european pay-radio content distribution
with similar agreements in place over much of the rest of Europe. Maine says that European radio broadcasters are showing a growing interest in Solaris Mobile. Many of them are having to give thought to their national analogue switch-off plans, and how they might debut or migrate services to digital transmission, and the most cost-efficient and technically efficient methods of delivering those signals. Maine says these potential clients include the creation of networks for enhanced entertainment services, including within the IPTV space, and with the immense importance of iPads, iPhones & similar ‘smart’ devices. Steve Maine added: “The
agreement with Class Editori is a historic occasion not just for Italian radio audiences but for radio listeners throughout Europe as it signals an innovative step forward in the migration from analogue to digital radio. This contract is our first and marks the debut of the delivery of services using our network infrastructure within the EU. Our hybrid satellite and terrestrial network provides a cost effective and rapidly deployable platform for digital radio broadcasters offering more channels for local, national & regional coverage.” Luca Panerai, vice chairman of Class
Editori, and a long-time fan of pay- radio, commented: “In recent years, Class Editori has been involved in developing a pay-radio business model, which is evident by past agreements with a major automobile
manufacturer and other important players interested in the development of the sector. Finally, we now have the opportunity to begin working with a serious and motivated partner who shares our vision of building this business on a large scale. Partnering with Solaris Mobile, the initial phase, commencing in October, is the first step in realising our vision of delivering the most advanced rich media infotainment and radio services to Italian listeners.” Class Editori was an early supporter
- and investor - in Worldspace (via a JV between the two companies in New Satellite Radio SRL). Worldspace filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy some two years ago. Worldspace/Class Editori, back in
2007, had agreements in place with auto giant Fiat (and covering the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Ferrari marquess) to fit Worldspace radio technology into their vehicles. It will be interesting to see if - and to what extent - that plan has been resurrected. Meanwhile, Solaris Mobile has been
very busy developing assorted ‘dongles’ for the after-sales market, including an industrial-grade, highly robust device (developed with Italian specialists Quantum), and with JAST (a ViaSat subsidiary) for some clever antenna solutions to maximise reception. No doubt Panerai’s comments about - at last - dealing with a ‘serious’ company reflects this behind-the-scenes work. Helping close an excellent period for Maine and his team was news on
US radio giant switches to Ku-satellite
Clear Channel owns and operates some 800 radio stations over the USA,
reaching more than 110 million listeners. Clear Channel Satellite launched a Ku- band radio delivery service on 1 August that enables radio stations to receive their programming using a much smaller satellite dish. Clear Channel Satellite’s
president/general manager, Mike Hagans, said the new Ku-band service positions the company to distribute existing and new audio networks for retail and is cost-
effective for radio networks that do not have space for a giant C-band dish: “Ku-band is also a good replacement for networks currently using legacy SCPC gear. Radio
networks have to invest a lot of capital when building an earth station at their facility. By simply backhauling the audio content to our X-Digital Hub, it eliminates that major expense while increasing their margins.” Hagans said.
21 July that it had also been awarded a combined satellite/terrestrial licence to operate in Spain. “This latest European licence authorisation brings to 12 the total number of MSS licences awarded to Solaris Mobile in members state countries, which include Finland, Luxembourg, Italy, Slovenia, France, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Poland and the UK. Four of these licences comprise authorisations covering both the Mobile Satellite Services [spectrum] and the terrestrial CGC element. The most recent licence will allow Solaris Mobile’s hybrid satellite and terrestrial network to operate within Spain, and will enable the provision of voice and data services, video-on-demand, digital radio and other broadband and broadcast services to mobile devices,” said a statement. Coincidentally, the Italian news
emerged in the same week that Worldspace re-emerged on the Indian stage with a relaunch of its digital pay- radio system. Formed by 80 Indian ex- employees of Washington-based Worldspace, the service will be operated by Timbre Media, a new business which has India music giant SaReGaMa, and tap into India’s growing enthusiasm for satellite TV and cellular usage. Evidently the first contract has been signed with Bharti’s Airtel DTH pay-TV system which will take an initial 10 audio channels from Timbre. Cheekily, and recognising Worldspace’s once-global appeal, Timbre says it might well export its signals to other parts of the world.
www.ibeweb.com l september/october 2011 l ibe l 9
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