ITV

Tag: TVB

  • Lightning International strikes with 14 Fast channels on myTV Super

    Lightning International strikes with 14 Fast channels on myTV Super

    MUMBAI:  Lightning International has unleashed a storm of entertainment on Hong Kong’s leading streaming service, myTV Super, with the launch of 14 brand-new free ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) channels. From action-packed blockbusters to toe-tapping tunes and jaw-dropping documentaries, the new channels promise a binge-worthy bonanza – all for free.

    The partnership marks myTV Super’s first-ever Fast channel collaboration, powered by Amagi Media Labs, and is set to transform the streaming landscape in Hong Kong. With the new channels, viewers can dive into a world of diverse content across smart TVs, myTV Super boxes, the myTV Super app, and the web.

    Lightning International  CEO James Ross couldn’t hide his excitement: “This collaboration with myTV Super is a game-changer. We’re bringing a treasure trove of content to viewers, catering to every taste and passion.”

    The channel lineup is an eye-pleasing buffet:

    * Action Hollywood Movies – Big hits, bigger thrills. 
    * Concerto – Classical music that strikes a chord.
    * Docsville – Documentaries that dare to inspire.
    * Globetrotter – Travel tales for the restless.
    * NewsWorld – Headlines and happenings, 24/7.
    * Now 70s, Now 80s, Now 90s00s – Nostalgia with a beat.
    * Now ROCK – Rock your world, one riff at a time.
    * Pet Club TV – Furry friends and adorable adventures.
    * Pulse – Wellness and wellbeing in a click.
    * Rialto Classic Movies (RCM) – Golden era films in all their glory.
    * TRACE Sport Stars – The world’s sporting elite in action.
    * TRACE Urban – Hip-hop and urban vibes that never stop.

    myTV Super, the OTT platform of Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB), has cemented its position as a streaming powerhouse in Hong Kong, and this partnership with Lightning International adds a bolt of variety to its content arsenal.

    (Photo: James Ross, CEO of Lightning International with Rex Ching, President, myTV Super)

  • Copyright infringement and piracy: US court holds IPTV device retailer accountable

    Copyright infringement and piracy: US court holds IPTV device retailer accountable

    MUMBAI: A bankruptcy court in Florida (US) has ruled that Amit Bhalla, a retailer of IPTV streaming devices with unauthorised channels, cannot use a bankruptcy case to shield himself from monetary liability for copyright infringement.

    In 2016, the US District Court for the Central District of California issued a permanent injunction halting the unlawful distribution of television content from programmers CCTV and TVB on TVpad devices. DISH Network, which has the exclusive rights to distribute much of CCTV’s and TVB’s content in the United States (including through its Sling TV OTT service), and CICC, an affiliate of CCTV, were also plaintiffs in that underlying lawsuit, which began in 2015.

    Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is a popular producer of Cantonese-language television programming. Originally aired in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the programmes are broadcast in the US on 10 channels. CCTV distributes seven international channels in the US. DISH provides around 13 million pay-TV subscribers over 200 national HD channels, international channels and award-winning HD and DVR technology.

    The plaintiffs alleged that the manufacturers and distributors of the TVpad device set up a pirate broadcasting network designed to stream CCTV and TVB channels without authorisation.

    The court ordered manufacturers and distributors of TVpad to pay US$ 55 million in damages to DISH, TVB, CCTV and CICC, and the injunction prohibited retailers from distributing, advertising, marketing or promoting TVpad and comparable devices that deliver CCTV’s or TVB’s copyrighted content.

    Rather than accept responsibility for his actions, Bhalla chose to file for bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid being held financially accountable. Citing Bhalla’s willful and malicious conduct, the plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. The court granted the motion, and Bhalla must now pay plaintiffs US$ 4.4 million for copyright and trademark infringement.

    “This ruling sends an important message to retailers who think they can get away with profiting off pirated content: you will eventually be held accountable, and a bankruptcy filing will not protect you,” said TVB USA vice-president – operations Samuel Tsang. “Our hope is that, as a result of this ruling, retailers will stop selling content obtained through illegal means and instead serve their customers with legal, reliable content and devices,” Tsang added.

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  • BBC Worldwide sells two kids shows across the globe

    BBC Worldwide sells two kids shows across the globe

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has announced a string of international sales for two of its key children’s programmes – The Secret Show and Charlie and Lola.

    The commercial arm of the BBC has licensed new animation show The Secret Show to broadcasters in France, Hong Kong, Finland, Russia and the Middle East – bringing the total to 13. It will also start airing on Virgin transatlantic flights from 1 December 2006.

    Aimed at 7-12 year olds, The Secret Show is about secret people doing secret things. Special agents Victor Volt and Anita Knight work for U.Z.Z, protecting the world against the evil forces of T.H.E.M. Managed by a boss whose name is quite literally ‘Changed Daily’, and assisted on their madcap missions by insane scientist Professor Professor, Victor and Anita manage to save the world – or large parts of it – once or sometimes even twice a week.

    Charlie and Lola which is based on the books by Lauren Child, has just been licensed to 3 new broadcasters – IRIB in Iran, TVB in Hong Kong and Playhouse Disney in Spain. The pre-school animation, which is a mix of 2D CelAction animation, paper cutout, fabric design, real textures, photomontage and archive footage, has now been sold to 33 countries.

    Snow Queen was sold to Al Jazeera’s children’s channel and World of Peter Rabbit & Friends and Tale of Peter Rabbit & Beatrix Potter were sold to Momo TV in Taiwan.

  • PanAmSat named best ‘Satellite Carrier’ at 2006 Telecom Asia Awards

    PanAmSat named best ‘Satellite Carrier’ at 2006 Telecom Asia Awards

    MUMBAI: PanAmSat has received a top honour from Telecom Asia magazine. The publication awarded PanAmSat with the “Best Satellite Carrier” award at the 2006 Telecom Asia Awards, held in Thailand on 24 April.

    PanAmSat was selected for the award due to its market leadership, innovations in technology and services as well as its strong financial performance in one of the world’s most challenging telecommunications markets.

    “PanAmSat has been dedicated to serving the Asia-Pacific region with world-class satellite services for more than 10 years. Our customers and partners in the region continually look to us for industry-leading solutions for the transmission of broadcast programming, worldwide breaking news and critical business data. We are pleased that Telecom Asia has recognized our achievements in the region with this award,” said PanAmSat vice president for Asia Pacific David Ball.

    This is the second time that PanAmSat has been recognised as the region’s best satellite carrier.

    The award winners were chosen for their combined financial, market and technology strengths based on financial analysis and assessments by an 18-member judging panel. The judges are backed by a research team at IDC, a leading provider of global research and advice, using a combination of its extensive communications research in Asia-Pacific and financial analysis of the carriers.

    PanAmSat began operations in the Asia-Pacific region with the launch of the PAS-2 satellite in 1994. Today, operating a hybrid network of fiber and five high-powered satellites in orbit over Asia, PanAmSat is able to offer a wide range of services for businesses and events in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Customers in the region include: NHK, China Central Television (CCTV), Doordarshan, Korea Broadcasting System, Arirang TV, ABS/CBN, TVB, NicNet and Telstra.

  • Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    Hong Kong to launch digital TV next year

    MUMBAI: The Hong Kong Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau has set up working groups with Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to ensure timely and smooth launch of digital services next year.

    Led by the Hong Kong office of the Telecommunications Authority, the groups will work with the TV stations to solve technical issues related to the transmission and reception of digital terrestrial TV, and facilitate inter-departmental coordination to ensure successful migration from analogue to digital TV at different stages.

    Media reports indicate that a new website has also been launched as part of a major publicity drive to raise awareness and improve understanding of digital TV. Beijing’s 2008 Olympic Games are the driving force speeding up the introduction of digital terrestrial television in Hong Kong. The administration will require the territory’s two terrestrial television broadcasters to start digital transmissions by next year.

    In July 2004, Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority announced the implementation framework for digital TV in Hong Kong.

    The bureau approved the investment plans of ATV and TVB for their digital TV programme service and network rollout.

    According to the blueprint, ATV and TVB will start broadcasting their existing services in both analogue and digital format (simulcasting) and launch a new digital service on the respective additional frequency channel assigned to them by 2007.

    The government has yet to decide its transmission standard. If the mainland has not promulgated a national standard before the end of 2006, ATV and TVB will adopt the European digital video broadcasting – terrestrial standard which has been widely adopted internationally.

    The government has set up two working groups, led by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, to work with the two broadcasters to ensure an integrated launch of digital TV.

    According to the government timetable, ATV and TVB shall provide their existing services in both analog and digital format by 2007.

    Subject to further market and technical studies, the government will direct ATV and TVB to cease analogue broadcasts by 2012, Lai said.

  • Fremantle Media signs deal for ‘Project Runway’ with Discovery Asia

    Fremantle Media signs deal for ‘Project Runway’ with Discovery Asia

    MUMBAI: Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia, has announced that the hit US reality series Project Runway, has been sold in 21 territories worldwide.

    The Asian channels that picked it up include Discovery Asia, Austalian channel Lifestyle, TVB in Hong Kong and Jak TV in Indonesia.

    For the uninitiated the Emmy-nominated Project Runway gives talented and hungry fashion designers the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to have their designs shown in front of the global fashion community in New York and displayed in the pages of Elle magazine.

    To earn this honour they have to compete against each other in a series of challenges that will determine who has what it takes to be the next “It” designer. Through each challenge, a designer is eliminated, ultimately leaving one to claim their rightful place in fashion’s spotlight.