News

HKT named Best Asian Telecoms Carrier and Best Broadband Carrier at Telecom Asia Awards 2016

HONG KONG, May 23, 2016 – HKT has won the top award of Best Asian Telecoms Carrier at the Telecom Asia Awards 2016. HKT has also been named the Best Broadband Carrier award for the second consecutive year.

Now in its 19th year, the Telecom Asia Awards is the region’s longest-running and most prestigious telecom industry awards. It rewards innovative and outstanding performance by Asian service providers and industry executives. The Awards selection is made by an independent panel of industry experts who cast votes on the basis of innovation, financial performance, technology, market leadership and corporate governance.

The judge panel recognized HKT’s strong innovation in a hypercompetitive market and its successful integration of CSL.

HKT has been a leader of technology evolution in the market for many years. Last year, HKT set new benchmarks for the global mobile market by demonstrating the world’s first LTE-A 450Mbps solution and the world’s first 4.5G 1Gbps mobile network. In addition, HKT’s international operating division has achieved an industry milestone as the world’s first MEF 100G CE 2.0 certified service provider.

Mr. Alex Arena, Group Managing Director of HKT, said, “HKT is committed to fulfilling the communication needs of our customers and improving their daily lives through continuous technology innovation and investment. We are ‘Building for Tomorrow, Today’.”

Mr. Paul Berriman, Chief Technology Officer of HKT (right), receives the trophy at the awards presentation ceremony.

About HKT

HKT (SEHK: 6823) is Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services. It meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sales, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.

HKT offers a unique quadruple-play experience in Hong Kong delivering media content on its fixed-line, broadband Internet access and mobile platforms jointly with its parent company, PCCW Limited.

HKT also provides a range of innovative and smart living services beyond connectivity to make the daily lives of customers more convenient, whether they are at home, in the workplace, or on the go.

For further information, please contact:

Ivan Ho

Group Communications

Tel: +852 2883 8747

Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com

20 May, 2016

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending May 20th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

Brought to you by:

Christopher Slaughter CEO	US cable giantComcast is very happy with its current digital business, thank you very much,and CEO Brian Roberts says there are no plans to launch an OTT service outsidetheir current cable footprint. To be fair, his comments at the annual NCTAconvention (now rebranded as INTX – theInternet and Television Expo), weren’t a categorical denial — he did qualify his statement by saying, “Theworld always changes.” In themeantime, at Comcast’s massive booth on the INTX floor, their demo for NBCU’s Olympic coverage was impressive, and suitably OTT-heavy. Across its broadcast networks, NBCU will play out some 1500 hours ofcoverage, withanother 4500 hours delivered on demand and over-the-top; especially forComcast subs, Roberts said, “We’re going to throw everything at it.”
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	Well, on the other hand, happy is as happy does, and the US cableindustry is definitely not happy with its regulator, the FCC. Andthe members of the Commission aren’t happy with each other. NCTA chief MichaelPowell used his keynote at INTX to denounce the FCC’s “relentlessregulatory assault” on the cable industry. If you’re afan of inflammatory language you’ll love this; Powell said “Weincreasingly are saddled with heavy rules without anycompelling evidence of harm to consumers or competitors.” The FCC’s recentactions have not been “modest regulatory corrections,” he said.Instead, “they have been thundering,tectonic shifts that have crumbled decades of settled law andpolicy.” FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel commented afterwards“Wow, that was subtle.” But Commissioners AjitPai and Michael O’Rielly in a later session took the cable industry’s side on the currentdebate over proposals to force cable companies to allow competitors to channelcontent through their set-top boxes. Paideclared “what is happening at the FCC is not a conversation, it isdictation….sentence first, verdict afterwards.” And O’Rielly suggested “I would take thecurrent proposal and throw it in the garbage. That’s where it belongs.” Equally subtle, eh?
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	Of course, this debate is about politics, as much as regulatorypolicy. (Rosenworcel, like FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, is a Democrat,while Pai and O’Riellyare Republicans.) But the accusation that recent FCCproposals are motivated by a political ideology has also come from someDemocrats. A former Undersecretary of Commerce under Bill Clinton’sadministration wrote that “Net NeutralityIsn’t Progressive,” He says net advocates who want to killzero-rating or “sponsored data plans” actually are seeking to inject thegovernment excessively into internet regulation. “What the ideologueswant is a public sector Internet, and they’re willing to impose their vision onthe Internet on us, regardless of what the public actually wants.”
Mark Lay Vice President, Singapore	Elsewhere atINTX, “Reports of the death of TV everywhere are greatly exaggerated.” Industry executives rolled off some impressive stats: “Double-digit growth in TVE viewing in thefirst quarter; 84% offrequent TVE users say it’s a reason they’ll stay with their provider foranother year; adoption of TVE grew by 36% amongst pay-TV subscribers inthe U.S.” Also, Accenture has found that “consumers globally stilltrusted their satellite operator (31%), their cable TVcompany (26%), more thandigitally native competitors such as Internet video providers (15%) orsocial media service providers (5%). Not everyone is convinced, as eMarketerbelieves that the “TV industry on the brink of a cord-cuttingstorm.”
Jane Buckthought Advertising Consultant	We’re clearlyfocused on the US this week, where the Upfronts are also underway, and whatbetter time for a little smack-talk? Cue ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel: “DoCrackle, and Vox, and Vevo really need to have upfronts? These aren’t networks:these are sound effects when Batman punches a bad guy.” To be fair, Kimmel took aim at prettymuch everyone, but the broader strategy among networks has been clear, which isto counter the specious accounting demonstrated at the Digital NewsFronts (or rather, the “SnoozeFronts”). Clearly, one of the best ways to do that is with data, but throwing some shade doesn’t hurt either (repeat after me, “non-premium, sub-prime video”). Seriouslythough, Fox’s Toby Byrne pointed out that the published audiencereach of “a YouTube star” and a World Series game were both 14million. But the average audience for that YouTube star was only 1,620. UsingYouTube’s metrics, he added, the World Series game would have racked up 6.8billion views. “Impressions for subprime video can’t compare to TV’sdelivery,” said Byrne.
Christopher Slaughter CEO	We’veheard it, we’ve read it, we’ve said it ourselves — this is a new Golden Age ofTelevision. But a GoldenAge of TV Criticism? Or for that matter, a GoldenAge of Family Sitcoms? Even if you agree that the GoldenAge endedwith The Sopranos, though, you still have to acknowledge that there are ahell of a lot of new shows; we’ve gone from about 200 shows produced in 2009 tosome 409 produced last year. For good or for ill, it’s definitely a thing, andthe Vulture has a great look at “TheBusiness of Too Much TV.”
Anjan Mitra Executive Director, India	India’stelecoms and broadcast carriage regulator, TRAI, wants more consultationsbefore it settles once and for all issues related to Net Neutrality. Earlierthis week chief regulator RS Sharma told media that “pre-consultationon net neutrality will start in 2-3 days.” TRAI is under pressure from telcos who have criticisedregulator’s move to ban differential pricing of data services and petitionedfor its review.
Kevin Jennings Vice President, Programme	BARC – theBroadcast Audience Research Council in India have announced that their ratingsdata can now be split between Urban and rural India. Interestingresults in the firstweek of published numbers with differentviewing trends emerging between urban India and their country cousins. ZeeNetworks’ FTA Zee Anmol topped the chart in rural areas with Sony PicturesNetwork’s free to air channel Sony Pal and Star India’s FTA channel Star Utsavranking second and third respectively. In contrast, in Urban Hindispeaking markets , Viacom18’s Colors lead the Hindi general entertainmentchannels, closely followed by Star Plus in second place with Zee TVranking third.
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	The UK government, whose IPprotection policies are already the strongest inthe world,recently unveiled a new strategy fortackling intellectual property infringement over the next four years. New legislation isplanned. Another part of the strategy appears to be increased pressureon Big Internet companies. Nobody says it, but government pressure in the UK was responsiblefor the online ad industry’s adherence a couple of years ago to the Good PracticePrinciples that divert mainstream advertising away from piracy websites. It will be interesting to see theeffect of the reported ratchet upwards in pressure.
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	Meanwhile, an interesting development in the EU, where the bureaucracy isreported to be looking for ways to apply EU content quotas to Netflix, Amazon,etc. I’m curious to see how they willpropose applying quotas to SVOD services, where consumers access huge librariesand then choose what THEY want to watch.
Mark Lay Vice President, Singapore	Lots of ink hasbeen spilled on this story but it all comes back to the recent article in theTelegraph which stated that BBC set to launch Britflix rival to Netflix. This new streaming service is”believed to be a collaboration between the corporation and ITV, its maincommercial rival, and is still in the early stages of development.” Otherthan the White Paper on the future of the BBC, not a lot of details have been formallyannounced. Though, “the BBC has been quick to reassure viewers that anynew service would not involve any of the corporation’s existing showsdisappearing behind a paywall.” According to the Guardian, ‘Britflix’ and chill – doesn’t have the quitesame ring to it.
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	File this in the “confirming what we already knew” department: aresearch firm found 450 websitesserving up pirate views of the latest Game of Thrones programs were alsoserving up malware. Which is morescary …a malware-infected zombie computer, or the White Walker zombies frombeyond the Wall?
Anjan Mitra Executive Director, India	Finallyit has happened. Indian Government approved the national IPR policy withDepartment of Industrial Policy & Promotion to be the nodal department toco-ordinate, guide and oversee implementation and future development of IPRs inIndia, including copyrights issues, which was earlier curiously beenoverseen by Human Resources Development Ministry. In general hailed,some lobby groups, however, have criticised thenew law saying it lacks specifics and won’t be enough to foster innovation.

Some additional links you might be interested in:

Member News

April 2016

Game-changing at CASBAA Convention 2016, Macau, 7-10 Nov

To be staged at Studio City at the heart of the world’s most dynamic entertainment and gaming hotspot, CASBAA Convention 2016 in Macau is the most influential networking gathering for the Asian pay-TV industry, bringing together the people, the content, the technology and the money that make our businesses great. For networking, exhibition, workshops and making the news, broadcasters, carriers, data divers and top-tier tech vendors should contact Adela Chen: adela@casbaa.com or +852 3929 1727

CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2016, Singapore, 30 May

The CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum (SIF) in Singapore is an essential date in the calendar for the Asia Pac satellite industry at a critical time for the development of the global satellite market. With a speaker pool drawn from the most senior and trusted names in the industry, delegates will gain insights into the newest business models, the latest technologies, network with their peers and expand their horizons. Register now to join the debate at the Pan Pacific Hotel on Monday May 30th.

CASBAA OTT Survey Lucky Draw

Our thanks to everyone who contributed to the CASBAA OTT Survey 2016 and entered the lucky draw. And the winner is . . . Disney’s Aditi Guha, who receives a recently released 4th Generation, 64GB, Apple TV courtesy of Brightcove. Congratulations Aditi!

Protecting India’s Content Creators: FICCI conference on Digital Advertising

On April 4th in New Delhi, CASBAA collaborated with Indian trade body FICCI to strategize the future of “Digital Advertising: Protecting Brand Integrity & Stimulating Content Creation”. Designed to mirror CASBAA’s online advertising conference at our Policy Roundtable in October, the meeting featured India’s key regulatory players, industry and overseas officials as they explored how to secure brand integrity within India’s digital ecosystem. A particular highlight was a dynamic presentation on “Operation Creative”, a London Metropolitan Police campaign to protect the UK content industry.

INTX: The Internet & Television Expo, Boston, 16-18 May

With sessions hosted by Re/code, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Fox Networks, Verizon Digital Media Services, TiVo, Ericsson
and more, INTX brings together the people who are powering the most important advances in media and communications. CASBAA Members will receive a US$100 discount on a full 3-day registration. Simply use the INTXPC03 promotional code at “Step Two” of the registration process.
CASBAA Members who attend INTX should consider joining the Asia-Pacific Lunch session, co-hosted by NCTA and CASBAA, which will discuss how content companies are seeing the Asian market, for traditional pay-TV and for OTT. Lunch is complimentary but space is limited. RSVP at http://www.intxshow.com/Asia

Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award: Call for Entries

CASBAA, the ABU and UNICEF invite broadcasters and producers from across Asia to submit entries to the Asia-Pacific Child Rights Award for Television 2016. The award is given each year to recognise broadcasters and producers of high-quality children’s programming in the Asia-Pacific. Programmes for children and about children are eligible and can cover any child rights issue. Entries can include documentaries that detail the plight of children, dramas that help break down stereotypes and discrimination or animation that teaches and entertains. Please click here for more detail.

CASBAA at asi Research Conference

CASBAA is once again supporting the research-focused “Asi APAC Television Conference” in Singapore, 12-13 May at the InterContinental Hotel. Examining every aspect of audience measurement in the ‘Platinum Age’ of television, we all know that “If it can’t be measured, it can’t be monetized”. For a meeting with our research director, Jane Buckthought it’s jane@casbaa.com and click here for the full conference programme.

Welcome to the family
Videocon d2h

The first Indian media company to list on NASDAQ, Videocon d2h is India’s fastest growing DTH service provider, offering more than 525 channels and services including India’s first 4K Ultra HD DTH channel. Videocon d2h was recognized as “India’s Most Trusted Brand” by IBC Infomedia.

Other event: Brightcove Presents Hong Kong Video Forum, 27 May

For the first time in Hong Kong, Brightcove will host its flagship Video Forum Series, featuring the latest trends and insights into the world of online video. From OTT video streaming to interactive video experiences, find out what the current trends and upcoming technologies mean for brands and media companies seeking to revolutionise the online viewing experience. Register Now

Switch on with CASBAA and our Members’ video: casbaa.com/video

ITVC	KIX	THRILL
CI	CI	FYI
FYI	H2	H2
HIS	HIS	HISSEA
LFTSEA	LT	LT

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Zee TV’s highly popular ‘Dance Singapore Dance’ Competition and Reality Show Returns with Season 2

The winner of Dance Singapore Dance Season 2 will be crowned Singapore’s best dancing star and take home S$15,000.

Mumbai, May 20, 2016: Zee TV, the flagship channel of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), announced the return of its highly popular reality dance competition, Dance Singapore Dance Season 2. The open category competition is open to all residents of Singapore aged 16 and above, and aims to provide a platform for amateur and experienced dancers to showcase their talent. Pre-registration for the show has begun on www.apac.zeetv.com/dsd and auditions will take place on Saturday 28^th of May 2016 at 9 am onwards at the La Salle College of the Arts, 1 McNally St, Singapore 187940.

Tripta Singh, Senior Vice President – International Business, Zee TV said, “We are delighted to return with Dance Singapore Dance S2 after a highly successful launch Season. This year we have increased the prize money for the winner to S$15,000 and included cash and other prizes for the first and second runners-up. After the finale of Season 1, we continued to groom the dancers and provided them with on-ground opportunities in the Asia Pacific region to perform and showcase their talents. Dance Singapore Dance is not just a TV show but a platform for aspiring dancers to take their talent to the next level”.

Dance Singapore Dance is a localised version of the popular Dance India Dance series. Returning for its second season, the show will bring together aspiring dancers from different backgrounds and cultures from across Singapore. The winner and finalists from Season 1 were catapulted to fame with many of them gaining experience through various on-ground events organized by Zee TV and their partners.

After the audition process on 28^th May, the top 12 dancers will be shortlisted by an international panel of judges. These 12 will then get to train with some of the industry’s best choreographers and their performances will be featured on the show ‘Dance Singapore Dance Season 2’ on Zee TV, which will be broadcasted across 18 countries. The top three winners of the competition stand to win prizes of up to $20,000.

From the audition rounds to the various studio challenges, the 12 episodes will culminate in one dancer winning the title of “Singapore’s Best Dancing Star”. The winner of Season 2 will take home S$15,000 and the First and Second Runners-Up will also be awarded prizes.

StarHub is the presenting sponsor for Dance Singapore Dance Season 2.

Dance Singapore Dance will premiere on Zee TV (StarHub TV Channel 125) and Zee Tamizh (StarHub TV Channel 138) in the last quarter of 2016.

From now till the 28^th of May 2016, interested participants can register through www.apac.zeetv.com/dsd. For the latest news on Dance Singapore Dance, please visit https://www.facebook.com/dancesingaporedance.

Dance Singapore Dance S1 Winner Shahrin Johry:

Shahrin Johry, 33, is the winner of Zee TV’s Dance Singapore Dance. A professional dancer/choreographer at Maya Dance Theatre, Shahrin recently concluded his full-length production, KA; he used a portion of his prize money from Dance Singapore Dance to produce the hour-long dance piece. While contributing to the local art scene, the production was a gift to his teachers who have taught him and moulded him to be an artist.

A street dancer in his youth, Shahrin thirst for knowledge initiated him on a journey to learn different dance forms and genres, leading him to learn Bharathanatyam dance vocabulary for creation of works inspired from Asian aesthetics and dynamism and eventually enrolling in Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore to further hone his artistry.

==============================ENDS=================================

Notes to Editors

About Dance Singapore Dance:

Dance Singapore Dance is a localised version of the popular Dance India Dance series which made its debut in 2009. Since then, the show has seen about 90,000 participants over its past four editions. Winners from past editions of the competition have catapulted to fame with many of them gaining film experience and sponsorships after the show. Dancers on the show come from different backgrounds and cultures, and represent different genres, from Bollywood to contemporary to classical dance.

About Zee TV APAC:

Launched in June 2004, Zee TV APAC is the Asia Pacific feed of the Flagship channel – Zee TV (India). Available in 18 countries, Zee TV APAC showcases Indian content with English Subtitles and airs all the programs from India. The channel showcases a variety of genres for all audience segments including prime time drama series, comedy, reality shows and children’s programs. With an enviable Hindi Film Library the channel also offers viewers the latest and best of Bollywood.

Zee TV APAC is among the top five cable and satellite channels in Singapore. The city-state is home to one of the largest overseas Indian populations and its’ variety programming is watched by Indian and now increasingly, Malay audiences locally. Almost half (46%) of Zee TV APAC viewers’ have a HHI range which ranges between SGD 4,000 – 10,000 per month. Zee TV APAC continues to dominate in the Hindi General Entertainment Channel content category across local affiliate platforms StarHub and Singtel TV.

===============================================================

Media Contact:

Jayshree Kumar / Arantxa Gonsalves

Corporate Brand – Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL)

Mobile: +91 9769286661 / +91 9820336890

Landline: +91-22-7106 1367 / 7108 5464

Email: jayshree.kumar@zee.esselgroup.com / arantxa.gonsalves@zee.esselgroup.com

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia Announces The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 for AXN

Singapore May 20, 2016 – Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia announced today that it will bring The Amazing Race Asia back for a fifth season. This marks the return of the popular global format to general entertainment powerhouse AXN, which was home to the series’ previous four, top-rated seasons.

Virginia Lim, Vice President and Head of Content and Marketing for SPT Networks, Asia, said: “High quality original productions like The Amazing Race Asia are the cornerstone of our programming strategy. The U.S. version continues to be one of our most popular series on AXN, so it was important to find a way to reignite our beloved Asian adaptation.”

“The Amazing Race Asia has been a successful format around the region bringing compelling quality content recreated in a locally relevant manner for audiences here. We are excited to work with SPT Networks to bring back this highly-rated reality series and to deliver it in a very engaging platform for fans,” said Mark Chan, Head of Disney Media Distribution, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

Based on the Emmy Award-winning adventure reality series distributed around the world by Disney Media Distribution, The Amazing Race Asia 5 will premiere on AXN in late 2016 and promises to be the most adrenaline-fueled season ever. Ten teams chosen from across the region will compete in a high-octane dash around the world for a chance at the winning crown and USD$100,000 in cash.

A call for team applications will be announced next week when AXN will invite aspiring racers to submit their audition videos to prove that they have what it takes to be part of The Amazing Race Asia’s ultimate adventure.

-Ends-

Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia is a leading operator of ad-supported 24/7 channels including English general entertainment powerhouses AXN and Sony Channel; and Asian content giants Animax, GEM and ONE. SPT Networks’ portfolio collectively features the biggest and best titles from Korea, Japan and the U.S that are first run, exclusive and aired close to the original telecast. Taking the content beyond the linear screen, SPT Networks immerses viewers in its premium entertainment via large-scale festivals, celebrity fan meets and social platform conversations. In Asia, SPT Networks’ portfolio is available across 19 territories and in over 42 million homes.
www.SonyPicturesTelevision.com

FOX SPORTS ASIA COMPLETES TENNIS GRAND SLAM WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE US OPEN

Singapore May 19, 2016 – FOX Sports announced today the acquisition of the broadcast rights to the US Open Tennis Championships, which adds to the other three tennis grand slam tournaments – Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon – already exclusively broadcast across Asia on FOX Sports. With this latest acquisition, FOX Sports’ extensive portfolio of key international, regional and local rights has been further strengthened, to consolidate its position as Asia’s Number 1 regional sports broadcaster.

“This is a great win for FOX Sports and we are pleased that our Affiliate and broadcast partners, and tennis fans will be able to experience comprehensive coverage of the US Open, with FOX Sports’ complete suite of linear and digital/OTT platforms, said Rohit D’Silva, Executive Vice-President, Commercial & Sports, FOX Networks Group (Asia Pacific & Middle East)

“The USTA is thrilled to partner with FOX Sports in Asia and looks forward to bringing premier coverage that will showcase the US Open — the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world — to fans throughout the region beginning next year”, said Lew Sherr, USTA Chief Revenue Officer.

The 5-year deal, which commences in 2017, covers linear (Pay and Terrestrial), OTT and digital platforms in Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

In addition to the LIVE broadcast on linear channels, tennis fans will also be able to watch free short-form clips, news updates and highlights on the FOX Sports Play app and ‪foxsportsasia.com which will enable them to enjoy the coverage of the US Open like never before.

FOX Sports will look towards increasing the number of fans enjoying the US Open, as they have done with the year-on-year viewership increases for Roland Garros and Wimbledon, with a 29% and 14% increase respectively for the most recent editions of both tournaments. Tennis fans can expect complete coverage of the US Open, in multiple languages, along with reports, updates, behind-the-scenes, highlights from the US Open’s Arthur Ashe stadium, and analysis by tennis pundits in the FOX Sports studio.

FOX Sports. The Home of Grand Slam Tennis in Asia.

-END-

About FOX Networks Group

FOX Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. FNG develops, produces and distributes 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions reach over 1.725 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG acquires, develops, produces and co-produces scripted and non-scripted programming for its linear and digital platforms including the Golden Globes nominated hit series The Walking Dead, The Bridge and Da Vinci’s Demons.

In Asia Pacific and the Middle East, FNG’s portfolio includes 30+ channel brands across all genres on both linear and non-linear platforms, including FOX Sports, FOX, National Geographic Channel, and SCM (formerly STAR Chinese Movies). As the region’s leading broadcaster, FNG reaches more than 580 million cumulative homes with offices in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Australia and the UAE.

About FOX Sports

FNG Sports network includes FOX Sports and FOX Sports 2, the channels which deliver some of the most compelling LIVE sport events from around the world, including the flagship sports news show FOX Sports Central; FOX Sports 3, for fans of adrenaline-pumping sports action; FOX Sports News the first 24/7 sports news channel dedicated to Asian sports fans; FOX Sports Play, the broadband network providing LIVE and on-demand sports properties and additional exclusive content; and www.foxsportsasia.com, the online destination for comprehensive sports content.

About United States Tennis Association (USTA)

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with more than 715,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking seven summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships and helps under-resourced youth and individuals with disabilities, and supports wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, “like” the official Facebook page, facebook.com/usta, or follow @usta on Twitter.

For further information, please contact:

Paul Tan

Director, Marketing (Sports)

FOX Networks Group

DID: +65 6809 3364

Email: paul.tan@fox.com

KIX 360, Singtel TV and Grab Partner to Offer Free GrabHitch Rides In Singapore

Singapore, May 19, 2016 – Life in Singapore can be hectic. People are always on the go, even consuming their entertainment while on the move. KIX 360, the streaming action entertainment channel, and Singtel TV, announced today an exclusive collaboration with Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing service, to offer its riders in Singapore free GrabHitch rides every Friday from May 20 to June 10. During those four Fridays, GrabHitch riders can get a complimentary ride using the promo code “KIX360ACTION” via the Grab app (one ride per person per week). A few lucky people will even get the chance to ride in one of KIX 360’s “action cars”: an Aston Martin, a Ferrari, a Maserati, or a Porsche driven by an action hero.

While cruising in the “action cars,” riders can check out KIX 360’s exhilarating mix of first and exclusive combat sports, fast-paced reality series and adrenaline-pumping action movies via Singtel TV GO. KIX 360 is one of the Live Channels offered on Singtel TV GO. KIX 360 is the streaming version of the pay TV channel KIX HD (Singtel TV channel 309), the ultimate destination for action entertainment in Asia.

“We are excited to partner with Grab and Singtel TV to bring action to the streets of Singapore with free GrabHitch rides on Fridays,” said Shirley Cheong, Director, Marketing, KIX & Thrill, Celestial Tiger Entertainment, “While cruising in the action cars, riders can check out KIX 360’s high-octane action programming via Singtel TV GO on their smartphones and tablets. This is just another way we like to engage our audience with an action experience beyond the TV screen.”

“We are pleased to partner with KIX 360 and Singtel TV to bring attractive rewards to GrabHitch riders. GrabHitch is a social carpooling service to offer an affordable option for daily commute, while allowing individuals to meet new people – every ride is a new experience. Through this partnership, we want to bring more like-minded individuals to travel with GrabHitch to make their daily commute more fun and enriching,” said Ngiam Xin Wei, Head of GrabHitch, Grab.

KIX 360 is offering an exciting slate of new programs in May and June for action fans in Singapore. Such programs include Lucha Underground, the sensational Mexican professional wrestling event brought to you by mega-producer Mark Burnett and hit director Robert Rodriguez; Bellator MMA: Bellator 149, the first and exclusive MMA event featuring an electrifying bout between combat sports legends Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie; and Top Gear USA, the U.S. edition of the most well-known and popular automotive show in the world.

– END –

Media Contact:

Pauline Poon

Celestial Tiger Entertainment

T: 852 2239 6131

E: pauline.poon@celestialtiger.com

Claire Chai

Grab

T: +65 9011 7398

E: claire.chai@grab.com

About Celestial Tiger Entertainment

CELESTIAL TIGER ENTERTAINMENT (CTE) is a leading independent media company dedicated to entertaining audiences in Asia and beyond. The company creates and distributes branded pay television channels and services targeted at Asian consumers.

CTE operates a powerful bouquet of distinct pay television services including: CELESTIAL MOVIES, the premier 24-hour first-run Chinese movie channel in Asia and beyond; CELESTIAL CLASSIC MOVIES, the world’s most-widely distributed Chinese movie channel with an unparalleled array of Chinese movie masterpieces; cHK, a general entertainment channel offering cool, chic, and contemporary celebrity-powered Hong Kong entertainment; KIX, the ultimate destination for action entertainment; MIAO MI, the first Mandarin “edu-tainment” channel created specifically for kids across Asia; and THRILL, Asia’s only regional horror, thriller and suspense movie channel. All of CTE’s channel brands are available as linear, on-demand and over-the-top services. CTE also produces original production for its bouquet of channels.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, CTE’s majority shareholders are Saban Capital Group, a leading private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries; Celestial Pictures, a diversified Asian entertainment company owned by Astro Overseas Limited; and Lionsgate, the world’s largest independent filmed entertainment studio.

For more information, please visit www.celestialtiger.com.

About Grab & GrabHitch

Grab is Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing platform. Grab solves critical transportation challenges and make transport freedom a reality for 620 million people in Southeast Asia. Grab began as a taxi-hailing app in 2012, but has expanded its core product platform to include private cars and motorbikes. Grab is focused on pioneering new commuting alternatives for drivers and passengers with an emphasis on convenience, safety and reliability. As part of its innovative culture, Grab is testing new services such as social carpooling, as well as last mile and food deliveries. Grab currently offers services in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. For more information, please visit: http://www.grab.com.

Currently available in Singapore in beta, GrabHitch enables drivers and commuters travelling the same route to carpool, enabling like-minded people to connect and save the environment at the same time.

StarHub and MyChinaChannel Unveil Singapore’s First Mandarin Edutainment Channel

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Singapore, 17 May 2016 – StarHub TV and MyChinaChannel (MCC) today jointly announced the launch of a dedicated Mandarin edutainment channel for kids aged three to 12. Called MaxToon “满满通” (StarHub TV Channel 322), the channel is the first of its kind to be launched in Singapore and offers high definition, quality kid’s programming. MaxToon’s programming, which comprises a healthy mix of cartoons and live action, aims to entertain and educate curious young minds through engaging storytelling.

In addition to offering carefully curated content from China, MaxToon—which is owned and distributed by local media company, MCC—will also develop locally-produced content to cater to the needs of Singaporean audiences. The content will emphasize the importance of character development and values such as kindness and care for others. Young viewers can look forward to catching MaxToon from 6am to 12 midnight, with four hours of fresh content everyday. There will be Chinese subtitles made available for selected programmes.

Come June, a brand new variety talk show called Kids’ Talk （“童言无际”）, will be the first locally produced programme to debut on MaxToon. In Kids’ Talk, the host will engage its young guests on various topics of the day. Through the eyes of these innocent, young minds, viewers will be able to enter the children’s world—as these young guests assume different roles such as a parent, a Member of Parliament, or as themselves—and give their interpretations and perspectives on the topics.

At launch, young viewers can look forward to watching Panda’s Paradise （“霹霹乐翻天”）, a story that tells of four friends who overcome all odds to remain fast friends despite having their own unique personalities; Xiao Kang Kang （“小康康”）, which explores the different types of everyday problems encountered by children and shows them various ways to solve these problems; as well as Hai Bei Bei (“海贝贝“), an animation featuring the learning adventures of the 9-year old girl, Bei Bei, and her friends.

To ensure a good lineup of educational yet entertaining content, MCC will also be partnering Marshall Cavendish Education to co-create a kids’ reality programme in the last quarter of this year. Called Young Runners （“3，2，1前进！”）, the series will see kids race against one another in a game where the pedagogy and content advice will be mapped to the MOE curriculum, testing kids on their Mandarin proficiency.

“Children are naturally imaginative and learn best through play. MaxToon, which provides a compelling lineup of educational and enriching Chinese content, will provide a safe and fun environment for children to learn and master the Chinese language in a light-hearted manner,” commented Ms Lee Soo Hui, Head of Media Business Unit, StarHub.

“We are confident that MaxToon will delight parents and children alike.” Said Mr Patrick Yong （杨旻龙）, Chief Executive Officer of MyChinaChannel, “Through the carefully curated programmes on MaxToon, our aim is to eventually help our young viewers develop a love for the Mandarin language, and to use it in their daily lives. Also, we have big plans to support our home-grown talents through local productions, providing them with an avenue to showcase their creativity. We believe that MaxToon has the potential to be a leading Mandarin edutainment kids channel in Asia in time to come.”

MaxToon is available from 18 May 2016 onwards to all StarHub TV customers at no extra cost. 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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About StarHub
StarHub is Singapore’s fully-integrated info-communications company, offering a full range of information, communications and entertainment services for both consumer and corporate markets. StarHub operates a mobile network that provides 4G, 3G and 2G services. It also manages an island-wide HFC network that delivers multi-channel pay TV services (including HDTV, Internet TV and on-demand services) as well as ultra-high speed residential broadband services. StarHub operates an extensive fixed business network that provides a wide range of data, voice and wholesale services. Over Singapore’s fibre-based Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network, StarHub offers a broad range of home and business broadband plans, as well as commercial and residential IPTV services.

Launched in 2000, StarHub has become one of Singapore’s most innovative info-communications providers, and the pioneer in ‘hubbing’ – the ability to deliver unique integrated and converged services to all its customers. StarHub, listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange since October 2004, is a component stock of the Straits Times Index and the MSCI Singapore Free Index.

About MyChinaChannel
MyChinaChannel, established in 2008, is a leading Chinese syndicator, and aggregator of content in Southeast Asia. It operates in Singapore with representative offices in Shanghai and Beijing. Its core business is to market and aggregate television content to other media broadcasters and manage Chinese-language pay television channels in Southeast Asia on traditional and emerging television platforms. It has key relationships with major media entities in China. For more information, please visit www.mychinachannel.com

Media Contacts:
Angeline Tan
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications, StarHub
DID : 6825 5182
Mobile : 8468 0321
Email : Angeline.lc.tan@starhub.com

Karen Ting, August Consulting: karenting@august.com.sg
Silvia Heng, August Consulting: silviaheng@august.com.sg
Tel: 65 6733 8873

CASBAA nets Premier League

HONG KONG, 18 May 2016 – CASBAA today announced four additional Corporate Members of the Association for its Q1 2016 line-up, including global sports TV behemoth, the Premier League (PL), data giant Nielsen, and the NASDAQ-listed Indian DTH platform, Videocon d2h and India based (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore & Hyderabad) law firm Trilegal.

Also joining CASBAA as an Associate Member is branded multimedia broadcaster Rewind Networks of Singapore.

CASBAA CEO, Christopher Slaughter said: “The breadth of operations and the geographies covered by our new Members reflect the Association’s values and the fast-changing shape of our industry.”

“Each of the newcomers brings valuable industry experience, new insights and a global reach. We look forward to providing these additional members with a platform from which to make their mark on one of the world’s most dynamic media environments.”

Premier League
Premier League (PL) is the organizing body of the FA Premier League football association with responsibility for the Football Association league competition, centralized broadcasting and other commercial rights. The group works proactively with its Member Clubs and other football authorities to improve the quality of football in England and around the world.

Nielsen
Nielsen is a global performance management company dedicated to providing a comprehensive understanding of what consumers “watch and buy”. Nielsen also delivers both world-class measurement and analytics contributing to superior performance.

Videocon d2h
The first Indian media company to list on NASDAQ Videocon d2h is India’s fastest growing DTH service provider, offering more than 525 channels and services including India’s first 4K Ultra HD DTH channel.

Rewind Networks
Launched in 2013 Rewind Networks is a multimedia branded entertainment broadcaster now available in eight million households across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand), as well as in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Platforms carrying Rewind Networks content include StarHub, SingTel TV, Astro, Indovision, SKYCable, NowTV, LeEco, CTH and CNS.

Trilegal
One of India’s top-tier law firms, Trilegal works with world’s leading corporations, funds and FIs across diverse sectors, with telecoms, media and technology as one of its key focus areas. It has expertise in M&A and JVs, PE & VC, employment law, disputes resolution, tax, competition law, policy & regulatory issues and general corporate advisory. In 2016, it won
India’s “National Law firm of the Year” by Chambers & Partners.

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About CASBAA

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry. Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices. For more information, visit www.casbaa.com

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For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong
Director of Member Relations & Marketing
CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929 1711

FOX NETWORKS GROUP SECURES EXCLUSIVE TV & THEATRICAL DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS ACROSS HONG KONG & SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR AT CAFE 6

At Cafe 6

The movie adaptation of Taiwan’s best-selling novel will be hitting theatres outside mainland China and Taiwan this summer and to be followed by its TV debut on FNG’s flagship Chinese movies channel SCM

Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, 14^th May, 2016 – FOX Networks Group (FNG), Asia’s leading pay-TV network, announced today that it has acquired exclusive distribution rights for At Cafe 6, the film adaptation of a best-selling novel in Taiwan, for release in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia theatres this summer. FNG is partnering with Twentieth Century Fox International in Hong Kong, Clover Films Distribution, mm2 Entertainment & Golden Village in Singapore, and Clover Films Distribution & mm2 Entertainment in Malaysia and Brunei to bring this well-loved story to theatres outside mainland China and Taiwan. After its theatrical release, At Cafe 6 will also be broadcasted exclusively on FNG’s flagship Chinese movie channel, SCM (Star Chinese Movies), which covers regions that include Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, North America, Australia and New Zealand.

At Cafe 6 was adapted from novelist Fujii Izuki's best-selling novel At Cafe 6, which was published in September 2007, and the film is the author’s directing debut, credited with his real name Neal WU. The novel has sold nearly 1 million copies in Taiwan and its movie adaptation has been highly anticipated since its publication. At Cafe 6 is a film about youth, love and friendship that stars Golden Horse Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards nominees such as Chinese rising star Zijian DONG (Young Love Lost, The Ark of Mr. Chow), who plays a young man looking back on his youth and his bittersweet first love from high school, and Hong Kong actress Cherry NGAN (The Way We Dance), who plays the lead character’s love interest.

A string of hit teenage romantic-comedy films have been released in Taiwan in recent years, including You Are the Apple of My Eye in 2011 and last year’s Our Times, which not only broke box-office records in Taiwan but was also embraced by fans in Hong Kong and mainland China. At Cafe 6 is in a position to achieve similar success in the region due to it being a highly anticipated adaptation of a popular franchise, and FNG has the international broadcasting, packaging and marketing experience to market the film to more audiences.

Cora Yim, SVP and Head of the Chinese Entertainment at FOX Networks Group Asia, said, “We’re proud to deliver to audiences in the region a film that has been eagerly awaited by fans of this best-selling novel from Taiwan. At Cafe 6 not only tells a story about youth that viewers of all ages can relate to, but it’s also portrayed by young talents who have won prestigious awards and captured the hearts of moviegoers. FNG is set on carrying quality regional content such as At Cafe 6 beyond Taiwan and mainland China, and will continue to collaborate on projects like this to show the world what local Asian productions have to offer.”

At Cafe 6 will be shown in theatres in multiple regions including Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia on July 15, mainland China and Hong Kong this Summer. The film will also be available later this year to home viewers exclusively via SCM.

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About SCM

SCM (衛視電影台) (formerly known as STAR Chinese Movies) is the No. 1 Chinese movie channel in Asia and is the premier destination for lovers of blockbuster Chinese cinema, with more than 1,000 titles in its film inventory. SCM is dedicated to providing first-run, premium content as well as cutting-edge advanced services. Premiering box-office hits from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan, SCM guarantees exclusives from top Chinese and Asian producers and major studios such as Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia, Pegasus and Fortune Star. In addition to hit movies, SCM also offers a powerful combination of live events, major concerts and acclaimed Asian documentaries in Cantonese or Mandarin with Chinese and English as well as Bahasa Indonesia and Thai subtitles. With this unrivalled content together with HD viewing, a VOD service and a market-leading online catch-up service called SCM Play, the channel provides an unmatched entertainment experience.

About FOX Networks Group

FOX Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life, FOX+ and National Geographic Channel. FNG’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese Movies). Our non-linear brands include FOX Play, FOX Play+ and Nat Geo Play. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high- definition extensions, reach over 1.825 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties.

Media Inquiries:

Kelly Jang

Vice President, Marketing & Communications | FOX Networks Group Asia

kelly.jang@fox.com | Tel: +852.2621.8875

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Christopher Slaughter

CEO

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

Mark Lay

Vice President, Singapore

Jane Buckthought

Advertising Consultant

Christopher Slaughter

CEO

Anjan Mitra

Executive Director, India

Kevin Jennings

Vice President, Programme

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

Mark Lay

Vice President, Singapore

John Medeiros

Chief Policy Officer

Anjan Mitra

Executive Director, India