ITV

Tag: Hong Kong

  • Star Plus kicks off ‘The Lucky Watch and Win contest’

    Star Plus kicks off ‘The Lucky Watch and Win contest’

    MUMBAI: Weeks after the launch of the new show Lucky, Star Plus is geared to kick start its on-air contest ‘The Lucky Watch and Win contest’.

    The contest question will be flashed during the show which airs every Saturday at 8 pm. Participants will be required to answer the question just SMS ‘Lucky’ to 7827 or log on to www.indya.com. One lucky winner stands to win a family trip (a trip for four) to Disneyland, Hong Kong, two weekly winners will win Xboxes and 100 goodie bags will be given out to 50 kids every week, for two weeks. The contest period is from 18 November – 2 December.

    The first question will be announced on 18 November, while the deadline for responses is 12 noon, 23 November. On 25 November, question 2 will be announced and the winner of question 1 will be placed on the scroll on air. The answers to the second question must be sent by 12 noon on 30 November. While on 2 December the winner of question 2 and one mega winner who has answered both the questions correctly will be randomly selected. The mega winner’s name will be announced on the slate and the weekly winner on the scroll.

    In addition, this on-air contest will be complimented with a school contact programme across Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Lucknow. This school contact programme will be activated in 2000 schools across the same seven cities including. Children across these schools will get a chance to play games and win Star merchandise.

  • China Mobile, Star TV in wireless music service tie-up

    China Mobile, Star TV in wireless music service tie-up

    MUMBAI: Star TV, has agreed to provide Chinese music content to China Mobile,asserts an official release.
    According to the statement, China Mobile will offer Channel V Chinese original music on its wireless service platform, which will permit interactive voting for the music programs as well as downloads.

    It is the first project since two companies announced a strategic partnership in June, adds the release.

    China Mobile is a mobile operator headquartered in Hong Kong and operating in the mainland China. The company provides various voice-related services and virtual private mobile network services to its corporate customers.

    Satellite Television for the Asian Region (Star Tv) is an Asian TV service owned by News Corporation. It is based in Hong Kong, with programming offices in India and Australia,and other Asian countries.

  • AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    AXN goes mobile to spread the buzz

    MUMBAI: The mobile is increasingly becoming a way for channels to reach their consumers. A case in point is the action oriented AXN.

    AXN Mobile, a mobile Wap entertainment portal by AXN, is ready to be launched in Asia and will be available to consumers from early November 2006.

    Now viewers acros Asia will not only get to catch high-octane action and adventure programmes on TV; supplement their programme knowledge and have fun with games and contests via the website; live the AXN lifestyle by participating in specially formatted made-for-TV challenge-reality shows… but to top it all off, AXN Mobile is now available to continue providing the AXN buzz while on the move – giving consumers an adrenaline-charged “power snack bar” to get them freshened up for their next appointment.

    Through the mobile AXN is looking to catch viewers whether they are on a lunch or coffee break from work, commuting on public transport to meet friends, or soaking their stress away in the Jacuzzi.

    AXN Mobile offers exclusive streaming video on demand (SVOD) services and downloadable personalisation products such as ringtones and wallpapers from the channel’s flagship programmes that have garnered a huge loyal following around the region.

    In Singapore and Malaysia, AXN has expanded its partnership with affiliates like StarHub to carry the mobile products on their platform and with Astro to distribute AXN mobile to major telcos. In the Philippines, AXN has partnered with Smart Communications. Direct deals with major telcom firms are also in negotiation in Hong Kong and Taiwan, which will be announced at a later date.

    The channel says that a clear differentiation about AXN Mobile, is the exclusive made-for-mobile contents offered to consumers, in an effort to ensure the desirability and relevance of AXN Mobile. Unlike other mobile TV services that are mostly an extension of the TV contents (like news updates or the linear channel service), AXN offers a library of video clips from its stable of signature shows that are specially produced for streaming via mobile.

    AXN Mobile will be available in various Asia markets in early November, in conjunction with the much-awaited premiere of AXN’s biggest original production – The Amazing Race Asia. Special made-for-mobile contents have been created that will allow viewers of The Amazing Race Asia to supplement their knowledge of the show – like host Allan Wu’s Host Video Diary, where he shares his thoughts at the end of each race day; interviews with eliminated teams on their reflection of what may have caused their elimination and their thoughts on which team they believe will emerge victorious.

    In the final stages of the race, viewers can also download clips of interviews with the remaining teams after every episode to see what would be each team’s strategy going into the next leg of the race. These videos will serve to “whet the appetite” of viewers as they wait in anticipation for the next episode. Of course, there will also be the ever-popular “unseen footages” or “behind-the-scene” shots of the funny moments, big arguments or even too-hot-for-TV catfights…

    Similar offerings from other shows like Mondo Magic Singapore and The Contender are also in the pipeline, as well as a special segment known as AXN Moments featuring great moments of fun, courage, and laughter from some of the best daredevil record-breaking challenges from AXN original productions and events.

    SPE Networks Asia GM Ricky Ow says, “AXN has always been a leading trendsetter, being the first action and adventure channel, the first to bring the reality craze to Asia, the first in Asia to take on such a mega scale production like The Amazing Race Asia. And now we will also be the first to provide a true-blue entertainment WAP portal that allows our viewers to have a seamless, well-rounded, enriching entertainment experience that complements their TV viewing.

    “Mobile technology is very much a part of our viewers’ lifestyle, our core audience being the working executives and professionals. With the rapid advancement and pick-up of mobile technology in Asia, we feel that it is the right time to venture into mobile TV, and I am confident that our viewers will appreciate the unique content offerings we have.”

  • Damian Grammaticas new South Asia correspondent for BBC News

    Damian Grammaticas new South Asia correspondent for BBC News

    MUMBAI: BBC News has appointed Damian Grammaticas to the post of South Asia correspondent, based in the BBC’s hub bureau in Delhi. A well-known journalist with over a decade’s experience reporting for the BBC from various parts of the world, Grammaticas will be reporting on news stories from South Asia across BBC World television, BBC World Service radio and the BBC News website, according to an official statement.

    BBC south Asia bureau editor Paul Danahar says: “At a time when India, and indeed South Asia, is holding focus on the global stage, the BBC is committed to its role, as the world’s leading broadcaster, to report on the developments in the region to the rest of the world. Damian is an experienced journalist. His sensitivity and understanding of local perspectives has always reflected in his reportage. I am very pleased that he is joining the South Asia bureau. His insightful reporting will add to the BBC’s newsgathering strengths in this region.”

    Damian Grammaticas adds: “This is an exciting time to be reporting on South Asia. Some of the most important stories of our day are concentrated here – be it India’s rise as a future global giant, or the struggle to control international terrorism, or the enormous changes brought by the region’s economic development. Reflecting the intricacies of these events, and the millions of individual, human stories they entail, is my challenge. It’s my privilege to be a witness to such important times.”

    In his previous assignment as the BBC’s Moscow correspondent, he has reported extensively from the countries of the former Soviet Union. He fronted the BBC’s coverage of the important news events such as the ‘Orange’ revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, the conflict in Chechnya, the resurgence of Russia under president Putin, the lasting effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and the tragic Beslan school siege.

    Prior to that, he was the BBC’s Hong Kong correspondent, when he covered stories from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia and the Philippines, including the Philippines revolution that overthrew president Joseph Estrada, the deposing of president Abdurrahman Wahid in Indonesia, the Bali bombings, and the brewing crisis over North Korea’s nuclear programme.

    He was also involved in the BBC’s reportage of the war in Afghanistan, including the battle at Tora Bora in 2001, and the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. He has also done short stints of reporting from Israel and Washington, informs the release.

  • Motorola, PCCW launch mobile TV technical trial in Hong Kong

    Motorola, PCCW launch mobile TV technical trial in Hong Kong

    MUMBAI: MKobvile communications service provider Motorola has announced an agreement with Hong Kong’s telecom service provider PCCW.

    The two parties will conduct a six-month technical trial using Motorola’s end-to-end mobile TV system in Hong Kong.

    The trial will run till March 2007 within Hong Kong’s Quarry Bay district and will include Motorola DVB-H enabled mobile devices, network solutions and interactive services platform. During the course of the trial, PCCW will evaluate the technical capabilities and the operational performance of DVB-H in Hong Kong.

    Motorola Asia Pacific president Simon Leung says, “Mobile TV is the next generation of mobile video entertainment experiences and this trial is an important step forward in bringing this experience to consumers.

    “We are pleased to work together with PCCW to support their efforts and hope to see these services based on our solutions to become commercially available for Hong Kong subscribers soon after the technical trial.”

    Motorola says that it is committed to delivering the ultimate mobile video entertainment experiences to consumers — and part of that vision is mobile TV. By leveraging its expertise across mobile and video, it is bringing new mobile TV enabled handsets and solutions to our partners and wireless operator customers around the globe.

    Motorola says that it is actively driving development efforts in global mobile broadcast standards such as DVB-H and WiMAX and working with members of the cellular and mobile broadcast value chain to bring next generation services to market even faster for consumers.

  • CNN in mobile initiative in Hong Kong

    CNN in mobile initiative in Hong Kong

    MUMBAI: CNN International has been made available for the first time as a live stream 24 hours a day to Hong Kong mobile phone users. Tapping strategic partner PCCW’s new service “now on mobile”, subscribers can access CNN’s breaking news as it happens directly on their phones or other handheld devices.

    Turner International Asia Pacific VP wireless development Ringo Chan says, “This exciting extension of our partnership with PCCW represents the latest Turner initiative to roll out innovative wireless services in Asia Pacific. We continue to pioneer interactive products across the region and this launch further cements Turner Broadcasting’s corporate alliance with PCCW, one that now encompasses mobile and IPTV services”.

    In addition to the live CNN stream, four hours of Cartoon Network’s original programming block will be looped to provide service 24 hours a day via “now on mobile” to PCCW mobile subscribers. CNN International’s live stream made an inaugural launch in Asia in July through a deal with Korea’s largest telecommunication company SK Telecom, while other Asian markets are to be targeted in the coming months.

    CNN Mobile is CNN International’s service for mobile devices. Launched in 1999, it was the first mobile telephone news and information service available globally with targeted regional content. The service delivers CNN news content to mobile phones in a wide of formats.

  • Reliance Communications’ Falcon Cable System becomes operational

    Reliance Communications’ Falcon Cable System becomes operational

    MUMBAI: Reliance Communications owned Falcon Undersea Cable System has started its operational from today unleashing international bandwidth between India, Middle East and Europe.

    The Flag Telecom Global Network would be the world’s largest undersea cable system covering 65,000 route kms, with the launch of Falcon. The current bandwidth on India-Europe route is controlled by VSNL and Bharti.

    “Falcon will have an equally powerful impact on the economic front, driving higher levels of trade, commerce and global integration,” Reliance ADA chairman Anil Ambani said.

    The vision at Reliance ADA group is to ‘give millions of ordinary people across the world the means to realize their dreams, the power to shape their destiny, the chance to fulfill their true and diverse potential,” Ambani added.

    The Flag Global Network bridges the distance between 35 diverse developed and developing economies, connecting the global economic hubs in USA, UK, Germany, France, Middle East, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan to name a few.

    The Company’s Flag is the first global network of this scale to provide integrated connectivity on one seamless network to the three highest growing regions; India, Middle East and China; in terms of international bandwidth demand.

  • Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    Mobily launches 3.5G wireless technology globally

    MUMBAI: Saudi Arabia mobile operator Mobily has announced the offer of its 3G services internationally. Mobily subscribers will be able to make video calls to UAE, Italy, Hong Kong, Luxemburg and Australia using the technology of 3G or 3.5G. Mobily has just completed its own 3.5G network which covers 15 cities in Saudi Arabia, consisting more than 900 base stations.

    Subscribers will also be able to watch TV channels live on 3.5G. These include Alarabiyah channel, CNBC Arabiya channel, Saudi TV, Space Toon and others. Mobily says that it is offering a very competitive rate compared to other operators. The cost of video telephony is 0.80 halalas per minute for postpaid subscribers, whereas a minute cost one riyal when using the TV streaming. Mobily does not demand any monthly fees for all the third generation services.

    Media reports indicate that the 3.5G service will also allow for multiplayer gaming. Most of the 3.5G (HSDPA) services require 2G and 3.5G phone handsets, except for the video calling which works only on 3G handsets. One of the excellent services the 3.5G will provide is the access to the internet with 3G speed from laptop using the mobile as a modem. The setting of the internet will not be different from 2G web setting. The speed exceeds four mega per second for download.

  • Animax expands its presence in Hong Kong on Cable TV

    Animax expands its presence in Hong Kong on Cable TV

    MUMBAI: Animax has expanded its presence on major cable platform, Cable TC to make Animax more accessible to Hong Kong viewers as part of the channel’s ongoing efforts to reach its target youth audience. Starting 10 August, Animax moves to the basic tier on Cable TV, increasing its target demographic reach.

    The channel will be moving from an á la carte basis to the basic tier on Cable TV to allow all Cable TV viewers full access to Animax offerings, and increase the accessibility for Animax’s target demographic of youths and young adults to view the channel’s programmes.

    Animax on Cable TV’s basic tier will continue to provide a customised feed, offering both Cantonese dubbing and the original Japanese language for selected programmes.

    Hong Kong viewers can expect to see more anime programmes in the coming months such as Paradise Kiss, Blood+ and Girl From Hell, and a host of anime-inspired activities that encompass fashion and music in the pipeline.

    “We are delighted to be able to work with an outstanding partner such as Cable TV to offer to Hong Kong viewers an ultimate anime lifestyle experience both on and off screen. With Animax being available on the basic tier of Cable TV, more Hong Kong viewers will get to experience the latest anime entertainment and the coolest ‘out-of-the-box’ activities Animax has to offer,” said Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Networks – Asia vice president finance, distribution and operations Ang Hui Keng.

    Hong Kong Cable Television Limited executive director Benjamin Tong said, “Cable TV is pleased to announce that Animax will be one of our basic channels on our programming platform from 10 August, 2006. This new arrangement is definitely good news to our basic subscribers, especially the youths and young adults,” Tong added.

  • Asia-Pacific leads IPTV growth: In-Sat research

    Asia-Pacific leads IPTV growth: In-Sat research

    MUMBAI: The Asia/Pacific region is leading the global revolution of IPTV in infrastructure deployments, applications development and subscriber adoption, reports global research firm In-Stat. The study reveals that the region’s broadband penetration and regulatory support help to foster the fastest-growing IPTV market in the world.

    “With IPTV, incumbent telcos have the opportunity to fundamentally change their broadband customers’ video service experience from the traditional video clip streaming and downloading model,” says In-Stat analyst Bryan Wang. “IPTV is expected to be the real killer application in the telcos’ broadband services portfolio that will increase ARPU and preserve user stickiness.”

    A recent report by In-Stat found the following:

    — By 2011, the Asia/Pacific market is expected to reach 39 million IPTV subscribers.

    — Total IPTV revenue in the region will reach US$8.1 billion by 2011.

    — Providers will need to find a unique approach to packaging and bundling in order to attract customers and maintain a competitive edge. As a result, most IPTV service providers have strategically integrated services in their triple-play bundled offerings.

    The research, “Asia/Pacific IPTV Market: Hype and Hope?”, covers the market for IPTV in the Asia/Pacific region. It contains forecasts for IPTV subscribers for the region and by major national markets, along with revenue for the region through 2011. It includes analysis of market drivers, challenges, and the regulatory environment. Also included is a look at specific conditions in major regional markets including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, states an official release.