31 October, 2013

Welcome to News Views, CASBAA’s news round-up culled from sources across the industry for the week ending Oct 31st. Curated by CASBAA’s staff, News Views carries on in the tradition of Market Watch to keep you in the loop. We always value your feedback, so tell us what you think!

John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	In India, TRAI’s Chairman Rahul Khullar has made a name for himself as a firm and decisive advocate for policies he favors. He told CASBAA a couple of months ago that driving digitization of the Indian cable industry was within his agency’s authority, and he intended to proceed full speed ahead. He’s also been a tenacious advocate of the 12-minute ad cap for TV channels, which has met a lot of criticism within the industry.
Sara Madera Director, Member Relations & Marketing	Is this the end of childhood? Following the banning of tag and playing ball in schools in the US, a popular cartoon in China, accused of being too violent, is being forced to tone down its content. This month the state broadcasting authority announced plans for stricter limits on violence in animated television shows and producers have promised to ensure that cartoons “promote good and lash out at evil” and “advocate social morality and family virtues”.
Jenny Setnicker Head of Advertising Development	Are we still watching TV? Statistically, we are watching more television content and from a growing range of multi-devices. While we’re gravitating to digital platforms and social networks, what is deemed popular is being produced by large entertainment companies. A comforting note that TV networks remain kings of content.
Jane Buckthought Advertising Consultant	Nielsen’s latest data of Ad Spend for 1H 2013 shows growth of 3.5% globally with Asia Pacific tracking at a healthy 6.4% increase Y.o.Y. Indonesia, China and the Philippines all contributed to double-digit ad growth in Asia-Pacific for the first half of 2013, with expenditures reaching $51 billion.
John Medeiros Chief Policy Officer	Slaves of the Internet, Unite! There has been a wave of writing lately by musicians and artists and writers, protesting that “Internetization” of creative pursuits is resulting in impoverishment for those dependent on copyright – a combination of piracy and unwillingness by the tech industry to pay for content.
Desmond Chung Associate Director, PR & Communications	The countdown to the Sochi Winter Olympics has begun with less than 100 days to go. However, countries are already jockeying for position in the MPAA Most ‘Notorious’ Piracy Markets race. Leading the competition? Ukraine, Canada, China and Russia…just don’t expect any gold medals to be handed out!
Godfrey Chan Member Relations & Marketing Executive	With the free-to-air TV licensing spectacle fresh in the minds of Hong Kongers, citizens of the SAR can now share their opinions on the latest TV drama looming on the horizon – and I don’t mean the premiere of a new soap opera! Starting on 1 Nov, the Communications Authority will conduct a one-month public consultation exercise for the renewal of the domestic pay TV service licence of PCCW Media Ltd.
Mandy Wu Regulatory Assistant	A victory for MPAA and our industry, right from my hometown! Vancouver’s Isohunt.com, a bit torrent website, has been ordered by the courts to be terminated and the owner to pay 110 million in fines. Meanwhile, halfway ‘round the world, a court in London ordered access to 21 other torrent sites to be blocked by UK ISPs, this time on a complaint from the music industry.