ITV

Tag: StarHub

  • Peter Jackson of AsiaSat wins Casbaa chairman’s award

    Peter Jackson of AsiaSat wins Casbaa chairman’s award

    MUMBAI: AsiaSat satellite system operator CEO Peter Jackson has been awarded with the Casbaa chairman’s award 2006 for outstanding contribution to the Asia Pacific multi-channel cable, satellite and broadband pay-TV industries in the previous 12 months.

    Jackson has been a member of Casbaa for almost all of the association’s 15 year history and a member of the board of directors for seven years.

    The Casbaa chairman’s award 2006 was presented at the conclusion of the Casbaa TV advertising awards held on the final day of the Casbaa Convention 2006 in Hong Kong.

    Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez said, “With his pan-regional responsibilities and a background in telecommunications, Peter has developed an almost unique understanding of media and telecoms issues which has hugely benefited our industry and the association.”

    The formal citation for Jackson’s award reads, “In recognition of Peter Jackson’s unparalleled professionalism and integrity in one of the most competitive sectors within our industry and his ongoing commitment to the association.”

    “Beyond that, Peter’s contribution’s to the association as a board member and the leading representative of the satellite sector has helped enormously to create the credible industry voice that we are today,” added Fenez.

    Jackson said, “I am honoured to receive this award. But the honour is as much for the team at AsiaSat as it is for me. I also think the award is an endorsement of the general achievements of Casbaa itself in the years that I have been involved. “

    Prior to joining the listed AsiaSat as CEO in 1993, Jackson was the regional director, Asia Pacific of cable & wireless, which he joined in 1970 with responsibilities for several satellite telecom ventures around the region. He has also worked in the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates and China.

    The other nominees for the 2006 Casbaa chairman’s award were:

    HBO
    For the launch (and marketing) of the new HBO multiplexes which maintain programming quality whilst adding to customer choice and ease of proposition understanding.

    Nokia
    For the promotion of the DVB-supported DVB-H standard and its efforts to generate a greater understating of the mobile TV opportunity to both mobile platform operators and content providers.

    PCCW – NOW TV
    For the continued expansion of its subscriber base and the proactive marketing of a secure and advanced pay-TV platform with a growing interactive capability.

    Star TV
    For establishing a broad range of tailored channels, to cater to specific needs (such as South India programming). The network has also demonstrated a deep understanding of the industry’s future, both on-air and into platforms such as mobile. And STAR TV has been a leader in branded content.

    Starhub
    For aggressively expanded its channel line-up and invested in enhancing and marketing its services. The total number of channels has increased to 94. Starhub recently introduced a digital video recorder set-top box; launched pay per view service, FlexiWatch – engaged in an HD trial; and, launched a new brand campaign ‘For the life that I love, I am a hub’ to drive subscription.

    Marketing Magazine (Singapore)
    In recognition of its excellent work in promoting the delivery of key demographics by cable and satellite channels to advertisers.

  • i-Pop propels AXN’s move from TV to mobile

    i-Pop propels AXN’s move from TV to mobile

    MUMBAI: Asian mobile media services firm i-Pop will kick off the inauguration of action adventure network AXN Asia’s mobile interactive WAP site wap.axn-asia.com.

    The mobile launch is in conjunction with the debut of AXN’s biggest original production in Asia – The Amazing Race Asia between 9-14 November. The series will be broadcast across Asia through AXN’s four programming feeds.

    i-Pop has been appointed to develop and manage an interactive, user-friendly mobile Wap site that will further bridge AXN’s on-air offerings with its viewers. The mobile platform will immerse viewers through value-added interactivity of their award-winning series and original productions, allowing them to have a seamless, well-rounded, enriching entertainment experience that complements their TV viewing.

    i-Ppop says that it will play a key role in facilitating the network’s tri-media approach of on-air, online and mobile platforms in promoting the key properties of AXN. The SMS entry mechanism enables content downloads and on-air contests to be accessed via the ease of a mobile phone. The aim is to optimise viewer participation and create greater synergies in the branding prowess of AXN as well as its advertisers, through integrated campaigns that will enhance viewer experience.

    Jointly working with telecommunication and cable operators in the various regions – Starhub (Singapore), Astro (Malaysia), Smart (Philippines) and other major operators in Hong Kong, i-Pop spearheaded the Phase One launch of AXN Mobile that will allow viewers to download funky ringtones and wallpapers at AXN mobile storefront.

    Fans of the The Amazing Race Asia can also subscribe to a video streaming service for interviews and clips from the latest episodes. Viewers can also expect MMS content, mobile gaming and other services to be made available in more countries in the coming months.

    iPop executive VP Colin Miles says, “i-Pop has had four years of front line experience working strategically with the topmost media brands in Asia to effectively enable mobile integration across all their key touch points. We are delighted to support AXN’s suitably adventurous approach, grasping the challenge and setting a strong direction to utilise mobile in a truly connected way for their viewers across the region. i-Pop is proud to be able to work with this leading network in delivering dynamic rich media content to its mobile viewers”.

    Mobile phone content, such as music, gaming and video, is forecast to reach $43 billion in sales worldwide by 2010, according to a report by research firm iSuppli Corp. Media organisations are now seeing the significant value and a new source of revenue in applying mobile media services to their brand output and viewer relationships. Even the most casual viewer cannot fail to see SMS interactions and mobile contest being widely propagated across both terrestrial TV stations and cable networks.

  • 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.”

  • Star Chinese Channel to debut SPTI’s Game Show Format

    Star Chinese Channel to debut SPTI’s Game Show Format

    MUMBAI: Singapore cable TV audiences will soon be able to enjoy Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) unscripted game show format Blackjack Bowling on Star Chinese Channel, a popular entertainment channel in Taiwan.

    Called Lucky Star and hosted by well-known TV personality Hu Gua, the game show’s premiere is on the back of Star Chinese Channel’s launch on StarHub on 2 October, 2006, and marks the first broadcast of the game show outside Taiwan.

    The channel will broadcast 130 episodes of the first season of Lucky Star in Singapore. When the channel first launched Lucky Star in Taiwan in June 2005, it registered an audience of 6.6 million, and a 31-percent reach in viewership in the first three months. Since then, it has consistently been ranked among the top three most watched game shows on pay TV channels in Taiwan.

    The success of the first season led Star to license 212 episodes in the second season.

    Blackjack Bowling is the only show of its kind that combines two of the world’s favorite pastimes – blackjack and bowling. Just as the two simple elements of the roulette wheel and hangman were combined to create Wheel Of Fortune, SPTI united two activities that are popular throughout the world. Blackjack Bowling’s format is flexible and can be played in either a 30-minute or 60-minute format.

  • SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax

    SPE Networks Asia introduces structural changes at AXN & Animax

    MUMBAI: The two channels from the SPE Networks Asia stable, AXN Asia and Animax Asia have undergone a re-organisation with new hires and promotions of key personnel. A strategic attempt by the organisation to facilitate expansion and boost the channel profiles in the region.

    AXN director-programming Wong Yan-Jong, has been promoted to executive director and will oversee the programming of AXN Asia and manage the functions of marketing and creative services. The enlarged portfolio will give her a bird’s eye view of the brand, ensuring consistency in strategy planning right through to the execution of on-air and off-air activities, informs an official release.

    Also within the AXN team, Kartik Budhraja has been promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services at AXN. He leads a team of producers for various feeds including East Asia, Taiwan, Korea and India.

    At Animax, vice-president Asia Betty Tsui will similarly oversee the critical functions of programming, marketing and creative services, as well as conquering new markets to expand the channel’s reach.

    The Animax brand was given a new look and image in June 2006 and in its effort to ensure a smooth execution of the revamp, two significant additions were made to the Animax team -Judy Chow is the new marketing director; while Garry Hui joins as the associate director for programming. Together, they will have the responsibilty to identify programmes and marketing initiatives that will connect and interact with today’s youths, adds the release.

    In addition, Tracy Wong was promoted from senior producer to associate director of creative services, overseeing on-air activities for Animax across all feeds, including the launch of the new on-air branding. Prior to February 2006, Tracy was the senior producer for AXN East Asia feed, where she showcased her creativity through various on-air campaigns that garnered numerous awards, including two Gold awards at Promax Asia 2005.

    Also, a new affiliate marketing manager has been hired to take care of affiliate marketing – Shyanne Chao joins SPE Networks Asia from StarHub, and will be dealing with cable partners around the region.

    These structural changes come in response to the organization’s attempts to consolidate the programming and brand marketing of their two channel brands during last three months.

  • StarHub, OpenTV ink deal to develop cutting edge applications

    StarHub, OpenTV ink deal to develop cutting edge applications

    MUMBAI: Singapore’s largest pay TV operator StarHub and a provider of enabling technologies for advanced digital television services OpenTV Corp announced that StarHub has become the first network operator to fully-deploy OpenTV Core 2.0 software in connection with its recent launch of Smart TV. The two companies are working closely to bring more market-leading applications to StarHub’s subscribers.

    Leveraging the OpenTV platform, StarHub anticipates the introduction of various Smart TV remote access applications through mobile and internet devices. It is expected that Smart TV users will be able to schedule recordings, through a mobile phone or the internet, on their digital video recorder set-top boxes while they are away from home. StarHub and OpenTV are also exploring the introduction of internet access services through a Smart TV television portal.

    StarHub’s Smart TV service allows users to record and playback their favorite TV programs so that they can watch them at their convenience. Among the features Smart TV users are presently enjoying are the ability to pause or replay ‘live’ TV, one-touch recording, TV SMS, and access to their i.Mail email accounts. StarHub also intends to introduce more features to Smart TV service in the near future, such as video-on-demand (VOD) and chat.

    StarHub head of integrated products and marketing Mike Reynolds said, “Hubbing is much more than a way to play off our name ‘StarHub.’ It represents our passion to better serve the needs of our customers through the interaction and value creating applications across our payTV, broadband, and mobile platforms. Cable TV, Mobile, and Online are three important pillars of StarHub’s business, and we are constantly exploring ways to drive more value and direct benefits of Hubbing to our customers, beyond the value of traditional discounts and rewards. That is why we came up with the idea of extending the access of Smart TV beyond the remote control, to mobile and online platforms as well.”

    “With its cable, wireless and mobile network, StarHub is perfectly positioned to leverage OpenTV’s advanced digital television technologies and solutions. With the recent commercial launch of Smart TV, StarHub became the first operator to fully deploy OpenTV Core 2.0. And it is easy to see where StarHub intends to take this technology — giving its customers a converged experience through Smart TV with mobile, online, and television applications working seamlessly together. We very much look forward to working with StarHub on these initiatives and helping it develop tomorrow’s television experience for the Singapore market,” said OpenTV senior vice president and managing director (Asia Pacific) Mike Ivanchenko.

    StarHub and OpenTV share a longstanding working relationship. OpenTV is also one of StarHub’s technology partners for its digital cable services launched in 2004, providing the middleware to support an open multi-vendor set-top deployment.

    Reynolds added, “StarHub’s partnership with OpenTV comes naturally. We have a proven track record of offering innovative products and services, while OpenTV is well-known for integrating innovative technology. We are thankful for OpenTV’s support and commitment, despite the relatively small size of the Singapore market. Events like BroadcastAsia is a good occasion for all industry players to facilitate the exchange of ideas and share experiences, and we are confident that we will have more to share regarding our new Hubbing applications in the near future, well before the next regional event.”