12 February 2014
Digital switchover (DSO), otherwise known as digital migration, is one of the key challenges facing the broadcast industry at the present time, with the need to ensure that audiences, especially poorer and remote communities, have affordable and well-understood access to the new services. But it also provides some of the greatest opportunities of the next few years in terms of offering a greater number of more diverse and richer services and more potential to involve the audience.
The AIB has produced a briefing note on the issues to be addressed. Click on DSO position paper to download this useful guide
The 2015 deadline for the switching of television services from analogue to digital means that a great deal has to be accomplished very quickly. The AIB is this week attending the CTO’s Digital Broadcast Switchover Forum Africa 2014 and engaging in the sharing of experiences and best practices.
You can also review news and information on digital switchover by accessing our content curation at www.scoop.it/t/digital-switchover
23 September 2013
PRESS RELEASE
London, 23 September 2013
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has announced five new members who bring unique strengths in reporting, production, broadcasting and media technology:
- Africa24 – the leading international news channel for Africa presenting African news, culture and sport to a worldwide audience
- Intelsat – the leading provider of satellite services worldwide, delivering information and entertainment to media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies.
- Rivinet – developing a worldwide news source with a community of viewers who are rewarded for their involvement
- Sunset+Vine – the multi-award-winning independent supplier of sports programming which is also a world leader in international Advertiser Funded Programming
- Vision247 – providing broadcasters, TV channels and content owners with a complete, end-to-end internet TV solution
“Our new members cover the whole ecosystem of production, distribution and broadcasting” said Simon Spanswick, CEO of the AIB. “With its increasing membership the AIB has an ever greater pool of expertise for knowledge sharing. These new members strengthen our contacts and insights in fields including new technologies, new methods of audience involvement, programme commissioning, distribution and the increasingly-important and vibrant African market.”
For more information, contact Simon Spanswick at the AIB in the United Kingdom on +44 (0) 20 7993 2557, e-mail simon.spanswick@aib.org.uk.
About Africa24
Africa24 is the leading international news channel for Africa. It is committed to embodying the voice, the vision and the views of Africa throughout the world. Africa24’s mission is to give a voice to Africans, their news, their expertise and their ideas; to help the continent’s development by increasing links internally and with the outside world; and to enhance the image of Africa in the world by presenting a fresh look at the political, economic, cultural and sports news from the continent.
About Intelsat
Intelsat (NYSE: I) is the leading provider of satellite services worldwide. For almost 50 years, Intelsat has been delivering information and entertainment for many of the world’s leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet Service Providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat’s satellite, teleport and fibre infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for transmissions of video, data and voice services. From the globalization of content and the proliferation of HD, to the expansion of cellular networks and broadband access, with Intelsat, advanced communications anywhere in the world are closer, by far.
About Rivinet
Rivinet is an exciting new venture creating worldwide sources of unique, professional news videos that allow groups such as brands and NGOs to publish their stories and opinions. It creates a community of viewers who not only receive free content but are rewarded for their participation.
About Sunset+Vine
Sunset+Vine is a multi-award-winning independent supplier of sports programming to broadcasters and a world leader in international Advertiser Funded Programming. It jointly produced all of Channel 4’s 2012 Paralympic Games output (winning the 2013 BAFTA for Best Sport Production and an RTS Special Award) and has been the Host Broadcaster of the Dubai World Cup since 1997. Among its extensive portfolio are also the world’s most watched weekly sports show “Gillette World Sport” (shown in 180 countries) and Mobil1The Grid.
About Vision247
Vision247 provides broadcasters, TV channels and content owners with a complete, end-to-end internet TV solution, from broadcasting services through to end-device applications. Its online video platform helps unleash the power of online video, monetize online video and expand audiences. It can deliver content to web TV portals, internet connected TV sets (Over-The-Top TV), IPTV set top boxes and mobile devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad).
About AIB
Established in 1993, the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded to represent, promote and assist its members. It currently has a membership of over 50 companies in around 30 countries, including major broadcasters serving audiences of hundreds of millions of people each week.
With a reach of over 26,000 communicators and media professionals, AIB is a unique centre of information about international broadcasting, covering TV, radio, online and mobile. AIB researches regular market intelligence briefings for its members and provides client-specific consultancy and project support. Members receive an extensive package of services throughout the year. AIB publishes the comprehensive AIB Global Broadcasting Sourcebook and the international media magazine, The Channel. AIB hosts the annual AIB International Media Excellence Awards – the “AIBs”. For more information, visit www.aib.org.ukand theaibs.tv or call +44 (0) 20 7993 2557
AIB | PO Box 141 | Cranbrook | TN17 9AJ | United Kingdom T +44 20 7993 2557 F +44 20 7993 8043 www.aib.org.uk
23 May 2013
AIB is offering its members access to daily 3′ bulletins from the Fifa Confederations Cup that opens in Brazil in June.
Produced by AIB partner Between the Posts Productions, Bulletin from Brazil will be available in two versions – one for audiences in Africa and the other for audiences across Asia and the Pacific.
With match reports, interviews with key players and more features, Bulletin from Brazil will deliver the flavour of the competition to English-language audiences across the world.
The programming is part of an expansion of AIB’s activities in the sport broadcasting genre that started with activities around the Olympic Games in London. AIB is now working on a number of initiatives on behalf of its members around the world that will deliver ever increasing value to them.
For more information about Bulletin from Brazil, talk to Edward Wilkinson at the AIB head office.
23 May 2013
The latest industry briefing has been published by AIB, covering programming to distribution.
Reaching more than 26,000 leaders in media internationally, the AIB industry briefing is a “must-read” for anyone following the industry. See the latest edition here.
To discuss advertising and other opportunities surrounding the briefing, talk to Edward Wilkinson at AIB headquarters.
16 May 2013
AP reports that a Vietnamese satellite TV platform has dropped BBC World News and CNN from its channel line-up on Thursday 16 May. K+, a joint venture between a Vietnamese company and Canal Overseas, part of the Canal+ Group, appears to be interpreting the “Decision 20” regulation – which places onerous conditions on foreign TV channels – in a particular way, in direct contrast to a majority of other Vietnam-based platforms.
AIB has been lobbying on the issue over the past few months and is now seeking further clarification both from K+ and the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication.
“We are disappointed that Vietnamese audiences are having their choice of international TV channels restricted,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “There is still uncertainty around the proposed pay-TV regulations promulgated in Vietnam. K+ appears to be out of step with the Vietnamese market and the latest interpretation of Decision 20. We look forward to the channels that have been taken off air being restored very quickly.”
As of the European afternoon on 16 May, the K+ website was still showing BBC World News and CNN as channels available to the platform’s subscribers.
14 May 2013
One of Asia’s leading sports executives and a football guru for the “beautiful game”, has joined the Association for International Broadcasting [AIB] as an adviser.
Les Murray (right) is known in his adopted homeland – Australia – as “Mr. Football”. He will provide a wide range of skills for the AIB as it develops its new Asian base.
In a rapidly expanding Asian market for sport, Murray’s experience in football will be vital to expanding the interests of the AIB, said its Chief Executive Simon Spanswick.
“Les will play a crucial role in our plans for Asia, especially with football properties. We intend to be an aggressive player in the market,” Spanswick said from London.
Mr. Murray was until recently the chair of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Sports Group (ABU), a position from which he retired after 12 years.
Mr. Murray, a Fifa Ethics Commissioner, is something of a legend in Asia, having covered football there for 30 years.
“We are delighted to have Les on board our new broadcast vehicle ,” said Spanswick. “He will add a tremendous amount of value to our brand, as well as our ability to attract new business,” he added.
Les Murray’s interest in sports broadcasting has roots in his boyhood love for football in his birthplace of Hungary.
After immigrating to Australia as a child refugee in 1957, he continued his passion for his beloved game and made it a life mission to convert Australians to the world’s favourite sport.
Ultimately, after he stepped into broadcasting in the late 1970s as commentator and sports presenter, the mission met with success through the exposure he brought to football on Australian television. Murray is now largely credited with football’s vast growth in awareness and popularity in his adopted country over the past 30 years.
In 1996 Murray was appointed head of sport at Australia’s multicultural broadcaster, SBS, and continued in that role for ten years. During that period he negotiated many major sports rights deals, including three FIFA World Cup contracts, the UEFA Champions League, the Tour de France and international athletics with the IAAF.
Murray has spoken at many international forums, including the United Nations, and in 2006 was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to football and sports journalism. In 2009 he was given the Australian Sports Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Said Murray: “I am delighted to accept this invitation by the AIB and be given the opportunity to work with broadcasters in Asia.
“Sport and, in particular, sports broadcasting are fabulous catalysts for advancing and enriching national cultures and for empowering cultural identities.
“I am thrilled to be able to assist Asian broadcasters in achieving these goals.”
