Satellite PR News

The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA ) is an association dedicated to promoting multi-channel television via cable, satellite, broadband and wireless video networks across the Asia Pacific.
CASBAA announced a powerful expansion of its Indian agenda with the addition of three market leaders as members of the Association.

The new CASBAA Corporate members are telecoms-to-media services specialist Bharti Airtel, leading news content provider NDTV and media and entertainment giant Star TV India.

In line with this market growth, as a regional body with a domestic agenda, CASBAA continues to increase its commitment to India through undertaking conferences, issuing reports and regularly engaging with policy-making government bodies on key industry issues.

“As a leading DTH player, we are committed to collaborating with world leaders in bringing innovative technologies,” said Ajai Puri, Director & CEO – DTH, Bharti Airtel. “We are confident that CASBAA, leading the evolution of ecosystems and technologies that enable cable, satellite and broadcast industry, will impact positively on some critical structural changes to help digitize India rapidly.”

K V L Narayan Rao, Group CEO and Executive Director, NDTV said: “We are delighted to become members of CASBAA. As the market-leading news broadcaster in the region, we look forward to working with CASBAA for what can only be mutual benefit.”

Anupam Vasudev, EVP – Marketing, Star India added that “as the country’s leading television network, we are committed to working with reputed industry bodies on initiatives that can help develop and move the broadcasting industry to the next level. We look forward to our partnership with CASBAA to create successful programs to achieve this objective.”

“Certainly, the additional memberships bring extraordinary new value to CASBAA’s contribution to the Indian pay-TV market,” said Marcel Fenez, Chairman of CASBAA. “With our extended footprint the Association looks forward to joining hands with all its Indian members and partners.”

According to Anjan Mitra, the CASBAA Executive Director, India, “as part of our communications strategy we have been telling the ‘India Story’ to the international broadcasting and investment communities, the new partnerships with Bharti Airtel, NDTV and Star TV India will benefit all parties.”

By almost every measure India is the most dynamic pay-TV market in the world with almost 10% growth every year over the past five years. In the next 12 months it is expected to overtake China as the biggest pay-TV market in Asia.

Supported by 92 million cable and satellite (C&S) homes, including 23 million DTH households and 4 million digital cable homes, India’s C&S subscriber base has grown by over 20 million in the past 12 months. The number of India’s mobile subscribers stands at 617.53 million at the end of April this year, up from 601.22 million in the beginning of the month, which itself is an impressive growth story.

Other CASBAA members within India include Amarchand Mangaldas, B.A.G. Network, CONAX, IMCL (Incablenet and Indigital), Tata Sky, Zee TV and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware approved Sea Launch’s reorganization plan to prepare for its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the third quarter.

Sea Launch filed the plan May 10 as part of a 13-month restructuring process that was initiated when the company filed for bankruptcy in June 2009. The reorganization plan will become effective following completion of a U.S. regulatory review.

Details of Sea Launch’s reorganization plan have yet to be revealed. In a disclosure statement filed with the bankruptcy court in May, Sea Launch said it intends to repay its $30 million debtor-in-possession loans in full, while current trade vendor’s unsecured claims, such as those from Aker and Boeing, would be repaid at 17.5 percent on the dollar.

The company has remained active throughout the bankruptcy process. Earlier in July, Sea Launch won multiple launch contracts with operators EchoStar and AsiaSat. A $25 million credit line from Space Launch Services has allowed Sea Launch to continue operating through reorganization.

GlobaFone, a leading satellite service provider announced that CEO Lou Altman will speak at the Disaster Management Summit in Houston, TX on August 19, 2010.

GlobaFone supports a diverse client base by providing an impressive portfolio of global communications solutions with a particular emphasis in the satellite segment. “I’m looking forward to once again sharing the satellite phone story,” said Lou Altman. He continued, “With new products, new launches and M&A activity, the industry is constantly changing, so there is always new information to deliver.”

During and after a disaster satellite communication are integral in helping any organization reach emergency professionals, employees, getting a company back up and running, along with many other pertinent issues. Satellite communications have proven to be the most reliable source of communication in any type of emergency situation.

The conference is being held at the Houstonian Hotel and Spa on August 19. Attendees include executives who play a key role in the safety and risk management of successful businesses or are responsible for tenants in a commercial building. Disasters strike any time and being prepared is the key factor whether an organization recovers successfully.

GlobaFone offers five brands of satellite communications and VSAT service as well as cell phones that work around the globe.