Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Mar 13th. Curated by CASBAA, News Views keeps you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!
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Christopher SlaughterCEO |
More on Netflix’s pending launch Down Under… the SVOD service has signed a deal with Australia’s #2 carrier Optus to provide free substo some of the telco’s customers. Which is interesting, because Optus’ parent company is Singtel, whose recently-launched HOOQ TV has been billed as “Asia’s answer to Netflix.”
Meanwhile, Singtel’s not the only telco betting on regional OTT… Hong Kong’s PCCW has acquired a majority stake in mobile VOD company Vuclip. Because Vuclip is already present in four Asian markets, PCCW gains immediate regional reach. India-based Vuclip boasts 120 million monthly users, and has existing relationships with a range of telecom partners. |
John MedeirosChief Policy Officer |
The US Trade Representative published its annual list of “notorious” markets for counterfeit and infringing stuff. In keeping with the general trend, the list includes a growing number of online websites which are huge markets for pirate digital copies of copyrighted content. Some of these sites are well-known in Asia, and others are notorious in other regions and languages. The Bangkok Post put tongue in cheek, and called this the “annual list of the best places to get really cheap clothes, movies, software, music and accessories such as Rulex and Briteling watches.” Of course, the Post also noted that “as always, Thailand figured high as a (pirate) shopping destination.”
As predicted, China’s restrictive new regulations on foreign content are proving to be a barrier to legitimate Chinese websites’ carrying “first-run” online content from other countries. And the result is that the pirates are claiming more market share, at the expense of every player in the legitimate value chain. |
Mark LayVice President, Singapore |
There is a dance going on in the industry now between the providers of content and the players that monetize it. It’s fascinating to watch as some entities are leading and some are following, not everyone is dancing to the same tune and before the music stops some toes are probably going to get stepped on. Onto some stories. Not to be outdone by other recent announcements, CBS Chief Les Moonves indicates Showtime will soon launch a Direct-To-Consumer streaming service “in the not-too-distant future”. “Stand-Alone Services: Who’s Next To Change The Landscape — Maybe ESPN?” And, Time Warner CEO says TV Everywhere has reached ‘inflection point’. |
Kevin JenningsProgramme Director |
At the Cable Congress in Europe this week, several of the participants stressed the need for TV to collaborate and innovate with partners in the online OTT space and, as they put it, give the customer what they want which is to watch more content in addition to watching linear. |
Jane BuckthoughtAdvertising Consultant |
Pay-TV revenues in the Asia-Pacific region are forecast to grow by $10 billion between 2014 and 2020, at which time the total is expected to reach $41.52 billion. |
Anjan MitraExecutive Director, India
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BARC is on course to launch its new-age audience measurement system in India and the support it’s getting from its promoters— broadcasters, ad agencies and advert clients— is something that’s a rarity. Even as BARC is set to formally rollout it services a few months from now, the Advertising Agencies Association of India and the Indian Broadcasting Foundation have advised their members to subscribe to BARC and cancel incumbent TAM India’s measurement subscription. Looks like dawn of a new age in measurement is finally here! |
Sara MaderaDirector, Member Relations & Marketing |
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer hinted about it at the 2014 Convention, and now it’s happened: Hunan TV is providing Lionsgate with US$375 million in production funding, marking China’s biggest investment in Hollywood to date. |
Christopher SlaughterCEO |
With the final episodes of Mad Men starting next month, AMC’s come up with a great publicity stunt: more than 30 restaurants in New York are participating in a “Mad Men Dining Week”, offering menus and cocktails inspired by the show for the set price of $19.69 (‘cuz the final season is set in the year 1969). Meanwhile, the Museum of the Moving Image is hosting a Mad Men exhibition and film series curated by show creator Matthew Weiner. No plans to visit Queens any time soon? In that case, here’s a great (long-ish) behind-the-scenes look at how the series got its start. |
John MedeirosChief Policy Officer |
Speaking of pirates……shed a tear for this poor guy: Kim Dotcom told a NZ court he absolutely needs US$152,000 per month from his seized profits-from-piracy to survive. “The Megaupload founder said if funds aren’t forthcoming, living in a mansion may no longer be an option.” |
Kevin JenningsProgramme Director |
China’s Sohu.com is bringing a local version of the Saturday Night Liveformat to China and has begun its search for local talent and comedians as the juggernaut that is Chinese online video continues to hurtle down the internet super highway. As a side note, the drive for comedians is probably worth a reality show in itself. |
Anjan MitraExecutive Director, India |
With the digital rollout in India having hit roadblocks with the government emphasising on made-in-India set-top-boxes and a lack of financial incentives, MSOs are now busy working out new business models by launching a pre-paid model, both for packaging and a la carte. And this is not restricted to any one State as increasingly MSOs realise digitisation is good for all stakeholders in the long run. Now only if other stakeholders also see the big picture and join hands for long-term benefits, the rollout deadline can still be met. |
Jane BuckthoughtAdvertising Consultant |
New research from Nielsen shows how advertisers can look to Twitter activity to identify television shows with highly engaged audiences andTwitter has just opened its Hong Kong office with an eye on China. |
Desmond ChungAssociate Director, PR & Communications |
An interesting rant on how Netflix has managed to break TV, and not in the way you might think. “Netflix thinks it has performed a noble act by releasing the entire season en masse, but it has actually wreaked havoc on the best part of television: talking about television.” |