IN the field of international television co-productions, East-West collaborations in Asia have never been more numerous- or proving more popular with viewers.And that trend will continue to accelerate, according to executives on both sides of the globe. Among the catalysts are sheer financial need; the growing appetite of audiences in the West for Asian stories and themes; substantial support from government agencies such as Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA), Taiwan’s … [Read more...] about East-West partnerships blooming in
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Writers’ strike may cause collateral damage in Asia Pacific
Entering its fourth week, the US writers’ strike may cause collateral damage to the Hollywood studios’ presence and programming in Asia Pacific if the stop-work drags on like the 1988 strike, which lasted for 22 weeks. The strike’s short-term impact is disruption to broadcasters which screen US talk/variety shows and those which have been airing US series close to their US transmission dates. In the medium-to-long term, the risk is that broadcasters in the region will reduce … [Read more...] about Writers’ strike may cause collateral damage in Asia Pacific
New channels and more mobile expected from ESPN STAR Sports
Singapore – New channels dedicated to individual sports, and digital media are just two of ESPN STAR Sport’s (ESS) goals for the coming year. Managing Director Manu Sawhney declines to say which other sports-specific channels are on the horizon but points to the success of STAR Cricket, which launched June 2007 in India. STAR Cricket and sibling channel ESPN garnered a combined channel share of 47.2% during the India versus Pakistan Twenty20 match on Sept. 14. ESPN aired the ICC … [Read more...] about New channels and more mobile expected from ESPN STAR Sports
VOD operator Anytime takes a time-out
Singapore – Andrew Yap, Chairman of Asian Video-on-Demand content supplier Anytime, has assumed the duties of CEO Craig Zimbulis, who resigned on Oct. 4, and Greg Coote, who stepped down as Chairman on Nov. 8. Yap said, “It is a natural evolution for any company to experience some renewal of management. Upon successful completion of Anytime’s corporate and financial restructuring, I will be introducing several executives to further strengthen the management team. … [Read more...] about VOD operator Anytime takes a time-out
Malaysia’s Media Prima to offer PPV and SVOD
Petaling Jaya - Malaysia’s dominant broadcaster Media Prima Berhad (MPB) will launch a pay-per-download offering by the end of December/early 2008, followed by a Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVOD) service. The new services will draw on MPB’s content of more than 30,000 hours, mostly from its flagship channel TV3, including drama, entertainment, magazine and documentary shows and local movies. “We are trying to get some foreign content which is under negotiation with the right … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s Media Prima to offer PPV and SVOD
Prime time for Theatre Red
Sydney- Australia’s Prime Media Group (formerly Prime Television) has bought Theatre Red, Ian Hogg’s Singapore-based television production, distribution and interactive services company. Hogg, a former longtime executive at Australia’s Becker Group, launched Theatre Red in 2003. Its current slate includes Stormworld, a 26-part children’s/family sci-fi series being co-produced with Australia’s Great Western Entertainment and Canada's Brightlight Pictures Inc., with … [Read more...] about Prime time for Theatre Red