The majority of Asia’s IPTV operators are trying to catch up with the established pay-TV platforms. HD, PVR and multichannel services are quickly becoming ubiquitous while IPTV operators are struggling to attract subscribers by offering these services alone. But considering IPTV’s inherent strengths and bullish predictions for growth figures for the region, experts believe that combined with triple or quadruple play, IPTV offers a unique service proposition. IPTV’s two-way … [Read more...] about IPTV has a bright future in Asia—if it’s pirate-proof
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Japanese viewers get caught in the Net
A recent survey by an internet research company shows that 88.1% of respondents in all age groups picked the internet as the ‘useful media to access needed information’, compared to 48.4% who favored TV. While 79.3% of the surveyed still view TV as the ‘most familiar medium’ with a slim margin over those who feel closer ties with the internet (76.1%), those who expressed the willingness to increase their contacts with the net further accounted for 46.1% of the surveyed, … [Read more...] about Japanese viewers get caught in the Net
New Media, New Talent
Fans of the new NBC offering 30 Rock, currently airing across Asia on STAR World, would doubtlessly have enjoyed the debut episode’s arrival of GE hot-shot Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin). “I’m the new Vice President in charge of East Coast Television and Microwave Oven Programming,” he smugly announces. “That sounds like you programme microwaves,” retorts Liz Lemon (Tina Fey). But despite Donaghy’s apparent lack of relevant experience to segue from … [Read more...] about New Media, New Talent
STAR TV’s mantra: own platform and content in new media world
If pay TV operators and channels don’t embrace new technologies and platforms, aggressive telcos will grab that business. Broadband will make watching TV cool again, especially among elusive teenagers. Mobile broadcasting will take off faster in Asia than the High-Definition format. While mobile TV won’t replace traditional broadcasting, it will serve as a valuable brand extension for channels. And there will be an explosion of Internet Protocol Television around the world, which … [Read more...] about STAR TV’s mantra: own platform and content in new media world
Thank you for the Music
In terms of technological developments, the distribution of audio content has invariably paved the way for video. From the humble cassette tape to CDs, and digital compression enabling delivery to computer, MP3 players and mobile devices, where music goes so TV can follow. But the question, say execs, is not whether TV should be learning from the music’s experience, but whether TV is learning the lessons that music industry peers learned the hard way. Parallels are obviously being drawn … [Read more...] about Thank you for the Music
Generation gap divides TV audiences
Of the top ten rated programs in 2006, all but two were sports, ranging in ratings from 31.8% for the Torino Winter Olympics in February (NHK) to 51.7% for the Japan-Croatia match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in June (TV Asahi). The only two nonsports programs were the traditional New Year’s eve song fiesta Kohaku Utagassen (NHK) placing 5th with 39.8% and Studio Ghibli’s Ghedo Senki (Tales from Earthsea), featuring anime for theater, directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro, on … [Read more...] about Generation gap divides TV audiences
