EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ASIAN TELEVISION BUSINESS. FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF TELEVISION ASIA, TELEVISION ASIA'S EXECUTIVE NEWS – DIRECT TO YOUR DESKTOP EVERY MONDAY MORNING.
Television Asia's Executive News
22 January 2007
Aiello named STAR CEO as Guthrie 'resigns'
Hong Kong – Paul Aiello succeeds Michelle Guthrie as Chief Executive Officer of STAR, effective March 1 2007.
Although announced as a resignation "for personal reasons", sources say Guthrie was forced to quit due to emerging problems in India – traditionally STAR's most successful market and, at its peak, source of up to 80 percent of revenues.
COO Steve Askew, injured in an accident last year, is officially on medical leave but believed to be leaving the company and other staff departures are expected.
With the competition gaining ground on STAR's channels in India, sources say the company has failed to compensate in other supposed growth markets like Indonesia and China. "I think you have to look at the macro environment first – given the complexity of the regulatory environment, competition in the market, we are happy with what we can achieve," says a STAR spokesperson.
New CEO Aiello joined STAR in June 2006 in a newly-created role, and was formerly Managing Director and Head of the Telecom, Media and Technology Investment Banking team for Morgan Stanley in the Asia Pacific region. His background in Mergers & Acquisitions is leading to analyst speculation that more M&A activity lies ahead for STAR. "STAR has always been and will continue to engage in M&A activities which will take STAR to a new level of growth," the spokesperson adds.
Star India's CEO Nair's exit nigh
Mumbai – Amidst all the restructuring of Star's operations in Hong Kong, the future association of Sameer Nair, chief executive officer, Star Entertainment in India, is in question.
Though sources have confirmed that Nair is currently evaluating options, he hasn't "technically" quit or put in his papers.
"Nair is very much with Star as of now. As far as the shooting of Kaun Banega Crorepati – III or KBC III (the Hindi version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire) is concerned, he has been part of the shoot on daily basis," said a source, closely associated with KBC-III, which features Hindi movie industry Shah Rukh Khan. "A valid reason resulting in Nair staying with the company for a while might be the fact that there is so much at stake with KBC. Not only advertisers have pumped in over US$29 million for the show, but also Nair is the one who is coordinating the entire association with Shah Rukh Khan."
The show, to be aired four times a week, is scheduled to run for three months starting from January 22.
The source added: "His future move is going to be dependent on what the company has in store for him. Nair has adopted a wait and watch policy, expecting a new role in the US."
In March 2006, Nair was promoted to his current role, overseeing all day-to-day operations including programming, marketing, advertising sales and distribution while pursuing growth opportunities in new media including wireless and internet. He was reporting to Steve Askew.
Regarding Peter Mukerjea, who leads Star Group in India as its chief executive officer, it is being said that he hasn't quit as yet. Even though its been reported that Mukerjea is contemplating his own venture, a source says he has a contract with Star till 2008.
StarHub's launches commercial HDTV service
Singapore – National Geographic Channel HD and Discovery HD are the debut channels on StarHub's commercially launched HDTV service.
Having trialled HD with the FIFA World Cup soccer and recently secured the three-year rights to English Premier League (EPL) football from the start of the 2007, it is expected that sports will be a key driver of the new service.
With rival telco SingTel having previously announced its new IPTV service would be driven by both sports and High Definition content, StarHub HDTV launch is seen as a move to pre-empt the proposed competition – having already beaten SingTel to the EPL with an estimated US$96 million bid.
Detractors point out that StarHub's service requires a new set-top box – and Smart TV subscribers will have to use two set-top boxes if they wish to continue that service as well as the new HDTV service.
A new content group HD Plus, costs S$15 per month for the two channels. Consumers must subscribe to a minimum of three Basic Groups and HD Plus, and own StarHub's HD set-top box and a HD-ready TV set to get the new HDTV service. The HD set-top box is available for purchase at $285. Those who sign on a 12-month StarHub Digital Cable contract can own a HD set-top box for $95.
"Discovery is once again happy to be pioneering HD. We were the first international HD channel to launch in Japan in 2005, and with this launch in Singapore, Discovery HD is now available in 15 international markets and over nine million households," said Tom Keaveny, Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Discovery Networks Asia.
Ward Platt, Executive Vice President and Group Managing Director – Asia Pacific, National Geographic Channels International said, "We congratulate Singapore and StarHub for being the most innovative country and the first operator in Southeast Asia to launch a commercial high-definition television service,"
SingTel pre-empts rival with HD announcement
Singapore – SingTel has made its first IPTV announcement since losing out on the EPL soccer rights to incumbent pay-TV operator StarHub.
Pre-empting the January 18 launch of StarHub's HDTV service, SingTel announced a deal with Mega Media for a comprehensive suite of High Definition (HD) channels for the telco's IPTV service slated to launch commercially later this year.
The proposed HD offering includes a number of channels in partnership with Rainbow Media's VOOM HD Networks which broadcasts15 full HD channels in the United States.
Channels will include VOOM HD and the first Made-by-Singapore HD channel – Sling HD. Mega Media and Voom's HD content is currently available on SingTel's IPTV technical trial, which began in November 2006.
Quek Peck Leng, SingTel's Executive Vice President of Consumer, said, "HD is set to be the next wave for consumers and SingTel wants to shape the Singapore market with the most HD programming and the best HD content. For example, new local content channels like Sling HD will offer a quality programming alternative that can resonate with the Singapore viewers."
HDTV deployment in Singapore kicked off in June last year, making Singapore the first in Southeast Asia to start public HDTV trials. MDA has issued a nationwide IPTV licence to SingTel's wholly-owned subsidiary SingNet.
AXN banned in India for two months
New Delhi – The Indian Government has imposed a nation-wide ban of the transmission and re-transmission of SPE Networks – Asia Pte Ltd.'s AXN channel from January 17 to March 15.
As stipulated by the sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, the government exercised its right to impose the 2-month ban on satellite channel AXN for having telecasted programs such as World's Sexiest Advertisements, which were judged to be "against good taste or decency" and were "likely to adversely affect public morality".
Ricky Ow, general manager of SPE Networks – Asia, said, "We were shocked to receive the notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the ban of AXN in India. Our people in India are working on getting a better understanding of the issues before deciding on our next step."
Temasek in talks with Tata for a stake in Tata Sky DTH service
New Delhi – Singapore-based private equity fund Temasek Holdings is in talks with Tata Group for strategic investment in DTH service Tata Sky, an 80:20 joint venture between Tata and Star.
"Yes, Tata and Temasek have been in discussion for a while," confirmed a senior official with Star India. "But if there is going to be dilution of stake, it will be done by our partner Tata, not by us," said the official, declining to comment on whether the talks have been on for 10% stake, costing US$55.5 million.
On Temasek's part, Lim Siow Joo, associate director – Corporate Affairs, Temasek Holdings (Pte) Ltd said: "We do not comment on market speculation."
The service was launched across 300 cities in India in August last year.
In March last year, Temasek Holdings, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Aranda Investments (Mauritius) Pte. Ltd., had taken a 9.9% stake in Tata Group's telecom company Tata Teleservices Limited.
STAR to take up stakes in Radio City
Mumbai / Hong Kong – STAR has agreed in principle to acquire a 20% stake from India Value Fund (IVF) in Music Broadcast Pvt Ltd (MBPL), with the deal subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.
As the promoter of Radio City, MBPL is currently owned by IVF – 75% and Radiovani -25%. MBPL's ownership structure will become IVF – 55%, STAR – 20% and Radiovani – 25% upon conclusion of the deal.
Radio City is a pop music FM radio station available in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chennai.
STAR's indya.com offers Indian content on "download-to-own" model
Hong Kong / Mumbai – STAR-owned internet portal indya.com launched on January 17 its digital entertainment store to provide popular Indian content for download. The service is available worldwide at http://broadband.indya.com and is targeted at broadband-enabled South Asians in the North America, UK, and South East Asia.
Built on Fox Interactive Media's Direct2Drive platform, the new service operates on a "download-to-own" model. Under this model, content can be downloaded to a user's terminal for use on two Windows Media compatible devices including portable players.
STAR entertainment content including drama Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Koffee With Karan were available for download at launch. News and current affairs updates, Indian documentaries, film and music will also be made available by partner content providers in the near future.
Single episodes are currently free for sampling by users. Additional episodes cost from US$0.99, with discounts for bundle purchases. Special 45-minute recap episodes are also available to sum up drama developments for the week.
PCCW's NOW TV sparks reactions with fee hike of 16%
Hong Kong – NOW TV will increase fees for its services by at least 16% in February to recoup the 2006 outlay of US$200 million which secured rights to three years of English Premier League (EPL) football.
Cost of the full subscription package will increase from HK$388 (US$50.00) to a record HK$450 (US$58.00), with only new subscribers to the full package being affected.
Competitor i-Cable Communications, operator of Cable TV, met NOW's fee hike with plans for a new Chinese entertainment channel to be launched in the second quarter of 2007. The new channel will be transmitted through residential building coaxial networks, negating the need for set-top boxes.
Viewers will pay little for the new channel with advertising expected to cover most of its operational costs. Cable TV has also ceased pursuing plans to cut its basic monthly tariff by 40% to maintain its full subscription price at HK$308 (US$40.00) a month.
Democratic party lawmaker Fred Li Wah-ming described NOW's price hike as "outrageous", and argued that the outlay should be met by an increase in advertising. He also appealed to soccer fans to boycott NOW's service and to seek alternative ways to catch the games.
MTV Networks Asia-Pacific announces new Viacom Brand Solutions team
Singapore/Hong Kong/Seoul/London – MTV Networks Asia Pacific (MTVNAP) has announced several management appointments to its Viacom Brand Solutions (VBS) unit. Headed up by Singapore-based Chris Steward, Executive Vice President, VBS and Southeast Asia, MTV Networks Asia-Pacific, the unit will direct advertising sales and sponsorship with Asia-based clients for 24 linear television channels and programming blocks, 19 websites, and various broadband and mobile offerings in the region.
In Singapore, Mathew Calabria has joined as Vice President, Strategic Partnership Development, Andrew Hoppe has been named Vice President, Content, Creative and Digital and Ian Stewart was recently appointed as Vice President, Strategy and Planning.
In Seoul, Andrew Nam has been named Vice President, VBS Korea while the appointment of Vice President, VBS Japan is in the process of being determined.
Interim Thai government blacks out CNN interview with ousted leader
Bangkok – Thai military leaders completely blacked out CNN's interview with ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The interim government barred TV and radio stations from airing statements of the former leader, and had cable and pay-TV service providers block all access to the Thaksin interview.
TV adverts for the interview were blacked out, while access to CNN and BBC websites was impossible for most Bangkok Internet users on January 16. CNN and BBC sites ironically featured no news of the interview, seemingly filtered at the request of the Thai authorities.
The interview which took place during Thaksin's visit to Singapore was shown in full on CNN. He announced his intention to quit politics and denied involvement in the bombings that took place in Bangkok on New Year's Eve.
French showcase for Middle East caters to rising demand for content
Dubai – More than 75 broadcast industry professionals from the Middle East congregated at the fifth TV France International-organized TV channel showcase at the Dusit Hotel in Dubai on January 24 and 25. More than half attended the event for the first time.
Besides Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, and Syria, the regional event was open to Indian buyers as in 2006.
The 20 participating French content sellers were 10 Francs, Adventure Line Productions, Article Z, Calt International, Europe Images International/M5, France 24, France Télévisions Distribution, Les Films de la Perrine, M6 DA/SND, Marathon International, Médiamétrie/Eurodata TV, MK2, Productions Tony Comiti, Seenk Production, System TV, Taffy Entertainment, TF1 International, TV Only, Zarafa Films, and ZED.
Rising demand for French content in the Middle East had been attributed to the support of regional offices and attachés from French TV stations, distributors and producers.
New law to enforce sharing of sports feed with DDI-India
The Indian government is looking to enforce sharing of important sporting footage by private broadcasters with public broadcaster Doordarshan (DDI). According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, the bill will be brought before the cabinet by the end of January.
The ministry had attempted to make sharing of sports feed mandatory via guidelines issued on the downlinking policy in November 2005. However, the Indian Supreme Court intervened when private sports channel ESPN STAR Sports sought to restrain the government from penalizing its non-compliance to share its exclusive feed the India-South Africa cricket matches.
Action against ESPN STAR Sports by the government and state-run Prasar Bharti (Broadcasting Corporation of India) has since been blocked by the judiciary.
MDA introduces new IPTV license framework and awards license to SingNet
Singapore – A new two-tier license framework for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) offering Niche and Nationwide licenses was launched on January 16 by the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).
The Niche Subscription TV License is issued to service providers with limited reach of 100,000 subscribers or less, with a lighter license framework being imposed. An example would be that niche licensees are not required to carry local free-to-air channels.
The Nationwide Subscription TV License applies to service providers with wide reach of over 100,000 subscribers and is similar to that for a mass market pay TV operator.
Additional criteria of broadcast location, content language, and reach and impact of channels can still qualify a service provider with over 100,000 subs as a Niche licensee to allow those targeting niche market segments grow their business.
Under the new license framework, MDA has issued a Nationwide license to SingNet Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Limited, for the roll out of its IPTV services.
Detailed information on application of the new licenses is available at www.mda.gov.sg.
IMG acquires CSI Sports
London – Sports, entertainment and media company, IMG, announced the acquisition of the CSI Sports group of companies from CSI Sports' management team. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
CSI's portfolio of clients includes the English Football Association and Football League (including the Carling Cup), England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket, Cricket South Africa and Zimbabwe Cricket. CSI Sports was previously part of Octagon Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Interpublic Group.
CSI's management team will continue to service CSI's clients and have access to IMG Media's global distribution network and sales and marketing expertise. Chris Guinness, former president of Octagon CSI and former IMG employee, will rejoin IMG.
Grisly killings under the microscope at Australia's C&I Network
Australia's Crime & Investigation Network will screen a locally-produced expose of the country's worst ever serial killings. Airing on February 22, Snowtown: Bodies in the Barrels details 11 murders committed in South Australia over seven years, involving torture, dismemberment and cannibalism.
It is part of the Crime Investigation Australia series from Graham McNeice Productions, which has covered infamous cases including the Granny Killer, serial killer Ivan Milat, and the slayings of schoolboy Graeme Thorne, Dr Victor Chang and Anita Cobby.
Thank God You're Here to debut in the US
NBC has commissioned six episodes of Australian improvisational comedy hit format Thank God You're Here.
Created by Working Dog Productions, the concept puts comedians and other celebrities into impromptu situations, where they have to ad lib and fly by the seat of their pants. More than a dozen territories have acquired the format rights.
The first two series delivered average audiences of 1.7 million on Network Ten last year. The third series will air on Ten later this year.
People in the News
EM Entertainment appoints Christine Wagner as Director of Marketing
Unterfoehring – Christine Wagner has been appointed Director of Marketing for EM.Entertainment GmBH, subsidiary of EM.TV AG. She assumes responsibility for Marketing and Brand Management, and will report to Susanne Schosser, Managing Director of EM.Entertainment. Wagner was formerly Project Leader in Marketing Communications with Volkswagen AG.
Commenting on the appointment, Schosser said, "Ms. Wagner will inject important impetus into the establishment of program brands associated with our new productions as well as into the strategic brand management of our established titles."
Deirdre Brennan leaving ABC-TV Kids
Veteran children's television broadcaster Deirdre Brennan is quitting Australia's ABC TV, where she was the programmer of ABC Kids, on January 31 after 21 years with the public broadcaster.
ABC director of television Kim Dalton thanked Brennan for her contributions to ABC Kids in acquisitions, programming and executive producing.
The ABC has not named a replacement but in the interim, has hired Donna Andrews to consult on programming and acquisitions for ABC Kids. Andrews has held various positions with Network Ten, ABC TV and pay channels Nickelodeon and Channel V.
