Manila - The Lopez group is taking leading cable TV operator SkyCable public next year, aiming to raise more than P3 billion (US$69.3 million), to fund digital video, new content, broadband and VOIP expansion, and service debt and restructuring. The company expects to finish 2007 with 458,130 customers, about half the legitimate market for pay-TV in the Philippines. The significant growth driver will come from combating piracy, accelerating digital migration and growing ARPU, says Media Partners … [Read more...] about SkyCable looks to IPO in 2008
asian entertainment news
Sportfive and NHK strike Premier League deal
Kuala Lumpur – Sportfive has agreed a TV deal with Japan’s NHK to show weekly free-to-air coverage of the Barclays Premier League (BPL) soccer. NHK was the first broadcaster in Japan to deliver sports programming to the public. Under the deal, NHK will air BPL matches for the next three seasons. “We are very happy with NHK adding the matches of England’s top football league to their prominent sports content”, says Lars Heidenreich, Managing Director of Sportfive … [Read more...] about Sportfive and NHK strike Premier League deal
Internet in Taiwan on the rise, says Yahoo
Taipei – Internet penetration among 15-39 year olds in Taiwan has hit 74% and will continue to rise, according to executives from Yahoo Kimo Taiwan. Of Taiwan’s 12.5 million Internet users, 10 million are frequent users – up from 3 million in 1998. Amongst the 15-39 demographic, TV is the only medium to exceed the Internet’s popularity, with other media experiencing some decline in share since 2003. Newspapers, still the most popular advertising medium, have seen a 7% … [Read more...] about Internet in Taiwan on the rise, says Yahoo
Downbeat outlook for global music industry
The worldwide music industry is on a downward spiral despite the growth of online sales. Global spending on recorded music, which tallied US$31.8 billion in 2006, is predicted to decline to $29.2 billion in 2007 and $26.2 billion in 2011. That’s according to eMarketer’s new report, Recorded Music: Digital Falls Short. "Digital formats such as online downloads, ringtones, mastertones, full tracks delivered to mobile handsets and Internet and mobile subscription services are providing … [Read more...] about Downbeat outlook for global music industry
Oracle muscles into media solutions
Singapore - Oracle is moving into solutions for media and entertainment companies in Asia Pacific. China’s language search engine company Baidu and Xinhua News Agency; India’s Amar Ujala and Tata Sky; and Indonesia’s Global TV are among Oracle’s latest clients in the region. Solutions that manage information and content assets, protect intellectual property rights, ensure information quality, manage projects, revenues and financials, as well as reduce infrastructure costs … [Read more...] about Oracle muscles into media solutions
Disney teams with Softbank for mobile services
Tokyo – Disney-branded mobile phones and content services are expected to hit the market in Japan in spring 2008, following the announcement of a deal between Walt Disney Co. Japan and Softbank Mobile Corp. Disney has been offering mobile content services in Japan for over a year, claiming 3.5 million registered users. Handsets and Disney Mobile services will be available at Softbank’s 2,400 stores nationwide and for Softbank Mobile’s subscriber base of around 17.2 million. … [Read more...] about Disney teams with Softbank for mobile services