p04,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-19 Euro 50 Al-Ciorcirlan NovDec08v4 7/11/08 13:11 Page 18
Euro 50 > Leaders in broadband and pay-TV Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Phil Braden Chief technology officer, GTV
Phil Braden was responsible for building the and overtaking the incumbent of more than 10
technical infrastructure for two of the world’s years in some key territories.
largest satellite broadcasters (Middle Eastern
broadcaster Orbit and StarTV Hong Kong), as Reflections on the downturn Very little for
well as the world’s first digital broadcast facili- us: we are a pre-paid, highly affordable pay-TV
ty (for Orbit). Braden is now building a new service in markets with an average of less than
DTH platform, GTV, that delivers affordable one per cent pay-TV penetration. Any busi-
pay-TV services to the African continent. His nesses in need of cash in 2009 may find it
responsibilities include evaluating and select- hard to survive.
ing technologies as well as managing their
integration, and supervising the management Positive thoughts for 2009 From a macro-
of operations in 20 African countries. GTV economic perspective, even given the world
launched its service last June. financial crisis, I expect business opportunities
in Sub-Saharan Africa to continue to grow.
Age 48 From the industry perspective, the technology
continues to become available that allows
Education MBA, HND (Electronics). more efficient working and reduced entry
costs. I expect to build a new facility in 2009- Favourite TV show I don’t watch much TV! If
Years in industry 26 10 which will incorporate the latest tools so as pushed, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It is
to allow the highest levels of efficiency operat- superbly irreverent.
Job description Defining the technological ing in a tapeless environment.
and operational strategic direction for the Little-know fact I started my career working
Gateway Broadcasting Group and managing Personal aims for the year ahead To con- for the National Coal Board as an apprentice
the operations and technology departments. tinue to grow the business and become the underground electrician.
dominant pay-TV broadcaster in the Sub-
Last year’s highlights Launching GTV in 20 Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa and Life outside work Sailing, flying, hiking and
countries across Africa, achieving critical mass Nigeria (we don’t broadcast there). being with my family.
Andrew Burke CEO, Amino Technologies
Years in industry 22 years in media and tele- because of the trend of people trying to save
coms. Six years in IPTV. money by staying at home and watching tele-
vision.
Job description Chief executive of an IPTV
solutions business. Positive thoughts for 2009 I see the ‘IP’ in
IPTV becoming more prominent as services
Last year’s highlights Becoming CEO of start to exploit the back channel to better
Amino, our acquisition of AssetHouse, the understand the consumption model of their
shaping of Amino’s future strategy and my customers, retail and merchandise content,
middle daughter getting a place at goods and services, add interactivity to the
Loughborough University. viewing experience and create a more social
TV. Today’s IPTV has been about getting the
Andrew Burke led Amino’s acquisition of Reflections on the downturn Hopefully old broadcast, push model to work.
AssetHouse. Amino was also selected as part home entertainment will continue to prove Tomorrow’s is all about differentiating that
of Ericsson’s IMS-based ecosystem for IPTV. fairly resilient to economic downturns as con- service against those traditional broadcast
sumers sit at home and watch more television. models.
Age 47 Consumers tend to cut out restaurants and
theatres but television is something they hang Personal aims for the year ahead To
Education BSc Hons Electronics and on to in tough times. Historically, investors ensure Amino is front and centre of this new
Computing, Kings College, London. have seen pay-TV stocks as recession resistant IPTV world.
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
18
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52