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Broadcast technology market estimated at $11 billion
SINGAPORE: The global broadcast technology market is worth $11 billion and is set to grow at 11 per cent with the pace being set in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM) CEO Roger Crumpton elaborated on the complex supply chain scenario while presenting the top-line findings of a global research study into the issues facing the broadcast and media technology space. |
There are over 1400 technology suppliers out of which eight have a share of 45 per cent, he said. Storage and test quality control are the two areas that have seen a rise in prices as channels buy equipment. Playout and delivery and the biggest areas in broadcast technology. For broadcasters though, there is uncertainty as mergers and acquisitions are happening on the sellers side. The dynamics of the market are complex. Indonesia, for instance, has 60 million homes half of which own a TV. In Malaysia, the overall population is six million but 96 per cent have a TV. While 37 per cent have pay TV in Malaysia, in Indonesia it is just 0.2 per cent. More and more broadcasters will outsource technology requirements and firms like Siemens have stepped in. Library and asset management products are growing at 25 per cent. This kind of information allows channels to know from where they can expect a good price. However, there is a problem which was focussed upon in a panel discussion. The speakers included Tandberg Television executive VP and GM – Asia Pacific Graham Cradock, Miranda Technology president – Asia Pacific Richard Brice, Software Generation sales and marketing director, Bernie Walsh. The problem is that there are not enough IT specialists on the broadcast side and not enough broadcast specialists on the IT side. In Asia, channels expect hand holding in terms of how technology works as well as support and maintenance. They are not used to paying for it which is not the case in Europe. |
| Often for technologies like digital storage systems, the broadcasters are not able to spell out their exact requirements. Free service is a cause for concern for firms like Tandberg Television. The sellers at the same time need to get their people up to speed on issues of real time in a broadcasting facility. A crunch time will be coming soon in terms of equipment and pricing. Also, suppliers find that channels that deploy equipment on new platforms experience problems later on. It is crucial for channels to have workflows organised in terms of how technology is implemented. While there are new software workflow tools coming out, the technology people at many channels have to be trained each time a new piece of equipment is bought. Sometimes channels go back to the old system, which results in a waste of money. Channels need to, thus, spend money on training at centers. Also suppliers need to interact more with channels to find out their requirements. Singapore‘s MediaCorp Technologies VP, new media Kenneth Lee offered a broadcasters perspective in terms of adapting to a rapidly changing technology environment. Technology is not a business driver but an enabler, he said. MediaCorp did an Open TV trial for interactive TV in 2000, he elaborated. The business model for this platform at that time, however, was not viable. Now they are looking at MPEG 5, encouraged by the success of Sky Digital in the UK. Technology is all not the be all and end all. For news, MediaCorp implemented a project, Advanced Digital Asset Management (Adam). Here there is a central server where one can pull out data for playback, editing. However the firm also made sure that their workflow was in order. So there is a project director under whom there are three groups. MediaCorp is also trialling HDTV as it feels that now is the right time for it with prices dropping. The firm did an Air Review project and created a server based recording system on Windows Media. All content was recorded. Then the MobTV pay service was launched online. This allows people to download archival material for a fee. Crumpton also dwelt on how content that was createsd for linear television is being used in a non linear manner. Youtube is a great example. A show called Britain‘s Go Talent featured an aspiring opera singer who works in a warehouse. On Youtube, it got 3.7 million views and 8000 comments. IT and telecom are impacting the broadcasting space. Today one buys telephone, broadband and TV from a single source. Since India has a lower age demographic, the adoption of new technologies will be faster here. That is what suppliers and channels need to bear in mind. For channels it is good that the telecom firms who are entering broadcasting, are investing heavily on R&D. |
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
