The format business is bedevilled by a recurring problem in Asia and, indeed internationally: producers or broadcasters making a show which appears similar to an existing brand. Historically, many Chinese broadcasters have shown scant regard for copyright laws, and Korea and Taiwan have rarely bought formats from Western companies. So what can copyright owners do to protect their intellectual property? Legal action is one option, albeit expensive. The Format Recognition and Protection … [Read more...] about Fighting the format rip-offs
asian content news
Formats flourish in the digital age
In the television word, Patrick Schult remembers a time when ‘interactivity’ meant folks sitting in their lounge room, screaming at the TV when a game show contestant didn’t know the answer to a question. “Now it means a lot more. With a growing plethora of media platforms, interactivity means getting our product as connected to each of these platforms as possible. This along with off-screen rights and in-program product/ brand integration is increasingly important to our … [Read more...] about Formats flourish in the digital age
Formats frenzy in Asia
The formats business in Asia is booming. Game shows are hot. So are dancing/singing shows. And comedy is fast becoming the new frontier for clever concepts that can travel. China is busily commissioning local versions of Western productions. Of the emerging markets, Vietnam is devouring numerous formats, and Pakistan is becoming more receptive. And telenovela producers see great scope in adapting their shows for Asian markets with local partners. Summing up the buoyant mood, Pierre Cheung, … [Read more...] about Formats frenzy in Asia
Thinking global, acting local for High School Musical 2
OverviewBased at the regional headquarters in Hong Kong, Simon George is responsible for directing the marketing strategies for Disney channelsacross the region, and overseeing the development of television franchises by working closely with other divisions of The Walt DisneyCompany. He joined the Company from Cartoon Network in October 2006 with extensive experience in marketing, brand management and commercial exploitation. His first major project in Asia -franchise management for the … [Read more...] about Thinking global, acting local for High School Musical 2
The truth is out there
Maybe it’s simply down to significant cross-promotion across myriad cable channels, but the boundaries of genre seem to be becomingincreasingly blurred. Trailers for shows about ‘survivors’ in the jungle, ghost-hunters and real pirates of the Caribbean seem more suitedto general-entertainment and movie channels than the pillar channels of the factual entertainment space. Shows about strange facts and occurrences almost beyond credibility, or the limits to which the human body … [Read more...] about The truth is out there
Striving for the BesTV
As the worlds of broadcasting and telecommunications move towards convergence, SMG is expanding to meet the emerging opportunities of the digital media sector. Earlier this year, SMG made its intentions quite clear: “The aim is to make Shanghai the biggest IPTV network in the world”, said DaZhong Zhang, VP – Shanghai Media Group and CEO of the IPTV venture. BesTV’s Chief Operating Officer Huaiyu Li told Television Asia: “We are currently offering these services in … [Read more...] about Striving for the BesTV