London- NBC Universal (NBCU) will acquire Sparrowhawk Holdings and its global portfolio of pay TV channels including the international (non-US) Hallmark Channels, from Providence Equity Partners, 3i and management shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed The deal looks set to bring NBCU Global Networks’ offerings to more than 30 channels in total, with ongoing plans to expand to more than 50 channels over the next 2-3 years. Sparrowhawk Holding’s 18 feeds of the … [Read more...] about NBC Universal acquires Sparrowhawk Holdings
asian content news
HBO enters Japan via J:COM On Demand
Tokyo – Japan’s largest multiple cable systems operator Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. and Time Warner Inc’s TV subsidiary Home Box Office will offer HBO programming via the ‘J:COM On Demand’ service starting October 1st, 2007. The new license agreement between HBO and Jupiter VOD Co., Ltd., will bring HBO’s programming to Japanese audiences in high definition via the VOD service. “We are sincerely grateful….as HBO kicks off their business in Japan … [Read more...] about HBO enters Japan via J:COM On Demand
Australia’s ABC TV names Brooke-Hunt head of children’s
Sydney- Veteran Australian children's television producer/distributor Tim Brooke-Hunt has been appointed ABC TV’s newly created Executive Head of Children’s. Brooke-Hunt, who will take up the position on Sept. 12, has produced a slew of animated and live action series including Blinky Bill, Yakkity Yak,Old Tom and L’il Horrors. He has worked with leading Australian production companies including Yoram Gross, Beyond International, New World Pictures and Burbank Films, and … [Read more...] about Australia’s ABC TV names Brooke-Hunt head of children’s
MDeC’s Buyer Fly-In Program closes with RM385 million worth of deals formalized
Kuala Lumpur- MDeC’s inaugural Buyer Fly-In Program concluded with 23 Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) for content co-production and development worth some RM385 million ($US110.4 million) signed between Malaysian companies and buyers from US, Europe and Asia at the 3-day event which commenced on August 22. In addition to 9 MoAs signed by Malaysia’s Rocket Fish with partners from the US, Ireland, Hungary and Singapore, Marcera Technology formalized deals with Hong Kong-based Moffy Ltd, … [Read more...] about MDeC’s Buyer Fly-In Program closes with RM385 million worth of deals formalized
India media stocks rocked
New Delhi: Leading media stocks have taken a battering in India amid growing concern over heightened competition, fragmentation and costs in the media sector. A group of seven leading companies in broadcasting, print, movies and pay-TV, with a combined market capitalization of $US10 billion, is trading 26% lower than recent highs, and some have lost as much as 50%, according to Media Partners Asia. "Another round of corrections is needed to make valuations more palatable especially as there are … [Read more...] about India media stocks rocked
A long road to recovery for Star Group
Hong Kong-- It could take the Star Group a further four fiscal years to return to its previous peaks in profitability after a painful 2006/2007, according to Media Partners Asia. The pay TV company's operating income in the year to June 30 plunged by almost 30% to $US91 million. "Going forward, we don’t believe that STAR’s story will substantially unravel further but it will likely lose its leadership in the Indian TV entertainment space this year," MPA reports. MPA predicts Star's … [Read more...] about A long road to recovery for Star Group