The development of High Definition Television (HDTV) has been a long and difficult journey. First developed in the 1960s in Japan by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation(NHK), the analogue MUSE HDTV system was trialed during the 1970s and 1980s. Despite significant interest, it was a media technology before its time with commercial development hindered by insufficient bandwidth in transmission systems, lack of HD compatible televisions and the shortage of compelling content. The start of … [Read more...] about How to drive HDTV in Asia: collaborate and showcase
people and appointments
Outlook for HD in Asia: currently cloudy with sunshine expected
High Definition is touted as the future of broadcasting, but if so, excepting Japan and Singapore, why has the rest of Asia been slow to adopt the format? Lack of satellite capacity and bandwith limits. Cable operators’ indecision on HD delivery. Expensive HD set-top boxes. The slow conversion from analogue to digital in some markets. Lack of sufficient content. Low consumer demand. Or all of the above? Theories abound among executives at various stages of the HD value chain, from creation … [Read more...] about Outlook for HD in Asia: currently cloudy with sunshine expected
Mobilizing multimedia
Screen Digest’s latest mobile research analyses the impact three very different mobile content offerings will have on key mobile markets by 2011. The report says new (mobile) broadcast services, launched in only a handful of markets, are growing rapidly. And Unicast services, delivered over existing 3G networks, have begun to generate real revenues in Europe. Interestingly, analysts say that consumers are proving cynics wrong by choosing to watch TV on the smaller screen. Just under 6 … [Read more...] about Mobilizing multimedia
Integrated advertising – solution or sellout?
In an age when ‘engagement’ is the buzzword, advertisers are seeking new ways to actively involve their audience with their products. So programmers are progressively turning to product placement and customized branded programming to build the ‘connect’ between brand and audience. News tends to be the most regulated when it comes to the integration of advertising, although many a news channels ad sales exec must privately wish this was not the case. Publicly, though, … [Read more...] about Integrated advertising – solution or sellout?
Malaysia TV flying high, but will new media take off?
Boosted by a robust economy, currently growing at about 5.5% per annum, the electronic media industries in Malaysia are thriving. Television is grabbing a larger slice of the advertising pie, at print’s expense. Media Prima Berhad (MPB), which owns all four private terrestrial channels, is healthily profitable. Dominant pay-TV platform Astro, enjoying upswings in subscriptions and revenues, is set for further expansion as it adds dozens of channels to its line-up. Media buyers are using a … [Read more...] about Malaysia TV flying high, but will new media take off?
Navigating the future
Jane Gorard Director, Marketing & Communications, BBC World The BBC is adapting its linear service to interactive offerings (for on-demand access). At the same time, it’s essential that we don’t lose sight of the established audience on traditional platforms that make up the bulk of our audience. The challenge also remains as to how to pay for this new content while the audience size remains relatively small. Live breaking news is ideal for mobile and broadband platforms as well as … [Read more...] about Navigating the future