Delhi- The US$4.5 billion Indian broadcasting sector is gearing up for a war of attrition and only those with courage, capital and content are likely to survive and prosper. That was the key conclusion from the India Digital Networks Summit, held in Delhi on Oct. 17, organized by Media Partners Asia (MPA) and Indian Television Dot Com (ITV). The summit was told that intensifying competition, growing digital pay TV penetration, the launch of hundreds of TV channels and the entry of new investor … [Read more...] about Pain but hope for gain in Indian broadcasting
asian entertainment news
International filmmakers selected for first iThentic-ITVS Global Mobile Project
San Francisco – iThentic and ITVS International announced eight international filmmakers selected for their first online and mobile collaboration entitled Global Mobile. The focus of this series of short films is food with the filmmakers creating works under 3 minutes in running time to best capture the theme within their own cultural context. From Asia Pacific, Amlan Datta, based in Kolkata, India, has produced Cock-A-Doodle-Do, a story of a rooster who gives up country life for the big … [Read more...] about International filmmakers selected for first iThentic-ITVS Global Mobile Project
STAR expands in US, reshuffles in Asia
Los Angeles/ Hong Kong – While STAR’s Chief Operating Officer Laureen Ong is busy overseeing the company’s expansion efforts in the US, the full extent of an executive reshuffle at the company’s Hong Kong HQ remains unclear. STAR’s President of Platforms David Butorac resigned on Oct. 9, departing early 2008, and is being retained as a consultant. Programming’s Senior Vice President Ross Crowley has resigned but not yet left the company. Programming’s … [Read more...] about STAR expands in US, reshuffles in Asia
MediaCorp HD5 set to launch Nov. 11
Singapore – MediaCorp’s general entertainment Hi-Definition channel HD5, the first on terrestrial TV in Southeast Asia, will launch on Nov. 11 2007, following a trial initiated in June 2006. HD5 is a simulcast of Channel 5, MediaCorp TV’s English channel. The HD5 free-to-air channel is already available on SingTel’s mioTV service. About 30% of HD5’s content during primetime will be in native HD format. Acquired shows include Heroes, CSI Miami, Supernatural and … [Read more...] about MediaCorp HD5 set to launch Nov. 11
Voom HD zooms around the globe
Cannes - Considering Voom HD Networks’ 24/7 linear channel Voom HD only began its roll out internationally last year, it’s on a fast track. The channel currently reaches 10 million homes outside the US, in 18 countries. A contract, details under wraps, has been signed to extend the channel to a further 15 countries, adding 5 million homes. And the game plan for 2008 is to boost the footprint to 50 countries and to start rolling out more international versions of some of its 15 … [Read more...] about Voom HD zooms around the globe
Nine/Foxtel Olympics deal raises the bar
Sydney - The Nine Network/Foxtel coup in securing all rights in Australia to the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games signals Nine’s determination to do--and spend-- whatever it takes to regain market leadership from the Seven Network. And the deal underscores the clout of Foxtel in increasing its dominance in the pay TV market and as a 25% stakeholder in Nine. Nine/Foxtel reportedly offered $US100 million in the blind auction, eclipsing the $75 million bid from Seven, the Olympics broadcaster … [Read more...] about Nine/Foxtel Olympics deal raises the bar