Television Asia back issues from April 2008:
A foot in China's door.(comment & contents)
Apr 01, 2008; ... STANDING in the hallway at last year's CASBAA Conference in Hong Kong, a conversation with Steve Marcopoto, president and MD of Turner Broadcasting Systems Asia Pacific, provoked a deluge of deja vu. The flashback stemmed partly from the fact that, eight years previously, ...
VeeV Interactive licensed to launch IPTV in Singapore and Asia.(news)(VeeV Interactive Pte Ltd)(internet protocol television)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has issued the first Niche Subscription TV Licence to VeeV Interactive Pte Ltd, a wholly-owed subsidiary of Sky Media Pte Ltd for the roll out of a commercial IPTV service focusing on educational content. VeeV is looking to ...
TNMG unveils WODTv IPTV service for Japan.(news)(World On-Demand Television)(internet protocol television)(The New Media Group)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... TOKYO -- The New Media Group (TNMG) has unveiled World On-Demand Television (WODTv), its first IPTV initiative for the Japanese market. WODTv will focus on offering channels and content for young urban Japanese audiences. The service is expected to add in-depth presentation and ...
MediaCorp in pole position to cover F1.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- MediaCorp is set to provide extensive coverage of the 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Races, including the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix over multiple media platforms including TV, radio and print. MediaCorp's range of F1 offerings will roll out ...
Celestial Classic Movies to be distributed on MEASAT-3 MCPC video platform.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... KUALA LUMPUR -- MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd and Celestial Movie Channel Ltd have partnered to distribute the new Celestial Classic Movies channel on the MEASAT-3 MCPC video platform from April 2008. Terry Bleakley, MEASAT's vice president--sales and marketing, said, "In ...
Multi-platform distribution and revenue diversification 'crucial' for broadcasters in 2008.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... LONDON/SYDNEY -- The coming 12 months will see the broadcast sector addressing new business models for distribution and advertising in a bid to retain and attract new audiences. This is one of the key conclusions drawn in '2008 Trends to Watch: Media and broadcasting technology' a report ...
Al Jazeera English to debut in Singapore via SingTel's mio TV.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- SingTel and Al Jazeera have partnered to provide Al Jazeera English channel in Singapore on the former's IPTV service, mio TV. Al Jazeera English, the first Middle East-based English language global news and current affairs channel; aired exclusively on mio TV channel 43 from ...
MediaCorp to launch Vasantham and Central channels.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- MediaCorp will launch dedicated TV channels, Vasantham in Indian languages and Central for children, making MediaCorp TV's free-to-air offerings one of the single largest in Asia. The new channels are being expanded from the current Vasantham Central and Kids ...
Media Prima Berhad 2007 pre-tax profits up 43% on 2006.(news)(revenue report)(Financial report)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... KUALA LUMPUR -- Media Prima Berhad (MPB) announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007, with net profit after tax hitting RM117.4million (US$36million) representing an increase of 46% from the RM80.3million (US$25million) recorded in 2006. The strong ...
HD developments for PTS.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... TAIPEI -- Public Television Service's (PTS) two-year digital TV plan appears to be on track with the announcement of two HD co-productions and an HD trial channel set to air April-May 2008. PTS has just completed an HD Dolby 5.1 wildlife film entitled The Spirit of Orchid ...
StarHub Digital Cable debuts TVBS-News channel.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SINGAPORE -- Singapore's cable TV operator StarHub launched 24-hour Mandarin language news channel TVBSNews on StarHub Digital Cable's Chinese Entertainment Basic Group at no extra charge on March 3, 2008. TVBS-News is the first Mandarin news channel to be ...
Sahara One launches Firangi to offer international programming in Hindi.(news)
Apr 01, 2008 ... MUMBAI -- Indian media and entertainment group Sahara One launched the Firangi channel on February 25, 2008. Firangi is positioned to showcase international television programming in Hindi in what is touted as a newly-created category of programming, World Television. Firangi ...
now TV to debut China Business Network, launches Disnev Channel SVOD.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... HONG KONG -- PCCW's IPTV service now TV will debut April 9, 2008, China Business Network (CBN), a China-focused financial information channel which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group (SMG). The agreement was inked between the partners March 5 in Shanghai. CBN ...
Asia and Europe say Hello to Kitty in 3D.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HONG KONG -- Sanrio Digital, a JV between Typhoon Games (HK) Ltd and Sanrio Co Ltd, has announced sales of 3D CGI animation series The Adventures of Hello Kitty & Friends. The 52-episode series is the first Sanrio Digital series made in Hong ...
Viaccess to buy out Orca Interactive.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... RA'ANANA, ISRAEL -- Viaccess, the France Telecom subsidiary specializing in content protection, conditional access and DRM solutions, will acquire a 100% stake in Orca Interactive Ltd, a provider of IPTV middleware and applications for an estimated US$21.4million. Completion of the ...
KBS World lands in India.(deals)(Korea n Broadcasting System )(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEOUL -- Korea n Broadcasting System (KBS) and Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) have signed a carriage deal to bring international TV channel KBS World to India. KBS World is available on DD Direct +, a free-to-air DTH platform available ...
StarHub to debut MNC--The Indonesian Channel.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE / INDONESIA -- Cable TV operator StarHub has sealed a deal with Indonesian media company MNC to carry MNC . The Indonesian Channel from March 17, 2008. MNC The Indonesian Channel is packaged by MNC as a 24-hour international GE channel in Bahasa Indonesia. Outside Indonesia, ...
Nine and Southern Star take on Hi-5.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SYDNEY -- Nine Network has bought out shares to children's TV property Hi5 from Kids Like Us, producers of the series, and have formed a joint venture with production firm Southern Star to develop the property. In the partnership, Southern Star will produce the TV series and market the ...
Disney-ABC Int'l TV and EBS seal deal for Playhouse Disney preschool series.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEOUL -- Disney-ABC International Television, the Walt Disney Company's international TV distribution arm, has inked an inaugural agreement with Korea's terrestrial kids channel, Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), to air Playhouse Disney animated ...
Discovery Asia and Samsung renew HD marketing partnership.(deals)
Apr 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- Discovery Networks Asia and electronics manufacturer Samsung have renewed the latter's 'Meet the World in Full HD' campaign on Discovery Channel and Discovery Travel & Living for another year, furthering the partners' 2007 initiative to communicate benefits of HD to consumers ...
ABS-CBN promotes Charos Santos-Concio as president.(people)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MANILA -- ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation has promoted Charo Santos-Concio as president, effective March 1, 2008. She is the fifth president of the company. Santos-Concio was formerly head of Channel 2 where she handled full business ...
Man Shu Sum to head Mark Burnett Productions Asia as CEO.(people)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SINGAPORE -- Man Shu Sum will join Mark Burnett Productions Asia (MBPA) as chief executive officer, leaving his positions of director of strategic relations at the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore and director of Singapore Film Commission ...
Ki-Young Ohm helms Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation as president & CEO.(people)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEOUL -- Korean pubcaster Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has appointed Ki-Young Ohm as president & CEO to succeed Moon-Soon Choi who stepped down from the position he served in since February 25, 2005. Ohm has been with MBC since 1974 and ...
Pfeiffer leaves Celestial for 'new business ventures'.(people)(William Pfeiffer)(Celestial Pictures)(Brief article)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HONG KONG -- William Pfeiffer, CEO of Celestial Pictures, has left the company on the expiry of his contract on March 9, 2008, to pursue new business ventures, according to a statement from Celestial's board. The board also thanked Pfeiffer for his ...
Nadine Nohr to depart Granada International.(people)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HONG KONG -- Nadine Nohr, managing director of Granada International will step down from her position and leave ITV to concentrate on other challenges. She will stay with the company as a consultant for three months for the transition. During ...
Foreign formats toe the line: the phenomenal success of reality talent contests may have led to that genre's demise in China, but in its wake come opportunities for imported formats that toe the legislative line.(country focus: china)
Apr 01, 2008; ... HUNAN Satellite TV originally made the headlines with Super Girl or Super Voice Girls talent show, three seasons of which aired between 2004-2006. Officially known as the Mengniu Yoghurt Super Girl Contest after the show's sponsor, its immense success and number of public votes received, ...
China in focus: the following is excerpted from the 2008 China Media Yearbook & Directory published by CMM-I (www.cmmintelligence.com).(country focus: china)(Excerpt)
Apr 01, 2008 ... CHINA is the world's largest TV market by audience and fast becoming one of the world's most prodigious producers of TV content. Total annual production of TV programs reached 2.6million hours in 2006, an annual increase of 2.51%, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and ...
Edging into the digital age: December 31, 2007 saw the launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting in Hong Kong cap a year of steady growth enjoyed by the Special Administrative Region's TV industry.(country focus: hong kong)(Company overview)
Apr 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IN what insiders described to be a reluctant move given the lack of tangible government support, Hong Kong's free-to-air broadcasters Television Broadcasts (TVB) and Asia Television (ATV) rolled out digital TV services on the very last day of 2007 to meet ...
The ins and outs of Hong Kong mobile TV: determining the right level of coverage is a critical step in mobile TV network design. Chris Jaeger, Managing Director Broadcast Australia International Business Group, and Paul Chan, Engineering Director of Hong Kong-based Radio Frequency Engineering Ltd, explore the challenges presented by Hong Kong's unique outdoor and indoor environments.(country focus: hong kong)
Apr 01, 2008 ... THERE is almost a sense of inevitability in Hong Kong when it comes to broadcast mobile TV. Technical trials of DVB-H and MediaFLO platforms have been successfully undertaken, and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Authority has announced preparations for mobile TV licence auctions in 2009 ....
Taiwan in focus: Taiwan's terrestrial TV stations are being marginalized in a territory increasingly dominated by cable TV. Television Asia Plus reports.(country focus: taiwan)
Apr 01, 2008 ... TERRESTRIAL TV is facing problems so profound and on so many levels that toward the end of a two-hour interview, Jack Hsiao-Cheng Chi, senior specialist, department of planning, National Communications Commission (NCC), asked his interviewer, "Why do you feel such pity for them?" In the ...
HD gains pace in Asia: according to executives with interests invested in HD, the format has a bright future in Asia--once a number of technical and pricing issues are resolved.(technology)
Apr 01, 2008; ... HIGH Definition is touted as the future of broadcasting, but if so, excepting Japan and Singapore, why has the rest of Asia been slow to adopt the format? Lack of satellite capacity and bandwith limits. Cable operators' indecision on HD delivery. Expensive HD set-top boxes. The ...
Caldecott Productions International driving HD production in Asia: Caldecott Productions International is at the forefront of HD production in the region. But as its M.D. explains, a shortage of product is inhibiting the development of dedicated HD channels.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008; ... ONG Hee Yah is Managing Director of Caldecott Productions International (CPI), one of the prime drivers of High Definition production in the region. Not only does Ong preside over MediaCorp's HD production arm, she also writes and produces many of its documentaries. Fully 100% ...
ABC Commercial revs up HD.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008 ... ASIAN broadcasters are showing an increasing appetite for high-end historical documentaries as well as environmental and adventure titles, which translates to a healthy export business for the Australian Broadcasting Corp. At the same time, the ABC's commercial arm, ABC ...
ABC Commercial.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008 ... VISIT US AT MIPTV: STAND NUMBER 05.33--TEL: +33 4 92 99 80 24 ABC COMMERCIAL 700 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia Tel: +61 2 8333 3314 Fax: +61 2 8333 3169 Email: abc.contentsales@abc.net.au Website: ...
HD is music to the ears for 3DD: the boom in High Definition programming is a godsend for London-based 3DD Group, as Chief Executive Dominic Saville tells Don Groves.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008; ... HIGH Definition is the preferred format for music programming, which plays to one of the strengths of the 3DD Group, a leading distributor and producer of music and live event programming, documentaries and independent films. "For the music genre, HD has become a major ...
Playboy's bunny hopping across new fields in Asia: the Playboy brand is expanding across various media in Asia--and High Definition programming is a key driver.(programming)(Playboy Television International L.L.C.)
Apr 01, 2008; ... GIVEN the visual appeal of Playboy TV-appreciated not just by blokes but by a large number of female viewers--it's no surprise that High Definition content is a key component of the service. At present, the company supplies blocks of HD programming and titles on VOD in the ...
Playboy TV International.(company profile)
Apr 01, 2008 ... VISIT US AT MIPTV: SUITE 755, MAJESTIC HOTEL CANNES PLAYBOY TV INTERNATIONAL 2706 Media Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065 USA Tel: +1 323 276 4260 Fax: +1 323 276 4500 Email: firstinitiallastname@playboy.com Website: ...
How to drive HDTV in Asia: collaborate and showcase: Terry Bleakley, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, MEASAT, gives some pointers on how to overcome the challenges facing HD in Asia and develop the HD business sector in the region.(technology)
Apr 01, 2008 ... THE development of High Definition Television (HDTV) has been a long and difficult journey. First developed in the 1960s in Japan by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the analogue MUSE HDTV system was trialed during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite significant interest, it was a media ...
NBCU backs KidsCo's global drive: backed by the deep pockets of NBC Universal, KidsCo is very much on track to hit or exceed its target of global expansion this year, as the channel's Managing Director Paul Robinson explains.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE launch of the dedicated 24/7 KidsCo channel in South Korea, Singapore and Palau on March 20, following its January lift-off in the Philippines, marked another key step towards the corporate objective of expanding to 40--plus territories by end-2008. ...
Brighton rocks: February 24-27, 2008 saw over 550 buyers descend on the British seaside town of Brighton for the annual BBC Showcase event. Around 40 delegates, plus pan-regional buyers, were in attendance from 24 companies across nine Asia Pacific markets. Magz Osborne was there for Television Asia Plus.(marketing & events)(BBC Worldwide Ltd.)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IT would appear to be no coincidence that BBC Worldwide's (BBCW) July 2007. appointed managing director, global television sales, and manager of the BBC Showcase event, is Steve Macallister, former head of Disney-ABC International TV's distribution ...
BBC worldwide showcase, Brighton UK, February 24-27, 2008.(marketing&events)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WoWoW Inc's Takahiro Kawazu, ABC's Marena Manzoufas. David Vine BBCW [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BBC Worldwide's Anna Phillips, Mark Macdonald, Caroline Sennitt, Cristina Dunn, Chris Charlton--Ashes to Ashes Dinner ...
EA Rocks Singapore! Swissotel The Stamford Rooftop Heliport--March 6, 2008.(marketing & events)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EA's Mike McCabe (L) and Rich Briggs (second right) jamming at EA Rocks Singapore! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EA Asia president Jon Niermann opening the party [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IAHGames Roland Ong (L) ...
The Amazing Race Asia 2 Finale Party, Forbidden City--February 14, 2008.(marketing & events)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Team Singapore Takes home The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 Prize [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Singha toast before the grand showcase [ILLUSTRATION ...
On the buying trail: Television Asia Plus asks potential buyers what worked in 2007 and what they are looking for in 2008.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008 ... May Lee Founder & CEO, Lotus Media House Television viewing trends are definitely moving towards niche programming. Given the growing number of channels in the Asian region, viewers now have more choices, and that provides all the more reason for new channels to try and focus on ...
Content kaleidoscope: Television Asia Plus sneaks a peek at the variety of content available at MIPTV 2008 as sellers offer their take on where business opportunities abound.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Guadalupe D'Agostino Vice President & General Manager, RCTV International [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RCTV International has been expanding its distribution in Asia as its markets have proven to be lucrative. Telenovelas are in demand and ...
What is Asia watching? Television Asia Plus polled the major pan-regional channels to find out about their most popular shows in the Asia Pacific. And given the lack of syndicated viewing data standards--networks were trusted to share their own measures of success.(programming)
Apr 01, 2008 ... BBC World [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] World News Today: focused at South Asia, telecast Monday to Friday at 21.30 1ST presented by the internationally acclaimed news personality and the BBC's main presenter--Nik Gowing. Explains Dezma de Melo, BBC World's head ...
IPTV, PC on the rise but no real threat--yet: IPTV and PC are evolving as strong options for consumers when it comes emerging 'viewing' options. Television Asia Plus' Ritesh Gupta explores what current impact new access technologies and screen options are having on traditional TV consumption.(platforms)
Apr 01, 2008 ... NEW access technologies, be they IPTV or mobile TV, and the number of screens with which consumers interact in a day, are throwing up a new set of challenges for service providers, media owners and content providers. The onus is on the industry to package and present content in a desirable ...
Rolodex.
Apr 01, 2008 ... GRANADA INTERNATIONAL 1508 Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2511 9700 Fax: +852 2511 9797 Email: asia@itv.com Website: www.granadamedia.com/international Part of ITV Worldwide, Granada International has a ...
ActiveTV Asia.(Company overview)
Apr 01, 2008 ... ACTIVETV ASIA PTE LTD 16 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #06-02, Singapore 238965 Tel: +65 6738 4345 Fax: +65 6732 0410 COMPANY PERSONNEL Michael McKay, President Serena Lau, Vice-President Priscilla Yeo, Producer Email: ...
Dual HQ strategy for Irdeto.(CEO view)
Apr 01, 2008; ... IRDETO is cautiously optimistic about the Asia-Pacific market. Whilst one cannot ignore the activities and issues in the global economy, the amount of activity in the digital TV and related sectors in the region is still buoyant. Whilst the near-term is very important, it is the longer ...
Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc.
Apr 01, 2008 ... VISIT US AT MIPTV: STAND NUMBER 19.01 ALFRED HABER DISTRIBUTION, INC. 111 Grand Avenue, Suite 203, Palisades Park, NJ 07650 Tel: 201 224 8000 Fax: 201 947 4500 Website: www.alfredhaber.com COMPANY PERSONNEL Andrew Haber, Vice ...