UBI vs Selectv - AUS-CITY Message Forums

Low-cost ethnic pay-TV looks a lot like Foxtel From http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18393843^7582,00.html HE says it's not a competitor to Foxtel, but the low-cost pay-television service that Foxtel's former boss Jim Blomfield is rolling out has some remarkable similarities. SelecTV is described as a boutique ethnic pay-TV service set to rival other ethnic pay-TV broadcasters such as UBI World TV, the successor to TARBS World TV which was placed in administration last year. SelecTV already has a Spanish language service on air and during the next six weeks plans to launch its Vietnamese, Greek, Italian and German language packages. And this month it will launch an English-language service of 20 channels such as National Geographic (which, ironically, is owned by Foxtel's 25 per cent owner News Corporation), Turner Classic Movies, BBC and Movie One for $29 a month. This compares with Foxtel's $50.95 a month basic package of 36 TV channels, as well as 30 audio channels and interactive services. But Mr Blomfield plays down his expectations for the cut-price English service, saying it's pitched to older audiences with lower incomes who may consider a few extra channels valuable. "That's why we haven't high expectations for the English channel take-up. Within two years we are targeting 40,000 subscribers on the English package, so that's pretty modest," he said. Mr Blomfield said he doesn't want to pick a fight with the big pay-TV companies, "because if we did we would just get blown out of the water". SelecTV, which has spent $22million getting to launch stage and is preparing to raise $18 million through a public offer, expects to break even in about two years with 80,000 subscribers. It has attracted investors such as Melbourne's Myer family and former Seek chairman Irvin Rockman in its last raising, and is seeking a cornerstone shareholder ahead of its stock-market listing, which is expected to value the business at $55 million to $60million. SelecTV's financial adviser David Williams, from corporate advisory group Kidder Williams, said many people who already pay for an internet connection and a mobile phone simply can't afford existing pay-TV offers. "So we don't see ourselves competing with Foxtel or Austar but there's unsatisfied demand out there because in most pay-TV countries penetration is between 40 and 45 per cent, so why are we maxing out at 23 per cent? It's because it's too expensive," Mr Williams said. The $18 million is expected to cover SelecTV's operating expenses for the two years until it breaks even, as Mr Blomfield said it had created a low-cost model. "The model is not to own a lot of technology but to out-source as much of the entire operation as possible," he said. SelecTV will have a total staff of 35 to 40 people to operate about 40 channels. "This is a marketing company; it's not about owning technology or controlling set-top boxes but getting relevant content to a niche market cost effectively," Mr Blomfield said. SelecTV will pay for the foreign channels via a fixed annual fee, while it pays a per subscriber amount for the English channels based on "very small" minimum subscriber guarantees. Mr Blomfield said he hoped it would pick up 150,000 subscribers from the 6.5 million Australian TV homes within five years. Mr Williams said he believed the ethnic market was under-serviced, as until now there had been no Vietnamese offering and the Spanish market was poorly serviced. But SelecTV's plans attracted the interest of UBI, which late last year forced the company to change the prospectus for its $10million raising after taking concerns to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. UBI alleged SelecTV was insolvent, which was not properly disclosed in the prospectus. SelecTV had to issue a supplementary prospectus that did not include financial forecasts. But Mr Blomfield claimed that was just an episode of "dirty tricks" by a competitor and "we would not be that silly to be so finely tuned to the requirements of our funding". "If you want to take a swing at someone, you should at least make sure you hit them," he said

"But SelecTV's plans attracted the interest of UBI, which late last year forced the company to change the prospectus for its $10million raising after taking concerns to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. UBI alleged SelecTV was insolvent, which was not properly disclosed in the prospectus. " Insolvent eh? UBI are experts in that field!

I like this part from Mr Bloomfield LOL <img border="0" alt="[Thinking]" title="" src="graemlins/default/thinking.gif" /> <blockquote>quote:<hr />Mr Blomfield said he doesn't want to pick a fight with the big pay-TV companies, "because if we did we would just get blown out of the water". <hr /></blockquote><img border="0" alt="[Machine Gun]" title="" src="graemlins/default/mgun.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Vader]" title="" src="graemlins/default/vader.gif" />

One point of interest, there was a pevious thread about the SelecTV prospectus, in particular the part about TARBS demise. Lots of people were upset about the text. Funny thing is that when Mr.B complained to ASIC about SelecTV's prospectus, he didn't mention this bit...........

Can't argue with the truth eh.. Anyway what does it have to do with MR B.??? Phill told us a long time ago that M.B has nothing to do with the running of UBI? I'm sure he wouldn't be allowed to run UBI from overseas the ASIC wouldnt like that.. hmm

Nothing happens at TARBS/UBI without Mr.B's approval. As Phil conceeded in an earlier posting, he led the team that secured Mega & Alpha in Greece. This is Mr.B's train set - there is no doubt. I don't know how ASIC and the ATO let him get away with it. Go broke, rip off your subs, owe your suppiers millions of dollar ($40m to PAS alone) and start up again 10 months latter under a different name - then tell your former sunscriber "trust us" ....... wow, more arse than class. I'm curious to see how the Irdeto change over will go. It's a much better system than MDS, but how much collateral damage will be inflicted along the way. We hear that TARBS/UBI are using a third party CA and not even intalling their own system (the cost of an Irdeto headend is insignificant compared to the viewing cards & STBs) ...... We have our CA / Smart Card / STB stuff sorted out, I know how much in involved in making this stuff work ....... should be an interesting spectator sport.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SelecTV: As Phil conceeded in an earlier posting, he led the team that secured Mega & Alpha in Greece. This is Mr.B's train set <hr /></blockquote>And a good Train Set it is <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/default/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[w00t]" title="" src="graemlins/default/woot.gif" />

Sooner or later it will go off the rails!

Yeh how many times am i going to hear that from you and others If everyone's rumours were true UBI would have closed 100 times in the past year LOL <img border="0" alt="[Hysterical]" title="" src="graemlins/default/hysterical.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Hysterical]" title="" src="graemlins/default/hysterical.gif" />

Well you know Mr Lazarsat as the saying goes.. "A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED" While Boulos plays with his train set others are building grandprix race tracks.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" />

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by apsattv: others are building grandprix race tracks.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>Talking about Impact TV again LOL <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/default/tongue.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Hysterical]" title="" src="graemlins/default/hysterical.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Question]" title="" src="graemlins/default/questionmark.gif" />

SelecTv does not have a idea of marketing spanich channels in Australia. They Have 3 Channeels Utilisima, Canal Sur y VTU. These channels are the worst that you can get, is NOT value for money. SelectTV have only just to justified the $45 per month on spanish channel. Please SELECTV do same thing about it. or we start seriusly to move to UBI.

Hi Chile Sat, SelecTV's Spanish package is: TV Chile, Canal Sur, Ultilisima, TVE, VTV, and Fashion TV. That's five Spanish channels. I'm sorry if this is not to your liking, it's the lowest cost Spanish package available in Australia. Of course, you can also choose to subscribe to the TARBS/UBI package. But bear in mind that we will be offering a low cost 20 channel English package in a few weeks. I'd be curious to know what you would like to see?

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SelecTV: Nothing happens at TARBS/UBI without Mr.B's approval. As Phil conceeded in an earlier posting, he led the team that secured Mega & Alpha in Greece. This is Mr.B's train set - there is no doubt. I don't know how ASIC and the ATO let him get away with it. Go broke, rip off your subs, owe your suppiers millions of dollar ($40m to PAS alone) and start up again 10 months latter under a different name - then tell your former sunscriber "trust us" ....... wow, more arse than class. I'm curious to see how the Irdeto change over will go. It's a much better system than MDS, but how much collateral damage will be inflicted along the way. We hear that TARBS/UBI are using a third party CA and not even intalling their own system (the cost of an Irdeto headend is insignificant compared to the viewing cards & STBs) ...... We have our CA / Smart Card / STB stuff sorted out, I know how much in involved in making this stuff work ....... should be an interesting spectator sport. <hr /></blockquote> <blockquote>quote:<hr /> As Phil conceeded in an earlier posting, he led the team that secured Mega & Alpha in Greece. <hr /></blockquote>Can I see that post because I would like to see it and so would others. Maybe its time we find out why you were sacked from Foxtel and tell the world about it since you like shoveling shit. You are no better than crapsat. You wonder why Phil has told some of us that he will never return to this forum because of the crap on it and the abuse that was directed against him and his family. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/default/mad.gif" />

whenever a small company pops up first thing they do shoveling shit to ubi. first tvplus now this selectv. and they find this medium to do this best. do they really thing they would build a customer base by doing that? do they really think that customers run to them leaving ubi when they accuse the boss of tarbs/ubi? are they really this stupid? i guess the answer is obvious.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ShaRp: whenever a small company pops up first thing they do shoveling shit to ubi. first tvplus now this selectv.<hr /></blockquote>Oh that's right, UBI has never, "shovelled shit" onto it's competition, they're angels! This is all part of the game, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ShaRp: whenever a small company pops up first thing they do shoveling shit to ubi. first tvplus now this selectv. and they find this medium to do this best. <hr /></blockquote>Don't forget about Puma Media also who sell Polish channels who have had that TARBS/UBI thing on there site since start of buisness LOL <img border="0" alt="[Thinking]" title="" src="graemlins/default/thinking.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Doh]" title="" src="graemlins/default/doh.gif" />

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by reuder: <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ShaRp: whenever a small company pops up first thing they do shoveling shit to ubi. first tvplus now this selectv.<hr /></blockquote>Oh that's right, UBI has never, "shovelled shit" onto it's competition, they're angels! This is all part of the game, if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. <hr /></blockquote>maybe. but i never seen an ubi representative doing the same thing. maybe Phil used to do that.. maybe we can consider him as a ubi staff, lol <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" /> whoever does it, im sick of seeing such posts. this is not the way of marketing. they should show the same effort in improving their line up/quality. aggresive posts or shit shoveling posts only earn them bad publicity.

SelecTV is a public company, we have a prospectus in the market place - well discussed in previous forums. You know who we are and who owns what. The TARBS/UBI thing is annoying to me because they pretend to someone they are not and don't appear to be held up to any scrutiny. It's OK for UBI to hide their origins, but it's not OK for me to complain about it.......... Hmmmmmmmmm Maybe you should try puting that point forward at a TARBS creditors meeting - I'd recommend body armour? But enough of that....... The line up is on its way, we hope you will be pleasantly surprised by the English package. As for quality, we are operating the latest Harmonic Electra encoders, dual pass, front end noise reduction, adaptive stat mux....... This is the BMW M3 of encoders, so I hope our pictures will always look better than, whats-their-name. BTW I've never worked for Foxtel, but I did work for News Corp, but not in Oz :-)

Ah yes Newscorp! They shut down TARBS' via Panamsat... all part of the conspiracy to have TARBS shut off as their planned ENGLISH package had Foxtel and Austar in complete panic... right guys lol

Hi SelecTV. TVE is free channel and Fashion TV is NOT a spanish TV.

Yes, TVE is free on Asia Sat 2 C band, anyone that wants to go to the trouble of setting up a c-band antenna can recieve it at no cost. Fashion TV is intended for our English package, but we thought you might like to see it anyway. We believe that TVE adds value to the Spanish package and convieneice for viewer who can't install a big dish. We pay a royalty to TVE (we can't just pirate it) and we need to pay for the uplink and satellite bandwidth to deliver it. So we need to get some return. TARBS/UBI als offers TVE in their Spanish package as well. We talkied to a lot of South American people over the eight months that TV Chile was free, and secured the channels that we believed that they desired. What additional channels would you like to see?

Mr Select TV, I'm still waiting for your reply, you quoted the Below <blockquote>quote:<hr /> As Phil conceeded in an earlier posting, he led the team that secured Mega & Alpha in Greece <hr /></blockquote>Where is that post because I cant find it, Or is it a case of you trying to take advantage of a person that is sick and not on this forum.

To selectTV. My suggestions are: CANAL 13 (CHILE) CANAL 9 (ARGENTINA) CHILEVISION (CHILE) UNIVISIOU (USA) TELEMUNDO (USA) HISTORY CHANNEL (IN SPANIHS) Available in all South America via DIRECTV. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC (IN SAPANISH) Available in all South America via DIRECTV. DIRECTV HAS MORE THAN 60 SPANISH CHANNEL, your company should make a deal with then and bring quality channels. I hope that suggestion have some consideration by SELECTV.

how about some sports channels; TyCsports - which brodcast to usa/europe goal tv fox sports en espanol how about; america tv (argentina) & (peru) ultilisima is alright as im going to get it for my oldies. im waitinig to se what hapens, but if you bring any of the above channels i`ll get rid off ubbi and subscribe whith select tv.

Hello Musicman, I've been off line for a few days - sarry for the delayed reply. IRT Phil's comment please see his anoucement about TARBS/UBI securing the rights to MEGA, this was around the end of October last year and has been flushed from the forum, maybe someone can find it in the archives. My recollection is that he posted something like " ..... UBI has secured rights to MEGA, sorry Selectv..... Bulos and co have been working very hard to secure the channel....."

Thanks for your suggestions. We review these things reularly and will add these into the mix. One issue is that not all national channels have rights to broadcast their content internationally. This is the case with many South American channels, so it cuts down the channels available stuff......

No posts on here get archived just the older ones get lower on the list of threads As for that post i have searched thru most of Phil's posts and dont find the post your referring to

I'm not very proficent with this yet and I can't find the post I'm looking for. But I did find this post from Phil talking about Mega Cosmos in November last year ............. "posted 10 November, 2005 06:59 PM Profile for P Debono Author's Homepage Send New Private Message Edit/Delete Post Reply With Quote quote:Originally posted by apsattv: No need for a mass debate on when it will start. Phills already said the one person Tarbs has over there is running around trying to get things working. Boulos is a bit of a tight arse, but he has to be this way because he has to run a tight ship [Big Grin] -------------------- -------------------- "I Live in the Control Panel, and around the Clarke belt"

It's not the post I am looking for, but it adds support for my point and I hope answer's Mr Musicman's challenge. And ...... I'm in no way picking a fight with Phil while he is off line - happy to have the debate when he is back on his feet. I've painted myself into a corner here, I don't want to suffer a credibility hit and don't want to have a go at Phil ....... BTW any update on his condition?

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SelecTV: ...BTW any update on his condition? <hr /></blockquote>Phil's getting better but recovery is slow. We all hope to see him posting here very soon.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SelecTV: It's not the post I am looking for, but it adds support for my point and I hope answer's Mr Musicman's challenge. And ...... I'm in no way picking a fight with Phil while he is off line - happy to have the debate when he is back on his feet. I've painted myself into a corner here, I don't want to suffer a credibility hit and don't want to have a go at Phil ....... BTW any update on his condition? <hr /></blockquote>Yes you have painted yourself into a corner by stating shit, you quote a post and you cant even find? You said M Boulos, then you say Boulos but did he say Mike Boulos now! he didn't. You haven't got a clue because as far as you know there could be 5 M Boulos's and 2 R Boulos's in the family. GET YOUR FACTS CORRECT BEFORE YOU SHOOT OFF BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU LOOK CHEAP

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by YU4CFG: <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SelecTV: ...BTW any update on his condition? <hr /></blockquote>Phil's getting better but recovery is slow. We all hope to see him posting here very soon. <hr /></blockquote>YU4CFG You have Phils number, ring him or his wife he will never come back to this forum Reason You were one that upset him over the blocked UBI box affair and all you had to do is read the abuse he copped via emails at his house and you would see what i'm talking about and he doesn't even work for UBI. If that was me I would have quited a year ago.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by musicman: ... If that was me I would have quited a year ago. <hr /></blockquote>And this forum would be much better place... Anyway, Musicman... Calm down and read this carefuly: 1.This post is about U.B.I. and SelecTV. 2.You know nothing about me and Phil. 3.I've told you before that we are totally different worlds and I have nothing to discuss with you. 4.Your offensive language towards other members in the forum is telling a lot about you.

and on that note i think this topic has run its course <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" />