Sydney- Australian viewers will get their first HD channels in December when the Ten and Seven networks launch dedicated HD services. These will be the first new commercial free-to-air channels launched in the major mainland metro markets in more than 40 years. Ten said TEN-HD would provide at least 50 hours per week of programming that won’t be seen on its main channel, including extensions of franchises including The Biggest Loser, Australian Idol, Big Brother and So You Think You Can … [Read more...] about Australia’s first HD channels launching in December
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Singaporean and Chinese media industries strengthen ties
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) will co-organize each other’s film festivals, starting with the first-ever Singapore Film Festival in China this October. A major activity under the Singapore Season in China 2007 umbrella, the Singapore Film Festival will present six Made-by-Singapore films by directors including Royston Tan, Jack Neo, Djinn Ong and Kelvin Tong. Neo’s I Not Stupid Too will … [Read more...] about Singaporean and Chinese media industries strengthen ties
India’s Year of Broadband ‘unlikely’ to reach target
The Indian government declared 2007 the "Year of Broadband," setting a goal of 20 million broadband users in 2010, but is unlikely to reach that total, according to market researcher eMarketer. In its India Online Overview report, eMarketer expects India to reach 10.5 million broadband households by 2011. eMarketer estimates 25.5 million Indians used the Internet at least once a month in 2006 and it predicts India's online population will rise to 33.2 million in 2007 and 71.6 million by 2011. … [Read more...] about India’s Year of Broadband ‘unlikely’ to reach target
Navis Media to buy Beyond International
Sydney- A short but spirited bidding war for Beyond International Limited resulted in the Beyond board agreeing to a takeover offer from private equity firm Navis Media Pty Ltd (Navis Media). Navis Media will acquire all stock in Beyond for $A1.22 cash per share, a 31% premium to the average price of the last six months, valuing the Australian television producer-distributor at $A74.6 million ($US62 million). That trumped a bid four days earlier by Mariner Financial Limited, which offered $A1.15 … [Read more...] about Navis Media to buy Beyond International
VTV3 and Trans TV picks up format rights to SPTI’s Karaoke Showdown
Hong Kong– Vietnam's VTV3 and Indonesia’s Trans TV have picked up the format rights to Sony Pictures Television International’s (SPTI) Karaoke Showdown to bring the show to Asia for the first time. The Vietnamese and Indonesian adaptations are in pre-production in both countries. Karaoke Showdown is a music genre variety show which divides contestants or celebrities into teams to compete in guessing the titles of songs sung by individuals without the instrumental track. The … [Read more...] about VTV3 and Trans TV picks up format rights to SPTI’s Karaoke Showdown
Sony and ABU to collaborate on broadcasting award
Sony Corporation Hong Kong Limited and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union have joined forces to promote and develop the broadcasting industry in the region by recognising the contributions of the business’ best performers through a broadcast engineering excellence award. Sony will sponsor the winner of the 2007 ‘ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award’. Now into its fifth year, the Award is conferred on an individual to recognise outstanding contributions in broadcast … [Read more...] about Sony and ABU to collaborate on broadcasting award