P18 ENGLISH P24 24 P29 TAKING HOME THE PRIZE A spectacular first 12 months Leading the new race for The winners and finalists of the and a sea change market share AIB Media Excellence Awards The Channel

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING | www.aib.org.uk | Volume 10 No 4 | JANUARY 2008

Not playing it safe Hanh Tran of ABC Radio prepared to take risks Addicted to digital How South Korea is leading the way INC mania Russia Today is one of the new breed of international channels JANUARY 2008 | CONTENTS

THIS ISSUE

18 FOCUS INTERNATIONAL NEWS CHANNELS ON THE RISE Strategies, audiences, and future plans from Nigel Parsons of Al Jazeera, Margarita Simonyan at Russia Today, ’s Alain de Pouzilhac and at Press TV

29 AND THE WINNERS ARE... Winners and finalists of the 2007 AIB Media Excellence Awards

44 BUSINESS NEWS GOING MAINSTREAM? For Bloomberg TV’s Brian Martinez it’s strictly news and not entertainment

47 ADDICTED TO DIGITAL 14 Tomi Ahonen affords us an insight into “Digital Korea”

50 BBC WORLD SERVICE GETS INTO TV Global news director Richard Sambrook on standing out in a crowded marketplace

52 THE MEDIA ACCESS PROJECT Technical director Spencer Todd on how Pharos managed the project

54 INSPIRATIONAL UPLOAD 44 Simon Spanswick reports on gene pools, writers, vaccines and quite a bit of social networking at the DLD conference

56 RADIO ARRIVES AND SO DOES ELECTRICITY MDLF helps launch the first radio stations in remote Papua

57 FOCUSING ON GROWTH Internationalisation is key in Norcom’s strategy

58 ELECTRONIC COUCH POTATO 47 How Pixelmetrix probes end-users’ quality of experience

REGULARS 05 EDITORIAL 06 GLOBAL BRIEFING 14 AIB INTERVIEW Hanh Tran, CEO, Radio Australia 17 AIB NEWS 28 FACT FILE Christodoulos Protopapas, CEO, Hellas Sat 51 FACT FILE Uta Thofern, Editor in Chief, DW-World.de 52

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY 08 | 03 WELCOME | THE CHANNEL

WELCOME

…to a brand new Channel. The focus in this issue is on international news channels. Since CNN started in 1980, the number of 24x7 INCs has risen at a rapid pace. CNNI, Sky, CNBC, BBC, Zee, Al Jazeera, Fox, Star, Phoenix, YTN, NDTV, Aaj Tak, Channel News Asia, Al Arabiya, Russia Today, Telesur, , France 24 and Press TV have followed. More are in the pipeline. Each aims to offer a different view of the world, reflected in their news content.

Does this dovetail with what one of our interviewees said, that "Objectivity does not exist in international news"? The proverb says 'you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink'. Indeed, the viewer decides which button to press. There is great choice – he/she is in control. Broadcasters change rather The Channel is the This edition reaches more slowly than audiences, so it's a race to magazine of the 7,000 regular subscribers Association for in over 120 countries and match the habits of a very technology-savvy International is also distributed at consumer. Also, the definition of 'watching Broadcasting major media and PO Box 141 broadcasting events in TV' is evolving – no longer just explicit eye- Cranbrook TN17 9AJ markets worldwide. contact with a screen but more often a kind of T +44 (0) 20 7993 2557 E [email protected] Contact us now to book background noise on the mobile, always on, W www.aib.org.uk advertising space and discuss our online and watching only intently when something of MANAGING EDITOR newsletter, read by over interest is shown. Simon Spanswick 20,000 media executives. T +44 (0) 20 7993 2557 E simon.spanswick Copyright Reproduction The exciting aspect about international @aib.org.uk in whole or part by any means without written broadcasting is that it is about gadgets and the NEWS AND FEATURES permission of the advance of technology but, ultimately, it is Gunda Cannon publisher is strictly T +44 (0) 20 7993 2557 forbidden. The publisher focused on living human beings in all parts of E gunda.cannon accepts no responsibility our world. They may be listening and watching @aib.org.uk for errors, omissions or the consequences in the digitally most advanced country on ADVERTISING thereof. MANAGER earth, South Korea, where connectivity is Oliver Kirkman © 2008 The Association everywhere and being put to good use: the T +44 (0) 1727 739 184 for International E ollie@centuryone Broadcasting The intelligent floor in a hospital will alert a nurse publishing.ltd.uk to the fact that a patient has had a fall. In The The AIB is a non-profit definition of DESIGNED BY making company limited Channel we also report on the other end of the Heena Gudka by guarantee and 'watching TV' is spectrum: launching a community radio station T +44 (0) 1727 739 185 registered in England. E studio@centuryone “evolving in a remote village in Papua which, as a by- publishing.ltd.uk product, now provides electricity for the PRINTED BY villagers for the first time. Stephens and George T +44 (0) 1685 388888 Change is so rapid in this business that by the The views and opinions ” expressed in The Channel time the next Channel issue appears a lot of are not necessarily those what we've reported will be old hat. As long as of the AIB. that change goes in the direction of freedom of The Channel cannot choice, of media that are not controlled and accept responsibility for errors and omissions, policed, of people talking to each other and although the utmost care is taken that information fair partnerships, that's fine by me. is accurate and up to date. GUNDA CANNON EDITOR

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 05 THE CHANNEL | GLOBAL BRIEFING

EuroNews adds We want news The debate over commercial radio stations in India being allowed to carry news and current affairs continues. FM radio operators - which now number several hundred across all major cities in India - met with the Asha Swarup, Secretary at the Information and Broad- casting Ministry in December pointing out once again that they had been singled out by the government’s restriction on the carriage of news programmes has won the European making the Arabic-service signal in the Arabic-speaking world in while TV owners face no obstacle Union's call for tenders to extend available worldwide. general, where EuroNews already to carrying news. The govern- its offering to include Arabic. Philippe Cayla, Chairman & has a substantial audience for its ment’s view is that radio is far EuroNews already broadcasts in CEO of EuroNews, says the English and French versions, the more wide-reaching than TV and seven languages simultaneously addition of Arabic is an important channel will be able to grow its therefore there needs to be a (English, French, German, Italian, milestone in EuroNews' multi- audience very significantly and continued restriction on news Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish). language strategy. With Arabic, become the standard-setting that could potentially cause With the launch planned for the channel will be able to grow international news channel. unrest in the country. It is 2008, a team of 35 people will its audience among Arabic- EuroNews hopes that its unlikely that commercial radio work at EuroNews' head office in speaking populations in Europe and Mediterranean shareholders in will succeed in its goal in the Lyon, France. In parallel, the in the Mediterranean basin. In the Arab world (ENTV in Algeria, short term, but the stakes are channel will adapt its technical Europe, the fact that EuroNews ERTU in Egypt, ERTT in ) high. There is currently little to facilities (production, is available in Arabic will will help to raise EuroNews' differentiate commercial broadcasting and distribution) to definitely help Arabic-speaking profile in their respective countries, stations, a majority of which have host this new language version. populations to better understand and that the Arab States very similar formats with many The Arabic service will be the framework of European Broadcasting Union will be able playing back-to-back popular broadcast across EuroNews' policies and the issues at stake. to extend this effort to the other Bollywood music. entire network of 35 satellites, In the Mediterranean basin, and countries in the Arab world. At the same time, ’s Director General of News, Mr P K Bandopadhaya, SES ASTRA gives high speed to Poland has said that the national public SES ASTRA is extending the Around 2m Polish households orbit testing. The satellite will be broadcaster is looking into a distribution of its high speed are still without DSL coverage. located at 5° East, SIRIUS' dedicated news station to internet access product SES ASTRA CCO Alexander orbital position for delivering counter the onslaught of TV ASTRA2Connect in Europe by Oudendijk said ASTRA2Connect broadcast and broadband news channels which are having making the product available in is an innovative product for these services across Europe, and will a detrimental effect on radio Poland from January 2008. customers offering a highly also transmit HDTV channels. audiences in urban areas. Radio The contract partner for the attractive solution to access SIRIUS 4 will also carry an remains very important in rural Polish service is the Euro high-speed internet also in African beam which will be areas, Bandopadhaya believes, Marketing Group, who will offer regions where terrestrial marketed by SES ASTRA. Håkan with little change in listening ASTRA2Connect through its infrastructures are not available. Sjödin, MD of SES SIRIUS said figures. partner networks, retailers and ASTRA2Connect is a fully that SIRIUS 4 will extend Initial research by AIR has web-shops. The Euro Marketing satellite-based solution for coverage and service in Eastern found that running a full-time Group is a service provider and broadband access that delivers Europe. The success of the news channel is viable, although distributor of IT equipment, dual- and triple-play services SIRIUS 4 mission is a milestone the broadcaster faces a problem including TV tuners, in Poland, without any terrestrial support. for SES ASTRA, and Sjödin as it has an ageing workforce Ukraine and Russia and is SES ASTRA's new SIRIUS 4 stressed the very good resulting from the ban on experienced in providing satellite which was launched in cooperation with their launch recruitment to both All India broadband Internet services via November will be made partners, International Launch Radio and Doordarshan that has satellite for the residential commercially available from Services and Lockheed Martin been in place since the mid- market. January 2008, after extensive in- Commercial Space Systems. 1990s.

06 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL GLOBAL BRIEFING | THE CHANNEL

Sarkozy says “non” to anglais IN BRIEF Responding to a question a predominately English- from a language audience. Internationale correspondent, Meanwhile RFI has said that it AP EXCLUSIVE Sarkozy said that the new welcomes the move to bring the FOOTAGE DEAL concept would make better use international channels together, APArchive has won an exclusive deal to manage of resources - including editorial, seeing real advantages for the the worldwide archive distribution and correspondents Paris-based radio and online footage sales business of – of all three international broadcaster. Antoine Schwarz, . Over 15,000 services. Sarkozy gave his RFI’s CEO, says that the new hours of Sky News footage support to a single French- grouping will offer new will be added to AP Archive's portfolio, which language TV news channel with opportunities to the station, with currently includes the subtitles added in English and more cross-media productions collections of other major Arabic, instead of three distinct possible. broadcasters such as ABC French President Nikolas services. The President said he TV5, meanwhile, presents a News in the US. Sky News Sarkozy created immense was not prepared to have a different set of problems as it is will add a considerable amount of UK news and uncertainty in the international taxpayer-funded channel not owned not only by France, but by stock footage to AP broadcasting industry in early broadcasting in French. the francophone communities in Archive's global content, January. At his first press The concept of subtitled Belgium, and plus footage of major conference since taking office international news lacks Switzerland. While there may be international events. AP last year, Sarkozy expressed credibility. Live subtitling of news opportunities for some sharing Archive plans to add digitised Sky News footage doubt about the need for France bulletins is provided by many of resources such as distribution to its web site in early 2008. 24, the international TV news national broadcasters for the and marketing, the very different channel launched in December hard-of-hearing, but the funding and ownership means SUPREME 2006, to continue broadcasting challenges of instantaneous that there are considerable English- and Arabic-language translation and subtitling are hurdles to be overcome before MASTER RRsat Global Communications services in addition to French. immense for an international TV5 can become part of France Network has been chosen The President also said that channel such as France 24. Monde. by the Supreme Master TV French international It is worth noting that France Nothing is formally decided Channel for its global broadcasting – consisting of 24 has successfully negotiated yet and there will be much transmission services. France 24, Radio France carriage for its English-language debate between the French Since November RRsat Global Network has been Internationale and TV5 Monde - service on satellite and cable foreign and culture ministers broadcasting the channel to should be brought together platforms in a significant and the president over the five continents – North and under a single holding company, number of markets; it is difficult coming weeks, and considerable South America, Asia, Africa, to be called France Monde, to see how a subtitled French- lobbying by unions, staff and Middle East, Australia and mimicking the BBC’s Global language channel would be management of the three – using such prominent satellites as News Division. welcomed by platforms that have broadcasters. Galaxy 25, Hispasat 1C, Intelsat 10 and Optus B3. Bible and Koran site is a hit FIRST CELLPHONE TRANSLATOR Since its launch in December, Radio Worldwide Japanese electronics giant millions have visited an unique ended its 60th anniversary year NEC has created a world- Internet project set up to on a high note – with a concert first real-time translator on promote a better understanding featuring 'voices of the world'. a mobile phone that can of the similarities between DG Jan Hoek - right, instantly turn Japanese travellers' words into English. Christianity and Islam. accompanying Crown Princess One second after the phone www.bibleandkoran.net puts the Maxima at the Concertgebouw in hears speech in Japanese, integral texts from the Bible and Amsterdam - said, " Language the cellphone shows the text Koran side by side – search on a breaks through barriers and on the screen and one given term and references from approaches all people as equals second later an English version appears. NEC said it both books appear allowing the – there is nothing that symbolises is the first time automatic reader to make an instant our work better than this." translation is available on a comparison. Available in English, The concert was attended by the cellphone without external Dutch and Arabic the project is DGs of international help. The software can the brainchild of Radio broadcasters across Europe, as recognise some 50,000 Japanese words. Netherlands Worldwide and well as Dutch parliamentarians Dutch broadcaster IKON. and other opinion-formers.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 |07 THE CHANNEL | GLOBAL BRIEFING

IN BRIEF Russia outlines Single-card

VOA INCREASES broadcasting strategy solution OUTPUT The Russian government has The federal targeted programme PANORAMAdtv, the video approved its TV and radio broad- "The development of TV and radio products division of Wohler The ’s Urdu casting development strategy for broadcasting in Russia in 2008- Technologies, has released the service added 7½ hours of radio news broadcasts daily, 2008-15 and an action plan for 15" will include a cost estimate HDCC-200A HD/SD-SDI dual- in response to the emergency its implementation. The plan for the transition to digital broad- channel, closed-caption encoder/ situation in . As the envisages approving a package casting. Free channels will be decoder bridge, a compact protests in Burma escalated of TV and radio channels that will financed through advertising; other modular solution that simplifies in September, Radio Free have to be broadcast across the channels will broadcast and closed-caption encoding of two Asia and VoA both doubled entire country, drawing up and financed by subscription. independent SD and/or HD their Burmese broadcasting hours. In December VoA's adopting national priority The TV and radio broadcasting sources. Compliant with all Somali Service added an standards in the sphere of TV development strategy envisages broadcast standards and CEA- afternoon broadcast. The and radio broadcasting, improving lifting restrictions on channels 608/708, the HDCC-200A adds Broadcasting Board of the procedure for licensing broad- being operated by one broadcaster, convenience and flexibility to Governors expressed deep casters, taking account of digital and relations between a broad- digital and multiformat broad- sadness over the death of VoA journalist Alisher technologies and digitising caster and a platform operator cast and production workflows. Saipov, shot and killed in archive material. will be regulated by contract. Today's digital production and Kyrgyzstan in October – a transmission workflows require fearless journalist, with straightforward yet flexible impeccable skills and deep Vizrt graphics for CCTV handling of captioning data for knowledge of the region. Vizrt is delivering graphic graphics and virtual both SD and HD source material. MEDIA LAWS IN systems Viz|artist and Viz|trio enhancement contracts in To meed this need worldwide, to China's CCTV to design and 2007. The deals will be said Wohler CEO Carl J. Dempsey, AFRICA create graphics for the 2008 recognized over the two first they approached one of the UNESCO has released a Olympics. The graphics will be quarters of 2008. world's foremost closed- study on media laws in ten used in studios and in the field captioning experts, Elio Deluca African countries. ‘Media Legislation in Africa: A during the games. of Europa Australia. The result is comparative legal survey’ is As CCTV awarded the design the HDCC-200A, which provides available online. Guy Berger, contract to Vizrt's partner, state-of-the-art processing head of the School of Reality Check from Los functionality for SD, HD, or Journalism and Media Angeles, many graphics shown hybrid workflows. The product is Studies at ’s Rhodes University, led the in CCTV during the Olympics the perfect, cost-effective tool for research effort which looks will be based on Vizrt's US broadcast and production at Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, software. facilities that must comply with Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Vizrt won both the "normal" the new FCC requirements. Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia and compares the laws of those countries with each other Pakistan demands conduct code and international standards. The Committee to Protect Authority (PEMRA) has been the BBC and CNN have been off Journalists is greatly concerned meeting individually with the air since the constitution was CNN EXPANSION by pressure being exerted by the members of the Pakistani suspended. Only official Pakistan CNN Worldwide is increasing Pakistani government on Broadcasters’ Association and TV has been allowed to remain its staff of correspondents by broadcasters to sign a 14-page owners of FM radio stations. So on the air throughout the crisis. 10% as part of a US$10m newsgathering investment. government-mandated ‘code of far, about 15 broadcasters have CNN said it would not renew conduct.’ Station owners say they apparently agreed to sign on to its contract for news from have been told that if they do not the new restrictions, and are now Reuters and instead bolster sign the agreement, they will not back on the air. Pakistan’s four its own news resources. The be allowed to return to the air. All major independent news investment focuses on the expansion of CNN’s UAE broadcasters, minus the official broadcasters—Ary OneWorld, Aaj bureau. CNN is also hiring TV channel, have been silent TV, Dawn TV, and Geo TV, all staff in Johannesburg and since they were shut down on owned by larger parent media Mexico City and plans November 3, soon after companies—have not reappeared operations in Afghanistan, President Pervez Musharraf on cable yet. Some are reaching Belgium, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, suspended the country’s viewers via streaming Internet Poland, Kenya and Vietnam. constitution. The Pakistan and satellite transmission. Electronic Media Regulatory International broadcasters like

08 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL GLOBAL BRIEFING | THE CHANNEL

80% of radio archives GlobeCast IN BRIEF are rotting goes East RFI LAUNCHES The Sound Directions project at storage, preservation packages BBC Worldwide’s Global HAUSA Harvard and Indiana universities and interchange and audio pre- Channels business has selected Radio France Internationale has published the results of two servation systems and workflows. content management and has launched a news service years’ research in ‘Sound Each chapter is divided into delivery company GlobeCast as in Nigeria in Hausa, widely Directions: Best Practices for two major parts: a preservation its distribution partner for the spoken in West Africa. Audio Preservation’. The work, overview that summarises key expansion of its four new Financed by RFI and with carried out in consultation with concepts for collection managers entertainment channels to the collaboration from Voice of an advisory board of experts in and curators, followed by a Telstar 10 and HOT BIRD Nigeria, the 120-minute Hausa programme is pro- audio engineering, audio section that presents satellites in Asia and Europe. duced locally by a team of preservation and digital libraries, recommended technical BBC Knowledge, BBC five journalists and three establishes best practices in practices for audio engineers, Entertainment, BBC Lifestyle technicians. The project has many areas where they did not digital librarians, and other and CBeebies are currently aroused the interest of previously exist and explores the technical staff. available to IPTV, DTH and Cable Tanzania's radio and TV service for a similar testing and use of existing and The work is a must for Operators in India, Hong Kong, collaboration in Swahili. emerging standards. It includes institutions pursuing audio and Singapore and all four chapters on personnel and preservation. A PDF is available channels launched in Poland AUTOCUE FOR equipment for preservation from www.dlib.indiana.edu/ with major operator Cyfrowy transfer, digital files, metadata, projects/sounddirections . Polsat in December. This is the POLISH TVP Highlighting Autocue’s latest of several high profile growth in Central Europe, Quantel’s MAM a winner international channel deals for the provider of newsroom GlobeCast, which boasts France automation and prompting Mission, the new media and asset With Mission Quantel has 24 and Al Jazeera English among solutions has clinched a management system from Quantel added to the capabilities of the its global broadcast clients. major order from Poland’s TVP for an important designed to complement the Enterprise sQ and Newsbox technology upgrade which Enterprise sQ and Newsbox systems and enabled customers incorporates seven new production systems has won Best to maximise use of their content. channels, one in HD. The Storage and Media Asset Manage- Unique to Quantel, users can Autocue kit will be delivered ment Solution award at the choose to mix and match to TVP’s Warsaw HQ for use across ten of its regional Producción Profesional Awards. Quantel’s production systems networks. To meet TVP’s Quantel Director of Marketing with MAMs from existing specific requirements, Steve Owen says Mission makes development partners, or with Autocue customised its AM a fully integrated part of the Mission they can choose the Master Series prompters to production process – not a layer route of single vendor include S-video inputs as well as including further bolted on top of it. responsibility. modifications to enable backwards compatibility Teletrax monitors TV show promotions with existing mounts. CBS Television Distribution will Teletrax president Andy the TV broadcasts of nearly 1,500 EU DVB-H use the Teletrax comprehensive Nobbs said that following on channels from over 50 nations, RULING suite of broadcast intelligence from the contract agreement including all 210 US markets. The EU’s decision to back services to electronically monitor with CBS TV Network, Teletrax Teletrax also announced that DVB-H technology as the and analyse affiliate stations’ was very excited to now also it will provide the International standard for mobile TV usage of its on-air TV show provide broadcast intelligence Committee of the Red Cross with broadcasts in all member countries is under attack promotions across all 210 major services to CBS TV Distribution. data on the usage of its video from Germany, Britain and cities, or DMAs, in the US. Teletrax maintains a proprietary material by broadcasters the Netherlands. EU media Teletrax will provide CTD with network of detectors that monitors worldwide. commissioner Viviane reports detailing how its video Reding wants to put DVB-H content is used and aired by on a list of official standards, and could affiliate stations, so it can compel member states to evaluate marketing campaign adopt the mobile technology performance and more precisely in 2008. Germany, Britain measure return-on-investment and the Netherlands say no and maximise profits. Teletrax system should be made mandatory and the market will monitor the promotions of should be allowed to decide. CTD’s top syndicated shows.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 09 THE CHANNEL | GLOBAL BRIEFING

IN BRIEF Global satellite demand CanWest still rising with S4M WRN DELIVERS According to research company it has only been robust demand Canadian broadcaster CanWest RAINBOW NSR's latest "Global Assessment for cellular backhaul services in MediaWorks and German UK-based TV and radio of Satelite Demand", every many regions that has offset the company S4M – Solutions for transmission company WRN region of the world is showing slow decline in traditional point- Media have successfully has signed with Rainbow Radio to broadcast the sustained growth from DTH, and to-point voice and other non-IP concluded the main phase of a station to new listeners NSR sees no reason for this to data traffic. major joint project. In across North America via change before 2012. Achieving In North America and Western conjunction with CanWest the Galaxy 25 digital satellite. the highest growth rate of any Europe the addition of over 100 MediaWorks, S4M has designed Rainbow Radio, which market segment for the coming HD channels in 2006 for C-band and implemented a highly describes itself as “the premier-licensed years, Ku-band video services and Ku-band video distribution integrated broadcast Ghanaian/West African such as distribution for FTA and and DTH services on commercial management solution based commercial radio”, is cable headends, DTH, contribution capacity was significantly offset upon the S4M products S4Rights, currently broadcasting and occasional use are certainly by the loss of about 30 analogue S4Schedule and S4AdSales. across the UK and Ireland the highlight of the global channels this same year. These “CanWest is the first on Sky, for which WRN provides comprehensive commercial satellite market. two major markets, accounting conventional broadcaster in satellite and data services. NSR forecasts that over 500 36- for 21% and 13% of the global Canada to completely move all MHz transponder equivalents of number of leased transponders, stations to an integrated and WORLDSPACE Ku-band capacity will be added are unfortunately seeing the customer-focused business APPOINTS to global capacity demand enormous benefits of HD being management system“, said Brett WorldSpace Satellite Radio between 2004 and 2008 with half partially eroded by analogue-to- Manlove, SVP of Broadcast Sales has appointed radio industry of these transponders coming digital transition, though NSR and Marketing, CanWest pioneer Roberto Zaino as from DTH markets alone. expects the situation to turn MediaWorks. All conventional content director for World- The classic telephony & around shortly. stations for CanWest Space Italia. The majority- carrier market, which still Elsewhere, NSR has seen MediaWorks’ Global Television owned subsidiary expects to begin broadcasting throughout accounts for 18% of all leased demand growth delayed. In and E! Networks have gone Italy in late 2008, offering a commercial C-band and Ku- markets like South Asia and Sub- “live.” S4M’s solution has bouquet of 40-50 channels band capacity, remains weak and Saharan Africa demand growth eliminated the need for 3 distinct of commercial-free music, has been delayed because of and separate software systems news, entertainment, talk lack of supply. This in turn is along with 8 separate databases. and sports programming. FIAT Group will introduce leading to a wave of satellite It positions CanWest as a WorldSpace satellite radios operators rushing to launch new ‘leading edge’ broadcaster able as factory-installed optional capacity to capture this demand, to meet the future needs and equipment on some of its leading possibly to oversupply requirements in a highly models in late 2009. two to three years down the line. competitive environment. CITIZEN INITIATIVE Thomson delivers HDTV for ARD BBC Urdu's website launched In what was the first public existing standard definition Montliaud, SVP of Thomson’s its Your Edition initiative in demonstration of a HDTV channel system, which uses Grass Valley Integration and Networking India, visiting Lucknow, from a public broadcaster in Profile servers. The HD version Solutions business unit, there is Bhopal and Hyderabad. Aliya Nazki who took part in Germany, nationwide broadcast of K2 was architected to enable tremendous consumer demand the roadshow said the response network ARD went on air with a SD customers to simply plug in a for HDTV from Europe’s leading had been over-whelming, public HDTV showcase for a new HD K2 client into an existing public broadcasters. ARD and adding "We are now selecting limited demonstration period, SD infrastructure and immediately ZDF, Germany’s two public a panel of 'power-users' using equipment supplied, start playing HD to air. channels, both plan to start HD from the people we interacted installed, and integrated by ARD needed to add HD broadcasts by 2010. with. We will then cultivate 'digital relationships' with Thomson. The system was capability to its existing these power-users who will installed at the ARD Play-Out- Potsdam play-out center write for us and also comment Centre Potsdam, near Berlin. without any disruption of its on our journalism. Within 3- To add the HD capability existing SD services, as well as 9 months we hope to turn without increasing the workload to design, implement, install, our power-users into 'citizen on the Play-Out-Centre, Thomson’s and commission the HD system editors', launching a micro- site called 'Your Edition' by systems integration engineers in the very tight timeline of just the end of 2008." installed a four-channel HD K2 ten weeks. media server alongside the According to Patrick

10 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL GLOBAL BRIEFING | THE CHANNEL

Censorship across borders DAB adoption RadioScape, the world’s leading developer of end-to-end digital audio broadcasting solutions, has created new digital radio designs in response to manufac- turers and brands looking for fresh concepts to drive greater growth in DAB adoption. Among them are RadioScape’s DAB-on- a-wire plug-in digital radio for the iPod and the world’s first portable internet radio with built Triggered by the declaration of there, and CNN International is by pressure from Pakistani in Wi-Fi and FM antennae, 2.1 the state of emergency in reportedly planning to establish a President Pervez Musharraf. audio output, plus an option for a Pakistan on 3 November and the regional headquarters in the UAE The New York-based Human 128 x 64 pixels graphics LCD subsequent broadcast ban on as part of its global expansion. Rights Watch said that the ban display and its unique ‘touchnav’ major private news channels, But in mid-November, raised "serious questions about touch-sensitive slide control. BBC Monitoring published an Pakistan's two leading private Dubai's viability as a regional RadioScape CEO John Hall interesting piece of analysis on news channels, Geo News and hub for the international media". says DAB+ has been particularly Dubai Media City. ARY One World, based in Dubai, For the record, the Pakistani well received in the Asia-Pacific Since it opened in 2001, DMC were ordered to stop their case is not the first time that the region. Asia-Pacific - particularly has become a major hub for transmissions at a few hours' politics of neighbouring countries Greater China - plays an regional and international media. notice in line with the UAE's has affected broadcasters, or increasingly significant role in 22% of the 370 Arabic satellite TV policy of neutrality and non- would-be broadcasters, in Dubai. RadioScape’s global business channels are based in the UAE. interference. Although their The IFJ also voiced concern that strategy, opening its third News agencies, publications and cable distribution inside Pakistan Dubai had allowed Pakistan to regional office in Greater China. broadcasters from Europe, had been halted, the channels reach outside its borders to stifle SARFT has designated 2008 America and the Indian sub- continued broadcasting by independent media. for digital switch-over to DAB in continent have also taken satellite to international In the meantime, both Geo China. RadioScape is already the advantage of the tax breaks, audiences and the small number News and ARY have resumed primary supplier of DAB-based facilities and incentives offered of Pakistanis with satellite broadcasting but both channels broadcast solutions in the country, by Dubai. The MTV music channel receivers. Both private channels are reported to be considering supplying 20 systems broadcasting launched its MTV Arabia venture claimed they were forced off air moving out of Dubai. to most of China’s major cities. InterMedia opens in UK War crimes justice

InterMedia, the media research, Allen Cooper, InterMedia UK’s The Institute for War and Peace In November, RFE/RL launched evaluation and consulting managing director. Reporting and Radio Free Europe/ a weekly show on Georgian organisation (www.intermedia. InterMedia conducts research Radio Liberty have cooperated in Public TV (GPB) introducing the org), has announced the launch and evaluation among difficult- a radio programme on war young generation forgotten or of subsidiary InterMedia UK to to-access populations in some crimes justice in the Balkans. undiscovered cultural figures act as the focal point for the 60 developing countries annually. Broadcast by RFE/RL's network and political themes of Georgia's company’s growth. Cooper brings more than 25 of 40 affiliate radio stations in the Soviet communist past. InterMedia’s European clients years’ experience planning and region, it has combined reports In December a high-level include the BBC, managing international media from the Inter-national Criminal conference in Warsaw examined and , as well research, both at InterMedia and Tribunal for the Former the role of RFE in the political as NGOs such as Panos London. with the BBC World Service. Yugoslavia and war crimes transformations in Poland and “InterMedia UK’s presence in justice-related news, features the collapse of communism. Europe and location closer to key and analysis from the Balkans. Former Prime Minister Tadeusz centres in the Middle East and A survey in Bosnia in December Mazowiecki said that the Africa will allow us to better 2006 shows 15% of the population Munich-based station served for serve broadcasters and other listens to RFE/RL regularly - decades as the only source of clients who have expanding around 600,000 people. 39% of uncensored information available worldwide operations,” said the audience is aged 25 to 44. to the Poles.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 |11 THE CHANNEL | GLOBAL BRIEFING

IN BRIEF Media restriction Tracking everywhere PHAROS condemned Audience survey company IMPROVES FLOW The heads of five of the largest most important objective is to Médiamétrie is rolling out a new For over ten years Pharos international broadcasters have inform people without access to system using inaudible tones has constantly developed its called upon governments to diverse media sources and embedded in TV broadcasts that Mediator, Playtime and Pilot desktop broadcast manage- honour the United Nations viewpoints, who lack reliable and give a richer view of the pop- ment solutions to offer a Declaration of Human Rights independent information. In a ularity of shows by demographic next-generation platform to and "end any and all practices progressively polarised group and format. Ultimately, the better manage the flow of that hamper the rights of people environment where the media in aim is to track select volunteers media through broadcast everywhere to receive and impart many countries are encountering beyond their living rooms and TV facilities. At the Video Forum & Broadcast Live information." fierce curbs on their freedom to sets to radio, personal computers, 2008 in London (January 30 At their annual meeting in publish, we need to stand mobile phones and perhaps - February 1) Pharos will Hilversum, Netherlands, directors together to meet the needs of video game consoles that double showcase the latest additions of the BBC World Service, those millions of audiences as tiny TV sets, giving to its desktop media manage- Deutsche Welle, Radio France worldwide who have come to broadcasters and advertisers ment, automation and control systems: the Mediator Internationale, Radio Netherlands depend on us as a vital source of valuable data on consumer Library Management Worldwide, and Voice of America trustworthy information." habits wherever they are. module, Playtime studio issued an unprecedented joint According to several press tools and additions to Pilot resolution denouncing growing monitoring organisations, press desktop control. trends towards media restrictions freedom has been on the decline DW Forum NEPAL EXCESSES and attacks on journalists in in many countries in recent The first Deutsche Welle Global many of the countries to which years. The Paris-based Media Forum will take place in According to the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, one they broadcast. Reporters Without Borders has Bonn, 2-4 June 2008. The journalist was killed, one While acknowledging that tracked an increase in the philosophy driving the initiative is abducted and 652 cases of each broadcaster has had number of journalists killed at that those working on the future excesses against media different experiences, they spoke work each year since 2002. have to think in networks - and workers and media houses with one voice about a common The five international in global dimensions. The forum were recorded following the start of a democratic system concern, the "grave and rising broadcasters reach hundreds of will address topics such as crisis of governance in the country. threats to the right to gather millions weekly by radio, prevention via media The study by the FNJ was information and communicate it television, and the Internet. intervention; reading between carried out between April across national borders." Programmes are produced in 60 the lies - perception and 2006 and December 2007. Jan Hoek, Director General of languages and broadcast prejudice in the Middle East; During this period, 55 media institutions were closed Radio Netherlands Worldwide worldwide through thousands of journalism training in post- down and information who currently chairs the group of affiliate radio stations, television conflict states. Details online at collection and flow was five broadcasters, said, "Our channels, and cable systems. www.dw-gmf.de. stopped in 33 cases. BURMA RAISES France digital SATELLITE FEES France will use two separate be on Band II and L-band Burma’s government has standards for digital radio broad- channels. France becomes the introduced immense casting - T-DMB, based on the first country to mandate DRM as increases in the cost of the Eureka 147 standard in use in a broad-casting standard. French annual licence for satellite TV receivers. From 1 the UK and other parts of the media regulator CSA is expected January, the fee increased world, and Digital Radio Mondiale. to advertise tenders for digital from 6,000 kyats (around The announcement will help the radio services with the first US$5) per annum to one country's plans to develop a launches at the end of 2008. million kyats. The new fee is commercial launch of digital In Australia, media regulator around three times the annual salary of a Burma radio in 2008. ACMA has invited applications primary school teacher, However the French Digital for licences to operate digital according to the Kyodo news Radio Association had hoped that radio muxes in each state capital agency. Observers suggest DAB+ would be adopted in the city. There will be two muxes that the fee increase is part country instead of T-DMB which available in Sydney, Melbourne of an attempt to prevent Burma’s citizens from it says increases costs two or and Brisbane and one in accessing news from three times over DAB+. DRM will Adelaide, Hobart and Perth. It is abroad. be the standard for frequencies possible that DAB+ will be the up to 30MHz, while T-DMB will standard rolled-out in Australia.

12 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL GLOBAL BRIEFING | THE CHANNEL

BBC poll finds world RNZI's IN BRIEF divided on press freedom awards To celebrate the BBC World political views emerge in CHINA IN KENYA Service’s 75th anniversary, the reporting. China continues its march into the media markets of BBC commissioned a poll of Of the countries where press Africa, following in the 11,344 people across 14 freedom is most highly valued, footsteps of the country's countries on the importance of Western developed countries are commercial companies press freedom. more critical of how honestly and tapping into the rich While an average of 56% accurately the news is reported, natural resources of the continent. CCTV9 is across all countries think that including Germany (28% average International's starting joint programmes freedom of the press is very rating for good performance of honours at the AIB Media with Kenya Broadcasting important to ensure a free public and private media), Great Excellence Awards (International Corporation. KBC's MD society, 40% believe that social Britain (29%), and the USA (29%) Radio Station of the Year and David Waweru says the two harmony and peace are more whereas Venezuela (44%), South Most Innovative Partnership) organisations have been important, even if it means Africa (49%), Nigeria (58%), and made waves in New Zealand and successfully working together for the past five controlling what is reported for Kenya (61%) rate the media the Pacific. years and it has been the greater good. 56% think the performance more positively. Congratulations flooded in "beneficial for both China press and media in their country from NZ stakeholders and media and Kenya." China Radio is free to report the news partners and listeners across the International's first African accurately without bias. Only Pacific. NZ Broadcasting FM relay is in Nairobi. 19% say there is little or no Minister Trevor Mallard (above) media freedom in their country. called it an “outstanding BLANK SCREENS European broadcasters Private and publicly funded achievement” and said the oppose a proposal by the news organisations receive broadcaster's service is now European Commission to similar ratings from the public “more valued than ever", as it open radio frequencies to when it comes to reporting the delivers independent news, mobile phone operators and news honestly and accurately. In reporting and programmes to say digital TV screens could go blank as a result. The some countries the poll shows residents of the Pacific. wide-ranging proposals aim concern over the ownership of In December, Tongan to boost competition in private media. Strong majorities journalist Anau Fonokalafi, broadband and wireless in Brazil (80%), Mexico (76%), winner of the Pacific News services by giving national USA (74%), and Great Britain Association/RNZI Best Pacific regulators powers to split dominant operators. The (71%) believe that the Junior Journalist 2007 award, reform would also treat the concentration of media joined RNZI for an all expenses radio spectrum as ‘service ownership in fewer hands is a paid working attachment with neutral,’ opening any concern because owners’ the RNZI news team. frequency to whoever pays for it - such as telecoms companies, broadcasters or TV network devoted to death the aviation sector. BRAZIL ADOPTS German satellite broadcaster gather picture and video material Etos TV hopes to move reality TV from relatives and help write STANDARD Brazil started terrestrial to the next stage with the world's texts for voice-overs. The station digital TV programmes in first bereavement channel. will broadcast the film for a fee December, the first foreign Etos TV founder Wolf Tilmann of EUR 2,000. nation to adopt Japan's Schneider said: ‘Over 800,000 Another programming strand digital TV standard. Brazil's people die in Germany every year will feature reportage about the six major commercial TV broadcasters are now but the death notices in the world's most beautiful delivering terrestrial digital paper say nothing about them. graveyards. services to 1,000 households The regular media completely Finally, the station will in and around Sao Paolo. ignores this topic.’ Etos TV will broadcast advice and discussion Brazil is intent on having be based on three programming programmes covering issues it DTT broadcasts nationwide by 2013, blending Brazil's pillars. The first will be short film thinks will be of interest to its own technology with the obituaries about the recently target over-50s audience. The Japanese technology. Chile deceased. Mr Schneider's station will broadcast for three and Peru are also considering business partners, the German hours daily over the Astra the Japanese standard. association of undertakers, will satellite from 2008 onwards.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 13 CV

NAME Hanh Tran

DATE OF BIRTH February 1954

CAREER Hanh Tran came to Australia as a Colombo Plan student in the late 1970’s, and studied forestry and media. He then lectured in Photomedia at the Canberra Institute of the Arts, and headed the photography school at the Australian Centre for Photography. In 1993 he joined Radio Australia’s Vietnamese Service as a producer, then moved to the BBC World Service in London, heading their Vietnamese Service from 1997 until 2001. After a 5-year break to look after his three children, Hanh returned to the ABC as a consultant and executive producer for Radio Australia’s Vietnamese Service, which moved from shortwave broadcasts to an interactive and aspirational online service ('Bay Vut'). In May 2007 Hanh was appointed Chief Executive of Radio Australia, with immediate effect.

MEDIA USE In the morning he turns to radio straight away – the only medium that allows him to keep track of things without being burdened with looking at a screen

FAVOURITES Films and cinema are his passion. Keen gardener and keen photographer: is either growing something or taking pictures of the things that he has just grown. Contributes to ABC staff exhibitions that happen from time to time IN CONVERSATION | THE CHANNEL NOT PLAYING IT SAFE anh Tran is less broadcasts and moved to the web. in from western broadcasters like than one year into What has the response been? ourselves. So in that kind of his post at the Our loyal listeners who are now environment we have to compete head of mostly in their sixties and have still pretty hard to give them something Australia’s got their short wave radios that they can't find elsewhere. So international complain bitterly of course, as do we have to tailor our English radio broadcaster. people who live in the countryside lessons and aim at people who HHe’s had a busy few months, but and don't have access to the want to come and study in Australia. was pleased to talk to The Channel internet. But regrettably, this is no about the station and his plans. longer our target audience. We Can Radio Australia’s want urban educated aspirational pioneering work serve as a What's been happening at Radio audiences and we hope that by blueprint for other Australia since you took over? serving this group the benefit will international broadcasters? Internally we have a lot of trickle down once they become There are lessons that we can learn housekeeping to do. Basically I changed leaders and opinion formers. The from everyone else operating in this the way we produce our content to Vietnamese service had to drop the market. I am not sure whether we make sure everyone talks to everyone short wave because we can't do the are leading in any area but I am else, get a bit of cross-fertilisation going internet very well if we have to sure that in Vietnam in terms of and the two-way traffic flow between spread our resources to internet service to young audiences English, which is the backbone of transmissions at the same time. It we have broken new ground. But I content, and our six other languages. was a hard choice in the beginning don't want to feel that the task is Externally, we have to maintain our but in the end it became the only done because it is like hitting a relationship with rebroadcasters – we choice for us. In a sense Vietnam moving target – once you think you have got a couple of new ones - and we provides a template – I think have got something tied down it had to look at expansion into audiences eventually in countries like starts to move again. Right now we we haven't been able to reach before, Cambodia, , China, the realise that the web site we like in India, Korea, Burma. young will take the internet and designed barely twelve months ago leave SW radio behind. The signs needs updating because people What are your priorities for are there. Even where the short want blogging, they want to Radio Australia? wave radio is available it is not the express themselves, they want to Expansion without additional medium of choice because people interact a lot more. And there is not resources, that's a real challenge. are too mobile now, they want only the availability of resources, Also coping with a market that is things to be portable, to be we are also coping with a work- changing so fast, and trying to serve downloadable. force that is ageing and that is not two sets of audiences. We are amenable to change, not very dealing with a loyal core audience So broadcasters have to adapt adaptable at all. I try to be modest who is still listening to short wave to the way people are living and I am an optimist but I don't but we are trying to recruit new their lives, rather than the think that success is going to be quick. audiences who use mainly the other way round. internet. We are focused on Asia- That's right. From my experience it What can you offer audiences Pacific. The Pacific mainly relies on seems that broadcasters change that other broadcasters can't? our SW broadcasts, internet is not rather more slowly than our We have proximity which works to very reliable. In Asia we have on the audiences. That is a problem and a our advantage, we pride ourselves one hand Vietnam with one of the challenge to manage this. on being very adaptable and finely highest internet uptakes in South- tuned to the needs of audiences, on East Asia, and then countries that What does this new audience I am having local knowledge. Because are still very fragmented in terms of expect? an optimist we can't compete with well platforms like Cambodia, Indonesia, People are not terribly worried but I don't resourced broadcasters like the BBC and to some extent China. So we about political struggle any more, “think that we have to find niche markets have to cope with a wide spectrum they aim for a better life, for more success is which means that we have to be of access to the new media. affluence, and they look to learning very sharp in reading the market English, to a gateway to studying going to and be prepared to make hard Vietnam is a test case for Radio overseas to better their own lives. be quick decisions to do a very limited Australia - it was the first They are very worldly in terms of number of things and not playing

language dropped for direct how to handle information pouring safe. It's a risky strategy but if ▼ ” THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 15 THE CHANNEL | IN CONVERSATION

People are not terribly worried about political struggle any “more, they aim for a better life. They are very worldly in terms of how to handle information pouring in from western broadcasters like

ourselves you get it right it will work. I am ▼ Radio Australia progress made by our sister media material, so 2008 will be an not sure there are any lessons that advertised on a network, Australia Network, who is exciting year. tuk tuk in Phnom bigger broadcasters can learn from doing very well in having their ” Penh Radio Australia because our cable TV shown in India. What about the future – any situation is quite unique. wishes? Is there a synergy between Radio What I would like to do is to Would you like to see Australia and Australia Network? become a really well recognised technology suppliers making Cross-promotion is something that brand name among our audience. what you are doing on cross- we have started to do, and in People would see us as the first media platforms easier? technical terms there is great port of call when they look for At the moment, we are not ahead of potential in piggy-backing on their information on study opportunities technology, we are behind. We are signal in India. in Australia; in times of crisis in this still not fully capable of utilising a region they will rely on us as an lot of the existing technology. And In the future could Radio honest broker of information. And I it's not just the technological side, Australia and Australia would like us to be a little bit more we are also facing a management Network news producers be adept at producing multi-media structure that is not very adaptable. one and the same, working content because eventually that will Sometimes I feel frustrated that we across both platforms? replace the radio platform. I'd like are coping with a fairly traditional At the moment a review is in to extend the network of FM mode of thinking, and that applies progress which looks at the rebroadcasters, and that gives us to IT matters and editorial protocol. operation of the two newsrooms – the look and feel of someone who A lot of these things will be decided to see how the two could work has a lot of local knowledge at a level above mine, change is together to avoid duplication, to because when you go to the going to be very slow. cross-fertilise, all those things. We internet it does not have that local should have some concrete plan by feel. It's about trying to create that Is India somewhere you are February or March 2008. intimacy between Radio Australia looking to expand to? and the audience. We are thinking of spreading the So it is a time of immense English content there, we won't potential change? Hanh Tran, thank you for have a Hindi service like the BBC or Yes, the fact that both the radio and talking to The Channel. ■ anything like that. Sport would TV network will come together give us a foot in the door and then under the same umbrella if you we have to think about the content like, ABC International, will make it because it is a very sophisticated a lot easer for branding and that audience. We haven't got a kind of thing - exciting times. I comprehensive strategy worked out think we are going to combine our yet but we take heart with the resources, produce a lot of multi- www.abc.net.au/ra

16 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL THE LATEST FROM MEMBERS THE AIB he AIB is an increasingly influential networking organisation and industry association – which is why more companies are enrolling as Platinum members. Bloomberg Television demonstrating commitment to international and Thomson are the two latest broadcasting and support for the industry major organisations that have joined the AIB, and the AIB at the highest level Tbringing their expertise and knowledge to the organisation and sharing in the intelligence network that the AIB provides to all its members. Our members describe the AIB as a “networking club par excellence”, bringing together opinion-formers across the industry and providing a wide range of contacts that help Gold members get business done. demonstrating strategic support of The AIB does much more. We have a first rate international broadcasting and the AIB intelligence-gathering service that informs our members about developments in the industry and provides analysis that helps them in developing strategy in the ever more complex international media industry. We celebrate excellence and reward success in our annual Media Excellence Awards (you can see who won our 2007 Awards in the special supplement in this edition of The Channel). We bring people together through our top-level, invitation-only working dinners held in key cities around the world. We report and promote through this magazine and our online newsletter – together these publications reach more than 25,000 people. We provide contact data and market updates in our annual AIB Directory of Global Broadcasting. We encourage the sharing of ideas among members through our regular conference Corporate calls. demonstrating an active role in We look at And we offer genuine cost-savings through international broadcasting what is specially-negotiated discounts at industry Al Arabiya; Al Hurra/Radio Sawa; ABU events, such as the FT Digital Media and - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union; happening Broadcasting Conference and IPTV World Forum APTN - Television “around the taking place in the first quarter of 2008 and at News; ABC Radio Australia; Autocue; industry - events such as the Arab Broadcast Forum and Broadcasting Agency of Montenegro; mobiles, social Middle East Broadcasting Summit later this year. Significantly we don’t just look inwards. We Broadcasting Board of Governors networking, (BBG); Deutsche Welle; Getin Media; look at what is happening around the industry GlobeCast; Hellas Sat; InterMedia digital design and in related sectors. Mobile telephony, digital Survey Institute; The Islam Channel; design, social networking – all these are having Linx Productions; Media Asset Capital; an impact on traditional broadcasting and we’re Norcom Information Technology; making sure that the AIB and its members have Pharos Communications; Quantel; information, data and intelligent analysis to help Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; them enter new markets and attract new ” audiences. Radio France Internationale; Radio Netherlands; Radio New Zealand In- With all this going on, life at the AIB is busy ternational; Radio Prague; Radio Ro- and stimulating for the whole team – but we mania International; Radio Taiwan wouldn’t have it any other way. So do talk to us International; RadioScape PLC; RRSat; about what the AIB can do for you. We’re keen to S4M Media Solutions; Teletrax Limited; start a conversation with you. Vizrt; VT Communications; Voice of Nigeria; Wohler Technologies; WRN SIMON SPANSWICK CHIEF EXECUTIVE

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 17 THE CHANNEL | INTERVIEW

NOT FOLLOWING, LEADING MD Nigel Parsons led Al Jazeera English out of the starting blocks for a spectacular first 12-month lap. Media response to the new international news channel, he says, has been 'unremittingly positive'

think if there was one new and being the channel of the major international channels and all the international channel that developing world and giving, if I major Arab channels which focused on was desperately needed it you like, a voice to the voiceless. In admire the the Israeli-Palestinian conflict found AJE was this one. We are places like Africa we are, profession- by far the most impartial channel. We headquartered in the anecdotally, already the channel of “alism of are covering the Middle East from the Middle East, the world's choice. I had a call the other night inside out and it is very important that news hot spot, and we have from someone who had just been to the people in other parts of the world Ithe heritage of Al Jazeera Arabic Afghanistan and he was astonished established understand the perspectives of regions channel whose brand of fearless to see that the only channel anyone players and such as this. I think people in Europe far journalism we want to build on. is watching there – from American would more than elsewhere understand the We are headquartered in the troops to UN people to people in consequences of what's been committed developing world and looking cafes – is Al Jazeera English. never in places like Iraq in the name of at reporting from the political under- democracy. And if we are guilty of south to the political north. Why haven't your estimate showing the ugly side of war so be it. Previously news has always competitors tried to beat them. Our That's our job. gone in the other direction, and you at your own game? job is to so we felt a new perspective They have in a way but you are Some of your fiercest critics was very much overdue. what you are. If you are a zebra, catch them are people who haven't you are stuck with the stripes. If up and seen the channel - how do How do you define your you are coming out of a major overtake you correct that view? success one year in? power it is very difficult not to them The US is quite a difficult market Within weeks of our launch we reflect some of the agenda of that but there's been a sea change there. were already referred to as one of country. Ours is a bit woolly, we are The media articles that are written the "Big Three" - we consider that a based in the Middle East so we do about us are all favourable now phenomenal achievement to be put reflect to the Middle East but we and they all say "We need to see on that pedestal with people who are also a tiny state. Every story we this channel, we need to have been in the business a long do is a foreign story. ” understand the world we are living time. I think we have been very in". I think perceptions are successful in sticking to our Some people say that changing in our favour. mission statement, particularly in coming from the Middle terms of being the channel of East you might have a bias. What's your key objective reference in the English language Not true. The latest survey by Arab when it comes to carriage? when it comes to the Middle East, Media Watch which included all the We are in over 100m households

18 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL

Launched 15 November 2006 Key personnel Nigel Parsons (Managing Director), Ibrahim Helal (Deputy MD, News and Programming), Steve Clark (Director of News and Programmes) Funded by the State of Qatar; budget not disclosed Staff 1000 (a little under half are journalists) Viewers (households) 100 million Where available see www.aljazeera.net/english for a full list Mission To be the world’s leading international

English language news network ▼ Main Image: now across the world which is we were the only ones who Nigel Parsons in period of consolidation. phenomenal within a year of stayed in reporting after the the Al Jazeera launch. We have our own crackdown. Everyone stayed English Feedback from the channel on YouTube which is outside and said they weren’t newsroom audience – how are you Top right: heavily watched, gets up to allowed in - well, we weren't Al measuring that? Jazeera, Doha 100.000 downloads a day, about allowed in either but we still There are snap surveys of sample half of them from the States. were there. groups on our web site and Apart from the small cable unsolicited feedback. The media deals we have in the States we How do you see your itself has been unremittingly positive. are available to American relationship with the customers of GlobeCast – there other players? What about non- are almost 2m receivers out I admire the professionalism of traditional platforms – is there. We are increasingly active the established players and traditional TV dying? in places like Latin America, would never underestimate If it is dying, it is going to be a very Asia is an important area for us, them, and our job is to catch long and slow death. I don’t put all in Africa we are still looking to them up and overtake them. these different platforms in separate expand, so it's on all fronts all Others have got a slightly boxes, I think they are all part of the the time, we are strengthening different agenda: they have same product. The central product, for our distribution team quite acknowledged themselves they the time being anyway, is still TV. In significantly. are there to put the point of the Middle East only 6% are connected view of their country. I think to broadband, so TV has a way to go You have had a very active they will struggle for a mass here, similarly in Africa. It is a huge correspondent in audience because they will advantage for us actually that so many Pakistan. Is AJE being struggle to be relevant across of our audience will rely on TV for watched in the country? borders. years to come so we can stand back Yes, it is being widely watched. and watch other broadcasters We want to be there as the story Does Al Jazeera have experiment with all the new toys and develops. I think in Pakistan we plans for more new channels, and sooner or later one have been ahead of the game languages? will emerge dominant and that is the from day one in terms of the It's an idea that's always on the one we will go for. international channels. We have table but there are no had a few successes like that immediate plans to branch out Nigel Parsons, thank you for this year – in Burma/Myanmar into other languages. We need a talking to The Channel. ■

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 19

INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL MOSCOW VIEWS Margarita Simonyan has been heading international TV news channel Russia Today since its launch in 2005, and her credentials for the job are impressive. Has reporting from war-torn areas and G8 summits prepared her for the challenge of promoting a Russian TV channel to the West?

ussia has always the news that people already know, and fellow journalists the world received a lot of or think they know. over for its commitment to media coverage, independent journalism, and its but this often What are the successes of professional attitude. lacked depth and the first year? “local knowledge”. We are the first Russian TV station How do you measure your So initially the to launch its own virtual channel audience? Ridea was that Russia Today, the on YouTube, featuring RT videos 24 There is a complicated system in first English-language news hours a day. We have gained place to arrive at figures for the channel broadcasting from Russia, carriage on many platforms - more direct and the internet audience. would present a view on events in than 60 cable operators carry Russia This is based on subscriber figures Russia that’s different from what Today now. One recent addition is from cable operators, and an viewers get through other Time Warner which brings RT to analysis of activity on our website. channels. Soon we realized we can New York and part of New Jersey. We constantly monitor the viewer’s give our viewers more choice by Additionally, TV viewers all over activity on RT’s YouTube channel, providing a different picture of the the world can watch Russia Today as all our major stories always get world beyond Russia. We have by receiving an unencrypted signal listed in the contents of the channel, bureaux in London, Paris, directly from more than ten satellites. and it helps us get instant feedback Jerusalem, Cairo, Washington, from our viewers. New York and many freelancers What are the key markets? around the world. But the world Key markets for RT's English What platforms are part news we present is the news as service are Europe and the US. of your delivery strategy? seen from Moscow, and of course Recently we launched a large According to eMarketer research, that means Russia, Eastern Europe promo campaign, both on the some 90m users surf the Internet and Central Asia get special internet and in print, aimed at the even when watching TV. We are attention. We take pride in having European and American audience, very active in using alternative immediate access to many top and as a result we've noticed ways of broadcasting and politicians and the best experts in growing interest and brand communicating with the world. We all these regions. And the channel’s recognition. It’s still less than two are working on further developing slogan “Proud to be different” years since Russia Today was our video channel on YouTube, and ▼ Margarita reflects our determination to find launched but we believe that in a we are also considering joining Simonyan, Editor the stories that rarely make it to TV, relatively short time the channel several other internet video sharing in Chief at Russia

Today TV or to bring another dimension to has earned the respect of viewers services. RT is about to launch a ▼

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 21 THE CHANNEL | INTERVIEW

Moscow metro ▼

▼ Russia Today in New York

Launched 10 December 2005 Key personnel Margarita Simonyan (Editor-in- Chief), Deputies: Denis Trunov, Alexey Nikolov, Vladimor Belko Budget US$30m Staff 700+ Potential audience 35m households = 105m viewers Where available on satellite in the UK, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Northern Europe, , Poland, South Africa; on over 60 cable platforms; for full list see www.russiatoday.com completely redesigned corporate challenge. Let’s face it, many people can fit in its output. With our in- website – we believe our designers have a stereotyped and biased depth knowledge of certain parts of have managed to implement the attitude towards Russia in general the globe we have an edge when best trends of web 2.0 concepts, and the Russian media in covering events there, and our featuring a diversified yet easy to particular. We face this kind of bias colleagues use more and more of navigate system of menus and links, occasionally, mostly from people our exclusive footage. Other feedback and voting mechanisms. who have never seen any of our channels will be stronger in other output. Usually all it takes to regions. There is occasionally a bit What about TV on mobiles? overcome this prejudice is to ask of healthy competition when it Phoning and SMS-messaging are people to watch RT and make their comes to stories that are universally still dominant. As 3G network own judgment. But this is a process recognized as top-liners. solutions are not yet supported in that consumes time and money. Russia, it’s too early to talk about Most of our journalists and Does RT play a part in promoting real time video on reporters are Russian, and although Russia’s public diplomacy? mobile phones. However, the their English is of a very high We simply do not think in such mobile industry is developing standard, using the foreign terms. Russia Today is a media rapidly here and I’m sure we’ll see language presents an additional outlet and does not intend to be all the latest trends implemented in challenge. Otherwise, we are not anything else. the near future. Russians already different from any international TV use their phones to access the channel. The market in global And the outlook for the internet and multimedia, read RSS media is becoming very crowded, future? feeds, etc. which proves that when comparisons between the There In the short term, we are launching it comes to mobile TV applications performances of different stations is more in Spanish in 2008. In the long term, the solution will find its users. At continue to be made, and we all interesting my team and I would be happy to present, no TV programming is try our best. “news in see RT as one of the world’s leading available on mobile phones but we the world news channels. If we manage along at Russia Today are definitely What is the relationship the way to create more interest planning to do that. with other INCs? than one around the globe in what’s going on Overall, I believe it’s definitely channel in Russia, that would be an added What are the challenges more about complementing each can fit in bonus. of marketing RT? other than competing. We believe its output Trying to promote a Russian TV there is actually more interesting Margarita Simonyan, channel in the West is indeed a news in the world than one channel thank you. ■ 22 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL ” IT’S A NEW RACE FOR THE MARKET SHARE

International news channel pinion leaders are a French perspective, to look at the France 24 launched on the web watching more world with diversity. and more before its satellite distribution international news Do your news items differ began – a well conceived and on the internet and from the BBC or CNN? executed campaign that was TV, but at the same Our analysis of international news time they are more promotes diversity of opinion, recently recognised with the AIB Osceptical about what they watch. thought and approach. The BBC Award for "Most creative People are also increasingly watching looks at the world with diversity like marketing concept". international news channels because us but we are totally different from security is a top priority for all who the BBC and CNN in that we also With CEO Alain de Pouzilhac at the travel. Previously, there were only convey the French tradition of helm, the channel has been two international channels delivering 'culture' and the art of living - we breaking all records in achieving news in English, BBC and CNN, consider 'culture' important for the giving their vision of the world. We development of civilisation, not just carriage worldwide decided to launch France 24 economy. And in contrast to CNN we broadcasting international news with start a debate – we try to provide a

24 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL

spirit of confrontation and which will be available in early I we are successful, we have contradiction with regard to 2008. So far we know from EOLS think that developed our own personality. international news. We try to explain 2007 (European Opinion Leaders objectivity Our own journalists are totally all different points of view, and in this Survey) that France 24 reached a different from TV5 or RFI – they are we differ from the other channels. 9% market share weekly in Europe. “does not more multi-media, they speak Every two months we get the exist in several languages, they have a new So you think there is more figures for the evolution of our inter- journalistic approach so perhaps balance on France 24? market share, and that for me is the national the new brand of international More balance than on CNN – yes, key driver in our future strategy. news. broadcasting will reflect the more balance than on the BBC – no, evolution of France 24. I'd say we are equally balanced. I What has been your We are think that objectivity does not exist impact in the Middle East? influenced What are the key global in international news. You report It was very important that France by our marketing strategies? with honesty, independence and 24 launched in English – because religion, The internet technology has impartiality about the facts and 80-85% of opinion formers around our changed the behaviour of the what you have seen. But we are the world do not speak or consumer. For me the key to the influenced by our religion, our understand French. Then we education, marketing success of France 24 is education, our country, by our realized that 60-80% of the our the correct analysis of consumer environment. We try to develop a population in the Middle East don’t country, habits and using the right means to French point of view. To have all speak English or French. We by our attract them. We don't have a lot of these different points of view is believe that the main challenge in money so we have to be creative good for objectivity. the 21st century is to prevent a environ- and that's why we think a conflict between Muslim and ment restructuring of French Is an organisation that Western countries. And to do that international broadcasting will be puts a particular we have to put our point of view in an advantage. For example we need perspective onto news this part of the world, and to do to intensify cooperation with going to struggle for a that we have to speak Arabic. We Agence France Presse, we have to mass audience? are soon going to Arabic 24 hours. ” develop further the relationship No, I think internet has changed After that, in 2009, we must launch with RFI correspondents, we have totally the basis of our audience. in Spanish, and then in 2010 we to make more use of Reseau France Basically we have two target must decide whether we want to Outre-mer correspondents. But audiences. The first is traditional broadcast in German or Mandarin – what's most important in France 24's opinion-formers, in industrial this will depend on what happens development strategy is to develop countries approximately 15% of the in the Chinese market. the concept of anywhere, any device! population – everybody is trying to reach them. Then we have the new There is talk of a merger What’s your aim? opinion leaders which represent between France 24 and To be a real challenger of the leaders. roughly 30%. New opinion leaders RFI and TV5. I don’t think in five years we will be a are not necessarily senior The French government is right leader ourselves – even if I am executives or people who travel a that we have to see how we can be sometimes dreaming about this. But lot – they utilise technology to more efficient worldwide and how technological evolution makes influence the community. If you we can develop more synergy international broadcasting a new race, combine these two target groups, between these three channels. TV5 and if we make full use of these new you reach about one third of the is French of course but also serving possibilities we may be pleasantly world population who are the international French speaking surprised in five years' time. interested in international news. community, in Canada-Quebec, That's the reason why we decided Belgium, Switzerland – which Alain de Pouzilhac, merci. ■ to launch France 24 first on the means that it is impossible for TV5 Launched 6 December 2006 internet before starting broadcasts. to have a French perspective. TV5 Key personnel Alain de Pouzilhac (CEO), Jean-Yves is a generalist network with Bonsergent (COO: distribution, technologies & sup- What about feedback from country-specific channels while we port), Gérard Saint-Paul (COO: news & programming) the audience? are specialists for international Budget 86m euros Audience feedback for us is crucial. news. It would be very difficult to Staff 520 + 1,000 correspondents worldwide For the internet, we have put in merge a network with a specialist Viewers (households): 80 million place measurement of monthly but trying to develop synergies Where available: 120 countries worldwide – see user figures – in October 2007 it makes sense, e.g. in distribution or www.france24.com for details was 4.3 million. We are waiting for in advertising. We at France 24 are Mission To cover international news from a French the results of the EMS research confident because we believe that perspective 24 hours/day, 7days/week

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 25 THE CHANNEL | FEATURE MISSED OPPORTUNITY? n July 2005 the Spanish- language pan-Latin American TV channel Telesur was launched from Venezuela, the first of its kind to emerge from Latin America. It is Ithe brain-child of president Hugo Chavez to counteract what he describes as the hegemony of US media in Latin America, and an attempt to reverse years of private sector TV domination in Latin America by investing millions of dollars of state money in a new TV channel. The channel was heralded In Latin America, TV is by far the most important source for as a regional channel, with news - viewers tune into regional or international TV. The important participation from different left-wing governments in media market is crowded but there is space in the market to Latin America. The channel is offer a different perspective. Philip Court looks at Telesur presently co-owned by Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua coverage of Europe. It still has no available. Its detractors say it has and Venezuela, as Ecuador and distribution deals in the USA. few viewers outside the state TV Nicaragua have recently joined the Within Venezuela it is planning to channels which carry parts of its channel's executive board, start a domestic version of Telesur programming. A major obstacle to reflecting the electoral victories of for nationwide distribution. securing an audience, they say, left-leaning presidents Daniel In his detailed case study of remains the continuing bias in Ortega in Nicaragua and Rafael Telesur and 'The boom in counter- Telesur’s coverage of news, Correa in Ecuador. hegemonic news channels', James particularly of events in Venezuela, Painter, Visiting Fellow at the Bolivia and Cuba – three of the ALTERNATIVE TO CNN Reuters Institute for the Study of countries sponsoring the channel. Telesur sees itself as an alternative Journalism at Oxford, points out And perhaps the biggest obstacle is voice to CNN providing news from there are interesting questions to the historical lack of trust in Latin Latin America seen through Latin ask about the arrival of new state- American state-funded channels. American eyes, and its offering of financed channels: to what extent Latin American stories is are they reacting against the JUST A NICHE CHANNEL? underpinned by an extensive domination of a Western-based So will Telesur be able to reach a newsgathering operation. It is part international news agenda and mass audience or is it just a niche of its stated mission to give air time world view; and how do these channel broadcasting to left-wing to voices and themes not covered in channels show – or do they show – sympathisers? Is the station, from a mainstream media. A big they are editorially independent of journalistic and editorial The latest developments are that obstacle their funders? perspective, more than just a Telesur is helping to fund a new is the projection of a president's view of state-owned TV station in Ecuador, DOUBTS OVER IMPACT the world? And, as James Painter Tevecuador, which went on the air “historical In the case of Telesur, doubts asks in his study: is Telesur missing in November 2007. It also supports lack of remain about the channel's impact. what could have been an the renovation of state channel 6 in trust in Despite these multi-million dollar interesting opportunity to break the Nicaragua. In Cuba, channel 2 is Latin investments, it is not clear how pattern in Latin America (and most due to carry Telesur programming American many people in Latin America are parts of the developing world) after 2200 local time. In Brazil, an actually watching the channel. The where state-funded media are educational channel in the state of state- official version is that Telesur is instruments of government? ■ Parana will air six hours of Telesur funded now available in parts of the region programmes in Portuguese, largely channels previously not reached by TV financed by Telesur. Telesur has signals, but no independent also been hoping to launch satellite viewing figures are readily www.telesurtv.net 26 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL ” INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL

PRESS TV JOINS THE INCs

ressTV is unique have extensive distribution plans discovery of truth. I believe this to in many ways. It that have already been put in motion. be the objective of reporting. offers viewers an Reporting alternative should Are there enough potential How are you reacting to the outlook on lead to the viewers for your station to multi-platform trend? current affairs “ grow successfully? We are very aware of these trends. exceeding the discovery Many of our viewers are curious PressTV has a very successful and Pboundaries of mainstream media. It of truth about the Middle East and , active website that progresses daily. looks for the "complete" story. while also turning to our channel to We have also begun implementing Much of mainstream media today view a "new kind of news". numerous plans to expand our revolves around presenting the Individuals are now asking for audience via the new technologies same news story, in the same light, alternative news that crosses available in the market to better in similar format. PressTV is ” borders and offers perspectives not address the changing lifestyles of headquartered in Iran, a country evident in mainstream media. Who our viewers in different parts of that is currently much in the news – else can accurately offer this the world. that's another reason to watch perspective other than a channel PressTV. based in the region itself? What role does the channel have in Iran's public diplomacy? Are further language services What are you doing to convince I hope that one day PressTV will planned? viewers and critics that your play an influential role in bridging PressTV was launched specifically output is unbiased? the gap of misunderstanding as an English-language news PressTV's sole focus is not the between many Western societies channel – it is a branch of Seda Middle East, yet when it is the topic and Iran and the Middle East. Sima's international division which of conversation, PressTV requires consists of 35 radio stations that all perspectives be represented If you had three wishes for your broadcasting in 31 languages plus equally. It is of the utmost channel, what would they be? four TV channels which broadcast importance for us to portray all I would hope that PressTV has a in six other languages. But we are sides of the issues. Without any positive impact on world opinion launching a new function on our discrimination we employ on Iran, I hope that PressTV website that translates the site into individuals of all nationalities and accumulates a large interactive any language. creeds to diversify our audience, of course. Lastly I hope viewpoint and to guard against that one day in the near future, Which audience do you target? bias in our output. instead of consistent coverage of We are aiming at opinion formers, crises and war, we have consistent and individuals whose appreciation In your view, can objectivity reports of peace and brotherhood. for news goes beyond what is cur- ▼ Mohammad and editorial independence rently available in mainstream news Sarafraz, CEO, really exist? Mohammad Sarafraz, thank broadcasts. Of our present viewers, Press TV Reporting should lead to the you. ■ a large majority are intellectuals with a relatively high income. Launched 2 July 2007 Key personnel Mohammad Sarafraz (CEO), And audience feedback so far? Nader Rad (Director Live Programmes), Actually, many are pleasantly Mehdi Homayounfar (Director Documentaries), surprised by the concept of Saeed Tahami (Director News) PressTV and have told us so – Financed by IRIB; budget not disclosed Staff 600 worldwide (45 journalists) feedback has been predominantly Where available worldwide - see positive and supportive. In terms of www.presstv.ir for a full list audience measurement, our most Mission To offer expansive news coverage, un- accurate data has been recorded via biased reporting of controversial global news our website where viewers are able and in-depth analyses of current affairs to watch the channel live and on demand. Although we only launched in July, viewer figures have been rising consistently putting us right on track and we

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 27 THE CHANNEL | FACTFILE

Chairman of ESOA, the European strengthening our position in Satellite Operators Association. Central and Eastern Europe and developing a market presence in HELLAS SAT HISTORY Southern Africa, where we Hellas Sat is a joint venture between positioned one of our steerable and Cyprus and was beams and still have available established in August 2001. Two capacity. companies, Hellas Sat Consortium Our strategy remains the Ltd & Hellas Sat S.A., were formed development of the orbital position as a subsidiary of the Hellenic of 39° East into an attractive Telecommunications Organisation alternative proposition for the

FILE (OTE S.A.) partnered with other international market for video strategic investors from Greece, broadcasting and broadband Cyprus and abroad. OTE, the largest services. telecommunications provider in South East Europe, was and still is OUTLOOK the major Hellas Sat shareholder. The satellite industry has been Since the successful satellite growing continuously over the last launch in May 2003, Hellas Sat is few years with increasing demand the owner and a wholesaler of for video, internet and other NAME: capacity and services of the HELLAS satellite services globally. Christodoulos Protopapas SAT 2 high power and advanced Specifically with regard to video satellite located at 39° East orbital services, High Definition TV (HDTV) JOB TITLE: CEO position. Hellas Sat has established is a growth opportunity for all in all FACT COMPANY: Hellas Sat full TT&C and monitoring regions, although to be realistic it capabilities and our satellite is will take some time to be MY CAREER being operated and monitored by commercially viable in Central and Born in 1961 in Limassol, Cyprus, I our network facilities in Greece and Eastern Europe where our primary graduated from the Electrical Cyprus. Hellas Sat provides high DTH customers are. Engineering Department of the quality services at affordable prices Hellas Sat has certainly run in National Technical University of and professional business practices the past successful HDTV Athens. I held positions as Director with understanding of different transmissions while we are General of 'O Logos' Radio and TV customer needs. currently exploring DTH Channel – which I designed, built opportunities in the Southern Africa and installed – and Technical HELLAS SAT TODAY region. There is increasing demand Advisor to Alpha TV Group in Hellas Sat is a leading satellite for bridging the digital divide in all Greece. In 1995 I established 'Logos operator offering services in regions of our beam reach and Net' which was the first Internet Europe, Middle East and Southern continuous demand for secure, service provider in Cyprus. Africa. Hellas Sat individual easily deployable and mobility I moved to the satellite business solutions are based on a wide oriented VSAT networks, so satellite in August 1994 when I was portfolio of services offered in all communications continue to be an appointed by the Board of Ministers regions. Hellas Sat today is bringing important part of delivering of the Government of Cyprus as into homes more than 200 TV and information globally. Member of the Cyprus Space radio channels in all regions, is Committee. In that position I offering broadband internet services FUTURE PLANS represented the Cyprus on various platforms while providing In our case, that of a single satellite administration at international capacity for content distribution/ operator experiencing increasing meetings and conferences. My contribution, governmental/global demand, real growth can only come special interests are satellite security needs, maritime and from launching a second satellite. communications, management occasional use services. We are currently evaluating the information systems and Since the commercial launch of various available options, bearing in networking, and I have written a HELLAS SAT 2 in 2003, we are mind that such a decision will number of books on the subject of experiencing increasing demand for secure the long term development intelligent systems. our services from all regions in our of our orbital position and enable us Since September 2001 I have reach in Europe, Middle East and to continue offering a broad been Managing Director of Hellas Southern Africa, and are performing portfolio of services. Sat Consortium Ltd, the first better than expected in terms of Hellas Sat will be continuing its satellite operator in Greece and revenue growth and satellite fill active role within ESA, ESOA and ■ WWW.HELLAS-SAT.NET Cyprus. In May 2007 I took over as rate. We are currently focusing on other international forums.

28 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL Meet the

DOUG BERNARD TOBY HARTWELL JOHN IVE DAVID SMITH Voice of America APTN Ivetech Okapi Consulting SIMON BUCKS CARLSON HUANG JONATHAN MARKS SIMON SPANSWICK Sky News Radio Taiwan Intl Critical Distance AIB PETER BURDIN GERRY JACKSON BRIAN MARTINEZ DENIS TRUNOV BBC SW Radio Africa Bloomberg TV Russia Today TV LINDSAY CORNELL AHMAD IBRAHIM JOANNA SHIELDS MIKE WHITTAKER BBC Research Al Jazeera Bebo Showtime Gulf DTH

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 33 COMMENDED Clearest coverage of a Al Arabiya Saving Ali Dabaja Judges’ comments A moving single news event - TV story excellently photographed that brings credit to the reporting team’s bravery. CBS News Powerful television, although This is one of the most popular categories in perhaps intrusive, thought one the AIB Media Excellence Awards, perhaps of the judges. because competition between international Russia Today – news and current affairs channels has Chernobyl Anniversary grown with recent channel launches. Judges’ comments A well- photographed and surprisingly The judges were unanimous in their decision detailed report which got to the to award CBS News the prize for its heart of the matter. programme Among a Resurgent Taliban, broadcast in September 2006. Lara Logan, CBS News chief foreign correspondent, obtained unprecedented access to Taliban fighters in one of their strongholds in Ghazni province. The judges said that this report was outstanding, offering exclusive coverage with high production values. Lara Logan is one of the bravest reporters around, suggested one of the panel and her frequent visits to Journalist Sami Yousafzai collects Afghanistan show through in this report with the Award on behalf of Lara Logan its depth of understanding of the issues.

COMMENDED Clearest coverage of a Radio Sawa Heart of the Matter: Soldiers of Heaven single news event - radio Judges’ comments A range of interesting views from different guests with different BBC World Service perspectives, commented the judges, although perhaps a As popular as its television equivalent, this category brought in a large little old-fashioned in number of entries covering a wide range of news stories from around presentation style with lengthy the world. discussions that test listeners’ patience. The judges awarded the top prize to BBC World Service for its coverage of the -Lebanon war, saying that this was an example of classic war reporting combined with an almost perfect blend of frontline access and compassion for the impact on ordinary people caught up on both sides of the conflict.

This award is sponsored by Balanced reporting that took listeners right to the heart of the war-torn areas of both countries, said another judge. The reporting provided pictures for listeners that were as graphic as any shown on television, commented another.

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 35 Best topical programme COMMENDED Al Arabiya Fake Passports in Somalia - TV Judges’ comments A very watchable production that examined how easy it is to NDTV obtain a passport in the failed NDTV is the winner for its original and moving report on HIV- state of Somalia, often for as AIDS. A powerful piece of television dealing with a difficult subject little as US$20. that has at its core a range of issues that are not openly Bloomberg Television discussed in India, such as prostitution and contraception. The Business of Climate Change The entry, produced by Tanuja Singh, was well filmed and edited, Judges’ comments and brought to the viewer an understanding of the scale of the Comprehensive analysis and problem that’s been ignored by many for a great length of time. reporting on the effects of Tanuja is pictured received her Award from Mishal Husain. climate change in Europe, sleekly produced.

Best topical programme COMMENDED Radio Australia Pacific Beat Blogs Challenge - radio Judges’ comments Well- researched and balanced. The entry got to the heart of why BBC World Service international radio remains vital in many parts of the world. This was a popular category and judges found it challenging to Radio Free Europe reach a final decision. As a result they Uzbekistan and its Neighbours awarded three highly commended citations. Judges’ comments An excellent programme with a good range of It was the BBC’s Ghana: African Perspectives that the judges decided should be declared soundbites and packages, the winner for an exceptional piece of radio. impressively revealing the dark Dealing with the difficult subject of abortion in work of the Uzbek secret services. Ghana, presenter Rosie Goldsmith (pictured United Nations Radio – left with programme producer Anca Commemoration of the 200th Toda) talked to young women who anniversary of the Abolition of described – in sometimes harrowing Slavery detail – how they had tackled Judges’ comments Good unwanted pregnancies. The presentation that talked through programme – which judges branded the history of the slave trade “inspiring”–also talked with local and slavery in an interesting health workers to see what steps and engaging way. they were taking to solve the problem.

36 | MONTH 07 | THE CHANNEL Most creative marketing concept The judges in our marketing and strategy categories decided to award two prizes to take account of the very different challenges facing radio and television broadcasters.

In radio, SW Radio Africa caught the attention of the judging panel for their initiative to beat censorship in Zimbabwe. SW Radio Africa is based in the UK and beams its programmes back to Zimbabwe to provide a lifeline to citizens that are effectively denied access to free and fair information about their country. SW Radio Africa is routinely jammed by the authorities in Zimbabwe and has countered this by sending the station’s daily news headlines via SMS text messages to mobile phones. More than 6,000 people in the country receive the service, with around 100 additions to that total every day.

The judges were agreed that SW Radio Africa’s initiative was a very smart way to overcome the difficulties of a very challenging operating environment.

For television, France 24’s launch campaign wins our Award. The channel launched on the web before its satellite distribution began and they worked hard to cultivate the blogging community and engaging in an online dialogue with people who both praised and criticised the channel. Our

SW Radio Africa SW Radio 24 France judges said that the campaign was very well thought through and well executed, with a unique use of animation to bring in younger viewers.

The marketing campaign seems to have generated the right results, with the channel breaking all records in achieving carriage in some parts of the world.

The France 24 team, with Jean-Yves Bonsergent, COO, holding the Award Gerry Jackson, station manager of SWRA, collects their Award

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 37 COMMENDED Gear of the year EditShare EditShare MBC Judge’s comments Open Omnibus Systems architecture and an ability to handle a wide range of formats Whilst many broadcasters are and editing platforms make becoming less technology-driven, they this a strong choice for live are increasingly dependent on many producers. different technologies. This is particularly evident in the production S4M Solutions for Media chain, where it’s essential that many Judge’s comments A very different pieces of kit need to fit and thorough implementation of work together. The AIB judges decided ad-sales software that’s to reward organisations that were essential for broadcasters that spearheading new approaches to need to ensure their revenues Omnibus CTO Ian Fletcher receives the workflow. are generated faultlessly. Gear of the Year Award The winner of this year’s Gear of the Year award goes to Omnibus Systems, a UK-based company that creates the software to run a TV station on standard commoditised IT equipment, instead of specialist and expensive kit that only performs a single function. Scalable and integrating a great number of functions that allow multi-skilled operators to take control, commented the judges, as well as being applicable to broadcasters of very different sizes. The judges were particularly impressed by the energy-saving opportunities presented by Omnibus Systems’ ITx which wins this year’s Award.

COMMENDED Most innovative Radio Australia Breakfast Club Judges’ comments Interesting partnership and engaging radio that works well and tries to do away with formulaic breakfast Radio New Zealand International broadcasting. In addition to reaching listeners directly through short and medium Radio Canada International wave transmissions, plus an increasing number of FM relays, Entre dos Mundos international broadcasters are working in partnership with local Judges’ comments A creative stations in many parts of the world. It’s a learning process on both and interesting partnership sides but now a number of long-term between Canada’s international partnerships are emerging which offer a radio broadcaster and Radio win-win result to the parties. Cultura in Brazil that works on a number of levels. The winner of this category is Radio New Zealand International. With just 12 staff, This award is sponsored by: RNZI serves 18 stations in the Pacific, choosing to work with local broadcasters instead of building an expensive network of FM stations. Our judges were impressed with the work RNZI has undertaken with partners coming together and giving each audience – local and regional – information and topics to connect to on all levels in their own language. It’s a complex yet all-encompassing concept that’s working brilliantly.

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 39 Most innovative cross- COMMENDED Deutsche Welle World Cup XXL media production Judges’ comments A clean and concise production that offered an innovative take on a BBC Global News major global event. Radio Netherlands Worldwide This new category was designed to showcase the work that many UN Millennium Goals - broadcasters are now engaged in to bring together in a co- Judges’ comments This - ordinated way radio, TV, mobile and the web. The judges were offered a fresh look at a looking for examples of genuine cross-media production, not familiar international issue simply throwing some existing audio or video on to a website as with good presentation and an afterthought. sufficiently broad for anyone in any market to listen to and be BBC Global News is the winner for its entertained and stimulated. Generation Next production. Nine days of special programming on television, radio and online captured the views of young people under the age of 18 across the world - an important demographic as today’s youth population is one sixth of Richard Porter, BBC World, Porter, Richard and Liliane Landor, BBC Service World the planet’s total. This was, said the judges, a wide-ranging concept that was well executed, providing interesting topics for a hard-to-reach market. The follow-up was first class with excellent research that tackled subjects that transcend national boundaries.

40 | MONTH 07 | THE CHANNEL COMMENDED AIB International France 24 Judges’ comments An impressive start for this channel, channel of the year 2007 now operating in French, English and Arabic, with an enthusiastic team that is delivering news, Bloomberg Television current affairs and documentaries in an engaging International television is booming presentational style. with more channels launching in the last 18 months than ever before NDTV resulting in more competition and Judges’ comments The judges greater need for differentiation. noted that the channel tackles socially important issues and Our judges this year were faced with a engages with the audience through range of entries highlighting quite the use of a slick professional style different approaches. After much of presentation. deliberation, they decided that This award is sponsored by Bloomberg Television should be the channel named as the 2007 AIB Channel of the Year. With comments ranging from consistently high quality to punching above its weight, the judges thought that Bloomberg Television has brought business and finance to the mainstream, successfully marrying specialist material with more mainstream coverage of news and current affairs. With an excellent range of interviewees, Bloomberg Television manages to get to the heart of the subjects that it tackles.

COMMENDED AIB International BBC World Service Judges’ comments Good presentation, good interviews, station of the year 2007 good vox pops and overall high production values and a clear mission - covering the issues of Radio New Zealand International concern to the international community. With so many international radio stations with such different budgets, Radio Sawa priorities and language services, judging this category proved challenging. However, the result was clear-cut: Radio New Zealand International, Judges’ comments Good production values delivering targeting the Pacific, has proved it has the content that is needed in the ability, clarity of vision and resources to deliver Middle East and North Africa, something that’s valued by its audiences commented our judges. throughout the region. The judges agreed that it Perhaps a little more has a challenging market to reach, but believe international content is needed that the station is fulfilling its mission. to divert from the Middle East/US news agendas. News was described as straight down the middle and no-nonsense although the judges did suggest This award is sponsored by that presentation had room for improvement. Overall, with its inclusive partnership approach to local broadcasters and the value it delivers for its stakeholders, RNZI is the deserved winner of AIB International Station of the Year 2007. The Award was collected by Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand High Commissioner in London

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 41 AIB International radio COMMENDED Jonathan Groubert Radio Netherlands Worldwide personality of the year Judges’ comments A solid broadcaster with gravitas who demonstrates an excellent George Arney grasp of the subjects he discusses on air, showing a The need for great personalities on radio has never been greater. remarkable degree of research. With the increase in international television channels, radio Dr Adil Awadh relies on its voices to keep the audience engaged and to stay Radio Sawa tuned. The judges were looking for people who are passionate Judges’ comments Radio about their work and who explain complex topics in interesting Sawa is fortunate to have a ways. heavyweight presenter of Dr. Adil Awadh’s stature. Dr. The 2007 AIB International radio personality of the year is Awadh brings a level of George Arney of BBC World Service. The judges were credibility to this Washington- unanimous in their decision that the top award should go based operation. He faces - to Arney they said his slightly quirky approach reveals obstacles other international great truths about how people live their lives, and that he radio presenters do not as he is takes listeners behind the scenes with the planet’s most studio-based and unable to powerful leaders. His ability to give the listener a feeling travel to his target zone. of place as well as content is perhaps, thought the judges, the strongest argument for him winning the Award.

AIB International TV COMMENDED Barkha Dutt NDTV personality of the year Judges’ comments Professional and engaging, with an on-screen personality Lyse Doucet that demonstrates excellent research into the subjects she Television news is increasingly competitive so every channel discusses. needs a roster of talented individuals with strong on-air presence to keep the viewers from channel-hopping. It’s also about trust - the viewers need to feel comfortable and believe that the person on the screen knows what they’re talking about.

The judges were highly impressed by Lyse Doucet, one of the main presenters on BBC World. They said that Doucet is one of the leading presenters and journalists on international TV today, who is highly professional and conveys the news with just the right measure of confidence.

42 | MONTH 07 | THE CHANNEL AIB Editors’ COMMENDED Mobuzz TV Judges’ comments Basedin Madrid, Spain, this innovative company produces a short daily Award lifestyle magazine thatís specifically designed to be viewed on an iPod or mobile phone. They have been experimenting with a Everywoman - range of formats in order to produce content that works well on the smallest screen - it’s a very Al Jazeera English different technique to producing for 4:3 or 16:9. When Al Jazeera English launched in November 2006 it quickly grabbed the headlines for its news output. The company is international, But the channel has created a number of world-class producing its output in English, feature programmes that the AIB believes deserve French and Spanish and the AIB more attention. The programme Everywoman, believes that the Mobuzz style of produced by Maire Devine (pictured collecting the production is refreshing, creative Award) and presented by Shiulie Ghosh (pictured top and done with enthusiasm. left) is the best example.

The programme is uncompromising in its approach and digs deeper on often sensitive subjects to uncover the stories that women want told.

Everywoman is the first show of its kind produced in the Middle East and the AIB believes the work of the Everywoman production team is worthy of special acknowledgement in this year’s AIB Media Excellence Awards.

THE CHANNEL | MONTH 07 | 43 THE CHANNEL | INTERVIEW BUSINESS NEWS GOING MAINSTREAM?

he role of Bloomberg TV is to deliver up-to- the-minute breaking news to our core audience, which is Tprofessionals, high wealth individuals, decision makers that tend to move markets, and to deliver that news accurately and as quickly as possible.

We are seeing more business news reported on national TV - is business news moving from a niche to the mainstream? Whether it is a bombing in Istanbul or violence in Baghdad and how Brian Martinez knows Bloomberg inside out – he worked that affects the price of oil, to a hurricane in the Atlantic that is for them in NY, ran their Asia operation and as Managing approaching the Gulf coast, any Editor, EMEA, is now overseeing Bloomberg’s five language type of event can move markets. networks. With Bloomberg winning "International channel Maybe there is more public of the year", is business news a mainstream offering? awareness of that now but what we at Bloomberg do best is bridge that displays in offices, if you are a between CNBC, Fox TV and gap, showing that you need to consumer of Bloomberg TV or Bloomberg. Most important for us know what is going on in the world Bloomberg news we're available in is to make sure people are informed. because it is influencing the markets your home. There are many different and has impact on economies, and ways to access Bloomberg news – it What's happened in your region does tend to have an impact on depends on your schedule. We have recently? what the global leaders will have to always been a multimedia company In October we launched a new look say in terms of policy etc. We try to so we are obviously thinking about and feel for the channel which we deliver an understanding of that. new ways of disseminating our will develop over the coming news, whether that's to mobile or months as we begin to tell the story How do people consume internet protocol TV, digital TV – with more cutting-edge graphics Bloomberg? whatever format it is, we are always and new charts, utilising the data We have many, many products. on the cutting edge of technology. behind the Bloomberg professional First we have the Bloomberg We service to tell the story and get that professional service which is the In the States Fox has launched are unique onto the screen. Also expansion into terminal that people have on their financial news – is that major in that emerging markets and develop-ing desktops, that includes the competition for you? “Bloomberg new programmes around those Bloomberg News service, Bloomberg Bloomberg is unique in that we are markets. In 2007 we have seen TV, Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg not entertainment – our mission is not growth and expansion in all our Markets magazine, and Bloomberg and goal is to deliver the news entertain- business areas into Central and Press which publishes books for accurately and as fast as possible to ment Eastern Europe and the Middle East. investment professionals. We are keep people informed. We are not available on the internet, on public really looking at some sort of race You also produce features – in 44 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL ” INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL

fact you picked up a 'Highly time and try to be on the cutting TOP: Brian ▼ commended' for "The Business edge of that so that we can anti- Martinez of Climate Change" at the AIB cipate what they are looking for. So BOTTOM: Bloomberg studio Media Excellence Awards. Is while the markets may not look so there going to be more of that? rosy, the demand for market data We produce features on a rolling and news in different areas may be basis depending on what sort of hot high still. topics are relevant in the market. Recently we have produced "The What does winning "International Business of Climate Change", a look channel of the year"mean for at India, speaking to its billionaires Bloomberg TV? and the people that drive its It recognises that Bloomberg delivers economy. We also produced a in-depth analysis that nobody else special on Islamic finance, as well can in terms of business news and as a special on Russia’s it's great to have your colleagues in development during the Putin the business recognise that. years. We'll continue to be reactive to what's moving in certain markets, What about Brian Martinez the and that will determine what sort man – what media do you use in of focus programmes we'll do. the morning when you get up? My BlackBerry! News makes me Looking at the overall business tick so the first thing I do is look at news genre, do you think this news headlines of what happened has a rosy future? overnight. Usually by 11 o'clock it I don't like to predict but as far as is so busy that you are not really Bloomberg is concerned, we'll sure which way to turn. always be looking at what our clients want us to deliver at the Brian Martinez, thank you. ■ WWW.BLOOMBERG.COM/TVRADIO/TV/

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students in South Korea, 30% of mobile TV in the car, it is mostly ▼

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 47 THE CHANNEL | INTERVIEW

ME AND MY AVATAR Avatars are “video game like” cartoon representations - digital puppets if you will - of people that are used in virtual chat worlds and environments, and on mobile phones as screen savers. Differing from how users are identified inside traditional chat programs where users have only text identification or perhaps a small picture of the face of the users, or cartoon representation. Avatars are actual “virtual robots” which are usually three-dimensional, have form, clothing, haircuts, etc. One of the most popular avatar sites in South Korea is Neowiz’s “SayClub” that has over 20 million subscribers, which is over 40% of the total population of Korea. In SayClub, the avatar initially comes only with underwear. The user has to then outfit the avatar to fit the kind of persona that user wants his/her avatar to reflect in its virtual world. Some want their avatars to resemble their real world appearance. However, more often the avatar can gain attributes - a dark haired person to be blonde for example or an overweight person to be slim - and of course wear clothes that the real user might not be able to afford. Each additional item of clothing or accessory needs to be purchased and then dressed upon the avatar. As these kinds of environments grow, they soon gain a vast range of content such as clothing from the major brands and up to premium fashion designers like Gucci. It is not uncommon for South Koreans heavily into virtual worlds to spend more on the accessories and clothing of their avatar than their real wardrobe. An estimate by Daewoo Securities on the value of the avatar market in South Korea was $114m in 2004. VIRTUAL FRIENDS The virtual world and social networking site Cyworld facilitates the forming of new friendships through its “Becoming Buddies” feature, which is a creative human relationship management system. Becoming Buddies allows sharing of information, pictures, blogs etc as well as bonding in friendship. Forming friendships and then building human relationships is a core element of Cyworld. South Korean teenagers measure how popular they are by how many friends link to their Cyworld home pages. However, even more, once you have two out of every five members of the population in your virtual world, the whole economy takes notice. Every brand and company wants a presence inside Cyworld. Today all significant South Korean businesses already maintain a presence inside Cyworld. It is no longer a question of “should” Coca Cola or Nike or Ford find marketing tools to join MySpace. In Korea, every consumer brand has to be inside Cyworld. 30,000 businesses, offer over 500,000 items of digital content for sale already.

listened to, not really watched. But Are people still watching TV on ▼ From chapter the mainstream. They released a if something worth watching the big screen at home? 3 of “Digital movie where the main plot was Korea” by Tomi happens, you can watch it. I'm certain that the majority of TV about a teenager girl blogging, back Ahonen and Jim Then there are certain specific viewing will be on larger screens O’Reilly, 2007 in 2001, when even in Silicon Valley peaks. At lunchtime, cellphone-TV than our mobile phones for many blogging was only for the die-hard viewers often use their phones to years, perhaps decades to come – geeks. catch up on a favourite soap opera, on the big projection screen, the big The multiplayer gaming is and schedule their lunch break to plasma screen, the normal LCD TV perhaps more a point that may allow for that. A particular use is screen, the PC/laptop screen, on have some Korean exceptional the bathroom – we can take the dedicated DVD players with much cultural interests. The South Korean little TV to the bathroom and not larger screens than pocketable videogamers regularly take a vast interrupt our viewing. There is mobile phone TV screens. But there collection of the gold medals in the significant use by kids as their are plenty of instances and places various cybergames world "private" digital TV option. When and cases where we won't have championships. In Korea there is a mother is watching Desperate access to our primary TV viewing big culture around gaming, with Housewives on the main plasma option, and then the fact that soon dedicated TV channels. Top gamers TV of the household, the kids can everybody will have a TV tuner in are big celebrities with a massive go to their room, use the digital their pocket at all times on their fan following. tuner on the phone, and watch their phones, will mean that we all will I do see in some of my nephews show without disturbing mom's consume a part of our daily TV use and nieces similar interests in viewing. on the phone. gaming - rather play multiplayer games than watch TV for example. How are broadcasters and Out of a population of 48m, 42% But will it become as big as in programme makers adapting maintain a blogsite and 14m Korea – we have to see. to more TV viewing on mobiles? play multiplayer online games They are still only experimenting – what does that say about Why has South Korea and trying to learn. Obviously the South Korean society? embraced digital convergence new peak watching times will alter I think blogging is a universal in such a big way? the work of scheduling. Also totally interest and aspiration. American I'd say the biggest single cause was new content types, various user- blogging went from half a million the government's pro-active role in generated TV and video content bloggers in 2003 to over 80m today. driving this change. South Korea will play an ever larger part in the But the point is that South Korea looked at Japan, and wanted to equation. But it’s too early to say yet. was first to have blogging go into leapfrog Japan and find its own

48 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL INTERVIEW | THE CHANNEL

Work won’t go away but we can do more fun “things, in more fun ways ▼

economic ”engines to drive Korea. computers onto rockets. Then the Tomi Ahonen Finally, the pessimist's and They focused on digital technology spread and by the 1980s ▼ optimist's view of the digital 25% of Korea’s convergence, the information age, we had several microprocessors in future? population drive ubiquitous computing, etc. Then our cars. Today's cars have dozens imaginary cars in I'm the eternal optimist! But yes, the govermment provided and we don't think of the KartRider good question. The pessimist legislation and regulation support, microprocessor any more. would say it's an all-pervasive, all- enthusiastically supported South Korea is now heading to a intrusive "network" that doesn't let international conferences and world where connectivity is us sleep well at night for all the information sharing. And then the everywhere, not just computing. So messages interrupting us, various government fostered cooperation we get the intelligent floor. A real and virtual employees, bosses, with academia and the industry, so hospital with an intelligent floor colleagues etc bothering us at all the whole society worked very will have the ability to monitor the hours. The blurring of work and closely together. Korea also patient who has an accident and rest so badly that we all become promoted competition as the falls, for whatever reason – maybe a neurotic and depressed. Virtual driving engine. Rather than forcing dizzy spell or a heart attack, or theft, identity theft, invasions of all to use only one technology, slipping on a floor that was just privacy etc will only get much Korea tends to want all rival washed. But if the floor senses that worse… technologies to co-exist, so that the someone fell on it, the floor can Optimist? Work won't go away, country and the industry benefits alert a nurse immediately. but we can do more fun things, in from all those techologies. For the This is the future that is more fun ways. Our services will be end-user this means the widest emerging in Korea. Not only the more fun. The way we consume choice of near rival technologies. science-fiction-esque robot in every things will be more fun. I think we home - which will happen in Korea will look back at the dawn of the In places your book sounds like first - but also the more obscure Connected Age and think that the science fiction – household intelligence out of computing and world back then was horribly robots reading bedtime stories connectivity that is built into our complex, unpleasant, difficult, to kids? Where is South Korea lives everywhere. So it's not just unfriendly, intimidating. But that it heading? that we can pay for our parking by became a lot of fun along the way. I like to think of technology our cellphone, but if the car can tell becoming invisible, just doing its me where the nearest available Tomi Ahonen, thank you. ■ job. Think of the microprocessor. In parking place is, that is real value to the 1960s this was NASA science, the user. And this technology is put on the space missions, to get already being trialled in Korea.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY 08 | 49 THE CHANNEL | FEATURE

BBC WORLD SERVICE Richard Sambrook, Director BBC Global News, is responsible for programmes in 33 languages reaching 240m people. Standing out in an ever GETS INTO TV more crowded marketplace is a challenge, he says

lmost every BBC is now effectively global. BBC Arabic TV Launching in early 2008, the BBC Arabic TV month, a new During the outcry in September news and information channel will make BBC World Service global competitor 2005 about cartoons in a Danish the first media organisation to have a strong tri-media offer appears on the newspaper that depicted Mohammed in news, current affairs and information for Arabic-speaking audiences in the region and around the world. It will initially scene. Recently, in an allegedly blasphemous way, broadcast 12 hours a day and be freely available via satellite France, Iran, the there were riots in Pakistan over or cable. The annual operating cost is £19m. Arab world, rumours that Newsnight, our BBC Persian TV The new BBC World Service TV news and ItalyA and Russia have all opened up domestic late night current Affairs information service in Farsi for Iran is expected to launch new international broadcasting programme, was going to show the early in 2008. Based in London, the service will complement the BBC's existing Persian radio and online services for Iran. operations, resulting in an explosion cartoons in full. It wasn’t, but the It will initially broadcast for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, in competition to provide news story was out there spread around from 17.00 to 01.00 hours – prime viewing time in Iran. It will with differing judgements and the world by email and mobile be freely available via satellite or cable in the region. The differing editorial priorities. This phone. Newsnight is only available operating cost is £15m. presents the BBC with a massive in the UK, so the riots were about challenge; how to stand out and be something that didn’t happen on a easily identifiable in an ever more channel that wouldn’t even be seen crowded, constantly developing, in Pakistan. It’s an example of how marketplace. cultural sensitivities cross national In March 2006, independent and broadcast boundaries. public opinion research organisation GlobeScan carried out a series of FREE MEDIA POSE THREAT questions on ‘trust and the media’. In today’s complex world, the BBC It polled over 10,000 people in 10 strives to achieve impartiality by countries. The BBC rated higher than representing as full and diverse a any other organisation when it came range of views as possible. These to ‘trusting global media brands'. have to be weighted according to People get their news in different who or how many, or how ways in different parts of the world. authoritative a view they represent. In areas of Africa and the Far East, The BBC is dedicated to building

where people are more likely to trust between countries, cultures have cell phones than computers, and communities. Transparency, ▼ Egton House crackdown on protests spread via mobiles are the preferred distribution accountability and independence (right), home to the internet, the junta closed it BBC Arabic TV, platform. And more and more are central to fulfilling that down. And in Pakistan, one of the alongside BBC people are using the internet and purpose. Former UN Secretary Broadcasting first moves under the recent State .com or bbcArabic.com rather General Kofi Annan described the House in central of Emergency was to take than radio to access their news. BBC’s international news services London international news channels off as “probably Britain’s greatest gift the air. TV DOMINATES MID-EAST to the world,” because of the TV is the dominant medium in the impact of its journalism. FREE INFORMATION AT A COST Middle East with more than 300 To those who oppose the building In February 2005 BBC producer cable and satellite channels available of open and peaceful societies, free Kate Peyton was shot and killed in across the region. The BBC is media pose a dangerous threat – Mogadishu, a city where the only joining them; launching BBC Arabic precisely because of their potential to source of reliable news is the BBC’s TV, part of a multi-platform Arabic empower by increasing understanding Somali service. And BBC offer across television, radio and and inspiring free debate. That has correspondent Alan Johnston was online. Dozens of new staff have been led to attacks on BBC programmes kidnapped and held hostage for 114 recruited, and a new multi-media and the people who make them. days in Gaza, where he had centre has been created at Our services in China and Iran are reported from for three years. Broadcasting House in Central effectively blocked. Not because It is well to remember that London. The BBC’s brand is strong they are anti Chinese or anti-Muslim there’s sometimes an unacceptable in the Middle East. In repeated but because they are simply seeking cost to keeping world society surveys in some 20 major cities 85% to make high quality impartial informed while promoting said they would watch BBC Arabic TV. news available to people who want openness, fairness, economic and Everything broadcast by the it. In Burma, as news of the military political development. ■

50 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL THE CHANNEL | FACTFILE

Russian, Arabic and Farsi. Additionally, Arabia offers more Arabic content I am heading DW´s multimedia than before, DW-TV USA and DW-TV restructuring process which started Latinoamérica now include popular last September. In my view, being a shows of Germany's national journalist means offering a service broadcasters ARD and ZDF. Also, to the general public, providing them DW-WORLD.DE launched its with authentic information and extended Farsi service DW-WORLD. always looking at an issue from all DE/persian with additional online sides. Only well informed people are staff and a new multimedia design able to decide freely. of the site. The flexibility to act and react quickly is key to DW and its

FILE ON DEUTSCHE WELLE staff in responding to the Germany’s international listeners'/users' needs for broadcaster has headquarters in independent information. DW- Bonn and Berlin. Since DW first RADIO demonstrated this by went on air on 3 May 1953, it has reacting swiftly to the escalation of undergone a huge transformation the Burma crisis and immediately NAME: Uta Thofern from broadcasting one radio making their existing English JOB TITLE: Editor in Chief programme in German via short programme available to the COMPANY: DW-World.de wave to becoming a multilingual Burmese population. From summer and multimedia key player among 2009 onwards, Deutsche Welle’s MY CAREER international public broadcasters. international training centre, DW- I have worked in both public and 'Promoting understanding and AKADEMIE, will offer a 2-year private media, and in all types of dialogue' is at the heart of DW Master’s degree in “International FACT media: print, news agency, radio, TV programming and services. DW’s Media Studies” to media experts and last but not least online, which mission is to convey “German and from developing and transitioning offers the advantages of all in one. other positions on important countries. DW is cooperating closely After training at the Munich school issues” to people abroad as well as with universities from Germany and of journalism I first gained experience “to provide a forum aimed at abroad to establish the programme. as a reporter for print media and promoting understanding and dialogue radio, and as editor and presenter in between cultures and peoples”. DW MERGING TO MULTIMEDIA news and magazine programmes. also promotes the German In 2007 we embarked on a large- In 1992 I was entrusted with setting language with language courses as scale reform process of our up and running the radio news part of its output. Today, Deutsche organisational structures, which will department of the new public Welle comprises DW-TV, DW- transform the traditional media broadcaster MDR in the East RADIO, the online service DW- division. Our multilingual radio and German state of Thüringen. For me WORLD.DE, and the international online departments, DW-RADIO and it was a unique opportunity to take training centre for journalism and DW-WORLD.DE, will be merged into part in establishing democratic intercultural media training, DW- new multimedia services; every media structures in that part of the AKADEMIE. language department will have the former GDR and to experience the The broadcaster’s multicultural tools to produce services for any change in Eastern Germany at first team of some 1,500 employees media platform needed in their hand. I later switched to the TV includes journalists from more than respective target areas. news department and left MDR in 60 countries. With their expertise My task in this project is to set up 2002 to work at Germany’s and the latest technology for the necessary working structures international public broadcaster production and broadcasting, DW for our journalists to enable them to Deutsche Welle. As editor-in-chief provides globally accessible news respond flexibly to the media usage at DW-RADIO for German, English and information in more than 30 of our audience(s) in the respective and EU Programmes/Projects, I was languages. DW reports about events language regions. Our aim is to in charge of global programmes for in Germany, Europe and around the create organisational structures our German and English-speaking world, most importantly about what that can cope with new develop- listeners. I then moved to my is happening in regions torn by ments in media technology and current position as editor-in-chief of crisis and conflict, or where there is provide the best possible conditions Deutsche Welle’s online service, no freedom of speech. for producing high-quality content. DW-WORLD.DE. I am responsible In combining our multilingual radio for eight regional language WHAT’S NEW and online expertise we can reach programmes, supported by teams of Among the reforms implemented our audiences irrespective of the native speakers of German, English, this year was the regionalisation of media used to convey news and ■ WWW.DW-WORLD.DE Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, DW-TV's programmes. DW-TV information.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 51 THE CHANNEL | TECHNOLOGY C4 MEDIA ACCESS PROJECT UK Channel 4 Television has completed the first phase of its media access project, progressing C4 from video tape to an MXF file-based operation. Kevin Burrows,C4’s CTO and Spencer Rodd, Technical Director at Pharos, explain about one of the most innovative technical progressions in C4’s 25 years

n 2003 Channel 4 replaced ingest server, content store, archive IMX so that file-users could its VHS-based preview manager, Petasite tape library and With simply unwrap metadata stored facility with a Pharos file transfer management - are 25 years of with each file rather than needing browse system giving managed by the Pharos Mediator archived to rely on a database. MXF 50i access directly from media management system and also makes decoding much standard desktop office database. “material, easier as no additional software PCs. The objective was to Pharos Mediator is a scalable it is is required. Ideliver browse-quality content to broadcast media management important relevant staff as efficiently as system which can be configured to to be as INGEST possible with minimal operational co-ordinate single or multiple future- Incoming programmes and overheads. This would bring the workflows in any broadcast interstitials are ingested at full 50 further benefit of eliminating the environment. Ingested content can proof as Mbit/s I-frame MPEG2 via Omneon risk of lost or damaged video tapes. be catalogued, researched, loaned possible ingest servers to an Isilon central The result was a highly co-ordinated and shared between users, online storage system before being solution centred on a Pharos providing collaborative working. automatically transcoded to 15 Mediator media management Files can be outgest to any selected Mbit/s Long GOP MPEG2 for database. Initially rolled out to 20 format, such as complete playout via the existing Pinnacle desktops and expanded later to programmes music compilations ” TX server system. Using Mediator, 400, this proved very successful for post-production or DVDs for Channel 4 is able to perform the and is one of the largest broadcast local distribution. Multiple client entire broadcast operation from its browse systems in Europe. libraries can be configured to online digital library store. The media access project was a provide security and privacy for The ingest area is equipped with logical extension of the browse clients without the expense and quality control booths for content concept, effectively adding in a complexity of separate hardware that needs careful eyeballing and single architecture all the facilities for every client. fast-track desks for material that Channel 4 needed for file-based does not need to be viewed in real ingest, long-term storage and FILE FORMAT time. Both are controlled via playout. Essentially a large library An initial challenge was the Mediator. All ingested content is of file-based digital content and selection of a generic file format. exported to the browse system metadata, it allowed the channel to MXF 50i was chosen on the basis through MPEG1 encoders at the create and maintain a tapeless store that it maintains optimal quality same time as it is transferred for of all programmes which could and is a relatively easy standard to transmission. The browse system then be made available in any export. If the need arises to send is used for off-air logs, for all format, whether linear TV, video on content elsewhere, recipients will compliance viewing and for demand, mobile or whatever might be able to use the programme checking of commercial break be called for in the future. content and the accompanying running order. A playlist function metadata. Many broadcasters have is already built in. A generic PHAROS MEDIATOR AT C4 gone down the road of proprietary Application Program Interface is The entire media access project - IMX. Channel 4 wanted to avoid used to ensure flexible control.

52 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL

TECHNOLOGY | THE CHANNEL on DVD for the Channel 4 press ▼ Main Image: planned that each MXF file should office. This is transcoded from 50i Channel 4’s be standalone and potentially headquarters in and a logo superimposed. A Pharos readable very far into the future. London database within Mediator makes a Top left: Part of The Media Access Project greatly title slate which is added to the the Pharos simplifies media ingest and DVD chapters. Transcoders are Mediator outgest. Pharos did a detailed used to generate 15 long-GOP files managed data study of workflow within each for transmission from Pinnacle storage system in relevant department of Channel 4. the C4 library ONLINE AND ARCHIVE STORAGE servers. All broadcast schedules for area Mediator enabled a starting Five nodes of Isilon disc storage, a week or more go into the Top right: Task- workflow pattern to be defined for totalling 40 terabytes, are accessible Mediator and that actually drives specific Pharos each operator. The ability to for online storage. Everything so the transcode process. Mediator Spot reconfigure workflow was also far as possible incorporates Check user very important. The system has interface redundancy, including main and TRANSITIONAL TIMESCALE certainly met expectations, backup Mediator databases, main The project was anticipated to take streamlining day-to-day workflows and backup servers. Ingest is split 15 months from start to finish. It and increasing overall efficiency. It across two servers so only half of began about the time when has also made engineering planning each is lost if a server goes wrong. affordable storage costs combined for additional services much easier. A 12-drive Sony Petasite with a growing need to get the The system itself is very scalable, LTO3000 based data tape archive media out to the right places. It allowing more storage to be added provides sufficient capacity for up would have been too expensive a whenever required. to 18 months of MXF 50i year earlier. Channel 4 wanted a programmes. Multiple transcoders system big enough to handle at THE FUTURE and multiple data movers interface least a year's programmes. The For Channel 4's recently launched between the servers and the Petasite has sufficient capacity to HD simulcast service on the Sky Petasite. Each LTO3000 takes LTO3 store 12 to 18 months of content. platform, the first phase has data tape cassettes with a capacity Channel 4 launched its 4oD parallel HD ingest to a separate of 400 gigabytes per cassette. Each video-on-demand service a year Omneon server which takes HD server controls four Petasite drives. ago, supplying Tiscali, BT Vision, and SD for short-term storage and If one server goes down, the eight Virgin Media and the PC download playout. HD content is stored on its other drives would continue service. The video-on-demand original master tapes and only working. DigiBeta tapes are still requirement came shortly after compressed for actual transmission. held as backups with the option of installation commenced and meant Direct ingest of data files is making local or external copies. rescheduling some priorities. Half clearly the future. An increasing the system was allocated to deliver number of commercials already MEDIATOR OUTGEST the 4oD service and the rest of the arrive at Channel 4 from a server at Mediator manages outgest of system is essentially complete. the end of a line. For programmes, video, files and metadata to any Time could have been saved by standards and delivery costs are the chosen destination using an XML opting for IMX rather than MXF. issues. With three or four Hollyoaks interface for metadata. Outgest 1 is Starting today, one would certainly per week, for example, it is far DigiBeta, Outgest 2 is Digital go down the MXF route as it is cheaper to put tapes on a bike and Rapids Version X, and so on. finally becoming fully supported send them down from Liverpool Outgest to graphics is handled by equipment suppliers. There was rather than wire them as files. The similarly, exporting clips directly no rigid deadline to meet and it move to HD makes wired delivery into a Pixel Power Clarity for was important not to end up with of archive-quality programmes making promotional graphics. several years of content that would even more challenging but that is ■ Quite a lot of material is issued need rewrapping in the future. It was WWW.PHAROS.TV obviously the future.

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 53 THE CHANNEL | FEATURE

INSPIRATIONAL UPLOAD Simon Spanswick was one of 1,000 architects, technologists, media executives and gurus at Digital-Life-Design organised by Burda Media in the Bavarian capital in January

t the edge of Eastern Europe and Turkey. The At the opening, Czerny also Munich’s old gut reaction is to classify them as a DLD pays tribute to the founder of the town, in a road very traditional publishing house is about famous TED conferences crowded with in danger of becoming a dinosaur. DNA, gene (www.ted.com), architect Richard historic buildings, That would be wrong. In fact, CEO Wurman – 72 years old but looking is the 19th century Hubert Burda has been the driving “pools, more like 60 – admitting that DLD former head- force behind the company's move artistry, has borrowed ideas and concepts, Aquarters of the Bayerische Staatsbank, into social media, insisting that he writers but that helps in connecting now the bright and airy HVB will never open a printing plant and technophiles all over the world. Forum, a centre for arts, conferences again. That’s a clear message to his networks Wurman is on the first panel and exhibitions. On a sunny company's publishers, editors and titled “Smart boys about new Sunday afternoon in mid-January, investment arms to concentrate markets” and he starts by grumbling. the Forum was packed with people. almost exclusively on digital There are no women on the panel In the building’s Grosses Atrium, it strategies if they want to grow. But he notes and then changes tack, was standing room only as the it is no good just announcing the saying that in his view companies third DLD conference got future – you need to build a path. ” that say they are global are deluding underway, introduced by the joint themselves. No organisation can managing directors of Hubert EN ROUTE TO DAVOS truly be global as things happen at Burda Media R&D Stephanie That’s where DLD is clever. Why a local level. It’s necessary to Czerny and Marcel Reichart, each spend money sending your people understand things locally to be of them brimming with enthusiasm to conferences all over the world to global is his message. He explains and energy. This, they said, was an plan their next moves in new his latest project www.192021.org , experience for friends. media? Instead, throw a three day launched when he discovered it is celebration of the future - create very difficult to compare what’s NO DINOSAURS HERE scarcity by making it invitation happening in the world’s largest Burda is a 104-year-old family- only - and at the same time invite cities. Since most of us live in urban owned German publishing empire the world's movers and shakers to areas, he shares his incredulity that run by the 67 year-old grandson of inspire top managers inside your the cities don’t learn much from the founder. Burda publishes 250 company. Get , Mercedes each other. magazines worldwide, many of Benz, Lufthansa and some venture Former Apple Marketing VP Joe them fashion and lifestyle titles. capitalists to sponsor. Finally, pick Schoendorf, now a venture capitalist Revenue is around €1.1 billion and the right dates, since many of the and member of the World Economic they employ over 7,000 staff. international guests you want are Forum, asks who in the audience is Hubert Burda Media is also the on their way to Davos. Munich is under 25. A handful put up their largest magazine publisher in just as easy as Zurich if you’re hands and Schoendorf notes that Russia and very significant in heading for the mountains. half the world’s population is under

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55 JANUARY08 CHANNEL THE | | |

this territory. territory. this will be a wireless world,” she says she world,” wireless a be will Over coffee, lunch and at the at and lunch coffee, Over ■

broadcasters are already exploring already are broadcasters wireless access. “The future world future “The access. wireless people and starting conversations. starting and people

successful international successful there’s more broadband, more broadband, more there’s events like this is meeting new meeting is this like events

audience is up to something – and – something to up is audience Europe. It’s vital to ensure that ensure to vital It’s Europe. Of course, half the fun of the of fun the half course, Of

responding to market needs.” The needs.” market to responding infrastructure operators across operators infrastructure trying to take detailed notes. detailed take to trying

we have to be more flexible in flexible more be to have we makes an impassioned call to call impassioned an makes line so you don’t lose the thread by thread the lose don’t you so line

thing. As international broadcasters international As thing. for Information, Society and Media, and Society Information, for these presentations are posted on posted are presentations these

Welle is currently doing the right the doing currently is Welle Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner EU Reding, Viviane banking in Ghana. Fortunately, Ghana. in banking

with the feeling that Deutsche that feeling the with to Asia as well as Eastern Europe. Eastern as well as Asia to developing countries – like mobile like – countries developing

way off base. But in the end I left I end the in But base. off way network which he intends to spread to intends he which network inspiring things happening in happening things inspiring

were thrilling; others seem to be to seem others thrilling; were as a social engine rather than social than rather engine social a as we inhabit. They also focus on focus also They inhabit. we

daily basis. Some of their insights their of Some basis. daily Nabergoj. He describes his software his describes He Nabergoj. audience what an amazing world amazing an what audience

chance to meet these people on a on people these meet to chance fnoocmb nrpeerAndrej entrepreneur by noovo.com of presentations that remind all the all remind that presentations

up entrepreneurs. You don’t get a get don’t You entrepreneurs. up Eastern Europe, too, with the launch the with too, Europe, Eastern provoking and stimulating and provoking

bloggers, dot com winners and start and winners com dot bloggers, people to interact. It’s happening in happening It’s interact. to people backgrounds provide thought- provide backgrounds

old media war horses to top to horses war media old to new territories, enabling more enabling territories, new to from an immense variety of variety immense an from

people was exciting, ranging from ranging exciting, was people the online networking phenomenon networking online the entertainment. Inspiring speakers Inspiring entertainment.

in the near future. The mix of mix The future. near the in now becoming available to spread to available becoming now gene pools, artistic expression, artistic pools, gene

reflect upon media developments media upon reflect languages other than English are English than other languages about architectural design, DNA, design, architectural about

chance to think, rethink, argue and argue rethink, think, to chance September 2006. Versions in Versions 2006. September and wireless. The conference is also is conference The wireless. and

to stop and smell the roses. It’s a It’s roses. the smell and stop to worldwide, up from 10 million in million 10 from up worldwide, than telecommunications, Internet telecommunications, than DLD Night Night DLD

conference was a great opportunity great a was conference says that it has 60 million users million 60 has it that says DLD turns out to be broader be to out turns DLD performing at performing

Amy Macdonald Amy Welle, sums it up: "The DLD- "The up: it sums Welle, grow. Matt Cohler from Facebook from Cohler Matt grow. single technology for mobile TV. mobile for technology single

Bottom right: Bottom director distribution at Deutsche at distribution director has developed and continues to continues and developed has She is also clearly pro-DVB-H as a as pro-DVB-H clearly also is She

founder, Joost; founder,

Guido Baumhauer, managing Baumhauer, Guido Xing examine how social networking social how examine Xing frequencies for mobile applications. mobile for frequencies

Zennström, co- Zennström,

which Facebook, Bebo, LinkedIn, Bebo, Facebook, which ITU to allocate certain TV certain allocate to ITU

MEETING TODAY’S WORLD TODAY’S MEETING Niklas Top right: Top

That’s true of “Getting social” in social” “Getting of true That’s hinting at recent decisions at the at decisions recent at hinting Mercedes cars Mercedes

fleet of DLD of fleet and good can come of that change. that of come can good and content. content. frequencies for these services – services these for frequencies

WPP; one of the of one WPP;

increasingly connected, it’s changing it’s connected, increasingly dynamic, stimulating and varied and stimulating dynamic, She says there is a need for new for need a is there says She

Sorrell, CEO, Sorrell,

the three-day event – the world is world the – event three-day the world and to bring our audiences our bring to and world René Obermann is sitting alongside. sitting is Obermann René

Coelho; Martin Coelho;

This becomes a recurring theme of theme recurring a becomes This able to focus on the widest possible widest the on focus to able as Deutsche Telekom whose CEO whose Telekom Deutsche as author Paul author

that, as broadcasters, we need to be to need we broadcasters, as that, telecommunication companies such companies telecommunication 60 MILLION ON FACEBOOK ON MILLION 60 Obermann;

with René with of disciplines and to be reminded be to and disciplines of of a sideswipe at incumbent at sideswipe a of

Reding confers Reding

on” connectivity. connectivity. on” with people of an incredible range incredible an of people with affordable for all taking something taking all for affordable

top right Viviane right top

know the world without “always- without world the know possible to meet and share ideas share and meet to possible the cost of wireless access is access wireless of cost the

clockwise from clockwise

that age - which means many don’t many means which - age that fabulous DLD Night party it was it party Night DLD fabulous forcefully. It’s also important that important also It’s forcefully.

Main Image: Main ▼

FEATURE THE CHANNEL THE | THE CHANNEL | DEVELOPMENT RADIO ARRIVES AND SO DOES ELECTRICITY Radio news agency KBR68H and Media Development Loan Fund are helping set up local stations in some of the remotest parts of eastern Indonesia, providing many people with their first access to broadcast information. MDLF Programme Director Tessa Piper reports

he early morning mist hung in the still cool air in the remote village of Anyelma, high up in the Central Highlands of TPapua where preparations were underway for the feast to accompany the launch of the community’s radio station, Radio Pikonane. The initiative to build a radio station in the regency of Yahukimo in this isolated part of Indonesia came from KBR68H, the country’s only independent radio news agency.

It is the latest in a series of radio ▼ Clockwise things again and again. But those programming and technical issues stations to be built as part of a from left: the promises never come to anything,” – training that will continue over radio station in programme to extend information said one village elder. This the months to come. Pikonane; an to some of the most remote and interview scepticism turned to anticipation and least developed parts of eastern underway in the excitement as work on the station GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED Indonesia. The programme is being studio; receiving began and to celebrate the launch, But the location presented an even implemented by KBR68H and the gift of a radio nine pigs – highly prized possessions more fundamental challenge: there Indonesian non-profit organisation – were donated for a feast. “The was no electricity. With fuel in this Perhimpunan Pengembangan blood of the pigs must touch the remote area costing five times more Media Nusantara (the Indonesian ground. Only then will the radio than in Jakarta, a low-cost Association for Media Development) station become a true part of our sustainable source of power was in cooperation with Media community”, explained Mary needed. A local company with Development Loan Fund – a New Lantipo, a leader of the community relevant expertise was commissioned York-based non-profit company association managing the station. to build a 9,000 watt micro-hydro providing low-cost financing to Radio Pikonane is broadcasting plant to harness the nearby Kut independent media in developing on AM 1278 and FM 107.8 and river to generate power to run the countries – and the Royal reaches around 70,000 people with radio station and provide electricity Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta. a mix of information, educational to the local primary school, church, and entertainment programmes. As village meeting place and individual TOTALLY CUT OFF well as locally produced programmes homes for the first time. Thanks to the The choice of location for the on topics ranging from health to micro-hydro plant and a donation station was prompted by a famine agriculture to human rights, Radio from the radio news agency, local that struck the area two years ago, Pikonane relays a selection of news children are getting their first ever but which remained unknown for and talk shows produced by KBR68H. experience of using computers. weeks due to lack of information. Building the station was the Hopes are high for a positive As a result, 55 people died. There most challenging initiative to date impact now that the area has both a was food available in the nearest for the KBR68H team, who since radio station and electricity. “We town, but without information no The 2003 have built seven other stations now have new opportunities to one was aware of the desperate in eastern Indonesia. The remote help ourselves,” said Kores need. An assessment visit by KBR68H location location presented a major logistical Waitipo, a teacher who donated the and MDLF found a region almost presented challenge, particularly as a bridge land on which the station is built. totally cut off from development. “a major linking the only road into the area “We plan to have farming Basic services such as water, electricity challenge: is frequently swept away, leaving it programmes to help improve our and telephone were unavailable. there was impassable except on foot. The crops. And with electricity those The idea of building a radio absence of any media in the area crops can earn more income station was strongly endorsed by no meant that station staff and because we can sell not just the raw local leaders, who quickly saw its electricity volunteers lacked any experience product. Now we can also grind potential. But there was scepticism and needed intensive training on all our coffee beans or blend carrot too. “We have been promised many aspects of station management, juice for sale.” ■ 56 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL ” TECHNOLOGY | THE CHANNEL FOCUSING Munich-based NorCom Information Technology offers innovative solutions in the production and processing of ON GROWTH multimedia content. The key to success is focusing on high- growth markets, says Viggo Nordbakk, founder and CEO

CPower Pro research, scheduling, playing out need to work with tapes and allows ensures smooth Our and archiving while also being us to implement the “ingest once, broadcasting vision is to capable of processing video, audio, use many times” principle. operations for play an graphics and text files. With the TV and media active role installation of NCPower Pro, the LOCAL SUPPORT companies. One “ 25-strong production staff at More If you have a good product and an of the key factors in the TV have access to a tapeless end-to- effective sales team, local after-sales Nof our success is the ongoing develop- end digital system for all TV-related support is vital. We achieve local enhancement of features which ment of activities. presence via our partners and/or allows us to cater to all distribution media Our aim is to offer an innovative subsidiaries, who are familiar with channels - conventional and cost-efficient solution by market conditions and the media in broadcasting, IPTV, corporate and providing editorial, technical and their country and build business mobile TV. creative support. NCPower Pro relations steadily. A successful position in the market offers More TV a long-term future- In China there are over 2,000 TV hinges not least of all on the right proof solution incorporating open stations. In April 2007 we forged a sales and marketing strategy. From ” standards meeting all of its partnership with Beijing-based the outset, we knew that we wanted requirements and additionally Kommnet Group to open up the to have an international thrust to permitting it to react flexibly to Chinese market. With its detailed our sales efforts. Having signed up changes. All processes – including knowledge and many years of renowned local media companies research, copy-writing and editing experience in media software, such as RTL, n-tv and Deutsches – can be performed. The status of Kommnet is an ideal partner for us. Anlegerfernsehen, we also all contributions from the initial We had a joint stand at BIRTV, the systematically targeted foreign idea to scripts as well as broadcast largest broadcasting and media markets. Eastern Europe, Russia, scheduling and archiving can be technology fair in Asia. China and the Middle East have monitored at all times. All tasks can In Russia, where our customer been of particular interest to us. be assigned electronically to base includes regional, national and In creating a good name for internal and external, stationary also special-interest broadcasters, ourselves outside Germany, we and mobile staff and monitored. we recently established a subsidiary have never lost sight of our principle Full end-to-end integration of in Moscow. This allows us to react of “thinking globally and acting the existing software architecture in more quickly to customer requests, locally”. NorCom offers local the NCPower Pro system, multi- build contacts and, most importantly, solutions for local markets - we lingual capabilities (English and to provide better after-sales service. adjust the NCPower Pro range to Russian) as well as the flexibility of Our network of partners in other meet the requirements of the the solution were just some of the countries is growing. It is important specific customer’s market. As a many strong arguments prompting that our partners meet our result, we are able to serve disparate ▼ Viggo a decision in favour of NorCom. expectations of excellence – that countries on an individual basis to Nordbakk The system does away with the they know their markets, are optimum effect. For the Chinese already operating successfully and market, we have implemented a act in NorCom’s best interests. special menu system designed in the Establishing an international light of Asian preferences. The position at an early stage, and entire user interface is in Chinese, focusing our sales efforts on high- while the Russian version of growth markets has, as it turns out, NCPower Pro features a Cyrillic proved to be exactly the right user interface. strategy. Looking ahead, I see NorCom as one of the leading MORE TV, MURMANSK vendors of TV production software. Our most recent sales success with Our goal is to position ourselves as More TV, a private regional an all-in operator providing media broadcaster in Murmansk, Russia, companies with strategic advice is a good example of why customers and assistance for their TV, IPTV or opt for NCPower Pro. More TV was mobile TV projects. Our vision is to looking for a media production play an active role in the solution containing all workflow development of media - all we have

components such as ingesting, WWW.NORCOM.DE to do is make this happen. ■

THE CHANNEL | JANUARY08 | 57 THE CHANNEL | TECHNOLOGY

ELECTRONIC COUCH POTATO Pixelmetrix has come up with a clever device that allows IP and digital TV operators to monitor end-users’ experience. CEO Danny Wilson and IPTV Product Manager Amit Sood explain

he Pixelmetrix Pixelmetrix OCV - On-Air Content the ECP is its ability to assess the Electronic Couch Validation for dynamic service plan quality of the decoded video, and Potato is an ‘after verification. OCV checks whether present it on a scale of 1 to 5 as a the network’ probe channels are present and confirms MOS (Mean Opinion Score). This is that measures and the overall ‘channel line up’. Once a applicable for every channel reports the end- problem is detected, alarms are sent scanned by the ECPs. The ECP users’ experience to the ECP Consolidator with a further monitors audio signal Tfor delivered video services. The detailed explanation of the source anomalies such as audio, silence ECP interacts with set-top boxes of the problem. and tone. The ECP also comes through infrared control and is able The ECP and Consolidator also packed with the ability to check for to change channels on the STB. lets IPTV players derive benefit video freeze frames and blackout. Each channel is then monitored and from its extensive automation the telemetry collected by the ECP facilities. Essentially a programmable POWERFUL CONSOLIDATION is sent back to a central point, the ‘test robot’, various test scripts are The sole objective of the ECP ECP Consolidator. Data from downloaded to each ECP from the Consolidator is to optimally present multiple ECPs are processed and Consolidator. The ECP completely meaningful information to the presented as service centric changes how IP video networks are operator about the service being information to the service provider. monitored and information delivered to the customer - The ECP receives decoded audio extracted. The user interface of the information that enables them to and video signals from the STB and Consolidator presents the status of solve a problem within the shortest assesses the audio and video the entire service, wherever the time possible. The ECP Consolidator quality of every monitored channel. ECPs are deployed. Additionally, it is the configuration and monitoring The ECP is not restricted by any is also capable of drilling down to console for multiple ECPs spread encryption scheme adopted for the core of the problem. across the last mile distribution content protection in the network points of the complete network. as it processes only decrypted ELECTRONIC EYES The ECP Consolidator presents to signals coming out of the STB. In The ECP monitors multiple perfor- the operator the status of all broad- addition, the ECP has Ethernet mance parameters in the IP and cast channels scanned by ECPs. The pass-through functionality. transport layers. IP parameters can multiple parameters monitored by Multichannel TV operators, include service bandwidth, jitter, each ECP for each channel are not offering hundreds of channels are delay, etc. Checks conforming to presented as mere data, but as faced with managing their complex the TR 101-290 standard are applied Each information presented in a way to service offering in the face of the to the transport layer. A major monitored report the status of service quality continued pressure to reduce concern for all IPTV operators parameter in a particular territory or an OPEX. Maintaining the right today is the ability to accurately overall system-wide status. content in the right place is not know the true channel change time. “can be Another vital feature is the always easy and we often hear of The ECP achieves this goal through configured ability to fully control and configure cases where the ‘adult’ channel is two different mechanisms. IGMP to each ECP through the ECP mistakenly swapped for the cartoon Join/Leave times indicate, on the individual Consolidator. Intuitively presented channel. While operational network layer, the duration it takes and customisable test scripts enable personnel would call this a for the channel to change. The ECP threshold users to configure each ECP to ‘provisioning error’, the legal takes the concept a step further to settings perform specific tests or mass department, given government calculate the actual channel change before configure multiple ECPs swiftly. regulations, potential fines or time. Measurements on the decoded alarms More alert than a human 'couch criminal charges, would call the video gauge how long it takes are raised potato', the Pixelmetrix electronic mishap something quite different. before a user begins to see the next version provides IPTV operators Guarding against these kinds of channel after a channel change with real-time insights into their problems, the ECP features the request is sent. A unique feature of customers’ quality of experience. ■ 58 | JANUARY08 | THE CHANNEL ”