Beijing—China Direct Broadcasting Satellite Co., Ltd., a joint venture between China Satellite Communications Corporation and SINO Satellite Communications Co. Ltd., has begun building China’s first direct radio and television broadcasting system. China plans to use the SB4000 commercial satellite platform developed by France’s Alcatel Alenia Aerospace to launch its Chinasat 9 satellite in 2007, and the Chinese-made Dongfanghong IV satellite platform to launch SinoSat-4 in 2008. The … [Read more...] about China’s first DBS system under construction
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Celestial Pictures reaches for the sky
Hong Kong- Celestial Pictures plans to produce between 120 and 150 hours of big budget drama series this year and to invest in and distribute 150 hours as a third party. Between its own output and acquisitions, the company aims to handle about 300 episodes annually, according to Chie Executive William Pfeiffer. On the slate are two co-productions with mainland China, including Empress Feng of Northern Wei Dynasty, a 40-episode series about the rise of Empress Feng during her reign over the … [Read more...] about Celestial Pictures reaches for the sky
Nat Geo Adventure to debut in 40 countries from May
Washington- National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) will launch the Nat Geo Adventure channel in more than 40 countries worldwide including Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Israel, Africa and the Middle East on May 1. Nat Geo Adventure programmes focus on the signature themes of National Geographic of adventure and exploration, which appeal to the younger audience. The channel aims to balance localized content with overarching story lines … [Read more...] about Nat Geo Adventure to debut in 40 countries from May
POP Networks and Gapit Communications to help deliver Vietnam Idol
Ho Chi Minh- Mobile media services company i-POP Networks and Vietnamese mobile content provider Gapit Communications have been appointed by FremantleMedia, Vietnam Advertising Company (VAC) and Ho Chi Minh Television (HTV), as exclusive mobile service provider for the inaugural Vietnam Idol debuting this summer. According to FremantleMedia, the Idol franchise has generated more than 2 billion votes across 50 countries. Local versions have aired in more than 35 territories. Vietnam Idol is … [Read more...] about POP Networks and Gapit Communications to help deliver Vietnam Idol
US- Korea free trade agreement under fire
Seoul - Cable companies and some content providers fear the newly signed US-Korea free trade agreement will result in a deluge of U.S. investment in the cable sector and warn that U.S. programming will be more costly and command more screen time. The Korean Cable TV Association slammed the U.S.’s demand to open the market as “cultural imperialism,” which would result in massive U.S. investment that would swallow the cable TV industry. Under South Korean law, foreigners cannot … [Read more...] about US- Korea free trade agreement under fire
Start-up children’s channel KidsCo being pitched to Asian cablers
London- Sparrowhawk Media has begun pitching the children’s channel KidsCo to cable operators in Asia, and service could make its debut in the region in late 2007. A co-venture between Sparrowhawk, DIC Entertainment and Corus Entertainment Inc.’s Nelvana Enterprises, the new channel will offer animation and live action series and movies, localized market-by-market and programmed by day-parts to target segmented audiences. KidsCo will draw on DIC’s library of more than 3,000 … [Read more...] about Start-up children’s channel KidsCo being pitched to Asian cablers