China Telecom, Tiansheng Ally on IPTV

China Telecom (NYSE: CHA; 0728.HK) plans to cooperate with digital TV operator Tiansheng Media in an effort to avoid content shortages previously encountered by the operator during its promotions of IPTV.

Song Zheng, CEO of Tiansheng Media, stated that in the future, the company plans to transition away from cooperating with Internet portal sites such as Sina (Nasdaq: SINA), and move towards partnerships with operators. Song also mentioned the company would seek to extend its English Premier League broadcasting rights by another 3 years.

An informed industry insider stated that the partnership between Tiansheng Media and China Telecom would likely consist of variously priced monthly broadband packages directly bundled with English Premier League soccer matches, with Tiansheng receiving a revenue share of the monthly subscription price.

source:marbridgeconsulting.com

SARFT: 2008 Cable DTV Subs Exceed 45 Mln

According to 2008 statistics from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), nationwide radio and television coverage reached 95.96% and 96.95% of the population last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 0.53% and 0.37% respectively. Nationwide cable television and radio subscribers are estimated to have reached 163 mln in 2008, up 6.5% year-on-year. Of this figure, the number of cable digital television subscribers comprised over 45 mln, marking an annual increase of 67.6%, and the number of cable digital paid programming subscribers increased 158.3% to 4.5 mln.

China's broadcasting industry recorded estimated total revenues of RMB 145.2 bln in 2008, an annual increase of 10.3%. Of that amount, radio and television advertising revenue accounted for RMB 69.5 bln, an increase of 15.7% year-on-year, with revenues from cable television networks reaching RMB 34.8 bln, up 13.3% year-on-year. Of this, digital television premium programming revenues were up 67.5% annually, to RMB 1.39 bln.

source:marbridgeconsulting.com

Microsoft Does IPTV Deal In China

Microsoft and Guangzhou Digital Media Group have formally launched Zhujiang Digital, a connected TV service powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform.
"With the launch of Zhujiang Digital Interactive TV service, the Guangzhou Digital Media Group is delivering a personalized and connected alternative to existing TV services," said Guan Zhijian, director-general of Guangzhou TV Station and chairman of Guangzhou Digital Media Group. "Powered by the Microsoft Mediaroom platform, the new service will allow residents in Guangzhou to enjoy their TV when they want it, without missing a thing as well as rich interactivity."
This is the first Mediaroom-enabled TV service to launch in China and the first time Mediaroom has been delivered over a cable network anywhere in the world. The new service, available to residents in the region around Guangzhou, also includes the first deployment of the Mediaroom Anytime feature set, which will take time-shifted TV to the next level in China. Mediaroom Anytime will let subscribers access previously aired shows from their Interactive Program Guide and immediately restart currently airing programs without any pre-planning or prior digital video recording.
Guangzhou Digital Media Group also has taken advantage of the capability within Mediaroom for rich interactivity and the ability to seamlessly blend Web content and services with broadcast TV. The company has already engaged a number of local enterprises to develop interactive TV applications to complement the TV viewing experience. The applications being developed will enable Guangzhou Digital Media Group to offer its viewers new ways to communicate, share media and personalize the TV experience.
Guangzhou Digital Media Group plans to connect 2.5 million subscribers to this new IPTV service within three to five years.

source:chinatechnews.com

TVB Starts CMMB Trial in Hong Kong

Hong Kong television station TVB has launched CMMB technology tests in Hong Kong, in cooperation with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's (SARFT) Academy of Broadcasting Planning and Beijing-based CMMB equipment manufacturer Wiflare Technology. Wiflare is responsible for constructing the CMMB system, with broadcasts from Temple Hill to cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Shatin. Five channels will be broadcast, three from TVB – the J2 paid channel, and the Jade and news channels.

Signal tests were carried out on an outdoor, shallow and deep in-door, and in-vehicle basis. Mobile phones, MP4 players, GPS devices and USB TV receivers were tested. The results found that clear and reliable signals could be received in all test areas.

source:marbridgeconsulting.com