March 2012

Back tax hit in India

The potential for a highly damaging outcome for the communications and media industries from the recent Indian national budget was emphasized in an April 2nd CASBAA submission to India’s Ministry of Finance. Described by analysts as “unprecedented”, the threat to retroactively tax Indian satellite services dating back as far as the early 1970s could seriously undermine overall investor confidence, both local and international, in the Indian economy including investment in Indian satellite and content services.

The CASBAA submission to the Minister of Finance is available for members to download here while the media coverage is provided here

Tokyo delegation

To foster multichannel TV growth and partnerships in one of Asia’s most important markets, CASBAA met with Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and broadcasters including SKY Perfect JSAT, J:COM, JCTA.More here

Upfronts in KL

Over 120 media buyers, clients and network sales teams convened in Malaysia as CASBAA continued to bolster the power of multichannel TV with its third industry advertising event. More here

Satellite Industry Forum 2012

Reach for the sky! Leading satellite industry experts will converge at the annual Satellite Forum to be held in Singapore on June 18, 2012 at the Shangri-La Hotel. More info here

Delhi Doorknock

In late March, a CASBAA Council of Governors delegation met senior officials at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Planning Commission of the Government of India in late March. Companies represented during the CASBAA Council delegation meetings included HBO Asia, Star India, PwC and APT Satellite. For pictures, click here

New members in multi-markets, multi-sectors

CASBAA welcomes new Patron Members Exset andFashion One TV (upgrade) along with Corporate Members J:COM, Orbital Science Corporation, Setanta Sports, Tata Communications, Haymarket Media Groupand Accedo.

Prepairing for a digital India

The CASBAA India Forum 2012: Beyond Digital on 20 March in New Delhi attracted almost 200 speakers, delegates and media from across the country and the Asia-Pacific. With the deadline for the digitisation of cable TV systems in the four metro areas of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai only months away, a roster of local and international experts discussed how the process was unfolding and how it would impact the multichannel TV landscape. More

Ad brake

CASBAA submitted comments for the Government Consultation Paper on proposed restrictions on advertising minutage. Read the submission here

Designated sports event lists

With the Olympic Games looming, debate rages over “antisiphoning” restrictions in Australia. Read more here

Singapore is also reviewing its Designated Event (“antisiphoning”) lists, and CASBAA is participating in the discussions. So far, deliberations are confidential, but a public consultation is expected by the summer.

Meanwhile, in Malaysia the Minister of Information Communications and Culture issued on April 18 a sudden “Determination on Sports Events of National Significance” that imposes a “must offer” obligation on broadcasters holding rights to a defined list of sporting events, so that the rights are shared with other broadcasters on “reasonable commercial terms.” The list is not very long, though it is disruptive because it includes some events – like the Summer Olympics – which are imminent. The Ministerial document, which can be downloaded here, is quite vague and its commercial implications unclear as we go to press.

NCTA – The Cable Show 2012

The Cable Show 2012 in Boston, May 21-23, will showcase the full-spectrum of cable-powered opportunity. CASBAA members can enjoy a special discount to register. Find out more here

Digital Matters

Produced in association with CASBAA, Digital Matters (May 22-26, 2012 in Singapore) focusses on the monetisation of digital content and entertainment. More here

The pulse of APAC advertising

New data from Nielsen Global Adview Pulse reveals that Asia Pacific TV advertising continues to grow. Check out the latest figures here

C-band spectrum invasion

Read the latest market summaries in the fight against C-band invasion. Updated reports include Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and more. Click here for more

Hong Kong Communications Authority launch

The objective of the Communications Authority is to meet the regulatory challenges arising from technological advancement and media convergence effectively. Read more about its funtions and structure here

In the News

• Youku, Tudou create China’s leading online video company
  Youku and Tudou Holdings have signed a merger agreement for a 100 per cent stock-for-stock transaction. More

• India: The painful path to digitisation
  Even as DTH continues to take away consumers, many cable operators have been resisting digitisation. More

• Global Satellite Industry denounces UNIDROIT Protocol again
  Major international associations voiced continued satellite industry opposition to the UNIDROIT Space Assets Protocol. More