More than talk at CASBAA 2011

Hong Kong, 6 October 2011 – CASBAA today revealed an enhanced speaker lineup for the CASBAA Convention 2011. Themed TV365: Watch Closely!, the show will be staged in Hong Kong, October 31st – November 3rd at the Grand Hyatt.

“The powerful line-up drawn from networks, governments, ad agencies and media, reflects the importance of CASBAA’s role as the voice of multichannel TV in Asia”, said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA. “From industry leaders to key analysts, our annual Convention attracts the best of business through the exchange of essential information and innovative ideas.”

This year’s top-tier line up of speakers includes:

Jeff Shell, President, NBC Universal International – Comcast & NBC Universal: A vision for Pay-TV

Shell is responsible for overseeing the operations of all NBC Universal International businesses including International TV Distribution, Global Television Networks and International Television Production and responsible for identifying and executing all international growth opportunities for both NBC Universal, and the Comcast Corporation.

Liang Xiao Tao, President, CITVC – China TV at Home and Abroad

Liang was successively appointed as the Director of Advertisement & Economy Information Centre, the Director of News Centre, and the Director of Chief Editor Office of CCTV. He was promoted as the Vice Chief Editor of CCTV in 2010, and has served as the President of the China International TV Corporation since January of 2011.

Blair Westlake, Corporate VP, Media and Entertainment Group, Microsoft – Talking TV

Westlake liaises for Microsoft with the media and entertainment industries, including Hollywood studios, global broadcasters, cable/satellite programmers and the music industry. He directs business development, policies and all content licensing for Microsoft services and products including Xbox, Zune, Windows PC and Windows Phones. Westlake is a seasoned media and entertainment industry veteran, with more than 25 years experience.

Representing the diversity of multichannel TV in Asia, the CASBAA Convention 2011 closely examines the evolution of the Asia Pacific market and the role consumers play in driving growth in the new broadcast universe – 365 days-a-year with distribution to more than 365 million multichannel TV homes in Asia on a 360° range of platforms and devices.

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

The CASBAA Convention 2011 is generously sponsored by Turner Broadcasting, Eurosport, ABS, APT, AsiaSat, Bloomberg Television, CNBC Asia Pacific, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Disney, 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, MTV Networks, Paul, Weiss, Playboy TV International, PwC, RRsat, SES, Synovate, Time Warner, TV5MONDE, Universal Networks International, YouTube and WarnerTV.

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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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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:

Roomila Chandra

Bite Communications

roomila.chandra@bitecommunications.com

Tel: +852 2534 8721

Desmond Chung

PR & Communications Manager, CASBAA

Desmond.chung@casbaa.com

Tel: +852 3929 1712

Action Needed as Web Pirates Rock the Pay-TV Boat

(October 5, 2011) – With 10,000 channels and 365m subscribers, Asia’s pay television industry is booming. Revenues are forecast to double over the next decade. But this bright picture is not pre-programmed.

Like the free-to-air terrestrial channels it is replacing, the industry is an easy target for governments worried about pricing, politics or cultural priorities.

To read the complete article and to browse through other Regulating for Growth 2011 coverage, please click here

香港，2011年9月28日：CASBAA今日發出其2011年成長管理(Regulating for Growth 2011)亞洲付費電視規管分析和摘要。

「此研究的目的旨在聚焦這個事實──強勁市場成長有賴於政府定立正碓方向和有效的管理才能發揮經濟潛能」亞洲有線與衛星電視廣播協會(CASBAA)主席Marcel Fenez說。

此研究第三版的主要發現中，在刺激經濟方面，公平和友善的市場調節會提供消費者益處並支持創意產業發展。不過，若亞洲付費電視業要繼續在未來創造並散佈優質節目內容，它就不能依照針對先前類比時代設計的政策架構運作。

作為一個業界的推動者，CASBAA的角色包括根據在亞洲其他地方和全世界的經驗，將他們的政策情況提供給國家主管單位。針對2011年成長管理，CASBAA以14個亞洲市場的操作環境為基準，針對管理有效性，測量產業經濟價值。

根據CASBAA每三年發出的成長管理報告指出，雖然某些市場的政策正在改善──變為更市場友善、鼓勵競爭和鼓勵成長──但在其他市場的管理政策卻愈來愈過時。

在某些情況中，政府顯然無法處理娛樂業的發展，正如一些不斷成長的平台（網路電視(IPTV)、高速網路、數位電纜、高功率衛星等等）和裝置（連結電視、行動電視話筒、iPad等等）。

「當政府以緊縮官僚管控來對科技發展做出因應時，這樣只會威脅各種成長，」 Fenez說。「亞洲現在有明顯的市場扭曲和管理失敗例子，而且有一個風險不斷增加：隨著部門成長並變得高調，產業會承受更多壓力。」

CASBAA推動全亞洲實行清楚、易了解和易實施的法規，以及智慧財產權進一步發展 (包括線上)。

「CASBAA的目標是支持富競爭性，並设有政府不當介入的商業模式 ── 例如批發和消費者費率管制，以及種種對發展優質節目內容 (付費電視最大的優勢) 的限制」Fenez還說。「亞洲管制環境需要開放──對意見提出開放，對良好節目開放，並對來自區域內和世界其他地方投資開放。」

如果您想知道更多有關CASBAA成長管理2011的資訊，請造訪：http://www.casbaa.com/rfg2011

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CASBAA簡介－www.casbaa.com

亞洲有線與衛星電視廣播協會(CASBAA)創設於1991年，在過去二十年來推動全亞洲數位多頻電視、內容、平台、廣告和視訊傳送。CASBAA和其會員足跡遍及16個地理市場，付費電視收視戶超過3億6千5百萬戶，範圍從中國大陸到澳洲，從日本到巴基斯坦都有。CASBAA的任務，是經由產業資訊、網絡交換及事項，來促進多頻電視和視訊內容的成長，及推廣全球最佳實淺。如果您想瀏覽CASBAA會員完整名單，請按這裡。

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如果您有任何疑問，請連絡：

Desmond Chung, 公關通訊經理, CASBAA
電話：+852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Adela Chen, 總監, 市場及傳訊, CASBAA
電話：+852 3929-1711

Email: adela@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, 28 September 2011 – CASBAA today released its Regulating for Growth 2011 analysis and compendium of Asian pay-TV rules and regulations.

“The objective of the study is to highlight the fact that effective regulation results in stronger market growth and the direction in which governments must move in order to tap that economic potential,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman, CASBAA.

Among the key findings of this third edition of the study is that even-handed market-friendly regulation results in economic stimulus, provides consumer benefit and supports creative industries. However, if the pay-TV sector in Asia is to continue to create and distribute great content in the future, it cannot operate based on a policy framework designed for a previously analogue era.

As an industry advocate, part of CASBAA’s role is to provide national regulators with context for their policies based on experiences in the rest of Asia and around the world. With Regulating for Growth 2011, CASBAA benchmarks the operating environment in 14 Asian markets measuring industry economic value against regulatory effectiveness.

Regulating for Growth, which CASBAA releases every three years, notes that while policies in selected markets are improving – becoming more market-friendly, pro-competition and pro-growth – regulatory policies in other markets are increasingly outdated.

In some cases governments appear unable to cope with the development of an entertainment industry that reaches consumers through an ever-growing number of platforms (IPTV, high-speed internet, digital cable, high-powered satellite etc.) and devices (connected TVs, mobile TV handsets, iPads etc.).

“When governments respond to advances in technology by tightening bureaucratic controls, they threaten growth of all kinds,” said Fenez. ”Asia now has clear examples of market distortions and regulatory failure and there is increasing risk that the industry will experience more pressure as the sector grows and becomes higher profile.”

CASBAA promotes clear, understandable and easily implemented regulations across Asia and the further development of Intellectual Property rights, including online.

“CASBAA’s goal is to support an industry that shapes its own competitive business model without undue government intrusion, such as wholesale and consumer rate regulation and constraints on the development of compelling programming, the greatest strength of pay-TV,” added Fenez. “The Asian regulatory environment needs to be open – open to the flow of ideas, open to the development of great programming and open to investment from within the region and the rest of the world.”

For more information on Regulating for Growth, please visit:http://www.casbaa.com/rfg2011

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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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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

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

Hong Kong, 24 August 2011 – CASBAA announced today that global Internet service provider Google, along with Indonesian media platform Skynindo and Australian telco and information services provider Telstra have joined CASBAA as Corporate Members.

Also newly signed to CASBAA’s Corporate roster are Bollywood content provider Hungama Digital Media and Australia-based satellite services provider NewSat, along with technology company ALi Corporation of Taiwan. Additionally, long standing CASBAA member, Encompass Digital Media, has upgraded its participation to Patron status.

“As technology advances, the Association has taken on a larger role in the promotion of digital solutions for the multichannel TV industry,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA. “In line with the remit to ‘inform, represent and connect’ 130 organizations to governments, platforms and market makers across 16 Asian jurisdictions, CASBAA is also committed to promoting digital media in its many forms and formats.”

Google is a global technology company focused on “improving the ways people connect with information” through web search and advertising solutions.

Skynindo delivers pay TV services covering movies, kids, music, lifestyle, entertainment, education and sports through competitively priced packages within Indonesia.

Telstra offers a full range of services and competes in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia, providing more than 8.5 million Australian fixed line and 11.4 million mobile services.

Hungama Digital Media is the largest aggregator, developer, publisher and distributor of Bollywood and South-Asian entertainment content in the world. Hungama has licensed worldwide exclusive digital rights to millions of music and video titles.

Encompass Digital Media owns and operates digital broadcast facilities throughout the Asia, the US and the UK. The company provides not only mission-critical services to broadcasters, cable networks, corporations and government entities but customized solutions for the management and distribution of content.

ALi Corporation is an integrated circuit design leader for digital set-top boxes and multimedia players. Their mission is to the development of digital entertainment platforms focusing on consumer electronics products in the living room and on the move.

For full CASBAA membership benefits, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/member-login/casbaa-membership.

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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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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

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

Hong Kong, 8 August 2011 – CASBAA and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) of China have announced the creation of the CGWIC-CASBAA Internship Programme.

With seed funding from CGWIC, CASBAA will offer internship opportunities in support of international university students specialising in communications, legal/regulatory and international relations.

Participants will be engaged in hands-on support for CASBAA’s mission to “Inform, Represent and Connect” the multichannel TV industry across Asia.

“The development of human capital for the continued growth of the pay television industry is vitally important and we are delighted that CGWIC is providing support for this initiative,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA.

The internships will be offered seasonally to qualified applicants initially working at the CASBAA headquarters in Hong Kong or at participating member companies’ locations.

The internship opportunities will be posted on the CASBAA website and further announced through general CASBAA communications.

Yin Li Ming, President of satellite launch specialist CGWIC, commented: “CGWIC is pleased to provide the ‘seed stage’ funding for this important programme. Identifying talented youngsters throughout the Asia Pacific and providing them with important professional experience will help to grow a healthy and collaborative culture throughout the cable and satellite community. We sincerely hope other CASBAA member firms will join us in expanding this program throughout our industry in Asia and beyond.”

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About China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC):

CGWIC is one of the largest providers of commercial launch services in the world with 3 active launch sites. After 30 years’ development, CGWIC has developed into a system integrator for space products and services, meeting customers’ multi-directional needs by providing comprehensive solutions for commercial launch services, satellite export, satellite ground tracking and control station, satellite applications, project financing, project insurance and technical training, etc.

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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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

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

Hong Kong, 24 June 2011 – The satellite industry is poised for on-going growth in the region, according to experts at the recently concluded CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore on 20 June 2011.

“There is booming growth for satellite services in the region especially in countries such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam for DTH,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA. “Spanning 16 markets and representing 130 member companies, CASBAA remains committed to supporting the satellite industry to foster continued growth and expansion in the region.”

With delegates and speakers drawn from around the world, the CASBAA Forum provided a platform for the global and regional leadership to review the key issues affecting the industry including market demands, regulatory issues and the challenges provided to the sector by other telecoms and TV distribution services.

Despite the challenges, including crowded orbital slots and new competition for vital broadcasting spectrum, the Asian market remains dynamic, driven by strong growth in the pay-TV sector. Approximately 60% of all satellite operator revenues in Asia are generated by TV distribution. The bullish prospects, supported by newly proliferating DTH platforms coupled with increasing content consumption by households in the region via IPTV, internet and wireless TV services, have produced strong demand for satellite services across Asia. Global satellite operator Intelsat announced US$2.3 billon in Asian investment just ahead of the meeting. Thailand’s national champion, Thaicom has just announced a new satellite launch and global player SES reiterated its determination to grow in markets across its Asian footprint.

However, the meeting also recognised that the industry faces long-term challenges. In particular, there is a real threat to far reaching “C-band” satellite frequencies which are the foundation of broadcast content distribution in Asia. These vital C-band frequencies are under threat as governments consider assigning satellite frequencies for WiMax and other broadband wireless systems.

The CASBAA Forum heard that spectrum defense has to be viewed as a long-term campaign, and governments were urged to move wireless systems into alternative and less disruptive bands. “Otherwise there is a genuine threat to the prospects for TV distribution across Asia,” continued Twiston Davies. “If we do nothing, millions of Asian consumers could lose access to the best possible entertainment, education and information services.”

For more information, please visit the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum at 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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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

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

CASBAA Convention 2011 – TV365: Watch Closely!

Hong Kong, 17 June 2011 – The CASBAA flagship annual meeting, The CASBAA Convention, will be staged at the Grand Hyatt hotel, Hong Kong Oct 31^st– Nov 3, 2011.

Themed TV365: Watch Closely, the programme for 2011 explores television in the myriad ways it can be experienced – 365 days a year…in more than 365 million multichannel TV homes throughout Asia…on a full 360° range of platforms and devices.

“This year’s theme truly reflects the evolution of the multichannel TV industry in Asia – a fitting topic especially during this year, CASBAA’s 20^thAnniversary. Now, more than ever, the concept of television has been stretched to encompass technologies not even dreamed of back in 1991,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO, CASBAA. “This year’s Convention programme promises to be better than ever with a comprehensive line-up of compelling industry keynote speakers.”

With video content now truly transportable, consumer driven demand and the prospect of more localization is providing a compelling storyline.

“In the new paradigm, consumers will do what it takes to get the content they want to see if we don’t make it accessible,” stressed Twiston Davies. “More than ever before, the regulator is now both the weather-maker and the barometer shaping how the industry will change and develop in the future.”

The four-day CASBAA Convention 2011 will bring together operators, content providers, satellite services, technology, carriers and ad agencies from across Asia and the world in lively debate and exchange of information through Keynote addresses, In Conversation sessions and panel discussions. Networking breakfasts, lunches and official receptions allow delegates to connect with their peers in informal social settings and to forge new partnerships.

The CASBAA Convention 2011 is generously sponsored by APT, CNBC Asia Pacific, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Eurosport, Globecast, Intelsat, MEASAT, MTV, Paul Weiss, Playboy TV, RRsat, SES WORLD SKIES and Synovate.

For more information about the Convention 2011, please visithttp://www.casbaaconvention.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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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.

Click here for CASBAA RSS News Feed.

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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

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) invited CASBAA and member channels to a meeting in Hanoi on June 8th to discuss implementation of new pay-TV regulations.

Members’ Exclusive – download a full summary of the meeting from the Members Section.

Taking Care of Business at the Satellite Industry Forum

Hong Kong, 7 June 2011 – Demand for satellite services across Asia continue to rise with new deals announced, new alliances formed with a strong pipeline of new capacity launches.

The CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum on Monday, 20 June 2011 at the Shangri-La Hotel will take a comprehensive look at the state of the market in the region in an informative one-day event in Singapore.

“In a favourable climate, CASBAA’s annual Satellite Industry Forum truly provides the tools you need to ‘take care of business’ in Asia,” said Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA. “Bringing together market leaders from across Asia and the world, this year’s Forum will examine the important issues affecting the satellite business today and what to expect in the future.”

Apart from where the satellite industry in Asia is headed over the next ten years, the Forum will explore the effects of new technologies, hosted payloads, higher frequency utilisation and innovative satellite antennas for the long range development of the market. Taking a clear-eyed look at the business, industry experts will also analyze what customers, in all senses of the word, “really want”. Whether they are consumers, broadcasters or service providers, the Forum aims to discover if there are any options to make everyone happy.

Among the industry heavyweights confirmed to speak at the Satellite Industry Forum are Dave McGlade (CEO, Intelsat), Romain Bausch (President & CEO, SES), Nongluck Phinainitisart (President, Thaicom), Bill Wade (President & CEO, AsiaSat), Paul Brown-Kenyon (COO, MEASAT), Tom Choi (CEO, ABS), Cheng Guangren (President, APT Satellite) and Inoue Osamu (Senior EVP, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation).

“CASBAA’s Satellite Industry Forum provides the opportunity to hear from an unrivalled line-up of market leaders and experts who will share their knowledge and insights on an industry that is evolving at breakneck speed,” added Twiston Davies.

For more information, please visit the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum at 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 16 geographic markets, CASBAA and its Members reach over 365 million pay-TV homes 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.

Click here for CASBAA RSS News Feed.

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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