AIB Global Media Business Conference 2004

16 May 2004

The third annual summit of the international broadcasting industry takes
place in May 2004. The AIB Global Media Business Conference is on Wednesday
12th and Thursday 13th May in the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty.

The conference auditorium is the former Czechoslovak parliament chamber, the
Hall of the People and the building – the former Czechoslovak Parliament – is
located right at the top of Wenceslas Square in central Prague.

The agenda is far-reaching and will stimulate much discussion and debate
between the delegates attending this important annual conference. With delegates
joining from all over the world – Australia, Germany. Canada, New Zealand,
Sweden, France, the USA and many other countries – this is the premier event for
the international broadcasting industry to meet, exchange ideas and to learn.

Delegates include broadcast executives, producers, journalists, regulators, politicians, manufacturers, service providers and consultants.
The entire industry will be represented and so make this an unmissable event. 

The conference agenda is available online – click on the Conference link on the navigation bar to the left.

Supported by

The AIB has negotiated a range of special rates for delegates travelling to the
AIB Global Media Business Conference in Prague. Full details will be available
to all delegates on receipt of their registration.

There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available to
companies and organisations that want to raise their profile in the global media marketplace. Download the
sponsorship document here and
contact

Anver Anderson to discuss how the AIB Global Media Business Conference can benefit your business.

We look forward to seeing you in Prague in May 2004.

Two-day AIB Global Media Business Conference kicks off in Prague

12 May 2004

The Association for International Broadcasting’s annual summit of the international broadcasting industry, the AIB Global Media Business Conference, starts today in Prague with delegates from all over the world.

This year the AIB’s conference partner is Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, with Globecast providing the satellite links. The conference takes place in the Hall of the Peoples, where members of parliament gathered to debate and vote in the Communist era, and it was in this building that the Czechoslovak government authorised the jamming of broadcasts from the West.

The two-day conference ends on Thursday, 13 May, with a debate on “Restoring Trust in an Uncertain World”.

ASTRA in 4 out of 5 satellite homes in Europe

12 May 2004

SES ASTRA has published the latest results of its European Satellite Monitor.

The ASTRA Satellite Monitor confirms SES ASTRA’s sustained audience growth within its 30 country European footprint. At year-end 2003, the number of homes receiving audiovisual broadcast and broadband services via the ASTRA Satellite System at 19.2º East and 28.2º East increased by 2,5 million to reach more than 94 million.

These results confirm SES ASTRA as the leading satellite system for direct-to-home reception (DTH and SMATV) in Europe. At the beginning of 2004, a total of 36.4 million households in Europe were receiving ASTRA services directly via satellite. This represents an increase of 2 million households compared to the previous year. Another 57.9 million homes receive ASTRA content via cable.
The study illustrates the success of both ASTRA direct-to-home platforms, 19.2° East and 28.2° East. The DTH audience served via ASTRA 19.2° East increased to 29.2 million homes, while the ASTRA satellites at 28.2° East reached 7.2 million homes – predominantly in the UK & Ireland.

ASTRA’s overall audience growth is driven by the sustained increase of digital direct-to-home (DTH) reception in Europe. At year-end 2003, almost 18 million homes received digital services via ASTRA at 19.2° or 28.2° East, up from 15 million at year-end 2002.

In a very competitive environment, ASTRA has thus consolidated its strong position in the digital marketplace. More than three out four digital satellite homes in Europe receive services carried by ASTRA. Digital reception now accounts for 49% of ASTRA’s total DTH reception, up from 44% in 2002, with France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK remaining the traditional key markets for ASTRA satellite reception.

In addition ASTRA is received by almost 19 million exclusively analogue satellite homes. 70% of these homes (more than 13 million) are located in the German-speaking countries, where a strong analogue channel line-up persists.

ASTRA homes are an attractive audience for the successful rollout of broadband DSL services via satellite across Europe. The proportion of ASTRA digital satellite homes owning a PC (73%) and using an online connection (60%) has further increased and is significantly higher than in average TV homes (PC: 55%; online: 42%).

Jeremy C. Wensinger named President of Harris Corp.'s Broadcast Communications Business

12 May 2004

Harris Corporation has appointed Jeremy C. Wensinger as president of the company’s Broadcast Communications Division. Wensinger had been serving as vice president and general manager of Harris Technical Services Corporation, which is part of Harris’ Government Communications Systems Division.

“Jeremy has been instrumental in guiding the rapid growth of our Technical Services business to nearly $200 million in revenue through successful pursuits and the award of new programs,” said Howard L. Lance, chairman and CEO. “He positioned Harris as a leading provider of critical mission support and IT services for government customers. In his new position with our Broadcast business, he brings exceptional leadership skills to one of Harris’ most dynamic commercial businesses. He will be building upon a new organization structure to more effectively serve our broadcast customers and markets.”

Wensinger joined Harris’ Government Communications Systems Division in 1989 and has held increasingly responsible assignments in finance and program management. He was named vice-president and general manager of Harris’ Technical Services business in 1999. Wensinger received a B.S. degree in finance from Bowling Green State University and an M.B.A. from the University of South Florida.

Larry W. Whitfield has been named president of Harris Technical Services Corporation, succeeding Wensinger. Whitfield had been vice president/general manager of Strategic Management and Business Development for Harris’ Government Communications Systems Division.

City of Tampere starts digital TV services on MHP

12 May 2004

The City of Tampere has started digital TV services as the first city in Finland. The Digital TV portal offers news, an event calendar, local bus timetables and web cameras over the city. Sofia Digital has been responsible for the UI Design and the technical implementation.

The project has been carried out in cooperation with Tampere Cable Company as part of their MHP deployment project. The city of Tampere is currently preparing a similar service on the Finnish Terrestrial Network to reach viewers outside cable networks.

The digital TV portal of Tampere is based on Sofia Stage XHTML Browser. The content for the services is delivered from existing content management systems and the updates to broadcast stream are automated. The return channel is also in use in some services, for example searching timetables for bus lines.

VOA launches new Urdu radio service

10 May 2004

Radio Aap ki Dunyaa, a new Urdu-language service of the Voice of America (VOA) began transmitting 12 hours a day today, providing millions of Pakistanis and other Urdu-speakers in India and the diaspora with news, information and entertainment.

Aap ki Dunyaa – “Your World” in English – features 10-minute newscasts twice an hour during prime time, and hourly newscasts throughout the night, with in-depth coverage of events affecting South Asia and the world; features on topics such as health, education, and political issues; call-in shows; roundtable discussions; and a mix of Pakistani, Indian, and Western music. With its combination of news and features, about half of Aap ki Dunyaa’s unique programming consists of information. The program runs from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. Pakistan time.

“We’re delighted we’re able to provide balanced and accurate news and to help promote a better understanding of the United States in such an important part of the world,” said Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors which supervises all U.S. nonmilitary international broadcasting, including VOA.

Steven J. Simmons, the BBG member who has spearheaded creation of Aap ki Dunyaa, said, “With this station, we are reaching out to millions of listeners primarily between the ages of 15 and 39. We want to interact with our listeners and to let them learn more about us while we learn about them. We’ll be using the latest research techniques to make sure this station becomes part of our listeners’ lives.”

Aap ki Dunyaa will be staffed by 27 people in Washington as well as a network of more than 15 stringers in Pakistan, India and North America. Dr. Brian Q. Silver is chief of the service. All staffers from the original VOA Urdu Service are now part of the Aap ki Dunyaa team.

The station will be distributed on a medium wave (AM) signal that reaches millions of listeners in Pakistan and northeast India. It can be found at 972 kHz. It will also be broadcast for three hours on shortwave (7 to 8 p.m., 10 to 11 p.m., and 6 to 7 a.m. Pakistan time). It will be carried for 12 hours on digital audio satellite and via the Internet. Internet enhancements will be phased in, providing audience interaction through e-mail, and texts of selected feeds, interviews, and other programs of interest to the listening audience.