Manila - The Lopez group is taking leading cable TV operator SkyCable public next year, aiming to raise more than P3 billion (US$69.3 million), to fund digital video, new content, broadband and VOIP expansion, and service debt and restructuring. The company expects to finish 2007 with 458,130 customers, about half the legitimate market for pay-TV in the Philippines. The significant growth driver will come from combating piracy, accelerating digital migration and growing ARPU, says Media Partners … [Read more...] about SkyCable looks to IPO in 2008
Content
Sportfive and NHK strike Premier League deal
Kuala Lumpur – Sportfive has agreed a TV deal with Japan’s NHK to show weekly free-to-air coverage of the Barclays Premier League (BPL) soccer. NHK was the first broadcaster in Japan to deliver sports programming to the public. Under the deal, NHK will air BPL matches for the next three seasons. “We are very happy with NHK adding the matches of England’s top football league to their prominent sports content”, says Lars Heidenreich, Managing Director of Sportfive … [Read more...] about Sportfive and NHK strike Premier League deal
Oracle muscles into media solutions
Singapore - Oracle is moving into solutions for media and entertainment companies in Asia Pacific. China’s language search engine company Baidu and Xinhua News Agency; India’s Amar Ujala and Tata Sky; and Indonesia’s Global TV are among Oracle’s latest clients in the region. Solutions that manage information and content assets, protect intellectual property rights, ensure information quality, manage projects, revenues and financials, as well as reduce infrastructure costs … [Read more...] about Oracle muscles into media solutions
Disney teams with Softbank for mobile services
Tokyo – Disney-branded mobile phones and content services are expected to hit the market in Japan in spring 2008, following the announcement of a deal between Walt Disney Co. Japan and Softbank Mobile Corp. Disney has been offering mobile content services in Japan for over a year, claiming 3.5 million registered users. Handsets and Disney Mobile services will be available at Softbank’s 2,400 stores nationwide and for Softbank Mobile’s subscriber base of around 17.2 million. … [Read more...] about Disney teams with Softbank for mobile services
Secret Sunshine takes top Asian film honours
Gold Coast, Queensland - Korean drama Secret Sunshine was named best feature film at the inaugural Asia Pacific Screen Awards held Nov. 13, attended by more than 500 industry luminaries from the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US. The award was accepted by producer, director and co-screenwriter Lee Chang-dong, a former Korean Minister of Culture. Jeon Do-yeon received the best actress award for her performance in Secret Sunshine, which was selected for official competition at the 2007 Cannes Film … [Read more...] about Secret Sunshine takes top Asian film honours
SPAA hands out awards to Aussie producers
Gold Coast, Queensland - Michael Bourchier was named producer of the year at the Screen Producers Association of Australia annual conference on Nov. 15. Bourchier’s credits as executive producer or producer include the feature films Lucky Miles and Napoleon, and TV series The Upside Down Show, Out There, Head Start and Heartbreak High. Among other recipients were Nick Murray as drama producer of the year for the Blackjack telemovies; Trevor Blainey, feature film producer (for Noise); Laura … [Read more...] about SPAA hands out awards to Aussie producers