Jan 04, 2010, post by Satellite News
Vietnam Multimedia Corporation or Vietnam Television Corporation (VTC), one of the largest multimedia corporation in Vietnam has inked an agreement with Asian satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) for capacity on AsiaSat 5 satellite. VTC has inked this agreement on lease and will use multiple Ku-band transponders for the new DTH service in Vietnam on AsiaSat.
The DTH service will be distributed up to 30 High Definition and 70 Standard Definition channels with the use of new transponder capacity in the beginning of 2010. And the content of the same would be ranging from entertainment to technology, sports to lifestyles and everything else related to Vietnamese public’s life.
According to VTC General Director Thai Minh Tan, “AsiaSat 5 delivers powerful coverage to enhance our DTH service to our home market and the transponder capacity to expand our line-up of HD and SD premium television channels to viewers across the country. AsiaSat can support our aggressive plan to further diversify our range of digital TV services to enhance the viewing experience of the Vietnamese consumers.”
Added AsiaSat CEO Peter Jackson informed, “We are pleased to have VTC as our long-term partner for DTH services to Vietnam. AsiaSat 5 is our latest high performancesatellite launched this year and it will play a significant role in the DTH development of the country. We look forward to expanding our servicesin Vietnam, a fast growing economy of over 80 million people, with reliable and high quality satellite television when VTC launches its services on AsiaSat 5.”
About AsiaSat
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), which has been Asia’s premier regional satellite operator since established in 1988, is a dedicated pioneer in advancing satellite communications in Asia. We endeavour to provide highly reliable satellite services and technical excellence for clients.
Being committed to offer customer-oriented, professional and proactive services, AsiaSat has achieved the market leader position and enjoyed industry recognition over the years, thus winning many sizable broadcasting and telecommunications enterprises, and governments’ confidence to be their professional partner. With three in-orbit satellites, AsiaSat 3S, AsiaSat 4 and AsiaSat 5, billions of people around the world get accessed to information and communication channel through AsiaSat’s services. AsiaSat’s satellite fleet:
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is the gateway in space connecting to more than 50 countries in Asia Pacific
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bridges the communication of over two-thirds of the world’s population
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serves over 100 public and private television and radio broadcasters worldwide, offering more than 300 television and radio channels
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offers a variety of telecommunications services including public telephone networks, private VSAT networks and broadband multimedia services
AsiaSat is ever-advancing to enable Asia Pacific-wide satellite connection. Our proven expertise in satellite operation is fuelled relentlessly with innovative management ideas, advanced and leading edge but proven technologies to upgrade our space and ground network, and operational facilities and apparatus.
AsiaSat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited, a company listed (Stock Code: 1135) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. AsiaSat’s two major shareholders are CITIC Group and General Electric Company (GE).
Oct 29, 2009, post by Satellite News
Asia’s satellite operator Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) informed that Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), has inked a contract to provide a free to air English language news and information channel, NHK WORLD TV, through AsiaSat’s C-band full transponder MCPC (Multiple Channels per Carrier) platform on AsiaSat 3S. JIB is a subsidiary of NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
On AsiaSat 3S, Asia’s premium platform for satellite television, NHK WORLD TV/jibtv broadcast around the clock a variety of English language programming, from news to information programs on business, culture and lifestyles. Home viewers across Asia and Australasia can receive the free to air broadcast signal directly via a satellite dish or through local cable operators and Direct to Home (DTH) services providers.
“AsiaSat 3S is a strategic addition to our distribution network to access more viewers in Asia Pacific. Since our re-launch earlier this year, NHK WORLD TV/ jibtv are now viewed by more than 110 million households worldwide. AsiaSat 3S’s superb market access and international television neighborhood put us in a strong position to further broaden our reach and serve a wider English speaking audience across Asia Pacific,” stated Mr. Jun Kawakami, Executive Managing Director of JIB.
“We are pleased to attract a growing array of premium customers with global prominent broadcaster NHK joining AsiaSat fleet and utilizing AsiaSat’s industry-leading infrastructure and transmission services to expand the distribution of its international broadcast service, NHK WORLD TV in Asia Pacific. We look forward to supporting NHK in achieving further success in market penetration across the region,” said Peter Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.
Oct 22, 2009, post by Satellite News
Here’s what we know. Power Star Ltd (PSL), a company incorporated in Hong Kong and a joint venture between AsiaSat and Echostar Corp has submitted an application to Hong Kong’s Broadcasting Authority for a “Non-domestic Television Programme Service Licence” to provide direct-to-home subscription television service. The application was published in the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette on September 11 2009 and is currently under review by the Broadcasting Authority. In the case of a Non-domestic Television Programme Service Licence, the service does not primarily target Hong Kong.
The proposed service of PSL is not intended to compete head-on with local free and pay-TV operators, said a statement from AsiaSat. AsiaSat’s latest craft, the giant AsiaSat 5, was commercialised on Sept 17 following its launch on Aug 12. It operates from 100.5 deg East. The satellite carries 14 Ku-band, and 26 C-band transponders that can potentially span from Russia to New Zealand, and includes the Middle East and Japan as well as parts of Africa.
The target launch date of the Power Star service is the end of 2009. Programming and subscription packages will be determined and revealed in the coming months, said AsiaSat.
Echostar has been busy recently talking to Middle East broadcasters as well as some major players in India. A report on Sept 28 informed that Echostar had “revived” its interest in the Indian market. The report quoted Marc Lumpkin, an EchoStar spokesperson, saying “We have not made any announcements about other (besides Mexico and Taiwan) potential opportunities for launching a DTH service around the world, but we are always looking at ways we can use our experience and expertise to create businesses related to DTH services.”
