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China Mobile, News Corp & Star in partnership to explore wireless space

MUMBAI: China Mobile Limited, News Corporation and Star Group Limited have announced a broad strategic partnership to explore wireless media business opportunities.

By leveraging the content assets and interactive services of News Corporation and Star, the partners will combine their strengths to develop wireless media services based on China Mobile‘s mobile platform, through which China Mobile serves over 260 million subscribers. The cooperation will explore wireless media business opportunities on a global basis, states an official release.

Key areas of the cooperation will include development, production, aggregation and distribution of a wide array of wireless services ranging from music, broadband interactivity, and social networking to multimedia value-added products, informs an official release.

China Mobile chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou said, “The partnership with News Corporation and Star will lay a solid foundation for providing wireless multimedia services. This is a very important step for us in view of the global convergence of telecommunication, media and Internet. With News Corporation and Star‘s popular and quality media content assets, we will be able to offer more exciting services to our customers.”

News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch says, “Partnering with China Mobile gives us immediate access to a vast consumer base throughout China. News Corp. has been a world leader in wireless content while our services such as MySpace dominate the online social networking craze. It is my hope that this partnership will unleash the creative and technical abilities of the talented employees of News Corp. and China Mobile to bring new offerings to consumers across mainland China and Hong Kong.”

Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie adds,” Today‘s partnership represents an important new media growth opportunity for Star. China Mobile‘s world-leading expertise, customer base and exciting growth initiatives will allow us to expand the Star brands and services in the largest wireless market in the world. We look forward to working closely with them to bring a new level of wireless entertainment to the consumer.”

June 8, 2006
China Mobile, News Corp & Star in partnership to explore wireless space

MUMBAI: China Mobile Limited, News Corporation and Star Group Limited have announced a broad strategic partnership to explore wireless media business opportunities.

By leveraging the content assets and interactive services of News Corporation and Star, the partners will combine their strengths to develop wireless media services based on China Mobile’s mobile platform, through which China Mobile serves over 260 million subscribers. The cooperation will explore wireless media business opportunities on a global basis, states an official release.

Key areas of the cooperation will include development, production, aggregation and distribution of a wide array of wireless services ranging from music, broadband interactivity, and social networking to multimedia value-added products, informs an official release.

China Mobile chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou said, “The partnership with News Corporation and Star will lay a solid foundation for providing wireless multimedia services. This is a very important step for us in view of the global convergence of telecommunication, media and Internet. With News Corporation and Star’s popular and quality media content assets, we will be able to offer more exciting services to our customers.”

News Corporation chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch says, “Partnering with China Mobile gives us immediate access to a vast consumer base throughout China. News Corp. has been a world leader in wireless content while our services such as MySpace dominate the online social networking craze. It is my hope that this partnership will unleash the creative and technical abilities of the talented employees of News Corp. and China Mobile to bring new offerings to consumers across mainland China and Hong Kong.”

Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie adds,” Today’s partnership represents an important new media growth opportunity for Star. China Mobile’s world-leading expertise, customer base and exciting growth initiatives will allow us to expand the Star brands and services in the largest wireless market in the world. We look forward to working closely with them to bring a new level of wireless entertainment to the consumer.”

June 8, 2006
Initiative Worldwide to track global TV viewing patterns for Fifa World Cup

MUMBAI: As the world starts watching the Fifa World Cup from tomorrow, Initiative will launch its latest ViewerTrack operation for the same with the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica on 9 June.

With the spread of Initiative agencies in more than 50 markets across the network, Initiative Futures, it’s global media research arm, will track global TV viewing figures, match-by-match and country-by-country.

Over the course of the tournament, Initiative will collect comprehensive overnight audience data for every match. The data will cover viewing trends for all major demographic groups, split by age, gender and social class. These will inform which matches are most valuable to advertisers and sponsors.

Taking advantage of its experience in tracking the world’s major sporting events, such as the Fifa World Cup, European Championships, and the Formula 1 World Championships, Initiative will make comparisons between sports.

Initiative will publish weekly and daily insightful reports on audience levels and trends, and their implications for advertisers and sponsors. The reports will be published on the following dates:

Initiative’s daily and weekly reports will complement each other to provide full and comprehensive television viewing analysis throughout the tournament. With overnight data from across the network, the daily reports will provide timely information on recent games.

The weekly reports will then give the agency an opportunity to reflect on data for a number of matches in a broader context.

These daily and weekly reports will cover key issues such as:

-Viewing match of the week – Which match enjoyed the highest average live global audience?
-Viewing country of the week – In which markets were average live audiences highest?
-2006 vs. 2002 comparison – Which markets saw the greatest change in live audiences compared with World Cup 2002?
-Mover of the week – Which markets saw the greatest change in live audiences throughout the 2006 tournament?

June 8, 2006
China Mobile buys 19.9% of Phoenix from Star Group

MUMBAI: China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited has purchased a 19.9 per cent interest in Phoenix from Star Group Limited. After the transaction, Star will continue to hold 17.6 per cent of Phoenix.

China Mobile and Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited have also reached a strategic alliance to jointly develop, market and distribute wireless content, products, services and new media applications.

Under the strategic alliance agreement, China Mobile and Phoenix will jointly develop products and services relating to the wireless delivery of media content. In exchange for direct access to China Mobile‘s network and customer base on favourable terms, China Mobile will have preferential access to Phoenix‘s news and selected programs.

The deal will complement China Mobile‘s 3G strategies by widening its service offerings and providing enhanced media content to its mobile subscribers, and will broaden Phoenix‘s new media content‘s access to China mobile‘s customer base, informs an official release.

China Mobile chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou says, “Phoenix offers a unique set of content to the Chinese community globally. By leveraging Phoenix‘s media content via our mobile platform, China Mobile will be well positioned to provide wireless multimedia services to our customers.”

Phoenix chairman and CEO Liu Changle adds, “The establishment of this new strategic alliance will provide an excellent opportunity for the further development of Phoenix‘s new media business, and should have a very positive impact on Phoenix‘s long-term commercial prospects, enabling Phoenix to distribute its content through China Mobile‘s wireless platform and reach a broader market.”

Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie says, “We believe that bringing in China Mobile as a shareholder and strategic partner will create incredible growth opportunities for Phoenix in the future. We look forward to our continued involvement in Phoenix as the company extends its content to the largest wireless customer base in the world.”

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial advisor to China Mobile. Merrill Lynch is acting as financial advisor to Star, according to the news release.

June 8, 2006
China Mobile buys 19.9% of Phoenix from Star Group

MUMBAI: China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited has purchased a 19.9 per cent interest in Phoenix from Star Group Limited. After the transaction, Star will continue to hold 17.6 per cent of Phoenix.

China Mobile and Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited have also reached a strategic alliance to jointly develop, market and distribute wireless content, products, services and new media applications.

Under the strategic alliance agreement, China Mobile and Phoenix will jointly develop products and services relating to the wireless delivery of media content. In exchange for direct access to China Mobile’s network and customer base on favourable terms, China Mobile will have preferential access to Phoenix’s news and selected programs.

The deal will complement China Mobile’s 3G strategies by widening its service offerings and providing enhanced media content to its mobile subscribers, and will broaden Phoenix’s new media content’s access to China mobile’s customer base, informs an official release.

China Mobile chairman and CEO Wang Jianzhou says, “Phoenix offers a unique set of content to the Chinese community globally. By leveraging Phoenix’s media content via our mobile platform, China Mobile will be well positioned to provide wireless multimedia services to our customers.”

Phoenix chairman and CEO Liu Changle adds, “The establishment of this new strategic alliance will provide an excellent opportunity for the further development of Phoenix’s new media business, and should have a very positive impact on Phoenix’s long-term commercial prospects, enabling Phoenix to distribute its content through China Mobile’s wireless platform and reach a broader market.”

Star Group CEO Michelle Guthrie says, “We believe that bringing in China Mobile as a shareholder and strategic partner will create incredible growth opportunities for Phoenix in the future. We look forward to our continued involvement in Phoenix as the company extends its content to the largest wireless customer base in the world.”

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial advisor to China Mobile. Merrill Lynch is acting as financial advisor to Star, according to the news release.

June 8, 2006
Outlook Group to co-publish ‘Insight Travel Guides’ for Indian market

MUMBAI: The Outlook Publishing Group and APA Publications of Singapore have entered into a co-publishing agreement to publish the Insight range of international travel guides for the Indian market.

The Insight Guide series, established in 1970 and known for their photography and incisive text, will be priced by Outlook for the Indian market, thus enabling outbound Indian travellers to buy practical and easy-to-use travel guides and plan their journey according to their own needs.

The range of international titles will be selected by Outlook Publishing, based on the travel destinations most frequented by Indian travellers. In the first year, more than 30 international titles are expected to be introduced into the Indian market under the Outlook Traveller series. The guides will cover both countries and cities. The first few titles of the new Outlook Travel Guides series are likely to hit bookshops by July this year.

APA Publications managing director Jeremy Westwood said, “I am truly delighted that APA has formed this association with Outlook Publishing. Thanks to Outlook’s excellent and wide ranging sales and marketing operations throughout India, our guidebooks will now reach the widest possible audience in the fast growing Indian market. In their own publishing Outlook shows the same dedication to quality that has always been a feature of Insight, and that makes Outlook the perfect partner for this co- publishing venture.”

Outlook Group publisher Mahesh Peri added, “By offering the more than seven million outbound travellers, growing at more than 12 per cent each year, travel guides with great content at prices which are within the reach of Indians and not dollar denominated, the Outlook Group hopes to help nurture Indian travellers who are better informed when they visit foreign destinations.”

Outlook Group also publishes Outlook Traveller and Outlook Traveller Getaways series.

June 8, 2006
Mid-Day Radio Go 92.5 relaunches as Radio One 92.5

MUMBAI: Radio Mid-Day Go 92.5 FM has undergone a change in its brand identity as well as positioning of the FM channel. From a niche player, Go 92.5 FM is set to create a mark as a mass player. Towards that end the station has undergone a name change to Radio One.

Radio One is a Mid-Day Multimedia and BBC Worldwide venture.

Earlier this year, BBC Worldwide Holdings B.V. entered into a deal with Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd to invest Rs 318.5 million for a 20 per cent stake in Radio Mid Day West (India) Pvt Ltd.The venture has bagged licenses to operate FM stations in Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune. While the Mumbai station is operational, other metros like Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi will go on air in the next few months.

Interestingly, one of the radio brands from the BBC Worldwide stable is called BBC Radio 1. BBC Radio Service also runs BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Five Live in the UK.

BBC Radio 1 specialises in popular music and targets the 16-24 age bracket. It was launched in September 1967.

“With Radio Mid-Day becoming a national player in seven major metros around the country, it was only natural that we would evolve what we were doing in Mumbai into what is going to be a robust national play,” says Radio Midday CEO Rajesh Tahil.

“As a single city player, being niche made sense, but a national presence gives us the opportunity to go back to the drawing board and look at opportunities to shed our niche image and broaden our markets, both in terms of audience and revenue,” Tahil adds.

Commenting on the opportunities that the Phase II licensing allows for the growth of private FM in India Tahil adds, “For both Mid-Day Multimedia and the BBC, being a significant national radio player is of great strategic significance.”

Radio Mid-Day and operating head of the Mumbai station Radio One Shariq Patel said, “We have tested the new format and have seen a healthy improvement in numbers from our own internal tracking. With FM becoming a truly mass medium, we’re on our way to building a mass brand.”

The company has also brought about a change in its programming strategy. According to a statement issued today, the change in programming for the Mumbai station will be the first big change in the play-out of the national brand through which Radio Mid-Day aims to become the number one station in the cities it transmits.

“The new radio station will still have the flavour of Go and the essence of what the brand stood for, which is fun, energy and exuberance reflecting the city of Mumbai. This will all remain though the language and the context changes a little,” says Radio Mid-Day VP programming and brand Vishnu Athreya. “For us, music and Bollywood are an integral part of the programming mix. Hindi music itself has come a long way and the attitude that Abhishek Bachchan reflects in a new Bollywood film or the fact that Himesh Reshammiya queues up playlists at a club shows us the new age of a changing audience.”

The company is also optimistic about the new format giving a boost to revenues. “As the market share (audience) of the radio station increases, we are certain the share of revenue will increase as well. Already we have seen interests from a wider list of advertisers that may not have considered us a necessity earlier,” Radio Mid-Day VP advertising sales Avinash Pillai, who has recently joined, concludes.

June 8, 2006
The 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant to premiere on ImaginAsian TV

MUMBAI: ImaginAsian TV has announced that it will premiere the 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant on 25 June.

ImaginAsian is a 24-hour Asian American television network.

Few weeks ago, ImaginAsian TV network along with Charter Communications, a broadband communications company, had sponsored the 18th Annual Miss Asia USA Pageant in California.

ImaginAsian TV SVP of programming and production David Chu said, “We are delighted to be able to telecast nationally for the first time the Miss Asia USA Pageant.

“This pageant is a fun event that not only showcases the talent and beauty of its participants, but also celebrates a mix of cultures with a dynamic line-up of musical and dance performances.”

“We were delighted to partner with ImaginAsian TV in sponsoring the Miss Asia USA Pageant and also producing this important programming,” said Charter’s Los Angeles systems VP and GM Wendy Rasmussen. “Charter serves some of the most vibrant Asian communities in Southern California and we are always looking for unique programming to meet their needs.”

With 28 participants representing countries within the Asian continent, the show was hosted by Rob Fukuzaki, KABC-TV Sports Anchor and Reshma Dordi, Miss L.A. India 1989.

The event was graced with celebrity judges including Bai Ling (Anna & The King; VH 1’s But Can They Sing?) and Benjamin Salisbury (The Nanny). Additionally, performances included R&B singer Natalise, Filipino American hip-hop act The Basco Brothers, bellydancers the Bellytwins, as well as the Punjabside International Bhangra Team.

The Pageant will air at 5 pm (PT)/ 8 pm (ET), followed by a presentation at 10 pm (PT)/ 1 am (ET), respectively.

June 8, 2006
Global Crossing enables video streaming of Fifa World Cup for Swedish ISP

MUMBAI: Global Crossing which provides telecommunications solutions has successfully delivered high-speed, 10-Gbps IP Transit Service to IP-Only Telecommunications. The latter is a Swedish Internet service provider that is streaming video of the 2006 Fifa World Cup matches.

Anticipating additional strength in demand for IP services in the Nordic region, Global Crossing recently installed new 10-Gbps-capable routers in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. As a result, the company was able to provide the requested service quickly, with IP-Only becoming the first customer connected via the new router in Stockholm.

IP-Only CEO Svante Jurnell says, “We have several of the largest Swedish Internet sites running over our network. It was important for us to get this service installed in time for the June 9th start of the World Cup. We are very happy that Global Crossing was able to meet our need.”

Even though thousands of despairing Swedish fans had to witness their team face defeat at the hands of Germany, the service provided by IP-Only enabled football fans to view the knock-out matches, leading to the final between France and Italy on 9 July 2006.

Global Crossing has 10-Gbps capacity at its IP nodes in Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris and London. The Madrid router and the second routers at Amsterdam and Frankfurt will be commissioned shortly. The company’s Scandinavian ring was also recently upgraded with multiple 10-Gbps wavelengths.

Global Crossing MD Europe Pieter Duijves says, “Europe is a key part of our global strategy, and we’re investing in on our rapidly growing carrier data business in the Nordics by upgrading our transport backbone and the capacity of core IP network.

“Through our network, IP-Only’s service is allowing Swedish viewers abroad the thrill of watching their team play on Swedish Internet sites. Data-intensive applications such as this play to our strengths as a leading provider of
high-capacity services in the region.”

This new capability forms part of an ongoing European network expansion programme. In recent months, additional IP points of presence have been commissioned in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Spain, and new points of presence were created in Italy and Russia. Network extensions connecting to the major exchanges in Moscow and Rome enable Global Crossing to offer its suite of voice and data products to carriers and enterprises in these cities.

June 8, 2006
Soccer World Cup: Casbaa kicks off anti-piracy campaign

MUMBAI: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) has once again urged the Hong Kong hospitality sector to boost legitimate entertainment and sports industries, and not engage in signal piracy.

As part of its long-term campaign, Casbaa and its members are seeking to further raise the consciousness of bars and clubs in Hong Kong that screening pay-TV services without legal subscriptions means they are operating outside of the law, states an official release.

With the launch of the Fifa World Cup soccer competition in sight this Friday, Casbaa has reminded some 300 bars and clubs that legal action can be taken against those who air unlicensed pay-television broadcasts that infringe copyrights and the Hong Kong Broadcasting Ordinance.

The 300 advisory letters to the bars and clubs, including private members clubs, note that pay-TV television signal theft is not to be tolerated by government or industry, the release adds.

Meanwhile, Casbaa commented that some progress is being made. During the past year, some bar owners have given undertakings to cease screening illegal TV broadcasts.

“We commend those who screen only legitimate pay television broadcasts,” says Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez. “And we continue to encourage bar-goers to contribute to Hong Kong’s economy by giving their patronage to businesses airing legal, Hong Kong-licensed TV services. Certainly we want the community to enjoy the World Cup, but to do so in a way that ensures adequate remuneration to Hong Kong’s service providers and the sports leagues who stage the games.”

Under Hong Kong law, bars and clubs may only display pay-TV channels, under an appropriate subscription from a Hong Kong licensed pay-TV operator such as i-Cable or now Television. Other pay-TV operators such as UBC of Thailand, MultiChoice of South Africa and Dream of the Philippines are not authorised to offer pay-TV subscriptions in Hong Kong.

June 8, 2006