Singapore - Speculation is mounting that StarHub Cable Vision may axe channels as a warning to networks considering exclusive deals with rival telco SingTel on its mio TV pay-TV platform. One such channel in the firing line is BBC Entertainment, currently channel 76 on StarHub Digital Cable. Its future with StarHub is in doubt since parent network, BBC Global Channels, struck an exclusive deal with mioTV for its CBeebies, BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle channels. Asked whether BBC … [Read more...] about Channels caught in competition cross-fire
Content Distribution
BesTV China debut for BabyFirstTV
Los Angeles - BabyFirst and Shanghai Media Group (SMG) have inked a deal to launch US-based child development channel BabyFirstTV on SMG's BestTV IPTV platform in China from May 2008. Established in November 2005 as a subsidiary of SMG, BesTV is the first IPTV offering on the Chinese mainland. The agreement with BesTV follows recent Asian carriage deals to offer BabyFirstTV in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, with more regional carriage deals expected to close. Internationally, BabyFirst concluded … [Read more...] about BesTV China debut for BabyFirstTV
US$312million Olympic rights deal for Japan
Lausanne/Tokyo - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has awarded Japan Consortium the broadcasting rights for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games. Japan Consortium, an association between NHK and NAB (The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan), has an ongoing relationship with the IOC. The total sum of the broadcast rights fee amounts to 32.5billion yen (US$312million). "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Japan Consortium, with which we … [Read more...] about US$312million Olympic rights deal for Japan
hanarotelecom sued for alleged sale of subscribers’ information
Seoul - A group of subscribers has commenced collective legal action against Korean telco hanarotelecom for the alleged unauthorized sale of subscribers' personal information. 20 former and current employees including hanarotelecom's former CEO are facing charges of transferring 83.5 million pieces of personal data including addresses, social security numbers and telephone numbers to some 1,000 telemarketing firms between January 2006 and December 2007. According to local media reports, the … [Read more...] about hanarotelecom sued for alleged sale of subscribers’ information
hanaTV crosses 900,000 subscribers mark
Seoul - hanarotelecom's IPTV service hanaTV has reached a subscription base of 900,000 to lead the South Korean IPTV market in subscriptions, ahead of rival KT's Mega TV service which registered 567,230 subscribers as of March 2008. Quarterly revenue for Q1 2008 from hanaTV came up to KRW21.3billion (US$21.3million). hanarotelecom posted Q1 2008 revenues of KRW493billion (US$491.5million), a 9.3% increase year-on-year and a 0.9% increase quarter-on-quarter. Revenue growth was attributed to … [Read more...] about hanaTV crosses 900,000 subscribers mark
Globe Telecom debuts 3G-based mobile TV service
Manila - Filipino telco Globe Telecom has rolled out a 3G-based mobile TV service and is marketing it as part of its 3G video streaming services instead of mobile TV. Globe Telecom is using Massachusetts-based NMS Communications' mobile TV solution, the same technology used by Hong Kong mobile operator CSL and European TV and radio broadcaster RTL Group. Available to Globe subscribers, the service offers six channels which include live feeds from CNN and three local broadcasters as well as … [Read more...] about Globe Telecom debuts 3G-based mobile TV service