10 September 2014
- 63% expect 4K UHDTV consumption to be mainstream within five to seven years;
- 42% have made the decision to launch a 4K UHDTV service and have a specific timeframe for its rollout, with 23% planning to launch in less than four years;
- 35% of non-technical executives expect Direct-to-Home (DTH) will be the first segment to gain momentum as compared to 60% of technical executives who believe Video on Demand is where 4K UHDTV will first take hold.
Since it was first announced, 4K Ultra High Definition Television (4K UHDTV) has been met with both excitement and skepticism within and outside of the media industry. According to new research from Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, 4K UHDTV will be main stream within 10 years. In fact, 42% of Intelsat’s survey respondents stated that they have made a firm decision to launch a 4K UHDTV service and have a specific timeframe for its roll out (23% within the next four years). The main driver cited by media companies was the ability to provide the competitive differentiation necessary to attract new subscribers to their linear broadcast and cable television channels.
Intelsat surveyed technical and non-technical (primarily marketing) media executives from its global customer base, which is comprised of many of the world’s largest media companies that conduct business on a regional and global basis. The nearly 80 respondents represent a statistically significant sample of the pool of potential respondents.
While the majority of respondents believe that 4K UHDTV adoption is inevitable—in stark contrast to initial views of the 3DTV trend from several years ago—there is disparity in terms of what segments and business models are regarded as likely to adopt 4K UHDTV first, with non-technical executives having significantly different views from technical executives. Digital cinema (38%), over the top (OTT) and direct-to home (DTH) are the most widely mentioned segments for 4K UHDTV to gain momentum and those views differ sharply between technical and non-technical participants. In addition, 60% point to video on demand as the business model expected to first gain momentum, almost double the 34% stating that linear channels will be the first to do so.
“While it is becoming more evident that the transition to 4K UHDTV is highly likely, the road to adoption will take many paths, given the business model evolution resulting from the multi-screen viewing environment,” stated Peter Ostapiuk, Vice President, Media Product Management, Intelsat. “As with high definition television, socio-economics, demographics and technology infrastructure will determine the adoption timeline. This time, however, media companies are more focused on building the right business model that will enable them to deliver high quality and reliable content delivery across multiple platforms and, at the same time, achieve a strong return on their investment.”
Media professionals surveyed believe that the pace of 4K UHDTV adoption will vary by region. For example, 47% believe 4K UHDTV will first take hold in Asia Pacific; 34% expect North America to be the early adopter and only 16% believed Western Europe would be the first to roll out the new technology.
While Media Professionals are Optimistic about 4K UHDTV, Critical Factors Necessary for Accelerated Timeline to Take Hold
Respondents cited higher transmission and content production costs (67%), availability of more efficient transmission technologies (62%), affordable television sets (51%) and ability to achieve a return on their investment (71%) as issues of greatest concern to them going forward.
Roughly a third of those surveyed stated that a critical mass of content (38%), sufficient household penetration (35%) and available 4K UHDTV-enabled set top boxes (31%) are important factors in accelerating the roll-out of 4K UHDTV. Movies (53%) and sports (42%) are the most widely identified types of 4K UHDTV content expected to gain momentum first.
“Satellite will positively impact the adoption of this new and exciting technology and serve as a strategic partner to media customers,” continued Ostapiuk. “It’s clear that our customers will introduce 4K UHDTV as a way to distinguish their brands, and the ubiquitous and extremely high quality of satellite will deliver an immersive experience with cost efficiency. With the ability to easily handle transmission of multiple viewing formats across a hybrid distribution infrastructure, Intelsat is prepared to support this emerging growth opportunity for our global media customers.”
Supporting Resources:
Note to Editors:
Intelsat commissioned independent market research firm Market Connections, Inc. to survey Intelsat’s media customers in July 2014 on awareness of and plans for 4K UHDTV content demand, development and distribution. The statistically valid response from 77 media professionals features the opinions of content and platform providers from 24 different countries. (Source: Intelsat press release)
9 September 2014
Middle East markets are attracting more and more attention from the world economies, and increasingly influence global business.
Euronews’ new programme “Business Middle East” focuses on the constantly changing environment that is driving global market evolution. Get a clearer view of the region’s key economic issues with insight and analysis from top market strategists in Abu Dhabi.
The new 4-minute weekly programme is produced and hosted by Daleen Hassan. Each Tuesday she examines a major economic issue in the region and assesses the world economy’s overall influence on it. The programme opens with a story analysing the main subject of the episode, then Daleen discusses the issues raised in an interviews with an expert who provides insight, background information and opinion.
First episode: ECB’s decision eagerly awaited
For her first programme this week, Daleen Hassan looks at how the upcoming European Central Bank´s decisions could affect the Middle East markets.
Click here to watch the first episode 1n 13 languages.
To shed light on these issues Euronews’ Daleen Hassan spoke to ADS Securities’ Chief market strategist Nour Eldeen Al Hammoury in Abu Dhabi. He has more than eight years of experience in foreign exchange and global economic developments, as well as central bank policies and intermarket analysis (global markets relationships).
About Daleen Hassan
Daleen Hassan, a seasoned Syrian broadcast journalist, joined Euronews Arabic service in 2010.
Daleen worked as producer, reporter and news anchor for several Media and TV in Syria and Abu Dhabi.
She covered several events in various parts of the world such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon, France and Syria.
Before Euronews, she was PR coordinator for the World Arab Institute in Paris, France.
At Euronews she is part of the team that covers international news, both as a news duty editor and a presenter, interviewing experts and leading politicians such as Najib Mikati, former Lebanese prime minister, Ali Zidan former Libyan prime minister, the former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.
Daleen has a Masters degree from Lyon 2 Lumière University in Cinematography and Audiovisual Studies and a BA in journalism and media from the University of Damascus. She is fluent in English and French in the professional media and production environment.
@daleenhassan Daleen Hassan
Business Middle East
First broadcast: every Tuesday
A 4 minute programme by Daleen Hassan, available in the channel’s 13 languages services*, on air, on www.euronews.com/business-middle-east, and on Euronews’ mobile apps.
* Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian
Broadcasts (CET): Tuesday at 09:45, 11:15, 12:45, 14:45, 15:45, 17:45, 00:45, 02:45, 04:45; Wednesday at 08:45, 10:15, 12:15, 16:15, 18:15, 19:45.
8 September 2014
In a first for international broadcasters, BBC World Service has announced the launch of TV programming in Hausa. BBC Hausa’s 10-minute TV news bulletins will now bring the BBC’s coverage of regional and international news to viewers of Nigeria’s Capital TV (Kaduna) as well as the West African satellite TV channel, Adom TV (on the Multi TV platform). The Monday to Friday prime-time programme will also be streamed live on the website bbchausa.com.
Controller of Languages, BBC World Service, Liliane Landor says: “We are proud to be the first among international broadcasters to launch TV content in Hausa. It’s another landmark as we continue our move towards new, digital platforms. BBC Hausa’s trusted, engaging radio and online content and its quick, innovative response to the explosion of mobile media and social networks has maintained its huge popularity in Nigeria and across West Africa. The new TV bulletins will further broaden BBC Hausa’s appeal to audiences – on TV and online – and reinforce the BBC’s presence on the African media arena.”
The newBBC Hausa TV programming adds to the BBC Hausa content available on radio, online and via mobile devices, currently reaching around 19.9 million people every week. BBC Hausa Editor, Mansur Liman, says: “We hope this ground-breaking launch will further expand and diversify our audience base in the region via rebroadcasting TV channels and among the audiences that come to us via bbchausa.com.”
Commenting on her new role, the lead presenter of the BBC Hausa TV news bulletins, Aichatou Moussa, says: “It is a new and exciting challenge which I am looking forward to. With the launch of the BBC Hausa fast-paced, vibrant TV news bulletins, we are getting even closer to our audiences who will join us to live the news story with the BBC.”
The programme’s second presenter, Elhadji Diori Coulibaly, adds: “Having worked on the radio and online platforms, I am really excited to have such an excellent opportunity now to connect with our audiences on TV.”
As part of BBC Hausa’s pioneering move towards digital platforms, its website bbchausa.com was among the very first non-English African sites made available to users on mobile devices using Responsive Design technology. With over 96% of the traffic to bbchausa.com coming to its mobile version, BBC Hausa operates on a ‘mobile-first’ basis, with its website content optimised to be viewed on mobile devices.
BBC Hausa is part of BBC World Service. (Source: BBC press release)
28 August 2014
Jailed Al Jazeera journalist Baher Mohamed will become a father again today. His unjust imprisonment has however meant that he could not be at his wife Gehan’s side when she gave birth to a baby boy.
From his jail cell, Baher released a letter to the new arrival, to be named Haroun. The letter is a mix of sadness and hope for the child’s future, as well as some valuable wisdom for his two other children four year old Hazem, and three year old Fairouz.
Baher begins with sharing his hopes that there are better days ahead for Egypt:
“Sorry because you were born where free people are behind bars, including your father. Sorry too because you have come to a society where its freedom’s restricted. But I promise you I will always fight for liberty. I don’t want you to give up on this society…because I am sure that soon everything will change for the better”
He goes on to share his life lessons to his children:
My dear children; there are things I learnt and I want to share with you. I was always fighting for the truth in my career, and that was not easy. Whatever it takes; keep looking for the truth and never be afraid of it. I want you all to maintain your dignity. It is one of your most precious values. Always be patient because you will face lots of obstacles in your path. Always be good to all, even to those who treat you badly. Feel the pain of the others and keep trying to help them. If you feel you can help and make someone happy never hesitate. If you can draw a smile on someone’s face…then take the action to draw this smile.
My dear children…keep smiling because behind the clouds the sun always shines.”
Finally, Baher tells of the close bond between the families of the three imprisoned journalists, who will be there to support each his wife and child at the hospital:
“Finally Haroun, I want you to ask your Mama to forgive me because I couldn’t be with her the moment you arrived. I want you also to take it easy on her. And by the way…the moment you will arrive you will meet two great Australians; the parents of Peter Greste, who is in prison (with) me, as well as The great Egyptian family of Mohamed Fahmy my colleague. Together we are sharing this struggle; and together we will celebrate your birth. They are your family and their sons’ are your father’s brothers.
So don’t be shy of them.
Love you Haroun..your father: Baher Mohamed”
Baher’s wife Gehan was admitted to hospital today, to deliver her son. Without his father, the parents of Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy’s family gathered to support her at this time.
Follow #FREEAJSTAFF for more shots of the family gathered for the birth of Haroun.
21 August 2014
Lawyers for the jailed Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt have filed appeals against their convictions.
The weaknesses in the case have been widely protested and ridiculed, and much of the public criticism is reflected in the grounds for appeal.
The case will next be heard before the Court of Cassation which will examine the grounds for hearing a full appeal. A date for the hearing has not yet been set.
The submission to the court rests on the breaches of process in the case. These include:
• Flaws in the arrest procedure
• The fact that evidence presented in court did not marry with the charges
• Prosecution expert technical witnesses submitted statements which were somehow verbatim
• The journalists were accused of editing footage, but without originals, no one could have known whether they were in fact edited
• The judge’s verdict made mention of lack of accreditation, but this is not a criminal offence
Al Anstey, managing director of Al Jazeera English said:
“The appeal will lay bare the flaws in the case against Peter, Baher and Mohammed. These are three outstanding journalists who were just doing their jobs, and journalism is not a crime. We look forward to them being exonerated in due course. We will not stop in this quest till they are reunited with their families, and back doing the jobs they love.”
The campaign to free the three received a further boost this week when leading international and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin said they should be released, saying that the case was an example of how to set up a “kangaroo court”.
21 August 2014
The United Kingdom is set to host a NATO Summit in Wales from 4th-5th September 2014.
President Obama, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are expected to attend along with Heads of State and Government from around 60 other countries. The on-going instability in Ukraine and Israel’s recent land offensive in Gaza provide a backdrop for the talks, chaired by current Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
TIMA will be operational to assist broadcasters’ needs:
- HD / SD Live Stand-up facilities from The Media Centre at Celtic Manor*
- Tape playout facilities (subject to format)
- International point-to-point delivery via satellite on TIMA’s Eutelsat 10A leased capacity and fibre networks
- ENG crews available on request
*Live position will be inside the accreditation zone. Accreditation has now closed.
See https://my.hq.nato.int/ for more details.
The Media Centre will open between 12:00 – 23:30 on Wednesday 3rd September, and then stay open between 05:00 Thursday 4th September and 23:45 on Friday 5th September.
Contact TIMA on +44 20 7024 9650; e bookings@tima.com; www.tima.com
