Cable operator optimistic about Indonesian market<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indovision, the first cable television operator
\nto handle leading U.S. networks, is optimistic that it will be
\nable to enlist 100,000 customers throughout the country within
\ntwo years.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta-based Indovision's service, which started up two
\nmonths ago, promises to bring \"world class television programs\"
\nand \"the information revolution\" to its Indonesian viewers, its
\nexecutives said in a press conference yesterday.<\/p>\n
Through the new pay TV service, customers will be able to
\nenjoy programs from Home Box Office (HBO) for entertainment
\nfilms, The Discovery Channel for documentary and science,CNN
\nInternational for world news and ESPN for sports.<\/p>\n
Some of the channels like CNN can still be viewed by people
\nwho own dish antennas. However, beginning in October, these
\nchannels will scramble their signals and then can only be
\nreceived using specially provided decoders.<\/p>\n
Indonesia already has one state owned television station,
\nTVRI, and four commercial private stations, RCTI, SCTV TPI and
\nAN-TV.<\/p>\n
The Direct to Home Television (DTH-TV) Indonesia vision, which
\nreceives broadcasts directly from the Palapa satellite and does
\nnot use relay stations, is owned by PT Amcol Graha and PT
\nMatahari Lintas Cakrawala (Malicak).<\/p>\n
Jack Porray of Malicak said his company had obtained a license
\nto collect subscription fees from hotels for CNN and ESPN in
\n1991. Malicak has now been licensed to provide the satellite
\nbroadcasting services to everyone in Indonesia in addition to the
\nhotels.<\/p>\n
Porray said programs from HBO, the largest premium cable
\nprogram service in the U.S., are passed through censorship in its
\nfacility in Singapore which compiles the materials to be seen in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
PT Amcol Graha, the local, sole distributor of Sony products,
\nis the distributor of the Canadian-made integrated receiver
\ndecoders needed to receive programs from the four programmers.<\/p>\n
With a decoder costing Rp 4,350,000 (about US$2,015) exclusive
\nof value added tax, and an annual subscription fee of $410, the
\nnew TV service's prime targets will be major companies and
\nwealthy families.<\/p>\n
\"One of the reasons they (decoders) are expensive is that you
\ncan be assured that they will not show up in Glodok at a cheaper
\nprice. The security of the encryption is very strong,\" Porray
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Glodok is one of Jakarta's largest and oldest shopping centers
\nwhere original and pirated electronic equipment is on sale at
\nlower prices.<\/p>\n
Indovision initially targeted 25,000 customers this year but
\ndue to the delay in the project, it reduced this year's target to
\n10,000. (pan)<\/p>",
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