The hallyu, or wave of Korean feature films and dramas, may ebb and flow outside the home market, but right now it appears to be cresting in other parts of Asia and in some European territories. And in the US, ImaginAsian Entertainment is working hard to bring Korean entertainment to expat Koreans and even non- Koreans via its cable channel ImaginAsian Television (iaTV) and multiple platforms. Major broadcasters Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. (MBC) report strong … [Read more...] about Korean dramas make waves
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International appetite for Indian fare
A lot has changed over the last few years in India’s TV broadcasting arena. As revenues from advertising and TV subscriptions grew 17% to touch $4.2 billion in 2006, so the quality and variety of content across a gamut of mass and niche channels has also evolved. Whether an adaptation of international formats or original concepts produced in India, there has been no shortage of experimentation. Audiences were spoilt for choice with the extension of evening primetime, the introduction of … [Read more...] about International appetite for Indian fare
Tower of Babelgum
Simply put, what is Babelgum, and how was it born? The Babelgum network features content spanning film, news, sports, documentaries, music videos and concerts, lifestyle and trends, animation and scripted programs. Babelgum is the brainchild of Silvio Scaglia, founder and former CEO of Italian telecommunications company Fastweb, the first company to commercially implement IPTV on a ‘closed network’ in Europe. Silvio saw the potential to extend the flexibility, capacity and … [Read more...] about Tower of Babelgum
Content à la carte
Gan Ling Sze Head of Content Sales, Asia, AETN International Asian markets are still very much glued to the genre of staged competitions, in the format similiar to Pop Idol and You Have Got Talent. While some channels will buy such formats, others are producing their own. Soap drama still tops the rating charts throughout Asia, and Korean drama is everywhere. However, there are signs that Taiwanese dramas led by young, attractive actors and actresses are gaining appeal among audience here. In … [Read more...] about Content à la carte
Super-market sweep
Airin Zainul General Manager, Brand Management Group, 8TV Our viewers love all international shows, be it from Hollywood or the Asian region. At the same time, locally formatted shows of international franchises are also well received. However, nothing beats a homegrown programme with local relevance such as our Gol & Gincu, Sky (drama series), Ho Chak! (food magazine), Trippin’, Destinasi Bajet and Go Travel (travelogues). Ugly Betty and Princess Hours did well for syndicated programming … [Read more...] about Super-market sweep
Fighting the format rip-offs
The format business is bedevilled by a recurring problem in Asia and, indeed internationally: producers or broadcasters making a show which appears similar to an existing brand. Historically, many Chinese broadcasters have shown scant regard for copyright laws, and Korea and Taiwan have rarely bought formats from Western companies. So what can copyright owners do to protect their intellectual property? Legal action is one option, albeit expensive. The Format Recognition and Protection … [Read more...] about Fighting the format rip-offs