am from Singapore.....the SKY News available on Starhub is the 4:3 SD version beamed out from Asiasat 3. We never had the chance to see SKY News in HD! For the recently NHK World TV, Starhub also offered a SD 4:3 cut-out version instead.....probably to save bandwidth. More info can be obtain from the following:

1. http://www.hkba.hk/en/doc/channel_list_eng.pdf [page 10-13 lists out the services being broadcasted from broadcasters based in Hong Kong like Turner, FOX/STAR, TVB etc.
2. www.skynewsinternational.com

Have a query here and am curious to find out....is the BPL 3D match on Astro Supersports 3D also taken from SKY SPORTS 3D like mio stadium here??




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Thanks dxjb!......cool to see the half time show from SKY.....we only get a see a static mio stadium slide with the message 'Match will resume at 10.15pm'. will feedback to Singtel. Cheers and thanks again for the confirmation.

no prob....get back to you tonite from home. Tied up at work now. Cheers.

IMG Sports Media is the production partner for all the BPL programs on mio stadium. John Dykes has some deals with IMG hence we can get to see him and gang presenting the BPL programs from the UK studios. For the magazine programs on mio stadium, they are produced by the local IMG Sports Media Singapore office with presenters like Jamie Reeves, Paul Masefield, Steve McMahon, Patrick Kinghorn, Soo Kui Jien, Dominic Lau etc.

More info here: http://info.singtel.com/node/7211

mio stadium only has rights to BPL, UEFA CL & UEFA Europa League. mio TV also carries Goal TV1 & Goal TV2 channels which has rights to Carling Cup, English Championshop, English League 1, Dutch Eredivisie & Scottish Premier League.

mio TV sports channels includes mio stadium Ch 102-109, mio stadium Ch 199 [on demand matches], ESPN, STAR Sports, Goal TV 1, Goal TV 2, STAR Cricket, ASN HD, ESPNEWS, ESPN HD & TEN Cricket

For Starhub sports channels and soccer rights, kindly see attached....too lazy to type out.

mio TV has exclusive rights to BPL and UCL/UEL hence Starhub subscribers would need to subscribe to SingTel mio TV in order to catch these matches. The proposed ruling from broadcasting authority, MDA, is that there will not be any exclusive contracts with program/rights providers like ESPN, BPL etc. Hence, Starhub & SingTel can both carry BPL or ESPN or FOX News etc. on their own platforms. However, this ruling has met with objections from the broadcasters as this would mean they cannot "sell" their channel to the highest bidder -- less $$ for them to pocket.

This ruling still has yet to come into effect due to these objections.

I notice some similarity between Astro & Starhub....in order to block their competitor to offer full-time channels of other channel, the dirty strategy is that they buy exclusive rights to 1/2 or 1/3 of programs on the channels to "feed" their in-house channel. e.g. by "buying" exclusive programs blocks of Eurosports News, Astro effectievly blocked Eurosports News to offer the 24/7 Eurosports Channel to providers like Hypp TV or DETV.

Starhub bought exclusive programs from Taiwan Channel, San Lih TV, hence SingTel is unable to bring in this channel to SingTel subscribers as a chunk of the San Li TV programs are exclusive to Starhub.

Let me know if you need more info.


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News just in:

Nick Jr and MTVNHD set to air in Asia

Singapore/Kuala Lumpur – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), today announced the launch of two of its channels in Asia, Nick Jr. and MTVN HD. The channels will be available on StarHub in Singapore beginning 18 May 2011 and on Telekom Malaysia Berhad’s ™ HyppTV in Malaysia from 1 June 2011.

Nick Jr., aimed at pre-schoolers and parents, builds on Nickelodeon’s reputation as one of the world’s leading multi-platform entertainment brands for kids. With a commitment to stimulate, educate, involve, excite and develop enquiring minds with award-winning and exclusive international properties including Dora The Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! MTVNHD – VIMN’s first international high definition service – is a return to MTV’s roots, broadcasting live shows, music videos, music documentaries and original productions. Broadcast in 1080i High-Definition and Dolby Surround 5.1, it targets a largely male audience aged 25 years old and above.

“The launch shows our commitment to deliver high-quality programming to our audiences in Asia,” said Indra Suharjono, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks North and Southeast Asia. “Nick Jr. is a highly recognized channel having won multiple Peabody Awards and Parent’s Choice Awards. With MTVNHD, discerning music lovers in this region now have a place where they can find rich content. We will be launching the channels aggressively to the rest of Southeast Asia.”

Nick Jr. will be available on StarHub TV’s Kids Basic Upsize Group while MTVNHD will be available to existing StarHub TV’s Entertainment Basic Group customers who are subscribed to the Basic HD Upsize group. TM will offer the two channels à la carte to its subscribers on HyppTV, Malaysia’s newest Pay TV service.

ONE HD has Chinese Subts here in S'pore.....Astro offered it in Malay instead of Chinese depending on market needs.




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SyFy Universal HD should also be coming to Hypp TV soon.

cheers.


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a new hit for HBO

Singapore – HBO Asia launches HBO HITS HD in Indonesia on First Media today, with more territories to follow soon. The channel delivers the latest Hollywood blockbusters and award-winning movies 24-hours a day in 100% true high-definition.

“HBO Asia became the first regional movie channel to broadcast in high definition two years ago with the launch of HBO HD. The introduction of HBO HITS HD clearly demonstrates the thirst for high definition content across the region,” said Jonathan Spink, CEO, HBO Asia.

The HBO HITS HD announcement coincides with a refresh of the HBO HITS channel, designed by HBO Asia’s in-house creative team.

“The refreshed HBO HITS will retain the recognisable white and orange colours of the channel but will incorporate new elements that make the on-air look brighter, fresher and more contemporary,” said Magdalene Ew, Senior Vice President, Marketing Creative & Content, HBO Asia. “The refresh includes stylish, exciting and dynamic 3D effects.”

FOX International Channels/STAR TV testing 4 HD channels on Asiasat 3S since Apr 30, 2011 according to a Chinese Satellite TV website.

My guess is tvN HD is one of them [hence Unify is carrying tvN SD at the moment] together with:

[V]HD -- [V] International HD
FOX Family Movies HD
TBA -- not sure about the last one though...


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Got this flyer from the Broadcast Asia [Measat booth] here in Singapore and thot I share it with all....bumper crop of new HD channels from FOX Int'l Channels coming soon like STAR Chinese Movies Movies HD, Baby TV HD, FOX News HD.......




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Setanta Sports [SD 16:9] - launched Jun 17
HBO Hits HD - launches this Fri Jul 1

Singapore is not spared to from rate increase.

StarHub Revises Cable TV Subscription Rates From 1 August 2011
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Singapore, 28 June 2011 – StarHub will revise its residential cable TV monthly subscription by an additional $2 (before GST) with effect from 1 August 2011.

Ms Iris Wee, StarHub’s Vice President of Home Solutions and Content, explained that this rate revision is necessary because of rising content costs over the past few years. “StarHub has been absorbing these costs while enhancing our TV content to customers,” said Ms Wee. “We have managed to hold our prices for the last four years but we are unable to continue absorbing the increased costs. We hope that our customers will understand our situation and support us so that we can continue to provide them with quality entertainment for their enjoyment.”

StarHub has through the recent years, added as many as 15 channels for customers at entry level at no additional charge. These include Animax, BBC Knowledge, Bloomberg Television, E City, Eurosportnews, Food Network Asia, FOX, National Geographic Wild, ONE, Playhouse Disney, SuperSports Arena and TVBS-News. In addition, StarHub had dedicated channels that were event-based such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Youth Olympic Games. All these helped to enhance the viewing experience of its customers.

For more information on the StarHub TV rate revision, customers may SMS ‘CATV’ to 76333 or call 1633 and press ‘7’ after the ‘language’ and ‘StarHub product’ options for more details. They can also visit a specially created StarHub-Facebook page at www.starhub.com/tvraterevision. Alternatively, customers may email their queries to starhubtv@starhub.com.

StarHub currently carries about 170 channels over its cable TV platform. For more information on StarHub TV, visit www.starhub.com/tv.



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f.y.i. Interview with Astro CEO on content and packages....page 18 onwards.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/745f7326

f.y.i.

ONE (Malay) feed now being supplied to Starhub.

StarHub Launches New Channels to Cater to Malay Audiences
MNC Business and ONE (Malay) to provide Malay viewers with greater selection of content
Singapore, 20 July 2011 – To augment its content offering for StarHub TV viewers, especially for the Malay audience, StarHub is expanding its line-up of channels to include MNC Business and ONE (Malay). Starting 22 July 2011, Malay viewers can enjoy an even greater selection of content available on MNC Business and ONE (Malay).

MNC Business
MNC Business (StarHub TV Channel 121) is a 24-hour channel that offers the latest business and financial news and in-depth reports on various economic issues in Bahasa Indonesia. Viewers will be able to learn more about the business climate and investment opportunities in Indonesia through up-to-date reports and news features available on the channel. Programmes on MNC Business are delivered by the same team at MNC News Center that produces news programmes for RCTI, and cater specially to the local and Indonesian business community who has interest in the Indonesian market and business relations between the two countries.

MNC Business will be packaged together with MNC International (StarHub TV Channel 122) to form the new MNC Indonesian Pack which will be placed under StarHub TV’s Asia Add-on Group. The MNC Indonesian Pack will be priced at $8.56 per month [1]. Existing MNC International customers will enjoy greater value and access content on MNC Business at no additional charge.

ONE (Malay)
ONE (Malay) (StarHub TV Channel 124) is a mirror service of ONE (StarHub TV Channel 823) which is a 24-hour channel showcasing first-run and exclusive SBS dramas as recent as three to five weeks from the premiere in Korea; variety shows with top Korean celebrities, and popular Korean concerts and music shows. Launched to cater to the growing interest in Korean content especially among the young Malay community, ONE (Malay) will offer viewers subtitles in Bahasa Melayu for all programmes, with dual sound in Korean and Bahasa Melayu available for selected shows.

ONE (Malay) will be bundled with Sensasi (StarHub TV Channel 123) as the new ONE Sensation Pack under StarHub TV’s Asia Add-on Group, and viewers can enjoy both channels at $6.42 per month. Existing Sensasi customers can access ONE (Malay) at no additional charge.

In addition, StarHub TV customers can look forward to a complimentary viewing of MNC Business and ONE (Malay) from 22 July, 6am to 4 August 2011. As a special promotion, StarHub is also offering customers who sign up for MNC Indonesian Pack or ONE Sensation Pack a 50 percent discount on the subscription fee [2]. The promotion is valid until 30 September 2011.

Existing StarHub TV customers can tune into MNC Business or ONE (Malay) after the free preview and press the blue button on their remote controls (for HubStation, Hubstation HD or HD Interactive set-top box) to subscribe to the respective channel. New customers who wish to take on a StarHub TV package can call 1630 or visit www.starhub.com/tv for more information.



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Not HD that's for sure.....could be SD 16:9, similar to ONE SD Mandarin that is on the platform.

Makes sense for Sony Networks Singapore to generate revenue by using the same supplied feed to Astro.

just sharing....new HD channel lauched today on Starhub, STAR Chinese Movies HD [Mandarin with Chinese/English Subtitles]......Astro is still the first to launch a Chinese HD channel.....demand Astro for it. cheers.


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f.y.i. Tamil, Hindi channels on free preview on Starhub Singapore......almost all of English subtitles......strange why Astro is not offering.....

http://www.starhub.com/promotions/tv/deepavali.html

mio TV has free preview of MTV India

Happy Deepavali. Cheerios.




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some news to share on Sony Entertainment Television Asia channel coming to Malaysia.

Appeared in weekly Indian community newspaper today (Fri) in Singapore, TABLA, an interview with the GM and VP of
Sony Entertainment Television Asia....talks in the way to launch the channel on Malaysia.

http://www.tabla.com.sg/epaper/fvxp/fvxlau...aram=2011-10-28 - Page 4, full article "Beaming Confidence".

"....Talks are also in progress to telecast Sony in Malaysia, which is one of the few countries in the region where the entertainment giant does not have a footprint...."

Keep your fingers crossed. Cheers!

Apologies for the confusion.....the channel mentioned in the article is actually SET India International/Asia feed per attached.

The four India channels are:

SET India [International feed is SET India Asia http://www.setasia.tv]
SET Max India [International feed is SET Max Asia http://www.maxasia.tv/country/select]
Sony Mix
Sab TV [http://www.sabasia.tv/]

There are also local ads inserted on channels like FOXCRIME, STAR World, BBC Knowledge, [V] etc. but they are limited to 2 mins per hour per agreement with the channel owner.

If Astro is removing the ad trailers and replacing them with TV commercials.....means they are pocketing a lot of money or aplitting the revenue with the channel partner.....it's also irritating as viewers want to know what programs are being lined up on the channel.

Local broadcast regulator mandats that "Advertising revenue not to exceed 25% of Total Revenue." http://www.mda.gov.sg/Industry/TV/Policies...onsforNNTV.aspx

Not sure if Malaysia regulator can do anything.......stary positive. Cheers.


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Interesting media mag......page 14 talks about rumours on sharing of content between Astro and TM.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/534982ad#/534982ad/15

or could be SyFy Universal, Nat Geo Music, tvn HD etc. ......probably channels which requires less censorship headache for Astro.

Just curious.......are channels on TM's Hypp TV also delayed so that censorship can be carried out......from the TV Guide online......looks like....