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
Pay-TV
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
Moonlight TV, Australia’s IPTV service, set to shine
Sydney- Moonlight TV, Australia’s first IPTV service, is due to launch Dec. 1, initially offering seven channels. Owned by Prime Media Group following its acquisition of the Becker Group, the ad-supported service will be free to users. The line-up spans these categories: Amazing; Documentary; Entertainment; Health & Fitness; Lifestyle: Reality; and Tips. Moonlight TV General Manager Greg Petherick tells Television Asia he has acquired more than 300 hours of programming from around the … [Read more...] about Moonlight TV, Australia’s IPTV service, set to shine
PGK Media and Broadcast Australia announcement expected
Singapore – PGK Media will be one of the first applicants for a mobile TV multiplex licence from Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) early 2008, with Broadcast Australia as a possible infrastructure partner. MDA just unveiled its proposed policy and regulatory framework for mobile TV services, allowing a six-week period for public feedback on how mobile TV should be regulated. MDA is prepared to issue up to four multiplex licences by tender; each multiplex can support up to … [Read more...] about PGK Media and Broadcast Australia announcement expected
Ten-HD to debut Dec. 16
Sydney - Australia will get its second dedicated HD channel when Ten-HD debuts on Dec. 16, screening at least 50 hours a week of first-run programming including movies, sport, documentaries and series. Designed to complement Ten’s main channel, the HD service will air two hours of documentaries in the late afternoon each weekday, sourced from National Geographic, Granada and Channel 4; it’s negotiating to buy a package of titles from Discovery. Late night, opposite Ten’s late … [Read more...] about Ten-HD to debut Dec. 16
Talent Television and TV Man Union extends partnership
London – Talent Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Talent Group plc, and Japanese independent production company TV Man Union have extended their partnership with a new ‘relationship agreement’. The partners previously collaborated on four Test the Nation interactive annual specials for Japanese network TV Asahi. The deal allows both companies to explore collaborative opportunities in their respective territories and internationally, including co-production, co-creation … [Read more...] about Talent Television and TV Man Union extends partnership
