C NTENTASIA 7 September 2014

28 July- C NTENTASIA 7 September 2014

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ContentAsia Summit: “Great Stories, Well Told” 2014 agenda includes 1st ContentAsia Formats

Charo Santos, president and chief ex- E X C L U S I V E ecutive officer of Philppines’ broadcaster ABS-CBN, opens this year’s sixth annual ContentAsia Summit in Singapore on 3-4 F I R S T T I M E I N A S I A September. Santos is joined during the A S L I V E V I A S AT E L L I T E F R O M T H E U K two-day event by speakers from across the content spectrum with the best stories from every level of content creation, production and distribution. The full story is on page 6 Universal unveils new schedules August debut follows Diva’s June rebrand

Universal Networks launches new schedules and programming across its channel bouquet in Asia in the first week of August. Changes include regular weekly theatrical and TV movie slots from 7 August and a two-hour branded Telemundo telen- ovela block from 4 August. The full story is on page 9

DW Asia revamp planned for 2015 Limbourg expands Premieres August 31 international profile Sundays and Mondays at 10:30am (9:30am JKT/BKK) Primetime Encore at 9:00pm (8:00pm JKT/BKK) German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) is working on significant upgrades to its Asia service in 2015, says director general, Peter Limbourg. As he celebrates his first anniversary in the role, Limbourg says too that domestic network housekeep- For carriage inquiries, please contact [email protected] ing is done and that his agenda in year two will include a lot more facetime with WWW.RTLCBSASIA.COM RTLCBSEntertainment @RTLCBSEntertain platforms in Asia. The full story is on page 11 c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 2.

India’s pay-TV industry up 11% a year over the next five years, MPA Broadcasters continue to benefit big time from digitisation, new report says

India’s pay-TV industry will grow from US$3.3 billion in 2013 to US$6 billion by MPA notes a growing opportunity US$7.4 billion in revenue in 2013 to US$12.3 2018 and to US$8.3 billion by 2023. for alternative platforms, including the billion by 2018 – an average annual India had about 65 million paying digi- Doordarshan-owned Free Dish, head- growth rate of 11%, according to industry tal subscribers at end-2013. Digital cable end-in-the-sky (HITS) and OTT media, to analysts Media Partners Asia (MPA). subscribers will total 50 million by 2018 address a widening need gap between By 2023, MPA predicts that India’s and 55 million by 2023. Digital cable con- TV households and pay-TV subscribers. pay-TV industry will generate revenues version will climb from 29% in 2013 to 48% DTH revenues will reach US$4 billion by of about US$16.4 billion. MPA also says by 2018, and 50% by 2023. 2018 and US$5.5 billion by 2023. DTH in- in its new report, India Pay-TV & Broad- MPA expects total pay-TV subs to reach dustry revenue growth will be driven by band – Future Trends, that broadcasters 165 million by 2018 and 180 million by 2023, robust subscriber additions over 2014-16 will continue to be major beneficiaries of implying long-term penetration of 80%, and by improved churn and suspension digitalisation, capitalising on improved adjusted for multiple subscriptions. management. addressability and higher yields. Subscriber growth will remain strong be- MPA forecasts active DTH subscriber Broadcaster subscription revenues are tween 2015-17 as digital addressable sys- base growth from 37 million in 2013 to 60 expected to grow at 11.3% from 2013- tems continue to roll out. After 2017, digital million by 2018, and 70 million by 2023. 2023. MPA says total pay-TV channel pay-TV subscriber growth will decelerate This implies that DTH will have a 39% share revenues for broadcasters, including ad- as consolidation and monetisation take of India’s pay-TV market by 2023, and a vertising and subscription, will grow from priority, MPA says. 56% share of the digital market. c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 3.

China’s StarTimes ups Rewind on a roll, regional net racks up carriage Africa investment, US$80m HQ opens in 2015 Hits adds Philippines’ SkyCable, Indonesia’s Indovision

Chinese pay-TV company StarTimes Me- Friday, 1 August, is a big day for Avi Hi- channel will be subtitled in Bahasa Indo- dia is spending almost US$80 million on matsinghani’s eight-month-old Hits chan- nesia and authenticated access to Hits its new Africa HQ in Kenya. The 20,000- nel, with two new carriage deals kicking app on iOS and Android and online will square-metre centre in Nairobi is sched- in on major Southeast Asian platforms. be offered from the fourth quarter of this uled to be complete at the end of 2015. The latest agreement is with Philippines’ year. The development includes production network SkyCable, which includes a six- The new deals mean Hits has carriage and training facilities and a digital TV re- month free preview for all SkyCable cus- on three major platforms in Southeast search and development centre. tomers. The SkyCable deal also includes Asia. The channel launched on Singa- StarTimes has established digital TV net- access to Hits’ authenticated app on pore’s StarHub in December 2013. works in 10 African countries and offers a iOS and Android as well as online by the The first ratings released earlier in July bouquet of local and international chan- end of this year. put the channel in Singapore’s top three nels across a range of genres. This week’s SkyCable announcement charts. Hits came in at #3 among inter- The two newest channels are StarTimes follows last week’s exclusive deal with In- national general entertainment chan- Sport2 (launched 19 July) and Star Swa- donesia’s Indovision (ContentAsia Insider, nels, with an audience share higher than hili (launches August). Sport2 will carry 25 July 2014) for a phased-roll out across established rivals among all adults 25+ the French League 1, which kicks off on the platform beginning with the Galaxy for the three months from 13 March to 25 8 August, as well as the UEFA European and Super Galaxy packs. Inclusion in Ve- June, according to Kantar Media data qualifiers and other events. nus, Okevision and Top TV will follow. The released by Rewind Networks.

START YOUR DAY SMART Hosted by Adam Bakhtiar and Pauline Chiou from the Singapore Exchange and CNBC’s Hong Kong Studio, The Rundown is your essential guide to begin your day. Catch up on all the buzz from Wall St. and arm yourself with everything you need to know for the coming Asia trading day.

WEEKDAYS AM THE SMART START TO YOUR DAY. 6SIN/HK For distribution enquiries, please email [email protected] c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 4. Lose Candland takes over Disney Asia New U.S.-based role underscores growing importance of Asia Yourself

Disney veteran Paul Candland has been Rob Gilby, managing director, TWDC To Find appointed to the newly created position Southeast Asia, reports to Candland. of president, The Walt Disney Company Candland, currently Walt Disney Japan Yourself (TWDC), Asia, with oversight of Japan, president, reports to Andy Bird, chairman, Korea, Southeast Asia and Greater Chi- Walt Disney International. na, The Walt Disney Company said in an In another move, Stanley Cheung, MD announcement out of the U.S. on Mon- of TWDC Greater China, has been pro- day (28 July). moted to chairman of TWDC Greater The company said the appointment China, reporting to Bird. SVP Luke Kang underscored “he growing importance of assumes Cheung’s role as MD of TWDC Asia to The Walt Disney Company’s glob- Greater China. Kang reports to Cheung al growth strategy”. and Candland.

Celestial Pics in major deal with El Rey 225 martial arts pics head for U.S. cable

Hong Kong- based on the Shaw Brothers’ films. b a s e d The licensing deal, which expands an C e l e s t i a l existing agreement, kicks off on 1 Oc- Pictures has tober. signed a five- Titles in the new package include The The Five Deadly Venoms year programming Five Deadly Venoms, Mad Monkey Kung partnership with El Rey Network that gives Fu, The Brave Archer Trilogy and Have filmmaker Robert Rodriguez’s U.S.-based Sword Will Travel, ”which will air through- cable network access to 255 martial arts out the schedule as well as during the titles from the Shaw Brothers library. network’s monthly Kung Fu marathons. Celestial Pictures and El Rey said this All films come with English subtitles and/ morning that they were also discussing or English dubbed tracks. new original programming concepts Financial details were not disclosed.

100% ﬁrst run, fresh Le Rendez-Vous French fest turns 20 and exclusive original programming Annual French TV fest, Le Rendez-Vous, attend this year. International sales of celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, French programmes have also doubled with participation from buyers across in the past two decades. Detailed export more than 60 markets around the world. figures for 2013 will be released during this Between 12% and 15% of participants this year’s event. year will be from Asia and at least seven TV France’s new digital platform and markets in the region – including China, Ko- plans will be a key focus this year. More rea, India and Japan – will be represented than 1,200 titles will be available for in Biarritz for the show (7-11 Sept). screening during the market, which also Organisers TV France International say features premieres of Lagardere Enter- www.multichannelsasia.com more than 265 acquisition execs – more tainment Rights’ White Soldier and Ne- than double from year one’s 115 – will wen Distribution’s Witnesses.

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Dust yet to settle on Thai ContentAsia Summit: Great Stories, Well Told pay-TV merger The dust has yet to settle on Thailand’s 2-day agenda includes 1st ContentAsia Formats newly minted pay-TV merger, and there’s no firm vision yet on what the alliance between GMM Grammy and CTH means for programmers that have multi- million dollar channel carriage deals with the former rivals turned friends. Earlier this month, GMM Grammy told investors that it was throwing its lot in with rival CTH in a THB1 billion/US$31.4 million Charo Santos, Nancy Kanter, Disney Kathleen Finch, Scripps Iris Boelhouwer, bid to fend off competition, reduce costs ABS-CBN Junior Networks Interactive Endemol Group and to push subscriptions over the 2.5 Charo Santos, president and chief execu- content innovation, creation, production, million mark – more than three times the tive officer of powerful Philippines’ broad- engagement, curation, new platforms, current combined total of 800,000. caster ABS-CBN, opens this year’s sixth old platforms doing new things, and – Grammy said the new arrangement annual ContentAsia Summit in Singapore above all – recognising that magic begins would combine the two platforms’ on 3-4 September. with a great story. The ‘well told’ aspect sports and entertainment strengths. Santos will be joined on the Asia line is the execution and energy that goes However else this plays out, the alliance up by the people driving Asia’s leading into telling it successfully, whatever the will almost certainly help relieve CTH of subscription packages – Agnes Rosario, platform. its heavy English Premier League (EPL) vice president of content for Malaysia’s The “digital” part of the agenda is treat- commitments, rumoured to be in the Astro, and Janice Lee, managing director ed as a valuable element of the evolving region of US$250 million. of PCCW’s Now TV in Hong Kong – along content ecosystem rather than as a sepa- The sale of Grammy’s GMM B sub- with the programmers heading Asia’s rate part of the content business. sidiary to CTH and the share swap are drive towards premium local content, in- The dedicated formats discussion dur- expected to be finalised by 31 July, cluding Fox International Channels’ Cora ing ContentAsia Formats on Wednesday, Grammy said. Yim and Celestial Tiger Entertainment’s 3 September, will cover a wide range of Ofanny Choi. formats, from scripted, semi-scripted and Indonesia’s Telkom Headline international speakers this year digital to game shows, kids and factual. broadband subs up 42% include Nancy Kanter, executive vice The conversation will be driven by the Indonesia’s state-owned telco Telkom’s president, original programming and gen- region’s top formats creators, producers broadband biz is soaring, with subs up eral manager, Disney Junior Worldwide; and distributors. almost 42% at end June compared to Kathleen Finch, president, Scripps Networks Two special reports will be published last year. Telkom reported 28.69 million Interactive’s Home Category business; and for the ContentAsia Summit – the first broadband subs at end June, including Iris Boelhouwer, Endemol Group’s manag- ContentAsia Formats Outlook, the most 3.21 million fixed broadband subs and ing director of creative operations. in-depth report of its kind in Asia, and 18.19 million mobile broadband. The re- This year’s theme is “Great Stories, Well ContentAsia’s second annual list of Asia’s maining 7.27 million are BlackBerry subs. Told”. The two-day agenda – including Most Influential Women in Media. Telkom’s net profit for the first half of this the first dedicated formats programme Contact CJ at [email protected] or year was Rs7.41 trillion/US$637 million. – revolves around great stories across +65 6846-5987 for more details 2015 bookings open. Be included. The most comprehensive directory of its kind in Asia Reaches more than 9,500 executives in print, multimedia and online

For info, contact: Masliana Masron (Asia/Australia) at [email protected] or Leah Gordon (Americas/Europe) at [email protected] c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 7.

Thailand’s Workpoint buys Super 4 Thailand’s Workpoint has picked up new the space ASIA Playmobil animated series Super 4 from JC NbTENT French distributor PGS Entertainment. the place to look for the jobs that matter Commissioned by France Televisions, the series is produced by Method Animation and Morgen Studios. The 52-part comedy/adventure series targets kids aged five to nine. The series debuts in 2015.

Cambodian Broadcasting Service (CBS) operates 4 stations CTN, MYTV, CNC and CTN International delivering high-quality international and locally produced programming to every Cambodian household. CTN is currently rated the best Cambodian television station with the largest audience base, and also delivers service to the Khmer community living in the United States via DTH TV as well as Australia and Canada.

Currently we are looking for talented and dynamic individuals to fulfill the following positions (based in Phnom Penh)

Super 4 1. Concert Director (2 people) • 5 years of experience in TV Production, must have 2-3 years international experience ( Live Concert Production is a plus) India’s NDTV takeover • Technical understanding of Camera , Lighting and Sound rumours swirl • Experiences in driving the operation of Live concert events (both indoor Indian news broadcaster NDTV ends July and outdoor) at the centre of takeover rumours that • Creative in concert production • Good communication and interpersonal skills have sent its stock soaring to this year’s • Good computer knowledge in design software such as Autocad, 3D Max highs. No mention is being made of the or others is a plus buyer yet other than that it’s likely to be • Good command of English, written and spoken a local conglomerate. The rumours fol- • University degree (majoring in media or similar subject is a plus) low recommendations by regulator TRAI (2 people) that direct-to-home satellite platforms 2. Art Director • 5 years of experience in related field shift to a per-sub revenue model instead • high level of motivation and perseverance with a strong sense of belief in your of fixed fees. Insiders say this will save ideas, plus the skill and confidence to express them; news channels carriage fees. • Good computer knowledge in design software is a plus • Good command of English, written and spoken China tightens info flow • University degree in related field Mainland Chinese authorities say 3. Floor Director (2 people) they’re willing to grant more press • 5 years of experience in TV and concert Production passes – but only if journalists sign • Experiences in operating Live concert events (both indoor and outdoor) secrecy agreements that limit what • excellent interpersonal skills and oral communication skills they can do with the info they gather. • understand the hierarchy of responsibilities in a television production No agreement, no official pass, which • knowledge in lighting and set design is a plus • Good command of English, written and spoken means no access to key events and interviews. The new rules also prohibit Interested candidates please submit CV (with photo) and a cover letter to HR mainland journalists from writing for Department to below address: foreign outlets, uploading stories or info Cambodian Broadcasting Service Co., Ltd. to microblogs, chat services, forums or National Road 5, Phum Krolko, Sangkat Kilomet No. 6, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh. Or send e-mail to: [email protected] personal blogs without approval from Only short list candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submitted CVs will not their bosses. Local media expect about be returned. 250,000 versions of the new pass to be Closing date: August 15, 2014 issued. 3-4 September 2014 Grand Hyatt Singapore #greatstorieswelltold @contentasia

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Lift off... Aug reveal for Universal’s new schedule ContentAsia’s Asia bosses add theatrical movies, telenovelas, original titles satellite update Universal Networks International rolls out and The Wedding Singer, starring Adam new schedules and programming across Sandler as a 1980s wedding singer. ABS boosts Middle East, its channel bouquet in the first week of Diva’s new schedule also features TV Africa biz Asia-based satellite August. The Singapore-based regional movies on Tuesday nights from 5 August, company ABS has upped its global network has also lifted the lid on its ex- with titles such as Taken Back: Finding game in a deal with Middle East opera- panded slate of original productions for Hayley, Garage Sale Mystery, Out of tor Arabsat. The multi-transponder “stra- Asia, including the first local co-pro for Reach and Crimes of the Mind. tegic commercial agreement” for Ku- sci-fi channel Syfy. Original productions for entertainment band capacity on the ABS-3a satellite Among the network’s new channel E! include season five at 3°W means Arabsat can keep up with programming initiatives are of Refinery Media’s local rapid increase in demand for capacity regular weekly theatri- modelling show Super- over the Middle East/North Africa. Ar- cal and TV movie slots model Me, which will absat also plans to launch four satellites from 7 August and a be made in Malaysia of its own. ABS-3a (48 C- and Ku-band two-hour branded this year, as well as transponders) goes up at the end of this Telemundo tel- the second season year or early 2015. ABS says this is the first e n o v e l a b l o c k of E! celeb reality time it will be able to provide complete stripped across show It Takes Gutz coverage of the Middle East and North Diva’s weekday to be a Guttierez. Africa. afternoon schedule E! also continues from 4 August. with news show E! Eutelsat supports SEA expansion French The regional net- News and a fresh operator Eutelsat is supporting the work says too that new series of E! specials. Pro- Southeast Asia expansion of European rights agreements across duction has shifted to the broadcasters Newslux and MCS TV/Altice its bouquet include shorter NBC-owned Aussie produc- Group. The two channels – current affairs Aurora windows and the ability to offer tion house Matchbox Productions, service i24News and sports channel MCS mobile and online catch-up services. which has set up a base in Singapore. TV International – have signed new deals 90% of new series – including the new E!s exclusive acquisitions include Fashion for capacity on Eutelsat 70B. seasons of Suits, Downton Abbey, Rookie Bloggers, a reality show from Australia’s Blue, My Kitchen Rules and The Face – will Core 3 Entertainment made exclusively Capacity focus over India, Indonesia be available between one and seven for Universal’s Style Network in Australia. SES has picked U.S. manufacturer Airbus days from the U.S. premiere, says Asia The series, which starts filming in August, Defence and Space to build its new Asia managing director Christine Fellowes. tracks five fashion bloggers. satellite, SES-12, scheduled to launch in The branded block from U.S. Spanish net- The first original title on Syfy is a copro- 2017 to replace NSS-6. SES-12 at 95°E will work Telemundo (owned by NBCUniversal) duction with Malaysia’s Kechara Media serve DTH broadcasting, data, mobile kicks off on Diva with Aurora (2010/11) and Publications for The Paranormal Zone and government markets in the region, and Cruel Love (Perro Amor/2010) back season three, which shifts to a first-window with specific emphasis on India and to back. The block, dubbed into English release on the sci-fi channel. The first two Indonesia. with local subtitling in select markets, runs seasons were made for Malaysian terrestri- from 4.15pm to 6pm. This is the first time al station ntv7, and will air on Syfy around the women’s channel will air Latin drama, the region from September 2014. and the titles are first-run in Singapore, The new schedules follow the mid-June C NTENTasia Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the rebrand of Diva, with the tagline “Be Your- Daily news with Philippines. self” and an image that’s “warm, trendy Theatrical titles on Diva’s Thursday and with a lust for life”. The channel, ContentAsia Insider schedule include Todd Phillips’ 2009 com- targetting women from 20-44 years old, is email [email protected] edy The Hangover; Addicted to Love, being shaped based on three years worth for subscription details Griffin Dunne’s 1997 romantic comedy of High Heel Warriors research into women with Meg Ryan and Matthew Broderick; in Asia, Fellowes says. The most anticipated entertainment market of the year.

4 days of screenings, networking and inspiring keynotes. 1,700 exhibiting companies showcasing their latest programmes. 4,600+ international buyers looking for fresh content. 13,500 participants on the road to success. Endless opportunities.

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DW Asia revamp planned for 2015 Limbourg ups Asia facetime in year two on the job

German broadcaster Deutsche Welle in the next two years but we this so attractive that people (DW) is working on significant upgrades are going in the direction want the whole network, to its Asia service in 2015. of being in the top three not only parts of it”. As director general Peter Limbourg infor mation sources DW’s science and tech celebrates his first anniversary in the role, worldwide,” he adds. focus will also be main- he says too that domestic network house- Ultimately, his mission tained. “Knowledge and keeping is done and that his agenda in is to make sure that science are something year two will include more facetime with “the voice of Germany DW stands for,” Limbourg platforms and partners in Asia. as a European conti- says, highlighting too the The channel revamp, currently set nental voice with certain network’s politics, culture for April next year, involves redoing the values of tolerance and and sports themes. English-language line up with more live democracy and with a highly “We don’t want to be limited Peter Limbourg coverage, more news and more informa- export-orientated economy and to being a science or knowledge tion across a range of themes as well as globalised approach... is a voice channel. We have to give a broad a new look, new on-air graphics and a that is heard”. picture. Economics is also very important new studio. Language customisation is also on for us. It links us and brings people togeth- DW is also focused on using online the agenda as a way of increasing rel- er – and it’s not just a question of making platforms and social media to strengthen evance. money. Economic themes are also very links with viewers and to turn up the vol- The biggest challenges in making sure important,” he says. ume on Germany’s voice on the interna- DW’s voice is loud enough in Asia include What he’s definitely not planning are tional stage. making programming more interesting for brand extensions into, for example, “We have to strengthen our linear TV Asian viewers and users. Distribution is the dedicated factual, entertainment or kids approach to have a strong brand but second challenge, and marketing is third. channels. we also have to invest in our capacity to “This is nothing special for us,” Limbourg Limbourg says the network’s economics bring content via the internet and social says, adding: “These are challenges faced and culture strengths play well in China, media... and have to do much more than by every international broadcaster.” and he’s hoping for greater exposure we did in the past,” Limbourg says. Limbourg says DW’s distribution network across the mainland. “The door is open Already a reliable source of informa- in Asia is already strong, and that the strat- and we have to go through, he says, add- tion, DW’s goal now is to be among egy of mixing programme licensing and ing that differences of opinion in some the top three international information channel partnerships will remain in place. areas are “nothing that should hinder us sources worldwide, Limbourg says, listing “It’s a very good concept,” he says, from increased cooperation”. competitors in this space (in no particular adding that at the same time as being “In certain areas you have different order) as BBC, Al Jazeera, Russia Today, a content producer with distribution, DW opinions and no one is forced to change France24 and China Central Television is also a network with its own mission and them. It’s a question of respect,” he says, (CCTV). “we have to balance it fairly. We should adding: “We are willing to give this re- “This will take time,” Limbourg Whosays. beshrunk strong on partner myWho strategy Big butshrunkList? also be myspect andBig we List? want to be respected for “We are not pressed to be number one strong within our own network and make our values and opinions.”

Based on The Big List,$VLD·VGHÀQLWLYHSULQWGLUHFWRU\WKH&RQWHQW$VLDDSSOHWV\RXBased on The Big List,$VLD·VGHÀQLWLYHSULQWGLUHFWRU\WKH&RQWHQW$VLDDSSOHWV\RX Find out who’s who. Search and browse companiesFind out who’sand their who. key Search executives. and browse companies and their key executives.

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Coming soon c ntentasia formats 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 12.

ContentAsia’s regular section, ContentAsia Formats, looks at formats and format development in Asia, including new seasons, series and trends and what these mean to channels, producers and the overall formats industry in the region.

Junior Bake Off Thailand

Thailand’s Nation Multimedia Group’s freshly minted digital terrestrial channel, Now 26, launches Asia’s first version of U.K. kids’ cooking show, Junior Bake Off Thailand, in September this year. The eight-episode 33-minute series premieres on 7 September, airing at 4pm on Sundays, and runs to 26 October. A spinoff of BBC series, The Great British Bake Off, Junior Bake Off gives children between seven and 12 years old the chance to become baking champions. Junior Bake Off Thailand is produced by Thai production house Content Lab, Junior Bake Off Thailand which is also producing Global Agency’s singing format Keep Your Light Shining water park, Siam Park, in Bangkok. for Thai tastes. For example, bread and for an as-yet-unnamed TV channel in Another challenge was training the kids savoury dishes have been ditched and Thailand. to use electronic kitchen appliances. Most the challenges built around more popular Content Lab’s executive producer had never used an electric mixer, blender baked goods. “There is a lively coffee Gavin Wood, along with BBC Worldwide’s or electric whisk and opted for spoons shop culture in Thailand and the demand executive producer for formats and and hand whisks instead. Ovens are also for cakes, scones, doughnuts, etc is high,” local production Duncan Cooper, are in an uncommon commodity in the Thai Thongman says. charge of production. domestic kitchens. “The children also delivered some Given Thailand’s wet weather at the “We held a workshop day for all the chil- inspired and creative bakes far ahead of moment, the greatest production challenge dren so they could become familiar with their age and experience,” he adds. so far has been finding a location. the appliances. It was a challenging day The show’s production budget is “The show is usually recorded in a for them and they learned a lot of other undisclosed, but is “within the normal large marquee located in a park or the skills, like using digital scales with the tare range for an international format of this grounds of a country estate. Our recording weight function so the bowl weight was quality and duration”, Thongman says. schedule clashes with Thailand’s rainy not included when weighing ingredients,” Launched in April this year, Now 26 is part season, which made shooting in a tent says Wood, adding: “One of our bakers of Thailand’s bouquet of 24 new digital impractical,” says Noppakorn Thongman, put a metal bowl with butter in the micro- terrestrial stations. The channel’s line-up managing director of Content Lab. wave but we got to her before the power also includes sitcom How I Met Your Mother The recording of Junior Bake Off Thailand button was pressed.” and drama series is now located at Thailand’s biggest family Recipe ingredients have been adapted White Collar.

FORMATS at the ContentAsia Summit 2014 September 2014. Grand Hyatt, Singapore. Be included. Contact CJ at [email protected] 7190 ATF_192x250_FApathed.ai 1 26/6/14 5:14 pm c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 14.

PlatformToggle

free live streaming of Channel NewsAsia (Singapore feed) and Channel 8 (6.30pm- 10.30pm daily) is offered for free. Upgrades In June, Toggle unveiled a new look, calling the fix “Toggle V2”. The aim was to “enhance discoverability and navigation” by adding innovative features that allow quick access to the programmes or add programmes to a favourite list, among others. The fix also includes a kid space KidZone (see offering) and notification feature to alert user of new episode of series in their favourite list. The future plan is to offer a download- to-watch capability on the Toggle app. Is the service geo-blocked? Toggle is currently only available in Singapore and can be accessed online via any internet In a regular section looking at up-and-coming platforms in Asia, service provider. Malena Amzah speaks to William Lee, senior vice president of Singa- Where do you place original-produced pore’s over-the-top service Toggle. content in your overall programming strategy? “Original-produced content, which is our Toggle Original Productions, What is Toggle? Toggle is Singapore’s adventure series Backyardigans, action/ plays a very important part in our overall MediaCorp flagship internet video serv- adventure Zambezia and animation programming strategy. It is one of the USPs ice offering entertainment, news and Gogoriki; and Catch-up TV, which current- (unique selling points) of the platform.” information to viewers across multiple ly carries international TV series The Walk- How are you using social media to ex- devices, including smart phones, tablets ing Dead season four, talent show Britain’s pand your online presence? Through and connected TVs. Got Talent and The Real Hustle social media marketing and Face- Launched February 2013 U.S.A. Toggle also offers live news book. Who’s who William Lee, senior vice presi- streaming of Channel NewsA- Most-watched content The dent, Toggle sia (Singapore feed) and most-watched content is The offering Toggle offers more than Chinese-language Channel 8 Toggle’s Catch-Up TV offer- 20,000 on-demand titles and 30 chan- primetime (6.30pm-10.30pm ing: MediaCorp TV content nels (include KIX, Thrill, Celestial Movies, daily) as well as free live and Channel 8 primetime Outdoor Channel, KBS World and Bloomb- streaming of national events programmes. erg). Packages include Toggle it-First, for Singaporeans residing over- 2014 priorities “To bring a seam- where subscribers can watch advanced seas, via section SGLink. William Lee less brand user experience online, episodes of the latest MediaCorp dramas Targeted users Toggle targets the gen- on the apps and on smart TVs. To also and variety shows; The MediaCorp Col- eral public, especially women in their 30s enhance the suite of programme offerings lection, for classic MediaCorp content; and 40s. with more original Toggle productions.” Toggle Original Productions, an offering Subscribers/registered users 352,000 reg- The best thing that has happened to Tog- of original Toggle-branded content; Kid- istered users (July 2014) gle so far this year is... “The introduction sZone, which offers kids movies, channels Price plans The monthly subscription costs of the new user interface online and on (Da Vinci Learning, Nick Jr. and Katz Fun) SG$9.90/US$8 for all access. The catch- the apps which has been well received and series such as animated musical/ up TV service of local original content, by users so far.” c ntentasia 28 JUly-7 September 2014 Page 15.

Taiwan baseball league boss quits after rights mess MP & Silva pulls contract, league left swinging at empty coffers C NTENTASIA

The chairman of Taiwan’s Chinese Pro- nels’ (FIC) EVP and managing director Editorial Director fessional Baseball League (CPBL), Huang for Taiwan and China, Joanne Tsai, said Janine Stein Zhen-tai, has quit in the wake of the mega- FIC was open to taking on CPBL “if the op- Assistant Editor mess over broadcasting rights manage- portunity arises”. FIC currently broadcasts Malena Amzah ment, a consultancy gone wrong, and Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon [email protected] Production Manager what was supposed to be the road to Professional Baseball (NPB) in Taiwan. CJ Yong riches for the decades-old league. Industry insiders say that MP & Silva’s [email protected] Sports agency MP & Silva’s NT2.04 bil- decision was almost certainly the result of Editorial Research lion/US$68 million deal with the league lower revenues than initially forecast, but Aqilah Yunus was yanked suddenly and spectacularly may also have involved a dispute over [email protected] earlier this month, a little more than six online rights and the league streaming Design months into a six-year agreement. the games on its online channel. Rae Yong MP & Silva ended the contract on 19 Other sources say MP & Silva may have July for breach of contract, but gave no been banking on Al Jazeera-backed Associate Publisher details. The sports rights agency empha- sports outfit, beIN Sports, securing a sports (Americas, Europe) and VP, sised that the decision to terminate was broadcasting license for Taiwan. MP & Sil- International Business Development Leah Gordon a “disappointing last resort”, and that it va has partnered with beIN Sports to roll [email protected] had “made every effort to fulfill its com- out sports channels in Asia. Sales and Marketing (Asia) mitment to the distribution and broad- The league, which denies allegations Masliana Masron cast production agreement”. that it violated rights, has promised fans [email protected] The decision to terminate the exclusive that games will continue on-demand media rights consultancy contract, which and online. The current season started in To receive your regular free copy of included the production of all games, March and runs to September. ContentAsia, please email left the league scrambling for funding to The League’s decision to tie up with [email protected] keep its four teams going. MP & Silva apparently came after former The breakdown also put pro baseball broadcast partner Videoland came in Published fortnightly by: in full damage-control mode to maintain with a low-ball offer believed to be less Pencil Media Pte Ltd 730A Geylang Road broadcast exposure for the rest of the than NT$170 million/US$5.7 million. Singapore 389641 season. MP & Silva outsourced produc- A month after the CPBL contract was Tel: +65 6846-5987 tion to Formosa TV, which told local me- announced, MP & Silva opened a Taiwan contentasia.tv dia it was happy to continue production. office and said new senior hires- under asiacontentwatch.com The games aired on cable sports channel lined its commitment to maximise its part- Sportscast; the league told fans this too nership with the CPBL. Copyright 2014 Pencil Media Pte would continue. MP & Silva said this month that it re- Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Meanwhile, rival broadcasters haven’t mained committed to Taiwan and would MICA (P) 111/06/2013 ruled out adding CPBL rights to their continue to work on ongoing projects in sports lineups. Fox International Chan- Taiwan.