�While non-linear TV represents another potential revenue stream for media operators , our customers view this as a complementary revenue stream to their linear distribution , which continues to be the primary source of revenue . �
May-June 2017 DISTRIBUTION 43
over Asia-Pacific
documentary style programming to viewers in the US . Three HD channels — CCTV-4 , CGTN and CGTN Documentary — are available now on Intelsat 34 , with two additional HD channels , CGTN- Français and CGTN Español , slated to be aired in the future .
Terry Bleakley , regional VP , Asia-Pacific Sales , Intelsat , explains : “ Using a DTH platform , media organisations can generate higher revenue streams by customising content to regional audiences . Cable distribution is also costefficient , but infrastructure may vary greatly from region to region . Hence , DTH represents a more reliable distribution platform .”
In the midst of an evolving media landscape , the broadcast industry is also seeing the emergence of over-the-top ( OTT ) platforms , which has resulted in the shift towards non-linear viewing .
Bleakley highlights that nonlinear TV represents “ potential revenue streams ” for programmers , and Intelsat customers are viewing this as a “ complementary revenue stream ” to linear distribution . “ All of the multi-screen options create additional complexity to our media customers ’ operations , yet at the same time , they would also like to find more efficiencies ,” he adds .
This was one of the factors that drove Intelsat to develop the IntelsatOne Prism service , a multimedia networking platform and portfolio of managed services that allows broadcasters and service providers to upgrade a satellite- based network to an automated hybrid satellite and terrestrial converged IP network .
Designed to optimise network efficiency , IntelsatOne Prism enables service providers to transmit content via a single platform , including live video , file transfer , voice-over-IP ( VoIP ), Internet access and data exchange .
Acknowledging the rise of OTT and non-linear services , SES ’ Mathur stresses that pay-TV “ continues to be popular among viewers and remains a dominant mode of content delivery in Asia- Pacific ”. He explains : “ Linear TV is achieving strong growth in fast-growing markets such as Indonesia , Vietnam and the Philippines , while in established TV markets such as India , local media content and hundreds of channels are readily available to consumers today .”
To enable broadcasters and service providers to capture a spectrum of viewers with different entertainment and lifestyle needs , he recommends that satellite operators offer integrated DTH and OTT services on hybrid platforms . For instance , SES has introduced its subsidiary , MX1 , a move that has enabled the company to scale up its existing video capabilities while offering digital video and media end-to-end solutions to empower its customers to better serve their consumers .
With increasing consumption of video and content on the go , Mathur adds that satellite makes content viewing possible on the move , in areas where there is lack of terrestrial connectivity , and even enables live video and the streaming of high-quality content on planes and ships today .
Although OTT is changing consumers ’ viewing behaviour , and prompting some broadcasters to move certain content from satellite to OTT distribution , OTT and linear TV over satellite need not be a zero-sum game , Measat ’ s Yau stresses . Instead , it is possible for the two to co-exist and complement each other in the emerging economies of Asia , he suggests .
“ In the longer term , we may see the convergence of linear and nonlinear services through hybrid DTH-OTT set-top boxes ( STBs ). As for the more immediate future , we continue to see opportunities for DTH growth in Asia . For example , India — one of Measat ’ s key DTH markets — recently announced the need for more transponders . Additionally , Nepal and Pakistan have announced that they are looking to launch new DTH platforms ,” Yau concludes .
Another development impacting the satellite industry is the deployment of high throughput satellites ( HTS ), which is capable of delivering higher throughput at a “ lower cost per bit ”, making it a compelling connectivity solution for broadcasters and service providers in Asia , SES ’ Mathur points out .
While the majority of broadcasters still require traditional wide beams for a particular country or region , the diversity in Asia
�While non-linear TV represents another potential revenue stream for media operators , our customers view this as a complementary revenue stream to their linear distribution , which continues to be the primary source of revenue . �
— Terry Bleakley , Regional Vice-President , Asia-Pacific Sales , Intelsat means content is being localised for different languages . These areas , Mathur adds , is where HTS spot beams can be useful in delivering local content for local consumption .
SES ’ hybrid HTS satellite fleet currently comprises the SES-12 , SES-14 , SES-15 and SES-17 satellites . Out of these , SES-12 , which is scheduled for launch later this year , will extend services to Asia- Pacific at the 95 ° East orbital location . Mathur describes : “ With a combination of Ku-band wide beams and multi-spot Ku- and Ka-band beams , SES-12 ’ s spot beam will be more competitive for regional broadcasters who are interested to broadcast local content to a province that is covered by a spot beam — as opposed to using traditional wide beam .
“ The increasing uptake of HTS , however , will largely be due to the demand for connectivity on the go . Consumers will come to expect constant connectivity , available anytime and anywhere , and will increasingly want to view content and video everywhere . The need to provide affordable connectivity solutions to fulfil consumers ’ requirements will fuel the adoption of HTS in the region .”
Similarly , Intelsat has also launched its second satellite under the Intelsat Epic NG platform — Intelsat 33e — that has already commenced service from the 60 ° East orbital location , extending Intelsat ’ s HTS services in C- , Ku- and Ka-band to Europe , the Middle East , Africa , Asia-Pacific , Mediterranean and Indian Ocean .
Equipped with a flexible HTS payload design , the Intelsat 33e will enable the delivery of broadband services to fixed and mobile network operators , as well as the distribution of regionalised content for media organisations , according to Intelsat ’ s Bleakley .
He further reveals that Horizons 3e , which is expected to launch in 2018 , will complete the coverage of Intelsat 33e in Asia-Pacific . “ The digital payload of Intelsat Epic NG satellites allows for connectivity between spectrum types , in any bandwidth increment , and from any beam to any beam , offering media customers total flexibility and the capability to use C-band and Ku-band depending on their needs ,” he concludes .