ITV

Tag: satellite

  • Cas workshop on 12 February in Mumbai

    Cas workshop on 12 February in Mumbai

     MUMBAI: While the first phase of Cas (conditional access system) rolled out on 1 January, the Indian cable TV industry is now looking at headends outside these areas in smaller cities and towns which are now keen to transition to an era of structured organizations and revenues that digital cable provides.

    Several large cable TV headends countrywide now plan to install digital headends.These new headends require a complete technology shift To facilitate the transition, Satellite and Cable TV magazine is organizing a workshop on “Cas and digital CATV” at the Hyatt, Sahar International Airport, Mumbai on 12 and 13 February.

    The workshop will have a round table discussion on Cas roll out by WWIL MD Jagjit Singh Kohli, Hathway Cable & Datacom MD and CEO K Jayaraman, Incablenet head Ravi Mansukhani and Trai representatives.

    Additional sessions will have international speakers from SIMAC Netherlands, Teleste Finland, Rover Italy, Telemann Korea as well as leading industry players such as NDS, Magnaquest, Catvision and others.
     

  • Deferred live on DD: Nimbus to file reply 9 February

    Deferred live on DD: Nimbus to file reply 9 February

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today issued notice to Nimbus Communications on a petition by Prasar Bharati challenging the order of the single bench last week permitting telecast of the ongoing one-day cricket series with West Indies with a seven-minute deferred telecast.

    A Division Bench of the High Court headed by Chief Justice MK Sharma asked Nimbus, who own Neo Sports channel, to file their reply to the notice by 9 February.
    The petition by Prasar Bharati has contended that the order of the single judge is violative of the principle of equitable justice as it treats viewers of satellite TV differently from those who receive signals terrestrially.

    Earlier on 23 January, Justice SK Kaul had permitted Doordarshan to telecast the matches with a seven-minute deferred telecast. He had, however, permitted All India Radio to broadcast the commentary live.
    The same court had a day later asked Nimbus to deposit Rs 55 million within a week, even as it gave the marketing rights to the former because it had said it could raise almost five times more than competing public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.

    Meanwhile, the rights to market events on AIR’s 69 channels lies with Prasar Bharati, and the court will decide on the revenue sharing ratio on 10 February, when the rest of the contentious issues would also be taken up.

    The court, however, held that though Prasar Bharati could stream the matches thorough its DTH platform, it would not allow any private DTH operator to access that and show the matches.

  • Sirius Satellite Radio launches urban comedy channel

    Sirius Satellite Radio launches urban comedy channel

    MUMBAI: SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced the launch of its ‘exclusive urban comedy, entertainment and lifestyle channel’ The Foxxhole with actor and comedian Jamie Foxx.

    Foxx will take on the role of an executive producer, on-air host and contribute content for the channel. Marcus King who has worked with Foxx on many television series will also serve as executive producer.

    An official press release states that the 24/7 channel will feature urban comedy hits from a large number of comedians, and will create groundbreaking approaches to presenting comedy to radio listeners, as well as showcase music, skits, radio theater and more. The Foxxhole will launch on SIRIUS channel 106.

    “The Foxxhole will break new ground in comedy, blurring the lines between stand-up, sketch, and music,” said Foxx. “SIRIUS Satellite Radio gives me the opportunity to create urban entertainment and programming like you have never heard on the radio.” An added attraction is that Foxx will be heard on the channel daily with a segment featuring dispatches from Jamie no matter where he is in the world. Also, Foxx and his team of contributors will host a weekly show on the channel. The show will feature original comedy bits and explore new approaches to radio theater.

    Jamie Foxx is a triple threat in the world of entertainment and we are thrilled to have him make his radio home at SIRIUS,” said SIRIUS Satellite Radio president entertainment and sports Scott Greenstein. “SIRIUS has established itself as a leader in groundbreaking exclusive programming. The Foxxhole adds yet another compelling element to our channel lineup.”

    The Foxxhole joins a powerful lineup of comedy, music, variety and entertainment channels on SIRIUS, including Raw Dog: Comedy Uncensored, Blue Collar Comedy, Laugh Break, Eminem’s Shade 45, Hip-Hop Nation, and SIRIUS Hits 1.

  • Former Intelsat chairman inducted into satellite pros hall of fame

    Former Intelsat chairman inducted into satellite pros hall of fame

    MUMBAI: Global satellite services provider Intelsat has announced today its former chairman Conny Kullman is a 2007 inductee to the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Satellite Hall of Fame.

    Kullman led Intelsat and its global employee base through its privatisation, and its metamorphosis into a highly competitive operator. In addition, he was a driving force behind commercial, operational and engineering changes during his tenure as Intelsat’s Chief Executive Officer from 1998-2005.

    Under his leadership, Kullman implemented a terrestrial strategy resulting in the development of Intelsat’s Global Connex portfolio suite of services, which now represents approximately $130 million in annual revenues. In addition, Kullman led a $2.5 billion, three-year fleet replenishment campaign that increased available capacity in growth markets.

    In 2003, Kullman was at the helm when Intelsat announced its acquisition of the North American satellites of Loral Space and Communications, providing Intelsat with access to the North American market and completing Intelsat’s global system.

    In 2004, Kullman recognised the opportunity to achieve the goals of the Orbit Act while at the same time obtaining premium shareholder returns, by conducting an LBO process which resulted in the acquisition of Intelsat by a consortium of private equity firms at a competitive price. Kullman capped his career in 2005 as Intelsat chairman playing a role in the completion of Intelsat’s acquisition of Panamsat.

    Intelsat CEO Dave McGlade says, “Conny led Intelsat through its privatisation and began the challenging task of transforming the company from an intergovernmental organisation to a commercial company, positioning Intelsat to become the leading global satellite operator. His many achievements throughout his career shaped Intelsat and the industry.”

  • New season of ‘American Idol’ to hit Star World on 17 January

    New season of ‘American Idol’ to hit Star World on 17 January

    MUMBAI: Star World is set to kick off a brand new season of the musical talent hunt show that has become a worldwide phenomenon, American Idol on 17 January. Slated to premiere excusively on the channel, the first episode will see a two night, four hour event beginning, direct off satellite at 8 pm.
    Apart from the standard trio of judges, guest judges for the first leg of auditions will include Olivia Newton John, Carole Bayer and Jewel. The show will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 pm and Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30 am and 10 am, respectively.

    Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell will be back once again to bring their brand of expert advice to participants. From thousands of hopefuls, and a grueling audition process, only 24 will be picked to go onto the semi- finals, and eventually, only one can win a much sought after record contract and the title of American Idol.

    Auditions for the competition began in August and swept through seven cities across the United States. Tens of thousands of would be idols from across the country showed up for what was the biggest audition so far, and the preliminary reports are that the talent this year will definitely not disappoint, informs an official release.

    With just under 43 million viewers and over 63 million votes during last year’s finale, American Idol was America’s number one rated show for the second year in a row. With local spin-offs in 30 different countries, the Idol phenomenon has taken the world by storm, each year gaining more momentum and fanfare as it determines the next big icon in music, adds the release.

    American Idol Alumni have also received Grammy nods with eleven Grammy nominations within the past three years, two of which were won by the first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson.

  • BBC Entertainment enters Malaysia on DTH platform Astro

    BBC Entertainment enters Malaysia on DTH platform Astro

    MUMBAI: BBC Global Channels Asia has announced that Astro, Malaysia’s direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV platform will add BBC Entertainment to its pay-TV line-up.

    Astro will now be home to BBC Entertainment’s line up of drama, comedy and entertainment programming from the UK. These will include Doctor Who, Footballers’ Wives, Waking the Dead and comedies including Extras, Suburban Shootout and My Family.

    The channel will replace BBC Prime that was aired on several Asian platforms, BBC Entertainment was launched last October in Hong Kong (via NOW), Thailand (UBC), Korea (Skylife) and Singapore (StarHub).
     

  • Casbaa Convention 2007: It’s all about content

    Casbaa Convention 2007: It’s all about content

    MUMBAI: The Casbaa Convention 2007 will be staged from 30 October to 2 November at Hong Kong’s Academy for Performing Arts. The theme this year has been set to ‘It’s all about content’.

    Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez said, “Focusing on the most vital market driver for pay-TV services, video content, the Convention 2007 will highlight how the relationship between content, carriage, customers and revenue is indivisible.”

    “There is now a deeper industry-wide recognition that whether the platform is cable, satellite, broadband, mobile or any other delivery mode consumers ultimately pay for the images on screen,” he added.

    According to Casbaa, with the need to maximise viewership and revenues in a world of proliferating channels, the delineation of quality niche products is gaining ever greater relevance. Meanwhile, a more sophisticated understanding of consumer behaviour and the development of related marketing campaigns all flow back to the core product: compelling content.

    The ever-changing technology landscape will also feature strongly during the Casbaa Convention 2007, as will the mega-markets of China and India and the still green-field markets of Indonesia and Vietnam, asserts an official release.

    The annual Casbaa Convention brings together broadcast executives and technology specialists from Asia and around the world to exchange views and information during high-powered interactive debates.

    Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies said, “This is where Asia’s pay-TV decision-makers meet market dynamics head on. First comes carriage, but then you need content.”

  • Insat 4A services disrupted due to minor glitch

    Insat 4A services disrupted due to minor glitch

    MUMBAI: Insat 4A, the satellite which Tata Sky uses for its direct-to-home (DTH) operations, saw a minor disruption in services for about 30 minutes at around 4 pm due to solar disturbances.

    Insat 4A lost earth lock when one of the momentum wheels used for stabilizing the spacecraft got switched off, Indian Space Research Organisation said today in a release.

    Isro engineers at master control facility, Hassan, immediately took action to recover the earth lock and orient the satellite properly within about half an hour.

  • Gemini, Udaya to be merged into Sun?

    Gemini, Udaya to be merged into Sun?

    MUMBAI : The market is expecting founder-promoter Kalanithi Maran to merge the affiliate companies, Udaya TV Pvt Ltd and Gemini TV Pvt Ltd, where he has significant equity interests, with Sun TV Ltd.

    Maran had early this year raised Rs 6.03 billion through a public float of Sun TV which included the Tamil and Malayalam channels. But he kept his popular channels in Telugu and Kannada outside the ambit of the initial public offering (IPO) as they were under separate entities and had other minority stakeholders.
    The speculation in stock trading circles is that the decision would soon be taken to merge the two profit-making companies with Sun TV, offering investors a width of strong channels across the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

    The rumour comes at a time when Sun TV has made an announcement in the BSE that its board would be meeting on 27 November to “consider the proposed merger of satellite television broadcasting companies.”

    The stock would see a sigificant boost if “these rumours” turn out to be true. “The valuation of the company will shoot up if Gemini and Udaya are merged with Sun. It is not only the topline which will inflate but the bottomline will also continue to be strong,” stock market analysts say.

    Indiantelevision.com’s attempt to reach senior executives in Sun TV to get an official confirmation proved futile. Maran was also not available for comment.

    The equity shares of Udaya TV, as of 7 March 2006, are held by Maran (66.67), S. Selvam (16.67 per cent) and S Selvi (16.66 per cent). In Gemini, Maran has 26.5 per cent, Kal Communication (a promoter Group company), 23.5 per cent, K Bharathi 30 per cent, Indira Anand 16 per cent and A Sai Siva Jyoti 4 per cent.

    Before going for an IPO, Maran consolidated his ownership position by buying out entire stakes of Sharad Kumar and Dayalu Ammal (wife of DMK president M Karunanidhi). Analysts say he will try to do the same thing by buying out the minor partners in Gemini and Udaya before he decides to merge these two companies with Sun TV.

    “We don’t know if he also already bought out the stakes. If he has, the path is clear for him to go ahead with the merger,” an analyst in a brokering firm says.

    What is further fuelling the speculation is that Maran has recently consolidated the Telugu and Kannada channels under the Gemini and Udaya brands respectively. Teja News has been renamed Gemini News and Aditya TV as Gemini Music. Ushe TV, similarly, is now called Udaya Movies.

    Gemini and Udaya already share a business relationship with Sun TV Ltd. For instance, the approvals for uplinking Udaya News, Ushe TV, Aditya TV and Teja News have been granted in the name of Sun TV Ltd.

    Maran also has the option of consolidating Gemini and Udaya’s financials and taking them for an IPO. “This, however, is not what the market is expecting. We believe these two companies will merge with Sun TV to create a media behemoth,” analysts say.

    The Sun TV scrip opened the trading day at Rs 1361.55, reached a high of Rs 1389 and closed at Rs 1363.85.

  • Conexant’s satellite set-top box solution wins ‘leading product award’

    Conexant’s satellite set-top box solution wins ‘leading product award’

    MUMBAI: Conexant Systems Inc., a supplier of semiconductor solutions for broadband communications and the digital home, has announced that its CX2430X family of MPEG decoders for free-to-air satellite set-top boxes (STBs) has received the leading product award in the consumer electronics category in the EDN China innovation award 2006 competition.

    The system-on-chip (SoC) decoders were developed in Conexant’s Shanghai design center, which is focused on developing STB chips for worldwide applications.

    The award was presented to Conexant at a ceremony in Shenzhen. The 131 entries in the competition were judged by a panel of specialists that included representatives from academic and research institutions, universities, and Chinese original equipment manufacturers.

    Conexant’s broadband media processing business, executive vice president and general manager Lewis Brewster said, “We are honoured that our CX2430X MPEG decoders were chosen for this important award by a group of esteemed industry experts. We remain focused on delivering innovative solutions that will help Chinese manufacturers design and develop products for domestic and international markets.”

    The CX2430X family can be used for applications ranging from basic STB functionality to advanced STB applications. The devices include an integrated high-speed data port that easily interfaces to a variety of broadband front-ends, allowing the decoders to serve as a common back-end platform for satellite, terrestrial, and cable platforms, asserts an official release.

    In addition, the decoders can be used with our satellite tuners to form a complete front- and back-end system solution. This flexibility, along with the robust feature set, provides manufacturers with economies of scale as they can leverage a single device across multiple product offerings.