Seoul – Korean mobile operator SK Telecom has acquired a 38.89% stake in Korean telco Hanaro Telecom, which operates the successful Hana TV IPTV service. SK Telecom acquired the stake for a reported KRW 1,087bn (US$1.18 billion); the deal is subject to government approval. Under the agreement, SK Telecom will replace a consortium led by AIG and Newbridge as the largest shareholder in Hanaro Telecom. Analysts expect the deal to give the mobile operator greater scale and opportunity for the … [Read more...] about SK Telecom nabs 38% stake in Hanaro Telecom
asian content news
Saha tipped for top Turner Networks Asia post
Hong Kong - Soumitra Saha is tipped to be the new Senior Vice President and General Manager of Turner Entertainment Networks Asia (TENA). Formerly Vice-President, Regional Entertainment Advertising Sales, Turner Entertainment Network, Asia, Saha replaces Ian Diamond, who resigned recently and officially steps down in early February 2008. Within the TENA programming team, Mark Eyers is promoted to Executive Director, Programming; Hema Prakash to Director, Programming Operations; and Vishnu … [Read more...] about Saha tipped for top Turner Networks Asia post
CCTV partners EuroNews and the European Commission
China Central Television (CCTV), EuroNews and the European Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Mandarin-language broadcast of Futuris, a magazine on science, space activities and technology co-produced by EuroNews and European Commission DG Research and Information Society. It’s the first step in a long term partnership between EuroNews and CCTV . Under the agreement inked in Beijing on Nov. 14, EuroNews will provide a package of nine programs a month, which … [Read more...] about CCTV partners EuroNews and the European Commission
Jupiter to launch Channel Ginga in 2008
Tokyo – Jupiter Telecommunications has established Channel Ginga Co., Ltd. to operate new cable channel Channel Ginga, which debuts nationwide in April 2008 on e2 by SKY PerfecTV!. Ginga Channel is a 24-hour HD entertainment channel screening foreign and Japanese documentaries, travel shows, history and art, dramas, period plays and entertainment targeting the baby-boomer generation. Kikujiro Shikano, President and Representative Director of Channel Ginga, said, “We realize that … [Read more...] about Jupiter to launch Channel Ginga in 2008
Frontline buy boosts BT’s IT aspirations
Singapore - BT Group is to buy Singapore IT firm Frontline Technologies for S$202 million (US$139.8 million) to boost its presence in Asia. With existing operations in Japan, South Korea and Australia, BT’s acquisition of Frontline will give it greater exposure to China, India, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Conditional on BT acquiring 100% of Frontline, Frontline will buy an additional 9% of India's Accel Frontline, raising its stake in the Indian firm to 51%. In April 2007 BT sold its … [Read more...] about Frontline buy boosts BT’s IT aspirations
$60 million Facebook stake for Li Ka Shing Foundation
Hong Kong – The Li Ka Shing Foundation has closed a $60 million deal for a 0.4% share of on-line social networking site Facebook. According to media reports, the deal values Facebook on the same $15 billion terms as the 1.6% stake taken by Microsoft. Analysts anticipate future synergies between Facebook and TOM, in which Li is a majority share-holder; shares in the latter jumped by 48% in Hong Kong. The 1980-founded Li Ka Shing Foundation has focused on funding a variety of health, … [Read more...] about $60 million Facebook stake for Li Ka Shing Foundation