ITN, CBNSat launch satellite digital video broadcast
BY A. G. Piyadasa
INDEPENDENT Television Network (ITN) became the first Sri Lankan
television channel to launch Satellite Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-S)
Direct To Home (DTH).
Sampath Bank CEO, Anil Amarasuriya and People’s Leasing Co. Ltd.
CEO, D. P. Kumarage exchanging the agreements at the signing
ceremony. |
"Television was introduced to Sri Lanka by ITN, 26 years ago and
there are around 10 TV channels, now in operation but there is not a
single TV channel possessing the digital technology," said Chairman, ITN,
Newton Gooneratne.
"When most of the countries transform its analog transmission system
to digital technology, it is a pity that we haven't taken any
significant step forward, towards this direction.
That is primarily due to non availability of required funds," he
said. "Another important benefit that we will gain is that ITN will be
able to cover the entire island via CBNSat .
The present situation is that although there are nearly 10 TV
channels, there is not a single TV channel which is having its entire
transmission beamed to the North and East.
Not only North and East but there are shadow areas in other parts
also which are not receiving strong signals due to geographic locations
prevailing in our country.
With the introduction of ITN programmes via CBNSat it will remedy all
such drawbacks and enhance viewing opportunity to the entire country,"
he said.
Last May, Communiq Broadband Network (Pvt) Ltd under its brand name
CBNSat launched the first digital Video Broadcasting on Satellite Direct
to home in Sri Lanka.
"We launched the platform with world renowned broadcasters, the most
wanted and most acclaimed international channels to the Sri Lanka
audience," said CEO, CBN, Muhuntan Canagey.
The technology, broke the barriers of reach, video and audio quality,
and the ability to use spectrum (normally known to people as frequency)
in the most efficient manner.
"This was truly a ground-breaking event in the history of Sri Lanka's
broadcast industry," he said.
ITN viewers will also be able to enjoy an array of channels available
through Sri Lanka's first ever Satellite TV broadcaster. Channels such
as Discovery, CNN, BBC, Pogo, Cartoon Network, MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon,
Raj, Raj Digital, Animal Planet, The History Channel, National
Geographic Channel, AI, AXN, Animax, Fashion TV, Reality TV, SET, Zoom,
Goal TV1 and Goal TV2 will be available to all the viewers of CBNSat.
Complete sets of the equipment needed to connect to the Satellite
Television Network including the satellite dish and decoder will be
available in over 1,000 sales outlets throughout the country with
CBNSat's exclusive distribution partner, Singer Sri Lanka. |