Sydney- Canada's CanWest has abandoned plans to sell its majority stake in Network Ten after failing to unearth a bidder that would meet its asking price. There was a lot of interest from a number of parties at very competitive prices compared to multiples of other deals in the market, but CanWest felt there was more future value in Ten than was reflected in those approaches, according to one source. Local media reported there was interest from the private buyout arm of Merrill Lynch, San … [Read more...] about CanWest to keep Australia’s Network Ten
KBS comes on board The Asian Pitch
Singapore- Korea Broadcasting Systems (KBS) has joined Singapore’s MediaCorp and Japan’s NHK in The Asian Pitch, a pitching event for Asian documentary makers launched in November 2006 to create Asian-made HD documentaries. Park Chung Yong, Chief Producer of KBS, believes the project can provide the groundwork to develop independent production in Asia and help expose Asian content to international media. After the April 30 deadline, MediaCorp’s HD company, Caldecott Productions … [Read more...] about KBS comes on board The Asian Pitch
Singapore and Korea sign co-production arrangement
Singapore– The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has entered into a co-production arrangement with the Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC) to foster collaboration among Singaporean and Korean broadcasters and media companies. The agreement was signed June 21 by KBC Chairman Dr Cho Chang Hyun and MDA Chairman Dr Tan Chin Nam. Approved co-productions will qualify as local content and for assistance schemes, and there will be no discriminatory restrictions on the import, … [Read more...] about Singapore and Korea sign co-production arrangement
Environment is the key for online video ads
Online video ads are most effective when they run on magazine, newspaper or online news sites, rather than on portals or user-generated content sites, according to a study by the U.S. Online Publishers Association. The OPA found that more than one-third of consumers visiting media sites searched for more information after seeing a video ad, while only one-quarter did so after seeing an ad on a portal or user-generated video site. On local broadcast, national broadcast and cable TV sites, about … [Read more...] about Environment is the key for online video ads
Microsoft upsizes in China
Microsoft is expanding its presence in China via a strategic partnership with the Shanghai Media Group (SMG), an investment in a TV set manufacturer and a new R&D centre in Shanghai. The JV with SMG covers content production, IT and electronic products. Microsoft will provide technology for SMG's new media divisions including IPTV, digital TV and mobile TV. "We are trying to promote the combination of technology and content through this cooperation and provide innovative application and … [Read more...] about Microsoft upsizes in China
Risks seen in investing in China’s Web 2.0 entrepreneurs
Western companies that are investing in web 2.0 pioneers in China beware: there are risks, according to Paul Verna, senior analyst at U.S.-based internet market research firm eMarketer. By 2011, the number of Internet users in China is expected to grow to 246 million, up from 134 million in 2006, eMarketer predicts. Verna says, “On the flip side, the potential pitfalls of investing in Chinese Web 2.0 start-ups should not be overlooked. The spectre of government censorship remains a major … [Read more...] about Risks seen in investing in China’s Web 2.0 entrepreneurs