Broadcast (Cable TV, DTH Satellite, Terrestrial) News

InfoSat-Laos launches DTH on THAICOM 8
Oct 11, 2016 – Thaicom has announced that it has signed a contract with InfoSat-Laos for the launch of a DTH platform on the THAICOM 8 satellite. The platform has more than 15 channels available in both SD and HD formats.
News categories: Thaicom, Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Somsouk Souksavath, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Laos, Satellite

RealVU Bangladesh selects Exset value-add ecosystem to increase ARPU
Oct 11, 2016 – Bangladesh DTH platform, RealVU, has selected Exset to create and deploy value-add news and dynamic advertising services. Launched in April this year, RealVU is owned and operated by Beximco Communications.
News categories: Exset, RealVU, Andrew Pons, Bangladesh, Digital TV, Middleware, Satellite

ATSC issues RFI for ATSC 3.0 testing
Oct 10, 2016 – The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has issued an RFI for the development of Conformance Test Suite and Conformity Assessment programs to support the implementation of the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard.
News categories: Advanced Television Systems Committee, Mark Richer, ATSC 3, Digital TV, Terrestrial, USA

Freeview Australia app coming in November
Oct 10, 2016 – Freeview Australia has announced that its mobile app, delivering FTA TV channels with just one click, will launch in November. The new live streaming service is branded Freeview FV and will deliver TV into viewers’ hands, extending viewing out of the home.
News categories: Freeview Australia, Liz Ross, Apps, Australia, Digital TV, Mobile, Satellite, Terrestrial

Intelsat 36 begins service for Africa's MultiChoice
Oct 6, 2016 – Intelsat (NYSE: I) has announced that the Intelsat 36 satellite has entered service, providing broadcasting and direct-to-home (DTH) services for Africa’s MultiChoice, the leading DTH platform in South Africa.
News categories: Intelsat, MultiChoice, Brian Jakins, Africa, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Satellite, South Africa

India's GSAT-18 satellite successfully launched
Oct 6, 2016 – India’s communication satellite GSAT-18 was launched successfully by the European Ariane 5 VA-231 launch Vehicle. The 3404 kg GSAT-18 carries 48 communication transponders in C-band, upper extended C-band and Ku-bandy.
News categories: ISRO, Ariane, Content Distribution, Digital TV, India, Satellite

ATSC ratifies three more ATSC 3.0 standards
Oct 5, 2016 – The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has ratified the Link Layer Protocol and Audio and Video Watermark Emission standards to be part of the ATSC 3.0 suite of 20 standards and recommended practices.
News categories: Advanced Television Systems Committe, Mark Richer, ATSC 3, Digital TV, Terrestrial, USA

Western Europe pay-TV successfully fighting off the OTT challenge
Oct 5, 2016 – New research from Ovum shows that Western Europe’s pay-TV markets continue to grow, successfully fighting off the challenge posed by OTT video and the region’s free-to-air TV offerings.
News categories: Ovum, Adam Steel, Tony Gunnarsson, Adam Thomas, Cable TV, Digital TV, Europe, IPTV, Market Research, Satellite, Streaming

Sky Q adds Split Screen viewing of two live streams side-by-side
Oct 5, 2016 – Sky Q has introduced new features making it easier for customers to catch up on their favourite sports and enjoy even more of the action. Sky Q customers can now choose Split Screen viewing to watch two live streams side-by-side.
News categories: BSkyB, Luke Bradley-Jones, Digital TV, Ireland, Middleware, Satellite, Set Top Box, UK, UX