By CASBAA and International Satellite Associations

CASBAA’s Consultant Jorn Christensen has written a pair of brief explanations of why the C-band is so important to television distribution in tropical developing countries, and has begun to bring together relevant data from many parts of the globe. While the papers are still a “work in progress,” they can be downloaded here:

FULL PAPER
here

2-PAGE SUMMARY
here

If you would like more information on the C-band, and documentation on previous international studies and surveys of the situation in Asian countries, please visit our repository webpage here.

CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2014

Hong Kong, 12 May 2014 – CASBAA returns to Singapore for its annual gathering exploring the latest developments and issues affecting the satellite industry in the Asia Pacific. Taking place on June 16 at the Shangri-La Singapore, the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2014 will provide a platform for leaders from the satellite sector to come together and share their knowledge and experiences.

“With an active Satellite Industry Committee and a number of satellite related companies as CASBAA members, the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum is an extremely important event in our yearly calendar,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “An integral component of the multichannel TV business in the Asia Pacific, satellite services account for a large portion of how television signals are delivered to consumers in the region.”

Acknowledging the ever-evolving industry landscape, this year’s theme addresses “Remaining Relevant in a Time of Transition”. The agenda for this year’s forum will touch upon the challenges the industry is facing as the very definition of television changes to embrace new technologies, delivery methods and consumer habits, including:

• Is the decrease in military and government business being counterbalanced by increased demand in the mobility sector?
• What is the state of the international debate over C-band? And what are Asian governments thinking?
• New Technologies and New Operators. New Kids on the Block?
• “The customer is always right” – or are they?
• How can satellite cope with the challenges of non-linear services?
• And more

The roster of speakers encompasses the whole value chain of the satellite industry including Cristiano Benzi (Director of the Business Unit Video and Broadcasting, Eutelsat), Thomas Choi (Founder & CEO, ABS), Anthony Colucci (VP, Marketing & Sales, SSL), Tony D’Silva (Group CEO, Media, Hinduja Ventures), Ali Ebadi (SVP, Space Systems Development, MEASAT), Yvon Henri (Chief, Space Services Department, ITU), Huang BaoZhong (EVP, APT Satellite), Osamu Inoue (Director of the Board, Senior EVP & Group President, Space & Satellite Business Group, SkyPerfect JSAT), Ethan Lavan (Director of Orbital Resources, Eutelsat; Chairman, Satellite Informal Group (SIG)), Deepakjit Singh (MD, Asia, Encompass Digital Media), Bill Wade (President & CEO, AsiaSat) and many others.

The CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2014 recognizes the generous contributions of Supporting Sponsor SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and Sponsors Arianespace, AsiaSat, Eutelsat, Marsh, MEASAT, MHI Launch Services, SES, SSL and Thuraya.

For more information about the event, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/435-casbaa-satellite-industry-forum-2014.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

Desmond Chung

Associate Director, PR & Communications, CASBAA

Tel: +852 3929-1712

Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, 11 April 2014 – Taiwan’s plans to restructure its regulation of the cable-TV industry were the focus of a day-long seminar in Taipei on April 8, 2014, before 100 industry leaders, government officials ,academics, foreign experts and. CASBAA hosted the seminar together with Taiwan’s NCC, which is considering options for the restructuring.

NCC Chairman Howard Shyr told delegates at the opening session that NCC saw the advance of digital technology as opening the door for development of Taiwan’s TV industries. Great changes continue to sweep the communications industry, he said, with convergence of the telecommunication and the broadcasting sectors. In this environment, NCC was seeking to use the trends for the benefit of Taiwan’s consumers and producers. “Ensuring opportunities for varied services while improving customer satisfaction and increasing revenue are key issues,” he said.

During the day-long discussions, representatives of the international pay-TV industry made clear their view that Taiwan’s regulatory approach was in serious need of reform and liberalization. With the government-imposed cable price cap fixed in place for 14 years, they said there was little incentive to develop new content or invest in new technologies for Taiwan’s TV market.

Academic experts at the meeting concurred. Prof. Jessica Chou of Yuan Ze University noted that Taiwan’s digital development still seriously lagged other markets in Asia, and had only recently begun to catch up as some competition was introduced to the over-regulated environment.

Prof. Yoosung Yang from Chung An University in Seoul observed that cable TV in Korea plays the same important social role it does in Taiwan. The last two Korean administrations had implemented regulatory restructuring, Prof. Yang said, introducing new competition and removing the cable price cap in that country. As a result, he said, consumers had more choices, and cable industry revenues were up despite declines in subscription levels.

Experts on Singapore, Hong Kong and the UK noted that their cable industries had developed rapidly because they did not face a government strait-jacket on rates. A speaker from a major international content company commented that 10 years ago, there were similar restrictions in place in a few other Asian markets (notably India and Korea), and now they have moved forward and it was only Taiwan that had not liberalized its rules. He urged NCC to move forward rapidly, and boldly, to reform the cable-TV regulation.

Prof. Yang noted that the Korean government was heavily focused on the free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters, and regulatory expert Nigel Mukherjee from Ogilvy and Mather observed that all governments have “public service” goals for key sectors of the TV industry. In Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore this was met by terrestrial broadcasters, he noted. But as cable transmission in Taiwan plays such a central role in TV consumption, the proper focus for regulatory obligations and even rate controls there was on the bottom basic tier of broadcast channels. Higher tiers should not be regulated, consistent with the approach in other leading markets. The current law was too sweeping, constraining the whole analog cable bouquet. It could not be justified on consumer protection grounds and was a real constraint to industry development.

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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 geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via 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
Associate Director, PR & Communications, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Hong Kong, 28 March 2014 – CASBAA, the Asia Pacific association for the broadcasting and related industries, held its inaugural CASBAA OTT Summit 2014: On Top of OTT on March 25, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt, Singapore. Focusing on the fast developing over-the-top (OTT) television services market, the event brought together thought leaders from across industries to share their experiences and insights into the evolving world of alternative content delivery, changing content consumption, technology, and revenue streams.

“CASBAA’s first summit dealing solely with the topic of OTT was an unparalleled success,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “With nearly 160 delegates, speakers and media in attendance, we have received positive feedback from our attendees about this very important extension of the broadcasting industry.”

During the opening Asia Pacific market review session, Kerry Brown, VP, Southeast Asia, comScore revealed some impressive regional numbers for online audiences. Having first clarified that online traffic and online video audiences are virtually synonymous terms nowadays; Brown’s data indicated that the Asia Pacific now accounts for 41% of all global online audiences, with China accounting for nearly 60% of all online traffic in the region. Another interesting fact that came out the comScore research was that over 75% of online audiences in India and Southeast Asia were below the age of 35 – something to keep in mind when building an online strategy, she mentioned.

On the importance on social media to today’s television experience, Danny Keens, Director of Media Partnerships, Twitter Australia said the role of Twitter was to “aid in getting content distributed and discovered.” Keens also stated that the platform was ideally suited for this purpose because Twitter was “live”, where discussions happen in real time; “public”, with no filters or editing of comments; and, “conversational”, providing a means of having a two-way dialogue with audiences.

Rounding out the day, a high-profile roster of industry experts took to the stage in various lively panel discussions including Nick Chuah (Business Director, Asia, Videoplaza), Jean Huang Lundgren (Head of Video Partnerships, Greater China and South East Asia, YouTube), Steven Kopec (Director, Emerging Technology, Turner International Asia Pacific), Kenneth Lee (Director, Media Networks Technology, Asia, The Walt Disney Company (South East Asia), Tony McGinn (CEO, Movideo), Cameron Moore (CTO, Movideo), Nick Seckold (CEO, Mindshare Singapore), Shu Fen Lin (VP, Home Solutions, Starhub), Dennis Rose (SVP, Asia Pacific & Japan, Brightcove), David Simonsen (SVP, Business Development, HBO Asia), Elle Todd (Partner, Olswang Asia), Reuben Verghese (VP Asia, Accedo) and many more.

The CASBAA OTT Summit 2014 was generously sponsored by Brightcove and Movideo.

For more information about the event, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/456-casbaa-ott-summit-2014.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

Hong Kong, 25 March 2014 – During the CASBAA OTT Summit 2014 held in Singapore, CASBAA and international media and technology law firm Olswang today unveiled “Digital, Legal and Anywhere – Innovation in Australian TV”, a new report showcasing the varied and abundant audio-visual content available through non-traditional media platforms and delivery mechanisms in Australia.

The directory is being launched in tandem with www.finddigitaltv.com.au, an online directory of digital content available from legitimate sources. This pilot directory is an example of the type of resource that could help raise consumer awareness on the breadth of options available for accessing legal content in Australia.

The intention of this new report and website is to drive awareness about innovation in the Australian TV industry and generate discussion about the changing face of TV in Australia and the challenges for legitimate services in competing against continuing piracy.

“Industry in Australia is now offering, arguably, the broadest range of legitimate content offerings available in any market in Asia-Pacific with a wide variety of different commercial models and content types covered. We found more offerings being launched almost monthly just during the time we were writing the report,” said Elle Todd, Partner, Olswang Asia.

Drawing on a combination of publicly-available data (from Government and other sources) and discussions with academics, industry bodies and senior executives across the media and technology industries in Australia, Digital, Legal and Anywhere looks at the changing face of TV in Australia and the drivers for change at the consumer level. It considers the challenges and opportunities that exist for the TV industry and the way in which it is reacting.

Alongside this report will be the www.finddigitaltv.com.au website, a pilot “one-stop” online resource showcasing legitimate TV services available to consumers in Australia and to help keep track of the range of content offerings available. It follows on from a similar online resource launched in Singapore last year and also builds on work done by organisations in Australia such as the MPAA and IP Awareness.

An intended benefit of both the report and the website is to aid in the battle against piracy in Australia.

“Many Australian consumers are still accessing pirate content and, unfortunately, piracy levels in Australia are high by any international standard,” said John Medeiros, Chief Policy Officer, CASBAA. “It is our hope that consumers would benefit from a service that will help them find the legitimate sources of content and therefore reduce the incentive to access pirated content.”

Digital, Legal and Anywhere – Innovation in Australian TV can be downloaded at http://www.casbaa.com/publications?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=126

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit http://www.casbaa.com/about-casbaa/members.

www.casbaa.com

About Olswang – www.olswang.com

Olswang is an international law firm specialising in Media, Technology and Telecoms and the firm and partners are consistently ranked by various independent industry guides as leaders in their field. Olswang’s clients include the leading players in the television, film, music, marketing services, newspaper and publishing industries as well as in technology and telecoms. The firm has an intimate knowledge of the sectors it works in and as well as experience of dealing with all types of TMT transactions and disputes. It has a strong reputation for its commercial approach and innovation.

For enquiries, please contact:

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

New Delhi, 13 March 2014 – CASBAA’s annual spotlight on the Indian multichannel TV market was recently held on March 5, 2014 at the Shangri-La New Delhi. Attracting over 150 delegates, speakers and media, the CASBAA India Forum 2014 brought together leading government officials and industry decision-makers to debate on the state of Indian television and the global broadcast market.

“CASBAA’s annual India Forum has become a yearly barometer of the broadcasting market in the country,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “Our roster of knowledgeable and high-profile speakers from both the government and business sectors provides invaluable information for the future prospects of multichannel television in India.”

This year’s event began with an Opening Keynote by RK Arnold, Secretary, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and an Industry Keynote delivered by Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, ZEE Entertainment.

Goenka, commenting on this year’s Forum theme, said: “This industry is blessed with such great talent and potential that is has all the elements to produce content which can entertain not just Indian but global audiences. But content creators will have to adapt to the new distribution platforms apart from the primary platforms like linear television.”

Throughout the day, delegates also heard further insights from the likes of Supriya Sahu, Joint Secretary Broadcasting, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting who gave Introductory Remarks during The Digital Revenue panel; Ashok Mansukhani, President, MSO Alliance on foreign direct investment; Harit Nagpal, MD & CEO, Tata Sky on DTH; Avanish Kaul, CEO, Times Now, ET Now & zoom during the content panel; Huang Baozhong, EVP, APT Satellite on satellite capacity constraints; and, Partho Dasgupta, CEO, BARC on advertising issues.

Remarking on the first two phases of the cable TV digitization rollout, Sahu said: “Available data indicates there is excellent positive impact of digitisation for broadcasters including more bandwidth available for more channels and greater incentive to provide better content and to invest in infrastructure.”

But, she also noted that, moving forward, “Support of State Governments is critical in the digitisation initiative.”

An important stop in the multichannel TV calendar, the CASBAA India Forum 2014 recognizes Supporting Sponsor SES and Sponsors APT, AsiaSat, Eutelsat and MEASAT for their generous participation at this year’s event.

For more information about the event, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/431-casbaa-india-forum-2014.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

Hong Kong, 4 March 2014 – CASBAA’s first ever event focusing solely on the fast evolving over-the-top (OTT) services is to take place on March 25, 2014 at the Grand Hyatt, Singapore. The CASBAA OTT Summit 2014: On Top of OTT will bring together some of the region’s leading experts from across the broadcasting industry to share their experiences and insights into the exciting evolving world of OTT content delivery, technology, and revenue streams.

“While traditional, linear TV still has a strong foothold in the Asia Pacific region, there is no denying that OTT is making its presence felt throughout the industry,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “OTT is opening up completely new ways to generate revenue from video content but, to make it succeed, we need to understand how to deliver it, how to protect it and how to monetize it.”

The inaugural CASBAA OTT Summit will explore in detail what the future holds for the pay-TV business and the various factors of incorporating OTT into existing business models. Find out more about: OTT and content delivery solutions; how to monetize mobile video and TV in the post-4G world; its impact on advertising revenues; and encoding, transcoding, authentication and DRM solutions.

To address these topics, CASBAA has assembled a high-profile roster of thought leaders headlined by Keynote speaker, Danny Keens, Director of Media, Twitter.

Additional expertise will be provided by Kerry Brown (VP, Southeast Asia, comScore), Nick Chuah (Business Director, Asia, Videoplaza), Frédéric Garnier (VP Market Development & Insight EMEA and APAC, Piksel), Ben Gidley (Director Multiscreen Solutions, Irdeto), Steven Kopec (Director, Emerging Technology, Turner International Asia Pacific), Kenneth Lee (Director, Media Networks Technology, Asia, The Walt Disney Company (South East Asia)), Colin Light (Partner, PwC Consulting), Tony McGinn (CEO, Movideo), Cameron Moore (CTO, Movideo), Nick Seckold (CEO, Mindshare Singapore), Seow Yoke Kong (VP, Technology Services for Toggle, MediaCorp), Shu Fen Lin (VP, Home Solutions, Starhub), David Simonsen (SVP, Business Development, HBO Asia), Elle Todd (Partner, Olswang Asia), Reuben Verghese (VP Asia, Accedo) and many more.

The CASBAA OTT Summit 2014 is generously sponsored by Brightcove and MoVideo.

For more information about the event, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/456-casbaa-ott-summit-2014.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

—

For enquiries, please contact:

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

Hong Kong, 24 January 2014 – Philippines in View, CASBAA’s first event of 2014, recently took place on Tuesday, January 21 at the Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. Featuring a high profile roster of influential speakers, this informative forum explored the issues molding the local broadcasting market today through a programme of keynotes and panel discussions.

“We could not have asked for a better event to kick off the New Year than Philippines in View,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “The potential for growth in the multichannel TV industry is substantial but there is a real need for more detailed information and knowledge in order to take advantage of the opportunities in the country.”

Bringing a wealth of experience to Manila, this year’s line-up of speakers included high-level executives Rodrigo Montinola (COO, SKY Cable), Guido Zaballero (VP, Marketing Head, Cignal TV), Timothy Bautista (SVP & COO, Cable BOSS), Allan Dungao (Chairman, PCTA), Christine Fellowes (MD, Asia Pacific, Universal Networks International), Nicanor Gabunada Jr. (President & CEO, Omnicom Media Group Philippines), Phillip Jones (Regional Director, Kantar Media – South East Asia & Pacific), Jude Turcuato (SVP, GM, FOX International Channels Philippines) and many others.

During the Philippine Market Overview panel, Christine Fellowes highlighted: “The exciting thing in terms of mobile video is what’s happening in the smartphone space where you’ve got 45% penetration and almost a 100% penetration of phones. That’s where the opportunity is with such a young population that is very smartphone savvy and is starting to go there for, at the moment, short form video. But that, to me is an incredibly exciting growth opportunity.”

Speaking on the future of multichannel TV in the Philippines, Allan Dungao held a positive view: “The market for cable in the provinces (and even in Metro Manila) will grow….partly thanks to the new signal theft law. Illegal subscribers were used to watching cable, and when they cannot get it for free, they will subscribe later on. This is because of the high penalties in the law (50,000 peso fines plus 1 year to 6 months of imprisonment). It takes time (for court cases), but what’s important is that people know there is a law.”

Rahul Johri, SVP & GM – South Asia, Head of Revenue – Southeast Asia & Pan Regional Advertising Sales, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific explained the popularity of cable TV for marketers by stating that: “The basic design of cable is to provide you entertainment that you want, at the time you want. In an environment where there is an overdose of content, one of the main jobs programmers do is to act as adept curators so we can get a more engaged audience. What does an advertiser want? An advertiser wants more value. And how does that value get delivered to the advertiser? …By having their message exposed to a more engaged audience.”

But it wasn’t all business during Philippines in View. In addition to providing an essential overview of the Philippines market, 15% of proceeds from the event were also donated to Habitat for Humanity to aid in the rebuilding effort following the devastation wrought by typhoon Haiyan last November.

Philippines in View was generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Tata Communications and Sponsor SES.

For more information about Philippines in View, please visit http://www.casbaa.com/events/events-calendar/details/437-philippine-in-view.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

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

Future industry outlook, prestigious awards conclude successful CASBAA 2013

Hong Kong, 28 October 2013 – The future of the TV industry took centre stage at the third and final day of CASBAA 2013. IT luminaries joined industry leaders to examine the merits and challenges of new technology innovation, while discussing the industry’s future roadmap.

“The final day of the CASBAA Convention 2013 provided some compelling discussions about the future of TV in the Asia Pacific,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman, CASBAA. “OTT services, the continuing threat of piracy, the evolution of technology and the changing habits of the next generation of consumers are all playing a role in steering the direction of the broadcasting industry.”

The discussion began with a hard look at how companies can monetise OTT. Buddy Marini, Managing Director, Hulu Japan asserted that local content is crucial for success. “The big push is to make more local content,” he observed.
Generation C, described by Anthony Zameczkowski, Head of Music, YouTube APAC as those who have grown up with the Internet and generally love to create, collaborate and connect with society, will play a large part of future TV success.

While acknowledging YouTube’s impact, Jeremy Carr, VP, Digital & Syndication, Turner International Asia Pacific said many traditional broadcasters no longer view YouTube as a threat. “We have to try anything available, and understand our audience, our content and market dynamics,” he added. However, Brian Lau, VP, Content & Communication, FOX International Channels noted that the vast amount of illegal content on YouTube and elsewhere online has made it difficult to monetise original content. Lau also added that the audience needs to be educated to value content.

The emphasis on premium content was echoed by Charlie Muirhead, CEO & Founder of Rightster, who said the Internet had given rise to “global niche markets”. “Furthermore,” he said, “high premium content will keep those niche audiences engaged.”

For Tony McGinn, Executive Chairman, MCM Entertainment Group; CEO, Movideo, the future of TV is not YouTube. “Our ultimate job is to pull content back from YouTube,” added Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO, Australian News Channel. When queried whether young audiences had no loyalty to TV channels, participants disagreed. “The young audience worships brands,” said Geraldine Pamphile, VP, International Media Distribution & Global Merchandising Group, NBA Asia, adding that industry players need to produce content that is “truly premium.”

DTH operators agreed. “We use better content to compete, and what we are beating is zero prices,” said Guntur S. Siboro, President Director, Aora TV. “It’s about quality content; if we can provide affordable platforms, people will pay for quality,” said Glen Tindall, VP, Sales, Asia-Pacific, SES, who cited Germany as a good example.

But the Convention also looked at a demographic that has grown up not paying for content. On a panel devoted to “the millennials”, Ben Reneker, Associate Director, SNL Kagan, identified broadband internet connectivity as the generation’s number one communication method. Christine Fellowes, MD, Asia Pacific, Universal Networks International said the pay TV industry needs to “cater to the needs of young consumers who ask for mobility and flexibility.” Ashely Jordan, CEO, Fashion One emphasized the importance of convenience, content, and channel brand in converting viewers to become subscribers to premium content.

Tan Tong Hai, CEO, StarHub argued that the future will be tough for TV, especially with so many “destructive new players” in the market. “We do not know how to handle the piracy issue. Change is also so fast that it is better to hold hands and partner.” Derek Chang, MD Asia Pacific, Scripps Networks called for a strong legal system while Jonas Engwall, CEO, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network remarked that “we have to change with the technology.” He added that premium content can be used to fight piracy. Arjan Hoekstra, President and MD, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, struck a positive note, saying “All of us are strong believers in Pay TV. We are optimistic and enthusiastic about the future of the industry.”

The Convention ended on a celebratory note when two prestigious awards were presented to noteworthy industry personalities. The Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award 2013, presented by CASBAA, ABU and UNICEF for the best television programming focused on children’s rights produced in the Asia Pacific region, was awarded to Philippines-

based GMA Network. Their hard-hitting child malnutrition documentary Reel Time: Bone Dry was praised by jurors for addressing the issue of hunger successfully. Steve Marcopoto, outgoing President and MD, Turner International Asia Pacific Limited received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Award. Both awards recognised his leadership in promoting the multichannel TV industry in the region and his long term involvement as a Board Member of CASBAA.

Supporting the CASBAA Convention this year are Leading Sponsor Create Hong Kong of the HKSAR Government, Presenting Gala Sponsor Turner International Asia Pacific and sponsors Accedo, active TV, Akamai, AMC/Sundance Channel Global, APT Satellite, Asia Broadcast Satellite, AsiaSat, Bloomberg Television, Brightcove Inc., CCTV News Content, Channel NewsAsia, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, Disney, Dolby Laboratories, Elemental Technologies, Ericsson, euronews, Eutelsat, FIGHT SPORTS Network, France 24, GlobeCast, Intelsat, Invest Hong Kong, Irdeto, ITV Choice, Lightning International, MEASAT Global Berhad, MEZZO, Movideo, now TV, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Playboy Plus Entertainment Inc., PwC, Scripps Networks, SES, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Sony Pictures Television Networks, TBN Asia, Time Warner, TRACE, TrueVisions, TV5MONDE, Verimatrix, Viacom International Media Networks, Vivicast Media and WarnerTV.

For more information, please visit www.casbaaconvention.com.

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About CASBAA

Established in 1991, CASBAA is the Association for digital multichannel TV, content, platforms, advertising and video delivery across geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via 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
Associate Director, PR & Communications
Tel: +852 3929-1712
Email: desmond@casbaa.com

Disclaimer:
Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Marcopoto Honoured with Lifetime Achievement at CASBAA 2013

25 October 2013, Hong Kong – The 20th CASBAA Convention culminated with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Chairman’s Award presented to Steve Marcopoto, outgoing President and Managing Director, Turner International Asia Pacific Limited.

“On behalf of CASBAA and the industry as a whole, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the years of service Steve Marcopoto has given to the industry and the Association,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman, CASBAA. “As a pioneer of the pay-TV industry in Asia and a long standing member of the Board of Directors, Marcopoto has been an important voice in establishing the agenda and direction of CASBAA.”

Since taking the helm as President and Managing Director of Turner Broadcasting Systems in 1998, Steve Marcopoto has overseen the growth of Turner’s business in Asia Pacific from their first linear, pan-regional TV channel to a multimedia, multi-language, multi-territory enterprise creating award-winning channels and brands.

Under his leadership Turner has grown from broadcasting two networks in the region to 37 channels today in 11 languages and in 40 countries, along with a vast array of digital and off-channel commercial activities. These channels include CNN, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Pogo, TCM Turner Classic Movies, Tabi Channel, MondoTV, WB, QTV and truTV. In an increasingly competitive environment, Marcopoto has maintained Turner’s leadership position in news and kids channels, forged entry into new territories and built great partnerships.

Recent accolades won under his leadership and initiatives include the launch of truTV across Southeast Asia in 2010; CNN named ‘Cable and Satellite Network of the Year’ among five honors at 2011 Asian Television Awards; the development of Cartoon Network’s first branded waterpark, Cartoon Network Amazone, to launch in Bang Saray, Thailand, next year; Southeast Asian launches of Toonami and Cartoonito in 2012; the launch Boomerang in Thailand; and the launch of the Adult Swim OTT service in Australia, the first of its kind for the company in the region.

An advisory board member of The Media Alliance, an industry-wide initiative focused on building public awareness and behavior change on global social development issues; previously he has served as Chairman of the Society of Publishers in Asia and as Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

He has mentored countless executives, many of whom have gone on to senior roles in Asia and abroad. As a passionate advocate of the CASBAA Convention, he has been a dedicated participant, moderator and interviewer.

Marcopoto has also helped pushed the agenda for advertising on multichannel TV in the region and, most recently, was the board member responsible for CASBAA’s Regulatory and Anti-Piracy Committee.

“As an associate on the Board and colleague to many in the industry, his larger than life personality, keen insight and strong leadership have always been valued and appreciated,” added Fenez.

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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 geographic markets throughout the Asia-Pacific. CASBAA and its members reach nearly 470 million connections within a regional footprint ranging from China to Australasia, Japan to Pakistan. The CASBAA mission is to promote the growth of multichannel TV and video content via industry information, networking exchanges and events while promoting global best practices. To view the full list of CASBAA members please visit here.

For further information:

Desmond Chung
Associate Director, PR & Communications
+852 3929 1712
desmond@casbaa.com