ITV

Tag: Hong Kong

  • Star to decide on uplinking plan by next weekend

    Star to decide on uplinking plan by next weekend

    The recent decision taken by the government to allow broadcasters to uplink directly from India seems to have caught the fancy of almost all the television channels and most of them might be thinking about uplinking form India.

    Not to be left behind, officials at Star will be meeting through next week to decide about uplinking from India. According to a Star spokesperson, if the policy is there, they would definitely take a look at it. He also said that they might take some decision regarding this issue by next weekend.

    Asked whether Star’s content partner for Star News, NDTV, would be applying for an uplinking license, because it might be left behind in terms of live coverage of news by rival news channel Zee News, the spokesperson said that NDTV is using VSNL’s uplinking facilities and the time difference between uplinking directly form India and from Hong Kong is hardly be 2 to 3 minutes.

    It can be mentioned that Star has its own uplinking hub in Clearwater Bay – Hong Kong form where it uplinks all its channels. This gives the group economies of scale as it uplinks its entire bouquet from there.

  • Synovate announces global media research services expansion

    Synovate announces global media research services expansion

    MUMBAI: Leading global research firm Synovate has announced an expansion of its media research services. The new global group will be based in London and led by Steve Garton, currently director, Media Research for Synovate in Asia Pacific.

    Global CEO for Synovate, Adrian Chedore, said that the move recognised media owners and media specialists need international solutions and best practices. “Many of our media clients are global and, by mirroring their operations, Synovate will be better able to meet and anticipate their needs.

    “Media audiences are changing at a spectacular speed, so this move will keep us across the fundamental shifts that are now occurring across the world, principally due to digitisation and the range of choices consumers now have.”This expansion of our services also reflects the importance Synovate places on media research – we are committed to quality and committed to providing innovative thinking to help meet the needs of our clients,” he said.

    Garton has been in charge of the Synovate PAX media surveys for the past four years. These studies are now running in 19 markets across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, where they have become the currency for upscale audiences in two of the world’s fastest growing regions. In addition, he has introduced a range of syndicated and customised media surveys to meet clients’ requirements, states an official release.

    The media team has been further boosted with the appointment of Craig Harvey in the role of director, Media Research – Asia Pacific. Mr Harvey joined Synovate on 3 July 2006 and is responsible for Synovate PAX in the region, as well as the continued development of the Synovate Media Atlas survey and ad hoc studies, the release adds.

    Reporting to Garton and based in Hong Kong, Harvey was most recently with Publicis Groupe Media as regional director of Consumer Insights. In the past, he has held a variety of media roles with CVSC-Sofres Media, Starcom Media and Granada Media.

  • KyLinTV signs Woman TV to provide Chinese fare via IPTV

    KyLinTV signs Woman TV to provide Chinese fare via IPTV

    MUMBAI: KyLinTV, which provides Chinese programming in North America, has signed on Woman TV via IPTV to give viewers a taste of the largest selection of Chinese entertainment in North America: 26 live broadcast channels and a vast video library that offers subscribers more than 20,000 hours of choice. Woman TV is the first channel in China catered specifically to women.

    Woman TV was launched in March of 1999, and is the only broadcast channel in China completely devoted to women. With content that covers topics from education, occupation, fashion and family to stories about famous female figures, Woman TV has programs for all types of women. It serves as a platform to let the public know what women need, states an official release.

    Prominent programs include a talk show program that tackles everyday issues that men and women face in their relationships, Formula-E is hosted by Li Jing and Dai Jun. Other shows are Pretty Women, a show devoted to the latest fashion styles and trends with up-to-date information from fashion experts, Stories of Women, an in-depth documentary program featuring stories on the lives of women who have persisted and fought to overcome hardships, coming out stronger on the other end.

    KyLinTV subscribers will have direct access to the most popular broadcasts from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In addition, KyLinTV will broadcast US Chinese channels with programs produced exclusively for North American consumers.

    Viewers can tune in to live broadcast channels on KyLinTV and watch the programs as they air. If they miss the program they wanted to watch, subscribers have the option of using the broadcast channel companion which preserves the lineup of news and entertainment programs for 24 hours, and is a feature that is unique to KyLinTV. In addition, KyLinTV subscribers can take advantage of the broadcast channel on demand, an exclusive library of the most popular programs from that channel.

  • CNN scores with air travelers

    CNN scores with air travelers

    CNN International has another set of numbers to thump its chest about. The International Air Travelers survey (IATS Asia 7) – conducted by the European Data & Research Ltd (EDR) between March and April 2000 in the international departure/gate areas of ten major airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei – has revealed that CNN reaches more than twice the number of international air travelers than its nearest rival the Beeb.

    The survey shows that CNNI reaches 37 per cent of international air travelers on a weekly basis as against BBC World’s 19 per cent and CNBC Asia’s 15.4 per cent. IATS Asia 7 also confirmed that CNN International reaches 50 per cent of all senior business executives surveyed, the CNN press release states.

    “This is a very positive result for CNN International. (It) endorse(s) our investment in regionalisation, which has meant a significant amount of extra spending to increase the localized content available to our viewers, ” says CNN International managing editor, Asia Pacific Bill Baggitt.

  • Discovery most watched channel in Asia among movers & shakers: Pax survey

    Discovery most watched channel in Asia among movers & shakers: Pax survey

    MUMBAI: Discovery is the number one regional cable and satellite channel in Asia for the ninth consecutive year for past month, past week and yesterday viewership, according to the latest quarterly Pan-Asian Cross Media Study (Pax) conducted by Synovate.

    The survey is conducted across eleven key markets including India, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. It measures the media habits of Asia’s wealthiest urban individuals aged 25-64 covering a universe of 14 million viewers.

    In the survey, Discovery takes the lead position as the most watched regional TV channel amongst Business Decision Makers (BDMs), Professional, Manager, Executive, Business Men (PMEBs) and high net worth individuals. The channel also reaches 30 per cent of the top management viewers on a weekly basis.

    In addition, Discovery attracts the most viewers during primetime amongst all regional channels, has the highest frequent viewers and catches the most audience from 12 pm to 6 am.

    Discovery Asia senior VP marketing and communications Kevin Dickie said, “These results attest to the value cable subscribers place on Discovery Channel, recognising it as a network that continues to deliver high quality real-world entertainment for the ninth consecutive year.

    “We are committed to provide the most compelling factual and lifestyle content that appeals to our target audience, and remain a strong proposition for both our affiliate partners and advertisers.”From a network perspective, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Travel & Living have increased Discovery Networks Asia’s share of the market by 2.7 per cent , with each channel increasing reach by two per cent in tracked markets. Moreover, all three channels rank within the top 10 amongst high net worth individuals, females and frequent viewers.

  • Disney Princess collection shines bright at Asian Licensing Awards 2006

    Disney Princess collection shines bright at Asian Licensing Awards 2006

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company’s Princess collection received the Best License (Entertainment) award 2006, at the Hong Kong Trade Development Third Asian Licensing Awards.

    Disney Princess is a comprehensive collection of girls’ entertainment and products including toys, apparels, personal care and electronic goods featuring Disney’s heroines – Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. The Princess range creates a fantasy world filled with magic, romance and dreams to capture the hearts and minds of consumers.

    “The Walt Disney Company is extremely honored to receive this recognition. At Disney Consumer Products, it’s all about the product. Great products and great marketing are one and the same. Disney Princess is the fastest growing Disney Consumer Products brand in worldwide retail sales for the past two years. This award further strengthens the Disney brand and our franchise management approach,” said The Walt Disney Company (Asia Pacific) Limited vice president – Asia Pacific, emerging markets, retail sales and marketing Ken Chaplin.

    Since the franchise was created in 1999, the Disney Princess range has gone on to achieve over $3 billion in retail sales globally and the Princesses enjoy popularity across the region.

    “Our vision is to engage and connect to the consumers through creativity and product innovation. We look at each of our characters or sets of characters, or franchises and consider them businesses unto themselves. At their heart is creativity, creating connections and building awareness for Walt Disney as an entertainment brand for all ages,” said Chaplin.

  • MTV Asia to hold first movie awards show in October

    MTV Asia to hold first movie awards show in October

    MBAI: MTV Asia will roll out the red carpet and welcome the biggest stars of Asian and international movies when it stages its first movie awards show on 7 October 2006 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

    As part of the creative vision of the event, the iconic Southeast Asian performance venue will be fitted-out in true Hollywood glitz and glamour to accommodate the star-studded night and will set the tone for a night of awards, superstar presenters, musical tributes and celebrity antics.

    As is the case with the US show the MTV Asia Movie Awards will take a unique twist to ‘traditional’ movie kudofests by offering off-the-wall categories appealing to MTV’s audience such as “Best Kiss” and “Best Fight” filling out the list of golden popcorn trophies awarded on the night.

    The awards will also feature live performances from international and regional acts, making the event a blend of movie glamour and popular music.

    MTV notes that Asian stars, directors and films are increasingly captivating the global movie buffs. The show will feature the biggest names from Hollywood to Bollywood. Industry A-listers from India, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore will share the spotlight with international headline-grabbing celebrities who top the list of nominees, presenters and attendees taking part in the MTV Asia Movie Awards.

    MTV executive VP creative David Flack says, “The MTV Asia Movie Awards will give a unique spin to the only telecast hailed as the wackiest awards show around. With so many Asian filmmakers, stars and movies impacting global pop culture, there has never been a better time for MTV to celebrate and highlight the Asian Movie Industry with its unique sense of fun and humour.”

    The MTV Asia Movie Awards will be staged under the US$50 million strategic alliance formalised between MTV Asia and the Singapore Tourism Board in February 2006. Singapore will host 17 MTV and Nickelodeon events under the alliance; the first MTV Fashionably Loud event featured Placebo in March, with Coldplay performing at the upcoming MTV Centrestage in July.

  • India to hit top IPTV slot in Asia Pacific by 2015: Kagan Research

    India to hit top IPTV slot in Asia Pacific by 2015: Kagan Research

    SINGAPORE: So what if IPTV is still taking baby steps in India? Come 2015 and India is going to be the third most happening market for IPTV in the Asia Pacific region in terms of the number of households that will have the service, just behind China and Japan, according to projections by Kagan Research.

    What’s more, the total pay-TV revenues forecast are expected to grow from $13.1 billion in 2004 in the Asia Pacific region to an estimated $38.0 billion in 2015. On the other hand, IPTV revenue share will rise from 0.7 per cent in 2004 to 12.9 per cent in 2015. With this, telcos will capture a significant portion of Asia Pacific total pay-TV revenues.

    At present, IPTV has been launched or is in the trial stages in the following countries in the Asia Pacific region: China (trial), Hong Kong, India (trial), Indonesia, Japan, Korea (trial), Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore (trial), Taiwan and Thailand (trial). In the countries, where IPTV is on a trial basis, operators are either running a trial in selected markets or lobbying respective regulators to lift their grip on pay TV licensing. 

    Some of the key considerations when planning a ‘Pay TV Service’ are: ‘Pay’ factor – who, how much, subsidies; ‘TV’ factor- programs, user experience, positioning, potential revenue stream; ‘Service’ factor- look and feel of service and customer service. 

    In terms of the content strategy, some of the trends in IPTV that can be followed in Asia are: 

    • Start with satellite turnaround signals which already have an Asian footprint as these require little inhouse programming expertise.

    • Invest in brand-name channels to build critical mass and position as a ‘complementary’ and not ‘substitute’ service to traditional PayTV.

    • In-house content department and capabilities give operators the edge, e.g. self-programmed channels, marketing, licensing and legal expertise.

    • Local content/ self-programming are essential for competing with traditional Pay TV operators.

    • PVR/ TiVo has started in Taiwan and Australia on traditional Pay TV platform.

  • China Mobile buys 19.9% of Phoenix from Star Group

    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.

  • Soccer World Cup: Casbaa kicks off anti-piracy campaign

    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.