News

Discovery Channel and HP Partner on Mythbusters

DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND HP PARTNER TO PRESENT NEW EPISODES OF HIT SERIES MYTHBUSTERS
– Integrated campaign includes roadshows to bring the HP Folio13 to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, and online contest with exclusive trip to Mythbusters lab in San Francisco as grand prize in addition to HP Folio13UltrabooksTM-

Singapore, March 16, 2012 – Discovery Channel, one of the world’s most widely distributed television brands and the flagship network in Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific’s (DNAP) portfolio, and HP, the world’s largest provider of information technology infrastructure, software, services and solutions to individuals and organizations of all sizes, today announced details of a six-week partnership. From March 23 to April 28, 2012, HP will present new episodes of Discovery Channel’s popular series MYTHBUSTERS to viewers in Southeast Asia.

Jacqueline Tok, vice president, advertising sales, DNAP, said, “Leveraging on our synergies as market leaders, Discovery Channel and HP are working together for the first time to bring viewers new episodes of our hugely popular series MYTHBUSTERS. Our integrated campaign extends the viewing experience beyond television and provides our valued partner HP with customized solutions to further reach their target audience and launch their latest business UltrabookTM, the HP Folio13.”

Expressing enthusiasm about the newly-forged partnership, Dennis Mark, vice president & general manager – Personal Systems Group HP South Asia and Taiwan (SEAT) said, “The UltrabookTM category is one that is brimming over with thin and light offerings that cater to a spectrum of audience segments. What really sets the HP Folio13 apart is the truly mobile experience it provides business users and professional consumers, thanks to its outstanding battery life of up to 9.5 hours(1). We believe the best way to experience the great features we have packed into the HP Folio13 would be to ‘touch, feel and test’ the product – in the quintessential MYTHBUSTERS fashion. We are excited to partner with Discovery Channel for a series of exciting roadshows that bring the HP Folio13 experience closer to SEAT markets.”

The partnership includes on-air, on-ground and online elements. In addition to presenting brand new episodes of MYTHBUSTERS to Discovery Channel’s viewers in Southeast Asia, the on-air component includes a spot campaign for the HP Folio13 that will air on Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet for the duration of the partnership. Discovery Channel and HP will be running an online contest that will provide one lucky winner with a truly unique Discovery Channel experience – a trip for two to visit the MYTHBUSTERS lab in San Francisco. More information about the contest and how to enter is available on www.discoverychannelasia.com/folio13. To qualify, participants will be required to correctly answer two questions and in less than 20 words describe what they like best about MYTHBUSTERS. There will also be HP Folio13 UltrabooksTM to be won. For fans who want more about the MYTHBUSTERS, the dedicated microsite will also have information about the series and hosts, and clips of various myths as seen on the show.

For a more immersive experience, there will be roadshows in four cities in Southeast Asia, kicking off March 22-25 at Gandaria City in Jakarta, Indonesia, and from March 24-25 at Central World in Bangkok, Thailand. Other locations are Marina Square in Singapore on April 14-15, and Mid Valley Mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 25-29. At the roadshows, visitors will get the chance to test some “myths” associated with laptops, discover the unique features of the HP Folio13, and win prizes including exclusive MYTHBUSTERS merchandise at the various interactive booths. At the end of each roadshow, there will also be a HP Folio13 notebook to be won.

On MYTHBUSTERS, special-effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman take on age-old myths and urban legends to show you what’s real – and what’s reel. Have a blast with the MYTHBUSTERS as they use modern-day science to uncover the truth behind popular rumours, urban and Internet myths, and historical claims, using their trademark quirky, action-packed – and often unconventional – methods. In each episode, the MYTHBUSTERS put what remains of their nine lives on the line to bust more myths and dispel untruths in the name of science, on Discovery Channel every Friday at 9:00 p.m. (SIN/HK) across Southeast Asia.

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About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 200 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through more than 140 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. In Asia-Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 534 million cumulative subscribers in 34 countries with programming customized in 15 languages.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1) Applicable to UltrabooksTM with internal only battery. Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features use, wireless functionality and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. Additional details are available at Mobile Mark07 battery benchmark: http://www.bapco.com/products/mobilemark2007.

Contact:
Melissa Tham/Charmaine Huet
melissa_tham@discovery.com/charmaine_huet@discovery.com
DID: (65) 6510 7637/(65) 6510 7545

Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd. launches ‘Ten Golf’

Mumbai, March 15, 2012: Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd., a premier sports broadcaster from Asian Sub-Continent has announced the launch of Ten Golf – a dedicated 24-hours Golf Channel. Ten Golf will be the fifth channel from Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd and it has commenced transmission on March 15th 2012. The dedicated golf channel will showcase a mix of live, non-live and feature programming. The channel will also broadcast live, high quality Golf action from around the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Atul Pande, CEO-Sports Business, ZEE said, “India as a sporting nation is fast transforming from a single sport to a multi-sport nation. As India’s leading sports broadcaster we understand that the sports consumption pattern of the Indian viewer raises the need for specialized differentiated sport channels and this is what we hope to deliver to our revered golf viewers. Along with live Golf action, Ten Golf will also showcase feature programming on Golf including magazine shows and archival programming; making Ten Golf the most comprehensive Golf Channel in the broadcast space.”

Ten Golf has acquired rights for European Tour and Asian Tour till 2016. Ten Golf has also entered partnership with PGTI for three years to telecast Indian Tour. Further, Ten Golf will be telecasting 400 hrs of Golf programming in association with NBC.

So starting today, March 15th all GOLF lovers tune-in to India’s most comprehensive Golf channel and watch the best international golf action from across the globe exclusively on Ten Golf.

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For further information, please contact:
Abhishek Agrawal-Delhi / Jayshree Kumar – Mumbai
Corporate Brand Development – ZEE
9811438591 / 9769286661

EBU seals long-term leases with Eutelsat

eut_website
EBU seals long-term leases with Eutelsat for Europe-wide programme exchanges

Washington, Geneva, Paris, 14 March 2012 – The EBU, the world’s largest association of broadcasters, is consolidating its longstanding relationship with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) with a multiple-transponder contract on two satellites. The renewal of four transponders on EUTELSAT 7A (ex W3A) up to 2016 and the further renewal of four more transponders on EUTELSAT 10A (ex W2A) will support the association’s network that serves 85 national media organisations in 56 countries in and around Europe.

With the stage set for 2012 to be an exceptional news and sports year, including elections in major countries and iconic sports events, the EBU is focused on delivering unique programme material that will give Members a competitive edge in a changing media environment. Satellites remain the bedrock technology used by the EBU for “conveying” content between permanent and temporary locations worldwide.

The EBU is also validating the new-generation satellite newsgathering solution that Eutelsat has launched on its KA-SAT High Throughput Satellite. Called NewsSpotter, this IP service is designed to enable broadcasters to deliver more from the field at low cost, further diversifying live news reporting.

Graham Warren, Director of Network at EBU, noted: “The EBU and Eutelsat have agreed the renewal of a long-lasting relationship. The EBU was the first customer of Eutelsat in broadcast services in the eighties, developing a relationship which has brought success for both parties over so many years. In the fast and ever-changing broadcast technologies world, this renewal is the premise of further successes for the EBU. “

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO, said: “The EBU represents a hallmark for the highest broadcasting standards. We are delighted to pursue our longstanding cooperation with the association and its Members in public service broadcasting, and are committed to devising new services like NewsSpotter that can contribute to further progress for the industry.”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

The EBU serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproductions and exchange of quality European content.

For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch or follow the EBU on Twitter: @EBU_Eurovision

Press

Michelle Roverelli
Head of communications
EBU
Tel: +41 22 717 2204
Mobile: +41 79 647 17 24
roverelli@ebu.ch

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 28 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world’s three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. As of 31 December 2011, Eutelsat’s satellites were broadcasting more than 4,150 television channels. More than 1,100 channels are broadcast via its HOT BIRD video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East alone which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group’s satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat’s broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates access to high speed internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 700 commercial, technical and operational professionals from 30 countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information

Press
Vanessa O’Connor / Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 / voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frédérique Gautier / Tel: + 33 1 53 98 37 91 / fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors & Analysts
Lisa Finas / Tel: +33 1 53 98 35 30 / investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Léonard Wapler / Tel: +33 1 53 98 31 07 / investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Space Data Association Wins Award

Space Data Association Recognized by World Space Risk Forum and Society of Satellite Professionals International

WASHINGTON (14th March, 2012)—The Space Data Association (SDA), established by commercial satellite operators to improve the safety and efficiency of space operations, has been awarded the “Innovation in Industry Collaboration on the Safe Use of Space” award by the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI). The award, which was presented at SSPI’s annual Stellar Reception on 13th March, will be added to the “Space Risk Management Award” which the SDA received from the World Space Risk Forum 2012 during their recent event in Dubai, UAE; the SDA was honored for its outstanding cooperative efforts to reduce the risk of satellite operations.

The SDA’s Space Data Center (SDC) provides full conjunction assessment (CA) capability and is developing data-sharing in support of radio frequency interference (RFI) mitigation. The SDC provides CA processing for more than 65% of all operational satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). SDA took the opportunity of the Satellite 2012 show to host its first SDA User Group meeting on the 12th March in Washington, DC. The all-day event incorporated discussions on improving industry best practices for CA and RFI mitigation, system demonstrations, as well as discussions with 3rd part data providers, prospective members and other industry bodies.

SDA Chairman Stewart Sanders says, “We formed the SDA because we saw a need for improvements in the integrity of satellite operations in order to ensure the preservation of the physical environment we all operate in, as well as to reduce the effect of service affecting RF interference. We are delighted to be recognized by our peers for the significant progress we have made in both of these areas and we hope this industry endorsement will serve as a further signal of the value of our continued efforts.”

The SDA plans additional features for the Space Data Center and is pursuing data-sharing agreements to improve the scope and quality of data available to its membership.

About SDA

The Space Data Association Limited (SDA) is a non-profit international association of satellite operators that supports the controlled, reliable and efficient sharing of data critical to the safety and integrity of the space environment and the RF spectrum. It maintains the Space Data Center, a database of high-accuracy orbital information, which is operated by Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) of Exton, PA. Established in the Isle of Man, its executive members are Eutelsat, Inmarsat, Intelsat and SES. The SDA is open to all satellite operators and other participants. Membership information can be found at www.space-data.org.

Press contact
Vanessa O Connor / Tel. : + 33 1 53 98 37 91 / voconnor@eutelsat.fr

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What The CW’s About-Face On Streaming Says About Piracy, Authentication

(March 15, 2012) – While its relevance in the realm of traditional linear television is more questionable than ever, the CW’s youthful, digitally literate core audience renders the network an important signpost on where the distribution of TV on emerging platforms is headed. And if the CW’s decision this week to collapse the digital debut of its shows on its CWTV.com platform from 75 hours to just eight hours is any indication, it all seems headed back to square one.

As first reported by Variety Wednesday, CW is going to begin streaming series including The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl just eight hours after their debut on linear TV. The network explained the move as an attempt to ward off digital piracy—it said 20 percent of streams for its shows were facilitated by unauthorized sources. The network said 50 percent of that illegal viewing comes within the first three days after broadcast.

To view the complete article, please visit http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/cws-face-streaming-says-piracy-211917466.html

Discovery Kids to launch in Asia Pacific

DISCOVERY NETWORKS ASIA-PACIFIC MAKES ITS FORAY INTO KIDS
– Discovery Kids to launch in Asia Pacific from April 2 increasing Discovery’s portfolio in the region to eight high-quality networks –

Mumbai, March 14, 2012 – Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP), a division of leading global real-world media company Discovery Communications, today announced that it will be launching Discovery Kids in the region with India, Indonesia and the Philippines as the first markets to roll out. This announcement was made by Mark Hollinger, president and chief executive officer, Discovery Networks International at the FICCI Frames industry event in Mumbai where he was a keynote speaker.

Sharing details on the launch, Hollinger said, “Discovery Kids will offer children the ideal combination of learning and entertainment. A unique network in the kids’ genre, Discovery Kids will offer children a fun and entertaining way to satisfy their natural curiosity and explore their world with stimulating and imaginative programming. The network will ignite viewers’ imagination through its compelling and differentiated content.”

“With the entry of Discovery Kids in the region, we’ve added a new channel to our portfolio dedicated exclusively to children that reflects the content on Discovery. Parents know what to expect from Discovery – a trusted and safe environment for their children. Discovery Kids delivers on our brand promise to provide quality programming, now to a younger audience, which we hope will grow with us,” said Tom Keaveny, president and managing director, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.

Discovery Kids seeks to entertain and educate children with content that sparks their curiosity and helps to develop their cognitive, social, emotional and personal skills, bringing families together by promoting co-viewing with parents. The target audience for Discovery Kids is kids four to twelve years old and their parents, with the core target audience being kids seven to ten years old.

The core values of Discovery Kids in Asia Pacific include being transformative (by providing an immersive world that sparks wonder and curiosity), smart (by giving creative surprises for enquiring minds), playful (by stimulating learning and imagination in a fun and innovative way), and educational (by creating a trusted atmosphere for engaged learning).

Some programming highlights from Discovery Kids at launch include Discovery-produced HEADRUSH featuring Kari Byron from the popular hit series MYTHBUSTERS, THINK BIG and WILD KRATTS. HEADRUSH, an original Discovery production, provides children with an hour of games and experiences, pulling from MYTHBUSTERS. THINK BIG features journeys of young inventors who might just have the next big hit. From the “sibling alarm” to the “toilet paper headband,” each episode is peppered with fun facts, trivia, inspirational success stories and imagination labs to get the viewers to start inventing too. WILD KRATTS, an animated series created by real-life zoologists Chris and Martin Kratt, is a cartoon series with a twist – combining science education with fun and humour, young viewers can join the adventures of the two brothers as they travel around the globe encountering incredible wild animals. The series also teaches children small ways to make big impacts (such as building bat houses), while entertaining them with the Kratt’s usual antics.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific launched its first network in the region in 1994 with Discovery Channel. It has since increased its Asia-Pacific footprint and grown its portfolio to eight high-quality networks including TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery HD World, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo and Discovery Home & Health reaching over 534 million cumulative subscribers in 34 countries.

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About Discovery Kids

Discovery Kids lets children explore their awesome world and ignite their natural curiosity by providing content that is fun and enriching for growing children. The channel stimulates learning and imagination, and provides a safe environment that parents can trust. Discovery Kids offers its viewers a world of endless possibilities through informative and entertaining programming that explores adventure, nature, science, wildlife, history and technology.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 130-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. In Asia-Pacific, eight Discovery brands reach over 534 million cumulative subscribers in 34 countries with programming customized in 15 languages.

Contact:
Melissa Tham/Charmaine Huet
melissa_tham@discovery.com/charmaine_huet@discovery.com
DID: (65) 6510 7637/(65) 6510 7545

Youku, Tudou create China’s leading online video company

(March 13, 2012) – Chinese Internet television company Youku and Internet video company Tudou Holdings have signed a definitive merger agreement for Tudou to combine with Youku in a 100 per cent stock-for-stock transaction.

Upon completion, the combined entity will be named ‘Youku Tudou Inc’. Youku’s ADSs will continue to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol ‘YOKU’.

To view the complete article, please visit http://advanced-television.com/index.php/2012/03/13/youku-tudou-create-chinas-leading-online-video-company/

Vanita Kohli-Khandekar: The painful path to digitising TV – India

Even as DTH continues to take away consumers, many cable operators have been resisting digitisation

Vanita Kohli-Khandekar / Mar 13, 2012

Cable operators are fighting, multi-system operators (MSOs) are lobbying, broadcasters are worrying and direct-to-home (DTH) operators are rubbing their hands in glee. So far the whole mandatory digitisation story in India is playing to script. With just under 90 days to go, how ready are we?

The answer: it is going to be a last-minute dash but we might just make it, at least in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Delhi is a problem. Chances are all the four metros will be digital by June 30 this year, thanks to aggressive DTH operators rushing in to fill the gap.

A quick background. The 142-million home TV market in India is one of the largest in the world along with China and Brazil. However, in top line ($7 billion, or Rs 35,000 crore) or margins, it is way behind either of those countries. One big reason is that just about 15 to 20 per cent of the money cable operators collect comes back to broadcasters, against 70 per cent globally. This leads to revenue leakage and tax loss.

To view the complete article, please visit http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/vanita-kohli-khandekar-the-painful-path-to-digitising-tv-/467468/

Global Satellite Industry denounces UNIDROIT Protocol

Brussels, 9th March 2012 – The European Satellite Operators’ Association (ESOA), the US Satellite Industry Association (SIA), the Space Industry Association of Australia, the Canadian Satellite and Space Industry Forum, the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia and the Global VSAT Forum today voiced continued satellite industry opposition to the UNIDROIT Space Assets Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, which was approved today at a UNIDROIT diplomatic conference in Berlin.

The global satellite sector continues to show unprecedented unity in its opposition to the UNIDROIT Space Assets Protocol. In December 2011, nearly 100 companies and trade associations signed a letter to the UNIDROIT Secretary General expressing concerns regarding the draft Protocol.

Signatories included established and start-up satellite operators on all continents, most of the world’s satellite manufacturers and launch providers, the major satellite insurance brokers and underwriters, many banks participating in the satellite sector, and the major satellite and space-related associations.

“It is disappointing that the Berlin Conference moved ahead with a Protocol on space asset financing, over the clear and unified opposition of those involved in the actual business of constructing, launching, operating, insuring and financing communications satellites,” said Patricia Cooper, President of SIA.

Brett Biddington, Chairman of the SIAA, noted “The potentially adverse consequences of the Protocol – especially for manufacturers and smaller, start-up satellite operators – should have been a guiding consideration in the Protocol’s adoption.”

Simon Twiston Davies, CEO of CASBAA said: “This new layer of supra-national law can only make the financing of new satellite projects more difficult and expensive, including those planned by developing nations to serve their citizens.”

Aarti Holla, Secretary General of ESOA, said: “The Protocol comes at a time when the industry benefits from a robust and highly successful satellite financing market. We will now work with our colleagues in the satellite industry on other continents to inform nations of the negative impact of the Protocol on this market as they consider ratification.”

David Hartshorn, Secretary General of the Global VSAT Forum, said: “We hope that States will note the concerns of the global satellite industry and not ratify the Protocol. If they do, it will increase the cost of financing and make it extremely difficult for developing nations to benefit from the delivery of satellite services.”

A full analysis of this issue can be found at www.esoa.net, www.sia.com and www.spaceindustry.com.au

India DTH industry seeks tax sops

NEW DELHI (March 12, 2012): The direct-to-home (DTH) platforms have made a strong plea for doing away with the entertainment tax levied by the states and the 10.3 per cent service tax levied by the Centre.

The DTH Operators Association of India has said that the entertainment tax is unethical as only the broadcasters or those who generate programmes should be taxed.

Harit Nagpal, President of the Association, told indiantelevision.com that the entertainment tax varies from state to state and the average percentage was around 10 per cent.

To view the complete article, please visit http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k12/mar/mar90.php

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