Capitalizing Content: Watch and Learn

Hong Kong, 3 November 2011 – While technology and content innovation held the stage during the second day of the CASBAA Convention 2011, the growth prospects for Japan and digital developments in India hallmarked the day’s debates.

Even though development of the multichannel advertising revenue stream remains a key challenge for international players in Japan, the Vice Minister of Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Tetsuo Yamakawa, along with the industry leadership from dominant cable operator J:COM, DTH operator SKY Perfect JSAT and premium movie channel WOWOW made the case for a step change in the prospects for the pay-TV industry in the world’s third largest economy.

The opportunities created by the potential for digital deployments in India’s vast cable, satellite and content markets sparked lively discussion, with Jawahar Goel MD of Indian DTH provider Dish TV and Ravi Mansukhani MD of leading cable operator IMCL anticipating a huge increase in localized and value added content. However, each of the Indian speakers recognized that enacting a recent government ordinance on digitisation is just one step in a process.

Envisaging the future for the communications sector Olivier Barberot, Chairman & CEO of technical services provider Globecast Worldwide in Paris, projected a key to success for TV services is to master multiple screens as part of a single experience.

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Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA said; “Our industry is at a tipping point at a truly remarkable time in its history. The thirst for content is unanimous across Asia and the challenge of managing innovations in technology and networks to meet this demand is inspiring.”

In the concluding stages of the Convention 2011, Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA announced that Tom Keaveny, President & MD of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, had been awarded the prestigious CASBAA Chairman’s Award for his contributions to the development of Pay-TV in the region and his tireless work explaining the overall value of Pay TV to advertisers.

The Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award from CASBAA, ABU and UNICEF was awarded to Shizuoka Telecasting of Japan for its documentary “Iori and Ibuki ~ Why We Were Born”, as the best television programme produced in the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on children’s rights.

Finally, closing the CASBAA Convention 2011, Richard Li Tzar Kai was awarded CASBAA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for his outstanding contributions to the Asian pay-TV and broadcasting industry, with the founding of STAR TV in 1991 and the 2003 launch of the pioneer IPTV service, now TV, in Hong Kong.

The CASBAA Convention 2011 is generously supported by Leading Sponsor Create Hong Kong and Fox International Channels, Turner Broadcasting, Eurosport, Dolby, Getty Images, ABS, Al Jazeera, APT, AsiaSat, Bloomberg Television, CNBC Asia

Pacific, Conax, Deutsche Welle, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Disney Channels Worldwide, ESPN STAR Sports, Fashion One, Fashiontv, Food Network Asia, France 24, GE Satellite, Globecast, HBO Asia, Intelsat, Invest Hong Kong, Irdeto, ITV Granada, Life Inspired, MEASAT, MGM Channel, now TV, Paul, Weiss, Playboy TV International, PwC, RRsat, SES, Sundance Channel/WE tv, Synovate, Time Warner, TRACE, TrueVisions, TV5MONDE, Universal Networks International, Viacom, WarnerTV and YouTube.

For more information about the CASBAA Convention 2011, please visithttp://www.casbaa.com

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

First established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia for the past two decades. Spanning 17 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 420 million connections through a footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content through industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung
PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Desmond@casbaa.com
Tel: +852 3929 1712

Adela Chen
Director, Marketing & Communications, CASBAA
adela@casbaa.com
Tel: +852 3929 1711