Hong Kong, 13 March 2013 – CASBAA’s annual India Forum concluded on an optimistic note on the state of digitisation in the country. The CASBAA India Forum was held on 7 March in New Delhi, attracting a host of government and industry professionals weighing in on the multichannel TV market in India.

“The timing for this year’s CASBAA India Forum 2013 could not have been better with the Phase II digitisation deadline looming at the end of the month,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “The Forum provided an ideal platform for industry stakeholders to share updates, concerns and feedback on a variety of topics that directly impact the health of multichannel TV in India.”

During his opening keynote, Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, said they have achieved over 56 per cent digitisation on average in Phase II cities and that, between MSOs and DTH operators, 9 million set top boxes have been installed. He also noted – in relation to the recent increase in customs duties on STBs — that the government was keen on encouraging indigenous production of boxes so that India would not have to depend on countries like Korea and China and the boxes would be BIS compliant.

However, elsewhere during the Forum, Supriya Sahu, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, noted the difficulties that still remain in the on-going digitisation process: “Our biggest challenge is how to convince different stakeholders to understand that their profit margins will decrease but only for a short while. It was difficult to get the different aggregators to sign the agreement last time, and it is happening this time as well. This was one of the reasons that deadline was extended during Phase I.”

On a positive note, N Parameswaran, Principal Advisor (Broadcasting & Cable Services), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said that one main benefit of digital addressable systems would be the growth of niche television channels and that there was enough place in the country for both DTH and cable TV.

DTH was also one focus of a detailed discussion of India’s satellite capacity shortage, as PwC India Entertainment and Media Practice Leader Smita Jha presented results of a CASBAA/PwC study of transponder supply and demand over India entitled “Easing India’s Capacity Crunch.” The study forecast a doubling in the number of TV channels available in India (with many more regional and HD channels) and suggested changes in Indian government operating procedures that would make the satellite capacity market function more efficiently.

The varied list of speakers and panellists at the Forum also included Thomas Choi (CEO, Asia Broadcast Satellite), LV Krishnan (CEO, TAM Media Research India), Sameer Manchanda (Chairman & MD, DEN Networks), Ravi Mansukhani (MD, IMCL), Deepak Mathur (SVP, Commercial, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, SES), Harit Nagpal (MD & CEO, Tata Sky), Bharat Kumar Ranga (Chief Content & Creative Officer, Zee Entertainment), Man Jit Singh (CEO, MSM; President, IBF), Shashi Sinha (Chairman of Technical Committee, BARC; CEO, IPG Mediabrands India), Deepak Jacob (President & General Counsel, STAR India), and many others.

CASBAA India Forum 2013 was endorsed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and this year’s partners included Supporting Sponsor SES and Sponsors AsiaSat, Brightcove, CSG International, Eutelsat, IBM, MEASAT and STAR India.

For more information on the CASBAA India Forum 2013, visit: http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/361-india-satellite-industry-forum

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About CASBAA – http://www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 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.

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

New Delhi, 07 Mar 2013 — The number of satellite transponders required by Indian TV broadcasters and DTH operators is expected to double or triple over the next five years, according to a new report from CASBAA, the apex Asian association of the cable and satellite television industry. Entitled “Easing India’s Capacity Crunch,” CASBAA’s report was released today at the CASBAA India Forum 2013 in New Delhi. Developed with knowledge support from PwC India, it forecasts that transponders[1] required by the DTH industry will rise from 73 in 2012 to more than 220 in 2017 to meet burgeoning demands by Indian consumers.

This rapid growth in transponder demand will be driven by the expected increase of TV channels in India, fuelled by strong growth of the Indian television industry over the next few years (expected CAGR of 14%). The continued proliferation of pay-TV services, coupled with cable digitization, growth of regional channels and entry of foreign players will provide a fillip to growth. Given these driving factors, India can potentially have about 1,600 licensed channels by 2017, of which about 1,300 channels, (80% of licensed channels), are expected to be operational. Further, high growth in the number of HD channels is expected, due to growth in digital platforms coupled with increasing penetration of high-end TV sets that support HD viewing experiences. By 2017, India is likely to have approx 130 HD channels. This growth in the number of channels will lead to higher demand for C-band and Ku-band transponders.

In the report, CASBAA and PwC make a series of suggestions for improving the management of India’s satellite industry, to make it more efficient and market-friendly. The report notes that ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), India’s agency for operating the country’s domestic satellites, is working hard to launch new satellites and procure additional spectrum to meet the burgeoning demand. Nevertheless, says the report, “it is unlikely that any single satellite operator will be able to fulfil even current demand, let alone the future demand for satellite capacity.” Foreign satellite operators will need to be encouraged to invest in capacity to serve the Indian market.

“In spite of the urgent requirements for satellite capacity, there are challenges placing practical restrictions on leasing transponder capacity from foreign satellite operators by Indian players,” said John Medeiros, CASBAA’s Chief Policy Officer. “Key hurdles include procedural requirements and delays and short contract durations inducing uncertainty for both Indian players and outside investors.”

Smita Jha, leader of PwC India’s Entertainment and Media practice, said “”Satellite capacity constraints impede the growth momentum of the Indian TV sector and impact the ecosystem of the industry. The capacity crunch could restrict the launch of local regional channels and special interest channels and could lead to a distortion of competitive balances in multiple ways.”

The report encourages the Indian government to formulate policies and processes to spur growth in satellite services, and to explore opening up additional frequency bands for use by TV industry players. It suggests measures such as allowing DTH operators more freedom to easily lease more space on authorized satellites they already use, lengthening the allowable term of satellite transponder contracts, improving publicly-available market information from the government and ensuring adequate spectrum is available for satellite use in India.

The attached Fact Sheet provides key statistics and data from the Report.

The Report can be downloaded at http://www.casbaa.com/publications

# # #

About CASBAA – http://www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 17 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 million households and businesses connected to pay-TV systems across 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.

About PwC

PwC* helps organisations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 180,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. PwC India refers to the network of PwC firms in India, having offices in: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. For more information about PwC India’s service offerings, please visit www.pwc.in.

*PwC refers to PwC India and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

For enquiries, please contact:

Nandini Chatterjee
PwC India
Nandini.Chatterjee@in,pwc.com

Desmond Chung
CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
desmond@casbaa.com

 

Fact Sheet

• PwC analysis forecasts increasing growth in Indian television industry revenues at a CAGR of 14% over the next few years. Industry growth fuels an expected increase in the number of TV channels in India, to meet regional as well as national demands.

• The number of licensed channels in India has doubled since 2008 to 820 channels at the end of 2012. However, a comparison with other media markets globally indicates that given India’s size and diversity this channel count is relatively low. Significant continued increases in TV channels are likely. India could potentially have 1,300 channels operational by 2017.
• Growth of regional channels and niche content will provide a fillip to growth.
• Furthermore, high growth in the number of high-definition (HD) channels is expected to be fuelled by growth in digital platforms and increasing penetration of high-end TV sets that support HD viewing experiences. By 2017, India is likely to have 130 HD channels, which require more satellite capacity than standard-definition channels.

• As the number of channels increases, Indian DTH operators will need to match the offerings of their peers and also digital cable operators, to remain competitive.

• Growth is therefore anticipated in both C-band and Ku-band transponders.

• In the case of C-band capacity for distribution of TV channels to MSOs and DTH operators (for further transmission to end-consumers), the total number of required transponders is expected to almost double from 31 in 2012 to 54 by 2017.
• The demand for Ku-band capacity used by DTH companies to transmit to consumer homes is expected to grow even more rapidly, requiring over 220 transponders by 2017 as compared with about 73 in 2012.
• In an ideal world, demand estimates for DTH operators should be far higher – Indian operators need backup/redundant satellite capabilities to keep up with global best practices, and the current capacity crunch inhibits them.

Hong Kong, 5 March 2013 – CASBAA’s first Forum of 2013 lifted the covers off the emerging market of Myanmar. Held in Singapore on February 27, 2013, the Myanmar in View forum attracted over 100 delegates and speakers eager to explore the opportunities and pitfalls of the multichannel TV industry in the country.

“We were extremely encouraged by the tremendous turn-out and reception for the Forum,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “This tells us that there is great interest in doing business with Myanmar and that people are hungry for information about the market.”

From an overview of the Myanmar TV market to international content for the country’s pay-TV ecosystem, its overall untapped advertising potential, and its nascent DTH industry, leaders and experts across Asia-Pacific converged at Myanmar in View to share their experience, opinions and information.

Headlining the roster of respected speakers at the Forum was U Tint Swe, Director-General, Myanmar Radio and Television, Ministry of Information, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

During the opening session of the Forum, U Tint Swe was optimistic that the media business will grow over the next five years as reforms and processes become more institutionalized. However, he also outlined the challenges facing the development of the industry including shortages in human capital, dependable electricity, money and investment in technologies and media training and education – which will require support from the international community to remedy.

The varied list of global speakers and panellists also included Virat Patel (MD, ITN Venture Consulting), Khin Maung Htay (Director and Co-founder, Forever Group), Monty Ghai (VP, Network Development, Asia, BBC Worldwide Channels), Ashley Jordan (CEO, Fashion One), Tripta Singh (SVP, International Business, Zee Network), Zaw Thet Maung (Senior General Manager, Skynet), Thein Than Oo (Content Manager, Skynet), Myo Min (Chief Technical Officer, Skynet), Grace Szh (CEO, CSC), Rose Swe (Founder, Mango Group) and Nigel Van Cuylenburg (Consultant, TVC Sales and Marketing, 5 Network).

Myanmar in View was generously sponsored by SKY Perfect JSAT.

For more information on Myanmar in View, visit:http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/369-myanmar-in-view

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About CASBAA – http://www.casbaa.com

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 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.

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

(February 26, 2013) In November 2012, CASBAA and international media and technology law firm Olswang jointly presented a report titled Digital, Legal and Anywhere – TV in Singapore Today; and showcased an online directory that enables the public to find legitimate digital content in Singapore. As the report asserts, there IS legitimate (and often free) digital content out there, and CASBAA hopes the online directory would be a “compass” that points users to such content.

The proliferation of internet-connected devices and the introduction of 4G networks in recent times mean there are now more and more ways of consuming video content, both legally and illegally. CASBAA Chief Policy Officer John Medeiros explains that the report is indeed a result of these rapid changes in video consumption patterns, and this is particularly evident in a market like Singapore where he says “the community and the economy is so well-wired and attuned to receiving content in many different ways.”

Read more at OnScreen Asia

Hong Kong, 25 February 2013 – As India hurtles towards inevitable digitisation, the intricacies of broadcasting are becoming ever more apparent. The CASBAA India Forum 2013, on 7 March in New Delhi, brings into focus the disparate voices of various television industry stakeholders, who each have an interest in a thriving India.

“India is undeniably a vast and complex market, but one that continues to provide unparalleled opportunities and potential to investors,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “However, success depends on the ability to navigate the hurdles of the country’s broadcasting industry and CASBAA’s annual India Forum provides an ideal platform to hear from leaders and experts from across borders and market segments.”

From the ongoing satellite capacity crunch and the challenges of navigating a complex regulatory environment to identifying the future trends in the country’s multichannel TV market, industry leaders will bring their unique perspectives on the current state of Indian broadcasting and what to expect moving ahead.

Headlining the respected roster of speakers at the event will be government representatives Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, who will deliver the Opening Keynote address, TRAI Chairman, Dr. Rahul Khullar, TRAI Principal Advisors, Parameswaran N. and Sudhir Gupta and Ms. Supriya Sahu, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting & Policies), MIB.

The varied list of speakers and panellists will also include Thomas Choi (CEO, Asia Broadcast Satellite), Smita Jha (Leader, Entertainment & Media Practice, PwC India), LV Krishnan (CEO, TAM Media Research), Sameer Manchanda (Chairman & MD, DEN), Ravi Mansukhani (MD, IMCL), Deepak Mathur (SVP, Commercial, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, SES), Harit Nagpal (MD & CEO, Tata Sky), Bharat Kumar Ranga (Chief Content & Creative Officer, Zee Entertainment), Man Jit Singh (CEO, MSM; President, IBF), Shashi Sinha (Chairman of Technical Committee, BARC; CEO, IPG Mediabrands India), Bill Wade (President & CEO, AsiaSat), Robert Zitter (EVP & CTO, HBO), Deepak Jacob (President, Legal & General Counsel, STAR TV India) and many others.

Partners for the CASBAA India Forum 2013 include Supporting Sponsor SES and Sponsors AsiaSat, Brightcove, CSG International, Eutelsat, IBM and STAR India.

For more information on the CASBAA India Forum 2013, visit:http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/361-india-satellite-industry-forum

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 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 www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

January 30, 2013: CASBAA and Bite were honoured with the Double Happiness Award 2013 for PR Teams Awards Winner – Best Private Sector PR team for their collaborative work during the CASBAA Convention 2012. Presented by The Council of Public Relations Firms of Hong Kong, the award was in recognition of the spirit of team work between client and PR firm during the Convention which took place October 29 to November 1, 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Accepting the award during the presentation ceremony on January 23, 2013 at Club Lusitano were Jill Grinda, Executive Vice President, CASBAA and Roomila Chandra, Senior Project Executive, Bite.

CASBAA Upfronts unite networks

 

Hong Kong, 21 December 2011 – Eight multichannel TV networks from across Asia Pacific participated in the inaugural Asia Pacific TV Upfronts on December 13th in Singapore, presented by CASBAA in association with Campaign Asia Pacific.

The eight CASBAA networks presented a unified message from the region’s leading broadcasters, previewing the CASBAA channels’ most exciting highlights for 2012 to more than 20 selected decision-making media buyers, agency heads and clients.

“Where individual broadcasters have previously presented as single entities before, CASBAA is delighted to provide the Asia Pacific multichannel TV industry with a platform to demonstrate a consolidated view on the power of advertising on pay TV,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA. “We look forward to more joint Upfronts and are already planning for the next one in Hong Kong during Q1 of 2012.”

Broadcasters A+E Networks, Bloomberg Television, Discovery Networks Asia, Fox International Channels, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television Entertainment, Turner International and Viacom International Media Networks all participated in the special screenings.

Additionally, guest speaker Andy Wilson, Chairman of the Asia Planning Council, BBDO/Proximity shared his insights into people’s engagement with their mobile devices, TV’s and PC’s. “TV’s primary role is to entertain and offer an emotional connection with audiences,” he said.

Brian Fisher, Caltex Global Brand Manager, Chevron International also spoke on his brand’s experiences with pay-TV and other content. “Brands need better ways to have more interesting integrated conversations through compelling and local content. Sell us the whole package and not the spots,” he concluded.

“The reach and return on investment of pay-TV can no longer be denied,” added Fenez. “With multichannel TV now in more than 50% of TV homes across Asia, compelling content offered by leading broadcasters and affluent, targeted demographics, it just makes good business sense to invest in multichannel TV in the region.”

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

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.

About Campaign

Campaign is a globally recognised brand within the advertising and marketing industries, synonymous with quality in the hearts and minds of opinion-forming agency and marketing personnel across the world.

Launched in the UK in 1968, Campaign has grown into a global brand serving the broader marketing, digital, advertising, PR and media industries. Following brand alignment in Asia, the fortnightly Media magazine has been superseded by Campaign with print editions in India and Asia-Pacific and a network of websites for India, China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan – English and Chinese versions), Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Campaign delivers market-leading content to industry opinion-formers and decision-makers wherever and however you want to access it – whether catching up on the latest industry news, videos and blogs online or on a mobile device, studying in-depth analysis and reports in our print magazines, hearing from the world’s key industry speakers at market-leading conferences or celebrating excellence and best practice at our awards festivals.

Campaign Asia-Pacific sets its stall on quality, measured by the right people paying to read it: It has a circulation of 12,006 copies and was 70% paid-for; 100% of agency copies are paid-for; 64% of copies to marketers are paid-for.*

* Source: BPA Audit Oct – Dec 2010

To find out more, please visit www.campaignasia.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

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

Jakarta, 18 December 2012 – CASBAA ended its TV Upfronts tour of Southeast Asia with its final event of the year in Jakarta, Indonesia on December 13, 2012. Held in association with Campaign Asia-Pacific and in-market partner First Media, exclusive screenings by Pay TV networks for over 100 media buyers, agencies and clients promoted the benefits of multichannel TV advertising and presented the best of the upcoming programming from regional networks across the region.

“CASBAA’s successful series of TV Upfronts have brought the message of multichannel TV advertising to Asian cities including Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila and now Jakarta,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “With Asia Pacific being the engine room for global growth, it is only fitting our final stop in 2012 is Indonesia, a market with enormous development potential in the region.”

During his welcome remarks, Peter F. Gontha, Executive Chairman, First Media, said: “CASBAA’s TV Upfronts is a good event for us where we can get experience through interacting with all the players in the industry and engage and connect among media buyers to further drive the business and advertising values in the Pay TV market.”

The audience included representatives from Activate, Advantage, Aegis Media, Dentsu, Group M, Kaswall, Maxus, Mediacom, MEC, Mindshare, MPG, OMD, Pratama Communications, Starcom Media Vest Group, and UM along with clients including BCA, Honda, Kalbe Nutritionals, L’Oréal Indonesia, Mayora Indah, Mead Johnson, PermataBank, Bank Danamon Indonesia and Prima Food.

Participants were treated to a showcase of high-value content from BBC Worldwide, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, History and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Keynote Speaker, Stephen Liestyo, Consumer Banking Director at Bank International Indonesia noted that “Pay TV delivers highly targeted advertising: the right product delivered to the right segment, providing more relevant viewers for the amount of advertising dollar spent. At the same time award winning shows and sophisticated news broadcasts support an advertiser’s image branding.”

“This event is very useful for everybody in media industry, especially on the advertiser side, to learn about updates and opportunities that can be developed,” added Dini Ubaya Raharjanti, Country Media Manager, L’Oréal Indonesia. “This event should be held regularly at least once a year.”

Indonesia’s advertising market is by far the largest in South East Asia with gross advertising spend topping US$8bn in 2011 and increasing nearly 26% by the first half of 2012 according to data from Nielsen.

A market with great opportunity for growth, although Indonesia has over 3.7 million Pay TV subscribers, Pay TV penetration remains only 10%.

However, the Indonesian Pay TV industry is well into an exciting new era with increased competition leading to rapid growth of subscribers as it becomes a viable alternative to free-to-air.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 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 find out more, please visit casbaa.com

About Campaign Asia-Pacific

Campaign Asia-Pacific is the region’s leading marketing, advertising and media industry magazine and online network. Delivering all the latest industry news and publishing benchmark research, analysis, marketing sector and platform reports, Campaign offers the region’s decision makers and influencers insights into a fragmented marketing and media environment across multiple markets. To find out more, please visit campaignasia.com

About CASBAA AD

CASBAA AD is the advertising development division of CASBAA, the only authoritative voice for multichannel TV in the Asia Pacific. Supported by the industry’s leading stakeholders, CASBAA AD advocates the value of multichannel TV in Asia. Stakeholders include: A+E Networks, BBC Worldwide, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television, TrueVisions and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific.

The CASBAA Ad Regional Roadshow provides media buyers with an optimum window on to the dynamic world of AsiaPac Multichannel TV. To find out more, please visit casbaa.com/advertising

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

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

Hong Kong, 13 December 2011 – CASBAA has joined the European Satellite Operators Association (ESOA), the Satellite Industry Association of (SIA) of the United States and the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) to express urgent global concern over proposed new international legislation, the Space Assets Protocol, sponsored by the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) based in Italy.

Meanwhile, some 90 satellite operators, manufacturers and financiers¹ drawn from around the world have also written to UNIDROIT and its member governments to register their own deep-seated reservations.

According to CASBAA and the other international organizations, the UNIDROIT Space Assets Protocol would create an unprecedented and unnecessary legal framework for financing satellite and space programs despite the fact that no problems have been identified with the existing framework for funding commercial satellite programs.

Rather than promoting new financing, the proposed Protocol risks complicating and damaging the existing and well functioning processes. The industry would be confronted with the prospect of obligations and costs from the new legislation that purports to remedy a problem that simply does not exist.

“At a time when governments are urging industry to create more jobs to enable growth, if enacted, the legislation will place counter-productive burdens on the worldwide satellite industry”, said the chief executives of CASBAA, SIA, ESOA and SIAA². “The additional bureaucracy will bog down procurement, reduce investment and result in the creation of fewer jobs in one of the most innovative and successful industries in the world.”

“We believe that the overwhelming opposition of the global industry should count for something in the priorities of our governments,” the four chief executives said. “We therefore urge all those with an interest in the continuing success of this sector to speak up and stop this process.”

A full analysis of the “Space Assets Protocol” can be found at http://www.esoa.net/news-info-23.htm, http://www.casbaa.com/regulatory/satellite-issues/international, www.sia.com and at www.spaceindustry.com.au.

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About CASBAA – www.casbaa.com

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
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

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

¹. Satellite Operators: Arabsat, Asia Broadcast Satellite, AsiaSat, Astrium Services, Avanti, Ciel, EchoStar Corporation, EgyptSat, Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales, Eurasiasat, Eutelsat, Globalstar, Hellas Sat, Hispamar, Hispasat, Horizons LLC, Hughes Communications Inc., Immarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Korea Telecom, Kypros Satellites, LightSquared, Measat, New Dawn Satellite Company Ltd., NewSat, O3b Limited, Optus Satellite, Quetzsat, RapidEye, SES, SKY Perfect JSAT, Spacecom, StarOne, SWANsat Holdings LLC, Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS, Telesat, Thuraya, Turksat, ViaSat, WildBlue, XTAR LLC, Yahsat; Spacecraft Manufacturers and Launch Service Providers: Arianespace, Astrium Satellites, Boeing, ILS, Lockheed Martin, Mistubishi Electric Corp. Space Division (MELCO), OHB AG, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Sea Launch, Space Systems/Loral, SpaceX, Thales Alenia Space; Space Insurers and Underwriters: Aon Risk Services, Atrium Space Insurance Consortium, Brit Insurance, Elseco Limited, Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers Ltd., International Insurance Company of Hannover Limited, JLT Specialty Limited, Liberty Syndicate Management, Marsh Space Projects, Munich Reinsurance Company, Watkins Syndicate, Willis Inspace, XL Insurance America; Financial Community: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, ING, JP Morgan, Lazard, Morgan Stanley, UBS; Other Satellite and Space-Related Organisations and Institutions: CASBAA, European Satellite Operators Association, Global VSAT Forum, ManSat LLC, Mobile Satellite Users Association, Satellite Action Plan Regulatory Group, Satellite Industry Association, Space Industry Association of Australia

². Simon Twiston Davies, CASBAA CEO; Aarti Holla-Maini, ESOA Secretary General; Patricia Cooper, SIA President; Brett Biddington, SIAA Chairman

Singapore, 6 December 2012 – CASBAA returned to Singapore to stage the second edition of its TV Upfronts 2012 – The Singapore Screenings, in association with Campaign Asia-Pacific. Held on November 29, 2012, the day of exclusive screenings by pay-TV networks for media buyers, agencies and clients promoted the benefits of multichannel TV advertising and presented the best of the upcoming programming from regional networks in Singapore.

“This is a time for tremendous change and tremendous opportunity as the Asia Pacific remains a global engine room for the multichannel TV sector,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “Even as the rest of the world worries about overall economic indicators, the Asia pay-TV market remains in robust health.”

The audience included representatives from Aegis Media, Dentsu, Fuse, GroupM, Maxus, McCann, MEC, Mediacom, MindShare, OMD, Omnicom, Starcom, UM and Zenith Optimedia along with clients including Marina Bay Sands and Eu Yan Sang.

Participants were treated to a showcase of high-value content from BBC Worldwide, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, History, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Turner Broadcasting Systems Asia Pacific.

“I found this a great opportunity to get an overview of what to expect from cable TV across the region in half a day,” said Vinitra Chaudhuri, Regional Business Director, Universal McCann Worldwide. “It was productive.”

Yvonne Yeo, Senior Executive, Brand Management & Corporate Communications, Eu Yan Sang added: “CASBAA’s TV Upfronts has given us the opportunity to be introduced to the various pay-medias available in Singapore as well as their regional reach and expansion plans for the coming year. It also gives us a better insight to their offerings for 2013 in just one single seating. It was overall an effective and efficient networking event.”

A key financial and business hub, Singapore is an important market to reach regional and local buyers across Asia with 66% of homes receiving multichannel TV in the city-state.

The Asia Pacific region now accounts for fifty-three per cent of global multichannel homes – with more than 445 million multichannel homes and growing by 39m in the last 12 months.

With a 57% penetration of all TV homes, seventy per cent of viewers in the Asia Pacific watch multichannel TV where affluent regional multichannel TV audiences tend to be early adopters and comfortable with pay-TV advertising.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across Asia. Spanning 18 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 445 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 find out more, please visit casbaa.com

About Campaign Asia-Pacific

Campaign Asia-Pacific is the region’s leading marketing, advertising and media industry magazine and online network. Delivering all the latest industry news and publishing benchmark research, analysis, marketing sector and platform reports, Campaign offers the region’s decision makers and influencers insights into a fragmented marketing and media environment across multiple markets. To find out more, please visit campaignasia.com

About CASBAA AD

CASBAA AD is the advertising development division of CASBAA, the only authoritative voice for multichannel TV in the Asia Pacific. Supported by the industry’s leading stakeholders, CASBAA AD advocates the value of multichannel TV in Asia. Stakeholders include: A+E Networks, BBC Worldwide, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, FOX One Stop Media, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Television, TrueVisions and Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific.

The CASBAA Ad Regional Roadshow provides media buyers with an optimum window on to the dynamic world of AsiaPac Multichannel TV. To find out more, please visit casbaa.com/advertising

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For enquiries, please contact:
Desmond Chung, PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

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