New Delhi - India's top Hindi general entertainment channel STAR Plus' much-hyped Kya Aap Panchvi Pass Se Tez Hai, the local version of Mark Burnett Productions' format 'Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?' has seen its ratings impacted by the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, and has reportedly decided to air a repeat telecast of the newly-launched quiz show. The thrice-a-week one-hour show, featuring famous actor Shah Rukh Khan, was launched on April 25. According to media … [Read more...] about IPL overshadows STAR Plus’ 5th Grader in India
Content Distribution
Trial channel tipped for Granada International
Hong Kong - A trial channel is expected from Granada International within the month. It is anticipated that the channel, possibly to be called ITV Plus, will be made available on a satellite for the region's operators to sample. In the Middle East, UKTV Granada is part of a 15-channel bouquet, for which commercial distribution, sales, advertising sales and marketing are handled by STAR Middle East. Current programming highlights for that channel include Ballroom Bootcamp, Brideshead Revisited, … [Read more...] about Trial channel tipped for Granada International
Viacom18 Media to add Colors to Hindi GE in India
Bangkok/Singapore/Hong Kong - Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, a JV between Viacom and Network18 will launch Colors, a Hindi general entertainment channel in India from July 2008. The channel will leverage Viacom's expertise in content creation and building entertainment brands with Network18's experience in media businesses in India across various platforms. To be led by Rajesh Kamat, chief executive officer - Colors, the new channel promises to offer an "entire spectrum of emotions" to viewers, and is … [Read more...] about Viacom18 Media to add Colors to Hindi GE in India
A giant step for Ten Sports and WWE in India
Mumbai - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar The Great Khali created quite a stir during a four-day visit to his native India. Fans were able to meet the 7ft 3 inch, 420 pound giant at live events at the NSIC Exhibition Ground during his two days in New Delhi, May 7 and at Bhavans College Grounds while he was in Mumbai May 9 & 10. Speaking of Khali's visit to India, Mr. Rukin Kizilbash, General Manager-India, Ten Sports, Taj Television India Pvt. Ltd said, "Khali - the only Indian in … [Read more...] about A giant step for Ten Sports and WWE in India
Pay-TV competition in Indonesia to heat up
Jakarta - Pay-TV penetration in Indonesia currently stands at just 2% of some 40million TV households, a low figure compared to various Asian markets. However, pay-TV growth has picked up in the last 12 months with legitimate pay-TV subscriptions including individual, residential and SMATV (multi-dwelling housing units) doubling in Q1, 2008 to 785,000. Competition in pay-TV is expected to increase in 2008/2009 with five preliminary licenses for satellite pay-TV services issued in September 2007, … [Read more...] about Pay-TV competition in Indonesia to heat up
APAC dominates FTTx market with continued growth in 14 countries
Ovum RHK has published the results of a 14-country independent assessment of broadband deployments and service drivers in the Asia-Pacific region, with a specific focus on FTTx (optical fiber). "Ovum RHK believes there will be over 240million broadband subscribers in Asia-Pacific by the end of 2011," said Lynn Hutcheson, vice president, communication components at Ovum RHK. "APAC has over 80% of the worldwide FTTx deployments. Many operators indicated that content services were going to be a key … [Read more...] about APAC dominates FTTx market with continued growth in 14 countries