Thursday, 19th June 2008

SPORTS SHORTS

* Cable television network ESPN Star Sports (ESS) is reported to have bid over $40 million for the broadcasting rights for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in the Indian subcontinent. Under the third round of bidding, which closed last week, cable and satellite rival Ten Sports is thought to have offered close to $40 million, but ESS is believed to have emerged as the highest bidder. Indian pay-television broadcaster Neo Sports withdrew from the process, when the third round exceeded the $35 million mark. The increase in rights fees is attributed to football’s increasing popularity in India and marks a significant increase on the $9 million FIFA received for the 2006 World Cup and the mere $3 million paid in 2002. Sportsbusiness.com, Sportcal, Economic Times, 18th June 2008

* Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN), which broadcasts to Canada’s three million people of South Asian, East Asian and Arabic heritage, has acquired exclusive broadcast rights in Canada for cricket’s Asia Cup 2008, in a deal with ESPN Star Sports. The competition, hosted in Pakistan, begins on June 24, and features teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong. The matches will be broadcast live and rebroadcast on ATN channels CBN and ATN Cricket Plus. Sportsbusiness.com, 18th June 2008

* Globecast is planning a playout and media management centre in Singapore following its acquisition last month of Hong Kong’s Pacific Century Matrix. The new centre is part of a strategy to expand its offering in Asia, both geographically and commercially and is likely to please Singapore's Media Development Authority which has been pushing for the territory to become a regional "media hub". Broadcasters will be able to outsource both their channel management and delivery needs to Globecast via the Globecast Media Management solution for playout and origination. The centre will open in October and joins Globecast centres in London and Florida that also offer the “one-stop solution”. Rapid TV News, 18th Jun 2008

* Reliance Entertainment's Big Broadcasting has joined Asiasat 3S for its bouquet of television channels. An agreement has been signed for one C-band transponder on AsiaSat 3S. Reliance Big Broadcasting COO Ashutosh says, "One of our key objectives is to bring to our audience a unique, world class and unprecedented TV viewing experience. Placing our satellite television services on AsiaSat 3S, Asia’s premium platform for satellite television enables us to establish in the shortest time possible a seamless broadcast network accessing all our targeted cable homes. "By using Asiasat 3S, the most popular satellite platform for the Indian media market, we gain immediate access to all cable head ends across India". Indiantelevision.com, 18th June 2008

* Asian satellite operator Asiasat and Chitkara have announced a lease agreement to supply Chitkara with Asiasat 2’s C-band transponder capacity for the launch of a new television channel called Cube 3 across India. This new channel, scheduled for service launch next month, will be a free to air city centric television service broadcasting in Punjabi language. Its programming content will be news and general entertainment focused, targeting primarily viewers in Chandigarh, capital of the Punjab state and one of the most modern and affluent cities in India. Indiantelevision.com, 18th June 2008

* Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam has denied reports that he has thrown his hat in the ring to run for the top job at FIFA. Reports had indicated that the AFC chief would run for the FIFA presidency in 2011, when current incumbent Sepp Blatter's third term in the role expires. However, Bin Hammam has stated that he has no interest in the role and would support Blatter if he decides to stand for another term. When asked if there was any truth in reports that he would be running for the FIFA presidency in three years' time, Bin Hammam told reporters: "No. It is very clear that I support Mr Blatter. I do hope that he runs for another term in 2011 and I will support him as I always have done." Football Insider, 18th Jun 2008

* Tech Mahindra, which claims to be India's sixth largest software exporter and largest solution provider focused on global telecom industry, has entered into a strategic global alliance with Microsoft. This will address its System Integration (SI) requirements for deployments of the Microsoft Mediaroom Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multi-media software platform. Through the alliance, Tech Mahindra's solution will provide deployment and integration services for new and existing Microsoft Mediaroom broadband service provider customers to deploy IPTV services, which are expected to gain momentum in the coming years. The alliance will further empower Tech Mahindra in its quest to implement best-performing IPTV solutions and support cutting-edge technologies in interactive digital television. It will also help Tech Mahindra strengthen its IPTV SI capabilities and give both companies an opportunity to expand into new markets. Indiantelevision.com, 18th June 2008

* The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) has added four new members on board. The two new patron members are Singapore-based communications solutions provider SingTel and the next generation filmed entertainment studio in the US, Lionsgate. The two new corporate members are the US-based broadband services provider BigBand Networks and China-focused DVB products and systems provider Shenzhen Advanced Video Info-Tech Co., Ltd (AVIT). Indiantelevision.com, 18th June 2008

* England manager Fabio Capello is planning a trip to Thailand to give the country's Premier League clubs a lecture on football management , Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Worawi Makudi has announced. The Italian, who has coached several top European clubs including AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid, will meet managers of the 16 Thai league clubs and share his experience with them, Worawi said. Capello's presence is part of the FAT's attempt to improve the Thailand Premier League and create professional clubs as required by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Meanwhile, Manchester United is preparing to launch its first restaurant and bar in Bangkok. Football Insider, 18th Jun 2008

* Glu Mobile Inc., a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced a partnership with SEGA® Europe Ltd. to publish Beijing 2008™ – The Official Mobile Phone Game of the Olympic Games and Sonic at the Olympic Games™ throughout EMEA, Australia and New Zealand. Developed by SEGA, Beijing 2008™ will bring all the excitement of the Olympic Games to mobile audiences. Featuring four events, with an authentic look and feel, Beijing 2008™ will give mobile owners the chance to enjoy the “Olympic Spirit” for themselves, with control schemes accessible for novices and experienced gamers alike. This partnership between Glu and SEGA follows the success of previous SEGA titles developed and published by Glu for mobile phones. Gameindustry.biz, 18th June 2008

* Broadcaster WGBH has signed an agreement with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to produce ‘Paralympics 2008’ - the official film of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The documentary will focus on the events and experiences of the Paralympic Games and is scheduled for a two-hour, prime-time broadcast on the US channel PBS in Winter 2009. Paralympics 2008, which is produced by WGBH Boston with the assistance of the IPC, will also be distributed internationally via broadcast and DVD by WGBH. Sports Insider, 18th Jun 2008

* The International Surfing Association (ISA) has released "For a Better Surfing Future", the first ever ISA movie. The film, which was premiered at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in France, features the life stories of the five 2007 ISA Individual Scholarship Programme recipients from around the world. The short stories are available free of charge and can be screened, copied downloaded or uploaded anywhere in the world. An ISA statement read: "It is the ISA's desire to share with the world these beautiful stories." The films can be ordered from www.isasurf.org/ISAstore.php, whereby a US$5 shipping and handling fee will be charged. Sports Media, 18th Jun 2008

* ACO, the organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, and the Oreca racing team, have gone into partnership to launch a new endurance feeder series, which will start in 2009. Formula Le Mans will feature cars built by Oreca at Le Mans and fitted with a 420bhp V8 engine. The 14-round series will take place over seven rounds next season, five of which will coincide with events in the Le Mans Series. Each race will be an hour long and include an obligatory driver change and the intention is to give young racers experience in cars similar to those used in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race. Sportcal, 18th Jun 2008

* Plans for an international six-a-side cricket series in Asia this year have fallen through after the events failed to gain official sanctioning. The iSixes World Series was to have involved teams from the nine test-playing countries and top players, including Australian Shane Warne and Indian captain Anil Kumble, competing for a first prize of $1 million. The first event was due to take place in Singapore next month, with further stops envisaged in Shanghai, Dubai and one other location. However, organisers were unable to secure the support of the Asian Cricket Council or the International Cricket Council and is now considering a Twenty20 series, to be held between November and March, instead of a six-a-side series. Sportcal, 18th Jun 2008

* The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has granted Austria the hosting rights of its 13th Pro Tour event of the 2008 season after the French Table Tennis Federation stated that it would be unable to stage the event. The 2008 Erke Austrian Open will now be staged in Salzburg from October 29 to November 2. “The French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT) informed the ITTF marketing division TMS International that they were unable to stage the 2008 Erke French Open,” read a statement from the ITTF. “In joint efforts from TMS and ITTF President Adham Sharara, the possibility arose to replace the event with the 2008 Erke Austrian Open.” In the Olympic season, the 2008 ITTF Pro Tour consists of 17 tournaments. The Tour started in Velenje, Slovenia and ends with the Pro Tour Grand Finals being held in Macau from December 11-14. Sports Insider, 18th Jun 2008

* Poland has been handed the staging rights to the 2008 European Muaythai Championships. The event, which will be hosted by the country from June 23-28, will be attended by 35 countries from around the continent. For many of the competing athletes, this will be their final event before the forthcoming World Championships, which is part of the official sport programme of the Busan TAFISA Sport for All Games. The TAFISA Sport for All Games run from September 26 to October 2, 2008 in Busan, Korea. Sports Insider, 18th Jun 2008

* The Eurosport Group announced today that Jacques Béhar has left his role as Chairman and CEO, Eurosport Events, the group's event organisation and promotion subsidiary. Géraldine Filiol, currently Deputy Managing Director in charge of Rights Acquisitions, succeeds Jacques Béhar at the helm of Eurosport Events as Managing Director. Géraldine Filiol continues her role as Deputy Managing Director, Rights Acquisitions, for the Eurosport Group, with Julien Bergeaud, Director of Rights Acquisitions & Sales, taking over full responsibility of the rights department. Julien Bergeaud will continue to report to Géraldine Filiol. Laurent-Eric Le Lay, Chairman & CEO of the Eurosport Group, adds the role of Chairman & CEO, Eurosport Events. Jacques Raynaud, Vice Chairman of the Eurosport Group, becomes equally Vice Chairman of Eurosport Events. Sportsbusiness.com, 18th June 2008

* Tiger Woods will miss the rest of the season because of surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee, an injury he has been dealing with the last 10 months despite winning nine of 12 tournaments. Woods also said he suffered a double stress fracture of his left tibia while preparing to return to the PGA Tour last month, which forced him to miss the Memorial and was the source of his pain at Torrey Pines when he won the U.S. Open. TheRecord.com, 18th June 2008


MORE NEWS

India/Broadcast: Dish TV Q4 Net Loss at Rs 1.15 billion

Zee’s direct-to-home (DTH) service provider company Dish TV has posted a net loss of Rs 1.15 billion for the quarter ended 31 March 2008, compared with a net loss of Rs 1 billion in the year ago period. The service provider has added 285,000 new subscribers in the fourth quarter. The company’s gross operating revenue, however, jumped 21 per cent to Rs 1.36 billion as it added 285,000 new subscribers in the quarter. DTH revenue fetched Rs 1.29 billion, teleport services earned Rs 31 million while trading contributed Rs 37 million in the fourth quarter of FY'08.

Dish TV’s expenditure surged 11 per cent from Rs 1.76 billion to Rs 1.95 billion during this period. Cost of goods and services at Rs 1.11 billion is 44 per cent of Dish TV’s total expenses. In the quarter ago period, this stood at 46 per cent (Rs 1.05 billion). Dish TV has spent Rs 203 million on advertisement, which is 8 per cent of the total expense of the fourth quarter. For the full fiscal, Dish TV has posted a net loss of Rs 4.13 billion, up 64 per cent from a net loss of Rs 2.52 billion in the prior year. Operating revenue stood at Rs 4.12 billion, up 116 per cent from Rs 1.91 billion year-on-year.

During the year, Dish TV earned Rs 3.89 billion from DTH subscribers. Gross subscriber base stands at 3 million while net subscriber base is at 2.5 million as on March 31, 2008. Dish TV board of directors has approved to raise a capital of Rs 11.4 billion through rights issue. Dish TV targets Rs 500 million as carriage fee this fiscal. The DTH operator plans to charge Rs 40 million as carriage charge from fresh contracts with broadcasters. Indiantelevision.com, Rapid TV News, 18th June 2008

Elsewhere/New Media: Verimatrix Announces Mobile TV Content Security Solution

Verimatrix, which develops content security technologies that enhance the value of pay-TV networks, has announced the full profile of its comprehensive VCas for mobile TV solution. These will deliver a pay-TV service over mobile phones and other mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Verimatrix is demonstrating VCas for Mobile TV at the CommunicAsia 2008 trade event in Singapore.

VCas for Mobile TV enables pay-TV companies to respond to the growing consumer trend of watching television or video content when and where they want. Triple and quadruple-play service operators can deliver cost-effective mobile services that incorporate security and digital rights management (DRM) without requiring specialist security hardware. The standards-based solution secures video within home media distribution, streaming or downloaded applications and the emerging mobile broadcasting networks.

The company claims that VCas for Mobile TV is the only solution designed to take full advantage of the hybrid nature of commercial mobile video platforms, where a mobile TV broadcast network can be combined with an IP data connection via a mobile data network or local WiFi access.

A hybrid mobile network not only supports cost-effective content security, but also creates a compelling platform for interactivity and video to e-commerce linkage, allowing both content owners and pay-TV operators to generate further revenue or customer interest. For example, when watching a mobile broadcast a consumer can be directed to a website for further product information, to participate in a contest, or to make a purchase. This approach leverages standards-based support for secure broadcast, streaming and file distribution services using common VCAS server authentication and key management.

Key features of VCAS for Mobile TV include:
* Supports Multiple Networks and Standards – Broadcast delivery over DVB-IPDC, unicast streaming of VOD/clip-based content over 3G/GPRS networks, integration of a mobile handset within a home WiFi network and securing delivery of memory card based content files, which may be pre-recorded or converted from other pay-TV delivery systems.
* Partner Ecosystem Support – Headend integration has been completed with encoder equipment from Envivio with others in progress. Electronic Service Guide (ESG) integration with Tata Elxsi’s multi-standard field proven Mobile TV Middleware has been completed with others in development.
For full article: Indiantelevision.com, 18th June 2008