Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) July 2017 Volume 34, Issue 5 | Page 27

July 2017 DISTRIBUTION 27

STN explores new global opportunities

Since its inception in 2004 , STN has been a provider of broadcast over satellite solutions , from facilitating single-channel startups to transmitting multiple direct-to-home ( DTH ) satellite platforms . While DTH continues to have a strong presence in the industry , media operators today are seeking more services like a one-stop-shop solution to be integrated , said Linda Hubat , sales manager at STN .
Hubat told APB : “ Besides engaging teleport services for the transportation of signals via satellite and fibre , media operators are also looking to integrate additional services , such as having their content distributed via IP to over-thetop ( OTT ) platforms .”
STN offers broadcasters and content producers a “ high quality ” outsource for all or part of their playout and transmission needs . Some of STN ’ s services include channel distribution in SD , HD , 3D and 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ), equipment co-location , time-delay service , encryption , point-to-point IP links , and IP trunking .
Regardless if media operators are looking to integrate these additional services , according to Hubat , it is important for them to include this as part of their plans to futureproof themselves . “ Some channels can be distributed to more regions via these new platforms but still , they have to keep in mind that having a strong DTH presence will help them to reach out to other regions ,” she added .
Over the past decade , the company has been seeing the emergence of a new generation of viewers consuming video content on mobile devices across multiple screens .
Andrej Lovšin , CEO of STN , pointed out : “ The media industry is changing very rapidly . Breaking news is travelling faster , and viewers today want to be constantly connected with these happenings , and this will continue to develop further .”
In adapting to evolving video consumption habits , Lovšin stressed that STN is focused “ on the future and is technically prepared in the fast and evolving digital world ”. He explained : “ Customers today are coming to us with an exact picture of what they want . Hence , we have to listen and adapt to meet their demands . Working with our partners who already have existing solutions puts us in a better position , so when customers are coming to us with their requests , we ’ re
Besides channel distribution , STN also offers a monitoring package that provides system monitoring across the whole transition process in a multi-channel environment .
prepared — not just by ourselves but also through our partners .”
For instance , STN is a partner to many service system providers whose solutions have been used and recognised worldwide . These solutions include the growing demand for cloud-managed broadcast services , which integrate with STN ’ s satellite uplink services for channel delivery and distribution .
Cloud computing and storage solutions provide operators with various capabilities to store and process their data that may be located far from the user , ranging in distance from across a city to across the world .
As a result , TV networks can deliver and manage their content globally , reaching to affiliates and consumers in Asia , the Middle East ,
Europe , Africa and the Americas . Similarly , STN customers will be able to take advantage of the benefits that this system offers over traditional managed playout , including end-to-end services , encompassing content preparation , channel playout , content delivery and monetisation — all built specifically to operate in the cloud .

SES reshuffles business models to address diverged media landscape

❝ Traditional direct-to-home ( DTH ) delivery alone is clearly not enough today . There needs to be an overthe-top ( OTT ) layer to compliment the DTH platform . With content now being viewed in many ways , we have to help operators to time- and location-shift their content .❞
— Deepak Mathur , Executive Vice-President , Global Sales , SES Video , SES
SES has reorganised its organisational model with the creation of two focused business units — SES Video and SES Networks — focusing on the video- and data-centric segments in which SES operates . The new divisions will strengthen SES ’ capabilities to deliver increasingly differentiated and essential satelliteenabled communication solutions to its customers .
Deepak Mathur , executive vicepresident , global sales , SES Video , SES , told APB : “ SES created this bifurcation within the company as we ’ re starting to see increasing differences in the manner which our customers in these two segments — data and network as well as video — are thinking about their satellite requirements , and how they utilise these satellites .”
To reach new audiences wherever and however they watch , broadcasters need to provide content in all necessary formats , and distribute them on both linear and non-linear platforms . Mathur explained : “ SES Video was especially created to develop a deeper focus on today ’ s video ecosystem .
“ For instance , traditional direct-
to-home ( DTH ) delivery alone is clearly not enough today . There needs to be an over-the-top ( OTT ) layer to compliment the DTH platform . With content now being viewed in many ways , we have to help operators to time- and locationshift their content .”
SES Video comprises three pillars , the first of which is its core satellite infrastructure , which allows the company to continue delivering enhanced satellite solutions to broadcast and DTH infrastructures .
Next is the formation of MX1 , a global media services provider founded in July 2016 from the merger between digital media services company RR Media and SES Platform Services . Mathur elaborated : “ While SES continues to deliver its satellite solutions , we also understand that media operators are facing more challenges in delivering their content across multiple screens . Hence , SES created MX1 , which adds an OTT layer where we can time- and location-shift content .”
Aimed to transform content into the “ ultimate viewer experience ” for a global audience , MX1 offers a full range of content management ,
delivery and value-added digital media services . Further more , MX1 has also enabled SES to enhance and scale up its existing video capabilities to deliver and monetise video services across linear and non-linear platforms .
The third pillar within SES Video is the building of platform services , he explained , which allow the company to bring content together by partnering the local content providers to develop new media platforms .
“ We are looking into creating platform services for local content providers who are operating in markets without a DTH ecosystem . Through our platform services , we can help them increase their reach and quality of their content , allowing them to monetise their content and integrate value-added services ,” Mathur said . “ Regardless where viewers are located , they should have access to the best content , both local and international , anytime and anywhere they want .”