010, a 28.6 percent compound annual increase.

    In the Europe, Middle East and Africa region the online game market will be driven by increased penetration of the broadband subscriber market as well as by the new consoles, which will emphasize online play.

    In the Asia Pacific region, online games became the second-largest category in 2005, passing the PC game total, and will increase by 23 per cent compounded annually, reaching $4.4 billion in 2010 as compared with $1.6 billion in 2005.

    As a result of lack of competition from the newer online and wireless technologies, PC games are relatively more important in Latin America and are not exhibiting the declines evident elsewhere in the world. Canada has one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the world, spurring growth in the online game segment.

    Magazine Publishing: In the US, advertising in this area will total $29.2 billion in 2010, up 4.5 per cent on a compound annual basis, with consumer magazines reaching $16 billion, growing by 4.5 per cent compounded annually, and business magazines rising to $13.2 billion, a 4.4 percent average annual increase.

    The UK has the largest magazine advertising market in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and ranks second in circulation spending. The market has been bolstered by new titles targeting men.

    New regulations will encourage international publishers to invest in China and India, thereby stimulating magazine publishing in these territories.

    Brazil is the dominant market in Latin America, at $1.3 billion, 48 per cent of the total, followed by Argentina, at $606 million, and Mexico, at $598 million. Circulation spending in Canada rebounded in 2005 with a 0.9 per cent increase following five years of decline.

    Newspaper Publishing: In the US, newspaper web sites will drive advertising growth as online distribution becomes a significant delivery channel.

    In Europe, Middle East and Africa new formats and giveaways will boost circulation temporarily–largely at the expense of competitors utilizing traditional approaches while increased investment in presses will improve the appearance of newspapers and help attract readers over the longer run.

    Japan is the largest market in Asia Pacific, at $21.1 billion in 2005 and 45 per cent of the total. The market has been essentially flat during the past three years, which represented an improvement compared with low- to mid-single-digit declines during 2001-02.

    PwC projects newspaper publishing in Latin America will increase from $5.4 billion in 2005 to $7.0 billion in 2010, a compound annual gain of 5.4 percent. In Canada, cutbacks in household delivery together with competition from free papers will adversely affect paid circulation, but strength among smaller papers will limit the decline.

    Book Publishing: In the US, professional books are migrating to electronic formats, leading to a decline in print spending. The print book market in Western Europe will rise to $46.8 billion in 2010 from $43.2 billion in 2005, a 1.6 per cent compound annual increase.

    Japan and China are the dominant countries in the Asia Pacific region, at $9.0 billion and $6.8 billion, respectively. Together, they constituted 71 per cent of the print market in 2005.

    In Latin America, improved economic conditions will help consumer book sales, but low readership levels and piracy will restrain the market. Rising college enrollments and increased school spending will boost the educational book market in Canada.

    Theme Parks and Amusement Parks: New rides and attractions will lead to modest attendance growth, but only one major new regional park is planned in the US. France is the major theme park market in Europe, Middle East and Africa and has the most popular park in the region: Disneyland Paris. Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park attract more than 12 million visitors annually.

    Improved economic conditions will lead to a rebound in Japan and South Korea, while increased investment and rising domestic tourism will stimulate the market in Australia.

    In the Latin America, more-stable economies will increase disposable income, which will contribute to growth in attendance and per capita spending.

    In Canada, the top two parks will grow slightly faster than the smaller parks, averaging 4.2 per cent compounded annually compared with 3.9 per cent annually for the smaller parks.

  • HDTV: Double digit growth expected over next 5 years

    HDTV: Double digit growth expected over next 5 years

    SINGAPORE: A recent study by US-based IMS Research estimates that by the end of 2010, nearly 87 million households worldwide would be capable of watching HDTV programming.

    At a session on the Future of High Definition Television, it was pointed out that HDTV is becoming an important offering for cable and satellite TV providers. IMS research estimated that last year, about 20.6 million HDTV players were shipped worldwide. The double-digit growth expected in the market over the next five years will result in a forecast of nearly 60 million HDTV displays shipped by 2010.

    Elaborating on the recent trends, Millette Burgos of Asia Pacific Broadcast said, “Depending on the country and the government, initiatives such as FCC‘s Digital Tuner mandate in the US and the HDTV broadcasting quotas in Australia and South Korea, are often the key drivers for the growth in HDTV sets.”

    Countries like Australia and South Korea are proving to be the key drivers for the growth in HDTV sets as they have integrated tuning capacity. While growth in HD monitors will continue in a market where pay TV operators sell or rent the HD set-top box or HD DKR as part of the HDTV service package.

    Often HDTV sets would not be enabled for pay-TV platforms, but are capable of receiving only free-to-air programmes. Of course, exceptions will exist in countries like US and S Korea where cable platforms are standardizing on Cablelabs Digital Cable ready standard.

    “The good news is that many of the adoption impediments of HDTV are now being eliminated,” said IMS research market analyst Jack Mayo. “As HD content increases in availability, equipment costs drop and compression standards improve so we’re likely to see more operators implement HDTV.”

  • Tangerine Global inks HDTV entertainment deal with Pennisula Hotels

    Tangerine Global inks HDTV entertainment deal with Pennisula Hotels

    MUMBAI: Tangerine Global, a global player in high-definition television (HDTV) programming for the five-star hospitality marketplace, has been selected by luxury group The Peninsula Hotels to provide the media company’s premier HDTV entertainment services to its hotels.

    The contract makes Tangerine Global’s service available as early as this summer to Peninsula’s deluxe properties worldwide, including its flagship hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong and The Peninsula Chicago. Tangerine Global will present its offering of programming-spanning travel, fashion, lifestyle, adventure and sports-to The Peninsula Hotels’ discerning guests.

    “Our goal is to deliver a compelling entertainment experience to our guests,” says The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd GM R&D Fraser Hickox, “In addition to its high-definition entertainment on demand, Tangerine Global also offers a blend of satellite, off-air and server delivered content that creates a highly individual mix of programming tailored to each hotel’s specific needs.”

    “Today’s well traveled and sophisticated consumer demands more in the way of entertainment experiences,” adds Tangerine Global CEO Stuart Levin. “We pride ourselves on offering the widest selection of high-quality entertainment programming appealing to the tastes of savvy travelers the world over. We are very pleased to work with The Peninsula Hotels as we define a new level of entertainment experience for their guests who demand the very best.”