News Analysis

Worldwide pay-TV Subscriber to Reach 907 Million in 2013 as HD and IPTV Services Advance

Singapore, December 18, 2012--Global pay-TV market added nearly 47 million subscribers in 2012 reaching a total of 864 million subscribers. “The growth in satellite, cable, and IPTV markets was strong, although digital terrestrial TV growth was flat in 2012. ABI Research expects that the pay-TV market will continue to grow in 2013 to reach 907 million subscribers,” said Jake Saunders, VP and practice director of core forecasting.

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New Report From WTA Explores Best Practices in Buying Satellite Antennas and the RF Chain

New York City, December 14, 2012--The World Teleport Association released a new white paper, Best Practices in Buying Satellite Antennas and the RF Chain. The latest in the Four-Nines series of reports shares insights from WTA members on the trade-offs between cost and quality, standards-based and proprietary, and investment risk versus revenue opportunity of purchasing antennas and RF equipment. The report is made possible by the financial support of XipLink.

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Pay-TV providers in Europe and Asia Testing New Roles as OTT Providers

Dallas, Texas, December 7, 2012--Low ARPUs, growing competitive threats, and rival multiscreen services are driving many pay-TV providers in Europe and Asia to explore new business strategies in video services, according to international research firm Parks Associates. TV Everywhere: Growth, Solutions, and Strategies - Europe and Asia/Pacific,a new report from Parks Associates, indicates multiscreen services now reach 66% of pay-TV subscribers in Western Europe, 21% in Eastern Europe, and 9% in Asia, compared to 90% in North America.

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The Year of the Spectrum

by Robert Bell

New York City, December 3, 2012--For better or worse – and mostly for better, I think –2012 has been the Year of Spectrum. We have seen a series of amazing announcements about step-changes in the number of megabits we can run through a given amount of satellite spectrum. 

Digital, Legal and Anywhere – TV in Singapore Today

Singapore, November 29, 2012--CASBAA and international media and technology law firm Olswang today launched Singapore's first online directory of digital content available from legitimate sources. The pilot directory is available to all at finddigitaltv.com and allows users to search for content by genre, device or just search for content that is free. The directory is being launched in tandem with “Digital, Legal and Anywhere – TV in Singapore Today”, a new report showcasing the varied and abundant audio-visual content available through non-traditional media platforms and delivery mechanisms in Singapore.

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Filling the Gaps in your Remote Monitoring & Control Network

by Chris Frith

Singapore, November 9, 2012--Increasing globalization, regulatory compliance obligations and the drive for efficiency gains has led to an exponential growth in Remote Monitoring and Control (RMaC) of property, plant and equipment as companies seek to build sustainable competitive advantages.  This article provides a glimpse into this evolving field and how customers can navigate their satellite technology choices.

Next Generation Systems: Now’s the Time

by Dan Freyer

Los Angeles, Calif., November 9, 2012-- Next generation high throughput satellites (HTS) and Ka-Band systems in production and coming into service are bringing massive increases in bandwidth to orbit.  Over twenty new HTS and Ka-band satellites are in construction, each carrying from 10 to 100 times the capacity of today’s conventional C–  and Ku-Band  systems.These next-gen and Ka-Band systems could dramatically alter the industry’s landscape. How will they impact satellite markets in the next two years, and what industry players stand to gain from their success?   

Ka-Band: What's All the Fuss About?

 by Elisabeth Tweedie

Los Angeles, Calif., November 8, 2012--Ka-Band is one of the most popular topics at industry conferences, and in trade newsletters and magazines.  What is all the fuss about?  Is Ka really the magic bullet for the satellite industry or are we in danger of once again drinking our own bath water and letting our enthusiasm for new technology override our common sense? 

The Game Change in Satellite Service Provision

by Martin Jarrold

London, UK,  November 7, 2012--Broadband is the hot topic around the world. Demand for spectrum never abates. Profound statements indeed! Over the years, satellite systems have responded to the increasing demand for more-and-more spectrum, at lower-and-lower cost, in order to facilitate expanded broadband access, by developing ever more efficient, powerful, and cost-effective space and ground segments.

World Teleport Association Releases Inside the Top Operators Report

New York City, NY, November 6, 2012--The World Teleport Association has published its annual Inside the Top Operators research report. The eagerly awaited report draws from data submitted to WTA by teleport operating companies around the world for the association’s 2011 Top Operator rankings, and offers a useful “snapshot” of the entire sector from independent operators large and small delivering service around the world.