8 June 2004
GIobeCast has launched a new satellite distribution platform for new digital cable television networks in North America on Galaxy 10R from the companys Los Angeles broadcast center. GlobeCasts service uses C-Band transponder capacity on PanAmSats Galaxy 10R satellite, part of the Galaxy cable neighborhood of satellites. The Galaxy 10R satellite offers access to most cable head-ends in the U.S., allowing cable operators to receive GlobeCast platform channels via existing downlink antennas.
Networks joining GlobeCasts multiplex service will share the same cable orbital position with established programmers on Galaxy 10R including: A&E, DMX Music, Toon Disney, ESPN News, ESPN HD, Lifetime, CMT (West), MTV (West), Nickelodeon (West), Showtime (West), Showtime Westplex, The Movie Channel and Flix (West), TVN and The Outdoor Channel.
Channels can access GlobeCasts new Galaxy 10R platform in America via local points-of-presence in New York, Washington DC, and Miami, or worldwide via the companys global fiber network, which interconnects 15 teleports and technical operations centers on five continents. In America, in addition to Galaxy 10R, GlobeCast operates a cable network distribution platform on the AMC-1 satellite from the companys studio, post-production, and network origination center in Miami. Leading American cable networks such as CNN, Discovery, Viacom, Turner International, TV Guide, USA Networks, Sci-Fi, Home & Garden TV, and MGM rely on GlobeCasts satellite distribution and services in America and internationally.
8 June 2004
As announced at NAB 2004, Harris Corporation has developed new technology that offers FM stations a significantly more efficient method of transmitting an HD Radio(tm) signal. The patents-pending approach of the company’s new Split-Level Combining System can reduce an FM station’s energy costs by as much as 25 percent over High-Level Combining, and enables stations to continue using existing FM analog transmitters that are already operating near peak capacity.
“This new, more efficient method of adding HD Radio to FM stations is sparking great interest among FM broadcasters,” said Jeremy C. Wensinger, president, Harris Broadcast Communications Division. “Our engineers estimate that a station’s overall power consumption could be between 5 and 25 percent less than with High-Level Combining.”
Split-Level Combining utilizes the existing FM transmitter and a new common-amplification FM/HD Radio transmitter to generate the required FM analog power. Driving both ports of the high-power combiner with analog FM power improves combining efficiency, reduces combiner losses, reduces existing FM transmitter power requirements and improves overall system efficiency, resulting in lower monthly operating costs. With the Split-Level Combining System, the analog transmitter is no longer required to operate at higher-than-normal power levels to offset combining losses.
Split-Level Combining also allows a station to use the existing transmission line and antenna system for optimum radiation of both the digital and analog signals. Additionally, for stations with physical space constraints at their transmitter site, Split-Level Combining allows broadcasters to remove the current backup transmitter and utilize the common amplification FM/HD Radio transmitter as a lower power backup FM transmitter.
8 June 2004
Currently in its pilot phase, DW’s new service MCAST could soon be offering multimedia phone owners regular news reports and up-to-date news briefs from DW-WORLD three times daily, in partnership with Orange and Vodafone. With MCAST, cell phone providers just send the information package once, and any number of subscribers can click and receive. It’s a financial dream come true for the providers, who stand to cut transmission costs by 70 to 90 percent.
“We have created a platform for people to comfortably consume media content,” explained Wilfried Runde, the Internet specialist in charge of Deutsche Welle’s MCAST project. And at just 5 per month for news updates delivered three times a day, the service is good value for money.
After initial trials in Israel, a second pilot was launched in Athens in June. Runde sees it as a good opportunity for Deutsche Welle to reach even more people around the globe. “For the first time, we can offer the mobile transmission of our information to a new user group,” Runde said.
8 June 2004
Ya.com Internet Factory, owned by T-Online International AG (subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom) and SES ASTRA have signed a collaboration agreement to launch, for the first time in Spain, Yacom Satélite, the new broadband Internet access services through satellite, targeted at over five million Spanish people who do not have access to ADSL. ASTRA provides the technology that is able to close the digital gap in Spain.
Yacom Satélite provides broadband access to the Internet with speeds of between 256 kbps and 768 kbps depending on the offer chosen, and a return channel through the switched telephone network. The service also includes 10 e-mail accounts of 50 MB; 1 e-mail account of 100 MB, an anti-virus and anti-spam service and 50 MB of space for personal/commercial pages, in the pack called Banda Ancha Sat Home 24 h (Broadband Sat Home 24 hr). The service also offers 120 free-to-air television channels from ASTRA on computer screens. Yacom Satélite is currently undergoing pilot testing and the commercial launch to the residential and business market is planned for next quarter. The price will be less than 17 euros a month for the Banda Ancha Sat Home (Broadband Sat Home) package.
In Spain, 10% of homes receive ASTRA digital TV, with a penetration figure reaching 1.34 million. Also, another 3 million homes with a communal antenna receive ASTRA, which simplifies the installation of the new service. According to Guillermo Mercader, Chief Executive Officer of Ya.com, The launching of Yacom Satélite is another step forward to make broadband Internet accessible to everyone at an affordable price and to help close the digital gap in Spain. 21% of the Spanish population (slightly more than five million people) are now living in 6,414 municipalities without access to ADSL service.
8 June 2004
On 2 June Antoine Schwarz took up his new position as Director General of Radio France Internationale (RFI).
He succeeds Jean-Paul Cluzel who has moved to become Director General of Radio France.
Both terms are for five years.
8 June 2004
Professor David Flint has announced that he intends to step down as Chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Authority from the end of this week.
With the imminent introduction of legislation to merge the ABA and the Australian Communications Authority, which seems to have bipartisan support, and the public interest in that merger proceeding seamlessly with a minimum of controversy, there would be an advantage in having both the chairmanship of the ABA and the ACA vacant.
It is fortunate that both the ABA and the ACA are endowed with highly professional staff and strong boards which will ensure the merger is a success.
Notwithstanding the recent controversy, I am encouraged by the observation of my colleagues that they cannot recall an occasion when I have demonstrated actual bias in any decision I have taken. This mirrors the comments I have received from those who have, over two decades, worked with me in encouraging the responsible self regulation of the media.
Professor Flint will take leave until his resignation takes effect on 2 July 2004.
