programming • schedules • C NTENTASIA data • buyers •
www.contentasia.tv Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010
HAPPY SUMMER! what’s inside ContentAsia is taking a Summer vacation... the next regular is- sue will be on 30 August. If anything magnificent happens, such What Hong Kong’s 3 new as last summer’s News Corp mammoth re-org in Asia, we will let you know in a special issue. We will, of course, continue to publish free-TV wannabes want... ContentAsia Insider, our subscription news service. Plus we will be i-Cable, PCCW and CTI have on Facebook and Twitter throughout with all the industry births, applied for free-TV licenses in atiger’seyes deaths and behind-the-scenes stuff people are saying and doing. Hong Kong. They’re promising Happy Summer! What’s really going on anything from one to 30 new channels and a mass of every out there... kind of new locally produced Singapore: Wrong problem, wrong solution? Over the next two and acquired content. “No clear indications of market failure,” report says months, Singapore’s me- page 8 dia policy makers expect Singapore’s four-month-old cross- of market failure,” the report to announce their preliminary carriage regulations may lead to stresses, adding that “Singapore decision on implementing Interview higher pay-TV prices, consumer is not sufficiently well established controversial regulations that Louis Boswell, AETN confusion, reduced investment to warrant policy intervention”. force the cross-carriage of All Asia Networks’ and limited product innovation In addition, the report says, exclusive channels/content general manager, and differentiation, a new report the high degree of content ex- on the country’s pay-TV talks about influences, small from Media Partners Asia and clusivity that policymakers seem platforms. This follows months teams, listening (or not) to China Charles River Associates says. determined to stamp out, “is of consultations with a wide and the great Thai opportunity. Describing the “untested” likely to be transitory” anyway. range of stakeholders. page 10 cross-carriage regulations as “Exclusivity is a relatively common We’re dying to hear how it’s a “risky public policy proposi- feature of markets in a rapid state all going to work (and, among tion” and one that may cause of flux,” the report says. a million other things, how the “irreversible harm”, the report In standing by the new rules, difference between an “ex- says the framework may be a policymakers may be forced to clusive channel” and a “non- History War-related content is “disproportionate response” to implement additional “interven- exclusive one that simply hasn’t big news on History. For the week Singapore’s pay-TV situation. tionist measures, which have the been acquired by the other of 19 July, 26% of the channel’s The new rules, implemented potential for a destabilising ef- side” is going to be explained standard-definition schedule – or in March this year, force Singa- fect on the entire pay-TV industry to consumers).... 44 hours – is filled with war-related pore’s two pay-TV platforms, value chain”. Singapore’s pay-TV Meanwhile, our guess is content. StarHub and SingTel, to make industry is worth US$290m. that policy makers will, on the www.asiacontentwatch.com available to each other all chan- The report adds that “alter- whole (and with lots of concilia- page 13 nels and on-demand content native, less intrusive policy ap- tory and diplomatic language), acquired on an exclusive basis. proaches may not have been stick with the regulations as an- The carefully worded paper fully explored”, and suggests “a nounced, with a commitment Mohd Puzi Mo- points out “potential flaws” in more prudent approach would to ongoing review in case some hamed, channel policymakers’ “diagnosis and be to revisit the ... market to de- of the forecasts of doom actu- director of Singapore’s Sensasi prescription” of Singapore’s termine whether the expected ally pan out. Malay channel and managing pay-TV situation, and says the decline in content fragmenta- Why? For one, the regula- director of local content distribu- country’s content fragmentation tion is materialising”. tions are four-and-three- tor company Content Network “is more properly viewed... as a The report also suggests an an- quarters minutes old and they Asia, talks about what he likes, sign that competition is operat- nual regulatory review “to gauge haven’t been given a chance loves and buys. ing effectively”. whether the predicted course of to work (or not to). Right now, page 12 There are “no clear indications market evolution takes hold”. More on page 3
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ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 02 July 19-August 29, 2010
Politics sweeps Academy Fantasia Thailand Kung demo’s TM multi-play thetweetlife 17-year-old Academy Fan- Telekom Malaysia’s new IPTV Malaysia’s pay-TV platform tasia contestant Witthawat platform, HyppTV, is trawling cites content codes for nixing Thaokhamlue says he will quit Hollywood, Bollywood and Kol- local yoga show. Fatwa says the talent show after an outcry lywood to ramp up what it sees Malay Muslims not allowed over political comments he as its biggest early attraction – onscreen doing yoga. posted on Facebook. Wittha- video on demand. 7:45 PM Jul 14th via web wat’s Facebook post said pro- At a briefing in Kuala Lumpur testers may not have been so mid July, Jeremy Kung, TM’s We’ve opened a book for destructive if the Thai prime min- executive vice president (con- good luck & best wishes for ister had dissolved parliament sumer), also said the telco had Jeremy Kung, TM’s executive vice new AsiaSat head, Bill Wade, and called for fresh elections. its eye on regional Asian content president (consumer) who takes over 1 August. He has already apologised to and titles from the Middle East. titles a month. This could increase http://fb.me/xQUpwg5P prime minister Abhisit Vej- HyppTV currently offers 22 chan- to 30 channels by year end. 12:48 PM Jul 14th via Facebook jajiva, and admits thinking like nels (including eight domestic free- TM’s broadband network a teenager and without good TV channels) and about 20 VOD passes 375,000 homes. common sense. His comment, StarHub/SingTel lovefest however, drew strong support doesn’t extend to the same From page 1: A Tiger’s Eyes which Singapore’s media-hub from audiences who said he World Cup finals party. it’s all just prediction, expecta- status was built 10+ years ago. had a right to express his opin- StarHub’s at Marina Bay. Sing- tion, forecasts, opposing agen- But we would never count out ion. Others criticised his use of Tel@ Resorts World. das. Plus pressure from the left, the immense power of SingTel, harsh language and his support 5:38 PM Jul 9th via web the right, above, below... which has exclusive access to for anti-government forces. Other than admitting that they the Barclays Premier League Good news for int’l content might have been too hasty), and wants to build a more robust distributors - if Hong Kong’s UAE bans Lamhaa what, exactly, would the regu- linear TV offering around that. Award-winning Indian film direc- i-Cable gets a free TV license. lator achieve by scrapping or So, is there going to be a i-Cable has promised a... tor Rahul Dholakia’s Lamhaa significantly changing regula- gigantic change of heart? No. has been banned in Gulf states http://fb.me/CJnWDaIn tions so soon after their birth. Is Will the regulator decide that it’s 3:01 PM Jul 9th via Facebook after being deemed highly this likely to happen? What do worth setting aside the frame- objectionable by UAE censor- you think? work in favour of a wait-and-see Today’s D-Day for industry ship authorities. The film, starring Plus, there’s enough local pres- approach? Probably not. Has Sanjay Dutt as an intelligence comment on Singapore’s sure and support (including from the claim by multichannel body new cross-carriage rules... officer and glamour girl Bipa- local academics and others who Casbaa about breaching global sha Basu as a Kashmiri activist, results expected by month think that the only people getting copyright commitments sent the end (maybe). Book is open opened worldwide on Friday (16 rich are the international chan- regulator scurrying for its eraser July). Lamhaa, passed eventu- on outcome nels) for authorities to stick with for fear of global ire and broad 12:10 PM Jul 9th via web ally by India’s censors despite its their declared path – for now. trade sanctions? No. Will there controversial subject matter, will We think there will be some be a commitment to a review Hearing that Casbaa has a not be screened in Kuwait, Qa- effort made to placate deeply down the line? Yes. tar, UAE, Bahrain and Oman. hot doc ready to hand to unhappy pay-TV channels, upon Stay tuned. Singapore’s MDA. Says some of the same things as the MPA/CRA... Suria brings back the 90s http://fb.me/Bb6l0F59 Singapore’s Malay-language The new 1:25 PM Jul 8th via Facebook terrestrial station Suria launches show will be its third spinoff of variety show hosted by Su- Japan’s Sumo scandal must 80an Gerek! (groovy 80s) in haimi Yusof, be REALLY REALLY bad for September this year. Norlena Salim NHK to have cancelled The new 90an Gerek! format and Kumar (the broadcasts of the Nagoya will take a tongue-in-cheek look last two were tournament. oops. at the 90s, an era characterised hosted by Na- 11:30 AM Jul 7th via web by local boybands, girl groups, jip Ali and Era divas and glamourised mat rocks Faridah). Champagne all round at AETN (local lingo for Malay guys who The eight-ep- All Asia Networks to welcome are into rock music), as well as isode one hour 70an Gerek! Vanessa Boswell, born on Fri- a karaoke competition on 90’s series will premier on 21 Septem- April to June last year. day, 2 July. Insiders say... songs and a line-up of foreign ber, airing prime time (8.30pm) All three seasons were com- http://fb.me/yCG4BvaU and local artistes each week. on Tuesdays. missioned by Suria and pro- 10:15 AM Jul 7th via Facebook The promise is “to recapture The previous eight-part series duced by Najib Ali, creative and relive the gist, spirit and 80an Gerek! aired from August director of local production www.twitter.com/contentasia sound of the 90s”. to October 2004, followed by house Dua M, which has also The theme is “fun, full of flash- 70an Gerek!, also eight one- produced programmes for backs and 90s kitsch”. hour episodes, which aired from Channel 5 and Okto.
03 ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 04 July 19-August 29, 2010
StarHub ups VOD offering Telemundo preps Analia for China people Telemundo Internacional is pre- on 13 May this year. Telemundo paring to premiere long-running has also aired Zorro; The Sword series Analia in China in the next and the Rose, Sophia and Hidden Aparna Pingali Agrawal few months. Passion in China. joined CNBC this month as The show will follow Marina, Telemundo’s biz dev boss director of marketing for Asia which airs daily from 11.50am Xavier Aristimuño says the Pacific. She to 2.20pm in the Encore slot on catalogue’s strong mainland was previ- CCTV-8. Marina, the story of a girl performance is “an example of ously associ- whose life is transformed when how we continue to invest time ate director she inherits a fortune, debuted and resources in Asia”. with Gray- ling, and Air Terjun Pengantin has in the Singapore’s StarHub has ex- Record World Cup on digital, FIFA past worked panded its video-on-demand for News offering with, among other Indo- Tournament attracts seven billion page views Corp’s Star TV and the Indian nesian movies, thriller Air Terjun Football body FIFA says digital in 2006. Express Group. Pengantin (above). engagement with this year’s When England and the U.S. The cable platform’s latest pro- World Cup in South Africa ex- played simultaneously, fifa.com Mohamed Ilhami Emam has gramming initiative also bumps ceeded all expectations. technicians reported a through- been appointed euronews’ up fitness, food and health Fifa.com attracted more than put of one million hits per second permanent correspondent content on-demand, including 250 million visits and about 150 at the height of the activity. based in Cairo covering instructional programmes Pilates million unique users over the 31 More than 220,000 people fol- the Middle East and North from the Inside Out hosted by days of this year’s tournament. lowed FIFA’s official tweets on Africa. He has worked with Karen Karter, and Yoga for Life The site had seven billion page Twitter, while members of the euronews’ Arabic-language with Kurt Johnsen. views. The highest per-day views five million-strong FIFA.com Club service since March last year, Lifestyle food shows include was 410 million. Unique users swapped 120 million virtual stick- and was most recently a re- Fed Up, with natural foods chef were three times the number ers and made over one million porter for Russia Today. Andrea Beaman. recorded during the last games comments on the website.
TB3 Ad Content Asia EMag path.indd 1 7/6/10 5:15 PM05 July 19-August 29, 2010
&v.quickly Stargate Universe the space marks Sci Fi’s Syfy shift C NTENTASIA Universal Networks Interna- J b tional marks the shift in Asia the place to look for the jobs that matter from science fiction channel Sci Fi to Syfy Universal on 26 July with the premiere of Star- Sales Directors gate Universe (11pm SG/HK, TV & New Media Content Distribution 10pm Thailand/Indonesia). The action series stars Robert Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is looking for two highly qualified and expe- Carlyle, Ming-Na and Lou rienced individuals for Sales Director positions for its Korean and Greater Diamond Phillips in the story China businesses. The Directors of Distribution, based in Seoul and Beijing, of scientist Eli and others who respectively will lead the Sales & Marketing teams to deliver the highest unexpectedly find themselves level of service to our existing and new clients while ensuring the successful stranded on the far side of achievement of internal strategies, goals and sales budgets. Both positions the galaxy. report into the SVP, Distribution Asia Pacific, based in Hong Kong.
China nixes money- Role and Responsibilities: obsessed dating shows • Manage SPT’s content sales to television, digital and new media clients in each country Dating shows – or rather, • Manage existing accounts and clients to ensure business continuity, customer satisfaction, Chinese authorities’ determi- growth and expansion nation to limit their influence • Prepare and achieving aggressive annual sales budgets, growth targets and cost control – are the topic of the month requirements in China. The State Admin- • Provide accurate and useful sales estimates on individual projects, and determine the most istration of Radio, Film and suitable sales strategies both with individual clients and overall Television (SARFT) says many • Oversee the development, implementation and management of new business opportunities popular match-making shows • Liaise with and direct the marketing team in the development and implementation of are excessively materialistic and have unhealthy values. marketing and promotional strategies Local reports say satellite sta- • Coordinate multiple departments and divisions within SPT to ensure the highest level of service tions have already started and support for our clients dropping programmes. Those • Demonstrate strong and relevant local relationships so as to meet objectives and add value still on air have axed guests to the business obsessed with money. Aca- demics have weighed into Job Requirements: the debate. Some insist the • Minimum 5 years’ direct and relevant industry experience in a Senior Sales role latest crackdown suppresses • Proven advanced sales and negotiation skills Chinese rights to self-expres- • Experience in media sales and content distribution, with some direct knowledge in other sion and is not supported by aspects of the entertainment industry including local production mainland law. • Proven experience in leading and motivating teams • Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating an ability to build and maintain collaborative Bachchan back relationships with clients and key stakeholders Bollywood’s Amitabh Bach- • Native speaker (Korean or Mandarin, respectively) with excellent English written and verbal chan is back on the set of communication and presentation skills Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in India. The show airs on Sony This is a great opportunity for an experienced, motivated and responsible candidate to join an Entertainment Television later innovative environment, where your creativity and initiatives will be highly valued. this year. Interested candidates are invited to send your detailed CV to [email protected] Korea buys Jungle Book Sony Pictures Television (HK) Ltd. Korea’s educational pub- 21/F., Cityplaza Three, 14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong lic broadcaster, Education Broadcasting System (EBS), Applications will be treated in strict confidence and information will be used for recruitment has bought exclusive free-TV purposes only. If you do not hear from us within the next two to four weeks, you may rights for three years to DQ Entertainment’s 3D animated assume that your application has not been successful. We regret to advise that only shortlisted series, The Jungle Book. The candidates will be contacted. 52-episode series has already been sold to Disney and Al Jazeera for Arabic states, among others. For more job listings, please go to: http://www.contentasia.tv/classified.php
06 July 19-August 29, 2010
StarHub celebrates beingsocial Food Network Asia launch
Five of Facebook’s top six Aussie celeb chef and TV show monthly growth countries are host, Luke Nguyen, chopped, in Asia, according to indie shaved, rolled and explained analysts Inside Network’s exactly what’s involved in his Global Monitor report. cuisine at a dinner in Singapore But even if Asia is “an explod- to celebrate the arrival in Asia of ing presence” on Facebook, Scripps Networks’ Food Network not every country “has caught Celeb chef Luke Nguyen (3rd right) in Singapore with Scripps Networks’ (from Asia. The channel is carried in SD the wave”. The notable hold- left) Hud Woodle, Sunil Shabhani, Greg Moyer and Mary Ellen Iwata, and StarHub and HD on StarHub. outs have been Japan and COO Tan Tong Hai. More party pics at www.asiacontentwatch.com South Korea, both of which have their own powerhouse social networking sites. All that may be about to change. Inside Network says the space that in June, South Korea C NTENTASIA added 211,280 monthly active J b users to Facebook, growth of the place to look for the jobs that matter 23.5%. That followed 25.6% growth in monthly users during May. In the last three months, Warner Bros. is a global leader in the creation, production, South Korea’s Facebook user- distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of base has more than doubled to 1,108,840 users. entertainment and their related businesses. We are now Inside Network says that if recruiting for the following positions based in Shanghai, China: Korean users continue to grow at this pace, the country could have 10 million Facebook us- Business Manager, International TV ers by next summer. Responsibilities & Requirements: The question is whether – or • Assist China Director with distribution of WB programs to TV stations and new media platforms how – Facebook can coexist • Manage materials delivery and handle some sales to traditional linear clients with native networks, such as • Manage product research, sales order and contract issues, billing, collections, financial planning Cyworld, which tried (& failed) • 3-5 yrs experience in operations/supply chain management, customer or sales support, and/ to establish a foothold in the or financial planning at a multinational company U.S. “Depending on what South Korea’s users are coming for, it Coordinator, International TV may be possible for Facebook Responsibilities & Requirements: to coexist with Cyworld and • Support Business Manager for all China clients, including branded on-demand services others,” Inside Network says. • 1-2 yrs experience in sales support, sales planning, and/or operations/supply chain management at a multinational company Corrections Marketing Associate, Branded Services Asia, International TV • CETV’s Angela Mak was Responsibilities & Requirements: mistakenly identified in the • Assist Marketing Director on all aspects of branding and marketing Warner TV linear channels, 5 July issue as CEO. She is, of Subscription and Ad–supported Video-on-Demand destinations across Asia course, CFO. Apologies for • Manage client implementation and regular review of branding elements across each service any inconveniece caused. • 3-4 years experience in marketing, communication or business analysis at a multinational • K+, Vietnam’s joint venture company DTH service, hopes to have one million subs in the next Intern, Branded Services Asia, International TV three years, not 22 million, Responsibilities & Requirements: which is the full reach of the • Support the Branded Services team on all aspects satellite platform. Apologies • Fluent in both spoken and written English for the error. • Knowledgeable of social media networks, internet/mobile trends, tools and best practices We hate making mistakes, • Must be willing to commit for one year, full-time but when we do, we fix them immediately. The corrected To apply, please email your CV/resume to: [email protected] version is available free at www.asiacontentwatch. com. Just click on the digital section to view or download back issues. For more job listings, please go to: http://www.contentasia.tv/classified.php
07 July 19-August 29, 2010
Who was at... Casbaa’s What Hong Kong’s 3 new free-TV wannabes want... summer mixer drinks in Hong Kong i-Cable, PCCW and CTI have applied for free-TV licenses in Hong Kong. They’re promising up to 30 new channels and a mass of every kind of new locally produced and acquired content.
CTI i-Cable’s Fantastic TV PCCW’s HKTVE
Promises (for starters): A 12- Promises: A two-channel (Can- Promises: A Cantonese general channel domestic free television tonese and English) domestic entertainment channel programme service (2 self-pro- free-television programme serv- Special requests: Not to be Vanessa Griffiths-Green, Casbaa; duced channels, 4 turn-around ice in both analogue and digital forced to offer an English-lan- Gushi Sethi, Eurosport channels and 6 partnership formats guage channel. For one, PCCW channels at launch. The channels How much they’re spending: says there’s enough English- will broadcast between 12 to 24 Capital & operating expenditure language programming in Hong hours a day. in the first six years of operation Kong and “no strong market More promises: The number are projected to be over HK$1 evidence” of a need for more. of channels will increase to 20 billion/US$129 million in aggre- PCCW also says that having to (2 self-produced channels, 8 gate. Includes HK$39 million/ split resources across a second turn-around channels and 10 US$5 million capex and HK$968 channel will adversely affect its partnership channels) within 3 million/US$125 million on pro- ability to provide competitive years of launch and up to 30 (2 gramming. First six years’ operat- Cantonese programming, “which William Pfeiffer, Tiger Gate Enter- self-produced channels, 11 turn- ing expenditure projected to be is its first priority and the first priority tainment; Rob Gilby, Disney Media around channels and 17 partner- HK$169 million/US$22 million of the community”. Distribution ship channels) within 6 years of Schedules: 24-hour daily sched- And if it has to... then the English launch. ule. The Cantonese channel will channel will broadcast for 8 How’re they going to do that: be a general entertainment serv- hours a day and “endeavour to Turn-around channels will be re- ice targeting mass audiences, bring a taste of Hong Kong to quired to pay CTI carriage fees. with news, finance, information, English-speaking viewers by pro- Partnership channels will operate entertainment, children’s pro- viding subtitling/audio language on a revenue-share basis. grammes, sports and movies. options (e.g. Putonghua and/ How much $: CTI forecasts capi- Local production: Over 70% of or English) to cater for different tal & operating expenditure at prime-time programmes on the viewing preferences of the com- HK$1,052 million/US$135 million Cantonese channel will be pro- munity, as well as niche language Breck McCormack, WMS; Simon in the first six years of operation. duced locally and substantially programmes to cater to the Twiston Davies, Casbaa Includes HK$394 million/US$51 mil- all prime-time programmes are needs of ethnic minority groups lion on local production. first-run. and multi-lingual speakers”. Will ride on: HKBN’s fibre transmis- Acquisitions: The English channel How much they’re spending: sion network will be almost all acquired, in- HK$600 million over the first three Local content plans: CTI plans cluding documentaries, lifestyle, years. PCCW has not disclosed to produce and/or commission news, information and financial the breakdown between capex local news, current affairs and en- programmes. and programming spend, citing tertainment programmes for self- The HD plan: Standard definition commercial sensitivity. produced Cantonese channels. initially to enable max reach Schedules: 24-hours, Cantonese. Alexandre Muller, TV5Monde Plans to broadcast 1 to 3 hours Will ride on: i-Cable’s Hybrid Fibre News, finance, current affairs, locally produced programmes Coaxial (HFC) network documentary, lifestyle, travel, va- daily during prime time (7pm and Coverage: 95% – or 2.15 million riety show, arts and culture, sports, 11pm). Not less than 1.5 hours of homes – from day one via i- music and movie programmes as prime time programmes will be Cable’s HFC network (with some well as programmes for seniors, first-run programmes. additional connection required children and young people What about acquisitions: Plans for dual-system buildings). Single Local production: General and to acquire programmes from system buildings can receive financial news, current affairs, branded channel providers signals immediately. This gives music, food and travel, and other and producers in China and Fantastic higher coverage than lifestyle programmes for prime- overseas the digital terrestrial services cur- time slots during year one Paul Jackson, NDS; Andrew Davis, InvestHK What’s the HD plan: No HD for the rently offered by TVB and ATV, The HD plan: HD on the Canton- first six years unless there is “over- the two existing free-TV stations. ese channel. SD on the English whelming market demand” Coverage: Not less than 70% of More industry party pics in Coverage promises: Has com- households within 12 months after the Gallery section at mitted to passing at least 100,000 service commencement; not less asiacontentwatch.com/ homes within 9 months, 500,000 than 80% of households within 24 photo-galleries households in 24 months and 1.5 months; and not less than 90% of million homes in 36 months households within 36 months
08 Deals get done.
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ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 09 July 19-August 29, 2010
ContentAsia’s 20/20 interview asks those who have been in the industry in Asia for the past 10 years at least to look back – and forward – and tell us what they see. As part of an ongoing series, Louis Boswell, AETN All Asia Networks’ general manager, talks about influences, small teams, listening (or not) to China and the great Thai opportunity.
What do you think the biggest in- ingratiate and then delude our- fluence on Asia’s media industry selves that the nice people in in the past 10 years has been? Beijing didn’t really mean it.” “It is a close call between new trends in content and technol- What are the biggest operational ogy, but if forced to pick one I differences you have seen over would have to choose technol- the past decade? “Scale and ef- ogy. Streaming media on the ficiency. You don’t need a million internet, watching content on people to run a pay-television smartphones, iPods, iPads, there network anymore. It can and is are more ways than ever to con- effectively being done by really sume content and this is still just quite small teams of people.” the beginning of a revolution. And in parallel, the venerable TV The forecasts that didn’t come set gets stronger both with new true… Or the ones that came The technologies to supply it and true but not in the way you ex- more critically so many more pected. “The end of television, services to pump through it.” when everyone was frothing interview about You Tube.” 10 years ago, lots of companies said they were totally digital. Is there anything that might have What’s the biggest difference happened that didn’t (or hasn’t between the digital of 2000 and yet)? “So many things. HD again, your digital of today? “10 years progress against piracy, digitisa- You don’t need a million ago, going or being digital was tion in Taiwan, real growth in the be all and end all. Today it Thailand, more media spend on people to run a pay-TV network is HD, 3D, PVR, VOD, SVOD, and pay-TV. But it will all happen.” many more acronyms besides. It anymore. It can and is effectively is still all digital but the difference What’s your take on social being done by really quite is we are using the fact that we networks? “Social networks are live in a digital world to innovate. now part of our landscape, and small teams of people.” 10 years ago we were simply in they will continue to evolve and the ‘throw out our vinyl and buy develop. They are great means CDs’ mindset. Now we realise of communication and defining digital is so much more than just a community. But we need to but the country needs to sort spend too much time talking squeezing four channels into remember they are not all-en- itself out from the top down. It about how technology will be where one had been.” compassing and we need to be could be a powerhouse.” used, only to be told differently careful about how we use them once we give that technology Of all the things we have known because most people still want The phrase you take with you into to the consumer.” and been excited over in the to be friends with their friends, every biz dev meeting? “What is past 10 years, what do you think not with brands.” it going to cost us and what is has failed to live up to expec- the worst-case scenario?” Boswell also talks about what tations? “Technology – HD. Still What has been the biggest he would do again in a na- excited but it has certainly not disappointment? “Thailand. It What do you think the costs of all nosecond even if no money yet justified our expectations, is such a great country, with the focus of speed and tech is? “I was involved, says what he although that will likely change incredible creativity and people don’t think there is any real cost thinks the industry will be talk- very soon. Country – China. love TV, but, despite that, legal that we need to be concerned ing about in 20/20 and reveals China made it very clear a long pay TV is in a fraction of the about. Speed and technology what he’s still deeply unsure time ago that foreign control of country and piracy is rampant. are essential in our business, as about. Read the full interview media was never on the cards, Admittedly, pay TV is not Thai- in many others. But I would say at www.contentasia.tv but we all chose to ignore, then land’s biggest problem right now that with technology, we do
010 Content Asia 192x250-2.pdf 1 10年7月12日 下午6:51
This year’s CASBAA Convention, themed “Unlock Your Networks” will Contacts: be held from 25 – 28 October in Hong Kong with an unrivalled programme Sponsorship Opportunities of debates and discussions including: Jasper Donat
C [email protected] &RXQWU\OHDGHUVIURP9LHWQDPDQG7KDLODQGWRGLVFXVVWKHLUPDUNHWVDQG M future directions Speaking Opportunities Y 3RWHQWLDOVDQGFKDOOHQJHVLQGHYHORSLQJ'79QHWZRUNV Amanda Yang CM :LQQLQJQHZVYLHZHUVKLSLQWKHWHFKQRORJLFDOO\DGYDQFHGHFRV\VWHP [email protected] 'LVFXVVLRQVRQWKHGLJLWDOJLDQW±&KLQDPDUNHW MY :KHUHLVWKH$VLDQPHGLDKXE CY .H\LQGXVWU\OHDGHUVWRVKDUHOHVVRQVOHDUQWDQGGLVFXVVSODQVIRUIXWXUH Delegate Registration CMY Agnes Chan
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ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 011 BUYERtalk July 19-August 29, 2010
ContentAsia’s ongoing focus on Asia’s most important buyers explores how they think and what they want.
Mohd Puzi Mohamed, channel director of Singapore’s Malay cable channel Sensasi and managing director of local content distributor company Content Network Asia, buys drama, lifestyle, magazine and documentary programming. He acquires mostly cable TV [and some- times video-on-demand] rights for Sensasi.
What kinds of sales pitches do time slot was longer but that is Where do you buy most of your you respond best to? “Softer not possible due to Singapore’s programming from? “Mostly approach with lots of informa- working lifestyle.” from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singa- tion on the ratings, production pore and also smaller quantities details such as budget, casting, If money were no object, which from Korea, Brazil, Philippines selling their content especially director and location shoot.” three programmes would you and others.” their drama series. As for the buy tomorrow? “Blockbuster Malaysian content, we saw a How much of a programme/epi- Hindi movies.” How much do you acquire from trend towards stripping their sodes of a series do you watch Europe/Americas/Latin Ameri- drama daily series (either local before you decide to buy? “Usu- What do you find most difficult ca/Middle East? “We previously Malaysian or foreign drama), ally I watch the first two, middle about the programming/acqui- acquired from Europe and the which has done quite well for two and last two episodes.” sition process? “The paperwork Americas, mostly North America them. We also notice that Sin- and the lack of good promo- and Canada. Most of these titles gapore has been very active Do you remember the first pro- tional materials such as visuals are documentary series from in- in promoting co-productions in gramme/series you bought and and trailers.” dependent producers and also both movies and series with their what you were thinking at the suppliers that represent these Malaysian counterparts. This time? “The first programme we What do you hate most about small independent producers. is something positive for both bought was an Indonesian dra- the acquisitions process? So far we have acquired about countries as it help to bind us ma series that we thought would “Delays in getting information 50 hours from these places.” together regionally.” be a big hit due to its storyline, such as ratings and production infusion of Indian and Indonesian details.” What genres are most popular What programme do you watch culture and good director and on Sensasi? “Drama, lifestyle most often for your own enjoy- producer. It worked...” Is there anything you wish pro- magazine, reality TV show and ment? “Various drama series gramme licensing and distribu- variety content.” from Korea, Brazil, Malaysia and What is your best buy ever – tion people would do that they Indonesia.” and why? “Indonesian sinetron are not doing now? “Be more What genre/s are you not inter- Mimpi Manis, which won best creative and generous in their ested in at all? “We don’t have The key trade events that you drama award in Indonesia. It promotional materials.” slots for children’s programming, will be attending in the next six flies in the faces of our viewers including animation. We also months? “The Asia Television so much so that it influenced What’s the biggest programming don’t buy any current affairs as Forum in Singapore.” the festive celebration dressing risk you’ve ever taken? “Buying our channel mainly focuses on and wedding performances at drama series that run over 200 entertainment programmes.” Mohd Puzi Mohamed is among that time.” episodes.” 500 buyers in Asia featured on Have you noticed any major ContentAsia’s subscription Is there any show you wish you What do you think the most changes in the kinds of pro- service, asiacontentwatch.com had bought but didn’t? And important part of your job is? gramming being made in Asian For more information, please why? “Not really. We are short “Getting the right content and countries for regional distribu- email [email protected] on prime-time slots rather than promoting it to our viewers as tion? “We noticed that the Phil- or call +65 6846-5988. programmes. We wish the prime well as non-viewers.” ippines has been quite active in
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History by Malena Amzah
Military history is hot on History. ment/science is second with 31 related shows (as in the assassina- History, launched in Asia in Great big battles, how they were hours/18% and places/events tions of famous figures) make up 2007, targets the 25+ age group. fought, and the winning (and with 28 hours/17%. 2% (4 hours) of the schedule for The channel schedules against losing) strategies are the chan- But that’s not (and never was) the week of 19 July. other factual channels, but keeps nel’s biggest draw, says Michele where History ends. The joint ven- In addition, History gives it eye firmly on what’s going on Schofield, AETN All Asia Networks’ ture channel also airs 19 hours about 8% of the schedule to everywhere from sports to gen- vice president for programming of engineering/architectural people-related programming. eral entertainment. and production. content (11% of the schedule), This includes series like AETN’s There’s also a strong push to- For the week of 19 July, 26% of 16 hours (10%) of paranormal Pawn Stars (Thursdays, 11pm- wards increasing audience touch the standard-definition sched- programming, including shows midnight), chronicling the points beyond television and on- ule – or 44 hours – is filled with like UFO Hunters, and 13 hours of three-generation Harrison family ground events. war-related content. Environ- religion/mythology (8%). Crime- pawn-broking business. More on page 15
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 19-Jul-10 20-Jul-10 21-Jul-10 22-Jul-10 23-Jul-10 24-Jul-10 25-Jul-10 Infamous Assassinations 12:00 The Attempt On Hitler WWII Lost Films How The Earth Was Modern Marvels Modern Marvels Lost Worlds History’s Greatest The Da Vinci Shroud #10 Made Blunders: Asia Enter & Exit Milk Herod The Great 12:30 End Game Ring Of Fire Hitler’s Declaration Of War On The United States Pawn Stars 13:00 #1 Knights In A Fake Cities Of The HISTORY ASIA Armor? Dogfights Spartacus: UFO Hunters Underworld Lost Worlds: MIG Killers Of Midway Behind The Myth UFO Surveillance Pawn Stars Secret Soviet Bases Taj Mahal 13:30 #2 Boom Or Bust The Real Face Of Jesus? Pawn Stars #3 14:00 How The Earth Was WWII Lost Films Confederate Ancient Discoveries Modern Marvels Strange Rituals Made #9 Conundrum Lost Science Of The Bible Locomotives Altered States Ring Of Fire Edge Of The Abyss Pawn Stars 14:30 #4 Sink Or Sell 15:00 America: The Universe WWII Lost Films The Universe Strange Rituals Monster Quest The Story Of The U.S. 10 Ways To Destroy #10 Alien Moons Altered States Devils In New Jersey #7 15:30 The Earth End Game Cities The Real Face Of Jesus? 16:00 America: America: The Making Of The Story Of The U.S. Sworn To Secrecy Clash Of The Gods UFO Hunters The Story Of The U.S. 16:30 Adolf Hitler #7 The Wizard War Thor UFO Surveillance #8 Cities Boom Pawn Stars Infamous Assassinations #3 17:00 The Attempt On Hitler America: Confederate HISTORY ASIA Battles BC WWII Lost Films The Story Of The U.S. Conundrum Ancient Discoveries Lost Worlds: Joshua: #10 History’s Greatest #8 Lost Science Of The Bible Taj Mahal Epic Slaughter Pawn Stars End Game Blunders: Asia Boom 17:30 #4 Hitler’s Declaration Of Sink Or Sell War On The United States Pawn Stars #3 18:00 HISTORY ASIA Confederate Modern Marvels Modern Marvels Lost Worlds Modern Marvels Lost Worlds: The Da Vinci Shroud Conundrum Enter & Exit Milk Herod The Great Locomotives Taj Mahal Pawn Stars 18:30 #4 Sink Or Sell Pawn Stars 19:00 #1 Knights In A Fake Dogfights Cities Of The Armor? (TSC) Spartacus: Sworn To Secrecy The Real Face Of Jesus? The Universe MIG Killers Of Midway Underworld Behind The Myth (FR) The Wizard War (FR) (FR) Astrobiology (FR) Pawn Stars (FR) Secret Soviet Bases (FR) 19:30 #2 Boom Or Bust (TSC)
Places/Events (28 hours/17%) Environment/Science (31 hours/18%) Military/War (44 hours/26%) Paranormal/Superstition (16 hours/10%)
People (13 hours/8%) Engineering/Architectural (19 hours/11%) Crime (4 hours/2%) Mythology (13 hours/8%)
Source: AETN All Asia Networks, Time Zone: +8 GMT (HK / MAL / SIN) Key P= Premiere TSC= Time Slot Change FR= First-run
The full 24-hour schedule along with more than 70 others is available at www.asiacontentwatch.com
ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 013 Don’t Let Your Competitors Discover New Films and Projects Before You Do
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ContentAsia Issue 101: July 19-August 29, 2010 014 July 19-August 29, 2010
Apple now but maybe not forever, Ovum says C NTENTASIA Asia-Pac tops app download growth, 20% global share by 2015
Apple’s iPhone dominance in the an estimated 9% of the total ap- lose smartphone share over the Editorial Director mobile app download market plications downloads market. forecast period as newer players Janine Stein will be eroded over the coming Forecasts for 2015 have Apple like Android move in aggressively, Assistant Editor years as rivals Android, Symbian generating “a relatively modest” it will more than triple its share Malena Amzah and BlackBerry make inroads, 22% of app downloads, com- of the app download market [email protected] telecoms analyst Ovum has pared to 19% for Symbian. from 5% to 17%. Similarly, Micro- Research Assistant forecast. Report co-author Michele soft loses smartphone share but Winnie Chen In a new report, Ovum says Mackenzie says while the iPhone doubles its mobile application [email protected] mobile application downloads generates the lion’s share of download share. generated by non-operator ap- smartphone app downloads, Adam Leach, report co-author, Design plication stores will grow by a “over the period we will see the says while North America will Rae Yong compound annual growth rate share of application downloads continue to dominate, its share [email protected] (CAGR) of around 41% globally becoming more equally distrib- of the smartphone mobile app over the next five years, with total uted. Over the forecast period downloads market will decrease Production downloads reaching almost 21.3 other smartphone platforms gain from 57% in 2009 to 31% in 2015. CJ Yong billion by 2015. That’s up from 2.69 ground and by 2015 the land- Ovum expects Asia Pacific to [email protected] billion in 2009. scape looks very different in terms experience the highest growth, Ovum estimates that Apple of market share.” with its share of the global market generated 67% of all smartphone Between 2009-15, Ovum set to quadruple from 5% in the Associate Publisher app downloads in 2009, despite expects Google’s Android to early phase to 20% by 2015. This (Americas, Europe) and claiming just 14% of the overall increase its smartphone base growth will be driven by grow- VP, International Business smartphone installed base. Sym- from 5% to 18% penetration and ing penetration of smartphones Development bian, conversely, commanded its mobile application download in the region coupled with the Leah Gordon a 49% share of the smartphone share from 14% to 26%. increased availability of applica- [email protected] installed base but only generated While BlackBerry looks set to tions with local relevance. Sales and Marketing (Asia) From page 13: History Masliana Masron Media reform in Thailand History is owned and operated [email protected] by Singapore-based AETN All Thailand’s government-run free- Asia Networks (a joint venture TV channel, NBT Television, is To receive your regular free between A&E Television Networks being remade into a space for copy of ContentAsia, please and Astro All Asia Entertainment more diverse views and opinions, email [email protected] Networks). The JV operates chan- and as a force for Thai reform. nels in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong Thailand’s Public Relations De- Published fortnightly by: and Taiwan. Services in other partment, which operates the Pencil Media Pte Ltd regions, including India and Ko- Strange Rituals 22-year-old station, said media 730A Geylang Road rea, are managed separately by 24-hour period makes a bigger reform was one of the five points Singapore 389641 AETN International. difference. of national reconciliation efforts Tel: +65 6846-5987 A large percentage of History July’s programme highlights in Thailand. Fax: +65 6742-9683 content comes from AETN. The include America, The Story of the In his address at NBT’s birthday www.contentasia.tv rest is acquired or commissioned U.S. (Mondays, 10pm-12am), a and relaunch celebrations, Thai for its Asia appeal. 12-hour television epic about the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva What is ContentAsia? Asia-Pacific acquisitions on creation of America. The mini- said that while people today ContentAsia refines today’s the schedule for later this year series premiered in the U.S. in April had more sources of informa- info-deluge into usable, di- include Bhutto about Pakistan this year. tion, consumption seemed to be gestible, and reliable intelli- leader Benazir Bhutto; Inside the Also on in July is How the Earth narrower. The prime minister also gence about entertainment Firestorm, which chronicles the Was Made (Mondays, 8pm-10- said social gaps were widened content creation, funding, worst bushfires in Australia’s his- pm), a documentary about when people were not open to financing, licensing, distribu- tory, and Return to Limbang, a earth’s geological history, and multiple sources of information. tion, and technology across the region. ContentAsia’s documentary about a hostage Strange Rituals, which explores He commited the government products – including elec- rescue in the small river town in rites and rituals and how these to a policy of limited interfer- tronic, print and online pub- North Borneo (now Sarawak) in shape cultures and empires. ence, saying that excessive lications – are tailor-made to December 1962. Series for the rest of the year intervention made a diverse deliver just what you need Content that compels audience include Life After People, Nos- environment, with free and crea- whenever you want it. for long periods is History’s biggest tradamus Effects, Rome: Death tive media, impossible. advantage and the network’s of an Empire, Top Shots and local However, he drew the line Copyright 2010 Pencil Media greatest asset, Schofield says. production Hidden Cities: Asia. at the use of violence, and Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved. While she prefers to buy pre- History HD, available in Singa- said even governments in fully MICA (P) 133/11/2009 free-TV rights, she’s not overly pore, Hong Kong, Philippines, democratic countries would not hung up on first-run, saying that Korea and Japan, is scheduled allow this type of “freedom of the ability to air shows over a separately. expression”.
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