DTH
CASBAA Sat Forum: Innovation at every level vital, b’band driving HTS, a maturing tech
MUMBAI: “There have been more dramatic changes in the global satellite industry in the past two years than we have been seen in the last twenty-five,” said SES Networks’ CEO Steve Collar, at the close of the CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2017 in Singapore.
That comment summarised nine hours of high-octane insights, statements and data downloads testing the temperature of the Asian satellite market at CASBAA’s 17th annual meeting of satellite executives, engineers and investors.
“This has been an energising, challenging day which laid out the immediate and long-term opportunities and challenges for the satellite sector in Asia in terms of both commercial and technical issues,” said CASBAA CEO, Christopher Slaughter. “We have been given a lot to think about. Innovation at every level must be at the heart of all our businesses.”
According to keynote speaker – AsiaSat CEO Andrew Jordan, video distribution via satellite represents some 70% of revenues for most geo-satellite operators in the region with Ultra High Definition (UHD) and 4K services “all the rage” despite representing a less than 20% transition from Standard Definition services in Asia. “Mobility and broadband are the latest must-have applications, driving HTS (High Throughput Satellites) which is a maturing technology with enormous promise,”
The potential benefits and disadvantages of HTS and “cut-throat” competition were an overarching theme of the conference, which also covered such items as in-flight connectivity, maritime services, reusable launch vehicles, flat panel antennas, new satellite manufacturing processes and the on-going promise of the satellite market in India.
Some quotable quotes:
From the Operators
· There are 600 million households out there without TV. The opportunity for satellite remains enormous – Tom Choi, ABS
· When the millennials start families they are like the rest of US. They slump back on their settees – Andrew Jordan, AsiaSat
· If we don’t play in the 5G space other technologies will take over for sure – Deepak Mather, SES
From the Manufacturers
· Our customers are increasingly asking for Flexible, Refreshable, Blended Constellations that will last forever. It’s all over the map – Dawn Harms, Boeing Satellite
· Manufacturers also need to help with the ground segment – Tony Colucci, VP Sales, SSL
· From GEO to LEO . . . It’s a cultural difference – Tony Colucci, SSL
· To provide for the “extended life” of a satellites (maybe to match the life of a co-located satellite) GEO manufacturers need agree on a standardized USB for in-orbit connectivity – Olivier Guilbert, Thales Alenia
· Now we must be “Datacentric”, Tony Colucci, SSL
From the Customers
· We are now entering uncharted territory – Chris Baugh, Northern Sky Research
· Competition is fierce – PJ Beylier, Speedcast
· Consolidation is coming, but it must be at the operator level – Deepakajit Singh, Encompass Media
· Transponder costs may yet fall by 30%-40% — Deepak Singh, Encompass
On HTS
· HTS is the thing — Tony Colucci, SSL
· It’s not just about providing highest throughput, it’s about jointly driving the ecosystem to make it more efficient – Elias Zaccack, SES
On Flat Panels
· We need multi frequency, multi-beam spectrum. The ability to switch between Ka to KU via LEO or GEO is crucial — John Finney, Isotropic
· It’s more complicated than almost anybody thought a few years ago – Susan Bull, Comsys
· People aren’t going to buy a flat-panel antenna just because it’s pretty! — Alvaro Sanchez, Intergrasys
The Launch Panel
· Our objective is to relaunch the rocket after one hour — Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX
· Launch, Re-fuel and re-launch — Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX
· They say there will be 24,000 LEO launches in the next while. What about space junk? – Peter Jackson, PJ Square
· Less price, more performance! That is what we will deliver ,– Tom Carroll, ILS International
On India
· Digitise, digitise, digitise! But when can we monetize? – Ashok Mansukhani, Hinduja Media
· India is a country where stats sarely make sense — Ashok Mansukhani
· The DTH industry will remain a volume-led market for the next 5 years – Vivek Coutop, MPA
The CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2017 also appreciates the generous support of the sponsors for this year’s event:
ABS, APSTAR, Arianespace, AsiaSat, Boeing Satellite Systems, COMSYS, Effective Space, Eutelsat, Gogo, Intergrasys , International Launch Services (ILS), Marsh, MEASAT, Newtec, NorthTelecom, SES, SKY Perfect JSAT, SpaceX and SSL.
DTH
Dish TV launches ‘Kuch chhota sa’ campaign for TV flexibilit
New campaign highlights 190+ channels, Always-On service, Rs 99 Freedom Pack.
MUMBAI- Sometimes, the smallest remote click can fix the biggest daily friction and Dish TV is betting on exactly that insight. The company has rolled out a new campaign built around the thought ‘Kuch chhota sa karne par, life hogi behtar’, turning everyday viewing annoyances into a case for simpler, more reliable television access.
The campaign taps into a familiar household reality: millions of viewers continue to rely on free-to-air channels but increasingly want the flexibility of premium content, often ending up with a patchy and inconsistent viewing experience. Dish TV positions itself as the middle path—a structured yet flexible alternative that promises continuity without complexity. At its core is the pitch of an “Always-On” service, designed to keep content accessible even when recharge timelines slip, effectively reducing one of the most common friction points in DTH consumption.
To strengthen this proposition, the platform is offering access to over 190 channels, alongside a flexible pricing hook through its Freedom Pack, starting at Rs 99. The pack is positioned as a seasonal companion particularly relevant during high-engagement periods such as cricket tournaments, school holidays and festive windows, when content consumption spikes but users may not want long-term commitments.
Conceptualised by Enormous, the campaign unfolds through two master films and three short edits rooted in slice-of-life storytelling. From a husband quietly navigating around his sleeping wife to siblings striking a compromise over a coveted window seat, the narratives lean into humour and relatability rather than heavy messaging. The underlying idea remains consistent: small adjustments can meaningfully improve everyday experiences.
The rollout spans a full 360-degree media mix, including television, digital platforms, on-ground activations, point-of-sale visibility, Google Display Network placements and influencer-led content, signalling a push for both scale and contextual engagement.
As viewing habits continue to evolve in a hybrid ecosystem of free and paid content, Dish TV’s latest play reflects a broader industry shift where reliability and flexibility are increasingly positioned as differentiators, not just add-ons. In a market crowded with choice, the brand’s wager is simple: sometimes, it’s the smallest tweak that keeps audiences tuned in.
