Hong Kong – Free-to-air channels TVB and ATV have reached an agreement to pay i-Cable an undisclosed amount to broadcast 200 hours of Olympic events, including the opening and closing ceremonies. Commerce Secretary Gregory So Kam-leung said i-Cable, TVB and ATV worked out a deal after seven hours of closed-door discussions. Hong Kong’s The Standard reported that both terrestrial broadcasters will jointly produce the Games package. The International Olympic Committee requires iCable … [Read more...] about Hong Kong FTA channels will air the Olympics
Channel: Broadcaster
Zodiak Rights secures international deals for Usain Bolt doco
Zodiak Rights, the international division of Zodiak Media, has announced that a number of major international broadcasters will feature the exclusive documentary Usain Bolt: The Fastest Man Alive, as part of their Olympic Games programming. The 60-minute film, produced by Elephant Doc and Leiblang Productions for France 2, has been sold to a number of territories including: Australia (SBS); Japan (NHK); South Korea (CJ E&M); as well as several airline companies in Qatar and UK. The hour-long … [Read more...] about Zodiak Rights secures international deals for Usain Bolt doco
Channel NewsAsia appoints new Chief Editor
Singapore – Regional broadcaster Channel NewsAsia has appointed veteran journalist and award-winning programme-maker Lian Pek as Chief Editor. As Chief Editor, Pek sets the editorial direction and oversees production of English news for Channel NewsAsia and sister channel, MediaCorp Channel 5. Pek joins Channel NewsAsia after a distinguished career in news and current affairs, having held leading editorial and anchor positions at international news organizations such as CNN International, … [Read more...] about Channel NewsAsia appoints new Chief Editor
NBCUniversal buys Microsoft’s stake in MSNBC.com
New York – MSNBC.com has been renamed NBC.com. The rebrand followed news of Microsoft selling its 50 percent stake in the website to NBC News’ parent company, NBCUniversal, for a reported US$300 million. Bob Visse, General Manager, Microsoft Online Services Division, wrote on MSN’s official blog that the arrangement will release Microsoft from its contract of exclusivity with NBC, thereby allowing the company to provide a broader perspective of current affairs – not only … [Read more...] about NBCUniversal buys Microsoft’s stake in MSNBC.com
BBC Worldwide reports growth in profits
BBC Worldwide has published its Annual Review for 2011/12 showing an eight percent rise in headline profit to £155m (2010/11: £144m). Profit before tax of £104m (2010/11: £92m excluding gains on disposals) is up 13% on a like for like basis. The company grew headline sales by 5% to £1,085m in the 12 months to 31 March 2012 (2010/11: £1,030m). These figures exclude the BBC Magazine titles sold and licensed in the year. Sales & Distribution is BBC … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide reports growth in profits
BBC Knowledge tops factual channel chart
BBC Worldwide Channels Asia announced that BBC Knowledge has topped viewership charts in June to emerge as the top factual channel in Singapore, beating all 11 channels in the factual entertainment category, which according to Kantar, includes Discovery Channel, History Channel, Nat Geo, Crime & Investigation, Animal Planet and truTV. BBC Knowledge soared to the top of the factual channel charts during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. Momentum carried through the month with … [Read more...] about BBC Knowledge tops factual channel chart