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
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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
BBC Worldwide plans production co-venture in India
London- BBC Worldwide has flagged that it’s looking to form a production partnership in India, similar to its alliance in Australia with the Freehand Group to develop new formats. BBC Worldwide Director of Content and Production, Wayne Garvie, said, “Local productions and formats are key to our growth plans. With BBC Worldwide’s vast programme offering, there are fantastic opportunities to extend this to local versioning, not just with our entertainment formats but also with … [Read more...] about BBC Worldwide plans production co-venture in India
CJ Group eyes expansion in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City - South Korea's CJ Group is looking to expand into Vietnam's burgeoning entertainment and leisure industry, having operated here for ten years in other business sectors. At a meeting between Group officials and HCMC authorities last week, CJ Group Chairman Jay Hyun Lee said the company plans to develop film studio and entertainment complexes in the city over the next few years. CJ Group has been working with HCM City Television (HTV) to explore the possibility of jointly … [Read more...] about CJ Group eyes expansion in Vietnam
Free mobile broadcasts to start in Korea in May
Seoul- Beginning next month, South Koreans will be able to watch free TV programs on mobile handsets.The Ministry of Information and Communication said it gave licenses to KBS and MBC, the country's two top TV broadcasters, to start nationwide mobile broadcasting called terrestrial DMB."KBS plans to expand the service areas to the whole country next month and MBC is poised to follow up in August," Lee Ki-joo, a director general at the ministry, told the Korea Times."Then, … [Read more...] about Free mobile broadcasts to start in Korea in May
Nine Chinese digital TV channels cautioned
Beijing- Chinese authorities have warned nine digital pay TV channels they face fines or closure unless they cease broadcasting commercials, films and dramas in violation of their permit conditions.The Tourism Channel, run by Guangdong Southern Media Group (GSMG), had failed to meet the minimum 90% requirement for its program content and had aired advertisements in breach of its license, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT)."This practice … [Read more...] about Nine Chinese digital TV channels cautioned