MUMBAI: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) announced new membership growth for its first quarter of 2008 of one new patron member and seven new corporate members of the association. The latter includes Reliance Big Entertainment and INX Network from India.

The new patron member is VOOM HD Networks Asia, a high-definition channel operator based in the US. The seven corporate members include multilingual, pan-European television news channel EuroNews; India-based communications, media and entertainment services provider Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd; Taipei-based cable TV MSO Kbro; Arqiva a UK-based broadcasting network solutions and services provider; India-based channel operator INX Network; global media and telecoms strategy consultancy Spectrum Value Partners and US-based wireless entertainment device manufacturer Universal Electronics.

"The further growth of the CASBAA membership across so many markets and sectors is a demonstration of the expanding reach of the Association," said CASBAA CEO Simon Twiston Davies. "The Asia Pacific video communications industry is set for great market growth in 2008 and the new memberships will only increase our effectiveness."

CASBAA is also set to stage its first formal event of the year, the CASBAA India Satellite Forum, on 18 March in New Delhi.

The India Satellite Forum 2008 follows the success of the seventh CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum in Singapore in June last year.