World Cup 2010 | TVNZ and Sky Confirm Sports TV Deal

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia (DBVNA) e-mail inbox on October 10 received the official notice that the two New Zealand rivals, pay-TV operator, SKY Television and national broadcaster, TVNZ are linking up for the third time over World Cup Soccer, this time in 2010. This will be under a programming sub-contract agreement with Australasian rights holder, SBS. The deal is split thus: SKY NZ will provide full LIVE coverage from hosts, South Africa. The coverage includes also all the FIFA events leading up to the 2010 World Cup, including the Women's Under 17 World Cup which is being hosted in New Zealand later this month (October 2008) with SKY as the "host broadcaster" for the event. Every match in the Women's Under 17s will screen live on SKY with TVNZ showing the NZ games and the final delayed. Further events include the Women's Under 20 World Cup upcoming in November (including the NZ Under 20 team), and the Men's Under 17 and Under 20 World Cup events, along with the Confederations Cup through 2009, and the Women's Under 17 and Under 20 events in 2010. The SKY NZ/TVNZ rivals trumpet the World Cup deal as ensuring comprehensive (nigh on complete) coverage for New Zealand TV viewers. TVNZ's part of the programming pie will include eleven LIVE matches on TV ONE during the 2010 World Cup, plus daily highlights from all other games.   The prized 11 live games will be The Opening Match, then 4 matches from Round 2, 2 of the 4 quarter finals, both Semi's, the Final and the runner up 3rd and 4th Place event. TVNZ coverage does not end there. The 11 Games above will be re-run on the TVNZ Sport Extra channel on the Freeview platform, as well as LIVE coverage of an additional eleven games and highlights packages from all other matches.   DBVNA can't believe it. In the world of political niceties, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke positively 'enthused' over the New Zealand deal describing TVNZ and SKY NZ as "absolute leading broadcasters in New Zealand". Actually, who else could take on World Cup in the country? The two are the only TV players anyway with the resources (Sky also owns Prime TV) in the relatively small NZ market.

Digital TV | Promo Media Helps Al Aan Dubai in Pan Arab Expansion

Zoya Sakr, Head of Sales and Marketing at Al Aan TV, Dubai (left)has informed Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia (DBVNA) that Promo Media of Beirut has been appointed Al Aan's on-air advertising and marketing representative for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Sakr see this as a pan-Arab springboard in the fast growing satellite TV arena. Awareness levels of the Al Aan TV channel have increased remarkably in the region since its establishment in 2006. Imad Jomaa, Chairman of Promo Media said “viewers showed a markedly high preference for Al Aan TV content, with programs offering original programming presented in an innovative infotainment format. We are confident of representing the channel as this will lead certainly to mutual success”. Al Aan's content is based on constant research to identify and respond to the changing desires of the regional audience. The unique infotainment format is a first for the region. It means the viewer can benefit from the daily contact with the channel resulting in a pleasurable viewing experience. A recent study by Market Research firm, Ipsos showed that viewership of the channel has increased 80% from last year. DBVNA notes that Al Aan TV is a pan-Arab satellite TV broadcaster based in Dubai Media City. Distribution is by Arabsat or Nilesat. Al Aan targets the needs and aspirations of a young, dynamic and modern family audience with emphasis on the female viewer segment which shows strong support to the channel's programming approach. Al Aan TV website is in Arabic with a boiler plate page in English.

Digital Broadcast | Noor Dubai TV | Launches Sept 1

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia (DBVNA) can tell you that the United Arab Emirates' largest cross platform publisher, the Arab Media Group (AMG) is launching 'Noor Dubai' a new free-to-air satellite TV channel broadcasting locally-originating programs. AMG has chosen today, September 1, the auspicious first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan. "Noor Dubai" TV channel is a natural extension of AMG's popular Noor Dubai radio station on FM 93.9 MHz. Like its radio counterpart, the TV channel aims to embody the social and cultural values of the UAE Noor's unique style of presenting daily life in the country. Nahla Al Fahad, Head of Radio Television Projects, commented: "Noor Dubai has always been a popular radio station that clearly speaks to the residents of UAE, both nationals and non-nationals alike, and reflects their thoughts and concerns. We wanted to expand the base of the Noor phenomenon by bringing it to television, to give the special Noor 'feel' a face and a visual identity." DBVNA notes that Noor Dubai distribution is on Arabsat Badr 4 satellite, transponder frequency 12169 Mhz. Aside from publishing, the Arab Media Group owns and operates the FM-based, Arabian Radio Network (ARN) across the UAE, including Dubai Eye 103.8, Dubai 92, Pulse 95.3, City 1016, Hit 96.7, Noor Dubai 93.9, Al Khaleejiya 100.9 and Al Arabiya 99. Virgin Dubai, a branch of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin International brand, was added in March 2008. The Arabian Television Network (ATN), AMG's TV subsidiary operates MTV Arabia and Nickelodeon, and now Noor Dubai TV from September 1, 2008.

Bernama TV Starts Internet News Feeds

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia (DBVNA) can report that Bernama TV, the Internet based network of Malaysia's state run news agency will launch its first live-feed Internet news channel on Sept 3, 2008. Bernama TV's Internet online feed will operate on a time delay of 2 - 3 minutes after broadcast on Bernama's news output on Astro Channel 502. The intention behind this latest addition to Bernama's website is to reach the Malaysian Diaspora around the world, especially the youth segment of the audience that is IT savvy. More importantly online users want news immediately as events unfold without delay. An official dry run for this new service was the debate recently between Malaysian Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. A huge audience of Internet users in 44 countries accessed the Bernama server to watch the televised "live" debate. Online users were located in Norway, China, South America and western countries. Bernama says that the new service is free. It will be supplemented by video-on-demand feeds for individual news stories and will be advertiser supported. DBVNA believes that Malaysia's ruling party, UMNO, is working hard to stem the loss of support from the mainstream Malay population as witnessed by the recent by-election win of Anwar Ibrahim in Penang. UMNO through Bernama TV, belatedly is recognising the reach and power of the Internet with young Malaysians.

Digital Vendor | Jampro Antennas in New Delhi Move

Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia :: Aditya Jain has joined Jampro Antennas as Regional Sales Manager for South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Mr Jain will operate from New Delhi. In his position of Regional Sales Manager, he will serve existing clients and work with Jampro US headquarters in Sacramento, California to develop strategies to target emerging markets. Jain joins Jampro following a tenure as Sales/ Marketing Manager for QuantM Net Technologies in New Delhi, India, an IT Systems Integrator and IBM partner. He was previously Accounts Manager of Horizon Broadcast Electronics (HBE) in Gurgaon, India. Jain holds an EE (Electrical engineering degree) from the Birla Institute of Technology / Science. Jampro, the antenna specialist supplying RF systems worldwide for TV/DTV/FM/DVB-T and DVB-H has been providing antenna systems to the Asia-Pacific region since the early 1960's and says it today leads the way with new technologies. Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia understands that a major Jampro recent regional project was a complete upgrade of the TV antenna system for the state broadcaster - Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) providing multi-frequency, full coverage of the island nation. Jampro is in a major expansion phase, having enhanced production facilities in Sacremento in January 2008. Jampro is attending Singapore's BroadcastAsia2008: Stand # 7G1-08.

Digital Vendors | Singapore Digital New To Mobile TV

Photo: Broadcast Australia Managing Director International Business Group, Chris Jaeger (left), with Singapore Digital Chief Executive Officer, Giulio Dorrucci. Digital Broadcast Vendor News :: Broadcast Australia, a Macquarie Group Company (ASX code: MCG) has launched a joint venture in Singapore, Singapore Digital with local technology company PGK Media to tackle the emerging mobile TV sector in the city state. The joint venture, Singapore Digital, is majority-owned by Broadcast Australia, which itself wishes to position itself as central to digitisation of the broadcast media across Asia. Broadcast Australia's experience cross Australia with digital broadcast infrastructure, network management experience and substantial financial strength gives the company strategic advantages with its presence in Singapore. In fact, Singapore Digital’s core mission parallels that outlined by the Government policy through the Media Development Authority (MDA) and its Media 21 Blueprint document, to see Singapore evolve as a media city with clout and influence in the role of digital TV services. The significance of the setting up of the joint venture can be seen through Broadcast Australia's central role at Singapore Digital which takes over the operation and management of TV2GO, Singapore’s nationwide mobile TV trial initiated by PGK Media in 2006. Following a six-month technical trial, the operational phase of the TV2GO trial was officially launched in June 2007. It is Singapore’s first nationwide mobile TV trial, and delivers a rich mix of premium content to around 100 Singaporean trialists. Broadcast Australia and Singapore Digital are attending the BroadcastAsia exhibition (Singapore Expo Halls 7 and 8, June 17-20, 2008 : Broadcast Australia—Stand 7N3-06; Singapore Digital—Stand 8H4-03A. Broadcast Australia has over 75 years experience as the owner and operator of one of the most extensive terrestrial broadcast transmission networks in the world. The broadcast technology company informed Digital Broadcast Vendor News it is working with strategic partners throughout the Asia Pacific region. Subsidiary companies include Hong Kong-based confined space coverage group, Radio Frequency Engineering Limited (RFE), systems integration and product supply specialist, The Bridge Networks, and critical application and hosting provider, Hostworks.

Digital Vendor Pharos.tv | New Singapore Regional Office

Photo: Patrick Keys
Pharos.tv is to open a Singapore Office. Pharos.tv the Reading, UK-based, automation specialist that provides broadcast management solutions has informed Digital Broadcast Vendor News that it is setting up a Singapore regional office for sales and support activities. The announcement, timed to coincide with the Broadcast Asia 2008 trade show this month in the Lion City says that the new Pharos facility will be situated initially at the New Tech Park in Lorong Chuan. In other words, close to key international broadcasters and playout service providers located in the specialized industrial park. Heading up the operation will be Patrick Keys, who has been with Pharos since its inception. Patrick initially worked as part of the Pharos Playtime automation software development team and is a veteran of many international Pharos projects including CNN Headline News in Atlanta and Network 7 in Australia. He also established the international support operation at Pharos' Reading UK headquarters and has developed customer training programs for Pharos installations including Technicolor, Viasat and Globecast. Of the Singapore move, Russell Grute, director of marketing for Pharos said: "To succeed and grow in South East Asia, many broadcasters and service providers need to work more efficiently. They face unique content management and distribution challenges to localize and promote content for their viewers across a complex region." Pharos sees itself as able to assist broadcasters achieve success in these niche areas with its solid project engineering and technical backup. Backgrounder: Pharos delivers better workflow management to broadcasters and service-providers in television, radio, IPTV and telecommunications. For 10 years Pharos has continually developed the unique Mediator, Playtime and Pilot desktop broadcast management solutions. Pharos workflow offers greater efficiency for library management, ingest, quality control, storage management, archival, transcoding, post-production and playout. Pharos solutions offer a next-generation platform to better manage multiformat content and enable rapid expansion in playout, presentation and publishing. Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia says the salient point is that Pharos software architecture, integration and support services enable disparate broadcast and IT processes to be unified across the enterprise.

Australia Digital | ACMA Reviews IPTV Growth

Digital Broadcast Vendor News is pleased to know that the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has at last published its investigative report on IPTV and multimedia and Internet video. The report is most welcome for the fact Australia is behind in IPTV and Internet Video applications as cited by just five IPTV providers and fifteen internet video providers whose services provide full-length professional content directly to consumers. Digital Broadcasters Vendors News first glimpse of the report, which is to be found at the ACMA web site is that the contents are well researched, comprehensive and useful. The date of the report is May 2008.

Digital Vendor | Simon Tsang New Asia Sales Head for Strategy & Technology

Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia has been advised that Strategy & Technology Limited (S&T) specialist in interactive TV playout systems and MHEG-5** middleware, has appointed Simon Tsang as Regional Sales Manager – Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong. Tsang (pronounced Chung - as in hung, or Chang) is based in S&T’s recently expanded Asia Pacific regional office. He reports to Colin Prior, Director of International Sales, Tsang's main role is to support S&T’s broadcast customers and resellers as well as S&T’s numerous MHEG-5 middleware licensees throughout the region. Previously, Tsang was with Syno Systems, a telecoms system integrator. Other jobs included Tut Systems, an IPTV headend provider (acquired by Motorola) and publicly-listed, DVN a conditional access and head-end system provider. Tsang is an Associate in Electrical Engineering from Hong Kong Polytechnic and an MBA from the University of Hong Kong. Strategy & Technology Ltd, headquartered in the UK, regards itself as the leading independent company in the industry sector that supports the MHEG interactive TV standard and provides complete interactive applications and systems for broadcasters and manufacturers worldwide. S&T's TSBroadcaster and TSPlayer systems are used for the creation of MHP, MHEG and OCAP interactive TV transmissions. Its RedKey MHEG engine is licensed to digital receiver and set top box manufacturers worldwide. S & I made a name for itself originally as a provider of carousel creation and play-out systems for digital terrestrial television.

Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia Note: **MHEG-5, or ISO/IEC 13522-5, is part of a set of international standards relating to the presentation of multimedia information, standardized by the Multimedia and Hypermedia Experts Group (MHEG). It is most commonly used as a language to describe interactive television services.

Digital Teleprompters | UK | Autocue Adds Support Staff

Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia can advise you of two new sales and marketing appointments in system installation, training and customer support at Autocue, the newsroom automation and teleprompting solutions provider. Simeon Pearl as International Sales Associate and Edward Lynch-Bell as Technical Support Representative have joined Autocue in London from another UK digital manufacturer, ON-AIR Systems. Autocue, a name synonymous with teleprompting, have unbridled prompting from a fixed/static studio position with the innovative QNxt prompting system which goes wherever the TV program presenters go. Digital Broadcast Vendor News Asia understands that the next major trade show Autocue will attend is BIRTV, Beijing August 22-25 which is around the time of the Summer Olympic Games.

Digital Broadcast | Renesas HDTV Mobiles For 2009

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News passes long the interesting comment in the Nikki Electronics regional trade publication that mobile phones made in Japan could be HDTV ready for 2009, based on developments at Renesas Technology Corporation of Japan. Renesas has developed a processor for the 1920 x 1080 HD format. US Corporations NVIDIA and Texas Instruments had already made similar announcements late last year, as did Broadcom. Full story to be found at: Nikkei Electronics website Useful Contact details for RENESAS - an office near you! Renesas website - Europe Renesas website - Americas Renesas website - Singapore Japan - Headquarters Renesas Technology Corp. TEL: +81-3-5201-5111 FAX: +81-3-3270-5003 Nippon Bldg., 2-6-2, Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan Administration Companies - China - Renesas Technology (China) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-21-6888-1911 FAX: +86-21-6887-2199 Unit 203, 208, AZIACenter, No.1233 Lujiazui Ring Rd, Pudong District, Shanghai 200120, China Sales Offices - Canada - Renesas Technology Canada Limited TEL: +1-905-898-5441 FAX: +1-905-898-3220 1101 Nicholson Road, Unit 5, Newmarket, ON L3Y 9C3, Canada - China - Renesas Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-21-5877-1818 FAX: +86-21-6887-7858 / -7898 Unit 204, 205, AZIACenter, No.1233 Lujiazui Ring Rd, Pudong District, Shanghai 200120, China Renesas Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch TEL: +86-10-8286-1656 FAX: +86-10-8286-1657 Unit 603F, North Bldg., Tower C, Raycom Infotech Park, No.2 Kexueyuan Rd(s), Haidian District, Beijing 100080, China Renesas Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Qingdao Office TEL: +86-532-579-3222 FAX: +86-532-579-3255 25 I, Qingdao International Finance Center, 59 Hongkong Road (M), Qingdao 266071, China Renesas Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Dalian Office TEL: +86-411-3980-5858 FAX: +86-411-3980-5877 Room 2103, Tian An International Tower, No.88 Zhongshan Road, Zhongshan District、Dalian, Liaoning, China Renesas Technology Hong Kong Ltd. TEL: +852-2265-6688 FAX: +852-2377-3473 7F, North Tower, World Finance Centre, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Renesas Technology Hong Kong Ltd. Shenzhen Representative Office TEL: +86-755-8283-5080 FAX: +86-755-2399-5080 Room 1802-6, Excellence Times Square, No. 4068 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen 518048, China Renesas Technology Hong Kong Ltd. Xiamen Representative Office TEL: +86-592-3118-686 FAX: +86-592-3118-685 Unit 3002, 30F, The Bank Centre,No.189 Xiahe Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, China Renesas Technology Taiwan Co., Ltd. TEL: +886-2-2715-2888 FAX: +886-2-3518-3399 10F, No.99, Fu Hsing North Road, Taipei, 105, Taiwan - Denmark - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Denmark Branch TEL: +45-45-80-77-11 FAX: +45-45-80-77-54 Egebaekvej 98, DK-2850 Naerum, Denmark - Finland - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Finnish Branch TEL: +358-9-54064140 FAX: +358-94-55-21-52 Stella Business Park, Lars Sonckin Kaari 16, FIN-02600 Espoo, Finland - France - Renesas Technology Europe Limited French Branch TEL: +33-1-30-67-67-00 FAX: +33-1-30-67-67-10 16, 18 Avenue Morane Saulnier, Batiment A, F-78140 Vélizy, France - Germany, Austria, Benelux, Switzerland - Renesas Technology Europe GmbH Ratingen Office TEL: +49-2102-1243-0 FAX: +49-2102-1243-6000 Gothaer Strasse 18, D-40880 Ratingen, Germany Munich Office TEL: +49-89-380-70-0 FAX: +49-89-929-30-11 Europe Forum, Karl-Hammerschmidt-Str. 42, D-85609 Ascheim-Dornach, Germany Stuttgart Office TEL: +49-711-72-87-470 FAX: +49-711-72-47-21 Zettachring 4, D-70567 Stuttgart, Germany - Italy - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Italian Branch TEL: +39-02-48-77-061 FAX: +39-02-48-78-6321 Via Tommaso Gulli 39, I-20147 Milano, Italy - Korea - Renesas Technology Korea Co., Ltd. TEL: +82-2-796-3115 FAX: +82-2-796-2145 18F, Kukje Center Building, 191, 2-Ka, Hangang-Ro, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul 140-702, Korea - Malaysia - Renesas Technology Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Marketing Office TEL: +60-3-7955-9390 FAX: +60-3-7955-9510 Unit 906, Block B, Menara Amcorp, Amcorp Trade Centre, No. 18, Jln Persiaran Barat, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia - Singapore - Renesas Technology Singapore Pte. Ltd. TEL: +65-6213-0200 FAX: +65-6278-8001 1 HarbourFront Avenue, #06-10, Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore 098632 - Sweden - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Swedish Branch TEL: +46-8-562-712-00 FAX: +46-8-562-712-01 Kanalvägen 3A, 3 TR., PO Box 836, SE-19428 Upplands Väsby, Sweden - Spain - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Spanish Branch TEL: +34-91-767-27-82 FAX: +34-91-383-85-11 Buganvilla 5 1D, E-28036 Madrid, Spain - Turkey - Renesas Technology Europe Limited Turkish Branch TEL: +90-212-5727533 FAX: +90-212-5727531 Cevizlik mah, Istanbul cad. Atin 2 İş Merkezi, No. 26/1 34142 Bakırköy - Istanbul, Turkey - United Kingdom - Renesas Technology Europe Limited European Headquarters TEL: +44-1628-585-100 FAX: +44-1628-585-900 Dukes Meadow, Millboard Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, SL8 5FH, U.K. - U.S.A. - Renesas Technology America, Inc. U.S. Headquarters TEL: +1-408-382-7500 FAX: +1-408-382-7501 450 Holger Way, San Jose, CA 95134-1368, U.S.A. Detroit Area Office TEL: +1-248-374-4100 FAX: +1-248-344-1793 26200 Town Center Drive, Suite 220, Novi, MI 48375, U.S.A. Durham Office TEL: +1-919-794-3770 FAX: +1-919-688-9287 324 Blackwell Street, Washington Bldg., Bay 6, Suite 620 Durham, NC 27701, U.S.A Design and Application Technologies Companies - China - Renesas Semiconductor Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-10-8286-1450 FAX: +86-10-8286-1451 5F, North Bldg., Tower C, Raycom Infotech Park, No.2 Kexueyuan Rd(S), Haidian District, Beijing 100080, China Renesas Semiconductor Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Shzhou Branch TEL: +86-512-6762-6056 FAX: +86-512-6761-0833 176 JinJiHuLu, Suzhou Inderstrial Park, Suzhou 215021, China Renesas System Solutions (Beijing) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-10-8286-1810 FAX: +86-10-8286-1812 Rm 604A, North Bldg., Tower C, Raycom Infotech Park, No.2 Kexueyuan Rd(S), Haidian District, Beijing 100080, China Renesas System Solutions (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch TEL: +86-21-6888-0556 FAX: +86-21-6888-0559 Unit 207, AZIACenter, No.1233 Lujiazui Ring Rd, Pudong District, Shanghai 200120, China Renesas System Solutions (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Branch TEL: +86-755-8283-5260 FAX: +86-755-2399-5095 Room 1807-10, 18/F, Excellence Times Square, 4068 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen City 518048, China Renesas System Solutions Hong Kong Ltd. TEL: +852-2265-6688 FAX: +852-2376-3865 Unit 706, 7F North Tower, World Finance Centre, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong - France - Renesas Design France S.A.S TEL: +33-2-23-21-2800 FAX: +33-2-23-21-2801 14A rue du Patis Tatelin, 35700 Rennes, France - Malaysia - Renesas Semiconductor Design (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. TEL: +60-4-643-8121 FAX: +60-4-643-4190 Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, 11900 Penang, Malaysia - Vietnam - Renesas Design Viet Nam Co., Ltd. TEL: +84-8-770-0255 FAX: +84-8-770-0249 Tan Thuan Road, Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Manufacturing Companies - China - Renesas Semiconductor (Beijing) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-10-6298-0843 FAX: +86-10-6298-0841 7# 8th Street, Shangdi Information Industry Base, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China Renesas Semiconductor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. TEL: +86-512-6762-6056 FAX: +86-512-6762-5133 176 JinJiHuLu, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215021, China - Germany - Renesas Semiconductor Europe (Landshut) GmbH TEL: +49-871-684-0 FAX: +49-871-684-150 Jenaer Strasse 1, D-84034 Landshut, Germany - Malaysia - Renesas Semiconductor (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. TEL: +60-4-643-8121 FAX: +60-4-643-4190 Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, 11900 Penang, Malaysia Renesas Semiconductor Technology (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. TEL: +60-4-643-8121 FAX: +60-4-643-4190 Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, 11900 Penang, Malaysia Renesas Semiconductor (Kedah) Sdn. Bhd. TEL: +60-4-489-2241 FAX: +60-4-489-1667 Kulim Industrial Estate, 09000 Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia Business Corporation - Japan - Renesas SP Drivers Inc. TEL: +81-42-325-1111 FAX: +81-42-327-8693 5-20-1 Josui-honcho, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan Other Contacts - Australia - Hitachi Australia Pty Ltd. TEL: +61-2-9888-4100 FAX: +61-2-9888-4931 Level 3, 82 Waterloo Road North Ryde, NSW 2113, Sydney, Australia - Czech Republic - Hitachi Europe Ltd. TEL: +420-234-064-516 FAX: +420-234-064-515 4D Center, Kodanska 46, 110 00 Prague 10, Czech Republic - India - Hitachi India Trading Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi Office TEL: +91-11-2331-5635 FAX: +91-11-2231-3742 10th Floor, Hindustan Times House, 18-20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001, India Bangalore Branch Office TEL: +91-80-2238-6986 FAX: +91-80-2238-6988 Unit 101, 1st Floor, Shah Sultan Complex, No.17, Cunningham Road, Bangalore 560052, India - Israel - Hitachi Data Systems TEL: +972-9-97-10-400 FAX: +972-9-97-10-405 Corex Building, 27 Maskit St., IL-Herzlia 46733, Israel - South Africa - Hitachi Europe Ltd. TEL: +27-12-653-2758 FAX: +27-12-653-2758 PO Box 53853, Wierdapark 0149, Republic of South Africa - Thailand - Hitachi Asia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. TEL: +66-2-632-9292 FAX: +66-2-632-7674 18th Floor, Ramaland Bldg., No.952 Rama IV Road, Bangkrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Digital Broadcasters | Japan Mobile ISDB-T Sales Off Y-O-Y

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia(DBVNA) notes that in Japan, mobile hand device sales to end users are on the slide. 1Q/2008 sales dropped to 13.2 million units a decrease of 10.1 per cent year-on-year, according to a report by Gartner, Inc (NYSE:IT) research findings. "There were no new phone features in the first quarter of 2008 that were strong enough to drive growth, unlike the first quarter of 2007. During that period a music player function was introduced as was an embedded digital broadcasting terrestrial ISDB-T tuner. These benefits persuaded users to replace their devices," said Nahoko Mitsuyama, principal analyst for mobile communications research at Gartner, based in Tokyo. The ISDB-T (HDTV type) Tuner contained integrated services. "The proportion of WCDMA devices sold in Japan decreased from 63.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2007 to less than 30 per cent in the first quarter of 2008. Conversely, the proportion of high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) devices rose sharply from 1.9 per cent to more than 35 per cent in the same period," Mr Mitsuyama added. 1Q/2008 Asia Pacific Mobile Device Sales Up 26.6% Y-o-Y. Overall in Asia-Pacific though in 1Q/2008 sales remained bouyant. Some 114.4 million mobile devices were sold in the region. This represented a 26.6 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2007. India remained a high-growth market, and South Korea became a high growth market as well during the quarter, as consumers upgraded their handsets before the new extended contracts are put in place by operators in the second quarter of 2008. "Growth in Asia-Pacific was driven by a high number of new subscribers, lower-priced phones based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology, as well as low-cost global system for mobile communications (GSM) phones and ultra-low-cost CDMA devices," said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst for mobile terminals at Gartner, based in Mumbai, India. The data Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia(DBVNA) shows here is taken from the latest report by Gartner Inc (NYSE: IT). "Dataquest Insight: Market Share for Mobile Devices, 1Q08"is available at www.gartner.com.

Digital Radio | Iran Festival Boosts Radio Programs: ABU

You're reading this story on Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia: From the Tehran Times Art Desk:

TEHRAN -- The Secretary-General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), David Astley is convinced that the annual festival of radio in Iran helps develop radio programs in the region. Participating in the press conference held at the venue of Tehran’s Radio building, IRIB Deputy Director Hassan Khojasteh, and Alireza Nuri, the secretary of the festival, elaborated on the programs of the 9th International Radio Festival of Iran running from May 20 to 22, 2008. Astley: “This is the third time I am in Iran and I am happy to see great progress in radio programs each time. This festival indicates a good progress and I think Iran’s great endeavor will help develop radio programs in the region.” He also appreciated Khojasteh for holding such programs, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is one of most active members of ABU and it plays a major role in the Middle East. Events like this will help study world radio programs from various points of view.” Astley also announced that they will try to cover the news of this year’s festival through ABU website. Khojasteh was the next who made a speech and said, “IRIB believes enhancing activities of international organizations like ABU will benefit all members and each member must try to boots its programs. Iran is also planning to hold several other conferences this year.” With reference to the increase in the number of radio channels across the country, he said, “I believe the older the radio gets, the younger its programs become, and for further freshness, radio requires new theories.” “Radio, the Voice of Cultures” is the motto of the 9th International Radio Festival of Iran. Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia Source: www.tehrantimes.com ---------

Digital Vendor | NDS Opens New Delhi Office

NDS Asia Pacific, owned by NDS Group plc (NASDAQ: NNDS) has informed Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia, that it has opened a sales and support office in New Delhi. A leading provider of technology solutions for digital Pay TV, NDS already has a Mumbai office and a Bangalore Research and Development Center. With 900 staff already working in India, NDS says it is committed to providing continuing support to the Indian PAY TV market and to investing in further expansion. With unprecedented emphasis on technology research and development, NDS says it ensures its customers are market leaders, today and tomorrow. Commenting in Mumbai, Sue Taylor, VP and General Manager of NDS Asia Pacific said, "NDS is very optimistic about the growth of the Indian Pay TV market." Latest research shows that India's digital Pay TV market will lead the Asia-Pacific region in revenue generation by 2015. India's established Pay TV market leaders, Tata Sky, Hathaway Cable and Datacom, as well as new market entrants Bharti and Digital Entertainment Network (DEN), all rely on NDS systems to protect and enable their Pay TV services.

Time Warner Cable | 2008 Cable Show

Fox BusinessNews has a wrap of the 2008 Cable Show in New Orleans on the role of Time Warner Cable (TWC) as the industry moves forward. Rebecca Gomez interviews Peter Stern VP for Strategic Planning at Time Warner Cable. Stern addresses: time shifting consumer options, giving customers greater control to watch what they want, when they want and through what equipment using the innovative "Star Over" product. He also addresses the Verizon Network competition, the Sprint and ClearWire JV with TWC, and the way forward incorporating 4G, the next generation phone interface/wi-fi. Watch the Fox Business News video interview with Peter Stern at the 2008 Cable Show.

Digital Broadcast Asia | SingTel Now Into Mobile TV

In a formal announcement to Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) said it had launched its Mobile TV service in Singapore today using Nokia Siemens Networks’ Mobile TV streaming solution to become one of the first in Asia-Pacific. This service complements SingTel's mio TV service and adds another dimension to accessing quality pay TV content anytime, anywhere. The new service includes live TV channels with electronic program guide (EPG) information and video-on-demand (VoD) . SingTel is using Version 3.5 of Nokia Siemens Media Delivery Solution (MDS) as its Mobile TV platform while the phone application is based on Adobe’s Flash Lite technology. The MDS can incorporate video streaming (unicast), and future technologies. Respective company executives for this project are: Wong Soon Nam, VP Consumer Marketing, SingTel and Thomas Yeo, Head of SingTel Singapore Customer Team, Nokia Siemens Networks. “This deal demonstrates our ability to partner with forward thinking operators like SingTel to make the most of industry-leading solutions such as Nokia Siemens Networks’ MDS.” Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia regards SingTel as Asia’s largest multi-market mobile operator, serving more than 185 million customers in eight markets including Australia.

Broadcasters| US Radio-TV Tops 175m Weekly Audience Worldwide

United States Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Chairman, James Glassman said in Washington on May 15 that the government funded international broadcasting outlets reached a 175 million audience on a weekly basis. The figure is up from 155 million audience in 2007. Mr Glassman was addressing a meeting of the "Heritage Foundation". BBG's broadcasters include the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Martí). In his speech, Glassman pointed to recent events in Burma and Tibet. VOA and RFA warned the Burmese people of the potential severity of cyclone Nargis days before official Burmese media, and both broadcasters provided breaking news coverage of pro-democracy protests in Tibet in March and the subsequent Chinese crackdown. The BBG global audience estimate is based on measured audiences from independent surveys conducted worldwide in accordance with industry-standard research methods. Audience gains in Indonesia, Nigeria, and Syria, in particular, helped drive the increase. Weekly audience is one element in a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data scrutinized by BBG to ensure continued delivery of high-quality content. "Our research probes questions such as whether our audiences trust our news and whether our broadcasts are helping to improve their understanding of their world and America," Glassman said. "On those two counts - and on less tangible measures - the BBG is performing well." The BBG website carries the full text of Glassman's speech. Meanwhile BBG, the US government funded broadcasting effort is behind that of its main western rival,the BBC. Latest figures show that the combined global radio and TV audience outside of the United Kingdom reached 233 million, as per a BBC press statement of 21.05.2007.

Digital Broadcasters | Fox Makes 2 in India for Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch's STAR India has the sub continent covered with its STAR-DEN 50:50 joint venture with the Digital Entertainment Network. Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia hears that following re-positioning of the Hong Kong based, Star Group last year, the other Murdoch TV broadcast group, FOX has recently applied to India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for an operator's licence to carry six FOX TV Channels, namely: Baby TV, Fox Crime, FX (Fox extended), National Geographic Adventure, National Geographic Music and National Geographic Wild. india

Digital Broadcaster | Kalaignar TV Chooses Harris To Equip

Digital Broadcasters Vendor News Asia has been informed by the Hong Kong office of Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) that Madras-based, Kalaignar TV has installed a broad based range of Harris automation products for its satellite broadcast operations that officially launched on air in February 2008. Sharad Kumar, company director and shareholder (20 per cent) at Kalaignar TV said of the deal: “Key factors in our decision to select Harris included the reliability, scalability and collaborative, seamless workflow of the NEXIO interoperable broadcast solution". Kalaignar TV's studio and transmission playout installation includes a Harris server solution for playout and editing, including:
- NEXIO servers with 19.2 TB storage,
- the Velocity NX full-featured HD promotions craft editor;
- the NEXIO Ingest Control Manager for managing scheduled line feed recordings;
- and the NEXIO PlayList application for sequencing and playing content to air. The installation also includes a peripheral system, including 6800+ modular core processing products, the SuiteView multi-source display processor, the Panacea Clean/Quiet Switch router, master clocks and sync generators. Local distributor for Harris, Primeasure Technologies Pvt. Ltd facilitated the deal. The value was not specified. Plans are now at an advanced stage for the launch of a 24/7 News Channel in Tamil. It has been a bumpy start to Kalaignar. The station poached a number of staff in front of, and behind the cameras from Tamil language rival, Sun TV Network and it is reported that this became the center of a dispute with Kalanidhi Maran the major shareholder at Sun TV in May 2007 that pushed back the trial launch of the Tamil music channel to September 2007. The formal branding of the channel took place in January 2008 and was packaged into "Isaiyaruvi TV". Kalaignar now forms part of Sun TV's DTH network serving India's southern states and Sri Lanka. Targetting mainly the Tamil speakers in Tamil Nadhu state, Digital Broadcasters Vendor News understands that Kalaignar Television has signed up popular film personalities to provide program content to support the TV broadcast rights to a number of latest movie telecast rights. Tags: Kalaignar TV, Harris, Sun, Tamil, Nexio