Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) April 2018 Volume 35, Issue 3 | Page 31

April 2018 DISTRIBUTION 31

Live event coverage is still broadcasters ’ trump card in bringing viewers to the source of action

In an era where media content has exploded across all screens , one strategy in retaining them is to continuously produce compelling local-based programmes in the local language , said Aale Raza , director of Whiteways Systems .
Live events — such as news , sports , music concerts , political events and elections , as well as disasters — are particularly crucial as it takes viewers directly to the source of action , he said . “ Radio and TV are the only medium that is capable of broadcasting sound and images from almost anywhere while maintaining great quality . This ability has become the key to maintaining and enlarging the viewership base for both radio and TV .”
According to Raza , the need to broadcast these live actions has led to a higher demand for digital satellite newsgathering ( DSNG ) and outside broadcast ( OB ) vans , and is why Whiteway Systems has recently begun to add the design and building of these vehicles to its portfolio .
For instance , when broadcasters are tasked to provide coverage of large sports events such as football competitions or regional sports tournaments , they are required to go live on-air for eight to 12 hours a day , and are on-site for several weeks to cover the entire event .
Under such circumstances , he suggested that it would be ideal for broadcasters to deploy an OB van that is equipped with at least six cameras , alongside graphics systems , nonlinear editing ( NLE ) systems , slow-motion and replay systems , as well as satellite uplink systems .
And for larger OB vans that are packed with at least eight cameras , these not only support sports events coverage , but can also be used as disaster recovery back-up units . In emergency situations , such as large-scale natural disasters , these vans operate like a “ small TV station ” to deliver timely news
locally , or even regionally , with “ stable and reliable ” network connections .
Raza concluded : “ A series of changes has to be made , from how broadcasters view technology all the way down to how they purchase and implement these solutions , because technology is going to be the key differentiator . And broadcasters need a technology partner who is able to assist and guide them through every wave of technological change .”
“ At Whiteways , we use a range of equipment when we build and design the OB van for our customers . We try to build the van in the country in which it will be used , and carefully select the right equipment that will fit the technical needs of the van .”
Aale Raza , director of Whiteways Systems , pointed out that live events , such as news and sports coverage , have achieved higher ratings , thus leading to the demand for more deployments of DSNG and OB vans .
coverage from remote locations . Designed to deliver greater assurance for broadcasters when going live in the field , CellSat is capable of providing enhanced reliability in situations where cellular networks are congested , or when cell coverage is limited .
A hybrid solution such as CellSat , he adds , offers programmers customised options to address their challenges while simplifying their news and live event coverage process .
Another satellite operator , APT Satellite , has introduced APSTAR TV , a mobile app that provides live streaming of a variety of TV channels , as well as time-shift recordings . Available for download on Android and iOS devices , APSTAR TV is developed with the purpose to value-add APT Satellite ’ s services to its customers , says Power Pan , director , marketing , APT Satellite .
He explains : “ For broadcasters who have been distributing their TV channels on our satellites , they can now deliver their channels directly onto consumers ’ mobile devices via APSTAR TV . This broadens the coverage of their TV audience base .
“ As APSTAR TV is packed with several TV channels , it also eliminates the need for viewers to download many different apps . This further enhances the user experience , making them more inclined to catch their favourite programme on our platform .”
TV viewing will increasingly become more fragmented , according to Pan , as more consumers are now consuming media content across multiple platforms , especially via mobile devices when they are commuting . He continues : “ While
APSTAR TV is a mobile app that provides live streaming of a variety of TV channels as well as time-shift recordings , and is developed with a purpose to value-add APT Satellite ’ s services to its customers , says Power Pan , director , marketing , APT Satellite .
we understand that the trend is shifting towards non-linear viewing , we have also been extending our network infrastructures into such places as developing countries and remote areas where Internet connectivity is poor . And in areas — including cruise , airplane and subway — where connectivity might not be as desired as these moving carriers are far away from ground networks , satellite is able to resolve these issues by providing consistent and reliable broadband services .”
Shifting towards mobile satellite communications is also now a strategy for APT Satellite . Pan reveals that the company has been working closely with its industry partners to provide entertainment and broadband services to inflight passengers and passengers on board cruise ships . And with the launch of APSTAR TV , which he labels as an important product
added to APT Satellite ’ s portfolio , the company is looking forward to have the app installed on airplanes and cruise ships .
Other growth areas , Pan points out , include satellite newsgathering and contribution fields , as well as the increasing interest of 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) delivery via satellite in the future . Particularly for 4K / UHD delivery , APT Satellite has inked a deal with Telekom Austria Group ( TAG ), a provider of digital services and communications solutions in Central and Eastern Europe .
Under the agreement , a total of 13 channels — including a 4K / UHD channel via HEVC / H . 265 encoding — is broadcast from the APSTAR-7 satellite located at the 76.5 ° E orbital position . The TV platform is available throughout Asia-Pacific , South Asia , the Middle East , and several parts of Europe and Africa .
Stanislav Georgiev , head of media broadcasting , Telekom Austria Group , comments : “ Under this corporation with APT Satellite , we have now built a bridge between Europe and Asia , aiding the European broadcasters to enter and pursue growth into the expansive Asian market . We are optimistic about the fast adoption of 4K / UHD content in Asia , and is proud to broadcast one of the first 4K / UHD channels for this territory .”
While the key driver for 4K / UHD adoption is the benefit of an enhanced viewing experience , Pan remains cautious on the widespread viewing of 4K / UHD content in Asia . He explains : “ Broadcasters have taken a long time to complete the transition from SD to HD . While some countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore are now successfully delivering in HD , other countries like Cambodia and the Philippines have either yet to begin this transition or are only at the beginning of this transition .
“ Hence , applying this similar timeline into the transition from HD to 4K / UHD , we think that it might still take some time for 4K / UHD to become a norm , like what is happening to HD today .”
Intelsat ’ s Bleakley identifies the key driver for more 4K / UHD growth as being media companies ’ willingness to invest in updated cameras and related equipment to support 4K / UHD programming . He elaborates : “ The development of 4K / UHD in Asia-Pacific is impressive , and has surpassed many other regions , driven by countries such as Japan .
“ It ’ s been proven that 4K / UHD provides an elevated viewing experience for consumers ; however , it
is incumbent upon programmers to make the necessary upgrades to their equipment in order for consumers to take advantage of enhancing viewing . High dynamic range ( HDR ) technology , combined with 4K / UHD , will provide an optimal immersive viewing experience to TV consumers .”
For Measat Satellite Systems , the satellite operator has signed a multi-year agreement with SPI International , a media company operating more than 35 TV channels in over 50 countries on six continents . Six channels , including one in 4K / UHD , will be broadcast across the Asia-Pacific region from Measat ’ s 91.5 ° E hotslot .
The six channels include FightBox HD , a sports network with live international MMA events ; DocuBox HD , a documentary channel covering nature , wildlife , science and human civilisation ; Fast & FunBox HD , a lifestyle channel with “ extreme adrenaline ” sports programming ; FilmBox Art House , a movie channel packed with independent and classic films ; Gametoon HD , an interactive eSports channel ; and FunBox UHD , a general entertainment channel featuring native 4K / UHD content .
Raj Malik , senior vice-president , sales , Measat , concludes : “ Measat is excited to add SPI International ’ s prime HD and 4K / UHD content to our 91.5 ° E hotshot , which continues to be the preferred choice by broadcasters . Our experience in creating Asia ’ s strongest HD and 4K / UHD neighbourhood , combined with our ability to offer customised solutions , is key to the consistent growth in number of channels at 91.5 ° E .”