SK Telecom and The Walt Disney Company announce the intent to form a joint venture to launch Korean-language Disney-branded channels in South Korea. This will be the first ever joint venture by The Walt Disney Company to launch Disney channels anywhere in the world.

As a part of the proposed agreement, the joint venture company plans to launch Korean-language versions of Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel targeted at kids and family in South Korea. These two channels will be available in HD multiplex as well as SD format over cable, direct-to-home and IPTV platforms and related on-demand digital media services in South Korea. Anchored by Disney’s much-loved characters and content for kids and families, the channels will air a significant proportion of locally produced, Korean-language programming. The launch of the channels is slated spring 2011 pending regulatory approval from the Korea Communications Commission.

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SK Telecom and The Walt Disney Company to Launch Korean-Language Disney Channels in South Korea

Warner Bros. International Branded Services is launching its on-demand WarnerTV branded service for the first time ever in Korea via an agreement with KT’s IPTV provider QOOK TV. The announcement was made today by Suk-Chae Lee, CEO, KT, and Malcolm Dudley-Smith, Executive Vice President–Business Management, Warner Bros. International Branded Services.

WarnerTV will launch as a video-on-demand service within QOOK TV at no extra charge for consumers who purchase QOOK TV’s subscription video-on-demand programming package. Each week, WarnerTV will deliver new blockbuster theatrical motion pictures as well as popular American television sitcoms and dramas to QOOK TV viewers. At launch, QOOK TV subscribers will be able to enjoy over 150 blockbuster movies and more than 500 episodes of American television series titles through WarnerTV.

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Warner Bros Launches WarnerTV in Korea, via KT’s IPTV Service QOOK TV

Pace is providing the set-top box technology to support the launch of Malaysia’s first HD service. ASTRO has selected Pace for the premium service, which launched in December 2009. ASTRO is Pace’s first HD customer in Asia.

ASTRO currently broadcasts over 100 payTV channels across Malaysia and Brunei to over 2.8 million subscribers in multiple languages. With Pace’s DS830NA set-top box, ASTRO was able to add five new HD channels initially to its existing line-up of programming that includes HBO HD, ESPN HD, Astro Supersports HD, History HD and National Geographic HD. Offering full MPEG-4 support and integrated ethernet capability, the DS830NA will be core to ASTRO’s long term expansion plans, providing the operator with the flexibility to develop its digital portfolio through the rollout of new HD services and other interactive service applications.

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Hong
Kong Broadband Network announces a partnership with Disney-ABC International Television,
Asia Pacific, the integrated distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, to launch
Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel starting 16 December 2009, as part of
the channel package tailored for children and education on HKBN’s bbTV IPTV platform.

Riding on HKBN’s breakthrough broadband offering “AWESOME SPEED. FOR EVERYONE.” at
US$13/month (HK$99/month) for symmetric 100Mbps service launched on 1 November 2009,
customers can supersize their packages by adding basic bbTV IPTV channels for an extra
US$5.20/month (HK$40) inclusive of Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel, and
/ or adding Voice service for an extra US$2.60/month (HK$20). Starting at US$20.50/month
(HK$159) for a full triple play package of 100Mbps broadband, bbTV with Disney Channel
and Playhouse Disney, and Voice service, HKBN is delivering world class great value
to the residents in Hong Kong.

Disney Channel is a family entertainment channel that kids love, parents trust and
families enjoy. It delivers an unparalleled blend of quality Disney entertainment
and originally produced programs including award-winning, blockbuster movies, specials,
animated series and live action programming. Playhouse Disney Channel is the first
24-hour, dedicated preschool channel in Asia which provides an environment of imagination
and fun learning for children two to five years old.

Existing bbTV subscribers will be entitled to Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney
Channel by phases with gradual software upgrade of set-top boxes.

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HKBN bbTV Launches Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Channel

Espial announces
that Chongqing Cable TV Network has selected Espial MediaBase to power their on-demand
services. Chongqing Cable TV Network is located in the southwest of China and provides
analog and digital TV services to 4.2 million subscribers. With this launch, they
establish themselves as one of the most innovative cable operators in the world. Using
Espial MediaBase, they can now offer Video-On-Demand, TV On-Demand, Network PVR and
Timeshift-TV services. With this line-up of on-demand services now launched, Chongqing
Cable TV Network will begin converting their entire subscriber base to digital TV
services over the next few years.

During their VOD system selection process, Chongqing Cable TV Network was impressed
with the capabilities of Espial MediaBase. Espial MediaBase is tightly integrated
with the Business Management Solution for Cable Operators from Huawei, their preferred
system integrator. They were able to overcome backbone network bandwidth constraints
with its powerful multi-tiered, multicast content distribution networking and server
clustering features. The ability to fine-tune their VOD hardware and software configurations
to each of their service regions was an advantage over suppliers who provide a limited
set of hardware and licensing configurations. They were also able to differentiate
their user experience with a full range of on-demand services and features like instant
playback on time-shift TV services. Overall, they were also able to achieve a low
overall cost of ownership with all of these features allowing them reliably, cost-effectively
and efficiently distribute content and provide on-demand TV services to users in several
cities including Yiran, Baligongshe, Tianlong and Hongxing.

Credit:
Tier 1 Chinese Cable Operator Launches On-Demand TV Services With Espial MediaBase