Improving the viewer experience? Or simply selling more HD TV sets and services? It’s hard not to be cynical when take-up of HD doesn’t come cheap. Apart from needing an HD-ready TV set, currently starting at over US$700, HD set-top boxes are around $200, and, in Singapore for example, StarHub’s HD Plus service costs around $10 per month for two channels: Discovery HD and National Geographic Channel – on top of subscribing to a minimum of 3 StarHub Digital Cable Basic … [Read more...] about Higher learning On-air, on-line and on-the-ground, industry partners are joining forces to heighten awareness of High- Definition TV.
pay-tv news
M&A’s predicted for Hong Kong media industry
In Hong Kong’s thriving media industry, everything seems to be going up. Broadcast TV and on-line advertising revenues are showing healthy gains. So are pay-TV subscriptions. And mobile TV is tipped to start generating significant coin in 2008. Moreover, some experts expect there will be more mergers and acquisitions in the next two years, driven by convergence and by private equity’s growing appetite for the media sector. These deals, probably strategic alliances and partnerships … [Read more...] about M&A’s predicted for Hong Kong media industry
MIP AHOY!
Monica Veiga Director, Sales Asia & Latin America CCI Entertainment has continued to achieve considerable success with animated properties. Korea stood out as our strongest market in 2006, amidst much activity in other countries in Asia Pacific. In terms of children’s content, comedies, edutainment for pre-schoolers, and families’ co-viewing titles are in strong demand for 2007. We expect sales to go up this year with a number of new products available. India, Malaysia and Japan are … [Read more...] about MIP AHOY!
Mixed fortunes for Hindi entertainment
Ever since market leader Star Plus announced the third edition of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, there has been a shake-up in the Hindi general entertainment genre. The return of KBC in late January, with a new anchor in Hindi movie superstar Shah Rukh Khan, resulted in the removal of a bunch of familyoriented drama serials from the 9-10pm Monday-Thursday slot. While Star Plus is seeking to revive its magic, distancing itself from the nearest … [Read more...] about Mixed fortunes for Hindi entertainment
Local content still in its prime
Local productions and Korean and Chinese dramas continue to monopolize eyeballs during prime-time on the major free-to-air broadcasters across much of the Asia-Pacific. But Big Brother is still going strong, Idols are popular and game shows are hot in many markets. Most US series are still relegated to late night or daytime slots on the leading networks. But if Steve Macallister, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Buena Vista International Television (Asia Pacific) has his way, that … [Read more...] about Local content still in its prime
Taboo TV
Whether you agree with it or not, the importance of adult content simply can’t be ignored. Just ask Sony, whose refusal to let its Betamax video-cassette be used by the adult entertainment industry is seen as the largest contributory factor to their loss of that particular format war. As for the TV content industry, the old adage that ‘wherever adult content goes, TV content will follow’ still rings true. From VHS to VCD, from DVD to downloads; now VoD and mobile offer … [Read more...] about Taboo TV
