Shaw 2014 Annual Report Download - page 16

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Shaw Communications Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
August 31, 2014
allows customers streaming access to TV shows, sporting events and movies on popular mobile
devices, including WiFi enabled tablets and smartphones, and currently offers more than 10
services including Global Go, HISTORY Go, CTV Go and various childrens, sports, movie and
other entertainment programming.
Satellite Services
Satellite Services operations include two primary businesses, Shaw Broadcast Services and
Shaw Tracking.
Shaw Broadcast Services redistributes television and radio signals via satellite to cable
operators and other multi-channel system operators in Canada and the U.S., referred to as a
satellite relay distribution undertaking (“SRDU”), and provides uplink and network management
services for conventional and specialty broadcasters on a contract basis.
Shaw Broadcast Services currently provides SRDU and signal transport services to over 350
distribution undertakings, primarily cable operators, and redistributes approximately 500
television signals and over 100 audio signals in both English and French to multi-channel
system operators. Shaw Broadcast Services also offers HITS/QT and QT Plus (Headend In the
Sky/Quick Take), which allow small and medium size cable companies to offer digital signals to
subscribers with a substantially reduced capital outlay. HITS/QT and QT Plus facilitate
increased availability and penetration of digital services in Canada and add incremental
revenues to Shaw Broadcast Services from the additional services provided to smaller cable
companies.
Shaw Broadcast Services’ uplink and network management services include backhaul (transport
of signals to the uplink site), uplink (delivery of signal to the satellite so that it can be
distributed to cable operators and other distributors), bandwidth, authorization and signal
monitoring. Shaw Broadcast Services currently provides such services to over 130 specialty and
pay broadcasters across Canada,as well as to Canadian pay audio providers.
Shaw Tracking provides asset tracking and communication services to approximately 600
companies in the transportation industry in Canada, with approximately 45,000 vehicles using
its services. Shaw Tracking’s services capture all related information pertaining to an asset (i.e.
location, performance and productivity measures) and effectively integrate into a carrier’s fleet
management system. Via satellite, cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth networks, Shaw Tracking
provides immediate real time visibility to a company’s fleet and freight. Shaw’s services and
solutions target a wide variety of segments of transportation across Canada.
(iii) Media
Through a series of transactions in 2010 and 2011, Shaw acquired 100% of the broadcasting
business of Canwest Global Communications Corp. (“Canwest”) including CW Investments Co.,
the company that owned the specialty channels acquired from Alliance Atlantis
Communications Inc. in 2007. The acquisition of Shaw’s Media business included the Global
Television Network (“Global”) and a leading portfolio of Specialty services. Technology is
driving change in the Canadian Broadcasting system, transforming content distribution and
viewership. This strategic acquisition allows Shaw to unite broadcasting services and content
with its advanced distribution platforms to offer customers strong choices in this rapidly
evolving landscape.
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