Digital television in Japan is steadily converting viewers and subscribers from conventional analog services, of which some operations are slated to be phased out in 2011. Digital broadcast satellite (Bsat or BS) television service with HDTV bandwidth launched in December 2000. The five commercial terrestrial networks each began broadcasting a sister Bsat channel at that time, and struggled for about six years until ad revenues could cover operations. Three more commercial channels began operations in December 2007. With digital migration on target, analog Bsat service is expected to terminate in 2011. Consequently, in March 2009, the government solicited license applications for additional Bsat channels. The additional capacity will come from spectrum vacated upon analog Bsat service termination, and new, higher spectrum. Twenty-nine businesses applied for up to 18 possible HD channel slots. The government plans to award the licenses in June-July 2009 for broadcast launch in October 2011.
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The satellite industry overall has experienced tremendous consolidation. SkyPerfect Communications, Japan's sole operator of communication satellite (Csat or CS) television platforms, merged with JSAT, a major operator of commercial satellites, in April 2007 by establishing a joint holding company. Csat TV services SkyPerfecTV, which uses two satellites at 124 and 128 degrees E. Longitude, and e2, which uses one satellite at 110 degrees, began a process of integrating with JSAT, which owns and operates these same hosting satellites.
On April 1, 2007, Sky Perfect JSAT Holdings (TSE: 9412) listed on the stock exchange in lieu of the two separate listed entities that merged, and went further by acquiring Space Communications Corp., effective March 31, 2008. A Mitsubishi group company, SCC was competing for many years with JSAT. SkyPerfect Comm, JSAT, and SCC subsequently consolidated into one wholly owned subsidiary, Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation, in October 2008.
Consolidation in the cable industry has proceeded in smaller steps. No. 1 MSO Jupiter Telecommunications (J:Com) has maintained its acquisition effort and acquired systems steadily. Most recently, J:Com folded the systems held by small MSO Mediatti into the J:Com group of systems. Japan Cable-Net, primarily held by KDDI, has also acquired systems in the past few years and emerged as an MSO. Tokai Corporation has succeeded in adding five systems to its own CATV business operations.
Right now, a large concern is focused on the full conversion from analog to digital broadcast TV. In the US, this conversion took a lot longer than anticipated, with a rather large cost for adapters to conventional TV sets. So far, early adopters and aggressive followers have purchased new TV sets that are compatible with digital service. It remains to be seen whether the population en masse can convert to digital TV viewing equipment by July 2011, when the law stipulates that analog TV service must terminate.
Check out the DPA website in English to learn more about the digital migration for Bsat and terrestrial broadcast TV in Japan. → Click here
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Latest from Tokyo April 28, 2009 |
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