Bangkok - Ordered to pay 94 billion baht (US$2.67 billion) within 45 days of the Supreme Court ruling, Thailand’s only privately-owned station iTVcould face bankruptcy. Its appeal was lost against the May 2006 ruling revoking the company’s rights to reduced concession fees and its replacement of news and educational programming with entertainment breaching the requirements of iTV’s original broadcasting licence. The concession fees had been waived under former Prime Minister … [Read more...] about Court ruling could bankrupt Thailand’s iTV
Asian content
Hallyu-yah!
Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) Broadcasting since December 1991, SBS has had a relatively short yet successful history; successfully strengthening its stance and differentiating itself as Korea’s only private terrestrial broadcaster with a nationwide network. SBS was awarded Winner Terrestrial Channel of the Year at ATA 2006. Lee, Woong-MoExecutive Director, Documentary & Cultural Programs, SBS“I believe winning the Channel of the Year Award is very special in that … [Read more...] about Hallyu-yah!
Viacom’s ‘Flux-able’ strategy for Japan
"Nobody that wants to be successful here can stay on one platform,” says Tokyo-based Peter Bullard, president Viacom International Japan K.K. “We want to move beyond cable and satellite TV, particularly in Japan.” Despite having only 6.4 million pay-TV subscribers, Bullard says MTV Japan is one of that network’s top 5 strongest markets in the world. “It may look like a low base, but it proves that quality viewers can show a significant return – and … [Read more...] about Viacom’s ‘Flux-able’ strategy for Japan
The Mouse goes Mobile
According to figures from the Yankee Group, global mobile data service revenues are set to rise from US$24 billion in 2006, to $129 billion in 2010. With Asia Pacific and Japan accounting for the majority of that figure, Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) is pursuing an aggressive mobile strategy in the region. Aiming for distribution in all the markets under his remit, which does not include China or India, Orrell-Jones says Vietnam will complete coverage that already extends across 11 markets … [Read more...] about The Mouse goes Mobile
Aussie networks slug it out over sports rights
Sports-mad Australians (that means most of the male population, if not as many females) have to subscribe to pay television to watch the English Premier League and Aussie A-League soccer, Super 14 rugby games, domestic cricket and assorted other contests. But hundreds of spectacles, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Melbourne Cup horse race, Australian Rules Football and Wimbledon, by law, have traditionally been quarantined for free-to-air television and available to pay TV only if … [Read more...] about Aussie networks slug it out over sports rights
Cricket proves a money spinner in India
With the passage of time, commercial deals involving the Indian cricket team have witnessed exponential growth. But none so astronomical as the US$612 million committed by Nimbus Communications Limited to The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as part of the four-year deal for global media rights for Indian cricket (on Indian soil) until March 2010. The BCCI also signed a $219 million five-year global media rights deal with Zee Telefilms for one-day matches featuring India at neutral … [Read more...] about Cricket proves a money spinner in India