6 January 2005
The new owner of Intelsat has named David McGlade, the head of Mmo2’s British business, as its new chief executive. McGlade will move to Intelsat after the completion of its acquisition by Zeus Holdings. Zeus is expected to complete the deal early in 2005 and McGlade will join in March, replacing Conny Kullman, who will become chairman.
McGlade joined Mmo2, formerly BT Cellnet, four years ago after working in his native America for Sprint, Cable AdNet and TCI Telephoney Services.
On 22 December 2004, Intelsat announced that it had received the necessary regulatory approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to proceed with the proposed purchase of Intelsat, Ltd. by Zeus Holdings Ltd.
Shareholder approval of the proposed acquisition was received earlier in 2004.
6 January 2005
The International News Safety Institute has sent 50 basic first aid kits to Indonesian journalists as part of the tidal wave aid effort. The kits, which include bandages, dressings, face masks, surgical gloves and resuscitation devices, were sent by courier to Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and should arrive by the weekend.
More than 130 journalists and other news media workers have been reported missing, believed dead, in Indonesia following the earthquake and tidal waves that devastated large parts of Asia.
The first aid kits were taken from INSI’s stocks intended for journalists working in hostile environments. “It’s a small gesture in the enormity of the disaster but we had to do whatever we could to help our colleagues and friends,” said INSI Director Rodney Pinder. “We will be taking more supplies when we open INSI’s Asia office in Indonesia in a couple of weeks’ time.” Eddy Suprapto, president of the AJI, is a member of INSI’s Advisory Board.
Financial assistance for the AJI can be sent to:
Account Number : 446-1479
Beneficiary Name : ALLIANCE OF
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS
Name of Bank : BNI Senayan Branch
SWIFT Code : BNINIDJA
Address of Bank : Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 55 – Central Jakarta 10210
Other assistance can be sent to:
Secretariat of AJI Indonesia
Jl. Danau Poso Blok D1 No. 29 Bendungan Hilir Jakarta Indonesia 10210
Phone: +62-21-5790-0489, Fax. +62-21-573-4581
6 January 2005
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) says it is time for the Hong Kong government to address the issue of criminalisation of the domestic use of unauthorized pay-TV decoders in the HKSAR. The Association, which represents all of Hong Kongs pay-TV operators as well as the regional pay-TV channels, notes that recent reports of the cracking of the encryption codes of Hong Kong pay-TV operator i-Cable only highlight the need for a multi-faceted approach to pay-TV signal theft, including technical solutions, legal remedies and public education.
We recognise that there will always be battles to stay ahead of the technology curve. The pay-TV industry regularly adopts new technical solutions to piracy as a matter of practice, said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA. Investment in the latest encryption technology is just a part of the cost of doing business. However, the pay-TV industry and the community at large also need the support of regulators and enforcement agencies if the media industry is to continue to thrive in Hong Kong. Technical solutions cannot stand alone, said Mr Fenez.
Criminal sanctions for domestic pay-TV signal theft are in place in many jurisdictions, including Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the United States. CASBAA believes that clearly identifying end-user piracy as a criminal offence will significantly reduce demand for unauthorised pay-TV distribution within Hong Kong, thus making the development and sales of illegal decoders a less attractive proposition for those involved in criminal activities. Its time for Hong Kong to face up to this issue, said Mr Fenez. Unless it does so, our industry and the HKSARs reputation as a respected regional media hub will suffer further damage.
CASBAA also believes the Hong Kong government needs to eliminate any gray areas with regards to pay-TV piracy that do not draw a clear distinction between what is the legally permitted distribution of pay-TV services and what is not. Another outstanding issue of significant concern in Hong Kong is the continued distribution of unauthorised pay-TV signals in public venues such as clubs and pubs.
Pay-TV signal theft in Hong Kong cost an estimated HK$195 million last year. There is also a cost to the government in uncollected license fees and taxes.
22 December 2004
VT Communications, part of VT Group plc has signed a significant broadcast contract with China Radio International (CRI) to deliver nine hours of daily programming into Southern Africa, Mexico and Brazil, providing CRI with the network coverage they require for new services.
VT Communications are able to provide CRI with the additional network coverage required by utilising its strategic relationships with other international broadcasters. Under the terms of the agreement VT Communications will deliver English and Chinese programming into Southern Africa, English and Portuguese into South America and Spanish programming into Mexico and Central America. CRIs language programming will be delivered via satellite to the transmitter sites.
The award of this one year contract reflects VT Communications commitment to developing high quality end to end solutions for complex service delivery for customers. It also underpins their increasing cooperation with other international broadcasting partners.
Mr Xia Jixuan, CRIs Deputy Director General speaks highly of the project and commented: This contract with VTC will ensure stronger, clearer signals and a better service for CRIs listeners.
VTCs Managing Director, Doug Umbers commented: We are proud to announce our first services for CRI, a very prestigious customer. We look forward to building on this initial contract and developing a broader relationship with CRI.
About China Radio International:
China Radio International (CRI) was founded on December 3rd, 1941.CRI aims at promoting understanding and friendship between the people of China and people throughout the world. CRI broadcasts 370 hours of programs each day to all over the world in 43 languages. CRI’s programs include news, current affairs, and features on politics, economy, culture, science and technology.
About VT Communications
VT Communications, part of VT Group plc, is a leading provider of critical communications and broadcast services to customers in the defence, broadcast, space communications and Government sectors worldwide.
VT Communications transmits over 1,000 hours of both short and medium wave broadcasts every day utilising its global network providing broadcasters with exceptional coverage of the worlds most populous regions. Broadcast customers include BBC World Service, NHK (Radio Japan), Radio Canada International, Radio Netherlands, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Voice of America. VT Communications is a founder member of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), a consortium of broadcast related organisations working to bring digital AM radio to the market place.
Further information about VT Group, its services and products can be found at www.vtplc.com .
22 December 2004
GlobeCast, a leading global satellite services company, has launched AMTV (Australian Multicultural Television Network), Australias first full-time DTH channel dedicated to the local ethnic communities. Hosted on Optus B3 platform, the channel commenced broadcasting in December.
The Channel will comprise daily segments of programming focused on each of Australias main ethnic groups, and will provide locally produced, topical content. It will also feature community level programmes and events filmed directly by AMTV in the local area. There will be live community forums discussing various issues showcasing the cultural diversity of our Country.
AMTV will be locally produced from a consortium of program providers of the former Channel 31 Community TV in Sydney. Collectively the consortium has over 50 years experience in producing community Television, Radio and Print Media for Australias Multicultural Communities. Other professional community television providers are welcome to incorporate their services on the AMTV program line-up.
GIobeCast – a subsidiary of France Telecom – is a world leading satellite services company, operating a global network of satellite distribution platforms for DTH and cable broadcast, enterprise media and advanced IP-based content delivery. The companys global presence includes 15 teleports and technical operations centers throughout America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. GlobeCast offers the complete range of satellite broadcast solutions, including TV channel distribution, secure satellite Internet delivery, webcasting, satellite newsgathering, direct-to-home distribution, sports programming backhaul, program origination, studio production, special events mobile production and audio distribution.
GlobeCast Australia, the local GlobeCast unit in Australia, is one of the country’s leading providers of satellite and fibre transmission and production services for professional broadcast, enterprise and Internet content delivery
AMTV is an Australian based company specializing in community based programming and delivery. The AMTV board comprises a consortium of local programme producers covering Arabic, European, Asian, Baltic and English language Groups. AMTV will be broadcasting live from a new purpose built HQ and production facilities in Liverpool, South West Sydney. A primary objective of the company is to represent the communities of interest of Australias diverse community groups.
