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Explore the international networks portfolio of branded satellite-delivered linear cable television networks, reaching over 400 million households in 135 countries. Learn about the current distribution infrastructure and the future plans for distribution.
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SPTI Int’l Networks – Review of Current Distribution Infrastructure, and the “New Vision” for Distribution
What are the International Networks? A portfolio of branded, satellite delivered linear cable television networks: • Viewed throughout Europe, Asia, The Middle East and Latin America. • Reaching over 400 million households, in 21 languages and in over 135 countries, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Pursuing an aggressive development strategy, SPE’s international networks portfolio has grown exponentially since the introduction of the first two networks in 1995 to more than 56 linear networks (40 wholly-owned and controlled) around the world in just 14 years, with more to come.
Our Diversified Portfolio 135 Countries – 400 Million Households – 21 Languages
Networks / Feeds by Region Currently 40 Wholly-owned Networks / 74 Regional Feeds Europe 19 channels 24 feeds AsiaPac 17 channels 34 feeds Latin America 3 channels 15 feeds
Distribution Infrastructure Methodology Infrastructure varies by region as technology, industry standards, and operational philosophy (e.g., outsource vs. insource) changed over the years. The three primary models we use today are: • ASIAPAC - Channel origination from SPE-owned & operated facility in Singapore (SPTL), w/uplink sub-contracted to 3rd party vendor (SingTel)* • LATAM - Channel origination and uplink both from JV-owned facility in Miami, HBO Latin America Production Services(LAPS) • EUROPE – All sub-contracted to 3rd party vendors - Channel origination: (Ascent Media, London), and uplink: (Eutelsat, Paris) • * except Japan where both origination and uplink are outsourced to 3rd party vendor (SkyPerfecTV)
SPTI Networks – Current Distribution MethodologySeparate program streams to Operator • Discrete program streams are delivered to each territory. • The program stream, numbering up to 15 on a single transponder, is inclusive of all program materials and delivered directly to the cable operator. • Currently, 40 channels comprised of 74 discreet streams utilizing MPEG-2 compression technology. • Pros: • A low cost decoder is deployed at each headend requiring only a simple TVRO antenna for connectivity. • Challenges: • No ability to customize feed at the cable operator or viewer level. • We also use a fair amount of satellite bandwidth..!
Apstar 2R 1x36 MHz 15 feeds • Pan Asia Cable Head Ends • Korea DTH Platform AXN / Animax MPEG2 MCPC 2:15 Singtel Uplink Intelsat IS-10 1x54 MHz 8 Feeds File-Based Playout and Storage SPTL Broadcast Center Singapore • India Cable Head Ends • India DTH Platform • EMEA Distribution SET MPEG2 MCPC 2:12 Singtel Uplink AXN / ANIMAX / SET – Pan Asia Distribution
SkyPerfecTV Platform JCSAT SkyPerfecTV Tokyo • DTH Subscribers • Japan Cable Head Ends SkyPerfect Uplink KDDI (FTTH) Fiber AXN / ANIMAX – Japan Distribution
BSKYB Platform Astra 2B 2 Feeds From IS-10 MCPC • BSKY Subscribers • UK Cable Head Ends MAX UK London Teleport Gensat Platform IS-23 1 Feed • Advanced Broadcast • London • Timeshift • Opt Out • Ad Insert SET Int’l SET UK MAX UK BT Tower London MAX Int’l SET US • CaribbeanCable Head Ends Fiber Genesis Networks Miami Echostar Platform 2 Feeds MAX US SET Int’l • Dish Network Subscribers US Multi Choice Platform Africa ABS-1 1 Feed Echostar Wyoming SET Int’l Subscribers SET – EMEA Distribution Spain Turnaround
ABS-1 RRSAT Israel (Conditional Access added) Eutelsat W-2 1x36MHz GTSS Uplink Moscow • Russian Cable Head Ends Ascent Media London File Based Playout And Storage Eutelsat Uplink Romboulliet Digital Plus Platform Hisposat • C.E. Cable Head Ends • DTH Platforms • Poland • Germany • Africa Sogecable Madrid File Based Playout Overon Uplink Madrid Arqiva London File-based Playout Fiber • DTH Subscriber • Cable Headends Sky Italia AXN / ANIMAX –EMEA Distribution
Intelsat IS-9 2x36 MHz • Cable Head Ends (West) • DTH Platforms WEST MPEG2 MCPC HBO Uplink Sunrise Intelsat IS-3 2x54MHz File-Based Playout and Storage HBO LAPS – Sunrise, FL OC-3 EAST Control and Monitoring • Cable Head Ends (East) • DTH Platforms MPEG2 MCPC HBO Uplink Sunrise HBO Arbona Caracas AXN / ANIMAX / SET – LATAM Distribution
Fun Facts • We currently originate and distribute some 40 wholly-owned branded channels comprised of 74 discreet real-time, linear SD regional streams to cable headends and DTH platforms globally. We utilize an aggregate of approx. 220 MHZ of leased satellite and fiber optic bandwidth for this distribution. • If all of our feeds were converted to HD, even utilizing MPEG4 as opposed to the current MPEG2 distribution technology, we would need to acquire approx. 350 MHZ of additional satellite and fiber bandwidth (assuming no further growth and expansion, which is unlikely). Cost aside, that quantity of satellite bandwidth would be difficult if not impossible to acquire due to limitations of marketplace supply and demand. • We distribute in aggregate to approx. 6000 headends and DTH platforms globally which, across all channel brands and regions, translates to approx. 36,000 individual Integrated Receiver/Decoders (IRDs) in our receive universe (including backup units and spares). For reference, the average cost of a single IRD is approx. USD1200. • We compete against at least 5 marquis brands (e.g., Disney, Fox, MTV, Nickelodeon, Discovery, etc.) in each market; each in turn having their own breakout of discreet regional feeds. If we assume each marquis brand has a similar distribute infrastructure, then the total number of IRDs deployed (just for the marquis brands) could be in the range of 180,000+. • Across ALL channel brands in all markets globally, that number could conceivably be as large as 500,000 individual headend IRDs. • It is conceivable and probable that all of our competitors are facing a similar challenge with respect to conversion to HD, and will also need a more bandwidth-efficient solution for distribution.
Fun Facts • The most practical approach to solving the bandwidth dilemma would be to utilize a non-real-time, lower bitrate distribution methodology that downloads program files on demand as opposed to sending out continuous streams. • The files would then be assembled into a linear stream and played out “at the edge” utilizing “station-in-a-box” server technology at each headend location as opposed to linearly from a centralized location. • The legacy regional (Asia, Latam, EMEA) broadcast origination “hubs” would be converted to content aggregation and storage centers that “serve” files to the remote edge servers on request. • The reduction in required distribution bandwidth (i.e., continuous linear streams vs. on demand file download), could be sufficient to allow current bandwidth to handle the increased load of HD, negating the need to acquire additional satellite bandwidth. • The key to the success of this project is the development of a robust, feature filled edge server at a modest price point which is comparable to the current IRD.
SPTI Networks - “New Vision” Distribution – Phase 1 • A hybrid delivery model utilizing both program streams and file-based transport of broadcasting materials to cable operators. • Primary broadcast material continues to reside at the main repository at the regional broadcast center. “Geo-targeted” ads would be stored at an off-site location or at the broadcast center as well. • The uplink would continue to provide “core” program streams to locations in the regional footprint in addition to providing delivery of “regional” material as files. • At the affiliate (i.e., cable/DTH) headend a specialized IRD with HD storage and graphics capability would be under the control of a MAM engine located at the regional broadcast center.
“New Vision” – Phase 1 (Cont.) • The system provides the capability of “Geo-targeted” ad sales to cable operators and the territories they serve. • A typical scenario would be the operator taking the primary program “stream” from satellite. Customized ads for that market along with other short- form interstitial material (promos, targeted marketing elements or even alternate long-form programming) would be “pushed” via Internet based VPN/FTP connection and/or a data stream from the existing satellite transponder and stored within the IRD/Edge server. • On cue, via a pre-loaded playlist or by internal synchronized clock control, the ads/long-form would be “spliced” into the feed under control of the MAM. • Ad and program broadcast verification would be fed back to the MAM for billing and reconciliation.
“New Vision” – Phase 1 (Cont.) • Challenges: • Develop and/or optimize the technical capability of data packet delivery of file-based material via the existing satellite multiplex. • Design and develop IRD/Edge Server in a space efficient form-factor to include required connectivity, internal transport stream splicers, internal graphics, audio mapping, subtitle support and playlist control. • Engineer and develop a System Management Engine” (SME) and associated protocol and software to oversee the system and interface to existing broadcast business management applications. • Need to replace an installed base of nearly 36,000 legacy IRDs already deployed in the field and cutover to new system without going off air.!
Thank you! Q & A