News

Study: Discrepancies surround Smart TV ‘consent’

A study on consumer privacy based on a survey of over 36,000 US consumers, specifically regarding Internet-connected TVs, from Ace Metrix, a specialist in measuring the impact of video advertising, highlights the discrepancies between the ‘consent’ companies claim they receive and the ‘consent’ consumers are unaware they give.

“Research and data companies need to be doing more for consumers to protect their privacy and secure the data they provide, or else they risk extinction,” advised Peter Daboll, Chief Executive Officer of Ace Metrix. “Even in the wake of some of the most dangerous security breaches in history…most research and data collectors have done little to adjust their business practices to secure consumers’ privacy. They are missing a change in consumer and legislative sentiment. With GDPR, and the newly passed Consumer Privacy Act in California, the industry hit an inflection point on privacy. Research and data companies need to wake up. They need to be leading privacy and consumer consent reform – not following it.”

“The first big area we need to improve on is really getting consumers’ CONSENT—not using tricks, trojans or falsehoods to swindle our way into free data from unsuspecting people,” he stated. “We need to clearly describe to consumers what data we’re using, how we’re using it, and periodically remind them that we’re doing so.”

In the study, only 13 per cent of people being tracked actually knew they were being monitored AND recalled agreeing to the Terms of Service for their Smart TV. Another 49 per cent of people were unsure if their TV viewing habits were being monitored – yet 62 per cent of them had TVs connected to the Internet. While data companies are adamant that they receive viewers’ consent, 75 per cent of the consumers in Ace Metrix’s study had no idea how they gave ‘consent’ in the first place.

Ace Metrix suggests that some Smart TV manufacturers are particularly shady with respect to collecting detailed consumer data without their knowledge or consent. From the consumer side, most people would not think their default privacy setting allows almost limitless access to their behaviour (through their IP Address) when they set up their new TV.

“Little do they know, that from then on, every action – programme, ad, website, stream – is being collected, monitored and shared with other data vendors,” explained Daboll. “Integrating data companies merge data based on IP address and cookies associated with it. This IP/cookie match gives marketers access to one’s gender, age, address, interests, and other offline data.”

The Ace Metrix survey revealed 61 per cent of consumers with a specific brand of Smart TVs were unsure whether their TV device collected data about their viewing habits. Another 21 per cent said they were not being monitored; 8 per cent knew they were and remembered agreeing to the terms; 7 per cent knew but didn’t remember agreeing to anything and only 3 per cent knew and disabled it.

Sports Star of Pakistan adds HD channel ‘Public News’ on AsiaSat 7

Hong Kong, 4 July 2018 – Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) announced today an expansion of services for Sports Star International Private Limited (Sports Star) of Pakistan on AsiaSat 7, to deliver an HD news channel ‘Public News’ across the Asia-Pacific.

Sports Star currently transmits entertainment channel ‘A-Plus’ as well as Pakistan’s first women’s channel ‘A-Lite’ on AsiaSat 7, targeting different audience segments locally and across the Asia Pacific. Public News is Sports Star’s latest HD service to bring daily news bulletins to viewers by leveraging the power of AsiaSat 7 and its excellent penetration, already enjoyed by the two current channels.

AsiaSat will also offer Ku-band capacity on AsiaSat 7 for Public News’ SNG services in news gathering and contribution.

Barrie Woolston, Chief Commercial Officer of AsiaSat says, “Pakistan represents one of our most important and largest media markets. We are thrilled to offer additional capacity to Sports Star, strengthening their ability to diversify content for Asia-Pacific audiences. The launch of Public News on AsiaSat advances our goal of growing our HD bouquet of international and local news channels.”

Yousaf Baig Mirza, a leading name in the management of TV channels in Pakistan and the Vice Chairman of Public News, says, “We are delighted to have partnered with one of the most reliable names in the Satellite Industry. We look forward to continued success with AsiaSat as we work together to deliver more diverse programming in HD quality to audiences locally and beyond.”

AsiaSat has been serving Pakistan since 1991, which is hosting one of Asia’s widest range of Urdu language programming, from news, entertainment, music, to movies, cartoons and dramas.

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About AsiaSat
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), the leading satellite operator in Asia, serves over two-thirds of the world’s population with its seven satellites, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4, AsiaSat 5, AsiaSat 6, AsiaSat 7 and AsiaSat 8, and the new AsiaSat 9. The AsiaSat satellite fleet serves both the broadcast and telecommunications industries. 600 television and radio channels are now delivered by the company’s satellites offering access to more than 830 million TV households across the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat is a whollyowned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1135). For more information, please visit www.asiasat.com | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Mobile App

About Sports Star International
Sports Star International (SSI) has been in the media industry since the year 1984 and has been actively involved in TV production since its inception. SSI has produced a large number of dramas and other programs
for Pakistan Television (PTV) and other private channels.

In June 2005, SSI launched Pakistan’s first privately operated terrestrial TV channel – ATV, inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shaukat Aziz on 24 June 2005. In July 2010, SSI launched another
entertainment channel by the name of A-Plus Entertainment for cable and satellite viewers.

For more information, please visit www.atv.com.pk and www.a-plus.tv

Media Contact:
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited
Winnie Pang, Manager, Marketing Communications | Tel: +852 2500 0880 | Email: wpang@asiasat.com

Sports Star
Shahid Ali Shah, General Manager Legal, Audit & Taxation I Tel: +92 300 8473220, + 92 42 35853669 l Email: shahid@a-plus.tv

Keeping up with change is the way forward.

The satellite industry recognises that it needs to stay relevant

Singapore, 04 July 2018 – Opening the Casbaa Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore last Monday, CEO Louis Boswell set the tone for the day as he told delegates that those in the satellite communications industry need to “see change as a challenge to grow, develop and become stronger to benefit the larger ecosystem”. Furthermore, “Casbaa is uniquely positioned, with video as the common glue, to talk about – and promote – developments, innovations in and the relevance of the satellite ecosystem. Casbaa will continue to represent and satellite will continue to be relevant”.

The conference was designed to bring together a wide range of world-class speakers from the industry to deal with crucial issues, encouraging robust and frank debate. Topics covering innovation, the need for partnerships, better revenue generation methods, the implications of video, connectivity, and 5G were all discussed at the full-day conference for the satellite industry.

The theme of change was supported throughout the day, initially by John-Paul Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks in his opening keynote, who said that “the satellite industry must become part of the mainstream. The industry cannot be limited to innovating in space; we have to be bolder, we cannot be niche”. Mitsutoshi Akao of SKY Perfect JSAT noted that, “we are starting to think how to expand our space business not just in GEO but also in drones, LEO, MEO, etc”. This was further supported by AsiaSat’s Barrie Woolston who reaffirmed to all that opportunities for growth will indeed remain.

Change was also apparent in the approach being taken by major industry players in actively seeking partnerships. Huang Baozhong of APT Satellite advised that “We maintain a good profit margin, but we are looking for partners in other parts of the world”. Jean-François Fenech of Eutelsat Asia added “Our main business in Asia is around mobility and data, and we are looking to grow our video and DTH business in the region” with satellite fleet operator ABS’s Jim Simpson stating that “We have rights to 15 orbital slots, now vacant. We’re looking for partners, including satellite manufacturers, to fill them before they expire”.

The other prominent discussion of the day centred around 5G. “Every single telco customer we have is asking us about our 5G strategy and partaking in 5G trials. It’s going to take a huge amount of time and redesigns before we get there, but we need to already find a way to play in that space”, said SES Network’s JP Hemingway. “5G will require a hybrid network”, said Intelsat’s Terry Bleakley, “and the development cycle offers the satellite sector an opportunity to become a core part of the telecoms solution”. In the closing panel of the day, THAICOM’s Nile Suwansiri stated that, “for satellite to be successful it is not just about cost, but about establishing demand for satellite’s role in 5G”, with other panellists all agreeing on the “we” approach as it will enable newer types of applications, standards and innovation.

Change is in the air for the satellite industry and Casbaa CEO, Louis Boswell, announced that this also applies to Casbaa, with the annual conference event, the Casbaa Convention, not only moving back to Hong Kong, but rebranded as the Asia Video Summit.

The Satellite Industry Forum was supported by APSTAR, AsiaSat, Boeing, Effective Space, Eutelsat, Hughes, International Launch Service (ILS), Integrasys, Marsh, MEASAT, Newtec, NorthTelecom, SES, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, SpaceX and SSL.

-ends-

About Casbaa

Casbaa is THE trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. Casbaa leads the fight against video piracy, publishes in-depth reports and hosts conferences and seminars aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media contacts and additional background contact:

(Ms) Kay Bayliss
Manager, Marketing & Communications
kay@casbaa.com
Tel: +852 5741 6559

29% of European TV channels are based in UK

A Brexit report by the European Audiovisual Observatory, part of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, provides a European-eye view of the UK’s weight within the EU’s audiovisual markets. It provides key figures on the co-productions between the UK and other EU28 countries, the import and export of films between the UK and the other EU28 countries as well as data on the circulation of audiovisual services between the UK and the European Union.

A. The UK is, together with Germany, the largest audiovisual market in the EU28.
With 12 per cent of TV households, the UK accounts for 21 per cent of the EU28 audiovisual market.

The European Union Audiovisual market (2016, bn EUR)
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Source: Ampere Analysis, EBU/MIS, film agencies, WARC, IHS

The UK market is slightly more dynamic, on average, than the EU28 as a whole, due to the solid performance of pay-tv and also because the UK is the most-developed EU28 market by far for on-demand services. Indeed, the average annual growth rate between 2011 and 2016 was 2.1 per cent for the UK vs. 1.7 per cent for the EU28. The UK ranks No. 4 in terms of number of TV fiction hours produced, underpinned by a focus on high-end drama with a strong export potential.

B. The UK is the main hub for TV channels established in the European Union
29 per cent of EU28 TV channels are established in the UK

TV channels established in the European Union (end 2017)
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Source: European Audiovisual Observatory/MAVISE. Excludes local channels. Includes linguistic versions

43 per cent of the TV channels established in the UK target primarily another country.

TV channels established in the UK (end 2017)
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Source: European Audiovisual Observatory/MAVISE. Excludes local channels. Includes linguistic versions

The UK is by far the main country of establishment in the EU28 for television channels and on-demand services. The UK hosts three of the top 10 EU28 audiovisual groups (Sky, BBC, ITV) also as European subsidiaries of the major US media groups.

C. The UK is a strong exporter of film towards the other European Union countries
The UK ranks No. 2 (after France) for the number of film titles exported to other EU28 countries in cinema and on TV.

EU28 non-national releases on TV (2015-2016 season)
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Source: European Audiovisual Observatory analysis of Eurodata data

EU27 countries account for 29 per cent (excluding GB Inc.) and 24.5 per cent (including GB Inc.) of UK films’ worldwide admissions.

Cinema admissions to UK films (av. 2011-2016, m)
180703-Industry News_5

European Audiovisual Observatory/LUMIERE – GB Inc. Films are produced by a UK subsidiary of a US studio.

The UK is a key player in the European film sector. Thanks in particular to a strong domestic cinema market, it produces 16 per cent of all EU28 films, excluding blockbusters films fully-funded by US majors through their UK subsidiaries.

As far as VoD exploitation of European films is concerned, the UK ranks as the runaway No. 1 (ahead of France) for the number of titles exported to other EU28 countries on TVoD.

Zee to export OTT internationally

Subhash Chandra-backed Indian TV giant ZEE is to export its ZEE5 OTT platform internationally, starting next year, according to Zeel International’s CEO Amit Goenka.

The plan is to compete head-to-head with OTT offerings from Netflix, and Star TV’s Hotstar service.

Goenka says that Zee Entertainment will be investing in 90 original programmes next year, which will be added to its library of 3500 movies.

Initially the platform will move into some key Asian markets, and then has the UK and US in its sights where there are large Indian expatriate communities. ZEE’s general entertainment channels are already available internationally.

“In the coming year, we plan to further increase the reach of our existing channels through distribution and creation of localised content. On the distribution side, we are developing strategies for each market to ensure maximum reach of our content. On the content front, we are increasing our local programming for the Indian audience in select markets, which will be on an ad-funded model. We also plan to ramp up our programming initiatives for the native audience in select markets. In FY19, we will continue to further enhance our local programming initiatives in markets like USA and UK,” said Goenka.

ZEE5 will have acquired material from Turkey, Pakistan, Spain, China and Korea. Additionally, around 200+ English-language movies and shows will be available.

NBCUNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS LAUNCHES DREAMWORKS IN THAILAND ON MONO29

Singapore – July 2, 2018 – NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) and Mono Group today announced the launch of a new DreamWorks branded block, on one of the nation’s leading digital free-to-air network, Mono29.

DreamWorks – the 24-hour channel dedicated to kids and family entertainment – launched the dedicated block today which will feature the latest shows in English and dubbed in local language. Viewers will be able to enjoy their favourite DreamWorks titles during the early evening on weekdays from 5:30 pm on Mono29.

With Mono29’s strong line-up of blockbuster movies, viewers will be delighted to now see their favourite DreamWorks characters starring in their own TV series on the channel. In its initial line-up viewers can expect to catch DreamWorks’ signature series Dragons: Race to the Edge, from the critically acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Emmy® award-winning original series Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia from acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and All Hail King Julien from the Madagascar franchise with many more to follow.

“We are thrilled to be working with one of the largest free-to-air networks in Thailand to bring DreamWorks to kids and families all over Thailand,” said Christine Fellowes Managing Director, NBCUniversal International Networks, Asia Pacific. “With DreamWorks award-winning content, we are confident that Thai parents – like many others around the globe – along with their young ones will be captivated by DreamWorks quality family entertainment.”

“DreamWorks is one of the world’s most prominent companies in animation industry, and it continues to lead the market in creating the very best entertainments for all ages. The launch of DreamWorks is a great opportunity for Mono29,” said Bannasit Rakwong, Director of Mono29. “As one of Thailand’s leading DTT channels, we offer premium TV programs for non-stop entertainment, broadcasting first runs and exclusive content from top Hollywood studios for general audiences. With our plan to attract more audiences, we are excited to partner with NBCUniversal International Networks to bring DreamWorks entertainment to our channel.”

-ENDS-

About NBCUniversal International Networks
NBCUniversal International Networks is one of the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 165 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The channel brands in the portfolio include UNIVERSAL TV, SYFY, E! Entertainment Television, 13TH STREET, DIVA, Studio Universal, Telemundo, Bravo, DreamWorks and Golf Channel. These unique brands deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe; the portfolio also includes Movies 24 in the UK and The Style Network in Australia. Further, NBCUniversal News Group, one of the most influential and respected portfolios of on-air and digital news properties in the world, operate CNBC and NBC News internationally.

NBCUniversal International Networks is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

About DreamWorks
DreamWorks, the 24-hour, HD, kids and family network brings DreamWorks’ beloved movie heroes to the small screen to star in their own TV shows. The channel features Emmy® award-winning, original television series such as Dragons: Race to the Edge and The Adventures of Puss in Boots and the critically acclaimed Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia. The channel also presents a daily morning preschool block, DreamWorks Junior, for 2-5 year olds featuring favourites such as Noddy Toyland Detective and Raa Raa the Noisy Lion. DreamWorks is currently available in eight languages across nine countries in Asia including two branded blocks. Visit dreamworks-asia.com and DreamWorks Asia on Facebook for more information.

About Mono Group
Mono Group is the top Media and Content Conglomerate in Thailand who offers Rich Contents which have continually been developed and made a pleasing progress. The success of our digital TV business in the past 3 years has derived from the world-class quality contents which are fresh and accessible via all groups of audience. Mono29 is one of Thailand’s leading DTT channel, showcasing blockbuster movies and premium TV series. Mono29 offers premium TV programs for non-stop entertainment, broadcasting first runs and exclusive content from top Hollywood studios. Audiences can also enjoy watching Mono29 in dual languages via TV, website and mobile application. With Mono Group’s strategy, Mono29 has made excellent business growth and been able to stay at the top level in the rating of the most popular TV channels.

For further information, please contact:
NBCUniversal International Networks

Mellissa Wong
Marketing & Communications Executive
(+65) 6675 1258 / mellissa.wong@nbcuni.com

MEASAT Expands Its Video Neighborhood in South Asia

Kuala Lumpur, 2 July 2018 – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) announced today that it has expanded its video neighborhood in South Asia with the distribution of News24, Sagarmatha TV and Prime TV.

News24 is the premium news channel of Nepal which shares ground breaking news of the region and exclusive interviews with prominent figures in Nepal.
Sagarmatha TV is the first Nepali news broadcast channel from Nepal dedicated to keep its audiences informed of events happening in Nepal and to display Nepalese culture to the multinational communities in America and around the world.
Prime TV one of the newest channel in Nepal is designed to serve all genres from entertainment, infotainment, news and views.

“We are delighted to welcome and distribute News24, Sagarmatha TV and Prime TV via the MEASAT video distribution network” said Raj Malik, Senior Vice President – Sales, MEASAT. “The addition of these channels is testimonial to the trust broadcasters place on the strength of our distribution via our 91.5°E video hot slot.”

The 91.5°E prime video hot slot is home to the MEASAT-3, MEASAT-3a and MEASAT3b satellites, forming one of the region’s strongest video neighborhoods. From 91.5°E, MEASAT supports broadcasters and DTH operators to distribute UHD, HD and SD channels to audiences across Asia, Australia, East Africa and South Eastern Europe.

# # #

About MEASAT

MEASAT is a premium supplier of communication and video services to leading broadcasters, Direct-To-Home (DTH) platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across six (6) communication satellites, MEASAT provides services to over 150 countries representing 80% of the world’s population across Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.

The MEASAT satellite fleet includes the state-of-the-art MEASAT-3, MEASAT-3a and MEASAT-3b satellites co-located at 91.5°E, supporting Asia’s premium DTH and video distribution neighbourhood; MEASAT-2 at 148.0°E; and, MEASAT-5 at 119.5°E. In Africa, the AFRICASAT-1a satellite at 46.0°E provides satellite capacity across the African continent with connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore.

Working with a select group of world-class partners, MEASAT also provides a complete range of broadcast and telecommunications solutions. Services include UHD, HD and SD video play-out, video turnaround, co-location, uplinking, broadband and IP connectivity services. For more information, please visit www.measat.com.

Contact: Shawna Felicia / +60 (3) 8213 2152 / shawnafelicia@measat.com

NICKELODEON CONTINUES EXPANSION IN JAPAN WITH LAUNCH ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO CHANNELS

MTV MIX also available to Japanese subscribers from 3 July

TOKYO, 2 JULY 2018 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) today announced a channel distribution deal with Amazon, which will make Nickelodeon Japan and MTV MIX available on Amazon Prime Video Channels from tomorrow (3 July).

Amazon Prime members are able to access the newly added subscription channels when they register on Prime Video Channels, a new service which launched on 14 June.

The rollout of Nickelodeon Japan and MTV MIX on Amazon Prime Video Channels follow their successful launch since last year in Japan. Both channels are available in Japan only on ‘over-the-top’ video platforms.

“OTT video services, like Amazon Prime Video, represent an exciting growth path for our flagship brands in a mature subscription TV market like Japan. It speaks to the ongoing connection between our brands and Japanese viewers that both channels are now available across three major OTT platforms in Japan,” said Mark Whitehead, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Viacom International Media Networks.

Nickelodeon Japan will offer Amazon Prime members a range of iconic Nickelodeon animation titles including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and preschool hits like Shimmer and Shine and Blaze and the Monster Machines. In July, it will premiere a documentary special – JoJo Siwa: My World, featuring Jojo Siwa, a singer, dancer and social media sensation from the U.S.

MTV MIX on Amazon Prime Video Channels will offer fans access to a curated 24/7 international music and entertainment experience anytime, anywhere. The world’s biggest youth entertainment brand will offer access to international and local music videos, while also featuring music hit charts and a range of popular MTV reality programs on the linear channel – all curated by MTV in line with music interests and requirements of its young target audience.

About Amazon Prime Video Channels
Amazon Prime members can add 30 channels in domestic and international movies & TV, sports & fitness, music, news, entertainment, kids and hobbies genres—no extra apps to download, and no cable required. Only pay for the ones you want, and cancel anytime. View the full list of channels available at www.amazon.co.jp/channels

About Nickelodeon International
Nickelodeon, now in its 39th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon is one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia entertainment brands for kids and family, with 1.2 billion cumulative subscriptions in more than 500 million households across 170+ countries and territories, via more than 100+ locally programmed channels and branded blocks. Outside of the United States, Nickelodeon is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.

About MTV
MTV is the leading youth media brand inspired by music, in nearly 180 countries and 450 million homes around the world, connecting with over 350 million fans across all social media platforms. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and new MTV Studios unit which produces new and reimagined content for SVOD and Linear platforms based on MTV’s library of over 200+ youth titles and franchises.

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.

Contact:
Viacom International Media Networks
Adeline Ong, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific
t: (65) 6420 7240 m: (65) 9366 7323
e: adeline.ong@vimn.com

[World Cup Piracy Data] Favorites Brazil Lead in World Cup Piracy Stakes, England fifth, Germany Outside Top Ten

The World Cup has been called the Greatest Show on Earth, and the majority of group stage matches have not failed to disappoint. Unfortunately, while broadcasters, retailers and even the hospitality industry look on the World Cup as a positive summer boost, so too do pirates. With this in mind I thought you might be interested in new data from Irdeto on piracy activity during the 2018 World Cup so far:

Irdeto detected 5,088 unique illegal streams redistributing games over the internet during the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. The bookies’ favorites, Brazil win the unwanted moniker of most pirated team, with more than 582 illegal streams detected for Brazil’s three group stage matches. Brazil were followed by Morocco (561 streams) and Portugal (535 streams).

Tipped by many fans to have their best chance of winning the World Cup in years, and as they look forward to the second-round tie against Colombia, England were the fifth most pirated team with 523 streams. This is despite all games in England being shown on free-to-air channels. England were however again just edged out by Belgium, who were fourth (526 streams). The fact that Germany had a World Cup to forget is emphasized by their lack of popularity with pirates, not making the top ten of pirated teams.

As with previous Irdeto piracy data, these figures suggest that more still needs to be done to stop the illegal distribution of high profile live sport. In the case of the World Cup, social media channels including Facebook, Periscope, YouTube and Twitch were the main vehicle for illegal streams. Key social media statistics were:
• 3,773 of the total 5,088 streams were detected on social media channels, reaching an estimated 4,292,874 viewers.
• Portugal were the most illegally viewed team on social media channels with an estimated 826, 660 viewers of their games.
• Portugal were followed closely by Morocco and Brazil.
• The group stage game that attracting the most illegal viewers on social media was Brazil vs. Switzerland with an estimated 613, 715 viewers.

Commenting on the findings, Rory O’Connor, Senior Vice President of Cybersecurity Services, Irdeto said, “As one of the biggest sporting events around, the World Cup inevitably attracts a lot of global attention from pirates, as well as legitimate viewers. Content owners, rights holders and platform owners must continue to work together and enlist technology and proactive services to take down illegal streams in real-time as we progress further through the tournament. Meanwhile viewers of these streams really must consider the risks they are exposing themselves to by viewing illegal streams, and the potential threat of criminal penalties.”

WBU argues against C-band changes

Not so many years ago Intelsat and SES were arguing strongly for satellite’s C-band frequencies to be protected from would-be predators especially those in the cellular community.

Now, with the potential of millions (and some say billions) of dollars of benefits to flow to satellite operators from reassigning some C-band frequencies over the US for cellular use, the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) has weighed in with strong implied criticism of the US plans.

Reallocation of these C-band signals could lead to “chaos” for its members, says the WBU.

The WBU states that it welcomes technological changes and the benefits to audiences and broadcasters. “Satellite services have long provided valuable broadcasting services and remain an essential part of often complex broadcast supply chains serving our audiences, both nationally and internationally, for public service and commercial broadcasters.” Said the WBU.

“C-Band FSS downlink frequencies between 3,400-4,200 MHz, have been and are extensively used throughout the world by WBU members for Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) applications and will continue to be used for the foreseeable future, in particular above 3,600 MHz. Since FSS downlink sites receive extremely weak signals from satellites in geosynchronous orbit, they are particularly fragile and susceptible to interference. WBU members have experienced serious interference to services where this spectrum has been opened up to other users and, because few countries require these receive-only downlink sites to be licensed or registered, little recourse is available. The WBU encourages our members to register their downlink sites.”

The WBU says there are hundreds of thousands of C-band downlink sites in use by its members for contribution and distribution of satellite signals. “The potential allocation of C-Band FSS spectrum to Mobile Services will create chaos to the economics of broadcasting by satellite, potentially interrupting services to audiences around the world. Furthermore, C-Band is critical for satellite services in tropical regions as it suffers less from the attenuation effects of heavy rainfall than higher frequency bands.”

“WBU members therefore call on satellite service providers and government regulators to protect the availability of the upper part of the C-Band spectrum, where the band has been allocated to satellite services and is currently used to provide many broadcasting services, enabling broadcasters around the world to continue to provide vital broadcasting services to billions of people across the world.”