1 Nov, Tuesday Summary
In a start that seemed fitting given that this year marks CASBAA’s 20thanniversary, the day began with a look back at how much has changed in the past two decades – from the first days of pay TV in the region, the birth of the internet and the wildfire spread of mobile phone and then smartphones and tablets.
The convention heard how consumer demand for video content anywhere, anytime and on any device is driving innovation by content owners, delivery platforms and technology providers and – in many cases – never-before-seen levels of collaboration between different players, many of whom saw each other as rivals rather than partners even just a year or two ago. Marcel Fenez, chairman of CASBAA and global leader, Entertainment & Media Practice, PwC, said these new partnerships were what struck him as very different from the tone at last year’s event. “We’re much more prepared to engage with new players in the industry; there’s definitely more willingness to collaborate,” he said.
There was good news about market liberalisation creating a more level playing field in Thailand and India, fostering growth in those markets, as well as news from China about how local and new foreign players are adapting to changes in viewing habits in this highly regulated market. In Malaysia, the convention heard, there remained significant untapped potential given that almost half the market there does not have a pay TV subscription – and many players hoping to plug that gap.
New ways of delivering content are forcing broadcasters to think differently about what they offer consumers, as well as how and where – transforming the way newsrooms operate, for instance, now that regular bulletins are only part of the package, along with Twitter and Facebook updates, and online web discussions and analysis. Pay TV platforms such as StarHub have gone beyond linear channels for the screen in the sitting room to offering catch-up TV online, and programming via mobile – options that are increasingly important when serving the younger, “born digital” audience who are often watching video content on two screens simultaneously.
Over the Top services (OTT) are taking off to fill that anywhere, anytime need for content; by providing content that’s available to watch legally and simply, the convention heard that content providers could help stem losses from piracy and add new revenue streams. Where high-demand content was not available, consumers would find a way, legal or otherwise.
Mark Patterson, CEO, Asia Pacific, GroupM, summed up the overall mood: “There’s never been a better time or place to be in the media communications business in Asia,” he said. “It’s more challenging, but it’s potentially more lucrative.”