CTH powers OTT platform with Magine

Cable Thai Holdings (CTH) has deployed a cloud-based system from Magine TV to power its over-the-top platform for delivering video content to mobile devices.     

CTH will provide live streaming and catch-up functionality across its range of sports and entertainment programming.

“This is a major step for Magine, and marks our first move into the Asian market. Live sports events such as Premier League football matches are integral to CTH’s offering, and create a huge demand on OTT platforms in terms of the number of users streaming concurrently,” said Ambuj Goyal, CEO, Magine TV.

“We are delighted to … move CTH into an area of offering which is becoming more and more relevant in Thailand. The significance of this alliance cannot be overstated because the demands of being a pay TV broadcaster requires a constant need to innovate our business, our offering, and who we are, to ensure that our subscribers are connected to the best there is. This relationship with Magine allows us to address these objectives,” said Arnath Sukhavanj, CEO of CTH.

CTH in pact with Irdeto and Inview for OTT

Cable Thai Holdings (CTH), a Multi-System Operator (MSO) in Thailand, has signed an agreement with media protection and revenue assurance solutions provider, Irdeto; and software provider in digital TV space, Inview Technology – to modernise its cable service network to Over-The-Top (OTT) and hybrid broadcast version.

Irdeto’s Cloaked CA security and Inview’s Liberator middleware solutions will be integrated to CTH services; and the OTT/Hybrid project would be implemented in this year. Cloaked CA security offers studio-grade content and media protection on existing cable set-top boxes (STBs) as well as OTT and Hybrid STBs. Irdeto has already secured several CTH STBs.

Liberator middleware delivers a feature-rich user experience supporting a wide range of OTT services. It also enables the channels to promote content and generate new revenue streams from advertising and other services.

“CTH is prospering and we expect continued growth as we expand and evolve our offerings. We needed strong, experienced OTT partners to help us provide the most compelling pay TV services to our customers. We have complete confidence that 2014 will be a successful year for CTH,” said Akradej Supamahitorn, CTO at CTH.

Verimatrix protects CTH's hybrid network in Thailand

Verimatrix Protects CTH’s Advanced Hybrid Network

• Leading Thai Service Provider Deploys VCAS for DVB-Hybrid for Enhanced Revenue Security

SAN DIEGO, CA — Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, today announced that CTH Public Company Limited (CTH), a leading service provider that brings together 300 cable operators in Thailand, has selected Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS™) to provide revenue security for its new digital cable service.

CTH is one of the top pay-TV operators in Thailand. It offers more than 140 channels, with some thirty in High Definition (HD), including premium content such as Barclays English Premier League (EPL) soccer matches.

CTH selected VCAS for DVB-Hybrid to fuel its analog-to-digital transition with its unique ability to combine highly cost effective conditional access system (CAS) functionality with secure interactive services on an IP-based network. The Verimatrix cardless security solution is able to secure linear and on-demand content delivery, reducing OPEX and CAPEX as the operator expands its services. Goldenduck International Co. Ltd served as the systems integrator for the project.

“Verimatrix is one of the proven leaders in protecting advanced hybrid deployments,” said Mr. Akradej Supamahitorn, CTO, CTH. “We chose to partner with them because of VCAS’ unique ability to seamlessly scale and meet our complex business demands. Choosing such a robust yet flexible solution provides us with the revenue security solution we need to protect both our current multi-screen offering, and any additional services or applications we add in the future.”

VCAS for DVB-Hybrid was deployed over CTH’s existing nationwide fiber optic network using standards-based simulcrypt technology in the broadcast distribution architecture, enabling parallel operation of multiple CAS solutions and a smooth operational transition. The broadcast system operates in conjunction with a state of the art secure HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) delivery system for set top boxes (STBs), PCs, tablets and smartphones. The innovative VCAS security solution helps CTH qualify for licensing of premium content while also providing multi-network revenue protection for pay-TV services across the broadest range of multi-screen consumer devices.

“We are delighted to collaborate with CTH and Goldenduck on this exciting deployment,” said Steve Oetegenn, president, Verimatrix. “Our proven cardless security solution offers them a single security approach to pure broadcast and hybrid video services, and allows them to future proof their managed network with OTT extensibility.”

Thai’s CTH eyes capital raise of THB 3 bn from EPL

Cable Thai Holdings (CTH), a Multi-System Operator in Thailand, is targeting to increase its registered capital to THB 3 billion (USD 92.7 million) from THB 800 million (USD 24.7 million) in its first year of English Premier League (EPL) rights management.

The company’s two shareholders namely Wichal Thongtang, a lawyer-turned-businessman, and Yingluck Vacharaphol, heiress of Thai Rath newspaper family, have assured to invest an additional THB 2.2 billion (USD 68 million). Wichit Aurareevorakul, president of CTH shareholder Charoen Cable TV 999 Co, a major lender to the company, has also confirmed to approve over THB 11 billion (USD 340 million) in the second phase of its bank loan, provided CTH raises capital.

The MSO lost THB 3.5 billion (USD 108 million) last year after securing EPL broadcast rights for 2013 for 16 seasons for THB 10 billion (USD 309 million). However, CTH is optimistic of attracting one million subscribers by year-end. CTH now has over 400,000 subscribers.

CTH secured EPL rights in late 2012 but cable TV service installation delayed due to the incompletion of its fibre-optic network. Apart from EPL, CTH has invested THB 2 billion (USD 61 million) for content from Fox International and its fibre-optic network would cost around THB 20 billion (USD 618 million).

CTH to focus more on satellite

Cable Thai Holdings (CTH), one of the biggest pay TV operators in Thailand has announced that it will be focussing more on its satellite TV operators. In order to do that, it will be severing ties with few of its local cable television partners. This way, the player hopes add to is subscriber base with this move.

Chirdsak Kukiattinun, chairman of the CTH executive committee, noted that CTH has been encountering problems when it comes to expanding on a local level through local cable operators and that was one of the reasons why it has decided on such a drastic measure. This means CTH will be letting go of 70 cable partners. Currently it has 170.

CTH has been very vocal about its ambitious expansion plans. It currently has 500,000 subscribers to its name. But the company has noted that it wants to increase it to 3 million by the end of this year itself.

CTH brings out new STBs

Thailand-based Cable Thai Holding (CTH), which has the broadcasting rights for the English Premier League (EPL), has announced new STBs for C-Band satellite dish subscribers. The move is to help new subscribers who are currently having to deal with slow installation of Ku-band satellite TV services as well as cable TV.

The STBs will allow subscribers to watch EPL games immediately and is priced at USD 67 approximately. There is also a monthly fee levied on the subscribers amounting to USD 18 dollars. Chief executive Krissanan Ngampatipong said, “There are said 4.2 million Thai households watching TV using a C-band satellite. If we can access this C-band satellite market, we can reach more EPL fans. The advantage of a C-band satellite system is a clearer picture and a strong TV signal even when it rains.”

CTH currently has 800,000 subscribers and households that already have C-band satellite connections at home just have to buy the STB and install it directly. There are a total number of 380 EPL matches in the 2013-2014 season which subscribers can watch through five SD channels and two HD channels, according to the company.