Focus: Broadcasting

One of the more interesting resolutions to come out of the ITU’s 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) was initially called the “Common Heritage” resolution. What will be the impact of Resolution COM5/11 (WRC-12) now provisionally numbered as Resolution 11 and titled “Use of satellite orbital positions and associated frequency spectrum to deliver international public telecommunication...

With a population of more than 1 billion people, India is one of the world’s biggest and most dynamic broadcast markets. The country continues to expand the size of its potential DTH subscriber base, and for broadcasters this is good news, as pay-TV subscribers are hungry for more content. Operators such as DishTV, Tata Sky,...

Bandwidth management has become a key issue for operators and customers alike. The question is just how far can the technology go in improving efficiency, and are we about to reach the limits of what can be done technology-wise? Maximizing the finite resource of bandwidth and using it efficiently is a key challenge facing end-users,...

[Satellite TODAY 06-29-12] Shaw Communications reported a $248 million profit in its 2012 fiscal third quarter – a 22 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the Canadian broadcaster announced in its latest financial results issued June 28.    The cable, Internet and media company said its improved profit was attributed to improved...

[Satellite TODAY 06-28-12] U.S. satellite pay-TV providers DirecTV and Dish Network have received requests from the U.S. Justice Department about pricing contracts with broadcasters, according to a Bloomberg report published June 27.    The satellite companies’ share in the U.S. video market is smaller than its cable rivals at a regional level making their contract...

[Satellite TODAY 06-21-12] Sencore has been selected to supply its SMD 989 DVB-S/S2 modulator for broadcast video contribution and distribution feeds covering the upcoming G20 world economic forum in Mexico, the company announced June 20.    Sencore said the SMD 989 was supplied and installed by International Media Services, which holds the contract from the...

[Satellite TODAY 06-21-12] RRsat Global Communications has launched two new Ku-Band MCPC Platforms on Spacecom’s Amos-5 Satellite at 17 degrees East, the company announced June 20.    The two MCPC platforms, Ku-1 and Ku-3, will complement RRsat’s DTH service to the Sub-Saharan region in West- and East-Central Africa, respectively.    Spacecom Senior Vice President of...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 06-15-12] Analysts believe a recent data-rate cap feud between Comcast and Netflix prompted the Department of Justice to launch an investigation to determine whether or not pay-TV cable and satellite operators are engaging in business practices that could derail the emergence of competing broadband distribution services.    Internet video-on-demand service Netflix accused...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 06-14-12] British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) and BT Group surprised the sports market by outbidding ESPN network for the rights to broadcast live matches of the United Kingdom’s popular Premiere Soccer League, the companies confirmed June 13.    Analysts expected ESPN to secure rights to more games than the 23 live matches it...

[Satellite TODAY 06-14-12] Kuwaiti operator Gulfsat has signed a capacity lease for the Eutelsat 8 West A satellite at the 8 degrees West orbital slot, the satellite’s operator Eutelsat announced June 13.    The new multi-year lease secures Gulfsat’s fourth transponder with Eutelsat and supports its effort to acquire long-term access to satellite resources with...