London, 27 March 2013 – The largest broadband and media event in the Asia Pacific, Broadband Asia & TV Connect Asia 2013, will host a Keynote Super Session as part of its agenda, designed to throw a spotlight on the growing issue of ‘Tackling Content Piracy in the Internet Age’.  HKT, Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA), Motion Pictures Association, Media Partners Asia and News Corporation are all talking part in the hot topic discussion on Day Two.

The session will look at evaluating the growth of TV content piracy over the Internet and its effect on established service providers. Determining an effective policy to manage content across digital borders, understanding the importance of government support and the technologies and strategies to manage and maintain content security in all environments, are critical points that will be addressed during the session.

Leading figures in the region, Joe Welch, SVP, Government Relations, Asia, News Corporation; Vivek Couto, Executive Director, Media Partners Asia; Matthew Cheetham, Regional Counsel, Motion Pictures Association; Stuart Chiron, Head, Group Regulatory Affairs, HKT; and John Medeiros, Deputy CEO and Regulatory Affairs, CASBAA, will make up the panel driving the session.

Tony Brown, Senior Analyst, Informa Telecoms & Media said: “Piracy remains a massive concern for pay TV operators and content producers in the Asia Pacific region, and is a huge barrier to growth in the pay TV market and the broader content production industry. Despite the best efforts of industry bodies and government agencies piracy has proved a tough nut to crack over the last decade.

"Essentially the piracy battle is now being fought on two fronts, the first is the traditional one of fighting against illegal or unauthorized pay TV operators who are stealing legitimate services and re-distributing them. The second front is the online sector where the huge growth in broadband connectivity - both on fixed and mobile networks - means that pirated material can be shared by millions of users illegally. This 'double whammy' effect makes it increasingly tough for legitimate pay TV operators to succeed in what are already tough market conditions."

Now in its ninth year, the conference and exhibition will highlight visionary new developments in TV and broadband, bringing together the broadband and connected entertainment ecosystems and their key figures from across the region.

Broadband Asia & TV Connect Asia 2013 will take place at the Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong, from 9-10 April. To view the full event programme and register for Broadband Asia & TV Connect Asia, please visit http://asia.broadbandworldforum.com/ or call +44 (0) 20 7017 5506. Alternatively, keep up to date with the event on Twitter @BBWorldForum or by using #ASIABBTV.