Kuala Lumpur – MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) announced on March 19 that the MEASAT-3/3a platform has become the first Asian C-Band satellite platform to exceed 50 high definition (“HD”) channels, confirming the maturing of the HD content business in Asia.
MEASAT started offering HD distribution services on the MEASAT-3 satellite in July 2007. Working with a select group of channels, technology partners and uplink providers, MEASAT developed a flexible solution for the launch and distribution of HD channels across the Asia-Pacific region. The services were expanded in 2009 with the launch of the collocated MEASAT-3a satellite. This strategy, underpinned by significant financial and technological investments and an innovative business model, helped develop the HD segment in Asia to what it is today.
Today MEASAT works with the industry’s leading uplink providers, including Encompass Digital Media (“Encompass”), Globecast and RRsat America – Global Communications Network Inc (“RRsat”) with an HD video distribution solution tailor-made for the Asian market. In addition to the channels distributed by the uplink partners, the satellite also supports HD channels uplinked by the channel operator.
“In 2007, MEASAT had already developed the long-term vision to introduce tailor-made HD solutions to the Asian market,” said Deepakjit Singh, Managing Director, Encompass. “Encompass is now using the MEASAT MCPC platform at 91.5°E to distribute 20 premium HD channels across Asia.”
“MEASAT had the vision and foresight to propose a partnership business model with leading teleports and MCPC platforms in which the Asian HD segment would be promoted jointly. This innovative approach has led to Globecast Asia distributing 12 top HD channels across Asia.” added Yew Weng Soo, Senior Vice President, Sales, Globecast Asia.
“The coverage provided by RRsat’s MCPC platform on MEASAT-3/3a at 91.5°E extends across 102 countries across Asia, from Japan to Africa,” added Lior Rival, Chief Commercial Officer, RRsat. “This coverage is an essential factor in RRsat’s decision to choose MEASAT as our Asian HD distribution partner for 10 high quality HD channels. This premium platform is an important part of our value-added media services portfolio that enables our customers to reach more places, in more ways on more devices.”
“In collaboration with our partners we developed an innovative business model to help ‘jump start’ the Asian HD segment” said Paul Brown-Kenyon, Chief Executive Officer, MEASAT. “Through this collaboration, we announced the first Asian regional C-Band distribution of an HD channel in 2007. We are delighted to be able to celebrate the maturing of the HD segment with the announcement of the 50 HD channels on our platform this week. We continue to work with our partners and our customers to ensure that our services are tailored for channel operators, and the MEASAT-3/3a satellites are the key HD location for Asian HD content.”
