Special Feature
Future of TV Toward 2011
New Era in Television and the Potential for SKY Perfect JSAT
Japan’s Radio Law was revised in 2001 to ensure more efficient quality, high performance, multiple functions and multichannel
utilization of the radio waves. The new law included a provision capabilities—as well as the high-resolution broadcast quality
stating that the use of terrestrial analog broadcasting frequencies made possible by the transition to HD channels. Meanwhile, the
would cease within 10 years. Therefore, 2011 is the deadline for ongoing shift to digital home electronic equipment has led to the
the complete shift to terrestrial digital broadcasting. expansion of the content distribution market, which we feel will
The advancement of digital compression technologies have a major positive economic flow-on effect.
has opened up frequency bands for new uses, notably The SKY Perfect JSAT Group is promoting the
public communications services, such as fire brigades and digitization of broadcasting and the transition to HD channels
police. Others include the new Broadcast Satellite (BS) digital ahead of its competitors. From this perspective, we see
broadcasting service and innovative services for mobile phones enormous opportunities for growth in the approaching new era
that deploy the special features of digital broadcasting—high in television.
The History of Digitizing TV Broadcasts in Japan
1990s 2000–2003 2004–2010 2011
nning
ning
The beginning Accelerated progress bilities
tie
Advanced multichannel capabilities and Complete digitization
service
of digital broadcast service
cast se c in digital broadcasting transition to HD Channels
ls
nels of terrestrial broadcasting
2003 2006 2011
Terrestrial Digital broadcasting starts in
metropolitan areas: Tokyo,
Osaka and Nagoya
Digital broadcasting
starts nationwide
Digitization complete
2000 2007 2011
BS BS digital broadcasting starts Two BS digital channels
newly established
Digitization complete
CS 1996 2008
HD 100-Channel
Service Starts
Digital broadcasting starts first in Japan 15 high-definition (HD) Targeting the delivery
channels start of 100 HD channels
in SKY PerfecTV! service
124˚/128˚CS 1996 SKY PerfecTV! service starts
110˚CS 2002 SKY PerfecTV! e2 service starts
FTTH 2004 SKY PerfecTV! HIKARI service starts 2009 e2 Rebroadcasting starts
PC 2008 SKY PerfecTV! Net service starts for PC users
Mobile 2008 SKY PerfecTV! / Mobile starts
for mobile phone users
CATV 1998
Digital broadcasting starts in some areas
2002–2005
IPTV Multichannel TV and video-on-demand (VOD) services start
incorporating IPv6 multicast technology
Benefit from Broadcasting Digitization New Era of Broadcasting and
Communication
High Quality High definition; Wide screen; 5.1 surround sound
• Expanded Content Market
Electronic program guide (EPG);
Higher and Variable Functions Interactive communication; Subtitles, etc.
• Increased HD Programs
• Broadband Transmission (FTTH, etc.)
Multichannel Multicast screen with standard quality; Simultaneous • Proliferation of Digital TV Diversified
subscription of BS, CS and terrestrial broadcasting
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The Potential of the SKY Perfect JSAT Group
From the standpoint of the SKY Perfect JSAT Group, the in addition to terrestrial digital and BS digital broadcasts, without
digitization of broadcasting offers major income-generating the need for a dedicated set-top box. Moreover, in April 2009 we
opportunities in four ways. launched the SKY PerfecTV! e2 Rebroadcasting service, which is
1. Shift of programs from terrestrial to multichannel pay TV delivered via optical fiber networks centering on the Tokyo, Osaka
Customers with no particular viewing objectives are polarizing in and Nagoya areas. By simply connecting their television to an
two directions: terrestrial broadcasts and Internet media. Against optical fiber networks, viewers can watch e2 programs. We believe
this backdrop, Japanese viewers have for some time focused this service will further boost the number of e2 subscribers.
mainly on terrestrial services rather than video on demand 3. Use of BS analog bandwidth after 2011
(VOD) via the Internet, which is popular in Europe and North The BS analog bandwidth, which will see the cessation of
America. With a decline in TV commercials stemming from the broadcasts from 2011, currently uses a broadcast satellite in
emergence of diversified media, however, there is a notable shift the 110˚ east longitude slot, the same position used for the SKY
to multichannel pay TV, which offers various content, including PerfecTV! e2 service. By using this bandwidth, which will be
baseball, historical dramas and animation. We believe that people vacated in 2011, we can more effectively promote the transition
wishing to view such content, which previously was available on to HD channels and increase the number of channels for the e2
terrestrial broadcasts, will continue moving toward multichannel service, while also improving the appeal of its content.
pay TV. The increase of our HD channels to 70 will help to 4. Use of terrestrial analog bandwidth after 2011
facilitate this shift. We have formed a new company, Multimedia Broadcasting Co.,
2. Increase in e2 subscribers thanks to proliferation Ltd., in alliance with Fuji Television Network, Inc., NTT DoCoMo,
of digital TV Inc., and Itochu Corporation. The new company has plans for a
Digital television continues to proliferate in the approach to the video streaming service for individual users, using the vacated
cessation of analog broadcasts. Meanwhile, the number of SKY terrestrial analog bandwidth. For the time being, we will devise
PerfecTV! e2 subscribers is rising steadily. This service is easily and promote various responses, protocols and specific services
accessible because digital television sets can receive e2 signals with a view to obtaining a broadcast license.
Expansion of Distribution Channel More Attractive Content
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