Things are looking a lot brighter and clearer at this year’s MIPTV, and I mean that literally.
4K television, the new hi-definition video format which I have covered in March, is going to be a key highlight at the upcoming market. In this issue, I ask Reed MIDEM why it chose to retire its regular Stereoscopic 3D conferences and screenings in exchange for tracks on the new video format that is 4K, a.k.a Ultra HD. And faster than you can go “what’s 4K?”, NHK, the innovator in hi-definition technology, has gone ahead with possible broadcasts in the even-sharper 8K format. I’d be meeting folks in NHK to flesh out a story post MIP. Stay tuned.
One wonders if the business outlook would be just as bright come April 8 when the market floor opens. The organisers promise fireworks (the real thing) as the market celebrates 50 years of existence. Informally, some buyers have expressed that they’re opting out of April and just settling for visiting Cannes once a year in October, so it remains to be seen if the allure of MIP’s golden anniversary can draw in the crowds. In this issue, I ask buyers and sellers headed to MIPTV what they’re expecting at the market.
Back in Asia, three significant channel makeovers and a new pay channel launch will take centrestage in April. Travel Channel International, ITV Granada and Style will be rebranding; with a name change for ITV Granada to ITV Choice. I get responses from ITV Choice on the reasons for its makeover, and how the channel’s cosmetic transformations may also translate to refreshed content. Plus, the House of Mouse will add a “boy-skewed but girlinclusive” channel called XD on StarHub in Singapore. This comes hot on the heels of an inaugural rollout last September on Astro in Malaysia; and Disney has its sights set on more regional launches before the year is out. How will Disney’s newest kid on the block fare in an over-crowded kids market? We find out.
On our regular Country Focus this month, our Hong Kong correspondent will bring you up to date on what is happening in the Free TV space in Hong Kong that has seen much debate over the past year. Yes, the granting of new licences for Free TV broadcast in addition to TVB and ATV has dragged on long enough, with many players, notably City Telecoms’ Ricky Wong, growing increasingly impatient and vocal. The country with one of the most advanced industry supporting the large screen this side of the world is ironically facing numerous obstacles to the growth of its small screen. While the Communications Authority (formerly Broadcasting Authority) has given the go-ahead for the issuing of new licences, the ExCo or Executive Council headed by Chief Executive CY Leung has yet to come to a decision – and it’s already been three years, and counting…
On a brighter (and cheerier) note, Television Asia Plus’ annual Asian Television Awards returns and is now opened for entries. This year, we aspire to dazzle, hopefully with a few surprises in store. Last year, colleagues from the industry remarked on the clarity of the large screen we used as stage centerpiece at our awards gala dinner. It’s not 4K I can tell you, but then again we can all dream, can’t we?
