Sydney- Foxtel has acquired local rights to the Dutch format The Singing Office, and production of a 13-part series is underway, hosted by comedian Nick Giannopoulos. The series aims to turn everyday Australians into singing and dancing superstars. Each episode introduces five workers from two very different Australian companies, who will audition, learn to sing and dance in a ‘boot camp,’ then take part in a sing-off. Also aboard are comedienne Julia Morris, who has returned from … [Read more...] about The Singing Office tunes up Down Under
Thank God You’re Here is Australia’s top podcast
Sydney- Network Ten’s improvised comedy Thank God You’re Here has become Australia’s No.1 podcast within days of the 2007 series launch, as measured by Apple Itunes Australia Store, podcast category. Three weeks since the series' debut, there have been more than 50,000 podcast downloads. Fans can download from the show’s web site a selected scene each week from midnight on the night of broadcast in multiple formats: online streaming for viewing on personal computers and … [Read more...] about Thank God You’re Here is Australia’s top podcast
Big Brother to return in 2008 on Network Ten
Sydney- The seventh series of Big Brother delivered healthy ratings for Network Ten, although down on last year, and the broadcaster signalled the show will return in 2008. On July 30, Big Brother Winner Announced averaged 1.9 million viewers, peaking at 2.3 million, as Aleisha became only the second female Australian to emerge as the winner. During the series, ratings for the 7 pm daily show averaged 1 million versus 1.1 million a year ago, but still delivered a 40% share of the commercial … [Read more...] about Big Brother to return in 2008 on Network Ten
Telstra sues Australian government
Sydney- Australia’s largest telco Telstra on August 3 took the extraordinary action of launching proceedings in the Federal Court against the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan. At issue is the Broadband Connect Program, by which the government decided to contribute A$1 billion (US$856 million) to a consortium led by SingTel Optus and Elders to build a broadband network in rural and regional Australia, after rejecting a proposal from … [Read more...] about Telstra sues Australian government
Korea’s KT to offer IPTV service in Russia’s Maritime Province by 2008
Seoul- Local media reported July 30 that KT will trial its IPTV service this month ahead of a full service launch in Russia’s Maritime Province in 2008. Working through its affiliate NTC, which has an 80% stake in the service for the Russian territory, it has secured 30 Russian broadcast channels and plans to air real-time broadcasts over the Internet. The service will also provide movies, TV programs and sports content via VOD. The full service launch in Russia is expected to take place … [Read more...] about Korea’s KT to offer IPTV service in Russia’s Maritime Province by 2008
Celestial Movies debuts on TELKOMVision in Indonesia
Hong Kong- 24-hour Chinese-movie channel Celestial Movies has launched on TELKOMVision’s cable and DTH satellite pay TV services in Indonesia. That extends the channel’s reach in the country, making it the only Chinese movie channel available on all four major pay TV platforms. In July, Celestial Movies began to fully localize the channel for Indonesia with all movies subtitled in Bahasa Indonesia and all on-air promotions dubbed in Bahasa Indonesia. Celestial Movies is now available … [Read more...] about Celestial Movies debuts on TELKOMVision in Indonesia