Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

Infobox Organization
name = Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union




mcaption =
type = Union of broadcasting organisations
membership = 55 active members
headquarters = Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
formation = 1964
leader_title = President
leader_name = Abdul Rahman Hamid
language = English
website = http://www.abu.org.my/The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) (formed in 1964) is a non-profit, professional association of broadcasting organisations. It currently has over 170 members in 53 countries and regions, reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion people. Its role is to help the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to promote the collective interests of its members. The ABU covers an area stretching from Turkey in the west to Samoa in the east, and from Russia in the north to New Zealand in the south. Its secretariat is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

One of the ABU's activities is Asiavision, a daily exchange of news by satellite among television stations in 17 countries in Asia. The ABU also negotiates coverage rights to major sports events for its members collectively, and carries out a wide range of activities in the programme and technical areas.

The ABU provides a forum for promoting the collective interests of television and radio broadcasters, and encourages regional and international co-operation between broadcasters.

Full members must be national free-to-air broadcasting services in the Asia-Pacific region, but there is an associate membership category that is open to provincial broadcasters, subscription broadcasters and national broadcasters in other parts of the world, and an affiliate category that is open to organisations connected to broadcasting that wish to have an association with the ABU.

Overview

The ABU's activities include:
*a daily satellite TV news exchange (Asiavision)
*co-production and exchange of programmes
*negotiating rights for major sports events and organising coverage
*technical, programming and management consultancy services
*advising members on copyright and legal matters
*rights-free content acquisition for developing countries
*representing members in international forums
*international frequency planning and coordination
*organising seminars, workshops and training courses
*annual competition for radio and television programmes (ABU Prizes)
*a robot competition for engineering students (Robocon)
*publication of ABU News and Technical Review

The ABU works closely with the regional broadcasting unions in other parts of the world on matters of common concern, and with many other international organisations, to exchange information on the latest developments in broadcasting, undertake activities to improve the skills and technologies of its members, and encourage harmonisation of operating and technical broadcasting standards and systems in the region.

The ABU is funded primarily by annual subscriptions from members. The Union has an elected President and three Vice-Presidents, who serve three-year terms.

The ABU Secretariat is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has over 30 staff, of whom 12 are broadcast professionals recruited from among the ABU members within the region. The chief executive of the Secretariat is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly. ABU's political clout is evidenced by the effectiveness of its sport director, John Barton, in putting pressure on the Chinese Government over its paranoid handling of sports broadcasters in the leadup to the Beijing Olympics.Fact|date=August 2008

The Asia-Pacific region is defined in the ABU statutes as those countries and areas of Asia and the Pacific that lie substantially between the longitudes of 30 degrees east and 170 degrees west. On the map, this region stretches from Turkey in the west, to Samoa in the east, and from Russia in the north, to New Zealand in the south. All of the ABU's full members operate in this region.

Most of the ABU's associate members are European and North American broadcasters, many of whom have operations in Asia, and pay-TV and cable operators in the Asia-Pacific. Its affiliate members include satellite providers, telcos, production companies, equipment vendors and regulators.

The ABU is the third largest of the world's eight broadcasting unions, but covers the largest geographic area of the world.

Membership

Membership is open to national broadcasters and national broadcasting organisations.

Full membership

Free-to-air broadcasting organisations in independent countries in the ABU region may apply for Full, Additional Full or Associate membership, provided that (a) they provide broadcasting services of a national character or national importance in the countries of their location; and (b) they actually produce and/or commission under their own editorial control a substantial proportion of their programme output. Membership fees are determined by the applicant’s annual operating expenditure. There are only two Full members in each country so that there is a balance of voting rights across the region. The principal voting rights relate to approving amendments to the ABU Statutes, election of office bearers, and the admission of new members.

Additional Full membership

Free-to-air broadcasting organisations in independent or non-independent areas (such as Special Administrative Regions) in the ABU region may apply for Additional Full or Associate membership, provided they fulfill the conditions (a) and (b) in the paragraph above. Additional Full members enjoy the same rights of membership as Full members, but with more limited voting rights. Membership fees are determined by the applicant’s annual operating expenditure and are less than those of Full members.

Associate membership

There are six sub-categories which allow free-to-air broadcasters, subscription broadcasters and broadcasting associations to qualify for Associate membership. Associate members enjoy the same rights of membership as Full and Additional Full members, except that they are not entitled to vote or be eligible for nomination to the Administrative Council. Membership fees are determined by the applicant’s annual operating expenditure and are less than those of Full and Additional Full members.

Affiliate membership

Affiliate membership is offered to organisations who do not qualify for Full, Additional Full or Associate membership. These include non-broadcasters, regulators, satellite operators, related industry service providers and other corporate bodies interested in maintaining a close relationship with the broadcasting industry. Affiliate membership fees are determined by the applicant’s annual revenue and range from US$1,000 to US$5,000.

Institutional membership

This category of membership may be offered to international organisations, usually on the basis of reciprocal membership being offered to the ABU. Institutional membership is granted through the invitation of the ABU’s Administrative Council.

ABU technical activities

Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2008

Each year since 2005 the ABU has held a major conference in Kuala Lumpur on digital broadcasting. This year's event, the Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2008: Progression to Digital and Mobile Services, took place in March. It focused on new technologies, content innovations and business strategies for implementing these services. The symposium attracted more than 300 delegates, and featured 17 workshops and 60 speakers. A total of 38 countries were represented. Both Sony and Panasonic used the symposium to launch new products.

Technical Committee Meeting

The Technical Committee (TC), comprising representatives of the technical departments of ABU members, meets each year prior to the General Assembly. At these meetings a host of activities give an opportunity to members to participate in technical workshops, symposiums, forum meetings and invited presentations, all designed to impart the latest information on current technologies and their trends. The meeting also reviews activities of the Technical Department (TD) being conducted on behalf of and for the benefit of the members.

Technical Bureau Meeting

The Technical Bureau, which consists of 15 members representing all categories of broadcasters in the region, meets twice each year. The first meeting takes place in conjunction with the TC meeting which assesses activities proposed for the ensuing year, in terms of relevance to members and the industry as a whole. The mid-year (second) meeting reviews progress achieved to date and makes course corrections, if necessary.

Developing Broadcasters Forum

The ABU Developing Broadcasters’ Forum provides an opportunity for developing broadcasters to articulate their specific needs and express their concerns in a less formal, interactive environment. The Forum meets on the sidelines of the annual TC meeting and addresses a range of issues including the specific needs and challenges of these members to prepare them for the digital broadcast environment. A new initiative is intended to enhance services specifically directed developing broadcasters.

ABU Digital Radio Forum

The Forum has been in existence for 11 years and has undergone several transformations in its structure, composition and objectives since its inception. Several members, who are themselves digital radio experts, and industry associates who are digital radio system proponents or associated with it have once again played a substantive role during the last year in contributing to the Forum. Asaad Bagharib of MediaCorp Radio-Singapore chairs the DR Forum. Many excellent reports have kept all ABU members informed of the rapid development in the field of digital radio. In addition, good progress continues to be made on the agreed list of Forum activities. One of these is the preparation and web circulation of a monthly document on digital radio development worldwide prepared by MediaCorp Radio.

A new initiative launched in June last by the Forum is the setting-up of a DAB+ Task Force. This group aims to study how best the DAB+ system standard could be implemented in the region for digital radio services and how to resolve the related IPR issues. The group’s inaugural meeting was held during BroadcastAsia 2007 in Singapore.

ABU ICT Forum

The ABU ICT Forum functions as a Working Party to address usage of the modern information and communication delivery platforms from the broadcasters’ perspective. A long-term objective is to assist ABU members in preparing initial plans for providing services using the new media. The Forum has more than 85 members.The Forum Steering Committee comprises Natalie Chan from RTHK-Hong Kong as Chair, Chuloong Jung from KBS-Korea as Vice Chairman, and Abu Bakar Ab Rahim from RTM-Malaysia and Shahriar Pourazin of Sepehr ST (c/o IRIB-Iran).A highlight of the Forum’s activity is organising and conducting a roadshow on ICT implementation which benefited six members in Nepal, Laos and Vietnam.

ABU HD Advisory Group

The HD Advisory Group provides advice to the TC and ABU members on some crucial issues that pertain to HDTV and its potential implementation by broadcasters. Headed by Tay Joo Thong of MediaCorp-Singapore, Colin Knowles of ABC-Australia, Dr Kazuyoshi Shogen of NHK-Japan and Lee Yongvvoo of KBS-Korea are its members.

The Group also maintains a watching brief on HDTV developments within the region and outside. In its work, it has addressed several important issues such as displays, the cost effectiveness of HDTV receivers, production equipment cost, the technical aspects of HDTV production, the implementation of HDTV services and the current status of HDTV services. The group is expected to come up with its first full advisory report this year.

Emergency Warning Broadcasting System (EWBS) for the Asia-Pacific region

EWBS development work has focused on identifying a suitable country code methodology. This system of codes has now been standardised by ITU-R. The General Assembly in Beijing endorsed the work carried out by the TC and issued an ABU Declaration calling all members to encourage their respective governments to implement an EWBS system.

ABU-HFC Shortwave Coordination Conference

The ABU-HFC Conference is into its 12th year, having been initiated in 1996. The 2007 ABU-HFC conference processed 7,350 daily shortwave transmissions. The conference had participation with 53 frequency managers, representing 22 shortwave broadcasting organisations - from all the ABU shortwave radio members in the region, barring one. Three organisations joined as first timers and seven re-joined after a gap of several years.

Development of ABU Content Exchange Network

The TD is also participating in the ABU Content Exchange Network (CEN) Working Party and providing support to it. The Working Party has taken up studies on technology for the network, potential usage by members, and compatibility with the ABU daily news exchange, Asiavision, and several other issues.

ABU Enhanced Technical Advisory Service

Following last year’s strategic review of ABU technical activities, recommendations relevant to the TAS have been put into effect. Some new features in the “Enhanced TAS” include:

• To increase the sense of ownership and partnership of the TAS mission, assisted members will be called upon to provide “in-kind” support.

• The mission experts will provide more elaborate reports from covering all essential areas. The report would be in two parts: the first part addressing matters specific to the advisory mission, and the second part reporting on more general observations. This year, five Technical Advisory Service (TAS) missions were conducted. • Maintenance and Measurements in TV Transmitters Staff Skill Development in VTV-Vietnam VTV sought assistance in familiarising staff on regular maintenance and measurement of operating parameters in NEC TV transmitters. An expert from KBS-Korea, Jun Sung-sang, provided this assistance in March 2007.

• Audio File Formats and File Transfer: Upgrading skills and facilities in PBS-Philippines

Assistance was provided to PBS staff in audio file formats and file transfer technology and in identifying equipment needed for implementation. To carry out the mission, S Muthusami of AIR-India visited Manila in March-April 2007.

• Staff Development in Preservation and Management of Video Archives

RTVM-Maldives required assistance in identifying and providing the expertise of a consultant who would assess the situation of its video library and guide it in laying the groundwork for the processes of digitalising and video archiving. An expert from DDI-India, JK Chandira, provided this assistance in April 2007.

• Modification of Audio, Video and Lighting System

Muhammad Javed Bashir of PTV-Pakistan provided assistance to BTV-Bangladesh in the modification of the audio, video and lighting system of the auditorium studio of its Dhaka Television Station. He visited Dhaka in June 2007.

• Consultancy in Replacing the Existing Equipment

NTV-Nepal needed consultation in replacing the existing tape-based recording system with a suitable central computer-based recording storage system which include a non-linear workstation for programme production and live news production, and networking of these various equipments. To carry out the mission, Tran Nam Trung of VTV-Vietnam visited Kathmandu in May 2007.

Guidelines for the Development of Disaster Recovery

A reference manual on this topic is under preparation for members. The manual will cover local disasters that may involve broadcasters (ie catastrophic failure of critical equipment) to national disasters and will also cover the responsibility of the broadcasters in the event of such national disasters. The assistance of broadcasters in countries which have faced such disasters in the past (such as Japan, Turkey and Iran), is being sought to help with the preparation of the manual.

On-line broadcast skills development

The Technical Department is pursuing a new initiative to provide a wide range of skills enhancement programmes via the Internet. In this connection, the Technical Department has written to the ITU Regional Office in Bangkok offering to be a contributing partner in the Asia-Pacific Centre of Excellence (AP CoE) and requesting assistance to develop this initiative with recognised learning software and to develop training material. As a contributing partner of the AP CoE, the MLC hopes to become the source of online training in broadcasting in the region.

In the meantime, a new training programme has been developed with the assistance of the Staff Training Institute of AIR-India.

HBF Seminar on Project Management for Engineers

This workshop was held in order to impart awareness of project management among engineers in developing countries as it was felt that many of broadcasters in these countries are in the process of launching projects to upgrade their facilities. Knowledge of project management will enable their engineers to keep control of these projects and ensure their completion according to plan.

The workshop discussed the essential features of project management such as its success factors, its main steps, building the scope of a project, scheduling and time management, finances and cost management, human resources management, communication management, quality management, risk management and acceptance and analysis. This was supplemented by guest lectures from Astro-Malaysia and Microsoft.

A total of 19 senior engineers attended this seminar.

Roadshow on ICT applications in Kathmandu, Vientiane and Hanoi

As another new initiative, the UNESCO-ABU Roadshow on ICT Applications was conducted for the benefit of ABU members in Kathmandu, Vientiane and Hanoi in December 2006. It showcased how broadcasters can make use of ICT applications to service the knowledge-based and infotainment needs of communities and audiences in their countries. The roadshow flagged off with a two-day event in Kathmandu on 11-12 December 2006. Subsequently, it visited Laos and Vietnam.

The roadshow was organised as a multi-disciplinary project which had participation from content creators, channel managers, business executives, and studio, transmission and delivery engineers. The event travelled to three countries and offered skills development opportunities to the staff of ABU members and others in the industry.

DTV Symposium 2007

Continuing the recent practice of holding high-profile events for the dissemination of information on the latest technology and providing a forum for peer-to-peer contact and networking, the Technical Department held the second DTV Symposium in March 2007 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. There were 308 participants, nearly 40 speakers, 15 sponsors, 16 exhibitors and six media partners. The four-day conference updated participants on latest developments and experiences in the conversion from analogue to digital television operations. The Symposium included workshops held parallel to the mainstream conference which provided more detailed information on a range of topics in implementing digital TV.

Publications

The Technical Department continued to publish its regular publication, the Technical Review, which is now a quarterly journal. The Technical Review is available for members to download in PDF format at the members area of the ABU website (www.abu.org.my). Two monographs being prepared are: Cost Effective Digital TV Production Systems – Design Reference Manual, and MXF File Formats for Content Exchange.

Web presence

The Department maintains a large web presence, providing information on a variety of subjects. Web pages are dedicated to:

1. Technical Activities

2. ABU Engineering Excellence Awards 2007

3. Technical Committee

4. Technical Bureau

5. Technical Documents : Members can download the documents

6. Study Projects

- T/DTTB-Project Topic - DTTB Coverage and Frequency Planning

- T/MMB-Project Topic - Mobile Digital Multimedia Broadcasting

- T/API-Project Topic - Standardisation of API for DTTB including Multimedia

- T/DAM (DRM)-Project Topic - Digital Sound Broadcasting Systems Below 30MHz

- T/EWBS-Project Topic - Emergency Warning Broadcasting System

- T/SCS-MCS-Project Topic - DRM Single and Multi-channel Simulcast System

- R/VLC (VLC Course Development)

- R/MS (Management Studies)

- S/AS - Radiocommunication Services Ancillary to Broadcasting

- S/SRSTV - Frequency Requirements for Sound and Television Broadcasting

- S/HF - HFBC Issues at WRC-2007

- S/PTVS - Protection of TV Spectrum

- S/BSS-HDTV - Planning of 21.4-22 GHz BSS-HDTV Band

- S/ISBS - Issues Impacting Satellite Broadcasting Services at WRC-2007

- S/BSI - Other Issues Impacting Broadcasting Services at WRC-2007

- ABU-HFC - Coordination of Shortwave Schedules (Continuing Activity)

7. Technical Review: Members can download the Technical Review

8. Past Technical Meetings and Seminars

- ABU Digital Radio Symposium - August 2006, Kuala Lumpur

- ABU/IPDC Workshop on Low-cost Digital TV Studio Facilities July 2006, Colombo

- CABSAT 2006 Broadcasting Conference March 2006, Dubai

- Seminar on Business Planning and Financial Analysis for Engineers February 2006, Kuala Lumpur

- Education Makes News February 2006

- 4th Global Coordination Conference ABU-HFC+HFCC+ASBU February 2006, Hainan

- Training Courses on Radio Transmitters and TV Studio Equipment February 2005

- ABU Spectrum Events

- DRM-ABU-NBT Showcase Project: Digital Radio Broadcasting in Medium Wave Band, May 2004, Bangkok

9. Technical Department Staff

10. Technical Advisory Service

11. Publications: ABU Books

12. ABU High Frequency Coordination Group (ABU-HFC)

13. ABU Contributions to the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07)

14. ABU SPECTRUM EVENTS - 11-14 June 2007, Kuala Lumpur

15. ABU Digital Radio Forum

16. ABU Developing Broadcasters' Forum

17. ABU ICT Forum: Focus on Information & Communication Technologies

18. The 2007 ABU DTV Symposium: The Path to Implementation

19. The 2005 ABU Digital TV Symposium

20. ABU Develops a Radio-in-a-Box for UNESCO

21. ABU-IPDC Workshop on Low-cost Digital TV Studio Facilities

22. ABU Digital Radio Convention 2006

23. ABU Digital Radio Convention 2006 -Photo Gallery

24. DRM-AIR-ABU showcase on SCS simulcasting in MW Band

Cooperation with ITU

The ABU has a close working relationship with the ITU, in particular in ITU-R activities and with ITU-D through its Development Bureau (BDT). The ABU has renewed its involvement with the ITU Centre of Excellence in Bangkok and plan to use this relationship to develop the ABU Online Broadcast Skill Development facility. The BDT has, once again, provided assistance this year in conducting an important project on DTV implementation.

IABM Training Bursary Award

The Technical Department has been selected for the award for two years, and the Staff Training Institute (Technical) of AIR/DDI-India once since the Tom McGann Bursary Award was established which provides a grant of ₤20,000 (US$40,900) each year. The Technical Department plans to apply for this award again next year.

Development of a Radio-in-a-Box (RiB) for UNESCO

The Technical Department continues with its association with UNESCO for the development and production of low-cost radio stations. Since beginning this venture, 14 units (7 x 30W, 5 x 100W and 2 x 300W versions) have been delivered to Benin, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal and Tanzania. The 300W unit is called Compact Radio Station (CRS) and is designed for fixed station use. The RiBs are useful in providing broadcasting services to remote or disaster-ravaged areas.

The technology has been exhibited at several events - BroadcastAsia (Singapore), Digital Radio Convention (Kuala Lumpur), BES Expo (New Delhi) - and is scheduled to be demonstrated at the 3rd Global Knowledge Conference and exhibition under the UNESCO banner in December 2007, which is to be held in Malaysia.

Digital and analogue simulcasting in MW Band

The Technical Department organised a demonstration of DRM digital radio transmissions in the MW band using the Single Channel Simulcast (SCS) technology. The DRM Consortium and All India Radio were the ABU's partners. Full 18 kHz DRM stereo transmissions in MW, local transmissions of DRM in the 26 MHz band and NVIS transmissions were also trialled. Extensive measurements were carried out for all types of transmissions. The ABU radio broadcasting event was of special interest to medium wave radio broadcaster members.

The principle objective of the project was to showcase the feasibility of broadcasting both AM and DRM signals in only one transmitter by using the relatively new DRM SCS/MSC technology. This has been fully accomplished. The project was developed as a result of close collaboration between AIR-India, the ABU, the DRM Consortium and its members - Thomson Broadcast Multimedia, Hitachi Electric Kokusai, and University of Basque, Spain. The tests received huge response from ABU radio broadcasters and others in the radio industry, with about 60 participants, including 27 from outside India.

Cabsat, Dubai

Cabsat, the Middle East’s major electronic media and communications event, once again broke records with increased exhibitor support (580 companies) and visitor attendance (over 8,500). And, for the third year the ABU, in association with ASBU and the IABM, organised the broadcast conference. Themed ‘Digitalisation – Broadcasters Embrace the Change’, the conference covered digital-TV developments and implementation experiences, new broadcast platforms and digital broadcasting developments within the Middle East.

The ABU’s leading role in developing and managing the broadcast conference at Cabsat plus the ABU’s booth in the exhibition allowed many ABU members to update the services available to them, as well as highlighting the way the ABU complements it activities with ASBU, the broadcasting union representing the Middle East.

BroadcastAsia, Singapore

The Technical Department seeks to enhance its contribution to the development of BroadcastAsia while continuing its association with this important regional event. This year, the Department conducted a full-day workshop on IPTV, providing a tutorial on technology, business plans and growth factors. The association with BroadcastAsia provided fellowship benefits to ABU members for attending the conference and exhibition.

Visiting member organisations

Since the Beijing TC meeting, the Technical Department executives have visited several members during while conducting other business in those countries. These include:

RNE-Nepal

In December 2006, the Head of Transmission Technology & Spectrum (HTTS) of the Technical Department met with the Executive Director and other senior engineering and programming executives in Kathmandu. While reviewing ABU activities, several requirements of RNE emerged.

NTV-Nepal

In a meeting with the General Manager and other senior engineering executives, the HTTS reviewed ABU assistance.

WBL-India

The HTTS met with the Full-time Director of the ABU affiliate in New Delhi in February 2007, during BES-Expo. The success in developing their contacts with the other 12 ABU broadcasters (established at the Hanoi TC meeting) was reviewed. WBL reported satisfactory progress in this area.

AIR-India

The HTTS met with the CEO, Director General and Engineer-in-Chief and many other senior executives of AIR during the DRM trials in New Delhi in May 2007. AIR is quite active within the TC activities and while many projects have been completed, there are several ongoing projects.

NBC-Papua New Guinea

The Engineering Director and his deputy were visited by the HTTS in New Delhi during the DRM trials. NBC asked for assistance in extending transmission coverage. This will be taken up under the TAS scheme. NBC has also shown keen interest in ABU-HFC coordination and spectrum issues.

In-country visits programme

High priority has been accorded to this activity in which Technical Department executives visit member organisations (while on other business in the country or expressly for this purpose) for a day or so to discuss major technical concerns of the members with their senior-most executives, offering suggestions and solutions where necessary.

As a part of the visit, presentations are made on diverse topics such as the ABU TC meetings, participation in ABU technical activities and studies, Engineering Excellence Awards, TD activities such as seminars, forums and publications, and TAS missions. Presentations are also made on new developments such as broadcasting spectrum management, frequency & coverage planning, ITU and WRC related awareness, ITU-D awareness, computerised radio production, digital radio systems and their implementation in MW and SW, satellite radio and TV delivery, shortwave frequency coordination, computerised TV production, digital TV implementation, mobile broadcasting systems and implementation, and ICTs and Internet broadcasting.

Creating awareness on EWBS

The General Assembly Declaration was circulated among the members and other concerned agencies. A special message from the ABU Secretary-General on EWBS implementation was sent to all members. On the ABU website a webpage has been set up which provides information on EWBS. The URL is:http://www.abu.org.my/EWBS

The ABU Secretary-General wrote to international and regional organisations like UNISDR, UNICEF, UNDP, SAARC, ASEAN and APEC seeking their assistance in implementing EWBS and other disaster-warning and mitigation measures, developing and cooperation between countries at the regional level.

The ABU has brought the need for regional cooperation in implementing EWBS to the notice of the ITU Secretary-General and plans to work closely with the ITU in this region. The ITU has acknowledged the important role of broadcasters in disaster warning and relief, expressing appreciation of the active role played by the ABU in promoting this aspect of broadcasting.

The Secretariat carried out a survey to find out the status of implementation of EWBS by ABU members and others in their countries.

ABU Engineering Excellence Awards

ABU Engineering Industry Excellence Award and ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award are presented annually to broadcast personalities who have made significant contributions respectively to their organisations and to the industry as a whole. They are selected from nominations made by ABU members and followed by an evaluation process by a panel of judges.

Beginning this year, the Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award is being sponsored by Broadcast and Professional Pacific Asia Company (BPPA), Sony’s regional unit in Hong Kong. The award includes a study tour of Sony research facilities.

ABU Engineering Industry Excellence Award

The ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award for 2007 was awarded to Kim Sangjin, Manager, Institute Of Technology, Seoul Broadcasting System, South Korea.

ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award

The ABU Engineering Industry Excellence Award for 2007 was awarded to Ding Wenhua, Chief Engineer of China Central Television and member of the ABU Technical Bureau

Technical Review Article Prizes

The Best Article was awarded last year to Gu Jian Guo, Director Television Technology Department, China Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation: The 10th China National Games.

Commended Article Awards were presented to:NHK-Japan: Study on Remote Activation of One-Seg Handheld Receivers with Emergency Warning Broadcasting System by Yasuhiro Ito, Hiroyuki Hamazumi and Makoto Taguchi.

VOV-Vietnam: An Overview of Objective Perceptual Audio Quality Measurement Methods by Vu Viet Nga of VOV-Vietnam.

Inter-union activities

The World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) brings together eight unions including the ABU. The WBU has a number of specialised forums, including the International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG) and the Technical Committee (WBU-TC). The ABU is an active member of both.

See also

*Asiavision Song Contest
*European Broadcasting Union
*North American Broadcasters Association
*ABU Robocon
*KBS
*NHK

External links

* [http://www.abu.org.my/ Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union]