digital broadcast - november 2012

An ITP Business Publication | NOVEMBER 2012 | VOL. 5 ISSUE 11 THE BUSINESS OF DIGITAL CONTENT DELIVERY

IndiaCast joins a wave of Indian broadcasters investing in the Middle East television market and local audiences

New channels in the region; The winner of the Abu Dhabi Media Summit; MGM in film rights deal with DMI; new in-flight technologies

THE NUMBERS GAMEThe first tview audience ratings for the UAE reveal what people are watching

NEW SIGNALSThe possibility of India as a teleport hub

PASSAGE TO INDIA

TEST CARD

We speak with Intellicast’s

Fernando Gomes de

Oliveira

www.digitalproductionme.com 01NOVEMBER 2012

CONTENTS

04UpdateMBC launches new channel; HbbTV trial comes to the Middle East; AsiaSat divests SpeedCast stake; DMI gets exclusive MGM rights.

16AnalysisAn in-depth look at how the highest skydive was filmed and broadcasted.

40What’s new?A look at the latest products released in the last month.

46DataSome hard figures about IPTV numbers from around the world.

48Test cardIn conversation with Intellicast’s Fernando Gomes de Oliveira.

20COVER STORYWAVE OF THE FUTUREAn in-depth look at how Indian broadcasters are targeting the Middle East market and what they hope to achieve from their investments here.

28TVIEW RATINGS IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERSWe look at the first numbers published by the UAE’s new audience monitoring system.

35PRODUCT FOCUSCOME FLY WITH MEA look at media services offered onboard flights.

The growth and way forward for media brands in the journey ahead is through content asset monetization. ANUJ GANDHIIndiaCast.

20

NOVEMBER 2012VOLUME 5 / ISSUE 11

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02 www.digitalproductionme.comNOVEMBER 2012

COMMENT

This month we are all about India. South Asians form one of the biggest expatriate populations in the Middle East and broadcasters are targeting them increasingly. Indian broadcasters, especially, are looking to add viewers from this market and are employing new methods to access the ad potential offered here.

We focus on IndiaCast, a

company that specialises in the

distribution, marketing and

syndication of Indian channels

and content. Two of India’s

biggest broadcasters are behind

the new venture and we got to

speak with the CEO and COO of

the company. It is was interest-

ing to learn why Indian broad-

casters are looking to enter the

Middle Eastern market and the

reasons are many.

First, of course is the sheer number of South

Asians living and working here. Second, is the vast

appeal, even among nationals, of Indian content.

Bollywood captures the hearts and minds of the

people here and it is not surprising to find that

people love to watch Indian content even when

they don’t speak Hindi. There is also the potential

of increased ad spending in the region. India is

a very ad-dependent market where a big chunk

of the broadcaster’s revenue comes from ads.

In the Middle East, this is still not the case. Here,

big broadcasters like MBC bring pure content for

their viewers and even some of the biggest com-

panies do not advertise. Companies like IndiaCast

are trying to monetise these increased subscrip-

tion fees and enter the market here. What they

earn off of a subscriber for the whole year in

India, is charged for one month per subscriber

here. So you do the math.

As Indian broadcasters are looking to the

Middle East to expand their viewership base, the

India is calling

VISIT US ONLINEFor the latest news, analysis and reviews from the Middle East content delivery, media management and new media distribution business head to digitalproductionme.com

Indian government is looking outwards to attract

new business. The Indian Information & Broad-

cast Ministry has just announced plans to make

India into a teleport hub. This will allow broad-

casters to uplink and downlink signals through

facilities in the country. Ambitious plans were also

announced to set up new training facilities so that

professionals will be available to work in the new

set-ups. The recent opening up of the Indian FDI

sector will definitely help in taking these dreams

further as foreign companies

can now own majority stakes

in certain kind of companies,

telecoms being one of them.

This should drive interest.

So it seems that India is com-

ing out with its guns blazing.

But one always has to be a little

cautious with India. While the

country has taken major eco-

nomic strides, it is still bogged

down with high corruption

rates and bureaucratic red tape

that prevents foreign investors

from coming into the market.

Maybe this new initiative will be

different. I guess we have to wait and watch, and

as all Indians do, hope for the best!

As always I would love to hear your com-

ments and suggestions about the current issue.

Please do send them my way.

RUCHI [email protected]


THE BRIEFING

RESEARCH

MBC Group launched the 12th channel of its portfolio, MBC Masr,

at an event in Cairo, Egypt, on October 19. MBC1 fi rst launched in

Egypt in 1991, when the Egyptian TV archive was one of the main

pillars for the channel’s programming grid.

The initial channel grid for MBC Masr will include a full range

of programs, series, and movies. New shows on the channels in-

clude a daily talk show presented by media fi gure Mona Al Sha-

zly; a comedy night with Egyptian comedian Hani Ramzy; a talk

show focusing on contemporary Egyptian women’s issues called

“Nawaem W Bass”; and a daily sports show titled “Super Match”.

Additionally, the channel will air content from WWE, the global

format of “The Voice” in its Arabic version, and the second season

MBC launches 12th channelThe new network, MBC Masr, will target an Egyptian audience primarily.

BROADCAST

of “Arab Idol”, among many

other educational and reli-

gious shows.

As for the local and interna-

tional movies, shows and series

on the channel, the grid will

include “Monte Cristo” in its

Arabic adaptation; the second

season Turkish series, “Fatwa

2”; as well as several documen-

taries and family entrainment

shows such as “Green Apple”,

“Joelle”, “Scoop” and “Dr. Oz”.

Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s

offi cial spokesman & group

director of PR & commercial

said at the event: “We are keen

on working together to further

progress the Egyptian media

scene, raise the standards of

local entertainment content

to international standards,

through more investments,

outstanding production value,

and promoting the local Egyp-

tian content to foreign mar-

kets, while also exchanging ex-

periences, best practices and

sharpening skills.”

We are keen on working together to further progress the Egyptian media scene, and raise the standards of local entertainment content to international standards...

MAZEN HAYEK,MBC GROUP.

RESEARCH

MBC Group spokesman Mazen Hayek.

Reasons for reducing TV spendingAs many people cut traditional cable connections

and indulge in more online streaming. And with the

growing number of smart TVs being bought in the

world (as highlighted by the data on page 46 of this

issue), the phenomenon of cord cutting will continue,

Ericsson finds out in a survey. Italy had the highest

number of cord cutters, with 22% saying they had

reduced or eliminated their TV subscriptions in 2012.

The U.S. followed with 21%.

Source: Ericsson Consumerlab

56%42%

16%

12%

Not watching enough TV

Wanting to save money

No suitablepackage

Using freeinternetservices


THE BRIEFING

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DMI gets exclusive rights to MGM contentThe agreement will cover new MGM fi lms, including ‘Skyfall’.

BROADCAST

Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) has signed a

new international cooperation agreement with

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for exclusive

rights to broadcast MGM material until 2015.

The agreement gives DMI the exclusive TV

rights to a number of new fi lms, including the

latest James Bond fi lm “Skyfall”, starring Daniel

Craig, as well as the “The Hobbit” franchise. As

part of the agreement, Dubai One will be the

only MENA channel to screen these. The studio

also has a number of releases lined up for the

next year, including “Hansel and Gretel: Witch

Hunters” starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma

Aterton, “G. I. Joe: Retaliation” starring Channing

Tatum and Bruce Willis, a revamp of the 1987

classic “Robocop”, and “Carrie” based on Ste-

phen King’s 1974 novel.

Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, managing di-

rector and general manager of DMI, said: “The

agreement allowed non-Arabs in the region the

opportunity to communicate with their culture

through the distinguished product which is not

incompatible with our values and our morals.”

The agreement was signed by Al Shaikh for

DMI, and Meyer Chris Auatengr, head of distribu-

tion and acquisitions of World TV at MGM, on the

sidelines of the MIPCOM conference in Cannes,

France. The event was held from October 8-10.

GlobeCast and FRANCE 24 will ex-pand their exploratory Hybrid Broadband Broadcast Television (HbbTV) service to the Middle East in fall 2012 with the support of Orange and Arabsat.

The service, to be off ered to satel-lite viewers of FRANCE 24 in the Middle East, follows a European deployment started earlier this year with SES. The project will allow FRANCE 24’s viewers with smart TVs to interact with linear and non-linear content. GlobeCast will provide

Middle East now in HbbTV trialground services and uplink from its Paris-based technical operations centre. The satellite feed will be de-livered via the BADR-4 satellite, Ar-absat’s orbital position in the Middle East. Orange will use the content de-livery network (CDN) expertise of its

Smart Networks Program to drive the broadband deliv-

ery of this service.HbbTV is an industry

standard providing an open and business-neu-tral technology platform that combines TV servic-

es delivered via broadcast and broadband.

Intigral adds MBC channels to ‘Invision’STC Group subsidiary, Intigral,

signed an agreement with MBC

Group at GITEX Technology

Week 2012 to add seven MBC

HD channels to the ‘Invision’

interactive television service.

The seven channels include

MBC1 HD, MBC2 HD, and MBC

DRAMA HD. STC exclusively

o� ers ‘Invision’ services in Saudi

Arabia and the region.

Saudi ministries to launch TV channelSaudi ministries will take

new steps to support young

business people, including

launching a TV channel, Arab

News has reported. Qualifi ed

young Saudis will run the chan-

nel, which will focus on young

people and entrepreneurs.

Minister of Culture and

Information Abdulaziz Khoja,

Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh

and Minister of Commerce and

Industry Tawfi q Al-Rabiah made

their remarks at the Fifth Young

Businessmen Exhibition that

was held in Jeddah to boost

interest in small business.

FAST FACT

20%Percentage the

price of 4G is higher than 3G.

Source: ABI Research.

Daniel Craig’s latest outing as James Bond in Skyfall.

Karim Daoud

Minister of Culture

and Information

Abdulaziz Khoja

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THE BRIEFING

AsiaSat divests SpeedCast Hong Kong-based company sold the stake for $32m to a private-equity firm

BUSINESS

AsiaSat, the Hong Kong-based satellite fleet

operator, sold its entire interest in Speed-

Cast Holdings to private equity firm TA As-

sociates for $32.2 million, recording a profit

of over $17 million. SpeedCast Holdings is a

subsidiary of SpeedCast Acquisitions, which

is wholly-owned by TA Associates. In 2010,

SpeedCast opened its regional headquar-

ters in Dubai.

Since its inception in 1999, SpeedCast

has used AsiaSat’s satellite capacity for the

provision of satellite-based broadband ser-

vices. It offers managed network satellites

services in 30 countries in Asia, the Middle

East and Africa. Following the transaction,

AsiaSat will continue to supply satellite ca-

pacity and technical services to SpeedCast.

William Wade, president and CEO of

AsiaSat said of the divestiture: “We believe

the disposal of this non-core asset will ben-

efit SpeedCast’s long term growth while of-

fering an attractive opportunity for AsiaSat

to realise its investment in this successful

business. The proceeds from the disposal

will serve as general funds for further

growth of our core business.”

TA Associates of Boston will be paying

AsiaSat $25.1 million immediately, with the

remaining payments to be made in stages

through promissory notes issued within a

month of the close of the transaction. Un-

der the agreement, AsiaSat has agreed not

to invest in a SpeedCast competitor for five

years at least.

Eutelsat 21B to launch on November 9Eutelsat’s 21B satellite is being prepared for launch on November 9 by Arianespace on board an Ariane 5 rocket. It has been built by Thales Alenia Space and is designed to operate in orbit for 15 years. The satellite will cover Eu-rope, MENA and Central Asia and will replace Eutelsat 21A, which will subsequently be redeployed to another location for continued commercial service.

MBC brings back ‘04’ for season threeThe popular Arabic drama, ‘04’ returns for a much-awaited third season on MBC 4. The series is filmed in Dubai and focuses on four young men from different Ar-abic countries living in the same house: Ziad from Lebanon, Abdel Aziz from Kuwait, Wisam from Jordan, and Hassan from Egypt. The show is a joint production between MBC Group Content, 03 Productions and BPG Group.

Panasonic gets additional capacity on AsiaSat 5 Panasonic Avionics Corporation, provider of in-flight entertain-ment and communications (IFEC) solutions, secured additional Ku-band capacity on Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat)’s AsiaSat 5 to support global com-munications services. This new capacity will aid in-flight connec-tivity services for aircraft flying over the Middle East and India.

AsiaSat CEO

William Wade.


THE BRIEFING

YahLive to broadcast Saudi channels in HDSix Saudi channels will be available in HD on the UAE platform

BUSINESS

UAE-based satellite platform YahLive will broad-

cast six Saudi channels in HD on its platform.

Television viewers will have access to Saudi

1, Quran Kareem, El Sunnah, El Ekhbariya, El

thaqafi ya, and sport 1 in HD.

The agreement, which makes YahLive the fi rst

and only satellite broadcast platform to off er

Saudi TV channels in HD, was signed by Abdu-

laziz Muhiddin Khoja, Saudi Arabia’s minister of

culture and information, and Mohamed Youssif,

CEO of YahLive, in Jeddah on September 28.

“The Saudi market in particular has been wit-

nessing a number of positive, dynamic

developments in the broadcasting

sector, but the most signifi cant is

the advent of HD,” said YahLive

CEO Mohamed Youssif. “We

broadcast at 8 megabits per HD

channel to give viewers true pic-

ture beauty and interaction that

comes only with the HD experience.”

YahLive is a partnership company

with Yahsat, the UAE-based satel-

lite communications company,

a wholly-owned subsidiary of

Mubadala Development Com-

pany, and the global satellite op-

erator SES.

We pay a big number for a movie, and these guys are

getting it for free. In terms of the rights being abused, we’re talking tens of millions of dol-

lars.SAM BARNETT,CEO of MBC, on piracy.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

If we are talking about na-tional wellbeing, we are talking

about jobs and the power of entre-

preneurship to create new wealth.FADI GHANDOUR,

founder and CEO of Aramex, on the importance of technology in removing

hurdles to business.

FAST FACT

377Number of FTA Arab

channels that have an online presence.

Source: Arab Advisors Group.

YahLive CEO

Mohamed Youssif.

NOVEMBER 2012

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National Geographic to feature DXBWith the working title “Dubai:

Ultimate Airport”, National

Geographic Channels Inter-

national has commissioned a

10-part documentary series

on Dubai International Airport

— one of the world’s busiest

airports. Filming started on

September 24 and the series

will be broadcast to over

440 million households in 171

countries in 2013.

BBC shutters fi rst teletext service The BBC’s long standing

Ceefax service, the world’s fi rst

24-hour text based TV news

and information service, was

taken o� the air on October 23

at 23:30 BST (2:30 UAE) when

the UK’s last analogue TV signal

was switched o� in Northern

Ireland. The service was on air

for 38 years.

Launched in the pre-Internet

era, the service used spare ca-

pacity on the analogue signal to

bring constantly updated news,

weather and sports to viewers,

as well as games, reviews and

even holiday o� ers and quizzes. It

had sparked a host of imitators all

over the world. The service could

be considered the latest fatality

of the Internet era.

Dubai International Airport

Digital Broadcast ME B2B GMS DPS-275x410-E indd 1-2 10/30/12 2:35 PM


THE BRIEFING

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NOVEMBER 13-15AfricaComWith so many young ICT and

media entrepreneurs Africa

may well be the place where

the next technology boom

might occur. With all this

evolution, the traditional

telecoms and media players

must adapt. AfricaCom 2012

helps digital media stake-

holders learn more about the

continent that is said to have

one of the highest popula-

tions of young entrepreneurs

in the world.

http://africa.comworld-

series.com/

NOVEMBER 14-15SATCON 2012Government/military, media

& entertainment, telecom-

munications, commercial,

mobile satellite and enter-

prise organizations attend

SATCON in New York to see

the latest products and tech-

nologies, network with peers

and fi nd potential partners

and solution providers.

http://www.satconexpo.

com/

NOVEMBER 27-29Global MilSatCom 2012As defense budgets go up,

governments are looking for

ways to save money. Global

MilSatCom, the military

satellite communications

conference & exhibition, is

the answer. The 14th annual

event in London features 50

speakers including represen-

tatives from 20 mature and

emerging nations’ militaries

and governments.

http://www.smi-online.

co.uk/defence/uk/global-

milsatcom

Gates opines on role of interactive mediaAbu Dhabi Media Summit hosted many technology experts.

COMMUNITY

The Abu Dhabi Media Summit was held in the

UAE capital from October 9 to 11. A variety of ex-

perts from the region and the world discussed the

importance of technology for development and

the challenges to entrepreneurship.

Perhaps the most exciting bit of the conference

was the opening keynote address delivered by

Microsoft founder Bill Gates. He called on people

to develop technology that can help the poor. He

also discussed new media, promoting Microsoft

Windows 8 and its soon-to-be released Surface

tablet computer. He also advised caution to an

entrepreneur in the audience planning to start

an online Arab news channel station. “I think it’s

a little too early to put all your money on the in-

teractive side unless you are just trying to go after

high end audience,” Gates said.

The Tropfest Arabia Film Festival was held on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Oc-tober 26. Egyptian director Mohamed Hussen Anwar’s ‘Undamageable’ was named the winning fi lm at the free event. Sixteen fi lms from across the MENA region were shortlisted by co-directors Hend Sabry and John Polson from the over 200 entries to the fes-tival, based on creativity, originality and their use of the Tropfest T Signa-ture Item (TSI).

This year’s fi nalists represented eight countries and included: Mo-hamed Hussen Anwar; Lebanese di-rector of ‘One Last Goodbye’, Nadim Laham; Moroccan director of ‘Two, six’ and ‘Abjad’, Khaled Ettaki El-boumeshouli; Libyan director of ‘80’,

Region’s fi lmmakers laudedMuhannad Lamin; Iraqi director of ‘Eclipse’, Muhannad Kareem Kazar; and Emirati director of ‘The Signa-ture’, Eman Al Barakani.

Festival

co-director

Hend Sabry.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates.


THE BRIEFING

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SCENE CHANGE

INFOCOMM INTERNATIONAL

Eff ective January 1, 2013, Da-

vid Labuskes will take over as

executive director and CEO of

Infocomm International. He is

succeeding current CEO Ran-

dal Lemke who is retiring at

the end of 2012. Previously, La-

buskes served as vice president

of RTKL, a division of ARCADIS.

DOHA FILM INSTITUTEDoha Film Institute (DFI) has

appointed Abdulaziz Al-Khater

as Chief Executive Offi cer. He

joins DFI from Al Khalij Com-

mercial Bank and has also held

senior positions with Interna-

tional Bank of Qatar and HSBC.

In related news, Souq Waqif

will serve as the Doha Tribeca

Film Festival 2012 (DTFF) hub.

ASTRIUMAs part of its AGILE transforma-

tion plan, Astrium has swapped

the roles of two of its three divi-

sion chiefs. Evert Dudok will

become the CEO of Astrium

Services and Eric Beranger will

move in the opposite direction

to become the CEO of Astrium

Satellites. Dudok has been in

managing roles since 2005.

FRONT PORCH DIGITALAndy Hurt was appointed the

vice president of product man-

agement at Front Porch Digital.

Most recently, he served as se-

nior director of product devel-

opment and delivery at Level

(3) Communications, where he

led a global product develop-

ment organization for content

delivery networks.


DPME.COM ROUND-UP

The threat of IPTV

AROUND THE WEB

The latest World Television Market report said that while the international broadcast

market was worth a healthy 340 billion euros ($440.5 billion) in 2012, it is expected to

experience a steady decline in growth up to 2016. Analysis fi rm Idate concluded that

in 2012, new video services accounted for 7 billion euros ($9 billion) of the world video

market, which represents 3% of global video revenues.

The report stated that the chief

forces both driving and hampering

the industry’s growth and transfor-

mation involve new choices being

made by consumers that could ef-

fect volume and revenue forecasts

throughout the next four years.

The report asked key questions

like “Can terrestrial TV hold its own

against the rise of rival broadcasting

networks, i.e. satellite, cable, IPTV?”;

“Will hybrid television (terrestrial/

DTH and OTT) help revive wireless

networks?”; and “Can emerging mar-

kets provide solid growth prospects

in these uncertain times?”

50 Cent launches SMS Audio Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson offi cially launched his SMS AUDIO brand of headphones, for the Middle East, during GITEX Technology Week at a joint press conference with Shift LLC, SMS Audio’s offi cial partner in the MENA region. Jackson’s future plans, specifi cally in the MENA region, include partnering up with Dubai Autism Centre, where every SMS Audio product sold will contribute towards the charity.

MOST VIEWED EDITOR’S CHOICE SPOT POLL1 Zee launches Arabic-language

station2 MBC wins

exclusive broadcast rights for skydive

3 Royal de-but for LG OLED TV

4 Rihanna to play Meydan Race-course

5 Swedish House Mafi a start world tour in Dubai

European Champions’ in-house channel gets ‘more complex.’

Chelsea TV teams up with LiveU

Can celebrity endorsements affect sales?

Agree: If a musician is using the equipment, people are more likely to use it.

28%

The online home of:

67%Partially agree: It

depends on who’s endorsing.

IPTV is weighing in on traditional video models and broadcast markets will soon see its economic eff ect.


ANALYSIS

LEAP OF FAITHOn October 14 Felix Baumgartner became the first human to break the sound barrier. A record 8 million people watched the jump live on YouTube and on four broadcast networks – MBC Action being one of them. We look at the technology involved in filming and broadcasting such a jump.

Before he even jumped, Austrian athlete Felix

Baumgartner had set a world record. At 39 kilome-

ters above the desert in the south American city of

Roswell, New Mexico, he had participated in the

highest manned balloon flight. Before taking off,

Baumgartner reportedly said: “I know the whole world is watch-

ing now. I wish you could see what I can see. Sometimes you have

to be up really high to understand how small you are... I’m coming

home now.” While the free fall was initially expected to last be-

tween five and six minutes, Baumgartner deployed his parachute

after 4 minutes and 19 seconds.

Reaching 1,342.1 km/h (833.9 mph)—Mach 1.24—Baumgartner

broke the sound barrier on his descent with his ground support

staff hearing the sonic boom from at least four separate locations,

thus becoming the first human to do so without vehicular power.

Preliminary measurements show Baumgartner also broke two

other world records. With a final altitude of 39,045 m, he

broke the unofficial record for the highest manned

balloon flight of 37,462 m previously set by Nicholas

Piantanida. He also claims to have broken the re-

cord for the highest altitude jump, set in 1960 by

retired USAF Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who was

Baumgartner’s mentor and capsule communica-

tor at mission control.

Another record was set on YouTube as eight

million viewers simultaneously watched the live fall.

Many more saw the event as four networks, including MBC

Action, broadcast the event live, from 77 stations across 48 coun-

tries. A mixture of video solutions and communication compa-

nies, including Riedel Communications and Vizrt made sure that

the broadcast went off without a hitch.

UP IN THE SKYCameras have trouble work-

ing in extreme cold and heat,

as well as in near vacuum. For

that reason, all camera systems

used for the mission

were personally

designed and

developed by

the mission’s

director of

high-altitude

photography,

Jay Nemeth of

FlightLine Films.

The company offers

long-range optical tracking, ze-

ro-gravity qualified crews and

HD cameras for use in the cold

vacuum of space, as well as

FAST FACT

39 kmThe distance

from which Felix Baumgartner

jumped.

housings that allow traditional

motion picture cameras to op-

erate in that hostile environ-

ment. All cameras were tested

in a special chamber that simu-

lated the conditions of high alti-

tude and space.

There were nine HD cam-

eras in the capsule. Three were

4K digital cinematography

cameras, three were high-reso-

lution digital still cameras and

there was a pressurized elec-

tronics “keg” containing more

than 125 electronic compo-

nents and approximately two

miles of wiring. Baumgartner’s

pressure suit had three small

HD video cameras, including

one on each thigh and one on

The Mission Control station

www.digitalproductionme.com 017NOVEMBER 2012 NOVEMBER 2012

ANALYSIS

PH

AS

ES

OF

TH

E J

UM

P

the chest pack. These had to

work in near-space conditions

for up to 20 minutes, at super-

sonic speed and in any orienta-

tion.

Special fi lters were used

on some of the cameras be-

cause the brightness of the

sun is more intense in the up-

per stratosphere. Further, the

capsule had three channels of

microwave video. In compari-

son, the typical satellite uplink

truck has one or two micro-

wave video channels.

To achieve a live broadcast

from 23 miles above the Earth,

an optical ground tracking

camera system was developed

with features ranging from in-

frared to high-defi nition cam-

eras. This system was called the

“Joint Long-range Aerospace

Imaging and Relay”: JLAIR.

Two JLAIR units were used for

the project.

During much of Baumgart-

ner’s mission in the air, there

was a tracking helicopter

equipped with a Cinefl ex cam-

era that was stabilized with a

gyro system for precision op-

tics to a sub-pixel level. The

single-engine helicopter had

been modifi ed with a custom

mission package that included

one Cinefl ex V14 HD carrying

an advanced HD video camera,

two interior HD cameras, three

HD recorders, a 2GHZ micro-

Source: Red Bull Stratos

3

52

4

March 2012

RED BULL STRATOS TEST JUMP 1Capacity (helium): 1.22 million ft3Height: 127 ftJump altitude: 71,581 ft

August 1960

KITTINGER’S EXCELSIOR III JUMPCapacity (helium): 3 million ft3Height: 185 ftJump altitude: 102,800 ft

July 2012

RED BULL STRATOS TEST JUMP 2Capacity (helium): 5.3 million ft3

Height: 210 ftJump altitude: 97,145.7 ft

October 2012

RED BULL STRATOS MISSION JUMPCapacity (helium): 29.47 million ft3Height: 334.82 ftTarget altitude: 120,000 ft

Phase 1Balloon launches carrying Felix in the capsule.

Phase 2Balloon reaches edge of space in less than 3 hours.

Phase 3At approximately 39,000m, Felix depressurises capsule, steps out and jumps.

Phase 4As Felix attempts to break the speed of sound, his suit maintains the oxygen and pressure levels he needs to survive.

Phase 5Felix’s freefall duration was 4 minutes and 22 seconds (without drogue). Eventually, air resistance slows him down.

Phase 6Felix deploys parachute at approximately 1400m.

Phase 7Felix lands approximately 9 minutes after the chute deploys.

Phase 8Mission Control triggers capsule/balloon separation. Both return to earth for retrieval.

492 ft

410 ft

328 ft

246 ft

492 ft

492 ft

492 ft

1 2 3 4 5

1 TYPICAL HOT AIR BALLOONCapacity (air): 105,000 ft3Height: 75 ftSightseeing altitude: 2,000 ft

BALLOON COMPARISON


ANALYSIS

wave transmitter, a 16-port HD

switcher, and programmable

FM communications radios.

The helicopter’s system

allowed tracking of both

Baumgartner and the capsule,

with display of the resulting

image on a moving map that

showed the helicopter’s own

relative position. That mov-

ing map image was displayed

to Mission Control to increase

situational awareness, and to

enable the tracking helicopter

to guide the recovery helicop-

ter to Felix’s landing site. For

his second stratospheric test

jump, the helicopter was as-

signed to capture HD aerial

footage of Baumgartner un-

der his parachute and during

landing to transmit live via

microwave to Mission Control.

Further, it had to track the cap-

sule and capture the first aerial

shots of the vessel falling under

its cargo parachute, enabling

assessment of how the capsule

sustained landing in potential-

ly rough terrain.

ON THE GROUNDRiedel Communications

provided the entire communi-

cations solution for this proj-

ect, integrating both wireless

and wired digital intercom sys-

tems. Additionally, Riedel fur-

nished the fiber-based video

and signal distribution as well

as the wireless video

links from the cap-

sule’s onboard

cameras, en-

abling the

s t u n n i n g

p i c t u r e s

d e l i v e r e d

from the Red

Bull Stratos

capsule. For the

capsule that transported Felix

Baumgartner into the strato-

sphere, Riedel Communica-

tions provided the on-board

video control system for nine

HD video cameras with espe-

cially developed telemetry

control. In addition, the com-

munications infrastructure

on-site included the entire

compound, the mission con-

trol, the production offices, the

media/press center and the OB

truck. All these facilities and

positions were integrated into

one single communications in-

frastructure via a Riedel Artist

Digital Matrix system. Further-

more, Riedel furnished the on-

site digital radio network with

more than 100 radio receivers

and ten channels, which were

seamlessly integrated into the

wired matrix intercom system.

Riedel’s communications solu-

tions for the Red Bull Stratos

mission had been three years

in development and took up

the space equivalent to that of

two freight containers.

All the video signals on the

ground were distributed and

routed with Riedel’s Medior-

Net technology. MediorNet is a

fiber-based real-time network

for HD video, audio, com-

munications and data signals

that also provides integrated

processing, for efficient instal-

lation and maintenance. The

mission used 24 MediorNet

nodes that were in-

stalled in a redun-

dant ring topol-

ogy to provide

maximum reli-

ability. The con-

nection to the

flightline where

the balloon and

capsule were launched

was also realized with the Me-

diorNet system - in this case

with two MediorNet Compact

frames that were connected to

the main system.

MediorNet transported all

video signals of the mission, as

well as all signals from the OB

truck and all signals from the

JLAIR tracking truck. It also dis-

tributed the broadcast audio

between Mission Control and

recording. Furthermore, the

data of the telemetry used for

other broadcast applications

was transported via MediorNet.

In addition to the video trans-

port, MediorNet also served as

a network backbone for the on-

site Internet connection, pro-

viding Ethernet connectivity in

all areas of the compound.

All the graphic content for

TV and for live stream was pro-

vided by Vizrt Technology. The

joint team of Vizrt and netven-

ture personnel gathered live

data from capsule telemetry,

mission clocks, chest pack in-

formation, bio-meds and other

mission information in Red

Bull Stratos Mission Control

in Roswell. All data for several

websites were fed by web ser-

vices provided by netventure

using data centers in Germany,

Austria, Ireland and the US. The

team used Viz Graphic Hub’s

shared memory to distribute

content simultaneously be-

tween New Mexico and the Red

Bull Stratos studio at Servus TV

in Salzburg, Austria. Three Viz

Engines, Vizrt’s real-time 3D

compositing engine, were used

to display the on-air graphics

and video compositing.

CONCLUSIONCoordinating a mission of

this nature is no small task. It

also takes incredible guts to

go to a place where no man

has gone before. Information

gathered from the mission will

shed more light on the feasibil-

ity of high-altitude bailouts, the

fledgling commercial space-

flight industry, and for develop-

ing new emergency evacuation

systems from spacecrafts using

high-altitude parachutes. And

perhaps the most important

is the development of unique

communication and camera

systems used for the mission

that will be useful for space

professionals and possibly

tourists as well.

FAST FACT

TwoThe number

of test jumps Baumgartner did

before the final dive.

I know the whole world is watching now. I wish you could see what I can see. Sometimes you have to be up really high to understand how small you are... I’m coming home now.” Felix Baumgartner, before taking off on his historic jump.

FELIX BAUMGARTNER,Before he undertook his historic skydive.

www.digitalproductionme.com

COVER STORY

020 NOVEMBER 2012

Digital Broadcast Middle East spoke with Anuj Gandhi and Gaurav Gandhi, the CEO and COO of IndiaCast, respectively, about the company’s plans for the region, how the Middle East differs from India and what they hope to achieve from the local market.

WAVE OF THE FUTURE


COVER STORY

he Indian broadcast

market is very different

from most others. It is

not just the challenge

of serving 1.2 billion

people, but reaching the

wide range of audiences

around the country.

Although one country,

the people have vastly different viewing habits

based on language, age, region, socioeconomic

background and gender. Add to this the growing

telecom market in the country and one of the

highest numbers of cell phone users with

one of the lowest telecom rates in the

world. All these variants provide

broadcasters with many options

and it is up to them to look at this

as a challenge or advantage, and

come up with content.

Due to the vast Indian dias-

pora in Dubai and the rest of the

Middle East, Indian TV channels

have been very popular here. It is no

secret that a lot of Indian families illegally

install satellite dishes to avail of a wider variety

of Indian content at lower rates. Although the

government and company executives are trying

to curb their use, new ones seem to be springing

up daily. Further, the appeal of Bollywood mov-

ies and their stars is also very prominent among

both the Indian and non-Indian populations in

the region. Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis

and even the national populations love to watch

Indian shows and movies.

It is no surprise than that Indian media

companies have launched dedicated channels

in the Middle East to target the audience here.

The latest addition to the variety of offerings is

Viacom’s MTV India. The youth-focused channel

which has versions all over the world — including

one here called MTV Arabia — has emerged as

one of the most popular networks in India. With

the launch of COLORS and MTV India, Viacom18

is changing the game of content distribution. In

a new move for the industry, it has gone through

its subsidiary, IndiaCast, to distribute the content

in foreign countries.

ABOUT INDIACASTIndiaCast was formed in June 2012 as a joint ven-

ture between Viacom18 and broadcasting

group TV18 to distribute channels and

content from the two companies in

India and abroad. Viacom18 was

established in 2007 and is an

equal broadcasting joint venture

between Viacom and Network18.

“The company will be the

focal point not only for content

and media distribution but also to

drive the content asset monetisation

business of these channels,” said IndiaCast

group CEO Anuj Gandhi. “The growth and way

forward for media brands in the journey ahead

is through content asset monetisation — tak-

ing content across geographies, platforms and

mediums.”

IndiaCast provides placement services and

content syndication for Viacom18, TV18, A+E

Networks 18, and the recently-aquired southern

regional services of the Eenadu group, across

all platforms, including Cable, DTH, IPTV, HITS

and MMDS. The group distributes 26 channels,

including CNN-IBN, IBN7, COLORS, MTV, Nick

and HistoryTV18.

FAST FACT

60Number of countries

that get COLORS

Gaurav Gandhi, COO of IndiaCast.


COVER STORY

The company has a presence in every country

with a major Indian diaspora, including the

United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, Australia,

New Zealand, Fiji and Europe. COLORS, which

was launched in 2010, is now available in 60

countries and MTV India is available in 31 coun-

tries. Through the syndication play, IndiaCast

distributes its content to 75-80 countries as well.

These markets can either be places like Pakistan,

where there is a large demand for Indian

content but channels cannot offi -

cially launch, or markets where the

local population is targeted.

“The Indian distribution

market is throwing up ample op-

portunities and we are uniquely

poised to make the most of this

proposed alliance in an increasing-

ly digitised environment,” said Net-

work18 CEO Sai Kumar at the IndiaCast

launch. “Distribution is one of the high-growth

areas in this industry and we are excited to have

a presence in this part of the business as well.”

IndiaCast is up against two other distribution

competitors: MediaPro (a joint venture between

News Corp.’s STAR network and leading Indian

broadcaster Zee TV) and the Sony-Discovery One

Alliance (run by Sony Entertainment Network

and Discovery Communications). Further, the

broadcast space in India is attracting bigger play-

ers with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries

Limited (RIL) entering the entertainment sector.

However, IndiaCast is confi dent that there is

space for everyone in the market as all the ven-

tures deal with diff erent types of content.

THE INDIAN MARKETIndia is a very advertisement-dependent market.

While subscription revenues are growing, chan-

nels have to rely heavily on selling ad space to

generate profi ts in the country. This is an inter-

esting situation for a country with 1.2

billion people. Executives believe that

with increasing digitisation, sub-

scription fi gures should increase

as more people access content

in a variety of media. “The value

chain in India is such right now

that broadcasters don’t get a fair

share of the market,” said Gaurav

Gandhi, COO of IndiaCast. “Nowhere

else in the world can you get over 200

channels for $5.”

The amount of content consumption on

handheld devices is very high. While a user

might not be streaming content from YouTube

necessarily, they are defi nitely using diff erent

mediums to watch the content, which poses a

challenge to the broadcaster. “Handheld devices

are the lowest common denominator for watch-

ing content – everyone from the student to the

car driver watches content on their phones,” said

A. Gandhi.

But there is still plenty of opportunity. “India

is not one India,” said G.

Gandhi. He explained that even

when broadcasters cut out

the Hindi-speaking belt of the

north, there are big language

sets in the country, includ-

ing the four southern states,

northeastern states, Bengali

and Marathi sectors, and the

emerging Punjabi and Odiya

sectors as well.

IN THE MIDDLE EASTOne of the main reasons

Indian broadcasters look to

the Middle East is the large

advertising market that to date

remains largely untapped. The

market is estimated to have a

FAST FACT

75-80countries that get IndiaCast content through syndica-

tion services.

MTV India’s Coke Studio

COVER STORY

IND

IAC

AS

T’S

CH

AN

NE

L PO

RT

FO

LIO:

• TV18 - CNN-IBN, IBN7,

IBN-Lokmat, CNBC-TV18,

CNBCAwaaz and CNBC-

TV18 Prime HD

• Viacom18 - COLORS, MTV,

Nick, Sonic, Vh1, Comedy

Central and COLORS HD

• A+E Networks I TV18 -

HistoryTV18

• Eenadu – ETV, ETV 2, ETV

Bangla, ETV Marathi, ETV

Kannada, ETV Gujarathi,

ETV Oriya, ETV UP, ETV

Bihar, ETV Urdu, ETV

Rajasthan and ETV MP

• Sun Network Channels

and Disney Channels for the

Hindi-speaking markets of

northern India


COVER STORY

value of $30-$35 million and is growing

at an average rate of 5-10%. Partnered

with the low cost of operations, the

Middle East is a veritable gold mine for

Indian broadcasters. Audience ratings are not easily

available in the region, but that does

not seem to bother IndiaCast. G.

Gandhi explains: “For any television

brand typically, audience ratings are a

reference point or benchmark of how

the consumers perceive the content.

But these tend to be more effective for

movie channels and channels which

broadcast long-term programming.

MTV being more of a lifestyle brand

it is harder to measure audiences

through traditional methods…for youth

and lifestyle brands, ratings are not the

only benchmark.”

MTV India is IndiaCast’s second

venture in the Middle East. The chan-

nel is available on Pehla branded

packs across DTH, Cable, IPTV and

SMATV across Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran,

Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,

Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria,

UAE, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Morocco,

Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan and Mauritiana.

COLORS, the popular Hindi entertain-

ment channel, launched in September

2010. The channel has some of the

most popular shows in India, including

reality shows like Big Boss and India’s

Got Talent, and social dramas like

Balika Vadhu and Parichay. The mass

appeal of Big Boss’ star, Bollywood

actor Salman Khan, in the region also

helps shows reach wider audiences. G.

Gandhi also added that they are evalu-

ating two or three other brands from

the Viacom18 group and will launch a couple of

brands over the next six months here.

To promote MTV, IndiaCast is planning a

“whole host of ground engagements” for youth

across the GCC to raise awareness of their

programming and content options. While they

already have a Facebook page, they will also soon

launch an interactive website. “Subscription will

be our biggest revenue generator in the Middle

East – the same as it is in India,” G. Gandhi said

about their budgetary plans. “But naturally ad

sales are also a big portion of the picture. We

have a sales team on the ground in the UAE and

they have been selling for COLORS and will now

sell this as well. Further, we will have a person

who will handle the ad feed in the region. To

boost sales we are looking at doing some local

events to increase interest by advertisers, which

will add to the revenues. Once the website is

established we want to be able to sell the TV and

The growth and way forward for media brands in the journey ahead is through content asset monetisation.

ANUJ GANDHICEO of IndiaCast.

Anuj Gandhi, CEO of IndiaCast


COVER STORY

online space together to the youth as a bundle as

a way of increasing sales.”

IndiaCast’s main competition in the region

could be considered Zee Entertainment. The

broadcaster offers Zee Aflam, a Hindi movie

channel, and Zee Alwan, which shows dubbed

Hindi dramas as well as reruns of hit Arabic

shows. The company has invested $100 million

in the new channel and is looking to develop its

own Arabic content.

“We are investing in creating new entertain-

ment experiences tailored for an Arabic speak-

ing audience,” said Mukund Cairae, CEO for

the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, Zee

Entertainment Enterprise LLC. “We are taking

the next step by localising content, which means

bringing a sizeable investment to the region as

well as providing opportunities for the talented

Arab creative.”

However, the Gandhis believe that there is

enough audience share in the Middle East to go

around for everyone. “While they are focusing

on the local, Arabic-speaking audience, we are

looking mainly to the South Asian expatriate

diaspora,” adds A. Gandhi. The two audiences are

definitely different from each other.

Ultimately, distributers like IndiaCast rep-

resent a new era in the broadcast industry. In

India, advertising revenues rule the market, but

it is the unexplored territory of telecom broad-

casting that holds promise for IndiaCast. While

in markets like the Middle East, it is the lack of

advertising revenue and a virgin audience that

appeals to them.

“You can play the value game and the volume

game, but digitisation will allow you to play the

premium game,” G. Gandhi concludes. With

increasing digitisation, there will be more band-

width available, and A. Gandhi believes the direct

product of this will be the launch of new chan-

nels targeting more niche audiences. And this

could change the broadcasting landscape.

Subscription will be our biggest revenue generator in the Middle East – the same as it is in India. But naturally ad sales are also a big portion of the picture. We have a sales team on the ground in the UAE and they have been selling for COLORS and will now sell this as well. GAURAV GANDHICOO of IndiaCast.

Indian superstar

Salman Khan hosts Big

Boss on COLORS

The Middle East & North Africa’s ONLY monthly magazine for the broadcast and production industry

Official Publication

FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT:

Wissam KhodurTel: +971 4 444 3272Email: [email protected]

FOR EDITORIAL CONTACT:

Christopher NewbouldTel: +971 4 444 3596Email: [email protected]

TO SUBSCRIBE:

Subscription is FREE for industryprofessionals. Simply visit:www.itp.com/subscriptions today.

Vol. 14 Issue 10 October 2012An ITP Business Publication

PLUSNEWSOPINIONANALYSISHEAD-TO-HEADREVIEWSCOMMUNITYCAREERSEVENTSPRODUCTS

ENTERSANDMAN

FILMING WITH THE MILLHOUSE FILMS TEAM IN THE HEAT OF THE AJMAN DESERT

TECHNOLOGYSports TV is undergoing some

dramatic changes

CASE STUDYHow the Arab Spring brought

new media to the mainstream

PRODUCTIONUnforgettable: Dubai’s latest

feature is truly homegrown

he Indian entertainment industry is one of

the biggest sectors in India and Bollywood

is considered to be the only competitor in

size to Hollywood. It is no surprise then

that Indian content is slowly spreading

around the world as Indian broadcasters

take to new markets in search of viewers.

But the Indian government also wants

to attract significant investment into the

country and has recently announced plans to become a teleport

hub much like Hong Kong and Singapore. This will allow users to

BROADCAST INDIA

026 NOVEMBER 2012

As Indian broadcasters look to the Middle East to expand their viewership base, the Indian government is taking measures to ensure that the whole world has to use their services. The Information and Broadcast Ministry recently announced plans to make India a teleport hub. What will this mean for the country and the rest of the world?

INDIA LINKS THE WORLD

uplink and downlink signals through satellite farms situated at vari-

ous points in the country.

Speaking at the CII Media & Entertainment Summit 2012 in

New Delhi, I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma said that becoming a

teleport hub could help India to attract foreign direct investment

(FDI) and move up in the value chain in content generation. “The

initiative will bring on foreign investment, better technology and

sustainable employment opportunities,” Varma said. The govern-

ment’s recent decision to allow 74% of foreign direct investment

(FDI) in DTH, IPTV, mobile TV and so on are some of the steps that

have been taken in this direction, he added. Varma added that the


I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma, speaks at the CII Media & Entertainment Summit in

New Delhi.


BROADCAST INDIA

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

(I&B) will hold consultations with industry

very soon to explore modalities, challeng-

es and finalise the road map for the same.

To aid the new teleport and commu-

nication services, the government also

plans to set up centres of excellence to

produce technical professionals under

public-private partnership with a focus on

animation, gaming and VFX industries. The

first such centre would come at Mohali by

the end of this financial year. Further, the

government also plans to restructure the

national Broadcasting Corporation of India

by enabling it to recruit fresh talent and

restructure financial flows to make it more

appealing to foreign investors.

The Indian government has recently

undertaken a massive project to go digital.

From November 1, people without a set-

top box in the four metropolitan cities of

Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata will

not be able to watch TV. In cities with more

than one million people like Pune, Ahmed-

abad and Bangalore, the deadline for

digitisation is March 31, 2013. The

final deadline for complete

digitisation in urban areas

is September 30, 2014

while the entire country

is expected to achieve

digitisation by Decem-

ber 31, 2014. On digitisation, Varma said

that about 45,000-50,000 set top boxes

are being installed every day, and the first

phase of digitisation would be completed

within the stipulated deadline.

What all this means for global broad-

casters is that new channels for services

are about to open up. Teleports are the

channels by which satellites can be inte-

grated into complex networks involving

fiber, microwave, wireless and mobile tech-

nologies in order to expand their reach

beyond the edge of the network, broadcast

one-to-many, or feed bandwidth-hungry

applications. As India enters this game,

much like its other services, its prices will

be much lower than the rest of the world.

Further with the amount of FDI coming

in to India, there is sure to be quality net-

works set up in the region.

On the other hand, India is infamous

for the barriers to business. The high levels

of red tape in the country have deterred

many foreign companies from entering the

market. Maybe this venture will have a bet-

ter outcome because of the govern-

ment backing and the new FDI

rules. Increasing digitisation

and a slew of broadcasters

investing in the market

will ensure that the new

venture succeeds.

FAST FACT

74%FDI allowed in Indian

DTH, IPTV and mobile TV companies

58(W) ×225 (H) mm

DigitalStudio

Return Loss

Isolation

0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 3.0

0

-20

-40

-60

-80

-100

S11(dB)

(GHz)

0.6 1.2 1.8 2.4 3.0

0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

S11(dB)

SMPTE424M

(GHz)

True3G-SDI

Rotary SwitchTechnology

75 ohm VIDEO PATCHBAYS

Digitally Fit

®

www.canare.co.jp

Rotary SwitchTechnology

75ohm

®

ALL IN THE NUMBERS

A

TVIEW RATINGS

028 NOVEMBER 2012

lack of accurate audi-

ence measurement

systems in the UAE had

deterred advertisers

from investing in the

market. And although

talk of a system had

been around for a

while the fi rst mention

of a people monitor in the country came in the

summer of this year. We interviewed Christopher

O’Hearn, the general manager of the Emirates

Media Measurement Company, and found out

more about the new monitors dubbed ‘tview’.

Since it offi cially went live on October 15, the

company has published its fi gures about almost

60 of the most popular channels in the region.

EMMC is a joint venture of leading broadcast

entities, Abu Dhabi Media, Sharjah Media, Rotana

Media, and Etisalat, and is also supported by du.

The project was the result of a Federal Cabinet

initiative and has been led by the National Media

Council and the Telecommunications Regulatory

Authority. By reporting viewing at a minute-by-

minute level it off ers insights into viewing pat-

terns and behaviour which have not previously

been available. The tview panel data includes de-

tailed demographic information such as nation-

ality, gender, location, age and socio-economic

status for viewers aged 4 and above, although all

data is reported anonymously and individuals are

not identifi ed. A number of clients have already

installed the system and have been using the data

on a test basis. Subscribers receive daily audience

data which can be analysed and reported with a

software tool.

“Our early users have found tview off ers

them an unprecedented and extremely valu-

able insight,” O’Hearn said. “Of course it is not

yet perfect and we will continue to refi ne and

improve it in cooperation with the industry. This

is a huge leap which will help the media market

grow, enable advertisers to reach their audiences

and ultimately mean better choice and content

for viewers.”

From the published data some interesting

patterns have emerged upon analysis. MBC chan-

nels consistently come out on top, making the

network one of the most popular in the region.

Its shows, including ‘The Voice’ and ‘Nawart,’ also

consistently emerged at the top of the charts.

However, the breakdown by nationalities re-

vealed a completely diff erent set of programs for

the South Asian audiences. The data reveals, as

believed by broadcasters, that the variety of audi-

ence here off ers a lot of opportunity for advertis-

ers. Hopefully, the system will help boost ad sales

and bring more programming to the region.

FAST FACT

60The number of

channels moni-tored by tview.


After a long wait, the Emirates Media Measurement Company offi cially launched the UAE’s TV audience monitoring system on October 1. The system went live on October 15 and has since revealed some interesting data. Here we present the results from one week of television viewing.

This is a huge leap which will help the media market grow, enable advertisers to reach their audiences and ultimately mean better choice and content for viewers.CHRISTOPHER O’HEARN, General Manager of the Emirates Media Measurement Company.

ALL IN THE NUMBERS


TVIEW RATINGS


TVIEW RATINGS

Rank Channels TRP Share Rtg% Rch%

1 MBC 1 267.1 4.69 0.56 40.9

2 MBC Action 171.4 3.01 0.36 37.9

3 MBC 2 166.6 2.93 0.35 35.3

4 MBC 4 161.3 2.83 0.34 32.7

5 MBC Max 130.3 2.29 0.27 33.5

6 National Geographic Abu Dhabi 97.7 1.72 0.2 23.9

7 MBC Drama 93.9 1.65 0.2 31.8

8 Dubai TV 91.9 1.61 0.19 28.1

9 Al Arabiya 91 1.6 0.19 29.8

10 Al Jazeera 81.7 1.44 0.17 28.4

11 Melody Aflam 74.1 1.3 0.15 30.4

12 Abu Dhabi Al Oula 72.3 1.27 0.15 23.1

13 Rotana Cinema 63.3 1.11 0.13 27.3

14 Rotana Aflam 48 0.84 0.1 27

15 Fatafeat 39.7 0.7 0.08 22.1

16 Zee Aflam 37.3 0.66 0.08 24.4

17 Abu Dhabi Drama 32.4 0.57 0.07 26.2

18 Abu Dhabi Sports Channel 31.3 0.55 0.07 21

19 Fox Movies 30.4 0.53 0.06 24.7

20 Abu Dhabi Emirates TV 30 0.53 0.06 22.8


1 Dubai TV 212.5 6.54 0.44 26.2

2 MBC 1 209. 9 6.4 7 0.44 30.5

3 MBC Drama 125.1 3.85 0.26 26.8

4 MBC Max 110.1 3.39 0.23 28.2

5 MBC Action 100.5 3.1 0.21 27.1

6 MBC 4 91.7 2.82 0.19 25.6

7 MBC 2 80.2 2.47 0.17 27.5

8 Abu Dhabi Al Oula 75.8 2.33 0.16 22.5

9 Abu Dhabi Drama 63.4 1.95 0.13 22.7

10 Abu Dhabi Emirates TV 59.5 1.83 0.12 23.2

11 Sama Dubai 58.7 1.81 0.12 26.8

12 Zee Aflam 57.7 1.78 0.12 19.4

13 Fatafeat 44.4 1.37 0.09 14.7

14 Al Jazeera 39.3 1.21 0.08 11

15 Abu Dhabi Sports Channel 32.8 1.01 0.07 16.2

16 Sharjah TV 29.2 0.9 0.06 16.6

17 Dubai Sports Channel 26.5 0.82 0.06 15.3

18 Fonoon TV 24.8 0.76 0.05 15.8

19 Noor Dubai 22.5 0.69 0.05 18.7

20 Dubai One TV 21.6 0.67 0.05 13.9

The total number of hours viewed by this target group this week is 47.99 hours for 3 consecutive minutes Infosys+ data sample Expat Arabs 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to TRP. TRP is the sum of ratings points achieved by a channel program, or spot of the target audience. TRP is based on 3 minutes consecutive viewing.

The total number of hours viewed by this target group this week is 38.18 hours for 3 consecutive minutes Infosys+ data sample Emiratis 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to TRP.

Top Channels Viewership Expat Arabs

Top Channels Viewership Emiratis


TVIEW RATINGS


1 Asianet Middle East 314.2 6.45 0.65 38

2 Sony TV 186.2 3.82 0.39 28.9

3 Asianet News 128.6 2.64 0.27 40.5

4 Mazhvil Manorama 94.6 1.94 0.2 34.5

5 Star Plus 87.8 1.8 0.18 23.1

6 Zee TV 80.9 1.66 0.17 24.4

7 GEO TV (Middle East) 79.9 1.64 0.17 20.5

8 Colors 67 1.3 8 0.1 4 1 8.6

9 Kairali 54.1 1.11 0.11 38.8

10 MBC Max 42.9 0.88 0.09 24.4

11 Bangla Vision 35.9 0.74 0.07 11

12 Ary Digital 33.9 0.69 0.07 10.5

13 MBC Action 23.7 0.49 0.05 19.3

14 Zee Aflam 22.1 0.45 0.05 14.9

15 NDTV 24X7 22.1 0.45 0.05 21.9

16 Zee Cinema 21.1 0.43 0.04 23.6

17 Star Gold 20.5 0.42 0.04 15.1

18 Life Ok 19.9 0.41 0.04 19.3

19 MBC 2 19.6 0.4 0.04 22.7

20 Set Max 16.4 0.34 0.03 11.6


1 MBC 1 427.2 2.83 0.89 60.6

2 MBC Max 399.1 2.65 0.83 62

3 MBC 2 376.9 2.5 0.79 60.2

4 Asianet Middle East 367.9 2.44 0.77 55.6

5 MBC Action 336. 6 2.2 3 0.7 57.7

6 Dubai TV 201.2 1.33 0.42 51.9

7 MBC 4 182 1.21 0.38 54.6

8 Sony TV 173 1.15 0.36 26.2

9 MBC Drama 158.7 1.05 0.33 54.2

10 Asianet News 156.8 1.04 0.33 55.7

11 Zee Aflam 145 0.96 0.3 39

12 Fox Movies 137.4 0.91 0.29 48.4

13 Al Arabiya 130.7 0.87 0.27 45.3

14 Abu Dhabi Al Oula 129.5 0.86 0.27 46.6

15 Al Jazeera 127 0.84 0.26 41.7

16 Star Plus 103.3 0.68 0.22 23.3

17 National Geographic Abu Dhabi 92.9 0.62 0.19 39.4

18 Mazhvil Manorama 90.4 0.6 0.19 51.2

19 Rotana Cinema 88.6 0.59 0.18 46.2

20 Abu Dhabi Drama 76 0.5 0.16 48

The total number of hours viewed by this target group this week is 31.70 hours for 3 consecutive minutes Infosys+ data sample South Asians 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to TRP.

The total number of hours viewed by this target group this week is 60.47 hours for 3 consecutive minutes Infosys+ data sample All Households 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to TRP.

Top Channels Viewership South Asians

Top Channels Viewership All Households


TVIEW RATINGS

Rank Title/Description Channel Genre Time Rtg% Rtg(000) Share

1 THE VOICE MBC 1 ENTERTAINMENT 22:05 5.46 110.36 29.47

2 ACTION NEWS MBC Action CULTURAL 16:38 3.35 67.71 17.62

3 TOP GEAR MBC Action CULTURAL 22:23 2.9 58.61 12.66

4 TOP GEAR MBCAction CULTURAL 19:02 2.29 46.17 12.72


6 ALA MAR AL ZAMAN MBC 4 SERIES 22:02 2.04 41.29 10.4

7 HAREM ALSOLTAN / SEASON 2 Dubai TV SERIES 20:57 1.84 37.32 9.88

8 AL AWRAQ AL MOTASAQETA / SEASON 5 MBC 1 SERIES 17:01 1.81 36.58 11.8


10 WI FI MBC 1 SERIES 24:35 1.72 34.81 9.72

11 BAIT MBC 2 MOVIE 24:00 1.71 34.64 12.49

12 ACTION NEWS MBC Action CULTURAL 18:39 1.69 34.12 10

13 ACTION NEWS MBC Action CULTURAL 17:56 1.63 32.95 11



16 HAWAII FIVE-0 MBC Action SERIES 15:44 1.58 31.92 8.85


18 ACCEPTED MBC 2 MOVIE 18:00 1.58 31.9 10.11

19 AL ETEGAH AL MOAAKES Al Jazeera TALK SHOW 23:06 1.52 30.68 6.94

20 ON SET MBC 2 CULTURAL 24:22 1.51 30.53 8.28


1 THE VOICE MBC 1 ENTERTAINMENT 22:05 3 26.18 26.57

2 NAWART MBC 1 TALK SHOW 22:32 2.55 22.25 18.92



5 30 ROCK MBC 4 SERIES 26:54 1.9 16.57 37.71




9 WATHAAQY Dubai TV CULTURAL 26:55 1.75 15.27 41.52

10 LAW KAN BAINANA MUHAMMAD MBC 1 CULTURAL 26:06 1.67 14.63 22.29



13 HIKAYAT BANAT Dubai TV SERIES 25:27 1.59 13.92 21.2



16 BEN AL MADY WA AL HOB MBC Drama SERIES 21:00 1.44 12.6 12.91


18 HEKAYE SAMAR Dubai TV SERIES 24:43 1.43 12.5 1 9.19


20 FRIENDLY MATCH Abu DhabiSportsChannel SPORTS 18:31 1.42 12.42 14.61 8.28

Infosys+ data sample Expat Arabs 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to RTG%. RTG% measures the popularity of a program, time band, com-mercial break or advert by comparing its audience to the population as a whole. One TV Rating is equivalent to 1% of a target audience.

Infosys+ data sample Emiratis 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to RTG%.

Top Programs Viewership Expat Arabs

Top Programs Viewership Emiratis


TVIEW RATINGS


1 BADE ACCHE LAGGTE HAI Sony TV SERIES 22:29 2.32 58.87 10.39

2 KUMKUMAPOOVU Asianet Middle East SERIES 21:33 1.96 49.63 7.95

3 KYA HUAA TERA VAADA Sony TV SERIES 21:59 1.86 47.11 7.91

4 LUNAR’S COMEDY XPRESS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 22:36 1.79 45.46 8.99

5 VODAFONE COMEDY STARS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 20:00 1.77 44.81 7.93

6 CHINA TOWN Asianet Middle East MOVIE 22:37 1.58 40.08 10.13

7 KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI Sony TV ENTERTAINMENT 20:29 1.55 39.19 7.01

8 CINEMALA Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 21:04 1.5 38.04 5.57

9 KAKKAKUYIL Asianet Middle East MOVIE 13:58 1.5 37.99 14.14

10 KAHANI COMEDY CIRCUS KI Sony TV ENTERTAINMENT 22:24 1.47 37.25 7.22

11 VERUTHE ALLA BHARYA / SEASON 2 Mazhvil Manorama ENTERTAINMENT 21:01 1.46 37.08 6.55

12 BEST OF ASIANET MIDDLE EAST EVENTS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 22:33 1.43 36.18 5.98

13 BEST OF ASIANET MIDDLE EAST EVENTS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 13:31 1.41 35.72 11.17

14 SUMMARY OF ROWDY RATHORE Sony TV ENTERTAINMENT 22:19 1.4 35.48 5.96

15 MAMMOOTTY THE BEST ACTOR AWARD/S3 Asianet Middle East TALK SHOW 21:00 1.31 33.24 6.37


17 MUNSHI Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 21:28 1.23 31.29 5.12

18 DARLING DARLING Asianet Middle East MOVIE 13:58 1.22 30.86 10.78

19 NAZRANI Asianet Middle East MOVIE 14:01 1.2 30.3 10.75

20 IVAR VIVAHITHARAYAL Asianet Middle East MOVIE 13:52 1.18 30.02 10.3







6 WILD CHILD MBC 2 MOVIE 14:00 2.44 46.99 5.18

7 ABDUCTION MBC 2 MOVIE 23:59 2.43 46.63 8.13

8 KEED AL NESAA / SEASON 2 MBC 1 SERIES 18:02 2.29 43.95 5.53




12 BAIT MBC 2 MOVIE 24:00 2.05 39.5 7.05

13 NESAA HAERAT MBC 1 SERIES 19:57 2.02 38.82 4.02

14 WWE AFTERBURN MBC Action SPORTS 19:20 2 38.52 4.33

15 KUMKUMAPOOVU Asianet Middle East SERIES 21:33 1.96 37.7 3.62

16 VODAFONE COMEDY STARS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 20:00 1.96 37.69 3.94

17 LUNAR’S COMEDY XPRESS Asianet Middle East ENTERTAINMENT 22:36 1.95 37.42 4.07

18 BABY ON BOARD MBC Max MOVIE 24:06 1.93 37.17 6.32

19 WWE AFTERBURN MBC Action SPORTS 23:17 1.9 36.52 4.4

20 ALA MAR AL ZAMAN MBC 4 SERIES 22:02 1.87 35.86 3.65

Infosys+ data sample South Asians 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to RTG%.

Infosys+ data sample All Households 14th to the 20th October 2012 – Rank sort according to RTG%.Source: tview

Copyright: Emirates Media Measurement Company FZ LLC

Top Programs Viewership South Asians

Top Programs Viewership All Households

AWA R D S 2 0 1 3

9 t h A N N U A L

W E D N E S D A Y 13th MARCH 2013DUBA I , U AE

FIND OUT HOWYOU CAN BE

INVOLVED TODAY

To submit your nominations,w w w . d i g i t a l p r o d u c t i o n m e . c o m / d s a w a r d s

For sponsorship opportunitiesplease contact:Wissam KhodurSales ManagerTel: +971 4 444 3272E-mail: [email protected]

For nomination enquiriesplease contact:Chris NewbouldEditor, Digital StudioTel: +971 4 444 3596Email: [email protected]

For table bookings and further informationplease contact:Michelle MeyrickEvents Manager, ITP BusinessTel: +971 4 444 3328Email: [email protected]

The most celebrated event for the Middle East broadcast and production industry

EXHIBITION PARTNER


product Focus

come fly with meEveryone wants to stay connected at all times these days. Digital Broadcast Middle East looks at a new service that carriers are offering that allow passengers to use their phones and other smart devices to make phone calls and watch on-demand content.

mirates Airlines recently

became one of the first

airlines to offer an inflight

mobile phone service

onboard an A380 aircraft.

The service is in addi-

tion to the OnAir WiFi service already

available on Emirates A380 aircraft. In a

related move, many carriers like Singa-

pore Airlines, have entered multi-million

dollar contracts to update their in-flight

entertainment and communication

(IFEC) systems.

Further, Inmarsat has launched SBTV,

a new platform that enables airlines to

provide real-time and updated on-de-

mand entertainment content to pas-

sengers’ smartphones, laptops and other

devices. Video content is transmitted

to the aircraft over the SwiftBroadband

network and then distributed wirelessly

through the passenger cabin. The new

service allows airlines to customise

content and choice of content providers,

allowing a unique service to be tailored

by region or flight route. This gives pas-

sengers the ultimate choice of content.

“SBTV has been designed to reflect

the way TV content is now consumed

by people on the ground, enabling more

viewer choice thanks to the ability to

consume on-demand content on PCs,

tablets and smartphones,” said David

Coiley, Inmarsat vice president of avia-

tion. “SBTV provides an opportunity for

airlines to leapfrog the limitations of

rolling broadcast news services by allow-

ing passengers on-demand access to the

latest news and sports programming on

their own, to choose what they watch and

when they watch it.”

The OnAir system allows passen-

gers to use their own mobile phones to

E

make and receive phone calls and text

messages from Emirates A380 aircraft

inflight, just as they would on the ground,

using EDGE/GPRS connections through

their mobile service provider. The first

A380 equipped with the full suite of

OnAir connectivity departed from Dubai

International Airport to Munich Interna-

tional Airport on October 2 and the first

recorded A380 inflight call was placed to

China while the aircraft cruised at 11,500

metres flying across the Gulf.

“Our goal on every flight is to exceed

our passenger’s’ expectations. We believe

that exceeding expectations should not

only apply to our cabin crew’s award-

winning inflight service and our Skytrax

‘World’s Best Airline Inflight Enter-

tainment’ ice system, but also to our

passenger’s desire to stay in touch while

travelling,” said Patrick Brannelly, Emir-

ates vice president corporate communi-

cations product, publishing, digital and

events. “Beginning in 1993, with the first

passenger satellite phone service to last

year with our A380 Wi-Fi system, Emir-

ates has always taken the approach that

providing the latest in inflight service

and connectivity is a key part of our pas-

sengers’ journey. Emirates continues to

invest in the most innovative technology

possible and promises to keep pushing

the boundaries of inflight innovation for

the benefit of our passengers.”

An Emirates passenger enjoys mobile service onboard the A380.

New products come on to the market at a great rate. While many shout about their innovation or competitive pricing, it can be di� cult to spot the true merit of a product without the right information. DB o� ers a few top tips that are always worth keeping in mind when purchase orders are on the way.

1. FOCUSKnow what you are looking for and exactly what you need it to do

2. RESEARCH Get suppliers to provide detailed product information based on your specifi c requirements

3. PRICE VERSUS...Is price the most important factor?

4. ...QUALITYOr will quality matter more in the long run?

5. IS IT NEEDED?Is the product something the project really needs? Could it be done without or bought at a later stage?

6. SUSTAINABILITYDoes this product need to be ‘green’?

7. STANDARDSDoes the product need to conform to any specifi c standards?

8. SHIPPINGWill the product make it to production on time, or is there an order backlog?

9. LIABILITYHow long will your company be liable for the product’s performance?

10. SORTEDWill this purchase sort thejob or will it come back tohaunt you?

New products come on to the market at a great rate. While many shout about their innovation or competitive pricing, it can be di� cult to spot the true merit of a product without the right information. DB o� ers a few top tips that are always worth keeping in mind when purchase orders are on the way.

1. FOCUSKnow what you are looking for and exactly what you need it to do

2. RESEARCH Get suppliers to provide detailed product information based on your specifi c requirements

3. PRICE VERSUS...Is price the most important factor?

4. ...QUALITYOr will quality matter more in the long run?

5. IS IT NEEDED?Is the product something the project really needs? Could it be done without or bought at a later stage?

6. SUSTAINABILITYDoes this product need to be ‘green’?

7. STANDARDSDoes the product need to conform to any specifi c standards?

8. SHIPPINGWill the product make it to production on time, or is there an order backlog?

9. LIABILITYHow long will your company be liable for the product’s performance?

10. SORTEDWill this purchase sort thejob or will it come back tohaunt you?


PRODUCTS

The Vega is a new routing platform that allows

users to confi gure any signal port indepen-

dently for fi ber or coax (copper), easing a

SNELL / VEGA Router

The ChannelPort integrated channel playout

device for Spectrum media server systems

combines channel branding and master

control switching with clip playout on a media

server platform. Recent enhancements to the

system include new capabilities and advanced

onboard features that further simplify channel

playout. The addition of DVE functionality

enables more sophisticated, high-end graph-

ics presentations, while support for AVC-Intra

HARMONIC / ChannelPort

The Ronin portable Recorder/Player/Monitor is

a smart solution for both fi xed-facility and on-

location video production. It features touchscreen

ease of use, capture to Apple ProRes or Avid DNx-

HD, professional monitoring and edit review. In

addition, the Ronin has balanced XLR inputs and

outputs, along with a front panel headphone jack

with channel monitoring selections. It also has

an internal battery charging system for attached

Atomos batteries when connected to AC power.

ATOMOS / Ronin

New ProductsDigital Broadcast Middle East reviews the latest gadgets, essential kit and serious product innovations making an impact in the GCC broadcast market. Let us know if there is something you would like to see on these pages.

WANT TO FEATURE YOUR PRODUCT HERE? E-mail ruchi.shro� @itp.com

mixed connectivity environment and helping

broadcasters to migrate simply and cost-

eff ectively. Its design also enables any port to

be confi gured as either an input or

output, providing the

industry’s most fl ex-

ible asymmetric rout-

ing solution, available

in 2RU with 96 ports

or 4RU with 192 ports.

playout aids in accelerating the production-to-

playout workfl ow.

BU

YE

R’S

GU

IDE

A HOST OF NEW

SOLUTIONS WITH DU

During GITEX Technology

Week 2012, du unveiled a

bouquet of digital content

solutions. New offerings

include ‘rewind TV’ which

allows customers to

rewind up to four hours on

selected channels without

the need to pre-record.

“Multiscreen” is slated to

launch next year and allows

customers to access du TV

on smartphones or tablets

using Wi-Fi or 3G. The “du

Navigator” will incorporate

voice and visual instructions,

traffic information and

updated maps for customers

to stay in touch. The new

OTT service will enable

satellite dish TV customers to

access the full catalogues of

du’s movies on-demand and

on-demand club through the

satellite receiver.

“Our vision is to enhance

our customers’ lives, anytime

and anywhere. That is

precisely what our newest

suite of digital content

solutions does, by resolving

matters such as missing the

start of your favourite TV

show, or finding your way

around the city,” said Farid

Faraidooni, chief commercial

officer, du. “We are delighted

with the response of visitors

to our stand at GITEX this

year, and are pleased to

have shown them the many

ways in which we add life to

life through our innovative

services.”


PRODUCTS

WANT TO FEATURE YOUR PRODUCT HERE? E-mail ruchi.shro� @itp.com

Grass Valley upgraded its T2 family of intel-

ligent digital disk recorders (iDDR) that are

suited for live event production, post produc-

tion, and video-on-demand applications. The

new T2 iDDRs streamline manual

processes and automate key capa-

bilities. Improvements over previous

T2 models include real-time SD/HD

crossconversion. File format support

now includes XDCAM HD422, XDCAM EX

HD 35 Mb/s, AVC-Intra 100, GF 100 Mb/s,

and AVCHD.

The Observer TS MPEG Transport Stream

logging and monitoring system helps cable,

satellite, broadcast, and IPTV operators ad-

dress the volume and complexity of broadcast

and network services. The newly enhanced

version of Observer TS accommodates an even

broader array of inputs, including ASI, QAM,

8-VSB, and DVB-T MPEG TS interfaces. It also

has improved system density for HD and SD

programs and simpler ease-of-use interfaces.

VOLICON / Observer TS 7.0

The new version of the Radio-Assist digital

audio automation off ers the same tools for

streamlined end-to-end multimedia produc-

tion, broadcast, and publication workfl ows,

along with two new features: an integrated

music-scheduling application and video

editing capability. Radio-Assist 8.1 users

can access both new features from a single

user interface. Users can automate playlist

generation according to preset criteria, busi-

ness policies, and a wide range of intelligent

options for sequencing music.

NETIA / Radio-Assist 8.1

The ViBE VS7000 is an encoding/transcoding platform

for Web TV, over-the-top (OTT) services, IPTV, and cable

delivery. It combines Thomson’s compression platform

in an all-IP environment with live broadcast-quality en-

coding, innovative video preprocessing, and faster-than-

real-time fi le transcoding. The system supports all major

formats, including the latest MPEG-DASH fi le standard

as well as major codecs such as MPEG transport streams,

Adobe Flash, Apple HTTP Live Streaming, and Microsoft

Smooth Streaming.

THOMSON VIDEO NETWORKS / ViBE VS7000

GRASs VALLEY / T2 iDDR

SE

LL IT T

O M

E!

The system allows users to record (log) MPEG

transport streams continuously.


PRODUCTS

The R&S ESR measures conducted

and radiated disturbances in the

frequency range from 10 Hz to 7 GHz

in compliance with the CISPR 16-1-1

standard. Using an FFT-based time

domain scan, the instrument mea-

sures electromagnetic disturbances

at an extremely high speed. At the

same time, it functions as a full-fea-

tured, powerful signal and spectrum

analyzer for lab applications. The

test receiver also enables detailed

analysis of disturbance signals and

their history.

ROHDE & SCHWARZ / ESR

For advertising enquiries, please contact:Wissam Khodur, Sales Manager

Tel: +971 4 444 3272, E-mail: [email protected]

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

ad-digital production me 180x110mm.pdf 1 31/10/2012 15:29:59

The RKM-1+ has the same elegant

design, two-way feedback capability,

and direct IR control as its predeces-

sor, while adding a higher level of

customization by includ-

ing a new selection of

faceplate covers and

hard buttons.

In addition, the

selected source

lens is inter-

changeable,

and dealers

can even cre-

ate their own

custom lens by

using the RTI

Laser Shark

custom engrav-

ing service. It

features the

Integration Designer

software.

RTI / RKM-1+

The Autodesk Smoke 2013 pro-

fessional video editing software

connects editing and visual eff ects.

Smoke is the professional choice for

all-in-one video editing and eff ects on

the Mac. By integrating familiar edit-

ing tools and node-based composit-

ing directly into the timeline, Smoke

is used for video post-production

tasks. The new ConnectFX feature

integrates powerful node-based

compositing. The software allows

for true 3D visual eff ects tools for 3D

text, titles, logos, and total control

over lighting.

AUTODESK / Smoke 2013

www.digitalproductionme.com 039november 2012

DATA

Getting smarter the world overWith the wide range of apps and connectivity, it is no wonder that more people are opting for smart TVs and plugging themselves in to all the services offered. Digital Broadcast Middle East looks at research from NPD DisplaySearch that shows the high penetration rates for smart TVs.

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TEST CARD

Managing Director, Intellicast FZE

Test Card

FERnAnDo GomES DE olivEiRA

Broadcast space in Middle East is very competitive but there is still room to grow and much still to be done. FERnAnDo GomES DE olivEiRA,Managing Director, Intellicast.

What does Intellicast do?Intellicast specialises in business development

and technical sales for the broadcast industry, of-

fering turn-key solutions and consulting services

to implement technical projects for video deliv-

ery over satellite, cable, MMDS, Internet stream-

ing and data broadcast. As a Dektec Digital Video

B.V. reseller in South America and the Middle

East, it offers low-cost and high performance so-

lutions for video professionals and experts, such

as transport stream analysers, video and stream

monitoring, PCI-based modulators compatible

with DVB-C, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T and ISDB-T

standards.

Intellicast also provides consulting services

and turn-key solutions for companies and institu-

tions that are looking forward to implementing

corporate communication, e-learning, broadcast

videoconferencing, Business TV, Digital Signage

and Corporate Universities. Our focus is to de-

velop business for the video and audio broadcast,

digital TV, conditional access and data network,

delivering turn-key solutions (hardware and

software) for transmission, reception, content

protection and value added services, such as Tar-

geted Advertisement, EPG, interactivity and oth-

ers. We have an experience of more than 10 years

in development, integration and sale of solutions

for the broadcast industry, offering transmission,

reception, conditional access and monitoring

systems to large number of customers in South

America and Middle East regions.

What are your thoughts on 3D technology?3D technology is gaining space in the home

Digital Broadcast Middle East delves below the corporate strategy to understand what really makes the region’s broadcast leaders tick.

environment and we believe it will be a standard

in the future televisions and smart TVs. However,

we don’t think it will be used in day-to-day pro-

grams, but in special events, such as some sports

matches, movies and shows.

Do you think the broadcasting space in the Middle East is too crowded?The broadcast space in Middle East is very com-

petitive, but there is still room to grow and much

still to be done. We truly believe it is an emerging

market and Intellicast is well positioned to supply

its demand. We provide single and multi encoder

devices, supporting most common standards,

such as MPEG-2 and H.264, both SD and HD. We

supply advanced solutions that will be perfect for

the regional market to support specific require-

ments like closed caption, AAC-HE audio, and

many others.

Of all your products, which has been the most popular in the UAE?Our most popular products are the affordable

Transport Stream Analysers from Dektec, and its

award winning StreamXpert application. Recent-

ly we are seeing a growing interest in monitoring

applications, and our Xpect 24x7 Monitoring Sys-

tem has been gaining space quickly and projects

are being implement in important players in the

region. With the Xpect tool, we are able to offer

a complete 24x7 monitoring solution, that sup-

ports TR 101290 monitoring as well as extra tests

that are customised according to the operator

needs. Xpect supports SPTS, and also MPTS for

DVB networks.

Find out how. Visit www.avid.com/mmm/ingame

Your media is your lifeblood. From it flows the two most essential elements of your business: creativity and profit.

Now, with Avid® InGame™, a complete sports marketing solution, you can leverage the video boards, marquees, electronic signage and IPTV throughout your stadium and beyond to:

Make the Most of Your Media with Avid InGame

© 2011 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, the Avid logo, and

PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF LONDON 2012PIONEER OF HD PRODUCTIONSOUR FLEET IS READY FOR YOUR EVENT: [email protected]

MOMENTS OF PASSION

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PONIEER OF HD PRODUCTIONSentire options-final indd 2 10/15/12 6:28 PM

digital broadcast - november 2012

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