Telecom equipment spending in the region for the first three quarters of 2007 was, at US$47.1billion, up 6% on the same period in 2006. Outside of Japan, though, capex rose at a much stronger 19.5% clip to $31.8billion. "NTT's long anticipated next-generation network build-out is largely still on hold, so vendors heavily reliant on this market are struggling," notes Matt Walker, Ovum RHK's Senior Analyst for Network Infrastructure. But Asia Pacific's big emerging markets are another story as … [Read more...] about Telco spending slow in Japan, surging in rest of region – Ovum RHK
asian content news
Singapore surprise at Asian Idol
Jakarta - Singapore's Hady Mirza was crowned the first Asian Idol, held December 17, 2007, at the Jakarta International Expo. Mirza pipped his fellow five contestants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and India amidst some criticism of the voting system. Disappointingly, many critics were from the new Asian Idol's home country of Singapore, where bloggers and journalists alike speculated that Mirza won by virtue of accumulating the most second votes - cast for the wrong reasons. … [Read more...] about Singapore surprise at Asian Idol
More prominence for ethnic minorities on Malaysian TV
Kuala Lumpur - According to Malaysia's national news agency, state-run TV is to feature more ethnic minority actors - amidst fears that the medium sidelines those who are not from the Malay Muslim majority. Bernama quoted Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin as saying that most Malay-language shows dominating Radio Televisyen Malaysia involve only Malay stars, even though many non-Malays are proficient in the language. "Now, even if there are non-Malays in RTM's entertainment programs, they … [Read more...] about More prominence for ethnic minorities on Malaysian TV
Airtel and STAR India in 2-year strategic partnership
New Delhi / Mumbai - Airtel and STAR India have entered into a two-year strategic agreement with the latter to receive the former's committed advertising outlay for the 24 months at a mutually-negotiated rate with inflation protection. Under the agreement, STAR and Airtel will jointly develop key properties to promote music across various audience segments, with the latter able to provide input to the creation of specific properties that will appeal to its customers. Both will also focus on … [Read more...] about Airtel and STAR India in 2-year strategic partnership
Nat Geo Wild debuts on Hong Kong Cable Television
Hong Kong - Jan 1 2008 saw National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) launch 24-hour wildlife channel Nat Geo Wild on Hong Kong Cable Television's basic programming platform (channel 33). Nat Geo Wild is the only channel from NGCI available in dual voice track options to cater to English and Cantonese speaking viewers in Hong Kong and offers programming focused on the natural world including the environment and creatures that inhabit it. Speaking at the launch, Zubin Gandevia, Executive … [Read more...] about Nat Geo Wild debuts on Hong Kong Cable Television
mio TV to offer ‘Same Day Premiere’ on Mei Ah Movies Channel
Singapore - SingTel's mio TV will provide a 'Same Day Premiere' on Mei Ah Movies Channel (Channel 50) for Hong Kong star Eason Chan's new movie The Pye-Dog on Jan 10 2008 - the day it opens in Singapore cinemas. Available on mio TV in Mandarin or Cantonese languages with English subtitles, The Pye Dog is a suspense drama about three friends who turn out to be Yakuza and bodyguards on missions. Following the one-time only TV premiere of The Pye-Dog, Mei Ah Movies Channel will officially air the … [Read more...] about mio TV to offer ‘Same Day Premiere’ on Mei Ah Movies Channel