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
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Resurgent ATV challenges TVB in Hong Kong
Hong Kong- Asia Television (ATV), main rival of Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB) in Hong Kong, has unveiled a new logo and programs in a bid to win more market share and younger audiences, especially 14-35 year-olds whom advertisers are targeting. ATV’s new bright orange logo has replaced its tri-colored label, while local press reported the broadcaster will offer one in-house produced, primetime series each weeknight, totalling 260 hours of original programming a year. ATV will also … [Read more...] about Resurgent ATV challenges TVB in Hong Kong
Seven jumps the gun on HD
Sydney - Without fanfare, Australia’s Seven Network launched 7HD on Oct. 15, the first dedicated HD channel from a commercial broadcaster. In the first phase of the roll out ahead of a ‘full-strength’ service in a few weeks, the digital channel is focusing on late-night and weekend programming. The first night saw the network premiere of the movie 25th Hour, and other first-release movies such as Solaris, I Love You, Don’t Touch Me!, Never Die Alone and I Heart Huckabees … [Read more...] about Seven jumps the gun on HD
More upheaval at Star
Hong Kong – Internal politics at Star are being blamed for yet more senior executive departures from the broadcaster. Programming’s senior vice president Ross Crowley and Karen Johnston are the latest executives to leave, following the resignation of Star Group’s president of platforms David Butorac. This comes less than a month after Jamie Davis stepped down as managing director of ESPN Star Sports – with continued tensions between the two joint venture companies … [Read more...] about More upheaval at Star
AETN makes History in China
Cannes - AETN International has licensed 37 hours of The History Channel programming to China International Television Corp. (CITV), the commercial arm of state broadcaster CCTV. AETN International Senior Vice President Sean Cohan characterized the deal as another step in the company's expansion in the Asia Pacific, following the launches of The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network in Southeast Asia and the opening last month of the firm's regional HQ in Singapore. Moreover, Cohan … [Read more...] about AETN makes History in China
EuroNews creates NoCommentTV.com to launch on YouTube
Cannes – Since the launch of EuroNews, No Comment has been one of the signature programmes of the international news broadcaster, covering news stories through live footage and without commentary. The programme’s success has now inspired the creation of No Comment TV. On No Comment TV, internet users will be able to view a selection of images renewed daily by EuroNews, including images which can’t be seen elsewhere. The stories are always topical and may be spectacular or … [Read more...] about EuroNews creates NoCommentTV.com to launch on YouTube