Hong Kong – William Pfeiffer, CEO of Celestial Pictures, will leave the company on March 9, 2008. Celestial staff has been informed of his exit, and an official announcement is expected from Malaysian parent company Astro All Asia Networks. According to Variety Asia, Pfeiffer has led Celestial Pictures’ TV channels and distribution business for seven years and is believed to be joining a media firm supported by a top Hollywood studio with multi-national financial backing. Celestial … [Read more...] about Pfeiffer to leave Celestial Pictures
Satellites
SPTI ups Kalle to SVP, int’l networks, Chien expands role
Culver City, California – Sony Pictures Television International's (SPTI) international networks group has promoted Superna Kalle to senior vice president to oversee its TV networks business in India. George Chien, vice president, international networks, expands his role to lead SPTI's international networks business in Southeast Asia and Japan, while working with Kalle on the Indian channels. Both are based at SPTI’s global headquarters in Culver City, California, and report to Andy … [Read more...] about SPTI ups Kalle to SVP, int’l networks, Chien expands role
ABS and RRsat distributes Channel One Russia in Asia Pacific
Hong Kong - Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) and RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. have partnered to distribute Channel One Russia on the Southern Ku-band beam of the ABS-1 satellite to reach Russian viewers in Asia. Available 24-hours, Channel One Russia provides Russian national television to showcase innovations and trends with a variety of genres including news, documentaries, films, series, entertainment, music and sports. Tom Choi, CEO of ABS said, “ABS-1’s extensive … [Read more...] about ABS and RRsat distributes Channel One Russia in Asia Pacific
Local strategy – global business
Since their arrival in Asia over a decade ago, it’s no secret that international networks have been localizing feeds, channels and content to please affiliates, as well as to attract both viewers and advertising dollars. But one thing that became apparent was that even executives with a pan-regional marketing remit did not necessarily command a regional budget, and often needed to seek approval from in-market marketing heads to release country-specific funds. This made selling whole-region … [Read more...] about Local strategy – global business
India in focus
In the continued proliferation of new satellite TV channels and increasing competition from several other ‘screens’ be they Internet, mobile phones or outdoor, TV as a mass medium in India is being challenged to brace itself for future. The role of TV in the overall communication strategy remains as critical as ever before. Especially considering the fact India has 219million households with 112million TV homes (64million color TV homes and 68million homes have access to cable and … [Read more...] about India in focus
The start-up upstarts
NBC Universal (NBCU) are finally set to deliver on their promise of new channels, with general entertainment Universal Channel, Sci-Fi and 13th Street slated for roll-out in the second quarter of 2008. The hold-up thus far is believed to have stemmed from the internal tussle for content between the proposed channels and NBCU’s (estimated US$8billion) syndication business. Indeed it will be interesting to see the new channels’ programming line-up given that many of NBCU’s most … [Read more...] about The start-up upstarts