Digital Broadcasting Update
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total estimated analogue subscriber base of 68 million. In addition, it is believed that mandatory digitalisation would better equip the cable TV distribution industry to compete with the DTH companies at competitive prices. Also, MSOs’ ability to offer additional services, like Internet broadband services, using a common infrastructure will improve their operational leverage and help generate additional cash flows. (Advanced Television)
LED and Smart TVs Prosper
LED-backlit TVs and smart TVs that allow consumers to browse and view shows directly from the Internet are the ‘must have features driving television purchases in 2011, according to IC Insights’ Integrated Circuit Market Drivers report. In 2011, LED-backlit TVs are expected to account for an estimated 37 per cent of global TV shipments, up from 15 per cent in 2010. LED TVs are forecast to represent 53 per cent of digital TV shipments in 2012.
Besides being thinner and lighter, LED-backlit TVs have rapidly gained favour among consumers because they offer broader colour range, improved contrast ratios, and use less power. Also, LED TVs are said to be more reliable offering over 100,000 hours of life compared to traditional cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) LCD TVs, which are often rated at 20,000 hours.
The 2012 IC Market Drivers report also notes that the method of delivering programming is quickly transforming broadcast television. Just as smartphones brought the Internet and thousands of applications to mobile phone users, Smart TVs are bringing Internet and Web 2.0 features to television sets and offering access to TV broadcasts, videos, movies, photos, and other content via the web.
(Advanced Television) Growing Demand for Satellite Transponders
The worldwide demand for C- and Ku-band Satellite Transponders is projected to reach 7,840 36-MHz TPEs (Transponder Equivalents) by the year 2017, driven by rapidly expanding DTH, digital TV, UAV communications, consumer broadband and 3D markets and increased governmental expenditure on military satellite navigation, positioning systems, and space exploration, according to market research.
(Advanced Television) European Countries Take Up HbbTV Standard
Following the example of Germany, France, Holland and Austria, Spain has agreed to adopt HbbTV as the standard for connected TV. The Ministry of Industry has approved a formal text backed by the whole electronic industry and TV broadcasters including 54 companies to adopt the HbbTV standard to develop new connected TV services.
It is estimated that 25 per cent of the estimated 4.5 million TV sets to be sold in 2012 will be ready for HbbTV. In the current year, 15 per cent (675,000) of 4.5 million TV sets sold are HbbTV-ready, but worldwide events like
the Olympic Games or the Euro Cup Football in 2012 will boost the purchase of HbbTV-ready TV sets. (Broadband TV News)
New Satellite Successfully Launched
International Launch Services (ILS) successfully carried the AsiaSat 7 satellite into orbit in November last on an ILS Proton for AsiaSat of Hong Kong. Built by Space Systems/ Loral, AsiaSat 7 is designed to replace AsiaSat 3S at the orbital location of 105.5 degrees East providing television broadcast and VSAT network services across the Asia-Pacific region. This new satellite will carry 28 C-band, 17 Ku-band transponders and a Ka-band payload. The regional C-band beam covers over 50 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Australasia and Central Asia.
(Asiasat website) BBC 3DTV Rises
The BBC is planning a considerable increase in its 3DTV output. An unnamed drama shot in 3D is being planned. It is reported that BBC was even considering broadcasting a dedicated 3D channel, and would be testing various content including arts and science programming in 3D. The BBC has already offered VoD material in 3D on its iPlayer OTT service, and has recently experimented with flagship programming in 3D.
This year’s Wimbledon tennis championships will also be carried in 3D, as will special transmissions from the London Olympics. There have also been strong hints that the BBC will cover some aspects of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in 3D. (Advanced Television)
Survey: Operators pushing service innovation to counter ‘bit pipe’ phobia
Communication service providers (CSPs) spanning the Asia- Pacific, India and the Middle East see the possibility of becoming a “bit pipe” as the biggest influence on their operating strategies, according to a survey conducted by research firm, Heavy Reading, and telecoms software innovator, Open Cloud.
The survey of nearly 100 global CSPs revealed hoe operators are adapting to changing market conditions. The majority, 90%, cited that the economic situation and the development of consumer and business markets over the past three years have changed the role of CSPs, and their position in the value chain.
The need to respond to competitive innovative from over- the-top (OTT) players was cited as one of the top-three issues of importance to CSPs. However, the response to this market development differs from region to region.
More than 50% of operators in the Asia-Pacific, India and the Middle East view the risk of becoming a connectivity and bandwidth “bit-pipe” is of greater concern than competition from OTT players – contrasting with fewer than 40% elsewhere. The CSPs from these regions also rank customer demand for new services and service personalization as the second and third most important issues influencing innovation strategies. (Asia Pacific-Broadcasting)
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