Washington, DC, 21st December 2017, ABS announced the new appointment of Jim Simpson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Jim, reporting to the Board of Directors, will lead the management team to drive changes to enhance shareholder value and continue to partner with ABS customers and vendors to deliver unparalleled business results.

Jim Frownfelter, Chairman of ABS said, “We are very excited to welcome Jim to the ABS family! His extensive experience, leadership, and knowledge of the business will create significant value for the company as ABS transitions to the next phase of our long term growth strategy. The board and I are delighted that Jim Simpson as the new Chief Executive Officer will lead the executive team to effect the company’s continuing expansion.”

Prior to joining ABS, Jim Simpson spent 35 years at The Boeing Company in various leadership positions in the Satellite and Launch Business. After retirement from Boeing, he served 2 years as the Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Development and was an Officer of Aerojet Rocketdyne focused on propulsion and power systems for satellites, rockets and defense productions. Jim holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and a graduate certificate in Program Management from California Institute of Technology.

“I am very excited to join ABS and its impressive senior leadership team. ABS has established itself as a leader of innovation and creativity. I was part of the historical purchase of the all-electric 702SP satellites that are now key assets for our current and future growth. I want to build upon and extend the legacy that the company has created as we move into the next chapter of ABS. I look forward to leading our efforts to further strengthen and grow ABS through a focus on greater execution, creation of strategic partnerships, and further penetration into new markets and products,” commented Jim Simpson, CEO of ABS.

###

About ABS

ABS is one of the fastest growing global satellite operators in the world. ABS offers a complete range of tailored solutions including broadcasting, data and telecommunication services to broadcasters, service providers, enterprises and government organizations.

ABS operates a fleet of satellites: ABS-2, ABS-2A, ABS-3A, ABS-4/Mobisat-1, ABS-6, and ABS-7. The satellite fleet covers over 93% of the world’s population across the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and Russia.

Headquartered in Bermuda, ABS has offices in the United States, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Asia. ABS is majority owned by funds managed by the European Private Equity firm Permira.

For more information, visit: www.absatellite.com

SINGAPORE (December 19, 2017) Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 took the regional spotlight as the top-rated original production in 2017, securing AXN as the number one channel in its timeslot among all regional pay-TV channels collectively in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

The highly anticipated series, which crowned Indonesia’s spooky illusionist The Scared Riana as the winner in a sizzling Results Show episode last week, reached 9.3 million viewers during its 10-week run across the three markets. Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 consistently dominated the 8:30pm premiere timeslot every Thursday night garnering a whopping 73 per cent share of the English general entertainment genre for the season.*

Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said, “AXN has yet again set the benchmark for high quality original productions in Asia that viewers live, breathe and crave. The strong ratings and huge social amplification speak volumes about the emotional chord that Asia’s Got Talent struck with fans as they followed the dreams of the contestants each week. I congratulate The Sacred Riana and all who competed this season, and hope that they leverage the power of AXN and Asia’s Got Talent to further their aspirations.”

Viewers in Malaysia were obsessed with the world’s biggest talent show, helping to secure Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 as the highest rated program across the English general entertainment channels in that market.**

In the Philippines, Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 was the top-rated regular program on English general entertainment channels since 2016.*** In Singapore, the premiere timeslot of Asia’s Got
Talent Season 2 more than doubled the lead-in program rating and grew the timeslot average rating by 156 per cent. #

Across the three markets, Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 helped AXN post significant viewership gains. AXN’s rating for the period spanning October 12 to December 16 grew by 28 per cent and 25 per cent for 6pm-1am primetime and full day respectively, as compared to the same period last year.

In the digital sphere, tremendous buzz was generated across Asia’s Got Talent social platforms. Based on Facebook analytics, 290 million impressions were generated on the Asia’s Got Talent Facebook page, with more than 26 million video views and over 2.5 million engagements. The Asia’s Got Talent Facebook community grew by 24 per cent since the October 12 series premiere and has a fan following of 2.2 million to date.

On YouTube, more than 990,000 subscribers of the Asia’s Got Talent channel relived the on-air moments with over 115 million views and 1.1 million likes over the period spanning October 12 to December 16, 2017.

Viral sensation and winner, The Scared Riana, clocked over 70 million social views for her three performances on Asia’s Got Talent, making her clips the most popular of the season.

Asia’s Got Talent is the 67th adaptation of the Guinness-World-Record-breaking hit “Got Talent” format, which was created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia. The “Got Talent” format is officially the most successful reality TV format in history and currently airs in 186 countries.

Asia’s Got Talent is supported by presenting sponsor Traveloka, the leading travel booking app for all flight and hotel needs; sponsoring partner Great Eastern Life, the market leader in the conventional life insurance business and the largest life insurer in Malaysia by asset size; GoDaddy, the world’s largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures and 100Plus, the number one isotonic drink. Marina Bay Sands, Asia’s leading business, leisure and entertainment destination, is the official venue partner of Asia’s Got Talent.

@AsiasGotTalent / #AXNAsia / #AsiasGotTalent / #AsiasGotTalentAuditions
www.AXN-Asia.com/AsiasGotTalent

-ENDS-

About AXN
AXN is Asia’s leading general entertainment channel featuring exclusive top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, reality programs and ground-breaking original productions. The channel appeals to a discerning audience seeking content that is smart, intriguing and unexpected, all delivered close to U.S telecasts. From SEAL Team and MacGyver, to The Amazing Race Asia and Asia’s Got Talent, AXN is defined not by a genre, but by an attitude that truly redefines action.

Launched first in Asia in 1997, AXN is a global channel brand with a presence in Latin America, Africa and Europe. In Asia, the channel is enjoyed in 126 million households across 19 territories and is available in both SD and HD.

AXN Asia is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, which also operates leading channels including Animax, Sony Channel, ONE and GEM.

About Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia is a leading operator of ad-supported channels including English general entertainment powerhouses AXN and Sony Channel; and Asian content giants Animax, GEM and ONE. SPT Networks’ portfolio collectively features the biggest and best titles from Korea, Japan and the U.S that are first run, exclusive and aired close to the original telecast. Taking the content beyond the screen, SPT Networks immerses viewers in its premium entertainment via large-scale festivals, celebrity fan meets and social platform conversations. In Asia, SPT Networks’ portfolio is available across 19 territories and in over 42 million homes.

www.SonyPicturesTelevision.com

For further information, please contact:
Jarieul Wong
Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
Jarieul_Wong@spe.sony.com
+65 9188 3227

Source: Kantar Media Malaysia Astro DTAM (consolidated activities). Kantar Media Philippines TAM Service, all urban panels. Singapore StarHub SmarTAM (consolidated viewing). Target: Pay TV 4+. Data period: October 12 – December 16 2017.
* English general entertainment channels: AMC, AXN, Channel [V], Comedy Central, DIVA, E!, FOX, FOXlife, FOXCRIME, FX, HITS, KIX, Lifetime, MTV, RTL CBS Entertainment, RTL CBS Extreme, SONY Channel, truTV, Warner TV
** Program crosstab analysis January 1 2015 ~ December 16 2017.
*** Program crosstab analysis January 1 2016 ~ December 16 2017.
# timeslot average is based on Thursday 2030-2229 rating of August 3-October 5 2017

BELLATOR FINDS NEW HOME ON PARAMOUNT CHANNEL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA STARTING JANUARY 2018

SINGAPORE, 19 December 2017 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) today announced that they have acquired the rights from Electus International to air the popular mixed martial arts franchise, Bellator MMA, in a multi-market pan-Asia deal starting January 2018. Owned and operated by Viacom, Bellator MMA is available to nearly 1 billion people in over 160 countries featuring many of the world’s best and most recognizable combat sports stars.

With MMA’s growing popularity in the region, Paramount Channel will be the exclusive new home to Bellator starting January 2018. Subscribers spanning Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan to the Pacific Islands can soon enjoy exclusive linear broadcast transmission of Bellator’s world championship events from venues around the world. There is also the potential of further collaboration with Bellator to stage fight events in Asia in future.

“The introduction of Bellator MMA on Paramount Channel is significant as we are amplifying Paramount’s focus on distinctive high-quality programming, offering viewers exclusive fight sports entertainment in addition to movies of various genres. More importantly, with the flourishing MMA scene and appetite for fight content in Southeast Asia, this addition can’t be more timely as we bring the pure adrenaline of Bellator to many MMA fans in the region,” said Paras Sharma, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Southeast Asia.

The first fight card of 2018 season, “Bellator 192: Lima vs MacDonald” from The Forum in Los Angeles, features an action-packed lineup showcasing the biggest names in the sport. The highly-anticipated event includes a world welterweight title bout between Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima and the first round of the Heavyweight Grand Prix between two MMA icons, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Chael Sonnen. Along with major LIVE events, Bellator fans can also look forward to “best-of” specials highlighting the most exciting scenes and iconic moments from the Bellator franchise to date. To cater to MMA fans around the region, MTV Asia will also carry selected Bellator content during Paramount-branded blocks while Paramount Channel rolls out further in Southeast Asia.

In 2018, Bellator MMA will present 24 live, exclusive, prime time combat sports events from venues in the US and across the globe. Sixteen of the fights will be in the US, and eight will be international, with more events to be scheduled.

The inclusion of Bellator makes Paramount Channel a premium entertainment destination not only offering great movies from Paramount studios, but fight sports entertainment in its programming lineup. From iconic box-office hits to heart-pumping tournaments, Paramount Channel integrates creative curation and thematic programming to provide a unique and entertaining viewing experience for audiences of all ages.

About Bellator
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on SPIKE, the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, MTV LIVE HD, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, Paramount Channel, and more. Viacom brands reach more than 3.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 180+ countries and territories via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties, in 40 languages. Keep up with VIMN news by visiting the VIMN PR Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/VIMN_PR. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com, blog.viacom.com and the Viacom Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

Media Contact:
Yvette Yeo
Senior Manager, Communications, Southeast Asia Viacom International Media Networks
T: +65 6420 7154
e: yvette.yeo@vimn.com

Harveen Ahluwalia

19 December 2017

In what could be a blow to sports and entertainment channels, the government has imposed a fee of Rs 50,000 (on regional channels) and Rs 1 lakh (on national channels) per day for temporary uplinking of live events.

This essentially means that broadcasters of every live event, from the T20 cricket tournament Indian Premiere League to football and kabaddi leagues to other programmes that may be shown live on entertainment channels, will now have to pay Rs 50,000 or Rs 1 lakh per day, in line with recent order from the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry.

According to temporary uplinking guidelines, all non-news and current affairs channels are required to have temporary uplinking permission “for any live coverage/footage collection and transmission on case-to-case basis.” Up until now, the channels have not been paying any fee to the government.

“A simple permission was required till now to air live events. The imposition of this fee is a big overhead cost, which no channel accounted for while planning the future events,” said an executive at a broadcasting company, who did not want to be named.

The order, which came into effect on 13 December, will impact sports channels the most.

Television broadcaster Sony Pictures Network, which operates 11 sports channels, said that the move “could act as a deterrent to broadening viewership.”

“While the rationale for the new fee structure for temporary uplinking of live events is not clear, for example a sports channel uplinking a live sporting event ought not to be considered current affairs, there will be a financial cost, which could be significant if carried across several channels in different languages,” the company said in an emailed response to a query from Mint.

Another industry executive, who did not want to be identified, said: “It’s big blow to the sports broadcasters and not at all in line with government’s efforts to promote ease of doing business. This is a discouragement to smaller sports broadcasters, sports leagues and tournaments.”

“It is surprising that the ministry is creating such roadblocks to live telecast sporting events when the Prime Minister has made a clarion call to promote sports in India through Khelo India programme,” this person added.

India has five sports broadcasters—Star India, Sony Pictures Network, Discovery Communications, Nimbus Communications Ltd and state-owned Doordarshan.

Star India and Sony Pictures Network are the two dominant players with rights to popular sporting events. Star did not respond to a query from Mintseeking comment on the impact of the order.

While industry executives are sceptical of the government’s move, they also point to grey areas in the order.

First, the order doesn’t define the terms ‘regional channels’ and ‘national channels.’ According to the television uplinking and downlinking guidelines, there are only two categories of channels—news and current affairs, and non-news and current affairs channels.

“The uplinking and downlinking permissions of I&B ministry are pan-India licences. There is no clarity as to which channels will qualify as regional channels and on what basis. For instance, a Gujarati channel, though broadcast in Gujarati may be available nationally,” said the executive cited earlier.

Secondly, “the ministry only provides in-principle approval for live events coverage but the operational approvals are granted by WPC (Wireless Planning and Co-ordination wing) and NOCC (Networks Operation Control Centre) of DOT (Department of Telecommunications). The broadcasters already pay licence and royalty fee to WPC. The purpose of charging more money and the coordination between the three departments is not clear,” the person added.

The I&B ministry did not respond to an emailed query seeking clarifications on the order.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is working on a consultation paper on promoting ease of doing business in the broadcast sector and is expected to come out with its recommendations in a few weeks.

Star India
Tel: 0124 6654643
Email: aravamudhan.k@startv.com
Plot no. 77, Institutional Area,Sec-32, Gurgaon.Haryana-122001

The ZEE Media group today launched the ZEE Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand television news channel at a grand ceremony at Taj Vivanta, Lucknow, where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was the chief guest. Uttarkhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Rajya Sabha MP, Subhash Chandra, Deputy Chief Ministers of UP Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rajya Sabha MPs Amar Singh and Vivek Tankha were also present as special invitees.

Speaking on the occasion, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “ZEE Media Group has highlighted key national issues from time to time”. He hoped that, “the new channel will provide correct and unbiased news to 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.”

Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Chandra spoke to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on many important topics and advised him to have a discussion with the Muslim community and take them into confidence.

Mr Trivendra Singh Rawat congratulated Zee Media Group for launching the new channel, and also presented the roadmap his government has prepared for the development of Uttarakhand. Baba Ramdev joined the programme from Haridwar. Highlighting the good work being done by PM Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Baba Ramdev said the county will soon witness ‘achche din’.

Many other dignitaries too congratulated Zee Media Group and expressed hope that the channel will soon have a distinct identity of its own.

https://www.facebook.com/ZeeUPUK/videos/1293103307462144/

About ZEE Media
ZEE Media Corporation Limited is one of the leading news networks in India with a bouquet of 14 television news channels in 8 different languages and a combined viewership of more than 220 million viewers.

It has a unique cluster of channels – 1 Global, 4 National and 09 Regional news channels – which includes Zee News, Zee Business, WION, Zee Hindustan, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal, Zee Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, Zee 24 Taas, 24 Ghanta, Zee Kalinga News, Zee Bihar Jharkhand, Zee Rajasthan, Zee Salaam, and Zee 24 Kalak.

• Combination of tools offers a unique measuring technique for content with a commercial partnership
• Product reveals emotional engagement with the content and corresponding psychological shifts on key brand metrics

BBC StoryWorks, BBC Advertising’s global content marketing arm, has launched a brand new initiative which allows clients to measure the impact of their branded content and sponsored editorial to understand the emotional engagement and subconscious association shift it elicits in consumers.

Based on its multi-award winning series of ‘Science of Engagement’ research studies, which highlighted the impact of emotional engagement on brand perception, the process combines biometric and psychological techniques to examine how a brand’s creative alters subconscious attitudes around their key metrics.

Qualitative tests benchmark consumers’ subconscious association between the brand and desired attributes prior to seeing the content. Bespoke facial coding technology from CrowdEmotion then takes second-by-second measurements of six key emotional states, whilst eye-tracking identifies the relationship between what is being viewed, and the emotions experienced at that time. A post-exposure survey measures traditional brand metrics such as brand awareness, message association, brand favourability and purchase intent compared to a control sample to evaluate the true impact of the campaign.

The tool has also been configured to allow fast turnaround insight during the campaign period, enabling the BBC to optimise the client’s campaign strategy. It can be applied to any content where the BBC has a commercial partner – sponsored editorial or branded content. Also revealed is which part of the consumer decision funnel the content most contributes to in order to determine what role each creative plays within the overall campaign strategy.

Richard Pattinson, Senior Vice President, BBC StoryWorks, said: “Proving the effectiveness of content for brands is a challenge across the industry and we’re incredibly proud to have harnessed the expertise built up through years of in-depth research to offer clients a way of truly understanding the impact of their campaigns, using this unique combination of scientific tools. As we continue to roll out this system, we will build on the insights to further reveal how our storytelling can create the right emotional engagement to enable our clients to maximise the impact of the campaigns we deliver with them.”

The initiative is already proving a success, having been trialed on the Asia Pacific StoryWorks team’s series of content pieces – ‘Huawei: The Explorers’.

The new Science of Engagement tool was able to demonstrate that, in the case of one Huawei creative, the narrative built a steady crescendo of emotion throughout, before delivering a final spike in positive feelings as the brand was revealed.

It identified that the predominant feelings were happiness, surprise and curiosity, and pinpointed the exact moments which generated the most emotional impact. In addition, the product showed that the creative execution succeeded in driving a clear uplift in subconscious association between Huawei and key brand attributes such as being innovative, inspiring, environmentally responsible, and high quality. Following exposure, audiences also had a high desire to engage with the Huawei brand; brand awareness rose by 216%, brand association went up by 23% and purchase intent increased by 19%.

Joy Tan, President of Global Media and Communications at Huawei Technologies said “We believe in openly collaborating with media partners to deliver the finest results possible, and the BBC Asia Pacific Storyworks team is no exception. Not only does our partnership stem from an open exchange of thoughts and insights, it also grows from year to year to create visually spectacular and unique content, thus driving interest and building strong connections with audiences around the world. The work of the team, and the results we have seen, are essential cornerstones that elevate our corporate identity.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors
For further information, please contact:
Virginia Braynsmith, Senior Publicist, BBC Global News Ltd, Asia.
Virginia.Braynsmith@bbc.com
+65 94555436

BBC StoryWorks is the BBC’s global content marketing offering for brands that brings together the boldness and innovative qualities of a creative studio with the agility, responsiveness and timeliness of a newsroom. It works with clients to develop and deliver commercial branded content and the sponsorship of BBC editorial across BBC Global News’ digital and TV platforms, as well as BBC Worldwide and BBC World Service digital services.

BBC World News and BBC.com, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour English news platforms, are owned and operated by BBC Global News Ltd. BBC World News television is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and over 450 million households and 3 million hotel rooms. The channel’s content is also available on 178 cruise ships, 53 airlines, including 13 distributing the channel live inflight, and 23 mobile phone networks. BBC.com offers up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features, including BBC Capital, BBC Culture, BBC Future and BBC Travel, for PCs, tablets and mobile devices to more than 95 million unique browsers each month.

BBC Advertising sells advertising and sponsorship solutions on behalf of the BBC’s worldwide commercial portfolio across broadcast, online and mobile platforms globally.

For fans to connect and engage with like-minded communities

© Crypton Future Media, INC. © SEGA Graphics by SEGA / MARZA ANIMATION PLANET INC.

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 DEC 2017: Astro and Huomao, China’s leading eSports live streaming platform have launched Tamago, a new live streaming platform targeted at millennials. Tamago focuses on localised user generated content (UGC) in Southeast Asia namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. Since its soft launch 2 months ago, Tamago has garnered over 150,000 users from across Southeast Asia.

Tamago allows viewers to explore interactive features like live streaming, gifting including virtual spending, real time interactions and creation of content. Viewers can engage real time via live chats as well as rewarding content creators with virtual gifts, that can be purchased through in app purchases through microtransactions on Tamago. Besides watching live streams by popular personalities and influencers, users on Tamago can also enjoy exclusive live gaming and video content such as Office War, eGG Clan and many other DotA 2 majors and minors from eGG Network and new reality show, Symphony of Love.

“We believe there is a strong interest in the live streaming space in Southeast Asia especially amongst millennials. In partnership with Huomao, our technology partner who has been successful with streaming live UGC content in China, we are pleased to launch Tamago with interactive live chats and streaming experience. Live streaming is an amazing way for people to connect and interact in real time and Tamago is well served by content creators, entertainers, musicians, gamers, social influencers and Astro celebrities,” said Henry Tan, Chief Content & Consumer Officer, Astro Group.

“Astro is a clear leader in the content business in Southeast Asia. With Astro’s strength in content and Huomao’s technology, Tamago is well-positioned to drive a new form of entertainment in the region that is made possible with real-time online video streaming. This also presents new creative possibilities for sponsored content and native advertising as we have seen in China, which is of great interest to advertisers seeking branded content. We are glad to have an opportunity to be a part of Tamago and to lend support in the areas of technology and operations,” said Naomi Wu 吴文璇, Chief Operating Officer of Huomao.

“We are excited to live stream the Hatsune Miku Expo 2017 on Tamago, thanks to our partners Crypton Future Media, INC and Digi. As there are millions of Hatsune Miku fans across the globe, those unable to attend the concert will get to experience this concert via Tamago. The concert live stream will be available to everyone. Just download the Tamago app and tune in on 16 December to enjoy,” said YuBin Ng, Head of Tamago.

In addition, Tamago users are also able to watch live streams by over 190 content creators and social influencers including Malaysian superstars Zizan Razak and Lisa Surihani; Astro celebrities and personalities like, Hafiz Suip and YouTube sensation, Chaleeda Gilbert.

The Tamago app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. For more information on all the latest content on Tamago, visit www.tamago.live and follow Tamago on Facebook at www.fb.com/tamagoofficialmalaysia.

###

About Tamago
Tamago is a live streaming social network that lets you watch or broadcast live video anytime, anywhere. With Tamago, you can be a super VIP and interact with your favourite personalities up close and personal, or be a superstar: showcase your talent on Tamago and get paid for it. Tamago takes you to both the front row and backstage of the hottest events in town. It also gives you direct access to your favourite personalities from around the region. For content creators, grow your popularity and get paid when viewers buy you gifts during your live streams! Shine on Tamago and kickstart your journey to stardom. With our partnership with Astro, you can stand a chance to become a celebrity and be featured across mainstream media.

About Astro
Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro) is a Malaysian and ASEAN digital-first media and lifestyle company in the Digital, TV, Radio and eCommerce space. It is Malaysia’s No. 1 online media company with 7.4 million unique visitors per month across the digital platforms of its entertainment and lifestyle brands. The company serves 21 million individuals in 5.3 million households, or 73% of Malaysian households, who are able to watch Astro content on all screens and on demand, be it TV, laptop, tablet and phone.

About Huomao TV
Founded in 2014, Huomao TV is China’s leading eSports live streaming platform with high quality eSports and LIVE entertainment content. Huomao’s mission is to provide the Chinese-speaking community a platform where they can enjoy premium eSports content from all over the world for free. Huomao owns over 70% of eSports event broadcast rights from all over the world, and has one of the best production team for broadcast in China. Having collaborated with some of the best in the industry, Huomao is without any doubt the number one eSports live streaming platform in China to enjoy the best amateur and professional eSports events.

Media contact for Astro:
Tammy Toh
Head/VP, Group Communications
Astro
Tel: +603-9543 6688 EXT:2046
Email: tammy_toh@astro.com.my

Azaria Loh
AVP, Communications
Astro
Mobile: +6019 668 2278
Email: azaria_loh@astro.com.my

Media contact for Tamago:
Ashleigh Hong
Marketing
Tamago
Tel: +6012 526 0265
Email: ash@tamago.live

HKT (SEHK:6823) – HONG KONG, December 14, 2017 – PCCW Global, the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider, today successfully connected Hong Kong (Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department) and Thailand (AEROTHAI) air navigation service providers (ANSPs) via the Asia Pacific Common Regional Virtual Private Network (CRV). The CRV is specifically provisioned by PCCW Global as a robust and secure regional aviation network for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations specialized agency established to manage the administration and governance of international aviation.

The successful technical trial linking the first city-pair in the Asia Pacific region to the CRV paves the way for the Hong Kong and Bangkok ANSPs to exchange high volumes of aeronautical information over a highly secure and robust dedicated aviation network.

Regional ANSPs have historically not been in a position to share a common network, which resulted in tangled networks belonging to multiple service providers, which in turn led to network management challenges concerning technology upgrades, security, and operations, etc.

With airline passenger growth of over 150% in the past two decades, the air transportation industry now carries up to 3.6 billion passengers to more than 3,700 airports annually. This year, airlines are expected to operate more than 38 million flights, and this number is expected to double over the next 10 to 15 years.

This dramatic increase in the volume of air traffic has highlighted the need for a more robust and secure aviation network. As a result, in 2013, the ICAO took the decision to engage with a single telecommunications operator to provide private network services for the exchange of aeronautical information between the various ANSPs. PCCW Global won the Asia Pacific tender for this provision of the regional CRV.

Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, a pioneer ANSP actively steering the ICAO CRV project, and AEROTHAI have carried out successful trial between the two regions and that the CRV is therefore considered to be ready for operational use by Asia Pacific ANSPs.

Mr. Frederick Chui, Senior Vice President of Global Data Sales, PCCW Global, said, “Cyber security is at the heart of the CRV. The success of the trial demonstrates our proven network services which is critical for the growth of aviation industry. PCCW Global CRV is providing secure closed-user network capability between ANSPs. The CRV also provides for various contingency routing scenarios across PCCW Global’s extensive network, ensuring that the service will always be up and running securely.”

Other added benefits of having the CRV includes supporting various functions of ICAO’s Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs), better voice quality, and enhancing the aeronautical information exchange between Asia Pacific and other regions. The CRV service also provides users with performance tracking capabilities and proactive monitoring to ensure network health.

– # –

Mr. Frederick Chui, Senior Vice President of Global Data Sales, PCCW Global (right), Mr. Li Peng, ICAO Regional Officer (left), Ms. Sarinee Angsusingha, President of AEROTHAI, and Mr. Simon Li, Director-General of Civil Aviation, celebrate the successful trial of connecting Hong Kong and Thailand air navigation service providers via the CRV.

About PCCW Global

PCCW Global is the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider, which is majority-owned by PCCW Limited. Covering more than 3,000 cities and 150 countries, the PCCW Global network supports a portfolio of integrated global communications solutions which include Ethernet, IP, fiber and satellite transmission solutions, international voice and VoIPX services, managed network & security services and our expanding “as-a-service” solutions including OTT video and Unified Communications.

PCCW Global is headquartered in Hong Kong, and maintains regional centers in Belgium, China, France, Greece, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. To learn more about PCCW Global, please visit www.pccwglobal.com.

About HKT

HKT (SEHK: 6823) is Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services. It meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sales, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.

HKT offers a unique quadruple-play experience in Hong Kong delivering media content on its fixed-line, broadband Internet access and mobile platforms jointly with its parent company, PCCW Limited.

HKT also provides a range of innovative and smart living services beyond connectivity to make the daily lives of customers more convenient, whether they are at home, in the workplace, or on the go. For more information, please visit www.hkt.com.

For further information, please contact:

Ivan Ho
PCCW Group
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com

Issued by HKT Limited.